Cell Phone Tower, USPS boxes at City Hall, Yet to be decided by City Commission.

July 26, 2011 The special meeting of the City Commission was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Zambricki,


 Commission Present:  Mayor Pro Tem Sarah H. McClure
 Commissioner Patricia Hardy
 Commissioner Michael McCready
 Commission Absent: Commissioner Connie Salloum
 Staff Present: City Manager Jay Cravens City
Clerk Amy Burton
 Finance Director/Treasurer Lisa Dolan
 Detective Lieutenant Terry McDonnell

 No residents with  the exception of this writer attended this meeting but two items were mentioned that will probably be on the agenda of future meetings, possibly next Tuesday's September 13th meeting. Official minutes are in blue. This writer's or other observations are in black.

American Tower Proposal 

 Ms. Patricia Coates, with Oakland County CLEMIS program spoke to the commission on the history of the communication signal in the city and the benefit the proposed tower would provide to the Public Safety Department.

 Detective Terry McDonnell, with the DPS, presented information on the need for improved communication capabilities for the Public Safety Department.

 Mr. Wally Haley, representative of American Tower, expressed the difficulty in working with DTE to locate on their existing towers. Mr. Haley noted the proposed tower is 140 ft. which is approximately 20 feet taller than the existing DTE lines on Kensington.

 Commissioner McCready suggested the applicant investigate opportunities to install a tower on the neighboring country club properties.

 Mayor Zambricki suggested the applicant return to a subsequent meeting with more information, especially pictures of the proposed tower and the view from surrounding properties.

The complete proposal is available on our July 26th post that can be found by on the left hand side of the page  just below this post. Just click on the arrow pointing sidways to July. The Arrow will then turn downward and all the posts for that month will appear.

We said then and we say now....

We think City of Bloomfield Hills residents should know 

what is being considered for their neighborhood.

At the July 26th  meeting a full presentation was not given because City Manager Jay Craven said told the  American Tower and County people the commission would be very busy with other matters like roads which wound up taking an hour and twenty minutes (See August 8th post). The department of public safety did give a slide show presentation which indicated the whole city was a dead zone. The lady from the county  studies had shown that City of Bloomfield Hills was the Bermuda Triangle of cell phone calls (analogy is the writer's) and the epicenter (writer's word) is right  at Long Lake and Woodward. The American Tower Man talked about existing towers at DPW public safety area and how the Tower proposed by the City would need to be 140 feet making it the tallest structure in town. Commissioner Sarah McClure, said  140 feet was as high has a 14 story building and said she couldn't get over it. That was the correct response for someone who was elected on her adherence to  the Master Plan's desire to maintain the city's natural features. Read on and you see that Commisioner McClure got over it rather quickly. Former Mayor McCready( also a Master Plan Fan ) had no such qualms, and did most of the talking about how the tower could be disguised or hidden on a golf course.  The most intelligent question on the topic came from Commissioner Hardy who asked the Public Safety speaker, if they had a problem why wait till now to bring it. The answer was that public safety heard that American Tower would be making a presentation so they decided to join in on it. Which prompts the age old ,"what came first question." Was it the problem or American Tower? Mayor Zambricki ended the topic with a request for more information to be provided  and discussed at a later date.

Two days later on July 28th  Mr. Cravens, speaking like an expert told Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield  Magazine that the problem was that we are in bowl and that the Tower "would alleviate the problem."
How so and how much wasn't asked or offered. Then a number of unidentified  "they" references enter the conversation. At first it is easy to follow, They  means City Commission as in Mr. Craven's assertion that they are open minded about the proposal from American Tower. Then the they changes to mean  American Tower as in "they are showing us three different locations. Then  it seems as though Mr. Cravens was talking  to someone  else in another conversation. Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield quotes the City Manager as saying," Last  I heard they were talking to Bloomfield Hills Country Club, but I don't know where they are with them. We haven't heard a thing  from them in a few weeks." Odd isn't it ?  After the  final they  comes  two thems which begs the question who dem ?  Since Mr. Cravens and City Commission met with Cell tower people  two days prior at the city commission  meeting it isn't either of them. It has to be the Bloomfield Hills Country Club. Perhaps there is a possibility we have overlooked. Maybe someone  stuck their head in the door to ask about a wedding and the reporter thought Mr. Cravens, when answering the visitor,was still talking about the cell phone tower. Maybe the interview was conducted over the phone and Mr. Cravens pushed the call waiting buttons in the wrong sequence terminating the incoming call while unknowingly continuing to talk to the reporter. Then again maybe we just don't want to to think the unthinkable .

