What Counts

Every once in a while, in light of all the many issues which I am confronted with as Supervisor, an event will help put things in perspective.  Road projects, bridges, Farmer’s Markets are all important but sometimes it is important to make sure that we don’t take more important things for granted. 

I had the opportunity of meeting with one of our residents to discuss a most extraordinary event which occurred in his family involving his little 5-year-old son and our Fire Chief Duncan Murdock.  I believe the following comments from this  Father are very insightful and put things in good perspective:

“I wanted to take a moment to comment to you and the Township Board on the Township’s Emergency Response Team.  Last Tuesday night my 5-year-old son had an unexpected serious medical emergency when we called 911.  In about three minutes Chief Murdock was in my house taking control of the situation.  It was his quick response and leadership that gave my wife and me the strength to act quickly and not panic and do what we needed to do.  I knew I had the best in the business calling the shots and you cannot imagine how important that is when someone in your family needs help.  The ambulance was there in record time and all the fire, rescue and police were incredible.  They were comforting to my wife and got my son to the hospital in record time.  After an emergency like that things come into proper perspective.  I think often in the day to day activities of our lives we take too much for granted with living on Grosse Ile such as the safety of our community, the good neighbors, the excellent Township services and good schools.  Nobody wants to think about emergencies but it is more than comforting to know that we have such a dedicated Police, Fire and Rescue and their excellent execution when you need them.  You can tell by their flawless response they have leadership and have trained well.  They save the lives of our loved ones in our community and that is what it is all about.  Chief Murdock and his crew may say they were just doing their jobs but to me and my family they are and always will be our heroes.”

Many New Projects in Store For 2008

During the last few months in 2007 the Township instituted and completed many projects which benefited the Township’s infrastructure.  These projects included the completion of the new West River Road ramp and installation of a “smart” traffic signal to create a safer environment for those who use Parkway near Chicory and the Free Bridge.  In turn Schutt Landscaping then was retained to landscape the County Bridge entrance way to so that all leaving or entering the Island will be met by a vastly improved ,beautiful entrance way to our Island. We additionally cured the lack of a turn lane at the Meridian Road /Parkway intersection via the installation of a right hand turn lane so that when residents enter the intersection going east bound on Parkway they now have the ability to turn right onto Meridian without delay.  The Township, in concert with Wayne County, also remediated the road system in the Golfview Estate subdivision by installing a new road system to service the residents who live in the subdivision.  Finally, through some great oversight, all of us, prior to the Christmas holiday, saw the completion of the Wayne County Free Bridge  project – I couldn’t have imagined a better Christmas present for the Island. 

With the cold, wet winter February days upon all of us you might wonder what is in store for the Island for the 2008 season.    As in the past your Township is not sitting still.  Per my recent meeting with our Staff and Engineer, I will tell you that the Island’s infrastructure and certain districts will again be vastly improved and work will be performed that has never been pursued before on our Island.  The following is just a few of the many projects which Island residents will experience during the Spring, Summer and Fall months of 2008:

·        The completion of a new fitness room and Female locker room at the Tennis Center

• ·        The construction of a new road system at the Commerce Park to service the Recreation Fields and commerce park tenants.
• ·        The DDA development of the Macomb/Meridian Intersection
• ·        The installation of a new East River Road water main from Horsemill to Ferry
• ·        The installation of a new water main on Hickory Island
• ·        The design and bidding for the remediation of three major intersections on the island specifically Groh and Meridian Roads, Ferry and Meridian Roads and Marlborough and West River Roads.
• ·        The remediation of 10 intersections in concert with the Wayne County Maintenance department specifically Meridian at Lake, Meridian at Manchester, Meridian at Lowrie, Ferry at Lowrie, Meridian at Byromar, Meridian at Stanton, Voigt at Parke Lane, West River at Church, Church at HCL Jackson and Lakewood at West River
• ·        The remediation of two major portions of Bike path from Bellevue to Groh Road on Meridian and Voigt to Horsemill Road on Meridian.                    
• ·        The development of a new bike path on Anderson Street

Even though we will see construction signs and equipment back on the Island throughout 2008 I look forward to the start of the mentioned projects.  One significant way to gauge the strength and viability of your municipality is by the design and implementation of infrastructure projects.  With the projects which were completed in late 2007 and those which are on deck for 2008 our Island will not only be in much better shape for our residents but will continue to move progressively forward! 

Township Board Highlights

At the Township Board meeting last Monday evening, the Board of Trustees passed two very important resolutions: one honoring Constitution Day, which is to be celebrated on March 4, 2008 and the second resolution designates March 2008 of Women’s History Month. 

The Township closed last week on three parcels which will be added to our Open Space Inventory. 

Next Tuesday, February 19, the Board will have a Commission/Committee Study Session with the following Township commissions:

Board of Review:  Board of Review members, along with the Assessing Office staff, will outline the upcoming Board of Review appeal sessions and how residents can appeal their 2008 assessments.

Community Recreation Commission: Commission members will discuss the upcoming Water’s Edge season, recreation programs and marina projects.

Festival Commission: Islandfest 2008 will be the topic; dates, events, locations and more to set the stage for the upcoming kick off to summer festival.

The Board of Trustees will hold their Budget Study Session on Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the 2nd floor Executive Board Room.  Final preparations for the presentation of the 2008-2009 at the business meeting on Monday, March 10 will be worked on.

The 2008 Annual Meeting is set for Saturday, March 15 starting with a reception in the 1st floor lobby at 9:15 a.m. with the Annual Meeting to follow at 10:00 a.m. in the 2nd floor Board Room. 

7th and 8th Grade Valentine’s Dance

Grosse Ile Fun for Teens (GIFT) will be having a “Valentine’s Day Dance” for all 7th and 8th graders on Saturday, February 16 from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Centennial Farm Recreation Building.  Cost of admittance is $6 with includes snacks, refreshments and lots of music and dancing.  All proceeds will benefit the Grosse Ile High School Girls’ Softball Program.  Questions, please contact Linda Raithel at 692.5533 or Deb Kacher at 675.3855.  This even coincides with the Grosse Ile Educational Foundation Fundraiser “Raise Your Hands for Education”.  Parents, if you are attending the GIEF event, drop your children off at 6:45 p.m. so that you are able to get to the fundraiser in time!

Community Recreation Happenings

Time is running out!  Tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the annual wintertime favorite, “Mother – Son Bowling”, will be held on Friday, February 22, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Woodhaven Lanes.  For a cost of $18 per couple ($8 for each additional child) you and your child will receive bowling time, shoe rental, hot dog and pop and have the chance to display your bowling talents.  Please register at the Recreation Department by tomorrow Friday, February 15.  

DCC Weatherization

As mentioned in previous E Updates and as mentioned in the Detroit Free Press, the Downriver Community Conference is now excepting applications for their Weatherization Program, 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.

TOWNSHIP OFFICES CLOSURE

Grosse Ile Township Offices will be closed on

Monday, February 18, 2008

in honor of the

President’s Day Holiday

The Township Offices will re-open on

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 8:00 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

Upcoming Meetings

Public Hearing – February 19, 2008 – 6:30 p.m.

Commission/Committee Study Session – February 19, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.

Airport Commerce Park Commission – February 19, 2008 – 7:00 p.m.

 A Good Dad Saying

“There's a right way and a wrong way to do everything.  And it doesn’t take any longer to do it the right way.”

Supervisor’s Island Question

Do you think that the newly constructed West River Road Ramp and traffic light has made the intersection at Parkway more safe than it was before?

Click Here to Submit Your Answer

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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