The following State of the Township Address was given before the Redford Township Chamber of Commerce on March 16, 2005...

R. Miles Handy II
State of the Township Address
Wednesday, March 16, 2005

First of all, I’d like everybody to – let’s give a moment of silence for our veterans and our soldiers that are in Iraq. So, if we would all bow our heads please.

Thank you very much.

First of all, I would like to thank the Redford Township Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this event. I would like to thank our Redford Township District Library for giving us the opportunity to see this wonderful facility. It’s a great day in Redford Township.

My family goes way back in Redford Township. My grandmother moved here in 1934 from a rural town in northern Michigan. My father grew up here. He went to high school here. Then he ended up teaching at the same high school he went to for 33 years. My mother, they met in Florida – how I don’t know – but they met. They met down in Florida and they ended up coming back to Redford Township because it was dear to my father’s heart.

My family and my parents brought me up thinking about community service – the commitment to our community, helping others. And, without those principles, I wouldn’t be here standing in front of you today. So, I’d like to recognize Roger and Jean, my parents. Please stand.

(applause)

You know, politics has been in my blood a long time. As many of you are aware, my father was on the Township Board for many, many years. He was a Parks Commissioner before that. At a very young age, I can remember going door to door, knocking on doors and walking all day. My feet hurt. But you know what I got out of that deal? I got a Happy Meal at McDonald’s and that was a big thing. So, dad and Leo Snage and everybody else would walk my legs off for a Happy Meal, but it was more than a Happy Meal; it was about the community.
I can remember the Handy/Christie team which is a team today. My father and Garth’s father worked hand in hand to better this community. Now, me and Garth are going to do the same thing. It is very unique.

Politics was also on my mother’s side of the family. My great uncle, B. R. Patton, who I miss dearly, was a federal senator – I’m sorry – a state senator from the great state of Louisiana. He served with Earl and Huey Long and, if you ever read about the Long family and the politics, Louisiana style, back in those days, he was there and he lived it. It was a great inspiration.

My Aunt Dot on my mother’s side also was in the first women legislature in the state house in Louisiana – my great aunt. So, I guess you could say we come from a political family. I was a president on the Young Democrat’s in college where I went down at Northeast Louisiana and met my lovely wife. After college, I moved back to my home, Redford Township. I had many successes in business; I had a few failures. But I learned. I learned from all the past. I learned, if you get knocked down, get right back up. And I learned that right here in Redford Township – in our community.

I decided to run for Township Trustee in 1996. I wanted to get more involved in local politics and was elected. And one of the great accomplishments that I felt during my first term was establishing a K-9 unit for our police department. And guys, I know you appreciate the dog and now we have two dogs; but it’s been a great reward.

In 2000, I, again, ran for reelection for Township Trustee and was elected. It was a great honor and a great privilege to be a Township Trustee, like my father had been in the past. But, in the year 2004, in May, I came to a crossroads in my political career. Should I get involved full-time, part-time, or get back into the business world 100 percent? I decided that it was time to drive the bus or I had to get off the bus. We established petitions and went door to door getting petitions, and we did it for Township Trustee. At that point, I didn’t know if I was going to run for Trustee, if I was going to run for State Representative, or if I was going to run for Supervisor. I truly didn’t know. And then one day, after many individuals came back with the petitions, the question they kept on asking, “Why aren’t you running for Supervisor?” And that one day came – that one day came where my wife looked at me and said, “Why aren’t you running for Supervisor?” So, I would like to give a round of applause to my family, Barbara, Trey, and Ashley for giving me the opportunity to run for this fine office.

(applause)

The many hours and sacrifices that your dad is doing, guys, you will see in later days. The campaign trail started in May. We went door to door – Handy and Andy Dillon. So, it was Handy and Andy and my other teammates. But we walked this town from front to back, from back to front. And, with the overall support of our community, in August, Team Handy was successful. I’d like to thank all my teammates for making that possible – and the residents. Thank you.

(applause)

In November, the Restore Redford mindset was moving forward. Seven – nearly seven out of ten voters voted for me as Township Supervisor. It was a great, humble start and I was very excited about serving this community.

It’s been about 120 days, a little less, since I started as the Township Supervisor. The first day on the job at about 8:30 in the morning, I get a call that Dial-A-Ride is in a panic. Something happened. All of a sudden, 25 percent of our workforce was off. So, we had seniors not being able to go to doctor appointments, not be able to get groceries for Thanksgiving. So, I immediately sprung into action and went down to the Dial-A-Ride bus terminal and implemented a plan, with the help of township employees, that made sure that our seniors got to the doctors and they got to the grocery store. And I would like to recognize two of those employees that stepped up during that week. Paul Dineen has been with the township over 20 years and Russ Kidman. Thank you for your help, guys.