Can it possibly be that someone or someones was tacky enough to approach the Bloomfield Hills Country Club about finding a spot for  a 14 story steel pole made to look like a pine tree. Mr. Cravens as a non resident is excused as are  our visitors They don't realize that in the City of Bloomfield Hills some things just aren't done and some things are sacrosanct. The Bloomfield Hills Country Club perhaps justifiably incensed was under no obligation to stay in touch. It's hardly on what one would call public safety land. The Country Club hasn't been bought by a chain has it ?

In the same article Commissioner Sarah McClure, in regards to the cell tower  said "we are still at the information gathering stage." She said she wants to work with the County to facilitate better communications. Well how about working with the residents and communicating  with  us in on the  options you will be considering. Residents who do not read this blog or Downtown  Birmingham Bloomfield have no idea what is going on. If  Mr Cravens was indeed talkling about the matter at hand, locations for the tower were being considered weeks before  the July 26th City Commision meeting which because of an unusual 5:30 pm  start was virtually unattended. See photo top of page. The on line article in Downtown Birmingham Bloomfield said the matter would be a topic of discussion at the August 9th City Commision  meeting. That was not the case. That meeting is currently available on video on the city's website. The actual written meetings minutes are withheld until the commssion approves them at the following meeting. That means that residents who missed the meeting are or who can't access the video via high speed internet, or don't have the time to watch it, don't know what happened at the last meeting until after the next meeting. We suggest the City, like the Baldwin Library publish "unapproved" minutes as soon  as possible after a meeting so residents at least have some idea what transpired. The when the minutes are officially approved they can replaced the "unapproved" ones.

 USPS Drop Boxes  at 300 Long Lake Taubman Center

Mail Boxes at 300 Long Lake Taubman Center. Driving  towards Kensington last turn right before the under pass. Driving toward Woodward first left after you go through the under pass. Either way boxes are on first left when you enter parking lot. Both flap and snorkel/car drop box shown. Only  pick up 3pm Monday through Friday. Easy to remember 300 Long Lake 3pm pick up. Always plenty of parking. Never a crowd,

USPS Mail Boxes Boxes at City Hall ?

 City Manager Cravens explained the United States Post Office approached the City to inquire if City Hall could be a possible location for a USPS mail drop box, due to the recent closure of the Long Lake Road location. Mr. Cravens provided two different styles of possible drop boxes. Commissioner McCready stated he is opposed to a mailbox at City Hall because the parking lot was not designed to handle the additional traffic flow. The commission agreed if any box was to be placed at City Hall, it should be the smaller, more traditional mail box.

Commissioner Hardy wants to try  a drop bx at City Hall. Mr Cravens joined Commissioner McCready  to opposing for esentially the same reasons.Mr . Cravens said South Boulevard  and Opdyke was not that far.Far enough to cost the city a $1,000 per year  not counting gasoline or car wear and tear.

The last clerical hire advertised for,  offered $16 an hour DOQ. Let's say mail drop is left to someone with limited qualifications who earns $8 an hour, Say trip to South Boulevard takes fifteen minutes each way. That's $4  a day times five times fifty or $1000. Commissioner McClure said she read somewhere that USPS might open post offices in retail stores. Maybe Mr. Jonna might be interested. Last but not least Mr. Cravens did very good job of researching all the boxes and presenting all the on site city hall possibilities.

Support the Home Team and Save with Lahser Card !

