Recently, Governor Whitmer issued an Executive Order (EO) requiring individuals to wear maks in indoor spaces and crowded outdoor areas. The EO also requires businesses that are open to the public refuse entry/service to people not wearing a mask, with some exceptions. This is of course a change from the previous recommendation.

There are two ways to look at wearing a mask. One way is: the government requiring me to wear a mask is tyranny and overreach. The second, and better way is: of course I don't want to wear a mask, but I also do not want to be the one responsible for someone else getting COVID-19, and possibly dying. The most important reason for everyone to wear masks is so that healthy, asymptomatic folks are not unknowingly infecting others. Your "right" not to wear a mask does not outweigh the health and safety of anyone you come into contact with.

It is essential that we conduct successful elections in the State next week, as well as in August and November. Eastpointe does not have an election next week, but it will in August and November.

The United States conducted elections during the Civil War, in the midst of World War II, and while the Spanish Flu pandemic was ravaging the country in 1918. Read why it is important to have on time elections in August and November, from two of the folks that help conduct elections in our State, including our own County Clerk, Fred Miller.

The Macomb County Health Department has now released specific numbers on confirmed cases of COVID-19 by zip code in Macomb County. Below is a map of the county by zip code, with confirmed COVID-19 cases by zip code, as of April 1, 2020. 

The Governor announced the Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives program to protect the public health amidst the COVID-19 (commonly referred to as coronavirus) pandemic. Please review the Governor's webpage regarding this program, and do your best to keep your neighbors safe.

There have now been at least 1,228 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Eastpointe since March. Everyone please Stay Home, Stay Safe, and Save Lives. Please treat this very seriously. At the City, we are continuously analyzing the situation regarding COVID-19.

All large events have been canceled (or postponed) in the City. City workers are being careful, and we are taking the necessary precautions to stay healthy.

Fortunately, vaccine distribution has begun. Firefighters in Eastpointe have started to receive vaccinations. For more information, visit the Macomb County Health Department's vaccine page, or the State's Vaccine Dashboard.

It's been a year! Time for an update on the proposed medical marijuana ordinance. (I am going to use the "j" spelling of marijuana for my own consistency, while State Law uses the "h" spelling)

• December 4, 2018: There was a Public Hearing at the City Council meeting. Many residents spoke at hearing.
• May 28, 2019: A Joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting was held to discuss a potential medical marijuana ordinance.
• June 18, 2019: City Council voted to direct the City Attorney to draft a medical marijuana ordinance.
• August 6, 2019: City Council discusses proposed medical marijuana ordinance with input from joint meeting.
• December 17, 2019: City Council votes to confirm the Planning Commission continue with its review of the proposed medical marijuana ordinance (yeas: DeMonaco, Lucido, Curley; nays: Owens, Baker)
• February 13, 2020: Planning Commission holds Special Meeting to continue discussing proposed medical marijuana ordinance. 
• March 17, 2020: Medical marijuana ordinance on City Council agenda. Click here for the ordinance modifying building regulations, and here for the zoning ordinance change.
• June 16, 2020: Second Reading and adoption of Medical Marijuana Facility Ordinances - Building Regulations and Zoning.

City Council has been provided maps showing potential parcels for medical marijuana facilities according to our proposed Ordinance language, as well as a few other maps for illustrative purposes. The maps have been created using GIS, and were provided by our professional planner, McKenna Associates.

[Updated July 8, 2020]

While most roads in Eastpointe are in good (or fair) condition, some are in poor condition. We need to explore all options to fix these roads in poor condition. I have posted about roads before. Also, I have created a Google Map with what I have perceived as the changes since 2017, only including the roads that were PASER ratings of 2 or 3 in 2017. The map is intended to be a rough reference going into a discussion about fixing the roads in poor condition in Eastpointe. It is not meant to be perfect, as I am not a civil engineer or DPW employee. The City's professional employees and contractors would eventually review the roads (and most likely in the spring/summer when there is no snow hindering observation) and make a professional opinion, if City Council takes steps in that direction. At our last City Council meeting, we passed a motion asking our Finance Director Randy Blum to come up with different options on fixing this problem. It is expected that at our next Council meeting, which includes goal setting, that we will be provided these options.

The City in 2001 adopted a Living Wage ordinance. The purpose of the ordinance is to improve working people's lives by guaranteeing a better, livable wage than the minimum wage. for those that do business with the City. The Living Wage in 2019 means:

• 125% of the 2019 federal poverty level for a family of four: $32,187.50, or $16.09/hour based on a 2,000 hour work-year.
• 100% of the 2019 federal poverty level for a family or four, with healthcare benefits provided: $25,750, or $12.88/hour based on a 2,000 hour work-year.

The cities of Eastpointe, Roseville, and St. Clair Shores are beginning today a program to help prevent fatal fires. The group MI Prevention, formerly known as the Michigan Community Risk Reduction Task Force, is offering up to six smoke detectors and one carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in an applicant's home. Click here for more information about the program, and click here to apply!

There have been four fatal fires in the City in just the last few years. Let's work together and prevent fatal fires.