The matter of whether Marge Powell is able to return to her position on Dearborn’s Civil Service Commission now rests with her former colleagues on that same commission and not city council, according to Dearborn Council President Tom Tafelski.

While the Civil Service Commission will meet tonight with Dearborn City Council members at 5:30 p.m. to conduct a Study Session to discuss various items, including the “vacancy” on the Civil Service Commission, Ms. Powell will not be reinstated by Council, as that vote already occurred, Tafelski said.

“It has been voted on,” Tafelski said. “It is now up to the Civil Service Commission.”

While Powell supporters may not like to hear those words, Tafelski is correct that council voted on reinstating Powell and the measure did not pass. Councilman George Darany made the motion at a June council meeting  for the Powell reinstatement. Darany had the option of waiting until the study session today but kept his motion on the table despite knowing he did not have the full council’s support.

Morris Goodman, a Dearborn attorney and local political observer who has submitted columns on this site in the pass, wrote earlier that council could just reinstate Powell, despite her not having been properly sworn in for the position for more than a year. Tafelski said Goodman’s comments are incorrect.

“The context of Goodman’s column is wrong,” Tafelski said. “He apparently doesn’t understand how the process works. A vote was taken and it now rests with the Civil Service Commission.”

The Commission has many candidates to choose from, too. At least eight people have applied to serve on the Commission, which is a voluntary position. Worth noting is that since the Powell matter surfaced, city officials have discovered that at least two other people who serve on other city commissions were not properly sworn in but have continued to serve in their appointed positions.

Tonight’s meeting should be an interesting one.

Biggby Coffee fans now have a new place to get a jolt of caffeine each morning.

Biggby owner Steve Swinney

Dearborn’s newest coffee shop officially opened Tuesday and for the remainder of this week the new Biggby store, 22445 Michigan Ave., is offering a free cup of coffee (any size) to anyone who stops in.

Dearborn resident and owner Steve Swinney was all smiles when we stopped by on Tuesday. The place looks great and we wish him the best of luck in his new venture.

The coffee shop also will offer outdoor seating, which it will share with another new business that opened right next door, the new Cedars Coney Island & Grille

Sam Berro and his father, Ali, opened the new restaurant several weeks ago and the two have done a great job remodeling the space. The Berro family and Swinney are sharing the costs associated with building the new outdoor seating area (how is that for teamwork!). And with free, easy-in and easy-out parking, both should do well in their Norm Newman-owned building.

“We have tried to make our place feel as cozy as possible,” said Sam Berro, a Fordson High School grad.

On Friday and Saturday nights, Berro says his restaurant will be open 24 hours to cater to the local bar crowd, at least for now.

We wish both new businesses the best of luck.