Passport service
If you need a passport, contact the City Clerk's Office (248-691-7544) for information and applications. A passport or a driver's license plus birth certificate will be required for land or sea border crossings. Individuals now have the option to apply for a Passport Card, which is valid for land and crossings between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean only. It is not valid for travel by air. The fee for a Passport Card is $45. The fee for a regular Passport Book is $100.

Citizen cooperation key to clearing streets
Most residents make sure they're part of the solution when heavy snowfalls make driving difficult and potentially dangerous. Others are part of the problem.

Here's what the law states: "When a snow emergency is announced, all vehicles must be removed from the streets and parked in driveways or the City's emergency lots." This regulation is virtually identical to versions in every other municipality in the region because road-clearing crews everywhere depend on citizen cooperation.

Snowplow operators need to work from curb-to-curb, but this cannot be accomplished on any part of a street where vehicles remain parked at the curb. Residents who ignore the ordinance prevent efficient plowing and cause a situation that is at best inconvenient and very possibly can become hazardous. They make it impossible for DPW workers to clear the streets as well as it should be done for everyone's benefit.

While the need to be considerate to neighbors should be enough of an incentive to get cars off the street during heavy snowfalls, law enforcement action also provides significant motivation. Public Safety officers have increasingly focused on ordinance violators, issuing tickets in almost all cases and at times having cars towed at owners' expense.

NOTE: When snow emergency declarations are issued by the DPW they are immediately posted on OPTV-15, Municipal Channel 16 and the City's web page (ci.oak-park.mi.us). In addition, the information is sent to all major metropolitan area TV and radio stations.

Residents are responsible for sidewalk clearing
As is the case in almost all municipalities, residents are responsible, by law, for the removal of ice and snow from their sidewalks. The Code Assistance Division has issued a timely reminder that the following requirements are stipulated according to ordinance:

While neglecting the regulation can result in a costly violation, the core purpose is to enhance pedestrian safety. Cleaning frozen precipitation off of sidewalks significantly cuts down on the likelihood of people slipping and getting hurt from a fall. Those who don't comply with the regulation risk having a citation written, as well as their own safety and, potentially, the safety of others. If the ordinance isn't followed, the City will have a contractor do the job at the cost of the property owner, in addition to the cost of the applicable fine.

Code officers put a premium on informing residents about the requirement, rather than on the punitive possibilities. They survey every area of the community after snowfalls to check for compliance. Where the necessary work hasn't been done, they post notices that detail the specifics of the ordinance, then re-check those properties after a hiatus of 24 hours during which those affected will have the opportunity to take the necessary measures.

The Code Division takes into account that some residents, because of special circumstances, cannot or should not be expected to physically clear the sidewalks in front of their homes. The approach of giving 24 hours after notices are posted gives residents time to make arrangements for someone to do the job.

NOTE: Some residents are eligible for assistance via a home chore and repair service that is administered by the Senior Division of the Department of Recreation. This federally-funded program provides, among a variety of services, snow removal for income-qualified residents age 62 and older. Disabled persons must provide a physician's letter defining their disability, in addition to meeting income limits. Eligibility details and other relevant information, such as the current availability status of program funds, can be obtained by calling 248-691-7575.

Recycling Workshop coming in mid-March
The Recycling and Environmental Conservation Commission has announced that a Recycling Workshop presented by staff experts from the Southeast Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA) is scheduled March 16 at the Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Blvd. The program is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on that Tuesday.

A hands-on demonstration of how and what to recycle via both curbside collection and at the SOCRRA drop-off center will be provided. Presenters also will demonstrate the process called precycling and discuss the facts about markets for recycled materials. An important area of the workshop's focus will be the ongoing change "for the better" in recycling instructions, according to the commission.

Residents who wish to attend are asked to make reservations by calling SOCRRA on any weekday at 248-288-5150. The cost-free workshop is open to residents of all communities served by the regional authority.

2010 Lawn Care Seminar scheduled
This year's edition of the popular Healthy Lawn Care Seminar has been slated April 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in room A of the Community Center. The annual cost-free program, hosted by the Recycling and Environmental Conservation Commission, will feature as keynote speaker Gary Eichen, Plant Health Care Manager for Mike's Tree Surgeons, Inc.

"Mr. Eichen, who has more than 20 years of experience in lawn and tree care, will cover a variety of important points as he presents the essentials of a good lawn program," Recycling Consultant Lillian Dean said. "The commission emphasizes that healthy lawn care is good for your property, good for the community, good for our pocketbooks and good for the Clinton River."

"Handout informational packages provided by the Southeastern Oakland County Water Authority will be available. These materials are built on a decade of the agency's demonstration projects for environmental lawn care."

Residents can register for the seminar by calling the DPW or e-mailing Lillian Dean