Tara Long Scott, DPM FACFAS* Stacey Stefansky, DPM FACFAS* *Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery *Fellow, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
Dr. Tara Long Scott Dr. Stacey A. Stefansky
Providence Medical Building 22250 Providence Drive 248.557.6500 Suite 608 Fax 248.557.2781 Southfield, MI 48075 www.footandheel.com
Specializing in the Medical and Surgical Treatment of the Foot and Ankle Corns and Callouses Diabetic Foot Care Bunions Flat Feet Hammertoes Arthritic Conditions Heel Spurs/Heel Pain Chronic Foot & Ankle Pain Fungal & Ingrown Nails Ulcers (Open Sores) Foot & Ankle Injuries / Trauma Nerve Entrapments
CORNERSTONE The Blackstone Co-op Newsletter 13526 Norfolk Detroit, Michigan 48235 Will Caldwell, Editor at Large
Blackstone Cooperative 47th Anniversary Celebration and Cookout will be held on Tuesday June 7th 5:00 p.m. (sharp) to 9:00 p.m. (June 8th rain date)
Insurance Providers AETNA
DMC CARE
BLUE CROSSS BLUE SHIELD
ST. JOHNS SMART PLAN
BLUE CARE NETWORK
TEAMSTERS
CIGNA
UNITED HEALTH CARE
HAP
And many more...
MEDICARE
his year’s Anniversary cookout will be bigger and better than last year. This year’s event will be held on Snowden Court under two large tents, featuring a large jumping bouncer with a slide for the kids. Detroit City Councilman James Tate will be our guest speaker and he will present positive things that are being planned for the City of Detroit, we will have more door prizes than last year to give away We will have our D.J. Richard Parris and for those of you who wish, dancing with a dance floor. We will give away tickets to three Detroit Tiger Baseball games. This year we will have excellent food cooked by Chef Thornton Berry a graduate of Schoolcraft College and member of Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. .. continue on pg 9
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e are asking our entire membership to participate to make this the largest voter turnout and member attendance ur goal this year for an annual meeting in the is to have the history of Blackstone. There are largest voter turn three ways to vote. First by proxy, out in the history of two by assigning a member to carry Blackstone voting for your proxy (one per member) or by the two Board of Directors attending the annual meeting and openings and attendance registering to vote. The dates to vote at our annual meeting. Members by proxy are listed below. who vote by proxy or at the annual meeting registration will get first Dates for the Proxy Ballots choice of three different Tiger June 3, 2011 Fri 1:00 p.m. - 4:00p.m Baseball games. Maximum of two Conference Room tickets per person or up to four per family. Registration starts at 5:00p.m June 4, 2011 Sat 10:00a.m- 4:00p.m on June 7, 2011. Members on the Conference Room equity program may obtain tickets June 6, 2011Mon, 10:00a.m-12:00 Noon to the Tiger baseball game from Resale Office the election committee when you vote by proxy or registering to vote Annual Meeting Tuesday June 7, 2011 at the annual meeting. Registration Registration begins at 5:00pm begins at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday June The Election Committee: 7, 2011 Tickets will be available Ginia French Chairperson on a first come first serve. Note: Faune Carter Members on the equity program are Mamie Carter Louise Dickens not eligible to vote.
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Bettie Hastie Margie Williams Diane Shavers
The Blackstone Board of Directors
Staff and Management
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Will Caldwell Lewis George Joann Gray Deborah Simpson Waitus Carter Kevin Gandy Isaiah Wynn, Jr.
Maint. Super Resale Manager Maint. Tech Maint. Tech Utility Tech Management Security
Resale Office / Work Orders (313) 864.9387 Bstone13526@aol.com
President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Director Director Director
David Jackson Carolyn Williams Kenny Tilmon Harold Perryman Kevin Singleton Ralph J. Marcus Gerald Collins
Blackstone Website www.BlackstoneCo-op.org Lock outs and after hour emergencies (313) 864.0180
The CORNERSTONE - Designed and Printed by Rapha Digital Press. - www.RaphaDigitalPress.net - 313-418-9792
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Vote and receive Free Detroit Tiger Baseball Tickets
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Marcus Management, Inc. (248) 553.4700 MarcusMgt@aol.com Armed Security Officer (313) 970. 3963 in Vehicle Telephone The Cornerstone News (313) 864-9387 thecornerstonenews@yahoo.com
Appreciation
member orientation before their requested stay, if approved by the Board.
Special Thank you to the Board of Directors, The Action Committee, and The Election Committee for all the hard work you do. Without you our community would not be one of the shinning gems in Detroit.
Maximum Occupancy of Units:
Blackstone New Rubbish Collection System coming soon: Recent changes in the City of Detroit rubbish collection systems has made it economically necessary to switch rubbish collection from the City’s Courville system to a private contractor. The annual cost to have a private contract pick up and take away the rubbish is about one-half the cost the City is charging. We are currently taking bids for this new collection and removal system. Also, the containers that we place our rubbish in will also change. The new containers will be a mix of 4, 6 and 8 yard containers.
Unit Subletting: Our Occupancy Agreements and Bylaws restrict subletting units and any member found to have illegally sublet their unit will have their membership and occupancy terminated (you’ll have to move). Should we have to take such action, our amended Bylaws require that one-half of the member’s equity will be retained for having to engage the lawyer to enforce these provisions as well as other administrative costs. Please do not sublet your unit. If you wish to transfer your equity to another person, please see Ms. Williams in the office and make sure you stay in compliance with our governing documents.
The City of Detroit has an Ordinance which governs the number of persons that may occupy a multi-family housing unit. The mathematical calculation of the City’s Ordinance as it applies to our various units’ results in our compliance by not allowing more than 2 persons per bedroom size, i.e. a maximum of 2 persons for a one bedroom unit and a maximum of 4 persons for a two bedroom unit. In this edition of The Cornerstone News
you will find the resumes of two Board of Director candidates seeking re-election to Blackstone Board of Directors. Although there are only two persons seeking election to the two open seats, the meeting must be held just like any other previous year. The candidates are incumbent Lewis George, Vice President (1year term) and Isaiah Wynn Jr, Board member (3 year term). Both candidates are seeking two 3 year terms. According to the by-law addendum there will be no nominations from the floor, important note, members on the equity program will not be allowed to vote however you are welcome to attend the annual meeting and enjoy the festivities. All other members unable to attend please vote by proxy or ask a neighbor to carry your proxy to constitute a quorum.
Temporary Occupants and Visitors: Members may allow other persons, visitors, to temporarily stay in their units, if the stay is for less than 14 days, without the prior approval of the Board. These persons are Temporary Visitors. Temporary Occupants are persons to may be allowed to stay WITH members for longer than 14 days, but less than 60 days. Temporary Occupants must be approved, in writing, by the Board BEFORE the person some to stay with you. All Temporary Occupants must attend CORNERSTONE page 2
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FREE Bowling for Kids and Families The Kids bowl Free Summer Program will offer kids a chance to bowl for free at a number of area bowling centers this summer beginning April 15th and running through Labor Day 2011. This is a no-strings-attached program that provides a safe, fun recreation option for area kids and their parents! There are lots of centers taking part in the Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign to get kids active. Parents can visit the Kids Bowl Free website atwww.kidsbowlfree. com/cp where they can register their children to receive two free games of bowling every day when open bowling is available. Parents will receive each week an email containing that week’s c Coupons that they can print out and bring to the bowling center to redeem for free bowling. Up to 6 kids can be registered as well as a family pass option at the end of the registration that allows the parents to bowl the same two games per day all summer with their children! On a personal note... My family participated a few years ago. It is legit and well worth it. You sign up and they send you coupons every week.
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
The Detroit Workforce Development Department Year-Round Youth Program - Summer Employment A limited number of summer employment opportunities are available to youth enrolled in the Detroit Workforce Development Department’s (DWDD) Year-Round Youth Program. Summer employment is no longer a stand-alone program as in the past. The summer program is one of ten (10) federally-mandated elements provided through our year-round youth services. Eligible candidates are low income youth ages 1421, residing in the city of Detroit , and having at least one of the following pre-determined barriers to employment: Deficient in basic literacy skills A school dropout Homeless A runaway or foster child Pregnant or a parent An offender Possessing a disability Requiring additional assistance to complete an educational program Those interested in applying can obtain year-round youth program enrollment information from one of DWDD’s One-Stop Service Centers listed below: (West) One-Stop Service Center 9301 Michigan Avenue Detroit, MI 48210 (313) 625-1000 ( East-Samaritan Center ) One-Stop Service Center 5555 Conner Detroit, MI 48213 (313) 579-4925 (North) One-Stop Service Center 707 W. Milwaukee Detroit, MI 48202 (313) 873-7321
Thomas Aquinas (South-Downtown) One-Stop Service Center 455 W. Fort Street Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 962-9675 CORNERSTONE page 14
Re-elect Lewis George to Blackstone Board of Directors
I
