[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] Just and can I get Mr. Mayor to do that for us,
[0:06] sir?
[0:21] Thank you, roll call. Mr. Pats. Mr. Clark. Mr. Armstrong. Mr. Wallace. Mr. Deity. Mr. Thomas. Mr. Johnson. Mayor Wolley.
[0:34] Deputy Clerk, Sarah Ropecki and Mr. Jones.
[0:41] We have a forum.
[0:44] We pay the motion to approve the agenda with additional appointment to 5.100 mirrors to
[0:50] me in the communication.
[0:52] Motion.
[0:52] Second.
[0:53] Motion by Mr. Walsh, seconded by Mr. Armstrong, any discussion?
[1:01] Here are none.
[1:02] All in favor say yes.
[1:04] Yes.
[1:05] have a motion carried.
[1:08] 4.2, motion to approve the acceptance of the minute, held August 5, 2020 sick and dispense
[1:15] with oral reading.
[1:18] Motion by Mr. Armstrong, ordered by Mr. Thomas, any discussion?
[1:24] All favors the yes?
[1:25] Yes.
[1:26] All opposed?
[1:27] Yes.
[1:28] This has a motion carried.
[1:30] We move on to Mayor's communication.
[1:32] Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
[1:33] I have one motion and that is a motion to approve the new appointment of Jason Dawd to the
[1:38] Zoning Board of Appeals to fulfill the term of John Copeland and to expire on May 31st,
[1:44] 2027.
[1:46] Motion by Mr. Clark's support by Mr. Armstrong.
[1:51] Any discussion?
[1:53] Here are none.
[1:53] All's favors say yes.
[1:55] Yes.
[1:56] All opposed.
[1:57] Yes, there's a motion carried.
[1:59] Mr. Chairman.
[1:59] See here?
[2:00] to be sworn
[2:10] right here raise your right hand or repeat after me. I Jason Dol. I Jason Dol.
[2:15] Do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States.
[2:19] The Constitution of the State of Michigan.
[2:23] The Charter of the City of Taylor.
[2:25] Charter of the City of Taylor.
[2:26] And that I will faithfully discharge to the duties.
[2:28] That I will faithfully discharge to duties.
[2:30] Of the Office of the Office of the Zoning Board of Appeals Member.
[2:34] Zoning Board of Appeals Member. According to the best of my ability.
[2:47] I got one more thing that I got a couple more things that I just want to talk about real quick.
[2:53] I just can't say how appreciative I am, how grateful, how happy over the last weekend and all of last week.
[3:02] You know, it started with the World Series, Junior League World Series, a great turnout.
[3:07] Everybody was more than welcoming, and when you talk to people from other countries and other states that come here to enjoy and literally
[3:14] and to be able to ask them what they think of our city and all this stuff and got nothing but praises, which was phenomenal.
[3:22] That's what you always want to hear. I can tell you the Australians were really big fans because they told me every time they saw me.
[3:29] It was just a great turnout, congratulations to California for being in the World Series Champions this year,
[3:36] and to all the volunteers that helped over there, kudos to them, and thanks for everything I know Mr. Bazaar is very appreciative
[3:43] and happy how everything went as well. The other thing I want to talk about real quick is the wall that heals.
[3:51] Absolutely incredible. I can't tell the city. Thank you enough. I can't tell the committee.
[4:00] Thank you, Dennis. It was responsible for bringing in here. Thank you for bringing such a shining diamond to our city.
[4:09] It was nothing but positive. Absolutely incredible. Everybody behaved themselves. We had people coming from all over.
[4:16] There was people going all hours of the night.
[4:20] It was guarded 24 hours or a man or somebody was there 24 hours and it was just absolutely
[4:27] incredible.
[4:28] In the volunteer, just with the setup, the take down and everybody filling those time slots absolutely
[4:35] unbelievable.
[4:37] So on behalf of me and the city of Taylor, I can't think all those volunteers and everybody
[4:42] that did all the hard work over these.
[4:44] Heritage Park was definitely cranking this weekend,
[4:47] and everything was nothing but positivity,
[4:50] and I'm so grateful for that,
[4:52] and everybody up here, everybody out there,
[4:54] everybody watching should be very, very happy
[4:56] with how everything, when everybody had something to do with it.
[5:00] Sitting up here and many sitting out there. So again, thank you Dennis and thank you City of Taylor and the State of Michigan for bringing that honor of hosting that to the City of Taylor.
[5:14] And Mr. Chairman, Councilman Patts wanted to read something real quick too as well.
[5:19] Through the chair. This is from the Taylor Historical Society. The Taylor Historical Society would like to recognize and thank Dennis Schrunmer for all his hard work
[5:29] and dedication in bringing the wall that heels, the traveling replica of the Vietnam veterans
[5:34] memorial to the city of Taylor. For a very special week in August of 2026, the wall that
[5:41] heels brought people and communities together at Heritage Park to remember, honor, reflect,
[5:48] and learn from the incredible escort that welcomed the wall to Taylor to the many thousands
[5:53] of visitors who came to pay their respects and finally to its careful dismantling as it continued
[6:00] onto its next community. It was an experience that touched thousands. The wall that gave
[6:06] us the opportunity to honor our Vietnam veterans, remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice
[6:12] and helped teach future generations about a very important part of our history. Dennis, we know
[6:19] event like this just doesn't happen. It takes countless hours planning, education, and a lot
[6:26] of people working together. Thank you for helping it. Thank you for helping make it happen here
[6:32] in Taylor. As a member of the historic Taylor Historical Society, you have helped carry on what
[6:38] we work toward every day, preserving the past for the future. We are proud to have this very special event
[6:45] become a huge part of Taylor's history.
[6:48] And even Prouder to say, thank you, Dennis, for all you did
[6:52] to bring the wall that heels to Taylor.
[6:55] With gratitude, your friends at the Taylor-Historical Society.
[7:19] Mr. Chairman, that's all I have.
[7:20] That's it.
[7:22] I can go on, but I won't.
[7:24] Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to make a comment on this.
[7:27] I have never seen this city come together.
[7:29] Like I did this last week.
[7:32] With the World Series here, with the wall here,
[7:34] It was just incredible.
[7:38] I volunteer is a photographer for the wall that heels, and I've been a photographer for the world
[7:44] series for four years, and I told Angie, I was like, you know, you know, the world series
[7:49] is my Super Bowl, and I did agree to do that for her.
[7:54] Took hundreds of photographs over there, and thousands of photographs over at the Junior League
[7:59] World Series, and I'm just so proud of this community because we had no problems, no
[8:04] complaints, and everybody just came together as one.
[8:09] So it was something to behold.
[8:12] Yes, it was.
[8:13] OK, let's move on to the Cassenta agenda.
[8:17] Can I get a motion to receive and file the judge?
[8:20] Oh, Cassenta agenda.
[8:21] Can I get a motion to approve the consent agenda?
[8:23] Motion?
[8:24] Oh, sorry.
[8:25] Had motion by Mr. Wallace, supportive on Mr. Armstrong.
[8:28] Can you discussion on the consent agenda?
[8:32] Here, none, all the favor?
[8:34] Yes.
[8:37] Opposed, we are not on a sedentary motion passes.
[8:45] Let's go to the regular agenda, 7.1.
[8:49] Motion to a true second reading of case 2626Z zoning ordinance,
[8:57] amendment, Pentech's A, City of Taylor, Michigan Code of Ordnance, Regulated Development
[9:02] in use to rezone partial 60, 019, 99, 00, 29, 00, and 60, 019, 99, 028, 00, South West
[9:19] section,
[9:22] City of Taylor, Wayne County, Michigan, to be
[9:26] re-re-zone from RC1, single family, to I1, light, and
[9:31] industrial.
[9:32] This property is located at the Minoath-West corner of
[9:35] Wick and Holland.
[9:38] Support.
[9:39] Motion by Mr. Clark, supported by Mr. Wallace, any
[9:44] discussion?
[9:47] Sir?
[9:50] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, if I could just
[9:51] speak to this application for a few moments.
[9:53] My name is Larry Opaleski. I'm outside Zoning Council for the applicant.
[10:00] I know you've all been informed of this application, have received your reports and your agenda packets.
[10:07] I just want to highlight a few items for the Council, though, if I may.
[10:12] When making a zoning decision as you all know, one of the most important documents to consult
[10:19] is the city master plan. And is your familiar with the master plan as a document that is painstakingly
[10:26] completely compiled by your citizen planners with resident input, and it really guides land
[10:34] use in zoning decisions that are made by a city. And so it's provided for in your
[10:40] ordinance as well that a rezoning decision should be made in consistency with the city
[10:46] master plan. And it's important too because it makes a municipality, an inviting place
[10:53] for property owners and developers,
[10:56] if they know that they can consult the master plan
[10:58] and say, well, the city clearly prepared this.
[11:01] They're going to rule in favor and consistent with their master plan.
[11:06] So therefore, I know what's going to happen
[11:08] to my neighborhood or a piece of property.
[11:11] And that applies both to commercial and to residential
[11:14] residents as well.
[11:16] And here, when we look at what the master plan
[11:19] proposes for this site, it's heavy industrial.
[11:22] So in essence, the city has already decided and published a document saying that this site will be heavy industrial.
[11:30] And my client, the applicant, they actually are proposing something that is more protective to the city and the surrounding residents by proposing light industrial here.
[11:40] And again, I know there's other questions certainly that need to be answered down the way in the development, but a lot of those can be answered at site plan.
[11:47] So this is really just the beginning of the process, and we're just asking for the proper
[11:52] zoning to submit a site plan to the city for approval.
[11:57] We also see that there is existing warehousing to the west of the property.
[12:03] When you look at whether it's compatible with surrounding uses, again, the city is really
[12:08] already decided this with the master plan by designating this area for heavy industrial.
[12:12] And again, with the existing warehousing to the west, it is a similar, similar use that's already there.
[12:22] When we look at the capacity of city infrastructure to accommodate the proposed district,
[12:28] the report from McKenna suggests that, again, there's already industrial in this area.
[12:34] There's existing infrastructure that could serve the site, and certainly if there's improvements needed, again,
[12:39] That is something that can be decided at the site plan phase.
[12:46] Really, I'm going to leave it there at this point.
[12:48] Again, I do commend to your attention, which I'm sure you've already read.
[12:53] The McKenna report.
[12:54] It's a very good one.
[12:55] I've worked with them.
[12:57] Opposite them actually for a number of years.
[12:59] And I can tell you they're not overly enthusiastic about development a lot of times.
[13:03] So when you get a report that is positive and recommending, I think that really means something.
[13:07] So we just encourage you to approve the rezoning request if you would and I just appreciate your time and would be willing to answer any questions that you had.
[13:17] Thank you.
[13:17] Thank you.
[13:19] Any other discussion?
[13:23] Here are a non-wait.
[13:40] Mary Sousa, Beverly Road.
[13:43] I'm going to try to focus here because my thoughts are everywhere on this.
[13:50] First, I was wondering why it's not a conditional
[13:53] rezoning and if that happens later,
[13:56] or if it happens now.
[13:59] Secondly, I'm wondering why Council hasn't said anything.
[14:05] There's been no discussion.
[14:06] Are you guys going to discuss this at all?
[14:08] Or is this, you came to us first?
[14:12] Are you going to discuss this after the residents have
[14:16] say, or is your silence, your discussion?
[14:23] Because you guys have to have some type of an opinion.
[14:29] You have to have some type of debate. There's been no debate. There's pros and cons to this.
[14:35] And you've shown none. You didn't show it at the first reading. You didn't show it at the session.
[14:40] You didn't show it at the second session, which was yesterday.
[14:43] nor do you seem to want to do it today.
[14:46] And I'm wondering why you already have decided
[14:49] before you even got here,
[14:52] why you decided that this rezoning should be denied
[14:55] as a planning committee wanted.
[14:58] That's a concern.
[15:01] And I still have residual issues with I Beverly rezoning because it's the same thing, different properties, but it's in the neighborhood.
[15:13] And Granite, you guys weren't here, but Chairman Johnson was, and Mayor Willi was. And you didn't seem to have any issues with the fact that, inster, it was going to come off of inster,
[15:27] and be right in the neighborhood of Romulus.
[15:32] They're residents there.
[15:33] There are Taylor residents.
[15:35] I'm Van Boren and Inster.
[15:37] And no one seemed to really care about that.
[15:40] There was a school right there.
[15:43] And Council wasn't concerned with that either,
[15:45] with the rezoning to light industrial.
[15:50] So my feeling is that you guys needed to bathe this.
[15:57] there has to be cons. There has to be pros. You know, it was always, oh, you know, there's going to be taxes and there's going to be workers and they're going to be this and that across the street from us. Why isn't it the same there?
[16:11] Because the residents came to you and said, no, when on TV and said, no, we don't want this. Wicked road takes, takes semis right now. They don't go all the way down, Wicked. They can't. It's not allowed. They can't go on Beverly.
[16:26] So I'm not understanding the whole thing.
[16:29] Now, granite inkster is three lanes.
[16:31] Wick is two, but the truck traffic is going to be the same on both.
[16:36] Just because there's a third lane doesn't mean that there isn't going to be traffic that's
[16:42] going to inhibit people from getting in and out of their homes.
[16:46] Yes, sir.
[16:49] What else, one more thing if I could, I honestly and truly believe, and you're going to
[16:53] disagree with this, and I understand, is that Chairman Johnson, you should
[16:57] accuse yourself because you live in that neighborhood.
[17:00] You voted to rezone the Beverly property twice
[17:04] without any thought of the reference and...
[17:09] Lots of thought.
[17:11] Well, you know, the wildlife, everything,
[17:13] everything that they're talking about is what we talked about.
[17:17] But you go when a head and said no, rezone it.
[17:20] So I just feel, and I know you disagree, and that's okay.
[17:23] That's okay.
[17:23] That's fine.
[17:24] So that's my feelings.
[17:25] And I will stop because I just, I just believe you guys need to debate this.
[17:30] Okay.
[17:31] We shouldn't stop silent.
[17:32] Let me address a couple things.
[17:34] I agree it's similar.
[17:38] Not the same.
[17:40] And in my opinion, not even close.
[17:43] They're both next to next to a neighborhood.
[17:46] Not in a neighborhood.
[17:48] Next to.
[17:49] Beverly Road is a contaminated site.
[17:52] We had a chance to fix that, to take it away from our responsibility forever, the cost, and all that.
[18:03] You have a concrete company right there.
[18:06] So, it's not the same.
[18:08] Folks, but it's not.
[18:10] I don't agree with it.
[18:11] I live in the neighborhood.
[18:13] I live a half mile down the other way.
[18:15] The trucks don't bother me until they start coming in,
[18:19] like you're concerned about that they're going to go down Beverly, they have it, hopefully
[18:24] they wouldn't at us, but I just don't feel that we, it was zoned our one-for-reason.
[18:33] Master plans are made to change and made to alter and plans are plans, they're made to change.
[18:41] So, I don't agree with it there.
[18:43] I think they got a big piece of property that they can put, they're going to put the other
[18:48] building on.
[18:48] I would rather see single family homes there.
[18:52] That's what I would see, like to see it, because it's own for that.
[18:56] Through the chair.
[19:00] I have done my own research on this from the original petition to McKinna's opinion to the
[19:07] minutes of the Planning Commission meeting, and I actually visited the site.
[19:12] So I did not need to consult or debate with anyone on this issue.
[19:19] So I just think that you guys should have some back and forth on this whether you all agree on it.
[19:26] It's fine, but you guys should tell us what you're thinking because communication is what you guys ran on.
[19:36] So thank you.
[19:37] Through the chair.
[19:39] So
[19:42] we represent at large people of the city.
[19:46] When the property owners bought the property, they bought it as an R1C property.
[19:53] People who are adjacent in the area have made it very clear they don't want us to change.
[19:59] And in fact,
[20:00] The Master Plan does say having industrial, nobody is asking for this to be heavy industrial. So, somehow, light industrial is supposed to be better than heavy industrial, what they are asking for isn't even part of the Master Plan in addition to that.
[20:15] All right, so you want to know my opinion, I think that it is because they said in the public hearing that they're still going to continue with their main building number one number two because they bought it as our one C number three because they're not asking for it to be resowned heavy industrial at that is in the master plan.
[20:39] It is my opinion that it should not be resowned. How's that
[20:46] any other discussion?
[20:50] You're laying past 6, 6, 6, 6, 6, 6 checks and I just want some understanding and the last meeting you had, there was the first reading, right?
[20:57] And then now with the second reading, so if this is voted, yes, that means they are changing it, if it's voted, no, they're not changing it, this is the final, right?
[21:07] This is where whatever you guys decide, this is it right here, correct?
[21:10] Okay, because I thought at the last meeting they said they were canceling or stopping at or postponing at the company.
[21:16] they asked to postpone but that it's already in the process we've never postponed according to planning in 30 years.
[21:24] Right, I was a little confused on that too, but I didn't know if that made a difference in this year.
[21:28] So whatever you guys decide tonight on this, yes or no, is what it does, what it goes.
[21:34] We're not okay. Okay.
[21:39] Any other discussion?
[21:49] Good evening. My name is Matt Striker. I'm 89-14 Holland Road.
[21:54] I live adjacent to the proposed rezoning.
[21:59] And I was looking through this, this is, I think, June's Taylor today, which
[22:08] is an informational
[22:09] magazine.
[22:10] And what I'd like to point out that it says that Taylor has solid financial footing.
[22:15] And it really doesn't say anything in here if we need cold storage or any more warehouses.
[22:21] Now, having said that, I think, a lot of the property owners and stuff around me and the
[22:27] people, they really like the quiet.
[22:31] They like the blend of Taylor, where we have everything we want within a mile in the city,
[22:39] and we have such a nice rural area where we could see deer on an almost daily basis.
[22:44] we get to see animals and even children playing in the backfields when, you know, times
[22:50] of appropriate and it's not swampy back there.
[22:53] But I really think that as much as I work in a production facility, I believe in progress.
[23:03] I don't think this is the area for this proposed rezoning, which sounds like many of you
[23:12] But I would also like to say that it is important to keep Taylor made for the residents, which you all are residents, and I know that.
[23:23] I know that you all had to deal with something like this, probably in your backyard's and your own time.
[23:28] So, I respectfully, you know, to the development, to the developers and all that, request that you deny this rezoning, and just we keep tailor, the green space, the nice, beautiful city, you know, where, you know, we are trying to build up the old infrastructures that are empty, fill those up like the Masco corporation, and get, you know, uses out of the places that are already vacant.
[23:56] So I appreciate your consideration and thank you for listening.
[24:03] Through the chair.
[24:05] I want to make something else clear since I was very vocal.
[24:08] We welcome the business.
[24:11] Very much so.
[24:13] And as far as green spaces go,
[24:15] that's private property.
[24:16] And I respect the fact that they have a right to
[24:19] and an obligation to be a good part of Taylor
[24:22] and we welcome that part of it.
[24:24] It's very important for a balance and Taylor.
[24:26] And if we're talking about in general green spaces,
[24:30] somebody has to own those to keep them green.
[24:35] And that's that we don't get to.
[24:36] We don't get to take and help businesses.
[24:39] They can't build where they're zone properly,
[24:40] and they meet all the other environments.
[24:42] And we welcome your company doing that on that property.
[24:47] I want to make that clear.
[24:55] Hi.
[24:56] My name is Michael McDonald Wilder,
[24:58] and I live at 888-2600.
[25:00] And at the, I'm going to be the dead horse. When they put in the planning, they put in the code 150 for their general warehouse, for their traffic reports, and that's not, it's a huge, it's a high queue, cold storage, and it should be coded under 157, which is like 700, I think it's a 700 vehicles a day that are going to go down the road.
[25:30] quick road. I'm sorry to interrupt you, but this is just on the zoning. Well, we can't
[25:36] talk about quick road. Yeah, I understand, but this is just on the on the
[25:40] rezoning has nothing to do with all that. If it passes, it would come later. So, so this is
[25:47] just about the zoning that the people, the 13 people that live on quick road can't get
[25:52] out of their driveways now, because there's so much traffic. I lived on highland road. I
[25:58] I have to wait sometimes 10 and 15 minutes to make a left-hand turn on a
[26:02] quick road.
[26:03] No, fine.
[26:04] So traffic-wise, I think we need to consider that already there's too much
[26:09] traffic there.
[26:11] OK, thank you.
[26:21] Eric Zimmerson, 2, 6, 4, 5, 7, quick road.
[26:24] I'm a fuel hauler.
[26:25] I see a lot of traffic every day.
[26:29] I've watched the gas station go in at the corner from the new company that took
[26:35] over dawn foods that also had refur trailers in there.
[26:39] The refur alarms go low or a few alarms go low.
[26:43] They start beeping at all hours of the night.
[26:46] It's something we got to consider.
[26:47] I can hear from my house at the old dawn plant.
[26:52] With this place, there's going to be,
[26:55] I would assume refur trailers sitting out there running
[26:58] all night, cold storage.
[27:01] Something we should think about as far as citizens here
[27:04] And I just don't think the road can handle the truck traffic as a truck driver and see
[27:13] it a lot of traffic.
[27:14] That's all you'd say.
[27:15] Thank you.
[27:17] Any other discussion?
[27:20] Anything from the Council?
[27:22] You're in non-alanced favor say yes.
[27:25] All opposed say no.
[27:28] No.
[27:28] Role call please.
[27:29] Mr. Pat?
[27:31] No.
[27:32] Mr. Clark?
[27:33] No.
[27:33] Mr. Armstrong?
[27:34] No. Mr. Wallace.
[27:37] Mr. Lady.
[27:38] No.
[27:38] Mr. Thomas.
[27:39] No.
[27:40] Mr. Johnson.
[27:42] Motion passed fails.
[27:45] We're going to 7.2.
[27:46] Motion to approve the purchase of six Chevy Tahoe's
[27:50] on Badger, Berger, Chevrolet, State Contract for Mount Notting
[27:57] $335,000, $52,00, funded through the federal
[28:02] forfeit justice fund.
[28:04] Motion to support.
[28:05] Motion by Mr. Heady,
[28:07] supported by Mr. Wallace.
[28:08] Post Mr. Tomas.
[28:14] Any discussion?
[28:16] Anything from the audience?
[28:18] Here are none.
[28:19] All in favor, say yes.
[28:21] All opposed.
[28:21] Yeses have a motion carry.
[28:25] 7.3.
[28:26] Motion to approve.
[28:27] energy product, soul source, with emergency equipment, outfit of six Chevy Tows, an amount
[28:34] not to exceed 81,840, 94 dollars, funded through the federal forfits justice fund.
[28:42] Motion.
[28:43] Most of our Mr. Armstrong supported by Mr. Pats. Any discussion from the audience?
[28:53] Anything from the council?
[28:54] Here are non-alcoholic favors, say yes, yes, all opposed, yeses have at motion carried.
[29:01] Motion to approve, magic graphics, low bid, to provide and apply a police vehicle,
[29:08] vinyl graphics, on six police-sleeak towels, like towels, but I'm not, I'm thinking about
[29:16] that's what I'm going, it's just a lesson.
[29:19] We're about not to exceed 3,132 dollars, they're 522 dollars each, on the 3rd federal
[29:27] warfactor fund.
[29:29] Motion.
[29:30] Most of our strong supporter by Mr. Pats.
[29:37] Any discussion?
[29:38] Here are none.
[29:39] All favors say yes.
[29:40] Yes.
[29:41] All posed.
[29:42] Yes, has have it.
[29:43] Motion carried.
[29:44] 7.6.
[29:46] 0.7.5.
[29:48] Company. Motion to approve Dell, State Contract for the purchase of three, ultra-sharp curve monitors for a mountain-out-tick seat, 4,100.
[30:00] Ordered and forty-five dollars, one of those D.C. C. Brian Grant, motion, support. Mr. Thomas, supported by
[30:12] Mr. Armstrong, any discussion?
[30:17] Here are non-all-of-favorite say yes. Yes. All opposed? Yeses have a motion carried.
[30:22] 7.6, motion to approve CDW Governance State Contract for the purchase of six Lithium
[30:30] battery backups for 9-11 Dispatch Server Room Equipment for a mount and not to exceed
[30:36] 17,425 dollars under through the DC Brain Grant.
[30:42] Potion.
[30:43] Support.
[30:43] I'm Mr. Thiti.
[30:44] Supported by Mr. Armstrong.
[30:47] Any discussion?
[30:48] You're not on all of favor say yes?
[30:51] Yes.
[30:52] All opposed.
[30:52] Just as have it, motion carried.
[30:56] 7.7.
[30:57] Motion to approve CBTS sole source for the yearly renewal of red sky E-911, or amount not to exceed,
[31:07] or amount of $8,011 funded through the General Fund IT contractual service.
[31:13] Most of them are supported by Mr. Clark.
[31:16] Any discussion?
