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.

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

-- John Martin, City Manager

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.

Photo taken at Ferndale Beach

Please take a look at our new section of the newsletter - Sylvan Lake History

Click here to see the 2007 Consumer Confidence Report

Community Events

A Fundraising Production

The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, September 6th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm at the Community Center. The Sylvan Lake Parks & Recreation Committee is raising funds to purchase an indoor/outdoor movie theater system and portable ice rink for the Community Center. Hores d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and a live band are provided. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door. They are available at City Hall or through Sharon or Mitch Black at 248-683-8387.

Annual Ice Cream Social and Community Center Dedication

As usual, the annual Ice Cream Social was a great success with hundreds of Sylvan Lake residents, family, and friends attending. Congratulations to the Garden Club for another successful year hosting this event! This was a great way to initiate the new Community Center.
Congratulations to the City of Sylvan Lake on our beautiful new Community Center. Please watch next month's newsletter for more information on the Social and Community Center dedication and the "Thank You’s" to all that were involved.

The previous building was built in 1912 for the Detroit Free Press Fresh Air Camp Activities building. On Saturday nights, entertainers from Detroit were invited to perform for the children, including such acts as Red Skelton, Gene Krupa, the Andrews Sisters, and poet Edgar A. Guest. During the weeknights, the children would take turns entertaining the villagers with songs and skits. We should be forever grateful to the Detroit Free Press for their very generous gift of this property for our new Community Center.

Fall Soccer

The time has arrived. Teams are forming, and the program will take place at Ferndale Beach from September 13th through October 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We are looking for children ages four through eight. The fee to join is $45. Registrations are available at City Hall. If you would like more information, please contact Sharon Black at 248-683-8387.

Clinton River Trail Classic Ride

Friends of the Clinton River Trail present the 3rd Annial Fall Classic Ride on Saturday, September 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. You will have a choice of riding either 15 or 30 miles. The fee is $12 per attendee or $33 per family. Register at www.bikereg.com/FCRT or pick up a form at City Hall.

Bicycle Safety and Fun Day

The Sylvan Lake Police Department will be hosting a bicycle safety program and fun day again this year on September 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will be held at the Community Center with a bicycle safety course set up. Children from two to 12 yrs old are welcome to attend this free event. There will be free food, refreshments, and prizes! If you would like to volunteer to help with this event, please call Chief Silver at 248-682-2104.

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News/Announcements

The Community Center is Open!!

After many months of planning, meetings, site visits, and arguments (very small ones), the Community Center is open. There are still several items that need to be completed. Most of them, however, are minor. We want to once again thank the Community Center Construction Committee which includes Jack Hunger, Aron Lorenz, John Martin, Sharon Maurina, and Brian Schulz for all of the time and effort they put into this project.

For those of you that still want to contribute time or funds toward the Community Center property, we will be putting a list together of needed items so people can donate toward a specific item or items. You will also have the opportunity to contribute time. We will be looking for volunteers to help with projects like cleaning and painting the out buildings. If you think of something you would like to donate time or funds toward, please email your ideas to City Hall.

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 a reservation 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.

November Ballot Millage Proposal

City Council approved a question to be placed on the ballot in November seeking an increase in the millage rate. The City has been working diligently to make ends meet with increasing costs, increasing financial requirements, and mandates with flat or declining revenue. We have cut our budget as much as we possibly can and are still seeing a shortfall. The millage proposal will be discussed in great detail over the next couple of months prior to the election. We are currently working on a presentation to answer your questions of why this millage increase is necessary. While we are working on this presentation, if you have specific questions you would like to see answered, please email them to SLMillageQuestions@gmail.com. We want constructive questions that we can be prepared to answer at future meetings.

Tax Time!

Remember that your taxes are due no later than September 14th, 2008 at City Hall. Taxes cannot be paid via a credit card. Starting September 15th, a 3.5% penalty will apply. If you have not received your bill, please contact City Hall immediately. Remember you can sign up to have them auto-debited from your account on September 14th. Forms are available on-line or you can come into City Hall. If paying by check, please use a check separate from any other payments (water/sewer bill, etc.).

