Troy City Council Regular Meeting Agenda — 2/2/09

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.
Current Agenda

Troy Police Crime Report 1/29/09 - 1/30/09

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Thursday, January 29, 2009 – Friday, January 30, 2009

Troy Community Coalition February 09 Meeting

General Membership Meeting Notice
Thursday, February 5, 2009
7 PM

Police and Fire Training Center
4850 John R
South of Long Lake
Troy, MI 48085

Troy Coalition’s Program Director, Lori Podsiadlik will share everything you ever wanted to know about "Alcopops." Monthly meetings are open to the public, light refreshments are served. Join us for an educational presentation, lively discussion, and information sharing.

Congratulations to Michael Steele

He's the newly-elected Chairman of the Republican National Committee.  I wonder if he'll be on "Hannity" tonight?

Sacred Head Now Wounded

I received an email from fellow parishioner Robert Louis-Ferdinand that Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Birmingham will be using the "Sacred Head Now Wounded" program from Concordia Publishing this Lent and Easter season.

According to Pastor Paul McCain...

I really can't say enough good things about this resource. It is far superior to what is available from some other publishers who aim their resource at various liturgical churches, including Lutherans.

The sermons were worked on by Pastor William Weedon, the devotion book was prepared by Pastor William Cwirla. It is superbly done.

For more information on this study, go to...
http://cyberbrethren.typepad.com/cyberbrethren/2009/01/lenten-materials-o-sacred-head-and-he-was-crucified.html

NBC Refuses to Air This Pro-Life Commercial

Appeal Your Property Taxes Workshop Coming to Troy

According to a post on OaklandPolitics.com...

Homeowners can learn how to appeal their property taxes by attending a free two-hour workshop offered by the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, the Oakland County Taxpayers Alliance, and the Wayne County Taxpayers Association on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at the Troy Community Center (3179 Livernois Rd.) at 7 pm.

For more details go to... http://tinyurl.com/cxzgg6

This is Economic Stimulus?

From today's Wall Street Journal...

"Never let a serious crisis go to waste. What I mean by that is it's an opportunity to do things you couldn't do before." So said White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in November, and Democrats in Congress are certainly taking his advice to heart. The 647-page, $825 billion House legislation is being sold as an economic "stimulus," but now that Democrats have finally released the details we understand Rahm's point much better. This is a political wonder that manages to spend money on just about every pent-up Democratic proposal of the last 40 years. We've looked it over, and even we can't quite believe it. There's $1 billion for Amtrak, the federal railroad that hasn't turned a profit in 40 years; $2 billion for child-care subsidies; $50 million for that great engine of job creation, the National Endowment for the Arts; $400 million for global-warming research and another $2.4 billion for carbon-capture demonstration projects. There's even $650 million on top of the billions already doled out to pay for digital TV conversion coupons.

Read the entire editorial at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123310466514522309.html

"Baby Concordia" Is Here

Thanks to Pastor Paul McCain, I'm now the proud owner of the "Pocket Edition" of "Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions."  When I saw Pastor McCain's blog posting on January 7th, I asked Mary Ellyn to purchase it for my birthday. Well, Mary Ellyn came through and I received the book this past Sunday for my birthday.

I'm looking forward to using it when I attend the weekly Thursday morning Men's Bible study at Our Shepherd in Birmingham.

Pastor McCain and the Pocket Edition

Here's Pastor McCain's blog posting...
http://cyberbrethren.typepad.com/cyberbrethren/2009/01/birth-announcement-baby-concordia-is-here.html

National Housing Market Index Records Fastest Drop

The S&P/Case-Shiller index which represents home price in 20 U.S. cities fell 18.2% in November from a year earlier. This was the fastest drop on record, as sales have fallen and foreclosures increased. The index started decreasing in January 2007. Analysts said that the housing market has yet to reach the bottom. Economists median forecast for the index was for a decrease of 18.4%. All twenty areas showed a decrease in prices. Phoenix led the drop by a 33% decline followed by Las Vegas’s decline of 32%.