[31:19] Here are non-Awns, favor say yes?
[31:21] Yes, yes.
[31:22] All opposed?
[31:22] Yes, this has a motion carried.
[31:25] And you get a motion to approve the contract to provide,
[31:28] to provide a agreed upon these services to the Taylor Community
[31:33] Development Corporation at the Villages of Taylor Properties.
[31:38] Motion?
[31:39] Motion?
[31:39] Mr. Armstrong supported by Mr. Thomas, any discussion?
[31:48] Here are none on favor say yes.
[31:50] Yes.
[31:51] All opposed?
[31:53] Yes.
[31:53] Have a point nine.
[31:56] Motion to amend CCR 8.362-26 to increase payment for additional repair.
[32:05] boss by six, six, six, two, down river bodywords,
[32:10] repair of the Taylor fire department,
[32:13] explore XLT for the Mount MattiExeed,
[32:16] $9,000, $23,000, funded through the fire department,
[32:21] repair and equipment fund.
[32:23] Motion. Most of our Mr. Thomas supported by support.
[32:27] Mr. Wallace, any discussion?
[32:31] Sorry, we couldn't change it, $1.
[32:34] Just through the chair, I want to point out that even though there was an increase, there was
[32:39] unexpected in this repair, they still came in considerably below the second place better,
[32:46] so it's still a good deal.
[32:50] Sorry Bill.
[32:53] Paul, if you ever say yes, yes.
[32:55] Yes.
[32:55] All opposed?
[32:56] Yes, it's have a motion carried.
[32:59] 710, Ostonhood Prove Exotic, Low-Fied Bid, who purchased hydraulic hose, crimper for the
[33:05] compost site, for a mountain that takes seed, 44,000, $95,000, funded through the compost capital
[33:13] outlay.
[33:13] Oh, should support.
[33:15] Ostoned by Mr. Thiti, supported by Mr. Pats, any discussion?
[33:21] Mr. Thiti, do you want to tell everybody what this is for?
[33:24] Yes.
[33:24] for a machine to make hydrochosis on site.
[33:29] That way we don't let to go out and get our guys to make it.
[33:35] Any discussion?
[33:41] Yeah, but that's for everything.
[33:42] Lovers, grinder, that's salt trucks.
[33:47] Through the chair, it includes a ton of supplies, too.
[33:50] Of fittings, clamps, those, those.
[33:54] That's what most of the expenses are, all favor?
[33:57] Yes, yes, yes.
[33:58] I'll post, yes, it's have it, motion carry.
[34:03] Let's go to 711, motion to amend CCR, 126630-24, increase authority, and amount by 14,273,
[34:16] revised total amount, not to exceed 614,848 dollars, funded through the TBA capital L.A.
[34:26] our program. Motion.
[34:29] Oh, support. Motion by Mr. Thomas.
[34:31] Reported by Mr. Wallace. Any discussion?
[34:36] And we get, we don't, is this you, we don't?
[34:38] Yeah. You talk about it?
[34:44] Mr. Ulin.
[34:46] That's my dad.
[34:47] Through the chair, these are just some minor increases.
[34:50] About a $14,000, some change increases with concrete rock
[34:54] and then the five system that we went with
[34:56] after consulting with IT.
[34:58] So these are the additional costs to cover those up.
[35:00] Additional units that had to be used at the site.
[35:04] Through the chair. The file is for what? The dog park. So that system would communicate. You register your dog.
[35:12] At the animal shelter, there's a process in place with the system. They add information and make sure your shots and your license were up to date.
[35:19] And then you're provided a file and additional files for a small fee. That can be tied to your account. And that's how you enter the dog park.
[35:28] Thank you.
[35:28] Yes, sir, thank you.
[35:29] Any other discussion?
[35:32] Here are non-all-favorite say yes?
[35:33] Yes.
[35:34] Yes.
[35:34] All opposed.
[35:35] Yes, this has a motion carry.
[35:37] And we get a motion to approve the submittal for reimbursement, applications for the state
[35:43] of Michigan for early voting wages for the 2026 primary and general election.
[35:49] Motion?
[35:50] No sorry.
[35:51] Mr. Pats.
[35:52] Supported by Mr. Clark.
[35:55] Any discussion?
[35:56] You're a non-all-a-favorite, yes?
[36:00] Yes.
[36:01] All opposed?
[36:03] Yes, this has a motion carried.
[36:06] 713, motion to recin, resolution, 5.203, dash 26, 5.24, dash 26, and 5.205.26, and
[36:18] authorize the removal of the charter member, 1, 2, and 3 from the November ballot, November
[36:26] for 23rd, 2026 General Election.
[36:29] Motion.
[36:30] Thank you.
[36:30] Most of my Mr. Park, second of my Mr.
[36:33] Theady discussion?
[36:36] Through the chair.
[36:38] Through the chair.
[36:38] Like I have Sarah explained why this was on here.
[36:44] Through the chair, we were notified by the county that adding three city proposals would
[36:48] cause us to have a second page on the November ballot, which would increase costs.
[36:54] There would definitely be an increase in voter education that would need to be done.
[36:59] There would need to be training for election inspectors.
[37:02] That would need to be done, which would increase the cost as well as mailings and advertisements.
[37:07] All of those additional things that come with a two-page ballot.
[37:12] Through the chair, I just want to reiterate that we intend to still move forward with these in the future.
[37:18] Yes, we are.
[37:20] Through the chair, in case you don't know what they were,
[37:23] These were the charter amendments to raise the spending limit without Council approval from 2005, so it wasn't worth what it would be required to do it right now.
[37:38] It's not in the emergency, so that's why.
[37:42] Any other discussion?
[37:44] Mr. Chairman.
[37:45] Even though I don't vote, I just want to point out that I was in the favor of the removal.
[37:51] Was the stop there?
[37:56] All the favor?
[37:57] Yes.
[37:58] All opposed?
[37:59] Yes, let's go to the audience first.
[38:12] Again, Caroline Pat, 60, 60, Jackson.
[38:14] Just want to announce that August 23 from 10 o'clock to 1 o'clock.
[38:19] The Taylor Historical Society Museum, we're having a sale.
[38:23] Anybody want to come by at the between 10 and 1.
[38:26] We are cleaning out lots of things.
[38:28] And so we have some picture frames and all kinds of things.
[38:32] So if you would like to come, it's going to be right in front of the museum underneath the tent and tables from 10 o'clock to 1 o'clock this Sunday.
[38:41] Thank you.
[38:48] Dennis Schlemmer, 947A Hazel Street.
[38:51] Good evening.
[38:51] We're wooly, Council Chair Johnson and members of Council.
[38:55] I want to take a couple minutes tonight to simply say thank you.
[38:58] Last week, Taylor had the tremendous honor of welcoming the wall that heals to Heritage Park.
[39:03] We estimate nearly 10,000 people experience the wall,
[39:06] and none of it could have happened without the extraordinary support of the city.
[39:10] Thank you to Mayor Woolie, Chairman Johnson and Councilman Pats, who all served on our committee
[39:15] and worked for nine months to make this a reality.
[39:19] Thank you to Chief Poores and Chief Blair for their incredible support of their departments.
[39:24] Chief Blair didn't just provide officers.
[39:26] He joined them physically and building the wall and even worked an overnight shift on site.
[39:31] Thank you to Guido, you will in an entire parks and recreation staff who were there for us
[39:35] throughout the entire week.
[39:37] Councilman Wallace, who helped build, work, and take down the entire wall while also serving
[39:42] with the Junior League World Series, thank you to Councilman Clark, who helped take down and
[39:47] Councilman Thomas who captured the entire week as one of our photographers.
[39:51] Thank you to every city official who visited the wall or attended our welcome home ceremony
[39:55] and heard Medal of Honor recipient, Command Sergeant Major Terry.
[40:00] Richard Sinspeak about the men on the wall who he personally knew and served alongside. And thank you to
[40:05] Dan Bezerra for his tremendous support on behalf of the Junior League World Series. I wasn't sure how
[40:10] the wall on the World Series would co-exist the heritage park and we had some road bumps, but we
[40:14] made it happen. The only thing that could have made the week better was the Taylor North Championship,
[40:18] I think we can all agree on that. Something that happened last week that none of us could have planned, though,
[40:24] was that this wall and brought this community together.
[40:27] Veterans, families, volunteers, businesses,
[40:30] organizations, and strangers came together for one purpose.
[40:33] And it didn't just unite Taylor, you could feel
[40:36] down wherever it coming together.
[40:38] We'll never be able to measure what that week meant.
[40:42] But most importantly, I hope every Vietnam veteran who came
[40:44] to the wall felt how much this community honors them,
[40:48] remembers their service, and is grateful that they're home.
[40:51] Taylor was entrusted with the wall that heals
[40:54] and this city rose to the occasion. Thank you.
[40:57] Thank you.
[41:04] We're going to go open business.
[41:05] I'd just like to say something about this last week.
[41:12] I was on council.
[41:13] I've been on council 12 years.
[41:15] This is the first time that I felt like every council
[41:19] number wanted to do something here.
[41:23] And we haven't had that before.
[41:25] And they were there.
[41:27] And it's to me as amazing.
[41:28] I got to watch Mr. Wallace with a hammer because of those arms, but other than that.
[41:36] But when it opened and there was one of the bikers that came that was kneeling on the
[41:41] ground with a buddy behind him touching a name and just weeping, it really gets to you.
[41:49] So it gets to me right now.
[41:50] So thank you, Dennis, and thank everybody that came.
[41:54] Open it up to everybody else.
[41:59] Mr. Chairman, before she reads that, I just want to also thank
[42:03] from earlier working at that wall, I want to say thank you to all the people
[42:08] that shared stories with me that I would have never thought I'd heard my
[42:11] life, so for them to take the time and share those stories with me, I greatly
[42:16] appreciated that. So, we should tip of that, so I just want to say thanks to
[42:23] them.
[42:23] Through the chair, last week, was absolutely amazing to spend the days out, and as other people
[42:32] have said, bring this community together, or people from all over the world for one reason
[42:37] and people of all different ages and from different communities for another reason, and it was
[42:43] really, it was kind of sad Sunday.
[42:49] It was like, this was like the highlight of my last few years
[42:53] and Taylor is to be able to be a part of the well-grounds just on another note saying
[43:01] long same lines is you know we have the best employees around our DPW or water or our
[43:08] police or fire parks department I mean they made everybody come together this was this is
[43:14] a great experience I'm proud to be part of the city I guess we got a public comment
[43:20] Through the chair.
[43:22] Just like to wish Tira a happy birthday.
[43:30] Thank you for all that you do for us.
[43:33] This this council would not be operating as smoothly if it weren't for you.
[43:39] So thank you so much.
[43:40] These guys really do spoil me by the way, so.
[43:45] I do have a public comment.
[43:47] We have a comment from Charles Blackwell, a political activist,
[43:49] to make false accusations against public figures that has no basis in fact here is a false comment.
[43:55] But even if I wouldn't be surprised if there is something that's going on between Mayor Willie and Jay and D.
[44:00] Kroba, Tony or Willie, who's sorry?
[44:04] That's it.
[44:07] Well, they're one all the positive.
[44:10] We can always count on one thing.
[44:12] We can always count on one thing.
[44:14] We can always count on one thing.
[44:17] We can always count on one thing.
[44:17] I call them.
[44:18] I'd like to make a motion to adjourn this meeting.
[44:23] Motion to adjourn by Mr. Walls, supported by Mr. Armstrong,
[44:27] Hall of Favor.
[44:29] I'll pause.
[44:30] Yes, I have a motion carry.
[44:31] Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
[44:56] I thank you.
[44:57] And I always promise to kiddo.
[45:00] Never yell at you, never yell at you during the ballgame in bearish. I won't do that. Maybe when we get behind closed doors, I may say something that you have to improve on, but not some bear. I say not some coaches and things like that. I wouldn't do that.
[45:15] From a success standpoint, you really, you really did have some teams you may have coached. Arguably the finest baseball player to ever come out of the downward or arguably, okay?
[45:27] I mean, I probably put Steve up there against anybody, but I know there were others, but
[45:32] how do you, how do you balance those and, and what do you, what do you remember from those,
[45:38] from those special teams?
[45:41] You know, I remember most, as the kids were all smarter than I was.
[45:47] The whole team, the great for my average step here with Steve Avery, the whole team,
[45:53] That should great point average was around 3, 3, 3, 4 on an average and I know that they were smarter than I was
[46:02] And it was kind of satisfying as far as I was concerned because they would come to me and say, well, should we do this?
[46:09] Should we do that? I said, yeah, but what about this?
[46:12] Okay, you're right, though. You know that they respected for what I had had, but about
[46:17] The best player down there ever. I won't take the credit for that. I will not take the credit.
[46:22] It's a dad taught him everything that he knew because you know, Ken was part of the Detroit system for a while.
[46:33] He was down there with Sparman, McLean and Lowlitch and the Minor League.
[46:37] So, you know, he pitched with the bastard. He wore as one of the better ones that taught Steven how to react on Mount.
[46:45] And I will take the credit for that.
[46:47] I'll take the credit for what was behind Stephen.
[46:51] And that was that close on the mountain.
[46:53] Did you ever have to film a void with what's
[46:56] talk about Stephen for a second?
[46:58] Did you ever have to film a void anywhere in there
[47:01] in the psyche thing in the keeping him on the right track thing?
[47:05] I mean, Steve was a great guy on top of being exceptional picture.
[47:11] Did you ever feel like, hey, you know, at the end of all of this,
[47:14] I could make it to credit for that particular thing.
[47:20] No, not really.
[47:22] I will take, I, I, I, I, I, I said before that it is an anything in particular this,
[47:27] that at the end of the season, maybe it feels like that Steve and I would talk during lunch
[47:32] hour, his lunch hour, that we would talk about, well, what do you think about this?
[47:37] Because we didn't have a scholarship, they felt what's your mission.
[47:40] Good morning, has scholarship, they go to Stanford, but he was also drafted.
[47:44] He was trying to make up his mind what he wanted to do.
[47:48] As far as knowing that, and me being the next pro-ball player myself, as player I would not suggest a player to go to the major league or even to the minor league.
[48:03] What I would suggest is a pitcher to go, but not a regular player. Get your college education first.
[48:09] And then if they still want to go draft you by their college.
[48:14] In your lifetime, who was your who were your greatest influences or your greatest influence?
[48:22] Two people come to mind as far as that's concerned. One is my dad.
[48:28] My dad tried out for the old St. Louis Bruns, but he knew the writing on the wall.
[48:37] I mean, baseball is a business and he saw it really bad, that it wasn't business, I didn't realize until I got home, that it was a business and that's the way to treat it.
[48:49] The second most important person to me was a gentleman by a name of John McFever.
[48:56] He coached at Gibraltar Carlson.
[48:59] So he was at Crowton Airport where I went my freshman year and we didn't have a freshman
[49:06] team. So I was I was sitting the bench for the varsity all that time and near the end of the
[49:12] season he put me in a game and it just I got a base hit and the first base coach says
[49:20] man you did well I said well I don't like sitting anymore and I never sat another game after that
[49:27] I see it in the freshman editor.
[49:29] Oh, that's, that is an interesting story.
[49:31] You're bringing up some really big names
[49:35] from the past.
[49:35] I mean, John LaFever, when you mentioned Jimmy Klauson,
[49:40] you were in the sweet spot of some really, really talented coaches.
[49:44] So was I ever, back to, yeah, Roger, back to,
[49:50] can A-Bree, I mean, there was so many good coaches
[49:55] during that era that I learned a lot from all of them taking a little bit.
[50:00] It's a piece from all of them. It was made me well-rounded, I heard. Well, head into this hall of fame. Who do you want to thank?
[50:09] Who do you want to thank? I want to follow fame in particular for even considering me. Number one, two, this is such a great class that I'm going in with, that every one of them deserves special attention without a doubt.
[50:27] But the person I'd like to really
[50:29] could check out to give thanks to is Danny.
[50:38] Danny, Danny's already put me in once, but I turned it down.
[50:43] And I turned it down because I didn't think I really deserved it.
[50:47] There's a lot of people in Taylor that I've done a lot more than I have.
[50:51] But Danny Edmund's either he'd never gave up on me.
[50:54] can't talk to me about it, you gotta do it, you gotta do it.
[50:58] So I really like to thank him for pushing me.
[51:01] And last, I like to thank my wife for pushing me also.
[51:05] She said, you deserve it, go ahead for it.
[51:08] All the players have played for me.
[51:11] I appreciate it, I'm all.
[51:13] I mean, I really do.
[51:14] There are some that really stick out my mind.
[51:17] There's probably others that I have forgotten about
[51:20] that I'm wondering how they're doing,
[51:23] Thank you, and this was really great to have this honor.
[52:41] Thank you.
[52:42] Like it has been a certified happy risk referee.
[52:47] He has served almost four decades as an office official
[52:50] with an insurgent or a place including more than 25 years
[52:53] is an improved supervisor.
[52:57] Like health teams to the five national titles
[52:59] and to the second place finishes,
[53:02] Not to mention a few Stanley Coves.
[53:06] Let's learn more about my boundaries.
[53:14] Michael, greatest influence for memory in your sports career.
[53:18] greatest memories that I have in my sports career.
[53:22] You know, it's hard to pick just one.
[53:25] But some of the highlights locally,
[53:29] Taylor Junior football program.
[53:31] I was privileged enough to assemble a staff that won the championship
[53:35] up and gave 40 kids the thrill of a lifetime.
[53:41] During that championship too, we did something that I don't know of anybody that's
[53:46] ever done it.
[53:46] Every single player on my team, whether they were alignment, a kicker or whatever, got to carry
[53:51] the ball during the course of the season to see what it was like and we just, you know, we really
[53:58] really did a great job with the kids and the morale and everything like that was great.
[54:06] NHL-wise, you know, I mean, I've been blessed to work with, you know, six Stanley Cup Finals,
[54:13] the outdoor game in Ann Arbor, all-star games, travel the Sweden to work games, and, you
[54:22] know, so there was a lot there, but there's two points that I really want to highlight
[54:27] on, that revolve around sports, one revolve around my daughter, in 2002, the Red Wing's
[54:33] on the Stanley Cup here at home.
[54:35] And I was lucky enough to have them at my game.
[54:37] At the game.
[54:39] After the game, we got, I got to take them
[54:43] to the NHL party with the Stanley Cup
[54:46] and everything like that, which was unbelievable privilege.
[54:51] And something that they could talk about,
[54:53] but my daughter, she was a freshman in high school
[54:56] and she was complaining because the finals were tomorrow.
[54:59] Okay, and she
[55:00] It was going to be tired and everything like that. So she walked into school the next day and everybody was asking her, you know, why are you so mad, Stephanie? Why are you? What's going on?
[55:10] Well, my dad made me stave to a party last night. Well, what party? Oh, the Stanley Cup party after the Red Wings won the Stanley, she was the most popular girl in the school to the next that whole day, you know? And then another story with my parents, they were not sports minded whatsoever.
[55:27] You know, so I had set up a red-wing old-timer game with the Taylor Hockey Association coaches at the L-Shared and Community Center.
[55:38] And I invited them down to the game and everything like that.
[55:42] So just before we went on the ice, I'd gotten half dressed and I was out in a lobby just making sure everything was going well.
[55:49] Lobby was packed and here comes my parents in okay and now mind you my dad is is very very
[55:56] Old school. He had a boat high on I mean he dressed for the occasion and but he also had on his his
[56:04] Hat and scarf and gloves and a big coat
[56:08] They had blankets and everything he thought that they were going to the winter classic outside
[56:13] He didn't realize what the temperature would be like and and just a smile that they had when I walked out
[56:19] there, and that meant an awful lot to me, just being able to share that night with them.
[56:24] You know?
[56:25] That's fantastic.
[56:27] What about greatest influences in your sports world?
[56:32] Greatest influences have to be my parents.
[56:34] Even though they weren't involved in sports,
[56:36] they taught me the value my mom,
[56:39] with her kindness and her respect for people,
[56:42] my dad, his dedication,
[56:44] and always out there wanting to help people,
[56:48] you know, through the church and different things like that, he never turned anybody down, and that instilled in me, you know, the, you know, the, you know,
[56:58] what I want to say, the way to get involved, to give back, and, you know, you're not better than anybody else, you know,
[57:06] to just go out there and do what you can to help people out. What about who do you want to think?
[57:14] Basically, there's a whole lot of people that I've crossed my life with, but the bottom line is my mom and dad number one, you know, because they instilled in me, they gave me the opportunity to be involved in what I wanted to be involved with.
[57:30] My family, my daughter, Stephanie, and my son Ryan, and their spouses, and because when they
[57:40] got involved in sports, it wasn't one of these things where, oh no, I don't want Dad to
[57:45] be involved.
[57:46] They welcome Dad to be involved, and that's how I got into Ann Arbor and deployments and
[57:52] different places like that at the high school program, because I wanted to give back.
[57:56] I wanted to be involved to help other people too, not just my kids.
[57:59] And it was never about them.
[58:01] It was always about the team, you know.
[58:04] So, you know, those things, you know, really stand up.
[58:07] And then there's a family, the soberated family.
[58:10] They're the ones who got me involved in hockey period.
[58:14] They had heard that I was at Oakland Community College
[58:16] and working with the hockey team there.
[58:18] And they weren't very fond of their coach.
[58:21] All right.
[58:21] So they said they introduced me to their coach.
[58:23] And as soon as he heard that I was with the college hockey team,
[58:26] you know, oh, wow, you know, come on.
[58:28] And that was my start in Taylor, and the rest is history.
[58:31] It went from Taylor Hockey Association to Little Seasers.
[58:35] We had five national championships and Little Seasers.
[58:39] So, those things that build your bridges, that's the exciting thing.
[58:45] And the hundreds of people that I've been blessed with, the families, the moms, the dads,
[58:52] the brothers, the sisters, the administrators, all those people that I got to work with
[58:57] through all these years and even at the NHL, you know, the gentleman by the name of Don Archer,
[59:04] he gave me my start. He pulled me in one day and asked me if I wanted to go work in the press box
[59:08] because I needed press box help. My first job was to run the Teletype machine for Auditown
[59:16] Scores at Olympia. People don't even know what Teletype's are, but those are the starts that
[59:23] that you get. But without him, I would have never gotten that opportunity. And then the people
[59:26] had faith in me to put me into leadership positions and support me and everything like that.
[59:33] And the bottom line is, I've had a great, I've been blessed, career in sports. Hopefully it's
[59:40] not over yet, there's still a few years to go. But the greatest thing that I have in everything
[59:49] is that I have the kids that I've coached. Okay, 20, 30, 40 years ago. All right, come
[59:56] up to me at Redwing Games and knock on a window.
[1:00:00] I'm down and see me and say, hey, Mr. H, remember me? Unfortunately, I don't because they were 10 or 12 and now they're 30 or 40 years old. So they've changed, you know. But that is the greatest compliment to me and the greatest memory that I will have in all my years and sports is that people respected what I try to do and still remember me and thank me for that. And the biggest thank you is to those people, you know, for what they've given back to me.
[1:00:30] so that I could, you know, just give to them.
[1:02:00] I'm making too much noise.
[1:02:02] I was fine, but I'm fine.
[1:02:04] I'm fine.
[1:02:05] I was all so happy.
[1:02:06] I'm gonna use that.
[1:02:07] To get here is a round of the time.
[1:02:09] I'm making too much noise.
[1:02:11] This hurt me.
[1:02:13] Mickey,
[1:02:21] let's start with your trip to the 1984 Olympic Games.
[1:02:28] You were at the finals of the 800 meter.
[1:02:35] When your own protege there, Earl Jones gained the bronze medal.
[1:02:42] Can you tell us that story?
[1:02:45] Yes, we'll try to reflect on that.
[1:02:47] First of all, before we begin, the behalf of Earl Jones, who we spoke with,
[1:02:53] and my wife, myself, in the city of Taylor,
[1:02:55] we want to congratulate all of the other inductees,
[1:02:58] And it's proof, living proof that Taylor has the individuals and it can compete on a national state and world-class level.
[1:03:11] And this is why we're here right now, so congratulations to all the inductees.
[1:03:16] Okay, reflecting on the need, it's a really, really interesting legacy that we're going to have to share with everybody as it's first of all.
[1:03:27] Earl was not expected to make the team.
[1:03:31] And he was a long shot.
[1:03:32] The paper said that he was a long shot.
[1:03:35] And that he would probably be not on the team.
[1:03:38] Well, that is not Earl Jen's mentalities.
[1:03:42] Number one, when he went into the Olympic trials,
[1:03:45] there was Johnny Gray and two other people
[1:03:48] be right behind Johnny that were seasoned runners.
[1:03:52] They were in their late 20s.
[1:03:55] Earl, being the youngest kid, eventually.