24-hour Tax Hotline

Property tax information is now available on the Oakland County 24-hour Tax Hotline by calling 248-858-0025. To access tax information, you will need to enter your 10-digit parcel ID number. There is no charge for this service.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will be meeting on September 2nd at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center. On the agenda will be discussion of play structures, wireless cell phone towers, the fence ordinance, setbacks for corner lots, sidewalks, and a presentation of a Neighborhood Commercial Opportunity Gap Analysis by our Planning Consultant.

City Council Meeting

The meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center on September 10th. Tentatively on the agenda will be continued discussion of the millage ballot proposal, allowing brick pavers in the road right of way, and amending the grass/weed ordinance.

City Council Election

There are three candidates vying for one seat on City Council. They are Paul Hungerman (Incumbent), Justin Hatch, and Mike Zubrycki. Absentee ballots should be available near the end of September.

If you would like to volunteer to work for the election, please stop by City Hall and fill out an application. This is a paid position and there will be training.

Meet the Candidates Night

The candidates forum, held by the League of Women’s Voters, will be at 7:00 p.m. on September 17th in the Roosevelt Elementary School (2065 Cass Lake Road, West Bloomfield Twp). All residents are encouraged to attend and ask the candidates any questions you may have.

Home and Garden Tour Note cards

The note cards designed by our very own Eric Wiegand were a huge hit at the recent Tour. We are selling a set of eight, which includes two of each of the four designs, or a set of eight that are all the same. “Thank You” cards are available for just five dollars per set. These are of great quality and great original art to send a note or thank you card, or to use as invitations to a special event.

To purchase these cards, please email Midge Davidson at mdavidson@centraldata.com, or call the Tour Hotline at 248-615-6296.

Sylvan Lake Garden Club

The Club is looking for new members. If you are interested, please contact Helen McAllister at 248-682-1082.

Protect Our Environment: Waterfront Wisdom

Properly manage home, yard, and animal waste. Plant and maintain a naturalized shoreline buffer.

* Go Native - Stop mowing to the water’s edge and allow a strip of grass to grow between the yard and shoreline or buffer it to maintain a vegetative barrier adjacent to waterway, to filter pollutants from runoff exiting your property and to prevent erosion along the shoreline.

* Mulch Please - Collect or mulch leaves soon after they fall to ensure that don’t get carried into the lake or storm drains. Mulch the leaves into your lawn-it’s free fertilizer and adds organic matter to the soil.

* Bag it - Pick up pet waste promptly and dispose of it in the trash.

* Compost Pile - Keep compost piles away from the water’s edge to eliminate the chance of runoff.

* Do not Feed Waterfowl - They become dependent on the food from humans. This can lead to concentration of droppings which adds excess nutrients and harmful bacteria to waterways. A vegetation buffer will deter them from your property.

Tennis Courts

The tennis courts are officially closed for safety reasons. The cost estimate to remove and replace the tennis courts is in the neighborhood of $100,000. We are still looking at temporary, inexpensive repairs to get them open, but it will not be done for this season. The City does not have the funds to make the improvements.

Feeding Ducks and Geese

Watch the waterfowl instead of feeding them. Feeding waterfowl may seem harmless, yet it can be a nuisance to neighbors and to our water. Feeding waterfowl also causes them to become dependent on humans. This, in turn, creates unnaturally high populations and further problems in our parks and lake. Keep in mind that waterfowl waste can pollute our waters with harmful bacteria.

Park Information

The tennis courts are closed for safety reasons. Click here for more.

Boat Ramp Stickers

Stickers are required on all water craft launched, with the exception of the "guest ramp pass" defined below. Therefore, if you have a second boat, you must purchase an additional sticker in order to launch your water craft. They are available at City Hall for a cost of $10. You must be a resident and show your original boat registration showing the resident owns the watercraft in order to purchase a sticker. You do not need a sticker to have your boat at your dock, only ramp use.

Boat Dock Waiting List

All applicants must make sure City Hall has your current home phone number. Cell phone numbers are being used instead of land lines and City Hall may not be able to contact you, so please include your home phone number.

