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Pothole Damage Reimbursement in Michigan

3/5/2014

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Emergency Services Information
Michigan motorists bent out of shape by potholes, lack of reimbursement
Lansing

Drivers can file claims with state or local road agencies for blown tires, bent wheel rims and other damage in what already has become an especially nasty pothole season. But their chances of collecting are slim.

Hundreds of claims filed with the state since 2010 have resulted in payouts totaling just over $3,300 to six motorists, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. None of the 128 claims lodged between Oct. 1 and Feb. 14 has been paid, a department spokesman said.

Motorists with pothole damage in Oakland County have fared a little better. Of 75 claims filed since Oct. 1, seven totaling $3,464 have been granted, said Road Commission for Oakland County spokesman Craig Bryson.

The state takes responsibility for interstates and U.S.- and M-designated roadways; the counties are responsible for county roads.

The situation promises to worsen as a result of the extreme freeze-thaw cycle of a frigid winter and continued underfunding of road repairs. Some drivers’ frustrations are boiling over.

“We should be getting something better for all of the money we spend on the roads,” said Archie Fonville, 77, of Ecorse, who wrecked two tires on his 2006 BMW in a pothole encounter on Interstate 75 near Springwell. His November claim for $204.40 was rejected by the State Administrative Board.

Fonville said he was headed to church when the pothole loomed ahead. He couldn’t change lanes because there was truck next to him. He filed a claim for just one tire, he said, because the other one was old.

“I still feel I should be reimbursed in some kind of way,” Fonville said.

Dr. Rudolph Demercurio, a Farmington Hills optometrist, said he feels fortunate to have collected $400 from the state for two blown tires on his Cadillac from a pothole in the same area of I-75 near Springwells on a Friday evening in February 2013. His claim initially was rejected, but approved on appeal.

Demercurio said he was one of eight motorists with disabled vehicles waiting for wreckers along the interstate about 8 p.m. while State Police directed traffic around the pothole, which appeared to have been patched once and reopened.

“You drive around in Ohio, you don’t see the type of potholes we have here,” Demercurio said. “I think it’s poor workmanship, or they just don’t allocate enough money to ever fix the roads.”

Few claims eligible State law says state and local road agencies are liable only for damage from potholes that have gone 30 or more days without repair, or if negligence can be proved. It means drivers whose wheels slammed through jagged paving that appeared overnight or during the past few days are unlikely to be reimbursed.

“State law requires that to prove a highway defect claim, the motorist must show that we failed to maintain the highway in reasonable repair,” said MDOT communications representative James Lake. “They must also show that MDOT knew of the condition and had an opportunity to repair it, or the condition existed for more than 30 days.

“Few claims are eligible for payment because potholes form quickly, and when we become aware of them, we work quickly to repair them,” Lake said. “We don’t want vehicles to be damaged, or anyone to be hurt.”

Of claims paid in the past few years, Lake said, the average claim was $555, with a low of $205.49 and a high of $999.99. The most common types of damage are blown tires, bent rims, damaged suspension or damaged steering, he said.

The State Administrative Board, not MDOT, makes the final decision if a claim for less than $1,000 is rejected and the driver appeals. MDOT’s data show that in addition to the six claims paid since 2010, another 44 were rejected on appeal to the State Administrative Board, whose members are the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, superintendent of public instruction and transportation director.

Drivers with damage exceeding $1,000 have to file complaints with the Michigan Court of Claims in Lansing.

Other states handle pothole claims differently. In Ohio, drivers with damage worth $10,000 or less file with the Ohio Court of Claims. According to the Ohio Supreme Court’s news site, drivers must show the state highway department had been notified of a pothole and failed to repair it.

The Ohio Court of Claims administrator decides if damages will be awarded after an 81-day process in which the highway department is allowed to file an investigative report and the motorist can reply to the report. If the claim is denied, the motorist can appeal to the claims court judge.

The Illinois Department of Transportation requires “prior notice” and “an adequate length of time to remedy or repair the condition.”

Road funds lacking The normal pothole season still is a couple of weeks away, but Michigan’s rugged roads already are taking a toll and creating business for tire and repair shops.

“We have a whole stack of broken rims and split-open tires from our customers hitting potholes,” said Keith Fenwick, senior assistant manager at a Discount Tire store in Auburn Hills.

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said drivers’ troubles with potholes are likely to grow because the Legislature hasn’t approved the funding necessary to fix roads as fast as they’re deteriorating. A Legislature-sponsored study in 2011 showed an investment of at least $1.2 billion more per year is needed now.

“Roads are not getting funded properly year after year, and we’re still waiting for the Legislature to come up with a funding formula for it,” Hackel said.

The 2011 study showed by early the next decade the state should be spending nearly $2.5 billion more per year for repairs on state roads — let alone local roads.

Gov. Rick Snyder repeatedly has called for action on more infrastructure spending, but leaders in the House and Senate have said again this year it’s unlikely lawmakers will approve the necessary tax hikes or changes. At best, it appears they’ll use $200 million to $300 million of a nearly $1 billion state surplus to boost the road repair budget.

