Volume2,Issue1•Spring/Summer2004 SSOUTHFIELDOUTHFIELD Living SpringCleanUp CityClerk’sNews Parks&Recreation ActivitiesGuide 1 The Official City of Southfield Newsletter SOUTHFIELD Spring • Summer 2004 livingliving ElectedOfficials In This Issue... Mayor BrendaL.Lawrence 3 ON THE HORIZON CouncilPresident 3 BLOOD/BONE MARROW DRIVE MyronFrasier 4 SOUTHFIELD SPRING CLEAN UP CouncilPresidentProTem 5 HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY SylviaJordan 5 SOUTHFIELD FLOWER DAY CityCouncil RoyT.Bell 5 CODE ENFORCEMENT REMINDER DonaldF.Fracassi SidneyLantz 6 CITY CLERK’S NEWS JoanSeymour KensonSiver 8 NEW VOTING PRECINCTS MAP CityClerk 9 SOUTHFIELD: SAFE & SECURE NancyL.M.Banks 10 COMMUNITY PRIDE AWARDS CityTreasurer 13 PARKS & RECREATION PROGRAMS RomanJ.Gronkowski SouthfieldCityAdministrator DonaldJ.Gross SouthfieldLivingispublishedbiannuallyforallSouthfieldresidentsandbusinessesbytheCity’s CommunityRelationsandParks&RecreationDepartments.Pleasesendyourcommentsand suggestionsfortheCitynewsletterportionto:TheEditor,SouthfieldLiving,CommunityRelations Department,CityofSouthfield,26000EvergreenRoad,P.O.Box2055,Southfield,MI48037-2055, orcontactoureditorat:[email protected]. TheCityofSouthfield’sintentistooperateitsprogramsandservices,sowhenviewedintheir entirety,theyarereadilyaccessibletoandusablebyindividualswithadisability.Toensure equally-effectivecommunication,uponrequest,theCitywillprovideauxiliaryaidsandservices, suchassignlanguageinterpreters,Braille-translatedmaterial,large-printdocuments,etc. Advancenoticeisrequired.Tomakearrangements,contacttheCityClerk’sOfficeat 248/796-5150(voice)or248/354-4831(TDD). Printedonrecycledpaper. 2 communities to continue to provide OnOn thethe HorizonHorizon the services that residents have by Donald J. Gross, City Administrator become accustomed. Reduction of government will have an impact on This will be my last envy of the metropolitan area. the number of employees in the City, “On the Horizon” The City of Southfield continues to but it is with high expectations that message to the residents of the City of progress thanks to the leadership of the quality of life will be maintained. Southfield. As I near my retirement its elected officials and the As your City Administrator, I ask that date of June 30, I reflect upon my 38 professionalism of its staff. Without you be a part of the solution and years with the City. It is with some the progressiveness of past and become active and involved in your sadness, but much appreciation, that I present leaders, the City of Southfield community. remember the challenges, the would not be in the position it is in I would like to thank all the people opportunities, the ups, and the downs today. The City is, however, that have been extremely rewarding that I have come to know over these confronted with the same problems as many years - the subdivision both professionally and personally. every other community in the State of Serving the residents and the business association presidents; the boards and Michigan. We are experiencing commissions of the City; existing and community of Southfield has been decreasing revenues from the state one of the most pleasurable former staff members and legislators; and national governments, existing the school board and administration; experiences that a professional could tax legislation has impacted our have. businesses and Chamber of ability to recognize growth, and as we Commerce members; my peers in Since 1966, I have participated in become more developed and local, county and state government; the growth of the city from a small urbanized we are confronted with the and you the individual resident. You suburban community of 31,000 historical problems of an aging have all made my job enjoyable. people to a dynamic urban center of infrastructure. However, with the over 78,000. The development of commitment of the Mayor and City Let me conclude by saying that a major urban centers such as Council, the dedication of the city City is more than a group of Southfield Town Center, Tel-Twelve staff, and the understanding and buildings, it is a statement - a way of Mall, the American Center and willingness of the community to deal life, a quality of life, a group of numerous subdivisions has been a with these issues, the city will be able individuals, families, and businesses planner’s dream. The development of to weather any storm. that come together to develop goals the Civic Center, park lands, the new and objectives and work together to The next few years will be implement them - now and ON THE library and other amenities for the extremely challenging for community has made Southfield the HORIZON... Southfield Community Blood/Bone Marrow Drive The City of Southfield and the American Red Cross will sponsor a community-wide blood/bone