CITY COUNCIL 11/28/11 By Duane Donald /-/ The Council meeting this week began with a work session that came just before the actual council meeting. That work session was about the possible moving ahead of the Greenway Trail Project. This is a project that the city has been talking about since the 1970’s and every subsequent council since. This is a proposed trail to connect the west side of our park’s system to the east side creating an ambling pathway from Softball Park (Gump Lake Park) to Wilson Park. So what makes things any different this time? Well it’s a matter of funding.  Considering a project like this with the revenue constraints that the City of Milan is facing over the next few years would not work at all if Milan wasn’t getting some exceptional grant money for just this kind of Parks and Recs kind of project. The primary funding would come from a fund called the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPRC). This fund carries $600,000 worth of funding for these kinds of development projects and Milan pays into this fund so we can use that money to help fund our Greenway project.  In addition: Most of the other grants available to this project would require a percentage match from the City of Milan in order for those grants to take effect. The good news this is, we can use this grant from the WCPRC fund to pay down these grant matches from the other available funds that we’ll need in order to pull this project off.  Some of the other grants include: the MDNR Trust Fund which would require a 25% match from Milan. That fund can supply up to $300,000.  MDOT Transportation Enhancement Fund which has no set limits as to money available but, Milan would have to match 20% of whatever monies the city uses.    The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has one million dollars available with no set minimums. That would be a great source for this project.   MDNR Passport Grant has $30,000 available but requires a 25% match from the city. Now as I said, these matches would be a significant amount for the city to come up with but we can use the WCPRC grant money to pay those other grant matches so that is another huge burden off the city’s shoulders.  There is also the City of Milan Major Streets Fund that the city will use to reinforce the lakeside area of Wabash St. against further erosion. Contributions will also be a major part of this funding from the area groups here in Milan.  Stantec Engineering is drawing up the official plans for this project. The preliminary plans will go before the council by Dec. 12^th with the final plans laid out on Dec. 19^th for the go ahead. So it’s really looking like this greenway project is going to make it to the construction phase this time.   There will be three parts to the construction. Pt. 1 will run a sidewalk/path along the Saline River and through some wetlands in that area. Part 2 will amount to mending and reconstructing some sidewalks at a junction area before it moves over to Part 3 which will create a promenade area at Wabash St. which as was pointed out earlier, would require some reinforcement from erosion along the Ford Lake side of the road.  This issue did not come up again during the regular council meeting but I am sure we will all hear much more about the Greenway Project in the weeks to come.  The main topic of discussion for this meeting was the vote on resolution 2011-24. This resolution would revise (raise) the official fee for use of the city’s water and sewer facilities.  Before the topic came to the table, local resident, Debbie Suddeth spoke to the council saying that her water bill had gone up forty dollars this last billing cycle and she asked the council to consider the loss of wages to the city residents and how hard the economy has impacted the average citizen before they voted on raising the water/sewer rates even further. She also asked for clarification on the necessity of raising these rates.  The Mayor responded by telling Debbie Suddeth that the discussion was coming up shortly and a clear response would be given at that time.   The original resolution was to be a three year adoption of billing increases running from years Dec 1^st 2011 to Nov. 30^th 2012 (first year) same dates from 2012 to 2013 and finally 2013 to 2014 but Councilman Michael Armitage asked that the resolution be amended to only one year citing that they could not predict water/sewer usage amounts accurately enough to establish a three year increase. He wanted the council to revisit this issue in 2012. The amendment was accepted.  City Administrator Ben Swayze went on to tell the council all the particulars about this resolution. He mentioned how the city has had to dip into its water utility fund this year in order to balance out their water/sewer bills and to continue that president would have negative affects further down the road.  Swayze read down a list of comparisons from surrounding community water rates. This rate comparison placed Milan near the lower half of what the average household pays in water/sewer rates. The majority of local communities pays a higher rate, and in some cases a much higher rate for water/sewer than the residents of Milan.  The rate increase comes as a result of a loss of water/sewer flow thus a loss of revenue. Naturally the primary reason for such significant losses is the closing of the ACH/Inergy plant which accounted for ten percent of the city’s water/sewer yearly usage.  If approved, the rate increases would go as follows (per average household): Beginning Dec. 1, 2011 there will be a 5% increase over the current $167.87 bringing the average quarterly bill to $176.26. In Dec. 1, 2012 (if later approved), there will be a 4.98% increase bringing the quarterly rate average to $185.30. And come Dec. 1, 2013 (again if later approved) there would be an additional 6.29% increase bringing the total to $196.66. To reiterate, this vote is only for this coming year (running Dec. 1, 2011 to Nov. 30, 2012).  Ben Swayze made the point that the waste treatment plant expansion bond payment is what’s driving the high costs to consumers. Once that bond is paid off the rates could conceivably come down significantly. The thing is, there is an additional fifteen years to go on that bond rate so it’ll still be some time before the water/sewer costs come back down.  Michael Armitage reiterated that he wanted to see council revisit this issue come next December to see if the pay rates could be lowered at all at the end of the first year. He pointed out that these rate hike averages are based on a worst case scenario and thus should be reexamined next year opposed to three years later. The Mayor said she agreed.    Martha Churchill commented that she was happy that the work on the Crescent/Argyle water/sewer lines was near completion. “Those lines needed work every season and caused men and women to brave the weather to go out there and fix them and it cost the city a significant amount of money every year,” Churchill said.  Joe Chapin mentioned that the communities that appear to have lower rates do not have many of the issues that Milan is facing. Such as the expansion bond we have to pay on with our water/sewer revenue. And again pointed out that even with the rate hike, Milan water/sewer rates are still going to be lower than most of the surrounding communities.  Dominic Hamden wanted to make sure Debbie Suddeth’s question from earlier got sufficiently answered so Ben Swayze went ahead and clarified his earlier statements on the issue. Hamden did not want people to confuse the issue of trash pickup fees (which have also gone up by 3% this year) with the water/sewer rate hike. – The resolution carried.   Bills paid this month came to just over $440,000. Ben Swayze mentioned that this was a little higher than normal monthly bills due to the completion of the Uptown Village improvements and now the construction company would understandably like to be paid. – Carried  Debbie Suddeth once more came to the podium during citizens matters form the floor. She mentioned she was not pleased that the resolution was approved but appreciated that the council would revisit the issue in a year to see if water/sewer rate could be adjusted downward at that time. She also suggested that in the future more information be made available to the citizenry whether by the news media or online.  During closing statements by the city staff, Chief Lewis pointed out that Saturday evening (Dec. 3^rd) is the Christmas Parade and that there would be no parking on Main St. beginning at 5pm that night. And Tolen St. will be closed from 3pm to 8pm that evening.  Mr. Grostick (Building/Zoning Dept.) said that though they were behind a little on the leaf clean up, that overall the city was looking pretty good and all leaves would get picked up very soon and then it will go to a pick up as needed basis.  Russell Dotson had no comments nor did Joe Chapin, Michael Armitage, or Ben Swayze.  Doug Gilson echoed Chief Lewis about the Christmas Parade. “Everyone come out and have a good time.”  Martha Churchill pointed out that Sunday Dec. 11^th beginning at 1pm was the Hack House Christmas Open House. She urged people to come out and enjoy an afternoon at the famed Hack House.  Dominic Hamden made a formal apology to both Moving Milan Forward and Michael Armitage for not being in attendance at the Veteran’s Wall of Honor Ceremony (on Nov 11^th). Mr. Hamden was deeply involved in a very large jury trial that encompassed most of that week and was unable to get back home that night until around 10pm. “Despite any controversy surrounding that project, the Wall looks absolutely gorgeous,” he said.  Also Milan Senior for Healthy Living is sponsoring Bongo next week at the Senior Center just a few doors down from City Hall. Mr. Hamden urged citizens to contact the Senior Center for details.  Mayor Muckler again brought up the Christmas Parade and the issue of throwing candy. In years past people could toss candy to the children from the parade vehicles but it gets dark at that time so one kid darting out for a piece of candy at an inopportune moment could cause a disaster and possibly nix that whole event from that point on. So this year and likely from now on, any candy tossed or distributed to the children will have to come from the people who walk along the parade route with the floats.   With comments made, the mayor told us all to go home because the council had to have an executive session to discuss labor negotiations. So, that did it until the next meeting.  (For a video on this or previous council meetings, go to milanmich.org)