Home Team

With the exception of Cranbrook, there are no high schools in the City of Bloomfield Hills. Lahser High School on Lahser Road lies on the Township side of the street. but  along with Cranbrook has the loyalty of City residents. Lahser's colors Black and Gold, are the same as the City's official colors. Rule of thumb if the street signs are Black and Gold  you are in Lahser Land . If the street signs are green  you must be in the Township. Andover High School Lahser's arch rival lies west of Telegraph and is thus frimly in Bloomfield  Township.  

Lahser Card

 The always popular Lahser card is not sold in stores or by pushy parents in the work place. It is sold by the Lahser football players  wearing jerseys  who go  door to door. If you see them coming don't grab a five dollar bill. It's not 1964 anymore. A ten won't do it  either. The Lahser card costs $20.00 but the purchase can and often does pay for itself. How about an "on going use" 20%  off coupon, good until July 30th 2012 at the Moose Preserve ? How about $10 dollars off your next purchase of $50 At Dick's Sporting Goods valid through December 31st 2012 ? How about  10% of a Dog or Cat Spa Works with Full Service Groom or Bath at Petco   Valid through 12/12/31 ? How about 15% off an online order at Sports Authority valid Through 12/12/31? How about Pizza, TCBY, Leo's Coney Island, Fuddruckers,   Quizno's, City Deli, or Square Lake Deli discounts ? You can do your Christmas Shopping for two Christmas' or get discounted eats for 15 monthes or more with a Lahser Card. But wait there is more! Like  ongoing     20 %  Discount on Martinizing Dry Cleanings or Woodward Camera photo processing purchases. As with all coupons some conditions and exclusions apply but by knowing  the rules and carrying  the card,  topping $20 in savings for very good cause  shouldn't be difficult. With 15 months  expiration  dates time on most offers it won't be time  consuming either..If I recall correctly in another time and place (1964 sounds about right) the high school marching band sold fruit cakes.Seven to ten  bucks, I think. My parents and I hated fruit cake but we would have bought one to support the band  except for the fact that there was no delivery. You had to line up at he high school on a cold night in December to claim your cake. My parents said thanks but no thanks. The Lahser card is so totally with today's life style it deserves a prize. If the football players didn't come to you or came when you weren't home, call Lahser High School  at  (248) 341-5700 and say "I want my Lahser Card. How do I get one ?" We promise they won't say you have to line up at high school.

The Lahser Knights are as of this writing are undefeated and 2-0. This week they travel to Seaholm. Word on the street says the Knights secondary will be tested. If you want  to go but are hesitant because you haven't been custom fitted with the proper wearing apparel, the CVS Pharmacy on the southeast side of Square Lake and Woodward  offers an  outstanding collection of Lahser fan  paraphernalia,. There are  Lahser Knight tee shirts, baseball caps,  pullover rain ponchos with hoods, and miniature teddy bears wearing mini tee shirts that say "Lahser." If you don't mind (only in a pinch of course) off the rack this is an easy in and out solution at very reasonable prices. In fact if you know someone in a similar need in another part  of town their local CVS may offer the same thing for Birmingham or Grosse Pointe or that Andover. Good Luck and Go Knights !

72 Years Ago Today.

Radio Warsaw Reporting....

This second film is a partial re-enactment for the sake of dramatization. I chose it because it lists all  the battles the Poles pitched against the Germans and then the Russians. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Russian  German non aggression pact of August 23 1939 was the green light for Hitler to invade Poland virtually risk free. The Russian Army invading from the East, and  entering  the fray late, was  the knife in the back of Polish Resistance. Hitler with the most powerful army in the world could not fight a two front war and neither could Poland. The film is three minutes long.

The last video is truly remarkable.It shows a devastated Warsaw in the  early days of the German occupation (1939-1940). A street scene ,or a famous landmark  is shown from 1939-40. Then film stock switches from black and white to color as the same street or landmark is viewed today. If you know Warsaw keep your hand by the pause button. My knowledge of Warsaw comes from  a seven day visit 40 years  ago but I recognized many scenes. Including a detailed trip down the

Nowy Swiat (New World). It was and  still is Warsaw's most famous boulevard. In fact I got a jaywalking ticket there. If you visit Poland do not make mistake of missing Warsaw. Even if your Polish friends tell you otherwise! Warsaw, as a city, whether you regard it as good, bad, or indifferent, is the soul of Poland.

