DEARBORN HEIGHTS Mid-week edition

Vol. 96 No. 21

PRESS & GUIDE

Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Your neighborhood newspaper since 1918
$ 00

City prepares for party 50 years in making

By Rene Cizio
Press & Guide Newspapers

Think spring
Community enjoys home, garden expo Page 3-A

DEARBORN HEIGHTS Fifty years ago the space race was on; and the Cold War was cooling down; John F. Kennedy was president; and Barbie was the popular toy to have; the first James Bond film, Dr. No, was shown in U.S. theaters; the soap opera General Hospital debuted; and the city of Dearborn Heights was incorporated. Beginning this month, a celebration of 50 years is commencing all over the city.

City officials, committees and organizations are planning several events to commemorate the municipalitys 50-year anniversary. The city was incorporated April 8, 1963. There are many ways residents can participate in marking the occasion. Residents, organizations, businesses, schools, churches and other groups are encouraged to send a birthday card to the city. Michele Kramarz, who helped design the card, said theyll be available at city buildings for

anyone whod like to share a thought, memory or good wishes with the city. Kramarz is on the anniversary committee. The plan is to display the cards in City Hall throughout the year, Kramarz said. It could include a picture of the group of people, or their building could be attached to the cover of the card. We hope to keep these cards in the city archives after our celebration is over. The city will host an open house party at City Hall, 6045 Fenton, at 4:30 p.m. April 8. During the party, pictures

from the archives will be on display along with the cards and lists of golden anniversary residents and businesses who have been in the city for 50 years. City vehicles will be on display outside of City Hall, and at 5 p.m, a ceremony will take place in the council chambers. A huge cake in the shape of Dearborn Heights made by resident Karen Kasprzyk will be served after the ceremony. The cake will be a feat of epic proportions.
PLEASE SEE PARTY/10-A

Man sentenced Construction well for assaulting under way at Union girlfriend before her death
By Joe Slezak
Press & Guide Newspapers

Arts Woman competes with robots

1-D

Photo by Joe Slezak

A construction worker labors in the Victors Den, part of The Union at Dearborn.

DETROIT Alicia Lynn Wilson was seriously injured several times in beatings by her boyfriend of nine years, James Thomas Friedrich, but didnt go to the police until last year, her daughter said. Two months after Friedrich was sentenced to probation in a misdemeanor case in Dearborn Heights involving one of the beat-

ings, Wilson was dead on a motel room floor. Friedrich, 53, was sentenced Friday by Wayne County Circuit Judge Deborah Thomas to 11 months in the Wayne County Jail and five years probation for assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. It was the maximum amount of jail time he could receive. Friedrich pleaded guilty
PLEASE SEE SENTENCE/15-A

By Joe Slezak

Press & Guide Newspapers

DEARBORN Larry Winokur knows the way from Oakland County to Dearborn. Does he ever. The retired attorney, managing partner of Urban Campus Communities of Bloomfield Hills, has been visiting the construction site of the companys latest creation, The Union at Dearborn, once or twice weekly and is thrilled with what hes seeing. Its an apartment complex at 760 and

780 Town Center Drive across from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and geared toward its students, though it cant be exclusively for them because its privately owned. U of M-D is the only four-year college or university in the state that doesnt have housing on or close to campus. Ground was broken Sept. 24 on the $30 million, 12 1/2-acre project, and the goal is to have it open by Labor Day weekend so students can move in before fall class
PLEASE SEE UNION/8-A

Sports Tractors take district crown over CHS

1-B

Coulson retiring from District 7 position

By Katie Hetrick
Press & Guide Newspapers

DEARBORN HEIGHTS Dearborn Heights District 7 is losing another top administrator and will open its doors to school-of-choice students in kindergarten through 11th grade next year as it struggles to balance the budget. Assistant Superintendent Charlene Coulson will retire at the end of June. Her resignation was accepted with regret and appreciation by the school board on Monday night. She has

been with the district since 2006. She also worked at District 7 from the summer of 2000 to the summer of 2001. Coulson said after the meeting she has no particular retirement plans other than to enjoy family and friends and spend more time with her husband on their boat. Thank you Dr. Coulson for your dedicated service, said Board Vice President David Mack. There was no immediate word on whether the district would replace her.

Last year, District 7 let go Business Manager Angela Rudolph in an effort to try to balance the budget. Supt. Jeffrey Bartold took on her role in addition to his. He previously served as business manager for the district. Word of Coulsons retirement came at the same meeting where the district announced it is considering closing Madison Elementary school next year and reconfiguring the other elementary schools to
PLEASE SEE COULSON/8-A

Plowed away UM-Dearborn students compete

11-A

Photo by Joe Slezak

James Thomas Friedrich enters Wayne County Circuit Judge Deborah Thomas courtroom Friday for his sentencing.

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