THE SUPERVISOR’S E UPDATE MAY 25, 2005

Kurt M. Kobiljak, Township Supervisor

County Bridge Closure this Morning

Wayne County contacted the Township early this morning to indicate that the County Bridge will be closed today, May 25, 2005 from 10:00 to 11:00 am to all traffic. The purpose of this closure relates to the continued delivery of parts for the remediation of the bridge.

Toll Bridge Closing

We have just received notification from the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge Company that the toll bridge will be closed on the following days and times:

Thursday, May 26 Noon to 3 p.m.
Friday, May 27 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 31 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, June 1 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Island Fest 2005

Island Fest 2005 is only two weekends away. Both the Festival Commission and the Airport Staff are busy getting ready for this fun and exciting event. The weekend will kick off on Friday June 3rd with a tremendous fireworks show; continue on Saturday, June 4th with the township parade, the carnival, crafters and non profit displays; and tremendous live music throughout the day and with the live music of Pat Dailey in the evening; and finally concluding on June 5th with the continuation of the great fun and food as well as the traditional donkey race, which I hear Treasurer Raithel claims he will win this year. For a more detailed review of Island Fest 2005 please see the Islandfest web site at www.grosseileislandfest.com.

If you want to volunteer, the Commission is looking for a few good men, women, and children. They are not looking for big chunks of time but merely a few good hours during special activities such as the Friday Fish Fry, the Pancake Breakfasts, the car show, the Pat Dailey concert, the Sunday High School Jazz Festival, or even just around the Airport for set-up and clean-up each day. Please contact Tim Rooney at the Community Recreation Department or Clerk O’Connor if you have any questions.

International Bridge Update

The next Detroit River International Bridge Crossing Local Advisory Council has been set for today May 25, 2005 at Southwestern High School. The high school is located at 6921 West Fort Street, Detroit, Michigan 48209. For more information please go to www.partnershipborderstudy.com.

The next public hearing on the International Bridge has been set for June 30, 2005. The time and location of the event has, as of yet, not been determined. The Township will inform residents of this event through the Ile Camera and our municipal cable station and the Recreation Department’s Channels. We hope to be able to provide more specifics at the June 13th Township Board Meeting.

Recently Grosse Ile convened a special meeting among the mayors of Trenton, Riverview, Wyandotte and Southgate. This meeting was established to start the process of creating a strategy to guarantee that the International Bridge would most assuredly not be located in the downriver area. It is the intent of this sub committee to make sure that all legal and planning options are explored that would defeat any proposed Downriver/Pennsylvania Road location for the proposed International Bridge. This meeting was the first of many which will be convened over the next several months.

International C170 Convention

Our Grosse Ile Airport will be hosting the International Cessna 170 Association’s Convention July 11-16. It is estimated that 250 people and 75-100 aircraft will be attending the convention this year. Those participating in the convention will fly in to our airport on July 10th and leave their planes here while attending the convention in Dearborn. For more details go the Association’s web site at www.cessna170.org.

Township Police Department Receives Grant

Recently Chief Bill Barron received word from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness (SLGCP) that the Township’s grant application for a thermal imager was awarded. The thermal imager senses heat, not light, and conveys relative temperature levels when encountering objects. A change in contrast and brightness is indicative of the relative temperature level. This new piece of equipment, as it did for the Fire Department, will better equip our officers in their day-to-day activities.

Revenue Sharing Update

The Governor’s proposed 2006 general fund budget amounts to $8.875 billion dollars leaving a shortfall of $750 million to be dealt with as the legislature continues its budget deliberations. This past week the House Appropriations Subcommittee released its rankings of programs. The subcommittee members gave revenue sharing high marks in importance. While funding was not discussed in detail it is in stark contrast to the $22 million dollar cut as proposed by the Senate Subcommittee. The Township Board and Finance Director will closely be monitoring the continued deliberations on this very important Township funding source.

Chair Arty Event

Need some unique, one-of-a-kind, new chairs for your house or office? The Grosse Ile Alliance for the Arts has the answer - the 2nd Annual Chair Arty Event. To kick off IslandFest 2005, please mark your calendars for this fun outdoor event. This charitable affair will be held June 2nd 2005 from 7-10 pm at Outside the Lines Art Gallery, which is located at 8410 Macomb. Tickets are available from Outside the Lines, Mochavation Café, Salon Sigrid, and Grosse Ile Floral. Tickets are $35 donation in advance or $40 donation at the door.

Water’s Edge Golf and Swimming

Golfers, Boaters, and Swimmers will surely have a great season this year at Water’s Edge. According to a daily golfer who just visited my office, the golf course is in the best condition that he has ever seen. If you are not a member, become a member today. Grosse Ile Family memberships are $200 while Grosse Ile Single memberships are $180. There isn’t a better place to play golf or swim than on Grosse Ile.

Cruisin’ Downriver

The 2nd Annual Cruisin’Downriver Kick Off Party will be held this June 23rd at the Crystal Garden Banquet Center in Southgate. This event will have picnic food, music, prizes and a classic car show featuring classic convertible Ford Mustangs from each decade. Tickets are $30 per person or $25 for ten or more. It is the best Beach Party and Classic Car Show in the area. For more information please contact www.swcc.org or call 734.284.6000.

Format of the E Update

Several readers of the E Update have suggested that we compress the E Update so that it is easier to open, read, and potentially store. Some have suggested it be done via PDF etc. We will explore the options and make the modifications as we move forward.

Memorial Day

In honor of Memorial Day the Township Offices will be closed Memorial Day May 30, 2005. On behalf of the entire Township Board I wish everybody a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

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

Watch for E ALERTS for Breaking E News on the township website, www.grosseile.com

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.

A Good Dad Saying

“A curve ball is just a fast ball with a little attitude.”

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