Sisters purchase Bridgewater Bank and Tavern See Page 14-A

Church breaks ground on new building addition See Page 3-B

Burton Orofacial Myology opens at Liberty School See Online

Saline Reporter
VOL. 61, NO. 43

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011 Weave the Web:

Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage. See our Most Viewed story At Slutwalk, women rally against victim-blaming, slut-shaming

Saline teen faces armed robbery charges

By James Pruitt
Special Writer

A Saline teenager will appear in Circuit Court in December on armed robbery charges. Emily Rose Beach, 16, will appear before Judge David Swartz Dec. 1 for a preliminary exam on armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Two additional counts, unarmed robbery and conspiracy to commit unarmed robbery were added at Beachs preliminary exam Oct. 18. Beach stood mute at the hearing. The charges stem from a July 26 incident where Beach and James Armoni

Brewer, 16, also of Saline, are believed by authorities to have conspired to rob a drug dealer of some marijuana and a cell phone in the 800 block of Valley Circle Drive in Saline. Brewer is scheduled to have a preliminary exam in District Court Nov. 1. Beach is under house arrest and has failed five attempts at producing a urine sample for mandatory tests, court records show. The court has ordered an oral swab to be taken. Saline police arrested Brewer Sept. 6 and he was arraigned Sept. 7, Saline detective Don Lupi said. Brewer is being held without bond. The warrant for Brewer

included charges of armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. If convicted, both suspects could receive a life sentence. The incident occurred between 10 and 11 p.m. July 26 on the 800 block of Valley Arch Drive. Initial reports stated a man was assaulted by four black males, but only the two suspects have been identified. According to police documents, the suspects wanted some marijuana but did not have any money so they conspired to rob the victim. The suspects told police the victim had been robbed before and was an

easy target. The female called the dealer and made plans to buy 1/8 ounce of marijuana for $350 and would meet him at his girlfriends house. The pair communicated by phone to set up the assault. The female alerted the dealer that she was outside and the victim came out with his girlfriend who was taking out the trash. When the victim approached the male suspect and three other males jumped the man. The male suspect held the gun during the incident. He took the marijuana and the victims cell phone. Neither suspect could identify the others

involved in the assault. In other police news, a Pittsfield Township man will face a preliminary exam on an arson charge Oct. 27. James Shelby Blake, 35, was arrested Oct. 18 by the Pittsfield Township Police Department on a felony warrant. Pittsfield authorities say he started a fire at an apartment in the 2000 block of Arbor Circle Drive around 10:50 p.m. Oct. 3. At the time, Public Safety Department personnel evacuated the building, documents show. Investigators determined Blake was the suspect.
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Slutwalk A2 women protest victim-blaming State Sen. Rebekah Warren discusses budget October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Police chief, City Council disagree

Leaders fail to embrace plan for department
By Jim Pruitt
Special Writer

Four vying for council seats

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A plan to reorganize the Saline Police Department appears to be a moot point and may hasten the departure of the police chief The plan, developed by Chief Paul Bunten and City Manager Todd Campbell, received a cool reception from council members at a work session Monday night held before the councils regular meeting. The plan was designed to save the city money and to help with the transition after the chief retires next year. Council members and Mayor Gretchen Driskell are concerned a new chief may not want the new system and that any savings would be a temporary fix. Campbell told council members that he and Bunten have been discussing the path they felt the city should be going down, but wanted direction. Bunten laid out the plan as a way for the department to increase efficiencies, adjust workloads and promote qualified internal candidates. The need for a new organization came during budget discussions earlier this year in light of the retirement of the deputy chief. This didnt come off the cuff, he told the council. We discussed this six months ago. This is a very good reorganization plan. It saves the city money and delivers the same services. Under Buntens plan, a lieutenants position would be created as the departments No. 2 person.
PLEASE SEE POLICE/12-A

