candgnews.com OCTOBER 16, 2024 Vol. 43, No. 22
PARKS MILLAGE Vote Nov. 5
CLEARING THE AIR ON VAPING RISKS
SPOTLIGHT STARTS ON HEALTH ON 10A
There will be a Madison District Public School tax proposal for voters to consider in the general election Nov. 5, one aimed at funding ongoing maintenance and improvements to the district’s infrastructure, which includes Madison Elementary School. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Learn more at OaklandCountyParks.com
0069-2439
Great Parks and Connected Communities A Greener, More Resilient Future
Skelebration Trail brings spooky fun to Civic Center Park BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
Madison Schools seeks voter approval for sinking fund MADISON HEIGHTS — When voters in the Madison District Public Schools open their ballots for the Nov. 5 election, they will see a proposal for a building and site sinking fund that would raise their taxes by 3 mills for a period of 10 years. It’s a commitment that school officials say will help repair existing infrastructure, so that additional bonds aren’t needed any time soon. If approved, the district will levy an additional $3 per $1,000 of taxable valuation on homes in the district
from Dec. 1, 2024, through Dec. 1, 2034. The millage would provide estimated revenues of $1,005,508 during the first year. The funds cannot be used for the salaries of teachers, administrators or other district employees. If residents feel déjà vu hearing about the new proposal, it’s because during the primary election Aug. 6, there was a separate proposal for a millage renewal that voters narrowly approved — 872 “yes,” 613 “no” — that adjusted the millage rate to offset automatic rollbacks caused by the Headlee Amendment. However, the millage renewal approved in August will have no impact on the tax rate paid by homeown-
See SKELEBRATION on page 18A
See SINKING FUND on page 2A
2.9% up to 72 Mo.* on 2025 Outback
2025 Subaru Outback
*Manufacturer Offer. No down payment required. Financing for well-qualified applicants only. Length of contract is limited. Subject to credit approval, vehicle insurance approval and vehicle availability model OUTBACK RDF, RDG, RDH, RDI, RDJ, RDL. From dealer stock by 10/31/2024
Woodward Ave. N. of 8 Mile • FERNDALE HodgesSubaru.com • 248.547.8800
0183-2441
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — A dance party, the skeleton family of “Dee Ceased” and more await those who venture down this year’s Skelebration Trail. Taking place from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at Civic Center Park, 360 W. 13 Mile Road, the Skelebration Trail is the new name for the Trail of Treats, formerly the Pumpkin Walk. The family-friendly event is free, and once again organized by the Madison Heights Arts Board. Preregistration is required by emailing event chair Laurie Geralds at lbgeralds@yahoo.com. There are three time slots of 125 people each. In the event of inclement weather, the rain date is Sunday, Oct. 20. Parking and entry are from the fire station parking lot, behind City Hall near the courthouse in Civic Center Plaza. Attendees will follow a one-way trail, in order to keep people spread out as they visit the different stations featuring treats and activities, Geralds explained. The path will wind between the pavilion near the fire station and the painted shelter building — the mural of which was another project by the Arts