Annexation tactics called ‘frightening and disgusting'

Scott Spielman, Editor

Northville Journal
July 24, 2008

Livonia police are investigating a piece of anti-annexation literature distributed in Livonia recently.

The feud between supporters and opponents of the annexation issue in Northville Township has grown a little uglier.

Members of the Taxpayers For Responsible Development (TFRD) have accused Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey of violating their civil rights and using scare tactics in response to anti-annexation literature distributed recently.

Kirksey, who has spoken and written in favor of an annexation vote that would shift 414 acres of property from Northville to Livonia, called a press conference last week to refute the suggestion that the annexation would cost residents an additional $1,800 a year in new taxes.

"None of this is true. Everything on this piece is false," he said then. "We are currently investigating whether any postal or election laws have been violated."

Last week, the Livonia Police Department carried out that course of action. Armed with a search warrant, a group of officers allegedly visited the print shop where the document was produced—in Madison Heights.

Laurie Marrs, chair of the TFRD, said the move was an attempt to squash their right to freedom of speech.

"It's clearly a violation of our civil rights," she said. "They can't just go in there and intimidate people."

Curtis Caid, deputy chief of the Livonia Police Department, said Livonia police were looking into the origins of the document, but couldn't comment any further.

"Because it's an ongoing investigation, we cannot comment on it," he said.

Marrs said the literature was clearly political in nature and thus protected by the U.S. Constitution. Along with claiming the annexation would cost residents an estimated $1,800 in increased taxes, the literature also suggested that Livonia taxpayers would have to fund the clean up of the toxic areas, pay for the infrastructure improvements—both in the roads and water and sewer system - and foot the bill for new and expanded schools in Northville.

She called the raid on the print shop frightening and disgusting.

"We're intimidated, but we're even more resolved," she said.

"This is all wrong," added Fred Shadko, another Northville resident who has been outspoken about the annexation proposal. "They've got no right to go out and try to intimidate people.

"We're not giving up," he added.

The story so far

The 414-acre parcel is located along Seven Mile Road. It once housed the Northville Psychiatric Hospital, a state-owned institution whose crumbling buildings still remain, even though the hospital has been closed for several years. A corporate partnership of Real Estate Interests, Inc. and Schostak Brothers Construction (REIS) purchased the land for $31 million. They developed a plan called Highwood, a mixed-used residential, commercial and office complex that far exceeded township specifications as far as density, amount of usable open space and lot size.

The plan was approved by the township planning commission and board of trustees, but with a list of conditions that the developer claimed made the project economically impossible. The developer filed suit against the township and moved security personnel on site. The security guards registered to vote and filed petitions to annex the land to Livonia.

The issue will be on the ballot on Aug. 5. It has to be approved by residents in both communities, but the only township residents who can vote on the issue are the eight living on the site.

Council supports plan

The Livonia City Council approved a resolution in support of the annexation issue on Monday night. Council President Laura Toy, who has testified on the issue, did not vote and Councilman Don Knapp was absent for the otherwise unanimous vote.

The resolution reads that the city will receive $2.5 million in tax revenues when it is completed and cited the importance of new jobs during a struggling economy as reasons the council supported the issue.

"I don't see a down side for Livonia," Kirksey said last week.

Injunction threatened, ‘scare tactics' working?

Attorney David Jones, who now represents the TFRD, has sent a letter to Livonia Police Chief Robert Stevenson notifying him of the alleged violation of the group's federal and state civil rights.

"We will be seeking a federal injunction against the department and the City of Livonia and its City Council for its actions taken relative to this action as well as the election, should your efforts continue," he wrote.

Caid said he had no specific knowledge of the letter, but said the city and police department frequently receive letters from attorneys.

"It would not be uncommon," he said.

Marrs, meanwhile, said word of the police action has spread and hindered their effort to inform people of the issue.

"I've had residents and business owners say they want to put up a sign urging people to vote ‘no' on the annexation, but they're afraid," she said. "They don't want the police knocking on their doors and asking them where they got the signs.

"We're not asking for much," she added. "We just want to be able to keep our property and develop it according to our ordinances. It's pathetic that it's come to this."