Hi, I'm Michael Marcus, and I've been living here in Hamtramck for over 22 years now. As it happens, I live behind a pretty good restaurant, which is nice... until somebody runs into the gate of my house and knocks it off the hinges. Normally, this wouldn't be too much of a problem because it's not like I'm averse to work, and I could afford the $350 to get a guy who knows what he's going to replace the back gate (that's what the handyman I just spoke to estimated). Unfortunately, I've been out of work since June and I'm still looking for a job, preferably in EDI, where my skills are, but I'll take anything even reasonably close. In the absence of work, I'm writing a book and doing some art for a local show, but those are far off, and no guarantee on payment when they're done.

All I really want is to get the gate done. If you can help pay for it, that's great. If you can help me find a job doing what I do, that's wonderful. If you'd like me to paint something special for you, I can do that, but my style is weird and abstract and I make no guarantees that you'll like it. Heck, I can barely guarantee that I'll like it.

Anyway, here's the picture the city was kind enough to send me with the code enforcement letter--you can see how my trash can is holding up what left of the gate. Hopefully, I can get this all done before I get a ticket I don't have money for. Life is good. Please help.