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	Cultural Coalition Click here
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	"Cinco" 5K Run Run Click here
	Youth Spring Class Schedule: Click here
	Downtown Redford Redevelopment Plans: DDA Streetscape :: Rose Garden Plan :: Non-motorized Trail :: Redford Marquee Pictures: Rose Garden :: Marquee You must have a Power Point viewer for the Reford Marquee. Click here to download a free viewer.
	Free Tutoring From The Redford Township Youth Department Click Here for More Information
	Free Drop-in Homework Help Room From the Redford Township Youth Department Click Here for More Information
	ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS Have you ever wanted to make a change. Have you ever wanted to make a difference. Have you ever wanted to LEAD?! To find out more, Click Here.
	Commission Apprentice: New for 8th graders!! The Redford Youth Commission are now looking for 8th grade students to join as apprentices. New students will work with current members learning about government, participating in volunteer opportunities, and creating events for youth and teens within the community. Anyone interested can attend any regularly scheduled meeting.

To pay your water or tax bill via first class mail, please send to:
     Treasury
     15145 Beech Daly Road
     Redford, Michigan 48239

Electronic Payments for Tax and Water Bills

2006 Consumer's Confidence Report

MI Transportation Plan: Moving Michigan Forward the Michigan Department of Transportation's long-range plan for 2030.

Yard Waste Program
Yard waste pickup will start the first full week of April
and end the second full week of December.

WHAT IF I HAVE A FLOODED BASEMENT?
Under State Law Public Act 222 any resident having experienced an overflow or backup of a sewage disposal system or storm water system must file a written claim with the Township within 45 days after the overflow or backup was discovered, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have discovered it. Notice must be mailed to the Township of Redford Water & Sewer Department at 12200 Beech Daly, Redford, MI 48239. Failure to provide the required notice to the Township will limit your rights under the law. Contact Redford Twp. Water & Sewer Dept. at (313) 387-2670 immediately upon discovery of an overflow or backup.

If you are having problems keeping up with the costs of your heating bills
call Representative Andy Dillon toll-free at 1-866-252-0078.

To report ordinance violations in the neighborhoods :
pride@redfordtwp.com

What's happening in your Neighborhood Associations ...

Redford Interfaith Relief
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Newsletter or Homepage

Citizenship
by Garth Christie

During the month of May, communities across the globe will pause to recognize the office of municipal clerk. As a result, it is appropriate that we explore this ancient and universal public office at this time.

The office of municipal clerk is the oldest among public servants, dating back before written records. Thus, the clerk’s memory served as the public record. An example of this was the “Mazkir Ha`ir” which translates from ancient Hebrew to the “town reminder”.

In the Bible, a town clerk is credited with ensuring the safety of St. Paul and his followers when they spread the gospel in the town of Ephesus (located in modern-day Anatolia). Artisans of that town feared the impact of Christianity on their idol-making business. They seized two of St. Paul’s companions and brought them to the amphitheatre. A mob gathered and there was much confusion until the town clerk addressed the mob. He pointed out that if charges were to be brought against the missionaries, they must follow proper judicial procedures, otherwise the gathering was an illegal breach of peace for which they could be held accountable. With that explanation, the town clerk dismissed the crowd. Acts 19:22-41.

In medieval England, a strong system of democratic local government developed based on the township, i.e., a community defined by a border hedge or “tun”. One of the first elected positions was that of “tun clarke” or township clerk. The clerk was the record keeper and reminded the town council to be consistent based on their past actions. The clerk was said to stand between the council and the citizens. The importance of this position was observed in a legal opinion by Chief Justice Lord Caldecote. The jurist noted that any member of council who desired to ride roughshod over the opinion or advice of the township clerk, “…should consider the question as to whether it is not his duty to resign his office”.

American colonists established systems of local government similar to the ones they left behind. They knew that accurate recordkeeping was vital to their success so the office of clerk was one of the first created. During this period, clerks gained additional responsibilities; for example, preparing the meeting room by sweeping the floor and setting up chairs, announcing meeting time by ringing a bell and paying the bounty on blackbirds and jays whose heads were delivered to him.

Today, clerks perform these ancient tasks with modern tools and weave in additional duties created by the demands of modern society. Citizens expect clerks to have all the answers. Fortunately, we can rely on computers and electronic recordkeeping and not just our memories. I am responsible for the preparation of the meeting room. Instead of ringing a bell, a member of my staff is tasked with informing Supervisor Handy of “meeting time” so he can call the meeting to order. Although we do not pay a bounty on the heads of dead birds, we accept old flags for proper retirement by Boy Scouts.

We perform licensing, passport, notary and other services. We make sure all township officials have the information and tools they need to accomplish their missions. And above all, municipal clerks conduct all elections in Michigan’s best-in-the-land voting system.

Esteemed political science professor, William B. Munro, recognized the importance of the unglamorous clerk position, in 1934. He noted the uniqueness of the clerk in that this office serves the people as well as all administrative departments on a daily basis. He noted, “Its work is not spectacular, but demands versatility, alertness, accuracy and no end of patience. The public does not realize the number of loose ends….this office pulls together.” Professor Munro’s appraisal is still accurate today.