August 2020 News Briefs

There are eleven candidates running for three open spots on the Wayne Westland Community Schools Board of Trustees. Voting will take place during the November 3 election. Please take time before then to be an informed voter. Get to know the candidates by visiting their Facebook pages (if they have one), reading any election material you may receive, and if you have questions, contacting them to get answers.
Below is a list of who is running for office. Melandie Hines is running for re-election. Carol Middel and Shawna Walker are not running for re-election.
John Albrecht
Daniel Beier
Eric Cleereman
Sheree Conn
Timothy Gilbert
Melandie Hines
Angela Jackson-Irvine
David James
Susan Lachhman
Kimberly May
Gayle Nicholson

Wayne was named 94.7 WCSX Detroit’s Classic Rock City of the Week for July 22. DJ Donielle (Doni) Flynn held ribbon cuttings throughout Downtown Wayne with city officials. Locations included the corner of Wayne Rd and Michigan Ave. by the Downtown Wayne sign, Goudy Park, Michigan’s Finest, Law Auto, Leo’s Jewelers and Derby’s Alley. Doni also checked out the Michigan Assembly Plant and the Wayne Historical Museum with Mayor John Rhaesa.

The Knights of Columbus #3021 Notre Dame Council in Wayne are collecting items to help several organizations serving the Wayne community. A Food Drive benefitting St. Mary’s Outreach Center is underway. Donations of non-perishable food items are being accepted. The Knights are also looking for donations of gently used children’s books, sidewalk chalk and bubbles for Ss. Simon & Jude’s Red Wagon Project. All donations can be dropped off at the Notre Dame Hall, 3144 S. Wayne Rd on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday nights. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Wayne Business and Professional Women and Wayne Historical Society present Historic Women’s Suffrage Rally in celebration of 100 years of women earning the right to vote. The event will be held Thursday, August 13, at 7:00 p.m. on the Wayne Historical Museum’s lawn, 1 Towne Square. Special guest appearances will be made by Alice Paul (author of the ERA 1923), Clara Arthur (President of the Michigan Equal Suffrage Association) and The Women’s Suffrage Dancers. A free ice cream social will follow.

The Wayne Historical Society has announced programs coming up later this year. Add these to your calendar now and watch this column for further information.
Sept. 10, 7:00 p.m. NorWayne-A Planned Community
Oct. 4, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Annual Cemetery Walk
Oct. 8, 7:00 p.m. The History of Eloise
Oct. 17, 4:00 p.m. Witches Brew Tea
Oct. 24, 8:00-11:34 p.m. Ghost Hunt at the Museum
Nov. 12, 7:00 p.m. Blacksmithing: The Bert Green Story
Dec. 5, 6:00-9:00 p.m. Holiday Night at the Museum

Wayne Westland Community School District is asking for your help. They would like donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and school supplies for the upcoming school year.
PPE they are asking for includes non-surgical face masks (cloth or disposable), face shields, and nitrile disposable gloves (not latex).
School supplies requested include crayons, markers, colored pencils, pencil cases/boxes, pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners (mechanical), pens (blue, black and red), highlighters, glue sticks, rulers, scissors, 1 and 3-subject notebooks, folders, 1-inch binders, calculators, larger backpacks, plastic ziplock bags (gallon and quart) and tissues (small packages).
They are also accepting monetary donations which will be used to purchase the items at bulk rate through school vendors. Checks should be made payable to Wayne Westland Community Schools.
To coordinate drop-off of supplies, please contact the respective coordinators.
For PPE, Maria Mitter can be reached at (734) 419-2036.
For school supplies, Amanda Dybus can be reached at (734) 419-2036 or by email dybusa@wwcsd.-net.
All supplies are needed by August 18 and should be dropped off at the Board of Education, 36745 Marquette, Westland.

Ford Motor Company unveiled the new 2021 Bronco two-door and four-door models on July 13 at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne. Employees there were able to see up-close the vehicles they will start making in Wayne after the plant is retooled. Ford is now taking reservations for the new models at www.Ford.com for $100.

Gleaners Community Food Bank is holding free food distributions at Maplewood Community Center, 31735 Maplewood St, Garden City. Upcoming dates are August 19 and September 16 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Families and individuals in need of food are encouraged to attend this drive-up distribution which includes 30 pounds of groceries.

Commissioners of the Wayne Planning Commission held a second public hearing on July 30 before making a recommendation to City Council about a rezoning request in downtown Wayne. The owner of the property located at 35540 W. Michigan Ave requests a change from B-5 Business Concentrated to B-5 Business Concentrated (C). This would allow for overnight stays as part of an in-patient detoxification center for substance abuse. This issue will appear before the city council at their August 18 meeting.