marrow drive on March 23 and March 24. The need for blood and marrow donations is greater than ever and everyone who is able to donate is strongly encour- aged to do so. The drive will take place on two consecutive dates as follows: Tuesday, March 23, 2004 from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Southfield Pavilion - 26000 Evergreen Road at 10 1/2 Mile Road Wednesday, March 24, 2004 from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m Southfield Pavilion - 26000 Evergreen Road at 10 1/2 Mile Road “America’s blood banks are currently facing a critical shortage of blood. Replenishing our supply of this life-giving resource is an urgent national priority, ” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson. “Donating blood is a simple, safe, life-saving and selfless gift that millions of Americans can give. Please make an appointment today to give the gift of life and alleviate critical shortages to our blood supply.” In order to donate participants must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health. There is no upper age limit. Light refreshments will be available. Appointments are encouraged and may be made by calling Southfield Community Relations at (248) 796-5130, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For general questions regarding blood/marrow donations or procedures, call the American Red Cross at (313) 494-2779. 3 SOUTHFIELD Spring • Summer 2004 living CURB APPEAL It’sIt’s SpringSpring CleanClean UpUp TimeTime inin SouthfieldSouthfield pring has sprung! It’s time to clean, paint and plant throughout 2002 Spring Clean Up Schedule Southfield. While strolling ThirteenMileRoad through the commu- nity, you will notice TwelveMileRoad May 15 the beautifully maintained lawns and landscapes in our neighborhoods, along May 8 residential streets and ElevenMileRoad down the main roads. Everyone contributes to keeping May 1 SouthfieldSS beautiful. It is through the commitment, pride and effort of TenMileRoad residents, the business community and public facilities that we maintain our homes, commercial buildings and April 24 GreenfieldRoad property. InksterRoad NineMileRoad This year’s residential Spring Clean Up will be held on five consecutive April 17 Saturdays beginning on April 17 (see EightMileRoad the map at right for schedule). Homeowners and renters are encour- aged to discard unwanted items from * To determine your Spring Clean Up weekend, refer to the map above their attics, basements, garages, yards, for the mile roads you live between. and toolsheds. Pick up crews only come through a neighborhood once, so make sure them with their cut ends to the curb. We Up projects: your trash is out on time. All items for ask you to be patient; depending upon the amount of branches at the curb, it __ Clean common areas and entranceways, pick up must be placed at the curb by tidy plantings and add flowers 6:30 a.m. on the homeowner’s desig- may take longer than your designated nated day. Residents have the option day to take care of them. To preserve the __ Remove and replace old shrubs to place trash on the curb after 4 p.m. community’s natural beauty, a City __ Clear debris from yards on Friday evening if Saturday morn- ordinance forbids cutting down trees ing is not feasible. until the Planning Department has __ Maintain subdivision islands and berms checked them first - a permit may be __ Clear culverts, storm drains and ditch Household hazardous waste materials required! Contact the Planning Depart- lines are not accepted during the Spring ment at (248) 796-4150 before consider- Clean Up pick up; however, these ing tree removal. __ Replace broken and falling gutters items will be accepted at Household __ Improve landscaping around homes and Homeowners are encouraged to not save Hazardous Waste Day on May 22 at businesses RRRASOC. their spring cleaning items just for Spring Clean Up weekends, since most __ Keep sidewalks clear of debris Concrete (two cubic yards maximum) items can be placed at the curb during __ Keep lawns mowed and pick up dead is accepted, but only if it is generated regular weekly trash collection. Spring leaves (or use as mulch around shrubs) by the resident and is not a result of Clean Up provides a once-a-year oppor- contract work. tunity to discard large volumes of __ Renovate the outside of buildings Branches and bushes placed at the unwanted items. __ Spruce up signs curb will be removed by workers with If you’re not sure where to start, try this __ Paint homes and businesses brush chippers. Remember to place checklist to help you with Spring Clean 4 Spring • Summer 2004 SOUTHFIELD CURB APPEAL living HouseholdHazardousWasteDay—May22 SouthfieldCode Household Hazardous Waste Day is an Items not accepted include large quanti- EnforcementReminder annual day devoted to discarding