Toll Bridge Facts.com

"The Fire Hydrant" Shows its Pride in GI as well as GIBC!

Our fire hydrant so badly wants to serve Islanders that it has decided to join the Township Board's "I love GI" campaign. 

Sadly, the fire hydrant is not feeling the love returned as the Township Board is blocking the GIBC from connecting it to the Township's water lines from which the GIBC has been purchasing metered water since the 1960s.

Want to help our friendly fire hydrant? 

Please let the Township Board know that the fire hydrant is vitally important to the GIBC enhancing safety on the Toll Bridge and enabling us to build our long-planned new operations building in the toll plaza (i.e., Riverview is requiring the GIBC to install a fire hydrant).

 

This may be the most famous fire hydrant in all of Southeastern Michigan.  How many fire hydrants have been the focus of a Detroit News editorial board editorial published in the paper? 

Actually, this is no laughing matter.  Please read what the Detroit News editorial board had to say about the Township Board blocking the GIBC from installing this fire hydrant by CLICKING HERE.

Happy 232nd Birthday, America and Grosse Ile!

Signed,

"The Fire Hydrant"

 

Wonder what's up with this fire hydrant?  Please CLICK HERE.

GIBC Resumes Landscaping Project at the Corner of Bridge Road and Meridian

Project to be Completed by No Later than the End of June

A 5 month permit process deadlock between Grosse Ile Township Hall and the GIBC has been broken. 

During late November of 2007, the GIBC was forced to stop work on its landscaping project at the corner of Bridge Road and Meridian when the Township refused to issue a permit for Phase II.

The Township issued a permit for Phase I of the GIBC's project on November 2, 2007, but subsequently established previously undisclosed planning review requirements and excessive permit fees for Phase II that were opposed by the GIBC.  As a result, the GIBC made no progress on the project between December of 2007 and late April of 2008.

On April 30, 2008, the Township issued a permit for all landscaping and tree planting detailed on the GIBC's site plan that was submitted in mid-November of 2007.

"The GIBC is pleased to finally be able to finish this major project to enhance the beauty and safety of Grosse Ile's northern gateway," said GIBC Director of Community & Government Relations Greg Karmazin.  "The GIBC originally planned to have the vast majority of the project completed in December of 2007, but it bogged down in the Township's bureaucracy and politics." 

The GIBC objected to certain permit requirements that did not appear to be expressed in Grosse Ile's ordinances and a $1,936 bill for the permit that included fees for errors made by the Township's professional planning firm.  After many months of discussion and document review, the Township dropped its hardline position on the project and reduced all fees by more than 50%. 

Even with this concession, the Township may be charging the GIBC the highest permit fee -- $933 -- ever assessed to an Island property owner for a landscaping project that does not involve construction of a building.  The delay and additional work caused by the Township also increased the project cost to the GIBC by thousands of dollars.

In addition, the Township created a precedent that may require future landscaping projects not involving new construction on the Island to go through a long and costly planning review and permit process.

"In late April, we reached an agreement with the Township enabling us to restart work.  The GIBC looks forward to our Grosse Ile-based contractor, Foliage Concepts, Inc., completing the project within a month if the weather cooperates," said Karmazin.

GIBC Landscaping Project Stalled by Township's Red Tape

Project Could have been Finished in December, Now Uncertain

With warmer weather just around the corner, the GIBC has been receiving inquiries from Islanders asking why our landscaping project along Bridge Road and Meridian has made no visible progress since mid-November.  Originally, the GIBC planned to have the project completed in December.

Sadly, as things stand now, it is possible that there will be neither spring flowers nor any other type of new planting on the GIBC's property unless the permit process deadlock in Township Hall is broken. 

GIBC Community & Government Relations Director Greg Karmazin said, "This is a very disappointing situation because the GIBC's project is intended to benefit the entire Island.  We've received many expressions of support from Islanders for this initiative. 

"Unfortunately, the future of the project is in doubt because of the Township's handling of the permit process.  But, I'm still hopeful that Township officials will reconsider their current position and take a closer look at the facts that the GIBC has presented them during the past 4 1/2 months."

The GIBC's customer survey last December found that approximately 81% of Islanders were supportive of our efforts to enhance the appearance of the entryway area. 

