Great Lakes Politics

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) announced this afternoon the formation of the Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission to promote the production and distribution of alternative fuel in Michigan.
 
“As more E-85 and flex fuel vehicles are produced, it is essential that we make biodiesel and ethanol products more widely available and encourage their use,” explained Governor Granholm .  “This commission will move Michigan one step closer to becoming the nation’s leader in developing and producing alternative energy.”
 
The Michigan Renewable Fuels Commission was established under Public Act 272 of 2006, which was signed into law earlier this year.  The seven-bill package also reduced the gas tax by 36 percent on fuel that contains ethanol and by 20 percent on biodiesel blends, provided grants to service station owners who renovate or expand their existing stations to make E-85 and biodiesel available, and allowed for the creation of new agriculture renaissance zones to help spur additional ethanol and biodiesel plants.  Granholm has called for the state to have 1,000 biofuel pumps available by 2008.

The commission is charged with investing and recommending strategies that the governor and Legislature may implement to promote the use of alternative fuels and encourage the use of vehicles that utilize alternative fuel.  The commission will also identify mechanisms that promote research of alternative fuels.

Appointees to this commission will serve at the pleasure of the governor.  The individuals appointed today are as follows:

Dr. K. Joel Berry of Flint, mechanical engineering department director at Kettering University, was appointed to represent colleges and universities engaged in alternative fuel research.

Dr. Steven B. Bertman of Kalamazoo, chemistry professor at Western Michigan University.

James E. Byrum of Onondaga, president of the Michigan Agri-Business Association.

Steven E. Chester of Williamston, director of the MichiganDepartment of Environmental Quality.

David E. Cole of Ann Arbor, chairman for the Center for Automotive Research, was appointed to represent the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

James A. Croce of Grosse Pointe Farms, CEO of Next Energy Center.

Jeffrey E. Ehlert of Blissfield, chairman of Great Lakes Ethanol LLC, was appointed to represent ethanol producers.

Dr. Zoran Filipi of Ann Arbor, associate research professor in the mechanical engineering department at University of Michigan, was appointed to represent colleges and universities engaged in alternative fuel research.

Charles J. Griffith of Ann Arbor, auto project director at the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, was appointed to represent environmental organizations.

Mitch Irwin of East Lansing, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

Susan L. Kuck of Saginaw, president of Wilson Petroleum Company, was appointed to represent retail petroleum sellers.

J. Peter Lark of Okemos, chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission, was appointed to represent the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.

Trevor F. Lauer of Rochester, vice president of retail marketing for DTE Energy Co.

Peter C. Madden of Gladstone, program director for Plum Creek Timber.

Curtis N. Magleby of Saline, director of governmental affairs for Ford Motor Company, was appointed to represent the automotive manufacturing industry.

Kimberly K. Mahrle of Manchester, corporation secretary for G.E. Wacker, Inc., was appointed to represent petroleum suppliers.

Kirk N. Mercer of Jackson, president of R. W. Mercer.

Deborah L. Morrissett of Troy, vice president of regulatory affairs for Daimler Chrysler, was appointed to represent the automotive manufacturing industry.

Barry A. Mumby of Colon, manager for Wakeshma Farms, LLC, was appointed to represent the largest organization in the state that represents soybean producers exclusively.

Bruce D. Noel of Leslie, owner and operator of Noel Farms, was appointed to represent the largest organization in the state that represents corn producers exclusively.

Michael A. Petersen of Gowen, owner and president of Petersen Oil Company, Inc., was appointed to represent automotive fuel blenders.

Dr. Steven G. Pueppke of Okemos, director of the Office of Bio-Based Technologies at Michigan State University, was appointed to represent colleges and universities engaged in alternative fuel research.

Dr. Mary E. Stanek of Grosse Pointe, alliance manager for General Motors Strategic Initiatives, was appointed to represent the automotive manufacturing industry.

Richard Vande Vusse of Escanaba, president of VonAire Inc., and Ag Solutions, Inc., was appointed to represent biodiesel producers.