[1:03:57] on the Olympic team at 20 years old, the cave really really had no business being there
[1:04:02] because of their experience of running. However, in the Olympic trials, her old Pete
[1:04:11] Johnny Gates at the American Records at 143.7. So now here's the young man that wasn't supposed
[1:04:18] to be on the team that is now the American record holder and on the team.
[1:04:22] The final with so many good runners in front of him.
[1:04:25] He went right to the front last week to win the American Championship.
[1:04:29] And this week he's using the opposite tactic.
[1:04:32] That's Earl Jones who has believed that Stanley Redline,
[1:04:36] from Arkansas in second place at the moment,
[1:04:39] has usual team Robinson easy to spot on the candy strike.
[1:04:43] When he actually got the bronze medal,
[1:04:48] he wasn't able to run his race that he'd only run.
[1:04:50] Earl would go out faster than any other athlete in the history of the half-mile Earl would go out
[1:04:56] 48 49 they would go out 50 51 and
[1:05:00] Coming off, he got boxed in the first, so he wasn't able to run, he is race in the Olympic
[1:05:04] Files.
[1:05:05] But anyways, when he got unboxed, he was coming on and if they think they would have been five
[1:05:10] more yards, I believe he would have taken the gold. However, our seats were five yards
[1:05:16] from the finished, from the awards table, and we were eye level with Earl, where he
[1:05:21] could see us, which I just think that may be of intervention of a higher source that put
[1:05:27] at that way. So that was our experience at being at the 80's,
[1:05:32] one of them because Earl was the youngest athlete on the,
[1:05:35] he was 20 years old running against 29 and 31 while King Cruz,
[1:05:39] the Sebastian Cove, who went one and two.
[1:05:41] Mm-hmm. I think given the fact that we couldn't get Earl on video,
[1:05:47] but Earl was in the audience tonight, how would you like to welcome him
[1:05:51] officially to the Hall of Fame?
[1:05:55] Well, Earl is one of the most humble human beings you'll ever meet in first of all, he would
[1:06:00] like to welcome everybody in becoming a part of the Hall of Fame here at the City of
[1:06:08] Taylor.
[1:06:10] And once again, I've all often believed that the people in the City of Taylor have the
[1:06:18] credentials to compete on the levels, which I just stated previously that we can compete
[1:06:22] the state, national world, what class level, and the people that are going to be in
[1:06:25] stuff that today are just examples of that. So we really have just a tremendously
[1:06:30] talented community here that I think that Earl and everyone, you know, can be very, very proud
[1:06:37] of whether it's high school, college, traffic field, or across country. What are the things that
[1:06:47] But one thing to jump out of that, that Earl started to define himself as one of world-class
[1:06:55] runners in high school, is we were running against one of the best mylers from Ann
[1:07:00] Upper Pioneer.
[1:07:01] I think his name was John Davis, and he had never been beaten in Earl Beat him in an indoor
[1:07:07] meat.
[1:07:08] And so Earl started to opening eyes that, here's an individual, it may have some really
[1:07:13] outstanding talent. And that summer we took Earl to the National Junior Championships in Bloomington, Indiana.
[1:07:23] Chuck Evans was with me who's going to be inducted also tonight in Warren Jenkins, who's my
[1:07:28] assistant coach in Earl broke the 1500 National 16 year old record. So he became the number one
[1:07:35] Myler 1500 in the United States, then we go on to his senior as Junior year, we ran him in the
[1:07:47] state finals, we ran him in the mile in the tomb, which is unprecedented for somebody to do a double
[1:07:53] of that nature and try to win. Well, he took second and a half mile and lost my tenth of a second,
[1:08:00] but he won the mile, and he came up to me and he said, Coach, everything comes down to a kick as you
[1:08:05] and he said I could have kicked and he said I could have won that, well he didn't, well then that next season was the senior, we took Earl to a meet which is in Oakland and he asked him to run the 600 and Earl ran the 600 and ran the fastest time in the nation, not only for high school but for collegiate, he had the number one time in the nation for everybody, colleagues and high school kids as a senior.
[1:08:31] So then the other then he got invited at the very first kid in the history of the Midwest to be invited to compete in the high school mile in the wouldn't make the game
[1:08:41] It had massive square gardens. We took Earl there and I was really learning experience for Earl Earl was invited as senior to compete in the math and the
[1:08:51] try state meat down in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and he, there was a kid there that had never
[1:08:59] been beaten from Indiana, who was the three-time model state champion, and we set up a way
[1:09:06] for Earl to run the race, and he beat the kid in round of four or seven.
[1:09:11] And so he came up to me and said, hey coach, she said I could go for a flat today if we had
[1:09:15] our strategy would have been a little bit different.
[1:09:17] Well, not being able to send the one of the miles for the quarter miles for the mile relay got injured.
[1:09:24] So they came to make some it can he run the anchor, or they went him to lead off.
[1:09:29] I said no anchor, anchor them.
[1:09:31] So the kid that he was running against in the end of it was a three-time stay champion and had just won the quarter mile.
[1:09:37] At 47 was when Earl got the baton on the anchor leg, the kid was 30 meters ahead of him.
[1:09:44] And Earl caught him before he went into the last turn, stayed behind him, came off the turn,
[1:09:49] and sprinted down and ran a 45.4 quarter, the fastest of ever, a high school mileer had ever anchored,
[1:09:59] and he was only two seconds.
[1:10:01] So he got the most valuable athletes award in that regard and then it was on take on the games as we just said.
[1:11:03] and love the fastball curveball combination of the Ram's young picture build
[1:11:08] past inch. Bill would go on to lead to TC to its most memorable season, a 29 and
[1:11:15] over-rand ending in a two-to-one blast to Detroit get up and send phone.
[1:11:21] Bill, I'm
[1:11:22] being not a model net season, was drafted by the Seattle Mariners and was eventually
[1:11:27] named a 1990 Arizona League All-Star and might early release picture of the year. Overall,
[1:11:34] he spent six years of professional baseball and then he was able to return home and follow
[1:11:40] his daughter Kayla to stay championship and get ready high school. To learn more about Bill,
[1:11:48] let's check out the video.
[1:11:56] Greatest highlight or memory among your athletic career.
[1:12:02] My greatest highlight or memory of my athletic career, I would say is the, my second year in professional sports where I actually made the all-star team.
[1:12:11] I think I only gave up two runs that season on a, on a home run, hanging curveball home run.
[1:12:18] Yeah, I ended up making the all-star's that year and then I also won the Fireman's Relief Award that year for that season.
[1:12:25] That was one of my favorite memories.
[1:12:27] Where were you pitching at that time?
[1:12:29] I was pitching in Arizona in the minor leagues.
[1:12:34] Okay, four of us Seattle Mariners.
[1:12:36] Seattle Mariners.
[1:12:37] Okay.
[1:12:39] Tell me what happens after that.
[1:12:42] As far as in my career.
[1:12:45] So after that, so we, I got promoted up to the next level, which is like a high A level.
[1:12:50] It's above the rookie level.
[1:12:52] So after that year, you basically go out and you start out on a whole other team,
[1:12:55] where you get promoted and then it's just like starting all over.
[1:12:58] starting to season over. It's all new teammates, everything's all new new
[1:13:02] opponents. So yeah, so I got moved up to that. And then I think I ended up
[1:13:06] finishing pretty well with that here. I don't know, obviously you go back and
[1:13:10] you start spring training and start over again the next year. Okay. And
[1:13:13] you keep trying to get progress. Obviously up through the ranks of my
[1:13:16] early weeks. You guys were really special in Taylor's summer. Yeah, that was
[1:13:20] on. That was a fantastic couple of years there. What do you remember
[1:13:26] I just remember, I remember just how good the team was, the chemistry we had, I mean, we had a great coaching time, but I mean, he did a, he was, he was just a, you know, an outstanding coach, right?
[1:13:35] He took care of the field. He also, you know, he was a coach at or I'm sorry, a teacher at our school too. So he was always looking at you, you know, if you're on the hallways, when you should be in the hallways, you know, he's given you that eye.
[1:13:46] So he actually took care of you on and off the field. But yeah, no, the team was just, you know, we had a huge chemistry.
[1:13:50] It was just a really good team.
[1:13:52] I had myself, I ended up with Todd Boyd, he was on that team too.
[1:13:55] So the pitching staff was very formidable, right?
[1:13:58] I was really tough to beat us.
[1:14:01] So, which is fantastic.
[1:14:03] The greatest influence on your athletic career.
[1:14:06] The greatest influence on my athletic career, I'm positive.
[1:14:10] It's my grandfather, right?
[1:14:11] I can remember one of my earliest memories of playing a catcher,
[1:14:15] playing sports, right?
[1:14:17] So we're out in our front yard and we're playing catching it.
[1:14:20] I don't know how I can remember this.
[1:14:21] Obviously, I was very young.
[1:14:23] So we're throwing, and I'm wild, right?
[1:14:25] I'm throwing it all over the whole over the yard pretty much.
[1:14:27] Well, finally, I break a window.
[1:14:29] It's like, oh, no.
[1:14:29] So I'm getting kind of in trouble, right?
[1:14:32] So we keep doing what we do it.
[1:14:34] I did it again, broke a window.
[1:14:36] And finally, he's like, I don't know, I don't know.
[1:14:38] I don't know what's wrong.
[1:14:39] We're going to figure this out.
[1:14:40] I was throwing right hand, right?
[1:14:42] So now they realized I'm left handed.
[1:14:44] It was all uphill from there.
[1:14:46] Wow.
[1:14:46] Yeah.
[1:14:48] So what's the figure I was left handed and I can remember honestly, we had a mound in my front yard.
[1:14:54] We're in a middle of a neighborhood. I had a mound. My grandfather would he had that old 1952 baseball glove.
[1:15:00] Around the outside, you're running a picture with that looks like he'd go out there, would march it off and he'd catch me all day long.
[1:15:07] Heaven and Hall fame here with a pretty good class. Who do you want to thank?
[1:15:12] I'd like to first thank Tom Bloom. Like I said, he really had, he'd even more so myself. He really had an eye on me, right?
[1:15:19] I wasn't the best person off the field as far as schoolwork, so he actually made sure I did all the stuff I needed to do.
[1:15:25] You know, he watched me on the field and taught me a ton on the field, but he also watched me off the field and makes sure I was doing what I needed to be doing when I was off the field.
[1:15:33] Anybody else you want to find?
[1:15:36] My wife, wife for thirty-one years, right?
[1:15:38] A drug or all around the country.
[1:15:41] She's seen more baseball games than most.
[1:15:43] I probably should have had.
[1:15:44] I mean, between myself and my daughter.
[1:15:46] I mean, she was, she's been with us.
[1:16:23] is Lisa Matty, but when it's going to be Lisa, Jan,
[1:16:27] what would you like to do?
[1:16:31] So first of the YouTube Jan, what's this?
[1:16:33] There's Lisa, I don't know what's happened.
[1:16:35] No one saw the older sister at all.
[1:16:37] This is Lisa, I don't know what's going to happen.
[1:16:39] Lisa was a graduate of Taylor Center in the United States.
[1:16:44] She went on to become one of the most helpless basketball players
[1:16:48] in the Northern Michigan University history
[1:16:50] and a hall of fame over there.
[1:16:53] She was a great-laced, intercollegiate athletic conference player from the year of Seer.
[1:16:59] All these years later, she still remains more than this fall-time meeting score.
[1:17:05] With 1600 to 99 points and 100 in 11 games.
[1:17:11] She now teaches her this to now a high school.
[1:17:13] Let's learn a little bit more about these.
[1:17:22] Tell us the greatest highlight or memory from your career in athletics.
[1:17:28] I think some of the biggest memories I remember are the people that I've come across and played with throughout my career whether it was at Taylor Center or Northern Michigan University.
[1:17:38] I remember we had a team of seven at one point on at Taylor Center where we excelled.
[1:17:45] I remember playing best all with my sister. That's a great memory to have both in high school and college.
[1:17:50] Um, we always joke with my parents. They owe us some money because of our success at the end of the center.
[1:17:56] Um, we both got full right scholarships, but I realized now that that's just a select group of athletes to get this chance.
[1:18:03] Um, again, I really do remember Coach Leaver a lot, giving everything to our program.
[1:18:08] Um, he was one that pushed us and loved the game just as much as we did.
[1:18:12] Um, I also remember when it was recruited by Northern Michigan University. I didn't know where the U.P. was and my parents have never visited.
[1:18:18] it. I get flew up here and it was really bad turbulence. My mom said it was too far away to go,
[1:18:25] but obviously it was a great decision for me and eventually my sister to become a wildcat.
[1:18:32] We had some great teams with great work ethics, goals, and life long friendships. And I know
[1:18:37] today that my best friend is my roommate from college and played on the team with me.
[1:18:46] And I don't know
[1:18:48] making the infant to the end of your hall of fame,
[1:18:51] being the all-time leading the store,
[1:18:53] the second leading rebounder.
[1:18:56] But at least MVP of the conference happened
[1:18:59] because I had great teammates and great coaches
[1:19:01] that believed in me and I loved the game
[1:19:04] and probably my parents for the continues for it
[1:19:07] and the memories we made along the way.
[1:19:10] Tell us your greatest influence on your F, what a career.
[1:19:14] My greatest influences are probably my parents.
[1:19:16] They met on a basketball court in the middle of court actually. They were introduced to one another
[1:19:22] They're best man in their met wedding was the University of Detroit coach. I know my dad coach me for years
[1:19:29] My mom was the storekeeper. I know this was it's something we planned after high school. It just happened
[1:19:35] but having influential
[1:19:37] parents coaches
[1:19:39] Mike Leaver, you know
[1:19:41] Coach Gary recruited me coach Stein, my assistant coach is player development. I think I couldn't accomplish all that I've had along that way
[1:19:51] This is your night. You're headed into the Hall of Fame. Tell us who you'd like to thank. I guess I like to thank my parents for introducing us to the sport
[1:20:00] My sister for always making me better because she was always better than me. My favorite saying is hard work beats talent. My talent does a work hard, so I work hard in the sport. I loved. Again, I think all of my coaches, all of my teammates. And I think Taylor's worths all of fame for recognizing this great honor and being part of this great group. I don't think people really truly understand the commitment and sacrifice that people make.
[1:20:28] especially when a coach or a cell in the sport.
[1:20:33] So I just congratulate everyone and this honor to be privileged to be here
[1:20:37] and I hope we can inspire others along the way.
[1:21:19] The theme of Joel Arden is how he promised to,
[1:21:26] and the tender and sports history.
[1:21:29] And now, he's still going strong.
[1:21:32] He still shows up two hours early for practices and games
[1:21:35] and is one of the last to leave the field.
[1:21:38] Mainstay and Taylor Northwest Little Lake for four decades, Joe managed baseball teams to stay titles in 1989 and 2003 and others to district and regional titles.
[1:21:53] He was the Northwest Vice President from 1983 to 2011 and shared the Bingo program until it closed in 2010.
[1:22:03] and the Joe Largen field of dreams at Papp Park is named in his honor.
[1:22:10] He's also held coaching positions in the Tragier's post with Taylor Jr. football for
[1:22:16] over four decades.
[1:22:18] He toasts the Taylor Eagles to the Pantball title in 1990 and the Taylor Seahawks to a championship
[1:22:25] in 1994.
[1:22:28] Let's learn more about Joe Largen.
[1:22:35] Joe, what is the greatest highlight or memory in your sports-related career?
[1:22:41] Oh, well, the greatest memory or highlight in my, well, I've been involved in baseball football
[1:22:47] and I mean, but my first started off, it was when I was younger than my son who's been
[1:22:51] baseball, but I had a team that went to the state mod, the state went to regionals in
[1:22:58] Peru, Illinois, we lost in Peru, Illinois, but that was probably the most memorable thing.
[1:23:03] I'm always so happy when I see one of the kids that I coached to need a footballer baseball that say hey coach Marvin, and
[1:23:11] After they've gone in the 10 years of 15 years. I said yeah, but I forgot you're an a
[1:23:18] From an influential standpoint, who is the most influential person in either the sports career or your wife?
[1:23:25] My son was very influential on me got me into baseball on football my wife. She gave me no hard times about
[1:23:33] Going to practice, going to games, going to
[1:23:36] on a state for tournaments for
[1:23:38] I've never complained, I mean,
[1:23:40] show is a show is let me go do what I had to do.
[1:23:43] Never complained.
[1:23:44] Fantastic.
[1:23:46] Okay, now from a standpoint of thanking people.
[1:23:49] Who do it to thank you?
[1:23:51] I'd like to thank all the people like
[1:23:53] well, Lanny Hall from Baseball and
[1:23:55] Paul's Farts from Football.
[1:23:57] They were both influenced with, you know,
[1:24:00] we're very helpful in helping me get through all the
[1:24:02] programs.
[1:25:00] The second of our two men are the six wins here.
[1:25:06] When people are one of downwarders, most accomplished were female afterwards, starring in both basketball and soccer before graduating from Taylor, Sunday, 1999. She was 7th in the Michigan, Miss Michigan basketball lawyer, senior, a first year ball state selection, a U.S.A. today, honor, matching deck.
[1:25:30] She finished with school records and scoring assists in fields.
[1:25:36] Her efforts on the softball field mirror in which even the basketball court,
[1:25:40] whether it was as a dangerous hitter, boys a standout pitchman.
[1:25:45] When they followed her sister to door the missionaries,
[1:25:48] finishing along at the school's top 15 of them.
[1:25:52] My great point is that the fields assist in scoring.
[1:25:56] Let's learn more about winning.
[1:26:04] My greatest highlight from my athletic career, I mean, honestly there was a lot.
[1:26:11] The one that I reached that sticks out the most was probably sophomore year, softball.
[1:26:17] And we were in the pre-districts, and we were playing the number one team in the state.
[1:26:22] I think it was Monroe High School, and bottom of the seventh inning.
[1:26:28] And I was up to bat, I got on first base, Jerry Abraham was the coach at the time, and he
[1:26:36] had me steal, he had a girl bunts, and then I was on my way to third, they overthrew it
[1:26:41] to first, and then I slid head first, home, and we won one to nothing and knocks them off,
[1:26:46] and that was the area went to the state championship.
[1:26:49] When we were with Taylor Kennedy and Steve Avery, so yeah, it was great because we were both there
[1:26:55] at the same time.
[1:26:56] So that's probably the one that I remember the most, you know, looking back on it.
[1:27:03] I kind of wish I would have played softball or both, or at least tried.
[1:27:08] But with basketball, you know, we had one four district championships.
[1:27:12] You know, we had a great team.
[1:27:15] And you know, and college was fun too.
[1:27:18] But my biggest memories are probably, I guess, from high school.
[1:27:24] You know, in college, I was definitely more of a role player, you know, and in high school, you know, a little bit more of a leader, I guess.
[1:27:37] So, more so more members were high school than from college, but, I mean, college we went to, you know, the instability tournament, my freshman year.
[1:27:45] And, you know, we had a good run at it so that, you know, playing with my sister for a year up there, you know, a year in high school and a year in college.
[1:27:54] So, what was that, you know, what was that, you're like in college when you played with him, you see?
[1:28:00] How did that go? How did that go?
[1:28:03] Well, that is good as when it was in high school.
[1:28:05] The year I played with my sister in college was not as good as the year in high school.
[1:28:12] You know, it was nice, you know, because I did get playing time in my freshman year.
[1:28:16] I didn't start, but I got a lot of playing time.
[1:28:18] So playing with her, you know, she was an all-American that year, and that was different than in high school, because in high school, I think I was scoring more points than her when I was a freshman
[1:28:30] She was a senior, so it flipped left and yeah, she made me earn it in college. She was she came after me, and she didn't go easy on me. Oh, yeah
[1:28:42] So you were truly little, so-
[1:28:44] Oh, I was, yeah, oh yeah.
[1:28:47] Greatest influence on the crew.
[1:28:50] The greatest influence on my career, I would, I mean, most likely, I would say, you know, my dad.
[1:28:58] You know, he got us starting playing sports early.
[1:29:03] You know, I started playing sports in Taylor, when I was three years old, starting at, you know,
[1:29:12] to play softball basketball there, you know, so I've been in Taylor, and then to Taylor
[1:29:20] Center. But yeah, my dad would be probably the greatest influence he was always there.
[1:29:24] He was always involved. He was always coaching us constantly, whether he was our coach or not.
[1:29:29] He was always coaching us. From a teacher and coach perspective, you know, Jim Ryan was a great
[1:29:38] and fluency on me, he was my gym teacher and I want to say fourth or fifth grade and then
[1:29:48] he was my junior high principal and then he was my high school principal.
[1:29:54] So he followed me or I followed him all along and he really influenced me with...
[1:30:00] For it's talked to me a lot, helped me get into, you know, basketball camp at Allston, Michigan Allstate.
[1:30:08] He was big influence, and then I would say third would be Jerry Abraham, softball coach.
[1:30:13] He was fundamental. And I still talked to him to this day. I mean, he was a great coach.
[1:30:19] We were lucky to have.
[1:30:21] Wow. That's right.
[1:30:23] Going into the whole thing and going in with your sister and many others.
[1:30:28] Who'd you like to thank when it comes to, you know, this is, this is your night, okay?
[1:30:34] Who would you like to thank?
[1:30:35] Yeah. Well, I'd like to thank, you know, you know, you, you, the committee, everybody who got this going again, you know, it's, it's been a long time, you know?
[1:30:45] I mean, it's, what, 30, 35 years, I don't know, they've even counted since high school.
[1:30:50] So it's nice to be back. I think the committee for, you know, nominating, you know, my sister and I and everybody else.
[1:30:57] And I'd like to thank all the coaches that I've had over the years, all the teachers in Taylor.
[1:31:04] You know, the sport I've had from my parents, I mean, my parents supported us through everything.
[1:31:09] They were at all of our games.
[1:31:12] So, you know, I really appreciate that.
[1:31:14] And, you know, my family, you know, my sons, my husband, you know, I coach them.
[1:31:22] So I mean, I've had a big career in sports, and ironically, it ended last night.
[1:31:30] Yeah.
[1:31:30] So it's always, it's always, it's always, it's always, it's always, it's always somewhere
[1:31:32] done.
[1:31:33] Yeah.
[1:31:33] And usually with an offspring.
[1:31:35] So, yeah.
[1:32:23] She started her playing career.
[1:32:25] She's staying out for a Catholic school right here in Taylor, under her father, her role,
[1:32:29] and Bob Wilkerson, her both Catholic, and all her family's.
[1:32:33] She eventually started a divine child in high school, and then he'll stay out of college,
[1:32:38] where she was a rare two-sport stand-out.
[1:32:41] As basketball players, she captain,
[1:32:44] her team as a senior setting record
[1:32:46] to assist in steals.
[1:32:48] On the diamond, her outstanding pitching
[1:32:50] led the charges to their first lead title.
[1:32:54] And is also part of the Hillsdale
[1:32:57] and Catholic leader, Halls of Fame.
[1:33:00] After college and became a long-time teacher in coach,
[1:33:05] Let's learn more about that.
[1:33:13] My greatest one of my greatest memories would probably be when I was in high school when we beat Regina in softball for the Catholic championship.
[1:33:23] I don't remember a lot of games in scores, but this one we beat them two to nothing it came boring,
[1:33:29] because my sophomore year I kind of got thrown to the wolves and we got smoked like 10 to nothing, so it was good.
[1:33:35] You know, like I said, I don't really remember a lot of specific games, but that was one for the books.
[1:33:42] Most of my highlights and memories when I look back and all the basketball and softball,
[1:33:47] probably comes from the bust rides, the meals, hanging out, laughing, the friendships.
[1:33:52] So it was really hard when I started thinking about what was the biggest highlight.
[1:33:56] It really was more like off the court or off the fields, just the friendships.
[1:34:02] Are you still friends with a lot of movies?
[1:34:04] Yes, and I also find that I'm friends with some of the people
[1:34:08] that coached me in the past, like Bob Mokerson,
[1:34:11] who I'll talk about is a great influence.
[1:34:14] He was the one who got me my first teaching job,
[1:34:16] my first coaching job, and I probably drove him nuts.
[1:34:20] He was my first softball coach, and I probably drove him crazy.
[1:34:24] I know I drove him crazy.
[1:34:27] So, that's him, how hard was it to create?
[1:34:32] And I'm down by the pitch.
[1:34:33] Oh boy, so one of the biggest influence for that
[1:34:39] and in my life is my dad.
[1:34:41] So he would, we'd go in the backyard.
[1:34:45] And if you ask El Ruffner about this,
[1:34:46] he will attest to us that there were a lot, a lot of hours
[1:34:50] in the backyard.
[1:34:52] And we would, my dad would take the mechanics
[1:34:54] from what a baseball pitcher would do
[1:34:56] as far as weight and shifting weights.
[1:35:00] And arms speed, and we would take those mechanics and try to break them down into fast pitch.
