By Fred Lewis, Supervisor Plainfield Township
Well, we have made it to another year end. I hope this year found you better that the last. We have had a couple of doosie’s, that for sure. With the latest election cycle firmly behind us, we can look back at the rancor and negativism and ask did it really change anything. We are still living in a really great country. While we may differ on how we value freedom and how to celebrate it, the bottom line is that we do value it and hold it up as our inalienable right as an American to defend with whatever means necessary. Not against each other but against those from the outside of our country that would love nothing more than to see this almost 250-year-old experiment in Democracy fail. And only we can make that happen.
Others can set the flames and fan the fire, but only we can choose to let it burn or put it out. We have to ask ourselves what is more important, our freedoms or our opinions. For many years it has been our freedom to have different opinions, now we seem to want everyone to believe one way or the other and refuse to admit that both beliefs can exist and can be right for the individual. Tolerance is a rare commodity that we need to bring back into our daily discussions. These elections are our way of voicing our opinions, we vote, and the voters are an active and informed body of Americans. For all of us that voted, thank your for your service.
Now on to a more informational topic. Broadband access or access to high-speed internet is now as much of an essential service as electricity and phone service. In an effort to close the holes that exist in service, the State of Michigan and the FCC are asking for our help. The FCC has a map that was created from online data and information submitted to them from broadband carriers and suppliers. This map supposedly shows all areas served by high-speed internet. Even if the service is a company that has yet to provide the service, they listed the area as served. They have recognized the error and are asking for each of us to go into the map and check to see if your address listed and located correctly on the map. You can also check to see if the high-speed services listed as serving your location correct.
Some are listed as satellite services that show coverage over the whole US which is not correct. You need to read the information on the site and challenge the listing. Go to https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/ and follow the instructions on the site to submit a challenge either to the address, the coverage, or both. Accuracy is important as this map and those areas underserved or not served will be dividing up the $42.5 billion in federal broadband expansion money that is becoming available in 2023.
So, pass this on to your friends and family. The waste site is open Mon., Wed., Fri., and Sat. from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sun. from 9 a.m. -2 p.m. We are also open on Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day.
I want to especially thank the garden club for their beautiful downtown Christmas displays. They are very festive for the season. They are still looking for anyone interested in assisting them in caring for our planters in the downtown. The person to call is now Kim Kocher 989-899-1066 or Bev Mason 989-305-8823. Again, I want to thank these hard working volunteers for what they give to keep our community looking beautiful.
As always if you ever have any questions, comments or concerns regarding our community please contact me. I am in the office Mon – Fri 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 989-728-2811 or my cell at 989-984-7073 or by email supervisor@plainfieldtwpmi.com