The situation led Hackel in late January to make public a promise for prompt response to all calls received by the county dispatch center about pothole damage to vehicles.

“We will get a crew out there and fill it within an hour, day or night,” Hackel said. “We’re not going to wait and put it on a list.”

The Macomb County executive’s pledge is prompted in part by his own experience. Three weeks ago, he hit a pothole that wrecked a tire on his vehicle on 23 Mile near Interstate 94. Coincidentally, he said, it happened in front of a tire store.

State pothole claim process Applicants for state reimbursement on pothole or “highway defect” claims must meet several criteria to qualify for payment:
■ The pothole must be located on a highway with an M, I or U.S. prefix.
■ The motorist must show the state failed to maintain the highway in reasonable repair.
■ The driver must show MDOT knew of the condition and had an opportunity to repair it, or the condition existed for more than 30 days.
■ Claims for less than $1,000 must be submitted to the MDOT regional office or transportation service center that covers the county where the incident occurred. If a claim is for $1,000 or more, it must be filed with the Michigan Court of Claims in Lansing.
A claim form and instructions are available on the MDOT website at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9615_30883-93194--,00.html.
Source: Michigan Department of Transportation

How to report a pothole ■The Pothole Hotline is 888-296-4546.
■ “Report a Pothole” is the first link in the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Spotlight section at www.michigan.gov/mdot.
■196 state highway potholes have been reported to MDOT this year.
Source: Michigan Department of Transportation



From The Detroit News

www.hub911.com


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Melting Snow Electrocutes People, Pets

2/23/2014

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Emergency Services Information Hub911.com
As winter's snow slowly melts, people may be happy to see that sidewalks are finally free of ice and slush. But those ice-free sidewalks and roadways may hold an even more dangerous threat: death by electrocution.

Several blocks of busy Sixth Avenue in downtown Manhattan were cordoned off to pedestrians and vehicles on Feb. 19, following reports of a powerful electric current surging through sidewalk grates, manhole covers and the doorknobs of nearby buildings, Gothamist reported.

The problem was a defective electric cable, according to service provider Consolidated Edison (Con Ed). Though no injuries were reported, similar incidents in the recent past have proved deadly to people and pets.

In winter 2004, graduate student Jodie Lane, 30, was electrocuted to death while walking on a damp street in New York City. Con Ed later admitted that her death was the result of poorly insulated electrical wires.

In 2007, two dogs were electrocuted in as many days after walking on New York City sidewalks where snow and ice had melted. One dog died; the other was revived after its dog walker was able to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the pet.

And earlier this month, a pit-bull-terrier mix was electrocuted just steps from the front door of its owner's Manhattan apartment. "We were entering the building when Bella started acting funny," the dog's owner told the New York Daily News. "She let out a cry. She didn't seem to want to go into the building. Then, she went into a spasm and just laid there."
Winter's deadly shocks
It's not a coincidence that these electrocutions all happened in winter, during periods when the weather was just warm enough to melt the snow and ice that had accumulated on roads and sidewalks.

Water can conduct electricity, though not very efficiently. The conductivity of water is greatly increased when salts and other inorganic chemicals (such as calcium, magnesium and chloride compounds) are dissolved in water.

And those dissolved minerals - especially sodium chloride (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl2), magnesium chloride (MgCl2) or potassium chloride (KCl) - are the exact compounds found in deicers commonly spread on sidewalks and roads to melt ice and snow.

So when ice and snow begin to melt, deicing minerals are dissolved in the meltwater, creating a perfect conduit for any electrical charge that may be present in wires that are frayed or have cracked insulation.

In the most recent case of electrocution, Con Ed was able to determine that the electric current from a frayed electric wire on a building's scaffolding was responsible for the dog's death.

www.hub911.com

www.essentialnow.com






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Winter Fires - Safety Tips for the Home. Part 2

11/28/2013

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The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of woodburning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and manmade logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are, however, a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe home this winter.   

Kerosene Heaters

ØBe sure that kerosene heaters are legal in your area.

ØBe sure your heater is in good working condition.

ØInspect exhaust parts for carbon buildup. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.

ØNever use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel (coal, kerosene, or propane, for example) can produce deadly fumes.

ØUse ONLY the fuel recommended by the heater manufacturer. NEVER introduce a fuel into a unit not designed for that type fuel.

ØKeep kerosene, or other flammable liquids stored in approved metal containers, in well ventilated storage areas, outside of the house.

ØNever fill the heater while it is operating or hot. When refueling an oil or kerosene unit, avoid overfilling.

ØRefueling should be done outside of the home (or outdoors). Keep young children away from space heaters—especially when they are wearing night gowns or other loose clothing that can be easily ignited.

ØWhen using a fuel burning appliance in the bedroom, be sure there is proper ventilation to prevent a buildup of carbon monoxide.

Wood Stoves And Fireplaces

Wood stoves and fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in homes. Careful attention to safety can minimize their fire hazard.

To use them safely:

ØBe sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.

ØWood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be laboratory tested.

ØHave the chimney inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time.

ØDo not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.

ØKeep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.

ØThe stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.

 

 

ØDon’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.

