This year's Halloween party will be on Friday, October 30th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dress up your ghosts and goblins and join your friends and neighbors for a “spooktacular” night of fun and fright! Please bring 12 treats, or a small toy for every child. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Please RSVP at semblack@sbcglobal.net by October 27th or call 248-683-8387. Sylvan Lake residents only!

Trick or Treat!

This great City-wide event will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st. The police department will be available from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to check your treats for any metal objects. Please be very cautious of Trick or Treater's if you must drive at this time. Have fun and enjoy the season!

Movie Night

Check the dates under the calendar and bring your family to the Community Center and enjoy an evening of fun! A “G” rated movie will be showing, and a “PG” movie will be showing. Popcorn and lemonade will be served.

News/Announcements

Charter/Ordinances

In a continuing effort to make important information more easily accessible to all of our residents and business owners, an electronic version of the Sylvan Lake Code of Ordinances is now available online. You may access the documents on the city’s website www.sylvanlake.org via a new link labeled, “Code of Ordinances”. The ordinance documents are externally hosted, so please be aware that clicking on the link will redirect your web browser to another company’s website (MuniCode.com).

State of the City meetings

Two meetings are scheduled to explain the State of the City.
October 20th at 10:30 a.m.
October 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

Both meetings will be at the Community Center. They will be "Town Hall" type meetings designed to explain where we are financially and where we are headed.

There will be also information on both the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A and how they effect your taxes and revenue generated for the City.

If you want information and to ask questions on the state of the City, this is the time and place. Don't just ask your neighbor out in the street. There are several facts that you need to know that they probably don't.

With the reduction in taxable values on property and the millage for the fire station construction be removed from your tax bill, most residents would see a very nominal increase in their overall tax bill from this year, and some may even be lower than this year.

Voting Time

The polls are open on November 3rd from 7:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. at the Community Center, 2456 Pontiac Drive. Bring your picture ID to the polls. Three candidates are vying for two seats on City Council – Sharon Maurina, Russell Meskin, and John Shepp. Also on the ballot will be the proposed Charter Amendment.

Absentee Voters

You can now fill out your applications for the Tuesday, November 3rd, General Election. You may pick up an application at City Hall. City Hall will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31st for absentee ballots (only).

Water Bills

Water bills are due and payable at City Hall until November 20th without penalty.

Yard Waste Collection

Collection will be ending for the year November 25th. Make sure you put all your twigs, shrub trimmings, brush, flowers, and similar items out for the last time on this date.

Leaf Collection Guidelines

Our waste collectors, Richfield Management, will again be collecting the leaves this year. Collection will tentatively begin the third week in October (depending on how many leaves fall) and continue through the second week of December. Please review their map, which they provided to you, for your collection day (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday). If you do not have your map, please call 1-877-609-6753. Please be sure to get all your leaves this fall because there is no spring collection. In the spring, all leaves must be bagged and put at the curb for collection with the yard waste. Please rake the leaves onto the edge of the street. Please do not leave them in the ditch or put them in the street. We will appreciate having all cars parked in your driveway and off the road between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the leaf collection program. Leaf collection in the city ends the first week in December, unless there is snow.

Dogs Chasing Geese in the Parks
At the last City Council meeting, City Council approved to allow a select few dog owners to have their dogs chase the geese out of the parks in the City. This does not mean "anybody" can let their dogs run loose in the parks, just these select few. This is being done in the hope that after a while, the geese from come back into our parks.

Dead Trees

Remember that dead trees can be dangerous for not only your household, but your neighbors' as well. Dead trees allow animals to harbor within them and could fall on a house. Please take care of them properly. A permit is not required to remove the dead, diseased, or dangerous branches, trees, or shrubs. Please wait to prune back diseased trees, shrubs, and other woody-stemmed landscape plants until the frost period.

CDBG Funds Available

The City has limited funds available through the State of Michigan and Oakland County for a Home Chore and Minor Home repair program. The purpose of this fund is to help Senior Citizens and low/moderate income households by assisting them with home chores and minor home repair requests. The Home Chore program, is for things such as raking leaves, shoveling snow, painting, cleaning, etc. for Senior Citizens and low to moderate income families. The minor home repair program is for larger tasks such as furnace repair/replacement, water heaters, roofs, electrical, plumbing, etc. and is available for low/moderate income families. If you would like to fill out an application to benefit from this program, please contact City Hall. The funds are available so let’s take advantage of them.