This is painful news for anyone who owns a home. However, as painful as it is, it may be a necessary to help end our currect recession.

Troy Police Crime Report 1/27/09

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Spotlight on Troy — 1/26/09

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

Samuelson Says President's Stimulus Plan Could "Disappoint"

Economist Robert J. Samuelson has this to say:

Consider consumer spending. The proposed remedy is the "economic stimulus" plan. This seems sensible. If government doesn't offset declines in consumer and other private spending, the economy might spiral down for several years. Last week, House committees considered an $825 billion package, split between $550 billion in additional spending and $275 billion in tax cuts.

But in practice, the stimulus could disappoint. Parts of the House package look like a giant political slush fund, with money sprinkled to dozens of programs. There's $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, $200 million for the Teacher Incentive Fund and $15.6 billion for increased Pell Grants to college students. Some of these proposals, whatever their other merits, won't produce many new jobs.

Another problem: Construction spending -- for schools, clinics, roads -- may start so slowly that there will be little immediate economic boost. The Congressional Budget Office examined $356 billion in spending proposals and concluded that only 7 percent would be spent in 2009 and 31 percent in 2010.

Read his entire analysis of our economic crises at...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/25/AR2009012501772.html

Breuhan at the UDM 2009 "State of the Economy" Symposium

I was only able to attend that part of yesterday's University of Detroit Mercy Symposium that featured David R. Breuhan.

Listed below are Breuhan's 17 Principles of Successful Free Market Economies.

On Economics
1. All economics are microeconomics
2. Businesses do not pay taxes; consumers pay all taxes.
3. If you live beyond your means, you can do three things:
* Reduce savings
* Borrow
* Sell assets
4. When compared to a ship, the U.S. economy has three permanent anchors:
* Taxation
* Regulation
* Litigation
5. "All economic behavior is based on your own self interest." -Adam Smith
6. Prices must be able to tell the truth.
7. Long term growth is based on two factors.
* What you've got (inputs)
* How you use it (usage)
8. Inflation is not even, it benefits those who receive the money first, before prices rise.

On Business
9. Business borrows first.
10. First rule of business: maximize shareholder wealth.

On Trade
11. Sanctions never work.
12. Imports are just as important as exports.

On Government
13. The free market has not failed, the government has failed.
14. "When in doubt, do no harm."
15. For every job created in the public sector, one is destroyed in the private sector.
16. When the government spends money, it has received it from one of three sources:
* Taxation
* Borrowing
* Creation
17. Deficits do matter.

Check Breuhan's website at: http://www.prudenteconomics.com/

Troy City Council Regular Meeting Agenda — 1/26/09

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

For some reason, the complete agenda CANNOT be downloaded. This has happened before for some unknown reason.

TigerFest 2009

Alex and I attended TigerFest today at Comerica Park. We had a great time. Alex got autographs from Brandon Inge, Ryan Raburn, Zach Miner, and Bobby Seay.

"Issues, Etc." Broadcast on Biblical Examples of Preaching

From Pastor Todd Wilken...

Dear Friend of Issues, Etc.,

When it came to preaching, St. Paul had a very simple standard: “We preach Christ crucified.” (1 Corinthians 1:23)

But have you noticed that many are preaching the Christian rather than the Christ, Self-Help rather than the Savior, the Christ in You rather than the Christ for You? Believe it or not, some churches have given up on preaching altogether. Is preaching passé?

What examples does the Bible provide of good, Christ-centered, Cross-focused preaching?

Beginning Monday, January 26, Issues, Etc. will broadcast a new, five-part series on Biblical Examples of Preaching with Dr. Carl Fickenscher. Dr. Fickenscher trains pastors in the art and discipline of Biblical preaching at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN.

You can listen to this Issues, Etc. series LIVE Monday, January 26 through Friday, January 30 at 4:30 pm CST or on-demand any time at www.issuesetc.org.

