Contrary to recent reports, Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr., says the project to build a new Ann Arbor to Detroit commuter rail project has not been “indefinitely delayed.”

In a column in today’s edition of the Dearborn Press & Guide, O’Reilly says that while it is true that “due to insufficient project funding, a regular commuter service of four weekday and three weekend trains per day will not begin at the end of October 2010” it is moving along as part of a phased program.

Mayor John B. O'Reilly, Jr.

“The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) have been managing a complicated planning process on the Ann Arbor to Detroit line for several years due to Greater Detroit’s unproven record on passenger rail transit,” O’Reilly says in his column.

“A demonstration project for three years was conceived to determine if we could meet the requirements to eventually receive larger allocations of federal transit dollars through a program called “New Starts.”

“Thanks to our congressional delegation and our committed partners, more than $30 million has been raised toward beginning the service. This includes improving the rail lines, leasing locomotives, refurbishing commuter rail cars like those used in suburban Chicago, and improving the station infrastructure at five locations including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Wayne/Westland (link to Metro Airport), Dearborn and Detroit.

“MDOT and SEMCOG have identified another $50 million needed to complete the commuter rail demonstration. So, it has to be a phased program that begins with special events, and grows to commuter service moving from four to eight to eventually fifteen trains per day.

“By building the service piece-by-piece the region will begin to see how rail transit can work as an alternative to private automobiles to meet some of our transportation needs. Studies and real life have proven that an auto only system is not a sustainable model for modern American cities.”

Mayor O’Reilly’s complete column in the Dearborn Press & Guide can be read by clicking  HERE

(Source: City of Dearborn press release)

The Dearborn Public Library is partnering with the Wayne County Fight Mortgage Foreclosure Program to present a free workshop on Wednesday, May 12 for people needing financial counseling in order to keep their houses .

The mortgage foreclosure prevention workshop will be 6-8 p.m. in the library’s mezzanine’s conference room. (Note that this workshop was rescheduled from one originally set for April 29.)

Area residents will have an opportunity to meet with a HUD housing counselor who is working with the Wayne County Foreclosure Prevention program. This counseling is offered free of charge and is geared for those in the Dearborn area who are faced with mortgage delinquency or potential foreclosure

Counselors will help you understand the options available, how they can assist you in working with your lender, how the Making Home Affordable plan may relate to your situation and how Michigan’s 90-day mediation law can give you time to work with your lender.

All the counselors are certified and very knowledgeable in assisting home owners through this very difficult time.

(Source: City of Dearborn press release)

A variety of basic computer workshops will return to the Henry Ford Centennial Library throughout the month of May.

All workshops are free, but advanced registration is required.

Those learning to use a computer for the first time will be interested in the Basic Computers workshop. No computer knowledge or experience is required. Basic Computers will be offered on Monday, May 3 from 6-8:30 p.m. and Friday, May 14 from 2-4:30 p.m.

Internet Basics, a workshop targeted towards those who already have basic computer skills but want to learn more specifically about how to search and use the Internet, will be offered on Friday, May 7 from 2-4:30 p.m. and Monday, May 17 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Those interested in learning how to establish and use their own e-mail account can register for E-Mail Essentials, which will be offered on Monday, May 10 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Registration for each class begins one week prior to the class meeting. Visit or call the HFCL Adult Reference Desk at (313) 943-2330 to register or for more information.

Fliers containing the entire spring schedule can be picked up at the Reference Desk and the schedule is available on the library website at www.dearbornlibrary.org

Workshops are limited to 14 seats so register early.

Library card holders and Dearborn residents will receive preferential registration, space permitting; nonresidents will be placed on a wait list and will be notified shortly before the class date if any seats are still available.

All workshops will meet in the training room on the first floor (southwest corridor) of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave.