Home Care In Fraser, MI

Photo by Brendan Losinski

| Fraser-Clinton Chronicle | Published June 21, 2023

FRASER — Plans for long overdue roadwork in the Fraser Industrial Park are being debated as local property and business owners, and city officials, discuss a controversial assessment to pay for the project.

The issue was discussed at length at the Fraser City Council meeting on June 8. Many business and property owners from the industrial park attended the meeting to voice their concerns that the tax assessment that would be placed on the properties to pay for new roads in the industrial park were unreasonably high, with some stating that it could threaten their businesses.

“I am here to put it on the record that we are against this assessment,” said Kaitlin Fox from the Trinity Tool Company. “We have been at this location for more than 50 years, have contributed to the community in numerous different ways, have been loyal to the city of Fraser, and it is completely unbelievable this assessment that you are proposing. Our taxes would be doubling, if not more than doubling. It is just not sustainable. We love this city, but if this goes through, we might have to think about other options.”

The roads in the industrial park were last worked on in 1996, designed with a 20-year life span. Many, including the business owners in the industrial park, have long decried the poor state of the streets in the area. Councilman Patrick O’Dell said the project needs to be done and the money has to come from somewhere.

“The worst thing we want to pay is taxes, especially when we could instead be putting that money into machinery, people and things like that. But we also have been dealing with complaints over the years,” he said. “I’ve only been on the council two years, but I’ve heard again and again that those roads have to be fixed. There’s no easy fix for this. We’re going to need to work together to come to some sort of solution. We are talking about more than 120 parcels, but we want the industrial park to have the roads that it should. Unfortunately, over the years, money was not allocated for this.”

The assessment is based on each business’ frontage, not on the overall square footage of the building or property. Michael Vigneron, the director of engineering at Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, which is overseeing the project’s planning, explained that this was a standard method of determining tax assessments for a project of this nature.

“It’s not always the entire frontage of the parcel, but the accessible frontage of the parcel,” he said. “This is a full reconstruction of the roadway, including the base and drainage. All driveways would be addressed. Some of the costs would cover some night paving (because paving during the day) was a big issue the last time work was done.”

The assessment would tax $808.27 per assessed foot of street frontage. Some in the audience made the claim that the city of Fraser thought it could charge whatever it wanted because business owners, who often do not reside in Fraser, do not get a vote for who is on the City Council.

“It’s not a case of, ‘If you don’t vote, we don’t care,’” said Fraser Mayor Michael Carnegie. “Fraser is a four-square-mile community, and we try to do what’s best for everybody. This is not to blindside anybody because this has been a long-term project.”

Several business owners who spoke said they believed it unfair that such a high assessment was being placed on them when the city is paying less than 10% of the estimated cost.

“One company (I own in the industrial park) has 315 feet fronting the street. This would equal $250,000 that would need to be paid over three years,” said Doug Hagerty, the former mayor of Fraser and owner of nine properties in the city. “Another down the street is on a corner with 499 feet. That would be $404,000 over three years.”

“It’s probably one-third of the city. It’s between 15 Mile Road, Kelly Road, and Malyn Boulevard,” Carnegie said. “Our goal is to pay part of the $18 million cost. Right now, we are looking at paying about $1.5 million, but if our audit comes back positive, we would like to pay more money toward this project. … We searched a lot of options looking for grants and other money. … We applied for funds from the state and the federal government, but sometimes you just come up short.”

The plans will be decided at the council’s meeting on Thursday, Aug. 10. To better work with the local business community and attempt to find possible solutions to concerns, a town hall meeting was tentatively planned prior to that. The date and time of the town hall meeting will be available on the city’s website, ci.fraser.mi.us, when plans are finalized.

“All we voted on (June 8) was to allow the tax assessor to publish what the tax increase would be for the frontages of each of those businesses,” said Carnegie. “We want to see what every actual business is paying. We want to make decisions based on real numbers, not estimates. … Nothing about the outcome of this issue was decided tonight.”

