THE SUPERVISOR’S E UPDATE JANUARY 15,2008

Kurt M. Kobiljak, Township Supervisor

FOR NOW....COMCAST STOPPED FROM CHANGING
COMMUNITY ACCESS CHANNELS
GITV IS STILL LOCATED AT CHANNEL 12

Late Monday afternoon Federal Judge Roberts stopped Comcast’s plans to move community access channels higher up on the dial according to articles in today’s Detroit Free Press and Detroit News (links are below). Per her opinion she stated that “While the court agrees there are some general benefits with digitizing channels, it finds the public interest is better served by the temporary preservation of the Peg Channels (GITV 12) in their analog format so the public may maintain access to vital information.” I most assuredly agree with Judge Roberts’ decision. Please see the follow up articles to supplement the information on this matter.

Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/NEWS06/801150419/1001

Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/METRO/801150352

On Monday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m., a special live broadcast of the Supervisor’s Island Update aired. The discussion centered around Comcast’s decision to change the location of public access channels to digital channels beginning on January 15, 2008. Guests included Trustee and Cable Commission Liaison Jeff Forrester, Cable Chairman Ed Hughes, and Cable Administrator Ted Fournier. It is presently being rebroadcast on Channel 12.

Unless a customer of Comcast has an updated TV with digital capability, a converter box will be necessary to view the local access channels on cable. If a resident neither has a digital television set or a converter it will not be able to view the new proposed GITV Channel 915.

Community Recreation News and Updates

A special edition of “Channels” was recently sent to all Island residents. Many wonderful offerings are available to cheer you up this winter.

The annual winter dance favorite “Daddy-Daughter Dance” will be held on Friday, February 1 in the Middle School Café. Cost is $20 per couple ($8 for each additional child). Dance the evening away to lively music, enjoy a buffet dinner and snacks and receive a keepsake photograph. Please register with the Recreation Department by January 29th. Katie and Hayden have their dresses and dancing shoes ready! Invite your daughters, granddaughters, nieces etc – you will have a great time – there is no better date on your calendar.

Another winter favorite is the Seniors Valentine Celebration “Love is in the Air”. This romantic event takes place on Wednesday, February 6 at 12:30 p.m. at Centennial Farm. Advanced ticket sales only! Cost is $10 per person for a wonderful dinner and live musical entertainment. Treat your sweetie, get your tickets today!

The 2008 Winter Wonderland Carnival is scheduled for Saturday, February 2, 2008. Be at Water’s Edge for a day filled with actives for all ages. We have had a lot of rain recently but hopefully we will have a wonderfully white Winter Wonderland Carnival!

These are just a few of the activities contained in the 2008 Winter Channels. Activities for all ages are available. Don’t miss out! If you did not get a copy, stop by the Recreation Office to pick one up today!

Chinese Language Classes come to Grosse Ile

After school Chinese language classes for children in grades K-5 will begin in mid-January at both Meridian and Parke Lane Schools. Learn the most widely spoken language through an innovative immersion program. Contact the Recreation Department for dates and times classes are offered at 675.2364.

G.I.F.T Dance for 7th and 8th Graders

GIFT is hosting a teen dance for 7th and 8th graders at Centennial Farms on Saturday, January 19 from 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Cost is $6 per person and includes snacks and refreshments. All proceeds will be donated to the Boys’ High School Baseball Program. For more information, please call Linda Raithel at 692.5533 or Deb Kacher at 675.3855

WATER'S EDGE 2008 - A SAVINGS OF $25 IS STILL AVAILABLE

Water’s Edge Membership is On! Join by January 31, 2008 and save money on single, family or business membership. For more information, call 675.0777. Support this community recreational area: become a golf or swim member today.

DCC Weatherization

As Chairman of the Downriver Community Conference, I am pleased to announce the Downriver Community Conference Weatherization, an energy assistance grant from the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. The grant is to provide assistance for low-income residential customers in paying household energy bills up to $800 based on the amount owed. Payments will be made directly to the utility company. Applications are now being accepted. For more information, please call 362.3473 or 362.3475 or my office at your convenience.

Its Coming! The Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project Road Closure

A reminder to all residents: The Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project will be affecting area freeways in 2008 and 2009. Complete closure of I-75 between Clark Street and Rosa Parks Boulevard is scheduled for February 25, 2008 thru December 2009. A website has been set up to keep residents informed on the progress of the project and to inform us of alternate routes to utilize during the closures:

http://www.michigan.gov/gateway

Resident’s Comments

Throughout the year, I have received many resident’s comments on issues covered in the Supervisor’s E Updates. Here listed are just a few:

“Thank You, Thank you! I truly appreciate your mention of the update of the upcoming 1-75 closings due to the Ambassador Bridge Project. My husband drives this route daily to DTE Energy in Downtown Detroit. He will now have a long range plan for his employment.” Parke Lane Resident

“Thought you’d enjoy some feedback regarding the new Trash Contractor....New clean trucks, NO OIL deposits, timely and no mess……How wonderful.” Thorntree Resident

“My wife, son and I fulfilled a dream last month by finally moving to Grosse Ile. We spent almost two years searching for the right home to settle into and plant our roots. I simply can’t express how uniquely welcome we feel and how pleased we are that we now can confirm we made the correct decision. I just finished reading your 2007 state of the township memo and the current supervisor’s E letter and I just wanted to say nicely done. These documents are reassuring. Thank You! The people, recreation and history make us feel proud to be establishing ourselves on Grosse Ile.” Parke Lane Resident

TOWNSHIP OFFICES CLOSURE

Grosse Ile Township Offices will be closed on
Monday, January 21, 2008
in honor of the
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday.
The Township Offices will re-open on
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 8 a.m.
Tax and/or water bill payments (checks only, no cash)
can be deposited in the Treasurer’s Office Drop Box
when the Township Offices are closed.

Supervisor’s Island Comment

“Is the information shown on local access cable important enough to you that when the local access channels are changed to higher channels that require a digital TV or a converter, will you make the change so that you can continue receiving these channels?”

Respond to the Supervisor's Island Comment by Clicking Here

Upcoming Meetings
Zoning Board of Appeals – Tuesday, January 22, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.
Airport Commerce Park Commission – Tuesday, January 22, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.
Community Recreation Commission – Thursday, January 24, 2008 – 7:15 p.m.
Board of Trustees Meeting – Monday, January 28, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.
Planning Commission – Monday, February 4, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.

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 Supervisors E Updates, please click here.

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

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