LambertsOnline: 2008-06-01

Monday, June 30, 2008

Spotlight on Troy — 6/30/08

Click anywhere on the image below to view this week’s “Spotlight on Troy.”

July Construction on Interstate 75

I received this message from State Senator John Pappageorge...

I thought you might be interested in information regarding bridge work that will result in lane closures on I-75 in Oakland County. The construction is scheduled to begin Tuesday, July 8th and will take place on I-75 between Maple Road and M-15. Two lanes in each direction will remain open during peak travel times.

For more information on this or other construction projects, visit the Michigan Department of Transportation at http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9621_11008_49337-187144--,00.html.

Statewide Stealth Petition

Message from Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis...

I am sure you have heard about the Stealth Petition being circulated that would completely rewrite Michigan's Constitution. The state Chamber of Commerce prepared a good summary of what is involved in this stealth petition drive being pushed by trial lawyers and liberal Democrats. There has been NO disclosure as to who’s behind it...no discussion of the issues involved...and it’s being falsely presented to voters as a “reform package” to reduce the size of government.

This is a major re-write our our constitution and should NOT be taken lightly. I would encourage you to get this information out to activists and warn folks if they haven’t taken the time to read the fine print...don’t sign it.

Almost every major editorial page in the state has come out opposed the the “reform” stealth petition drive or at least has raised serious question about what is really going on.

Encourage people NOT to sign these petitions.

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Latest News on the 19th County Commission District Race

Chetly Zarko has information on the campaign literature of Commission candidates Bosnic and Witt.

Check these posts at...
http://www.oaklandpolitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=203
http://www.oaklandpolitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=204

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Troy City Council Special Meeting Agenda — 7/1/08

This special meeting is being held to begin discussion of "Budgeting for Outcomes."

The agenda can be found at...
http://www.troymi.gov:85/LibertyIMS::/User=WebUser;Pwd=WebUser;sys=City%20Of%20Troy&Cmd=GetRawDocument;Folder=%2338;Doc=158e

Friday, June 27, 2008

Oakland Wi-Fi Project on Hold

This is unfortunate but not too surprising. Maybe another "model" of wireless should be attempted. That model should also be without taxpayer funding.

Read these stories...
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080627/METRO/806270373/1411/METRO02
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080627/NEWS03/806270409

Thursday, June 26, 2008

New Lemonade Stand in Troy --- Part 2

Alex says that the best lemonade in Troy is on Player Drive. Hours of operation may vary!

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/26/08

TROY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Charles T. Craft, Chief of Police
500 W. Big Beaver, Troy, Michigan 48084
248-524-3443

Community Services Section
Lt. Gerard Scherlinck 524-3447
Sgt. Robert Kowalski 524-3448

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
June 26, 2008

MPSC Orders Investigation into Detroit Edison

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has directed MPSC staff to conduct an investigation into the ability of The Detroit Edison Company and Consumers Energy Company to respond to recent electric outages caused by severe storms. It will hold public hearings in four Michigan cities to provide affected customers a forum to voice their concerns regarding their utility's response to the downed lines and power outages.

Two of the hearings are being held locally.

Clinton Township
10 a.m. to 12 noon
Monday, June 30
Auditorium
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
40900 Romeo Plank Rd.
Clinton Township, MI 48038

Pontiac
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Monday, June 30
Board of Commissioners' Auditorium
Oakland Co. Courthouse
1200 N. Telegraph Rd.
Pontiac, MI 48341

You can also send comments by email.

For more information click on the link here...
http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,1607,7-159-16400_17280-194639--,00.html

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

New Lemonade Stand Opens Today in Troy

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/25/08

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/24/08

I'm an iPod Dad Now!

For Fathers Day, my daughter Jill gave me an iPod! I'm still trying to figure out how it works. However, I've been able to load some music from my CDs.

I can tell you one thing. It sure makes my walking more enjoyable. In fact, it makes me want to walk longer so that I can listen to music. So far, I have music on my iPod composed by J.S. Bach and Harry Connick, Jr. I also have music by two local Troy composers: Mark Mutter and Dan Arndt.

I look forward to adding even more music before we go on vacation this summer.

Spotlight on Troy — 6/23/08

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Sunday, June 22, 2008

Troy to Appeal Local Greenhouse Expansion Ruling

See the story at...
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080622/NEWS22/806220432/1039/NEWs22

I believe that City Council made the correct decision on this. I also believe that an agreement can be reached between Telly's Greenhouse and the City. In fact, when I served on Council, we were close to an agreement. This is an opportune time for both parties to find common ground.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Open Seat on Troy School Board

See the story at...
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080619/NEWS22/806190393/1039/NEWs22

Thank you to Mary Beth for serving.