Some, such as Chris Michayluk, the owner of Complete Prototype Services, which has five buildings in the industrial park, said that unless major changes are made to the plans for the roadwork and how it is paid for, many businesses in Fraser could be threatened.

“I have over an estimated 1,200 linear feet between the properties I have in the industrial park,” Michayluk said. “I’m really concerned. A rough calculation I ran puts what I would have to (additionally) pay at $800,000 or more. I have made $150,000 in profit over the last three years, so business isn’t exactly booming. This would jeopardize my business.”

Work would be done over three years. Payment for the project is allowed to be spread out for up to 10 years. Even if it were spread out to its maximum amount, business owners say the amount being collected would still be a threat to many Fraser businesses — businesses that the property owners say pay for approximately 40% of the city’s revenue and were what kept Fraser going during hard financial challenges.

“The Fraser Industrial Park was developed in the 1960s. … This is what pays for the city during lean times. … If it weren’t for the industrial park, during the recession, when all the residential property values went down, it would have been a totally different story (for Fraser),” said Hagerty. “Some of these guys (who own property in the industrial park) feel like because they don’t vote, that the council doesn’t care about what they think. But this is a lot of money we’re talking about. … You could be hitting them really hard.”

Dubai Capitals, riding on belligerent half-centuries from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Jake Fraser-McGurk, recorded an emphatic seven-wicket win over MI Emirates in the second match of the ILT20 season 2 at the Dubai International Stadium. This contest, played in the presence of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan and a large Saturday crowd, saw Afghanistan’s Gurbraz crack an aggressive 81 runs off 39 balls with eight boundaries and four sixes and Australia’s 21-year-old rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk hitting a breezy 54 off 25 balls with four boundaries and four sixes. The pair put on a 114 runs partnership for the second wicket in 51 balls to chase down MI Emirates’ total of 159 for 9 in 20 overs and won the match with 24 balls to spare.

Emirates after getting off to a good start, slipped from a strong 79 for 1 in seven overs to 140 for 8 by the 19th over. Big hits from Tim David (27) took the score past the 150 run mark, but the architect of their fine start was UAE’s Muhammad Waseem who cracked 51 runs off 26 balls with four sixes and two boundaries. He was backed by Andre Fletcher (30) and Nicholas Pooran (21). Sikandar Raza was responsible to put the brakes on Emirates taking three wickets for 21 backed by Jason Holder (3 for 34).

After the win, David Warner remarked that the energy in his team’s camp helped. “I enjoy leadership. There is great energy in our camp and that helps.” On Gurbaz and Fraser's knocks, Warner said: “These two guys come with clear minds and are at the peak of their game right now.” He then went on to appreciate Trent Boult for the delivery that got him out. “I have had a lot of good battles against Boult. This is the first time I am seeing the ball swing so much here after a long time.”

MI Emirates skipper Pooran admitted that his team did not play smart cricket. “We kept losing wickets and should have played smart. All credit to Dubai Capitals, they bowled well. We thought we had a chance with 160, but surely it wasn't enough. We knew batting first was going to be tricky. We just weren't good enough. We fell short of runs. But Fraser and Gurbaz batted well.”

Player of the match Sikandar Raza said that belief in himself helped to bowl well: “It’s one of those games... they were running away in the powerplay. The wicket was a bit slow and some of those wickets were lucky. They are all world-class cricketers; but you need to play smart cricket. It's one thing to have a plan and another thing to execute. I try to change and bring in variations. I don't know what's coming out of my hands, so best of the luck to the batters facing. Faith is the one thing that has got me going. Just take care of your rough days and believe in yourself.”

Waseem’s half-century and MI Emirates batting collapse

Dubai Capitals' skipper Warner won the toss and elected to bowl stating that the wicket looked good and his team would chase the runs down. Emirates skipper Pooran too remarked that his team would have loved to bowl first, but they need to adapt to conditions and be competitive.