– Duane Donald Veteran’s Day – 11. 11. 11 saw not just the yearly tributes that Milan pays to its vets, but it saw the official opening of the Veteran’s Wall of Honor at the mouth of Wilson Memorial Park on Wabash St. Much has been said and debated about this wall. There have been pros and cons, voices for and voices, well, only kind of for the project. But Friday night (Nov. 11th), standing in front of that statue, looking at that magnificent tribute to the veterans of this area, all those other arguments and debates seemed petty and pointless. The surge of emotion and the deep feeling of thanks one holds looking at all of those names of the men and women that have paid an ultimate price in both their life and their service to the advancements of our American way of life, that was what this project was about, it was about remembrance and thanks. Mayor Pro-tem, Martha Churchill was asked to stand in for the ill Mayor Muckler.   Churchill was on hand during the ceremony and I think she may have said it best with this quote: “It’s not enough to say we remember our vets, we have to remember their names, we have to remember that they were and are real people. That’s what this wall is really about, that’s what is important.” Martha was highly instrumental in supplying names of soldiers for the wall that served from this area, dating all the way back to the War of 1812 and ahead. “I got many names from a newspaper article dating back to 1896 that specified service people in our area from the War of 1812, the American Civil War, and later the Spanish-American War. But there was no one source for all the names collected, there is no central archive. Many came to me by individuals and even older census records. This is called genealogical research and it is an accumulation of several people coming forward and many hours of research.” The two men most credited for bringing this project about and for seeing it through are, first Tom Dupuis who first brought the idea and initial plans to Moving Milan Forward. Secondly is Councilman Michael Armitage who, working with Tom took the project before Moving Milan Forward in order to use their tax-free status thus allowing potential contributors tax-deductible donations. I spoke to both Tom Dupuis and Michael Armitage after the ceremony. “I thought the whole thing was a complete success,” Tom said. “I’d like to thank Troop #449 of the Milan area Boy Scouts for their service as color guard tonight. Those young men really braved the cold temperatures with no coats, just their uniforms on to offer us a great service. And really I’d like to thank everyone who gave their services for tonight’s presentation.” While I was interviewing Michael Armitage, Sergeant Major Stephen Young of the US Army’s Golden Knights Paratroopers Corp, awarded Michael a coin for excellent service embossed with the symbol of the Golden Knights in honor of his contribution to the veterans of the Milan Area. SMA Young, in his full parade dress, was specifically moved by Milan’s dedication to our area vets. “It is an honor to serve this country,” SMA Young said. “And for Milan to show such devotion to your area veterans is a fitting tribute to your city and your vets.” USMC Lt. Corp. Anthony Watt was also present at the night’s ceremony. “I thought the entire ceremony was absolutely beautiful. Everything from the design of the memorial to the presentation to your city is very impressive. Michael Armitage seemed very moved and honored by the gift of the coin from SMA Young. Michael told me he’d just received another coin from the Vietnam Veterans of Washtenaw County the night before. He seemed almost speechless by the gesture, which for anyone who knows Michael, realizes that is a rare occurrence. “I think that this tribute and the memorial itself is a true testament to the people of Milan,” Michael said. “All the letters and e-mails, and all the words of encouragement I received while we were trying to bring this project about really helped everyone involved. We really needed to hear those words from the people in our area as we were trying to make this project work and in the end, it did work, we pulled it all together and it has turned out magnificently. I just want to say, none of this could have happened without the help and dedication of Moving Milan Forward. Their devotion to this project was exemplary and I am deeply grateful for everything they’ve done. There are just too many individual people to thank them all by name but they know who they are and I want them to know I am extremely honored to have worked with them on this project.” I spoke to one of the people from Moving Milan Forward of whom Michael Armitage spoke. DMN reporter, Rod Hill was on hand to speak to me about this project and Moving Milan Forward’s contribution. “When Tom and Michael brought the idea to MMF, we immediately knew, we could not just use our tax-exempt status and leave it at that. We all knew this was going to be a project that we’d have to take on at a personal level,” Rod told me. “We really grabbed onto this and went full ahead. The program tonight was very much a collaborative effort of everyone from Moving Milan Forward. The itinerary for tonight’s events was put together by all the different groups that came to us and volunteered to be a part of this tribute program. We went through every one and chose those groups that we felt would best serve this program given the time constraints and location.” How did the helicopter flyovers come about?   “Originally we were going to have an F-16 flyover but due to severe budget cuts, the US military had to cancel such training flights (the categorization of such flights),” Rod Hill clarified. “As a result, Michael (Armitage) contacted our State Representative, John Dingell and then Mr. Dingell made a call to the US Coast Guard and arranged for the helicopter flyovers. And I think they were fantastic. We are all very grateful for their involvement.” Rod also asked that I make individual mention of the evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Lucy Ann Lance of WLBY radio (1290AM) for coming to this Veteran’s Day event. In honor of those individuals no longer with us, the United States flag was presented to Councilmembers, Russell Dotson and Joe Chapin. Both of whom have in the past served our country with distinction. Dotson, who served in the US Navy Reserves, was later called up to serve in the first gulf war: Desert Storm. I asked Russell what he felt about the night’s ceremony. “I thought it was just magnificent. It really could not have been better.” How did it come about that you and Joe Chapin received tonight’s flag. It seems like that would normally be something that might get presented to the city mayor. “Well it seemed kind of spontaneous. We were contacted yesterday about receiving the flag,” Dotson said. “Though it was a little unexpected, we were honored to do it.” Next I spoke to Joe Chapin. Joe served in the US Marine Corp. and wore the rank of corporal when he left service, though, as Joe reminded me, “Once a marine, always a marine.” “I was deeply honored to receive the flag on behalf of the city of Milan,” Joe Said. Where does that flag get displayed now? “I believe it will get permanently displayed at City Hall.” Russell told me that you and he were asked to accept the flag for the city yesterday. Is that when they found out that Mayor Muckler would not be coming to the presentation? “Well it was my understanding that Moving Milan Forward had discussed who they would get to represent the city in the absence of Mayor Muckler’s involvement sometime earlier, but yes, they contacted us yesterday.” I heard that the mayor was ill and that was why she couldn’t make it. “Yeah, well, it’s interesting that Mayor Muckler knew she was going to be sick a full day before she was expected at a major event for this city,” Chapin said. “Kym Muckler elected not to come to this presentation. I would have had to be on death’s door not to make this event.” It was good to have Martha Churchill (Mayor Pro-tem) there to represent Milan. “Martha believes in this project,” Joe told me. “She gave a lot of time and effort to this project. Martha believes in Milan.” Joe wanted to remind everyone that, “The Veterans Wall of Honor is an ongoing project. Names can be added on to the wall for years to come as can commemorative bricks. This is a monument that will be with this city from now on. So please continue to make donations to the wall project.” After everyone had gone home and the park was empty, I walked back to the vet memorial and just stood and looked at it. It may just be granite, mortar, and stone, but there is a special kind of energy surrounding this kind of memorial. It has as a part of it all the energies and emotions of all of those who poured their hearts into its construction. It carries the dedication and remembrance of those whose names are carved into its relief. And it carries the ghosts of the past in those names. I stood and felt tears pool in my eyes as I looked at this wonderful and magnificently charged memorial and I felt the power that such a collection of granite, mortar, and stone can carry. I strongly urge all of you to do the same. You may or may not know someone who has served in the US military, but it’s about more than that, it’s about paying that simple homage to all of those that have chosen to serve today and yesterday. And it’s not something that we can do just today and be done with it. On some level, we owe our very freedoms and hopes for tomorrow on those names. DMN thanks all of our veterans for their service and dedication. (For a full list of names on the wall or to make a donation to the project, go online to milanveteranswall.org) DMN believes that others may have some questions and views. DMN will publish letters to the editor expressing Milanite rebuttals and views in space available. Registered users of this website are able to leave comments also and at DMN’s discretion.

