Phil Miller withdraws request for Halloween Trunk or Treat event

After the Belleville Central Business Community rejected his application to have the First Annual Rotary Trunk or Treat event on Halloween on a closed Main Street, Phil Miller withdrew his request to the Belleville City Council for the event.
At the Sept. 19 regular council meeting, Miller said the request will be back next year, hopefully with CBC support.
He said there is overwhelming support for this in the community, referring to closing Main Street during trick or treating for the safety of the children.
He said the CBC said there wasn’t enough time to change the plans for this year.
Miller had been on the council agenda with a request to close Main Street from Third to Fifth streets, including Roys Street up to the Chase Bank drive through exit and Fourth Street up the alley between 397 Main and the Belleville Area District Library.
Also, Liberty Street parking would be limited to the east side of the street to facilitate public safety and traffic flow concerns.
The map of street closings he presented said it, “Mirrors Monday Night Car Show Use.”
The Rotary plan described a 100-vehicle event on the street, which would be closed from 3:45 to 8 p.m.
Later in the meeting, Miller said he was disappointed in the action of the CBC. He said the city closes Main Street for the art council, car show, Battle of Belleville, “but won’t close it for the children of Belleville to be safe.”
He again said he would be back next year for permission and noted again, “There is overwhelming support for this in the community.”
Mayor Pro Tem Jack Loria said he would like it to go into effect this year, but apparently it needs more time.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the council:
• Approved the Belleville Zombie 5K Run/Walk put on by Belleville High School New Tech in conjunction with the Belleville Downtown Development Authority at 10 a.m. Oct. 15 starting at Horizon Park. Natalie Tarr spoke on behalf of the Zombie Run, which she said is a positive activity for the city of Belleville;
• Approved the BHS Student Council request for a parade for all the schools coming together on Oct. 14 at 5:15 p.m., with the necessity of West Columbia Avenue being closed in front of the high school for the event. It is Elementary Night and the parade with seven floats will travel from the Administration Building to the street and then east in front of the school to the main entrance and back onto school grounds. Felicia Lasenby presented the proposal to the council;
• Approved the use of Horizon Park from 1-4 p.m. on Oct. 9 for a Southwestern Wayne Democratic Club Community Picnic, with Oct. 16 as a rain date. Presenting the proposal was club president Sharon Curson and club member Mendie Russell;
• Approved accounts payable of $136,208.48;
• Was reminded that a 6 p.m. meeting on Oct. 3 will discuss financial options for repairing the city streets. At the regular meeting that night, a proposed Special Events ordinance will be presented for study;
• Heard CBC president Bill Wolters announce the CBC is working on its 2017 projects and they are working on a one-day summer camp at Victory Park for kids with a catered lunch. He said he would bring back the details to get council approval;
• Heard former Councilwoman Kay Atkins read a prepared statement on issues and questions. She asked why the 25 mph signs were removed on Main Street going west to east. She said traffic is speeding on South Street in and out of town and a year ago she asked Chief Berriman to put up the sign that shows the speed of traffic, but he has yet to do so. She also complained about the lack of South Street signs so people can find her place and her neighbors. She also noted there is a Parks and Recreation group, but no budget or activities for children from it. She questioned the setup of the DPW and police department and asked if the DDA is working on rebuilding the city;
• Heard Penny Mills why there are no trash cans by the high school and by First Street. Phil Miller said he was looking for a trash can on Main and there wasn’t any from Frosty Boy to Third Street. Building Official Rick Rutherford said one got hit by a car and was in pieces and removed. He will check out the trash receptacle;
• Heard Miller go on to say that the Van Buren Township police cut through the Marathon parking lot at Five Points to avoid the traffic light after hours and the VBT also turn right on red at Five Points and speed through town. “When are we going to talk to them about this?” he asked. He also said VBT police were pulling people over in the city. Chief Berriman defended the VBT police and said they could follow cars into the city in hot pursuit and if they are going faster than normal they may be going on an emergency run;
• Heard Michael Renaud start to explain about the mistaken markings on the new roadway at Five Points and he was stopped by Mayor Kerreen Conley who said there have been some “striping challenges” and calls have been made to the county. She said the markings don’t make any sense. Rutherford said he met with the county guy earlier that day and, “We are adjusting”;
• Heard City Manager Kollmeyer say six elementary school classes are doing scarecrows for the annual contest and Friday is the last day for participants to sign up. Scarecrows should be delivered no later than Sept. 30;
• Heard Fire Chief Brian Loranger say the new air packs have been delivered and the fire fighters are training on them. Also, grants through Washtenaw County Mutual Aid are coming for hose and turnout gear;
• Heard Mayor Conley urge voters to try to get as informed as possible for the lengthy ballot on Nov. 8. She also said the street issues pointed out will be looked into and she invited Atkins to take part in the annual spring budget sessions to speak on what changes she would like to see; and
• Heard a representative of Victoria Commons ask for a speed trailer to be set up in their subdivision, again speak on the concerns with the “Davenport mess” that people see when they walk the trails, and questions on the bridge. Chief Berriman said it takes a hitch to move the speed trailer and none of the new police cars have hitches. Rutherford said he and Berriman would work out the hitch problem.