I am not mispronouncing a song from the group Chicago, although I did create my own lyrics the past few days with the same tune.
Earlier this week numerous city departments started receiving complaints about a mold/mildew smell in the area, these complaints migrated to the Fire Department. There were pocketed areas stretching from Joslyn and I-75 area to University and Opdyke, encompassing a significant number of additional pocket areas from our campus north to Tienken. Fire Department personnel investigated each area and confirmed the odor, but could not find the source as it was so wide spread. An e-mail was sent to all city employees requesting they keep their noses to the wind and report back to the Fire Department. During the reporting and investigating process we noticed that the affected areas were low lying and had a significant amount of trees. Several reports were received and the problem extended several miles into Troy and Rochester Hills.
We contacted the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to see if they have received any complaints. They had received a similar complaint about 2 weeks ago from a resident on N. Squirrel, but nothing within the last week. A more detailed description was given including the pocketing, prevailing winds, and the physical description of the area. We offered a couple of possible causes including those from our residents. Our representative conversed with an environmentalist and agreed with one of our causes; the amount of rain over the past month, along with the leaves that have fallen, a bumper crop of black walnuts which started rotting, and the temperature which is warmer than normal combined to create these odors.
The problem has died down with areas drying out, but the smell lingers on in our homes, businesses and cars. For those of you who want to hear me sing my rendition, it is not going to happen!
Where There's Smoke... 