[1:35:06] My dad hit played fast pitch as a young man. And he would actually, and it's school is very important to that.
[1:35:12] But I even remember one time he pulled me out of school, high school, and we drove to Detroit.
[1:35:18] He had a friend who owned a bar, who used to fast pitch. And we went in the alley behind the bar, his friend, who was the owner of this bar, was kind of going through some mechanics with me.
[1:35:28] So, my dad was the best and we just tried to figure it out.
[1:35:33] And if you went and my mom's backyard and dad's backyard to this day, we would throw up
[1:35:38] against the garage and there are wood planks along the side that still have holes in them
[1:35:44] to their stay from just our trial and error.
[1:35:49] But yeah, just we just figured it out.
[1:35:52] Who were your greatest influence?
[1:35:53] So my greatest influence was obviously my dad because he was my coach in basketball,
[1:35:57] I was starting when I was in the fourth grade.
[1:35:59] You know, he was the assistant coach when I was in high school.
[1:36:01] And I got out of college and started coaching.
[1:36:03] He was my assistant, and like I said, with the softball,
[1:36:07] he was the one that helped figure out all the mechanics.
[1:36:10] And, you know, he pushed me, and I put in the hard work
[1:36:13] because of him.
[1:36:16] Other really big influences is my sister Bridget.
[1:36:18] I have a lot of brothers and sisters in their FNTS.
[1:36:21] My sister Bridget used two years older than me.
[1:36:23] And she was just probably the toughest
[1:36:26] athlete I ever met, and she would probably never take that credit, but she was the one who
[1:36:33] had to catch for me in the backyard. She was the one when we played softball, and I would have
[1:36:37] to pitch banding practice at Divine Child. I hit her more than anybody else. To the point that
[1:36:43] one time she actually chased me around the field with a bat, which is a different story, but you know,
[1:36:48] she was just a warrior and set a good example of how you're supposed to play, and then
[1:36:53] really begin influences, like I said, of Wilkerson, who put up with a young pitcher, who would,
[1:37:00] you know, I might strike out 13, but I also walked 16 and hit seven banners in the early days
[1:37:05] and it's the truth. I mean, it was everywhere. Um, you know, my high school coaches, um, in the summer,
[1:37:12] big influences, Mike Baum and Ray Covo had a lot of good times playing for those guys, um, you know,
[1:37:19] Just probably every coach I came across that put in the time and have faith in me when I didn't have faith in myself.
[1:37:29] Did those obviously those coaches probably had a great influence as you were?
[1:37:36] Oh yes. In fact, they held my hands as I went through.
[1:37:42] You know, when I coach softball, at first, I worked with, so he went from being my coach to
[1:37:49] me coaching with him, it gave a reshard.
[1:37:51] And then when I started in basketball, I coached my first year as a coach to under some
[1:37:56] great people.
[1:37:58] It's the analponsis in it, Marion, but then I got right at wind at at 23.
[1:38:03] And my dad came over and he was my assistant.
[1:38:06] So I feel like I had so many people who helped me, it's hard to name it well.
[1:38:14] How did you look at the news?
[1:38:17] I was stubborn and even though I was probably a better softball player,
[1:38:24] I wanted to play basketball because I think it's the main absolutely beautiful game,
[1:38:27] and I just love it. And so Hillsdale was going to let me play both sports.
[1:38:33] They were going to let me play basketball and softball.
[1:38:35] And that was the decision.
[1:38:38] Was that difficult to play through sports?
[1:38:40] Very few people have to sports at the college or no matter what level you're at.
[1:38:47] It was difficult, it was difficult, but I also feel,
[1:38:53] and I think I look at high school kids today too.
[1:38:55] I was always better when I was in a season all around than I was when I was out of season.
[1:39:01] everything, grades, getting stuff done, being responsible, and I just feel like playing both sports
[1:39:08] kept me very regimented. You know, this is what you do. You go to school, then you go to practice,
[1:39:13] then you do. You know, so... I didn't feel hard at the time, but I looked back and I'm like,
[1:39:19] how did I do that? You know, and then you're doing your student teaching, and you know,
[1:39:22] you're finishing four years, and I look back, but at the time it didn't feel as hard as
[1:39:27] probably was, who do you want to think?
[1:39:30] I want to think, I want to think my family, obviously, my dad, my mom, for endless conversations.
[1:39:39] Like I said, I want to think everybody that's coached me along the way and has been really
[1:39:43] patient with me.
[1:39:45] And there were a lot of them, like I said, the Mike bombs, the Ray co-voles, the Bob Wilkerson's,
[1:39:52] you know, I had Nick Stan, I could just go on and on to all the different coaches that
[1:39:57] I had, you know, I...
[1:40:01] You know, I want to thank my immediate family, I mean, a plea for a long time. I plead, basketball as long as they possibly could, you know, and racially, you know, plead, softball for as long as I, my arm would hold up in a dot league. And even those people who gives me a chance to keep playing, also obviously want to think the city of Taylor, because this is really cool. This is a really amazing honor.
[1:41:07] He's already in the line that Paul Fayne for his achievements, he's one of our most
[1:41:11] 12 high school women, Eastern Michigan.
[1:41:14] Today, he enters the entire hall of fame, essentially as a late-long contributor to sports,
[1:41:20] spending five decades to say, Michigan, high school athletic, left-consosimation,
[1:41:24] trap, and cross-country officials.
[1:41:27] His efforts helped his efforts helped students gain thousands of sleep,
[1:41:33] of dollars in scholarships when titles at every level
[1:41:37] and achieve all American and Olympic status.
[1:41:42] If you be a reminder of just how good
[1:41:45] Al Ruffner was as a runner.
[1:41:47] He has led Roosevelt High School's two-mile repriest health
[1:41:50] Roosevelt High School's two-mile repriest for almost 60 years.
[1:41:54] Let's hear more about Al Fronsson.
[1:41:57] Let's
[1:42:03] see, the greatest athletic memory is probably when I won the state championship my junior year because it told me that I could run with a big boys and it gave me confidence for the running I would do in college.
[1:42:23] But that first race helped me help me know where I was going to go.
[1:42:29] to get over the hump, so to speak.
[1:42:31] Now, you, as a, you were a standout as a high school
[1:42:36] athlete, a college athlete, and then you move into a little
[1:42:41] coaching, a little consulting, and a lot of track
[1:42:44] efficient.
[1:42:46] Now, as an official, you get to, you get to have a member
[1:42:49] of your highlight.
[1:42:51] Oh, this is one of the highlights of officiating is,
[1:42:55] when I see a kid that I've worked with or I've
[1:42:58] given some advice to do and achieve.
[1:43:04] I'm going to do what I ask them to do or work on something that we had talked about.
[1:43:10] And just watching the smile on their faces is worth millions to me because I say,
[1:43:16] okay, I've paid it forward and I've seen somebody else succeed.
[1:43:20] As an official, you have favorite places or favorite
[1:43:24] to work that you work on, I worked, you a van, I worked up at Michigan State. I just
[1:43:32] loved going to any high school in working with the kids. What about greatest influences
[1:43:40] on your career because you've been in school for a very long time? Well, some of the, well,
[1:43:46] well, the greatest influences in my career, I had a couple of teachers at high school that
[1:43:53] and let me fail. I was an average student and I had not had an even went on for track.
[1:44:00] I couldn't swim, so the teacher would throw me in the pool and I said how do I get out
[1:44:05] of swimming and he says, walk for a sport. So I went on for cross-country and these teachers
[1:44:12] wouldn't let me scroll off in the classroom and that, you know, so that contributed to me being
[1:44:19] on the track. Some of the coaches that I've worked around with now, Mickey Turchec,
[1:44:28] Tony Metsett, guys that are in the area that have influenced kids, they took me under their wing
[1:44:36] and just so many, so many people that I've come in contact with that of the vittin inspiration
[1:44:43] to me and help me along my way.
[1:44:47] What would you like to think?
[1:44:49] I would like to thank God first of all.
[1:44:56] He gave me the talent to succeed and he also taught me.
[1:45:00] With that, it isn't what you do, but do what you've done for what you do for others. And I've been able, you know, I've been able to pass it forward for all these years. I'd like to thank my wife, who's her standing behind me and her influence and her encouragement. My children, they've succeeded way past anything I could have done.
[1:45:28] and the staff I work with, the men and church that are just workers that have won us three
[1:45:36] their families and they don't look for glory. People like that inspire me and I want to thank
[1:45:43] them for all the encouragement that they've given me, not even knowing it, but help me succeed.
[1:45:53] I've been able to do this for 75, I'm a one on my 75th year and I'm just thankful that I've been able to do everything I've done.
[1:46:54] is known as the voice of the Junior League World Series.
[1:46:58] It was the turn of its public address announcer from three decades.
[1:47:06] He volunteered at the Junior League World Series for almost 40 years.
[1:47:11] He was part of the tailor and northeast little late from 1971 to 1985,
[1:47:17] and remains a lifetime number.
[1:47:20] Having served as president, vice president,
[1:47:23] Sponsor Chair, Joe Manager, Secretary, and Equipment Manager.
[1:47:29] Taylor Northease, Softball Field, is named in his honor.
[1:47:34] Much more important about it.
[1:47:48] Greatest highlight or memory from your sports-related career.
[1:47:53] Being the public address on Alther for the Junior League World Series
[1:47:56] for over 30 years, the problem of my biggest accomplishment
[1:48:01] that you want to call accomplishments.
[1:48:04] How'd you get that job?
[1:48:07] The Tournament Director of the World Series after the first two years asked me if I would be interested in announcing for the World Series and I thought about it a while and then I said yes and went on until I couldn't find the stairs up the third floor of the World Series building anymore.
[1:48:27] And those stairs are tough to climb, very much though, very much though.
[1:48:34] I have to ask you this, it's the voice of the World Series, okay, it goes back so many years, so many decades.
[1:48:40] You have a favorite team.
[1:48:43] I think the teams from Hawaii, I have a very good friend that was the district,
[1:48:50] administrator and Hawaii and so I kind of was partial to not am I announcing but if I
[1:49:01] want to see anybody when I would like to see Hawaii when they're very well
[1:49:06] behaved actually back in the days when we used to house the kids in our in the
[1:49:13] I actually house get from why the year, the first year of it, for all
[1:49:18] city, one of the rosiers.
[1:49:21] Oh, fantastic.
[1:49:22] Greatest influence on your sports related career.
[1:49:26] For me, probably my father, he was, he was big in the sports,
[1:49:33] and he encouraged me to
[1:49:35] play different sports, they didn't have organized sports, but my play didn't want
[1:49:40] sports felt like we were off and then I was attending a practice of my older son and
[1:49:53] manager that came to have a coach and he asked me if I'd help out and what to get.
[1:50:00] Good. I said, okay, and he, uh, then say, long, you're coming all the practice, uh, why don't you become a coach? And so, I did, and did so for about 30 years after that.
[1:50:14] Who would you like to thank today, you're going in the entertainment hall of fame? Who would you like to thank?
[1:50:20] Well, my wife put up with me all those years of my wife that went to what's attending the
[1:50:29] games and everything, but it's hard when you dedicate that much time, it's got that much
[1:50:37] time to go down about that. Anyone else that you'd like to think?
[1:50:43] Probably Hall of Famer Greg Berserra, he had the confidence in me to be his public
[1:50:51] address announcer, and before it went for him, I wouldn't have done that, and as I said,
[1:51:00] I considered that my biggest accomplishment, so.
[1:51:03] The
[1:51:53] journey that started at O'Hoo, it is going to be talking back here.
[1:51:58] The eventually started as a player at Taylor Shutter,
[1:52:01] not to violent and never become a coach.
[1:52:05] He ended up doing just that.
[1:52:06] He had nearly 30 seasons coaching both boys and girls.
[1:52:10] He had massed 400 and 73 wins,
[1:52:16] positive white law again for us on thousands of Taylor and children.
[1:52:20] Let's learn more about Chuck.
[1:52:28] greatest highlight or memory in your athletic career.
[1:52:33] My greatest memory is one in that regional tournament, I think.
[1:52:39] And it was against Romulus who was being coached by NATO.
[1:52:43] It's now NATO's was a coach at Romulus.
[1:52:46] I mean, Romulus is a coach at Romulus.
[1:52:50] He's coaching at Alabama now.
[1:52:53] Right. He was especially Alabama.
[1:52:54] Was that a bit of a rivalry between Taylor and Rhonda?
[1:52:58] Oh, yeah, especially we went to that league and competed very well in that league and
[1:53:05] you know, it usually came down to us and Rhonda was playing in the regional tournament.
[1:53:11] Who was your greatest influence or who were your greatest influences in your athletic career?
[1:53:18] Well,
[1:53:20] my dad was the one that I really looked to because from the time I could walk, there
[1:53:29] was a hoop in our back, you know, because my dad played and my dad actually played in
[1:53:47] big influence on my mom, you know, my dad usually worked in my mom work too, my dad both
[1:53:54] and my mom was a musician. She moved me around, my dad couldn't move me around until I started
[1:54:00] driving and had a great coach who was probably my next, you know, influence. Roscoe
[1:54:09] shackle has a good touch. I pattern myself as a coach after him. You have, you have a lot of
[1:54:16] success as a player in Kentucky, but you eventually, you're family, moves up the table.
[1:54:23] And who are your greatest influences when you come up to table?
[1:54:29] I'll widen. He's just took a liking to me and he felt that, you know, here's a little
[1:54:36] hillbilly boy that's coming in here and can barely understand what he says, but he took the
[1:54:41] and talk to me a little bit about his life and wanting to know more about mine and
[1:54:48] you know, for the time that we stayed at T.C. until they closed it down, you know,
[1:54:53] how was Henry Wander's Wayne?
[1:54:57] When you start coaching, tell us, tell us a story.
[1:55:00] How you got into it? Well, we had this net, little kid next door, this little little guy, you know,
[1:55:10] waiting like 40 pounds or 27 pounds or something. And what he was a basketball freak is dribbling as
[1:55:17] You know, so then I finally got a hoop in my backyard, so then I had a paid and so then
[1:55:30] he's coming over, you know, visiting every day and it was just a situation scenario where
[1:55:39] Now, every time I went to the game, he's with me.
[1:55:44] You know, he was about maybe fourth grade.
[1:55:48] Yeah, and so one day, I'd come home for work
[1:55:52] and Jason's sitting on my front front porch
[1:55:56] and he's crying.
[1:55:59] Jason, what's in there?
[1:56:01] Charlie, he's sobbing.
[1:56:04] But our coach quit the day.
[1:56:08] Well, I told her that you coach, you know,
[1:56:12] that's what he tells me.
[1:56:13] And I said, Jason, I'm not, I'm not going to coach.
[1:56:17] You'll have a coach, you know, by the end of the week.
[1:56:21] So next thing I know, he's got me out in the street
[1:56:25] and Chris has come and over, and they're tied to me
[1:56:29] about, you know,
[1:56:33] so no, I'm never going to be a coach.
[1:56:37] And nothing personal, so then the very next morning it was like, wasn't even six o'clock in the morning.
[1:56:46] It's like 530 in the morning. It's Pat Lybe on the phone.
[1:56:50] Oh, coach, this is Pat Lybe.
[1:56:54] I'm sorry, you must have hung up.
[1:56:57] You know, I didn't know who the principal was at the time, even.
[1:57:01] She says, well, I have a couple of people here who are telling me that you are, you are our next coach.
[1:57:08] So anyways, it all went down to it in, you know, pad live, you got in my ear.
[1:57:14] And she kind of locked down to it and said, well, I can't find a coach.
[1:57:20] You know, I need you to do this, you know.
[1:57:24] And I finally said, if you can't find a coach in the next couple of days, I'll help you out.
[1:57:31] So, and that's how it all started at the end.
[1:57:35] It should get all over her and thank her for it, you know, because even though I'd set
[1:57:43] on my life, I never wanted to be a coach, never would be a coach, but since I've done
[1:57:49] it,
[1:57:52] I don't want the most rewarding things,
[1:58:00] that's how they're doing, that's good, that's good.
[1:58:03] This is your night, you're headed into the Hall of Fame, tell us who you'd like to thank.
[1:58:10] So I'd like to thank all these these people that I've got and I probably have forgotten
[1:58:15] a couple here and there, but I'd like to thank my coaches for the hard work and dedication.
[1:58:23] Mike Pearson, who was from day one, to the end, to a three-way retired.
[1:58:32] Tim Rogers, Tim Rogers, was a Kennedy player that ended up on my staff,
[1:58:45] eating with him this weekend.
[1:58:47] I went to watch a couple of playoff games, BM and Mike Pearson.
[1:58:52] The guy the first guy was Tim Allen, another guy that was within the whole time.
[1:58:59] We're Senator Guy, we're at Schwartz, Brett King from Out of Townsend, Nobody.
[1:59:06] He ended up coaching it at baseball at Kennedy, and somehow he wiggled on to my staff at
[1:59:16] Taylor Center, Chris Simons, who now is, I think he's the acting AD over there now.
[1:59:22] Chris Simons, a lifetime friendship and Jason Stewart, lifetime friendship, both of those guys.
[1:59:28] who were, they were both best friends.
[1:59:34] So Christian Moon, former player, is on staff over there now.
[1:59:39] Brian Keyfleet, former player, is on staff over there now.
[1:59:44] Daryl Thomas, I think he came for Kennedy and didn't have to twist his arm,
[1:59:49] but he was always around and he finally eventually worked his way on staff,
[1:59:54] and I think he played at Kennedy.
[1:59:56] And then the Gorski brothers of course.
[2:00:00] Of course, everybody in technical knows him. They wanted to hear Steve and Bob, but we were on my staff at different times throughout their lives.
[2:00:14] We all still like to thank Pam Pearson. She was a central part of our basketball family right from the beginning.
[2:00:22] Thank you Pam for all your work and dedication, Judy Gorsky.
[2:00:27] This is the lady that made it happen.
[2:00:30] She had her mouth.
[2:00:31] Someone else didn't want me.
[2:00:35] I'm a Melissa Scope.
[2:00:37] Scope can't ski.
[2:00:39] I hope I sit there, right?
[2:00:41] And I believe she's still the principal over there, right?
[2:00:44] And the basketball family, when we moved to Truman High School,
[2:00:49] was my wife Barbara.
[2:00:50] I could not have made this journey without her from getting me to the games on time to
[2:00:56] shopping for concessions, just so much more.
[2:01:46] Dr. Chuck Soltz, our final inductee tonight is the late Delighted, one of Chuck's mentors.
[2:01:54] That was a very humble man who wore many hats, but sports lived in every threat of being.
[2:02:01] As a young man, he dreamed of playing pro baseball, and he was drafted by the old
[2:02:07] St. Louis Browns. As a college athlete, he was an outstanding basketball player who
[2:02:14] is part of the spring-a-hour college hall of fame. He spent decades against an administrator
[2:02:20] in the Taylor schools, and is still beloved by all of those whose lives he touched. Later
[2:02:28] life he became a tremendous golfer recording six holes in one and five times shooting his age
[2:02:35] while earning championships in senior golf tournaments. Let's learn more about
[2:02:41] Al from his son Gary and his daughter, Cindy.
[2:02:51] Okay, let's start with you. You have a letter
[2:02:55] that your dad got way, way, way back decades ago when he was starting as an educator. What you
[2:03:03] Well, this is from one of his first students class he had in 1951 and it was from a young lady named
[2:03:12] Judith and it was to all the girls and boys that might have all my dad in his class at some point
[2:03:20] time and she writes briefly and not taking every word for it but basically she said when she
[2:03:31] had men teachers for the last three or four years and so she
[2:03:35] had gotten word that she had a young girl teacher coming in, woman
[2:03:40] teacher coming in. She was thrilled her girlfriends and her were
[2:03:43] thrilled because they were going to be able to talk about
[2:03:45] sewing and all kinds of things related to what girls
[2:03:47] like. And so they ran down the hallway, gotten a classroom
[2:03:51] and that was stopped. They had a man. And it just happened to
[2:03:57] our dad, how white it, and she says, after she cried a few tears, she said, well, I guess
[2:04:05] we're not going to do sewing and those kinds of home-maker things this year. And she said,
[2:04:11] um, she saw him reading the newspaper and he started by asking the class about a $64 question,
[2:04:19] and every morning he started with his $64 question for the day. And so they had to come back
[2:04:26] school the next day and she told them they had to talk about what they
[2:04:31] like to do their name and so forth like that and of course she said she liked
[2:04:35] sewing and she says he seemed like a pretty nice guy and so that she goes into
[2:04:43] describe him and that was interesting her description of him but then she said
[2:04:48] he started talking about sports well she knew nothing about sports and throughout
[2:04:55] The school year, he became big influence on her.
[2:05:00] As far as sports go, they started a baseball team, and the girls got to play, and she decided
[2:05:07] that she did like sports after all. And she sort of forgot about sewing for a while. And pretty
[2:05:12] soon, it came for the choir, for the concert at Christmas time, and she said, and Mr.
[2:05:17] Why did it could sing? And she said, she loved that because she could sing and she loved to sing.
[2:05:23] And then, at the end of her story, she talks about seventh grade, and she said, if I look
[2:05:29] Back on my school career so far, she says,
[2:05:32] I think I had the best year I'd ever had
[2:05:36] with Mr. White, and that she loved sports now,
[2:05:40] and that she would go on later in life,
[2:05:42] and she said, I think I would tell all the kids,
[2:05:45] they would be lucky if they got Mr. White,
[2:05:47] it is a teacher.
[2:05:48] And I thought that was so precious,
[2:05:51] because, you know, you walk yours,
[2:05:53] or honoring your dad or your parents and everything.
[2:05:56] And she really was talking from the heart,
[2:05:59] And, you know, she came in that lagging sport and left loving sports.
[2:06:05] And that sort of, some of my dad's legacy, I think.
[2:06:09] Without a doubt, that's very, very scary.
[2:06:12] Let's expand on it.
[2:06:14] As you were telling me before, we go, we've gone on camera her.
[2:06:18] That your dad used sports as a way to relate to kids.
[2:06:22] I think that he loved playing sports.
[2:06:26] He loved competing.
[2:06:28] But mostly, I think he loved the relationship he developed through sports, whether it was
[2:06:33] his buddies from golfing, or mostly, he knew the high school, and he would tell stories
[2:06:38] about going down to the gym and having free thrurt shooting contest with the kids, or playing
[2:06:43] horse, or jumping on a trampoline, or I can remember one girl he challenged to erase around
[2:06:49] the track, and it didn't matter to him whether he wanted to lost those things.
[2:06:53] I think you would like to have one.
[2:06:55] But what was important is, it was a way he could relate to the students through something
[2:07:00] that they enjoyed, something that he enjoyed, and I think he did that through his whole life.
[2:07:07] And so he loved sports, but he loved all the relationships and the friendships that came with him.
[2:07:13] You were also talking about people and things that were influential on him.
[2:07:18] You talked about that a little bit.
[2:07:20] Yeah, I think he, you know, his first, he played baseball when he was young and played, I think he said at one point in time he's playing in four different baseball teams and one softball team in the summer.
[2:07:31] Just every stuff he did every day.
[2:07:34] But he's distinctly remembers going to Briggsfield and walking out and seeing that beautiful stadium and seeing the players come out and the players cheer for them.
[2:07:44] And like many young boys of that age, he dropped some day being the guy that was that professional baseball player going out on that field, to all the cheering fans and everything else.
[2:07:57] He talked very much about his athletic career.
[2:08:02] He had great success as a college basketball player.
[2:08:06] He also played baseball.
[2:08:07] He was drafted by the St. Louis Browns.
[2:08:11] He turns into a tremendous golfer.
[2:08:14] Did he talk about that?
[2:08:16] Was he confirmed?
[2:08:17] Yes, he did.
[2:08:19] He talked briefly.
[2:08:20] Well, you could always see the join in a space when he talked about the sports that he played in.
[2:08:25] And again, the relationships that he built because much of our family life was based around
[2:08:31] not only his church and belief of that, but around his sports activities and the people that he
[2:08:39] developed friendships with that we were, we came in contact with, we traveled a lot with him during the summer
[2:08:43] and the public's tournament and so we got to see some of this accolades there, but we really
[2:08:50] I didn't really know how good he was until it was later in life, and we started talking more and reminiscing about some of the things that he did, that really came to my knowledge that, wow, he was really good at a lot of things.
[2:09:06] And so, and he influenced me, because I became a physed teacher, and followed it, you know, with the sports, I was very interested in sports, obviously, and had a very successful career as a teacher and related to sports.
[2:09:25] Kevin, what about you?
[2:09:28] Yeah, I think that growing up sports was always at the forefront.
[2:09:33] I remember going out and we'd go play golf on Sunday afternoon after church.
[2:09:38] And he always had a transistor radio listening to the Tiger game while we played golf.
[2:09:44] And then we'd come home and football season.
