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Maki v. City of East Tawas
188 N.W.2d 593
Mich.
1971
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*1 151 1971] of East Tawas Maki TAWAS v. CITY OF EAST MAKI op the Court op Scope Law. Title —Constitutional 1. Statutes — constitu- held that Supreme has often Michigan Court The an shall statutory enactments, that stricture tional formality title, a hollow was not of its not exceed 24). 1963, 4, (Const art § One-Object — — — Limitation Law 2. Constitutional Statutes Immunity. — Negligence — Governmental Torts immunity governmental statute indicates that of the The title negli- immunity for acts of act should create creates gence, however, itself a certain section the act torts; area of immunity much broader for the constitutional, of the statute thus, hold that section reduce the required be Michigan Supreme Court would government’s of thе by negligence,” however, immunity from “torts torts to engage require Court to interpretation would such interpretation, in the name judicial legislation and such constitutionality, would exhaust preserving a statute’s prohibition law shall embrace more than that no constitutional meaning object expressed in its title of all which shall be one 24; 691.1407). 4, MCLA (Const art § § Negligence 3. and Phrases. —Torts—Words and, legal while “Negligence” and remain terms of art “tort” elusive, they are not precise their definitions are often synonymous. [3] [1, 2, [2, 4-6,10,11,14,15] '7, 9,10] 12,15] 13] 14] 58 Am 477, 483, 484. 38 Am 4-8] 50 Am 50 Am Am 39 Am Jur, Am 50 Negligence Jur, Jur, Jur, Jur, Torts §§ Am Beferences Jur, Jur, Nuisances Nuisances Jur, Statutes Statutes § Nuisances §§ 16 Am Jur Statutes 3. for Points § 223. 2. 200. 474. § 2d, 159 et Constitutional 95. seq. Headnotes Law §§ 465- Mich — n Immunity — — 4. Statutes Law Governmental Constitutional Negligence — Torts. statute, governmental immunity provides section *2 agencies governmental shall that be immune from tort government liability agency in all cases wherein said discharge engaged governmental in a exercise and of the function, scope of the its title and is exceeds therefore (MCLA 691.1407). and unconstitutional invalid § Immunity 5. Statutes —Torts—Governmental —Constitutional Law. governmental immunity statute, The section of the which provides governmental agencies that all shall be immune from liability government agency tort in all cases wherein said engaged discharge in governmental exercise of a independent function, is of the remainder of can, therefore, act, be severed from the but remainder capable of in complete being the act is itself and of otherwise

carried out to without reference the unconstitutional section (MCLA 691.1407). 8.5, §§

Opinion Concurring in Affirmance

Black, See Headnote 4.

Dissenting Opinion T. E. Brennan, JJ. One-Object

6. of Statutes —Title Act —Constitutional Law — Torts—Negligence—Governmental Immunity. Limitation — grants The governmental section an act which to agencies liability all tort when in for object expressed title, embraces an in its functions grants immunity agencies states the act to injuries persons property by negligence, provision violation a constitutional that no law shall em- brace object, more than expressed one whiсh shall be its title, clearly as the term “tort” is broader in than the term “negligence”, tort includes intentional torts and strict negligence torts as well as those (Const 1963, 24; 691.1407). art MCLA Tawas Maki East Construction—Legislative Intent —Constitutional 7. Statutes — Law. upon Michigan Supreme Court to sustain It is incumbent language constitutionality construction statute’s enacting preserve intent manifested properly be done. statute that can if op — Scope— Title Construction —’Constitutional Statutes Law. Michigan Court, with Supreme the situa- when The confronted exceeding title, statutory provision tion preserve adopted statute narrow construction has constitutionality (Const 1963, 4, 24). art the statute’s Invаlidity Legislative — — — Partial 9. Statutes Construction Intent. construing invalidity partial rule must be followed narrowly where provisions an act’s title conform legislative such construction works intent. fulfill Immunity Negligence — — — Governmental Statutes 10. Torts Invalidity Severability. *3 — — Partial —Construction granting immunity The term in a section a statute “tort” of governmental liability engaged agencies when all tort for governmental to torts should be construed refer functions by negligent partial applying the caused conduct rule of invalidity statutory severability (MCLA and the rule on §§ 8.5, 691.1407). Immunity —Torts— 11. Nuisance —Common Law —Governmental Statutes. judge-made exception is rule Nuisance a the common-law from governmental languаge and the of of from granting immunity governmental agencies the statute for engaged liability by negligent all tort caused conduct when governmental gov- liability alter the does not functions of agencies (MCLA 691.1407). ernmental nuisance for Municipal Garbage Dump Negligence. 12. Nuisance — — municipal garbage operation Nuisance in manner a of dump negligent where nuisance out conduct jury there intentional was no nuisance found maintaining municipality dump. its no laws in broke Negligence—Contributory Negligence. 13. Nuisance — negligence good Contributory to nuisances defense conduct but not other classes nuisances. for 385 Mich op the Court Liability in Tort —Governmental 14. Nuisance —Torts—Strict Immunity. illegal conduct, conduct based on intentional which are Nuisances ultrahazardous, conduct, that characterized such as for liability imposed, a class constitute in tort which strict immunity. governmental tort there is nuisances for Municipal Garbage — Municipal Corporations — Nuisance 15. Immunity Torts—Negligence. Dump — — Governmental theory against municipality nuisance on the Action for garbage dump injuries personal its is barred incurred at i/mmunity grants a statute which virtue of by negligent agencies conduct tort jury where when functions municipal- intentional nuisance and there was no found maintaining (MCLA 691.1407). ity dump no laws in brolce Appeal Appeals, Division Levin, from Court affirming Iosco, JJ., P. and Holbrook and J., Danhof, January 8, 1971. Allan C. Submitted Miller, J. (No. 52,539.) January Docket No. Term July 7, Decided App 109 affirmed. against

