BY STACY SOBOTKA
The Bruce Township Board of Trustees passed a resolution to restrict private, for profit newspapers and publications, including The Record at their meeting March 15.
“I was informed that the supervisor is now censoring the credenza at the front door and he will not allow sample copies of The Record or Macomb Now. His logic is that these are not non-profit businesses and we’re promoting them and I disagree. I think we’re censoring the press,” said Treasurer Deborah Obrecht. “I truly believe that it serves a benefit to our community, allowing our residents free access to these publications. It’s important for public awareness. We may not like stories that appear, but the idea is that it does benefit the community.”
Obrecht was accused of passing out copies to residents and pointing out certain articles, which she denied.
Cory said a resident at a previous meeting requested the township stopped offering The Record.
“Should I say that you want to listen to the residents that you want to listen to,” he asked.
Clerk Susan Brockmann says she is not against journalism but does not want solicitation of newspapers at the township hall.
“We’re not in the business of selling newspapers or making sure the public has awareness to a particular newspaper,” she said. “We are getting e-mails from taxpayers saying ‘Why is the treasurer passing out The Record newspaper?’”
Trustee Paul Okoniewski proposed the motion, and the board voted in favor of it four to one. Obrecht cast the lone opposing vote.
Cory said that he has never removed any papers from the township hall credenza.
“We’re not censoring the press,” he said. “I have never taken any papers.”
Resident Trese Servitto-Smith defended Obrecht, saying some residents cannot afford newspapers and should be allowed to have them.
“It’s not up to this board to decide what is good or bad, it’s up to the residents,” she said.
The board also received an update on the 33 Mile Road and M-53 ramp project from Darryl Racz of Racz Building and Development.
The ramp is being built to provide better access to a medical complex Racz is developing.
The ramp plans have been finalized and they are now being reviewed by the Macomb County Department of Roads and the Michigan Department of Transportation.
“They were reviewed at 90 percent completion and they didn’t find anything that was substantial,” Racz said.
Once the plans are greenlit, the project can go out for bids. The project may start as early as late April. 800 feet of ramp has been approved, along with a roundabout.
The Raczs worked with the Department of Roads and engineering firm AEW to help conserve construction costs for the township.
“The Road Commission did step up to the plate for some of the money,” Racz said.
The board also appointed Wayne “Skip” Tornow to the Planning Commission.
Tornow has been a resident since 1981, has served as a village trustee and serves on the Historic District for the Village of Romeo.
“He comes with a lot of good ideas. He’s helped with negotiations and was in on the sewer (project) with the village (of Romeo),” Cory said.
Tornow replaces Erica Weichel. The board thanked Weichel for her contributions to the township.