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The 2011 Election Results Click here for – Election Night Photos -Duane Donald The answer to the : And the winner is?  All those below and any missed from the ballot. Getting involved in your community makes you a winner. -Dave MacPherson…Publisher of DMN I am sure most of you have seen the results or have heard who is to be mayor and who will now sit on city council, so my giving you the figures and such, will not be any great revelation. However, you may not have heard the candidate’s closing thoughts on this election year or where the winners intend to go from here. Allow me to begin with everyone’s good friend and neighbor, Joe Chapin. Joe has been serving with integrity and devotion on the city council for several years. Though Joe said publicly several times that he supported many of the directions Mayor Muckler was taking the city, he felt a more aggressive leadership posture was called for, due to the difficult times facing our city, so decided to run for the office of mayor this term. Joe’s bid for mayor was unsuccessful and Kym Muckler will remain in office for the next two years. However as we’ve come to expect of Joe Chapin, he was magnanimous and graceful in defeat. I was able to interview Joe shortly after the election results came through. Joe, is there anything you would like to say to the people of Milan? “Yes. I’d like to thank all the people that have supported me, not just during the election but throughout the years. You all mean a great deal to me and I have been very honored to serve all the people of Milan. I feel the city’s best days are still ahead, and in whatever way I am called on, I will always be here to serve this great city that I love and its people. I may be leaving city council, but I am not leaving the people of Milan.” What was the election process like? “Exhausting, both mentally and emotionally, but I believed in where we were going, so it was not so difficult to bear, in service of our city. I was happy to do so.” Any plans now that you’ll have a bit of extra time on your hands? “Yes. I plan to spend a lot more time with my wonderful wife. I will also be applying more time and focus on my various business ventures. However, I want the people of Milan to know, I will still be here watching from the wings. I’ve never been afraid to speak out when I see something that requires attention and that won’t stop now. I’m not going anywhere and if I’m ever called on to serve this city again, the people need only to ask, because it will always be, and has been my honor to serve our wonderful city.” Kym Muckler  “It is my privilege and my pleasure to be able to serve the city of Milan for another 2 year term. It is the most fulfilling job I believe I have ever had. I am very excited to continue in the same vision as I have in the last 4 years.” Martha Churchill has dedicated herself to the service of this city. She has always spoken her mind and her heart and has repeatedly risen to the challenges that face Milan and its people. Martha was re-elected to continue that service, and her deep devotion to Milan has never been needed more. As the council member receiving the highest number of votes, Martha will be the city’s Mayor pro-tem after the next mayoral election. Michael Armitage will be mayor pro tem as of January 2012. So in what direction are we headed now, Martha? “Obviously, our city budget is going to remain our chief concern, but I strongly believe in the furtherance of the Ford Lake project. I don’t want to see that project get forgotten during the tough years ahead. I realize it’s something of a long-term plan but I believe ultimately, the restoration and dredging of Ford Lake will help our city in several ways financially and as a community. “As to projects we have to continue to focus on, our streets and infrastructure are always going to remain a primary concern for the council. I am very happy to see how well the work on the Riverside Subdivision is progressing. That project took a lot of time and effort to organize and now that they are well into that reconstruction, I am very happy. I think next we have to consider the reconstruction of Lee St. That area needs a lot of work and I’d like to make sure we begin moving on that as well, because the city’s infrastructure is really the business of the city council. We can get grants for main throughways and such, but the inner side streets are our sole responsibility, financially speaking. So it takes a lot of planning and focus to make sure these projects get accomplished.” Brett Moyer has served on city council before and has once more been elected to serve again. I asked Brett what was the central challenge facing the new council. “Well, I’d have to say our financial situation. Our main focus will have to be the city budget. There are a lot of challenges facing us in the coming years, in reference to the city budget, and it will take a concerted effort on our part to make it all work.” Anything you’d like to say to the people of Milan? “I am very honored that you have asked me to serve you again. I look forward to meeting the challenges ahead of us. I think working together, we will overcome any hardships in our way.” Candy Frye-Hines had served this city for twenty-six years. She finally retired from the office of Deputy Clerk but was not ready to retire from service to Milan. Candy ran for one of the three seats open on the city council but was unsuccessful. – So where do you go from here, Candy? “Well, I don’t have any immediate plans. I suppose I’ll start looking for a part time job. The financial climate being what it is does not allow me to just relax with my retirement. But I love this city and hope for the best.” Russell Dotson missed his bid for reelection to the city council. Russell served the city of Milan with great honor and focus. We appreciate his deep devotion to our city. I asked Russ what was next. “Well now that I have the time I’d like to get more involved in some of the community projects and groups in Milan. You’ll likely hear from me again in two years, as I run for council at that time. This was a very challenging election because there were so many worthy candidates. I wish those that were elected the very best. I will still be here in Milan and I will still be ready to serve the people of Milan in whatever way I’m called upon to serve.” Michael Williams is the newest member to be elected to city council. Michael had a lot of support going into the election and looks eagerly toward the challenges ahead. Are there any concerns that you think need to be brought before the council now that you’ve been elected? Something that stands out, that maybe we are not looking at yet? “No, nothing that the city hasn’t already considered. There are a lot of immediate things the coming council will have to focus on (i.e.: budget) but there are also many long-term things and probably not part of a four years plan (i.e.: Ford Lake project). We have to create a home-like community wherein the residents of Milan want to spend more time here in the city, opposed to being just a place for them to sleep, but spend the bulk of their time elsewhere. We want the residents of our city to spend a greater amount of their time in the city. So as a city, we have to find ways to develop that kind of community environment.” What do you want the people of Milan to know about Mike Williams the councilman? “I want them to know, I will answer my phone. I will remain focused on the issues facing us by giving 110% of my attention to the job at hand. I believe in transparent government and a true connectivity to our constituents. As a council, we’ll face one situation at a time and make sure each challenge gets handled without glazing over any issues. I look forward to working with the people of Milan. I am deeply honored for this chance to serve and for the faith the people of Milan have placed in me. I will do my very best to live up to their faith in me.” The vote for a continuance of the Milan Library Millage (.25 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) has passed once again for the next seven years. This millage will raise approx. $47,387 over the 2012 fiscal year for library operations. Board Members to the Milan Area Schools elected were Janice Kiger and Eric Peacock. Serving a partial term (ending 12/31/2012) is Diane Hovatter. And continuing as Library Board Directors are Laurence Biederman and Millard Phillips. (For full election results and the official numbers on votes, please visit milanmich.org)

See the Video of the Debate following this article.  The Great Debate

– Duane Donald

Wednesday, Oct. 19^th 2011, the City Council Chamber played host to the only debate to be held this election year of all candidates running for the offices of Mayor and the three posts open on the City Council.

Sponsored by the Milan Area Chamber of Commerce, the evening’s moderator was Chad Nyitray along with timekeeper, Jerry Renning. Mr. Nyitray asked a series of questions to each of the individuals in the race. The order to in which candidates answered was varied but interestingly they were all in turn asked the same questions.

Surprisingly, a great number of the questions all came back to the central issue of business growth in our city and what could be done to stimulate such growth. As such, the answers given by the candidates often seemed a repeat to earlier questions.

The questions were as follows (in paraphrase) with answers (also in paraphrase) denoted by the candidate in the order of response. Please understand paraphrasing is necessary as the newspaper is only so large. (*denotes running for Mayor – **denotes running for City Council)

1. What is your vision for business growth in Milan and how might you pursue such growth?

Brett Moyer (BM**): “We must construct and maintain our roads to more efficiently move traffic in and out of the city. We have looked at Arkona Rd. as one option and Plank Rd. as another to divert traffic in and out of our industrial park. Those are options I believe we are going to have to pursue as we continue to talk about growth in Milan. ”

Mayor Kym Muckler (KM*): “We are currently doing many things to entice businesses to our city. We have developed a marketing plan while I’ve been in office and Monday night, the City Council will be unveiling these wonderfully produced commercials that will further help promote Milan. Milan has remained financially sturdy which is a very attractive aspect for interested businesses to look at.”

Candy Frye-Hines (CH**): “Maintaining an attractive appearance throughout the city while placing appropriate signage to better move traffic throughout Milan will help in our growth. I agree with the current marketing plan but in the past, much of our marketing plans have remained in the basement so I hope this one is actively pursued.”

Martha Churchill (MC**): “Making sure we have an efficient infrastructure throughout Milan so perspective industry can easily access such parcels. Working in cooperation with the surrounding townships to move traffic into Milan is very important. Cultural and arts is also very important so that we make sure people know that Milan is a great place.

