Riverview

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW — Resident Jerry Cross contended at the Oct. 17 City Council meeting that city officials were wrong Oct. 10 when they said EMS could downgrade its service for up to 24 hours without notifying the state. Cross said after reviewing video of the Oct. 10 City Council meeting, he found inconsistencies with what city officials said is allowed for temporary EMS downgrades and what is required by state law. Cross said his comments were not motivated by the local fire department … [Read more...] about Cross: Fire Department cannot downgrade EMS licensing level without notifying state

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW – Residents continue to express concern about timely equipment replacement and inadequate staffing for high-level EMS responders while collective bargaining agreement talks continue with AFSCME Council 25 Local 3667. The fire department, which budgets for and hires part time workers, has reportedly found it challenging to provide consistent staffing for all shifts. Mayor Andrew Swift said at the Oct. 17 City Council meeting that on the whole the mayor and council members do … [Read more...] about Riverview firefighter, EMS staffing level concerns voiced

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW – The Wayne County Community Development Block Grant Program could shift money away from annual community discretionary spending distribution into an “impactful projects” fund that could leave some cities with nothing. Allen Park City Administrator Mark Kibby, who serves as a CDBG administrator, met with the Riverview City Council during its Oct. 10 study session to explain how the loss of annual discretionary allocations could hurt Downriver communities, and to suggest … [Read more...] about County block grant funds could shift

Dry summer and increased consumption add up to higher bills By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW – Residents are frustrated and worried about rising water bills, and are wondering why their statements show increases in consumption when they think their usage, rooted in habit, remains relatively the same. Councilman James Trombley echoed similar concerns at a Sept. 19 study session prior to the City Council meeting. He said his usage was up 20 units from the last quarter, but he was out of town for 10 days … [Read more...] about Water woes

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW – Resident Jerry Cross asked city officials at the Sept. 18 City Council meeting why dangerously low Fire Department staffing levels were occurring on some shifts, a condition city officials deny. “I just want to know why we are having one to three guys working a day when there are supposed to be four,” Cross said. “I mean, the fire chief knows a house fires doubles every two minutes. You can't put a house fire out with three guys. “And to assume that a neighboring city is … [Read more...] about Resident raises Fire Department staffing concern at council meeting

By SUE SUCHYTA Sunday Times Newspapers RIVERVIEW – The City Council voted Sept. 6 to formally support a Trenton and River Rouge grant application to redevelop coal powered power plants to increase their chances of getting grant money. The grants are available through the U.S. Economic Development Agency, a federal agency focused on economic development that invests strategically to foster job creation, attract private investment and support economically distressed parts of the country. Communities negatively impacted by … [Read more...] about Riverview supports Trenton, River Rouge bid for clean energy grants