Robert D. Lodge Jr. for Highland Park City Council At-Large

09/12/2026

🚫 COMMUNITY PAINT DAY CANCELED

The September 12th Paint Day at Storen Park has been canceled because the City has decided to have a mural painted! 🎨

Ms. Sue, the Recreation Director, will arrange a block club meeting so residents can share their ideas and help choose the mural.

Stay tuned for meeting details. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help! 💙

Same park. Bigger plans. Stronger community! 🙌🏾

09/10/2026

🏠 HP HOMEOWNERS — ANOTHER WAY TO LOWER YOUR PROPERTY TAXES!

Special thanks to Victor “ViciousVic” Decruise for bringing the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) to our attention. 🙏🏾

If you OWN and LIVE in your Highland Park home as your primary residence, you may qualify for the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). It can exempt your home from up to 18 mills of local school operating taxes.

📄 HOW TO APPLY:
Complete Michigan Form 2368 and submit it to:

📍 Highland Park Assessor’s Office
12050 Woodward Avenue
Highland Park, MI 48203

👉 [Highland Park PRE Information & How to Apply](https://www.highlandparkmi.gov/government/assessor/tax-assessing/file-for-a-principal-residence-exemption-pre

👉 [PRE Application — Form 2368] https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/-/media/Project/Websites/taxes/Forms/Local-Government/2368.pdf

📢 IMPORTANT: If you qualified in previous years but did not claim your PRE, you may be able to claim it retroactively for the current and previous three calendar years.

And remember — PRE and the Poverty Exemption are TWO separate programs. You may qualify for BOTH!

💙 SHARE THIS INFORMATION! Let’s help Highland Parkers lower their tax burden and stay in their homes.

Official website for the City of Highland Park, Michigan.

09/09/2026

🚨 FELLOW PARKERS, LET’S GET THE FACTS OUT! 🚨

There are 63 Highland Park parcels listed on the Wayne County tax foreclosure auction website. The screenshot below confirms the number. But the bigger issue is making sure our neighbors know help is available before they lose their homes.

Highland Park has a Poverty Exemption program for eligible homeowners. We need to do a better job getting this information out and reviewing the program so more struggling residents can qualify.

🏠 If you or someone you know is struggling with property taxes, contact the City Assessor’s Office and ask about the Poverty Exemption. Don’t struggle or suffer alone.

Please share this with your neighbors, especially seniors and longtime homeowners. Let’s work together to keep Highland Parkers in their homes.

Poverty Exemption Application:
https://www.highlandparkmi.gov/media/qhdn0kv1/2025-poverty-exemption-application-and-instructions.pdf

09/09/2026

🏡 HIGHLAND PARK HOMEOWNERS: HELP IS AVAILABLE

A lot was said at today’s City Council meeting, but one thing must be clear: our longtime homeowners need relief, and they need it now.

Approximately 63 HIGHLAND PARK parcels are currently listed for bidding on the Wayne County Treasurer’s tax foreclosure website. Behind many of these properties are families who have lived here for generations, raised their children here, and helped build this city.

Our homeowners are facing high water bills, property taxes, and the growing cost of maintaining older homes. We cannot stand by while the people who helped sustain Highland Park are priced out of their own community.

The City of Highland Park has a Poverty Exemption Program that may help eligible homeowners reduce their property taxes. We need to make sure every struggling homeowner knows this assistance exists and has help applying.

📄 POVERTY EXEMPTION APPLICATION:
https://www.highlandparkmi.gov/government/assessor/tax-assessing/poverty-exemption-application/

We also need to review the program’s income and asset guidelines and explore additional relief so that more residents can remain in their homes.

Our goal should be simple: keep families in their homes, protect our neighborhoods, and preserve Highland Park's legacy.

If you are struggling, please contact the City Assessor’s Office. If your property is already in foreclosure, contact the Wayne County Treasurer immediately to learn what options may still be available.

SHARE THIS POST. Someone may need this information to help save their home. 🏡

Official website for the City of Highland Park, Michigan.

09/07/2026

🏠 WE SUPPORT NEW DEVELOPMENT—BUT LONG-ESTABLISHED TAX BREAKS DESERVE A SECOND LOOK.

At the July 6 City Council meeting, Ms. Ford asked me: “Why is it that they get all the tax breaks and we, the citizens, get none?”