have been a shareholder of Blackstone Coop for 16 years. I was elected by the Board of Directors as Vice President of the Board of Directors. A position I currently serve also I serve as Chairperson of the Action Committee. A position I have held for the past 11 years. As a member of Blackstone Board of Directors I have a wealth of knowledge and business experience. I am committed to improving the quality of life for our seniors and young professionals by making Blackstone a safe clean an affordable place to live. I value where I live and believe we can continue to make Blackstone one of the most precious jewels in the City of Detroit without raising carrying charges on our seniors and the rest of our shareholders. I have over 40 years as owner of Victory Home Interiors. I bring a business perspective to the Board of Directors with excellent money management skills that will take us to the next decade. As Chairperson of the Action Committee for the past 11 years I have a lot of experience handling members concerns. I believe people want to live in a safe, clean and affordable community. If you want the same thing then please cast your vote for Lewis George on June 7, 2011. Or vote by proxy. Re-elect Lewis George for Blackstone Board of Directors and keep our community beautiful
Re-elect Isaiah Wynn, Jr to Blackstone Board of Directors Dear Fellow Members/Shareholders:
I
t is time once again to vote for members of our community that will represent the interest of all the member/shareholders. I am seeking reelection to the Blackstone Board of Directors and believe my contributions are worthy of your vote. I moved into Blackstone Co-op in 1974 a 38 year resident. I was first elected to the Board of Directors in 1997. I am running again for the Board of Directors to make sure the decisions of the Board of Directors are fair for all the members and make sure we keep our eyes on the most important business before us to provide quality living at an affordable rate. Recently, we have improved our community with purchasing a new John Deere Gator and golf cart for our maintenance department. We also purchased new snow equipment to do more work in house instead of hiring outside contractors which saved us money. I had our maintenance department installing kitchen cabinets, kitchen countertops and kitchen flooring. I implemented a change in our bulk pick up removal which was recommended by our maintenance supervisor to have a dumpster on the property instead of using an outside company to haul away our bulk items. These changes resulted in huge savings and allowed us to avoid raising carrying charges. I voted to enhanced security with better lighting, improved security with a new armed security guard company and added security fencing which has ridded our community of crime to keep the thieves from stealing our shareholders property without increasing monthly carrying charges. We have improved our maintenance staff with in house training and have a professional office resale manager.
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Isaiah Wynn continued
I have improved our marketing strategy for vacant units by offering one month free carrying charges to our shareholders who refer new members, we offer one month free carrying charges for one bedroom units and garden units for new members, we approved more money for advertising our vacant units, the Board has also approved flexible equity programs to make it easier for new members to move into Blackstone Co-op.
Lifelong Detroiter Councilman James Tate voluntarily left his position as 2nd Deputy Chief of the Detroit Police Department (DPD) in 2009 to run for elected office as a member of Detroit City Council because he believed Detroit lacked adequate Council representation that would initiate the turnaround that our city so desperately needed. A graduate of Wayne State University, Councilman Tate brings a wealth of management, organizational and leadership skills - having also served as an Emmy Award winning Assignment Desk Editor at WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) and as the Commanding Officer of the Detroit Police Department’s Office of Public Information.
We now have more vacant units occupied with quality shareholders. These changes also avoid increasing our monthly carrying Understanding that the laws enacted and the issues addressed charges. I listen to you our today will affect the future of all Detroiters, Councilman Tate has shareholders, after all this is your worked hard to make sure that the legislative and communityhome. Tuesday June 7, 2011 please vote to re-elect Isaiah Wynn Jr to Blackstone Board of Directors, or if you are unable to attend the annual meeting please vote for Isaiah Wynn Jr by Proxy. Experience Dedicated and Committed
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related issues that crossed his desk received the scrutiny and due diligence that the residents of Detroit deserve. He has also continued his devotion to serving, empowering and motivating others, especially our youth. Using a holistic approach with the understanding that in order for the community to heal and grow, city leaders must work both “at the table” and in the community, he is molding his passion for helping youth reach their fullest potential into a movement. “I am blessed to have had the work experiences I had before becoming a Council member. My tenure with Channel 7 and the DPD allowed me to see first-hand the many levels of despair, dysfunction and destruction that exist in our community. It also showed me the possibilities for success and what areas we need to attack if we want to save our youth from failure.”
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Parking Regulations and Stickers: Please remember that only members of Blackstone may park one vehicle in the back parking lots and the vehicle that is being parked in the parking lot must have a registration sticker on the windshield. All other vehicles illegally parked in the parking lots or on Blackstone property will be towed at the owner’s expense. All vehicle registration information must remain current in the office so that we don’t tow a vehicle that should not be towed. It is each member’s responsibility to make sure that your vehicle registration information is accurate and up to date.
