Senator Tupac A. Hunter

Wayne County: Dearborn Heights, Inkster, Detroit

 Detroit

Town Hall Meetings with Mr. Kevin Orr
Mr. Kevin Orr, Emergency Manager of Detroit, will be hosting a series of Town Hall and Community Meetings throughout the City in the upcoming weeks.  The information below details the dates/times and locations of the first two (2) scheduled events:

  • Thursday, June 6th
    Greater Grace Church Temple
    23500 W. 7 Mile Road
    Detroit, 48219
    6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
     
  • Monday, June 10th
    Martin Luther King High School
    3200 E. Lafayette
    Detroit, 48207
    6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Trash Talkin’ Kicks Off Saturday, June 15th
Beginning Saturday, June 15th,the Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC) is organizing bi-monthly activities combining coffee, conversation and clean-up. Known as Trash Talkin’, these events will bring together community-minded residents to meet, share a free cup of coffee, and go out into the neighborhood to pick up litter together for one hour. Residents will meet between 9 – 10 a.m. at Always Brewing Detroit, 19180 Grand River, Detroit, 48223, to get their free t-shirts, coffee, and other supplies, then pick up litter from 10 -11 a.m.

Organizers plan to make a video promoting the campaign to circulate around Detroit, drawing positive attention to the Grandmont Rosedale area. The more volunteers, the bigger the impact, so please spare some time on June 15th for a great cause!  You can bring your family and friends, too. For more information, contact Chelsea Neblett at cneblett@grandmontrosedale.comor at (313) 387-4732, ext. 116.

SAFE's 7th Annual Appreciation Event Fundraiser
The Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) is celebrating its 7th anniversary.  In honor of their anniversary, SAFE will host their fundraiser on Friday, June 21, 2013 from 5:30 pm until 9:00 pm at the Detroit Historical Museum.  In honor of SAFE's 7th anniversary, there will be an Afterglow immediately following at 9:00 pm that will feature live music and more. 

 Questions? Comments? Feel free to contact Myles Hamby at (313) 387-4732, ext. 104 or mhamby@grandmontrosedale.com.
SAFE’s 7th Annual Appreciation Event will recognize our volunteers, supporters of our community based programs and we will highlight the accomplishments of SAFE's participants. The “Acquisition Award” will be presented to a SAFE participant who has persevered in her efforts to recover from the economic portion of domestic violence.

Learn more about Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment by visiting our website www.newsafestart.org. For tickets and more information, please call (800) 757-4919, ext. 5, or e-mail : appreciation@newsafestart.org.
 
Green Communities Workshop Series
The Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation (GRDC) is teaming up with WARM Training Center to sponsor a series of workshops to help Grandmont Rosedale residents save resources, save money, and improve our community. The workshops are part of a year-long campaign to raise awareness about steps individuals can take to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

All workshops are on Tuesdays, 6:30pm at 19800 Grand River Ave. Detroit, 48223.
• June 4th: Green Communities Program Kick Off - Be a Green Leader in Grandmont Rosedale.  Learn about this new program and how you can get involved.
• June 11th: Green Homes & Healthy Living Workshop: How healthy is your home? Learn how you can assess and reduce toxic substances around the house.
• June 25th: Water Savings for Your Home Workshop: The average US household spends $950 a year on water and sewage charges.  Learn ways to save water, save money, and help the environment at the same time.
• July 9th: Save Energy and Stay Cool Workshop: Learn how you can keep your home cool and comfortable this summer while reducing your overall energy use

City of Detroit Assessment Division to Close on Fridays April 19 Through June 28
The City of Detroit Assessments Division will close to the public on Fridays from April 19 through June 28.  The offices are located in rooms 607, 804, 805, 824, and 828 in the Coleman Young Municipal Center. For more information, please call 224-3011.

