Archive Page 3
March 16th, 2009 by Willy Mena
In a previous post, I indicated how AT&T has been collecting PEG fees from its customers while not providing PEG channels. It turns out my complaint was pointed at the wrong entity.
After filing a complaint with the MPSC (Michigan Public Service Commision) and speaking with folks at the Michigan Attorney General’s office, it became evident that AT&T was acting in accordance with the law.
In 2007, Public Act PA 480 of 2006 (also known as 
The Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Act) was signed into law. The act (among other things) requires video service providers to collect PEG fees on behalf of municipalities and turn 100% of those fees over to them. In many cities, this has added up to tens of thousands of dollars.
So, what we got was a great law… with some unintended negative consequences. It seems that our legislators forgot one important point. While the act requires video providers to transmit PEG signals to it’s customers, it does not require municipalities to pass the PEG signal to the video providers… OOPS!
It’s been 2+ years since the act passed, and AT&T Uverse customer continue to get taxed for services not rendered.
It’s worth noting that the oft-maligned city of Detroit has found a way to get this done for their residents.
Next step… work to get the law amended.
February 24th, 2009 by Willy Mena
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.
February 24th, 2009 by Willy Mena
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/
February 19th, 2009 by Lancair IV
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.
January 11th, 2009 by Brian Bartlett
What is a poetic end for Lion’s fans to a 0 – 16 football season?
How about if the only NFL franchise older and more futile than yours qualifies for the Super Bowl? The Arizona Cardinals were born in 1898 in Chicago, last Championship was 1947 and moved to Arizona in 1988. (As opposed to Detroit, born in Portsmouth Ohio in 1929, last championship 1957 and moved to Detroit in 1934.) Should the Cardinals go to the Big Game, the Lions would be the oldest franchise to never play in a Super Bowl. Only other teams that haven’t seen the big one are the Browns (founded 1946), Saints (1968), Jaguars (1995) and Texans (2002).
But the Cardinals are still a game away. The Eagles face off against Arizona and could spoil the Lions embarassment. If Philly makes the big game their offensive coordinator should be familiar to Lions fans. It’s Marty “the bar is high” Morningwig, the first coach from the ill-fated Millen era. Marty is one of the coaches issuing orders in Donovan McNabb’s head set. Morningwig’s claim to fame was “taking the wind” after winning a coin flip in an overtime loss at Chicago. (Is it a wonder that his quarterback didn’t understand that the NFL regular season has only one overtime period?). Interesting choices. . .
November 20th, 2008 by Erastus
Do you remember what the number 1 industry was in 1900? Since the photo gives it away, can you name the two biggest firms in that industry? Each had a capitalization greater in scope than General Motors in its hey day. Neither company is in existence today.
Give up? The railroad industry kings were the New York Central and Penn Central Railroads. Who would have known these two transportation giants would be done in by a man in a Dearborn garage, and two brothers in a Dayton bicycle shop.
While today?s Big 3 isn?t involved in a total transportation shift, a shift in vehicle power train is still a daunting task. The country needs infrastructure to support non gas powered vehicles (charging or fuel cell stations vs. gas stations). Government needs to change as well (states including Michigan fund road repairs from per gallon gas taxes. Conservation hurts these funds.) A different generation of mechanics is needed. And so on.
There?s a good chance that the firm or firms that command a superior non gasoline technology will be key to providing for the prosperity of a large number of their country’s citizens in the next century.
Whether you are for or against the bailout imagine this marketing impact. Instead of being filmed getting out of a jet (public or private) the executives drive to Washington. The Executives emerge from an electric vehicle like the Chevy Volt. (Even if it takes a Greyhound Bus of Engineers to get it there.) Then say something like this.
?This is the future. It?s right for fuel economy, the prosperity of our nation, and the ecosystem. Where do I plug it in? We all have a lot of work to do. We need your help.?
November 6th, 2008 by Willy Mena
On Tuesday, I spent about 12 hours at the polls stumping for 2 school board candidates: Bruce Bagdady and Dennis O’Connor. For part of that time, I had the opportunity to work right next to the 3rd candidate, Karl Wizinsky.
While I enjoy working the polls, it can be a bit awkward when the opposing candidate is standing right next to you.
Still, Karl worked the polls like a true politician. Every time I made a case for my candidates, there was Karl talking and shaking hands with the same folks. Certainly, it’s hard to compete with that.
Karl and I talked quite a bit during the evening, and we agreed that neither of us had a clue as to what the outcome might be. There’s never been a school board election held on the same night as a presidential election, especially one of this magnitude.
As it turned out, the night didn’t quite end up as Karl had hoped. Had he been been at every polling location simultaneously, things might have ended differently. Still, he proved to me that he truly cares about our schools and is one class guy.
So, here’s to you Karl!
October 3rd, 2008 by Willy Mena
Word on the street is that Hollywood quietly rolled in and out of town this week filming an upcoming movie called “Demoted”. You may have seen the trailers parked in the auxiliary High School Parking lot off of 10 mile just west of City Hall.
This is such a boost to the city (if not simply for bragging rights). So I ask, why is it that our city officials feel they need to keep this news from us and the local media? Why can’t we share in the excitement? The City of Howell recently publicized a movie deal they landed, and it was WITH THE SAME EXACT PRODUCTION COMPANY!
This is just absolutely silly!
Note: Subsequent to this posting, City Manager Clay Pearson sent me a note explaining that
“the film company requested a quiet presence and ability to do their work. We did and will respect request of any high-profile customer. That respect was emphasized by advisors who are the experts and have the connections for future such work; and the resulting positive impact for restaurants, hotels, etc in the area. We have recd positive feedback and look forward to future opportunities.”
Touch?… I stand humbled! 
September 18th, 2008 by Willy Mena
The Michigan Association of Firefighters recently filed a lawsuit against the City of Novi on behalf of the Paid On-Call firefighters claiming Unfair Labor Practice.
The City of Novi uses a system of full-time firefighters from 6am to 6pm and trained paid on-call residents who work the 6pm to 6am shift. The relationship between these 2 groups have historically been less than stellar.
I’ll let the courts iron out the labor practice issue. My concern is with the taxpayer dollars. Why are we using our full-time firefighters and paying them (as I understand) overtime pay (during the POC shift) when we can use capable POC firefighters to do the same work at normal pay?
Note: A hearing was scheduled on October 1st. That date came and went and all we know (per posting on Novi.org) is the following:
Novi Fire Chief Frank Smith explains, “In the interest of good labor relations the parties have agreed to not discuss the details of the resolution. We look forward to a continued positive working relationship with the union.”
I have full confidence that whatever was agreed upon will lead to a better working relationship between the full-timers and the POC. Unfortunately, this does not seem resolve the question posed on this post. When I get a chance, I’ll knock on the Chief’s door.
