[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 74 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       MACOMB COUNTY BIKE PATH: SHOWING THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 1996

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, at a time when people all across America are 
looking for new ways to work together for the betterment of our 
communities, I want to call the attention of my colleagues to a project 
in my Congressional District that is a shining example of the power of 
partnerships.
  A few years ago, I and others in our area worked together to 
establish the Macomb Bike/Hike Path. The idea behind the bike path was 
a simple one--to give people in Clinton Township a recreational 
resource to use and enjoy. The establishment of the bike path was a 
community effort, one which brought together the Federal Government, 
county government, and our neighbors to work together for a common 
goal.
  Simply put, the Macomb Bike Path has been a tremendous success. It is 
heavily used by joggers, dog walkers, and many others who value it as 
an important recreational resource. And while many people use the bike 
path, until last year it was just that--an asphalt path running through 
a sparse tract of land.
  Last year, however, Detroit Edison, as part of their ongoing efforts 
to improve our environment, agreed to contract with Cal Fleming 
Landscaping and Metropolitan Forestry Consultants to plant 114 trees 
along an empty stretch of the Macomb Bike Path. These trees, which are 
valued at $20,000, include some of the most beautiful kind imaginable, 
including green ash, red oak, red and amur maples, and flowering 
crabapple trees.
  This donation has gone a long way toward enriching and beautifying 
the bike path for our community and its residents. On one of my recent 
trips back home to Michigan, I walked the newly-renovated path and 
marveled at the beauty of the newly blooming trees.
  Also helping out in our efforts to improve the path and care for 
these trees is the Macomb County Road Commission, the Boy Scouts of 
America Troop #157, the Bearing Burners Auto Club, the Lake Pointe 
Nursing Center, the Tree People Community Group, and the Inter-County 
Drainage Board.
  Mr. Speaker, many people worked together to make this project a 
reality, but I want to give special recognition to several people from 
Detroit Edison and their contractors: Peggy A. Sorvala, John A. Cretti, 
Ronald L. McIntyre, Roberta C. Urbani, Paul Stricher, Cal Fleming 
Landscaping and David Breedlove.
  I also would like to recognize Detroit Edison Chairman John Lobbia 
for his leadership in making projects like this one a reality.
  The contributions of these men and women are a shining example of 
public service. They are truly people who promote and act on the values 
of our community and have a genuine concern for the people they serve. 
Their work on the Macomb Bike/Hike Path is an excellent example of what 
can be accomplished when government, citizens and private industry work 
together.

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