ØNever burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.

ØKeep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite theses materials.

ØBefore you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.

ØIf synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

Furnace Heating

ØIt is important that you have your furnace inspected to ensure that it is in good working condition.

ØBe sure all furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition.

ØLeave furnace repairs to qualified specialists. Do not attempt repairs yourself unless you are qualified. Inspect the walls and ceiling near the furnace and along the chimney line. If the wall is hot or discolored, additional pipe insulation or clearance may be required.

ØCheck the flue pipe and pipe seams. Are they well supported and free of holes and cracks? Soot along or around seams may be an indicator of a leak.

ØIs the chimney solid, with cracks or loose bricks? All unused flue openings should be sealed with solid masonry.

ØKeep trash and other combustibles away from the heating system.

Other Fire Safety Tips

ØNever discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.

ØNever use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially toxic fumes.

ØIf you use an electric heater, be sure not to overload the circuit. Only use extension cords which have the necessary rating to carry an amp load. TIP: Choose an extension cord the same size or larger than the appliance electrical cord.

ØAvoid using electrical space heaters in bathrooms or other areas where they may come in contact with water.

ØFrozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space. Use hot water or a laboratory tested device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.

ØIf windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all the windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.

ØIf there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of snow so in the event it is needed, it can be located.

FINALLY...

ØBe sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm, and be sure to check and clean it on a monthly basis.

ØPlan and practice a home escape plan with your family.

ØContact your local fire department for advice if you have a question on home fire safety.

For more information or copies of this publication, please contact:

Department of Homeland Security • U.S. Fire Administration

16825 South Seton Avenue • Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727

800-561-3356 • www.usfa.dhs.gov

FA-249F/March 2008




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What Do You Want From Life? Buyers Assistance will Help!

10/19/2013

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What Do You Want From Life?
Do you own a home? Do you have the security of a savings account? Can you afford to set aside a percentage of your take-home pay for investment? Everything that you do in life is connected to your credit report. There is nothing that can have as significant an impact on your life, and ultimately on your financial freedom. It’s worth taking a close look.

The Interest Rate Connection
Most people that embark on a program of credit repair services have a single and valuable short term goal in mind. The most common goal is home ownership. In many cases consumers with credit issues simply can’t qualify for mortgage financing. These individuals would like to improve their credit scores enough to obtain mortgage approval. There are also a large number of people in credit repair programs that currently own homes but due to credit issues received expensive sub-prime financing. They would like to improve their credit scores enough to refinance into a better mortgage and reduce their payments.

Building Personal Wealth
Both of these goals are valid. Historically home ownership has been the foundation of almost all personal wealth. Home ownership is also likely to be the largest financial obligation that you will have in your life. And the quality of your credit will determine the size of the monthly payment associated with home ownership. The importance of this connection is enormous.

Home Ownership Costs and Benefits
Homeowners with sub-prime mortgage financing typically pay a premium of up to two percent on their mortgage rate. This interest premium on a typical $200,000 mortgage amounts to $333 per month, or $4,000 per year. In addition, sub prime borrowers are usually limited to some form of adjustable rate financing that often results in additional premium costs to them over time. There are many benefits to home ownership that may outweigh these extra costs. But there are also actions that you can take to eliminate the extra costs and the looming adjustable rate adjustments as soon as possible.

 Credit Repair Works
Don’t underestimate the power of credit repair. You would do yourself a horrible disservice by ignoring the potential improvement in your credit report that can result from an informed review of the content of your credit and a systematic program of repair. Dealing with the credit bureaus can be challenging, but if you take some time you can learn how to do this yourself, or you can hire a reputable credit repair company.

Enormous Benefits
What is credit repair worth to you? The case above is pretty typical. An improvement in your credit score may very well save you in excess of $333 per month. What would this do for your life? If you were to deposit that $333 each month into a money-market account earning 5%, in ten years your account would have grown to $51,000. In twenty years this same account would have a balance of $136,000. Not
a bad return on your credit repair efforts.

The Tip of the Iceberg
If instead of investing your monthly savings in a money-market account you were to apply that $333 each month to the principle balance on your new mortgage, assuming an interest rate of 6% you will pay off your mortgage in seventeen years instead of thirty. Would you enjoy being mortgage free? What if I were to tell you that your mortgage is just the tip of the iceberg? Do you want to know
the real benefit of great credit? Consider every single thing that your credit will affect. Think about your auto loans, credit cards, personal loans, and equity lines. The math is staggering.

Take Action
It’s up to you. Make sure that your credit is every bit as good as it can possibly be. Don’t let anything stand in the way of taking action. You can undertake a program of credit repair on your own. Or you can check out a couple of good credit repair companies. Speak to them on the phone. Ask questions. They should have many years of experience in dealing with the credit bureaus and be experts in the field of credit scoring. There is so much to gain. Be proactive.

877-303-7899  Toll Free

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Happy Labor Day! Be Safe!

8/31/2013

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Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and
looks like work.


Thomas A. Edison


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Propaganda from North Korea. It's a Hoax, but still Very Funny!

3/16/2013

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