Rose M. Wilson of Haslett, director of Agency Services and Fleet Operations for the Michiga Department of Management & Budget.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Posted by fnemecek at 03:47 PM | Permalink

U.S. Representative Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced yesterday afternoon that the Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded $176,620 to the Saginaw Fire Department.  The Office for Domestic Preparedness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration, awarded these funds to the Saginaw Fire Department under the Fiscal Year 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety.

“We must continue to provide more funding to ensure the safety and preparedness of those brave men and women who continually risk their lives to protect our lives,” explained Congressman Kildee.  “These funds will enable our local fire department to pursue new training and wellness programs and to provide them with access to new equipment.”

Saginaw Fire Department was selected to receive a federal grant in order to help fund training activities and purchase new protective firefighter equipment.  The competitive grant was awarded to them after they submitted a well-written and persuasive grant application that underwent a national peer review process by 300 fire service leaders who evaluated and scored each application.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is designed as an opportunity for the U.S. Congress to work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance basic fire service delivery across the country.   Fire Departments nationwide will receive $485 million to support fire protection, EMS delivery, and vehicle purchase and prevention programs in 2006.  FEMA typically receives over 20,000 applications a year from fire departments across the country for access to funds provided by this program.

Posted by fnemecek at 02:58 PM | Permalink

Sometimes I read someone else's blog and find something so silly or off-base that I'm amazed that they are able to figure out how to establish an internet connection, let alone write a full-fledge blog.

And then there are moments when I read something that's so timely and on the mark that I simply wish I had written it first.

Simon Dumenco's recent post regarding "sentiment analysis" for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security definately fits into the later category.  You can read his thoughts here.

Posted by fnemecek at 02:54 PM | Permalink

High school students in the Clare-Gladwin and Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School Districts can get a head start in the growing career field of health services and technology with some help a state grant that will be used to start the program, according to a pair of announcements made today by State Representatives Tim Moore (R-97, Farwell) and Tom Casperson (R-108, Escanaba).

The Michigan Board of Education is expected to approve a pair of grants totaling $505,272 grant today for the two school districts, part of a $2 million appropriation that the Michigan Legislature approved in the 2006-07 budget.  The funds will be used to create Middle College High School Health partnerships between local school districts and colleges.

School districts receiving the funding will use the money in collaboration with a community college or state public university and a hospital to create and implement class courses focused on the field of health sciences.

The program may include outreach efforts that provide information to middle school and high school students about career opportunities in the health sciences field, individualized education plans for a student, entry-level college courses and even attending clinical rotations to allow opportunities for pupils to observe careers in the health sciences.

Students completing the health service middle college program can earn a high school diploma and a certificate or degree from the community college or university.

The grant will help the school district implement the program in the 2007-08 academic year.

Posted by fnemecek at 03:37 PM | Permalink

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) announced late last week, in a conference call with the editors of various college newspapers, that she was launching a new program to encourage recent college graduates to stay in Michigan.  The Michigan State Housing Development Authority will begin offering recent graduates from a Michigan college or university a low-interest housing loan that is 2 percentage points lower than the market rate.  The discount will continue for up to 3 years from the student's graduation.

This program will operated on a first-come, first served basis.  There will be $10 million in loans available.  Once those funds are depleted, no more of these loans will be made.

One of the conditions that this offer is that the homes purchased under this program must be in one of eight Michigan cities that Governor Granholm has targeted as "needing a little extra help".  These cities are:

1. Benton Harbor;
2. Detroit;
3. Flint;
4. Hamtramck;
5. Highland Park;
6. Muskegon Heights;
7. Pontiac; and
8. Saginaw.

Posted by fnemecek at 03:27 PM | Permalink

Shooting sportsmen and firearms collectors will no longer be forced to buy a Michigan hunting license to transport firearms and archery equipment legally during hunting seasons thanks to a new law sponsored by Michigan Representative Tim Moore (R-97, Farwell).

House Bill 5408, the tenth measure introduced by the freshman legislator to become law, eliminates the requirement for possession of a hunting license when transporting a firearm, archery bow and arrow or crossbow during a hunting season if the equipment is properly stored in the vehicle.