On occasion I receive emails from citizens upset about some action by the Troy School District. Well, there is now an open seat on the School Board that will be filled by appointment. This is your chance to make a difference.

To find out more about the appointment process, go to...
http://www.troy.k12.mi.us/tsdnews/vacancy.htm

Friday, June 20, 2008

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/20/08

EthniCity’s 2008 Student Poster Contest

EthniCity of Troy Daze proudly announces the 2008 Poster Contest. The poster contest is held in conjunction with the September Troy Daze Festival, which runs September 11-4, 2008. The theme for this year’s competition is “Embracing Diversity Through the Golden Rule: Treat Others as You Would Like to Be Treated.”

Read more at...
http://www.troymi.gov/CommunityAffairs/PressRelease/EthniCityPosterContest.htm

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Another Voyage for Captain Ahab Levin

Jed Babbin, editor of Human Events, has taken Michigan's own Senator Carl Levin to task for holding a media show trial on the Bush Administration's “aggressive interrogation techniques.”

Read the article at...
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=27033

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/19/08

Tim Hortons Coming to Town

At Tuesday night's BZA meeting, we approved a variance that will permit the construction of a Tim Hortons restaurant with a drive-up facility at the corner of Rochester Road and Vanderpool.

2008 Miss Troy and Junior Miss Troy Pageants

The Troy Daze Festival Committee announced the date and location of this year’s Miss Troy and Junior Miss Troy Pageants. They will be held jointly on Saturday, August 16 at 6 pm at Troy High School, 4777 Northfield Pkwy. Applications to participate are available on the City of Troy web site.

Read more at...
http://www.troymi.gov/CommunityAffairs/PressRelease/MissTroy&Jr.MissTroy08.htm

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/18/08

Troy Storm Update: Broken Limbs and Downed Trees

From the City Newsflash this morning...

If you see broken limbs or downed trees on public property or in the right-of-ways, please report it by calling 248-524-3484.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/17/08

Spotlight on Troy — 6/16/08

Click anywhere on the image below to view this week’s “Spotlight on Troy.”

Democracies Can't Compromise on Core Values

I'm in complete agreement with an opinion column by Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident and currently the chairman of the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Shalem Center in Jerusalem.

Here are a couple of excerpts...

The reality is that Muslim identity has grown stronger, has become more fundamentalist, and is increasingly contemptuous of a vapid "European" identity that has little vitality. All this may help explain why studies consistently show that efforts to integrate Muslims into society are much less effective in Europe than in America, where identity is much stronger.

Europeans are now saying goodbye to Mr. Bush, and hoping for the election of an American president who they believe shares their sophisticated postnational, postmodern and multicultural attitudes. But don't be surprised if, in the years ahead, European leaders, in order to protect freedom and democracy at home, start sounding more and more like the straight-shooting cowboy from abroad they now love to hate.

Read it all at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121358021414976189.html?mod=opinion_main_commentaries

Indiana Jones Is Back

My daughter Jill and I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie on Friday night. We "deserved" a movie after four nights without electricity. Normally, as a family, we see movies on Saturday or Sunday afternoon to take advantage of the reasonable prices. I was shocked when we had to pay $10 per ticket. If I were a high school or college boy taking a girl out on a date, I would probably suggest that we split the cost of the movie.

Here's what I thought of the movie. Overall, it was good. It was great to see Harrison Ford as a older man (in his 50s?) playing the role as Indy. I'm in my 50s so I guess I can say that a man in his 50s is older. There was some good humor and some great action scenes. There's one great scene near the beginning that you'll have to explain to anyone younger than 45. It was also good to see the actress Karen Allen again.

I was disappointed that some profanity was included. Also, I thought basing a lot of the movie on the search for the skulls of visitors from another dimension really pushed the envelope of believability. Still, the action and the characters make it a good way to spend a couple of hours.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Troy Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Agenda --- 6/17/08

The agenda can be found by clicking...
http://www.troymi.gov/committees/Agendas/Zoning/Zoning20080617.pdf

Harry Veryser Teaches Parishioners About St. Thomas Aquinas

This semester, I'm taking a class at the University of Detroit Mercy taught by Professor Harry Veryser. Harry is also teaching a class on St. Thomas Aquinas at SS. Cyril & Methodius Slovak Catholic Church in Sterling Heights.

