THE SUPERVISOR’S E UPDATE October 25, 2007
SUPERVISOR’S E UPDATE October 25, 2007
Kurt M. Kobiljak, Grosse Ile Township Supervisor
The Township’s New Garbage Hauler – Capital Waste Inc. Starting November 15
Commencing November 15, 2007, the Township will have a new trash hauler for our residential, commercial and Township refuse and recycling. Capital Waste Inc. was recommended by the DPS Commission and approved by the Township Board at its October 22, 2007 Board Meeting. Capital Waste Inc. also services the Cities of Riverview and Flat Rock. The total contract price for the 5-year service agreement is $2,890,152.00. Part of the approval of Capital Waste Inc. was contingent upon Capital Waste Inc. purchasing 2 new trash haulers specifically to service our island. Special thanks is extended to DPS Chairman Ted Van Os and Commission Member Bill Costick who worked with our municipal waste sub committee to bring about a positive recommendation and a new waste hauling contractor.
2007 Halloween Celebrations
It is that time of year again and look no further than Grosse Ile to celebrate the spooky yet fun holiday of Halloween!
This Friday, October 26, the Island Business Association and the Downtown Development Authority will be celebrating the 2nd Annual Pumpkinfest, from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. on Macomb Street. Once again, a pumpkin carving contest will be held. Any age can participate! Carved pumpkins can be dropped off at 7980 Macomb (across the street from Building Blocks) for judging. The judging will be on Friday night during the Pumpkinfest activities. Get creative and show all that Grosse Ile has many inventive and original pumpkin carvers. Other activities that evening will include hayrides, a bonfire at Riverpointe Christian Church, food, treats and live entertainment. Follow the balloons to the businesses participating in Pumpkinfest!
This Saturday, October 27, for the 20th straight year, the fun filled and always popular “Hurray for Halloween” costume parade will be held starting with the lineup at Grosse Ile High School at 10:15 a.m. for a parade start of 10:30 a.m. Costume judging will be held with prizes for Best Wagon Float, Best Family Theme, Best Macomb Street Business Window Decorations and not to feel left out, for our furry animal friends, Best Pet Costume! After the parade, the Island Business Association will host “Trick or Treat on the Street” for all parade participants up and down Macomb Street from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Look for the orange pumpkin in the windows of the Macomb Street Businesses that are participating. Also come to the Farmer’s Market as each vendor will be participating with treats for the kids.
Westcroft Gardens is hosting its very popular “Haunted Hayride through Phantom Forest”. Hayrides will take place every weekend through October 28th, weather permitting. Cost is $8.00 per person with children 5 and under $5.00. For more information, please call 676. 2444
GIYRA’s Haunted House theme is “The Lab”. THE LAB is a 2 story, uniquely themed, interactive event! Your mission is to help find out why the genetics lab, "Gen-Tech" went into emergency lockdown, and if anyone or anything is left alive inside - but you must escape before the building is quarantined and you are trapped inside. Admission is $12.00. What are you waiting for? They are waiting for you!!!
Grosse Ile High School
Boys Tennis and Girls Golf Teams
Over the weekend the Grosse Ile High School tennis and golf teams took part in their respective state meets. The girls’golf team was in East Lansing. The girls’ golf team finished 12th out of 15 teams competing. Congratulations to Coach Jim Bennett and the girls golf team for another excellent season: Ally Hunter, Emily Dixon, Molly Esordi, Alex Plemmons and Bethan Williams.
While the golf team was competing, the boys’ tennis team, under the direction of Coach John Shade and Assistant Coach Scooter DeMare, was competing at multiple sites in East Lansing and Okemos. Even though the weather was not cooperative, the boys’ tennis team persevered with some late night matches and WON the State Championship for Division Four (4). The last time they won States was in 2005. Congratulations to the entire team and those players who won their individual flights:
• #2 Doubles: Byran Scheiber and Evin Carmack
• #3 Doubles: Nitin Gandhi and Blaine Riley
• #4 Doubles: Kevin Doyle and Joe Kuzmiak
Free Bridge Remediation Project
• The Free Bridge remediation project is presently on schedule with the center platforms recently being installed. Swing span repairs are on going and on schedule.
• Stringer replacements on the swing span are nearly done (this was additional work). The Contractor had done a fair amount of prep work on the swing span, which saved a lot of time.
• Crews are currently working 7 days a week (weather permitting); painting of the bridge is occurring on Sundays.
• Work at the east and west abutments (Trenton side and Grosse Ile side) are ongoing.
• Additional structural steel repairs will follow.
• 90% of the steel deck grating is on site.
• Bracing for the new sidewalk will begin to be installed in the next week or two.
• The project is on schedule.
• The underwater inspection of the substructure began on October 17 and has yet to be completed.
Board Meeting Highlights
• Wayne County Community College District is going back to the residents three years prematurely to renew the 1.5 mill proposal on November 6, 2007. The millage generates approximately $1.6 million of Grosse Ile Township taxpayer funds for the college. The Township Board recently opposed as premature this ballot initiative.