Joe Chapin (JC*): Creating effective enterprise zones to attract larger companies while using existing structures to house both small businesses and larger companies. The Ford plant is a prime example of an existing industrial building available for business growth. If elected, I will go out and actively recruit business looking to expand. I have the leadership necessary to get those people here, to bring them to Milan.”

Mike Williams (MW**): “We have to show that businesses looking to come to Milan will be profitable. As citizens, we have to show support for our local businesses which will in turn keep our economy growing.”

Russell Dotson (RD**): “Logistics can be a problem for larger industry so maintaining our infrastructure is vitally important. We are limited with industry because of where our industrial park is located so we should be focusing more on attracting small businesses to our city.”

2. A two part question. Pt. 1 = Have you read the current city budget and if so, from where does the city obtain most of its income? Pt. 2 = With the sale of ACH to Inergy Automotive and their plans to move both works and equipment out of the city, do you feel the greater loss to the city will be losing direct tax money from the company or from the loss of workers that will leave our city to work at the new plant?

(JC*): Pt.1 “Yes I’ve read it – income tax base is the biggest income.” Pt.2 “Well the issues are interlocked. It’s a greater loss to the city to lose the tax revenue but it’s a tragic loss to our citizens to lose their jobs and their income thus a great loss to the city as whole.”

(MC**): Pt.1 “The biggest income in revenue to the city is real-estate property taxes” Pt.2 -“Once Inergy moves their machinery out that is a loss of personal property taxes from the company which is a greater loss to the city’s revenue income but both issues are a great loss to our city.”

(RD**): Pt.1 “Yes, I’ve read the budget – personal property tax.” Pt.2 “For the city, it’s the loss of property tax revenue as most of the employees for that company are already gone.”

(CH**): Pt.1 “No, I haven’t read the budget.” Pt.2: “The loss of income from ACH is a greater loss to the city’s revenue because as Russ just said, most of the employees from that company are already gone.”

(BM**): Pt.1 “Yes, I’ve studied the budget thoroughly and definitely, property tax is the biggest source of revenue.” Pt.2 “Losing ACH will be a greater loss to the city’s income which ultimately will cause a loss of services in Milan and greatly impact our citizens.”

(KM*): Pt.1“Yes and it’s property taxes.” Pt.2 “We will be losing one third of our city’s revenue as a result of ACH leaving so that is going to be the greater loss. Losing all of those employees has already had a tremendous impact on the other businesses in town.”

(MW**): Pt.1 “I have a basic understand of the budget.” Pt.2 “The question of property tax is now interlinked with reforms being passed down from Lansing so we’ll have to see how the State handles that. No matter how we proceed from here on I believe in the citizens having a clearer, informed voice in how we proceed and keeping our government very transparent.”

3. Is the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) still a viable service and if so why?

(CH**): “Yes I believe it is important. The DDA is still very effective in bringing new business to the downtown area as well as helping local downtown businesses and addressing their concerns.”

(RD**): Yes indeed it’s important. The DDA does not have a lot of money to work with but they do a very good job managing our downtown development with what little they have.”

(MW**): “My understanding of how the DDA works is limited but naturally, as we bring more business into the downtown region, the DDA will have more work to do as our downtown potential is realized.”

(KM*): “Yes it is important. There are now grants available to downtown investors because the DDA finished their economic development plan. So yes, the DDA is very viable.”

(BM**): “Yes, the DDA is valuable. They are limited in how much they can do but they are very effective with the limited resources they have to work with.”

(JC*): “A few years ago my answer may have been different but in the last two years, the DDA has really proven themselves to me and to the city. In the last couple of years they have been under new leadership and have proven to be very effective at helping to further develop the downtown area with programs like Discover Milan Day and a host of others. I think it’s important for local business owners to know there is a group in place that can think out of the box and look at inventive new ways to stimulate growth in our downtown.”

(MC**): “You know, the DDA is paid for by the local downtown area businesses. My law firm is downtown and if I have to pay a couple of dollars more a year to have the DDA’s services, I am happy to do so. The DDA show people that Milan is a fun place I think that’s the message that we want to get across.”

4. The E. Main St. development project did not pan out. So do we stop here? And if not, how would you help to encourage new growth within the Milan business arena?

(KM*): “The E. Main project did not work out but we will not stop. We will certainly work with the new owners as closely as we did the former developer. I often meet with perspective investors that come to our town. We will soon have a new little flash drive coming out that will have all of our marketing and developmental information on it for perspective investors to look at and we will be aggressively mailing these out all over the country.”

(BM**): “Well the City Council does not pursue business. It’s the council’s job to set the budget and manage the city. It’s council’s job to maintain our infrastructure and to keep Milan looking as beautiful so that we look good and accessible to outside investors. That said, we certainly would not want to shut any doors on business growth opportunities.”

(JC*): “No matter who sits here, continuing with our current marketing plan is important as we are on the right road already. By creating enterprise zones and creating a business friendly environment, businesses will want to come. Maintain our infrastructure and allow groups like the DDA do their job.”

(MC**): “No, we don’t necessarily pursue businesses but we do send people in that do that for us and have them schmooze business owners into coming to Milan. We want to create an atmosphere that’s conducive to business so that when a company looks at Milan, they know we have everything ready for them to move in.”

(MW**): “We have to pull out any stop necessary to get businesses to come to our city. Even if that means offering tax abatements and such.”

(RD**): “Well it really the DDA and Chamber of Commerce that handles marketing the city to businesses. But the entire city is important not just the downtown area but all of Milan has to be considered important and open for further help and development.”

(CH**): “We have to promote business growth throughout the city. If someone comes to the city with a plan that would be great but not at the city’s expense.”

5. Ben Swayze is performing a dual role as both City Administrator and the Director of Parks and Recreation. He has been very creative in making our park’s system work on a very pinched budget. Do you still feel a strong parks and rec program is important to our city’s growth both economically and residentially?

(MW**): “Having beautiful parks is crucial to our development. The programs held in our parks and the parks themselves create a destination for people outside of Milan to want to come here. This creates an opportunity for us to show perspective business owners and future home owners all that Milan has to offer.

(CH**): “It’s unfortunate that we are seeing a decline in programs that are available in our parks. I would be in support of reopening programs that were once offered in our parks but are no longer available to the people of Milan”

(RD**): “Unfortunately the budget is going to stay pinched for the foreseeable future but our parks and rec plays a vital role in Milan’s development. With help from local organizations I would hope to see more programs in our parks.”

(JC*): “I don’t know if the citizens of Milan are aware of just how lucky we are to have Ben Swayze working for us. He does just a terrific job. Maintaining our parks is incredibly important to this city. Once you make land into a park it becomes part of the infrastructure and thus we have to maintain it. And we do that effectively.

(MC**): “I agree with Joe that Ben Swayze does a great job. Having such beautifully maintained parks makes people want to live here and do business. By working on some projects with the schools (in regards to the parks) we save money and are able to do more for less.”

(BM**): “Our parks are a jewel. Wilson Park is a wonderful centerpiece to the downtown area Ben Swayze has done a magnificent job in the dual role that he fills. By asking our civic organizations to help out we have been able to continue many of the programs that we have in our parks.”

(KM*): “The best decision I ever made was making Ben Swayze the city administrator. Milan has more green space per capita than any city in the state for its size. We cannot afford to fund every program in the parks so if not many people attend a particular program, that program goes away. But we have spun off some programs to private businesses and that has helped both local business and the parks.”

6. How do you see Milan schools and the Milan city government cooperating together in the future to the benefit of our children?

(RD**): “Our school system is very important but I think there’s been a lack of communication between those two entities so making improvements in that area to possibly working on future projects together will go a long way in better serving both the city and the area schools.”

(BM**): “The Milan school system is a jewel to our community. They are highly regarded all around this area. I would like to see us tie events together more closely. We could invite the schools to use our green space. We are separate entities and we have been treating each other in that manner up to this point.”

(CH**): “I’m a product of the cooperative program at Milan Schools and have worked for the city for twenty-five years and am now retired because of that cooperative program. I would like to see more meetings and even more coordination between the two. Our children are our future.”

(MW**): “Our school system is a great asset to the city. We need to show interest in their concerns and create a partnership between the two. We want what they want and vice versa.”

