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THE OAK PARK PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT MAY BE EXPERIENCING SOME STAFF CHANGES, BUT THOSE JOINING THE TEAM, AND RETIRING OUT, HAVE SEVERAL TRAITS IN COMMON. THE MOST IMPORTANT? THEIR COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE OAK PARK COMMUNITY TO ENSURE SAFETY.

Oak Park Public Safety Sgt. Walter Duncan being honored

“The Oak Park Department of Public Safety has always taken pride in recruiting the best and the brightest in the Public Safety profession,” said Public Safety Director Steve Cooper. “There is no better illustration of this than the officers who either have retired or are retiring in the immediate future.

“Each one of these officers has carved out distinguished careers and I am extremely proud to have served along-side them. Although their departure will be sorely missed, we look forward to the development of our newer officers as they prepare to take over these leadership roles. The Oak Park Department of Public Safety has always and will continue to place a premium on honesty, integrity, dedication, hard work, customer service, building positive relationships, etc.”

RECENT OAK PARK PUBLIC SAFETY RETIREMENTS:

  • Sgt. Maureen Bergman: Retired after 25 years of service in Sept. 2021;
  • Det. Matthew Theisen: Retired after 20 years of service in July 2022;
  • Lt. Samantha Kretzschmar: Retired after 28 years of service in Aug. 2022;
  • Sgt. James Vernier: Retired after 23 years of service in Sept. 2022;
  • Sgt. Walter Duncan: Retired after 23 years of service in Oct. 2022;

NEW OFFICERS SWORN IN ON SEPT. 6:

  • Samuel James: Joined the Oak Park Public Safety Department with six years of prior law
    enforcement experience;
  • Brian Blackburn: Joined department with five years of prior law enforcement experience.

Due to a combination of recent retirements and newly budgeted positions, the City of Oak Park continues to recruit for individuals to join the Public Safety team.

“The City of Oak Park values the rich diverse and inclusive environment that our residents bring to our community. In an effort to mirror that diversity and inclusivity in our workforce, Oak Park continuously recruits the most qualified, diverse and experienced candidates for the position of Public Safety Officer,” said Human Resources and Operations Director Megan Burke. “We understand that by having diverse perspectives ‘at the table,’ we will be able to better serve the best interests of ALL, instead of just a few.”

For more information on open positions in the Public Safety Department visit oakparkmi.gov.

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CITY MANAGER ERIK TUNGATE WAS RECENTLY NAMED THE OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE EXECUTIVE OF
THE YEAR FOR 2022 BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (ASPA) DETROIT METROPOLITAN CHAPTER.

This award is given annually to individuals whose career in public service has been impactful on the communities they have been chosen to represent and has contributed to the advancement of the public interested and the prestige of the public service profession.

“To serve as a public service professional is a calling and I am honored that my passion for helping others has been recognized by ASPA-Detroit Metropolitan Chapter,” said Tungate.

ASPA’S MISSION IS TO ADVANCE EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE through promoting the value of joining and elevating the public service profession, building bridges among all who pursue public purposes at home and internationally and achieving innovative solutions to the challenges of governance.

“City Manager Tungate is a key leader in public service,” said President-Elect of the ASPA-Detroit Chapter Courtney Flynn. “Through strong fiscal policies, long-term economic development goals and a deep connection to the communities he has served, City Manager Tungate has positively impacted the Metro-Detroit region.”

Tungate has been a committed public servant since 2005, which is when he began his career in public service as the Executive Director of Community & Economic Development for the City of Hamtramck. From there, Tungate went on to serve as the Business Development Manager for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, the Senior Project Manager of National Business Attraction for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, an Economic Development Officer for Wayne County and Acting City Manager for Hamtramck. Tungate’s success in these positions led him to the role of Oak Park’s City Manager in 2012.

