November election notes

Are you registered to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election? If you want to vote absentee, have you applied for an absentee ballot? If you have an absentee ballot, have you signed and returned it (there?s still time, of course, but why wait)? The Ann Arbor City Clerk?s Office is working to make voting in the Nov. 3 election more convenient than ever. Absentee ballot drop boxes will soon be installed throughout the city (details will be shared soon); absentee ballot return envelopes are now postage paid (no stamps nor postage guess work needed); and additional office hours have been established.

A city clerk satellite office is also now open on the University of Michigan campus, located inside the U-M Museum of Art Stenn Gallery, first floor, 525 S. State St. Students, faculty and staff of the university, in particular, have a convenient and easily accessible way to register to vote and to vote absentee in the upcoming Presidential Election. The satellite office, the first of its kind in Michigan, opened on National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, Sept. 22, with visits from Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. During its inaugural week, the satellite office processed 1,065 voter registrations, and more than 800 absentee ballots were turned in via the onsite drop box. Satellite office hours are 10 a.m.?7 p.m. Monday through Friday and special hours:

• Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31: 8 a.m.?4 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2: 8 a.m.?4 p.m.
• Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 3: 8 a.m.?8 p.m.

All Ann Arbor voters can still visit the original Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office at Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. The city hall office will have special hours, in addition to its 8 a.m.?5 p.m. Monday?Friday regular hours, leading up to the Presidential Election:

• Wednesdays in October: 8 a.m.?7 p.m.
• Saturdays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31: 8 a.m.?4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3: 7 a.m.?8 p.m.

For complete Election Day information, visit www.a2gov.org/elections (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/city-clerk/Elections/Pages/Elections.aspx). Learn more about the satellite city clerk's office on Michigan News, https://news.umich.edu/u-m-museum-of-art-to-serve-as-ann-arbor-city-clerks-satellite-office-through-nov-3/.

Tune in to CTN to learn about Nov. 3 candidates

The importance of holding public candidate forums prior to Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, has not changed. But the way they?re presented to voters is different this year. The League of Women Voters ? Ann Arbor Area (LWVAAA) is moderating forums for local races on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Candidate forums on CTN Channel 16 include:

• Washtenaw County Clerk.
• State Representatives, Districts 55.
• State Representatives, Districts 52.
• Washtenaw County Treasurer.
• State Representative, Districts 53 and 54.

To watch online, go to the CTN YouTube Election Playlist, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw6eY79a9rp-8PJdJq7TntiCp8doKQftj.

Additional forums will be added to CTN Channel 16's schedule (https://www.a2gov.org/departments/communications/ctn/whats-on/Pages/default.aspx) and to the election playlist as they become available:

• County Board of Commissioners Districts 1?9.
• Ann Arbor School Board.
• Ann Arbor District Library Board.
• U.S. House of Representatives District 12.
• 14B District Court.
• 22nd Circuit Court.

The full list of forums and the dates they?ll be recorded can be found at the LWVAAA website under candidate forums, https://my.lwv.org/michigan/ann-arbor-area/candidate-forums-november-general-election-view-demand.

Free flu shots

Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) is emphasizing that, with COVID-19 still circulating, it's more important than ever, for everyone who is able, to get vaccinated against the flu. WCHD and community partners are offering the flu vaccine at no cost during multiple upcoming events. For event details and more information, visit https://www.washtenaw.org/DocumentCenter/View/18230/WCHD-Urges-2020-Flu-Vaccination-Sept-2020?bidId=&fbclid=IwAR2LtTh7q5eZMGIg00e9hB6fn2EyxsGKAbH-XOYIdLsD-o2Hg8xuDdoXrCc.

Quality Water Matters

Following EGLE's approval of a reduction of the groundwater cleanup criterion for dioxane from 85 parts per billion (ppb) to 7.2 ppb in October 2016, a proposed fourth amendment to and restatement of the Consent Judgment has been under negotiation between Gelman, the State of Michigan (EGLE), the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County and its health department, Scio Township and the Huron River Watershed Council since the spring of 2017. The result of this negotiation is the proposed Fourth Amendment to and Restatement of the Consent Judgment, which includes key changes that are under consideration by the intervenors. Learn more about the proposed changes in this month?s issue of Quality Water Matters, https://www.a2gov.org/departments/water-treatment/PublishingImages/Pages/default/quality_water_matters_newsletter_2020_oct.pdf (PDF).

Transportation-related millages on November ballot

On this November?s General Election ballot, two millages will appear impacting Ann Arbor?s transportation infrastructure.

First is the 2020 Street, Bridge and Sidewalk Repair Millage. Since 1984, Ann Arbor residents have approved a street millage, which is the main funding source for improving and maintaining Ann Arbor's roads, bridges, and sidewalks. Since 2012, this millage has:

• Generated $94 million in revenue for transportation infrastructure.
• Improved or repaired 300 miles of roads (including bike lanes).
• Repaired 38 miles of sidewalk and replaced 20,000 sidewalk slabs.

The second millage is a new sidewalk construction millage. This millage is estimated to raise $1.3 million per year for the next six years. It will provide a dedicated funding source for filling sidewalk gaps that will be used to construct an estimated 5,000?6,500 feet of new sidewalks per year within the city of Ann Arbor.

Read the full language of both millages at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/engineering/Pages/Street-and-Sidewalk-Millage.aspx.

Floodplain workshop

The City of Ann Arbor invites floodplain property owners to an important Zoom workshop on Thursday, Oct. 8, 5?7 p.m. This workshop will cover proposed ordinance changes being considered for properties in the floodplain, a flood zone mapping demonstration and a question and answer session.