(MC**): “Our schools have a fantastic reputation and that helps us when attracting business and development to the city. We might consider a joint conference between the school board and the city council but with Ben Swayze good friends with the school board members we do have some connection with them. It’s not like they’re on a separate planet.”

(KM*): “We have very good communication with our school board already. I am in communication with the superintendent and different board members all the time. Our schools do a great job in our children’s education and providing important programs such as DARE and others that help to further develop our children’s education and development. I don’t know where this is coming from about us not having good communication with the schools.”

(JC*): I have put my three kids through this school system and they all got full-ride scholarships when they graduated. And like the mayor said, I think we have really good communication between the two. If elected I would probably get together with the superintendent at least once a month. Schools will either make or break a community

7. Do you feel it is important to maintain a good, solid relationship with the surrounding townships and have you ever attended township meetings in York, Milan, Augusta, or London?

(MC**): “I have been to meetings in all four of those townships just out of interest. I have good personal relationships with several people on all those township boards. It is so important to maintain good relationships with the surrounding townships. Saline is working on a process where their council regularly has joint meetings with the boards of their surrounding townships and I think that the direction we should be heading.”

(MW**): “I’ve never been to a surrounding area’s meeting. I do believe that it is important to maintain good communication with them for various reasons. Their interests overlap ours in many areas.”

(KM*): “Relationships with the local townships is not strained in any way. We have several very important and vital agreements with the surrounding townships. The partnership we share with the fire department, 425 land sharing agreements, and several other agreements. Like Martha, I have friends on all of those boards. They have their interests, we have are but communication with the townships is good. We already are all good neighbors.”

(BM**): “I don’t believe our relationships are strained at the moment. I think those relationships have been strained in the past and anytime you start talking about annexation, it’s going to become strained. I think we have to maintain our 425 agreements and keeping good communication lines open will be important for that.”

(RD**): “I’ve attended a couple of those meetings. One important reason we have to maintain good relationships with the local townships is, our new governor has pretty much mandated that all connecting townships and cities maintain a close relationship. So if you stay in good stead with one another, you will be rewarded for that through the state. I think the wounds of the past have been pretty well healed at this stage. Now is the time to branch out and start working more closely with those townships.”

(JC*): “Yes I’ve attended all four township meetings. It is important to work well with our neighbors. If our neighborhood is not doing well, we won’t be doing well. But at the end of the day, I am going to look out for the 5000 people here in Milan first and if a couple of toes get stepped on along the way, it’s never personal; I’m just looking out for my people.”

(CH**): “I believe communication has come a long way in the years since I’ve been with the city. I’ve have good relationships with the clerks of some of those townships and I think it can only get better. We have to continue to work at it to help things get better.”

(KM* – rebuttal): “That 425 between Milan and York township that encompasses McDonald’s and that area does not expire until 2035.”

8. Have you considered reopening the truck route issue through our town, and if so how would resolve it?

(MW**): “As a long term plan, a route has to be considered. Maybe down Gump Lk. Rd. from the freeways to get to the other side of town. A short term solution might be for trucks to go down Plank Rd. to avoid the downtown area. These commercial trucks make it hard for us to maintain our roads.”

(JC*): “Well not building an industrial park on the far side of town away from the highway would help. Oh wait, it’s too late because we’ve already done that. That aside, we are limited by local townships as to how we can reroute the big trucks. But we’re back on a system now so we’re repairing and building roads every year now. The issue can always be reexamined.”

(BM**): “I believe getting Arkona Rd. completely paved is our only real option here. But trucks cannot come down Arkona unless it is paved. We may have to strain relations with our neighbors and begin to talk about annexation because that is our only real option.”

(RD**): “We never really closed the issue of a truck route. It has always been part of our long term plan. It is something that we need to keep in a long term plan but right now financially it’s going to be a tough call.”

(KM*): “The unpaved part of Arkona Rd. is in York Township and York has a no semi-truck ordinance. But I believe we can still negotiate something with the township. I believe Arkona Rd. is the best way to go but we will have to negotiate with York Township to do that.”

(CH**): “This is an issue that will have to be revisited until it is resolved. I agree with Kym Muckler that working with York Township to pave and use Arkona Rd. would be the city’s best bet.”

(MC**): “Well one of the other plans I’ve heard would include building bridge over the Saline River near Gump Lk. and that would just be far too expensive so trying to negotiate with York Township is the best idea.”

9. What do you think is going to be the next big hurdle Milan will have to face?

(BM**): “The loss in our budget revenue is going to continue to be a major problem. We went through this same thing back six years ago when I first sat on the council but we worked around those budget constraints. Now with ACH leaving, that will be another $500,000 out of our budget, a third of our budget as the mayor said earlier. That is our next big hurdle but in the midst of that, I believe we have to look at making repairs to our crumbling infrastructure that do not include incurring further debt.”

(KM*): “The economy is and will remain our biggest hurdle. The cost of everything keeps going up but the revenue that we collect keeps going down. We will continue to find innovative ways to provide services to our residents.”

(CH**): “I do not believe we’ve been through the worst of it yet. With ACH going out of business the income to the city in property tax will go down considerably. We have to hope the economy turns around soon.”

(MC**): “I prefer to look at it as our city’s next challenge rather than a hurdle. And to me, that challenge will be Ford Lk. We have a committee in place to look at ways of dredging it and making it into a real lake again. But I think that is a challenge we can overcome. And we are working on it.”

(JC*): “Things are running smoothly at the moment but our next big hurdle will be to see if Ben (Swayze) can find any more grant money out there so that we can continue to make these infrastructure improvements we’ve been able to make these last couple of years.”

(MW**): Obviously ACH leaving town is our first big hurdle. But the issue we are going to have to deal with is of course Ford Lk. I think using a format call “Vision Café” (online) would be a forum where our community members could get together and talk about options concerning the lake.”

(RD**): “The personal property tax loss from the sale of ACH is going to be a big hit to the city. They have been working in Lansing to do away with that (personal property tax) but we’ll have to see if they come up with something which to replace that. Continuing with our infrastructure projects and maintenance is also going to remain an issue.”

10. How would you feel if you had to ask city employees to take pay cuts while at the same time giving city moneys to a private/public improvement programs? (Example: the $20,000 given to the Veteran’s Wall of Honor)

(JC*): “I’ve had to fire people and lay people off before and its always uncomfortable so if it ever came to that, I wouldn’t like it, it wouldn’t be pleasant. Our city employees have thus far cooperated with the mayor and city council to make sure the city stays afloat. They understand what it takes to keep things moving.”

(MC**): “Could you give me an example?” (There was an interim here while examples were laid out for the panel) “If you have to lay people off or cut employee’s income, then you don’t have extra money for projects you might like to see happen. When we have extra money in our budget to help out private projects that’s okay, but if we’re so tight that we’re cutting employee’s pay, then I would be pretty disgusted (to give money elsewhere).”

(RD**): “We would have to take such issues on a case by case basis. That sort of thing happens but we can look at areas like working with their insurances and such as we’ve done in the past without having to cut basic wages.”

(CH**): “As a retired city employee, I would never be in agreement to taking money away from our hard working city employees to fund a private project. Our employees go above and beyond so I would want to look at other means to fund such projects.”

(BM**): “It’s simple, no we do not cut pay to fund private projects that are not necessary for the city’s infrastructure.”

(KM*): “I think is wrong but we have and are asking union employees to take pay cuts. We’re all talking about the Milan Veteran’s Wall, that’s the veiled implication. I was totally against giving away that money and now we are asking union employees to take pay cuts. I’m surprised at (Joe’s) response that he’d be against (asking for pay cuts) because since giving that $20,000 away, we are in the situation that we’re in.”

(MW**): “Asking city employees to take pay cuts (to fund public works) is not right according to my values. They work hard and are running pretty lean as it is. Like the Three Musketeers, we should be all for one and one for all.”

(JC-rebuttal) “I didn’t know we were going to bring the Veteran’s Wall project. You (spoken to the mayor) were the one that brought the initial donation to the council, so don’t go there. I would never lie to or cheat our employees and tell them we’re broke just because we’re in negotiations.”

(KM-rebuttal): “I can go there if I’d like to Mr. Chapin. And I originally brought up only giving $5000 to pay for landscaping around that project. One of the other council remembers changed it to $7500 and I was pissed about that.”