TUNGATE HAS SERVED AS OAK PARK’S CITY MANAGER FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS, a timeframe in which he has bolstered the City’s financial health and implemented policies that allow the community to thrive. Some key examples that highlight how Tungate’s skills and leadership abilities have led to a thriving community include:

  • The once dry City of Oak Park reformed its liquor/alcohol regulations and is now home to two micro-breweries, a social district and other establishments that offer such libations, creating greater opportunities for economic development.
  • The City’s tax base substantially growing, in part, due to economic success. Such economic success includes the full development of the former Detroit Armory Site, and n ew local businesses regularly opening.
  • A focused commitment to the health and wellness of the Oak Park community, which is currently being exemplified by a complete assessment of the City’s parks and recreation amenities through the Elevate Oak Park project. With this project, like all projects in the City, citizen engagement is of the highest priority.
  • The leveraging of resources through working closely with neighboring communities and entities to create more opportunities for community success can be found.

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By Jenn Goeddeke

MEETING CINDY WILSON, THE OWNER OF INNOVATIVE HEARING SERVICES IS LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR! WE RECENTLY MET FOR COFFEE, WHERE SHE REFLECTED ON HER SUCCESSFUL CAREER AS AN AUDIOLOGIST IN A GENUINE, HUMBLE, AND PROFOUND WAY.

Wilson is enjoying her semi-retirement, having closed the physical doors of her business on June 30th of this year. However, Wilson feels she has plenty more to accomplish in life as she transitions into retirement, and shares details of her career, plus some great advice for those with any type of hearing loss issues.

What is involved in being an audiologist?

My niche has been auditory processing evaluations, which are a special series of tests that look at what you do with what you hear. For example, how’s your ability to sequence; how do you process noise; or how is your auditory memory? There are lots of skills to analyze. If the evaluation could be done without a break, it would take less than two hours. However, most clients need a break.

Four factors overlap: Attention; language; processing; cognition. By the time a client gets to me, there was most likely a problem. I have specialized in working with children diagnosed on the spectrum, too.

What inspired you to enter this field of work?

There were multiple factors. The specific degree I wanted was not offered in Michigan. When I first went to college, I knew that I wanted to work with children. Originally, I took courses in Special Education, then I transferred to regular education classes. But I was not enjoying the classes. So, I took an exam offered by MSU which matches a person’s skills and interests to careers. Then I went through the coursebook, and selected classes based on the top two categories. I made a wonderful choice to study audiology! I lived with a mother who had hearing loss, plus I have a hereditary hearing loss condition for which I had surgery.

How did your career progress?

I started my career at Children’s Hospital in Detroit and moved to private practice in 1999 after my husband died. The business name changed from Innovative Therapy & Hearing Services. I gained a reputation for being able to test the kids nobody else could test! The other population I have served is those who need hearing aids. This involves fitting them, making adjustments, and coaching my clients throughout. I am proud of the work I have done for my patients. I have done a good job and I have loved my career!

What have been some favorite aspects of your career?

Mostly, the satisfaction of helping people in a personal way and forming relationships. I say this because I have worked with entire families, from birth on up to old age. For example, when I have a patient who is a baby, I am naturally seeing the parents also. It’s not just about giving 15 minutes for an appointment. I have been able to decide how to spend my time. Of course, that’s a luxury some don’t have, due to financial demands. I have enjoyed making a difference in patients’ lives.

Have there been any aspects that you have disliked?

I wasn’t cut out to run a business, as I dislike being the boss! Fortunately, I had an employee named Tracy Ravary with me the whole time and she assisted me in all ways. Tracy paid bills, handled the paperwork, and was also my tech with hearing aid check-ups. She is wonderful!

Do you have any advice for those who may need help with their hearing?

I would recommend you visit a qualified audiologist. Not everyone realizes they have hearing loss. Many came to understand this due to the masks worn throughout the Covid19 Pandemic, as they could no longer recognize speech without a visual cue. There may be an aspect of sticker shock, as some aids may cost three to four thousand dollars. I encourage people to consider it as a daily cost, which over three or four years would amount to less than a daily cup of coffee. Additionally, I emphasize that the patient is paying for a high level of technology, plus analysis and customer service.

