Animal rescue groups may now save dogs and cats facing euthanasia at the Macomb County Animal Shelter without paying a fee. The plan, introduced by Macomb County Commissioner Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township), passed unanimously by the Board of Commissioners Wednesday evening.

“This is a great first step in saving the lives of dogs and cats,” said Lund. “By eliminating the fee, we are giving private rescue groups a real incentive to recover these animals and place them in loving homes.”

Lund introduced the proposal during a Board discussion about studying plans to make the county animal shelter a “no kill” shelter. The Board also voted to study that plan.

“We still must study whether our shelter can be a  ‘no kill’ shelter,” Lund said. “If we can reduce the overall number of animals in the shelter by giving them to rescue groups, we will definitely save numerous animals from an inevitable death.”

Under Lund’s plan, rescue groups would first seek approval from officials at the animal shelter. Those rescue groups gaining approval would agree to protect the adopted animal, provide veterinary care, and abide by certain standards for the care of the animal.

“The county could lose several thousand in annual revenue by waiving the $80 fee for rescue groups,” Lund said. “I proposed this as a six month pilot plan to see if it makes a positive impact in saving the lives of dogs and cats. If so, I think it is well worth the lost revenue.”

Macomb County Commissioner Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township) today announced the winners of his contest to locate the worst potholes in Macomb County. “I looked through hundreds of photos submitted to my website (www.petelund.com) and examined the worst looking craters,” Lund said. “Today, I’m rewarding the poor souls who must brave these craters on a daily basis.”

Lund named Mrs. Carter of Sterling Heights the winner of a $400 gift card for a new set of tires for her submission of Van Dyke Avenue at 16 ½ Mile Road. “I’m shocked at the condition of one of our major thoroughfares,” Lund said.  “I hope nobody was hurt by this pothole. I’m sure some tires and wheel rims were.”

Lund named Daniel VanDeKerkhove of Macomb Township as the the runner up in the pothole contest for his submission of the length of Tilch Road between M-59 and 21 Mile Road. “Mr. VanDeKerkhove submitted many photos, each one of tire eating potholes, documenting the horrible condition of Tilch Road,” Lund said. “I couldn’t pick just one pothole because the entire one mile stretch of Tilch is like some third world road.” VanDeKerkhove won a gift card for a front-end alignment for his entry.

 “The condition of our roads is unacceptable,” Lund said. “Many people contacted me wanting solutions to this problem. I want the state and local road commissions to hold road builders accountable for their product. We shouldn’t tolerate new roads being reduced to gravel within a few years. Lansing lawmakers and bureaucrats must step up and insure better protection for the taxpayers.” 

Thanks for all the entries to find the worst pothole in Macomb County. Stay tuned, I will announce the worst pothole and the winner of a new set of tires on Monday, March 17th! 

I’ve got 34 pictures to prove that Tilch Road in Macomb Township (Between 21 Mile Road and Hall Road- A.K.A. M-59) is the worst stretch of potholes in the county. **Unfortunately, due to email size-restrictions, I could not attach them all, but I can send additional photos if requested** and I honestly only took them from Hall Road, to a few yards north of Hemlock (a road about half-way between Hall and 21 Mile road), so that’s really only about a half-mile stretch.And you have to realize that all of these potholes (and MANY more, which I did not include in this email - some due to size restriction, some due to blurry pictures…all of which are bad) are ALL within a half-mile stretch of road, that is heavily used by suburban commuters on their way to the main vein of M-59 every day. It is DEVASTATING on vehicles, and you literally have to drive like a drunk (swirving and slowing down and making awkward turns and adjustments every 3 seconds) in order to avoid half of these potholes (of which the other half are unavoidable).

My vehicle was perfectly fine before fall came, and I had a nice new set of tires that were recently alligned (reciepts to prove it). Right now, I have to drive with my steering wheel at about a 20 degree angle turn in order to drive straight (NEED a new allignment again). My shocks have also been beat around, and it’s beginning to sound like I’m driving with a bowling ball in my trunk.

I’ve heard from a friend that read in the newspaper that Tilch is supposedly due to be re-done (not just patched up) this upcoming summer. But sadly, I believe many more vehicles will be needing costly maintenence in the meantime, if nothing is done about this road before then. And to be honest, this road has needed to be redone for the last 3 or 4 years now. All they’ve ever done is put tar over the holes every year or so, which only lasts about 4 months.

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I hope you browse through all of these pictures, keeping in mind that they were all taken within a half-mile stretch of road, that is heavily used by commuters every day. Also keep in mind I have had to limit my photo selection due to email size restrictions…There are about tripple as many pothole areas that are just as bad, in between all these. Many are bad, a few are terrible, and there’s many noticeable ones in between. I URGE YOU to drive this stretch of road yourself….IF YOU DARE…

I THANK YOU for giving this opportunity to the citizens of Macomb County, in order for us to bring attention to this terrible problem. You’ve really done a great service to this community!Sincerely,Daniel VanDeKerkhove 

Sick of swerving to avoid massive potholes? Tired of watching local roads disintegrate every winter? I have a way to make this annual ordeal a little less traumatic, while warning you of where to watch out for these hazards.  Send me a picture of the worst pothole in Macomb County along with its location. If I agree it is the worst, you win a $400 gift certificate for a set of new tires. The runner up wins a gift certificate for a front-end alignment. I will post photos of submitted potholes and their locations on this website. I think we need to hold road builders accountable and demand better warranties on their work. .  It is ridiculous to spend all these tax dollars on roads that simply fall apart.  Van Dyke looks like a third world road at some points. How can we expect to attract new business to our county when our main thoroughfares transform into gravel roads? It is time for the bureaucrats in Lansing to wake up and address this problem. I want stronger warranties on new roads and repairs. Why should taxpayers keep paying big bucks for shoddy work?  Photos must be submitted via email by March 5, 2008. Remember to include the location of the pothole. Winners will be announced on Thursday, March 6, 2008.  From the February 15th Detroit Free Press: 

Find worst pothole, win new tires - 

2nd place to get wheel alignment