Carston Seales of Marion worked with Moore on the legislation to move it through the legislative process.

"This day has been 10 years in the making," explained Seales, who testified on the bill with Moore before House and Senate committees. "I'm thankful Representative Moore saw the need for this change and not only sponsored the legislation, but was committed to getting it done.

"It seemed simple when I started, but it took some time to find someone else who agreed that DNR game laws shouldn't have any relation to transporting firearms, bows or slingshots."

A similar law was approved for handguns several years ago and HB 5408 applies the same rules to other shooting sports equipment.

Moore's law amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act so a person can carry, transport, or possess a firearm, a bow and arrow, or a crossbow without a hunting license when the firearm is unloaded and cased, or a bow or crossbow is in a case.

Posted by fnemecek at 12:25 PM | Permalink

U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra (R-2, Holland), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and U.S. Rep. John Shadegg (R-Arizona) issued a statement late last week in which they criticized Democrats for continuing to be upset about the Foley child sex scandal.  They, like many conservative pundits, invoked a comparison between the Foley incident and a scandal involving former Congressmen Gerry Studds in 1983.

Quite frankly, I feel that Congressman Hoekstra has lost his mind on this one.

Yes, Mark Foley is gone from the U.S. House of Representatives.

Yes, he will likely face criminal prosecution for his actions with a teenage boy.

However, neither of these things are what have most Americans in an uproar.  Democrats, and everyone else for that matter, have faith in the criminal justice system and are confident that Foley will meet an adequate punishment.

The problem lies with the fact that the Speaker of the House, Congressman Dennis Hastert of Ohio was informed of Foley’s conduct more than three years ago.  Rather than report it to law enforcement authorities or insist that Foley resign from office, he covered the whole affair up.

Just like Watergate, the real scandal isn’t that someone in public office did something wrong.  The scandal lies in the cover-up.

Speaker Hastert knew about Mark Foley’s conduct.  He was told about by Republican Members of Congress and he did nothing about it.  If Hastert had acted when he was originally briefed, this matter would have been old news by now.

But he didn’t act.

He covered it up.

As a result, this will continue to be an issue for as long as Dennis Hastert occupies the Speaker’s chair.

Posted by fnemecek at 12:09 PM | Permalink

In her weekly radio address on Friday, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) urged the Michigan Legislature to pass two bills that would lift the decades-old restrictions placed on embryonic stem cell research in the state.  The bills would also increase penalties for anyone violating the state ban on human cloning.
 
“Stem cell research holds the power to improve the lives of thousands of Michiganians,” Granholm said.  “The men, women, and children who suffer from conditions for which there is no treatment or cure deserve our help.  So do the families and friends who care for them.”
 
Granholm launched an online petition in July asking the Michigan Legislature to ease stem cell research in the Great Lakes State.  This week, Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie, joined the more than 7,800 citizens who have signed the petition.  The Alis have been tireless advocates for stem cell research, testifying in front of Congress on the need for critical research to help address Parkinson’s disease.  Parkinson’s is just one of a multitude of diseases and conditions that could be better treated, or possibly prevented, as a result of stem cell research.

I’ll leave detailed coverage of the potential benefits to stem cell research for my counterparts at The New England Journal of Medicine.  Instead, I’ll focus on the political implications of Granholm’s call for lifting restrictions on stem cell research.

It was three weeks ago that Republican gubernatorial nominee Dick DeVos caused a considerable amount of commotion by calling for “intelligent design” to be taught in science courses throughout Michigan.  While his answer thrilled members of the Religious Right, it threatened support for DeVos among secular Republicans and independent voters.

Stem cell research is one of those issues with the potential to intensify that reaction.  DeVos and the Republican Party have wisely chosen to remain silent on this issue.  Their silence will, of course, be viewed as an endorsement for maintaining those restrictions.  However, by not giving the Democrats a quote that they can use in attack ads, they have managed to minimize any damage that this issue could cause.