Thanks for listening!

Wir sind alle Bettler,
Todd Wilken, Host
Issues, Etc.

Troy Democrat Forgets 9/11/01

After President Obama's Inauguration, Troy Democratic Club Chair Sandy Burgess is quoted in the 1/22/09 Troy Eccentric as saying, "the country will sleep a lot better the next four years."

I placed the following comment at the close of the article:

Maybe Miss Burgess has forgotten what happened on September 11, 2001. While I didn't agree with everything he did, I'm still very thankful to President Bush for the role he played in defending our Nation from attacks by Islamic jihadists.

You can read the complete article and my comment at...
http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20090122/NEWS22/901220586/1039/NEWs22#pluckcomments

Robert P. George: Our Struggle for the Soul of our Nation

In remarks delivered yesterday at the Cardinal O’Connor Conference on Life, Robert P. George reflected on the history of the pro-life movement and offered advice for its future...

Thirty-six years ago tomorrow, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down its infamous decision in Roe v. Wade and its companion case Doe v. Bolton. In the name of a generalized “right to privacy” allegedly implicit in the Due Process Clause of the Constitution’s Fourteenth Amendment, seven justices created a license to kill the unborn.

Read the entire article at...
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.01.22.001.pdart

Troy Police Crime Report

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Thursday, January 22, 2009

Andy Levy's “To Don’t” List for the Right

Andy Levy is a writer and on-air personality for the late night Fox News Channel show, “Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld.” Levy is a graduate of Columbia University (with a BA in Political Science), and a veteran of the United States Army.

Levy states:

The only thing worse than bad winners are sore losers, and we’ve had enough of them for the past eight years.  So with that in mind, in the wake of today’s historic inauguration, here’s my Handbook For The Loyal Opposition, 2009 edition - a “To Don’t List,” if you will. Or even if you won’t.

Here are some good suggestions from Levy's list:

DON’T use the phrase “speaking truth to power.” EVER.

DON’T say you’re going to move to Canada and then stay here.

DON’T call people un-American one week, and then talk about how “We are not blue states or red states, we are the United States” the next. (This rule may only apply to Tom Hanks, but I put it in just to be safe.)

And finally, DON’T use the fact that many on the left behaved abominably for the past eight years as an excuse to behave the same way. America needs adults. And if it bothered you when they did it, it’s a good sign that you shouldn’t do it.

Read the entire list at...
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/alevy/2009/01/20/my-to-dont-list-for-the-right/

Troy Police Crime Report 1/21/09

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Wednesday, January 21, 2009

You Know You're Getting Older When...

the President of the United States was born after you!

Hail to the Chief

Congratulations to our new President, Barack Obama.

Today's Wall Street Journal had a good editorial about our new President.  Here's the concluding paragraph:

The complicated nature of our world means that every modern Presidency is to some extent a leap into the unknown. Mr. Obama's meteoric rise makes him a bigger leap than most. We don't know if he is a genuine man of the left, or a more traditional pragmatist. The audacity of our hope is that as President he will use his considerable talents to return his party to the policies of growth, opportunity and the vigorous defense of U.S. interests that marked it the last time the country had such great expectations for a Democratic President -- under JFK.

Read the entire editorial at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123240839888695813.html

Incredible Kid Nomination Form 2009

Do you know an incredible kid between the ages of 5 and 12?  March is “Incredible Kid” Month. This is an opportunity for adults to nominate a child that has qualities that make him or her special. The child may have watered your plants while you were on vacation, shoveled snow off of your sidewalks, walked your dog, volunteered at your house of worship, or has an irresistible pleasant smile.

It is an important part of a healthy community to recognize all members of society. “Incredible Kid” awards are another way of showing young people that the community members care and appreciate them and want them to grow up healthy and drug free.

