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ACTION DETROIT |
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***Page 2 Detroit Metropolitan Airport News MAY 2003 ============================================
The Detroit Metropolitan Airport News Inc.
Founders
Allison Scott/
Wayne and Marilyn Schriber
Editor Publisher
Patrick Novack
Lead Local Feature Writer
Tom Yates
Life Columnist
Doug Merriman
Entertainment
Susan B.
Motown Moves
K.Loni Yates
Horoscopes
Lila
Communities Columnist
Jeff Novak
Graphic / Comic Artist
Joe Conforti
Ad Sales Representative
Erick Whalin
734-992-2828
734-992-2828
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Romulus, Michigan 48174
Deadline is the 25th of every month. Current run of our 4 column tabloid is at
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DMAN is distributed free to the employees of the companies operating at DTW, public travelers and surrounding businesses of the community. DMAN is an
independently owned newspaper. It is published in the interest of the DTW airport community and is neither owned nor subsidized by the DTW Airport Board, the airlines or other tenants of DTW Airport. DMAN is supported by its advertisers and its policies are made and maintained solely by its owners. Views and/or opinions implied or otherwise expressed are those of the individual writers, columnist or advertisers and not neceissarily that of D.M.A.N.,
its owners or staff.
DMAN also reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
Proud Member of the Greater Romulus
“A Detroit Eatery Highlight”
One of the Best
In January, the Airport Police lost their engine when former Director of Public Safety Al James “retired.” A lot of the forward motion, innovative stuff that the Airport Police bought to law enforcement “retired” with him. Now, it appears that the Airport Police are losing their rudder, another original innovative thinker, when Chief of Airport Police Kent L. Booth hangs it up on May 1st.
You may think that this is no big deal. However, you would be wrong. In his 31 years as a Wayne County Sheriff’s Deputy and as an Airport Police Command Officer, Chief Booth has seen a lot, done a lot, and accomplished a whole lot more in law enforcement than the wannabees have driven past telephone poles. Some of his achievements broke new ground. He brought ethics and integrity to every assignment that he has ever held, sometimes against overt, determined racist opposition. His creed was always an insistence on “fairness” and “doing the right thing” by both Sheriff’s Deputies, Airport Police Officers and the public, and that was always 1 and 1A on his agenda. But there was another side to Chief Booth as well: When there was a fight to be fought, when the system needed to be dragged kicking and screaming out of its
Good Ol’ boyness, well, K.B. was just the guy you needed. Because he never lost. And he always won with style and magnanimity.
Many times, he summoned me into his office and closed the door. After he finished reading me the riot act for whatever it was I had done that was not up to how he believed a police officer should respond to the public, he also reminded me that Officers such as myself had a much greater charge to keep. And that was to continue to challenge the stereotypes, to break down the barriers and forge new standards that were both representative of who we are as individuals as well as in our chosen profession. He brought that concept home to me, because prior to meeting him and working with him for years, I was not listening. He changed the way that I think. He also molded me into the Officer I am nowadays, and it changed my life. For this I thank him.
They may not want to admit it, but this loss is significant. You just cannot replace a man like this. And its not very often you find a rock that will resist the tide. Good luck to Kent. But most of all, good luck to the Airport Police without him. They are in my prayers.
Also good luck to Airport Cops Carl, Margie, Dave and Ted; they are also bailing out into retirement. The first three will
be fine, because they are exquisite in their mellowness, and always have been for as long as I have known them. But Ted may have to relearn English. Maybe now he will understand that M.F. is an epithet, and not normally used as a noun (I say this affectionately, Ted. Don’t be P.O.’ed).
Note: The Editor asked me not to write about the war, because everyone else is doing it. I said OK. But John Ashcroft is fair game. Therefore, to the critics who think I am unpatriotic because I am critical of Ol’ John’s draconian acts during a time of “so-called war”, then I guess that makes me unpatriotic. I would much prefer an Attorney General who has actually read and understands the Constitution, and not one who wants to make it up as he goes along for situations he does not agree with. What is truly unpatriotic, though, is any attempt to stifle reasonable vocal criticism of something you firmly believe in your heart is wrong. Only the undemocratic do that. I will continue to speak out.
I do not smoke. But after Patriot Act 2 goes into effect, send me cigarettes to whatever Concentration Camp Ol’ John deigns necessary to throws me in. I can trade them for stuff I’ll really need…
Next Month: “Are you on the ‘No Fly’ List?”
In a historic, charming two story home built in 1892, you can find fresh chargrilled Salmon every Friday, only $8.95. They also have been serving Detroit’s NO. 1 pizza for 25 years. Formerly know as Z’s Place, Z’s Villa features lunch delivery and business meeting catering. Shuttle service to the Red Wings,Theatres and more. With attended parking. Dine where the CHA Champion WSU Warriors Dine! A perfect setting for private parties, business functions, weddings, showers, etc.
Z‘s Villa
42 Piquette, Detroit 48202,
313-874-2680
Mon-Thurs 11am-12am
Fri-Sat 11am-1am
Closed Sun
We are frequently invited to come by for lunch, a drink or a night out by local establishments, sometimes by patrons or staff, as well as owners. Our monthly highlights are randomly picked in no specific order. Heck, I only get out once a month!
highlights@dtwnews.com
By Doug Merriman
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Detroit Metropolitian Airport News, www.ActionDetroit.com
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