Changes are afoot at Big Apple Bagels, our Saturday morning mainstay in Downtown Farmington. Just when we’d gotten used to owner Tony Maciejewski’s caustic humor and occasional Christian testimony, word is he’s sold the place – to Rev. Paul Bersche. Rev. Bersche is pastor of The Crossing Church, located in the former Frank’s Nursery building on Grand River and Mooney streets. A family member will be managing the shop.
Whoda thunk?
The answer to that question is one, that I know of, and it’s right here in Farmington:
http://www.farmingtonstreetscape.org
Yes, the Downtown Farmington streetscape has its own Web site, with a list of upcoming events, information about the project, a list of businesses with links to their Web sites, a project schedule, parking and traffic information, status updates and a blog.
The DDA has begun to push forward with social media. In addition to the streetscape blog, there’s one under development by the Main Street Promotions committee (disclaimer: I helped with that one) that aims to eventually have a group of connected blogs that keep the public up-to-date on Main Street committee projects and minutes. You can even “friend” Downtown Farmington on Facebook, if you are so inclined.
I am a staunch advocate of social media, and I believe that we’ve only scratched the surface of its potential. The more times the words “Downtown Farmington” appear on-line, the more links that fly back and forth, the higher we climb in search results. People need to have information available to them through a wide range of venues. Especially now that news space in local papers is at a premium and fewer reporters have less time to cover our community, the Internet provides a virtually bottomless pit of space into which we can load information.
I am cautiously optimistic about this move in the direction of greater transparency. Cautious, because this kind of effort takes a great deal of time and attention to detail. The DDA already has a full plate and volunteers go just so far. Marketing through social media can become burdensome and expensive.
Optimistic because I’ve seen the unexpected benefits generated by this kind of outreach. The World Wide Web is also a world of possibilities.
Quick survey:
Do/will you go to the Web to get information about the Streetscape, Main Street program and Downtown Farmington activities?
–Joni Hubred-Golden
Publisher, The Enterprise
I had a chance to speak with a Wood Creek parent today, who had much to share about the issue that brought parents to last Tuesday’s Farmington School Board meeting. The most important thing I took away from the conversation was that this issue is at the top of a fairly large iceberg. But rather than looking back, a team of parents, teachers and administrators has been convened to figure out how to move forward.
I also learned the multi-generational classroom was not being closed because of declining enrollment. Parents were given a number of reasons, that included concerns about the multi-generational classroom “community” and the lack of collaboration with other teachers. Both of those concerns probably could have been addressed. But after an orientation meeting about the program, twice as many parents showed interest as had last year. It wasn’t possible to accommodate all those families.
No matter what lies at the root of this problem, it appears the district is trying to find it. This parent mentioned that some members of the school board have been very open to hearing and addressing their concerns.
Whatever happens at Wood Creek, bigger and tougher challenges are coming. This year’s budget projections showed multi-million dollar budget deficits and what appears to be a trend toward declining enrollments. After 2011, there will be no fund balance to draw down.
Redistricting and school closings seem inevitable. And if you think a multi-generational classroom program drew a big crowd, wait until you see what happens then.
–Joni Hubred-Golden
Publisher, The Enterprise
Some Downtown Farmington business owners were surprised this week with the news that the streetscape project will make yet another dent in their wallets.
Imagine that you’ve supported a public construction project whose plans have always been presented showing flower beds and benches in the area around your business. Now imagine that, with construction well underway, you’ve been told that if you want a bench or flower bed in front of your business, you’ll have to pay for it.
Mind you, the people with whom I’ve spoken will probably just bite the bullet. What upsets them most is not the cost, but the fact that no one mentioned it during the planning process. Now, they feel as though they’re being pressured into paying, because without benches and flower beds, the streetscape isn’t going to look the way the streetscape should look.
Communciation really is everything, isn’t it?
–Joni Hubred-Golden
Publisher, The Enterprise
This came via e-mail from a friend, who says WDIV Channel 4, WXYZ Channel 7and WJBK Fox 2 are all planning to cover the meeting:
This note is to alert you to a large-scale demonstration that will be held at the Farmington Hills School Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, May 26th. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. at the Maxfield Training Center located at 33000 Thomas Street in downtown Farmington.
Approximately 100 parents, students and concerned members of the Wood Creek Elementary School community are expected to show wearing red shirts. We are protesting the dismantling of the Multiage Classroom at Wood Creek School. This has been a highly successful and respected program for the past 8 years. In fact, the teachers of the program, Rosheen Hunter and Angela McInerney were runners up for Farmington’s Teacher of The Year Award 2009.
Students and parents reacted with shock and outrage when the unilateral decision by Principal Gloria Chapman was announced the week of Monday, May 11. This announcement came just days after the Multiage Orientation / Informational Meeting was held the evening of Thursday, May 7 for prospective students and families interested in the Multiage Classroom. Principal Chapman participated in this meeting and even touted the program’s benefits and unique nature.
Parents have met with Principal Chapman, Assistant Superintendent Catherine Cost and have emailed Superintendent Sue Zurvalec to no avail. Superintendent Zurvalec stated, “Unfortunately, my schedule at this time does not allow for a meeting to be scheduled.” The supporters of this beloved program have been left with no other choice but to address the Board of Education on May 26.
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard from parents critical of Superintendent Zurvalec’s lack of availability. I can understand not being able to make time in her schedule for every parent, but when a large group is looking for an audience, it might be prudent to give them one.
–Joni Hubred-Golden
Publisher, The Enterprise
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