I changed video providers last September, switching from DirecTV to AT&T Uverse.  Outside of a few initial issues, I’ve been happy with my new service.

The main reasons for making the switch (aside from the cost savings) was that Uverse would offer Novi PEG (Public Education and Government) channels.  Unfortunately, it’s been about 6 months, and still no PEG.   This, even though I’ve been paying fees for these channels since day 1.

From the best I’ve been able to determine, the delay is due to some contractual disagreement between the City and AT&T.

While they continue to debate, I decided to file a complaint with the MPSC (Michigan Public Services Commission) against AT&T.   It is my hope to get reimbursed for all PEG fees paid for the time that the service had been unavailable.  I’m also hoping that the City and AT&T can finally come to terms so that we can get what we rightfully deserve.

I’ve taken some ribbing in the past regarding the disorganization of my computer’s desktop.  Frankly, I have WAY too many icons, and it does (at times) make it hard to find what I’m looking for.

But, that’s no longer the case.  Stardock, a company just down the road from us in Plymouth, developed a program specifically for those of us who are “iconically” challenged.  Per Stardock:

Fences is a one-of-a-kind program, allowing you to draw labeled shaded areas on your desktop, which become movable & resizable containers for your desktop icons. These groups can help bring organization and consistency to your computer’s desktop, solving the “constant mess” problem that has plagued the desktop since its inception.

Fences also helps you finally appreciate the wallpaper you have hiding behind all that clutter.
In addition to its organizing features, Fences offers a novel quick-hide feature (in-patenting-process). Double click your desktop, and all your icons will fade out. Double click again, and they’ll return.

You can download the program Free at: http://www.stardock.com/products/fences/

The Novi City Council has sent the Signature Park proposal to the voters. The May 5, 2009 vote if passed, would increase property taxes by 0.5 mills, which would cost about $75 per year for a resident with a $300,000 home. $75 doesn’t sound like much, but in this day and age, it is a lot of money to an unemployed worker. It’s a lot of money to a family of 4 that is trying to support 2 college students while paying some of the already highest property taxes in the state. Home values have decreased more than any other state in the country and Novi is feeling those affects. When was the last time a house sold in Novi that wasn’t a foreclosure? When was the last time a new house was built in Novi?  Raising taxes is not going to help the housing market.

There are currently several parks, entertainment, activity centers, throughout Novi, including the new park being built at the Faust farm. Are they being used 100% of the time? Probably not. Until they are, we are just looking at another facility used less than we would like, and the other facilities are now used even less.  But hey….we still pay to keep these facilities looking good and running good.

What about other options for financing the park? There are several companies in Novi that claim to be a part of the community. Lets make them feel like part of the community. Has City Council approached them? They will probably say NO……Every company is cutting back. Cutting wages and hours. This is bad timing. Please wait for the economy to improve.

If you can’t tell, I’m not supporting this proposal. If we are going to be a part of change, we need to lower our taxes, not raise them. You want to jump start the economy? Offer incentives by lowering taxes. Novi can be a leader in this state.  The only way to do that…..Just say NO on May 5th.