Anti-vax Republican who refused to certify Detroit's election died of COVID-19

By Lee DeVito on Wed, Dec 1, 2021 at 10:00 am

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Wayne County Board of Canvassers

William Hartman, then-Vice Chairman of the Wayne Board of Canvassers, died after getting COVID-19.

A Michigan Republican who made national headlines for refusing to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election — and was a vocal anti-vaxxer who downplayed COVID-19 — died after getting the virus.

William Hartmann, the former Vice Chairman of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, died on Tuesday, according to a Facebook post from friend Douglas Reimel. He was 63.

Hartmann had been hospitalized on a ventilator since around Nov. 6, Metro Times previously reported.

Hartmann and fellow Republican Wayne County Board of Canvassers member Monica Palmer initially voted against certifying the 2020 election results — an extraordinary move that generated national headlines, and fear of a breakdown of the democratic process. Hartmann and Palmer said they refused to certify the results because of small discrepancies between the number of votes cast and the number of votes counted, with Palmer suggesting certifying the elections of "communities other than the city of Detroit." Critics blasted the move as racist.

Following a tumultuous meeting where hundreds of Michigan residents expressed their outrage, Hartmann and Palmer eventually agreed to certify the results on the condition of a resolution to support an audit.

But after then-President Donald Trump personally called Hartmann and Palmer, the two attempted to rescind their votes, to no avail. The audit later revealed Trump lost Wayne County by more than 330,000 votes, anyway.

On Facebook, Hartmann was an avid Trump supporter and anti-vaxxer, downplaying the severity of the pandemic and the effectiveness of vaccines.

"If the ouchie is so great, why do they have to offer bribes?" he wrote in one post.

Hartmann's death comes as COVID-19 is surging in Michigan, which has led the nation in cases since November, with hospitals stretched to capacity. Michigan's surge is being largely driven by unvaccinated people, experts say.

More information about the COVID-19 vaccines is available at vaccines.gov.

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Lee DeVito

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Leyland “Lee” DeVito is the editor in chief of Detroit Metro Times since 2016. His writing has also been published in CREEM, VICE, In These Times, and New City. He once asked porn star Stormy Daniels to spank him with an issue of Metro Times. She obliged.

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Attorney Mike Morse is giving Detroiters free Uber rides for New Year’s Eve

Planning to get lit to celebrate 2024? Stay safe and take an Uber

By Layla McMurtrie on Fri, Dec 22, 2023 at 11:04 am

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Courtesy photo

The Mike Morse Law Firm is bringing back its “Ride Free NYE” campaign.

While you’re figuring out where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in metro Detroit, don’t forget the most important thing of all — how to get home.

To that end, the Mike Morse Law Firm is bringing back its “Ride Free NYE” campaign for a second year to help metro Detroiters ring in 2024 safely.

The company, which has been running in Michigan for over 30 years, helps protect the rights of auto accident and injury victims. On one of the most dangerous nights of the year for drivers, this promotion preemptively aids that work, the firm says.

“As we approach New Year’s Eve, a time of celebration and reflection, our firm wants to do our part to help everyone have a safe and responsible way to ring in the new year,” Mike Morse, founder of Mike Morse Law Firm and the guy on the those ubiquitous billboards around town, said in a press release. “By offering complimentary Uber rides, we hope to reduce the number of accidents and injuries on our roads during this festive time. I truly believe in not only advocating for our clients but also taking proactive steps to prevent accidents, promote responsible behavior, and try to ensure everyone has a safe and happy start to the new year.”

The law firm will provide 1,000 vouchers for people who plan to go out in the Detroit area for the holiday. From Dec. 26-31, anyone who wants a $20 Uber voucher can obtain one online at 855mikewins.com/ridefreenye, while supplies last.

To use the voucher, rides must be taken in metro Detroit between 5 p.m. on Sun., Dec. 31, and 5 a.m. on Mon., Jan 1.

Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in metro Detroit: Goodbye, 2023 — hello, 2024

Slideshow

The biggest culture shocks about moving to Detroit

25 slides

“The love/protective instinct for the community is contagious.” –ellexoxo_07

“Reliance on cars at the expense of transit.” –stos313

“Those u-turns aka Michigan Lefts.” –chicagotodetroit

“How much of a melting pot Detroit/metro Detroit is.” –pH2001-

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Layla McMurtrie

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about food, music, art, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between the Lines, Metromode, and other various Michigan publications.

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Detroit vs. Everybody’s new flagship opens just in time for the holidays

You can't stop Detroit

By Randiah Camille Green on Wed, Dec 20, 2023 at 3:12 pm

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Randiah Camille Green

Detroit vs. Everybody is now open at 44 W. Columbia St.

Detroit vs. Everybody dusted its shoulders off and opened its new flagship location on Wednesday.

The new store is located at 44 W. Columbia St., around the corner from the Fox Theatre, in a building owned by Olympia Development of Michigan.

The 1,800-square-foot space joins JoJo’s Shake Bar, Frita Batidos, Sahara Restaurant and Grill, and Good Cakes and Bakes, which opened a second location in the District Detroit area in July.

Metro Times first learned the location for Detroit vs. Everybody’s new shop in November, and the brand kept its promise to open in December in time for last-minute holiday shopping.

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Randiah Camille Green

Inside Detroit vs. Everybody’s new flagship store.

The interior features a mural by Bakpak Durden and framed news articles about the brand and founder Tommey Walker decorate the walls.

The brand’s Eastern Market flagship store has been closed since September when the Del Bene Building that housed it partially collapsed. Other businesses in the building including Jabs Gym, Beyond Juicery and Eatery, Brooklyn Outdoor, and J’Adore Detroit were also forced to close.

The nearly 130-year-old building was slated for immediate demolition following the collapse, but the city reversed its decision and it is now undergoing repairs.

Detroit vs. Everybody was established in 2012 by Tommey Walker, who previously told Metro Times he wanted to create something positive for the city. It opened its first boutique in Greektown before moving to Eastern Market.

Location Details

Detroit vs. Everybody

44 W. Columbia St., Detroit Detroit

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Slideshow

25 Detroit gifts for under $25

26 slides

Michigan Air Fresheners460 W. Canfield St., Detroit; 313-831-9146; citybirddetroit.comCity Bird stocks many cute Detroit-themed gifts, but we’re digging these Michigan-themed air fresheners, available for $5 each, and include scents like fresh water, red pop, ginger ale, and pine. Nothing triggers memories like smell, so theseare great for the expat in your life who misses home. —Lee DeVito

Bell's Hopslambellsbeer.comLast year, Michigan brewery Bell’s moved the date of its popular (and very dank) seasonal Hopslam Double IPA from winter to late fall. Why? “In short, we have been listening to our fans and dry January is a hard time of the year to drink Hopslam,” the brewery said. “This change will allow our fan base to enjoy the beer with a little less guilt and a little morecelebration.” Hallelujah. You can pick up a six-pack for around $17. —Lee DeVito

Carhartt beanie5800 Cass Ave., Detroit; 313-831-1274; carhartt.comA Detroit fashion staple worn by everyone from construction workers to DJs, that will keep you warm and also looks cool. Carhartt’s classic knit cuffed beanie is available in some 25 colors, for $19.99 each. —Lee DeVito

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$Randiah Camille Green$

Randiah Camille Green

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After living in Japan and traveling across Asia, Randiah Camille Green realized Detroit will always be home. And when she says Detroit, she's talking about the hood, not the suburbs. She has bylines in Planet Detroit News , Bridge Detroit , BLAC magazine, and Model D .Her favorite pastimes are meditating on...