Guest Ramp Pass

A guest ramp pass will be issued to a resident (only) for the purpose of allowing a specific guest to use the boat ramp. The cost for the guest pass is $25 for one day, one watercraft. If a guest places their boat in the water and leaves it in the water for more than one day, another guest pass will be required to use the ramp when the watercraft is removed. You are not charged based on how long the watercraft is in the water, only how many days you use the ramp. To obtain a guest pass, a resident must fill out a very short form indicating the type of watercraft along with the MC# that will be using our boat ramp. Guest ramp passes may be picked up at the city hall during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Recreational Vehicle Storage

Please remember that you must keep your RV’s at least 45 feet from the edge of the road and three feet from the side and rear property lines. Boats and/or boat trailers (only) may be in the driveway within 45 feet from the edge of the road for the summer (April 1st to October 31st). RV’s and/or boat trailers cannot be parked in the road right-of-way at anytime. Only two RV’s are allowed on one property at a time!

Yard Waste Program

The program started last month. Yard waste will be picked up on the same day (Wednesday), as your trash but in a separate yard waste truck. Pick up is on a weekly basis. Please place your trash and yard waste a few feet away from each other for pick up so it can be easily seen. Yard waste includes:

cut grass,

leaves,

cut weeds,

shrub trimmings,

brush,

twigs,

small branches,

sod, and similar items.

Here are some guidelines that need to be followed for the yard waste collection.

Yard waste will be accepted only in brown paper yard waste bags (from retail stores) or trash cans clearly marked COMPOST or YARD WASTE. Yard waste stickers are available at no charge at City Hall.

Small branches (three inches in diameter or smaller) will be accepted if securely tied in manageable bundles no more than four feet in length.

Yard waste in any type of plastic bag will not be accepted!

Yard waste may not be placed at the street earlier than 5:00 p.m. the night before collection day.

Don't Drive on the Grass!

Our parks are being destroyed by people driving across them to access their dock spaces to install their docks and/or hoists. We try very hard to maintain the beauty of our parks and need your help. Do not drive in the parks under any circumstance! Doing so may result in a ticket. In addition, you will be charged for any necessary repairs. It is the responsibility of the dock holder to inform anyone sharing your space, or a company installing your dock, of this rule.

Bikers and Walkers

Please remember when walking to walk on the left side of the street (facing traffic) and bikers should ride on the right side of the street (with traffic). If you plan to be riding your bike or walk at night, please wear reflective clothing so that drivers can see you better. Parents, make sure your children are aware of the laws. Everyone should stop at all stop signs, including on the Trail.

Website

The City's website is up and running again! We are very sorry for the incovenience this caused all of us.

New Calenders on the Web Site

Please take the time to look at our website, www.sylvanlake.org. We have created two new calendars: Events and Community Center. When your click on an event, it will give you further details of that event. Residents interested in renting the Community Center can see if a date is available. There is no Grand Opening date set yet for the Community Center.

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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.

Street Lighting

The City has been working with Detroit Edison's¿½s Community Lighting group to expedite the repair and maintenance of streetlights. If you see a problem with a street light, please call City Hall with the following information:

Specific streetlight location,

wooden or metal pole,

streetlight pole number (metal pole - at base of pole, Wood poles - it is located eight feet up the pole),

details about outage (intermittent, off, flashing, etc.).

If there is a case where a pole has been knocked down or any other emergency, please call 1-800-477-4747.

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Ordinance Violation Hotline

Residents can call in with any ordinance violations you may see. Call 248-682-1440 extension 6, after 4:30 p.m. or you can contact the police immediately by calling 248-681-1911. This will go directly to the West Bloomfield dispatch, day or night, and they will have a Sylvan Lake police officer respond to your call. You may also send an email to sylvanlakeordinance@gmail.com.

However, it will be up to the ordinance enforcement officer how a call is handeled or if there is actually a violation of the ordinance. Please do not expect a ticket to be written based upon a complaint.

Some common violations are:

Dogs in the parks or unleashed dogs,

Junk cars (expired plates),

Storage of garbage cans (cannot be visible from the street),

Incorrect storage of PODS, trailers, and RV's,

Illegal parking on the road or in the front yard,

Rocks in the road right-of-way,

Missing addresses on your homes, and

Blight.

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Rubbish Collection

The collection takes place every Wednesday. Richfield Management begins picking up trash promptly at 7:00 a.m. So make sure you have your trash and recycling at the edge of the street by 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Trash collection will be delayed one day only for the following holidays:

New Year's Day

Memorial Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Thanksgiving Day

Christmas Day

*If you have any items that need to be picked up, please call Richfield Management at 877-609-6753.

