The Easter Bunny With Rabies

Well it felt like I had rabies for awhile. The few days proceeding Easter holidays, the City sent a number of code enforcement letters to city property owners and tenants. The letters pertained to junk and debris in yards, and junk left curbs. In some instances, a resident left a few furniture items at the curb, with a free sign. Perhaps thinking that someone would want a snow and rain soaked couch or desk.

Our refuse company does not pick up furniture items normally, except during the spring and fall clean up. It is possible to call and request a special pickup, and the refuse company will charge the resident for the pick up. They have a rate schedule for larger items. Residents are welcome to contact the city office, to obtain information regarding special pick ups.

The City Manager wears a dual hat, in serving as the code enforcement officer for the City. It is that role that warning letters, as well as citations are issued for code enforcement problems. Unfortunately, we see a pattern of certain properties having code violations. Though not used often, the city does issue civil citations for violations, with an escalating fine, beginning at $50.00, and increasing to $500.00. The goal in issuing warning letters or citations is compliance with the code. It is pretty basic, comply with the code, be it junk, debris, grass not maintained, side walk not shoveled on a timely basis, and no further letters or citation would be issued.

The process we are now following is to include a photo or photos with notices of code violation. The letters will go to the property owner, which in the case of rental property provides notice to the owner that a problem exists. If we know the name of the tenant, then a letter is sent to them as well. The inclusion of a photo with the notice seems to be quite effective. If you are wondering how code violations are identified, it varies. Citizens will call or visit City Hall to complain; City staff will notice a problem; the Police department will identify a problem, which could include vehicles improperly parked or tags out of date, or dog(s) barking or running loose. This is in addition to regular drive a rounds on my part. No matter how we learn of a potential code violation, it is always followed up on by the Manager. No letter is sent out, without first being personally observed by the Code Enforcement officer.

Just like the Easter bunny, being a rabid rabbit is not a fun role to play anytime of the year. Yet it is a task that needs to be done on a consistent regular basis.

                                          Mayor Exchange

The City will be participating in the Michigan week program again this year. The annual Mayor Exchange program has matched the City with the Village of Paw Paw. Hudson will host Paw Paw village President, Roman Plaszczak and Village officials on Wednesday, May 14th and we will journey to Paw Paw on May 21st.

Last year the city participated in an exchange with the Village of Bellevue, after not having an exchange in a several years. We had an excellent response to the program last year, and it was quite educational for each communities leaders.  

                                          City Newsletter

In January, 2008 the City introduced a new utility bill and a City newsletter. In the past, utility bills were sent out on a post card on a quarterly basis.  The City Council, asked that a newsletter be developed that would be informative to city residents, with limited additional expense, thus the new billing sheet and the newsletter arrive in a number 10 envelope. The April quarterly billing will arrive shortly, and will include a newsletter, which we hope will be informative, and keep residents informed. Angie Hanawalt in our office is serving as the newsletter editor, and has done a fine job.

Food Stamps in Michigan

The State of Michigan is estimated to have a population of 10.7 million residents as of 2007, dropping 30,500 people from a year earlier. For the same time period, the number of residents participating in the Food Stamp program is 1.2 million people, up from 1.1 million in 2006. Based upon these numbers, 1 out of every 8 residents is participating in the food stamp program. The statistics for our border states are equally bleak, with Ohio having 1.1 million participants, which are 1 out of 10 residents in the program. Indiana has a slightly lower participation rate with 587,000. In each case, the number seeking assistance has increased 3-5 % over the prior year. Nationwide, nearly 26.7 million citizens are food stamp recipients.

This is a tragic situation, and the numbers seeking assistance is growing rapidly. The Food stamp program is actually a federal funded program, administered by each state government. Generally, eligibility for food assistance depends on the financial situation of all members in a household. Income limits apply and are based upon the number of family members and the income.

In many cases, families or individuals that participate in the food stamp program are employed on a part time or full time basis. A term that is used is the working poor, those that work, yet their earnings are below the established income levels.

Many that receive food stamps also seek assistance from food banks and social service agencies. The average monthly benefit for a single person is $101.01 and for a household, $226.00. While helpful, these benefit levels are not sufficient for most families on a monthly basis.

Should you have the need or know of a family member that could use assistance, the following online food stamp calculator can be helpful. The calculator is anonymous, and is informational only. You do not have to identify yourself or anyone else, to use the calculator. From this site, you can obtain additional information about the State Food stamp program, eligibility and where and how to apply.

Food stamp calculator: www.foodstamphelp.org

                              City-Wide Spring Clean up

The annual City spring clean up will be held on Saturday, April 19th. Allied Waste Disposal will have 5 trucks canvassing the city making curb side pick ups from 8-10 a.m.   It is advisable to have items at the curb early Saturday morning or Friday evenings.

Details on the do’s and don’t for the clean up day are posted on the city web site, and notices will be included in the Post Gazette. www.hudsonmich.com

                                          Web Sites

Here are some web sites which may be of interest to you:

Michigan Notable Books: Each year the Library of Michigan establishes a list of Michigan Notable Books. The listing is to encourage reading in general, and specifically identify books written by Michigan Authors. Books that have a Michigan locations or characters may be included on the Notable Book listing.

The Michigan state library has been sponsoring this program since 1996 to encourage readership by Michigan residents.

www.michigan.gov/notablebooks

                                 Property Tax Information

This site is part of the State of Michigan web site, and is for the State Treasurer. The site includes a video, explaining state taxes, and property taxes. You can also access a property tax estimator, which will help you calculate property taxes for a given property, and allows you to make comparisons, with properties of the same value, and what your taxes would be if you lived in a given City, Township or Village. You can also, make a comparison of tax rates within Lenawee or Hillsdale Counties.

www.Michigan.gov/treasury

https://treas-secure.state.mi.us/ptestimator/PTEstimator.asp

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