(RD**-rebuttal): “I would never purposely ask for pay cuts because of a project like that.”

Stage 2) The next four questions are going to be yes or no.

1. As a private citizen, have you ever attend a red ribbon ceremony sponsored by the Chamber opening a new business?

(CH**): “No”

(RD**): “Yes, once – it was the pet shop.”

(MW**): “No”

(KM*): “Yes, I’ve been to everyone – the last was Dick’s Auto Body.”

(BM**): “No”

(JC*): “Yes – the last one was the auto body shop over in the industrial park.”

(MC**): “I go to them all the time – I went to the one at Dick’s a week or two ago.”

2. Do you believe medical marijuana and its caregivers should be permitted in the city?”

(KM*): “No”

(BM**): “No”

(JC*): “I believe in medical marijuana as long as you follow the rules (yes).”

(MC**): “I agree with Joe (yes – later changed to no).”

(RD**): “Yes”

(MW**): “Yes”

(CH**): “Yes”

3. Do you believe snow removal should be all the way to the curb to better facilitate shoppers and the handicapped?

(MW**): “Yes”

(CH**): “Yes”

(RD**): “Yes”

(JC*): “Yes”

(MC**): “Yes”

(BM**): “Yes”

(KM*): “Yes”

4. Do you believe in trying to implement successful programs that work in other cities of equal size into Milan government?

(RD**): “Yes”

(BM**): “Yes”

(CH**): “Yes”

(MW**): “Yes”

(MC**): “Yes – and we already do that.”

(KM*): “Yes”

(JC*): “Yes”

Stage 3) Open to questions from the floor:

1. If we are going to put the $20,000 for the Veteran’s Wall on trial, then I’d like to ask Kym, who do you justify firing a city administrator and paying him a large servants package over what amounted to a personality conflict?

(KM*): “I do not have to justify firing an employee – he was unsatisfactory and that’s all I have to say on the subject.”

2. (To Kym) What can we realistically do to make a vibrant downtown in Milan?

(KM*): “All the city can do is supply a functioning infrastructure, help with grant money, and supply appropriate services. We are already doing everything that we can do. Put businesses in the downtown area have to take their businesses seriously. They can’t run them as a hobby. But I think we are getting the mix of government and personality’s evened out.”

3. (to the entire panel) What are your thoughts on the rash of suicides here in Milan?

(RD**): “We have addressed this issue in several ways. Our police have attended seminars to better understand how to deal with this situation. The school has its own program now. We are trying to cope with this as best as we can.”

(JC*): “The whole issue of suicide is a tragedy. We must come together as a community, work on the programs that are gear toward prevention, and a t some point we have to get back to faith and family.”

(MC**): “The government agency that comes to mind is Community Mental Health. There is one such agency in both of the counties that we are a part of. I have personal contact with people who are suffering mental health issues because I handle social security cases and some of them are depressed because they’re flat broke. We have to make sure Community Mental Health stays funded so people have a place to turn when they are depressed.

(KM*): “I have to commend councilman Michael Armitage because he’s the one that brought forward a resolution against teenage suicide which helped us better work with a program called Washtenaw Alive which in turn came to our schools and police dept. to better train them to spot the signs of deep depression. Washtenaw Alive commented that the city of Milan did everything right.

(CH**): “This is a major concern for me as I have a fourteen-year-old daughter that attends Milan High School. This issue needs to begin at home and with friends. If you think someone is leaning in that direction you need to tell someone. This is a message that needs to continuously be taught.

(BM**): “It is a tragedy and I am sorry to the families and friends of those that have been lost. I know they continue to grieve. Had I been on council when this occurred I would have taken advice from those that know because I am not an expert on the issue.”

(MW**): “This is obviously a tragedy and I sympathize for the families. I believe the current administration deserves a lot of credit in how they handled the situation. They went above and beyond. We should be grateful that the city pursued additional training for the police and first responders.”

4. (To entire panel) How would you go about trying to get some of the larger companies to come to Milan? And why wouldn’t we try to get them to come here?

(MW**): “I think the advertising campaign is the way that I would pursue this issue.

(BM**): “I don’t believe it’s the city’s role to pursue business or to market business. There is a huge cost to doing that. We’re not marketers and we’re limited in what we can do there. The best way is to have a packet ready to offer relators and investors when they come to the city that tells them all about Milan. I don’t believe we have the money to even hire a marketer to attract business to the city at this time. We have to focus on our failing infrastructure without incurring further debt.”

(CH**): “I agree with Brett, if you build it they will come. You have to have something to offer before investors are going to come into the city. If marketing packets remain in the basement then they are not being very effective.”

(KM*): “The flash drive presentation we are putting together is only costing us $4000. Perspective investors don’t want to trudge through stacks of marketing packets. They can simply pop the flash drive into their computer and watch it. It has everything they need to know about Milan. These flash drives and accompanying commercials are not the end all of our marketing plan but they are the most innovative thing we have ever done here in that regard. But yes, we have to maintain a balance with infrastructure.”

(MC**): “I am for advertising to bring in business and we have to use the mode that is now in use. We can’t all jump in the backseat with perspective investors but we have it set up where only one person tries to schmooze them a little bit to see if we can’t get them to come to Milan.

(JC*): (question reiterated) “If I’m elected to be your mayor, I will walk into a company’s office and ask them to move their companies here. It may not be the government’s job but I’d be doing that as your mayor. The people of Milan are what make Milan what it is. It’ will be a beautiful place with or without us; it’ll be just a little better if you hire me.”

(RD**): “As long as I can remember, there has always been information available to perspective buyers about the city of Milan. I think having outside groups help in beautifying our city and working to help bring in perspective buyers is necessary in this current economy.

5. (2 part question) Have you looked at the percentages paid by all the area townships that are using our fire dept.? And do you think the ratio of payments is divvied up fairly?

(JC*): “Yes I’ve looked at the area budgets. And yes, I believe the ratio is fairly split in the way it operates. But the way the board votes, no I don’t think it’s fairly split for our citizens.”

6. (To Kym) If you were supplied with an electronic device by the city should it be used strictly for official business or private business as well?

(KM*): “That’s a gotcha question, Mr. Gilson. The issue is about a cell phone that the city supplies. When I accepted it I sent out a blanket email indicating that I would be using the phone for both personal and official use. So yeah, it’s a cell phone.”

Stage 4) Open forum (90 second time limit)

(MC**): “I think it’s my responsibility to conduct business in a business like way. This isn’t a tea party up here, it is like sitting on a company board; you want to make sure your business prospers. The best way to do that is get the facts about an issue and listen to other people’s point of view. The responsibility of this council is to supply good services to everyone in Milan.

(MW**): “I’d like to reiterate what I said about the World Café forum and how we need to draw our citizens into the decision making process. If we invest money into Ford Lk. (example) it is in a way that the citizens what to see that money invested. I’d want to be sure that the citizens would want to use (Ford Lk.) for recreation if that is why we are going to invest money into rejuvenating it.”

(KM*): “It has been my honor to serve as your mayor for the past four years. I believe I run a very efficient council meeting. I’m very proud of the way we get things done. I do many speaking events and I believe I am a very good representative for Milan. I would be honored to serve another term for you and thank you for allowing me to be your mayor so far.”

(BM**): “I thank the Chamber for hosting this event. I love the city of Milan and the warmth of her people. I chose to live here. It’s unbelievable how well the citizens have stepped up and helped us supply programs that the city could no longer afford to fund. If you look at voting records, Milan stands above everyone else. That civic mindedness seems to permeate all that we do. I want to sit on the council to make sure we stick to our budget while trying to improve our city while we do that. We need to set aside two mils off the top to take care of infrastructure, right now.

(RD**): “I’m not the best public speaker but I’m learning. I began public service when I went into the coffee shop and ran into Mr. Gilson and when he asked me to help, something just clicked. One of my assets is, I have a very good understanding of the issues and I think that’s important.”

(JC*): “I’d like to thank the Chamber also and you Chad (for moderating). I’d like to thank our mayor. She has done a good job, I’d never criticize that. That said, if you want to take the next step in leadership, then you are going to have to hire someone with the leadership skills necessary and that would be me. I’ve done the best job that I can while sitting on council. I hope that’s enough to kick it to the next level.”

