Moderator John Hansen’s notes:
There was no green beer but there was a lot of sunshine and a clear hint of spring as we settled in to develop our agenda for the morning.
Our first question was about the new school construction project that is well underway. In true Forum style it just happened that the construction supervisor, Greg Brand – a third generation Dreadnaught, was in attendance. He told us that the footings are in for the new school with a completion date around Christmas. Most of the other school buildings have some additions or modifications scheduled as well and the schools are working with the road commission on adjustments to the double roundabout coming this summer.
When first timer Jerry Cyr introduced himself and indicated that he was from the Huron Clinton Metro Park Authority there was an audible expression of surprise from the crowd. Like, wow, they are coming to us? Just last year many people learned for the first time at the Forum of the plan to close our golf course. The community rose up, the parks folks listened and today Jerry brought us the good news about a fresh commitment to the course. We also learned that the reason that we cant have a driving range is because the only reasonable area is a protected massasauga rattlesnake habitat. You just don’t get this kind of information from the main stream media.
We had infomercials about the upcoming Blues festival in Ann Arbor and programs at the Ford Library.
Donna Lasinski, our state representative, was present so we gave her some time to bring us up to date on the shenanigans (I just used that term because its St. Patrick’s Day) in Lansing. Donna does a nice job of explaining things as a representative of all of the district so we did not have to run and get the stump. It is budget season in Lansing with attempts to improve funding for schools and roads. Visiting high school students were praised for their passionate advocacy for school safety.
Progress was noted on the construction of the 200 or so condo units circling downtown Dexter. Bulldozers are clearing one site, shovels are in the ground for another and the City is involved in positive planning for the third site.
We had just a little time left to discuss the new proposals being developed for the RTA (Regional Transit Authority). It seems like nothing will ever appeal to Oakland or Macomb County which leaves just Washtenaw and Wayne at the table. We will watch and wait.
March is one of those five Saturday months so it will be three weeks until the next meeting of the Dexter Forum on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 8:30 AM at the Dexter Wellness Center.
The Dexter Forum is supported by the Dexter Wellness Coalition as part of the 5 Healthy Towns initiative to “help connect with others in healthy ways”. The purpose of the Forum is to create an opportunity for interested women and men to gather to discuss important issues facing our community. All are welcome on a drop-in basis. The group meets on the first and third Saturdays of the month.
The Forum is co-moderated by Karl Fink and John Hansen.