(applause)

I would also like to thank Bill Wing. Where’s Bill at? Bill, stand up. Bill has been with the township, I think, over 32 years. He has been the backbone of the Water Department. He is retiring at the end of March, but I thought it was important that we recognize what Bill has done to this community. Thank you, Bill.

(applause)

After the Dial-A-Ride ordeal, we had to get ready for Old-Fashioned Christmas. Christmas was cancelled and I appreciated the Community First project by the Democratic Club picking up the pieces. But we still had some issues. I was asked by some veterans to fix Veteran’s Park because, on Veteran’s Day, when they had a ceremony, the park was all dark and they felt the eternal flame was not lit. And they were very concerned about being disrespectful to the veterans. So, I made sure that we fixed Veteran’s Park, not only for Old-Fashioned Christmas, but for Pearl Harbor Day. And we did that, and I appreciate the veterans and their tolerance.

(applause)

The ice rink is another program that we looked at right out of the gate. The ice rink has been losing money. Currently, there’s a little less than 50 Redford Township kids playing ice hockey at the rink with our programs. I was very concerned about that because, in these tough economic times, we can’t afford to subsidize anything; so, we had to look into it and we are looking into it. In fact, we’ve got five proposals from management companies that we are going to have to sit down with and evaluate with an ice rink committee and our Township Board and do the right thing for the residents of Redford Township.

One of my concerns was we had a grader in the garage at Town Hall –not Town Hall, but at the Water Board Building. And I wanted to get that grader out on the roads. I wanted to help our roads. I thought it was important. And we did that. We got the grader out of the garage and onto the roads helping snow plow. Thanks again, Paul and everybody, for snow plowing.

(applause)

We had many residents call the Supervisor’s Office and talk with all of us regarding the gratefulness of the snow plow, so it was a great service to our residents.

Also, the last 120 days, we passed a budget, unanimously, 7-0. I was pleased with our budget; I was pleased with our process. It didn’t come out without sacrifices. Our township employees, along with elected officials and department heads, are taking zero pay raises under these difficult, economic times; but things will get better and they are going to get better.

Kind of last, but not least, what I’ve been doing the last 120 days is the DaimlerChrysler, Detroit Diesel project. I was contacted by Detroit Diesel prior to becoming the Supervisor. And I told Chrysler – I said, “I would be happy to meet with you after I take office, November 7th or November 20th.” We met with DaimlerChrysler Michigan Economic Development Core at Representative Andy Dillon’s office in Lansing for our first meeting. Michigan Economic Development was concerned that our Detroit Diesel plant was going to move to North Carolina, so they offered them the moon. In fact, they offered them tax free for seven years. And I said to myself – I said, how could we afford that in this community? I didn’t think we could afford that. There was sixteen revisions, folks, to this plan – sixteen! We met down at the Governor’s southeast Michigan office, downtown – me and our finance director John Cubba. We met with M-DOT; we met with lawyers; we met with numerous, numerous meetings, hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours. We were at the MLK event, and I appreciate the Minister Alliance for putting that on. You did a wonderful job. But, after that, we went to work. We went to work at Town Hall, along with our friends at DaimlerChrysler. People asked, you know, “How could you say no to the Governor?” I said, “It’s easy to say no to the governor when it doesn’t make sense for the residents of Redford Township.” But let me tell you how this came to bat. There’s one reason and one reason only – because DaimlerChrysler cares about Redford Township.

(applause)

I have to recognize – I call them my dream team because they worked all these long hours, along my side to create a program that’s acceptable to everybody. John Cubba, would you please stand up please, our finance director.

(applause)

Mike McGee, Mike McGee, where’s Mike? Mike McGee, stand up, Mike.

(applause)

And Bob Gorman. I don’t know if Bob made it but, ladies and gentlemen, if there ever was a dream team, that was the dream team.

On Super Bowl Sunday, I was with Representative Dillon and we were thinking about, what else, the DaimlerChrysler project. I said, “Andy,” – I said, “It’s time we get the Governor involved.” And he said, “You know what? You’re right” because Chrysler cared about Redford Township and we put a deal that was acceptable to Chrysler and we just had to convince the state. So, Andy and myself – Representative Dillon – we emailed the Governor, folks, on Super Bowl Sunday. On Super Bowl Sunday, you’ve got a governor working for you, you got a supervisor working for you, and you got a representative working for you. If that doesn’t tell you something that we care, I don’t know what will. Let’s hear it for the Governor.

