THE SUPERVISOR’S E UPDATE May 10, 2007
Kurt M. Kobiljak, Grosse Ile Township Supervisor
Fire Department Training
On Wednesday, May 9, a cooperative training session was held with the Riverview and Grosse Ile Fire Departments at the Riverview Boat Ramp. Chief Duncan Murdock reports that the training session was a success. Grosse Ile drafted water from the river and supplied Riverview’s Pumper and Aerial with water. Grosse Ile was also capable of supplying river water to its own Deck Gun on its Pumper. The new water rescue craft was in the water showing its capabilities within the training session. Command staff from both departments were extremely pleased with the joint training and plan another exercise in the near future.
Tuesday’s Election Results
On behalf of the Township, I want to thank all residents who took the time to vote on May 8th. Congratulations to School Board Member Marianne Malone who was reelected to a four-year term. From the township side, three mileages were present and all three passed overwhelming. The three mileages and the vote tally is as follows:
Police: Yes 575 No: 293
Library: Yes 579 No: 276
Drainage: Yes 568 No: 298
DTE Project Update
As is evident up and down Meridian Road the remediation of the DTE project is still continuing. Even though the project has been disruptive to the Island, it is very close to being completed and will place the Island’s electrical system at a much higher level. Landscape crews are presently repairing the shoulders on the east side of Meridian Road. In relation to the bike path that was removed by DTE, DTE is presently waiting for a quote from Jeffrey Paving Company to complete the work. Once the quote is accepted, the paving will start and the remediation will be complete. We hope to see the paving start later this week or early next week. The great amount of rain on Wednesday may set the project back several more days.
Water’s Edge Golf and Marina – Stay and Play
With the bridge closed, how about hitting a few balls at Water’s Edge? The Club’s new buzz line is “Stay and Play”. There is no better place to play a quick nine holes and have some lunch or dinner at Sharkey’s. Take the time to try it out once – you will most assuredly come back again. From what I have been told Walt Kacher, our Recreation Commission Chair, is a pretty good golfer, so call him up and ask him if he wants to play a few holes.
Those that use the marina will also see improvements being done at the site. Over the last several weeks a great deal of effort has been done to upgrade the site to include fixing and painting the wells, locations of dumpsters, installing methods to allow boaters to use the club facility after hours, installation of safety rails, replacing concrete docks, installation of new pilings to be used as moorings and dock stabilization. It is the Township Board’s commitment to be investing dollars into the marina over this next budget year. If you haven’t had the chance to view the improvements, visit the marina and provide us with your comments.
Thorofare Canal/Lowrie Bike Path
Work is almost complete on this important section of the bike path. The delay was caused when a manhole located right in the middle of the path shifted unexpectantly necessitating a 20-foot excavation for the repair. Weather permitting, paving to and from the bridge will start early next week with the side rails being inserted the very next day.
West River Road Ramp Recommendation
A hotly discussed item over the last few years is the traffic concerns which are found at the West River Road ramp. At the May 9th DPS Commission meeting, after the Township Consultant Tetra Tech conducted a presentation on the topic, the Commission made the following recommendation to the Township Board:
Based on the recommendation of the DPS Commission and on the recommendation of the consulting firm, TetraTech, Inc. to approve/adopt recommendation #5 (Traffic Signal System to Grosse Ile Parkway) and to authorize the Charles E. Raines Company (with technical assistance from TetraTech Inc.) to do the design and engineering of the traffic signal system to Grosse Ile Parkway; and to seek bids upon completion of the approved plans from Wayne County; and to bring back to the DPS Commission a progress schedule/time frame for completion.
This recommendation will come before the Township Board for discussion at its May14th Board Meeting. If you have questions or comments regarding the recommendation please feel free to forward them to me at KurtK@ grosseile.com.
Bridge Closure – A Business Update
With the bridge closure now in place, take the time to rediscover your businesses on Grosse Ile and Macomb Street. Coming up next Thursday - the New Oakwood Hospital Urgent Care Center is conducting an Open House. Take the time to stop in and see what they have to offer you and your family.
I think if you take the time to shop up and down Macomb Street you will see great stores and services available to you without leaving the Island. Additionally, we must not forget the off Island businesses which are run by Grosse Ile residents and Families. They too are offering you incentives to take related to the bridge closure. One which I recently received was from the Stroia family and TV’s Deli and Diner who are splitting the cost of your toll to visit their establishment (they will provide you a token). Starting in June, we will also be starting a new Farmer’s Market right on Macomb Street. Watch for details in the near future.
BASF Riverview Site Project
In their continuing effort to keep residents updated on the remediation project on the site just north of the toll bridge, a press release was received by the Township updating us on the project to date. As of March 1, dredging is complete and the Riverview Boat Ramp has been able to reopen. Sheet piles are being installed around the perimeter to serve as a watertight wall. Construction of a groundwater treatment building on the west side of the property has begun. The building should be finished by July and will house a groundwater treatment system. The multi-step system includes a water-recycling component so that water collected can be reused to irrigate vegetation on the property. The project is expected to take two years to complete.
Explore the Detroit River Shoreline from Humbug Marsh
The International Wildlife Refuge Alliance and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge invite you to join us in celebrating the very first wildlife observation deck constructed in the refuge and the release of the bird driving tour brochure “Byways to Flyways”. The event will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Humbug Marsh. Refreshments will be served and a short ceremony will take place. Speakers will include Congressman John Conyers, Congressman John Dingell, John Schaust of Wild Birds Unlimited, Nita Fuller of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3. For more information, please feel free to contact Janae’ Reneaud at 734.692.7611.
Congratulations Emma!
A belated congratulations to Emma Rudziensky, a third grader at Meridian Elementary. Emma received an Honorable Mention for her entry in the Earthday Everyday! Poster contest. Award presentations were held on Saturday, April 21.
Channels is Online!!!!
The 2007 edition of Summer Channels will be hitting the mailboxes any day now. But for those who can’t wait, go to www.grosseile.com and pursue the many programs and events scheduled for your summertime enjoyment.
Upcoming Meetings
Board of Trustees – Monday, May 14, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Planning Commission – Monday, May 21, 2007, 7:30 p.m.
Airport Commerce Park Commission – Monday, May 21, 2007, 7:00 p.m.
A Good Dad Saying
“God could not be everywhere and therefore he made Mothers” Proverbs
This Day in History
The Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railways met on this day in 1869.
There was a grand celebration at Promontory, Utah when, in honor of the linking of the two railways, a golden spike was driven into the railroad. The spike, valued at $400, was driven, along with bronze spikes into a laurelwood tie by the president of the Central Pacific, Leland Stanford. Some say Mr. Stanford missed on his first stroke.
1970 - The Boston Bruins won their first Stanley Cup since the beginning of World War II by defeating St. Louis. The Bruins would repeat the feat and take home Lord Stanley’s Cup again in 1972.
Did you know?
On May 27, 1927, production ended for the Model T, more than 15 million units had been manufactured – and one of the longest runs of any single model.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL OUR MOTHERS!!
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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