Troy Police Crime Report --- 1/19/09

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Monday, January 19, 2009

Spotlight on Troy — 1/19/09

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

Sacred Marriage and Holy?

[Disclaimer -- I have not seen the broadcast.]

It's come to my attention that a satellite broadcast entitled Sacred Marriage (Gary Thomas) is coming to my neighborhood this Thursday.   The question that is posed in the promotional information is:

What if God designed marriage to make us holy, more than to make us happy?

Something about this question is concerning to me. 

Can someone show me where God tells me in the Bible that marriage will make me holy?

I'm a sinner -- only God can make me holy.  In fact I'm a saint and a sinner -- a paradox that is nearly impossible to explain -- so I don't.    God the Holy Spirit sends forth His Holy Word and Sacraments to sanctify -- declare holy -- those whom He calls by the Gospel and enlightens with His gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation.  It is not our work that makes us holy;  we are declared holy by the grace of God.

Every  night Dave reads from a devotional titled "God Grant It" which are daily devotions from C.F.W. Walther.  (First president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod).  Last night (the Second Sunday after Epiphany), the devotion was on marriage.

"We first rightly recognize the glory of marriage in the light of the divine Word. "  The reading was John 2:1-11.   This is the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana.

Walther went on to say that this miracle at Cana revealed the glory of marriage in four ways:

1. Marriage is a holy institution that God Himself ordained.


2. It is an institution that God preserves by His almighty power.


3. God Himself provides for the needs of this institution.


4. God wants to reveal Himself to man.

While the broadcast will no doubt have good practical advice for a healthy marriage,  it's not going to make me holy.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday 2009

An excerpt from Dr. King's "Letter From Birmingham Jail" on April 16, 1963:

There was a time when the church was very powerful in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators"' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests.

Did Free Press Writers Ever Study History?

Read the sentence below from a 1/18/09 editorial in the Detroit Free Press:

Perhaps never before has a man delivered his first words as president of the United States amid such expectation or under such dour and declining circumstances.

Did this journalist ever read about the circumstances facing George Washington, our first President? How about Abraham Lincoln on the eve of the Civil War? Or, Franklin D. Roosevelt facing the threats posed by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan?

National Sanctity of Human Life Day 2009

Steve Woodfin, Our Shepherd Lutheran Church's Vicar, gave a great sermon today on "National Sanctity of Human Life Day." He described the national tragedy of abortion. He also pointed to the complete forgiveness given through faith in Jesus Christ that freely gives a better way to deal with the guilt and regret of past sins against life.

Also, here's a Presidential proclamation:

All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.

The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing Federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs. In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which extends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America. Also, I was proud to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child in the womb with a separate offense in addition to any charges relating to the mother.

America is a caring Nation, and our values should guide us as we harness the gifts of science. In our zeal for new treatments and cures, we must never abandon our fundamental morals. We can achieve the great breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for the gift of life.

The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2009, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to underscore our commitment to respecting and protecting the life and dignity of every human being.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Oakland Press: New Prosecutor Must Explain Her Actions

In a 1/16/09 editorial about new Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper, the Oakland Press said:

Unfortunately, we don’t know for sure how positive these changes are because she has failed to live up to one of her most important election promises — to conduct business in the prosecutor’s office in an open manner and keep the public informed. She made that promise when she met with The Oakland Press editorial board before the election. Cooper impressed board members with her drive and apparent sincerity. The promise to guarantee information would be available to the public was icing on the cake and a critical factor in winning The Oakland Press’ endorsement. Cooper’s decision to allow only one person — her acting deputy chief — to serve as the media spokesperson for the office is disconcerting. Under her predecessor, David Gorcyca, all assistant prosecutors were generally free to talk to reporters.

Read the entire editorial at...
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/01/16/opinion/doc49705ce29034d805892580.txt

City of Troy to Request Rain Barrel Funding from Uncle Sam

According to the 1/12/09 issue of the January Troy-Somerset Gazette, the City of Troy has prepared a list of "economic stimulus" projects. In an article by Jim Kufta, local government officials across the country have endorsed a “Blueprint for the New President and 111th Congress” that lists local economic stimulus projects.