During late October of last year, the GIBC began work on a comprehensive landscaping plan with the main goals of improving the appearance of the northern entryway to the Island, preserving the environment and enhancing safety of vehicles traveling on Bridge Road and Meridian (all the trees currently leaning over Bridge Road and Meridian would be removed).
 
Designed by Foliage Concepts, Inc., an Island-based, award winning landscaping company owned by a third generation Islander, the GIBC's plan proposed to plant a total of 88 trees, 141 shrubs and 82 flowers.   

Because the plan included the removal of undesirable and diseased trees that were regulated by the Township's Woodland and Tree Preservation Ordinance, the GIBC was required to obtain a permit for the project before it could move forward.  The Township calculated that the GIBC would have to plant a total of 41 trees to comply with the ordinance.

In the beginning, the Township was cooperative -- they processed and approved the permit for Phase I of the project in just three days.

Foliage Concepts finished Phase I of the project in early November and had a work crew and materials ready to go as it was initially expected that the Township's permit process for Phase II would only take a few weeks.

Karmazin said, "By mid-November, the GIBC had submitted documents to the Township that demonstrated full compliance with the Township's ordinance.  Despite a promising start, the permit review bogged down in the Township's bureaucracy and politics.   

"In mid-December, the GIBC learned from a Township letter that they would only approve the permit with conditions that went beyond the authority of the ordinance.  Then the Township gave us a $1,936 planning review bill in addition to a $200 permit fee and requirement to pay a $1,000 refundable bond. 

"The GIBC believes the planning review fees are particularly excessive and not consistent with charges assessed by the Township for other similar projects.

"Most importantly, as a result of a Freedom of Information Act request by the GIBC, we learned in late February that the professional planning firm on retainer to advise the Township sent an e-mail on November 26 to officials that confirmed we had complied with the ordinance requirements.

"The planning firm's e-mail is the 'smoking gun' that reconfirms the GIBC's position that we had submitted plans which demonstrated full compliance with the ordinance as of mid-November."

On March 17, the GIBC sent the Township a letter detailing our objections to the Township's blocking of the project which had previously been expressed to Township staff members in a series of e-mails and oral communications during the last several months. 

Presently, the Township is considering the GIBC's concerns and the project is at a standstill. 

Reinstallation of Repaired Swing Span Motor Successful

Short Closure of Toll Bridge on March 11 Enabled Work

The GIBC temporarily closed the Toll Bridge on Tuesday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. for scheduled maintenance. 

The maintenance project primarily involved the successful reinstallation of the rebuilt 30 h.p. electric motor that is located in the middle of the swing span just below the road surface. 

The GIBC's contractor reinstalled the electric motor that was removed during a short scheduled closure of the bridge on February 11.  The motor was rebuilt by a Detroit-area company.

Repair work was also done to the frame for the steel hatch over the motor that was stressed by heavy truck traffic during the Wayne County Bridge closure period last year. 

We regret any inconveniences that this short closure may have caused Islanders and our other customers, but we hope everyone understands that there are certain rare situations when it is necessary to do maintenance that requires the Toll Bridge to be closed to vehicle traffic.

The Fire Hydrant's Christmas Wish!

 

GIBC Begins First Phase of Major Landscaping Project to Improve the Northern Entryway Area to the Island

Goals of the Project

*  Preserve the natural setting of the GIBC's property along the northern entryway area to Grosse Ile.

*  Add trees, bushes and flowers in landscaping along the perimeter of the GIBC's property that will enhance year-round natural beauty.

*  Increase the safety of motorists by clearing trees and vegetation that obstruct the visibility and natural light at the intersection of Bridge Road and Meridian.

*  Remove trees leaning toward the road which could fall in the path of traffic.

*  Improve drainage along Bridge Road and Meridian.

*  Complement the landscaping plan that Grosse Ile Township is developing for the southern entrance to the Island from the Wayne County Bridge.

*  Continue to upgrade the grounds of the Toll Bridge in preparations for its 100th birthday in 2013.

Project Plans and Details

This project is a component of the GIBC's continuing plan to maintain and enhance the Toll Bridge.  On November 27, the Toll Bridge will celebrate its 94th birthday and the GIBC is committed to keeping span both structurally sound as well as aesthetically pleasing.

