Hoping to attract more walk-by customers, one of Dearborn’s best known picture framing and art gallery stores is moving its operations into the West Village Commons on Michigan Avenue.

Tom Clark, owner of Village Picture Frame and Art Gallery, packs a trailer for his move from Monroe Street into the West Village Commons.

After 25 years at 1026 Monroe, just south of Michigan, Village Picture Frame and Art Gallery is packing up and moving into Burton-Katzman’s West Village Commons development, about two blocks west of its current location. Owner Tom Clark says his new Dearborn store location, next door to the closed Au Bon Pain, should be open in mid-November.

“Economics is what is prompting our move,” Clark said. “We lost a lot of workers from Ford. These were our customers. Then the restaurants around us went down one-by-one and we lost walk-by people. The bridal shop, Weight Watchers, the Salad Bar then Ciao, these businesses brought me customers, especially Ciao.”

In his new store, Clark says he is paying about half the rent of his former location and with better visibility. Businesses already in the West Village Commons includes The Well bar, a UPS store, Kabuki restaurant, La Cigar, Maestro’s Restaurant, Cold Stone Creamery and Sattva Yoga. A new martini bar also is said to be moving into the location that once housed Caribou Coffee.

It is a diverse group of businesses that will at least bring some foot traffic by Clark’s store. In turn, his new store could bring business to the other shops already there, too, and possibly attract other businesses to move into the development, which still has many vacancies.

Dearborn's Village Picture Frame and Art Gallery opens here in November.

“I hope to reopen by the middle of November,” said Clark, a 1969 Dearborn High School grad, who serves as a board member of the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority and the Dearborn Animal Shelter. “We will be moving my workroom into my new location this week. I am still servicing my clients while the move is taking place.”

As for the parking situation, Clark says he plans to validate parking passes for his customers. Being as close as his new store will be to the city’s two paid parking decks and with paid meters directly outside his door, Clark sees it as an opportunity. “I’ll provide quarters to park if that’s what it takes.”

Clark’s previous location was tastefully decorated with a great selection of many one-of-a-kind pictures, jewelry and artwork. It is the kind of retail store that makes Dearborn feel special, just as Steven Bernard Jewelers, Nichols Ski and Patio, Dearborn Music, Nigosian’s oriental rugs and Bikesport, to name some, do along the stretch of Michigan between Brady and Military. Clark says his new store will continue in that same tradition.

Despite how bleak things look now, West Village Commons won’t stay vacant forever. In his new location, Clark will have a lot more foot traffic than he is seeing today. And with the right eye candy in the display window that even eastbound traffic on Michigan could see should mean more business, which would be a good thing for him and for Dearborn retail in general.

It is now up to the Dearborn City Council to determine whether to hold a special public hearing to get answers to the questions raised. According to the City Charter, just two council members need to sign a petition to begin such a process or a petition signed by at least 200 Dearborn voters would initiate a public hearing. With no city council meeting planned until after the election, it is doubtful Council will do much more.

The five-page document, which makes no recommendations nor draws any conclusions, was issued to the City Council and Mayor two weeks after resident Nancy Siwik asked the Dearborn City Council to investigate whether Mr. Thomas was a Dearborn resident or Florida, where his wife lives and works full-time.  (Click here for the earlier story.)

The investigation did uncover that nearly $12,000 in property taxes for 511 Elmwood in Dearborn, where Thomas lives, have not been paid. The amount owed is $6,855.16 for 2008 and $5,130.70 for 2009. While the Dearborn City Charter does not allow any elected or appointed person to hold office if they are in default to the city, the deed to the home where Thomas lives isn’t in his name. The only name on the deed is his wife, Jane Valentine.

Contacted Thursday evening, Thomas tells us that his wife has “scraped up some money” and the taxes will be paid either Friday or Monday. Asked why the taxes weren’t paid earlier, Thomas said like the rest of America his “retirement stocks have taken a hell of licking.”

As for the investigation into his residency, Thomas called the entire episode “the epitome of political stuff.”

