The Common Ground Alliance and its stakeholders have designated April 2010 as National Safe Digging Month. This month is dedicated to increasing awareness of safe digging practices across the country and to celebrate the three-year anniversary of 811, the national call-before-you-dig number.

Throughout the busy digging month of April, CGA and its members are encouraging homeowners and contractors to call 811 before they dig to prevent injuries, property damage and inconvenient outages.

Did you know?

• More than 200,000 underground utility lines are struck each year in the U.S.?
• 37% of all U.S. digging damages result from not calling before digging.
• Utilities are buried only a few inches underground, making them easy to strike even during shallow digging projects.

Here are some ways you can participate:

• Join us in National Safe Digging Month by calling 811 before beginning any outdoor digging project, large or small.
• If a neighbor is planning a digging project, remind them to call 811 before they break ground.
• If you have a web site, personal blog or or e-newsletter, you can post our "We Support Safe Digging Month" button on your profile to show your support for safe digging.
• Encourage your organization or company to sign a "Safe Digging Month Proclamation."

As you are fully aware 2010 is a census year. Most likely you have already received a census form in the mail. Completing the form is extremely important for our community.

"The U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 2 mandates that an apportionment of representatives among the states, for the House of Representatives, be carried out every ten years (decennially). Apportionment is the process of dividing the 435 seats in the US House of Representatives among the 50 states. Congress decides the method to carry out the apportionment and, since 1940, has used the method of ‘equal proportions’ in accordance with Title 2, US Code.

Using equal portions, each state is assigned one congressional seat (as provided by the Constitution). The apportionment formula then allocates the remaining 385 seats one at a time among the 50 states until all 435 seats are assigned.

In addition to apportionment, the decennial census results are used to:

• distribute almost $200 billion annually in Federal and state, local, and tribal funds;
• draw state legislative districts;
• evaluate the success of programs or identify populations in need of services;
• and many other purposes. The URL http://www.census.gov/dmd/www/content.htm has a comprehensive review of each of the questions and why it is asked.

While the federal government uses census data for many purposes, businesses, students, and many others also user census data. Businesses may use the data to decide where to locate an outlet, or to select products for a specific area. Students research neighborhoods and cities for class projects and the local parent-teacher organization may use data to track trends in the local area. Historians, writers, and other researchers use census data to get a flavor of what the country looked like at a particular point in time. "

From the Detroit Free Press:

Speedway to host X-Prize competition

The Automotive X-Prize, a competition to develop the most fuel-efficient, safe and durable vehicles with three winners splitting $10 million in prize money, will be hosted from April through August at Michigan International Speedway.

Sponsored by Progressive Insurance and subsidized by a $3.5-million Department of Energy grant, the prize has attracted 41 teams that have developed 51 vehicles.

The competition will begin April 26 with what organizers call the shakedown stage. Over two weeks, judges will evaluate the driving dynamics, safety, braking, acceleration and refueling or recharging time.

Check out the office competition's website for me details of this great event!!

As the snow continues to fall we would like to remind you of policies the Village has regarding sidewalks in front of your home or business:

It is the responsibility of the property owner to clear the snow or ice on the sidewalk abutting their property within four hours of snow fall or prior to the business day, whichever is sooner. If that is not done the property owner will receive a ticket from the Village Code Enforcement Officer. Please keep the sidewalks clear for everyone the uses these pathways.

When you shovel snow and clear ice

• Shovel the sidewalks on all sides of your property, the full width of the sidewalk down to the bare pavement.
• Remove all ice from sidewalks. After the sidewalk is cleared, sprinkling a little sand or salt can help prevent slipping on frosty sidewalks.
• Deposit all snow onto your own property, do not dump into the street.

Remember

• You are as responsible for clearing ice on your sidewalk as well as snow. Ice can be more dangerous and intimidating than snow.
• The sooner and more completely you shovel, the less likely ice will form.
• Arrange for someone to shovel while you are on vacation.

The Village Holiday hours are as follows:

Christmas Eve - Office closes at Noon

Christmas Day - Office closed all day

New Year's - Office closes at Noon

New Year's Day - Office closed all day

MIS Director of Guest Services receives $100,000 for a charity of his choosing

BROOKLYN, Mich. (Dec. 3, 2009) ¬— When his name was called as the winner of the 2009 Home Depot NMPA Humanitarian Award, Michigan International Speedway’s Director of Guest Services Tim Booth didn’t feel like he had won — his charity had.

Booth was selected as the winner of the Humanitarian Award ahead of NASCAR drivers Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle, who were also finalists. For receiving the prestigious honor from The Home Depot and National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA), Booth will receive $100,000 that will be donated on his behalf to the Spirit of America Blood Drive.

Booth, Stewart and Biffle were recognized during the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brother Awards program in Las Vegas on Thursday. Stewart and Biffle will be awarded $25,000 for their respective charities for being named as finalists.

“Just to have been nominated is truly a great honor, and I am humbled,” Booth said. “The reality is this award is not about any one, single nominee or finalist, but rather about donating one’s time for a cause that you believe in – any amount of time and any cause will do. It’s about giving, isn’t it? So thank you to Home Depot and the NMPA for this great honor, and thank you for supporting my charity. Greg, Tony and I are all winners on our charities’ behalves.”