(applause)

The Governor, within 30 minutes, emailed Andy Dillon back, says, “I’m on top of it. I will get back to you, guys, on Monday. I’m all over it.” Let me tell you, folks, things started happening quick when Governor Jennifer Granholm got involved in this project. And what happened, what happened? We got 600 new jobs here in Redford Township with DaimlerChrysler.

(applause)

We saved 2,400 jobs that could’ve left the state but they are going to be here in Redford Township.

(applause)

And last, but not least, as of yesterday, we got $11.3 million for local roads here in Redford Township.

(applause)

Not only $11.3 million for our local roads, our dirt roads in our community, we got $5 million for South Redford Schools.

(applause)

Also, the state has agreed to pay 100 percent of the repaving from Beech Daly to Telegraph on Glendale.

(applause)

I want to express a deep thank you to our Governor, Jennifer Granholm, for making this happen for Redford Township.

(applause)

And it’s time that I would like everybody to give a standing ovation to DaimlerChrysler because they care.

(applause)

Michigan’s economic rebirth is going to happen right here in Redford Township.

You know, one of the things, growing up in the township, you know, I was always involved with the community. We had all types of events. And one of the things, one of the first changes I made, was decals on our new police cars. Have you guys seen the new grey? It says “Redford Township.”

(applause)

Because I think it’s important that that’s who we are – we are Redford Township. We became Redford but we’re not Redford – we’re Redford Township. And so I’m thankful for the police cars and the new look. And what is Redford Township? When I grew up, it was about families, it was about community – helping one another. We may not have all agreed on every issue, but we always did it for Redford Township. You know, that’s what we need to do. We need to think about Redford Township.

You know, our community does some great things and, two weeks ago Sunday, I was at a spaghetti dinner. A young man, Scott Jankowski had a stroke – 20 years old. And he ran into some difficulties for rehabilitation. And the financial burden on the family in general. But you know what? Redford cares, Redford Township cares. There were over 200 people, at least, at that spaghetti dinner. I was one of them. And I would like to recognize Scott and Sue Jankowski. Would you please stand?

(applause)

Scott, you are going to come back strong. Maybe someday you’ll be right here doing the same thing. We believe in you. You will succeed. Thank you.

(applause)

You know, people ask me what is my vision for Redford Township. Were we the jewel of Michigan the last eight years? I don’t think so. But I’ll tell you what. We can become the Gateway to the Suburbs and that’s what we are, the Gateway to the Suburbs.

(applause)

We can fix our roads and we will fix our roads here in Redford Township.

(applause)

We will clean up the neighborhoods and the blight in Redford Township.

(applause)

I’ve been working on new ordinance department, as far as an ordinance bureau with the help of John Buck and our building department. Let me tell you, folks, if you’ve got tall grass anymore, it’s not going to happen in my township.

(applause)

If you have trees growing out of your gutters, it’s not going to happen in our township.

(applause)

If you have Christmas lights up year round, that’s not going to happen in our township.

(applause)

In fact, Deputy Police Chief Buck, we instituted an abandoned car problem. We’re not going to have abandoned cars either in our township.

(applause)

In fact folks, we tagged two weeks ago over 244 abandoned cars.

(applause)

Because this is a community that people are going to want to move into, not move out of. We’re moving forward. With that ordinance bureau, we’re going to have a 1-800 number so residents can call and give their concerns and, within 48 hours, we will deploy township employees to immediately respond to the ordinance request. So, I would like to thank Al Hoard and John Buck for helping this and we’ve got a lot of work to do yet, guys, but it’s moving forward. Thank you, guys.

(applause)

What are you going to find in the new Gateway? You’re going to find safe neighborhoods. We have one of the finest police departments, not only in the state but in the country. Let’s hear it for our police.

(applause)

Residents from all races, walks of life, religions, we’re going to be a big melting pot here in our township.

(applause)

We’re going to have a road repair program which you guys will soon find out in our township.

(applause)

Last, but not least, we’re going to have a citizen advisory board. I’m going to have a citizen advisory board made up of many residents from many walks of life through our community. All ethnic backgrounds, all religions – we’re going to get together and try to do what’s right for Redford Township. So, I need the residents’ help also.

(applause)

We also are going to have a new sister city which I am extremely happy with. We’re also going to have festivals and community events. I can remember growing up and having the Ox Roast and thinking what a great event that was. I can remember going to fireworks at Bell Creek Park. I can remember the MayFest. I can remember going to Europe with our sister city program. I remember band students from our high schools went to Europe. We had a sense of community. It was a very special place and it is a very special place; but we’re going to get back to the basics, folks, and become a community again.