Dog Waste

Please be considerate when disposing of your dog's waste. Throw it in a trash can located at the parks or at your own home. Do not throw it into a neighbor's yard or trash can.

Building Permits

Building permits must be obtained if you are going to do any repairs, remodeling, renovating, building, plumbing, or electrical work on your home. Always check with City Hall before starting any project. Permits are also required for any improvements made in the road right-of-way. A zoning permit is required for fences, driveways, parking areas, etc.

Permits are required for a few reasons, safety being the primary reason. It is very important that work performed in your home meets the current codes and regulations. Even something as small as adding a circuit to your electrical panel or installing a water heater needs to be inspected. Both could have disastrous consequences if installed improperly. If you have a contractor do the work for you, make sure they have pulled the appropriate permits. Also, part of the permit fee is a bond that is refunded if the work is completed properly and all applicable inspection fees were paid. We want you to be aware of this so a contractor does not add this "bond" fee to the cost of your project and then they get the bond refunded to them when it is completed. If you have questions on how the permit process works, please call City Hall.

Recycling

Only 25 percent of Sylvan Lake residents recycle. Recycling is included as a part of your normal trash collection. Bins are available at City Hall. It is not necessary to use their recycling bin. Your first recycling bin is free, but if you like more, they are $10 each.

You can use a plastic "storage" type container or a cardboard box.

Make sure it is marked RECYCLING so the contents are not disposed with the regular trash.

Newspapers, magazines, and ads should be tied securely with a string or placed in a brown paper bag.

Telephone books do not have to be bundled.

Plastic jugs, bottles, glass bottles, and jars must be washed out.

Only plastic jugs and bottles marked with a 1 or 2 on the bottom will be accepted.

Plastic containers marked with a 3 through 7 will be accepted

Metal cans need to be clean.

Pots and pans.

If any recycling is dirty, it will be thrown out with the regular trash.

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

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Road Right-Of-Way (ROW) Policy

City Council has approved the ROW policy governing improvements in the ROW. The ROW is City right of way, the strip of land along the street, from the edge of the street to the property line. The area generally extends from 12 to 15 feet from the pavement. The ROW policy requires a permit before ANY improvement is made in the ROW. This includes digging, filling, installing sprinkler systems, planting trees, etc. Improvements that do not require a permit are minor things such as maintenance, planting grass, or flowers.

The Policy requires that the first four feet (4') of ROW adjacent to the street be grass, low approved vegetation, or at-grade rocks for retaining (around a culvert end for example). This vegetation could be flowers (hostas) etc. If you are wondering what would be allowed, please call City Hall. Items that are absolutely not allowed within 4 feet of the edge of the pavement are above grade items like rocks, boulders, tall plants or bushes, landscape planters, reflectors, etc. The entire ROW policy will be available for review on the web site and at City Hall.

What is a variance? Click to read about the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), how the appeal process works, and how the ZBA tries to relieve property owners from ordinances uniquely affecting them.

SEMCOG - For more information, go to www.semcog.org/ourstoprotect.

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.

Beach Water Sampling Season

The Oakland County Health Division has begun testing for E. Coli bacteria. Samples are taken from June to August. If test results exceed the limits, notices will be posted at the beach. You can also view posted beach closures and reopening results at http://www.oakgov.com/health/info_pub/eh_beachclosing.html. Also, all sample results will be on the MDEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) website at http://www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/.

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Clinton River Trail

Use of the Clinton River trail is increasing. It's great to see so many people enjoying it. We have had several comments requesting the trail to be mowed more frequently. Remember, the trail is to be "natural." We don't want the grass and limbs hindering the use of the trail, but it is not intended to be mowed regularly like our other parks.

Sharon Hughes continues to lead a planting program on the trail near Pontiac Drive.  She would appreciate help planting and maintaining the areas.   If you have something you would like to donate, please call Sharon at 248-681-5557, or email her at Slynnhughes@netzero.net.

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.