Members’ Unit Insurance: All members of our Cooperative are REQUIRED to have condominium unit owner’s insurance, with structural and liability coverage that protects each member, and the Cooperative, from damages caused by member neglect. Please review your insurance policy and make sure that it is a Condominium Unit Owner’s Policy and NOT a renter’s policy. Renter’s policies don’t provide all the coverage you need as a co-owner in our Cooperative.
Marcus Management, Inc. turned 40 Years Old: Our Management Company turned 40 this year. First incorporated in 1971, Al and Estelle Marcus founded our premier management firm and built the foundation of responsible and excellence in property management. Al, who is now deceased, and Estelle retired in 1992 and turned over the reigns of the company to their son, Ralph. Ralph joined the management team in 1980 just before graduating from college, and has been intimately involved in the day to day management of our community. As MMI turned 40, Ralph current serves as the National Board Chair of the National Association of Housing Cooperatives, and also is the Board Chair of Volunteers of America of Michigan. Ralph professional and volunteer work certainly exemplifies the dedication and commitment to excellence and giving back wherever and whenever possible. CORNERSTONE page 12
Also during this 40th year of business, Ralph’s son, Justin, who just graduated from CMU with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Business Management, will be joining the firm and represent the third generation of Marcus managers. Congratulations MMI!
Cost Containment In order to keep our monthly carrying charges from increasing we combine our Annual meeting with our 47th Anniversary Celebration.
Member update Many of our members have not updated there records and completed out the incapacitated and demise form. Please contact Carolyn Williams in the office to fill out the form. Early preparation eliminates confusion later.
Appreciation We are grateful to David Jackson our Maintenance Supervisor and staff for the kindness they to the seniors during the winter months. Evelyn Mill, Betty Hastie and Josephine Harvey, thanks for getting our cars out of parking lot #2. Thank you David, Kenny, Harold and Kevin.
Special Recognition Special thanks and appreciation to Jerry’s Food Center on your recent one million dollar renovation makeover project and for remaining the #1 Supermarket in our community. Also thank you for being a major sponsor of our annual meetings, Christmas party and our advertising partner for the entire year. Blackstone Jerry’s has shown they believe in Detroit. Let’s show our appreciation and support by shopping at Jerry’s Food center. Congratulations to Eric Huffman State Farm Insurance Agency on your new state of the art location inside the School Center Building across from the Fisher Building. Stop by or call Eric Huffman for all of your Insurance needs at (313) 875-3172. Like a good neighbor State Farm is there. CORNERSTONE page 5
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47th Anniversary Celebration continued Chef Berry has an excellent menu planned. We will receive a special report by our CPA Debbie Eggelston. Many vendors and businesses that support Blackstone will be on hand. This event is for the entire membership. Special Thanks to our Chairperson Deborah Simpson for a job well done. Special Thanks and Recognition for the Major Sponsors of Blackstone’s 47th Anniversary and Cookout, also sponsors of our quarterly newsletter: •Ralph Marcus of Marcus Management -One month free carrying charges •Eric Huffman-State Farm Agency-Large bouncer and slide Combo for the kids •The Detroit Tiger Foundation- Tickets to Detroit Tiger Baseball Games •Blackstone Co-op-$25.00 Gift Cards for Jerry’s Food Center •Tim Franklin- Franklin’s Janitorial Service$25.00 Gas Cards •Dr.Johnny E. RobinsonRobinson Chiropractic-Free Chiropractic Gift Certificates for one free initial visit, free consultation, exam, x-rays (if needed) & treatment and discounted follow up visits •Gerald Collins-Prudential Security-$25.00 gift cards for Target, Wal-Mart, Meijer’s, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Outback Steak house. Scenes from the 46th Anniversary CORNERSTONE page 8
•Genia French-raffling off one window air conditioner. CORNERSTONE page 9
We thank our major sponsors and advertising partners for making this year’s 47th Anniversary a huge success and the best quarterly newsletter. We could not have done this without you. The best way we can say thank you is by supporting your businesses and services. Blackstone shareholders please support our sponsors and Partners by patronizing these fine businesses and refer a friend or family member.
Who has the best Flowers Contest? Blackstone members, we will have a flower contest for the member or members that plant the most beautiful flowers. The member with the best flower arrangements will be selected by a panel of judges and will receive a special gift at the Semi Annual meeting held on Friday August 26, 2011 at Snowden Courtyard or rain date Saturday August 27, 2011. If everyone in your building participates there will be multiply prizes for everyone. Lets get started planting now.