“I have nothing to hide,” he tells us. “The taxes are in her (Jane’s) name. My name is not on the deed. So where are they coming from? This is nothing but a smear. The city doesn’t have a leg to stand on that issue and no leg to stand on my residency. I have been taking political hits for 21 years on council. I have been though a lot in my years. . . ”

“I have contacted my lawyer regarding whether to pursue legal action against Siwik for defamation of character, false information and trying to impact the election, which is proved by her own timing.”

Here is what the report says about his Florida home:

• “Thomas and his wife have a Principal Residence Exemption on a condominium they purchased in 2004 in Bonita Springs, Florida. The Florida homestead exemption was applied for and granted in 2008.” However, the report goes on to say that the State of Florida did recently contact Thomas and his wife informing them that “the Florida homestead exemption will be retroactively removed for tax years 2008 and 2009 because they were also receiving a homestead exemption in Michigan during the same period.” Thomas may now face penalties and interest may be assessed when the corrected Florida tax bill is issued, the report states.

In their report, City Attorney Debra Walling and City Clerk Kathleen Buda, who visited the residence of Thomas, say they did not ask questions that could be perceived to invade the privacy of Thomas or intrude upon City Council’s authority to hold a special public hearing on the matter, if the council so decided. If a hearing were to be held, the city attorney and clerk laid out the following questions in their report that “may be relevant to the determination” of residency. They include a series of questions, which Thomas answered for us, including:

• Why are the 2008 and 2009 taxes on the Dearborn house delinquent, while the taxes on both of his houses in Bonita Springs, Florida are paid? Thomas: the taxes are in my wife’s name and they are being paid.

• Why were there homestead exemptions – one in Michigan and one in Florida? Thomas: my wife was told by council members in Bonita Springs that she should homestead because she was a resident there.

• If he is a Michigan resident, why is his wife registered to vote in Bonita, Springs, Florida? Thomas: She is a resident of Florida and owns a home there.

• Does he have another vehicle or vehicles registered to him in Florida? Thomas: Yes. She has a two seat convertible and I have a Mercury Milan in my name.

• Is his attendance at Council meetings reflective of Michigan or Florida residency? Thomas: It is reflective of my Michigan residency.

• Since the house at 511 Elmwood is for sale, where does Councilman Thomas “intend to return to” in Dearborn if the house is sold? Thomas: I have many options. I can rent or move in with my daughter.

• Does Councilman Thomas have an ownership interest in the property at 511 Elmwood? Jane Valentine is the only name appears on the deed on file in the Department of Assessment. Thomas: No. Jane brought it from her father in 1995.

• Inasmuch as the house at 511 Elmwood is sparsely furnished, were most of his personal belongings and furniture moved to Florida? Thomas: I live in three rooms here. I have food and clothes here. My wife needed some furniture in Florida so some was moved there.

• If Councilman and Mrs. Thomas have established separate permanent residences, according to Florida law, they must be able to demonstrate that they are financially independent of each other. Are they able to demonstrate financial independence of each other? Thomas: Yes, we run out of three separate checkbooks. I take care of expenses here. She takes care of expenses down there.

With the election just weeks away, Thomas remains upbeat about his chances for reelection. He says he only has about six signs up for his candidacy because he says after 21 years on council people should know who he is by now.

Asked what he would do if he isn’t elected, Thomas said he would work to get term limits put on the ballot for Dearborn.

“I do want to stick around to perhaps put term limits in place,” he said. “My parting thing I could do for the city is get term limits in place for this city.”

We all can use a little laughter after a day’s work.  You’ll get a good dose of smiles simply by stopping by the Fordson High School auditorium tonight at 7 p.m. for the Dearborn Rotarians Lip Sync fundraiser.

The event has the makings of a fun night with both city and school officials taking part in lip syncing their favorite song all in the name of raising money to benefit the nearly 20 scholarships that the Rotary Club awards each year to graduating seniors from private and public schools in Dearborn.