[2:09:46] We'd have one TV on and another TV stacked on top of it so we'd watch the games on both channels.
[2:09:52] It was just something we did as a family.
[2:09:56] I remember playing on the church softball league or the church basketball league.
[2:10:00] We're going play hockey back in the day when you could actually have a nice freak outside and Detroit.
[2:10:08] And it's just anything to go compete and have fun and have that camaraderie.
[2:10:15] If your dad was still around, who would you think he'd like to thank as he's adopted into this hall?
[2:10:22] He was a part of this hall for a number of years.
[2:10:26] It's one of the reasons why we're inducting him tonight is because he refused to go in before, okay, which probably fits, that's right, that's with his personality.
[2:10:37] But who do you think that he'd want, what do you think he'd like to say if you were?
[2:10:42] I think you'd like to think all of his friends that he had to make over the years playing golf, playing basketball, playing baseball.
[2:10:51] I think he'd thank all the coaches that he had over the years at different schools because
[2:10:58] he felt they were very important to the development of the kids and their personalities
[2:11:03] and everything else is part of the education process.
[2:11:08] I probably want to thank my mom for putting up with all that we can see was a way playing
[2:11:11] golf tournaments and everybody else has kind of been involved with sports over his life.
[2:11:22] So, you're an educator, he was an educator, that obviously was a very, very big part of his life.
[2:11:30] He was the majority.
[2:11:33] What was the most important thing you handed down to you?
[2:11:38] To enjoy what you're doing.
[2:11:42] Again, sports for me became the connection to other people.
[2:11:48] And one of the things I remember most is that, and he was the example of that, is it's not necessarily all the content you give to them sometimes, as an educator, but the feelings that they create,
[2:12:08] and you want to be very careful how you choose your words, and how positive you can be to student that you never know.
[2:12:17] many times you never get to know the influence you've had on a student and I use sports sort of in
[2:12:23] his footsteps at times to be that connection with kids and I and I appreciate it from him and
[2:12:31] he's my hero. Did he leave you with any funny stories or anything from his golf days or his baseball
[2:12:42] There is, for example, basketball days, or anything like that, because any, anything jumped
[2:12:46] to mind.
[2:12:47] And it's okay if it doesn't.
[2:12:49] I, one of them was, and I don't remember the gentleman's name, so he was, I think it
[2:12:54] tailored to human or to an high school, and they had to hire a head football coach.
[2:13:00] And he interviewed three, four players or four coaches, one of them went on to be the
[2:13:08] coach at the University of Colorado.
[2:13:11] I wonder when I'm to be the head coach in our
[2:13:13] Western. The other one was Lloyd Carp who
[2:13:15] went on to be a coach in Michigan. And he hired none of
[2:13:18] those three.
[2:13:21] But he does back himself up and say,
[2:13:23] we did win the League Championship that year. Oh,
[2:13:27] oh, that's great. That's fantastic.
[2:13:47] Doug Gary and his daughter Cindy,
[2:13:49] please come to the Hall of Fame.
[2:14:36] I'm going to do one by part of being burdened and myself.
[2:14:42] I'd like to thank everyone involved with this evening.
[2:14:45] Thank God she's certainly.
[2:14:47] It's been a truly special reason for this situation.
[2:14:53] That's going to be a pleasure.
[2:14:54] So, let's just come back.
[2:14:57] We want to get all of our buildings.
[2:15:30] And join us as you all go down the hall to the Lake House part of Europe, the rest of the weekend.
[2:15:37] Let's stay at the school and go back and forth.
[2:15:41] While you have a huge amount of time, let's have the same money that are being pulled up in our sports class.
[2:15:46] And we're going to give you the key place.
[2:15:49] And lastly, again, thanks for attending.
[2:15:52] We apologize for many technical difficulties here in Hamilton.
[2:15:56] But we'll work it out eventually.
[2:15:58] So if you thank you, you have no reason, I'll ask a lot of people to come.
[2:16:46] Carl Zimack, and this is another installment of From the Mayor's Desk with Tim Wolley.
[2:16:52] In this show, we're going to focus on business activity in Taylor,
[2:16:56] along with several city-initiated projects, and some other important issues that seem to be
[2:17:03] stacking up on us.
[2:17:06] Tim, welcome to the, uh, welcome to the media center. How you doing? Thanks, Carl.
[2:17:09] It's good to see it.
[2:17:10] That's a little wild.
[2:17:11] Well, yes, it's been a little wild, but all we've been talking about is storm, but we're
[2:17:15] not going to talk about storm.
[2:17:16] We're going to talk about it later here.
[2:17:18] Let's talk about some fun things.
[2:17:20] After sitting vacant for six years, give or take, it appears that the old Masco headquarters,
[2:17:27] probably the most iconic building in the city, is going to become a focal point for a new
[2:17:33] multi-use project, including professional services, medical facility, and a convention-type
[2:17:40] center.
[2:17:41] What can you tell us about the project that's been approved by the Planning Commission
[2:17:45] as well as Seneca?
[2:17:46] Well, it's actually really exciting, you know, they, you know, what I didn't really realize
[2:17:51] until I really went over and looked at the facility, you know, there's multiple buildings
[2:17:56] over there.
[2:17:57] So it's a beautiful building and when, you know, I came in office, we didn't want to
[2:18:01] to see that torn down. The previous owner, we went over and toured at me, Dan, and Tim
[2:18:08] Keys went over there and looked at it, and I thought the building was in beautiful shape.
[2:18:13] I think that might have been the first time I'd ever been in there. I can believe how
[2:18:15] well kept it was. Basically, just needed to dusting. And at that time, they were pitching
[2:18:22] tearing it down and making it a trucking facility. Just what you wanted to hear.
[2:18:26] Well, I made it very clear. I said absolutely not, that's not going to happen. You know,
[2:18:30] said, if you want to tear it down, that's up to you, but it's not going to be a trucking facility.
[2:18:34] You have a neighborhood there, you have a neighborhood there, you know, and so luckily, that kind of,
[2:18:39] you know, so I got a call from somebody at Wayne County reached out to me and said,
[2:18:45] hey, would you mind if I shared your number with somebody, they want to talk to you about potentially
[2:18:49] the old masco building and I said sure. And took the phone call and he said, hey, you know,
[2:18:56] I have some gentlemen that are interested in possibly and they want to talk to the
[2:18:59] to you about what you guys may be envision going in there and stuff and I said, well, absolutely.
[2:19:05] So, gentlemen, out of Chicago, Shaboy again, and a few people, we met over at a restaurant
[2:19:10] by the airport and they came in and started telling me what they kind of wanted to do and
[2:19:16] you know, I said, well, as long as you let us know, we definitely are willing to work with you guys
[2:19:21] and I learned about a PUD which allows us to do different zoning on a property almost even on
[2:19:28] floors of a building. So, told them we'd be willing to work with them and I walked out of there
[2:19:33] thinking, man, that was a pretty good meeting. I'm pretty excited about this, but you never know
[2:19:37] how things are going to turn out. Sure. Well, the phone kept ringing. You know, and so I told Dan and
[2:19:43] Laura and said, hey, you know, I think this is possibly going to happen. Then we found out, you know,
[2:19:49] met talked with them more that they were really interested and they ended up purchasing the building,
[2:19:54] sat down with Laura, you know, I'll add down everybody in the room and
[2:19:58] said this is what you, and baby.
[2:20:00] Basically it was whatever you guys are thinking about doing, just come to us first and let us know, and everything's conditional. So they have to basically get our permission before they, and if they change that, then they have to go back through planning and everything and stuff. So they want to do different things on different floors. And that building is so big that we understood that. You know, when I first walked the building, I instantly thought of a medical center because it reminded me of a smaller U of M. Yeah, kind of a whole big.
[2:20:30] You know, when my mom was out there, I was visiting there regularly, and when I walked in there, that's what it instantly reminded me of.
[2:20:36] And then when they talked about a potential, you know, convention center, something like that, a smaller one, you know, like maybe like a Nova expo, or, uh, what a time.
[2:20:46] Yeah, whatever it's called there.
[2:20:47] I guess they did the research and there's not one of those, you know, from either Troy or Nova.
[2:20:54] So one close to Detroit would be, that size would be great and stuff.
[2:20:58] So, I think they got a lot of great ideas
[2:21:01] and they're moving, they're moving quick on it
[2:21:03] and stuff, so we're pretty excited about it.
[2:21:05] You know, and I think they already have a few tenants.
[2:21:08] When you came into office, did you give any thought
[2:21:10] to the mask-op building?
[2:21:12] I mean, it's kind of out of sight out of mind
[2:21:14] for as big we have, you know, we did, to be honest,
[2:21:17] because it's a big text, but yeah, you know.
[2:21:19] You know, it was losing value, so that was a concern,
[2:21:22] you know, that's one of our bigger buildings
[2:21:23] and Trinity, and so, you know, with it losing, you know, it's value, you know, that was
[2:21:30] certain when we found out, you know, Masco was leaving and I was on council at the time,
[2:21:34] and that was something. So he was kind of kept an eye out on it, and so it was nice to hear
[2:21:39] there was interest in it and stuff like that. There was a couple of different pitches,
[2:21:44] and but this one was the most exciting, and then it stuck, and these guys have been great
[2:21:48] to talk to and work with so far and everything, you know, you know, not everybody's going to love everything, but I think it's I think it's great for what they're doing and
[2:21:59] you know, some people talk about you know, because there is a storage part of it, but you know, it's, you know, when people are like, well, the high-end stuff, you know,
[2:22:07] Mr. Manugie and used to store his artwork in that facility, you know, so it's, it was meant for that anyway, and this thing is built like a battleship, it's unbelievable, you know,
[2:22:18] the thickness of the concrete and so you know there's limitations on what they could do in certain
[2:22:24] areas. So it made sense to us and you know council and planning both agreed and plus that's
[2:22:28] what it was being used for anyway. Get any feedback from residents because I know you've always
[2:22:33] been concerned no matter what the project has been about that particular area because it is tricky
[2:22:39] because you have really strong housing on each side. Well the main thing was is which was we were
[2:22:45] led here, they want to keep the landscaping, the convention center we talked about parking and
[2:22:52] stuff between me and you and maybe all those that are watching, we're hoping that maybe
[2:22:56] leads into them because they didn't purchase the camear, right building.
[2:23:00] So talking with them, I thought, hey, if you're going to do that there, the camear would
[2:23:06] be great for maybe a hotel and additional parking for that.
[2:23:10] And they were actually pretty, you know, they're like, you know, that's a pretty good idea.
[2:23:13] I mean, that'd be great, you know, and so of course I'm trying to spend their money in, you know, and so I mean, that's a possibility in a couple years, they said, you know,
[2:23:23] the people that don't mask go, you still mask go and the came up, so they still own that came our facility.
[2:23:30] I think they still have at least with Ford for a couple years to the parking there if they choose, but, you know, absolutely, we keep in mind of those residents,
[2:23:41] They did pitch and they want to put a sign on 94, so but they have to go through the state and DNR and things like that to get
[2:23:48] But I definitely want to see how it's going to affect the neighbors that live right by that area where they want to put it.
[2:23:56] So the architecture for long is a beautiful sign, you know, but I want to see how much light it's kicking out if it's going to, you know, if I live over there
[2:24:04] I don't want that thing, you know.
[2:24:06] Oh, yeah, my window on the side.
[2:24:08] Where they position it, how tall and all that stuff.
[2:24:11] So that's going to be it.
[2:24:12] So it's hardly, everything's hardly done on this thing.
[2:24:16] It's just started absolutely.
[2:24:19] OK, well, let's talk about another development.
[2:24:21] And that's the development or redevelopment
[2:24:24] of the Eureka telegraph area.
[2:24:27] Got a raising cane going into the Walgreens.
[2:24:30] You've got a second program.
[2:24:33] a bigger program coming in with a lot of different ramifications, including to party and things
[2:24:39] like that, and talk at that.
[2:24:41] Yeah, so that was another great thing, you know, one day we get this call, you know, and
[2:24:47] Croger was like, hey, because that was becoming a concern, you know, that mall was emptying
[2:24:52] an out pretty quick, you know, and then we got where value city was kind of, you know, going
[2:24:57] and that foreclosure are basically...
[2:25:00] You know, they were going bankrupt. And then, so we're like, you know, that's a big corner right there for us and the law Greens was sitting empty and then all of a sudden we get a call from, you know,
[2:25:29] and then they pitched their areas and locations and all that stuff.
[2:25:35] So we were glad that that place got chosen, you know?
[2:25:38] And they took out the old, it was in Michaels.
[2:25:43] Christmastory, Christmastory, Christmastory store.
[2:25:46] Ah, Christmastory.
[2:25:48] And then it was the other one.
[2:25:49] Bed Bath and Beyond.
[2:25:51] And they're busting over there right now.
[2:25:53] I wrote by there today.
[2:25:54] And I'm like, man, they're really cooking.
[2:25:55] you know, so we worked with them sat down and it's been, that's been a really good relationship as well.
[2:26:02] They're like, hey, is there any way we could get maybe some demolition? Well, we're working,
[2:26:06] you know, and we said sure we'll work with you in any way possible. And so yeah, they're they're doing
[2:26:13] they're really, I think they want to be open by the end of the year and also people they actually put some
[2:26:18] in the drawings. I think they left Samaria for like potential a lot. Oh,
[2:26:24] relocation, maybe a restaurant or a store or something like that because it's a
[2:26:28] big parking lot. I'll be honest with you. You know, once all the construction
[2:26:31] everything clears up down there and I know it's been a long time and people
[2:26:34] get frustrated with that. But the reality is they're going to be finished with
[2:26:38] those bridges and things are going to get back to normal and that is a that is
[2:26:45] really visible. Yeah. And we do know that somebody is going into the old
[2:26:50] value city building. I just can't say who yeah. Gotcha. I think I know too, but I'm not
[2:26:55] just saying. Swordship. What about raising rates? You know, I'm very excited that
[2:27:02] was, you know, there was some potential issues there with a company that we're
[2:27:07] going to be talking about later. But, you know, we're going to be the first city
[2:27:12] down, river to get one,
[2:27:18] and there was some issues with the electrical lines.
[2:27:21] We wanted everything on Eureka to start going underground, that was another company didn't
[2:27:29] want it to do that way, but it was affecting their drive through and everything, and so
[2:27:35] I handle everything privately, Carl, talking about it now, but I see there's people out
[2:27:41] where's Woolie? He's not doing this. She doesn't do that. You know me. I'm a
[2:27:47] phone and I do things. You know, I feel privately professionaly and all that stuff.
[2:27:52] You know, I made it very clear that if I was to lose the title of being the first
[2:27:57] city down river to lose, you know, raising, losing that title of being the first
[2:28:01] city there was going to be issues. So they worked it out to where they're going to
[2:28:11] line or whatever to where it won't affect their entrance or their drive-through because the
[2:28:16] wires were going to run right over the entrance where you can't walk in or out of a building
[2:28:20] with electrical wire wires and then or through the drive-through with the wires going over.
[2:28:26] Long story, but either way, finally got it all worked out and raised in Keynes. I did see their
[2:28:32] they did submit all their stuff and I think they're just working on their Wayne County water
[2:28:36] permit right now, you know, for their, um, uh,
[2:28:43] water discharge, you know, like, got
[2:28:44] yours.
[2:28:45] So, what's amazing?
[2:28:46] I think by the time, by the time everything is finished in that corridor there,
[2:28:51] it's really got to be pretty impressive.
[2:28:53] Oh, it's going to be, and, and touching on what you said earlier, thank God, you know,
[2:28:57] Kroger's putting a gas station as well.
[2:28:59] Oh, near the fire.
[2:29:01] Yeah, right behind the fire station, and they even agreed to put in a road that's going
[2:29:05] connect that mall area to that party that will get people to a light to get people in and out of there
[2:29:11] because you know, you know, anybody that goes to either that mall or to famous days, it's really hard to make a left
[2:29:18] right. And I wouldn't recommend anybody doing it. So that road will now get you over to a light which makes it much easier to make a
[2:29:25] left if you want to go west on your reka road. Yeah, and if you're connecting all the way down the party, that's that really takes you away
[2:29:33] from all of the other stuff that's going on, which is, I don't know if it's party,
[2:29:38] you know, it's, I don't think it is. It's the one, just on the back side of that,
[2:29:42] that ball there, I'm thinking it's party. Is it party? Yeah, I think I was just looking at their graphics.
[2:29:47] I think it's the one that kind of is it the one that takes up by Myers, but I think it's not that one.
[2:29:51] I think it's the one just before that can't think of the name of the street. Well, either way,
[2:29:55] it's going to be the way to give you a row with a light. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Exactly.
[2:30:01] On another hand, you know, you've got corrobor, you've got corrobor now to the north, you've got corrobor to the south, and now we're going to have mire on the old mire, eureka, and now we're getting a mire mark, which is really a cool concept in the old handy. Well, if the pens, how far are you going to go back? I'm thinking to handy handy to me, what do you think?
[2:30:22] for a city to me. Yeah, but then there was a I can't remember Laura was telling me what it was when she was
[2:30:29] There was something else there to it. Yeah, I can't think of what it was called, but she said she bought her first pair of roller skates
[2:30:35] You know, I got a chuck a lot of that but there was for a city before it became handy and he's so I always knew it as for a city
[2:30:41] I think Taylor Taylor residents are getting a reputation for eating because there's a lot of place coming in
[2:30:47] We got two crovers, we got two Myers.
[2:30:50] I can't talk, you know.
[2:30:52] Well, that's not about far behind you.
[2:30:54] Yeah, it was kind of funny, you know, I was doing a radio interview for Dr. J.R.
[2:30:58] And he actually made a mistake and he said, yeah, hey, I hear Taylor's getting a new Myers.
[2:31:04] He goes, oh, I'm sorry.
[2:31:05] I mean a new crover.
[2:31:06] I said no, actually, but the new Myers now, too, you know, so it was a kind of a nice
[2:31:10] segue into promoting that we were getting that new Myers grocery store and, you know, it's
[2:31:15] newer model that's rolling out and stuff. It's just grocery and I think everybody that I've
[2:31:22] talked to is very excited. I know my neighbors, I'm a stone strove from it. Talk to all my
[2:31:29] neighbors and everybody, you know, we're always a little nervous about, you know, traffic on the
[2:31:34] street a little bit, you know, just like anybody else, but we thought it was a good fit, you know,
[2:31:39] and so I think everybody in that neighborhood that lives by there has all been pretty excited about it.
[2:31:45] It's really kind of cool. I was reading about the philosophy behind that concept and it's kind
[2:31:52] of like, you know, small has gone big and now big is trying to go small, you know. And they're
[2:32:00] giving their general managers at these particular locations a lot of leeway in their purchase
[2:32:08] Because they're really learning, leaning heavily toward, you know, produce from the area.
[2:32:15] You know, so you're like an independent good.
[2:32:16] Through the Mexican.
[2:32:17] Yeah, they have an incredible attitude.
[2:32:20] And see, you know, I think it's all depending on what people want to wear.
[2:32:25] I'm going grocery shopping.
[2:32:27] I want the grocery store.
[2:32:28] I don't want the big.
[2:32:30] You know, where some people like the big.
[2:32:32] You know, I don't like the two men.
[2:32:34] You know, I guess it depends on what you want.
[2:32:37] You know, I know when I found out about it,
[2:32:39] I can't really go for your works here.
[2:32:42] Her, she just gave me a double take and said,
[2:32:45] hey, I get to walk.
[2:32:46] It's my grocery store too.
[2:32:48] Yeah, absolutely.
[2:32:49] Which is just fine, and the other sheets location,
[2:32:52] which is moving very quickly.
[2:32:54] I just, okay, I think they're starting the brain.
[2:32:57] I noticed they just completed all the asphalt.
[2:33:00] So I think all the surfaces are down.
[2:33:02] So I think they're going to,
[2:33:04] wouldn't be surprised that they're just going to start stocking the store here. I think they're
[2:33:08] fantastic. I think they wanted to be open by the end of this month.
[2:33:10] Which is fantastic for that whole... that whole area jumps a little bit because, you know,
[2:33:16] it's not far away from Walmart. It's not far away from the dairy queen. All of those places up there
[2:33:22] when you look at it now and you've got that going in there and hook and real is there, too.
[2:33:28] Yeah, you know, well they get a good crowd and me and Amy keep talking about it.
[2:33:32] We always forget about it, it's right there, you know, I've never been in there, you know,
[2:33:37] and I like some food, you know, and so, but, you know, Dairy Queen does a great job, and
[2:33:43] man, you talk about a drive through, but boy, do they get them through there like nothing
[2:33:46] it?
[2:33:46] Well, I remember when they were putting that together, and I remember seeing the schematic,
[2:33:52] the aerial schematic of it, and I'm going, this is not going to work, and yet, it works
[2:33:57] beautiful.
[2:33:58] And once in a while, you'll see my telegraph, but I'm telling you, Carl, you can almost
[2:34:01] such a watch by an eight o'clock.
[2:34:04] Well, that's Dave, man.
[2:34:05] It fills up, but they get people through there.
[2:34:08] And it's unbelievable.
[2:34:10] And there are another great community part.
[2:34:12] Well, I was going to say is unbelievable.
[2:34:15] And here's a guy that reaches out to me.
[2:34:17] And hey, I know the crews sent him over for lunch.
[2:34:21] You know, well, that's great.
[2:34:23] It's funny, because it's not like I hang around a Gary
[2:34:25] quand.
[2:34:26] OK, but the reality, I mean, they might not
[2:34:30] But you know, with Oli and his group, that's a really good group.
[2:34:36] That's the kind of business people you want.
[2:34:38] Very clean, absolutely.
[2:34:39] Oh, yeah. Just just when you walk in and they say the usual,
[2:34:43] you might not know.
[2:34:46] They're great.
[2:34:47] And you know their employees are happy there because it's always,
[2:34:51] they always got a ton of employees there.
[2:34:53] It's clean and they're great.
[2:34:55] your reputation just proceeds you because you got the same thing out of the people at the road out of them.
[2:35:00] I mean, my daughter worked there, don't forget. So, you know, I was nervous when they opened the dairy queen, like, you know, that closed the aisle, some like, oh, this could be a problem.
[2:35:14] What about, uh, laying part, moving very quickly, yet there's, there's so much to do there, including at the end, you got to do the road, you know,
[2:35:25] Yeah, so that's what we're basically waiting on.
[2:35:27] I think we're waiting on the pump track to be worth it.
[2:35:32] It's going to be worth it.
[2:35:33] When I was out there, I don't think that.
[2:35:35] Yeah, the skate, I don't know what they call it.
[2:35:38] The drop down the pool, I could call it.
[2:35:40] Yeah, it looks like a skate park, that's all done.
[2:35:43] I think the pump track is next.
[2:35:45] Then they're going to go in and, you know, level certain areas and stuff,
[2:35:51] You know, sculpt the sledding hill a little bit different, you know, and stuff.
[2:35:56] So they'll be final touches.
[2:35:58] Once all the heavy machinery is out of there, we're going to redo Lang Road.
[2:36:03] And we'll be ready to open it.
[2:36:05] So I mean, it's going to, it's looking really cool.
[2:36:09] I couldn't believe, you know, just going over there, you know, Mr. Evans,
[2:36:13] one Evans from the kind of executive office in his team came over.
[2:36:17] And we all met over there.
[2:36:18] stuff. He was very impressed, very happy with their part, you know, their part.
[2:36:22] Sure, because there was. And he had to go, so he didn't even get a chance to go over and
[2:36:27] see the dog park and stuff. And that was my first time seeing it all, it all fenced in everything
[2:36:32] and Greedow was showing me how we got some old fire hydrants and stuff and put those in.
[2:36:38] I couldn't believe how big it was. I'm like, you know, could you make it any big?
[2:36:43] But it's unbelievable, it's going to be another fantastic park here in the city of Taylor.
[2:36:50] In 2013, when you first were elected, okay, to the council.
[2:36:56] Did you ever think that you'd be seeing that particular area of land developed again?
[2:37:04] I mean, it turned, it was long gone, by that time, you know, laying part in Carl, I wasn't even
[2:37:12] aware of laying part to be honest with you when I was a kid. So, you know, when I heard
[2:37:16] it was like a water park and all that other stuff I had never went there. You know, we had
[2:37:20] the Northwest pool. Sure, that's what we did. And I guess by the time maybe laying part
[2:37:25] open, I was an older teenager, but I really didn't know of it, or I think somebody said,
[2:37:29] so I might have been even in the Army. But I don't know. So I had never went over there
[2:37:35] And like just as I joined the Little League board, they moved the haunted house that used
[2:37:40] to be over there, over to back to Pat Park.
[2:37:42] So I never really was familiar with it at all, and then one day, Guido, when I got elected,
[2:37:46] he's like, well, let's go over there, and we've walked a whole place, you know, and I was
[2:37:51] like, man, this place does need some, you know, that's when the paintball and everything
[2:37:55] was there and stuff.
