Public Invited to Take Part in Jan. 21 Brainstorming Session

Are their ways to make the Dearborn Homecoming better? Now in its 30th year, the City of Dearborn is inviting the public to take part in a brainstorming session on Jan. 21 to generate new ideas to make the annual event at Ford Field Park even better.

One idea the Homecoming Committee is looking at is whether to change the schedules of some existing activities, including considering offering the fireworks on Friday and Saturday.

The public brainstorming session will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, in the City Council Chambers, 13615 Michigan Ave. The idea session is open to service clubs, community organizations and charitable groups that staff the food and activity booths at the festival. Also invited are the businesses in west Dearborn that benefit from the traffic generated by the festival each August.

The City is looking forward to a lively discussion from the audience about possible updates to the successful festival.

“We always have to consider our finances and staff resources when we are thinking about new activities,” said Dearborn spokeswoman Mary Laundroche, who also is the Dearborn Homecoming co-chair. “But we know our residents love Homecoming, and they must have terrific ideas that can help keep our community festival fresh. Suggestions that have a general appeal and are affordable will be pursued for 2009, or beyond.”

Residents can also email their ideas for new Homecoming activities to mlaundroche@ci.dearborn.mi.us, or call the Department of Public Information at 313-943-2285.

Dearborn residents with fallen branches or other yard waste from recent wind storms can drag them to the curb for pickup on their normal trash collection day beginning today and running through January 9.

Depending on weather conditions, Dearborn Department of Public Works crews will collect the storm debris as close as possible to residents’ regular trash pickup day.

Dearborn residents may also call the Department of Public Works at 313-943-2085 to request a pickup of storm debris, which must be placed at the curb.