When should someone reach out to get help with their hearing loss?

Don’t wait for a big problem! It’s best to start wearing a hearing aid when there’s a small issue – then, your brain can adjust more effectively. If you’re not doing well with the hearing aid, go back for modified settings. Or go and see someone else, as a different approach could be night-and-day in results. I know this from personal experience! Possibly, the aid has been adjusted to your Rx level immediately, instead of slowly adapting the strength. The contrast between what you remember hearing, and what you hear today could be so different that everything sounds too loud initially. Modern aids often adjust automatically/electronically, but not all do.

Are there certain ways that people adjust to hearing loss?

Not everyone can adjust at the same pace. There is a lot of grief surrounding hearing loss. I began to ask questions like, “are you here because you noticed a problem, or because your wife noticed?” Often the patient is not feeling it, but the spouse is!

Why did you close your doors?

It became complicated due to what is known as “third-party payers.” I refused to just sell to the highest bidder, leaving my patients to the whim of the world. I needed to know I could send my patients to a place where they could receive a particular type of hearing aid, and it’s not the most common one. I closed my doors on June 30th of this year and gave my patients a list of very competent specialists. It has been disappointing, but I feel good about my choice. I am not fully retired yet, more in transition. I still see some patients, such as pediatric ENT referrals. It’s hard to turn anyone down because I want to help! An alternative is for patients to go to Children’s Hospital for specialized care.

How would someone become an audiologist?

These days, it would require a four-year post-graduate degree, with an undergraduate degree in a health-oriented field. I have a two-year master’s degree and a one-year clinical qualification. I did not need to return for my doctorate later on, as I felt it was unnecessary. You would expect to work with a wider range of ages, from infant through to geriatric.

Would you like to share any additional information or opinions with readers?

Yes, I would like to address over-the-counter hearing aids. There is certainly a big difference in quality. If you have mild hearing loss, it won’t hurt to try this kind of hearing aid. However, the problem is, there’s no evaluation, and no help to figure it out. The counseling part is missing. If the aid is not doing its job, and lands in the drawer, please don’t assume all aids are like that! Hearing aids that I prescribed even had multiple profiles for different experiences, such as music.

Finally, as a segue, Wilson shared information on another of her life passions:

I am a practitioner and instructor of Jin Shin Jyutsu which is light touch energy/healing work to release tension. It is beneficial for the mind, body, and spirit. I have been involved with this for 30 years, and I have a few private patients. I would like to increase my work with this practice.”

We wish Wilson all the best in her future endeavors!

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THIS IS REGINA WEISS, YOUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE. Over the past two years I have been honored to serve the people of Oak Park, the community that my husband and I have called home since 2013.

We chose to settle in Oak Park because it is such a welcoming and diverse community. Some of my favorite things to do in Oak Park are going to the Oak Park Farmers Market and other city events, riding my bike along the 9 mile bike lanes and through the woods of Shepherd Park, and enjoying a meal from Tai Fai or a drink at Berkley Coffee, Dog & Pony Show, or Unexpected Craft Brewery.

While working in Lansing for you I have been able to help hundreds of people navigate the unemployment insurance agency as well as other state services. I have also fought hard to ensure that our schools and local communities have adequate funding. We are not there yet, but I believe that we have made tremendous strides in the two years that I have been in Lansing.

Please reach out to me if you ever have any ideas for changes to state law, or if you need help navigating state agencies. You can reach out to my office, and my staff and I will be happy to help you. You can send me an email at regina.weiss@house.mi.gov or leave a voicemail at 517-373-0478.

I HAVE ENJOYED SERVING THE ENTIRE OAK PARK COMMUNITY over the past two years,
however that will come to an end in 2023. Every ten years our state redraws the legislative boundaries for our congressional, state senate, and state house districts in a process called redistricting.

