Melvindale

By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – The city’s police chief has reportedly been reinstated to his lieutenant position after being fired as police chief Tuesday. At a Public Safety Commission meeting Wednesday, Chad Hayse, who was appointed interim police chief upon the January retirement of former Chief Rick Cadez, was reinstated to his former position, a reversal from the commission’s decision Tuesday night to fire him for reasons that have not been released. At a special city council meeting later that … [Read more...] about Police chief fired, rehired as lieutenant

By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – A homework assignment at a local middle school has drawn national controversy. News outlets across the country are reporting on a parent’s reaction after her 11-year-old son, a student at Strong Middle School, was assigned a mock journal in which students were asked to imagine their lives as slaves in the pre-Civil War South. District parent Jessica Gibson said the assignment made her bi-racial son, Taylan, feel “embarrassed to be black.” Gibson said she told her son … [Read more...] about Homework assignment stirs controversy

By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Some big shakeups are headed for the city council dias after Tuesday’s election. City Councilwoman Stacy Striz won her bid for mayor over incumbent Valerie Cadez. Striz netted 760 votes to Cadez’s 526. Incumbent Kally Hess will join five new faces on the council. Hess netted 720 votes to earn a seat along with Carl Louvet (677 votes), Medina Balderas (622 votes), Wheeler Marsee (661 votes), Nicole Barnes (651 votes), and David Cybulski (649 votes). Unsuccessful … [Read more...] about Shakeups for Melvindale Council

By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Voters have a choice between old and new when they hit the polls to vote for city clerk Tuesday. Incumbent Norine Peeples has served as city clerk for the past year. She also works as a motivational speaker, ordained minister and business consultant and has lived in the city for about six years. When she took the office, she made history as the first black resident elected to a city office, a designation she said is close to her heart. She said her love for the city … [Read more...] about Voters get choice of old or new in clerk race

By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – Twelve hopefuls will compete for six seats on the city council Tuesday. Jeannine Prohownick Ansley served on the council for eight years until 2007. She has worked for the Environmental Protection Agency and was the executive director of Friends of the Detroit River. She said win or lose, she plans to continue to work to better the community, including luring new businesses to the city, and marketing the city’s boat launch and civic arena during their … [Read more...] about 12 running for 6 council seats

By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – No matter who comes out ahead in the mayoral race, she will be a face familiar to residents. Mayor Valerie Cadez faces off against current council member Stacy Striz for the position. Cadez has served as mayor for the past four years, and has also served as city clerk and on the city council. She also is chairwoman of the Downriver Community Council. She has been married to Police Chief Rick Cadez for 38 years. She said she chose to run again because she feels the … [Read more...] about 2 face off for Melvindale mayor

By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers MELVINDALE – The race for treasurer pits two longtime residents and first-time candidates against each other. Incumbent Treasurer John K. Kessey is not seeking re-election. Karen Lowe has lived in the city for the majority of her 57 years. A former employee of an accounting firm, she said she ran for the office to see the city move in a different direction. She said her goal as treasurer would be to maintain the integrity of the office. To do that, she said she would check all … [Read more...] about Two vie for treasurer seat