(CH**): “I have been employed by the city of Milan since I was seventeen-years-old until I retired in 2007. I have a lot of knowledge of past and present administrations. I’ve worked with six mayors and all the accompanying councilmembers we have on the wall and I have learned from each of them. I bring a lot to the table. I know how the process works, when to speak and when not to speak. And I want to continue moving forward with the city.”

Chad: “Thank everyone who participated tonight. I think we owe Norma Smith (of the Chamber of Commerce) a round of applause for organizing this evening’s event. It is never easy working for a city so best of luck to all of you and thank you for your service.”

(Full video of this event below)

Click on Photos below to see an article of each candidate.

                                                                                    The following video is shown  because of interesting content. Please push play and be patient while it downloads. Duane Donald’s article on the Forum will follow below. [vimeo w=500 h=400]http://www.vimeo.com/30935196[/vimeo] City Candidate forum…    

 

MAFD Executive Board is in need of someone to be appointed ‘Member at Large’ to fill remaining 2 year term due to resignation. Resumes will be accepted thru October 20, 2011. Addressed to:  Milan Area Fire Department 45 Wabash St Milan, MI 48160 Attn: MAFD Executive Board or email: MilanFiredept@comcast.net,  with Milan Executive Board in subject line.

   

[youtube w=300 h=180]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_86Jy0YsdE[/youtube]

The morning started with a beautiful sunrise at Toledo Beach Marina just  south of Monroe. Over 22 carloads were present as the sun came up over the Lake Erie. This was  a group of automobile enthusiasts trying to do something good to honor veterans by helping the children of veterans. We then headed for the VFW in Dundee where a buffet breakfast was provided with proceeds going to the cause. We are presently in Sturgis for lunch. All of our stops have different ways to raise monies for the cause and a 50/50 raffle was held at the American Legion here. Lynne Downs of Milan had the winning ticket. Jen Allen of Saline had this to say: “It has been a heck of a lot of fun so far. The money raised goes to a great cause – VFW National Home for Children of Eaton Rapids Michigan(since 1925).  I have been making new friends from  Sturgis and the area. Happy to be a part of the cause. 7 more cars were added to the run in Sturgis. We will be leaving shortly for Sturgis.  

This page is about videos. Videos of Milan and Videos about Michigan. If you have created a video and posted it to  youtube or other video service, we want to see it. If approved…it will be added to this page…thank you! Action!     [youtube w=300 h=200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHeH99PzMs[/youtube] [youtube w=300 h=200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuVo8-ssTmg[/youtube] [youtube w=300 h=200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKoLFfFhIzw[/youtube] [youtube w=300 h=200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBul8hCdHfE[/youtube] [youtube w=300 h=200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss-P3BtJdws[/youtube] [youtube w=300 h=200]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeeTDexccIM[/youtube]