Complaint by Maki Leo V. resulting eye from of an East Tawas for the loss Judgment explosion plaintiff. municipal dump. at the Ap- appealed Court Defendant Appeals peals. appealed Plaintiff Court of trial. Affirmed. of his for a new denial motion appeals. Defendant Affirmed. Harrigan Majoros, & Alex Mossner,

Cicinelli, *4 plaintiff. ander, for Egloff, City Attorney, Freel, and Mai

Michael N. Taylor, McGraw & for defendant. nolfi, Collison, T. In December the G. Kavanagh, city plaintiff, Leo went the defendant’s Maki, Maki of East Taw as op the Court dumped dump Hе refuse. some refuse to discard city employee designated by the attendant an area at talk to the attendant. While then remained to and explosion bicycle part, inquiring about a a small plaintiff nearby fire in a refuse and the occurred appeared eye by a left what to be .22 struck in the caliber bullet. eye plaintiff lost the left

The later use of his city ensuing he for his and sued defendant disability. plaintiff originally upon neg- claim based his

The gross negligence ligence and nuisance and counts city filed a motion answer, added. later were asserting judgment 1964 PA for accelerated (MCLA § § Ann 691.1407; Stat No [107]) § held them immune from such a Rev 3.996 judge circuit deniеd defendant’s mo- suit. The stating § foresaid was unconstitu- tion object it did within embraced in tional as not fall stripped thus of the act. the defendant the title With plaintiff voluntarily had and after the negli- allegations complaint his his struck proceeded gence gross negligence the case theory jury solely jury The of nuisance. trial on the plaintiff $12,500 a verdict returned special finding city unanimously that the found nuisance but did maintained an intentional had not city main- had two find on vote ten to manner tained a nuisance “out of the operation”. judge Appeals affirmed the trial

The Court appealed this Court. the defendant PA statute, (MCLA 691.1407; Stat Ann Rev No ‍​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‍170 7 [107]) states: 3.996 provided, “Exсept otherwise agencies from tort shall be immune *5 [July- Mich op the Court government agency liability wherein said in all cases discharge govern- engaged and exercise in the Except provided as otherwise mental function. modify- construed as shall not he herein, act immunity restricting ing tort of the state from im- liability heretofore, it existed (Emphasis added.) munity hereby affirmed.” immunity plaintiff created that the claims immunity encompasses from tort on its face plaintiff liability if and such is and more inclusive create broader claims it would governmental expressed immunity than is PA No 170: title to municipal liability act make uniform

“An political state, and the corporatiоns, subdivisions, agencies departments, when in a its injuries property function, negligence; persons to define and caused and limit such the state authorize liability liability; of to to define and limit proprietary engaged in function; when purchase pro- insurance to pro- against liability; such loss out of tect defending against certain made claims vide public damages sought paying or a- officers and against repeal certain them; warded acts and parts (Emphasis supplied.) of acts.” liability”

