Michigan Job Works

News accounts of area job losses seems to dominate the news, and finding a new job, even at lower pay often requires longer commutes or even re-locating. The City has agreed to form a unique partnership to identify new area job opportunities and assists in the recruitment of skilled local applicants for these positions.

Two major area employers will be hiring this summer for production operator jobs, and a small number of technical positions. Hi-Lex of Hudson and Inergy near Adrian will be filling a variety of positions, with recruitment to begin shortly. Hi-Lex is projected to employ up to 156 additional employees at its Hudson plant over the next two years.

There is a major difference in how these positions will be filled over the next year.  Both of these employers will be working through South Central Michigan Job Works for the entire employment process. Neither company will accept resumes or applications at their local plant. In partnership with South Central Michigan Works, the Lenawee Chamber for Economic Development, Hudson Area Schools, and the City of Hudson, job opportunity workshops and resource centers are being created.

On Tuesday, May 13th two job opportunity sessions will be held at the Hudson Community Center. The meeting will be lead by Michigan Works staff and will be at 3:00pm, and 5:30 pm. The center can accommodate up to 125 people at a time, so attendance will be first come first served. The application process, job descriptions and job requirements will be explained. These sessions will be followed with four open office hours at Hudson High School. These open meetings will be held on May 20, 22, 27, and 29 from 3:30-6:30 pm in the School Media Center.

The application process involves preparing a resume online for Michigan Works, and completing a “JOB FIT” assessment, which takes about 60-90 minutes to complete. Michigan Works personnel will be onsite to assist applicants with the entire process. In addition, High School students will be available to assist those applicants that need assistance with using a computer or help preparing an online resume. The Hudson Schools are making available over 100 computers for these open office sessions, so prospective applicants will have the computers and resources available to seek these jobs. The only requirement for submitting a resume and completing the assessment is a computer with internet access. So prospective applicants can use home computers or the library computers, if they choose to complete this application process on their own.

Once the resume and “job fit” assessment is completed, Michigan Job Works will then process the applications, based upon the set skills, job requirements, and assessment results that best match what Hi-Lex or Inergy are seeking. The resumes will be made available to Hi-Lex, and the company will then determine which job candidates to interview, and the Michigan Works will then schedule job interviews at Hi-Lex or Inergy. It should be emphasized again, neither Hi-Lex nor Inergy will accept resumes or applications at their respective plants, and they will not address inquires on the status of applications or if a person will be interviewed.

The filling of the Hi-Lex jobs is not restricted to Hudson area residents, doing so would be an improper employment practice. The effort behind the partnerships of the City and the various organizations is to insure that  local residents are made aware of the jobs, and have an opportunity to submit a resume and assessment materials. We know that the Hudson area offers a number of skilled and talented applicants that need a shot at these jobs.

You are welcome to contact us at City Hall, if we can answer questions about the process. While we are certainly interested in local residents obtaining these new jobs, we do not have any specific influence on who is selected.

Trees for Tomorrow

One of the first conversations that I had with Lee Ann Minton back in January of  2007, concerned trees, or more accurately, the lack of trees in the newer sections of Maple Grove cemetery, in portions of the parks, and along boulevards. Lee Ann suggested that I visit a cemetery in Adrian, which she admires, which offers an abundance of trees and shrubbery.

Her love of forestry and urban gardening has evolved into a new project to recognize the 175th anniversary of the forming of Hudson. The Heritage Festival planned for September, 2008  has brought many together, and the ideas that are being generated are awesome. Miss Minton’s idea of creating a committee named “Today’s Trees For Tomorrow” is one of many neat ideas that community members are spearheading. The project is simple, plant a minimum of 175 trees this year, though more would be welcomed. A  photo of newly planted trees will be taken,  archived, and made available for the 200th anniversary celebration in 2033.

Think about tomorrow, when trees planted in 2008 will be 25 years old in 2033, having grown to a substantial size and beauty. Trees planted at the City cemetery, parks, in blvd’s, or on private property will be counted in the goal of 175.

If you would like further information on how to help or suggestions on the type of trees that are recommended, contact Lee Ann Minton at 448-6091, or the Bean Creek Nursery. Donations to the City “Today’s Trees for Tomorrow” campaign  can be sent to the City at City of Hudson, 121 N. Church Street, Hudson, Michigan 49247,  c/o Lee Ann Minton. Donation or trees planted on public property will be a tax deductible donation.

Insurance Maps of 1919 and 1928

Another Heritage Festival sponsored activity brings together writers and history buffs. The small group gathered together by Ray Lennard, Curator for the Thompson Museum will be writing a series of articles, pamphlets, and in one case a book on the 175 years of Hudson history, from the time in 1833, when the area was known as Lanesville, to Hudson of today. Articles will be written for inclusion in the Post Gazette and other publications.

While meeting in the dining room of the Thompson house, Ray Lennard indicated that he found something that he thought would be of interest to the City. Apparently, one of the duties and pleasures of being the Museum Curator is being able to explore the vast and literally stuffed Thompson house attic. Ray brought out a large binder, the dimensions being 21’ by 15' with a cover that has deteriorated over time, but appeared to be an oil cloth material for the cover. On the face of the cover is the title, Insurance Map, 1919, City of Hudson. The maps were prepared by the Sanborn Map Company of Chicago, IL. On the company seal, the population of Hudson in 1919 is listed as 2700.

The map was found in a pile in the attic, and the Curator has no idea how Mr. Thompson came to obtain it. The cloth type cover shows its age, and is very soft, but on the inside is a jewel. The City is divided into sections on eight pages, and each building is color coded, depending on the building material. For example, brick is pink, stone is blue, and wood is yellow. Each home and commercial building has the lot lines, building dimensions, business or family name, and type of construction. The maps even show the street numbers, and the size of the sewer and water line pipes underneath the streets. The routing of the train tracks and the bean creek are clearly detailed, and fascinating to study.

I’m guessing that the information may have been valuable to those in the insurance industry, the fire department, and DPW, since the map identifies structural materials used, dimensions, and lot size and location.

After looking over the maps a number of times, I discovered that I had overlooked a section in the back, which turned out to contain the same types of maps of the City from 1928. Sanborn Map Company lists the City population in 1928 at 2550 people. 

While the cover is rather deteriorated, the maps themselves are in perfect condition, and the colors are vibrant, and do not show signs of fading. You are welcome to visit City Hall to look at the maps, eventually the maps will be housed at the Museum as part of the collection.

Leaning Power Pole on Lane Street

Consumers Energy is scheduled to replace the power pole located on Lane Street and the Alley next to the Posey Flower Shop. The new pole is already in place, and the line transfer will happen on Thursday, May 8th.  The power will be off beginning at 1pm, for 3-4 hours for the block on Lane, Main, Church, and Railroad Street.  

This is an occasional column written by Hudson City Manager, Frank Goodroe.

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