New Detroit Police Department Mini-Station at Crowell Recreation Center
We are pleased to announce that the Detroit Police Department's 6th and 8th Precinct has opened a new “Mini-Station" at the Crowell Recreation Center, located at 16630 Lahser Road, Detroit, 48219. The station will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. The phone number for this mini station has not yet been released, but it will be posted as soon as it is available. Once a month, the Crowell Recreation Center will be closed from Wednesday to Saturday because of a city-wide furlough.

Services provided by a mini-station include the following:

• Report a crime

• Complete a citizen incident report (in person)

• Host community meetings

• Initiate and organize neighborhood watch programs, radio patrols, and citizen foot patrols

• Record phone requests for service complaints

New App Tracks Bus Arrival
A new app is available for iPhones that will track when the next bus will arrive at your stop in real time. The app, Stop313, was highlighted recently on the Mode Shift website. The app is currently available only for iPhone and iPads, but an Android version is reportedly in the works. You can find out more about the app here: http://wearemodeshift.org/stop-313. 

No smart phone? You can also track arrivals via text messages using DDOT's "TextMyBus" feature. You can find out more about text updates for arrivals here http://codeforamerica.org/2012/09/11/text-my-bus-transit-info-for-detroiters/.  You can also download a brochure from DDOT here http://www.detroitmi.gov/Portals/0/docs/deptoftransportation/pdfs/TextMyBusBroch_Revised.pdf .

Rosedale Recycles  
Materials accepted include: newspaper, magazines, cardboard, plastics #1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 (not #3), household batteries, aseptic plastic bags, metals, office paper, clear and brown glass jars, tin cans, aluminum, brass or copper,  Twice a year household hazardous waste is also accepted—pesticides, paints, oils, etc.

Bring your materials on the third Saturday of every month between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to the ROSEDALE RECYCLES Collection Center, located in the church parking lot of Christ the King Church, 20800 Grand River Avenue, Detroit 48219 (on Pierson between Grand River and McNichols).  For more information please call 313-272-5820 or email rr@igc.org.

Friends of the Redford Branch Library
Check out the Friends of the Redford Branch Library website for events, programs, and house.  Visit www.friendsofrbl.blogspot.com to find things going on at the Library.

City of Detroit Police Department Vitual Precincts
Begining February 6, 2012 the Detroit Police Department started Virtual Precincts. A limited number of personnel will be assigned to the precincts from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to allow for maximum deployment of full duty sworn officers during peak times for priority 1 and 2 calls.  Enhanced services by the Telephone Crime Reporting Unit (T.C.R.U.) for non-emergency calls for service will be available 24 hours a day, for citizens to report non-emergency matters. These phones have been place in each precinct.  If you have an emergency call 911.

Crime Stoppers Available For Community Meetings
Mr. Max Chiddister of Crime Stoppers is available to attend Monthly Community Relations Meetings, Block Clubs, CB Patrols, etc. to inform citizens of the importance of Crime Stoppers. Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Chiddister at (248) 752-8148 with questions or to set up a time for him to attend a meeting.

Attention Cody-Rouge Homeowners - Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation Assistance Programs
Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation offers Free Foreclosure Prevention Assistance. Call (313) 841-9641 to make an appointment with a specially trained foreclosure assistance counselor. Counseling is available at several locations in Detroit. Additional information and application packets are available at Joy-Southfield Health and Education Center located at 18917 Joy Rd, Detroit 48288.

If you are in need of minor home repaires please contact Joy-Southfield Community Development by visiting www.joysouthfield.org and clock on "housing" for an application or stop by Don Bosco Hall to pick up an application.  All completed applications msut be mailed to: Joy-Southfield CDC, Attn: Rodney Gasaway, 18917 Joy Road, Detroit 48228.

Police Communty Relations Meetings
Last Monday of every month, 7:00 p.m. at Bushnell Congregational Church: 15000 Southfield, south of Grand River.  Officers from 6th & 8th Precinct will attend the meeting.

