Judge decides to check out safety of Jenny's Market straw maze himself
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Emma Weichmann of Ann Arbor crawl out of the straw maze at Jenny's Market west of Dexter last week. Webster Township says the maze is unsafe and wants to shut it down.
Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com
- Previous coverage: Township calls Jenny's Market straw maze a public nuisance, seeks court order to remove it
- Related article: Jenny's Market operator Burton Hoey faces animal cruelty charges
Judge Timothy Connors was not convinced.
Webster Township officials and attorneys wanted him to shut down a straw maze at a popular Dexter-area farm market during a hearing Friday in Washtenaw Circuit Court.
The maze at Jenny’s Farm Market west of Dexter is a public nuisance and puts the safety of children at risk, a lawyer for the township told the judge.
“Show me,” the judge said. Township attorneys couldn’t. At least not to his satisfaction. So he decided to go have a look himself.
Connors said he would go out to the farm stand at Island Lake and Dexter-Pinckney Roads on Friday afternoon to inspect the maze and issue a ruling later in the day.
Judge Timothy Connors
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Market operator Burton Hoey, who has faced a litany of legal issues over the last 12 months, has said the maze is completely safe and stable. He said he’s had the maze every year for at least 15 years with no problems. The township has never objected to it before, he said.
During the hearing Friday morning, township lawyer Helen Mills said plywood holding up the straw bales over the top of the maze is bowing, and the bales of straw are shifting and deteriorating.
She said a child could fall through the scaffolding supporting the straw structure or the entire structure could collapse. That would qualify as irreparable harm, she said, a standard the township needs to meet to secure a preliminary injunction shutting down the maze.
“Did you ever put up hay?” Connors asked.
“No sir,” she replied. “I have moved straw bales out on the farm.”
“I have,” the judge said.
“What I hear here is you have concerns,” he continued. “How is this irreparable injury other than concerns?”
That’s when Connors, who is up for re-election this year against challenger Michael Woodyard, decided to go visit the maze himself. “I’ll go out this afternoon,” he said.
Comments
Rachael
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
I agree with Ann23. Judge Conners shows callous heartlessness in how he deals with the foster children whose lives he decides. He laughed out loud from the bench when our foster baby's attorney said that she had already formed relationships. He didn't even pretend to listen to the very valid argument presented to him which was backed by Michigan law and Michigan foster policy. He ordered her moved to live with relatives who lasted exactly 2 weeks as a placement before putting the children back in foster care. This man doesn't have the compassion and ability to listen needed in a judge. I sincerely hope that he is not re-elected next month.
jcj
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
For those that put any weight in what some of the naysayers here spout. Just google- Judge Connors endorsements.
James Socrates
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 3:10 a.m.
Its reasons such as this that Judge Connors is one of the most respected and highly regarded judges in the State. He cares enough about justice to go out of his way to make sure no one is deprived it. A true jurist of the people.
eyesofjustice
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
I wonder if Connors will crawl thru the maze...??? In Philly McDonald had a halloween promotion Ronald McDonald had to crawl thru the maze....unfortunte to him, he got stuck.
Ann23
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 2:17 a.m.
Because Connors has any clue or care about what is actually in the best interest of children. I suggest taking a good look at his record when it comes to children in the foster care system. The well-being and actual impact on children matters more than convenience, any possible hassle to him, and money. Yes, Judge Connors, infants and babies do form bonds and are not just game pieces to be shuffled around through the system indefinitely when they could otherwise have a long-term loving and stable home. Emotional distress greatly impacts children. On a larger scale, the effects of childhood emotional distress affects society. What is in the best interest of a child is for them to remain in the home they have been in since shortly after birth, a home where they are loved, cherished, and safe, until a permanent home is certain. Not for them to be shuffled around for the convenience of the system.
Sam
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
I have just been informed that Judge Connors ruled against attorney David Shand and never even listened to Mr Shand against a business in Ann Arbor.Also heard that Judge Connors daughter was a former employee of the business.Talk about being unfair and lack of due process.Every citizen should be aware of callous treatment and unfair treatment by JUDGES who should be the very symbol of honor, integrity and fairness........seems Judge Connors is clearly lacking in these attributes
Sam
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:18 a.m.
Why why? Of course..as I have always commented in the past Connors always violates the "good ethics" standard by listening to cases that involves associates.The "good judge"has a grat history of this sort of thing.Now the Engler appointed "born again Democrat" is pretending to show skewered good faith in an effort to win votes. Judge Connors when are you going to display your true colors and tell us the number of times you have been taken to task by the Judicial Tenure Commission? When are you going to face the reality that listening to cases like that of former partners Bridell and Mike Vincent ( member of your re-election team) is a transperent lack of ethics. Thats why you need to be replaced by Mike Woodyard.God please answer the prayers of Washtenaw County citizens!
The Secret Team
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:29 a.m.
I don't recall Mike Vincent being a former law partner of Judge Connors, but he is a member of the Timothy Connors re-election team and also campaigned for Margaret Connors in her failed District Court Judge bid in 2008. Mike Vincent has dionated "big bucks" to judicial campaigns over the years. Check out his contribution history on the campaign finance database at the Secretary of State section of www.michigan.gov; it runs into several thousands of dollars. Michael Woodyard has spent years prosecuting corruption and we need someone with his integrity to replace Judge Connors.
justcurious
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 12:22 a.m.
So the Judge (Connors) is the former law partner of Burton Hoey's attorney? What's wrong with this picture. I know who I'm voting for.
justcurious
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:31 a.m.
I would hope that Webster Township is already considering this, but don't have much faith in it since they have allowed him to run rough shod for all of these years. When a normal citizen has zoning violations they jump on it immediately, but unfortunately, not in the case of Burton.
The Secret Team
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
Yeah, what if Judge Connors approves Bredell's request to deny the township's nuisance request and a child later seriously injures themselves in the maze as the Township Attorney has suggested could occur? Then conflict of interest considerations will certainly be discussed.
Goofus
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : midnight
I'm more concerned with why this "Haunted" maze hasn't been exorcised yet. How can a residence for evil spirits be allowed to persist so blatantly on that busy corner? Oh wait, Burton Hoey's been there for years. Nevermind.
jcj
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 11:53 p.m.
While "The Secret Team" list a couple of people that are not endorsing Judge Connors, Take a look at the list of those that are endorsing Judge Connors! http://judgeconnors.com/endorse/
Concerned
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 11:48 p.m.
Just looking at the photo of the maze says it all, the plywood looks to be only 1/4" and it also looks as thought it has been exposed to the elements for a while. Secondly it is starting to bow in the middle and only appears to be sitting on the edge of one hay bail on each side. I can see how the addition of a little rain/weight of children on top could cause the plywood to brake/slip off causing a "cave in". This would be very difficult for public safety officials because then the whole structure must be considered compromised thus making a rescue/extrication difficult. This is a great idea for a straw maze it just needs some more substantial structural support and diagrams that can be provided to the township building department and public safety agencies.
smokeblwr
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:03 a.m.
It probably is 1/2", but even that is not good enough. Kids are heavier these days and getting heavier with each passing year. Look at the span between the bales, much wider than the standard 16" required between joists in a basement. It WILL fail being exposed to the elements and its only a matter of time what with our zaftig children jumping on them by the dozen.
jcj
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : midnight
Amazing what you think you can tell from this photo! I beg to differ. To me the plywood looks like 1/2 minimum. After 30 years as a carpenter I have some idea of the size of plywood, but it is hard to tell from this photo. However I would bet the farm it is at least 1/2 ".
The Secret Team
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Wow. So the owner's attorney is none other than John Hampton Bredell? Any proof? John Hampton Bredell sits on the Judge Connors' re-election committee. This is confirmed by the campaign site of Judge Connors. Previous to Judge Connors being appointed by Governor John Engler to the District Court bench in 1991, Bredell and Connors were, in fact law partners in the firm of Logeman Connors & Bredell.
justcurious
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 12:19 a.m.
No conflict of interest here, right? What a bunch of you-know-what this is. Enough to campaign for his opponent, no matter who they are. A loss would take that stupid grin off of his face.
The Secret Team
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 11:20 p.m.
Prior articles dealing with Hoey do, in fact, mention that Bredell is representing Hoey. Yet this one leaves Bredell's name conspicuously absent in stark contrast to identifying and quoting Township Attorney Helen Mills. I wonder if litigants having cases before Connors will cause the Bredell & Bredell law firm's telephone to ring off the hook starting tomorrow morning. LOL.
Patrick M. Hoey
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.
Judge Connors and Burton Hoey's attorney John Bredell were former law partners and shared a practice together, so it's not surprising if this turns out in Hoey's favor. The judicial system wouldn't work for Burton Hoey if it wasn't corrupt.
justcurious
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.