Scheduled acts include Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., Dearborn City Councilman and Rotarian George Darany, Dearborn Councilmen Bob Abraham and Mark Shooshanian (the new Beetles?), Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Debbie Dingell, City, Dearborn Public Schools Supt. Brian Whiston and members of his cabinet (is that the Blues Brothers up there?) along with Joe Shannon of Fordson High School, Dan Blessing and Barbara McAuliff of Edsel Ford High School, Oussama Baydoun and Martha Burch of Dearborn High School, and Librarian Serge Danielson-Francois of Divine Child. Renault Arseneau, neighborhood services coordinator with the City of Dearborn, is expected to reveal his theatrical talents along with Dearborn residents Jacqui Rivait, Sharon Dulmage (we heard a Dolly Parton song from the former school board member and council candidate) and Dearborn Lawyer Morris Goodman.

“Captain” Dennis Neubacher, a Dearborn native and pilot of the WXYZ-TV’s News Chopper 7, has volunteered to emcee the fundraiser.

“We have an outstanding line-up of performers who are giving it their all to be hilariously entertaining,” said Amy Bazzy, event chair and “lip sync” performer. “Only the audience reaction will affirm whether any of us should plan to give up our day jobs and become professional entertainers.”

Tickets to attend the anticipated sell-out event are $10 each for adults and $7 for seniors and students. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, Massage Green, Fishers Flowers, Spectrum Signs and the law offices of Dagher Goodman Dagher in Dearborn.

For more information, please email Amy Bazzy at ajbazzy@comcast.net

With additional cuts of $5 million in funding for Dearborn Schools, the district is asking all of us to get involved by contacting Gov. Granholm’s office to voice our opinion and ask that all school districts across the state be cut the same per-pupil amount.

As many of us know by now, Gov. Granholm signed the state bill but vetoed the Dearborn School District’s 20J money, created in 1999 to ensure equal funding increases to all school districts. The loss of 20J will cost Dearborn $5 million. The total loss from the state aid cuts for 2009-2010 school year will be $9.5 million, equal to a $527 per student cut which looks like this:

• Foundation allowance per pupil: $3,000,000

• 31a at risk funds: $1,500,000

• 20j funds: $5,000,000

In an open letter to the district, Dearborn Schools Supt. Brian J. Whiston says that with the governor’s veto total cuts for the 2009-10 year will be $20.9 million, $9.5 million of which is attributed to the above state funding loss.

“Please remember, we are already a donor district and send $14M more to the state than the district gets back,” he says in his letter. “We are fortunate that we still are a very attractive district drawing over 400 additional students into our schools this year alone to bring us to 18,444, fourth largest in the State of Michigan. We cannot afford though to take the brunt end of this hit disproportionally more than most all other districts.”

As a bit of background, the district provided this synopsis for why the veto took place: Gov. Granholm has vetoed 20j funding as a strategy to get Senator Mike Bishop to agree to increases of revenue from specific taxes so to be able to fund this year’s state aid package which was most recently passed. Senator Bishop is a supporter of 20j funding, which goes to 43 districts, benefiting approximately 200,000 students.

So we really need to address letters to both Gov. Granholm and Sen. Bishop, urging them to do the right thing for the greater benefit of students and their education in Michigan.

You can call Gov. Granholm at 517-373-3400, fax her at 517-335-6863 and/or write her at:

Governor Jennifer Granholm, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909

You can call Sen. Mike Bishop at 517-373-2417, fax him at 517-373-2694 and/or write him at:

Senator Mike Bishop, P.O. Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909

A former Dearborn employee from the city’s Building and Safety Department has been charged with bribery in connection with allegations that she illegally issued work permits for money payments, according to the Detroit Free Press.

This is the second employee this year from the Building and Safety Department to be charged with issuing work permits for payments.

According to the paper, Wanda J. Smith, 42, faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 if convicted on the charge. While acting as an agent in the city’s permit section, U.S. Attorney Terrence Berg said that Smith received $5,000 or more during various bribes between 2006 and 2008. She allegedly took the money in return for issuing permits on residential properties, the Free Press says.

The Building and Safety Department has been under investigation by the FBI Detroit office for some time now.

In July 2009, Leticia Bosemon, 38, of Inkster pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in return for issuing temporary certificates of occupancy for residential property in Dearborn.