The details about the project are currently being developed by Foliage Concepts which is a highly experienced, award winning Grosse Ile-based landscaping firm (third generation) dedicated to excellence.  The project involves clearing trees and brush that will be replaced by well-designed landscaping which will enhance the year-round natural beauty of the Island's northern entryway area while also achieving other goals that will benefit motorists.

Details of the GIBC's plans will be placed on the Toll Bridge Facts.com web site when they are available.  It is important to understand that this project does not include the construction of buildings or facilities -- the GIBC intends to preserve and enhance the natural features of the land.

Grosse Ile Township Permit and Planning Process

The GIBC and Foliage Concepts have met with the Grosse Ile Township's professional planner and the zoning/ordinance officer to discuss our preliminary plan.  On November 2, the Township issued a permit that enabled Foliage Concepts to begin clearing small trees, brush and debris from the site.

The GIBC will soon submit detailed site plans to the Township for planning review required for the second phase of the project. 

No Township Taxpayers' Money Being Used in this Project

Just as is the case with all maintenance or improvement initiatives for the Toll Bridge, the GIBC is paying 100% of the cost for this project.  The project area does not include any land owned by the public.

Overview of the GIBC's Landscaping Plan on the GIBC's Property Along Bridge Road and Meridian

*  Including the optional plantings, the plan recommends the planting of a total of 88 trees, 141 shrubs and 82 flowers.

*  The plan includes 13 species of trees, 6 species of shrubs and 6 species of flowers.

To view the site plan for the GIBC's landscaping that was submitted on November 7th to Grosse Ile Township for review, please CLICK HERE.

List of Trees, Shrubs and Flowers in the GIBC's Landscaping Plan
As of November 10, 2007

Trees

Dogwood
Dwarf Lilac 
Flowering Crab 
Locust
Norway Spruce
October Glory Red Maple
Red Bud
Red Oak
River's Birch
Sargent Crab
Spruce 
Sweet Gum
White Pine

Shrubs

Amelanchier
Burning Bush
Quince
Sea Green Juniper
Spirea
Viburnum

Flowers

Blackeyed Susan
Daylily
Hydrangea
Knockout Rose
Tulips
Wild flowers

Island Halloween Fun

GIBC's Fire Hydrant Under Siege by Evil Spirits!

A chilling spectacle has developed in the toll plaza not far from the west end of the Toll Bridge where the GIBC's much-discussed fire hydrant has been besieged by spooky creatures.

It seems the Halloween season has opened a new terrifying chapter in the long saga of the GIBC's now "haunted hydrant."  To date the "haunted hydrant" has valiantly fought off a wicked witch, black cat, spider and a vulture giving the GIBC four wins over the forces of darkness.

Despite the frightening onslaught, the "haunted hydrant" remains ready to protect the Toll Bridge, toll plaza and all customers from the dangers of the real world. 

The GIBC's fire hydrant is the same model (East Jordan Iron Works BR250) that is used throughout Grosse Ile Township and the City of Riverview -- it meets the standards of both communities. 

To date, the GIBC has invested approximately $10,000 on equipment, site engineering/preparation and legal review for the fire hydrant that is designed to enhance fire protection and enable us to meet Riverview's ordinance requirement for our long-planned new operations building.

The GIBC's engineer has developed a plan which if implemented would have the fire hydrant fully functional in only a few hours.  Unfortunately, the Grosse Ile Township Board and Grosse Ile Township Department of Public Services Director have blocked the project from moving forward.

It is impossible to immediately connect the GIBC's fire hydrant to a water line owned by Riverview -- the closest potential connection point is more than 1,000 feet from the west end of the Toll Bridge.  This is partly why on April 24, 2007 the Riverview Assistant Attorney and Riverview Fire Chief agreed to the GIBC's proposal to connect the fire hydrant to Grosse Ile Township's water line.

Only time will tell if fire hydrant serves its intended purpose or is sent to the graveyard of the GIBC's good ideas to benefit Islanders.  Of course, you can help to break the Township leaders' spell by sending them an e-mail to let them know that standing in the way of enhancing public safety and smooth operations on the Toll Bridge is no laughing matter.

Now, if you're really looking for Halloween spirit and family entertainment on the Island, be sure to visit Westcroft Gardens' Phantom Forest Hayride and the GIYRA "The Lab" Haunted House.

Happy Halloween!