In 2021, for the first time ever, this process was not done by the legislature but was instead handled by a group of citizens through the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. While this process was not perfect, I believe that the end results were better than what an overly partisan Lansing legislature would have come up with.

Although I won my election in November, I will no longer be serving the entire community of Oak Park due to redistricting. While I am disappointed that redistricting has split our community between three new state house districts, I have a good relationship with both new representatives, Jason Hoskins and Natalie Price, and know that they will do a fantastic job. I hope to continue to represent Oak Park east of Coolidge, and I will always do my best to help the entire City of Oak Park.

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THERE’S A NEW BIRD IN TOWN. IT DOESN’T FLY, IT DOESN’T HAVE FEATHERS AND IT DOESN’T CHIRP. IT DOES MOVE SWIFTLY THOUGH.

This Bird comes in the form of an e-scooter.

In July, the City of Oak Park approved a 12-18 month pilot program for shared electrical scooters (e-scooters) with Bird Rides, Inc. The pilot program was initiated to ensure e-scooters fit the needs of the Oak Park community, including mobility, equity and safety priorities.

Bird aims to make cities more livable by reducing car trips, traffic and carbon emissions. The company’s scooters, developed by an in-house team of leading engineering and vehicle design experts, also provide a naturally socially distanced way to get around and offer residents without cars another transportation option.

FEW COMPLAINTS REGARDING E- SCOOTERS HAVE BEEN LODGED WITH BIRD and the City thus far, but there is a certainly a learning curve on the do’s and don’ts of riding an e-scooter with Oak Park.

Some of these DO’s and DON’Ts are:

  • DO only have one rider on an e-scooter at a time;
  • DO wear a helmet;
  • DON’T ride if you are under the age of 18;
  • DO ride a Bird e-scooter ride on the sidewalk, unless there is a bike lane. Bike lanes always take precedence for use;
  • DON’T park a Bird in someone’s front lawn or anywhere where they are blocking sidewalks, walk paths, driveways or roadways.
  • DO use the Bird App to report issues with the e-scooters, such as they are parked in the wrong spot or not working (not the City website, GOVQA, or calling City staff).

Other means to report issues with Bird e- scooters is by emailing hello@bird.co, oakpark311@bird.co for parking issues or by calling the Bird 24/7 support line at (866) 205-2442.

IN ADDITION TO BIRD PLACING E- SCOOTERS in the Oak Park community, the company also offers the following features to riders.

  • COMMUNITY PRICING: Bird’s inclusive Community Pricing Program offers a 50 percent discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit and community organizations, veterans and senior citizens. Those who qualify can sign up by downloading the Bird app, creating an account and emailing proof of eligibility to access@bird.co.
  • Free Rides for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Personnel: Bird offers free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. Those who qualify can sign up by emailing a copy of their medical identification card, name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders receive two free 30-minute rides per day.

Those who are interested in providing feedback on the E-scooter Pilot Program are encouraged to take a quick online survey at https://forms.office.com/r/WZB2vvRXNt. The feedback from the survey
will help the City of Oak Park understand the impact of e-scooters on the community.

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By Kim Marrone
Director of Economic Development & Planning, City of Oak Park

THE CITY OF OAK PARK’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN BUSY OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. WHILE MANY PEOPLE WERE STILL WORKING FROM HOME, SOME MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS WERE HAPPENING HERE IN OAK PARK.

The Eight Mile Corridor has received a lot of attention the past few years with the final vacant parcel of the Armory Site currently being developed. The new development is a 295,000 square-foot industrial warehouse building. The majority is already leased to Tire Wholesalers but the remaining 92,000 is still available.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

The new Forgotten Harvest headquarters was constructed and had their grand opening. This is a great organization we were thrilled to have remain in Oak Park after considering several possible other cities. Some other projects along 8 Mile are underway and should be moving forward soon.

A FEW OTHER HIGHLIGHTS IN 2020-2022 are the new Savvy Sliders development currently under construction on Greenfield Road near 8 Mile.