• The Drainage Grant Program which will aid those residents which have significant drainage concerns on their property and which I proposed at our August 13, 2007 Board Meeting will be coming before the Township Board at its November 13th Board Meeting for approval so that this new program can commence in the Spring of 2008.
• Approved Grosse Ile Municipal Airport 5 year plan.
Farmer’s Market – The last market of the year this Saturday
The final Farmer’s Market of the season will be held this Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Township’s parking lot across the street from the Prudential Real Estate Office. In conjunction with the “Hurray for Halloween” parade and “Trick and Treat on the Street”, all Farmer’s Market vendors will be participating after the Halloween parade with treats for the parade participants courtesy of the Downtown Development Authority. Each month, the farmer’s market has been growing in popularity, not just with residents, but also with vendors wanting to participate. Take the time to visit the market and view all the different products for sale. Since starting this market in June with the DDA, I have been very pleased to see the support of residents in coming out and taking advantage of the market while at the same time, see more residents drive, ride their bikes, walk or stroll up and down Macomb Street on a Saturday morning. Whether it is fresh produce, honey or beeswax candles, smoked sausage, crafts, beautiful autumn foliage and decorations, there will be something you will enjoy. Remember it is never too early to think about Christmas!
Trick or Treat Hours
The Board of Trustees on Monday night passed one of the most important resolutions for the month of October, maybe even for the entire year: The Annual Trick or Treat Hours for Grosse Ile Township! On October 31, all youngsters will be able to Trick or Treat between the hours of 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Katie, Stefan and Hayden are very excited and ready with their costumes! Please be especially careful driving that evening; watch out for all the ghosts and goblins!
National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
Though many residents already know this, Grosse Ile has one of the finest animal shelters in the area, stewarded by T.A.I.L.S. The volunteers and staff do a wonderful job caring for the animals, keeping their “home” clean and all residents well fed. But most importantly, they provide unconditionally much needed love and attention to the cats and dogs who reside here. It is good to know that National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is dedicated to the invaluable role shelters play in their communities and to increase public awareness of animal welfare issues and shelter services. Please stop by the animal shelter during the week of November 4 through November 10 to view the facility, see all the wonderful animals who are looking for a new home and more importantly, thank the volunteers and staff who do a remarkable job!!!
Spinning at Grosse Ile Tennis Center
Spinning is now available at the Grosse Ile Tennis Center Fitness Area. Join the Tennis Center today with a Fitness Membership to take advantage of this wonderful exercise. Annual, monthly, or daily memberships can be joined for either family or individuals. Times are available on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Call to sign up today – 362-PLAY. Rumor has it Trustee Wojewodzic will meet with you at 6:00 pm and ride along side you with encouraging words and light stories about his recent trip to Europe.
Remember to Vote on Tuesday, November 6!
The polls will be open on Tuesday November 6 for Grosse Ile residents to cast their ballots starting at 7:00 a.m. and closing at 8:00 p.m.. The one and only ballot question on the Grosse Ile Township ballot is the renewal of the Wayne County Community College District Millage. As mentioned in past E Updates, the WCCCD is going out 3 years early for this millage renewal. Absentee ballots are now available at the Clerk’s Office. Township office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or contact the Clerk’s Office by phone at 734.676.4422, ext. 234.
Grosse Ile North Channel Front Range Light
My office has received good news from the State of Michigan about the ongoing restoration of the Grosse Ile Lighthouse. Funding had been held up due to the budget discussions in Lansing. Now that the budget process has been resolved, funding was released and work towards the restoration of the lighthouse can begin. This is very good news for the people who have put so much time and effort into this project. We definitely want to keep the lighthouse around for another 100 years!
Results from the last Supervisor’s Island Question
The last Supervisor’s Island Question was “What do you most enjoy about Homecoming on Grosse Ile?” Here are a few of the replies:
• “The football game, it’s the reason for the season and always will be.”
Chatham Road Resident
• “Seeing all the college students come home for the weekend.”
Hidden Lane Resident
• “Football game with all the old grads there.”
Whitall Lane Resident
This Week’s Supervisor’s Island Question:
“How would you like the Township to celebrate the reopening of the Wayne County Free Bridge upon completion of the remediation project?”
Upcoming Meetings
Planning Commission – Monday, October 29, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m.
Board of Trustees – Tuesday, November 13, 2007 @ 7:30 p.m.
TOWNSHIP OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2007
IN HONOR OF THE VETERAN’S DAY HOLIDAY
A Good Dad Saying
“I never did anything worth doing by accident; nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.”
Thomas Alva Edison
This Week in History
On October 21, 1879, Thomas Edison invented a workable electric light at his laboratory in Menlo Park, N.J.
On October 22, 1962, President John F. Kennedy announced an air and naval blockade of Cuba, following the discovery of Soviet missile bases on the island.
On October 23, 1869, John William Heisman, the coach who revolutionized the game of college football, was born.
On October 24, 1945, the United Nations charter took effect at the San Francisco Conference. 51 countries came together determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war; to reaffirm faith in human rights; to promote social progress and better standards of life; to practice tolerance and live together in peace and unite their strength to maintain international peace and security.
On October 25, 1870, the first U.S. trademark was awarded -- to the Averill Chemical Paint Company of New York City.
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
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