Troy Community Coalition General Membership Meeting

Thursday, May 7, 2009
7 - 9 PM

“Safe Server Recognition”
Local Troy merchants who have partnered with the Coalition to ensure alcohol is not sold to minors will be recognized for their efforts.

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

Monthly meetings are open to the public, light refreshments are served. Join us for an educational presentation, lively discussion, and information sharing.

Is the US Pandemic Phase Being Kept Artificially Low?

It sure seems like it.

Check out the posting at...
http://www.outbreakalerts.com/?p=54

Sanctuary Lake Golf Course Offers Free Golf Lessons

PGA Professional Paul Toski of Sanctuary Lake Golf Academy will offer free 10-minute lessons during the month of May in conjunction with the 11th annual Play Golf America’s PGA Free Lesson Month. To schedule your free 10-minute lesson, call Paul Toski, PGA Professional, Sanctuary Lake Golf Academy at 248.619.7668.

Read more at...
http://www.troymi.gov/CommunityAffairs/PressRelease/Golf10minutelessons.htm

Oakland County Swine Flu Information

Lots of resource information at...
http://www.oakgov.com/health/info_pub/swine_flu.html

WHO Raises Pandemic Alert Level to 4

From the World Health Organization...

Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.

Read more at... http://www.pandemicflu.gov/

Also, check out "Understanding Swine Flu" at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124087429334861245.html

Troy Power Outage

I just returned from a walk from Player Drive to Long Lake Road. It appears that some of the homes closer to Long Lake have lost power.  It must be from yesterday's storms.

Is it time to think about buying a generator?

CDC Information on the Swine Influenza

The recent news is that a flu pandemic has started in Mexico.  Part of my real, daytime job is to assist in the preparation of our pandemic plan.  During the last three years, almost everyone thought the next flu pandemic would be the Avian (bird) Flu and that it would start in Asia.

For more information on pandemic preparedness, go to...
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

Troy City Council Study Session Agenda — 4/27/09

This is the study session to discuss the next fiscal year's budget.

The complete agenda can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
Current Agenda

I'm Also Posting on Twitter

You can check my Twitter posts at... http://twitter.com/DALambert

BZA Denies Variance for Sonic

At Tuesday night's Troy Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, the variances for the Sonic drive-in restaurant were denied on a 4 to 3 vote. The majority of the Board was concerned about the potential traffic impact and the reduction of required landscaping on the site.

I voted in favor of the variances.

It now looks like a Sonic will not be built on the east side of John R across from Oakland Mall.

Some Great Ways to Celebrate Our Environment

Be sure to check these links below.

http://www.arborday.org/index.cfm

http://www.historictrees.org/store.html

HT: Mark Krikorian

Columbine and the High Cost of Coddling

Author By Caitlin Flanagan has an excellent article in the 4/16/09 edition of the Wall Street Journal about the mass killings at Columbine High School a decade ago.

Here's an excerpt...

It is, of course, the responsibility of the state to provide some sort of education to all its children under the age of 18, and so for a host of legal, moral and economic reasons we end up with an ugly truth about our nation's schools: By design, they contain within them -- right alongside the good kids who are getting an education and running the yearbook and student government -- kids whose criminal rehabilitation is supposedly being conducted simultaneously with their academic instruction.

As someone who taught school for a decade and who has now been a mother for about as long, I can tell you that -- when it comes to children -- the rigid exercise of "due process" in matters of correction and discipline makes for high comedy at best and shared tragedy at worst. Someone needs to stand apart from children and decide what is best for them and for those around them. When it comes to matters of state-ordered punishment, someone needs to stand apart from their parents, too, and make the necessary decisions. It's a complete bummer; I will grant you that.

Who would possibly be willing to side not with the students of an institution -- those fun-loving creatures of the now -- but with the institution itself, a place ostensibly devoted, above all else, to the well-being of its population? I'll tell you who: adults. Remember them?

In my teaching days, no single document shaped my thinking as much as Flannery O'Connor's 1963 essay called "Total Effect and the Eighth Grade." It concerned neither guns nor violence, neither cliques nor experimental approaches to the treatment of adolescent depression. It was about . . . books. In defending the teaching of the great works of the Western canon rather than those of the modern day (which kids far preferred), she said something wise, the sort of thing an adult might say. She said that the whims and preferences of children should always, always be sublimated to the sense and judgment of their elders.