If act’s from “tort created in reach is broader than the title’s “for negli- injuries property persons gence”, plaintiff claims 7 violate the would prohibitiоn § 24 of Const art law object more shall embrace which shall be than one expressed in its title. quoted

In 1888 we the observations made in Jus- tice Cooley’s treatise on Constitutional limitations duty determining on our whether was with- Maki Bast Tawas Opinion op the Court title. As in other areas his com- today: ments are still relevant “ legislature may ‘As the make the title to an act *6 please, they restrictive they as may it is that obvious preclude many sometimes frame it so as to mat being might, ters tire included in the act which with en propriety, have been embraced in one enactment with the matters the title, indicated but which must now be excluded the title has because beеn unnecessarily made restrictive. The courts cannot enlarge They title. invested are dispensing power. with no The constitution has legislative made the title the conclusive index to the operation. intent as to what shall have It is no say might answer the title have been made comprehensive, legislature more not seen if in fact the have ” fit to make it so.’ the Matter of Charles Hauck 70 Mich have often held We that this constitutional stric- statutory ture on enactments was not hollow form- ality. MacLean Board Control v. State Vo- synopsizes cational Education 294 Mich. 45 principle our consistent adherence to the act shall not exceed the of its title. We said pp MacLean: 49: provision designed “The constitutional was main ly prevent passing from laws fully understood, Thomas Collins Mich [1885], legislature, passing 64; it intended that the fairly design, an act, should be notified of Attor ney Longyear, ex General, [1886], rel. v. Weiner legislatures parties 580; 59 Mich and that inter might only ested understand the title that provisions germane would be object expressed therein Com Blades v. Board Water enacted, missioners Detroit avoid [1899], 366; bringing subjects into one bill in their diverse having necessary nature and connection, but 385 Mich Opinion op the Court combining with a view to in their favor the advo commonly spoken log of all—or what cates of as rolling legislation. Mutual Rodded State Fire Mich 118.” Ins. Co. v. Foster [1934], The title PA 1964, 170 indicates that the act No should create acts of negligence. §in However, the act creates itself, governmen- for the much broader area of apparent cursory tal torts. It is from even a ex- any legal encyclopedia dictionary amination of species “negligence” that an action based on ais generic judge a pointed action based in torts. As trial headings on

out, the in Prosser Torts refer trespass, as- actions direct nuisance, battery, sault and deceit, false arrest, defamation, process, prosecution abusе malicious and eco- apart nomic duress—all which are tort actions *7 negligence might brought from and all which be of against governmental body. appear, §

It would that to hold 7 constitu- then, required scope tional we would be to reduce the of government’s § immunity 7 from by neg- all “torts” to from “torts ligence”. interpretation, Such an however would require engage judicial legislation.1 this Court interpretation preserving

Such in the of name constitutionality2 statute’s would exhaust Const § meaning. “Negligence” 243 1963, 4, art of all and legal “tort” remain terms of art and while their 1 say clearly We cannot impact understood the “negligence” they distinction between “torts” аnd and if were apprised not gence” “negli- different the terms and “tort” they we they cannot determine how would have voted had known the difference. 2 Michigan Lansing State Bar example See for v 361 Corporation Muskegon Twp. Mich 185 and Continental Motors v. (1965), 376 Mich 170. 3 “No law shall object, embrace more shall be than one * * * ” expressed in its title. Maki v. 159 Tawas East op the Court they are elusive are precise often definitions synonymous now them as synonymous.4 To treat Humpty- Carroll’s Lewis be reminiscent of would scornfully Dumpty “when I Alice he chastised just I it mean— what choose word it use a means overtly en less.” We decline to neither more nor duty activity. gage Bather our in such our problem Congress has written. After construe what

“is to expresses purpose by Congress It words. all, nor subtract, to add for us to ascertain —neither neither to Jam nor Cases v. delete to distort.” ‍​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‍(71 515, 340 S 593, US Ct United States People 570). Blum L See also v. 95 Ed 518; (1914), 183 Mich rich construing, § that 7 exceeds we hold

So therefore unconstitutional its title independent hold that 7 is invalid. further We and can therefore of PA the remainder No remainder of PA act.5 The be severed complete in itself and No 170 is otherwise capable being reference carried out without the unconstitutional 7.6 posture unnecessary