Bosemon admitted in court that from the fall of 2006 until June, 2008 she accepted in excess of $63,000 from many individuals in return for preparing fraudulent performance bonds and issuing temporary certificates of occupancy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Under the terms of the agreement, Bosemon faces a maximum penalty of 37 months and a $250,000 fine.  Her sentencing date has been set for Dec. 3, 2009.

The recent charges against Smtih are yet another black eye for a city department that has long been a lightning rod for criticism. In February, Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly announced that the department would undergo a major reorganization to better serve the needs of residential and business customers. You can see that earlier story by clicking HERE.

The issues in the Building and Safety Department didn’t happen overnight and fixing it will take time. The changes by O’Reilly earlier this year were a step in the right direction but, unfortunately, theses types of stories further hurt the credibility of this department

In the event you missed it, former Dearborn Charter Commissioner Raymond Trudeau, in a letter to the editor of the Dearborn Press & Guide, writes that his hopes of an election this year free of “unnecessary games, and, with an emphasis on the best person winning a place on the City Council” were dashed when he received an unsigned letter a week ago that closed only with the name: “We care about Dearborn.”

The unsigned letter some residents have received.

The letter has appeared in many mailboxes around town, including here.

Trudeau raises some valid points about the attack letter on Dearborn Council President Tom Tafelski.

He points out in his letter that if these people really cared about Dearborn “they would come out from the shadows rather than hiding in the dark, and turn these accusations into issues that the voters of Dearborn could agree or disagree with in meaningful public discussion with the candidate they accuse.”

Whether people agree with the timing of Nancy Siwik’s actions questioning Councilman Doug Thomas and his residency, no one can accuse her of hiding behind an anonymous letter.

Below are excerpts of Mr. Trudeau’s letter to the editor of the Dearborn Press & Guide:

“ . . . when I opened a letter addressed to my family which accused a Dearborn elected official with paying fewer taxes than his neighbors, committing fraud, and for not paying a parking ticket, etc… it was hard to read every last word in the letter because of the dirt and mud which was soiled the entire piece of paper. BUT the strategy was clear: produce a libelous set of accusations that offered no proof whatsoever. Worse, the cowardly piece was sent without an individual’s name, closing with only the name “We Care About Dearborn.” The hell they do!

“The so-called, “We Care About Dearborn” has timed and worded its letter in the most blatant political fashion, keeping true to the sometimes- rough and savage spirit of Dearborn politics- especially when such persons target elected officials demonstrating integrity and independence. Let’s have an honest discussion about the issues that affect us all and our future: attracting real investment in our downtowns, equitable neighborhood services and responsible budget management – then let the voters decide.”

For Mr. Trudeau’s full letter to the Press & Guide, click HERE.

Planning a wedding may be the largest and most memorable event that a newly engaged couple and their families will undertake.

 To help make the sometimes “overwhelming” planning process much easier, The Fairlane Club is inviting couples and others to attend a “Bridal & Bachelor Bash” from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at its banquet and conference facility located at 5000 Fairlane Woods Drive in Dearborn.

The show will feature bridal fashions from Macy’s Somerset Collection Bridal Salon and other wedding vendors from throughout Michigan. According to Christine Bane, The Fairlane Club’s Sales and Marketing Director, there will be plenty of prizes, give-aways and activities for the men as well as for the ladies.

“We’ll have a separate area for the guys just to relax, watch football and enjoy some refreshments,” said Bane.

The Fairlane Club will also provide opportunities for attendees to tour The Fairlane Club and learn about its unique wedding collections and catering services that are available for a full range of parties from engagement announcements to a newlyweds’ brunch.

“Couples may also want to bring friends and family members who will be involved in any of the decision making about the wedding plans,” added Bane. “Our goal is make this a fun and relaxing event for all.”

The cost to attend the Bridal & Bachelor Bash is $10 per person or $15 per couple. Tickets may be purchased in advance at The Fairlane Club and will also be available at the door on the day of the event.