Neighborhood Safety Meetings
Fourth Thursday of every month, 6:00 p.m. at North Rosedale Park Community House: 18445 Scarsdale. City and County Officials, local Police Officials, and staff from the Neighborhood Community Access Center.

Detroit Community Access Centers CLOSED effective June 30, 2012
The City of Detroit Community Access Centers (CAC) and the 311 Call Center have closed effective June 30, 2012. Citizens with questions about City departments are directed to contact the appropriate department directly.  Department contact information is available on the City's Web site: www.detroitmi.gov. Services are now available to residents at four recreation centers (listed below) Monday – Friday between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

West:
Northwest Activities Center                  
(313) 870-0649
18100 Meyers

East:
Butzel Family Center
(313) 628-2170                           
7737 Kercheval

Central:
Williams Community Center
(313) 224-2989
8431 Rosa Parks

Southwest:
Patton Recreation Center 
(313) 628-2180  
2301 Woodmere

 

Dearborn Heights

“ROUGE RESCUE” Clean-Up Scheduled for June 1st: Volunteers Needed
The Dearborn Heights Watershed Stewards is hosting its annual Rouge Rescue clean-up, and is seeking additional volunteers. The event will take place Saturday, June 1st and will take place in the city’s Parkland Park (off Ann Arbor Trail, approximately ½ mile East of Outer Drive). Volunteer registration begins at 8:30 a.m. the project will run until approximately 12:00 p.m.

Volunteers will be maintaining the park’s native plant gardens, along with the park’s young trees, which were planted 2 years ago. “This park is a hidden jewel in our city – it is both serene and peaceful. We hope our city’s gardening enthusiasts will come out on June 1 to give us a hand, to experience the beauty of this great park, and help us keep it more environmentally friendly” explained Watershed Stewards Chair Barb Goryca.

The Stewards will be joined by members of the Crestwood High School National Honor Society Students, but “we can use as many hands as possible” Goryca continued. Multiple projects will be available for able bodied volunteers, including weeding and cleanup of the native plant gardens, invasive plant removal, trash pickup and possibly storm drain decal work. Goryca recommends volunteers wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a hat and sturdy shoes. She also recommends a good sun screen and bug repellent.

Dearborn Heights Spirit Fest
The City of Dearborn Heights’ Spirit Fest, sponsored by Antonio’s will take place June 5th - 9th on Beech Daly at Ford Road. Special 50th Golden Anniversary events are planned and special residents will be honored on Sunday, June 9th. Please contact the City of Dearborn Heights Mayor’s Office for further information at (313) 791-3490.

Hazardous Waste Collection
Wayne County’s Department of Public Service has scheduled four countywide Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collections for this year. The HHW collections are open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and available to Wayne County residents only.

 The HHW collections are scheduled for:

  • Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Henry Ford Community College, 5101 Evergreen Road, Dearborn.
  • Saturday, August 24, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westland Shopping Center in the parking lot of JC Penny, located Warren Road and Nankin Blvd. in Westland.
  • Saturday, October 13, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southland Shopping Center, located at 23000 Eureka, and Pardee Roads in Taylor (enter into collection off of Pardee near Target).

Acceptable items for recycling include:

Household paints, stains and dyes
Floor care products: furniture police, cleaners and stain removers
Pharmaceutical waste other than controlled substances
Nail polish and glue
Fertilizer, lawn and garden chemicals and pesticides
Antifreeze, motor oil and gasoline
Car and other household batteries
Fluorescent bulbs
Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
Thermostats
Residents who drop off mercury thermometers will receive a safe digital thermometer.
Electronics recycling will also be available during the collection day.

Acceptable items include: computers and computer components, cell phones, televisions, and fax machines. Only household-generated products from Wayne County residents will be accepted at this event. Participants will be asked to provide a driver's license or other proof of residence. Commercial and industrial waste, radioactive material, explosives, ammunition, 55-gallon drums, shock-sensitive materials, household trash, appliances, tires, yard waste and concrete will not be accepted.

