Mr. Aldridge(sp?) went to the podium to complain about the number of slabs of sidewalks that were marked. Apparantly only 7 or so were marked and when the resident called to inquire about it, the sidewalk police came out and maked several more.

Councilman Disanto was speaking about another resident that called him to inquire as to why so many slabs were marked on her street.

Approximately 90% of the sidewalks slabs were marked to be replaced.

Councilman Disanto explained about the sloping and that is why many of the slabs were marked to be removed.

I know this because I was the woman that called to inquire.

I was concerned because many of the homes on my street are owned by seniors on a fixed income and even with cost sharing the cost to replace only the sloped slabs seemed harsh during these trying times. Additionally, there have been three or four city trees that were removed over the last couple of years and the sidewalks were still lifted, etc. as a result of the root of the trees. I was concerned that we would not be able to do the cost sharing because the trees and roots are gone but the damaged slabs still exist.

Councilman Disanto did come out and walked the block and pointed out the issues as per the current approved specs.

I introduced him to a couple of neighbors so that they could discuss the issue with Councilman Disanto.

Under the current rules of sidewalk replacement the majority of the slabs on my street are due to the sloping (most slope in towards the homes and not out towards the street.

We are measuring this slopage (is that a word? ) and will advise.

I think that this sloping issue like both Councilmen Murphy and Disanto pointing out during the approval of these specs is going to cost we the taxpayers thousands of dollars.

This is where the driveway approaches come into play. After doing a rough measure of the slopes at least 4 home owners will have to replace their approach at their own cost once the sloping slabs are replaced.

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"Sometimes we must serve in order to lead"
by Unknown

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During Councilwoman Brady's oral report she went over the new sidewalk requirements that were approved a few weeks earlier.

Councilman Disanto wants to know why the homeowner is not given a copy of the specs and why their sidewalk was marked. Councilwoman Brady will check on this.

Councilwoman Brady has asked that anyone that wants to discuss the tagging of their sidewalks to please contact DPS 313.386.9000 and a supervisor will come out and take a relook.

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Who asked for specs to be changed and who worked on them ? Your right about Seniors Robin. The guy at the podium probably had pitted concrete for over 40 yrs. I had 3 replaced 2 yrs ago the tree raised and broke all 3 . One was level and pitted 25yrs ago ,

Quickrete makes an a acrylic product that will bond to the old concrete and create a smooth surface.

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If pro is the opposite of con? would CONgress be the oppositeof PROgress?

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Seems to me the sloping issues should be put on the back burner. There are plenty of sidewalks protruding enough to be a real hazard. Worry about the sloping for a later time.

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City Council:
• Thomas A. Murphy
• Valerie Brady
• Michael Lemuel
• Thomas McPartlin
• John R. Nelligan
• James E. Rutherford

City Treasurer: Craig Sochocki

Proposal R: NO

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Robin (08-16-05)

I agree Rubber. I would be happy if they were as diligent about the roads as they are sidewalks. No business has ever gone to a city because of the condition of sidewalks.

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"I'm sick and tired of hearing things from uptight, short sighted, narrow minded hypocrites. All I want is the truth, Just gimme some truth"

- John Lennon

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We measured several sidewalk slabs on our street...and not one of the ones we measured exceeded the sloping as per the sidewalk replacement specs.

The City Leaders need to take another look at this requirment before a class action suit is brought against them.

On my street we have several senior citizens. One is bedridden..... there is no way that they need to spend what little money they have on slightly sloped sidewalk.

And on top of that....to pay the full cost for the approach if it is not tied into the new sidewalk slabs AND pay an additional 1% Admin fee to the city?

What is wrong with our City leaders? This is butt-inine

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Robbie (08-16-05), Lupin (08-16-05)

The sidewalk police, who is this judging the slabs? What credentials does he/she have?

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Arctic Cat Thundercat Test Pilot

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I'm not sure who is doing it... I think Councilwoman Brady said that DPS was doing it.

I had a thought: You know how disabled vets get tax discounts, etc. Why couldn't the City not charge the 1% admin fee to senior citizens and if a City Tree was responsible for the sidewalk slab issue....the city eats the full cost?

I know that there are many families in this community that are not seniors and that are living pay check to pay check....I am one of those.....

But the way I see it....many seniors can barely afford food and health prescriptions and to saddle them with all this cost because of sloping...is just inhumane.

I agree that any trip hazards (which there are some on our street) must be dealt with asap if not sooner.

But Rubberarm is right...why worry about all the slabs that slope when we need to be worried about the trip hazards which is what got these specs to the council in the first place.

I don't think that is right that some of our city leaders are trying to pay for their new offices, new city hall, Duchane's raise with money from people who can't afford it using this sloping as an excuse.

My Two Cents....plus interest

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Shouldn't they be interested in replacing the most needed slabs instead of the sloping ones, especially before the program runs out of money.

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It should be similar to the tree removal as far as priority. Whether it will be is another story all together.

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Has anyone seen any of the DPS tree trucks around the city cutting trees, I haven't.

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Wish all of you the best of luck with your new cement. Hope it's not GV Cement. My experience wasn't a good one.

Sidewalks were poured in my neighborhood in 1987. Twelve years later in 1999 we had to replace two slabs: trip hazard (they claimed) and small surface hole (the size of a quarter). One year later in 2000 they replaced a slab for the third time, because the cement was so bad. It has been five years and it's worst then the original one that I had to replace. I have no trees. I know I only replaced two but it's the principal that the ones that were replaced are worst then the original ones.

Hope the city has a better cement company, I heard they changed. Hope you receive better cement then I did.

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Ive tripped on Robins street so many times. Lol. I remember when my boyfriend, my best friend, and I were younger, he was riding his bike down the street and we were running beside him. He hit on of those slopes and slammed right into the picker bushes on the corner of the street. We laughed about it forever, but I imagine it hurt him a little bit.

My street is really bad about it too. We have them everywhere and I am clumsy so its like a hazzard for me.

The elderly people should get them replaced as a show of respect for them from the city. So that the city acknowledges how much the elderly need them to replace the slopes due to their own safety and the peoples and that money is tight for the retired and elderly. It should be paid to show the elderly how much they are respected in this city.

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You and me. Like a crayon and it's wrapper.

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Who is the cement contractor, anyone know?

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Gaglio Inc

15060 Dumay, Southgate Mi

313.477.0571

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Robbie (08-17-05)

Points of interest

1) Ask how they are measuring the slope

2) Ask about their qualification to inspect

3) Ask how they came about these standards

4) Be sure that the new sidewalk is put in according to their standards (very good reason for this one)

Good luck to all of you battling this one

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Robin (08-18-05)

Hi Cherub....Long time no talkie...How is your wife feeling? Better I hope.

Indeed your questions are important... I remember the hassle you had a couple years back on this.

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