This November 6th is an important election for our nation, our state, our county and our Bloomfield Township community. There are ballot proposals that could change our state constitution. Be an informed voter.
What do you need to know about deadlines, ID and Citizenship?
In order to take part in the Nov. 6, 2012 election, you must be registered to vote where you live. That deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012. See more important dates. Paperwork must be filled out and returned to the clerk's office where you live. At this point in time, I would recommend a visit rather than mailing the documents. Have you moved to a new home? Did you recently celebrate your 18th birthday? Are you a new U.S. citizen? This is your opportunity to VOTE.....please register by Oct. 9, 2012.
When you register to vote, you will receive a card in the mail that tells you which precinct number and the polling address where you will cast your vote. View the link to see a map of township precincts. Many people bring their voter precinct card with them on voting day. That is fine, but it is not necessary and is NOT considered appropriate ID to receive a ballot.
The ID must be picture identification and be current, not expired:
Michigan driver's license
Michigan personal ID card
Perhaps the above cards from another state if it is CURRENT
U.S. passport
Military ID with photo
Federal or state government issued photo ID
Student ID with photo from H.S. or accredited institution of higher education
Tribal ID with photo
Fair warning: the election inspector will spend time verifying the information on the picture ID document to make sure it has not expired and will take a moment to verify that the picture does match with the person presenting the ID. The election inspector will do this even if they know you very well.
If you spend part of the year in another state, which state is your "home" voting state? You may not vote in two states. If you will not be in your legal "home" state on Nov. 6 to physically go to the polls, make sure you apply for an absentee ballot from that state in time to fill out THEIR BALLOT and return it BEFORE the deadline.
Fair warning: is your birthday in October? Did you need to renew your driver's license this year?
OK, you stood in line at the polling location and then discover you left your ID at home or you simply don't have photo ID. No problem. Don't stress. The election inspector will give the voter a form called: "Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Picture Identification" to sign. Your signature will attest to the fact that you are NOT in possession of picture ID. You will be issued a ballot.
Fair warning: this affidavit states: "Penalty: Making a false statement in this affidavit is perjury, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 or imprisonment for up to 5 years, or both."
Fair warning: if you have your picture ID with you, but refuse to show it, you may NOT sign the affidavit. You will not be issued a ballot to vote. You will be referred to the local clerk to try to resolve the issue.
The last issue in this blog is citizenship. You must be a U.S. citizen to vote. There currently is confusing information at many governmental levels about a circle to fill in on the "application to vote" that asks: "Are you a United States Citizen?" This question may or may not appear on the November 2012 ballot. Quite frankly, I'm proud to be a U.S. citizen and will voluntarily circle in that answer if asked.
Fair warning: the citizenship question may or may not be on the "application to vote" form for this Nov. election. However, you still must sign the application. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are not entitled to vote. Be careful of what you sign. See below.
Fair warning: please remember these words on that "application to vote": " I certify that I am a registered and qualified elector in the above precinct and hereby make application to vote at this election." If it found that you are not a citizen and you did vote in this election, there will be consequences. Possibly deportation.
Many fine people in the community own homes, pay taxes, send their children to the schools, have driver licenses, and have jobs, etc. However, the question is: Are you a U.S. citizen? The answer must be yes in order to vote.
The Bloomfield Township website has great information concerning elections including a SAMPLE ballot to review. Choose YOUR voting precinct (ie: school districts may be different, etc.) from the list to get the correct sample ballot to study and review before going to the polls to vote the actual ballot. The actual ballot will be on both sides of the paper.
Remember to VOTE on November 6 or earlier by absentee ballot.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Bl. Township Hiring Election Inspectors for Nov. 6
Hi All,
The Bloomfield Township Clerk's office is hoping to hire more
election inspectors for the Nov. 6 election. The pay is between
$125-$160. They are really looking for people that have computer
skills. You do not need to live in the township. If you are interested,
please go to the clerk's website for the form needed to apply.
The training days will be later in October...and the township usually offers day and evening training. Just remember, if you are hired as an election inspector your November 6th day will begin promptly at 6 AM and will not end until the polls close at 8 PM and all the chores to close the polling place have been completed...say 9 PM or later. There is time for lunch and dinner on your own.