GIBC's Response to the Grosse Ile Township's July 19, 2007 Denial of the GIBC Engineer's Site Plan for the Proposed Fire Hydrant at the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge
Updated as of September 20, 2007

To date, Grosse Ile Department of Public Services (DPS) Director Barry Sedlock and Grosse Ile Supervisor Kurt Kobiljak have publicly offered essentially seven reasons for denying the GIBC engineer's site plan for the proposed fire hydrant near the west end of the Toll Bridge.  We received official notification of Grosse Ile Township's denial in a letter mailed by Director Sedlock on July 19, 2007 to the GIBC (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/files/gi_township_letter_barry_sedlock_2007_july_19.pdf). 

The following is a list of Grosse Ile Township's seven reasons for denial that have been publicly stated at various times plus the response of the GIBC:

Grosse Ile Township Reason for Denial # 1:   

Director Sedlock states that the GIBC's fire hydrant would be too close to the 16" water main and could cause damage to it  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOMKDBLG6f0) and (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/files/gi_township_letter_barry_sedlock_2007_july_19.pdf). 

The 16" water main is owned by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) although it is maintained by the Grosse Ile DPS through a written agreement with DWSD.  Grosse Ile obtains approximately half of its water supply through the 16" water main and cannot risk the possibility that this transmission line could be damaged.

GIBC Response:

The GIBC's proposal is to connect the fire hydrant to a 12" water line that has been connected to the 16" water main since at least the 1960s.  For approximately the last 40 years, the GIBC has been purchasing metered water from Grosse Ile Township through a tap on this 12" water line (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/2007/08/gibc-on-youtube.html).

The GIBC's fire hydrant would not directly touch the 16" water main.  Because there is a valve on the 12" water line where it connects to the 16" water main, in the extremely unlikely event the fire hydrant broke it would be possible to quickly and easily shut off water flowing through the 12" water line from the 16" water main. 

The GIBC's plan for the fire hydrant, however, includes placing steel posts around the fire hydrant to protect it even through it would be several feet off of Bridge Road and protected by a crash barrier from oncoming traffic.  The probability of this fire hydrant being damaged in such a well-protected area is highly remote.

The GIBC's engineers and contractors believe that the risk posed to the 16" water main by having a fire hydrant attached to the 12" water line is highly theoretical and nominal at best.  There are currently four fire hydrants directly connected to the 16" water main on Grosse Ile (the 16" water main runs along the bottom of the river north of the Toll Bridge and Bridge Road and then runs along Meridian to the south end of the Island).

In fact, the fire hydrant in front of the Grosse Ile Public Safety Building is directly connected to the 16" water main (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/files/gi_township_fire_hydrant.pdf).  If Director Sedlock truly believed that fire hydrants pose a risk to the 16" water main, it seems that these four existing fire hydrants should be decommissioned. 

In addition, it is worth noting that there are two fire hydrants on Grosse Ile connected to the DWSD's 24" water main that runs from Trenton to the Island along the south side of the Wayne County Bridge and Grosse Ile Parkway.  Again, if Director Sedlock honestly felt that fire hydrants pose an unacceptable risk to water mains, it seems that these two existing fire hydrants on the 24" water main should be decommissioned.

Furthermore, it is important to understand that the DWSD's 24" water main could provide all the water necessary for Grosse Ile residents and businesses in the event that the 16" water main was shut down for some highly unlikely reason.  The DWSD installed this 24" water main to provide the Island with redundant water service and greater capacity at the urging of the Township Boards during the late 1970s and 1980s. 

It is a fact that the DWSD's 16" water main provided Grosse Ile with all the water it needed until the 24" water main was installed in the 1980s.  The total population of the Island only increased by about 1,600 individuals between the 1980 Census and the 2000 Census (http://www.grosseile.com/government/reports/2002_master_plan/03_demo.pdf). 

In an emergency situation, it is believed that the 24" water main could provide adequate water flow to meet Grosse Ile's requirements until the 16" water main could be restored.

Finally, the GIBC's engineer, SME, Inc. (http://www.sme-usa.com/about/history.htm), and contractor, CPI, Inc. (http://www.cpicontracting.com/), have excellent reputations for professional ability and have accomplished a significant amount of complex work in Downriver communities. 

