Pubdate: Wed, 06 Aug 2014
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2014 The Detroit News
Contact:  http://www.detroitnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author: Mike Martindale
Page: 12A

OAK PARK, HAZEL PARK VOTERS OK WITH POT

Novi District Judge Advances to Nov. Election in Tight Race

Voters in Hazel Park and Oak Park approved legalizing possession of 
marijuana for personal use Tuesday, while a controversial Novi 
district judge advanced to November's general election. Clarence Tabb 
Jr. / The Detroit News Debra Young of the Safer Michigan Coalition, 
which backed allowing small-time marijuana possession in Oak Park. 
The measure passed.

The marijuana proposal won with 62 percent voting yes in Hazel Park 
and 53 percent approving in Oak Park. Hazel Park voters also approved 
an operating millage for the school district.

Oak Park and Hazel Park join eight Michigan communities that have 
decriminalized small-time marijuana use: Lansing, Jackson and 
Ferndale in 2013; Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti and Flint in 2012; 
and Kalamazoo in 2011.

Longtime Judge Brian MacKenzie of Novi's 52-1 District Court finished 
a close second to Walled Lake attorney Travis Reeds. MacKenzie, 
accused of dismissing dozens of domestic violence cases without a 
prosecutor present, got 36.3 percent, with Reeds getting 37.6 
percent. The two will face off in November's general election.

Longtime Judge Brian MacKenzie of Novi's 52-1 District Court was 
ousted by Walled Lake attorney Travis Reeds. MacKenzie, accused of 
dismissing dozens of domestic violence cases without a prosecutor 
present, got 36.3 percent. Reeds got 37.6 percent.

Trailing both was Scott Powers, with 26.1 percent.

Reeds, 41, is a former law clerk for MacKenzie; Powers, 40, a 
Highland Township attorney, is the son of another District 52-1 
judge, Dennis Powers, who has come under fire himself over 
questionable mileage reimbursements. Among other county issues:

North Oakland Transportation Authority: Voters defeated a 0.25-mill 
tax in Addison, Township but approved in Orion and Oxford townships.

Bloomfield Hills: Voters passed a 0.39-mill renewal to contract for 
library services with the Baldwin Public Library.

Clawson: A proposal to borrow $3.81 million over 20 years to update 
City and Grant parks won 56.8 percent approval.

Novi: Voters approved a charter amendment to pay the mayor $6,500 per 
year and council members $4,500 per year, instead of paying per meeting.

Rochester Hills: A five-year, 0.2972-mill tax for road repairs was approved.

Walled Lake: Voters said yes to a 0.98-mill renewal for the city 
library and an additional 3.95mill tax for public safety.

Addison Township: Voters approved a pair of millage renewals for 
police and fire/ambulance service, but rejected a millage increase 
for the library, with 53 percent voting no.

Bloomfield Township: Voters approved renewals of two public safety 
millages totaling 1.8277 mills and two other renewals: a 0.24-mill 
levy for operating the Bloomfield Township Senior Center and a 
0.48-mill renewal for the safety path program over five years.

Brandon Township: Approved replacement of an expired tax to fund 
police operations with a 4.25-mill levy between 2014-18.

Commerce Township: Voters approved the renewal of a 0.39-mill tax to 
improve parks and buy land for public green spaces, effective 2014-23.

Independence Township: Voters approved a renewal of a 2.95-mill levy 
for police services between 2014-17 and approved a millage to keep 
the library open.

Lyon Township: Voters passed two police and fire millages, 0.8 mill 
and 1.58 mills.

Novi Township: Voters approved a proposed operating increase from 
2.2555 mills to 2.5257 mills from 2014-33.

Oxford Township: Voters rejected a $20 million bond and a 
0.05-millage proposal for the township community center.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom