1 13151 W. 10 Mile Rd. Oak Park, MI 48237 PH (248) 546-4400 Sale prices are in effect Thursday, October 6th to Monday, October, 17th (1*- 0* A judge dismissed a'lavirsuit seeking to halt the sale of Eagle Elementary School to the Islamic Cultural Association of Franklin. Eagle Sale Challengers Lose in Court, But File Appeal $199 Plaintiffs had no standing to contest sale of Farmington school, judge rules. Don Cohen Contributing Writer S ix days after an Oakland County Circuit Court Judge ruled that the plaintiffs in a lawsuit to halt the closing of the sale of the former Eagle Elementary School in West Bloomfield to the Islamic Cultural Association (ICA) of Franklin didn't have standing to bring the suit, an appeal was filed to move the case for- ward. On Sept. 21, Judge Rae Lee Chabot dismissed the lawsuit brought by Eugene Greenstein and Melvyn C. Sternberg against the Farmington Public Schools and its board of education. Without taking a position on the mer- its of the issues raised in the suit, she accepted the defense argument that the plaintiffs couldn't bring it because they would not be impacted differently by the sale than their neighbors. On Sept. 27, an appeal was filed. "If a taxpayer does not have stand- ing in court to address a failure of an elected body to follow their bylaws then there are no checks and balances',' Greenstein said. "What is there to prevent a govern- ment body from breaking the rules?" "It's not about whether the ICA can buy it," he continued. "They can. It's about the rules and whether the school board followed them. They deceived the public all the way." "We are pleased by the decision of the court in supporting the sale of this property," said Farmington Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Support Services David C. Ruhland in a statement before the appeal was filed. "To avoid the cost of demolition and to obtain more than $1 million at a time when the district is facing shrinking revenues and rising costs can only be seen as a positive for our district and the community we serve:' he said. For its part, the school board con- tinues to insist that they followed all applicable rules and procedures, but also took action at its Sept. 13 board meeting to retroactively ensure that it had done so. A resolution stated in part, "to the extent that any action taken by this Board ... conflicts with its resolution approving the sale of the Eagle property to the ICA, such action is hereby amend- ed to the extent of such conflict." The resolution was included in court documents submitted Sept. 19 by the district's attorneys at Plunkett Cooney with their argument stating in bold, underlined type, "the board has rectified these purported violations of the bylaws and parliamentary rules, thus, eliminat- ing any basis for relief." Sara Roediger, senior planner for West Bloomfield Township where the property is located, told the IN in August that ICA's plans for the property would require approval by its planning com- mission and board of trustees. Each of these meetings would be preceded by public hearings. Because none of these have taken place, for the sale to proceed the ICA would either have to purchase the property by Oct. 14 without going to the township, or ask the FPS board to extend the 120-day period it had allowed for finalizing the sale. Anticipating the need for an exten- sion requested by the ICA or because the suit would be in litigation, the FPS board approved Sept. 13 a resolution authorizing district staff to negotiate an extension if the sale is still in litigation. If there is no litigation, the board would have to vote to extend the time period allowed the ICA. The board was to have met this past Tuesday, Oct. 4, and is scheduled to meet Oct. 18 and Nov. 1.A Nov. 8 election will decide who will fill four of the seats on the seven-member board. II General Mills Cereal Golden Grahams 12 oz., Trix 10.7 oz., Cocoa Puffs 11.8 oz, Cinnamon Toast Crunch 12.8 oz or Honey Nut Cheerios 12.2 oz 6 oz. Assorted varieties .11 t t Chobani Greek Yogurt .61 AN!. 10/$10°° 1 lb pk California Michigan Grown Strawberries Honey Crisp Apples 3/$500 Rokeach 3/$200 Matzo 13a .11 &Soup Mix fr7 aimor $199 Tumbler Memorial Candles 6 oz cello pack Assorted Varieties Manischewitz Soup Mix 10/$10" 4.5-5 oz pk assorted varieties Manischewitz Glatt Matzo Ball Mix or Matzo Ball and Soup MAX Kosher Ground Beef 12-16 oz Assorted Heal dui Hanes 5 lb bag Ronzoni Idaho Potatoes 3/$500 Smart Healthy Harvest Or 1 Creamette Pasta 101$100° y: . Chef cart Kosher Catering offa m *** NOW in Farm Fresh Market Fresh Prepared Foods for Dine In or Carry-Out • Full Service Catering Parve Bakery • Glatt Kosher Under the Supervision of The Council of Orthodox Rabbis • Find us on October 6 2011 11