Booth was nominated for the Humanitarian Award for his efforts in making the Spirit of America Blood Drive at MIS the nation’s largest 9-11 blood drive event. The Spirit of America has collected a grand total of 6,213 units of blood, potentially benefiting 18,639 people since its inception in 2002. (Each unit of blood can be transfused to up to three people.)

Booth has made countless efforts to support various non-profit organizations in his community, but none as much as the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross. His creation of the Spirit of America Blood Drive, which began at MIS in 2002, was a way to honor the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001. The blood drive’s success caught the eye of the NASCAR Foundation, which has since created the NASCAR Foundation Blood & Marrow Drive, which is hosted at 30 race tracks across the country on September 11.

Booth is also a regular blood donor who has personally given blood 146 times, which amounts to more than 18 gallons in his lifetime.

“Tim is an exceptional person who has a true passion for giving back to his community, and that is what has made the Spirit of American blood drive so successful,” said Jamie Bates, production planning manager for the American Red Cross Great Lakes Region.

Those sentiments echoed across all Booth’s colleagues and peers when the announcement was made.

“I’m so happy for Tim. His dedication and hard work has made the Spirit of America Blood Drive the successful event it is today and it’s nice to see that dedication rewarded. He is very deserving of this honor,” MIS President Roger Curtis said.

The finalists for the 2009 Humanitarian Award were selected by the Humanitarian Award Selection Committee comprised of representatives of the NMPA and The Home Depot. All of the nominees were assessed based on their community commitment and dedication, impact on the community and charitable giving of their time and talents. The three nominees with the highest scores were named finalists for the award.

“What he’s done is truly amazing, and it displays the best of the human spirit. Here’s one person acting on their own and starting something, and look at how it’s grown and how it impacts people across the country,” said Dustin Long, president of NMPA and member of the voting panel. “To me, that’s the true spirit of what this award means. One person truly can make a difference and that is what Tim has done.”


Biffle was nominated for his work in raising awareness to the importance of animal welfare. Establishing the Greg Biffle Foundation in 2005, Biffle’s work has lead to more than 200 animal welfare agencies in the United States receiving financial assistance which has allowed the receiving agencies to better care for sheltered animals. Biffle is active in the fund raising, support and publicity for the foundation and serves as the national spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League’s Spay USA which is a nationwide network and referral service for affordable spay/neuter services.


Stewart was nominated for his annual event Prelude to the Dream which supports injured and fallen service members and their families. Stewart launched the annual event in 2005 and it has grown in stature and notoriety every year. The event includes participation from the world’s top drivers, an exclusive HBO Pay-Per-View television package and a sold-out race event. The 2009 Prelude brought 25 world-class drivers to a short-track shootout in an effort to raise money. Proceeds from the event were used to help organizations such as Wounded Warriors, Operation Homefront, Intrepid Fund and Fisher House.


The NMPA Home Depot Humanitarian Award was established in 2007. The inaugural Humanitarian Award winner was Don Miller, a former Penske Racing executive. Miller started the Stock-for-Tots program as a holiday event to collect toys and raise funds for Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN). Richard Childress, president and CEO of Childress Racing, won the 2008 edition of the Humanitarian Award. Childress established the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in 2008. Traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for children in the United States, and the Childress Institute focuses on research, education, treatment, prevention and raising awareness of childhood injuries.


The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,238 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces, Mexico and China. In fiscal 2008, The Home Depot had sales of $71.3 billion and earnings from continuing operations of $2.3 billion. The Company employs more than 300,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index.

Nestled in the lush Irish Hills of Southeastern Michigan, Michigan International Speedway is the Great Escape, a venerable NASCAR national park where fans can get away and enjoy the very best in racing and camaraderie. It’s the love of racing and the thrill of a great time for race fans and drivers alike.

The best, guaranteed lowest prices in 2010 will go to customers who make a $30 goodwill deposit. New customers can log onto www.MISpeedway.com or call 800-354-1010 to leave a deposit. That deposit ensures race fans get the best pricing for 2010.

Michigan International Speedway - 2010 Schedule

Friday, June 11 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX Racing for Wildlife 200

Saturday, June 12 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

Sunday, June 13 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400



Friday, Aug. 13 Gatorade Pole Day

Saturday, Aug. 14 NASCAR Nationwide CARFAX 250 Series

Sunday, Aug. 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup CARFAX 400 Series

The Brooklyn Village Council will meet at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, December 14, 2009, in the Brooklyn Village Office building, 121 N. Main Street; to receive public comment on variance requests from ACI – Avance Construction Inc. (Dollar General) new construction at 300 S. Main St which will require the following:

Constructing a building closer than (5’) required 35’ side setback, as stipulated in the Village ordinance 62-181 (62-186) and,

Reduce the north side yard setback distance from 35’ to 24.5’ as stipulated in the Village ordinance 62-181 (62-186) and,

Reduce the Landscape strip width along a public street from 20’ to 10.5’ as stipulated in the Village ordinance 62-182

All persons wishing to comment on this variance request, for or against, should appear at the stated place and time or submit written comments prior to that time to Village of Brooklyn, Box 90, Brooklyn, MI 49230 or to victorcardenas@villageofbrooklyn.com.