England’s Will Smeed, opening the Emirates innings with UAE’s Muhammad Waseem, hit the first boundary of the day square driving Dushmantha Chameera. Jason Holder struck in the second over having Smeed brilliantly caught by a leaping Sam Billings at slips for 5. This brought in Andre Fletcher. Waseem got off the mark hitting Chameera over his head for a boundary. He also hit the first six of the match lifting Roelof van der Merwe over long on, and took 18 runs off that over with two boundaries.

Fletcher opened up from the fifth over when he hit Paul van Meekeren for two boundaries and a six to take the score past the 50 run mark. Holder, who was re-introduced for the sixth over, was hit for 21 runs, which included sixes from Waseem and Fletcher.

Akif Raja bowled the seventh over to end Fletcher’s knock forcing him to hit high to Powell at long-on for 30. His 18-ball knock had three boundaries and two sixes. He put on 72 runs in 34 balls with Waseem for the second wicket. Waseem reached his half century in 24 balls, and together with his captain Pooran, took the score past the 100 run mark.

Raza ended Waseem’s fine knock forcing him to lift to Holder at long-off for 51. His knock off 26 balls had two boundaries and four sixes. Raza also struck to remove Ambati Rayudu, caught and bowled for 1.

The flow of runs however reduced from the 10th over with Van Meekeren yielding only six runs. Raza gave away just three runs and Akif Raja gave away only four runs. Raza then went on to bowl Pooran for 21 in the 14th over. With half the side back in the dug-out for 120, MI Emirates struggled for runs. Van der Merwe had Corey Anderson caught by Billing at deep-midwicket for 1.

Holder went on to trap Dwayne Bravo leg before for 2 and also had Akeal Hosen caught by Billings at long-on for 7. Tim David hit Chameera for two consecutive sixes in the last over and took the score past the 150-run mark. He got out to the fifth ball caught by Holder at long off for 27.

Aggressive knocks from Gurbaz and Fraser

Capitals began their chase through David Warner, who was cheered all the way to the crease by the crowd, along with Gurbaz. Boult would have got Gurbaz out for a duck to the third ball had he not dropped the return catch. Fazalhaq Farooqi, who was brought in as a super-sub in place of Rayudu, bowled the second over and Gurbaz celebrated his luck hitting him for a six over long-on.

The first to go was Warner to a fine delivery from Boult that took the outside edge and flew into the hands of Zahoor Khan for 1. Fraser, who came in as super-sub for Paul Meekran, went for his shots and hit Akeal Hosein for a six and two boundaries. He also smashed Farooqi for a well-timed boundary and another six over long-leg. Delhi Capitals' 50 runs came in five overs.

Gurbaz was severe on Zahoor Khan hitting him for three consecutive boundaries in the sixth over while Fraser hit Hosein for two successive sixes in the seventh. Fraser reached his half century in 21 balls and Capitals went past the 100-run mark in 8.5 overs. Gurbaz too reached his half century in 26 balls. So severe was the onslaught of this pair that their 100 runs partnership came in 44 balls.

By the halfway mark, Capitals needed only 38 runs. Fraser got out to Boult in the 11th over, caught at long-off by Anderson for 54. Gurbaz too got out but after hitting 81 runs, brilliantly caught by Waseem at deep mid-wicket off Farooqi. Sam Billings and Rovman Powell then steered their team to the target in 16 overs.

Brief scores:

Dubai Capitals bt MI Emirates by 7 wkts. MI Emirates 159 for 9 in 20 overs (Muhammad Waseem 51, Andre Fletcher 30, Nicholas Pooran 21, Tim David 27, Jason Holder 3 for 34, Sikandar Raza 3 for 21) Dubai Capitals 160 for 3 in 16 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 81, Jakes Fraser-McGurk 54, Trent Boult 2 for 23)

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Fraser’s Planning Commission unanimously agreed Wednesday to deny a rezoning recommendation to the City Council that would clear the way for the development of a new Sheetz convenience store and round-the-clock gas station.

