The water bill has been an issue I have been addressing for many years now, beginning with the budget process in early 2017. Our City Administration at the time suggested astronomical increases that did not level with reality. I understood that rates needed to be increased, but not by a roughly 35% average. I have been working on fairer water rate increases since then.

• 2017 Budget
  • This was the first time I voted against the budget, specifically for the water bill increases only.
  • City Council Meeting Minutes
  • City Council Meeting on YouTube

Recently, I have been contacted by a lot of residents, stating that their yard waste was being dumped in with their garbage when picked up. Then, I witnessed this myself at my own home, caught even by Ring doorbell. Why? Why is this happening? I have asked our City Administration to reach out to GFL and discuss this with them.

We are paying for, and expect that our yard waste be cared for separately, as we do not need to fill landfills with yard waste. Our contract (linked document has expired, but the contract was extended for five years as provided in the contract) states: "The cost for collection and disposal of yard waste materials, including disposal fees to an acceptable composting site or facility, shall be included in the unit cost for...". To me that sounds like we are paying for it and expect it.

But recently I have also read about many issues with solid waste, not only relating to yard waste, but also recycling. Please check out this article by NPR, and also the video below.

The Macomb Daily covered the city's transition from internal combusion vehicles to electric vehicles for its code enforcement fleet. Find the article here.

“The reason for moving to electric vehicles is, for me, environmental,” said Councilman Cardi DeMonaco Jr. who voted in support of the plan. “We need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically by the end of the decade to prevent irreversible damage to the climate. Returning our gas-powered vehicles and instead investing in electric vehicles will allow Eastpointe to reduce its carbon footprint.”

“Some may say, ‘Eastpointe cannot afford electric vehicles.’ I say, ‘Eastpointe cannot afford NOT to invest in electric vehicles, and therefore the environment’,” said DeMonaco. “Do you think our posterity will wish we would have saved a little money on a few cars, or would they have rather we addressed climate change head on?”

The Eastpointe Cruisin' Gratiot committee came forward with their annual Special Event Application for the Gratiot Cruise. My general thoughts are that this event should be delayed until 2022, but if the right measures can be taken, and the State guidelines set according to science allow, I think a modified version of the normal Cruise could occur. Read here for an article from The Macomb Daily about it.

“I love the cruise, I just think right now, the outdoor limit is 300 people at this kind of event and you are saying in the application you are expecting 80,000 people,” said DeMonaco. “I am just not sure the state guidelines will allow for an event like this.”