[2:37:56] But I was looking for deer the whole time.
[2:37:57] I was like, that's the right deer back there.
[2:38:01] I remember I took the tour with several people, but John Madreco was with you all the time.
[2:38:07] And John knew everything about like a park, and he's got, yeah, and you know, the
[2:38:13] Dodgom cars used to be here, and the amphitheater was right here, and if we go around
[2:38:17] this corner where this tree is, this was here, you know, it was really got a comic book.
[2:38:21] Yeah, we had the Northwest pool, and then we would ride our bikes up the midway.
[2:38:25] Sure, you know.
[2:38:25] Sure.
[2:38:26] old Carson, but I had never really done there, you know, so it was, but to see what it's
[2:38:31] becoming and that was just me, Dan and we don't really sit in a room and crunching something
[2:38:39] really quick with them. I think we had seven or ten days to come up with a new plan and to knock
[2:38:45] that out what we did and to see the county because I thought the county was maybe a little
[2:38:52] only given us 50% with the amount of our
[2:38:54] perfons that they had. But when I look at how much
[2:38:57] everybody else got on different things, we did
[2:39:00] really good. I'm happy that we got 50% now.
[2:39:05] And I think people are going to be very happy with that
[2:39:07] park when they see the finished product.
[2:39:09] When do you think, I mean, realistically, when you
[2:39:12] think it's going to open? I mean, we've had several
[2:39:14] different things. I mean, I was hoping for like July
[2:39:18] August, but I'm thinking maybe end August, you know,
[2:39:21] Or had it, you know, I don't know, I was kind of, you know, I don't know why the pump track hasn't been poured yet in the studio,
[2:39:32] but
[2:39:32] Gwido's got so much fun as well. He does, you know, I mean, I would get my shout out early, you know, I mean,
[2:39:38] between some of the festival, we got, you know, we got some big things coming at Heritage Park still, you know, and then we got Pickle Ball, so he's,
[2:39:48] got a lot, he's had a lot on his plate and stuff, but yeah, I think, you know, maybe I don't
[2:39:54] know, I will see how quick it goes, but I would love to see it happen in August, but it might.
[2:40:00] Okay. Let's speak in a pick-up ball. Those courts going in at Heritage Park. Okay. I know there was a little bit of the lady that we had a crack. There was a crack in the court. And they had we instantly said that we want to hold new, you know. Right. But even better than that, huge new place gate. It's going just to the south. It's going to connect with the old place gate. And they're going to refurbish that. And this is a biggie.
[2:40:28] uh... so many residents when they talk about place gates and kids
[2:40:32] they constantly refer to heritage park
[2:40:34] and uh... and it's funny because that's
[2:40:37] probably the oldest one we have you know compared with the other
[2:40:41] gotta be excited about that because that really kind of makes everything come together
[2:40:44] so many kids in the car when i was on council i was something that i used to talk to
[2:40:48] you know cdbg about and i used to talk to rick about it and i said you know because
[2:40:53] You know, I hate to say, but, you know, my kids, I didn't have any, but I have friends and family, you know, a lot that have, you know, disabilities, you know, and I just, I love the fact I want to see kids to be able to play together and I don't want to see, you know, this group have to play over here and this group of us. So it was always something that I wanted to do even when I was on council.
[2:41:18] So, you know, when we'd have talk about CDBG spending funds and it's like, well, what can we do here?
[2:41:24] Can we get the swings that, you know, and stuff?
[2:41:26] So, when I came in, that was something that I was focusing on, you know, and, you know, I had a couple priorities that I wanted to get in this.
[2:41:34] That was definitely one of them, but we had to get the funds to do it.
[2:41:37] So, when we did Lang Park, there's definitely a lot of those features, but not all the ones because I knew we were going to do this.
[2:41:46] And I think Lang Park will definitely compete with Heritage Park, but Heritage Park is our diamond.
[2:41:54] And I wanted to continue to be our diamond.
[2:41:57] You know, and I think this park will be, it will touch everyone.
[2:42:03] Everyone that has a child or even an adult child that has disabilities will be able to partake in something at this park.
[2:42:16] And probably multiple things. So we're kind of focusing on laying park right now and once we get that we're really going to blow this up
[2:42:24] But people are going to start seeing work being done right after the junior late world series. Oh, when you look at heritage park, I mean
[2:42:32] You know, there was a lot of heavy lifting that was done at the beginning. Okay, and it's set up
[2:42:38] What the park is now, but a lot of those
[2:42:42] You almost can describe them as little things but they're not little things.
[2:42:46] You came in, they're very first thing.
[2:42:48] You are always on light, the trails.
[2:42:52] And when you lift the trail back of the park up a little bit, when you lift the trails,
[2:42:57] it really changes the whole park at night.
[2:43:01] I mean, it really makes a gigantic difference.
[2:43:04] And then you look at Pickleball, which is very, very popular, you look at the place
[2:43:10] Because you have so many kids at the park, and every 11-year-old that's playing soccer or
[2:43:18] baseball at the park has probably a five-year-old brother or sister whose mom is looking
[2:43:25] to where can I take this kid, you know, and we met with all these different groups.
[2:43:31] They came in and pitched ideas and stuff and many of them have actually kids and people
[2:43:37] with these disabilities, whether they're in a chair or in some can get in a chair or
[2:43:43] some can't, they work for these companies and some have just like kids that come in and
[2:43:50] test their state, you know, and it's awesome, and it was watching these videos was incredible.
[2:43:55] So we learned so much about just each one's needs and requirements, you know, learning
[2:44:00] about kids that can get out of chairs and kids that can't, you know, and stuff and kids that
[2:44:08] can get out of chairs can transition onto it and they love to climb, you know, but they need
[2:44:13] that little resting spot, you know, or something, so you'll see that at laying park and stuff,
[2:44:19] but there's also kids that can't get out of chairs, you know, and, you know, that's on the lower
[2:44:25] and of, you know, but still, I want them to be able to partake and they make things where
[2:44:31] kids can play with, kids insurers can play with kids that are not insurers and they make equipment
[2:44:38] and it's pretty quiet. I don't want to give too much away right now, but it's going to be awesome,
[2:44:44] but I'm sure somebody, you know, I mean, I'm just going to be absolutely incredible and,
[2:44:49] you know, I do talk to people that have those children and stuff that are my friends and family
[2:44:54] And I try to get there a few back because, you know, I'm going to ask them about like, hey,
[2:45:00] I don't even know how to say things, as long as your hearts are in the right place. They can't even keep up with the lingo anymore, you know, and stuff.
[2:45:08] Oh, my goodness. Well, I'm very excited. This has been, when it comes to weather and Michigan, this has been one of those, it's either hotter than 80s or it's colder than that.
[2:45:21] We recently have replaced HVAC systems in a lot of these buildings and talk about a time that makes it tough when you don't have air in these buildings because you can't open the windows, you can't do a lot of things.
[2:45:36] It seems like that's always coming to a, it's for wishing though.
[2:45:40] Yeah, everything is done.
[2:45:41] I think they're finally, we ended up having to get a mobile unit for lakes, because there
[2:45:47] was delays.
[2:45:47] They have a certain type down coils in the basement or something, but yeah, it took a little,
[2:45:54] we didn't expect to get the hottest spring that we did, and as you know me and Mr. Bizarre
[2:46:00] probably suffered from that.
[2:46:02] You guys right?
[2:46:03] Yeah.
[2:46:03] We stuck it out and we said we could probably could have asked for one of those mobile
[2:46:08] AC units that I said no we're not going to do it because of people we understand people are
[2:46:13] hot and if they want to complain they can come up to our office and it was funny every
[2:46:17] time somebody was in our office they were like my god how are you doing you know and
[2:46:22] entrust me me damn Michelle and say we were all it was tough yes I remember going to your
[2:46:28] office during that time frame when it was really hot and they were working on the
[2:46:33] you were stuck like this to your death. Oh yeah. Hey Carl, how you doing? I can't move.
[2:46:38] Yeah. Or if I was on my computer and I'd lean up and I'd have people. It was brutal and it's
[2:46:46] kind of funny now because me and Dan don't want to say anything but sometimes we're at
[2:46:50] cool freezing out there right now. Yeah, well you got to watch what you're asking. Well I'm in
[2:46:56] always projects and improvements. We've had major renovations to the course at the Lake
[2:47:02] to Taylor and now they're moving over to Meto's,
[2:47:07] I have you been out there, have you seen?
[2:47:08] I have not, so like there's been multiple times
[2:47:11] that I wanted to go over and see the work
[2:47:13] that's been done, but it seems like every time
[2:47:15] I get a little free time to think about it,
[2:47:17] it starts raining, no worries, something, so I've heard
[2:47:20] it's beautiful, everybody that I have been out to Meto
[2:47:24] is but there hasn't been any work being done.
[2:47:28] That course looks great, but I have not been out on lakes,
[2:47:31] you know, so um, but I hear everybody that I know that's been out since it's been
[2:47:36] really far away has been good. It was uh, it was tough, you know, when we did the nine
[2:47:42] holes, you know, there wasn't, we thought more people would maybe golf the nine, you know,
[2:47:46] so that was a little tough and then the fact that we were having it was so hot in the
[2:47:51] building, people weren't going in the needing and stuff. So it was kind of, but we wanted
[2:47:55] time it to where hey let's get this done at one point you know and it was tough you know and it was
[2:48:01] tough on those guys and you know there was you know you know I'll tell you the spring was warm
[2:48:08] it was warm a lot of people and some of these buildings I don't police were struggling we were I mean
[2:48:14] there was a couple times I call it weird oh like I don't know how much longer yeah you know and stuff so
[2:48:22] But I think Lake should be, I don't know if they're actually running fully on their own area,
[2:48:28] but we did have to bring in a separate unit of, let's go on to Priority Waste.
[2:48:34] Now they've, and that's our city's curbside service provider for trash compost bulk,
[2:48:40] recently made the news for everything that they didn't want to make the news for.
[2:48:44] a lot of struggles, various cities had them, we've had them here with them keeping up with
[2:48:51] with the job that they're employed to. Lead to some major changes with the company.
[2:48:58] I know just in the past couple weeks you had them in here and had what you termed as a really
[2:49:04] good frank conversation with them. What can you tell the residents about? Where is this going
[2:49:10] with priority waste? Because we did sign 10-year contract with them. We're three years in something like
[2:49:14] Yeah, that saved a lot of money from the tax dollars viewpoint, but now you have, you know, this, there's issues, you know, so, you know, not many times do you see a company remove their CEO, like basically the guy that founded the company, right, so kudos to them for doing that, you know, I often say sometimes when I came in to council,
[2:49:45] year one we came into a deficit and it took us some time to get out of that a little bit. So they brought in a new CEO
[2:49:53] And we have a rep, you know, his name's Paul. He hears from me often. I'll tell you that.
[2:50:00] He's a good guy. I have nothing against them, but he knows how I am and business is business, you know, we can be friendly and everything, but when it comes down to business, sometimes, you know. But again, I do things privately and professionally. That's the way I like to be treated that way, you know.
[2:50:19] So he explained to me what was going on, because the company that took over a little bit of a hedge fund company type thing, made us a little nervous like, oh, what's going on?
[2:50:30] on here and stuff. The fact that they invested a ton of money, I think it was like $100 million.
[2:50:36] That made us breathe a lot easier. You know, they're in for the long haul. The thing that I really
[2:50:41] liked hearing, you know, Paul's a garbage guy. He had his own garbage company and stuff.
[2:50:47] This guy was part of a garbage company. His dad found it, you know, so he grew up in the business.
[2:50:52] He knows and just from meeting with Paul and actually I'm having a meeting with the new CEO,
[2:50:58] I think in the next couple of weeks or something like that to meet him and stuff so I feel they're
[2:51:04] definitely on the right track. They're actually doing pretty well. I mean, on average I think there
[2:51:10] may be a day behind on compost sometimes two days. One of the issues is there is compost requires
[2:51:17] throwers. They need people behind and that's becoming harder and harder to hire. People don't want
[2:51:23] do that job, you know, they're getting new trucks, you know, and there's a lot of things
[2:51:30] these new trucks can do, which is going to help them, saves them time and money. I think,
[2:51:37] you know, they were talking about like the arm actually tracks, it's going to help us track things
[2:51:41] and stuff, so I definitely feel like they're on the right track. We're working with them,
[2:51:46] But we're also letting them know that, you know, we're on it.
[2:51:52] I don't care.
[2:51:56] You have a job to do.
[2:51:57] Me and you talk about things when we'll get into this maybe more with the storm.
[2:52:03] But when there's things to be put out, when there's things to be discussed, I reach out to you.
[2:52:09] Sure.
[2:52:09] And I have you do it.
[2:52:11] You know, that's your job.
[2:52:13] I can talk sometimes once in a while, I will do it.
[2:52:16] know, but there's times that I don't, I don't feel the need that I need to stick a camera
[2:52:22] in my own face and talk it out this and raw, raw, raw, raw, raw, raw. I'm not doing that.
[2:52:27] And you know why I'm not doing that? Because I'm not running for any other position ever again.
[2:52:32] Okay. You know, I don't want to seek any higher position or anything like that. So I'm
[2:52:37] content on the in the makeup tailor. And when I need to call somebody and let them know
[2:52:43] I'm not happy about some eye promise you I'm doing it and you know I'm doing it and you know so these people that
[2:52:49] You know want to get on here and
[2:52:52] Where's woolly where I'm right here. Yeah, I'm right here. I'm right here all the time right you know, so
[2:52:59] I got it
[2:53:04] You know, you know, even
[2:53:07] Even around the block with these
[2:53:10] waste haulers a little bit now. Okay, started with Midwest sanitation, which was our
[2:53:16] carrier when I first got under 13 years ago when both of them went to GFL.
[2:53:20] Well, that went to RISO. Oh, RISO, yeah. That went to GFL. And we had to remove.
[2:53:24] Right. And we had to remove GFL, you know, uh, careful. Exactly. We won't talk too much about that.
[2:53:31] And then we went to priority ways. And it seems like, you know, the big whoever gets to the top
[2:53:39] mountain eats everything else around them, you know? Who are you going to turn to?
[2:53:46] Well, that's the end. You know, Carl. I mean, that's the other thing. You have to see, you know,
[2:53:51] I don't think a lot of people realize that there's not a whole lot out there. Right. You know,
[2:53:55] waste management is very, they don't even bid on him. Republicans basically gone on household pick-up.
[2:54:03] Right. You know, I think they only do roll off and I think they're even almost getting out of that a little bit.
[2:54:08] waste management doesn't really do a whole lot in less it's like right
[2:54:13] that's the one of their dumps that's where they make you know and they're very
[2:54:16] expensive you know they they're they're even having issues you know so there's
[2:54:22] not a lot out I think there's a new startup sure but I think the owner might have
[2:54:29] one of those last names that you said earlier you know which you know it's so
[2:54:34] We're willing to work with this company we have and see the direction they're going in but knowing that
[2:54:42] You know, they just had a hiccup in their company and we're willing to work, you know, but in the same sense, you know
[2:54:47] One of the biggest things that you didn't talk about to is cans. You know, that was a big issue
[2:54:52] You know, and we're addressing that, you know, and like hey, we're we're we out on that and stuff and so
[2:54:58] We were really happy
[2:55:01] We're seeing if that comes to fruition because if it doesn't, then I think that was one of the issues that may be led to the change, because a lot of people, including us, yeah, we're getting cans, we're getting cans, we're getting cans and when nobody was ever getting it, and I don't even think they were being ordered.
[2:55:19] That was a real big portion of the frustration on the part of the residents. It's one thing if you trash is out there for a longer than it should be.
[2:55:29] It's another thing if you can't replace the container.
[2:55:33] Well, not only that, but if I pay for it.
[2:55:35] If I pay for a can, six months ago, and I still don't have a can,
[2:55:39] you should have took my money.
[2:55:40] And I think if I'm not mistaken, the new CEO's latest correspondence
[2:55:46] with the residents and the cities and stuff,
[2:55:49] I believe they said it was a 19,000 can, the new containers.
[2:55:54] I think they ordered that, and those are bad.
[2:55:57] And she, this next batch, I believe, you know, we're, you know, we were told, because
[2:56:02] there's still people waiting, you know, we're, yeah, we're hoping that, yeah, it gets caught
[2:56:06] up and stuff.
[2:56:08] But, you know, it's, it was, you know, there was a lot of, there was a quite a few issues there
[2:56:13] and stuff.
[2:56:16] So, you know, we're working with them, but we're also letting them know, you know, hey, you
[2:56:21] know, but I think the difference to is, and maybe I've then told this to, the way you handle
[2:56:30] things might work in your favor as well, if I were at times, because I think going publicly
[2:56:37] bashing somebody and doing something, do you think that's going to get them to pick your
[2:56:41] trash up?
[2:56:41] Because some people think that.
[2:56:43] Some people think, if I go on social media, the squeaky wheel is going to, and you know,
[2:56:48] but well as me, that it don't work with me.
[2:56:52] If you go on social media and you rip me apart all day long,
[2:56:55] that's not going to get me, there's other people already
[2:56:58] waiting that have gone through the process.
[2:57:01] So that you can go on and talk about me or the city.
[2:57:05] We're not going to, now, if it's a legit, something
[2:57:07] or something, but you're not going to go to the head of the line
[2:57:09] because you're talking about me.
[2:57:11] That's just part of, you know, there's people
[2:57:14] that have done it properly in that are waiting.
[2:57:16] so you know there's a process well I think when you're associated with these companies again
[2:57:20] I don't get to make call on this okay but when you are associated with these companies you do
[2:57:26] develop a partnership okay we need a professional acquaintance whatever you want to call you know some
[2:57:32] people would call it friendship it's not really friendship no there's relationship there's a relationship
[2:57:36] business yeah exactly you know hey and you know I know that the council and the city has covered
[2:57:44] it's behind here because despite fact you have a 10-year contract, you can get out of that
[2:57:48] contract at almost any time. That said, I don't think anybody in the right mind wants
[2:57:55] to switch providers just to switch providers. Okay. My opinion is give them an opportunity
[2:58:04] to get the thing right. What is the number one we did do that the last time? Sure.
[2:58:08] It was no it was unbelievably not even comparison to what we're going right now right, you know, so
[2:58:16] There was a big difference you know, and you know, there's frustration
[2:58:20] I get it and stuff like that, but they're also going through changes in their company and I think it's for the better
[2:58:27] Right, and hopefully this will all be just part of the passion you know when we when we move on
[2:58:34] Over the well, I'm skip the question here
[2:58:36] Junior League World Series is coming up in Taylor, August the 9th through the 16th, at
[2:58:43] the same time in Heritage Park the wall that he holds, a three-quarter-size replica of the
[2:58:48] Vietnam Memorial will be on display on the northern part of the park near the soccer fields.
[2:58:56] And that will be going on from August the 13th through the 16th.
[2:59:00] You're a veteran, you're a sponsor, this sounds like an exciting time at Taylor's.
[2:59:05] Yeah, we're, you know, I'm always excited for the World Series, but to be able to bring
[2:59:08] that wall, you know, this year is absolutely incredible and we did, you know, first
[2:59:13] where we thought it would be great to be able to combine the two as well.
[2:59:16] You sure are going to have a lot of people going through here, you know, working to have
[2:59:19] this there.
[2:59:20] You know, people from all over not just Taylor, I think I'm going to come see this, then it's
[2:59:26] slimmer.
[2:59:27] Yeah, I kind of messed it up, but he was responsible for getting that to come here.
[2:59:30] created a group of volunteers that are heading it up. I know we're always looking for volunteers.
[2:59:36] Angie went and is heading that up. Our former councilwoman, you can find her on social media.
[2:59:41] She's always posting because there has to be somebody at that wall all 24-7. The entire
[2:59:47] time is here. So we're looking for volunteers to kind of help set it up to help break it down when
[2:59:51] it's ready to go. I think they're looking for motorcycles are going to bring it in once it gets
[2:59:58] So the mission can border us.
[3:00:02] So I think it's going to be incredible. I mean, we're already Dan, you know, being the director of the Junior League World Series, we're going to have the teams come over and check it out, you know, in between games and stuff. And so I think it's going to be a great addition to that park, you know, during that time, and we're making, you know, we're going to have golf carts there for people that might not be able to make it over there as well. There's going to be parking. There's going to be signs lit up everything, but that is going to be a 24-7, you know, people looking at it.
[3:00:30] go there and you can actually set up tours as well like you want to bring a group of kids or
[3:00:36] something like that. So we're looking for two or people that will do tours as well and stuff like
[3:00:41] that. So I'm hoping to do some of that. I told Angie, I said I'm sorry but I'm not going to be able to
[3:00:49] commit to anything. We get right close, which you totally understand, but I'm looking forward to seeing
[3:00:54] I know they're also going to have a projection room like for people that are not in there,
[3:01:01] but if you know, I think Angie's going to be on there, Kimber and Michelle's dad will
[3:01:07] both be in there, you know, that lost her life because of Agent Orange and her own stuff.
[3:01:12] And so, there's going to be a real, and I think it's a little trailer or something that
[3:01:17] I write show, you know, those.
[3:01:19] And I think it's going to be a great thing, and I'm looking forward to it.
[3:01:22] I'm glad you mentioned Schlimmer because he's going to be on with us on a couple of days and we were going to do a preview for a
[3:01:30] destination now, driver in addition to our cable network. He deserves a lot of kudos. He's not the type of guy who goes for
[3:01:39] He doesn't strike me as the type of guy who's looking to make a name for something. But his story is interesting because he's not
[3:01:49] He's not a veteran.
[3:01:51] No, I think he did his dad.
[3:01:53] Yeah, he did.
[3:01:54] He did it for his dad.
[3:01:57] And it's really kind of a good story.
[3:01:59] Yeah, it's what it's all about.
[3:02:00] You know, in Carl, you see so much of that.
[3:02:02] And that's what makes me, you know, as of that,
[3:02:06] I can tell you, you know, when I was the president of Victory Gym
[3:02:09] and just part of the W because you got out of Zilaries
[3:02:12] and stuff that even people that, you know, Charlie Johnson
[3:02:16] with the museum, you know, his dad was about there's,
[3:02:19] There's people that just aren't veterans, but they do so much for veterans, you know,
[3:02:24] Mayor McCray to rhyme, you know, that's what foundation 14 and Stutters, you know,
[3:02:29] I, when I was in Mac, I saw Gary Sinese talk, that man's story.
[3:02:33] When he's an interesting guy, the things that man has done for everyone, it's unbelievable, you
[3:02:38] know, and it's just, there's so many people out there that are either just trying to honor
[3:02:43] a family member or something that they may have never served, but to me, that's incredible, you
[3:02:48] you might not have the title, but you're not a rarity.
[3:02:52] It's amazing how that goes sometime, how it develops sometime.
[3:02:56] I get it that somebody like Tom Hanks is on maybe a little different level than what we're
[3:03:03] talking about.
[3:03:05] But even him, okay, when you're looking at a guy like that, and I remember watching, it was
[3:03:11] government channel or something, the ceremonial D-Day thing, and it wasn't real or
[3:03:20] sure, but it was a good one this year. Yeah, he doesn't want to work too or something.
[3:03:24] But it was amazing, because this was a couple years ago, and when he got there, the whole
[3:03:31] thing changed, it was like he was a celebrity, because he's done so many different, profoundly
[3:03:41] good warfare from band of brothers to, you know, to the rest of them, you know, it's really kind of an amazing
[3:03:50] how it draws you from everywhere. That's really, that's really, that's really pretty cool.
[3:03:58] Lastly, let's take a look back at the Taylor Summer Festival. We just had that week and half ago,
[3:04:06] seemed really successful, June the 25th through 20th, tremendous fireworks show.
[3:04:13] I mean, just amazing, sponsored by J.N.T. Kova, concerts by Countrystar Chase Rice,
[3:04:22] along with Zach John King, and the family tradition, rock concert with Eve under fire
[3:04:28] along with Daniel Harrison and the two dollar highway and local town. They feel, we have
[3:04:36] any significant problems now. We had a race about Saturday, we had one little teenager
[3:04:41] fight thing in the ocean. We made, we were showing that we weren't playing, we had multiple
[3:04:49] cop cars over there and threw him in a bag of the car and got him out of there. I was happy
[3:04:56] everything. Everything was great. I would have liked to see maybe a few more.
[3:05:00] People, especially Friday night, talking with some people, I think this whole team take over, definitely hurt a little bit, you know, which is sad, really is. I thought that I'm not a big country, you know, you heard me that, but I thought that was a solid line up. The shows were great. I thought they were, you know, I watched them and stuff, got to meet the guys. They were all super cool. Chase Rice was really cool. He brought his dog with him.