The development is part of a longer-term plan by the regional company to expand throughout Michigan, including Rochester Hills, where the company is expected to make its pitch there at a zoning hearing set for next week.

In Fraser, those at the meeting welcomed the commission's rejection with applause, a bad sign for the family-run, Altoona, Pennsylvania-based company with about 670 stores, which, in late 2022, said it expected Michiganders to embrace the brand.

The commission's decision in Fraser also illustrates what communities nationwide are wrestling with as they try to balance economic development with other concerns that people increasingly care about.

The commission, however, emphasized its decision was not the final word on the matter.

"I encourage you all to go to City Council and publicly speak, if there is a public hearing," the commission’s chair Kathy Czarnecki told residents after listening to many outline their concerns, which included parking, public safety, historic preservation, potential environmental harm and competition to existing businesses, for about two hours. "Thank you for your patience."

The five commission members voted against rezoning. They were unconvinced by what the Macomb Daily reported was an attempt by Sheetz before the hearing to sweeten its offer.

Sheetz, the local newspaper said, had proposed building a 3,000-square-foot park overlooking a retention pond and adding a pedestrian plaza with a monument commemorating the State Bank of Fraser, the old building on the southwest corner of Utica and 14 Mile roads it hopes to demolish and replace.

It's unclear what Sheetz will do next or whether it will affect the company's long-term plans to add dozens of Michigan stores.

In an email to the Free Press, Sheetz said only that beyond its previously announced Romulus location, it "isn’t prepared at this time" to identify any others.

Rochester Hills said Sheetz is seeking to build a new gas station and eatery on the 3900-block of S. Rochester Road and set to make its case for variances at a 7 p.m. public hearing Wednesday before the zoning board.

In Fraser, the commission’s recommendation, combined with the public show of force against the development, raises the bar for the case the chain must make for the Macomb County city to approve the development.

More:Gordie Howe International Bridge now expected to be completed in Sept. 2025

Czarnecki, who at times had to admonish impassioned attendees interrupting the meeting, tried to make clear during the hearing that the commission wasn’t approving or rejecting the development, only recommending to the council whether to make requisite zoning changes.

She also said she agreed with the other commissioners, saying she didn’t think the gas station was a "good fit."

Other planning commission members said before voting that they heard and agreed with the residents’ concerns. One said the project appeared to be a good one, but just not at that location. The City Council is expected to consider the commission’s recommendation and debate whether it wishes to approve it.

Sheetz, a family-run gas station chain that pokes fun at its name in its advertising, told the Free Press in late 2022 that it was moving into Michigan, and aimed to open a metro Detroit store in 2025 — and more later.

The first store in Michigan, the company said last year, is expected to open in Romulus.

Bob Sheetz started the company in 1952. He bought one of his father’s dairy stores in Altoona, and opened a second store in 1963, calling it "Sheetz Kwik Shopper." Five years later, the company opened a third store. In 1972, Sheetz had doubled from seven to fourteen stores, and the next year it added gasoline pumps.

By 1983, the company opened 100 stores and it now operates in six states.

"We are thrilled to continue our growth into Michigan and bring the ultimate one-stop-shop to people across the state," Travis Sheetz, the company's president and CEO said at the time. "Sheetz is dedicated to being a great employer and neighbor and we cannot wait to put those values into action as we expand into our first new state in two decades."

While Sheetz made its official announcement first to the Free Press, reports of its Michigan expansion had been quietly circulating on the internet since earlier this month.

On its website — under the heading "What's a Sheetz?" — the company calls itself "a mecca for people on the go," adding that "if you need to refuel your car or refresh your body, we have what you need" all the time, "even on Christmas."

Loyal customers, the company said, call themselves "Sheetz Freakz." And the company, recognizing how its name elicits amusement, has a marketing campaign: "Why the Sheetz not?"