Previous Community Center

The previous building was built about 1912 for the Detroit Free Press Fresh Air Camp Activities building. Saturday nights at the camp found entertainers from Detroit brought out to perform for the children including such acts as Red Skelton, Gene Krupa, the Andrews Sisters, and poet Edgar A. Guest. During the weeknights, the children would take turns entertaining the villagers with songs and skits.

Special Thanks/Kudos

The Garden Club for once again putting together a fantastic Ice Cream Social.

Marlene Toby for organizing the Community Center Dedication Ceremony.

Project Updates

Community Programs

What to do about Neighbor's Free-roaming Cats

“I have received a number of calls from residents whose neighbor’s pet cat is venturing into their yard,” says resident Linda Wasche, who runs the feral cat trapping program in Sylvan Lake. In many cases, free-roaming pet cats are killing wildlife or causing problems for residents’ in-home cats. Of course, the best situation is for cats to be kept in the home which keeps them safe. But what do you do if your neighbor’s cat is becoming a nuisance in your yard? Start by talking to the neighbor first. He or she may not know that the cat is a nuisance. If this does not resolve the situation, contact the Oakland County Animal Control at 248-391-4100 to speak with a deputy.

What to do about Sylvan Lake Wildlife

We have all seen a variety of wildlife in our City – from deer to raccoons and opossums. Although they are beautiful to watch, they can also get into things and are at risk of injury or death on our streets. If you know of wildlife that you feel may be at risk, please be kind. I recently heard about one situation of a resident allegedly trapping and drowning helpless creatures in a water-filled trash can in the backyard. While it is hard to believe that anyone in our community could be so heartless and cruel – and I am hoping this rumor is untrue – most of us want to do the right thing. If you have a wild creature that you would like to move to safety, please feel free to borrow one of my live traps. If you have not trapped before, I am happy to show you how to use it. It is very easy. Contact me at (home) 248-682-7320 or email at Lindaw@LWmarketworks.com.

– Linda Wasche, Sylvan Lake resident.

Remember: Be Kind to Wildlife.

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.

Pet Supplies Plus of West Bloomfield was involved in the cat trapping program of our City. They are also working together with the Nooters Club on how to prevent littering.

To read more about how to prevent littering and help improve the environment, click here.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT BECOMING A NEW MEMBER OF NOOTERS CLUB!

CAN YOU FIND A HOME FOR TWO KITTENS? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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September Calender Of Events

1st      - Labor Day, City Hall closed.

2nd     - Planning Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

10th    - City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.

14th    - Taxes due without penalty.

17th    - Meet the Candidates Night, 7:00 p.m. at Roosevelt Elementary School.

25th    - City Council Study Session at 7:00 p.m.

27th    - Bicycle Safety and Fun Day, 10:00 a.m. at the Community Center.

Variances

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has the power to grant variances upon appeal, from the strict application of the zoning ordinance. An appeal may be filed when there is a practical difficulty or hardship preventing the property owner from conforming to the strict letter of the ordinance. The ZBA will consider the request for a variance and determine whether it may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the ordinance.

The authority of the ZBA is designed to provide relief to a property owner from an ordinance that is uniquely affecting him/her. The problem the property owner faces must be created by circumstances unique to the property and not shared by surrounding parcels and the problem cannot be self-created. Typically, the following situations must exist:

The alleged practical difficulty is exceptional and peculiar to the property and generally does not exist throughout the City. An irregular shaped lot or odd natural characteristics of the land are possible examples of this.

The alleged practical difficulty must be more than a mere inconvenience or need for financial gain or financial savings.

The practical difficulty was not created by an action of the applicant and either existed at the time of the adoption of the requirement from which the variance is requested, or is necessary as the result of governmental action such as road widening. A self-created hardship is typically not a valid basis for a variance.

The variance is the minimum necessary to permit reasonable use of the land and building for activities permitted in the zoning ordinance.

Justice considering: Public benefits specifically defined by zoning rules, AND individual hardship suffered by not granting variance, AND the rights of affected property owners.

The appellant presents information usually showing that the requested variance:

Will not be contrary with the intent and purpose of the zoning ordinance,

Will not cause a substantially adverse affect upon adjacent properties,

Will relate only to the property under control of the appellant,

Will not essentially alter the character of the surrounding area,

Will not increase the hazard of fire, flood, or other similar dangers; and

Will not increase traffic congestion.

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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

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.