By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE —The city has been operating under a Deficit Elimination Plan for its general and civic arena funds for a few years now, Mayor Stacy Striz said, but she feels it is heading in the right direction. She met with the Michigan Treasury Department in December and was told the city “hasn’t hit any home runs, but they are consistently getting base hits” with the changes being made around the city. Some of the changes included reductions in pay, reviewing and increasing fees and … [Read more...] about Striz plans for more financial ‘base hits’
Melvindale
City to adopt MDEQ required ordinances
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality recently audited the city and told officials two ordinances would be necessary for their compliance with the department. The first of the two ordinances — an illicit discharge and connection ordinance — went through its first reading Jan 15 and regulates “non-storm water discharges” into the city’s storm drainage system. Corporation Counsel Corinne Galusky said the Building Department always has monitored the issue, but it … [Read more...] about City to adopt MDEQ required ordinances
Hinjosa plans mission to epicenter of trafficking world
Cop fights human trafficking Photo by Gabriel Goodwin Melvindale Police Cpl. Rolando Hinjosa explainins the premise of “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls” to a group of people before they watch the documentary about human trafficking. The 90-minute documentary featured interviews of human trafficking victims and chronicled the events surrounding their experiences. The documentary was shown at the Woodhaven Emagine Theatre Wednesday and was presented by Soroptimist International of Trenton Area. The club said it sold 140 tickets to the … [Read more...] about Hinjosa plans mission to epicenter of trafficking world
Officials meet with Treasury; review team not needed
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — City officials spoke with Department of Treasury officials about the city’s financial future and said a review team for an emergency manager was not needed. The city has been operating under a Treasury-approved, five-year deficit elimination plan and Mayor Stacy Striz, Corporate Council Corinne Galusky, and Councilman Dave Cybulski met with the Department of Treasury to review the city’s progress Wednesday. The idea of a financial review team coming in to evaluate … [Read more...] about Officials meet with Treasury; review team not needed
Giving Tree
Photo by Gabriel Goodwin Melvindale City Clerk Diana Zarzua hangs donated mittens onto the city’s Giving Tree inside City Hall. The city is sponsoring a Project Warmth campaign to provide hats, mittens and scarves to children in the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park school district. City Hall is accepting donations from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and donations can be made at Melvindale Public Library, between noon and 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday or noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, or at the police station 24 hours a day. … [Read more...] about Giving Tree
Officials meet with Department of Treasury, told review team not needed
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — City officials spoke with Department of Treasury officials about the city’s financial future and said a review team for an emergency manager was not needed. The city has been operating under a Treasury-approved, five-year deficit elimination plan and Mayor Stacy Striz, Corporate Council Corinne Galusky, and Councilman Dave Cybulski met with the Department of Treasury to review the city’s progress Wednesday. The idea of a financial review team coming in to evaluate … [Read more...] about Officials meet with Department of Treasury, told review team not needed
Local Board of Canvassers eliminated
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – The city council had no choice when it came to dissolving the city's Board of Canvassers Wednesday. Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill in June that took the responsibility of certifying city elections away from the local boards of canvassers and translated it to county boards of canvassers. For Allen Park, Wyandotte, Riverview and Melvindale, this meant Wayne County became responsible for certifying election results and their four-member boards had to be disbanded. The … [Read more...] about Local Board of Canvassers eliminated
Pumpkin painting
Photo by Gabriel Goodwin Jason Williams (left), 9, and Angel Lemus, 9, paint their pumpkins to resemble an Angry Bird and Jack Skellington, from “Nightmare Before Christmas,” during the Melvindale Library’s Pumpkin Decorating Contest Saturday. Williams and Lemus, along with 13 other children, painted pumpkins to be displayed around the library, 18650 Allen Road. The top three pumpkins will win $15, $10 and $5 gift cards, respectively. The voting continues through Monday and the winner will be announced the same day. … [Read more...] about Pumpkin painting
Business owners defend license application misinformation
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — An new change to the business license ordinance caused two new property owners to defend their applications in front of the council Wednesday. The city recently updated its business license ordinance to require a background check with every new license application. The ordinance used to only require a background check on owners requesting to operate businesses ranging from solicitors and canvassers to taxi cabs and ice cream trucks. City Clerk Diana Zarazua denied the … [Read more...] about Business owners defend license application misinformation
Police raising money to replace K-9 officer
By GABRIEL GOODWIN Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE — The Police Department will retire its K-9 officer soon, and two service organizations stepped up to raise money to purchase and train his replacement. Mackey has been with the department for nine years and the department would like to see him retire soon. In order to make that happen, the city would have to find the money to purchase, train and properly equip the new dog. The city is executing a debt elimination plan and does not have the money to purchase one. Officer … [Read more...] about Police raising money to replace K-9 officer