I personally have worked some elections and really enjoyed the day. There are different jobs needed from greeting the voters, checking the application to vote forms, checking ID, using the computer to verify name and issue the ballot, a person to remind the voters to follow the directions on the ballot (ie: vote for one or vote for two, etc.), removing the ballot stub before entering the ballot in the machine that counts the votes, and collecting the application form before the voter leaves the building.
To make the day more interesting as a paid election inspector, you may be asked to rotate around and do all or some of the jobs. You will only be asked to do jobs that you are capable of doing well. If you don't use computers and/or understand the computer process being used, you will not do that job.
Please remember, you will be working to ensure a fair election. Election inspectors role is to give registered voters a ballot and make sure their vote is counted. Everyone, workers and voters, that comes into the voting precinct building may NOT be wearing anything or outwardly carrying any literature about any candidate or ballot proposal. All campaigning stays outside and away from the doors.
The Township has (or will have) a SAMPLE of the Nov. 6 ballot on the website. Read it, review it, study it. Remember, not everyone in the township lives in the same school district or has the same county commissioner, etc. Therefore, your ballot may look different from someone else living in the township. If you live in another community, you should visit their website for your information. Do you know your township precinct number where you vote? If yes, using the below link, click on THAT precinct and view the sample ballot issued there.
At the clerk's website link, you can read more. One is the absentee ballot, sample ballots,polling locations and voter ID information.
On Nov. 6, the election lines may get very long as the ballot is a full two sides of one page. I've heard it may take up to ten minutes for each person to fill out their ballot once they receive it.
Please remember to vote on Nov. 6 or by absentee ballot. The absentee ballots may arrive in the mail ...sometime during the last week of September. However, you had to REQUEST an absentee ballot and fill out a form first. If you didn't do that, it's not too late. See the website for the proper forms or visit the Township Clerk's office.
The training days will be later in October...and the township usually offers day and evening training. Just remember, if you are hired as an election inspector your November 6th day will begin promptly at 6 AM and will not end until the polls close at 8 PM and all the chores to close the polling place have been completed...say 9 PM or later. There is time for lunch and dinner on your own.
I personally have worked some elections and really enjoyed the day. There are different jobs needed from greeting the voters, checking the application to vote forms, checking ID, using the computer to verify name and issue the ballot, a person to remind the voters to follow the directions on the ballot (ie: vote for one or vote for two, etc.), removing the ballot stub before entering the ballot in the machine that counts the votes, and collecting the application form before the voter leaves the building.
To make the day more interesting as a paid election inspector, you may be asked to rotate around and do all or some of the jobs. You will only be asked to do jobs that you are capable of doing well. If you don't use computers and/or understand the computer process being used, you will not do that job.
Please remember, you will be working to ensure a fair election. Election inspectors role is to give registered voters a ballot and make sure their vote is counted. Everyone, workers and voters, that comes into the voting precinct building may NOT be wearing anything or outwardly carrying any literature about any candidate or ballot proposal. All campaigning stays outside and away from the doors.
The Township has (or will have) a SAMPLE of the Nov. 6 ballot on the website. Read it, review it, study it. Remember, not everyone in the township lives in the same school district or has the same county commissioner, etc. Therefore, your ballot may look different from someone else living in the township. If you live in another community, you should visit their website for your information. Do you know your township precinct number where you vote? If yes, using the below link, click on THAT precinct and view the sample ballot issued there.
At the clerk's website link, you can read more. One is the absentee ballot, sample ballots,polling locations and voter ID information.
On Nov. 6, the election lines may get very long as the ballot is a full two sides of one page. I've heard it may take up to ten minutes for each person to fill out their ballot once they receive it.
Please remember to vote on Nov. 6 or by absentee ballot. The absentee ballots may arrive in the mail ...sometime during the last week of September. However, you had to REQUEST an absentee ballot and fill out a form first. If you didn't do that, it's not too late. See the website for the proper forms or visit the Township Clerk's office.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
"Boogyman" and the Design Review Board changes meeting date
Hi All,
Design Review Board meeting changed to THURSDAY, JULY 26 @ 9 AM.
Is this to take the place of the cancelled Aug. 1 scheduled meeting? When the change in meeting date is moved forward of the cancelled date...who expects that? The change should come after the cancelled date. Egad.
Well, I suppose the notice of the CHANGE in the day and time for the Design Review Board was posted on the bulletin board at the Township Hall lobby to make this "legal", but how many of you check that bulletin board daily? I didn't look. There is a township website. It could be posted there on the "home" page informing the public of a change in meeting date. Why the change of day and time for this meeting? I just happened to find this meeting notice on the website this morning.
