Westland, MI (February 18, 2020) - On Monday, March 2, 2020 the Westland City Council approved the appointments of several new Boards and Commission members.
Don Nicholson has been appointed to serve on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Council. Nicholson has lived in Westland for 45 years. He is the owner of Don Nicholson Enterprises, LLC. which has provided services to the Wayne-Westland communities for over 25 years. Nicholson recently served as Chairperson of the Disability Concerns Committee. Don Nicholson was the City of Westland's 2015 Business Person of the Year. He is the Chairperson for the Westland Chamber of Commerce, President of Friends of Nankin Mills, winner of the Governor's Award for Tourism Partnership 2016 and each year brings us Cruisin' Hines, the Wayne Road Cruise and much more. His term will expire on 12/31/2021.
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Council is governed by a seven (7) member board that is appointed by the Mayor and subject to confirmation of the City Council. Members are appointed to a two (2) year term following each biennial election, with a term to begin January 1st and end December 31 of following year. Members must reside in the City of Westland. The Advisory Council provides advice from a citizen perspective. The Advisory Council assists and advises the City with various agencies and programs, conducts outreach, enrollment, training and orientation; developments programs and activities, makes recommendations regarding the acquisition, development and administration of properties with recreational activities.
Ruby Richards has been appointed to a three year term on the Planning Commission. She has been a Westland resident for over 10 years and is an active member of the community. Richards graduated from Macomb County Community College with a degree in Auto Body Design. She has been working at AM General for 30 years in Design on various Military vehicles. Richards has experience in reading drawings and blueprints. She has worked on several programs through her work. Her term will expire on 3/2/2023.
Deanna Adams-Stachow has been appointed to a three year term on the Planning Commission. Deanna is an active member of the community and has lived in Westland for four years. She has had experience with bidding contracts and reading and tracking changes on blueprints as an employee of the Detroit Public Schools. She has also worked with Facility Repairs with the opening, closing & demolition of buildings. She is active in Westland by volunteering and fundraising for people in the community. Her term will expire on 3/2/2023.
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The Planning Commission is governed by a nine (9) member board appointed by the Mayor and subject to confirmation of City Council. Members serve three (3) year terms. Members must reside, work or have ownership interest in property in the City of Westland. The Planning Commission reviews and recommends to City Council all applications for amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or zoning map, applications for special land uses, site plan approvals. and planned unit developments. Meetings are scheduled for the first Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 p.m., at City Hall, 36300 Warren Rd.
Gretchen Heinicke has been appointed to a partial term on the Economic Development Corporation (EDC)/Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA) Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Gretchen is a life-long Westland resident and graduated from John Glenn High School. She is currently the President/ CEO of the Westland Chamber of Commerce. Gretchen supervises different events in Westland and is an Advocate for the Westland Business Community in promoting growth and success. She was a College Admissions Officer in which she recruited high school seniors to attend college. Gretchen's term will expire on 2/05/2022.
The DDA is governed by an eleven (11) member board appointed by the Mayor and subject to the approval of the City Council. The Downtown Development Authority implements an improvement and business development plan in a commercial district along Ford Road and Wayne Road south of Ford and they help firms by providing design assistance for redevelopment of commercial properties. Regularly scheduled board meetings take place the 4th Thursday of every month at 8:00 a.m. at City Hall, located at 36300 Warren Rd and are open to the public.
"Don, Deanna, Ruby and Gretchen bring diverse skill sets, life experiences and enthusiasm to their newly appointed positions and I look forward to working with them throughout their upcoming terms," commented Mayor Wild.