That prompted me to speak up about the proposed tax exemptions for Gabriel Apartments and Highland Manor.

WE SUPPORT RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT, BUT RESIDENTS DESERVE TO KNOW WHY continued tax relief is necessary when Highland Park needs revenue.

Too often, proposals come before Council without a clear explanation of the need, cost, or benefits. That lack of TRANSPARENCY makes residents feel their interests are being overlooked.

BEFORE THE SECOND READING, COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PROVIDE CLEAR ANSWERS:

❓ Will there be a workshop to explain the Tax Exemption Ordinance for Highland Manor and Gabriel Apartments before the second reading?

❓ How much tax revenue would the city give up in the twenty years requested?

❓ What is the financial benefit to Highland Park and its residents?

❓ Why are continued exemptions necessary for these existing properties? What improvements, investments, or obligations justify the request?

❓Will citizens receive tax breaks or tax exemptions?

❓Why are we considering long-term tax relief for existing development while many longtime homeowners, seniors, and families struggle to keep up with their property taxes?

09/05/2026

🌳 MLK PARK NEEDS OUR SUPPORT! 🌳

I was just out at MLK Park with Shannon Bryce, and Danny Pacheco. These young men are working to bring this park back to life—and they want YOUR ideas and support! 🙌🏾

Those who grew up here remember what MLK Park used to be, including the water park. 💦 Now there’s an opportunity to restore it for a new generation.

Come out TODAY and help shape the future of MLK Park! Free food and refreshments.

📍 338 Richton St.
⏰ Noon–10 PM

🙏🏾 WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER! 🙏🏾

09/05/2026

🙏🏾⛪ CHURCHES & HOUSES OF WORSHIP: HELP US BUILD COMMUNITY & HEAL DIVIDES. 🤝🏾❤️

Highland Park’s churches have always been more than places to worship. ⛪ They are places of 🙏🏾 prayer, 🌟 hope, 🤲🏾 service, 👥 leadership, and ❤️ love.

The Highland Park Citywide Block Club Picnic 🧺🌳 is a chance for churches, block clubs, families, and neighbors to meet, build relationships, and show that WE ARE STRONGER WHEN WE STAND TOGETHER! 🤝🏾💪🏾

🙏🏾 Please come out, bring your members, and help us continue building a more connected and united Highland Park. ❤️🏘️

🗓️ Saturday, September 19
⏰ 12 Noon–3 PM
📍 Storen Park
224 Gerald St., Highland Park, MI 48203

📞 Questions? Contact Lorne McGee at 313-736-7946.

🙏🏾 ONE CITY. ONE COMMUNITY. STRONGER TOGETHER. 🤝🏾❤️

09/03/2026

📣 HIGHLAND PARKERS—WE COULD USE YOUR HELP! 💪🏾❤️

I was encouraged to see a group of young adults who wanted to step up and help clean up one of Highland Park’s abandoned schools.

Although that cleanup could not move forward, I DON’T WANT THAT WILLINGNESS TO SERVE OUR CITY TO GO TO WASTE.

We have another opportunity for you! 🙌🏾

We are getting STOREN PARK ready for the HIGHLAND PARK CITYWIDE BLOCK CLUB PICNIC on SEPTEMBER 19, and we need help scraping and PAINTING OVER GRAFFITI on the brick wall.

🎨 WE HAVE THE PAINT.

🧰 WE HAVE THE SCRAPING TOOLS.

💪🏾 NOW WE NEED SOME WILLING HANDS!

If you are ready to help clean up, we would love you to bring your ENERGY and COMMUNITY PRIDE to Storen Park.

You want to do something positive for Highland Park—HERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY!

If you’re interested, please reach out so we can coordinate a day and time.

❤️ LET’S GET STOREN PARK READY FOR SEPTEMBER 19!

"Once A Parker, Always A Parker"

09/01/2026

We are stronger together!
Highland Park, let’s come together!

Join us for the Highland Park Citywide Block Club Picnic—a time to meet neighbors, make new friends, share ideas, and strengthen connections across our city.

When our blocks support one another, our entire city grows stronger.

📅 Saturday, September 19
🕛 12 Noon–3 PM
📍 Storen Park, 224 Gerald St., Highland Park, MI 48203

Questions? Contact City Wide Block Club President Loren McGee at 313-736-7946.