The following video is shown  because of interesting content and is used as a lead in to Dr. Sweets column. There will be changes to the video and may or may not have anything to do with the column. [youtube w=500 h=400]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ovvDshoKIk[/youtube] Who Let The Dogs Out… _______________________________________________ September Song – 9/27/2011 There is a smell of transition in the air of September. It is the smell of cider and donuts and the sound of baseball, football and other fall sports clamoring for time and attention.  Temperatures spiral down from summer swelter to the forty and fifties we anticipate for the end of September. It is time to finish summer projects and start attending to fall and winter needs. This includes evaluating your critter needs. Have you kept up with health needs? Is there room in your budget to tweak that “optional” health procedure?  Preventative medicine is the best economical way to save money. As the old adage says an “ounce of prevention prevents a pound of cure”. I have personal experience in my own close family. I am sure you can relate with your own family. I had a cousin report a “sore throat” to his doctor eighteen months ago. He was given antibiotics anti-inflammatory agents and was told it will be better soon. We have all heard this type scenario and most times it is so. In this case the problem persisted. Johnny went back to see his doctor when he was coughing up a bit of blood. They used an endoscope and found a mass in the pharyngeal (back) area of the mouth. The mass was removed and John felt much better. They did all of the appropriate chemo and radiation deemed necessary.  One doctor at a follow up exam said we need to check for metastatic lesions. They found one spot on his lungs. This prompted another round of chemo and radiation. Last June of 2010 Bonnie and Johnny were told he was clear of cancer.   In October of 2010 a follow up exam and imaging showed more lesions in his lungs. Round two of chemo was also started at University of Michigan Hospital.  It was a double dose regimen. You wonder if it was designed to beat up the cancer or to just to restrict the growth of cancerous cells. They did tell John it was not a curable cancer. He physically heard the words and he was living in the now. His religious beliefs were buoyed by his optimistic personality.  No matter what he was sure that things would turn out for the best. John and his wife Bonnie met this life altering event straight up and with tremendous Faith. They heard about an experimental protocol at the University of Maryland. This became John’s focus, belief and purpose.  He got his condition improved enough to travel.  , One of his brothers Gerry and wife Virla drove Bonnie and John out to Maryland.  Once there he heard that at present did not meet the protocol requirements for inclusion in the experimental treatment.  He certainly was disappointed and decided to come home and work harder to get better. Even this devastating news could not bring John to complain.  It is hard to imagine one surpassing  John’s caliber, optimism and character. I am sure there is someone similar to him. Perhaps it is someone you know. John was started on prednisolone and what I perceive as comfort care in June of this year. Those in the medical fields know of the biting two edge sword of prednisolone or prednisone. It gives an early optimistic improving picture. Unfortunately it is a short term positive clinical effect.  It does provide a feeling of lets rest and get stronger to fight this cancer.  The down side is that what ever cancer is lurking is also summoning its powers to overcome this temporary repression of expanding growth. The bottom line is you are trading good short term seemingly good benefits for an extremely rough reentry in the cancer battle.  This is what happened for my cousin John Cleasby.   My cousin Pam Carpenter decided to host a Sweet Family reunion this year. The date of August 20 was set at my niece Vicki Peterson’s funeral in March.  One hundred people of the clan showed up for the reunion. We had a great time, after the humongous intense Lake Michigan fueled summer thunder, lightning and horizontal rain monsoon passed through.  Too much food, excessive grandchildren bragging, piñata breaking and a kickball game by everybody’s grandchildren and tractor rides for all that wanted them. John came out to the reunion and though tired and a bit off colored he was able to walk and talk us to the van as we left. Later we found out that Gerry and John had his picture taken by one of his daughters. That is a photo Gerry treasures. We had the reunion on a Saturday. The next evening, August 21,   JC was admitted to the hospital. His remaining time was comfort care and being released home for hospice care.  He spiraled down and went home September 7. What do you really say to the immediate family when they know the end is here? I never am able to come up with a good enough statement. You just go with your Faith and express the words God puts in your mouth. Share the love and good memories is what works for me. Reunions cause you to think of your family peers and ancestors in a nice retrospective way. It is a nice way for young people to connect to important people of your past. Hugs across generations are what the family clan is all about. This is how we attach the bonds of pride and love to the future. We need to enjoy those encounters that build good memories. This helps when things pile up in your life.  One hopes the good pile is much bigger than the bad pile.  The quality of these encounters is the mortar cementing our personal history. Hug your loved ones tonight.  Pets are acceptable to get a hug first if that is your preference. John go with God. For more information about a specific case, consult your veterinarian. The outside of a pet is good for the inside of a human. Mike Sweet, DVM     www.milanvetclinic.com      734-439-1112     140 W Main St     Milan, MI 48160 _______________________________________________ Tooth resorption – 8/26/11 It is near the end of August. That is when we start loosing daylight faster every day. The days still have twenty-four hours but the time of peak activity with natural ultraviolet gets smaller every day. This will continue until the Winter Solstice.  It is during the winter months that the precursor to vitamin D levels in animals will drop and there will not be adequate production.  Think about the importance of it. The calcium in dairy products needs supplementation and is a somewhat synergistic with vitamin D. To build strong bones you need the right building blocks. Animals have a need for vitamin D they have to have things in proper balance just as we humans do. Animals will suffer with rickets without a properly balanced diet. Calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D need to be balanced to get the right rate of growth. Push a yearling horse to fast with a high calorie diet and an improper diet and you produce a growth line defect in the long bones. It also makes the bones grow faster than the tendons causing an increased forward pressure on the leg bones and tips the upper fetlock joint forward. In felines excessive Vitamin D supplementation is also thought to be associated with Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORL) or sometimes referred to as Feline Resorptive Lesions. This is now called Tooth Resorption (TR). These tooth defects have been called cavities, neck lesions, external or internal root resorption, feline odontoclastic resorption lesions (FORLs), and cervical line erosions. Why do the names of these change so much? As understanding of the disorder increases The Veterinary dental specialists change a disorder to a more descriptive name or acronym. This does not mean they have found the cause but it shows a progression of knowledge. The cause has been a long list of dead ends. The cause of tooth resorption is still unknown, but theories supporting an autoimmune response, calicivirus, and metabolic imbalances relating to calcium regulation have been listed.  Commonly the resorption starts at the gum line and progresses, eroding sensitive dentin.  Some affected cats show pain and jaw spasms whenever the lesion is touched. Others cats will show increased salivation, oral bleeding, or difficulty eating.  There are some that have a massive personality change. Most times it is up to the veterinarian or an astute owner to diagnose and detect tooth resorption. I have had owners send us photos of how much better life and activity are. Think about it, how happy you are if you have a massive toothache. I have had some and they are unbearably painful. What the heck are these teeth problems anyway? Tooth resorptions are mostly found on the outside of the tooth where the gum meets the dental surface. The lower jaw premolars are mostly affected, however tooth resorption can be found on any tooth. They are sort of like mushrooms when you find the first one start looking and x-raying for more of them. They are invasive, penetrating and progressive and extremely painful.  They start on the enamel side of a tooth and progressively eat the way through enamel, dentin, and pulp chamber to the nerves causing excruciating pain. Then it starts attacking the rest of the tooth structure weakening and under mining the crown. It breaks off and the final stage is when the gum eventually covers the destruction and the pain goes away. The five recognized stages of tooth resorption are. Stage 1 only an enamel defect is seen, lesion is minimally sensitive. No entry into dentin. Stage 2, the lesion penetrates enamel and dentin. Stage 3 resorption has progressed into the pulp chamber and nerve has occurred. Stage 4, large amounts of the tooth’s hard structure has been destroyed. Stage 5 by this time most of the tooth has been resorbed. There is only a bump covered by gum tissue. In the cats affected with stage 5 tooth resorption without inflammation, no treatment is necessary. This rating system was developed by Dr Jan Bellows and the Diplomate members of the American Veterinary Dental College. Tooth resorption may cause a nasty mouth odor and all are extremely painful. Under general anesthesia a cat will do some jaw chatter or movement. Talk about pain, it is unbelievable. More than half of cats older than three years old will have at least one tooth affected by resorption.  The lower jaw premolars are mostly affected, however tooth resorption can be found on any tooth.  Amazingly tooth resorption affects dogs less frequently. The current thinking behind the disease process has recently thought to be the result of some diet materials and the acidic reaction (low pH) on the enamel of a tooth.  Hypervitaminosis D or vitamin overdose or vitamin poisoning occurs when there is an excess of a vitamin in the total diet.  Some diets have added vitamin D added. So the jury is still out on the exact cause of tooth resorption. Intraoral x-rays are essential to evaluate the teeth to determine the best course of therapy. Depending on what is seen in those intraoral x-rays, treatment for tooth resorption involves either extraction of the entire tooth and roots, or a partial tooth extraction. I hope this article gives you something to sink your teeth into. Chewing the fat would be an optional subject. For more information about a specific case, consult your veterinarian. The outside of a pet is good for the inside of a human. Mike Sweet, DVM     www.milanvetclinic.com      734-439-1112     140 W Main St     Milan, MI 48160 _______________________________________________ What is 4-H and County Fair about? 8/5/11 What is it about 4-H that transcends generations? There are traditional values of fair play, honoring our country through military service or service to others. It is remarkable to me being a 4-Her from back in the sixties. It was wonderful to watch our children show market hogs during their youth. We live in town as you know. It was comical when people would ask where we kept the hogs.  Without batting an eye I would tell them “They are kept in the kids room, the pigs are used to the smell”.   They were really kept out in the country at a friend’s farm. John and Trudy Broadhurst were gracious enough to let our children keep their project hogs in a barn they had. This project teaches them about planning and selecting the pigs, purchasing the pigs, paying for feed; medications needed (anthelmentics for deworming) record keeping. Seems like camouflaged adult training to me.  Come to think of it the kids actually thought the hogs were the project. It was always focused on the kids.  Monroe County Fair 4-H is still set up and run the same way. It matters not what the project is. It is the effect brought out in the 4-Her that matters. Any project area teaches planning, how to problem solve, anticipate what to try for next year. Learning about a project intensifies and expands your knowledge base. To go through learning skills that become habits of a life time.  When people interact through participation of being judged, serving as a volunteer, judge or as a participant in project great things happen. There is chemistry and bonding that results in experiences far exceeding your first expectations. Sweating through a large class of hogs or the public speaking interview skills is exhilarating. Dealing with the project and sometimes difficult outcomes teaches you do not always win a trophy or a blue ribbon. An example would be when a project animal dies while at the fair. In the area of personal growth it is a great avenue to mentor the next generation into making a mature choice. Are all of the projects designed to do this? Not at first glance.  The result of a project has a great influence on people going through the project. I have a personal interest in animal projects as I know that any person that interacts in a positive manner with animals is better for the encounter. People learn responsibilities from caring for animals.  These interactions change a person in a good way.  One thing I have noted is the very low percentage of 4-Hers that get into serious trouble with the law. There a couple slow learners but most people that have gone through the 4-H and Fair system were given the “cure” by their leaders, parents and their peers as they go through the process. Learning to handle winning is as important as learning what not winning is about. Learn to look for the next opportunity to excel. Figure out how to improve your presentation, project or improve your skill level to get better. That is the real magic of 4-H and competition is about. Learning to realize that the sun will come up tomorrow and to make use of your talents to solve problems and get along with people. Did I mention that good manners are never out of style? I now have the opportunity to watch our granddaughters Paige and Katie exhibit projects at the Monroe County Fair. Katie is an explorer and receives a green participation ribbon for her projects. That is a subject for another time. Paige is in her third year of competing for ribbons and trophies. Both girls do their own projects and some they share. As they have different likes and skills they do different areas. One thing that is remarkable about the competition is there is tremendous camaraderie in participants, parents and volunteers. There is a learning curve that accelerates the closer it gets to show your rabbit for showmanship and small animal dress up class. Paige was trying to carry her white show coat on one arm and her rabbit in the other arm. Next year she is going to use a pet carrier. Yup you guessed it the rabbit jumped out of her arms. The white coat went in the mud puddle and was dirty. Paige was able to catch her rabbit. She was beside herself about the needs to be white show coat.  In the crowd watching was a lady with Clorox wipes. Soon there was a group of parents and grandparents committee wiping Paige’s coat off. It cleaned up pretty well. I think the orange citrus smell had a calming effect on both Paige and ICEY the rabbit.  They received an Honors ribbon. It was not the ribbon but the efforts of those involved in helping a first year rabbit exhibitor that I find special. Traveling to the fair after clinic hours Thursday night I got phone call to see Ray Kuehnlein   in the Hog Barn. He would be on the end next to the Farm Bureau restaurant. It seems there was a hog not feeling well. It was late when I got to him at that time Dr Brian DeLand was there also. They had moved the hog to the wash rack. We hosed the barrow down with cold water and giving him a drink helped with getting rid of being over heated.  The stools were gray and dry indicating he was not drinking enough water.  These impacts as a recent dehydration issue. This pig had been eating pine wood chips being passed out for bedding.  We watched as the pig started vomiting up large volumes of wood chips. It also brought up a couple of round worms. All of the wood chips and the pine pitch and shaggy ends caused the pig to be nauseous. His respiratory rate was still elevated and he looked like he was having the thumps. Thumps have an elevated respiratory rate and a forced abdominal push.  Last I knew he improved It is the dream of winning the Grand Champion and willingness to learn and work the project that keeps 4-H and the Monroe County Fair going. The people, 4-Hers, volunteers and leaders are what make itMichigan’s Finest. For more information about a specific case, consult your veterinarian. The outside of a pet is good for the inside of a human. Mike Sweet, DVM     www.milanvetclinic.com      734-439-1112     140 W Main St     Milan, MI 48160