In this it is to decide what (i.e., recovery effect the naturе of nuisance operation”) municipal immunity.7 “manner of has on present upon The action case was based nuisance and as Jur, Nuisances, 282; CJS, 4, p Negligence, §1(10), 39 Am p King (CA5, 1945), 452 and Columbian Carbon Co. F2d 636 say ‘negligence’ syn effect “the terms ‘nuisance’ and are not *8 onymous.” (King p 638). v. Columbian Carbon Co at Both are species of torts. 5 People (Stat §2.216). 1969 MCLA 8.5 Ann Rev See also v McMurchy Judge Wayne Klatt (1930), 249 Mich 147 and v. Probate (1909), 159 Mich 203. 6 Racing (1946), Rohan v. Detroit Association Mich 314 Manistee N. R. Commissioner Railroads 118 Mich Co. v. & of 7 Williams Detroit See v. Mich 231. 385 Mich Concurring J. by Black, jury’s

Accordingly affirm we verdict. public question being No involved. costs, M. Adams J., T. C. Kavanagh, Swainson, with T. JJ., concurred G. J. Kavanagh, (concurring affirmance). When the Black, municipal corporation applied defendant for leave (granted to review the decision of Division Feb- ruary 766), upon I 10, 1970; concluded papers opinions review of the submitted and the Judges below that had rea- Danhok Holbrook right response soned out for those combined and obviously questions statutory difficult construc- validity opinion tion and constitutional which their portrays (Maki City East Tawas [1969], App 109). I Mich recall here As most then came yet similar by conclusion, as recommended to us granted applica- one of our tion we Commissioners widespread importance on account questions. such In a it was dеemed best that word, question, the defendant-stated plaintiff’s provi- by “Was cause of action barred being 3.996(101) PA sions Act 170 of MSA seql” et by light should come to decision Court in the specific specially facts of the deter- case jury’s mined verdict. appeal January was submitted 8,1971. Since opinions

then two submitted two Justices have been submitted to us for I consideration. One as judgment read it stands affirmance of Appeals affirmance which other Court of entered. An- disagrees, reasoning both as to and result. Being continuing view Danhof-Hol- opinion acceptable above is the most brook *9 161 City Matct East Tawas ok Williams, by J. Dissenting Opinion and real- endorsemеnt, for available are that three too has many chronically Court this izing as adopt have decided to cases, I given opinions opinion of the part own that my Danhok-Holbrook 119 sentence with the page on which commences and question.”, now to the constitutional come “We opinion end of the to through continuing 125. page of Const requirements the will satisfy

The above I to affirm, thereof vote On strength 6, § art 1963, award of costs. without an action brought This (dissenting.) J. Williams, for in- personal injuries to recover

by plaintiff dump garbage he was at a municipal curred while East Tawas raises two operated by to. Article 24 First, § questions. pursuant an act оf the Constitution, restricting Michigan 7 of its should of the scope title, § to im- grants which statute, immunity governmental all tort liabil- munity governmental agencies be in functions,1 when ity engaged governmental act’s title which says reduced to the agencies for grants immunity governmental act by negli- or caused injuries persons property or should gence2 § be held unconstitutional toto ? governmental statute, immunity (MCLA PA No The 7§ 3.996[107]) 691.1407; Ann 1969 Stat Rev states: § “Except provided, governmental agencies act as this otherwise liability gov- gov- from tort in all said shall be ernment ernmental shall not cases wherein immune engaged discharge agency is of a the exercise and herein, Except providеd as otherwise act function. restricting immunity modifying as be construed liability heretofore, immunity it existed the state from tort hereby added.) (Emphasis affirmed.” governmental statute, PA No title (MCLA T-3.996[101]) T-691.1401; Ann 1968 170 reads: Stat Rev § municipal corporations, “An make uniform the political subdivisions, agencies departments, state, function, injuries property when in a by persons negligence; liability; caused to define and limit such Mich 151 Dissenting only mean held to if 7 is Second, negligence, manner of the in the a nuisance operation municipal dump within of a torts or for such *10 the reach of nuisance label take it outside does the persons injuries caused to negligence?

