Celebrating The Life Of Ruth Johnson

                                                                           

Ruth Jeraldine Johnson was born June 4, 1934 in Detroit, MI, the 2^nd born of four girls to the union of the late Earl and Lucille Flagg.  She attended Northwestern High School, Graduating in June of 1952.  She also completed work related college courses. 

Ruth was married for 52 years to the love of her life, the late John Johnson and to this union one child was born, Steven.

Ruth retired as a logistics management specialist for the US Army Tank Automotive Command after 35 years of service. 

Ruth was a devoted member of Gesu Catholic Church where she served many capacities, including Eucharistic minister, ministry of the sick, funeral luncheon coordinator and the worship commission.

Ruth had been a member of the Bagley Community Council for 49 years and serviced as its President for 7 years.  

In 2001 Ruth was asked and accepted a seat on the Board of the North Star Community Development Corp.  Since 2007, she served as President of the Board of Directors.  Ruth’s diligence in working on behalf of families in Detroit is unquestionable.  The path she chose has been a trail for many others to follow.

Ruth adored her family and was a proud, devoted mother and grandmother.  Ruth departed this life on Friday, November 21, 2014.  She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving son,  Steven (Regina); three loving sisters; 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, goddaughter, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

Promote Your Community

 A student at the University of Detroit Mercy Carrie Kulikowski is an intern through the Masters of Community Development program working with the Neighborhood School Stabilization Anchor initiative. She is working  with Bagley Community Council board member Alicia Biggers, and  Gaston Nash, on promoting the communities surrounding the Bagley, Bates, and Bethune Elementary/Middle schools.

To promote the communities they are looking to highlight residents in the area by interviewing them about their neighborhood and themselves. Would you be interested in being involved in these interviews? 

If you have any questions please feel free to email Ms. Kulikowski Carrie Kulikowski kcarrieann@gmail.com.  She is looking forward to hearing from you.

Transportation Program

The Detroit Area Agency on Aging Transportation Program provides non-emergency medical transportation to disabled persons 18+ and seniors over 60 with low income in the City of Detroit. 

 

Trips can include medical appointments, therapy, pharmacy, and work related trips. The cost is $2.50 each way. 

 

For more information, please contact Martin Moore, DAAA at 313-446-444 ext .  5370 or moorem@daaa1a.org . Cick HERE to download the flyer

 

 

Stop Signs Missing - Be Careful

There are stop signs missing from Pembroke & Canterbury/Warrington (first block east of Livernois) It should be a four way stop but cars are not stopping since the sign is missing.

This is a problem throughout the City. It is suspected by the Police Department the scrapers are selling them to the scrapyards.  The police are working with the Planning and Development department for a plan of action. If the signs were cemented into the ground, this would slow down the thieves. 

There are signs down from east side of  Livernois to Greenlawn. Some stop signs along Pembroke were replaced, but are gone again. The police are monitoring.

THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH CAN CAUSE CAR ACCIDENTS, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT. If anyone can copy down a license number or can identify the scrap yard(s) purchasing the signs, reporting this would be helpful. The complaint can be reported to the 12^th precinct at 313-596-1200.

Sinai-Grace Hospital Parking Rates

Dear Friends and Neighbors of Sinai-Grace Hospital,

 

Effective September 1, there will be new parking rates for valet and self-park.

Click here to download the flyer 

Down Trees From The Recent Weather Problems

City of Detroit Lets Residents Know How To Address Trees Downed By Recent Storm

High winds from yesterday’s storms have toppled trees throughout Metro Detroit.  To address the damage as quickly as possible, the City of Detroit has called in additional surveyors and forestry crews.  Surveyors have been assessing storm damage across the city since early Wednesday morning.

In order to better serve citizens, the City’s Ombudsman has added additional operators to handle the increased call volume.  To report a downed tree, residents should call the Office of the Ombudsman at (313) 224-6000 or go online at www.detroitmi.gov.

 Priority is being given to fallen trees that are blocking streets or on top of homes and vehicles. The City’s forestry crews will focus on trees that were rooted on city property or blocking streets and sidewalks.

How to determine if a tree is the city’s property or private property:

• If the fallen tree is located between the curb and the sidewalk of a home, it is the responsibility of the city and city crews will address them.  To report a fallen tree on city property, residents should call 313-224-6000 or fill out a form posted on the city’s website at www.detroitmi.gov (full link below).
• If the tree is between the sidewalk and the house or in a backyard, it is on private property and is the responsibility of the homeowner, who should contact their insurance company or a private contractor.  If the tree fell from private property but is blocking the street, residents should still call the city at 313-224-6000.

Additional information:

• Downed Power Lines: If a fallen tree or limb has impacted a power line, stay away and call DTE Energy’s emergency line immediately at 800-477-4747

• Removal of tree limbs: If homeowners have taken it upon themselves to cut up a fallen tree or limbs on their property, they should cut the debris into sections no longer than 48 inches and leave it at the curb for their next scheduled yard waste collection date.  

• Link to Online Form: http://www.detroitmi.gov/CityCouncil/LegislativeAgencies/Ombudsman/DamagedTreeAssessmentForm.aspx

Water Damage From Flood Rains-August 11th 2014

If you know of any senior citizens in the Bagley Community who had severe water damage from the flood rains on Monday August 11th, please call the Bagley hotline at (313) 927-2674 or email Bagleycommunitycouncil@yahoo.com. Leave your name, address, damage description, and a contact number. 

If you are not a senior citizen and your house or business has been damaged from the rains on Monday August  11th, please call the hotline, or email as well.

The information will be given to the Department Of Neighborhoods District 2 manager Kim Tandy. The City needs to know this information so it can give it to the State Of Michigan.

 There is an organization by the name of All Hands Volunteer that is here to help residents that are in need of assistance from the our recent storm.  The organization is in need of volunteers and well as offering some assistance.  Please read flyer and pass on to as many people or organizations as you can. Click here to download flyer.

If you have substantial flooding or damage, please contact FEMA 1-800-621-FEMA  Here is more good information: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/reenter.asp DETROIT DPW AND CONTRACTORS WORKING TO KEEP UP WITH BULK COLLECTION AFTER RECENT FLOODING Residents May Call Department of Public Works for Special Bulk Pickup Bulk pickup for Detroit residents is continuing daily in the aftermath of last week's flooding and citizens are being asked to leave their items at the curb until the City's trash collection contractors or DPW crews can pick it up.  Due to the large volumes of water-damaged bulk items that continue to be set out after last week’s flooding, the City contractors are running 1-2 days behind schedule in picking up bulk items. In the meantime, a Department of Public Works team of more than 30 workers has been dedicated to providing additional bulk pickup.  DPW Director Ron Brundidge also issued a reminder that residents should leave their bulk items at the curb until collected and will not be ticketed. In addition, Detroit residents, whose bulk collection day has passed, may call the City to request a special pickup. Residents should call (313) 224-3901 to notify DPW that they will be taking flood-damaged items to the curb.

Statement from Mayor Duggan on Monday’s storm flooding

"On Monday, August 11, 2014, the City of Detroit was hit with a series of storms that dumped the most rain it has seen in a single day in 89 years.  This unexpectedly heavy rainfall has caused damage to homes and businesses. Portions of local freeways and surface streets became impassable.

In anticipation of today’s additional rain, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), in a coordinated effort with the Department of Public Works (DPW), has crews working across the city to identify roads and streets that are still flooded and need to be cleared of water.  If residents are able to locate their catch basin and remove any visible debris, this may alleviate the flooding in front of their home. If it does not, they can call DWSD at 313-267-8000 during the day and 313-267-7401 after hours and the city will send out a crew to clear the obstruction.  

Despite the extraordinarily heavy downpour, DWSD’s operational systems suffered no failures and by design excess water was discharged into the Detroit River as rapidly as possible in an effort to prevent flooding. Unfortunately, the volume of rain—over five inches in some areas—overwhelmed sewer systems, causing widespread flooding.  As of Tuesday morning, August 12, water levels were subsiding and most road flooding had receded.

Many thanks go out to the first responders—including fire department and EMS workers—who attended to those in distress, in some cases pulling stranded motorists from their vehicles and getting them to safety.

The city’s DPW will conduct a special bulk pickup to remove damaged items that residents take out to their curb.  The city will not issue any citations for storm damaged debris left at the curb for several days until crews can remove it.  Residents can contact the DPW at 313-224-3901 to notify them they will be taking flood damaged items to the curb before their normal pick up day.

City officials noted that flooding of this type also presents health concerns and risks.

City residents who experienced basement flooding are advised to contact local restoration services to dry and disinfect their belongings.  If your skin has come into contact with sewer water, be sure to wash thoroughly with anti-bacterial soap immediately afterward.

Residents are urged to use extreme caution around standing water in the event it has come into contact with an electrical source.  Do not turn on appliances in flooded rooms until they have completely dried out.

Citizens who have questions regarding the after effects of this major storm are asked to call (313) 267-8000 during normal business hours and (313) 267-7401 after hours."

###

  The City’s home page has a link Flood Damage Information that provides a link to the online form for Flood damage assessment.  For people who need volunteer assistance to clean up, United Way (211) will transfer callers to the State’s Recovery assistance program and they will take their info—volunteer clean-up help only—no financial help.  DHS is possible source for financial help for low income families in need.  Ombudsman is helping people fill out form. They have a slightly different online form they use for damage assessment.

 

Residents can call DPW at 313-224-3901 and give there addresses  for the flood pick up.

 Here is important information on re-entering your flooded home.
 http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/reenter.asp

The Office of Mayor Mike Duggan has been coordinating with various city departments to prepare for the effects of possible severe weather this afternoon.  Potential issues could include power outages, flooding and downed trees. 

To provide residents with the information they need to have these and other issues addressed, the city is providing the following information on how to report problems:

Downed Trees

To report a downed tree, go online at www.detroitmi.gov or call the Ombudsman’s Office at 313-224-6000.  For after hour calls, please contact the Forestry Division’s after hours hotline at 313-590-3336.

Priority is being given to fallen trees that are blocking streets or on top of homes and vehicles. The City’s forestry crews will focus on trees that were rooted on city property or blocking streets and sidewalks. 

How to determine if a tree is the city’s property or private property: 

If the fallen tree is located between the curb and the sidewalk of a home it is the responsibility of the city and city crews will address them.  To report a fallen tree on city property, residents should call 313-590-3336 or fill out a form posted on the city’s website at www.detroitmi.gov. (full link below)

If the tree is between the sidewalk and the house or in a backyard, it is on private property and is the responsibility of the homeowner, who should contact their insurance company or a private contractor.  If the tree fell from private property but is blocking the street, residents should still call the city at 313-590-3336. 

Removal of tree limbs: If a homeowner has taken it upon themselves to cut up a fallen tree or limbs on their property, they should cut the debris into sections no longer than 48 inches and leave it at the curb for their next scheduled yard waste collection date.   

 Link to Online Form: http://www.detroitmi.gov/CityCouncil/LegislativeAgencies/Ombudsman/DamagedTreeAssessmentForm.aspx 

Flooding

If your street is experiencing flooding on surface roads, first try to clear any debris from storm drain covers if you can do so safely.  If you unable to access a blocked storm drain, or if clearing it does not work, please contact the Ombudsman’s office at 313-224-6000 and a crew from the Department of Water & Sewarage will send out a crew to clear the debris and/or clear out any obstructions in the line that may be preventing water from draining.

Downed Power Lines 

If a fallen tree or limb has impacted a power line, stay away and call DTE Energy’s emergency line immediately at 800-477-4747.   

DETROIT FLOOD VICTIMS CAN APPLY FOR FEDERAL AID THROUGH NOV. 24
FEMA Adds Third Location to Assist Detroit Residents

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency will open a third location at the northwest campus of Wayne County Community College District to assist Detroit residents and businesses in registering for federal aid.  Last week, the U.S. government announced that disaster aid is available to Michigan residents and businesses affected by flooding on August 11-13, 2014.

            Detroit residents must register with FEMA to apply for assistance.  Calls previously made to the City of Detroit Homeland Security & Emergency Management, the Ombudsman's Office, and United Way do not qualify as registering with FEMA.

            To register for FEMA assistance, citizens MUST DO one of the following by November 24, 2014:

• Call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362.  The number also may be used for 711 or VRS.
• Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
• Hearing or speech impaired applicants should call 1-800-462-7585.

Both numbers are operational 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. (EST), seven days a week.

           

Detroit Dashboard-Find Out What Is Going On

 Detroit Dashboard was created so Detroit Residents can find out what is going on with their complaints. 

 

In this new feature on the city's website, which will be updated each week, you'll see many Detroit services by-the-numbers: How many LED street lights were installed last week in our neighborhoods?  How many vacant lots did we mow? How many blighted homes did we remove?  You'll also be able to follow the links for more information on these initiatives, as well as see the community based programming the city has to offer in the weeks ahead.

 

It's all right here, just a click away, online in the Detroit Dashboard. 

 

Note: Weekly updates every Thursday morning with fresh information.

 

New Blight Chief

Mayor Duggan has appointed a new “Blight Chief” for stronger code enforcement. Click the link to read http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140714/METRO01/307140011/Detroit-blight-fight-chief-seeks-tougher-code-enforcement-less-red-tape 

        Blight Elimination Plan For Detroit

Michigan Governor Synder has created a blight elimination plan. The plan to to get rid of the abandoned houses and buildings in the Detroit area - 8 mile to Puritan and Livernois to Wyoming. To learn more about this program, click the link:http://www.michigan.gov/dhs/0,4562,7-124-5453_7124_31804_62593-285904--,00.html

The Bagley Community Council continues our initiative to rid our neighborhood of blight.