"And what if the student finds this is not to his taste?" O'Connor asked. "Well that is regrettable. Most regrettable. His taste should not be consulted; it is being formed."

Read the entire article at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123993279578927837.html

MI Chamber CEO Has Ideas to Solve State's Fiscal Crisis

Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Richard Studley has posted on Twitter some suggestions to save Michigan tax dollars:

• Mich facing $785M budget shortfall: state uses tax $ to subsidize film about tribe of child-eating cannibals?

• Asking: why does a large & diverse state like Mich have only 83 counties, but over 500 school districts?

• Mich facing $785M budget shortfall: time to cut excessive school admin overhead that comes with over 500 districts.

• Mich facing $785M budget shortfall: time to consolidate departments like DEQ & DNR.

• Assoc Press reports Mich facing $785M budget shortfall: time to eliminate Dept of History, Arts & Libraries.

You can follow Richard on Twitter at...
http://twitter.com/rstudley

Happy Easter to Orthodox Christians

Happy Easter to Orthodox Christians throughout the United States, Russia, Greece, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the World!

Posted earlier today on my Twitter account at...
http://twitter.com/DALambert

Troy Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting Agenda --- 4/21/09

The agenda can be found at...
http://www.troymi.gov/committees/Agendas/Zoning/Zoning20090421.pdf

Troy City Council Regular Meeting Agenda — 4/20/09

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

Some Hope for CUNA Economist

Read earlier today that Bill Hampel, chief economist for the Credit Union National Association, told Forbes Magazine about changes in human behavior and ways the savings rate will affect economic recovery. (http://www.cuna.org/newsnow/09/market041609-1.html)

Hampel said:

"If the savings rate goes back to 8% or 10% in two years, we're cooked, but spread that out over five years and we're fine," Hampel told Forbes.

I'm glad that Bill is favorably disposed towards increased savings in the long run. There's some hope that we can move him toward Austrian economics yet. However, his Keynesian leanings are evident when he claims that increased savings in the short run is harmful.

High-Speed Rail: The Wrong Road for America

I saw this interesting article by Randal O'Toole at:
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=9753

Here's an excerpt:

In short, high-speed rail proposals are high cost, high-risk megaprojects that promise little or no congestion relief, energy savings, or other environmental benefits. Taxpayers and politicians should be wary of any transportation projects that cannot be paid for out of user fees.

Photos from Today's Anti-Tax Troy Tea Party

I made a short stop by the Tea Party today in front of the Troy City Hall.  I saw Troy Councilman Wade Fleming and State Representative Marty Knollenberg (pictured below) in attendance. According to Doug Tietz, the Troy event organizer, there were 2000 to 3000 citizens in attendance.

Troy City Council Special Meeting Agenda — 4/16/09

The complete agenda can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
Current Agenda

Interview with Local Congressional Candidate on Internet

I received the email below from political strategist and blogger Chetly Zarko.

In what may be a first for internet publishing in Michigan, the first major Michigan US congressional challenger of the year will declare their candidacy tomorrow morning exclusively at OaklandPolitics.com and RightMichigan.com. Chetly Zarko and Nick Deleeuw will share a joint, exclusive interview with the new candidate using "audio streaming" technology tomorrow at roughly 8am, Wed., April 15. This will be the candidate's first interview granted to media, and the co-hosts Nick Deleeuw and Chetly Zarko, owners of the respective web-publishing sites and political analysts themselves, will lead the questioning.

Audio and short advance information will be available for media sources, and those wishing additional details should contact Chetly Zarko at 248-930-7766 or at chetly@chetlyzarko.com . We'll also provide contact information for the candidate immediately upon release of the audio interview and online analysis. You can find the material at www.OaklandPolitics.com or www.RightMichigan.com after 8am.

OaklandPolitics.com is run by Chetly Zarko and along with OutsideLansing.com provides niche original news and community journalism tools to Michigan and Oakland-area readers. RightMichigan.com, run by Nick Deleeuw, is currently the premiere right-of-center statewide electronic news and opinion source.

4/15/09 Update:  The "mystery" candidate is Paul Welday.

Troy Eccentric to Stop Publishing

The Observer & Eccentric Newspapers announced today it will cease publication of five Eccentric print and web editions as of Sunday, May 31: The Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Troy and Rochester editions of the Eccentric will end publication in print and on the web with the Sunday, May 31 edition.