I Michigan § Constitution 24 оf the Article 4, object, more than one embrace law shall states: “No expressed title.” There is in its shall be expressed object question 7 embraces § 24. The term in of Article 4, in violation its title scope clearly in broader ‍​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‍in 7 is “tort” contained “negligence” in the title of embodied than the term Appeals and the trial the act as the Court for, judge intentional torts includes noted, tort liability based on well as those torts as strict negligence. problem “tort” the term whether

The difficult only narrowly to mean construed 7 should be by negligence broader so that it is no scope than the of the act. title dealing important note that we are not It is to whiсh is with common-law rule of judge-made con- a statute to rule. we have Here, upon and it is incumbent us as to sustain strue constitutionality by construction of the statute’s language preserve the intent enacting can if that manifested the statute properly be done. in a liability when define limit of the state proprietary function; purchase insurance to authorize liability; provide for protect against loss out of such paying defending against public officers and certain claims made sought repeal damages them; certain against and to awarded parts added.) acts (Emphasis of acts.” Maki ok East Tawas Dissenting Opinion by

When this Court has beеn confronted on other statutory provision occasions with the situation exceeding scope adopted of its we title, have narrow preserve construction of the statute to constitutionality. statute’s Company Scott v. Alsar (1953), 336 Mich 532 compen where the workmen’s sation act applying was construed as not to inde pendent Ogle contractors; Arnold v. Construction Company (1952), 333 Mich 652 where a certain provision compensation of the workmen’s act was only injuries construed to refer to accidental conform to the of the title; State Mutual Rodded Fire Insurance Co. v. Foster part Mich 118 dealing where the of an act with sureties held was unconstitutional since the title Eddy made no reference to sureties; and Booth v. “assignees” 38 Mich 245 where term narrowly construed to conform to the *11 title. See also MacLean v. State Board Control (1940), Vocational Education 294 Mich 45; and for People (1929), v. Smith 246 Mich 393. precedents say

inWhat, effect, these that we partial invalidity by must follow the rule of con- struing provisions narrowly an act’s to conform to the title where such construction fulfill works to legislative language Ogle intent. The of Arnold v. Company, supra, particu- Construction 664 663, larly illuminating point: * * * “ application requires The of such rule provisions part that the 2 of the workmen’s com * * * pensation question in law, shall be here, interpreted as within of the title and not repugnant consequently permitting thereto, payment compensation disability the ing for result injuries only. legislature from accidental If the in the enactment of said amendments had intended part change such drastic in as2, is now claimed was Mich 151 [July- Dissenting Opinion by would have been purpose that such I think made, terms an and unequivocal in clear expressed effect. Likewise the to that statement affirmative would have been injury’ ‘accidental reference action The of such from title. omission deleted was not the purpose it cogent proof furnishes part require from strike legislature employee not be should disability ment an acci thereunder unless caused compensable * * * .” only injury dental here inquire reading whether It is appropriate for carries immunity as7 giving background leading intent. The legislative out the in here question enactment of the to the statute up desired to re- indicates that clearly perform- for in the municipalities store immunity out ance functions.3 Torts governmental In Williams v. Detroit this Court abolished governmental immunity “municipal common-law rule of for cor the porations”. immunity provided complete Prior Williams the law almost agencies government all of state and local levels exceptions Judge-made in while functions. immunity engaged a governmental body rule existed where propriеtary function, in a maintained a nuisance or caused direct in trespasser construction or maintenance connection with the By legislation exceptions for in public were also works. there resulting public and from juries maintenance roads from defective negligent operation airplanes. of autos and Immunity Baum, Michigan, Michigan Governmental State 1965) author, Judge Baum, (May Journal Bar is Judge judge Wayne County Circuit and was the trial Detroit 364 Mich 231. Williams v. country part general Williams was of a trend of decisions across the immunity (Prosser, abolishing tort. common-law ed], 125, pp 1013.) Due broad tenor of of Torts [3d doubt, and, language in Williams no because immunity in against governmental some the nationwide trend of whether immunity for levels and branches state state courts terminated government, following question Williams was the cases McDowell *12 of the no rule would be broadened. the v. Highway held (1961), State Commissioner 365 Mich this Court high injured a person of of state a because the defective condition legisla way Highway Department since could not sue the State in allowing against government in of such lower levels ture suits immunity for had an intention to continue circumstances manifested Sayers No. government District agents. In v. School state and its dis 217, Court school (1962), Fractional 366 Mich this held that City Maki ok East Tawas Dissenting Opinion of are the mоst common negligence certainly type tort. Whether wanted to im- give for torts munity strict inten- liability or is tional conduct but what clear unclear, is that wanted they certainly governmental immunity for that which is headnoted in the title, namely out of conduct. negligent To declare 7§ in null and void would entirety judicially defeat obvious legislative purpose. this we Therefore, ap- the rule of and hold ply partial invalidity term “tort” in shall § 7 be construed refer to torts caused by negligent conduct.