These Michigan-based companies have more than 50 years of combined professional experience on the installation of fire hydrants.  The GIBC uses highly-qualified engineers and contractors in order to ensure that we will continue our nearly 94 year heritage of providing first-rate service to Island residents, businesses and visitors.

Grosse Ile Township Reason for Denial # 2:   

Director Sedlock states that the GIBC's fire hydrant could damage the 16" water main or the 12" water line owned by the Township and he does not want to have any responsibility for doing maintenance on these lines in Riverview  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N56ogz_rO0).

GIBC Response:

The Grosse Ile DPS presently has a maintenance responsibility for the 16" water main and the 12" water line in Riverview pursuant to a written agreement with the DWSD.  The Grosse Ile DPS maintains all the fire hydrants that utilize Grosse Ile's water system.  The additional maintenance burden that would be caused by the installation of a fire hydrant by the Toll Bridge would be nominal.  The Grosse Ile DPS' agreement with the DWSD could easily be modified with a few pieces of paper to include the additional responsibilities for the fire hydrant.

Grosse Ile Township Reason for Denial # 3:   

Director Sedlock states that using a fire hydrant connected to the 16" water main could cause the phenomenon of "water hammer" that could burst the pipe  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKvoocmE95Q).

GIBC Response:

Presently there are four fire hydrants connected to the 16" water main on Grosse Ile.  The phenomenon of "water hammer" in a water pipe could be in theory caused by a fire hydrant being improperly shut off.  The GIBC will never open or close the fire hydrant as that task would be the sole responsibility of the Riverview Fire Department and Grosse Ile Fire Department.

The GIBC has complete confidence that the Riverview and Grosse Ile fire departments have the knowledge and experience to properly use the fire hydrant in an emergency situation. 

The GIBC's engineer and contractor have included in the plan for the fire hydrant the installation of a "thrust block" on the 12" water line that would mitigate the possibility of "water hammer" occurring.  The "thrust block" would be made of a combination of concrete and metal reinforcing materials that would anchor the 12" water line in the ground and reinforce the existing strength of the pipe.

If, however, Director Sedlock truly believed that fire hydrants pose a risk to the 16" water main, it seems that the four existing fire hydrants on the 16" water main should be decommissioned.  In addition, it is worth noting that there are two fire hydrants on Grosse Ile connected to the DWSD's 24" water main that runs from Trenton to the Island along the south side of the Wayne County Bridge and Grosse Ile Parkway.  Again, if Director Sedlock honestly felt that fire hydrants pose an unacceptable risk to water mains, it seems that these two existing fire hydrants should be decommissioned.

Grosse Ile Township Reason for Denial # 4:   

The 16" water main was installed in 1942 and Director Sedlock implies that he believes the pipe is too old to be tapped for a fire hydrant  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOMKDBLG6f0).

GIBC Response:

The DWSD's water system includes many water mains and pipes across Metro Detroit that are as old as, or far older than, the 16" water main serving Grosse Ile.  The GIBC's engineer and contractor are aware of many fire hydrants that been safely and successfully connected to water pipes in the Detroit area that are as old as the 16" water main.

The GIBC's engineer and contractor are not aware of any professional standard or practice of the DWSD that would prohibit the installation of a fire hydrant to a water main the age of the one serving Grosse Ile.

In fact, during the early 1990s, Grosse Ile Township installed a fire hydrant on this same 16" water main for the Township Public Safety Building (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/files/gi_township_fire_hydrant.pdf).

Grosse Ile Township Reason for Denial # 5:   

Supervisor Kobiljak speculates that allowing the GIBC to install a fire hydrant might establish a precedent that would enable the owners of the old Firestone plant in Riverview and possibly other off-Island property owners to request a connection to the 16" water main for a fire hydrant  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJJdJJwUOtY).

GIBC Response:

Supervisor Kobiljak's concern is entirely theoretical, if not impossible, given that the old Firestone plant already has all the fire hydrants that it needs and is located more than 1,000 feet away from the location where the GIBC is proposing to install the fire hydrant on the 12" water line connected to the 16" water main.

The GIBC is the only private property owner that has direct access to Grosse Ile's water lines off-Island.  The GIBC is also the only entity off-Island that has been purchasing metered water from Grosse Ile since the 1960s.  In addition, the GIBC is the only entity that owns contiguous property that is both in Grosse Ile and an off-Island community.