Vacant Homes

The Vacant Home Task Force (VHTF) is actively working to inventory all of the vacant and for sale properties in our community. The VHTF is also following up with property owners and/or the City of Detroit and Wayne County to secure properties that are dangerous and/or open to trespass.

Posting advertisements on utility poles is a City of Detroit ordinance violation and we are working with the Western District to rid the community of these signs as they contribute to blight. In addition, we continue to ask residents to take a picture or note the license plate number of anyone that you see posting signs. Also, call the phone numbers on the signs and ask them to remove them. Let them know that they can advertise in our newsletter, The Unifier, at a much  more reasonable rate than it costs to produce those hideous signs.
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From 2008: 

The number of vacant homes is increasing in our neighborhoods. Unoccupied homes affect all of us. They are eye-sores and reduce the overall appeal of our area, thereby decreasing property values. Vacant homes also pose serious safety hazards.

Here's an example of what can happen when there are abandoned homes in or community:

Hello President Karen,
I just wanted to let you know what happened on my street. There are 8 or more empty homes owned by the banks or lost due to foreclosure, the house on the corner (18000 Greenlawn) for weeks had broken windows and doors opened unsecured, we called, 911, 1-800 speak-up and until a 13 year old girl was raped (Thursday, May 15, 2008) no one helped. Why is it that some one must become a victim before action is taken? Now the windows are boarded. 

I am writing a letter to the owner of the property soon as I get the name. That should not have happened on our street, we did what we could but it still wasn't enough.

The Bagley Community Council Environmental Committee is in the process of identifying ALLvacant homes in our community. We are working with Wayne County and the City of Detroit to identify property owners who do not maintain these homes (secure doors & windows, cut grass, shovel snow, etc.). In cases where owners do not cooperate in securing their property, and the home presents a danger to our community, we will use the Wayne County Nuisance Abatement Program to have the property seized.

What Can You Do?
Help us out by giving us a list of all of the empty homes on your block. If you know who owns the property, that will be helpful too. Leave the information on our voicemail (313.927.2674), email it to us atbagleycommunitycouncil@yahoo.com, or just post it in the comments of this article.

With your help, we can ensure the safety of everyone in our community.

Karen Palmer
President (As of 2014 - Former President)
Bagley Community Council, Inc.

New Store On The Avenue Of Fashion

Home Store

Greenbliss an Environmental Home Store, full of  Solar gadgets, Home Décor and  essentials.
19437 Livernois (313) 575-8614. Offering safe and non-toxic alternatives to the cleaning products they use on daily basis.   Products include kitchen cleaners, laundry detergents and food-grade hydrogen peroxide, which can be used for everything from cleaning vegetables and fruits to personal hygiene, as well as several lifestyle items like solar powered cell phone battery chargers, bamboo furniture and biodegradable drinking cups. Owner: Ms. Bliss Cureton.

Other items: dog chew toys


SHOP YOUR BLOCK and check out the other businesses in Bagley http://bagleycommunity.blogspot.com/2013/03/businesses-in-bagley-community.html


Shop Your Block For The Holidays!!!!

What Would U like To See On The Avenue Of Fashion - Survey

Neighbors and Friends,

 

We need your help. University Commons and the "Avenue of Fashion" Business Association have been working to make the Avenue great. Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey to tell us how we can make it even better. There are only 6 questions but this will give us information we will use to prioritize our actions.  Click   http://kwiksurveys.com/s.asp?sid=yb32d6a8n3dr17f384006 to take the survey.  Enter the drawing to win one of two $25 Gift Card/Certificates for completing the survey. Don't miss your chance to improve the businesses serving your community.

 

Thank you for your time and helping us to make the Livernois "Avenue of Fashion" the place to shop, dine and explore.

The Avenue Of Fashion - New York Times

The Avenue Of Fashion on Livernois, in the Bagley Community, receives great publicity in the Sunday July 11th edition of the New York Times. Click the link to see the  news story on WXYZ News.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/new-york-times-sunday-magazine-features-detroit

Two businesses 'Good Cakes and Bakes' and 'Jo's Galley' are featured in the channel 7 news story. The owners are interviewed by the reporter. The reporter brought 'Good Cakes and Bakes' desserts to the anchors at the Channel 7 news station for them to try.

The is fantastic news not only for Detroit, but for the residents in the Bagley Community.

There is always something going on, on the Avenue Of Fashion. To see all the activities put on by the businesses, click this link
http://bagleycommunity.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-avenue-of-fashion-on-detroit-2020.html

BAGLEY PRIDE ALL THE WAY.