Parks & Recreation Committee Members needed

We are still looking for volunteers to sit on this active committee. This will be a working committee to help organize events in the parks and the Community Center along with enhancing our facilities. If you are interested, please call or email City Hall.

Community Center Volunteers

We are looking for more volunteers to spend time at the Community Center during the day so it can remain open all day. This will enable residents to use the Community Center to relax, play cards, etc. If you are interested, please contact City Hall.

Planning Commission Meeting

Planning Commission is continuing to work on the noise ordinance. They are also investigating an ordinance to regulate outdoor seating for local restaurants (currently not allowed) and an ordinance to regulate the outdoor storage (not parking) or vehicles. If you have any thoughts on these topics, you are encourage to share them. You can do that by sending a letter or email to City Hall or attend a Planning Commission meeting. Planning Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month.

"Help Wanted" List

We are updating our handyman list. Often residents call asking if we know of somebody they can hire to do odd jobs, babysitting, driver, rake leaves, shovel snow, etc. for them. If you would like to be on our list of names to give to people, please call City Hall and let us know what type of work you can do. Thank you for those that have responded. The City does not endorse the people on the list, we simply pass the names on.

Rack Storage

The rack storage for non-motorized boats at the Community Center is available for $25 a space. A boat launch sticker will be provided for these watercraft and they may only be stored on the rack from April 1st to November 15th of each year.

Boat Dock Removal

Please remove your boat docks, boats, and all mooring posts by Sunday, November 15th, 2009. Please remember when storing your boat to keep your registration with you. If they are not removed, the City will do so at the dock space holder’s expense and possible loss of your dock space. We dont want this to happen, but we will do so for safety reasons.

Boat Trailer and Recreational Vehicle Storage

Please remember when storing your boat to keep your registration with you. You will need to provide it to register your boat and dock space next year. We do have a recreational vehicle (RV) storage ordinance that governs where recreational vehicles may be stored after October 31st. This includes boats and boat trailers. Here are some of the requirements:

All RV’s must be placed within a completely enclosed building or located behind the required front yard setback (appx. 45' from the street) and at least three feet from the side and rear lot lines.

You cannot store an RV on vacant property.

You cannot hook up an RV to water, sewer, or electricity and they must remain unoccupied.

No more than two RV’s may be stored on one piece of property at one time. (A boat hoist is considered an RV)

RV’s may not be stored in the road right of way at any time.

Budget Deficit

Since the millage proposal was not passed at the last election, City Council is continuing their discussion on how to address the budget deficit. They are asking residents to come to the meetings and voice their opinions, to learn what is going on, and to know what is being done. The City has been proactive in making cuts in expenses, including cutting employees and changing medical benefits, but the budget is still not balanced. Some of the items being discussed are:

Increase in summer fees (docks, parks, etc.) (Increase for 2010 was Rescinded)

Increase the fee for the RV storage lot (done 2009)

Sell some city property (Investigating)

Open the rental of the Community Center to nonresidents (Investigating)

Open the Parks to the public at an increased fee for an annual park tag

Eliminate the park ranger

Eliminate extra summer park patrol by the police department (done as of Fall of 2008)

Reduce the frequency of lawn mowing (done as of Spring of 2009)

Outsourcing the Police Department if economically advantageous (being investigated)

Combining Police Departments or sharing staff if economically advantageous (being investigated)

Reduce the hours of the Ordinance Enforcement Officer by half (done beginning of 2009)

Close City Hall one day per week (done Spring of 2009)

Change Medical Benefits for employees to reduce cost (Continuously for 10 years)

No pay increase for employees (Non-union employees wages frozen at 2008 level)

Reduce City Staff (reduced from 2 full-time employees to 1 full-time and one part time 8 years ago, reduced to 2 part time in 2008)

No capital improvements in the City (no Capital Improvements in 2008)

Unfortunately, most of these items are not long-term cost-effective solutions and the City cannot continue to operate at the current level of service on the current income.

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Scrapbook Volunteer Needed

We are in need of a new person to be in charge of the city scrapbook. Duties involve requesting and gathering photos from neighbors, possibly taking photos at City events, and completing scrapbook pages on his or her own or with other City volunteers. Time required is only a few hours every couple of months. Please contact Carrie MacGillis to receive the current scrapbook, supplies and photos, 248-683-9118 or carriemacgillis1@comcast.net.

Community Center Rental

Many residents have already reserved dates for next year to rent the Community Center. If you would like to reserve the Community Center, you need to fill out an application form and provide a deposit. The application, along with rules and regulations, are on the website under "calendar." If you do not have internet access, you can come into City Hall and receive a copy.