(applause)

We also are going to have a cultural events center – a cultural events center that’s going to bring the past history of our community with new arts and creative things for all of our residents. So, we’re going to have a cultural events center right here in Redford Township.

(applause)

I would like to say our first festival that we’re going to have is a Cinco de Mayo festival. That’s because one of our first – our sister city is going to be with a community from Mexico. We have a large – not a large but a growing Hispanic base in the township. In fact, one day, it would be nice to have Plymouth Road to have a Mexican town. We’ve got Tamales Express. We’ve got a new Hispanic grocery store. So, there’s some really neat things. With that, it brings me great pleasure to introduce from San Luis Potosí, Mexico. This man traveled over 4,000 miles because he believes in Redford Township and he wants to be a part of our community. I would like everybody to welcome Senator Jorge Lozano.

(applause)

For a small moment, Jorge is going to say a few words, but Clerk Christie has a little gift for you. By the way, Senator Lozano, bien benito a casa.

We have a rather impressive-looking plaque from the state of Michigan, special tribute to Senator Jorge Lozano Armengol. “You must be the change you wish to see the world.” And that’s a quote from Mahat Maghandi. “Let it be known that it is with great honor that we welcome Senator Jorge Lozano Armengol to our state’s capitol this Tuesday, March 15, 2005. Senator Jorge Lozano Armengol is a well respected diplomat from the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Did I get that close? The senator has selflessly dedicated numerous years to create stimulus in the Mexican economy which has afforded a better life for countless residents of San Luis Potosí in Mexico as a whole. Senator Lozano should be held as an example to those who aspire to enter the political arena. Throughout his career, Senator Jorge Lozano Armengol has fought to develop programs to assist single mothers, to create jobs, and to establish trade relations with the U.S. and Mexican senate. In special tribute, therefore, this official document is signed and dedicated to join with the citizens of Mexico and our fellow community members in saluting Senator Jorge Lozano Armengol in acknowledgment of his outstanding contributions in an effort to fortify a lasting relationship with the people of Michigan and the people of Mexico. This project enhances qualities that are very much admired by the people of both communities. It is a sign of industriousness that will be of great value to a promising relationship for many years to come.” And it is signed – it is a very impressive-looking document. It’s signed by State Representative Andy Dillon, State Senator Laura Toy, and Governor Jennifer Granholm; and it has the state seal affixed to it.

(applause)

Go ahead, say a couple of words.

Thank you, Miles. Thank you, everybody. First, I would like to apologize. My English is not very good but I love to be here. I was here, I don’t know, maybe 39 years ago, studying English and Michigan State University in Lansing. So, I have forgotten my English. Thirty-nine years ago is a long time. At that time, I was 18 years old. Now, I’m 57; I would like to forgotten. I have seven grandkids and I love them. Three daughters and a boy already married and I’m very happy to be here in beautiful state. I knew Miles around 12, maybe 13 years ago. He went to my town, I remember at that time I was a governor candidate in my state at a very difficult time because we didn’t have an office in Mexico. I remember Miles sometimes there during my campaign. I have been here for several times and Miles have been in Mexico several times too. And I know Miles. He’s a winner. I know Miles, he fight. And I’m sure that Redford is going to be a winner too.

(applause)

So, for myself, this will be a pleasure to have a sister city, Redford and my town, San Luis Potosí, the same name as my state. I already talk with the, we call the, municipality president there in my town. He’s agreed. So, I hope pretty soon you are going to have maybe some boys in football or something like that or maybe some boys from Redford going to my town and some maybe, I hope, investment in my town from maybe DaimlerChrysler.

(applause)

It is a poor country – we need help. Right now, as a politician, you have to have a human sense in this situation, and I’m sure that Miles have that. So, I’m very glad to be here. Thank you for inviting me. This important day for you, Miles. Thank you very much.

(applause)

The sister city was a great experience growing up in my life. In fact, how many residents here went to St. Johann, Austria? Anybody in the crowd? Raise your hand. Okay. So, quite a few still went. It was a very unique experience. It was a cultural exchange. You learn from other cultures. It was a great event. We had exchange students stay at our house. We stayed at their house and we had the festivals and it was just a very warm reception. It was great culture and that’s what we need to do in this small world today. So, I’m excited about the opportunity. And I’m a soccer coach, Jorge, so you better get your team ready because, if the Redford Roadrunners come down, you’re going to see a battle.

You know, everybody in this room, I ask you, to walk with me. Elected officials, I ask you to walk with me. Redford Township chamber members, I ask you to walk with me. Church leaders, residents from all walks of life, I ask you to walk with me. I ask you to walk with me in the new Gateway to the Suburbs, Redford Township. Thank you.

(applause)

Thank you very much.