James Roth

John Heller

Linda TerHaar

James Peters

Two newcomers face two appointees for three council posts

By Amy Bell
Heritage Media

Although five candidates will be listed on the ballot, four are vying for three seats on the Saline City Council Nov. 8. Positions held by Glenn Law, Pat Ivey and Linda TerHaar will all be on the ballot. Terms are two years. Law filed to run for reelection, but moved out of the city and resigned from his position. Newcomers James Roth and John Heller will battle appointees Linda TerHaar and James Peters. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Precincts 1 and 2 are located at Liberty School, 7265 Saline-Ann Arbor Road, and Precinct 3 is at First United Methodist Church, 1200 N. Ann Arbor St. CANDIDATE NAME: James Roth ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Saline City Council POLITICAL AFFILIATION: None CITY, VILLAGE OR TOWNSHIP OF RESIDENCE: Saline OCCUPATION: Retired educator at Saline Area Schools and Washtenaw Community College EDUCATION: Bachelors degree from

Kent State University, masters degree from Eastern Michigan University, Leadership Development Program certificate the University of Michigan. ANY PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICE: None CURRENT PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVICE: Cultural Arts Committee member Board member for both of Salines sister cities organizations Coordinator of Salines Photography Club Board member of Salines Historical Society Judge for the 4-H Fair Committee member and volunteer of the Harvest of the Arts, Summerfest and Winterfest committees Docent for the oneroom school Living history interpreter (French and Indian War) President of the Ann Arbor Graphic Arts Memorial Foundation Worker at local K of C events. KEY ISSUES: 1. Problems facing our city include the loss in tax revenue, decreased tax base, changes to revenue sharing and more unfunded mandates from the state and federal governments. The decrease in revenue will jeopardize the con-

tinuation of services and programs by the city. 2. In the past some of our city representatives have failed to acknowledge and consider differing points of view and perspectives presented to them. Moreover, they have failed to provide a reply of the results of their decision-making process. SUMMARY OF YOUR PROPOSAL FOR ADDRESSING EACH OF THOSE ISSUES: 1. City Council needs to budget within the citys means. The city should borrow or issue bonds only when absolutely necessary rather than spending now for our enjoyment and expecting our children to pay for it later. Interest on borrowing adds additional cost for the final activity or project. As reductions in citys operations are identified and implemented, I become more concerned that non-essential activities and practices continue to the detriment of other beneficial services. Diligence is necessary for our city to continue to provide the services to which we have become accustomed. The city must keep expenditures within the citys available revenues. 2. I believe its impor-

tant that all of our city representatives mindfully listen and give fair, nonjudgmental consideration of differing points of view during the decisionmaking process. I will listen to perspectives of a diverse array of people and work diligently with the mayor, council members and city staff to investigate and implement creative solutions to local problems. I want to be accessible and available to hear the concerns of all the citizens of the city of Saline. I need your vote, so I can represent and serve you and all the citizens of this great community as a member of the Saline City Council. PERSONAL: Age: 67, married CANDIDATE NAME: John Heller ELECTED OFFICE SOUGHT: Saline City Council CITY, VILLAGE OR TOWNSHIP OF RESIDENCE: Saline OCCUPATION: United Bank and Trust, retired as dispatcher from Saline Police Department two years ago, also part time as a site coordinator and scorekeeper for the Saline Area Schools athletic department.
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Saline area will be performing the childrens classic 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Performances are to be held at the Liberty School auditorium. Tickets are $5 general admission at the door. Get breaking news text alerts: The Saline Reporter and Milan News-Leader, as part of Heritage Media, offer breaking news text alerts. Text HERNews, HERSports and HERWeather to 22700 to sign up.

BRIEFLY...
Reception to be held for Artist of the Month: Artist of the Month for November at Two Twelve Arts Center is Karen Blackwood. She will exhibit Michigan Landscape and Coastal Views. An artists reception will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4. at 216 W. Michigan Ave. in Saline. Call 944-2787 for more information.

Youth Theater Guild launches: Saline Community Education has added a new program this fall, expanding its already popular Junior Theater winter musical. The Youth Theater Guild has been created for students in fourth through eighth grades who want to learn more about acting and non-musical play productions. The inaugural performance is Alice in Wonderland, a play based on the Lewis Carroll fantasies. Nineteen students from the