Annual State of the Township Address March 26, 2007

Kurt M. Kobiljak, Grosse Ile Township Supervisor

In preparing to deliver this State of the Township Address one of the biggest questions which ran through my head focused on what “tone” the address should follow.  Our Federal and State Government’s are certainly struggling.  In Downriver, jobs are being lost, school bond proposals are failing, and the industries which once characterized our area seemingly are diminishing before our eyes.  What, in the midst of all these outside concerns in our region, is the status of your community?  Where does Grosse Ile stand in these unsettling times?  Through the tremendous efforts taken by our Township Management Staff led by Dale Reaume, all of our Township employees, and all the volunteers who drive our commissions and committees by investing their lives into making our community better, Grosse Ile is assuredly weathering the storm and will continue to move the Township forward in 2007.  

It’s always prudent to assess where your community has been, and where it will need to be in the near future.  No doubt in recent years our Island has been confronted with tough issues.  Recall the sale of Township Hall, group homes being located in our residential neighborhoods, the $40 million sewer project, West River Road south reconstruction, the International Bridge, senior housing, the debate and lawsuits between conservationist and developers, as well the Water's Edge/Recreational millage.  Most recently, we all experienced the litigation surrounding the condemnation of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge.   This Board and I supported this action for the long-term best interest of the Island.  Even though we were not satisfied with the final outcome of this matter, recognize that your Township Board will remain diligent to protect the future access rights across this bridge should these rights ever be threaten.  While recognizing a community’s tough projects, you must, however, also acknowledge its positive programs and initiatives. 

With this in mind, I believe it imperative that we recognize just how good Grosse Ile is as a municipality and recognize the many efforts taken by your Township and its commissions and committees to make Grosse Ile an even better community.

Just how good is your community and how it is moving forward?  Consider the following:

As a result of extensive persistence, and a November 2005 trip to Lansing, the Wayne County Parkway Free Bridge, for the first time in 25 years, will be significantly repaired through the investment of approximately $7 million dollars.  Once done, no more Tuesday morning shut downs, no more emergency shut downs, no more speculation as to whether, if ever, the County Bridge will be fixed.  This project will commence in less than 7 weeks.

For the first time ever, through my office and this Township Board’s cooperative efforts with DTE Energy, the electrical system servicing our Island has been upgraded in excess of $8 million dollars.  Upon the conclusion of this extensive upgrade, hopefully our residents will no longer suffer long-term power outages, or regular brown out days during the warm summer months.
For the first time ever we have a full service Kroger Store  - which includes a Starbucks.

For the first time during my 41 years of living on Grosse Ile we have, in the private development of the Island Coney, a new restaurant on the Island which was independently built from the ground up.  Yes, Chief Barron’s offer to buy folks Coney dogs for breakfast is still available.

For the first time since our new Macomb Street was reconstructed and renovated back in 1998, the DDA will initiate a major redevelop of the street to attract new businesses, keep those businesses on the street healthy, and make the street more user friendly to our residents.   I am sure that I am not the only one who has noticed an increased level of activity in our business district even during these economically tough times. 

For the first time we have the development of an Urgent Care Medical Center to serve all of our residents.   For all those mothers and fathers, you no longer have to be concerned when you children need immediate care.  For those who need their yearly flu shot, look no further than Macomb Street.  The initial inquiry by my office, and the cooperation of our Township and its Planning Commission in the development of an Island Urgent Care facility is a great example of progressive, positive thinking.

For the first time in its history, our Municipal Airport not only has a structure that oversees the running of the airport, but more importantly through the business minded individuals whom sit on the Airport Commerce Park Commission, the Township has created a driving force to guarantee the longevity of the airport through simple programs such as standardized leases and tenant retention programs to larger programs such as the redevelopment of the Commerce Park. 

For the first time ever we have a full service athletic facility at the Grosse Ile Tennis Center.  Take the time to check out the new fitness center which will open up during the first few weeks of May 2007. 

For the first time in its history, with the final stages of the re-development of the Grosse Ile Tennis Center near complete, the Township over the last three years has created a profit center which has generated over $112,000 of revenue for the airport, without any cost to our taxpayers.  A pretty amazing turnaround when you consider just a few years ago there was discussion of demolishing the hangar that houses the tennis center as a non-viable building.
For the first time in my recollection, this Township Board will approve a budget that reinvests over $32,000 into our Water’s Edge Marina to directly benefit our marina tenants.