On the 11 Mile corridor from the Water Tower to Coolidge we created a Social District. This new district was allowed during COVID and has now been added permanently by the State of Michigan Liquor Control. The social district allows people to get a beverage in one of the establishments in the Social District and drink it outdoors anywhere within the district.

The City is currently gathering public input on creating a new pocket park there as well paving the parking lot, adding green space and other amenities for the public to enjoy. The District now has Unexpected Craft Brewing Company, Dog & Pony Show Brewing Company, Oak Park Social, Berkley Coffee, TRV/FIT, and soon to come are The Oakparker and Salud Eleven.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

THE CITY WAS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE FIRST TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT in the City of Oak Park. The Development is on Nine Mile with a bus stop directly in front. The developer is the Ferlito Group who recently broke ground. The City is hoping to do future mixed use developments along Nine Mile Road.

We are also very excited for the Jax Car Wash on Greenfield Road near 11 Mile. This project is on the site of the old McDonalds. Construction has just begun there. With so many exciting things happening in Oak Park we have also seen our home prices increase year over year with many young families moving in. We welcome all the new residents and businesses as they are what make Oak Park the great diverse community it is.

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Photo by Bennie White ©2022

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: WE HAVE IT, BUT WE NEED MORE OF IT.

In Metro Detroit we have the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART), the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the Detroit Department of Transportation, the Q-Line and other, more hyper-local transit authorities. These all aim to help individuals go from Point A to Point B with ease. However, as we know, transportation in Metro Detroit does not always come with ease.

I am, and have long-been, a strong advocate for public transportation because of the
benefits it provides to the communities it supports. A robust public transportation system allows citizens greater opportunities to travel to jobs, educational institutions and health care providers. It encourages economic growth, and most importantly, breaks down barriers that could otherwise inhibit community and personal successes.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

IN OAK PARK WE HAVE DILIGENTLY WORKED TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION through our own programs and policies. Earlier this year, myself and City officials welcomed a new Transit-Oriented Development, The Nine. We also allowed for a pilot micro-mobility program that provides individuals the chance to easily go from a bus stop to their home or their home to the store, and so on. The focus of this program is giving individuals the resources to connect the last mile of their trip.

How does the program support this?
E-Scooters.

We also have five MOGO stations in Oak Park, which provide easy access to bicycles for those interested in utilizing non-motorized transportation. Oak Park has also invested in bike lanes over the years to further encourage use of non-motorized transportation and to provide safe ways to ride.

In terms of the more general idea of public transpiration, Oak Park residents have long “opted-in” to the SMART system. There are four SMART routes that go through Oak Park and the City utilizes the connector system too, which provides curb-to-curb, advance reservation service within a ten-mile radius of the beginning destination.

SUCH SERVICES CERTAINLY BOLSTER OPPORTUNITIES for individuals to traverse through daily life without a vehicle, but is what we – as a region – offer enough?

I don’t think so.

Look at cities such as Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and more. Their interconnected transit systems allow for personal and economic successes. In Metro Detroit, we have come a long way, but I am certain a better-connected transit system – one that even allows us to get to-and-from the airport – will only push us even farther in the right direction. A dedicated public transportation route to the airport, guaranteed and regular routes into our inner-ring suburbs, transit lines to some of our most popular destinations (think sports arenas, universities, shopping districts) are fixed routes that we need. These are the same of type routes the cities with successful transportation systems have in place.

We are always looking for ways to exemplify our culture of excellence here in Oak Park and by creating an intentional, well-developed and expansive public transportation system we all can thrive, in Oak Park and beyond.

City Manager Erik Tungate
City of Oak Park

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THIS YEAR HAS BEEN SPECTACULAR IN OAK PARK WITH THE OPENING OF THE BEAUTIFUL NINE MILE LINEAR PARK. CLIMBING AMENITIES CALLED THE NINJA CHALLENGE DRAW YOUNG
COMPETITORS TO TRY THEIR SKILLS, SENIORS TO ENJOY A SWING IN THE SHADE, AND EVERYONE WHO WANTS A PICTURE WITH OUR JOYFUL SCULPTURES HOOPS GUY AND EARTH GIRL.

Photo by Bennie White ©2022

Just east down Nine Mile Road, the Ferlito Group broke ground on a $4.9 million transit-oriented housing project to be called The Nine. This 30-unit apartment, with studio and one-bedroom units, is located right by a bus stop, a MOGO station, and our newest electric scooters. These units will appeal to those looking for a live-work space that doesn’t require the expense of owning a car.

Owner Mike Ferlito raved about the ease of building in Oak Park because the staff works hard to facilitate and speed the development along. He said if we hadn’t taken the former five-lane street down to three with bike lanes he wouldn’t have considered the location, but the City has been pro-active in adding value to the area so we can expect more exciting development.

Cheerful Under the Radar Michigan star Tom Daldin visited BookBeat, one of the nation’s few successful independent book sellers. Led by Colleen Kammer and Carey Loren, BookBeat offers amazing personal service and an art gallery of african masks and other collectibles. Tom wrote the latest in his series, Under the Radar Michigan: Yet Another 50: Why Stop Now and his book-signing drew a great crowd.

REZONING A STRETCH OF ELEVEN MILE ROAD FROM LIGHT INDUSTRIAL TO MIXED USE allowed the City to birth a restaurant district with two delightful breweries: Unexpected Craft Brewing Company and Dog & Pony Show Brewery. Kenny Showler opened Berkley Coffee (in Oak Park), a one-of-a-kind coffee house with craft coffee, non-alcoholic drinks, sandwiches, sweets, and amazing entertainment. Come on down, this place is hopping.

Oak Parker, a friendly neighborhood gathering place in the white building at 13621 W. Eleven Mile. He likes to serve items that evoke memories so there will be burgers and schnitzel varieties.

Photo by Bernie LaFramboise ©2017

Mr. Bongiovanni was so impressed with the passion of the staff; he said there’s a real positive feeling in this city and he’s delighted to grow his business in the Oak Park market. Also on this active strip is a bistro called Oak Park Social, and soon owner Alex Bishai will add Salud Eleven, an up-scale Mexican restaurant.

BECAUSE OUR STAFF HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL WINNING GRANTS, the City is looking to turn the run-down parking lot behind the restaurants into an active gathering place for the neighborhood that will attract friends from the region. Landscaping, lighting, tables, chairs and recreation amenities will be added to make this a showplace.

The staff put up a pop-pup mini park on Gardner just south of Eleven and held eight fun events there in October. Pumpkin Painting drew such a huge happy crowd, staff had to run out to get more pumpkins. Response to the pop-up park has been mostly positive and community engagement around the potential permanent park continues to determine its future.

We are delighted that economic development is now gaining momentum, attracting interested developers with growth ideas. Great things are yet to come.

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ON SEPT. 7, 2022 THE FERLITO GROUP BROKE GROUND ON A NEW 30-UNIT APARTMENT DEVELOPMENT, NAMED THE NINE, IN THE CITY OF OAK PARK.

The Nine will be a three story, transit-oriented housing development located at 8775 Nine Mile Rd., which is directly behind a bus station. This is a welcomed development to the City as it builds on Oak Park’s mission to provide diverse housing options that promote access to various resources.

“The Nine housing development amplifies our commitment to actively encouraging residential and business growth while providing the highest quality of life here in Oak Park,” said City Manager Erik Tungate. “The intentional location of The Nine near a bus stop and bike lanes, coupled with its work-live concept is exactly what Oak Park needs.”

IN ADDITION TO THE NINE BEING LOCATED NEAR A BUS STOP AND BIKE LANES, it is just down the street from the Nine Mile Linear Park, which has a multi-purpose path and various recreation amenities that span over several blocks. There are also two pocket parks, Sherman and Seneca, a future connector park and a MoGo bike station, all within walking distance of the development.