For more information, call the Wayne County Department of Public Services at (734) 326-3936 or go to www.waynecounty.com/doe_lrm.

Information on the City of Dearborn Heights 50th Anniversary Now Available
The City of Dearborn Heights will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2013, and several activities recognizing this milestone are being planned.  A Facebook page has been created that will provide up-to-date information regarding anniversary-related news & events, as well as giving residents (and former residents) the opportunity to post their own memories and/or downloadable photos relating to the city's history. To access this page, simply log onto Facebook (facebook.com) and type "Dearborn Heights Golden Anniversary" in the key word search box.

If you have old photographs you'd like to share, stories you'd like to tell, or suggestions for additional anniversary festivities, contact the Anniversary Committee at anniversary@ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us, or call the Mayor's office at (313) 791-3490.

Dearborn Heights Non-Emergency Offices are Closed Fridays Until Further Notice
All City of Dearborn Heights non-emergency business offices – including City Hall, Canfield, Berwyn and Eton Senior Centers – are closed on Fridays until further notice. The City's response to emergencies, including Police, Fire, EMS and Public Works will continue unaffected in spite of the Friday closures. The Police Department's central phone line (313) 277-6770 (or 9-1-1 in case of police, fire or medical emergency) will remain staffed. However, the department's non-emergency offices, such as the Records Department, Department of Public Works Office and the Fire Department's Administrative offices will remain closed on Fridays. Public works related emergencies such as water line breaks, etc. occurring on Fridays should be reported to the Police Department's main number (313) 277-6770, ext. 3.
 
The Friday closure does not affect the Caroline Kennedy Library, which will remain open according to published schedules.

Residents with additional questions should contact Mayor Paletko's Office at mayor@ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us.

Dearborn Heights Offers "Heights Helpers" Program
"Heights Helpers" can provide a variety of services including: private in-home care, elderly assistance, minor home repairs, babysitting, yard work, house cleaning, pet-sitting, painting, and much more. The program is always looking for new "Heights Helpers." This program is for Dearborn Heights residents only. Both the "Heights Helper" and the resident must sign a waiver to participate in this program. Please note: all relationships and/or transactions between the resident and the "helper" are exclusively between both parties and the city does not participate in the arrangement. For more information please contact the "Heights Helpers" program at (313) 791-3500.

Dearborn Heights Commission On Aging Introduces The Knox Box Program
This program is available to all Senior residents in Dearborn Heights, age 55 & over, and all disabled citizens who reside in Dearborn Heights. The Knox Box is a 3x5 safe like device designed to hang from an entrance door of a home and contains a key to the home. This allows public safety officials access to the home in case of an emergency without using blunt force to enter. This reduces damage to the home and allows faster entry.

Working with the Dearborn Heights Fire Department and the Dearborn Heights Parks & Recreation Department, the Dearborn Heights Commission on Aging has made these boxes available for purchase for $151.00 each. However, the commission also has some boxes available free of charge to senior residents and disabled residents who financially qualify on a first come first serve basis. The Tax Increment Finance Authority and Dearborn Heights Community Block Grant Funds provided the funds for the free Knox Boxes. Stop by the Dearborn Heights Parks & Recreation Department at 1801 N. Beech Daly, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127. You can also go by the office at the Eton Center, 4900 Pardee, Dearborn Heights or the office at the Berwyn Center, 26155 Richardson, Dearborn Heights to pick up an application, or to see if you qualify for a free box. Please call (313) 791-3600 for more information.

Food Assistance Available For Senior Citizens
The FOCUS: HOPE Food for Seniors Program provides free monthly food for Dearborn Heights senior citizens. To qualify for the Food for Seniors Program you must be 60 year or older, a Dearborn Heights resident, and you must meet certain income requirements. For the income requirements and for answers to other questions on the Food for Seniors Program contact the Eton Senior Center at (313) 277-7765, or the Berwyn Senior Center at (313) 791-3550.

