NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e p S
October 22, 2025 candgnews.com Oakland County papers
Fran Mauro Masters, 103, aka “Rosie Fran,” pictured here at her Chesterfield Township home Oct. 10, worked as a riveter in the Ford Willow Run Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti during World War II. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
State Rep. Mike McFall, D-Hazel Park, speaks on the floor of the state House at the Capitol building in Lansing about House Bill 5063, a proposal that aims to provide tax credits for individuals who foster animals. Photo provided by Brooke Hartsuff
McFall proposes state bill to support foster animals BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
LANSING — A bipartisan bill proposed by state Rep. Mike McFall aims to provide financial relief for those who foster animals. If approved by the state Legislature, House Bill 5063 will provide a $50 credit per animal fostered for a minimum of seven days, with another $50 for every 30 additional days of fostering, for up to five animals per year. The program would begin with the 2026 tax year and adjust the credit annually for inflation. Verification would be required from qualifying nonprofits or municipal shelters. “I’m a big animal lover, and I follow on social media a lot of rescues and local shelters, and I see constant calls for fosters because they’re overflow-
ing with animals,” said McFall, D-Hazel Park. House Bill 5063 is co-sponsored by state Rep. Joe Aragona, R-Clinton Township. It was developed in collaboration with Michigan Humane and aims to shore up support for foster homes. Proponents say with the cost of living rising, more people are being forced to choose between paying their bills and keeping their pets, increasing the need for foster families. In addition, there are situations where people are temporarily unable to care for their pets due to medical emergencies, domestic violence or other circumstances. In such cases, many have sought relief through Michigan Humane’s Safety Net program, which finds foster homes for pets until their owners are ready to home them again. See ANIMALS on page 10A
Meet the inspiration for World War II memorial’s Rosie the Riveter statue FRANCES MAURO MASTERS IS 103 BY CHARITY MEIER cmeier@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — The image of Frances Mauro Masters, 103, of Chesterfield Township, will be immortalized as the symbol of the Greatest Generation’s homefront workers when a bronze statue made in her likeness as a Rosie the Riveter will be added Nov. 11 to the Michigan World War II Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak. Mauro Masters, better known as “Rosie Fran,” grew up in Detroit during the Great Depression. As one of five children born to Italian immigrants, she was taught the value of hard work to support not just herself, but her family. When she graduated from high school in 1940, her first priority was to find a job to help support her family. While working at a local grocery store and taking night courses to learn to use a comptometer, Mauro Masters learned of a job See MAURO on page 8A