However, let's take a closer look at the DRB agenda....the Maple Theater and the Township Fire Station adjacent to the theater.
Some history:
Both are adjacent to the vacant bank building that the shopping center owner at Maple and Telegraph wants to change the zoning from O-1 to B-2.....with NO "mentioned" tenant in mind. The O-1 property that has been PROTECTED since 1962 from commercial development. The zoning change is not only the bank building, but the entire parcel of property that is over one acre in size that would be rezoned.
That zoning change issue has been forwarded by the Planning Commission to the Board of Trustees for a vote. It will be a public hearing at a future Board of Trustees meeting. Where is the legal notice of the day and time for that hearing? There should be 15 day noticing. It should be on the township website under "legal notices". Who knows? You are just the taxpayer.
The Planning Commission mentioned that since no one bothered to come to their public hearing on Monday, July 16, it must mean that all the residents are OK with the issue to change the property to a commercial use. Of course, someone was there to speak to the issue. I was in the audience and I spoke for maintaining the zoning of O-1 to protect the adjacent residential property , but Mr. Mintz indirectly referred to me (and anyone else with similar opinions) as the "boogyman" ...scaring people.... because I correctly stated that the property could then have a fast food restaurant and/or be redeveloped with other uses such as a mini strip mall. There are many uses including another restaurant with a liquor license open until later in the evening in a B-2 zoning. The Maple Theater could acquire the vacant bank building. The adjacent Maple Theater has an "entertainment" permit as well as the liquor license permit. Perhaps the owners want to expand their business plan. The property is over an acre and could accommodate many B-2 uses.
It was obvious to me that the planning department of the township is working toward facilitating the change in zoning by the responses given to the Planning Board questions. You won't read that in the minutes or see a video of the meeting...township refuses, so far, to tape and archive video recordings of the Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Design Review Board meetings. If you were there, you might come to that conclusion like I did.
The residents at Woodward and Square Lake have a Tim Horton restaurant adjacent to them. The property was B-2....and P-1. The Tim Horton restaurant was put in the area of what was the parking lot area of the former B-2 use. That single piece of property now has 2 businesses...Tim Horton AND the Rusty Bucket restaurant. The P-1 parking adjacent in this location could also change. Must be the "boogyman" talking again.
What issues do the recently permitted Maple Theater with a liquor license and the adjacent Township Fire Station need? Something that only the three elected leaders that make up the Design Review Board on a special day and time will most likely hear? At a public meeting that is not video archived for the record? At a public meeting where there will most likely be a final decision made?
For the Maple Theater it may be just the "revision" of the facade as to the type of brick, or the number of windows.....something that won't make a lot of difference to the neighborhood. Then again, perhaps the facade change is the configuration of the "outdoor" seating area. Don't know the answer.
The Township Fire Station issue is about a fence. Privacy fence. Will this decision be made at this meeting or will the issue go before the Zoning Board of Appeals....like most fence issues? Are they requesting a fence higher than 4 ft.? Are they getting their fence in place in anticipation of protecting them from the possible noise of a future B-2 commercial use? Don't know the answer. Must be the "boogyman" talking again.
If the Township public meetings all had "board packets" with the details of the issue to be discussed posted on the website along with the agenda, a lot of guessing could be eliminated.
Note: The August 1 meeting of the Design Review Board is cancelled.
Design Review Board Agenda
CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF BLOOMFIELD
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
Bloomfield Township Auditorium
I. Attendance
II. Approval of Minutes:
A. Approval of the Design Review Board Minutes of July 18, 2012
III. New Items:
A. Façade Changes:
1. 4135 W. Maple Rd. – Maple Theater – Façade Revision
B. Site Improvements:
1. 4151 W. Maple Rd. – Fire Station No. 3 – Privacy Fencing
IV. General Business:
A. Recent Design Review Board Approvals
B. Next Meeting Date – Wednesday, August 15, 2012
(The August 1, 2012 Meeting has been cancelled)
C. Public Comment
V. Adjournment
Design Review Board meeting changed to THURSDAY, JULY 26 @ 9 AM.
Is this to take the place of the cancelled Aug. 1 scheduled meeting? When the change in meeting date is moved forward of the cancelled date...who expects that? The change should come after the cancelled date. Egad.
