Politics & Government

DTE Gives Berkley $25,000 for CruiseFest

The donation will help fund Public Safety and Public Works overtime, as well as barrels and barricades, during the classic car parade Aug. 17, during which the utility will promote its energy-saving services and give away a new Energy Star appliance.

The Berkley City Council accepted a $25,000 check from DTE Energy on Monday night at to help fund this year's CruiseFest classic car parade.

The donation will help pay for and overtime during the annual event Aug. 17, as well as barrels and barricades, said Marc Coon, chairman of the Berkley CruiseFest Committee.

Berkley resident and DTE employee Denise Allard presented the check and explained how the gift came about.

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"I was just sitting on my couch one day and thought that would be the perfect marriage of DTE and Berkley," she said.

Allard said DTE will have an increased presence during this year's CruiseFest, including the following:

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  • A booth at 12 Mile Road and Griffith where people can sign up for free home energy consultations.
  • A drawing for a new Energy Star appliance of the winner's choice worth up to $1,500.
  • Promotion of DTE's Appliance Recycling Residential Program, which pays customers $40 to have DTE remove their old appliances, as well as rebates on HVAC equipment.
  • A Chevy Volt on display, with a spokesperson who will explain the vehicle's energy-saving properties.
  • Banners throughout Berkley promoting DTE and the CruiseFest in advance of the classic car parade.

The check will be deposited into the city's 614 Recreation Revolving Fund, to be used for the Berkley CruiseFest, according to a resolution passed Monday night.

"Things are tough everywhere," City Manager Jane Bais-DiSessa said. "It's a tremendous gift."


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