In we so heed to doing pay spirit of the stat- rule on utory severability states: “If of an any portion act or the application there- person any circumstances shаll be found to liability. County County tricts were immune from tort In Lewis v. Genesee (1963), 370 Mich this Court held that both Genesee County and the Genesee Board of Social operated Welfare which hospital agents a were government instrumentalities of state liability thus immune from for the acts hospital employees. reading contrast to this narrow “municipal the term cor- poration,” expanded judge-made this Court exception pro- prietary Mich County function. In Munson v. (1963), Menominee we leasing space state, held that in county a engaged proprietary in function, and, as negli- such was liable for gently maintaining space. Marysville In Carlisi v. city drowning was liable fоr the of two children by negligently failing post swimming signs by its water filtra- plant ground tion on the that a plant water filtration proprie- tary function. Myers in Then ground County this in Court shifted v. Genesee Auditor to expanded Mich 1 and the Williams umbrella counties, townships villages. include It was at this time and against the statute background legislature stepped that the in and enacted today at issue attempt case before us in an make uniform the tort of state agencies. and local important statute did things. three It established for governments state and engaged local functions restoring immunity thus municipal corporations; excep- it created types tions three namely activities defective maintenance of roads, negligent operation of motor vehicles and defective maintenance public buildings (which Williams); was the situation and third adopted it is judge-made government rule of no when a in a proprietary proprietary function but narrowly defined “any activity primarily profit”. conducted *13 385 Mich Opinion J. Dissenting invalidity shall not affect court, a sucb be invalid the remaining portions applications of the or por- given without the which effect invalid can be * ** (MCLA § [Stat application 8.5 .” tion Ann 2.216].) 1968 Rev II. finding jury’s question the whether

The next in the maintained nuisance defendant places municipal dump operation manner оf its of City of the East Tawas outside during negligent which occur performance function. of a exception judge-made from the Nuisance is governmental immunity. The rule of common-law question alter not statute here in does governmental agencies for nuisance. This con- following upon language 7: clusion is based “Except provided this act herein, otherwise as * * * modifying as shall be construed * * * it existed heretofore state * ** .” Garavaglia (1952), Denny Mich v. resulting personal in this Court classified nuisances injury The first three classes. class consists into illegal conduct; class nuisances based the second bring involves nuisances on conduct intended nuisance; about conditions are fact negli comprises third class nuisances based on gent jury conduct. Since the found that there City no intentional nuisance4 East and since per garbage disposal se nui At one time areas were held to be neighbor “piggeries” inundating sances but these cases all involved ing of disposing piggery lands is a with offensive odors. A method of Trowbridge City garbage by feeding garbage pigs. v. Lansing 588; Albaugh (1927), 402; Abbott 253 Mich v. Garbage Zehnder dis Kobs v. 326 Mich 202. see posal per piggeries areas se instead other than are not nuisances but Maki ok Taw as East by Williams, Dissenting Tawas broke no laws maintaining what ‍​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‍dump, have here the jury we where found a nuisance operation the manner of ais nuisance out conduct. Our Court had the has opportunity illuminate *14 between relationship nuisance and negligence a series of cases where we have held that contribu is a defense tory negligence good to nuisances based on negligent conduct but the other two classes of nuisances. v. Denny Garavaglia, supra; Dahl v. Glover 344 Mich (1956), 639; Young v. Groenendal 382 Mich (1969), 456; and Awad v. McColgan 357 Mich 386. (1959),

In our most opinion recent on the subject nuisance exception immunity, Buckeye Union Fire Insurance Mich- Company v. igan 630, 635, Justice Adams, for a writing unanimous wrote: Court, “The Royston, Dahl Denny, and Young cases involved for personal claims injuries and are within that class of cases described as nuisance having and as to origin negligence which contributory is a defense.” negligence

Buckeye did itself, however, not involve a nuisance based on negligent conduct. Rather nuisance was a “condition” old, (p 636), open, dilapidated and unoccupied which building was fire hazard, declared dangerous ordered demolished by city. Any involved was negligence inciden- strictly tal and this Court denied immunity state, which had acquired tax property by (p 638). sale

