Erin
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On the article Rochester Business Aims to Organize Your World
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On the article Downed Pole Leaves 420 Without Power in Oakland Township, Rochester Hills
Erin
1:23 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
Cheryl - a little wake up for a Friday morning, energy development is not without risk:
Oil spill found in Red Run River, Macomb County Michigan
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/03/us-oilspill-michigan-idUSBRE9420GQ20130503 -
On the article Downed Pole Leaves 420 Without Power in Oakland Township, Rochester Hills
Erin
12:51 pm on Thursday, May 2, 2013
Cheryl - there is a sense of "resignation" only in those who perceive no risk, and don't realize there are serious issues, and that there's time left. Only upside possibilities were offered in brief discussions at CC meeting. But calculate small potential gains vs. real risk of mortgage, real estate sales and title insurance complications and that $50 a month royalty doesn't sound so good.
Also, according to Michigan law - those small lot homeowners who signed non-producing leases become legal "owners and partners" in the operation, thus, technically liable for losses. Other states that are a couple of years ahead of MI in this type + location of drilling - offer protections for the small guy and absolutely exempt them from liability (such as Ohio). NOT so in Michigan . Councilman Yalamanchi asked if homeowners could or would be liable for damages/losses. Jordan rep Brower responded: "Probably not." So, RE: Liability or liens on your estate - Do you think any lender or attorney wants to hear you're "probably not" liable? Probably not.
And, no one has even touched on liability implications for the City, and thus ALL its taxpayers. These leases are incredibly complicated on so many levels, and it's been incredibly rushed, exposing (IMHO) the city and officials are seriously out of their depth on this issue. But, this doesn't necessarily mean we are out of remedies. Keep plugging away Cheryl.
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On the article Downed Pole Leaves 420 Without Power in Oakland Township, Rochester Hills
Erin
12:01 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013
John - thanks for the heads up - really saved me major time yesterday!
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On the Blog Post Rochester Adams High School...Going Where Our City Government Will Not
Erin
9:01 am on Tuesday, April 30, 2013
ReplyJosh - a thought RE: passage Human Rights Ordinance in the City of Rochester Hills
I recommend you approach Rochester Hills business owners to gain support for passage of ordinance. One business owner = 100 residents showing at a CC Meeting. It shouldn't be too difficult - business owners have an interest in making it clear they are non-discriminatory to their customers and employees, and large companies - including franchises are pretty careful about being non-discriminatory.
And, NO business wants press saying they declined a non-discrimination policy petition. It's quickly becoming a no-brainer - the tide has turned in the country on this issue - it's quite clear, and politicians and businesses alike are beginning to move quickly as to not be on the wrong side of history.
Just my thoughts. Good luck Josh -
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On the Blog Post Rochester Adams High School...Going Where Our City Government Will Not
Erin
8:52 am on Tuesday, April 30, 2013
ReplyJosh - good for you in raising a voice for you and others. As Dick Cheney said "Freedom means freedom for everyone." (Cheney's daughter is openly gay)
Also, it's wise to consider the economic effect:" MDCR Report Finds Negative Economic Impact to Allowing Discrimination Against LGBT in Michigan" http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr/0,4613,7-138--293875--,00.html
And this:"Few protections for LGBT in housing discrimination" http://www.michiganradio.org/post/few-protections-lgbt-housing-discrimination
It's difficult to say Michigan is fully "pro-business" when we are discouraging a portion of the population from settling here and establishing businesses due to its discriminatory atmosphere.
And, it's not only discouraging for LGBT, but if you are of any status and own a business here and are trying to attract the best and brightest as hires in your company - it becomes more challenging if some of those candidates will not consider moving to Michigan for fear of discrimination in housing, benefits status and numerous other legal protections that other states now offer.
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On the Blog Post Background Checks – A Starting Point for Sensible Gun Laws
Erin
9:44 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Lee - You are of course free to argue your opinion and feelings, but let's just to be clear on the facts - there are several polls showing overwhelming support specifically for universal background checks.
They were conducted NATIONWIDE - adults and/or registered voter - again, Nationwide. Poll sampling size was from 1000-1700 - again, Nationwide, not just blue or red states. Many polls include breakdown of Rep, Dem, Indep, Male, Female.
Support FOR universal background checks ranged from 82-92%. Multiple polling over the last 3 months include Conservative outlets such as Fox News and Wall Street Journal.
Here is a good link listings the data (just data, not analysis or spin) from PollingReports.com: http://www.pollingreport.com/guns.htm -
On the article Rochester Hills Council Approves $725,150 Salt Storage Improvement
Erin
8:54 am on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Doug - ah yes, the old "lowest bid" method - Classic - great for press clips and making public feel their city/state/fed is fiscally responsible. Not saying at all that's what happened here, but that is a little technique some govt's use to give a wink and a leg up to contractor friends.
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On the article Rochester Hills Council Approves $725,150 Salt Storage Improvement
Erin
6:56 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2013
John - thanks. Yes, apparently Mr. Staran did a fine job in explaining how the funding would work - I understand the "loan" idea and makes sense. I also now understand this project was on the back burner for some time. I mean, we got 40 years out of the old one - pretty good, and DPS guys need it. Just as a rule, I generally don't like raiding the W/S fund as a piggy bank.
Curious to see W/S fund balance. And folks have to remember, their water bill is not straight DWSD charges - it is at the discretion of the Rochester Hills Water/Sewer Committee to ultimately determine your bill - whether to pass on any savings (or not) or tack on a premium towards rebuilding the fund. What we can do is collectively observe the city's Water Ordinance.
Like Doug, I don't necessarily think there's anything untoward about bids in the city. But I do appreciate transparency. During the water tank debacle, CC Prez Hooper was friendly with the contractors who got a huge contract. He refused to recuse from votes on it. Just silly - they didn't even need his vote, and why not just remove any whiff of conflict?
Residents, still smarting from controversial votes where the CC was controlling of information, kept those items near the 11pm hour of Agenda, public spent a yr of sustained protest just to get a public meeting, you'll see some knee jerk reactions to proposals - even good ones at first till we get more info. Wouldn't it be easier to have more public notices like Rochester CC?
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On the article Rochester Hills Council Approves $725,150 Salt Storage Improvement
Erin
1:36 pm on Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Reply"DPS said the DEQ was critical of how salt was stored " - Critical, but was RH in violation of code, issued official warnings, responding to given deadlines? Here is the latest code from DEQ: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-whm-hwp-secdryshrt_248281_7.pdf
Just trying to understand budget priorities and timing. I also understand you cannot always align, but here, we are using our own money not grants or other awarded funds that dictate timing to municipality.
Erin
9:33 am on Tuesday, May 7, 2013
These ladies are the best! With all the activities moms do just to get their kids through the week, it's easy to get overwhelmed by even thinking about tackling purging and organizing. They've helped me get through some of my toughest areas. I also liked the fact that I could book individual sessions without having to commit to a contract or multiple appointments - book as little or as much as you need.
I kind of think a gift card from this business would be an awesome Mother's Day gift. Who wouldn't want the gift of a clean pantry, or the time it saves to be organized!