[3:05:26] And I was, that Zac John King was a really cool.
[3:05:32] I enjoyed him, my wife got a little crush on him.
[3:05:34] I only enjoyed this show himself.
[3:05:37] And then the family tradition band, those guys are super great.
[3:05:41] You know, they played here before and they're always willing,
[3:05:44] you know, I talked to those guys on a regular basis, you know, and stuff.
[3:05:48] So I thought it was a great night.
[3:05:49] And I really enjoyed it.
[3:05:51] We had a good turnout.
[3:05:52] I was just hoping maybe expecting a few more people there.
[3:05:54] I don't know, and Saturday night was awesome, you know, it was unfortunate, you know,
[3:05:59] bad flower had to cancel on us. So we kind of had a scramble. We could not get another,
[3:06:05] you know, band with that short notice, the ones that we had were either not worth bringing in.
[3:06:12] They wanted way too much money for the bands that I thought, you know, I'm like, there's no way
[3:06:16] we're paying them this much money. And then some of the people, you know, I don't know, maybe
[3:06:21] they knew we were in a buying, they wanted way too much, no way, and then so worked out
[3:06:27] good, I ran into, so my friend is the drummer of Daniel Harris in right $2.00 highway,
[3:06:33] Rich who was also hard-core upon, you know, everybody, so he reached out to me, you know,
[3:06:38] good drummer, yeah, he'd run back in the day, you know, I was joking, because a lot of
[3:06:44] my friends played drums for some reason, and then so he reached out to me, he's like,
[3:06:48] It's been a while.
[3:06:49] We ran into somewhere and he's like, let's get lunch.
[3:06:52] And something.
[3:06:53] And because we were buddies in high school.
[3:06:55] And so we actually went to BJs over here.
[3:06:59] And it was so funny because everybody,
[3:07:01] he's got the go-tee, everybody recognized them from the show.
[3:07:05] And so we're eating lunch and people would come up.
[3:07:08] And you could kind of see them, you know,
[3:07:09] and they're like, are you the kind of stuff?
[3:07:12] Yeah, you know, and you see people try to,
[3:07:17] Why is it here? I mean with this you know and stuff and it was so funny, but we had a great launch and it was nice catching up and I told him I said hey
[3:07:24] You know, we'd love to you know, we're we need another band and I know you know
[3:07:28] I see you know and he's like yeah
[3:07:30] Let me let me check the date and I said well, we did put another we did put an offer on somebody right
[3:07:36] But their base player was out of town or something you know
[3:07:39] I don't think a man don't you have a wait
[3:07:41] So at that point and I said hey you know
[3:07:45] would you guys be willing to play, you know?
[3:07:48] And the only thing we knew is like rich as a band
[3:07:50] is kind of like country ask, you know,
[3:07:52] but they play a bunch of different things.
[3:07:54] And then, so because we ended up having to go
[3:07:56] with like the hometown crowd again,
[3:07:57] you know, because Eva's right here from In Taylor,
[3:07:59] which is awesome.
[3:08:01] Amanda and Rob, they're great old man
[3:08:04] and just nice as can be always willing to play here.
[3:08:07] You know what I'm saying?
[3:08:08] I think they're ready to boom, I know they are.
[3:08:12] And then David lives here still and he's a great kid
[3:08:15] and everything, you know, it should say man, you know,
[3:08:18] but I always think I'm as a kid.
[3:08:20] I thought it was a great show too, you know,
[3:08:21] and it was just, you know, a little bit of country,
[3:08:23] a little bit of hardcore rock and roll.
[3:08:26] Oh yeah, oh yeah, definitely.
[3:08:27] I was a great show too for 20 bucks, you know,
[3:08:30] and I thought man, if people wanted to just come see
[3:08:32] some good and all around music
[3:08:33] and have a few beers and then watch
[3:08:35] and awesome fireworks show.
[3:08:37] And I thought there was a pretty decent crowd there,
[3:08:39] oh yeah, right, right, right, right, right, right, right.
[3:08:40] So talking to go, you know, I think we did okay.
[3:08:42] And I think, you know, even fire is always going to put on a good show.
[3:08:47] Okay, she is the energizer bunny, okay, and the band is solid.
[3:08:54] And like you say, every time you see them, they're incrementally better.
[3:09:00] What I love about them too is the whole time, like when David was playing in Dan.
[3:09:06] They're robbing Amanda or people call her evil.
[3:09:10] They're out talking with people in the crowd
[3:09:14] and people are like, is there any chance I'm like,
[3:09:16] she's over here?
[3:09:17] She's right there, go meet her.
[3:09:19] She's a bunch of a leader and I'm like,
[3:09:20] she's out here in the crowd.
[3:09:22] She's never changed.
[3:09:23] Yeah, and they go out and talk with everybody,
[3:09:26] but I thought it was cool night one, two,
[3:09:29] which chased her eyes and saw all them guys coming out
[3:09:32] to the, you know, in signing autographs.
[3:09:34] Oh yeah, with people and, you know,
[3:09:37] Tira gave Chase Rice that bandana for his dog
[3:09:40] and then he brought his dog out and it had the bandana.
[3:09:43] So he got a nice plug out of that, you know.
[3:09:46] Well, I will tell you this.
[3:09:48] Daniel Harrison gets sick, he can.
[3:09:51] And that whole act, I'll tell you,
[3:09:55] and I've heard them all from the last 13 years
[3:09:58] and some have been,
[3:10:00] Really out of sight and some have been not as good as you thought maybe they would be. But we've had a share of really, really good. That Daniel Harrison and that band, which is like almost a show band, they've gone boggles going, they got all kind of stuff. But he's got a great voice.
[3:10:16] You know, it was funny because, um, who was it? I can't remember, I think it was Kyle from the family tradition. He said, hey, have you seen Daniel Harrison?
[3:10:26] I said no, but my buddy Rich is drummer. He's like he goes, you know, he took two years off. He goes, you're going to be impressed.
[3:10:32] Oh, he goes, that guy can sing. He can really sing. I can't remember, but anyway, somebody they were like, you're going to be impressed.
[3:10:40] That guy can sing, you know. And he reminded me of a cross almost between Charlie Daniels and Hank Williams.
[3:10:46] you know, and I'm like, yeah,
[3:10:48] we're just when him coming out and to see them do
[3:10:51] a country version of Metallica, I was blown away by that,
[3:10:55] because it was so funny.
[3:10:57] Amanda from Eva was walking by, and they started out
[3:11:00] with like, masters of puppets,
[3:11:02] I'm like, how are they going to do this in country?
[3:11:04] And then they went into a sad but true.
[3:11:07] And she looked at me and she's like,
[3:11:10] you know, this is good, I'm like, yeah, this is good.
[3:11:12] And we kind of had a little bit of chocolate, you know,
[3:11:14] And I was impressed by them.
[3:11:16] They were really good.
[3:11:18] Yeah, I was.
[3:11:19] Very good.
[3:11:19] And it's funny.
[3:11:20] Yeah, boy, that boy's got the pipes.
[3:11:22] Well, he really does.
[3:11:24] And the whole band is just really good.
[3:11:28] I knew you sit back and you can watch any portion of the band at any time.
[3:11:32] And get a show out of it.
[3:11:34] Well, it was funny because I was walking through and David Feele was doing his
[3:11:38] And warm up, and you know, I grew up on Motelman,
[3:11:43] I love, you know, Rita, Smokey, all them guy,
[3:11:45] and he was doing something, and I mean,
[3:11:49] he made the hair on my arm stand up, man.
[3:11:51] And he finished up and I started clapping,
[3:11:53] and he's like, hey, it's Mary, you know,
[3:11:55] and I'm like, dude, you got my, you know, you got it.
[3:11:59] You know, you just, you got it.
[3:12:01] Keep working, you know?
[3:12:02] Well, you know, Tim, the funny thing,
[3:12:04] and I know you know, because you've been behind the scenes,
[3:12:07] But it is funny because these people
[3:12:10] They aren't above
[3:12:13] Interacting oh no not at all at all. No, you know, you want this done you want that done you want to just talk about how they're doing or whatever
[3:12:24] It's fascinating how accommodating they once it was funny because once
[3:12:29] Badflower backed out. Yeah, David's like hey, hey, man. I'm here if you need me
[3:12:34] He said, I'm like, hold on buddy, you know, you might be hearing from me soon.
[3:12:39] It was evil.
[3:12:40] It was evil.
[3:12:40] Because, you know, we do those meet, greets.
[3:12:43] And we had that one young lady who brought her bachelorette.
[3:12:47] All of you.
[3:12:48] That was evil.
[3:12:49] And God dressed up like Eva.
[3:12:51] And Eva said, yeah, I'll meet with them.
[3:12:53] And she was when I told her, you know, I'm in the back and they come walking up.
[3:12:58] And, you know, I rob, I saw Rob first.
[3:13:01] And he was like, you know, he was tall man.
[3:13:05] And then, you know, Amanda come walking over and I said,
[3:13:07] hey, if you guys don't mind, I said,
[3:13:08] there's a bachelor at party that's going to be here.
[3:13:11] And the lady that's getting married, her second date,
[3:13:14] what's your concert.
[3:13:15] And she's like, you know, that's all you're saying,
[3:13:19] you know what I'm like?
[3:13:20] So she was all into it, you know, and stuff.
[3:13:23] And they're just great people, you know.
[3:13:24] And like I said, you know, the fact that they go out
[3:13:26] and hang out and talk to everybody and stuff.
[3:13:29] And I'm sitting on the picnic table
[3:13:31] when Kyle pulled up from the family tradition band.
[3:13:33] He's like, man, what are you doing?
[3:13:35] You know, it's tough.
[3:13:36] So they're all very cool people.
[3:13:39] And Chase Rice was very down earth
[3:13:41] and so was that John King.
[3:13:42] Yeah, they're all very calm.
[3:13:44] Yeah.
[3:13:44] Very calm.
[3:13:45] I've never had any issues with
[3:13:47] that some of their managers can be a little,
[3:13:50] well, I don't hardly ever deal with them.
[3:13:53] The meonus with you, I'm just walking back and forth
[3:13:55] and stuff.
[3:13:56] That's Peter's job.
[3:13:57] You know, and so, but you know, I will say I never really had a bad situation with any of them or whatever.
[3:14:05] I did have a band member kind of bark at me one time and like, he's easy to do, you know, just like, you know, it was just, you know.
[3:14:14] You brought up a good point though, a shout out to Peter Cite.
[3:14:20] What a job he's gone in two years with that stage production and those lights if if people
[3:14:26] haven't been to our summer festival. In the last couple of years definitely make the
[3:14:34] next one because Peter they he's got a touch with lighting with sound with every well I
[3:14:40] think like if you paid at the door this is the lady from 95.5 was there I can write a
[3:14:49] And I think we're trying to $40, she goes to get in this, and that's for a seat.
[3:14:54] Oh yeah, she's like, but you're 10 feet away from these people.
[3:14:57] Oh right, she's like, you can't, that's...
[3:15:00] She goes, that's a $150 ticket all the way along, you know, in some places, it's $200, and that's way out, you know, a hundred yards away.
[3:15:09] She's like, you know, this is unbelievable, you know, and stuff, so it's like, yeah, you know, it's just a matter of, you know, people, I don't know what it is.
[3:15:17] And we do it on Friday because we know some people don't want to come down because of the fireworks, the word, about the traffic and stuff, right?
[3:15:22] what's I on a stand you know although a lot of people are online on social media right after
[3:15:27] the event saying you know it used to be forty five minutes to get out of here just
[3:15:31] park to go three miles and now that I'm home yeah and I've got to move pretty
[3:15:35] quick yeah everything you know I usually hang out for a little while to let it kind of calm
[3:15:39] down but the police do a really good job they run everybody down the north line and you
[3:15:44] know it's it moves pretty quick what's always nice because you know people don't
[3:15:48] realize that the festivals around your pay for themselves essentially I mean
[3:15:52] We do throw in at six, but sponsorship is huge.
[3:15:58] Data curve needs a shout out because, you know,
[3:16:01] they put on a lot of that and we had Taylor Ford and they are
[3:16:04] out.
[3:16:04] We do not think I can tell you right now, ticket prices on the
[3:16:08] bands do not cover the bands.
[3:16:09] Oh, not even not at all right.
[3:16:12] And it's, yeah.
[3:16:13] And that's a whole difference for good beer sales.
[3:16:16] And, you know, it's part of your story, you know, that exactly.
[3:16:20] That type of thing.
[3:16:22] But it was another, and it was a great day, you know, so that's fantastic.
[3:16:27] Well, Tim, hey, I think we've got through another episode here.
[3:16:30] Okay. Yeah.
[3:16:30] But we're not going to wait another, whatever.
[3:16:33] Well, we'll do one maybe next month or so.
[3:16:35] Well, let's just touch on the storms real quick.
[3:16:38] You know, like we thought we had that.
[3:16:39] Oh, yeah.
[3:16:40] Yeah, let's see.
[3:16:41] No, that's okay.
[3:16:42] Let's cruise.
[3:16:43] They're going to be going through the neighborhood.
[3:16:45] Like picking up limbs, but they got to be out at the curb.
[3:16:48] You know, we're not going in anybody's backyard or any of that stuff.
[3:16:51] We're not going to sweep and rake up all the leaves that are there and stuff.
[3:16:55] We're going to grab the limbs and stuff.
[3:16:57] We're going to try to get to him as soon as we can.
[3:16:59] We're going to try to kind of maintain with the pickup, you know, the trash pickup.
[3:17:06] But depending on how much stuff is out there, we may not be able to keep up with that and
[3:17:10] stuff like that.
[3:17:11] So I know we put that out there, but we want to talk about it too and let everybody know
[3:17:15] that our crews will be doing that to help.
[3:17:17] Yeah, DBW really emphasized the, hey, look, we know you're out there to be patient.
[3:17:23] Yeah.
[3:17:23] We're going to be coming through, but it's not going to be just picked up in, you know,
[3:17:27] day, you know, that kind of thing.
[3:17:29] And I think they will get to it.
[3:17:31] And we also have through next week, okay, we have the,
[3:17:35] the compost center, can drop off your stuff for free.
[3:17:38] If you want to take it there, you don't have to, that kind of thing.
[3:17:43] DTE seems to have handled on, you know,
[3:17:45] We're doing this show on what Tuesday after the storm and they're down to, I believe, 1%
[3:17:53] now of power on it just, but that's a whole different thing and you know, Tim, if a local
[3:17:58] level you really don't have a lot of level.
[3:18:00] I have a representative, we have a DTE and you know, and I'm not afraid to say it, I am not
[3:18:05] a fan of DTE.
[3:18:06] I think they're monopoly, but they're also, these are people that, you know, are state legislators,
[3:18:14] You know, they dictate whether or not they get to raise their rates in my opinion, DTE gets to
[3:18:23] they make, you know, hundreds of millions, if not billion dollar profits and then they say we need to raise our,
[3:18:30] we need to hike our rates up because we got infrastructure problems.
[3:18:33] Wait a minute, that's what you should be using your profits for.
[3:18:36] That's the issue that I have.
[3:18:39] So I encourage everybody to look and see who is on those committees,
[3:18:42] because they're subcommittees that are appointed by the governor and see who's on there and
[3:18:48] start reaching out to them and tell them stop doing these. Stop giving them the right to raise
[3:18:53] our rates. I don't like paying these rates. I pay them just like everybody else. In the same
[3:18:59] sense, the state of Michigan has a lot of trees. And I know some people are not going to like
[3:19:08] hearing this, but you know as well as I do, every time we cut a tree down we got people
[3:19:13] that are throwing a fit, so that's part of the issue too, but it's DTE's responsibility,
[3:19:19] they hire companies. It's been probably almost two decades since I had a company come
[3:19:27] through the back of my backyard in trim the tree and when they did 12 inches. Hey, do you
[3:19:33] You know, if I give you a little money, you think you get no 12 inches or really, you know, that lasted. What a year. Yeah, so I mean I got my issues too.
[3:19:41] And I've voiced my concerns to them. And I'm not happy that we have residents that are still out.
[3:19:47] But again, I let them know, but what are they going to do? Yeah.
[3:19:52] I could make a Facebook video. I could get a petition signing, but what are they going to do? They're going to look at it.
[3:19:59] Well, the reality is.
[3:20:00] You have to have, you have to, like you just said, the people who control this situation, have to have a come to Jesus meeting. You're okay.
[3:20:11] They just can't hand them all the cards on every hand. They just can't do that. It doesn't work that way.
[3:20:20] It has to stop. I mean, we're paying a lot of money for electricity. I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm grateful that I can walk in my house and flick a light church.
[3:20:29] And have light and press a button and have either conditioning and heating and stuff, but, you know, in the same sense, it gets to a point where, okay, when's enough enough, you keep charging as this, you're making, you know, record amounts of profit, but yet you keep hitting us up to fix your product, you know, when you're making these profits, it doesn't make sense to make
[3:20:55] did you read the the peace that Christy McWire put I did?
[3:21:00] That was very well put on.
[3:21:02] You could, you could, you could, you could, you could, you could, you could feel the heat of the anger.
[3:21:07] There's, there's a lady who, her and her husband have four local places.
[3:21:11] They've got all those people. They're all dependent on you, or me, or somebody else out there,
[3:21:18] walking through their door so they could feed them or get them a beer or whatever they need.
[3:21:25] And all of that network, all of the girls that walk up to your table, all of that, you know,
[3:21:32] everybody making the food, the food itself, all that they're doing to go fund me because
[3:21:37] there's a gentleman I know he's associated with the little league football here.
[3:21:40] You know, he was just getting ready to open his barbecue business and lost like thousands of
[3:21:46] dollars worth of meat.
[3:21:47] Was that the one that lost $8,000?
[3:21:49] Yes.
[3:21:50] Yes.
[3:21:50] Okay, so funny, you know, so I had no Chris T. and J. Well, and Chris he doesn't, you know, I give her kudos for that.
[3:21:57] Yeah, and here's what, you know, she wasn't bashing the workers because the workers are working her tail off.
[3:22:02] Exactly.
[3:22:03] Actually her daughter's boyfriend works for the company that she's talking about. He's alignment.
[3:22:08] But he's working seven days a week right now and stuff.
[3:22:11] And, you know, one of the issues was is which what we experienced.
[3:22:15] He was a holiday weekend.
[3:22:16] Oh yeah, also, I think they had a lot of people on vacation.
[3:22:22] I do want to give a shout out to those that, you know, I have animal control.
[3:22:26] Oh yeah, I had, you know, Parks and Rec.
[3:22:29] You know, working in our DPW and on the water crews, we had seven water main breaks and stuff.
[3:22:34] So, I mean, I understood people were on vacation and they couldn't make it in and stuff.
[3:22:39] So, I mean, there's no ill will there, but I appreciate those that did come in and work in different departments
[3:22:44] And Kudos to Guido and Johnny that said, hey, all of our parks and our buildings, everything's good that can wait till Monday.
[3:22:53] So anybody that's available can go work in DPW or water if they need to, you know, or if they want to.
[3:22:58] And stuff. So yeah, it was nice.
[3:23:01] And well, hopefully, somewhere along the way, some of this is going to improve.
[3:23:07] Because it really needs to, this is a problematic area, and it doesn't help that, and I think I can say this accurately, in Taylor, we're in a bad portion of their garden.
[3:23:20] It just is, it is what it is.
[3:23:23] You know, and that's the thing, it's just, it's like, okay, everybody barks now, and it just goes away.
[3:23:28] I mean, we saw that in Romulus with the well and everything, it just needs to continue to be that's why I encourage people to find out who's on those committees
[3:23:38] and reach out to them. Right. And say, listen, this is enough is enough. Enough is enough. Stop raising our rates to, you know, feed them.
[3:23:50] Bingo. We'll leave it at that. Thanks to Mayor Tim Woly for coming on today. And for all the updates,
[3:23:57] he gave us also thanks behind the scenes to Joe Camelary at our production desk. We hope you enjoyed the show today,
[3:24:05] and we'll see you on the next from the Mayor's desk.
[3:24:27] It's where you go to bike, hike, and stroll miles of pathways, over more than 7,000 acres of parkland.
[3:24:34] A place to go explore rivers and fish their fountiful waters, natural places to go marvel
[3:24:41] at magnificent wildlife while you play outdoors and go wander charming communities.
[3:24:48] Find all this and more at Destination Down River.
[3:24:52] Give it a go.
[3:24:55] Today's podcast is presented by Market Insights.US.
[3:25:00] With the fact he asked on YouTube, produced by the City of Taylor's Media Center.
[3:25:06] Thank you to our team sponsor, Allegra, marketing, print and design. Let Allegra assist you with your
[3:25:11] print, mail, design and signs. Located in wine debt, Michigan, or call 734-284-5330.
[3:25:24] Hi everyone, I'm Carl Zimek and this is Destination Down River. Today we're going to be talking
[3:25:30] about the wall of the heels, which is a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
[3:25:37] which is located in Washington, D.C., it will be appearing in Taylor's Heritage Park on August
[3:25:43] the 13th through the 16th. With us today is Dennis Schlimmer, the major driving force behind
[3:25:50] the walls appearance downriver. Dennis, welcome to the program and you are a busy guy these
[3:25:55] Thank you, Carl. Yes, it's pretty much a non-stop, especially with this wall. What has your schedule been like to give us a typical date in the life of Dennis Limer.
[3:26:06] I wake up in the morning, I go to work, I come home from work, my mother's in a rehab center, so I go visit her.
[3:26:12] And then the rest of the night is either VFW, I'm the National President of the Sun's Daughters of the Vietnam War, so that takes up a lot of time.
[3:26:19] I'm involved in a few other organizations, and the wall has just taken up a majority of my life for the past six or eight months.
[3:26:26] All right, for people who don't really understand the wall or haven't really looked into the replica and everything that it represents, can you give us kind of a nickel tour of describe the wall that he wants.
[3:26:40] Yeah, so it's it's as you said it's a three quarter scale replica of the wall in DC.
[3:26:44] This is the official wall.
[3:26:45] There's multiple walls that travel around the country, but this is the official wall through
[3:26:49] the Vietnam veterans Memorial Fund who are the people behind the wall.
[3:26:52] Gotcha.
[3:26:52] It travels around the country.
[3:26:53] About 30 cities a year, this year it's going to 31, it's the 31st year they've been doing
[3:26:58] it.
[3:26:59] The wall comes on a trailer and after the walls unloaded and put together that trailer becomes
[3:27:03] a mobile education center.
[3:27:04] So one side will feature all the men and women on the wall from Michigan on a TV and their pictures will scroll
[3:27:12] Okay, there's a second TV that will have the men and women that were inducted into the in memory program
[3:27:17] And in the backside of the trailers like a mini mobile museum where it's got artifacts were left at the wall in DC
[3:27:22] Oh, that which is pretty cool. I didn't know I didn't know all of that
[3:27:25] That's that's really neat. How long you know if if somebody is planning to go out and see the wall that he
[3:27:31] How long is it going to take do you think and what's what's the typical thing that goes on?
[3:27:37] So if you go by yourself not as part of one of the tours we offer you're maybe at probably 20 to 30 minutes
[3:27:42] Okay, we also do have a couple ceremonies that will be happening during the week as well
[3:27:46] But we do have opportunity for group tours and there will be even if you're not with a group
[3:27:51] There will be opportunities that you can join a group tour and those tours think about 45 minutes
[3:27:55] They go a little more in depth. They tell stories behind those objects that were left at the wall
[3:27:59] So you know the stories behind the care package that's in there is one of the packages and you learn the long story of how it's set
[3:28:07] And the closet for eight years. We all were a mother gave it to somebody to take to the wall
[3:28:11] Because she couldn't herself make it and just a lot of great stories like that that you'll learn as part of that tour
[3:28:16] So anywhere from 20 minutes to 45 minutes or so very emotional
[3:28:22] Absolutely absolutely it's
[3:28:24] What's kind of neat about this is
[3:28:27] when myelin she's the designer of the wall when the wall was designed it was meant for you to approach it from the center
[3:28:33] Gotcha, and after the wall was open for the first year they realized they couldn't do that because everybody just kept walking along the side
[3:28:37] So if you go there now, you'll notice there's nice railings that kind of walk you along the wall
[3:28:42] This recreates that that experience at myelin
[3:28:45] wanted you to have when she designed the wall where you walk up from the middle and then just kind of
[3:28:50] Overwell she's up and and just in overtakes you and then you get that emotion that she intended when she designed the wall
[3:28:56] Now, tell us about how you started here, okay, how did you get your start in all of this?
[3:29:04] So, well, I guess with the veteran aspect, it goes back to joining the sons and daughters of the Vietnam War when we started five years ago.
[3:29:12] We started right after the pandemic.
[3:29:16] And then I became the first vice president of the organization that I've been the president for a little over two years.