Inkster

Planning Commission Meeting Cancelled
The Inkster Planning Commission Meeting Scheduled for May 28th has been cancelled.

City Hall and Dozier Complex Closed on Fridays
Effective April 1, 2013, City Hall and Booker T. Dozier (Recreation Complex) facilities will be closed on Fridays until further notice

Special City Council Meeting - May 28, 2013

The Inkster City Council will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 28th at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers to discuss the following:

A.  FY 2013-2014 Budget Appropriations Resolution.

B.  City Manager Position.

Leanna Hicks Public Library, 2005 Inkster Road, (313) 563-2822
Library cards are FREE for all residents as well as individuals who attend school or work in Inkster and can provide proof.  Just bring in a photo ID with your current address to apply.  Persons under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the Library card application.  Your Inkster Public Library card is good at more than 60 libraries in the area. 

LIBRARY SERVICES

  • On-Line catalog, Internet and Word Processing, laptop computers, wireless internet access, downloadable e-books, interlibrary loan through TLN, and MeLCat.
  • Copy machine: 10 cents per copy. Color copies 25 cents per copy.  
  • Fax - $1.00 per page to send and 10 cents per page to receive. 

 LIBRARY PROGRAMS

The library offers story times, craft programs and summer reading programs to enhance young people’s library experience, book clubs for all ages, adult computer labs, laptops for in-library use, downloadable e-books, and much more!  

 LIBRARY HOURS:

  • WINTER (Labor Day to Memorial Day)  - Monday - 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday - Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; closed Friday and Sunday.  
  • SUMMER (Memorial Day to Labor Day) - Monday & Wednesday, - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday - Noon to 8:00 p.m.; Friday - Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Streetlight Outage
In the event of a streetlight outage, please call the City of Inkster Department of Public Service at (313) 563-9774, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. If possible, please have the following ready:  

  • Specific streetlight location (i.e., the nearest address and/or cross roads, nearby business, etc.).
  • Whether the pole is wood or metal.
  • The streetlight pole number (For metal poles, it is located at the base of the streetlight pole.  For wooden poles, it is located approximately eight feet up the pole).
  • Details about the outage (i.e., light off during the night, light turns on and off at night, light stays on during the day, light hanging, etc.). 

-OR-

You can email Detroit Edison directly to www.dteenergy.com under street light. In cases where a pole has been knocked down or any other emergency, please call Detroit Edison at (800) 477-4747.

Inkster Senior Services
Inkster Senior Services, Inc. provides services and programs such as transportation to medical appointments, shopping, monthly trips, food delivery, computer classes, and wellness classes as well as information and assistance to link you with other services you may need to stay healthy and living independently in your own home.  In addition to ongoing services, several events are planned throughout the year to offer an opportunity to gather and enjoy an afternoon of fellowship and fun. Questions, contact Inkster Senior Services at Twin Towers Office at (313) 561-2382 or Recreation Complex Office at (734) 895-8054.

  • 10th Annual Senior Picnic:  Friday, August 2, 2013 from 11:20 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Wheatley Park. 
  • 9th Annual Western Wayne County Senior Olympics: Become a part of this fun event that has shown increased participation year after year.  Belleville, Sumpter Township and Van Buren Township will be hosting the event this year which will be held August 12 - 16, 2013.  Events will be held throughout the sixteen (16) participating communities.  Registration forms will be available in our office mid-February.  You must pre-register.  Deadline to register is July 7, 2013.  
  • Annual Information Forum & Flu Shots:  A flu shot clinic is scheduled at the Annual Information Forum held by the Inkster Task Force on October 25, 2013.
  • Enhance Fitness:  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Dozier Recreation Complex, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. or 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.  Evening class - Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Annual Senior Christmas Party:  Monday, December 9, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Booker T. Dozier Recreation Complex.  Join us as we welcome in the holiday season at our annual gathering of food, fun and friendship.  Ticket sales begin Tuesday, November 12, 2013.