Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano, right, takes the Dakota High School stage for the State of Macomb Township address with a “The Price is Right” theme on June 14.
By: Dean Vaglia | Macomb Chronicle | Published July 1, 2024
MACOMB TOWNSHIP — “Come on down!”
While state of the community addresses tend to be dull-but-informative affairs, Macomb Township Supervisor Frank Viviano added some theatrics this year.
At Dakota High School on June 14, attendees were tipped off to the unique vibe of the State of Macomb Township when Viviano took the stage in a checkered sport coat and patterned tie as “The Price is Right” theme played him on. The address would not be just another review of the year’s news and an update on township developments. Viviano and company were prepared to sell Macomb Township as the region’s best value for residents.
“Today, we will learn about a place where the American Dream can come true but without breaking the bank,” Viviano said. “Macomb Township is a community that delivers outstanding service at an incredible value. But I don’t expect you just to take my word for it. Nope. So, I am going to show you — and we’re going to do it ‘Price is Right’ style, and I cannot think of a better way to do that than a good old-fashioned Showcase Showdown.”
The competitors of the extended Showcase skit represented two types of potential residents the township aims to attract. The first of the two told to “come on down” was Hayden Reich, played by Muhammed Smidi of U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain’s office. Reich was a Macomb Township resident before moving away and is now considering a move back. The second contestant was Sterling McSpendy, played by Eva Vrana of McCain’s office. McSpendy was a resident of East Orionchester Shores looking for somewhere more affordable to live.
From there Viviano and an emcee — originally Dante Rosa, owner of the self-named home loans company, and later Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel — showcased the various departments and services of the township as prizes. With everything from parks and recreation to new roads and public services highlighted, contestants were tasked with guessing what their annual taxes per $200,000 taxable value would be in order to receive all of it. McSpendy guessed high at $4,250 while Reich guessed correctly at $1,218, sending Reich into an ecstatic celebration.
The remainder of the speech was more like a typical annual township address, with Viviano delivering his remarks directly to the audience. Viviano continued the focus on the township’s affordability by highlighting tax cuts made in the township’s 2024-25 budget, as well as the various people and organizations that make up the township. Featured were Nethanya Fonseka and her Plant it Forward organization taking part in various landscaping projects across the township; the township’s firefighters taking part in the American Lung Association’s annual climb of Comerica Park; firefighter Joe Warne’s annual walks across the state for Neighbors United; members of the Immanuel Lutheran Church making blankets for Michigan State students after the 2023 shooting; and Dakota National English Honor Society students building a free library for Macomb Corners Park.
“Macomb Township is, and always has been, defined by the character of its people,” Viviano said to finish the address. “Yes, the price is right in Macomb Township, and I’m very proud of that, but getting to live among these amazing friends and neighbors every single day? That’s priceless.”
The address was the first collaboration between the township and Connect Macomb, formerly the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
“Supervisor Viviano had reached out to us and asked if it would be something we could consider working with him on, and we jumped at the opportunity,” said Stacy Ziarko, president and CEO of Connect Macomb. “We had about a year ago rebranded ourselves to service more of Macomb County, so we were super excited when he called and asked if we would be able and willing.”
Ziarko said the chamber is hopeful it will host 2025’s State of Macomb Township.