Well, I suppose the notice of the CHANGE in the day and time for the Design Review Board was posted on the bulletin board at the Township Hall lobby to make this "legal", but how many of you check that bulletin board daily? I didn't look. There is a township website. It could be posted there on the "home" page informing the public of a change in meeting date. Why the change of day and time for this meeting? I just happened to find this meeting notice on the website this morning.
However, let's take a closer look at the DRB agenda....the Maple Theater and the Township Fire Station adjacent to the theater.
Some history:
Both are adjacent to the vacant bank building that the shopping center owner at Maple and Telegraph wants to change the zoning from O-1 to B-2.....with NO "mentioned" tenant in mind. The O-1 property that has been PROTECTED since 1962 from commercial development. The zoning change is not only the bank building, but the entire parcel of property that is over one acre in size that would be rezoned.
That zoning change issue has been forwarded by the Planning Commission to the Board of Trustees for a vote. It will be a public hearing at a future Board of Trustees meeting. Where is the legal notice of the day and time for that hearing? There should be 15 day noticing. It should be on the township website under "legal notices". Who knows? You are just the taxpayer.
The Planning Commission mentioned that since no one bothered to come to their public hearing on Monday, July 16, it must mean that all the residents are OK with the issue to change the property to a commercial use. Of course, someone was there to speak to the issue. I was in the audience and I spoke for maintaining the zoning of O-1 to protect the adjacent residential property , but Mr. Mintz indirectly referred to me (and anyone else with similar opinions) as the "boogyman" ...scaring people.... because I correctly stated that the property could then have a fast food restaurant and/or be redeveloped with other uses such as a mini strip mall. There are many uses including another restaurant with a liquor license open until later in the evening in a B-2 zoning. The Maple Theater could acquire the vacant bank building. The adjacent Maple Theater has an "entertainment" permit as well as the liquor license permit. Perhaps the owners want to expand their business plan. The property is over an acre and could accommodate many B-2 uses.
It was obvious to me that the planning department of the township is working toward facilitating the change in zoning by the responses given to the Planning Board questions. You won't read that in the minutes or see a video of the meeting...township refuses, so far, to tape and archive video recordings of the Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Design Review Board meetings. If you were there, you might come to that conclusion like I did.
The residents at Woodward and Square Lake have a Tim Horton restaurant adjacent to them. The property was B-2....and P-1. The Tim Horton restaurant was put in the area of what was the parking lot area of the former B-2 use. That single piece of property now has 2 businesses...Tim Horton AND the Rusty Bucket restaurant. The P-1 parking adjacent in this location could also change. Must be the "boogyman" talking again.
What issues do the recently permitted Maple Theater with a liquor license and the adjacent Township Fire Station need? Something that only the three elected leaders that make up the Design Review Board on a special day and time will most likely hear? At a public meeting that is not video archived for the record? At a public meeting where there will most likely be a final decision made?
For the Maple Theater it may be just the "revision" of the facade as to the type of brick, or the number of windows.....something that won't make a lot of difference to the neighborhood. Then again, perhaps the facade change is the configuration of the "outdoor" seating area. Don't know the answer.
The Township Fire Station issue is about a fence. Privacy fence. Will this decision be made at this meeting or will the issue go before the Zoning Board of Appeals....like most fence issues? Are they requesting a fence higher than 4 ft.? Are they getting their fence in place in anticipation of protecting them from the possible noise of a future B-2 commercial use? Don't know the answer. Must be the "boogyman" talking again.
If the Township public meetings all had "board packets" with the details of the issue to be discussed posted on the website along with the agenda, a lot of guessing could be eliminated.
Note: The August 1 meeting of the Design Review Board is cancelled.
Design Review Board Agenda
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
Bloomfield Township Auditorium
I. Attendance
II. Approval of Minutes:
A. Approval of the Design Review Board Minutes of July 18, 2012
III. New Items:
A. Façade Changes:
1. 4135 W. Maple Rd. – Maple Theater – Façade Revision
B. Site Improvements:
1. 4151 W. Maple Rd. – Fire Station No. 3 – Privacy Fencing
IV. General Business:
A. Recent Design Review Board Approvals
B. Next Meeting Date – Wednesday, August 15, 2012
(The August 1, 2012 Meeting has been cancelled)
C. Public Comment
V. Adjournment
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Monday, July 23 Board of Trustees meeting @ 7 PM
Hi All,
Here is the AGENDA for Monday, July 23. Please read my comments about agenda items #6 & 7 concerning DONATIONS to non-profit organizations with taxpayer money.