The distinction between and Maki Buckeye clearly indicated by Justice Adams in speaking as follows Buckeye: only they

are nuisances if light are unreasonable in the of surround ing land Smith Ann operation. use and manner of Arbor 303 Mich 476. Mich [July- Opinion Dissenting and respon- which antecedent “Negligence, even concern here not our nuisance, sible been have may in this case nuisance though 635.) (p acts.” negligent created found specifically the jury specially In Maki “manner operation,” was in the the nuisance based negligent oper- nuisance on or in other words had reference nuisance ation. Presumably things more such no restric- based on one or lighting of live trash dumping on tions ammunition, people hours, allowing during dumping fires area. other dumping wander about the entire there was rid of words, way get Buckeye was a to abol- nuisance, condition, except Maki jury whereas in verdict ish the building, if would implied properly “operated” the dump not be a nuisance. at conduct is nuisance

When has treated action as a negli- our Court issue, *15 In gence matter, action. our latest on the opinion Young Groenendal, supra, 461, v. Justice Deth- mers wrote:

“A involved. Can denominat- labels is problem or a rather nuisance, defendants’ action inaction ing law than the as to negligence, change availability will the the defense of contributory negligence, peer court the label nature of the through causes of the to determine the damage question? We think the latter is and be the prevаiling should rule.”

If we failed to the label and treated peer through a a negligent separate nuisance on conduct as cause of action for which was there governmen- would immunity, tal we make the rule of statutory for a negligent immunity since nullity plain- tiffs would cast simply any negligence in the action City Maki v. of East Tawas Dissenting Opinion negligent form a nuisance based on conduct and governmental immunity. thus avoid By finding a that nuisance based on escape immunity provision conduct does the exception we7, do not terminate nuisance immunity rule. Nuisances which are based on illegal intentional conduct, conduct or such conduct, as that chаracterized for ultrahazardous, as imposed, strict in tort is constitute a class of nuisances which there is no tort immunity.

Arguably, plaintiff City could still hold the theory operating East municipal garbage dump Tawas liable that a proprietary ais function. immunity proprietary statute defines a function narrowly “any activity primarily conducted profit.” Although City charges Tawas East dump, quite clearly non-residents a fee to use the primary purpose dump health and for the ais place dispose safety providing one of a residents garbage pre-gov- of their and trash. Moreover, Curry Highland ernmental statute case, maintaining Park found garbage dump function.

III. plaintiff, On the of this find facts case we suing Leo Maki, barred from East provision. Tawas virtue of 7’s finding operation that a nuisance in the manner of municipal dump of a is a nuisance based on absence of reasonable care which within the comes *16 occurring of 7’s performance in the aof function, let it not be inferred ‍​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‍that this Court is biased either way immunity. tort This a case 385 Mich 170 an area where spoken has where the in- and the legislative has jurisdiction it properly prevail. tention should with Williams, concurred E. Brennan,

T. J., PEOPLE v. BOURNE Opinion op the Court Manslaughter—Intent. Homicide — 1. though only manslaughter there is an killing may be even A kill, voluntary manslaughter involves a oftеn intent grade of the kill, the law reduces the intent but direct nature, looking frailty human because, at offense passions to excite the great provocations sufficient it considers beyond of reason. the control Murder—Malice—Jury Homicide — 2. Question. presence malice is charge murder, or absence of In a jury. question of fact to be determined

Concurring Opinion JJ. T. E. Brennan, Swainson, Manslaughter—Intent—Instructions—Words 3. Homicide — Phrases. may manslaughter Judge’s jury “in it instruction to any part that there was intent’’ on the not he shown was a correct statement to hill the victim defendants law as the manslaughter telling jury judge need [1, [2,4] [4] [5] [6] 40 Am Jur Am53 53 Am 40 Am Jur Jur Am Jur, Trial Jur, References 2d, Trial 2d, 2d, Homicide Homicide §§ Homicide 76. for Points §§ §§ 45, 50, 54-70. 509. in Headnotes 51.

Case Details

Case Name: Maki v. City of East Tawas
Court Name: Michigan Supreme Court
Date Published: Jul 7, 1971
Citation: 188 N.W.2d 593
Docket Number: 17 January Term 1971, Docket No. 52,539
Court Abbreviation: Mich.
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