Dearborn’s a town known for high-quality services. But sometimes
it’s easy to overlook the impact they have on your life.
“Mayor Guido put it best when he would say that local government
delivers things that you can see and feel every single day,” said
Mayor Pro Tem John B. O’Reilly, Jr. “In Dearborn’s
case, we deliver more than just the basics. We offer a range of services
that enrich quality of life of this great city.”
Here are some examples of “quality of life” service achievements
in 2006.
DEARBORN HILLS NAMED STATE’S BEST –
The Detroit News named Dearborn Hills Golf Course as Michigan’s
best public golf course in 2006. The course hosted than 47,500 rounds
of golf, more than 80 golf outings and nearly 175 events at its
clubhouse. Golfers can book tee times online at its website.
SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES –
The Senior Services Division provided classes, programs and special
events for senior citizens. Seniors visited The Center more than
20,000 times to take part in them. Some examples are: a senior health
expo that drew 450 people; tax preparation help for almost 700 people;
van/bus transportation for more than 8,600 riders; and nurses providing
free medical information and blood pressure checks to 1,800 people.
SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING –
More than $1.2 million in improvements were made to the City’s
apartment buildings for senior citizens, including elevator upgrades,
apartment kitchen replacements, and booster pump replacements.
THE DISC –
People visited the Dearborn Ice Skating Center more than 525,000
times. The Mitter Fitness Center for Dearborn Hockey Association
(DHA) players opened.
CAMP DEARBORN –
Among Camp Dearborn’s improvements were: completion of the
reconstruction of Comfort Station #4; installation of 55 RV asphalt
pads in Tent Village #1; ongoing remodeling Comfort Station #1;
and continuing to develop plans for a new main gate and entry road.
THE CENTER –
The Center logged more than 600,000 visits last year. It hosted
many community events, such as the Halloween “Boo Bash”
which attracted a record-high 600 participants. A new internet theater
ticket purchase system, and 15 pieces of equipment in the fitness
area were replaced.
LIBRARIES –
People visited Dearborn’s libraries more than 520,000 times.
There are more than 41,000 library card holders. They checked out
items more than a million times. On average, people logged on to
the internet more than 1,000 times a day from more than 150 public
library computers.
The libraries presented more than 500 programs, with a total attendance
of more than 15,000. A total of over 2,000 library items were delivered
to patrons living in senior housing buildings and or who were homebound.
HISTORICAL MUSEUM –
Almost 1,700 students, teachers and parents took part in educational
presentations offered by the Historical Museum. Another 2,900 people
took part in other Museum programs, such as its popular monthly
lecture series. The McFadden-Ross House celebrated its 50th anniversary.
TREE PLANTING –
A total of 275 trees were planted in public easements, at no cost
to residents whose homes bordered them.
PLAYGROUNDS AND PARKS –
The jogging track at Hemlock Park was removed and repaved. An asphalt
path was laid on the west side of Oak Park to connect with the existing
sidewalk, creating a walking path around the park. All four ball
diamonds at Levagood Park were refurbished.
NEIGHBORHOOD STANDARDS –
The Building & Safety Department helped keep neighborhoods
looking good by making more than 25,000 contacts with homeowners
for issues such as high grass and weeds or loose rubbish. More than
90 percent were resolved through voluntary compliance.
RECREATION PROGRAMS –
The Recreation Department provided financial and logistical support
to youth soccer, baseball, football, cheerleading, basketball, wrestling,
swimming, hockey and figure skating groups.
Recreation continued to provide supervised summer playground programs
for children ages five through 12 at 24 city parks. It held an eight-week
“Summer Camp” at The Ford Community & Performing
Arts Center for 300 children. The dance program was expanded to
offer more competitive opportunities for advanced students, and
two adult classes.
PARK RANGERS –
Recreation expanded its park ranger program. Park rangers help
prevent activities like littering and excessive noise. Last year,
they began to patrol The Center, helping to reduce problems like
disorderly conduct.
CITY BEAUTIFUL –
The City Beautiful Commission honored more than 500 residents and
more than 400 businesses for their efforts to maintain their properties.
Some 250 homeowners were honored for outstanding Christmas decoration
displays, and 24 schools took part in the annual Clean Up parades.
ADDRESSING SUBSTANDARD HOUSING –
A total of 47 houses that did not meet minimum building safety
standards were demolished; the lots will be resold for new home
construction.
POOLS –
Recreation implemented a new program in partnership with neighborhood
residents to an outdoor pool open for evening hours and select special
events. Work began on the renovation of the filtration systems at
Ford Woods and Lapeer Pools; it will be completed in time for the
swimming season.
CLOSED CAPTIONING ON CDTV –
Using grant funding, CDTV launched a closed captioning system to
serve the needs of viewers with hearing problems.