MY COMMENTS:
At the last Board of Trustees meeting on July 9, there were TWO non-profit organizations seeking funds from the township. I argued that taxpayer dollars should not be used for this purpose. The first organization, BBCC, was asking for $10,000. I pointed out that this organization used to ask for more money. See these minutes from 2008:
After discussions and motions by the current board of trustees, a $5000 donation was made to BBCC for their fiscal year that ends in Oct. 2012. Leo Savoie, Corrinne Khederian, and Police Chief Kirt Bowden are on the board of directors for this organization (BBCC). Neither Mr. Savoie nor Ms. Khederian excused themselves from the vote to donate taxpayer money (Police Chief not a Trustee of the township and cannot vote). I believe this is a conflict of interest and I did point that out in my three minutes of allotted time during public comment.
Dan Devine mentioned that he did some investigating about what the township could or could not do as to donations to nonprofits with taxpayer money. From the minutes of July 16, 2012 meeting:
That opinion and suggested "guidelines" by Dan Devine was then taken to the second issue last month concerning the non-profit organization BBFA that was seeking a $2000 donation. It was hinted that this organization did NOT meet the guidelines for donations. I argued against any donation. There was no one from the organization, thus the TABLED motion to be heard this Monday evening. Please note: there are NO township leaders on this non-profit organization. However, it does operate out of a Bloomfield Hills school district location.
WHAT will the township decide this Monday, July 26? Donate or not?
FYI: The township also has donated to Preservation Bloomfield, another non-profit. Interesting fact: Township leadership is on that Board of Directors organization. Seems that IF the township sits on their boards...money is available to them. This organization also owes the township money from a "loan". Here is one "loan" from the minutes of 2008.
When will the township get "reimbursed"? More money has been given to this organization. More to follow.
FYI: The township seems to be the go to municipality for money for organizations. This needs to stop.
FYI: The police department is presenting their annual report for 2011. The fire department presented their annual report at the last meeting. Both reports should be on the township website found under "annual reports".
Here is the AGENDA for Monday, July 23. Please read my comments about agenda items #6 & 7 concerning DONATIONS to non-profit organizations with taxpayer money.
MY COMMENTS:
At the last Board of Trustees meeting on July 9, there were TWO non-profit organizations seeking funds from the township. I argued that taxpayer dollars should not be used for this purpose. The first organization, BBCC, was asking for $10,000. I pointed out that this organization used to ask for more money. See these minutes from 2008:
After discussions and motions by the current board of trustees, a $5000 donation was made to BBCC for their fiscal year that ends in Oct. 2012. Leo Savoie, Corrinne Khederian, and Police Chief Kirt Bowden are on the board of directors for this organization (BBCC). Neither Mr. Savoie nor Ms. Khederian excused themselves from the vote to donate taxpayer money (Police Chief not a Trustee of the township and cannot vote). I believe this is a conflict of interest and I did point that out in my three minutes of allotted time during public comment.
Dan Devine mentioned that he did some investigating about what the township could or could not do as to donations to nonprofits with taxpayer money. From the minutes of July 16, 2012 meeting:
That opinion and suggested "guidelines" by Dan Devine was then taken to the second issue last month concerning the non-profit organization BBFA that was seeking a $2000 donation. It was hinted that this organization did NOT meet the guidelines for donations. I argued against any donation. There was no one from the organization, thus the TABLED motion to be heard this Monday evening. Please note: there are NO township leaders on this non-profit organization. However, it does operate out of a Bloomfield Hills school district location.
WHAT will the township decide this Monday, July 26? Donate or not?
FYI: The township also has donated to Preservation Bloomfield, another non-profit. Interesting fact: Township leadership is on that Board of Directors organization. Seems that IF the township sits on their boards...money is available to them. This organization also owes the township money from a "loan". Here is one "loan" from the minutes of 2008.
When will the township get "reimbursed"? More money has been given to this organization. More to follow.
FYI: The township seems to be the go to municipality for money for organizations. This needs to stop.
FYI: The police department is presenting their annual report for 2011. The fire department presented their annual report at the last meeting. Both reports should be on the township website found under "annual reports".
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