Video/Cable Complaints

I occasionally receive calls regarding the quality of a resident's cable access.  Some calls involve billing; others are about outages; and others are about content.  Cascade Township is the franchise holder for the cable companies operating in the Township (at least those with wires on poles or undrground).  However, the Township does not have much pull to get those complaints resolved.  However, there is a department at the state level that can help you to get a complaint resolved.

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) is charged with the responsibility to handle complaints regarding cable complaints.  They ask that you follow the steps below if you have a complaint about your service:

1.  Contact  your video/cable provider and attempt to resolve your dispute.  Here the Township can help, as we have contacts that have been very willing to help resolve issues when the 'normal' channels are not working.  If your issue is not quickly resolved by calling the local or "800" number, give me a call - I will try to help.

2.  If you are dissatisfied with the provider's response to your complaint, you may file an informal complaint with the MPSC.  The phone number to call is:  1-800-292-9555.  Or you may contact the MPSC by email (www.michigan.gov/mpsc) or in writing at:  MPSC, Service Quality Division, Attn.:  Video Franchising, 6545 Mercantile Way, P. O. Box 30221, Lansing, Michigan 48909.  It will take a couple of weeks for the MPSC to review and act on your complaint.

3.  If the issue is still not resolved, then you can file a Formal Complaint and request a hearing (Note - The MPSC will require that you completed steps 1 & 2 before taking your formal complaint).  To file a formal complaint, send the MPSC a letter of complaint that explains the problem and the failure for it to be resolved informally.  The letter must contain your name, address and telephone number;  The name and adress of the provider with whom there is a disagreement; The location/address of the disputed action; The times and dates giving rise to the dispute; and, a description of exactly what happened - dates, who was contacted, what was said, and what resolution (including costs) you are trying to achieve.  You should note what section of the State law pertaining to cable companies is being violated (go online to the Michigan Public Acts, # 480 of 2006 to view a copy of the law). 

The MPSC will investigate the complaint and attempt to bring it to a resolution.  If they cannot resolve it, they will inject mediation to the issue.  At this level, things can really get complicated with parties hiring lawyers and formal hearings and such.  If you get to this step, you may find it easier to hire a lawyer rather than trying to manipulate the system alone.

Lastly, if you have a complaint about video providers not covered by state statutes (for example - satellite companies) contact the Federal Communications Commission (1-888-225-5322 or fcc.gov) to submit your complaint.          

Good luck - may you never have a problem!! 

HELP FIX THE MICHIGAN ECOMOMY

I just read a report about a way to help fix the Michigan economy!  And everyone can help!!  If the average shopper would look for and find $10 worth of Michigan products to buy each week, the result would be an extra $36 Million dollars being added to the Michigan economy!  Things like milk, eggs, flowers, turkeys, ... should be easy to find.  Some stores are starting to put up signs noting that a product is a MIM - "Made In Michigan".  For me, that would be about $5.00 per trip.  I'll bet I could find MIM even on my not-so-regular shopping trips!!!  How about you?

Flu Season is Coming

The following is a nootice from the Kent County Health Department regarding Flu Shots:

Health Notes 

A Service of the Kent County Health Department

October 2011

Flu Season is Approaching!

Yes, it is that time of year again.  Influenza, or the flu, impacts schools and the workforce, but it can be prevented.  According to the CDC, the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu viruses can spread when people with flu cough, sneeze, or even talk! Someone might also get flu by touching a surface or object (like a phone) that has flu virus on it, and then touching their own mouth, eyes, or nose.  It can cause mild to severe illness, and in severe cases, can lead to death.

Signs and symptoms:

·         Fever* or feeling feverish/chills

·         Cough and/or sore throat

·         Runny or stuffy nose

·         Muscle or body aches

·         Headaches

·         Fatigue (very tired)

·         Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

Prevention:

·         Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze.

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand rub.

·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as germs spread this way.

• The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine to protect against flu viruses.  The 2011-2012 vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that emerged in 2009.

·         People at high risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

·         Health care workers and people who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people should consider vaccinations.

·         Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for them should be vaccinated instead.

Stick it to the Flu!

Be sure to check out the Kent County Health Department website, “Stick it to the Flu” at http://www.stickittotheflu.com/ to learn more about flu vaccinations, prevention tips and treatment, or call (616) 742-4FLU to make an appointment. 

WATER ON!!!

The water main at 28th & Kraft has been repaired and service has been restored.  If you were effected, it would be a good idea to flush your water lines before using it.

WATER OUTAGE!

Friday, September 16, 2011  9:45am

There is a broken water main at 28th & Kraft. Water is off for a number of the offices south and east of the corner.  The City of GR will advise businesses when the water is safe to use.  Be sure to flush your lines (let the water run) before using it for drinking.

Glycol from the Grand Rapids Airport

WOW!!!!  Things sure can get bloated out of control quickly!!  The stories about the de-icing from the airport getting into the Thornapple River have a lot of falsehoods in them!!   Here are some explanations of what you may have read or heard:

First, the de-icing liquid used at the airport is Propylene Glycol, not Ethylene Glycol.  Ethylene Glycol is uesd in vehicle radiators and is very toxic if ingested (that's why you don't let your dog lick puddles in parking lots! - it will kill them!).  Propylene Glycol, used for de-icing aircraft, is also used in some food products, food coloring, mouthwash and toothpaste.  The liquid is quick to evaporate.  When test samples were taken in the Thornapple River (when it was being used at the airport - which has been done for the last 20+ years), none was found - it had evaporated before getting there.

Second, one of the possibilities to remove the Glycol from the creek is to re-direct it from the current creek into a man-made "creek" mixed with other stormwater runoff from the airport.  The new tributary would have check dams and other additions to help the Glycol dissipate and evaporate.  The Glycol will still not make it to the Thornapple River.

Third, another possibility is to collect the Glycol and route it to the Grand Rapids Waste Water Treatment Plant.  Talks continue on this option.  There was a test of this option last winter and there may be another this year to help determine the viability of this option.

Cascade Township has and will continue to have good communications and good relations with the airport.  We will (with the airport), work towards a positive solution to the disposal of the Glycol from the airport.

Clean up the house and the yard!!

Cascade will again offer residents a chance to get rid of junk in their house and clean up brush and leaves in their yards! 

The Township will collaborate with Ada Township on Saturday, October 15th to host a "Clean-up Day".  Residents will be able to drop off unwanted items including tvs, wood, building materials, appliances (with Freon removed), furniture and other debris (no household waste) at the Road Commission Garage on Fase Street (just North of the Township from 8am to 2:30 pm.  A truck will be located at Leonard Field to accept paper.  There is no charge for this service.

From October 17th through November 21st, the Township will offer curb-side pick-up of leaves and brush at homes in the restricted burn area.  Bags and bundles of brush must have a Township tag on them.  There is a $1.00 fee for each tag which may be purchased at the Township Office.  Residents 62 years and older are eligible for up to 20 free tags per year.

Then from October 28-30 and November 19-27, the Township will have large dumpsters set at Fire Station #1 for the dumping of brush and leaves.  There is no charge for this service.

Questions????  Call the Township Office at 949-1500.