Read more at... http://tinyurl.com/d9mpt3

4/15/09 Update: I forgot to thank Jeff at http://twitter.com/VerhoefsVerdict for the tip.

Coolidge at Golfview Traffic Signal Improvements

Over the past week, I've noticed signs on Coolidge Road indicating that construction will begin on April 15.  I sent the email below to Steve Vandette, the Troy City Engineer.

Hi Steve:

I’ve seen signs on Coolidge Road that indicate there will be road construction beginning April 15. I can’t find anything on either the City website or the Road Commission website that gives further details. Does your office know what’s being done?

Dave Lambert

 A big thank you goes out for the very prompt reply from Steve displayed below.

Dave, 

Coolidge is a City road so construction project information is on the Troy web site starting on page 10 after you go to this link, http://www.troymi.gov/TroyToday/Spring2009-2-18.pdf. April 15th was the original start date but we have encountered a longer lead time that expected on the traffic signal materials for the Coolidge/Golfview signal upgrade. We don’t expect the signal work to start until late May or early June. There will be at least one lane open in each direction during construction, but delays are expected and an alternate route is advised. Below is a description of the project:

1. COOLIDGE at GOLFVIEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL IMPROVEMENTS
The traffic signal at Coolidge and Golfview will be upgraded to include dedicated left turn phases for northbound and southbound Coolidge traffic. The project will also include sidewalk and sidewalk ramp improvements to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2009 and be open to traffic in July 2009. This project is part of a larger road contract that also includes projects at Livernois at Big Beaver and Livernois at Wattles. Restoration and final project clean up at all three locations will be completed in the fall of 2009.

Steven J. Vandette, P.E.
City Engineer

A couple of hours later, I received another email from Steve that's displayed below.

The signal materials problem has been resolved and the project is now scheduled to start this week. A meeting is scheduled for this Wednesday and after that I should have more information on the overall project schedule. I’ll let you know.

Steven J. Vandette, P.E.
City Engineer

Awake My Heart, With Gladness! Happy Easter!

"Awake, my heart, with gladness, see what today is done. Now after gloom and sadness comes forth the glorious Sun! My Savior there was laid where our bed must be made when to the realms of light our spirit wings its flight."

Read more at...
http://cyberbrethren.com/2009/04/12/awake-my-heart-with-gladness-happy-easter/

2009 Seder Meal at the Lambert House

This has become a family tradition over the past couple of years.

Good Friday 4/10/09

We attended the Good Friday service at Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Birmingham.

Here was a significant part of the liturgy that speaks to Christ's sacrifice on the Cross:

Pastor: Jesus said "It is finished."
Congregation: Forgive us, Lord, when we have doubted your grace and have tried to add to our salvation by depending on ourselves and what we can do to gain your favor.

The Lord's Supper

A bit on the Lord's Supper from a poor, miserable sinner in need of forgiveness of sins as much as possible.

In Luther's Small Catechism it is called 'the Sacrament of the Altar".

What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.

What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?

That is shown us in these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

(The Book of Concord)

Maundy Thursday 4/9/09

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

Troy Police Crime Report 4/9/09

Lt. Chuck Pappas
248-524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Troy Community Coalition 1st Annual Speech Contest

Topic: Being Alcohol Free Has Helped Me to Be…

Who can enter? All high school students (grades 9-12) who are enrolled in the Troy School District or are Troy residents are eligible.

How long is the speech? No longer than 250 words.

Directions: Your entry should be typed and double-spaced. Put a cover sheet on your entry with your name, address, school, grade, phone number and parent/guardian’s name.

Announcement of winners: The Troy Community Coalition will notify the winning entrants by phone by May 22. The 1st place winner must be available to present his/her speech at our Annual Celebrity Night Dinner event on October 29.

Awards for winners: 1st place: $100
2nd place: $50
3rd place: $25

Deadline: Friday, May 15th at 5pm

Please mail your speech and cover sheet to:

Alcohol-Free Speech Contest
Troy Community Coalition
4420 Livernois Road
Troy, MI 48098

Square Lake Road Closure 4/9/09

From the Troy Police...