Troy's list includes the proposed Troy/Birmingham Intermodal Transit Center and the purchase and issuance of rain barrels to residents.

I can see funding for the Transit Center, but rain barrels? Sure, rain barrels are a great idea and beneficial, but how can they possibly be described as an "economic stimulus?"

Troy City Manager is Finalist for Ohio Post

According to the Troy Eccentric, Troy City Manager Phil Nelson is a candidate for a similar position in Dublin, Ohio.

I guess I'm a little surprised. I thought that Phil wanted to end his career in Troy. We'll have to wait to see if he takes the job in Dublin.

Read the Eccentric article at..
http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20090116/NEWS22/90116010/1039

Troy Police Crime Report 1/15/09 - 1/16/09

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Thursday, January 15, 2009 – Friday, January 16, 2009

Obamamania?

Ramesh Ponnuru:

Going to D.C. to celebrate the election of a President you believe in? That's fine. Hanging around at his hotel just "to be breathing the same air," as one man told the Washington Post? If you can picture a stalker giving the same quote, maybe it's time to think again.

Read the rest of Ramesh Ponnuru's column at...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1871912,00.html

Troy Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Agenda --- 1/20/09

Next week's meeting has been canceled.

Here's the cancellation notice...

Be advised that the City of Troy Board of Zoning Appeals meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, 2009 has been canceled due to the fact that no new applications for Public Hearings have been submitted for consideration.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2009. All renewal items originally scheduled for January 20, 2009 will be heard at this meeting. This meeting will be held in Council Chambers and begin at 7:30 P.M.

This notice is hereby posted as required by Section 4 of the Open Meetings Act, (MCLA 15.261 et seq.)

Mark Stimac – Director of Building & Zoning

Troy Police Crime Report 1/12/09 and 1/13/09

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Monday, January 12, 2009 & Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Troy Police Announce Retirement of 6 Command Officers

The City of Troy is losing some fine gentlemen and dedicated public servants.  Thank you for your service!

From left to right:

Lt. Bob Rossman, Sgt. Barry Whiteside, Lt. Rick Hay,

Captain Ed Murphy, Captain Dane Slater, Sgt. Don Zimmerman

According to a news release from the Troy Police Department...

On Friday January 9, 2009, the City of Troy Police Department celebrated the retirements of 6 Command Officers with a combined experience of 200 years. Two Captains, two Lieutenants, and two Sergeants retired December 31, 2008, after each serving an exemplary career for over 30 years with the Troy, Michigan Police Department. Charles T. Craft, Chief of Police, stated “It is rare that a police department is blessed with six such uniquely talented and dedicated police officers who maintain a high level of productivity and commitment over 30 year plus careers. They will be greatly missed.”

Invest in America Goes Nationwide

Now credit union members across the country have access to terrific discounts on new GM and Chrysler vehicles through the Invest in America program. Through this program, credit union members can save thousands of dollars on new vehicles. And, with a low-cost auto loan from their credit union, the deal gets even better!

For more information, go to...
http://www.lovemycreditunion.org/

Spotlight on Troy — 1/12/09

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

Why is Southfield's Mayor Opposing Patterson's Gubernatorial Bid?

According to OaklandPolitics.com Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence is criticizing Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson for his decision to test the waters in running for Governor.  Chetly Zarko correctly points out that many of Mayor Lawrence's criticisms are actually positives for Brooks.

