Well, we have finally switched to a new platform and a new server. It took a bit longer than we would have liked to move and we still are in the process of carrying over three years of stories, along with photos and video.

We made a host of improvements, the majority on making the site operate more reliably and viewable from multiple types of Internet browsers.

You’ll also notice on the right rail of the page that we have added a community calendar that we have simply titled “Upcoming Events”. Simply click on the event and the pertinent information will appear. So if you have an upcoming event we’ll post it here free of charge for you. Please send along the information to our email address at the top right of the page and we will be happy to add it to the Upcoming Events section.

More visible improvements to the site will be forthcoming. As always, DeepSaidWhat.com welcomes your views and encourages lively – but civil – discussions about Dearborn. Comments are unedited, but submissions reported as abusive or unrelated to a posted story may be removed.

Thanks for reading.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is on a fast path to permanently remove the traffic signal at Fordson and Telegraph, a move that likely will encourage motorists traveling north on Telegraph between Oxford and Cherry Hill to drive even faster.

According to residents who live near the intersection, MDOT officials have already switched the signal to a flashing amber and the plan is to keep it that way for the next 90 days. After that, the traffic signal is set to be removed altogether.

It isn’t entirely clear why officials at MDOT want to remove this particular signal but for those who have tried to turn from southbound Telegraph to head north on to Telegraph, it has become increasingly difficult at peak travel times because traffic no longer stops at the light resulting in fewer gaps in the flow of vehicles. It also has become more dangerous for students walking home from Dearborn High School who have used that signal as a way to cross Telegraph.

A resident on Newton Street alerted us here at DeepSaidWhat about the pending change, explaining that the flashing amber will stay for 90 days, unless residents contact MDOT to complain. If enough residents call, MDOT may reassess their plans and perhaps return the traffic signal to the formal full operation.

Residents can contact Mike Budai at MDOT at 313-375-2400 to make clear why the traffic signal should remain. Callers should be prepared to explain why the signal should remain in operation.

Just a friendly reminder, the third and final installment of 2008 Summer Tax Bill is due Jan. 14, 2009. Homeowners should make checks payable to the City of Dearborn. Late payments will be charged 1 percent per month on unpaid balance from July 1, 2008.

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.

Dearborn businessman Kayed Bazzi will be thanking his customers with discounted gas beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at his B P gas station at 10601 East Outer Drive and Harper.

Mr. Bazzi thought the best way to show appreciation for his customers after one of them won a $1 million lottery prize in December was to sell 10,000 gallons of discounted gasoline at his Detroit station. Bazzi received a $2,000 commission from the state lottery for selling the winning ticket, an amount he plans to give back to his customers.

The discount will work this way: Bazzi will sell the gasoline for 20 cents per gallon below the cost to him from the supplier. “For instance, today the price is $1.69, my cost is $1.60,” he earlier told the Detroit Free Press. “I’m going to sell it for $1.40.”

At a time when many people are working hard to make ends meet, including business owners, Bazzi’s generous gesture is worth recognition. To that we say, well done!

If you are looking for a way to take that better photograph than mark your calendar for Feb. 6 for a free photography workshop at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn.

The workshop, entitled “The Zen of Photography” runs from 3 – 5 p.m. on Feb. 6 in Wet Rooms 1 and 2 of the Center, 15801 Michigan Avenue, at the corner of Greenfield.

The Zen of Photography will allow participants to see life through the lens of a camera with award-winning photographer Teresa Lousias. The event is offered as part of the First Friday Artist Exchange Series, a collaborative project sponsored by the Dearborn Public Schools and the Dearborn Recreation Department’s Senior Services and Cultural Arts Divisions.

This presentation coincides with Dearborn’s 14th Annual Juried Photography Exhibition in The Center’s Padzieski Art Gallery, which runs from January 22 through March 8.

Class size for the free workshop is limited. To reserve a space, please call Dearborn’s Cultural Arts Division at 943-2190.

Happy New Year from the crew at DeepSaidWhat.com.
Here are some suggestions from The Detroit News for a better 2009 for our state.
To read the editorial, click HERE.

Detroit Free Press columist Ron Dzwonkowski says it is time to change gears and drive on. With all of the challenges our state faces and our great city, we all will need to find ways to turn adversity into opportunity. To read Ron’s column, click HERE.

Merry Christmas from the crew at DeepSaidWhat.com.

Came across this story on Christmas Eve in the Wall Street Journal and we thought it was worth sharing. For the WSJ column, click HERE.

Well, it has been a bit longer than I would have liked, but DeepSaidWhat.com will be back and running before Christmas if all goes as planned. We’ve moved to a new server with a larger bandwidth, which means we now will be able to offer Pod casts as well as streaming video. The actual appearance of the page hasn’t changed much but we have added a bit more functionality and a couple new features. We’ll have more to share and say later this week.  Thank you for your patience.