As a result of these completely unique facts, the Grosse Ile DPS would not create a precedent by allowing the GIBC to expand its use of Grosse Ile water which it has been purchasing for more than 40 years.

Grosse Ile Township Reason for Denial # 6:   

Director Sedlock states that there is "no advantage at all for Grosse Ile Township" if the GIBC installed the fire hydrant in Riverview connected to Grosse Ile's water system because it poses too much of a risk of damaging the 16" water main that provides nearly half the water to the Island  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkmW76Qn-kI).

GIBC Response:

The GIBC's fire hydrant proposal has two main advantages for all Grosse Ile residents, businesses and visitors as well as even the fire departments of Grosse Ile and Riverview. 

First, the GIBC's fire hydrant would enhance fire protection for the Toll Bridge and toll plaza which obviously benefits everyone given the importance of the span for providing access to and from the Island. 

The GIBC wanted to install this fire hydrant to enhance fire protection on the Toll Bridge prior to the beginning of the Wayne County Bridge closure period because we knew that gasoline tankers and other heavy trucks would be using the span while the county bridge is closed for major repairs (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/2007/08/grosse-ile-supe.html).

Presently, the closest fire hydrant to the Toll Bridge is more than 1,000 feet away over on Jefferson Avenue (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/files/jefferson_hydrant_near_bridge_rd.pdf).

The hydrant would be exclusively used by the fire departments of Riverview and possibly even Grosse Ile in certain scenarios.  On April 24, 2007 the Riverview Fire Chief recommended the exact location near the west end of the Toll Bridge in the toll plaza where the GIBC planned to install the fire hydrant (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/files/riverview_agreement_email_2007_april_25.pdf).

The Riverview Fire Chief recommended this location so that the city's fire department could use the fire hydrant to protect the Toll Bridge and toll plaza as well as the Riverview Boat Ramp area which does not have a fire hydrant.

Even though this fire hydrant would be used by the fire departments to protect the general public in addition to the GIBC's property, we are paying 100% of the cost of the equipment and installation.  To date, the GIBC has spent approximately $10,000 on the fire hydrant equipment, site engineering, installation preparation and legal review for this project.

Second, the fire hydrant would enable the GIBC to meet Riverview ordinance requirements to provide fire protection that will enable the construction of our long-planned new operations building in the toll plaza (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/2006/11/gibc_operations.html).

Until the fire hydrant is installed, the GIBC cannot meet the terms of the Riverview Planning Commission's conditional approval of our site plan for the new facility.  As result, the GIBC must continue to use a small, temporary trailer at the toll plaza as the facility for management of the Toll Bridge and toll plaza as well as an office for customers to conduct transactions for their Bridge Passes and other purposes.

The GIBC's new operations building will help to improve the smooth and safe flow of traffic across the Toll Bridge while providing customers with a better location to carry out transactions in the toll plaza.  The new facility will also provide expanded room and state-of-the art technology for potential emergency management activities while enhancing the safety of the GIBC's employees and enabling them to do their jobs more effectively.

Grosse Ile Township Reason for Denial # 7:   

Director Sedlock states there are no Grosse Ile Township technical standards and policies for installing a fire hydrant off-Island.  Supervisor Kobiljak implies that Grosse Ile Township's standards and policies for fire hydrants cannot be used to install a fire hydrant off-Island   (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qDDlzR67Nc). 

GIBC Response:

The GIBC's fire hydrant proposal meets the standards and policies of both Grosse Ile Township and Riverview.  At the Township Board meeting on August 13, 2007, the Grosse Ile Fire Chief stated that the GIBC is proposing to install the same type of fire hydrant used by the Grosse Ile DPS on the Island (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IWVBSbPnTk&mode=related&search=).

For More Information

If you would like more information about the GIBC's fire hydrant proposal, view "Ten Essential Facts about the GIBC's Proposal to Install a Fire Hydrant" (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/2007/08/ten-essential-f.html) and "Grosse Ile Supervisor's 'Island Update' on GITV Misleads Islanders and Intentionally Avoids Discussing How the GIBC's Fire Hydrant Proposal Would Enhance Safety" (http://gibc.typepad.com/toll_bridge_facts/2007/08/grosse-ile-supe.html).