For more details about attending the Bridal & Bachelor Bash, call Christine Bane at 313-982-1752 or email cbane@fairlaneclub.com

About The Fairlane Club

For more than 30 years, The Fairlane Club has served as Dearborn’s premier private club for social, fitness, business and family activities. As one of the largest and finest private social, business and sports clubs in southeast Michigan, The Fairlane Club is the venue of choice for many elegant wedding receptions and parties, business conferences and charity galas. For more information about The Fairlane Club facilities, services and membership opportunities, visit www.fairlaneclub.com or call 313-336-4400.

Dearborn residents looking to dispose of confidential papers, tax returns, check stubs, etc., can safely dispose of them through a free event sponsored by the city of Dearborn on Sat., Oct. 31.

The free event takes place from 8 a.m. – noon at the Department of Public Works (DPW) Yard, 2951 Greenfield Road, just south of Rotunda Drive.

This event is open to Dearborn residents only. Proof of Dearborn residency will be required in order to participate. Please note that the limit is a maximum of 50 pounds or five bags/boxes of papers per resident.

Morris Goodman, a Dearborn attorney, past president of the Dearborn Democratic Club, a longtime political activist and observer and regular reader of Deepsaidwhat.com, provided us with a column today on his thoughts about Dearborn’s mayoral race.

His column begins below:

Morris Goodman

Mayor O’Reilly has been confronted with the perfect storm of economic woe – (1) plunging residential values leading to plunging property taxes; (2) increasing stress on neighborhoods due to foreclosures; (3) huge cutbacks in state revenue sharing; and (4) visibly growing commercial vacancies. He has led the city in a fiscally prudent way to maintain as many of the quality services Dearbornites have grown to expect, with a shrinking workforce due to a hemoraging budget.

If ever there was a person literally born to be Dearborn’s Mayor now, it is Jack O’Reilly. Not only was his father Mayor, but he spent his professionally formative years after graduating from law school absorbing what government is all about working for Congressman Dingell in Washington and as a committee staffer in Lansing. Moreover, as we all know, prior to becoming Mayor, he learned everything there is to know about Dearborn by serving on the City Council for nearly 2 decades, mostly as President.

Of equal importance to his education to be an effective at Dearborn’s helm is the decade Mayor O’Reilly spent as the CEO of SEMCA (Southeast Michigan Community Alliance) prior to becoming Mayor. He administered tens of millions of dollars in federal and state workforce development and substance abuse prevention and treatment funds. With Dearborn’s unemployment problems and resulting substance abuse spin off, isn’t it fortuitous that our Mayor is so familiar with the relevant programs and agency heads.

Also as SEMCA’s CEO, Mayor O’Reilly worked with a governing board composed of the region’s business, labor, and civic leadership. Certainly knowing these people and his way around Lansing and Washington has been invaluable in his efforts to build on and develop Dearborn’s assets. The proposed new Amtrak train station at Greenfield Village on the new high speed rail link from Detroit to Chicago and the proposed new convention center at Fairlane Town Center are both due to the Mayor’s drive, vision, and contacts.

Dearborn Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr.

While I am a long time supporter of the Mayor and worked with him as a consultant for several years at SEMCA to leverage combining the 7 regional Michigan Works agencies, I am no apologist for him. He clearly does not need to be lauded by me to secure a huge re-election victory. What is important however is that Dearborn residents understand that Jack O’Reilly is not your usual politician. So many voters are turned off by the constant bitter partisan state and national battles. In 2009 the choice here simply is not “the lesser of two evils” or “we could have done worse.” No, in Dearborn on November 3 when we re-elect Mayor Jack O’Reilly, we can truly feel, “We could not have done better.”

Dearborn school officials say they are canceling the flu shot clinic scheduled for Friday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 20, because of vaccine shortages.

Due to the increased number of people getting the seasonal flu vaccine, the City of Dearborn Health Department will not have enough doses available to supply the flu shot clinic scheduled for those two dates, Dearborn schools said in a release Thursday.

School officials say when the City’s Health Department has a new supply of seasonal flu shots the District will work with them to reschedule a seasonal flu shot clinic.