Read Chetly's blog post at...
http://www.oaklandpolitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=267

UDM 2009 "State of the Economy" Symposium

You are cordially invited to the
2009 "STATE OF THE ECONOMY" SYMPOSIUM
at the MACOMB UNIVERSITY CENTER

Saturday, January 24, 2009
9 a.m. - Noon

44575 Garfield Road, UC-1
Clinton Township, Michigan

Featured speakers include:

Some Local School Districts Utilize Privatization

The Mackinac Center for Public Policy just issued its sixth privatization survey of Michigan's 552 conventional public school districts. They found that the percentage of districts contracting for the management or operation of at least one of the "big three" support services - food, janitorial or busing - increased for the fifth survey in a row to 42.2 percent, up from 40.2 percent in 2007.

The survey indicates that these local school districts have privatized either their food, janitorial or busing services: Avondale, Birmingham, Clawson, and Royal Oak. Way to go!

According to the Mackinac Center, these districts have failed to privatize: Troy, Rochester, Lamphere, and Warren. If true, these public schools owe the taxpayer a good explanation for this policy failure.

If anyone has information to the contrary, be sure to leave a comment on this blog posting.

Read more about the survey at...
http://www.mackinac.org/article.aspx?ID=9726

What is Issues Etc?

Christ-centered Preaching

Rev. Todd Wilkins, host of the Issues, Etc. radio program has developed a good test to determine if the sermon that a pastor preaches is a Christ-centered sermon. This set of questions is a tool that you can use when listening to a sermon. Content is everything in a sermon!

1. How often is Jesus mention?
2. If Jesus is mentioned, is He the subject of the verbs?
3. What are those verbs?

Read more at...
http://www.extremetheology.com/2007/03/christian_worsh.html

It's Richard Lambert's Birthday

My Dad celebrated his birthday today.  Here's a photo of him from around 70 years ago.  I believe he's wearing his Massachusetts National Guard uniform.

Police Chief to Present Certificates of Appreciation to the G.R.O.W. Program

Chief Charles Craft will be presenting Certificates of Appreciation to members of the G.R.O.W. Program at Troy’s Baker Middle School on January 30th at 9:30am. These certificates of appreciation are for the hard charitable work that members of the Troy Center for Transition program assisted the Troy Police Department with the “Holiday Food and Gift Drive” this past year.

City of Troy Again Receives “AAA” Bond Rating for its GO Bonds

From the City's Community Affairs Department...

The City of Troy has received once again an impressive “AAA” bond rating from Standard & Poor’s on its General Obligation (GO) Bonds. Standard & Poor’s Summary Report notes a stable outlook reflecting the expectation that, given the new tax limitations that will suppress future property tax revenue growth, management will exert strong fiscal controls to protect its financial position. Troy’s financial performance remains strong and the City’s participation in the diverse Oakland County economy supports the outlook.

Read the entire story at...
http://www.troymi.gov/CommunityAffairs/PressRelease/AAABondRatingS&P.htm

Troy Police Crime Report 1/7/09 - 1/8/09

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

Community Services Section
Lt. Chuck Pappas 524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - Thursday, January 08, 2009

In Memory of Cinnamon

A sad day at our house as our precious guinea pig Cinnamon died.   She was 3 1/2 years old and became sick over the last week.    What's so hard is that Cinnamon was  the 3rd guinea pig in 3 months that we've lost.  Nutmeg had cancer, Coffee died after giving birth and Cinnamon died of unknown causes.

Too much for an 11 year boy to endure, but Alex is strong. (And it's hard for a parent to watch their child be so heartbroken.) The vet told him he has must have a very big heart because despite the losses he still has room to love more animals.   Thank you Dr. Tate for that comment!  Alex was very touched by it.   We have Buttercup who will get lots of love and attention.

Alex and Cinnamon on a warm summer afternoon.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Day for Orthodox Christians.

Happy Epiphany

For those who don't know much about Epiphany or don't celebrate Epiphany in their churches  Pastor Cwirla of the God Whisperers has a wonderful post that explains it.

