Macomb Co. Man to Sit on DIA Board as Part of Millage Promise

The Detroit Institute of Arts named a Macomb man to its board of directors as part of an agreement following the August millage.

The Detroit Institute of Arts named Macomb's Donald Ritzenhein to its board as part of an agreement following the DIA’s successful millage in August. Ritzenhein was one of 11 members named to the Detroit Institute of Arts board of directors at its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 14. In his day job, he is assistant vice president, academic human resources, and professor of communication at Eastern Michigan University. He was provost and vice president at Macomb Community College. He is also a former trustee of the Mount Clemens Community Schools Board of Education.  In August, voters passed a 10-year tax of 0.2 mills to support the Detroit Institute of Arts.  At 0.2 mills, a Macomb taxpayer owning a $200,000 home, with a taxable value of $100,…

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VIDEO: Watch As Shelby Swears In New Board of Trustees

In case you missed last Tuesday's swearing in ceremony, here is the uncut version courtesy of Shelby TV.

Macomb Clerk: Decision to Relocate 41A District Court Not in 'Forseeable Future'

Negotiations between Shelby and Macomb townships have resumed, but the issue of retiree health care costs continues to be a sticking point.

A May 2 resolution by the Shelby Township board of trustees may have renewed relocation discussions for the 41A District Court, but Macomb Township Clerk Michael Koehs said residents should not expect any action by Macomb's board in “the foreseeable future.” “It’s not scheduled in the foreseeable future on our township board agenda, not at this stage,” he said. “It’s something the board is considering. We’ll get a copy of what the attorneys (of Shelby and Macomb) send, read it, analyze it and then respond appropriately.” This move to renew negotiations comes almost a year after Macomb Township decided to dissolve its court relocation committees following concerns that Shelby Township was not providing written acknowledgement that it would …

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Matt Guarnieri

9:57 am on Thursday, May 3, 2012

It's what Judge Shepherd said he wanted a few years back. Why hold him back?   more ›

Shelby Approves Special Land Use; Conceptual Site Plan for Apartment Complex

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees gave two local business owners approval to carry on with their plans of expanding a vehicle storage yard and building an apartment complex.

Shelby Approves Special Land Use Approval for Towing Yard The Shelby Township Board of Trustees approved a special land use application to permit the outdoor storage of towed vehicles at 6075 Auburn Road. The Shelby Township Board of Trustees questioned business owner Luca Ujkic Tuesday about parking vehicles on the seven-acre lot before receiving the consent from the township. Ujkic had said it was a mistake and the vehicles had been removed. “I’m comfortable we won’t issue permits until compliance,” said Shelby Township Planning Director Glen Wynn. Planning Commission to Review Final Site Plan for New Apartment Complex The Shelby Township Board of Trustees agreed Tuesday to approve a conceptual site plan for a 344-unit apartment complex …

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Jeffery Berz

3:30 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012

It is VERY rude! Residents get 5 minutes every second week to be heard by the board. Trustee Flynn claims he is multi-tasking when he is using his computer during the business from the floor portion of the meeting. That's a bunch of bull! He's just a very rude individual who doesn't care what anyone has to say. He would rather debate with someone than give them the time of day by listening to …   more ›

Race for Board of Trustees Widens with 7 New Candidates

Former police chief and candidate for Shelby Township Board of Trustees supervisor, Bob Leman, has thrown his support behind seven candidates.

The race for the Shelby Township Board of Trustees got a whole lot bigger Thursday night when seven residents threw their names in the hat. Bob Leman, the former police chief and a candidate for supervisor, announced seven people who intend to run for Shelby posts during a campaign fundraiser Thursday night: Patch asked the candidates—who will be sharing Leman's campaign manager—why they planned to run. "I hate to say anything negative but three and a half years ago, an ill will blew into the Board of Trustees," said Batchelder, who was a firefighter and paramedic in Shelby Township for 25 years. "We need a new township board that is friendly to voters and approachable," he added. Kopp said he decided to enter the politial arena as a …

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New Shelby Township Clerk Sworn in Today

Stan Grot was sworn in at noon Wednesday as the new Shelby Township Clerk.