[3:29:22] on my second term now. So I started doing that and then my father passed away in January
[3:29:28] 2023 and after his death I found out about the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Funds in Memory
[3:29:34] Program, which is a program for those veterans that came back from the war but then died later
[3:29:38] because of war related causes. Gotcha. So we got him inducted into that and then right after
[3:29:44] that program I found about about the wall that heals. So without any backing, any committee,
[3:29:49] anything I just applied for it and we got denied.
[3:29:52] So I didn't let that stop us and I applied again for the next year and last November I got a call in.
[3:30:00] Taylor was awarded the wall. So then it was a matter of just scrambling because I didn't have a committee. I didn't have approval from the city. I said we were using heritage park. We didn't have approval. So it was a lot of backtracking, but I've had absolutely wonderful support from the mayor and from the city council and previous city council members. And it's become a great big community effort outside of Taylor's well. I brought in people from the down river community which makes sense. Yeah. And so it's just been an amazing process. I think for all of us, just the planning has been an amazing part of our lives.
[3:30:30] so far and we just can't wait to see the wall make its tailor.
[3:30:33] Tell us about your dad and about your own upbringing.
[3:30:36] Okay, because all of this ultimately starts with him, he really got a service.
[3:30:41] It does, he volunteered for the Vietnam War.
[3:30:45] He wasn't drafted, he volunteered at age 17.
[3:30:47] He was able to graduate high school, really.
[3:30:49] He went to Henry Ford High School on the Detroit.
[3:30:53] Went to basic training, and then shortly after was sent to Vietnam.
[3:30:56] He was with the 864th Engineer Battalion.
[3:30:58] and he was a heavy equipment mechanic.
[3:31:03] So his, you know what they did is they went in
[3:31:06] to Vietnam before there was any basis
[3:31:07] and they cleared everything and they built the basis up.
[3:31:10] So then everybody could come in
[3:31:12] and they would move on to the next stop.
[3:31:14] So he was there for two years,
[3:31:16] was exposed to Agent Orange in the process,
[3:31:19] but we didn't find that out obviously until, you know,
[3:31:22] 40 years later, as when it affected him.
[3:31:26] But so I've always had because of him growing up as a Vietnam veteran, I've always had a strong
[3:31:30] tide of veterans to the Vietnam cause, so it's always been instilled in me that it's a very
[3:31:35] important part of my life, interesting, very, very interesting.
[3:31:41] You mentioned all of the organizations that you've been in, that, you know, like the VFW and
[3:31:49] things like that, how are, what's membership like in those kind of organizations these
[3:31:55] because it seems to have been flow, you know, depending on what era you were in after World War II.
[3:32:03] All of those things took off, then they kind of faded after a little while.
[3:32:08] What are you seeing?
[3:32:09] And that's the case now.
[3:32:10] I think a lot of our, you have W's and American legions across the country are having a little bit of struggle with membership.
[3:32:16] And it's not just them.
[3:32:17] I think it's all our fraternal organizations and the moves, the Eagles, the Elx.
[3:32:20] They're all struggling, you know, back in their hey, they had millions of members, and the membership is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, is, but I think a lot of the organizations are changing to, uh, track those younger families as well, um, what a, uh, a father that is a war veteran that's 35 years old now, uh,
[3:32:39] is looking for different things out of the organization than that same man 40 years ago. Sure. Um, so as long as those organizations adapt to the, we have W in the American Legion,
[3:32:46] They'll be around for years and they serve a great cause for veterans and all the outreach and work that they do
[3:32:53] So I think as long as they're able to adapt they'll be around
[3:32:57] But membership definitely has fallen off on all the organizations. What what about for the sons and daughters?
[3:33:03] So we're fairly new and we're more of like a lineage organization more like the sons of the American Revolution
[3:33:09] Our daughters American Revolution to where you need to be a descendant now. There's a category where we could join as a friend
[3:33:15] But initially, you join as a descendant of a Vietnam veteran.
[3:33:20] And we're having great growth right now.
[3:33:24] We're actually this month.
[3:33:25] I just talked to my treasure last night.
[3:33:28] And we are having our largest month for membership ever.
[3:33:31] We're running a membership campaign.
[3:33:32] You may at some point see a video with me on Facebook.
[3:33:36] But we're running a shot right out here at the Plaza.
[3:33:39] But there's a video of me going around to boost membership.
[3:33:43] And we're seeing some great gains on that.
[3:33:45] So, and we serve a little bit different purpose, you know, other than like the Vietnam or the VFW in the American Legion, they have their auxiliaries, which I'm an auxiliaries member.
[3:33:54] So we're there to support those veterans, but the sons of dollars of Vietnam, more is a little bit different because we're also acting as a support group for those children.
[3:34:03] That, you know, Vietnam veterans, you can ask most of us, we grew up in different childhood, those that grew up in non veteran households.
[3:34:11] So we had that common bond that we're able to connect with each other and talk about the different things that we experienced when we grew up that a lot of of our other friends didn't have that same experience.
[3:34:22] So we've seen a lot of great things through our members being able to connect where there wasn't a lot of resources previously before our joint group started.
[3:34:30] What was your dad like when you came back?
[3:34:34] I don't know. I wasn't alive.
[3:34:35] Okay, he came back in 70, I was born in 77, so all right, he had already been through quite a bit
[3:34:43] the time that I was born.
[3:34:45] Okay, what did he get into, what was his career path?
[3:34:49] He was a mechanic.
[3:34:50] He stuck back.
[3:34:50] So he ended up being a decent mechanic.
[3:34:52] The rest of his life, and three was retired for the last 15, 16 years of his life.
[3:35:00] Just spend a lot of time with my mom after that.
[3:35:02] Now the wall when it gets here and when you guys have it all set up will be open 24 hours a day
[3:35:10] from all the way until 2 PM on that last day, Sunday to 16th.
[3:35:15] That must be a tremendous undertaking.
[3:35:19] And what do you need as far as volunteers and sponsors and things like that?
[3:35:23] And I know you've made a lot of headway into that.
[3:35:26] but as of, you know, we're here in the first week of July,
[3:35:30] you're about a month off.
[3:35:32] What do you still need?
[3:35:33] We still need the volunteers.
[3:35:35] We still need to fill about 50 volunteer shifts.
[3:35:38] And that's out of a total of over 250.
[3:35:41] So we filled quite a bit, but we still need about 50 volunteers.
[3:35:44] And a lot of that's the late overnight shifts.
[3:35:46] The talk about we're open 24 hours.
[3:35:48] We're looking for people for that.
[3:35:49] Those over midnight shifts into like six in the morning.
[3:35:53] And then sponsors, it's a big undertaking.
[3:35:55] When all is done, it's going to end up costing us about $30,000 or so.
[3:36:00] And that's also including gifts and kind, but we still need money or your donations
[3:36:05] gifts and kind to make this happen.
[3:36:09] Now, we're in the park as this is going to be located.
[3:36:11] It's going to be on the north end by the soccer fields already.
[3:36:14] And the junior league world series will be going on near the south end simultaneously here,
[3:36:19] including that final day when you guys are going to be shutting down right about the time
[3:36:25] that the world series will be shutting down.
[3:36:27] Have you got any interaction with the world series?
[3:36:30] And are they going to work?
[3:36:31] Is they're bringing teams in from everywhere?
[3:36:34] So we've a little bit.
[3:36:37] They've offered one day, they're going to help
[3:36:40] feed our volunteers, which is fine.
[3:36:42] We've talked to them about bringing the teams in
[3:36:45] for part of our group tours.
[3:36:47] So Caroline Pats, who's our group tour chair.
[3:36:50] She's working on that to try to get everything
[3:36:54] is settled with the teams to extend that invite for them to come check of the wall since it's
[3:36:58] right there you might as well. But it's going to be a wild wild week in the park but it's
[3:37:04] going to be so funny. I think it's going to be a blast. You were estimating what did you think
[3:37:08] about 10,000? Well, we're expecting about 10,000 people. Which is phenomenal. And I don't think you
[3:37:14] have any problems with parking or anything out just knock on wood with the weather.
[3:37:22] Yeah, that's all
[3:37:24] your statements out there, especially on social media,
[3:37:26] you're really proud of the leadership team
[3:37:29] that you have for the event.
[3:37:30] Would you like to mention some of them?
[3:37:32] Yeah, I've got, so myself as chair,
[3:37:34] I've got coach here as I've got Sherry Shival,
[3:37:37] who's a long time Taylor resident.
[3:37:39] The mayor is one of our coachers.
[3:37:41] Our volunteer coordinator who has just been such a tremendous help,
[3:37:45] and she's done so much above and beyond her responsibility
[3:37:48] as the Angie Whitten.
[3:37:50] She's just been incredible.
[3:37:51] Caroline Patts is our tour coordinator, Bill Patts is along and he's our representative
[3:37:58] from the council, so he's been helping out. Stephanie Krieger, who is Patts VFW State
[3:38:05] auxiliary president, she's on the board of the Veterans Museum. She's in it overseeing our
[3:38:10] ceremonies, so she's actually writing put together the two ceremonies that we're putting on.
[3:38:14] So it's just an amazing group of people.
[3:38:17] Yeah, no doubt. You've got some real energizer bunnies going in there.
[3:38:20] I'm telling you, especially Angie went in and Caroline made both.
[3:38:24] Once they get started, they don't stop.
[3:38:25] They don't know doubt about that.
[3:38:27] You mentioned those presentations that you're going to have,
[3:38:30] and I believe you're going to lead with a congressional
[3:38:33] Medal of Honor winner.
[3:38:35] Yeah, tell us a little about that.
[3:38:37] Yeah, so our opening ceremony, it's called the Welcome Home
[3:38:40] Center, but it's going to be on Thursday at 10 a.m.
[3:38:42] OK, then we'll have seating.
[3:38:44] We're expecting about 300 people or so.
[3:38:47] But especially because our keynote speaker is a command
[3:38:50] Sergeant Major Terry Richardson from Rayling. He was a
[3:38:53] fan Sergeant Major of Camp Rayling for many years. He's a
[3:38:56] Vietnam veteran in this past March, President Trump
[3:38:58] awarded him with the Corretual Medal of Honor. So he'll
[3:39:01] be our keynote speaker. So that's very exciting for the
[3:39:03] city to have a congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
[3:39:08] Fabulous guy to look up and you know, even if you
[3:39:12] wiped away the honor at the end, the story just from his
[3:39:17] family upbringing and everything. It was fascinating. Yeah, it's incredible. I'm so happy that we're able to have a Michigan guy here too. Oh, yeah. Yeah. How did you? How did you manage to do that? So I found out he was getting the
[3:39:31] The metal and I went on to the metal-vonner website
[3:39:35] The day he got it and I put in a request and so I was probably one of the very firsts that not the first requests
[3:39:41] For an appearance from him and I'm sure he appreciated that because it's right in state
[3:39:46] that's fantastic. Where can people learn more about this event if they before they go
[3:39:53] there, where's the best places to go? Our website, The Wall that yields Taylor that
[3:39:58] come. Okay.
[3:40:00] That's where you're going to find everything from signing up to volunteer if you want to make a donation, if you want to sponsor, if you want to find out about the ceremonies, all the informations right there.
[3:40:12] Our Facebook page also is a great resource. We feature one of the heroes that's on the wall from the down river area every day with the story about them and why they're on the wall.
[3:40:23] And then as the picks up, we're going to start featuring our in-memory
[3:40:28] the honorees from Down River as well.
[3:40:30] And then we'll share the information on there as well.
[3:40:32] But the core information you're going to find on the website.
[3:40:36] Okay, so we went through this like a sprint.
[3:40:40] Do we miss, I think?
[3:40:41] I think it's okay.
[3:40:43] Hopefully we didn't.
[3:40:44] I think we've kind of got our arms on.
[3:40:47] Once this is over, you are...
[3:40:51] What are you going to do next?
[3:40:52] What's the on-core for Dennis?
[3:40:56] I'm going to breathe.
[3:40:58] And hopefully start looking for some type of vacation.
[3:41:00] Take a little take a week off somewhere.
[3:41:03] You have anywhere you want to go.
[3:41:04] I don't.
[3:41:06] But I work for Little Seasers in the International Division.
[3:41:09] So I travel internationally a lot.
[3:41:11] So sometimes when I go on a trip I'll add on days.
[3:41:15] Kind of gets me free gear fair.
[3:41:17] So I'm kind of holding out for something.
[3:41:19] Maybe I'll get some nice trip that I can just add on.
[3:41:21] That's a great way to do it, it is, it absolutely is.
[3:41:23] I know my life for a while was going back and forth to Seattle for her job.
[3:41:29] In fact, it was much longer than a little while, it was like two years.
[3:41:34] And one time she dragged me along and for, you know, and I have the whole week in Seattle.
[3:41:38] Great place to go, okay, it's always neat to go somewhere that you haven't been.
[3:41:44] That's just learn things and stuff like that.
[3:41:46] It's really kind of cool, so well, hey, thank you very much for coming on the show.
[3:41:50] And thanks for doing this for the entire region.
[3:41:53] I think a big thank you should go out and a pat on the back to you because you made this happen.
[3:41:59] That's all the committee. Fantastic. Fantastic.
[3:42:02] That's it for this episode of Destination Down River.
[3:42:05] Thanks to Dennis Schlimmer for being our guest today and it was team for bringing the wall that
[3:42:10] heals to Taylor's heritage park August 13th through the 16th.
[3:42:15] For Joke, I'm aware you're behind the controls I'm Carl Zimack, and we'll see you on the
[3:42:20] next episode of Destination Down River.
[3:42:23] Thank you to our team sponsor, Allegra, marketing, print, and design.
[3:42:27] With a special thanks to our production partners here at the New Taylor Media Center.
[3:42:35] Thanks for listening and watching.
[3:42:37] Please visit our website destination down river.com or on Facebook page and be sure to join
[3:42:43] us for next month's podcast.
[3:46:00] And welcome to the annual presentation of the state of the city of Taylor. My name is Tanya Clayton.
[3:46:10] And I proudly serve as the president currently for the Rotary Club of Taylor.
[3:46:23] Rotary Club of Taylor,
[3:46:24] serve this community, rotary is an international club and rotary is one one of the largest
[3:46:33] service organizations in the world. So I'm very proud to be serving in this capacity this year.
[3:46:41] Equally proud to serve this community of Taylor and our mayor, Mr. Tim Rilly.
[3:46:54] First of all, you all can just assume that you are at a rotary meeting.
[3:46:59] This is one of the largest tailor rotary meetings that we have every year.
[3:47:03] So welcome.
[3:47:04] It is customary for us to open with the ringing of the bells.
[3:47:08] So here we go.
[3:47:13] Rotary is now in session.
[3:47:16] So we will begin with the invocation by Pastor Ryan Bettinger.
[3:47:23] We knew grab was going to hear me, but now you can.
[3:47:26] So that's good.
[3:47:27] Let's pray together.
[3:47:28] Heavenly Father, thank you.
[3:47:29] for this day and for this time that we have together, I thank you for the privilege of living
[3:47:34] in this great city and being able to serve it with our hearts, father and we ask that
[3:47:41] you would just bless this time today, and that it would be just a time of encouragement
[3:47:46] and time of blessing.
[3:47:48] I will also ask now that we know that we also come as a community with hearts.
[3:47:53] Father, a lot of things that have gone on and father with
[3:47:58] 11 year old Jacob Robinson passing tragically on Eureka Road for the Bazaar family
[3:48:04] and the loss in this community.
[3:48:07] God, I asked that you would be near to them, the families and all those that
[3:48:11] maybe don't get that publicity father.
[3:48:13] We asked that you would be near to this community in that way.
[3:48:18] That's what we are.
[3:48:19] We're a community of people together and we hurt when each other hurt and we
[3:48:23] rejoice when each other rejoice. And that's why we've gathered. We also not only hurt, but we're
[3:48:28] hopeful for all that you have done, but all that you are going to do in our community and
[3:48:35] Father, we just thank you. We ask now that you have just blessed the rest of this day and the rest
[3:48:39] of this event, may you be glorified and honored do it all. We thank you for your Son Jesus Christ
[3:48:44] who paid the price for our sins that we could be in a relationship with you and know you and know
[3:48:49] you hear us even now in this prayer.
[3:48:52] And Father, we love you and we thank you for all that you do for us.
[3:48:54] It's in the name of your Son Jesus, we pray.
[3:48:59] All right.
[3:48:59] Technology.
[3:49:00] Thank you, Pastor Ryan.
[3:49:02] Pastor Ryan is the pastor of the North Line Church right here in the city of Taylor.
[3:49:08] So as I mentioned, rotary is one of the oldest service organizations in the world.
[3:49:18] We are actually the oldest organization in the world.
[3:49:23] We have over 1.2 million members worldwide, 35,000 clubs over 200 countries.
[3:49:33] So we are really large, and our mantra is service above itself.
[3:49:40] And right here, although we are all over the world, right here in our own backyard in this community,
[3:49:45] The Service Club Taylor works with many organizations in helping with their service projects
[3:49:53] for underserved children, service projects for those in need, our veterans, and so many different things.
[3:50:00] We do to support this community. Our mind trust service above self is shown in the way that we show up. Every week
[3:50:09] in our weekly meetings and it's also shown when we are caught upon to put together and volunteer
[3:50:15] at different activities. Some of those activities, North Line Christmas parties that they have every
[3:50:22] year for underserved children. We worked the shred day for the city of Taylor twice a year. We come
[3:50:29] together, and partner with Macy's right here in the city and Myers, and provide codes for
[3:50:35] those children and needs with through our childcare programs and our schools. Some of the
[3:50:43] different things that we do are night to shine upon with 242 Church. We all just came together
[3:50:48] and volunteered there. So some of the different things that we do to serve this community and
[3:50:54] our service above self mantra. Another important way that rotary contributes is we raise money
[3:51:03] and we give it away. So that's one of the biggest things that we do to serve our communities.
[3:51:10] We have supportive organizations like children with hair loss, food pantry, bike here,
[3:51:17] fish and low school pantry right here in the city of Taylor and so many more. So there are
[3:51:24] city and we're always looking for more opportunities to serve so if there are projects that
[3:51:29] you have ideas that you have come and join us. We'd like to have you and you too can be a part
[3:51:36] of the service that we provide right here in the city of Taylor. So there are three signature events
[3:51:42] that we do and we want you to watch out for these dates. The first one is I wanted to America charity
[3:51:48] right. We do that every summer this year is going to be on Saturday July 18th.
[3:51:56] Our motorcycle has come out. It's a beautiful sight to see. We hosted by the Harley
[3:52:00] Davidson on telegraph and the motorcycles go out under that flag and it's just a beautiful
[3:52:06] beautiful thing and that event goes directly to serve our veterans that have been harmed
[3:52:14] or wounded and service. So that's an important one. And for those of you who are businesses,
[3:52:21] we showcase our business partners at that event. You'll see some of those pictures coming up
[3:52:27] a little bit later. Our charity golf fundraiser, if you are a golfer in this room, you do not want
[3:52:33] to miss our charity golf fundraiser Thursday August 20th right here at the Lakes of Taylor. So we're
[3:52:42] signing up for that, talking to us about it so that you can get involved and for the businesses
[3:52:48] in this room, we would like to have you department with us so that we can showcase your business
[3:52:54] at our event. Another event that we do that we're super proud of is our law enforcement
[3:53:00] appreciation day. This is our state police versus the city of Taylor police, baseball,
[3:53:07] song vlogging. Very exciting event. This is not a fundraiser but there's
[3:53:12] something that we do every year for those families as an appreciation for the
[3:53:18] work that they do when they're on the front lines with us each and for us each and
[3:53:23] every day. So those are the things that we do and we're super proud of it and I just
[3:53:30] want the veterans in the room to just raise your hand really quickly so everyone can
[3:53:35] who you are, thank you for being here and including our own mayor for a super active with our
[3:53:41] rotary class. We are very, very proud of that. One of the things that we like to do is
[3:53:49] acknowledge each other. We like to acknowledge people. We love to acknowledge our community. So one
[3:53:54] of the things that we do at the state of the city every year is our Paul Harris Fellow Award. This award
[3:54:01] is given to individuals and the community who show access service, either through here or
[3:54:07] there.
[3:54:08] I say, all right, here or there, through access service, different things that they may
[3:54:14] do in our community this year.
[3:54:17] We have a special guest, a special honoree, Mr. Giuseppe Persecone, can you stand?
[3:54:29] And Larry is Larry in the TV have you heard?
[3:54:34] You can come forward.
[3:54:35] We all call him Joe.
[3:54:36] You all know that, right?
[3:54:38] Come on for Joe.
[3:54:41] Joe.
[3:54:45] So we just want to acknowledge you right here in front of the city
[3:54:50] for everything that you do.
[3:54:51] You never say no.
[3:54:52] I don't know, Joe.
[3:54:53] There's no ever said no to anybody in this room.
[3:54:56] You never say no.
[3:54:58] I mean, if that would be a deal, it would be a nice deal.
[3:55:02] Thank you.
[3:55:07] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank
[3:55:32] Thank you, Joe.
[3:55:34] Don't ask for your phone, Joe.
[3:55:38] You did not know about that, did you?
[3:55:41] Okay.
[3:55:42] This year, we have a few milestone awards
[3:55:46] in our Taylor Roadary Club.
[3:55:48] And we are very, very proud to present those awards
[3:55:52] here at in front of the city for those
[3:55:55] have served over 50 years in this club.
[3:55:58] So, we're super proud of that. Is Enrico here that he make it here yet?
[3:56:04] Enrico's not here yet. Okay, we may have to come back to Enrico.
[3:56:08] Enrico, Nuto, has served 50 years in this voter reclaw.
[3:56:13] We are so proud of that and we have an award for him.
[3:56:17] If he makes it before the end of my time, then we will call him up.
[3:56:22] But for now, we're going to move forward to another 50 year rotarian
[3:56:27] in the city of Taylor, Mr. Robert Williams.
[3:56:31] Let's get him a round of applause as he comes.
[3:56:35] Come on up, come on up.
[3:56:39] Come on up.
[3:56:39] Come on up.
[3:56:43] Bye, we are very proud.
[3:56:45] You're going to ask the Rotarians in the room to stand.
[3:56:47] We are very proud to present to you the service
[3:56:51] of Bethel Award.
[3:56:52] And it says, service of Bethel, presented to Robert G. Williams
[3:56:57] for 50 years of service.
[3:56:59] since October 5, 1974, presented by the Rotary Club of Taylor.
[3:57:06] Thank you.
[3:57:07] Thanks for your time.
[3:57:14] Thank you, Bob.
[3:57:15] Thank you, thank you.
[3:57:17] Now, the next in the last milestone award,
[3:57:22] many of you in this role knows Anthony Nacita.
[3:57:25] He has served as a judge in this city,
[3:57:29] but for Taylor Rotary, he will be celebrating
[3:57:33] his 70th anniversary, 70 years as a Taylor Rotarian.
[3:57:39] So let's get him around the applause.
[3:57:48] He could not be here with us today,
[3:57:50] but my husband and I wouldn't spend time with him on Saturday,
[3:57:53] and he gave us so much history about this beautiful city.
[3:57:56] We went back, Larry Wright and I on Monday,
[3:57:59] and we took a video of him,
[3:58:01] because we're just going to be a challenge for him to be here today.
[3:58:05] So we would like to play this video for you.
[3:58:08] Very short, but Jess Hamp is showing his gratitude.
[3:58:13] Judge Tony Nassita, Anthony Nassita,
[3:58:17] but the city and everyone knows you as Tony
[3:58:19] and we are here today to celebrate your 70th year
[3:58:24] in Taylor Rotorie.
[3:58:26] Well, they've been great years.
[3:58:28] I remember vividly become a member
[3:58:31] And December 6th, 1956, Rotary, to me, has been a camaraderie ship that I have with the members can still count on anytime I need a friend, the things that I've been able to be involved in, in Rotary, enjoy Rotary while you're young enough to do it, and don't wait until you're 97, like I am.
[3:59:01] That's our buddy, Tony and Ms. Seda. Let's get him another round of applause.
[3:59:08] It was such a joy
[3:59:09] sitting with him and just learning so much about the history of the city and he had so many wonderful
[3:59:16] stories to share and I was just so happy to be in this company and to be able to give those,
[3:59:23] you know we have to celebrate people while they're here with us so they don't feel the love, right?
[3:59:29] I'm going to set a man for him, not in church, but, so, as I mentioned, Taylor wrote a
[3:59:37] reclawed, we are people of action.
[3:59:40] We come together, we volunteer, we come together, we raise money, we come together, we give it
[3:59:46] away.
[3:59:47] And that's what we do.
[3:59:48] We have a beautiful social atmosphere, we all get together once a month for our evening
[3:59:53] socials and just with our spouses and have a great time, so it's work, it's play.
[4:00:00] Okay, and it's just very...