Going Away for the Winter?

Please be sure to notify City Hall. We will keep an extra close eye on your house while you are gone. Also, we can send you your absentee ballot for the election.

Website

Make sure you visit our website at www.sylvanlake.org for regular and current information.

From The Police Chief

If you have a concern or a complaint that the Police Department should know about, please send an e-mail to slpdchief@comcast.net.

*Make sure you keep your homes, cars, and garages locked.

Click here to view a flier for RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE and ELECTRONIC RECYCLING.

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CRWC

The Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is a non-profit organization to help protect and improve the health of the Clinton River. The CRWC also wants to assure that the river's natural, economical, and recreational attributes enhance the quality of life for those who are directly affected by it. The CRWC is made up of four full-time and two part-time staff along with a 15-member board of directors. They provide programs in areas of watershed management, such as Stream Leaders, Adopt-A-Stream, River Day, and Clinton Clean-Up Programs. The Clinton River, as some may know, runs through Sylvan Lake. Click here to learn how the CRWC has such an impact on Sylvan Lake.

Clinton River Trail Website

The old railroad that is now a trail that goes through Sylvan Lake is part of the Clinton River Trail system. For all of you trail users and enthusiasts, the Clinton River Trail's website is full of news and updated features. It is updated by the Friends of Clinton River Trail (FCRT). Thanks to John Hensler, and FCRT member, the website is getting better and better. For any words of appreciation or any suggestions, please contact John at john@sunkenanchor.com

Sylvan Lake History

We would greatly appreciate any assistance you could offer to expand this important and interesting section of the newsletter. We are looking for any interesting articles relating to the City's history. We are also looking for photos relating to the City, such as:

the Oakland County Boat Club,

Memorial or Veterans Park,

Ferndale Park,

the beach on Lakeview,

the Interurban,

City Hall,

Free Press Fresh Air Camp,

the Community Center, and

the Daniel Whitfield School.

Family photos and any and all events around Sylvan Lake will also be accepted and reviewed. Please label your photos and bring them to City Hall. They will be scanned and returned promptly. There are also two City Council Meeting Minute books missing. The book that dates before 1928 is the first City Council book. It would be interesting to read about how Sylvan Lake became a Village. Another missing book is for the years from 1946 to 1950, when Sylvan Lake became a City. Please look around your home for these missing books and return them to City Hall.

Treasures From the Deep

Bob Grattan has been scuba diving in Sylvan Lake this summer. He has shared several items with the City for our Historical Displays. Bob is holding a lantern he found in the water near Ferndale Park. He believes it was once used as a light on a large tour boat or boat used to transport people around the lake. It is a brass oil lamp with two green lights to be used as signals. It was probably made in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. It is likely that the lights were used on a boat connected with the Sylvan Lake Inn. Any information on a tour boat would be greatly appreciated.

The most prized discoveries from Bob’s diving are two brass tags embossed with “F. P. Camp" and numbers. "F. P. Camp" stands for “Free Press Camp. The camp was located on what is now the Community Center property from 1906 to 1961. The brass tags were used to identify beach towels at the camp. There is also a token that reads: “Detroit Free Press Fresh Air Camp” on one side and “1 cent at Store” on the other side. Campers could redeem the token for a prize at the Camp Store. We have many pictures of the camp but these are the first tangible items.

Pictured below are several bottles Bob found in the lake.

The largest clear bottle is from the Hayner Distilling Co. of Dayton, OH. and is dated November 30th, 1897.

The brown bottle is from C Pfeffer Bottling Co., Detroit, MI

The light green bottle says: West Side Brewery Company, Detroit, Mich. – Registered

The two smaller green bottles were “Pop Bottles”. One is from A. G. Osmer & Co, Owosso, Mich. The other from M. Jos. De Cuise, Detroit, Mich.

All of the bottles have embossed lettering which means they were made before 1913. It is possible they were from the Sylvan Lake Inn (1893 to 1903) which stood where the Community Center now stands.

Two small clear glasses were found in the same area across the street from the Community Center.

The ax labeled “Buhl & Sons Co." Detroit, Mich, was also found. It was possibly used for cutting ice for ice fishing.

We thank Bob Grattan for sharing the treasures in the lake with the City of Sylvan Lake.
Bob Grattan has also found between 16 and 20 boat anchors in Sylvan Lake. Call him at 810-357-9762 if you have lost an anchor.