For the first time ever on Grosse Ile, we have uniformed digital read water meters throughout the township which will guarantee that the township will no longer be “giving away its water” to residents with faulty or manipulated meters.

For the first time ever, we will take definitive action in relation to the safety concerns raised at the West River Road ramp.  Through the efforts of a traffic study, the Township will devise a plan to make this roadway system even safer.

For the first time in years, this Township has devised a capital road improvement plan which will enable residents to see first hand how their road millage money is spent.  It is my hope that starting in the summer of 2007 we will see Island road capital improvement projects designed, or initiated, in an amount of no less than $1.5 million dollars.

For the first time ever, we finally cured the safety problems evident at the Church Road/ Meridian Road intersection by expanding the “apron” at this very busy intersection.  This corner is now safer for our school buses, fire trucks, and all our residents either in cars, on bikes, or on foot.  This was a simple, progressive project which is positive for all whom use it.

For the first time ever we have a traffic camera at the intersection of Meridian and Parkway Roads (“Four Corners”) to allow our Police Department to better monitor this heavily trafficked intersection and traffic flows to and from the Wayne County Parkway Free Bridge.  

With the upcoming scheduled Wayne County Free Bridge closure, for the first time ever we have an emergency plan to address one or two bridges being inoperable.  At no time in the past, either in 1979, 1999 or 2005 when the Island was serviced by only one of the two bridges did this Township Board have a plan to address these types of scenarios.   We will likely not need the full breaths of the plan, but the plan is comprehensive and detailed to maintain the safety of all of our residents.  In my belief there is no better plan in the State of Michigan. 

And finally for the first time since its inception, the Open Space program has a detailed system in place which ranks potential properties to be acquired, monitors properties in their evolution, and a maintenance program to address drainage and Ash Borer concerns.
The Township’s Open Space program year after year is a model for communities not just throughout the State but the Country.

These are just a few of the many fine, innovative and positive projects and programs which are occurring on our Island.  The next year will surely be a challenge with a tough economy, a slow housing market, and great uncertainty at both the Federal and State levels.  Your Island, however, is staying in front of all these issues.
As has been addressed earlier by our Finance Director, the State of the Township’s financial condition is extremely solid and secure.   As the new Chairman of the Downriver Community Conference and Downriver Mutual Aid, I have a unique perspective in that I regularly interact with the other communities located throughout Downriver.  Unlike many of our sister communities which have relied on an industrial tax base, Grosse Ile has consistently balanced its budget without dipping into its fund balance, and actually has seen its fund balance increase over this time.  If our preliminary estimates are correct, 2007 will be no different.

In closing, it is truly an honor to be the Supervisor of this amazing community.

Just being an elected official, however, doesn’t make this Township move forward.  As Supervisor, I am responsible to lead the Board so that tough issues are addressed and right decisions are made in order to achieve real progress in our community.  

Please recognize that our Township will likely face potentially divisive challenges in its future. This is simply the nature of changing times. 

It is my commitment to you that Board decisions and actions will continue to be solidly based upon only one factor – the best interest of all who live on our Island

Grosse Ile is truly one of the finest places to live, work, recreate and raise a family in the State of Michigan.

 I promise you that I, this board, and our tremendous commissions and committees will continue to pursue and support projects and programs that better our Island, protect our residents, and move our community forward in 2007 and beyond.

The Supervisor will hold office hours to meet with residents each Wednesday and Friday afternoon and any Monday that a board meeting is scheduled.  To make an appointment with the Supervisor, please contact Administrative Assistant Carol Knopp at 734.676.4422, ext. 210. 

Anyone wishing to receive the monthly Supervisor’s E Updates, please send an email address to: KurtK@grosseile.com

Watch for E ALERTS for Breaking E News and on the township website or tune to AM 1700 Grosse Ile Community Information Radio.  

Any questions or comments regarding the information provided in this E Update, or other questions related to the Township, please feel free to contact Supervisor Kobiljak at KurtK@grosseile.com or at his Township Office 734-676-4422 Ext. 215