“We are excited that the Ferlito Group chose Oak Park to make the $4.9 million investment in the community,” said Economic Development & Planning Director Kimberly Marrone. “The project will help spur additional investment along the corridor as we try to attract mixed use developments within the City as we continue to grow. Increasing density with housing will allow our community to continue to grow even though we are almost entirely built out.”

The Nine is the first transit-oriented development in the City of Oak Park. Transit-oriented developments support sustainability, community health and strengthen the local economy. As more people choose to utilize public transportation and bikes the demand for transit-oriented developments is anticipated to increase.

ABOUT THE FERLITO GROUP: The Ferlito Group is one of the Southeast Michigan’s premier sources for real estate development and investment, having brought spearheading a wide range of successful commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, and retail and food service throughout Metro Detroit.

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By Jenn Goeddeke

Jimmy Dowdle

Jimmy Dowdle

WE WISH TO EXTEND OUR HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO ALL FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND LOVED ONES OF JIMMY DOWDLE who died from a sudden cardiac event at his home on April 12th.

Dowdle resided in Detroit and was formerly of Battle Creek. He was much loved by his family and a great number of friends. Dowdle’s career in the food, bar and entertainment industry began at the Gaslight Restaurant in Battle Creek. He later moved to Detroit and worked for the Riverfront restaurant, before becoming co-owner of Menjo’s (Detroit). For the past 16 years, he helped manage Danny’s Irish Pub in Ferndale, alongside Dan Reedy (owner). The staff and patrons of Danny’s were all extremely close with him.

Dowdle was outgoing and friendly with a great sense of humor, and a quick wit, plus a talent for lighting up a room with his smile/laughter. He was also very generous and thoughtful towards others. Some of his interests included watching sports; he was a huge U of M football and also Tigers baseball fan. (One of his last outings was the Tigers’ opening day on April 8th, with a group of his close friends). Dowdle also cheered for the Pistons, Red Wings, and Lions teams. He had a diverse taste in music and listened to many bands such as Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, and Roxy Music. Fortunately, he had the opportunity to see one of his favorite bands, the Rolling Stones, at Ford Field last November, with one of his longtime best friends, Gary Wagner.

Dowdle loved animals and was a proud pet dad to a rescue dog named Willow. The memorial service was held on April 21st at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care in Battle Creek. Further celebrations of Dowdle’s life have been organized by Dan Reedy of Danny’s Irish Pub. (Event has passed). Memorial contributions can be made to any local animal shelter, and condolence messages may be sent to: www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

Tim Idzikowski

Tim Idzikowski & his wife, Tracey Kane

TIM IDZIKOWSKI, 36, CO-OWNER OF THE POPULAR DETROIT BBQ COMPANY food truck died in his sleep on April 14th, 2022.

We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Tim Idzikowski who died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday April 14th. No cause of death has been given. Idzikowski was originally from Fair Haven but resided in Royal Oak. He established the Detroit BBQ Company around 15 years ago, with his brother Zac Idzikowski, and worked full-time as a food truck chef for over a decade. He was also helping his good friend, Kevin Heaney, launch a brand of hot sauce called Man’s Best Friend Sauce Co.

His family stated that he loved cooking even as a child and closely followed The Food Network on TV. His favorite chef was Anthony Bourdain. His food truck was hugely popular at various local outdoor events, including the Pig & Whiskey annual event in Ferndale. Reportedly, this is also where he first met his wife, Tracey Kane, and she was immediately impressed with him. According to all sources, Idzikowski was extremely loyal, kind, and generous to everyone. Kane mentioned that he was also a big animal lover and was an outstanding pet dad to their two dogs, Ruthie and Mo Mo.

A celebration of his life was held on April 20th by his close friend Stephen Roginson, owner of the Batch Brewing Company in Corktown. The family has asked that any donations in his memory be made to Focus Hope or the Detroit Dog Rescue in Detroit, and condolence messages may be sent to www.farleyestesdowdle.com.

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