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General Assembly meets on October 26 The General Assembly (GA) of SEMCOG will meet on Thursday, October 26, 2006, at the University of Michigan-Dearborn Fairlane Center, North Building (19000 Hubbard Drive, Dearborn) beginning at 4:30 p.m. The GA will be requested to adopt amendments to the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and a process authorizing administrative changes to the RTP. The main program will follow the business meeting. "The recipe for Southeast Michigan's future: Local government is a key ingredient" will be an interactive discussion on the future of Southeast Michigan and how – local governments play a key role in its success. First, there will be a presentation celebrating the region's strengths. Then, there will be roundtable discussion on the following topics funding essential services, roads, transit, clean air, clean water, vibrant communities, education and workforce development, and building a new economy. Discussion questions to consider are – What regional issues are affecting your community? What issues do you think the region is facing? Contact: Kathleen Lomako, SEMCOG Deputy Executive Director.
View highlights of Executive Committee on SEMCOG's Web site Highlights of SEMCOG's September 22 Executive Committee can now be viewed on www.semcog.org. From the home page, link to News & Notices in the upper bar, then look for the link in the right column. Highlights include remarks by Congressman John Conyers; a presentation on the new north terminal development project at Detroit Metropolitan Airport by Project Director Jon Hypnar; and remarks by SEMCOG Executive Director Paul Tait. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Director.
Ozone action season ends Ozone Action season ended on September 30. Southeast Michigan had two Ozone Action days this summer, called on August 1 and 2 during that extreme heat wave. Interestingly, August 1 was the latest that the first Ozone Action day was called in the 13-year history of the program. That was partially due to cooler temperatures, but also due to the air being cleaner to start with, telling us that our good habits every day are working. The average number of Ozone Action days per season is 11. In 2004, just one Ozone Action day was called; the highest was 25 in 1999. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Director.
SEMCOG releases statistics on deer crashes in Southeast Michigan There were 6,097 vehicle-deer crashes in Southeast Michigan in 2005 (down from 6,196 in 2004 and 6,641 in 2003), according to figures released by SEMCOG, based on crash data received from the Michigan Department of State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. That figure represents 3.9 percent of all crashes in 2005 (157,284 total).
Rochester Hills and Scio Township experienced the most deer crashes in Southeast Michigan in 2005 (and for the past eight years). Those SEMCOG member communities in the top 10 list – Rochester Hills, Scio Township, Brighton Township, Oakland Township, and Genoa Township, along with Livingston and Oakland Counties – will each receive, from SEMCOG, a special informational display customized for their community on the dangers of deer crashes. They are encouraged to display it in a public place, along with "take with" materials SEMCOG will provide for residents. SEMCOG is a member of the Michigan Deer Crash Coalition, now in its 10th year, working to decrease vehicle-deer crashes. The coalition notes that deer crashes occur most frequently during October-December, mostly on two-lane roads between dusk and dawn. In 2005, there were nine fatalities involving deer in the state. The coalition cautions drivers not to swerve out of a lane to avoid a deer. It's generally safer to hit the deer than run off the road or risk injuring another motorist. October has been designated Deer Crash Awareness Month by the governor. Contact: Tom Bruff, SEMCOG Transportation Coordinator.
SEMCOG hosts DWSD meeting on October 19 The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) will hold the first in a series of three meetings with its community customers on the 2007-2008 sewer and water rates on Tuesday, October 19, 2006 (note change from previous notice) in the Ambassador Room of SEMCOG's downtown Detroit office (535 Griswold, Suite 300). The focus will be to present the technical information used in formulating water and sewer rates and receive feedback from customers. All the meetings will consist of two sessions. Wastewater rates will be discussed in the morning session (10 a.m.-noon), with water rates being addressed in the afternoon (1-3 p.m.). Contact George Ellenwood, DWSD, at (313) 964-9460 to RSVP. All sewer and water customer communities are encouraged to attend both sessions. Lunch will be provided at SEMCOG from noon to 1 pm. If you want to participate in the lunch, please contact George Ellenwood (313) 964-9460 (or send e-mail to ellenwood@dwsd.org) at least two days before the meeting. Structured similar to last year's customer meetings, preliminary budget data will be presented as it becomes available throughout the process, culminating with the proposed rates in advance of the formal public meetings. The next two meetings will be held: Please refer to the DWSD Web site – www.dwsd.org – for the final meeting schedule with times, agendas, and background materials. Proposed rates for 2007-2008 will be in place prior to the public hearing, scheduled for early 2007. Contact: Ted Starbuck, Senior Planner, SEMCOG Environmental Programs.
SEMCOG U on ballot proposals is October 5 This half-day workshop, beginning at 9 a.m. in SEMCOG offices, will educate public officials and community leaders on the statewide ballot proposals that will be voted upon in the November 7, 2006 general election. The City of Dearborn (thank you to Mayor Michael Guido and Finance Director Jim O'Connor) has graciously agreed to tape the workshop, which will run on Michigan Government Television (MGTV). Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Director.
October is fertilizer month Fertilize sparingly and caringly is the water quality tip for the month of October. Fertilizing during the early fall season can help strengthen your lawn's roots for an early spring green. Applying fertilizer in the cooler temperatures and rain of early fall provides your lawn with the nutrients it needs to recover from the hot summer months. To support local efforts, additional materials are available at www.semcog.org. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services
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