You can listen to his lectures by clicking on the link below.
http://www.saintcyrils.org/st_thomas.htm

Happy Fathers Day 2008

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Troy City Council Regular Meeting Agenda — 6/16/08

Links to individual agenda items can be found at…
http://www.troymi.gov/Council/Meetings/CurrentAgenda.aspx

The complete agenda can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
http://www.troymi.gov:85/LibertyIMS::/User=WebUser;Pwd=WebUser;sys=City%20Of%20Troy&Cmd=GetRawDocument;Folder=%2338;Doc=1589

Friday, June 13, 2008

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/13/08

Troy Storm Update --- 6/13/08

UPDATE (as of 10:00 pm) Here's the latest from the City's website...

As of this morning, approximately 4,500 Troy customers are without power. DTE has their people working around the clock to help restore electricity to all customers. Please contact Edison directly (800.477.4747 or www.dteenergy.com) to report power outages. DTE is working hard to restore power to our Michigan residents. Work scheduled today should restore power to 90% of those customers without power. The remaining 10% should be restored by Saturday at midnight.

Read more below.

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/12/08

We Now Have Electricity --- 6/12/08

DTE Energy restored the "juice" to my neighborhood around 12 Noon today.

Apparently, not everyone in Troy is that fortunate. Read the story at...
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=df8b1d8f-305c-43f6-b2c1-2c08dced8fa0

Still No Electricity --- 6/12/08

As late as 5:00 pm yesterday [ June 11 ], the DTE Energy website stated that power would be restored to my area on "Wed Jun 11 23:45:00 EDT." When I woke this morning, no electricity.

This morning, the DTE Energy website is stating that power will be restored on "Thu Jun 12 23:45:00 EDT."

Here are some questions/observations...

As I drive back and forth between my home in Troy and my job in Southfield, I'm now noticing a lot of small trees planted directly beneath utility wires. Is this laying the groundwork for another major power outage in 20 years?

Does DTE have a communication system in place with the National Weather Service and local police/fire departments to make a quick assessment of storm damage?

If there is widespread storm damage (like in this storm), is there a mechanism in place to call in the National Guard to cut down trees and clean up storm debris? Wouldn't this allow the DTE Energy crews to concentrate on the electrical work?

If anyone has answers or a response, please use the comment feature for this post.

City Storm Update --- 6/12/08

Here's the update from the City's website...

As of this morning, approximately 7,000 Troy customers are without power. DTE has brought in another 300 workers today to help restore electricity to all customers. Please contact Edison directly (800.477.4747 or www.dteenergy.com) to report power outages. DTE is working hard to restore power to our Michigan residents. Work scheduled today will address approximately 1/3 of those customers. The remaining areas still without power at the end of today, will be scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Read more below.

Darge and Reif to be Honored at Flag Day Ceremony

Congratulations to Shirley Darge and Wayne Reif. They are both fine individuals who certainly deserve recognition!

Read the story at...
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080608/NEWS22/806080415/1039/NEWs22

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/11/08

Troy Citizens "Chip-In" After Storm

I received an email and photos from Troy resident Jack Johansson.

Here's what Jack said...

With this storm I experienced what makes my Troy neighborhood great on Sunday (Farmbrook Drive, off Northfield Parkway near Coolidge). The storm blew in, and snapped off a decent sized maple tree in my front yard. Fortunately no damage to the house. Minutes after the rain stopped, neighbors were out walking up and down the street, checking on each other. Rather quickly, and without my asking, a gang of neighborhood men gathered with a couple of chainsaws and got to work. Within an hour we had it completely chopped up and ready for the chipper. Then off the gang went, chainsaws idling, looking to help anyone else with downed tree limbs. I am obviously grateful for the help, and humbled by the service rendered by my neighbors. Attached is a photo of the crew as we finished the job. Also attaching a photo of the downed tree.

City Storm Update --- 6/11/08

I found this new information on the City's website...

As of this morning, approximately 9,000 Troy customers are without power. Detroit Edison is processing the outages received Friday and Saturday, balanced with clearing the lines which will re-establish power for the greatest number of households, and those that lost power on Monday.

Read more below.

Troy Public Online Library Catalog Is Back

I received the following email from Troy Library Director Cathy Russ...

The computers are back!

Cathy did a great job keeping me informed on the status of the Online Library.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

City Storm Update --- 06/10/08

I found this useful information on the City's website...

As of this morning, approximately 10,000 Troy customers are without power. This number is up from the 6,000 reported on Monday before last night’s storms. Detroit Edison is processing the outages received Friday and Saturday, balanced with clearing the lines which will re-establish power for the greatest number of households, and those that lost power yesterday.