But the private company's expansion was unusual at a time when other companies, and consumers, are cutting back on costs, and automakers are pushing to shift auto sales away from gas-powered cars to more electric.

What the chain is betting on is convenience: A customer's need for low-priced, easy-to-get goods in a 24/7 economy.

When it announced it was expanding into Michigan, the CEO said at the time the company believed what it was offering "will resonate" with local residents and it aimed to have a "major presence in the entire Detroit metro area" and about 75 stores in the state.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or [email protected].

FRASER — Hoping to step up and play a more active role in community improvement, members of the Fraser First Booster Club will host the Beautification Council of Southeast Michigan’s winter quarterly meeting for the first time.

Hosting the meeting marks a new relationship for the two organizations — one that Vania Apps, the founder and a board member of the Fraser First Booster Club, said will mean more improvement projects within Fraser in the future and new opportunities for Fraser residents to help in other communities.

“This relationship has already made a difference,” she said. “We have nominated some projects to start in Fraser. We want to showcase more of Fraser because of this and promote more local projects. For instance, a Fraser student, Wynnis Chan, made three free respite benches on the back paths at McKinley Barrier-Free Park for his Eagle Scout project. He was a Michigan award winner this year through BCSEM.”

The BCSEM organizes and promotes community improvement and conservation projects throughout the metro Detroit area. They also work with a related nonprofit, Keep Michigan Beautiful, on projects in other parts of the state as well.

“The Beautification Council was created to promote beautification throughout southeast Michigan,” said BCSEM organizer Pat Deck. “This can be done in a variety of ways. We can impart lessons through speakers but also by sharing historical and restoration projects. Sometimes, it’s an environmental project that we promote.”

The meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, at Hanover Grove Cooperative in Fraser, 15750 Sabre Lane. Tickets are available at fraserfirst.com. For questions, call Vania Apps at (586) 453-4081.

“We have two awesome speakers, and they do a great raffle,” said Apps. “Schott’s Market will provide a buffet lunch. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel is the first speaker. Deputy of Government Relations Daniel Acciavatti is the other speaker, and he works for Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller’s office. They hold the meeting in which everyone is there to listen and take part in.”

Having an organization, rather than a municipality, host the meeting is another big step being taken.

“It is not the city of Fraser that is hosting, it is the Fraser First Booster Club,” said Deck. “As an organization, the BCSEM generally has the host city host the event. In this case, it is a private nonprofit group in the host city. That’s one of the first times we’ve done that.”

The two groups began working closer together after the Fraser First Booster Club was recognized by the BCSEM for its work on McKinley Barrier-Free Park in Fraser.

“Fraser hasn’t had a garden club or beautification club, and back in 2022, Fraser First Booster Club won (BCSEM’s) Keep Michigan Beautiful President’s Award for McKinley Barrier-Free Park and we got involved with them that way,” said Apps. “When they asked if someone could host their winter meeting, we jumped at the chance. We see this as a reintroduction of them to the city since we haven’t, as a city, been involved in a long time.”

Apps said they hope this strengthened relationship will lead to even greater things for Fraser and said that goals such as community improvement and conservation are vitally important.

“If you appreciate the need to be wise stewards of our environment and appreciate the value of beautification in a community, you would be interested in an organization like this. We really promote that,” added Deck. “In this particular meeting, we will have two speakers from Macomb County, including Mark Hackel, the county executive. He’s a dynamic speaker and often speaks about the importance of our water quality and waterways. The second speaker, Acciavatti, will also speak on environmentally related issues.”

Apps encourages the Fraser community to check out the meeting and see what upcoming projects are coming down the pipeline.

“They’re a great organization that does amazing projects throughout the state, so it’s a big deal that we are hosting the meeting. Hanover Grove is stepping up to host and donated their community center free of charge also was big since our organization doesn’t have a big enough event space,” said Apps. “People will find it inspirational. They will find a group of really involved volunteers who are working to make Michigan better. You will get to hear about a lot of great projects going on in the state right now.”