My Father had a vivid memory of September 1 1939. He just started college in Eugene Oregon, and he was at party. He and a girl left the party to sit in probably the 1937 Pontiac my grandmother, a single mother bought him for his 16th Birthday.Florence, as my mother called her,  was a very good waitress and a frugal woman who saved with certain exceptions, everything.  In search of music, My father turned on the radio, and ran into the news about the Second World War starting.  Dear God, he thought to himself, I hope this war won't effect me. No such luck. It did.

A Wedding in The City of Bloomfield Hills.

 Usually you have to drag me kicking and screaming to a wedding. If I cry at weddings  it's because of all the other things I'd rather being doing. For me to visit a wedding website in most unusual and I'm still trying to figure out what prompted me. Sure I was looking for something else but why would  I interrupt that noble pursuit for wedding pictures of people I didn't know. Maybe because it said "Jenny and Denny's Bloomfield Hills Wedding". Maybe because I see Dean and Dawn and "Ding Dong" pops in my infantile brain. I clicked and the pictures were very good. Jenny and Denny were married on July 26th in the Chapel of St. Hugo's of Hills. With apologies to Dean and Dawn that rang a bell. My wife and I were married in the very same Chapel on July 16th 1989. I think we were the middle Two Pm wedding for that Saturday. I think that because the shoe repair place closes for lunch and I had some shoes that needed repair. I was going to drop them off on my way to church but my wife be said absolutely not.  She reminded me  (but I  hadn't forgotten) that we were getting married in one hour and fifteen minutes. Yeah it was around 12:45.The shoe repair guy would be back from lunch  and sometimes if it's not crowded they'll do the shoes while you wait. I'd make two o'clock with time to spare.The look  in wife's eye told me I was going nowhere except to the altar. After that, as she suggested I focused on the task at hand. Boy did I focus. I really don't recall much our surroundings that day. My back was to the audience I never looked. The only thing that I do remember vividly is walking out of church and the band striking up  Vivaldi's  Spring from the Four Seasons. I thought that was very well choreographed and I told my wife. She then told me it was a not a band but a string quartet and we had been discussing the music portion of the program for weeks on end. I don't remember that either. I do tend to tune somethings out.

The pictures taken in the church at Jenny and Denny's wedding blew me away. The photographer a Merek Dziekonski who can be reached at www.Marek.Com is a master. If I were a Match Maker I'd introduce him to the  photographer Lady who does the Paris Blog. They say a good photographer never lets you know what lens he is using and that wide angles (which do distort and can make people look fat) don't belong at at a wedding. Those rules are written for us amateurs. Merek is not just a good photographer, he is a professional photographer with a lot of talent. In many of the church pictures there is curvature which actually enhances the picture. Look at picture in the choir loft. Look at the roof of the kitchen where all the ladies are getting ready. My guess is that Merek is not popping off with 17 mm f 2.8 rectilinear wide angle (I do that). If he is tilting the camera up  (which I do usually with disasterous  results) he is in total control. He certainally isn't using a fish eye. Maybe he is using a medium format film or digital camera which has a  whole  different sort lens rules. What ever it is it works and it's beautiful. To see Merek's work and Jenny and Denny's Wedding  just click on the link five words back.
 I haven't shown the pictures to my wife yet. We are both miffed that we didn't have a video of our wedding take. In 1989 we asked oursleves if that would be something we would want to watch in twenty years. We didn't think so. We were wrong and we will know better for our 25th vow renew or whatever you do at 25. You know they changed the all gifts. Like it used to be paper, or linen or silver. Now the gifts are more relevant to the  modern era.  I can't recall if  25 years of marriage gets you  a 3D TV  or the successor to Play Station 3. Maybe I should pay more attention. It seems I see alot things everday that I never really see.