Square Lake Road will be closed for approximately three (3) hours today, from 10am until 1pm. A utility building is being put in place at the site of a cell tower located across from the entrance to Firefighters Park.  Barricades will be in place at Square Lake Road and Crooks Road and Square Lake Rood and Coolidge Hwy., with local access only to immediate sub-divisions. Troy Police Traffic Safety Officers will be posted at hearthside and Justine Streets for the duration of the closure.

Congratulations to Police Chief Gary Mayer

At the April 6th Troy City Council meeting, Gary G. Mayer was officially confirmed as Troy's Chief of Police.

Gary's a great guy and will help maintain the Department as one of the best in Michigan!

Troy Police Crime Report 4/7/09

Lt. Chuck Pappas
248-524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET
Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Anti-Tax Troy Tea Party

If you think Washington D.C. is out of control with spending, then let your voice be heard! It is time we unite as average Americans and tell the politicians to quit mortgaging our children's future with pork and "stimulus" spending. We will be meeting on the sidewalk along Big Beaver Rd. in front of Troy City Hall (500 W. Big Beaver Rd Troy, MI) from 4:30pm-6:30pm on Wednesday April 15 for this upbeat rally. Stay for as little or as long as you like. Make your voice heard. If you like, bring anti-tax or anti-pork signs and American flags. We will have a limited number of signs available as well. This is an upbeat family friendly event, so profanity or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.

When: Wednesday, April 15, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Where: Sidewalk in front of Troy City Hall (500 W. Big Beaver Rd)
What: If you like, bring anti-tax or anti-pork signs and American flags
Why: It is time to tell the politicians to stop the out of control spending!

Questions: doug@dougtietz.com or 248-568-1234
   

"From Bubble to Depression" by Gjerstad and Smith

Steven Gjerstad is a visiting research associate at Chapman University and Vernon Smith is a professor of economics at Chapman University and the 2002 Nobel Laureate in Economics.

According to their article in today's Wall Street Journal...

The causes of the Great Depression need more study, but the claims that losses on stock-market speculation and a monetary contraction caused the decline of the banking system both seem inadequate. It appears that both the Great Depression and the current crisis had their origins in excessive consumer debt -- especially mortgage debt -- that was transmitted into the financial sector during a sharp downturn.

Read the rest of the story at...
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123897612802791281.html

Have a Blessed Palm Sunday

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!"

Troy City Council Regular Meeting Agenda — 4/6/09

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

Remembering when I was in charge of curriculum

We were blessed to be able to homeschool our son for a few years.  What a delight to choose what I wanted to teach, how I wanted to teach it and when I wanted to teach.

Alex returned to, as we lovingly called it, "institutional" school last year.  And it was the right choice for him, but there are times when I long to bring him home and be totally in charge again.  That happens most often when I visit all my homeschooling blogs or re-read my Charlotte Mason materials.

Today I visited Higher Up and Further In -- one of my favorite blogs.  And from there I went to Beyond the Loneliest Star (a 16 year homeschooler) and found this beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace.

Veryser at Today's UDM “State of the Michigan Economy” Symposium

The fourth speaker is Paul Veryser, president, Valiant Advisors.

His topic: “Prospects for Manufacturing”

Because Ford refused support from the Federal government bailout, they will be better positioned to respond to market dynamics.

Federal Government Believes the Future Lies In:
1. Wind turbines
2. Solar
3. Batteries

Growth Industries for Manufacturing
1. Medical Devices
2. Defense
3. Aerospace(?)
4. Light Rail and High Speed Rail

Lopez at Today's UDM “State of the Michigan Economy” Symposium

The third speaker is Manny Lopez, automotive editor, at The Detroit News.

His topic: “Autos and Politics: Making Sense of Madness”

What Are We Trying to Save?
1. Unions?
2. Jobs?
3. The Overall Economy?

GM: Government Motors?

Are GM bondholders holding credit default swaps backed by AIG? If yes, that means they have no fear of bankruptcy.

March Auto Sales
Only 1 automaker had positive sales: Hyundai

US Government says that GM is spending too much on the Chevy Volt program. This is their electrical car program. Does this make sense when the US Government wants GM to build "green" vehicles.

Who should determine what the automakers produce? The consumer not the government.

Breuhan at Today's UDM “State of the Michigan Economy” Symposium

The next speaker is David R. Breuhan, vice president and portfolio manager at Gregory J. Schwartz and Company, Inc.

