Supervisor's Weekly E-Letter

November 11, 2004

My 12 Years: Thank you

I would like to thank the many people who have helped and supported me during my four elections and twelve years in public office. To my family, who were always there to make calls, pass out literature, put up signs, stand at the polls and even listen to complaints about my work at the township, I can never thank you enough. It meant so much to always have your support and efforts. To all those residents who believed in me and worked so hard I say thank you. I would especially like to thank Mary Jeanne and Cap Wright, my very first and tireless campaign supporters, without whom I would have never won that first race. I will be forever thankful to the residents of Grosse Ile for trusting me and having confidence in my work. It is an experience that I will treasure forever.

I would like to thank my fellow township board members and the entire township staff. I have gained such respect for the board members, who I see volunteer and dedicate themselves to this community day in and day out for years with no expectation of any personal gain. It has been such a pleasure to work with the members of the township staff. I have found them to be hard working and dedicated to the community. I have learned so much from all of them and have valued their friendship. I believe the community is so fortunate to have such a valuable team.

My 12 Years: What We Have Done

It has been twelve years since I was first elected to the Township Board. My first fours years were spent as Trustee and Planning Commission liaison, with the last night as Supervisor. Much has changed and been done over the course of these twelve years.

Local politics are very different now than they were in 1992. A charged atmosphere, where debating how to control development, dominated the scene when I was first elected. It was not unheard of to have meetings that were long and loud, with heated and sometimes less than professional discourse. I am very proud that in my twelve years we have managed to make local government work, while maintaining a civil debate with little or no controversy. We tackled some very difficult issues with hearty debate, and much consensus building.

I leave the township in a strong financial position. We have managed the taxpayers’ resources in a manner resulting in a very healthy fund balance in the general fund. This is the best overall picture of the financial health of the township. I have constructed and managed annual budgets and audits to insure fiscal conservatism and financial integrity.

In terms of projects and priorities, there were many. I am most proud of being a part of the following:

1. Purchasing and preserving hundreds of acres of open space.
2. Purchasing Centennial Farm, and turning it into a recreation asset for the community to enjoy in all seasons, without taxing residents for upkeep and maintenance.
3. Major Macomb Street improvements, including a new road, sidewalks, lights, Macomb Commons park, the East end parking lot, sewers and water mains.
4. Reconstruction of West River Road, south of Grosse Ile Parkway.
5. Rehabilitation of Hangar #1 into a new Township Hall, and incorporating a Naval Air Station museum and Memorial Garden.
6. Designing and installing Downriver’s most comprehensive emergency management system, including sirens, reverse “911,” and Radio Grosse Ile (AM1700).
7. Aggressively improving roads, sanitary sewers, water mains, and storm sewers to insure that the community’s infrastructure is up to date.
8. Successfully applying for, and receiving millions of dollars in grants from the state and federal governments to bring taxes we send to Lansing and Washington right back home.
9. Completely rewriting and updating our master plan and zoning ordinance.
10. Dramatically improving access and information from the township by using cable television and the internet, including cable-casting more meetings than any other Downriver community, maintaining a township web page, and sending informative weekly email updates.

Grosse Ile Recognized as a Top Fitness Friendly Community

Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom, Michigan Surgeon General, Grosse Ile Representative Stacy Wischer, and Charles T. Kuntzleman, Chaiman, Governors Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports.

For more information visit: www.customfittraining.com and www.michiganfitness.org.

Bridge Meeting

The township will host a public forum on bridge and community access issues the evening of Dec. 6th. Township Supervisor-Elect Kurt Kobiljak will host the meeting at Township Hall, and representatives from the county, state and federal government will be on hand to talk about the bridges and community access issues. You are invited to bring your questions and comments to this important and informative session on the biggest challenge facing our community.

Act Now to continue receiving GI news & information!

Supervisor-Elect Kobiljak is planning to continue a township email update on a monthly basis beginning in December. To be added to the list, and continue receiving Grosse Ile Township information you must send your email address to grosseilenews@yahoo.com. Addresses on my list will NOT automatically be included on the new list so please forward your address ASAP.

GI Artists Honored

Several GI artists were recently honored at the Annual Wayne County Culture Day - Artists Among Us Juried Art Show and Awards Ceremony:

GI artist Pam Stump recieves an award for her GI Totem (at Macomb Commons) from Pam Frucci.

Pictured here are Razzle Dazzle Beads: Arshia Will, Samantha Will, Nicole Hinson, and Paige Galecki.

For more information see: http://www.waynearts.org/.

The Email Bag

Hi Doug, I have enjoyed receiving your updates. You have done a fine job. Best wishes to you!
Island Resident

Picture of the Week

The NASGI Memorial Garden behind Township Hall.

This Week in Island History

Nov. 13, 1873 – Canada Southern Railroad completed its railroad between Detroit and Toledo and rail service began at Grosse Ile.

Compiled by Clare Koester, GI Historical Society

Quotes of the Week

"It is in the character of very few men to honor without envy a friend who has prospered."
Aeschylus

"I've found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck, take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often."
Unknown

"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us."
Joseph Campbell

Resources available at Grosse Ile On-Line include:
Past weekly updates: http://www.grosseile.com/government/supervisor/eletters.html
Searchable township code, zoning ordinance & master plan: http://www.grosseile.com/government/index.html
This week on GI-TV: http://www.grosseile.com/government/cable/gitv.html

Go to:

Current Supervisor's E-Letter

Supervisor Main Page

Related Items:

Board of Trustees