Read more below.

DTE Energy Is Still Not Delivering the "Juice"

Still no electricity at the Lambert household. According to the DTE Energy website, there are over 2000 "outages" in my area. They estimate that power will be restored late on Wednesday evening!

Also, due to the power outage at the Suburban Library Cooperative, the Troy Public Online Library Catalog is temporarily unavailable.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Spotlight on Troy — 6/9/08

Click anywhere on the image below to view this week’s “Spotlight on Troy.”

No Juice at Home

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. When the storm blew through Troy yesterday, we lost our electricity. In fact, we still don't have electricity at home. Since we moved into our home on Player Drive (14 years ago), we've had several electricity outages that have lasted more than 12 hours. Funny thing, the homes on the north side of Player rarely lose their electricity. We're on the south side. What's up with that DTE Energy?

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Bikeway Master Plan

As the Troy Trails & Pathways effort moves forward, they might want to look at what's going on in Columbus, Ohio.

Check out their website at http://www.altaprojects.net/columbus/

Friday, June 6, 2008

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/6/08

President Franklin Roosevelt's June 6th Prayer

President Roosevelt on June 6, 1944...

My fellow Americans: Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:

Obama's "Identity" Beat Hillary's "Identity"

A very good column by Daniel Henninger at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121262279853146727.html?mod=todays_columnists

Here's an excerpt about "identity" politics...

...Writing last week in the Boston Globe, Geraldine Ferraro now says that "sexism" contributed to Hillary's defeat. She wants a study to determine "whether either the Clinton or Obama campaign engaged in sexism and racism." Isms abound. The irony too bitter to swallow is that Barack Obama's identity politics trumped Hillary Clinton's identity politics. Put differently, what goes around comes around. "Identity politics," something new, emerged from the dank vapors of the late 1960s and 1970s. The theory came hard-boiled and soft-boiled. The hard version introduced people, mostly college students, to an America partitioned into categories of race, gender, ethnicity and sexuality. The softer version has flown for 30 years under all sorts of euphemized banners – diversity, multiculturalism, celebrating our differences. Only one campaign is celebrating our differences this week...

Can John McCain offer an effective contrast? He had better do so for the sake of our country. Here's another excerpt from the opinion piece...

...John McCain by instinct, biography and upbringing is prone to see America as a common civic culture. The vocabulary of "unjust" class distinctions familiar to Obama is alien to the McCain worldview. Sen. McCain should think about this and figure out a way to talk about it. If Americans are going to affirm a president making appointments on the basis of race, gender, class and sexuality, they should know it in 2008, rather than 2009-2012.

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/5/08

Congrats to the Red Wings!

Precinct Delegate Campaign

I recently filed to run for Republican Precinct Delegate here in Troy Precinct #10. I thought that I would have to actually campaign. Lucky for me, no one else filed.

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/4/08

Troy Police Crime Report --- 6/3/08

Spotlight on Troy — 6/2/08

Click anywhere on the image below to view this week’s “Spotlight on Troy.”

Neil Munro on Local Government Inefficiency

Former Oakland Press editor Neil Munro has an interesting post on the inefficiency of local government in Michigan.

He says...

...Why should we have to pay taxes to support so many local governments - cities, villages and townships - especially in our large metropolitan areas where they exist cheek by jowl? What do they do for the citizens that a properly empowered county, for example, couldn’t do as well - or better - and for less money? Ample evidence of this needless governmental proliferation is Oakland County. Within its boundaries are 61 cities, villages and townships. Even the more populous Wayne County has 17 fewer...

You can read the complete article at...
http://domemagazine.com/blogs/oakland/nm0608

Munro makes some good points. However, just because you've consolidated many small government units into one large unit you cannot assume that it will automatically lead to efficiency and cost-savings.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Annual Troy Home and Garden Awards

The City of Troy is on the lookout for the best yards and gardens around. If you think your yard is the crème of the crop, or if you feel a neighbor’s yard deserves some recognition, the June 27 deadline is fast approaching to send in your nominations for the 8th Annual Troy Home and Garden Awards.

Read more at...
http://www.troymi.gov/CommunityAffairs/PressRelease/GardenAwards.htm

Monday, June 30, 2008

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Friday, June 27, 2008

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Monday, June 23, 2008

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Friday, June 20, 2008

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Monday, June 16, 2008

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Friday, June 13, 2008

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Monday, June 9, 2008

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Friday, June 6, 2008

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Monday, June 2, 2008

Sunday, June 1, 2008