His topic: “Is a Depression Inevitable?”

Causes of the Great Depression:
1. World War I (nations leave the gold standard)
2. Global Monetary Instability
3. Excess leverage in stock market
4. Smoot Hawley Tariff June 17, 1930
5. Nations retaliate against the new tariff in the U.S.
6. President Hoover supports tax increases
7. Global trade drops 66%
8. Money supply decreases 33%

What Prolonged the Great Depression?
1. National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 (wage & price controls)
2. President FD Roosevelt torpedoes London Economic Conference
3. FDR raises taxes
4. Fair Labor Standards Act (minimum wage)
5. National debt increases 60%
6. Market finally reaches its "bottom" in 1942 (Allied victories in the Pacific)

What Ended the Great Depression?
1. Currency stabilized at $35 oz. gold
2. President Truman lifts wage & price controls
3. International Free Trade re-established

How to Avoid the Next Great Depression?
1. Modify "mark-to-market" rules
2. Reinstate "uptick rule" on short selling of stock
3. Allow banks to reset loans
4. Temporary cut in FICA taxes for Social Security
5. Government must show spending restraint
6. Open up free trade

See more at http://www.prudenteconomics.com/

Muter at Today's UDM “State of the Michigan Economy” Symposium

The first speaker today is Jamie Muter, president of Muter and Assoc. and adjunct professor at UDM

His topic: “Which Way for Real Estate?”

Causes of the Current Real Estate Crisis:
1. Over-stimulation of the economy by the Federal Reserve
2. Over-stimulation of the real estate market by Federal laws and regulations to encourage lenders to make loans.

When Will Things Get Better?
1. Tax burden must be lowered (only one other state has a higher tax burden).
2. Inventory of homes must be less.
3. When people have a reason to live in Michigan.

The Church Invisible -- the Congregation of Saints

It's Friday night after a strange day at school.  I'm pondering the letter that came home from school indicating the need to do staff reduction for next year and now 2 teachers won't be returning next year.  These are tough times in Michigan and sometimes circumstances require the hard thing.  I am praying for those teachers, their families and how it will affect the school in the coming weeks and into next year.

Then I read the news from my congregation that talks about a visioning process and hiring a consultant from out of state.   This consultant's website says that he:

"is a process consultant and utilizes experientially based consulting and training services in order to meet the needs of his clients.  The information provided on the services noted to the left are generic but can be customized as needed.  In addition, clients often ask Les to help them clarify and articulate the issues which need to be addressed within their systems."

This consultant does  attend a LCMS church and some of his 'clients' have been congregations that moved to a Policy Based Governance (PBG) system.  Not sure that's what will happen in my congregation.  But it's good to be informed.  What does a Confessional Lutheran pastor have to say about it?  Try this link at John the Steadfast.

But what the heck --- I thought that Christ was the head of the Church and that the Holy Spirit gathers believers.  I thought we were the body of Christ.  So the congregation I belong to is a 'client and 'system''.   What's going on?

In the Augsburg Confession it says:

"Also they teach that one holy Church is to continue forever. The Church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered."

Americans Very Confused about Economics and Personal Finance

Econ4U is the website of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Literacy (CEEL).

Here's a posting from their website...

Do you know what the Dow Jones Industrial Average is?  Congratulations!  Because among your fellow Americans, this knowledge puts you in an elite minority.  This week Econ4U released the results of our semi-annual Economic Literacy Survey.  And once again our findings demonstrate that Americans still lack a basic understanding of economics and personal finance.

I wonder if they also polled government officials in Washington and Lansing?

Read the rest on the article at... http://econ4u.org/blog/?p=377

Freedom Not Fear

Join the 179,697 people who have signed the petition to ensure that every worker has the right to a secret ballot when deciding whether to organize a union, as well as the right to ratify the contract terms of their employment, rather than be forced to accept a contract through binding arbitration.

Go to...
http://www.saveamericanjobs.com/

Troy Police Crime Report 4/1/09

Lt. Chuck Pappas
248-524-3447

DAILY MEDIA CRIME SHEET

These summaries are meant to provide general highlights of items of interest and do not necessarily reflect every incident responded to. Investigations of a nature or at a juncture where publicity may impair the outcome of a case are not generally listed.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009