For more information, including how to join the Oct. 8 meeting, visit https://www.a2gov.org/departments/systems-planning/planning-areas/water-resources/floodplains/Pages/default.aspx.

Alert: Fraudulent check scam

The City of Ann Arbor is alerting customers of a fraudulent check scam that is taking place related to ?city checks? being sent to some city customers. The city is working with local authorities to investigate this scam and provide more information. If you receive a check from the City of Ann Arbor you are not expecting or that does not begin with the numbers 172 or 173, please contact the customer service staff directly at 734.794.6000 Monday?Friday 7:30 a.m.? 5:30 p.m. to verify the validity of the check. Fortunately, the city?s fraud protection tools prevent these checks from being cashed, but the checks will be returned, and customers may be assessed a bank return fee. Thank you for your assistance.

?Serve Up Safety in the Kitchen?? for Fire Prevention Week and beyond

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. Yet, there are simple actions everyone can take to keep themselves, and those around them, safe at home. The Ann Arbor Fire Department joins the National Fire Protection Association? (NFPA?) ? the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years ? to promote 2020 Fire Prevention Week Oct. 4?10: ?Serve Up Safety in the Kitchen?.? This annual effort emphasizes the small, but important, actions for fire safety and prevention.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Almost half (44%) of reported home fires start in the kitchen. Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

AAFD is sharing safety tips to prevent cooking fires.

• Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling. If you must leave, even for a brief time, turn off the stove.
• Check food regularly while cooking and baking, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you?re cooking.
• Always be alert when cooking. You won?t be alert if you are sleepy, have taken medicine or drugs, or consumed alcohol that makes you drowsy.
• Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you?re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• Have a ?kid-free zone? of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit https://www.nfpa.org/fpw. Find the Ann Arbor Fire Department online at https://www.a2gov.org/departments/fire/Pages/default.aspx.

Fire hydrant maintenance set to begin

The City of Ann Arbor fire hydrant inspections and system maintenance will resume Monday, Oct. 5, 2020. This annual process is necessary to prepare for approaching cold temperatures and is conducted to eliminate the potential for frozen hydrants.

Once winter weather does arrive, residents can also play a role when it comes to fire hydrants. If able, residents should keep fire hydrants adjacent to their property or in their neighborhoods free from snow and ice. Leaving a 3-foot clearing around hydrants can provide easy access to firefighters in the event of fire.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the hydrant maintenance process, please call City of Ann Arbor Customer Service at 734.794.6320 or visit https://www.a2gov.org/departments/public-works/Pages/Hydrant-Flushing.aspx.

Controlled burns to resume in city parks

City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) will be conducting controlled ecological burns in local natural areas between Oct. 22 and Dec. 23. Burns are conducted on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., weather permitting. On the day of a controlled burn, signs will be posted around the park, and staff will be available on site for questions. The fire will be under control at all times.

Curious about controlled burns? NAP is hosting an online public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7?8:30 p.m. For details, visit https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/nap/Pages/PrescribedEcologicalBurns.aspx.

CTN highlights

Ann Arbor Inclusive ? From We Can?t to We Can, a nonprofit organization for children with special needs and disabilities, is creating books that feature kids with disabilities as superheroes. A portion of the proceeds from the book goes to families in need (also includes super heartwarming video). Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPMqK1qfo4I&t=756s.

FYI ? From Burns to Belize A Report on Ann Arbor Public Parks authors, Maya Goldman and Ben Ratner, share how they created this popular report among residents and experience a new way of biking in Ann Arbor. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjhCVID6Azo&t=128s.

Read this article how CTN adapted video making during the pandemic: https://www.weloveannarbor.com/2020/09/17/ctn-created-a-virtual-public-square-during-the-early-months-of-the-pandemic/.

Ward Talk - Chip Smith, Ann Arbor City Councilmember from the 5th Ward. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-08qpYQYCs&list=PLw6eY79a9rp9lrvGPpu7yvGUd4mz6Fkqe.

CTN has been recognized with several honors in the annual Philo Festival of Media Arts Awards. Over 175 entries were submitted this year from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan.

CTN First Place Honors

Comedy/Humor: An Ann Arbor Christmas Story, Nathan Johnson, CTN ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ENx42jdnac.

Interview Talk Show: Adventures in Parenthood - Dana Denha, Melissa Bondy, CTN ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KLxM-y37ZI&t=331s.

Ann Arbor Public Schools First Place Honors

Empowerment/Inspirational: A2 Engage - Volume III, Scott Nadeau Video and Internet Stuff, LLC, Ann Arbor Public Schools ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2w1Gg8GBlU&feature=youtu.be

Political Awareness: AAPS 2019 Bond Informational Video, Ann Arbor Public Schools, Scott Nadeau Video and Internet Stuff, LLC, Ann Arbor, Michigan ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dl0o9tQIvM&feature=youtu.be

Ann Arbor Schools Finalist Honors

Documentary: A2 Engage - Volume III, Scott Nadeau Video and Internet Stuff, LLC, Ann Arbor Public Schools ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2w1Gg8GBlU&feature=youtu.be

CTN Public Access Producers First Place Honors

Children's Programming (Non Professional)
Ants, Polyglot Theatre (Australia) Ann Arbor Summer Festival, Public Access Producer, David Chappell ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BulZBB86JeY&feature=youtu.be

Interview Talk Show (Non Professional) and Undeserved Voices (Non Professional)

Ann Arbor Tonight Episode 18, Public Access Producer, Zach Damon ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeBOFlf2wMk.