Verkest addresses Miller Park, memorial bridge and more

HARRISON TOWNSHIP — For nearly an hour on Oct. 18, Harrison Township Supervisor Ken Verkest broke announcement after announcement at the State of Harrison Township address.

Delivered from the DJ’s booth at the reopened Gino’s Surf, Verkest sought to strike a balance between the township’s past and future in his 13th state of the township speech by connecting figures and locations across the township with modern-day developments.

Three figures in the township will be honored by township properties, the first two being Candice and Donald Miller becoming the namesakes of Waterfront Park — now known as Col. Donald and Candice Miller Park.

Donald Miller was a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, eventually becoming the commander of Selfridge Air National Guard Base and later serving as a judge on the 16th Circuit Court from 1998 to 2010. He died in 2019. Candice Miller is the incumbent Macomb County public works commissioner, coming into the position in 2017 after being a congressional representative from 2003 to 2016, serving as Michigan’s secretary of state from 1995 to 2003 and was Macomb County treasurer from 1993 to 1995. Candice Miller began her political career in Harrison Township, being elected to the Board of Trustees in 1979 and being elected as its first female supervisor in 1980.

“Miller Park will be an eternal reminder of the public service that Don and Candice have given to our community,” Verkest said.

Donald “Digger” O’Dell, another Air Force veteran and notable Selfridge figure from the township, will see his memory honored by becoming the namesake of the new pedestrian bridge across the Clinton River Spillway. O’Dell served from 1952 to 1978, becoming a pilot in 1955 and flying F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers during the Vietnam War. O’Dell was shot down on Oct. 17, 1967, and was interred in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” prison until being repatriated on March 14, 1973. After retiring, he was the public affairs officer at Selfridge for 12 years and was involved in Wertz Warriors to support the Michigan Special Olympics. O’Dell died in 2022.

“This dedication will include plans to commission a sculpture and a garden at the north end of the bridge, along with some method — maybe a scannable, digital link where people can read about his history, because his story is just an incredible one,” Verkest said.

Plans by the township to memorialize O’Dell’s life and service first caught traction in May 2022 with the township board approving plans to dedicate a portion of the Rosso Hall veterans memorial garden to him. After some residents objected to this on the grounds of not placing particular importance on one veteran in a garden to all township veterans, the idea was shelved until an alternative was found.

Not far from where the memorial will be located is the Mount Clemens Water Treatment Plant, which will become prime property on Lake St. Clair once the city completes its integration into the Great Lakes Water Authority. With county officials having discussed the need for a hotel and convention center on the lake, Verkest proposed the site for Macomb’s waterfront getaway.

“We have already learned that the area is the closest that I-94 gets to Lake St. Clair and, because of that, many parts of metro Detroit are a mere 30 minutes away from this possible destination,” Verkest said. “This former and possible future hotel site has a colorful history along with a bright future.”

Verkest tied the potential hotel with the history of the Jefferson Avenue and Crocker Boulevard corner, where at least three hotels once operated.

With all the talk about infrastructure and development, newly hired L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Superintendent Keith Howell was brought to the DJ booth to speak about the district and its upcoming $188.7 million bond proposal. Verkest gave the proposal, which seeks to update facilities and technology through the district, his stamp of approval.

“I went on BS&A and looked up tax bills all over Macomb County, and all of our peer schools districts have this similar bond millage,” Verkest said. “Some are higher, some are lower, but the most common amount is the amount L’Anse Creuse is asking for. I can’t imagine how somebody could vote no on this millage question and expect the district to provide at least an equal level of education to the young people in our township with that much less funding. I am voting for the bond.”

The bond will not affect millage rates.

Howell was one of several speakers brought on stage during the address, joining Township Treasurer Lawrence Tomenello and Township Clerk Adam Wit along with Blake Hurley, president of the Harrison Township Public Library Board of Trustees. Hurley and Tomenello discussed developments surrounding the library and treasurer’s office, respectively, while Wit presented news about the clerk’s office receiving a MiExcellence Award from the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks for technology and innovation.

“We were awarded this for our email communication for voters,” Wit said. “Every time we send out a ballot, you get an email from us. When we send out applications for a ballot, you get an email from us. When we get a ballot back, you get an email from us. If it’s getting close to Election Day, you get an email from us. We try to maintain that communication because what breeds people’s questions about questions? They don’t know enough about elections. In the past people haven’t been paying attention and now people are watching, and that’s okay. The processes are open. People can look at them, and communication is one of those core functions that we can all do better at.”

Other items discussed during the address included the hiring of a Macomb County Sheriff’s Office sergeant for the township and plans to connect township offices with the library, with Verkest peppering a number of dad jokes between the announcements and summaries.

“I can confidently report that the state of Harrison Township is excellent,” Verkest said. “Our history is rich, and we have a bright and exciting future.”