"Epiphany.  The Gentiles’ Christmas.  The word “epiphany” means “appearing,” as in the appearing of a deity, the appearing of God.  We celebrate the visit of the magi, those mysterious Persian astrologers who traveled the eastern caravan routes following a star. "

Read the whole post at http://blog.higherthings.org/wcwirla/article/3968.html

Scams hit Facebook, Twitter

According to Free Press Columnist Mike Wendland:

There are are new scams multiplying fast on the popular Twitter and Facebook social networking sites. The scams have slightly different messages but are aimed at stealing your login information. Messages are showing up in Twitter accounts urging the recipient to visit a site on blogspot.com by saying: “hey! check out this funny blog about you…” A variation urges readers to click on another link to win a free iPhone. The Facebook scam shows up in messages posted on the user’s “wall,” supposedly from one of their friends, saying: “lol i can’t believe these pics got posted…. it’s going to be BADDDD when her boyfriend sees these,” followed by what looks like a genuine Facebook link.

Be sure to read the rest of Mike Wendland's article in the Detroit Free Press at...
http://www.freep.com/article/20090105/BLOG01/90105014/?imw=Y

Spotlight on Troy — 1/5/09

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

The Austrian Theory of the Trade Cycle

This semester, I'm enrolled in "Analysis of Economic Conditions" at the University of Detroit Mercy. That's the University's title for graduate macroeconomics. The class is taught by Professor Harry Veryser.

One of the books for the class is "The Austrian Theory of the Trade Cycle and Other Essays."

Here's a description of the book...

Booms and busts are not endemic to the free market, argues the Austrian theory of the business cycle, but come about through manipulation of money and credit by central banks. In this monograph, Austrian giants explain and defend the theory against alternatives.

Sounds like something we could learn from to help correct today's messed up economy.

Hamas Moves on Fatah "Collaborators"

Funny how the media is slanting its coverage of the conflict in Gaza.  Have you seen the information below?

Fatah officials in Ramallah told The Jerusalem Post that Hamas militiamen had been assaulting many Fatah activists since the beginning of the operation last Saturday. They said at least 75 activists were shot in the legs while others had their hands broken. Wisam Abu Jalhoum, a Fatah activist from the Jabalya refugee camp, was shot in the legs by Hamas militiamen for allegedly expressing joy over the IDF air strikes on Hamas targets.

Read the whole story at...
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1230733155685&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Top 10 RightMichigan Stories of 2008

Check out their list at...
http://www.rightmichigan.com/story/2008/12/31/92058/709

Troy City Council Regular Meeting Agenda — 1/5/09

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.
Current Agenda

Is Sonic Coming to Troy?

Reading through the agenda for the 1/5/09 Troy City Council agenda, I noticed that there will be a public hearing on 1/26/09 to approve a rezoning for the construction of a Sonic Drive-In on John R north of 14 Mile.

If approved, Sonic will be a great addition to Troy. If you've never been to Sonic, check their website at http://www.sonicdrivein.com.

Answer to "Why Not a Biggby Coffee on Big Beaver?"

I received a response from an official at Biggby Coffee to my post "Why Not a Biggby Coffee on Big Beaver?"

Here's the email:

David,

Thanks for the mention, we appreciate it!

I talked to our real estate guy, Sandy Green, and he is quite aware of the activity on Big Beaver Road. Evidently, the problem on our end is the rent that the developers are asking for the space. We are very conscious of the costs that our owner operators must incur and rent is a huge expense. BIGGBY COFFEE would love a Big Beaver Road store and at some point we are sure that a fair rent at a great location will become available.

Happy new year to you and the rest of the Lambert family. See you at BIGGBY.

Thomas C. Butz
BIGGBY COFFEE
Vice President of Operations

Valkyrie Movie Review

As mentioned in an earlier post, Alex and I went to see the movie “Valkyrie.” Based on a review on "Dove.org," I thought that it might be a little too violent for Alex. However, we both thought that the violence was kept within reasonable limits.

Citizen Soldier Video

Alex and I went to see the movie "Valkyrie" today. Before the movie, we saw this awesome video about the National Guard.