The Shelby Township Board of trustees appointed Stan Grot the new Shelby Township Clerk Tuesday evening by a 5 to 1 vote. Grot will fill the remainder of former Clerk Terri Kowal's term, which is due to expire in November. Shelby Township has been short a full-time clerk since Kowal resigned at the beginning of the year to take a similar position in Auburn Hills. The appointment was made possible Tuesday evening after the Board of Trustees amended a decades-old ordinance that required a replacement be chosen by a unanimous vote. If a clerk were not appointed by mid-February, a special election would have been held in May. Several members of the audience spoke on Grot's behalf, and applauded his work with the Michigan Republican party. Lisa…

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brent

5:57 pm on Friday, March 23, 2012

Matt are you seriously talking about people making threats?? I do have to admit this is a perfect opportunity for you to finally write about how your buddies have made numerous threats against fellow board members and residents, it would be amazing to see you write negatively about someone besides Leman, Manzella or the nightingales! Again, you always seem to forget to mention the threats viar …   more ›

VIDEO: Protester Incites Shelby Board Meeting During Ordinance Discussion

Tempers flared as a protester flashed signs at a Shelby Township Board of Trustee during a heated discussion about an ordinance amendment.

After several failed attempts to appoint a temporary clerk, a lengthy discussion with residents and a short adjournment because of a protester during Tuesday’s meeting, the Shelby Township Board of Trustees voted to begin the process of amending an ordinance that states the board must have a unanimous vote to fill a board vacancy. Trustee Lisa Manzella was absent from the 4-0 vote after she exited the board room during the five-minute adjournment. By approving the motion Tuesday, the board agreed to publish the amendment change in local newspapers and take a final vote during a special Jan. 31 meeting. If passed, the ordinance, which states the board must have a majority rather than a unanimous vote to fill a vacancy, would go into effect …

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Matt Guarnieri

4:57 pm on Sunday, February 5, 2012

Mr. Leman had one job to do and he took months of leave, he was at no meetings, never in his office and answered no emails... One job he was paid to do and he slacked off on. The Nightingales had one quote, a written guideline of what they said they would do... could they accomplish this... NO.... even with generations and 50+ years experience... if you need a large vehicle towed they lack the …   more ›

Shelby Township’s Notable News of 2011

New building for police, Soccer City settlement, recycling, and more mark accomplishments.

What made the top headlines in Shelby Township this year? Supervisor Richard Stathakis sat down with Patch to discuss the Township’s top accomplishments for 2011. A new building for the Police Department. Construction was started on a new, 18,000 square-foot police department building in March. The building will be a stand-alone structure and will house police operations on the grounds of the municipal complex on 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke.  The existing police building will be renovated and repurposed for department uses after the new building is complete in 2012. “We are going to be moving them in the spring to a new building and while they are there we are going to convert the (existing) 7,000-square foot structure into conference rooms…

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VIDEO: Best Holiday Wishes From Shelby Township Supervisor

Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis has a message for his friends, family and residents of Shelby.

Shelby Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis wishes residents and happy and healty Christmas and New Year.

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Documents Show Questions About Ex-Chief's Performance; Whistleblower Suit Continues

In documents obtained by Patch.com, evaluations sent by several Shelby Township Board of Trustees members show their disapproval of the former police chief's performance. He has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the township.

Former police chief Robert Leman filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Shelby Township last month, claiming he was fired for investigating several Board of Trustee members. Leman's employment files have been sealed because of the pending case, but documents obtained before the suit by a Shelby Township resident and shared with Shelby-Utica Patch show several board members explaining why they chose not to renew the ex-chief's contract. Meanwhile, Leman contends he was fired for investigations into officials' conduct that some of them may not have liked. "The chief’s action of turning over investigation was his whisteblowing, and he was terminated for it," said Leman's attorney Joseph Golden with Pitt MeGehee Palmer Rivers and Golden, P.C. …

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Tammy Underwood

1:34 pm on Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Do you read what you write or what yourself on tv after the meetings because we the voters do you and other board members have personalized this which shows your lack of professionlism. You are the one who needs to "suck it up" does that phrase ring a bell to you. We are watching and we are listening and you will see that at the poles.   more ›