links: Radio, surveys, street addresses, homelessness, snow, salt, and sand

Radio

In last week's tour of the AM radio dial I expressed interest in Ypsilanti's AM 1700. At the time I noted that the website was not especially informative; the site has been updated to reflect that. An e-mail conversation I had with Brian Robb noted that the station is operating under the FCC's Part 15 provisions for unlicensed low power operations, and that it is licensed by ASCAP and BMI under the call letters WYPS-LP.

Ypsilanti is no stranger to unlicensed radio operations; the earlier Depot Town Radio operated without a license on 89.5 FM, playing oldies, Motown and country. It was shut down in April 2006 by the FCC after listener complaints of interference with CBC Radio 2 Windsor on 89.9 FM.

Ann Arbor's history includes at least one unlicensed low power radio station, according to memories from commenter therad on our pinball history story from last year:

"Does anybody else remember when Pinball Pete's operated a low-power radio station out of the South U. location that burned the other night? In other words, the rock music that they blasted throughout the building was also available on an FM frequency that could be heard for about 1 block from the arcade. I remember seeing some good quality turntables in the office plus a record library, and I think there was a sign on the outside of the building that said something like "Listen to Pinball Pete's Radio" and listed the frequency."

Survey research

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority got some criticism regarding the design of its survey about satisfaction with the parking system; AnnArbor.com also gets regular commentary and feedback about the design of its polls.

The Institute for Social Research runs an annual Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques, to be held from June 7 to July 30. Now in its 63rd year, the program teaches state-of-the-art practice and theory in the design, implementation and analysis of surveys. The Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques has presented courses on the sample survey since the summer of 1948, and has offered such courses every summer since.

The survey techniques taught in this seminar are the sort of statistically valid, rigorous sample based instruments that reach a carefully-enough selected portion of the population to get repeatable results.

Emergency response

From time to time I have heard accounts of emergency vehicles going to one address in one city when the incident is really in another city. To illustrate the issue, note that 2151 Washtenaw, Ann Arbor and 2151 Washtenaw, Ypsilanti are both legal, valid addresses, a couple of miles away from each other on the same street.

Homelessness: research at the University of Michigan

The University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy hosts the Center for Local, State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP): "CLOSUP functions as an information resource for policymakers and practitioners, academics, students, the media, and the public. The Center works to foster effective communication between academic researchers and the policymakers dealing with today's state, local, and urban policy problems. A second important goal of the Center is to facilitate student learning and engagement with today’s critical local, state, and urban policy issues."

Among the research that it has published is the Policy Report on the Homeless Population in Washtenaw County, Michigan. (PDF): "Written by Stacy Ebron, Sarah Haradon and Robin Phinney, the sixth in CLOSUP's series of policy reports examines the homeless population of Washtenaw County, Michigan, using data from the County's 2005 Point-in-Time Homeless Survey."

Snow

Hey, it snowed. When it snows, and people don't shovel their sidewalks, they might get tickets from the City of Ann Arbor's Community Standards division. I noticed a bunch of houses with signs up on the doors informing the residents of Adams Street that they hadn't shoveled and that they really need to, lest they face a ticket. See the city snow removal instructions if you got one of these. Note that you can take a bucket to the city's maintenance yard at 721 N. Main St. and pick up 5 gallons of sand and salt mixture per visit to help keep your walk clear. Call 734-994-1617 for details.

Edward Vielmetti eats paczki for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at 734-330-2465.