No love lost in the Hoey family..common knowledge. http://www.woodyard4judge.com/#!about_me/galleryPage
jcj
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 1:04 a.m.
Obama's pastor used to be Jeremiah Wright. I would be much more worried about that connection than the loose one mentioned here!
justcurious
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.
What's wrong with this picture?
The Secret Team
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 11:05 p.m.
John Hampton Bredell specializes in personal injury work. He advertises with his wife on the back of the Yellow Pages. It would surprise me if he suddenly defended nuisance abatement actions. But maybe if the hay maze owner felt hiring the judge's former law partner might help............
Brad
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 10:55 p.m.
Hoey v Hoey? Any chance that is pronounced like "hooey"?
West Side Mom
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 10:23 p.m.
Site visits are not unusual when a dispute involves real property or improvements to real property. Decision to visit the property is being fair to both sides. Isn't that what we expect of our judges - fairness?
The Secret Team
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 12:53 a.m.
We do expect fairness from our judges. Speaking of which - did anyone ever tell Township Attorney Helen Mills that the judge's former law partner and current re-election campaign organizer - John Hampton Bredell - is representing Jenny's Market?
The Secret Team
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 9:35 p.m.
Judge Connors' campaign committee may have advised him that going out to the hay maze with a news reporter and photojournalist present would be a good public relations coup. Look at all the county officials who have NOT endorsed Connors: BOC, Prosecutor, Clerk, Water Resources Commissioner, Sheriff etc., etc. Ask them why they are not endorsing Connors - Clayton Mackie and Bobrin are busting their behinds campaigning for circuit judge candidate Fink. Connors could conceivably benefit from this free publicity.
alfonso
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.
Who wants the support of Brian Mackie and Janice Bobrin? Mackie spends most of his time walking rows of parking meters looking for dropped coins, or digging into vending machines for returned coins. Janice Bobrin never amounted to anything, even when she was not being arrested.
Tesla
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
We get it. You're a Woodyard supporter pr family member. All ten (roughly) of your posts are about supporting him and ripping on Judge Connors.
justcurious
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
I suppose this judge goes out on the scene of every case. Obviously a reelection stunt on his part. His comment to the townships lawyer was totally flippant. He also didn't listen very well, it is made of straw not hay. Hay costs a lot more.
jcj
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.
He could easily have been just telling what he had done.He did not call this hay or straw! If he put up hay I am sure he knows the difference! Hay bales are not only more expensive they are heavier on average twice as heavy as straw.
Brad
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 7:55 p.m.
Go Judge Connors!
slave2work
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
I think it is understandable with everything that has happened out there this past year. With 1 young lady paralyzed already from the horse and wagon incident , I can see the township wanting to be careful.
eyesofjustice
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
Hmm must be election time.
lynel
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 6:26 p.m.
I hope he doesn't get hurt out there.
golfer
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 6:13 p.m.
now you seen him in action. vote for him to stay in office
Brad
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 10:54 p.m.
a2buzz.com? Yeah, they do appear to be buzzed.
The Secret Team
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 9:25 p.m.
Wrong! Vote him out of office. See www.a2buzz.org
KeepitClassy
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 5:28 p.m.
It's nice to see that at least one politician is proactive about situations before they make a decision on something. Hats off to your Mr. Connors.
James Socrates
Sat, Oct 20, 2012 : 3:26 a.m.
I think anyone who knows or has associated with Judge Connors find this incident unusual only because it was publiscised. I don't see how Judge Connors is "politically grandstanding" when these are the type of things he seems to do before and after an election as well. Odd isn't it?
West Side Mom
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
Team Woodyard lacks an principled basis for opposing Judge Connors re-election, hence the resort to speculative mud-slinging ("likely," "appears"). With this kind of support network, gotta wonder what kind of a person Woodyard is. But then who beyond "Secret Team" knows him, he only moved here in the last year or so.
The Secret Team
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 9:20 p.m.
Connors is likely only doing this for publicity purposes since he is facing a contested election in two weeks. Appears to be pure political grandstanding from an elected official.
jcj
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.
Its the only fair thing to do.
smokeblwr
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 5:06 p.m.
This is pretty sweet. Hope AA.com goes with him along and we get some video.
The Secret Team
Fri, Oct 19, 2012 : 11:02 p.m.
Yeah, maybe we can interview both attorneys in the case. It is interesting that the article never quotes Hoey's counsel or even mention who he is, yet cites the township's attorney.