Special Thanks/Kudos

Home & Garden Tour Committee for the donation to restore the storage building on the Community Center property and purchasing a sign for the Community Center entrance. They are two beautiful improvements that City would not have been able to do on our own.

Betty Delaney for volunteering to mow the south end of the Clinton River Trail.

Sharon Hughes for the continued work planting and maintaining the trail at the Pontiac Drive Intersection.

Robin Reisig for all of the work organizing helpers and maintaining the Memorial Park for many years now.

Project Updates

Community Programs



Fur-e-tails Newsletter

A new electronic newsletter for pet lovers, fur-e-tails, has been launched by Sylvan Lake resident Linda Wasche. Every monthly issue contains information and news covering all topics ranging from pet care and nutrition to the latest in pet products and pet lover events. For your FREE subscription contact editor-fur-e-tails@oaklandpetfund.org. All proceeds from fur-e-tails advertising will go to benefit Oakland pet fund, bringing the No-More-Homeless Pets movement to Oakland County.

Cat Adoption

If you would like to read some information about adopting a cat or kitten, click here.

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October Calender Of Events

5th    - Last day to register to vote in the November election
6th    - Planning Commission meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center
14th   - City Council meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center
20th   - State of the City, 10:30 a.m. at the Community Center
22nd - State of the City, 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center
30th   - Halloween Party 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
31st   - City Hall open for Absentee Ballots Only, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
31st   - Trick or Treat from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
NOV 1st-Daylight Saving Time ends. Move your clocks back one hour.

We want and need your input. It is very important to help keep our newsletter different and exciting each month.

Would you like to let your neighbors know more about what your committee is up to? Or maybe you have news and information you would like to share, such as family announcements, recipes, decorating ideas, or crafts. We invite you to submit content that you think your neighbors will want to know about.   We will include information as space allows. All submissions must follow the Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions at the end of this newsletter.

Please encourage neighbors who have not signed up for this newsletter to do so. While those not on our email list will receive a print version of the newsletter, it will be in black and white, only contain basic information, and they will not receive our reminders and updates.

We need your photographs!

If you have any photos related to the City that you would like to share, please forward them following the guidelines in this newsletter. The photos can be from a special event, sunset, or just a "nature" photo. Click on "Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions" above to see how to do it.

And don't forget to visit the Sylvan lake Website.

-- John Martin, City Manager

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Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions

The City of Sylvan Lake welcomes articles, news and updates from members of the community. Such information should be relevant to Sylvan Lake, to its residents and to living in the community. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any such information. All such information will also be edited for style and space.

In submitting information, please follow the guidelines below.

Submit your information, preferably in electronic form, to:

Newsletter Editor

Sylvanlakenmailto:Sylvanlakenewsletter@gmail.com

248-682-1440

1. Articles and updates

Limit articles, updates and other information to no more than 200 words. Such items must be written from the perspective of an outside objective third party. We do NOT accept editorials or opinion pieces. Let readers know where they can go for more information, where appropriate, by including a phone number, email address or website. Also, be sure to include your contact information in case we have questions.

2. News releases

We welcome news releases on upcoming events and programs, but cannot run releases in their entirety due to space limitations. Be sure to include contact information.

3. Photos

Color photos are welcome IF THEY ACCOMPANY ABOVE DESCRIBED NEWS OR INFORMATION. All photos MUST be in ELECTRONIC format as a .gif or .jpg. If photos include human subjects, be sure you have their permission to submit the photo. Be sure to include a caption explaining what is in the photo as well as a name and contact information for the person submitting the photo. If a photo was taken by someone other the person submitting it, you will need his or her written permission to allow us to use the photo.

4. Deadlines

Information for the newsletter is due as follows:

The 12^th of the month preceding the issue (For example, information for the December issue would be due November 12th and so on.)

Sylvan Lake Spotlight

Sylvan Lake Spotlight is published by the City of Sylvan Lake, 1820 Inverness, Sylvan Lake, MI 48320. Resident news and information are welcome, but must follow newsletter editorial guidelines. To request a copy of the Editorial Guidelines, contact City Manager John Martin at martinsylvanlk@comcast.net.

In the future, Advertising may be accepted from residents and local businesses. Please watch future newsletters to obtain advertising rate information, or to place an ad in the Community Service Directory or Classified Advertising section..

LEGAL NOTICE: This email may be considered an advertising or promotional message. If you no longer wish to receive this email, please unsubscribe using the link found at the top of this newsletter. Views expressed or implied herein are not necessarily those of the City of Sylvan Lake, City Council or its affiliates.