Polish Rock Sensation Comes to Detroit

Since the Warrendale neighborhood still has a decent number of Polish Americans, and because the bands in question are just freaking awesome, I wanted to mention that the Polish rock/pop group Feel is coming to the Detroit area. Feel has been a staple of the Polish radio air waves since 2007. They are on their second U.S. tour and are touting their new CD, feel-3. Everyone in attendance at the Friday, February 24, 8:00 p.m. rock showcase at the PNA Concert Hall in Hamtramck will get a complimentary copy of their CD.

This, by the way, will be the first time Feel will play in the Detroit area.

Magda Kaminski

There will also be three other Polish pop-rockers who will open for Feel. Opening acts of Marcin Kindla, Sebastian Riedel, and Detroit favorite Magda Kaminski will warm up the crowd.

Tom Czuprynski, one of the two promoters for this show, touted the popularity and unique pop sound of Feel.  He added with enthusiasm, “The whole night will be about great music and there will be a lot of it.”

Rafal Nowakowski, the other promoter for this show, added, “We brought Magda Kaminski on the bill because she is so popular in Detroit and we wanted attendees to get an added-value bonus. Magda will do cuts from her Who I Am CD.  Feel has such a great following and lead singer Piotr Kupicha is just so giant in Europe. They have a popular sound and this will be so special for Detroit.”

Feel had their big breakout in 2007 after winning the famed Sopot International Song Festival in Poland. Their biggest hit to date has been “And When the Dusk Comes” which still tops the charts. PNA Concert Hall, 10211 Conant Avenue, Hamtramck, MI 48212. Tickets are only $40 and are available by calling 313-530-0209.

Feel members are Piotr Kupicha (lead vocals and guitar) as well as Łukasz Kożuch (keyboard), Michał Nowak (bass), Michał Opaliński (percussion), and Paweł Pawłowski (guitar).

Detroit Finalizes City Council Districts

Map of the New Districts for the Detroit City Council

The Detroit City Council approved a map earlier today for the City Council districts that will go into effect when we elect a new Council next year. They went with what was commonly known as "Option 3."

I was disappointed that they chose not to consider a map that was proposed by Data Driven Detroit, which would have kept neighborhoods together. However, I take comfort in knowing that at least all of the Warrendale neighborhood - both sides of the Southfield Freeway - is together.

None of the current members of the Detroit City Council live in District 7, which includes the Warrendale neighborhood. This means that we will see someone new represent us, beginning January of 2014.

Former Detroit Public Schools Accountant Indicted on Corruption Charges

Sandra Campbell, a former Detroit Public Schools contract accountant and school board candidate, as well as her daughter, Domonique Campbell, a Detroit Public Schools teacher, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit on charges of program fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and tax charges, U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced yesterday.

Ms. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Andrew Arena of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division.

The nine-count indictment charges that between 2004 and 2008, Sandra Campbell, 56, and Domonique Campbell, 37, obtained in excess of $530,000 from the Detroit Public Schools through a fraudulent scheme in which orders were placed with the Campbells’ sham company for books and educational materials never provided to the schools. The indictment further alleges that Sandra Campbell and Domonique Campbell conspired to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and failed to report the money they fraudulently obtained from the Detroit Public Schools as income on their tax returns.

Sandra Campbell is also charged in the indictment with wire fraud. This count alleges that Ms. Campbell obtained a $40,000 discount payoff of a $250,000 mortgage on her home through a fraudulent “short sale” of the property to her mother.

U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said in a prepared statement, “Anyone who considers stealing from our school children should take note that we are scrutinizing records and conduct, and will prosecute wrongdoers. “

Agent Arena added, “The FBI would like to thank all of our partners who continue to assist us in battling corruption. In particular, I would like to note the continued support of DPS Inspector General Van Marsh and his team, The alleged actions of these subjects do nothing more than steal the opportunity for quality education from our children. Such actions can not be tolerated and will be pursued by the FBI and it’s partners.”

Agent Martinez also stated, “Those who profit at the expense of our children and steal from our community will be held accountable for their greedy actions.”

The case was investigated by special agents of the FBI, IRS, and Department of Education, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of Detroit Public Schools, Office of Inspector General. The case is being investigated and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Michael Buckley and Pamela Thompson of the Public Corruption Unit.