Category: Hobby & Fun

My goal is to bring a unique, independent perspective to the council, representing all stakeholders in Troy: residents, firefighters, police, and city employees, regardless of political views or citizenship, including business owners and those who work in Troy but live elsewhere.

Sustainable development.

Troy has very little undeveloped land; we want to have developments that fit in with the nearby neighbors, ideally that they are happy with. We don’t want new five-story apartment buildings overlooking backyard swimming pools. We may need changes in zoning laws to remedy this.

The 20-acre development proposed at a recent council meeting had over 140 single family dwellings. It might meet the current zoning laws but cries out for changes to not put five hundred people on a postage stamp.

New housing developments could leave most of the backyards forested for the wildlife. The Fox Run senior citizens development in Novi left a lot of woods and wetlands for the residents to enjoy.

• We can encourage apartments and condos to have curbside recycling.

• Maintenance costs in city buildings could benefit from large rolls of toilet paper like many businesses already have.

• Automatic faucets too, where we don’t already have them.

 Fiscal restraint.

Troy already has good fiscal discipline. I will propose a 1% inflation-adjusted budget cut each year for five years. Each department can look for creative ways to economize. We could use the savings for the firefighters incentive fund or a property tax cut.

We need to remember we are spending other people’s money!

Keep Troy family friendly. Let other towns have marijuana dispensaries!

Treat government like a business,

Partner with schools, and promote

Energy efficiency and recycling.

More at dalemurrish.com

I pledge to work harmoniously with the other council members and mayor. Different ideas do not have to be divisive.

I look forward to serving on the council and ask for your support. I think I would bring it diversity of thought.

This presentation given at the Troy Public Library in January 2013 describes Alpine (downhill) skiing, and Nordic (cross-country) skiing. Places to do both types of skiing in southeast Michigan (places with ski rental – golf courses if you have your own X-C skis), and Up North (northern Michigan). Several places near Grayling have groomed cross country trails and make-them-yourself trails through woods.

Dale describes what type of clothing to wear for each type of skiing, equipment costs, and techniques for each type of skiing. If you have to drive in it, you might as well learn how to play in it.

Cross country skiing is much less expensive than downhill. Can be anything from a walk – slide – through the woods to a moderate amount of hills, to expert hills which can be strenuous. You can even telemark down an easy hill at an alpine ski resort.

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Skiing-DaleMurrishJan2013.pdf

This 2014 presentation has lots of information about hiking in the Grand Canyon. Jim Day has been hiking the Grand Canyon for more than 15 years. He gives tips about what to take on strenuous hikes (has hiked rim to rim), moderate hikes part way down, and easy hikes on the rims. Has weather on the rims and in the canyon – much hotter than on the rims. Take plenty of water!

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Hiking-Grand-Canyon-JDay.pdf

This 2012 presentation by Alan Heavner of Heavner Canoe Rental in Milford was given at the Troy Public Library. Probably the largest visual aid ever used in their meeting room! Describes things to take along (wearing a life jacket is best!), where to go canoeing, strokes for paddling and more.

No child left inside is their motto.

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Canoeing-Alan-Heavner.pdf

This 2012 presentation by Ken Patton and the Pontiac Robotics Team shows their design for a bike trailer. The side panels show a replica of the Curved Dash Olds.

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Bike-Trailer-Design.pdf

This 2012 presentation on bicycle touring by Bob Paull and Catherine Herron describes the Michigander Bike Tours, rail trails and tips of bicycle gearing.

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Michigander_BobPaull.pdf

This presentation from 2012 by experienced cyclist Bill Hughes (4000 miles per year!) gives great information about equipment, bicycle gearing, touring, and lots more. Well worth your time to read it!

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Bicycle-Touring-Bill-Hughes3c.pdf

Here is part 2 of the GM Milford Proving Grounds Dream Ride description from 2014

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Bicycling-MPG-Dream-Ride-2-Dale-Murrish.pdf

This pdf file from 2013 describes bicycle and canoe camping, including what to bring.

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Bicycle_Camping_Dale_Murrish.pdf

This pdf file from 2012 describes the different types of camping: tents, bicycle camping, popup campers, hard sided campers, motor homes.

It gives advantages of each type – choose the one that suits you!

http://usameltingpot.org/files/Camping_Dale_Murrish.pdf