I fully expect Granholm to bring the subject of stem cell research up in tomorrow’s debate.  She will likely keep bringing it up between now and Tuesday, November 7.

Interested readers can find the full text of Granholm’s radio address at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/Radio_Address_-_Stem_cell_10.6.06_TEXT_174691_7.pdf

Posted by fnemecek at 11:10 AM | Permalink

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) announced a series of appointments to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, the Michigan Travel Commission, the Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council, the Controlled Substance Advisory Commission, the Ski Area Safety Board, the Grape and Wine Industry Council as well as the Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors on Friday.

Michigan Employment Relations Commission

Christine A. Derdarian of Bloomfield Hills, most recently served as an attorney in private practice, was appointed to represent Democrats for a term expiring June 30, 2009.  She succeeds Honora J. Lynch whose term has expired.

The Michigan Employment Relations Commission aids management and labor in reaching amicable settlements of labor disputes by providing labor mediation services to employers and labor organizations in private industry and in the public sector.  The commission also determines appropriate bargaining units; provides for the election of bargaining representatives; certifies collective bargaining representatives; administers the law prohibiting unfair labor practices by employers and labor organizations in the public sector; provides fact-finding procedures in public employee disputes; conducts election on employer last offers in the private sector; and administers the binding arbitration procedures in police and fire department contract disputes.
 
This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.

Michigan Travel Commission

Frank D. Ettawageshik of Harbor Spring, tribal chairman of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, was appointed to represent the private sector of the travel, tourism, and recreation industry for a term expiring August 20, 2009.  He succeeds Jennifer Fischer whose term has expired.

Judy Z. Keller of Frankenmuth, owner and president of the Bavarian Inn Lodge, was appointed to represent the private sector of the travel, tourism, and recreation industry for a term expiring August 20, 2009.  She succeeds Kenneth B. Horn whose term has expired.

Susan E. Sherer of Grosse Pointe Park, president of Sherer INC., was appointed to represent owners and operators of small businesses for a term expiring August 20, 2010.  She succeeds Brett L. Marr whose term has expired.

Christina MacInnes of Beulah, president of Crystal Properties, was reappointed to represent tourism and conventions for a term expiring August 20, 2010.

The Michigan Travel Commission is responsible for assisting Travel Michigan in developing a comprehensive, long-range vision for tourism.  Travel Michigan is an agency housed within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation that promotes tourism in Michigan.

These appointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.

Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council

Luke O. Zelley of Grand Blanc, director of business development with The Disability Network, was appointed to represent parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of individuals with disabilities who have difficulty  representing themselves, or are unable to represent themselves, due to their disabilities for a term expiring September 14, 2009.

George F. Sirls of Detroit, facilitator II with the City of Detroit Department of Health and Wellness, was reappointed to represent individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory and mental disabilities for a term expiring September 14, 2007.

The Michigan Rehabilitation Advisory Council reviews, analyzes, and advises Michigan Rehabilitation Services regarding all rehabilitation programs and policies administered in Michigan under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.  This appointment and reappointment are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Controlled Substances Advisory Commission

Claire E. Saadeh, Rp.H. of Dewitt, associate professor in pharmacy practice at Ferris State University, was appointed to represent pharmacologists for a term expiring August 30, 2007.  She succeeds Norman S. Miller whose term has expired.

The Controlled Substances Advisory Commission is responsible for monitoring indicators of controlled substance abuse and diversion, and recommending a plan of action for overcoming such abuse and diversion.
 
This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Ski Area Safety Board

Arnold “Jim” Vander Spoel of Ironwood, director of the ski area management program at Gogebic Community College, was appointed to represent Upper Peninsula general public with ski experience for a term expiring June 8, 2010.  He succeeds Michael Gokey whose term has expired.

Richard D. Starkey of Sanford, former president and CEO of Community Hospital Services, was reappointed to represent Lower Peninsula general public with ski experience for a term expiring June 8, 2010.

The Ski Area Safety Board is responsible for protecting the public by promulgating rules for the safe construction, installation, repair, use, operation, maintenance, and inspection of all ski areas and ski lifts.
 
These appointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Grape and Wine Industry Council

Amanda A. Danielson of Traverse City, proprietor and sommelier of Trattoria Stella, was appointed to represent operators of restaurants that hold a class C license and serve Michigan wines for a term expiring October 9, 2007.  She succeeds Kristin Jonna whose term has expired.

Charles E. Edson, Ph.D. of Okemos, proprietor, wine maker, and viticulturist of Bel Lago Vineyards and Winery, was appointed to represent wine grape growers for a term expiring October 9, 2007.  He succeeds Joseph Herman whose term has expired.

Robert J. Jacobson of Ann Arbor, president of Leelanau Wine Cellars, is appointed to represent wine makers for a term expiring October 9, 2007.  He succeeds Donald Coe who has resigned.

Elizabeth J. Berger of Traverse City, operations manager of Chateau Chantal, was reappointed to represent wine makers for a term expiring October 9, 2007.

David P. Miller, Ph.D. of Lawton, vice president of wine making and viticulture at St. Julian Wine Company, Inc., was reappointed to represent wine makers for a term expiring October 9, 2007.

The Grape and Wine Industry Council is charged with promoting Michigan’s wine and wine grape-growing industries.  Priorities of the council include encouraging growth of the industry, promoting Michigan wines, funding research to support wine grape growing in Michigan, and sponsoring training opportunities for industry development.  The council is funded through non-retail liquor license fees.
 
These appointments and reappointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors

Derek LeCronier of Freeland, farmer, was reappointed to represent producers from the largest Michigan organization representing general farm interests for a term expiring June 20, 2009.

The Farm Produce Insurance Authority Board of Directors was created by the Farm Produce Insurance Act of 2003.  The board is responsible for establishing a new program in which producers of dry beans, grains, or corn could contribute a percentage of their proceeds to a new fund.  The fund will be used to recover any losses caused by a grain dealer’s financial failure.

This reappointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963.  It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.

Posted by fnemecek at 10:32 AM | Permalink

State Representative Shelley Goodman Taub (R-40, Bloomfield Hills) announced this afternoon that her legislation allowing county clerks to perform weddings was signed into law by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI).

Public Act 419 of 2006, formerly House Bill 4086, gives county clerks throughout Michigan the same opportunity that was previously only granted to Wayne County clerks.

"This new law gives clerks throughout the state the chance to perform weddings and gives couples an additional option," explained Taub. "It makes sense that the county clerk, as the chief record keeper and custodian of official county documents, should be able to solemnize marriages.

"This will also provide counties an opportunity to generate funds by performing a needed function."

Taub's bill was approved by both the Michigan House and Senate with strong bipartisan support.

Posted by fnemecek at 04:39 PM | Permalink

The first debate Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) and her Republican challenger Dick DeVos is just a couple of hours away.  With that in mind, here are a few things that we will be looking for.

From Granholm

No one in their right mind could possibly deny that Michigan has some very serious economic problems.  By mere virtue of being the sitting governor, she bears the brunt of responsibility for that - even if there was very little that she could have done to prevent our current problems from happening in the first place.  The military calls it "command responsiblity".  I call it "the voters want to blame somebody."

With that in mind, I expect to see two things from Granholm this evening. 

• Lots of references (either veiled or explicit) to DeVos' connection to Amway;
• An ocassional jab at his inherited wealth and/or the fact that Amway employs fewer people in Michigan today than it did when he took over as the company's president;
  
• Talking up her accomplishments to date and her plans for Michigan's future.

From DeVos

One of the great challenges of anyone trying to unseat an incumbent is trying to show voters what you would do differently if you were in office.  Otherwise, voters are more inclined to go with the candidate they know than the person they don't. 

As a result, I'm looking to see a couple of things from DeVos this evening.

• Lots of references to Michigan being the worst in any given category - personal bankruptcies, job growth, whatever.  If he can figure out a way to make it stick, blame the first few games of the Detroit Lions' season on Granholm;
• If he's smart, he'll use those attacks to their maximum impact by saying something to the effect of "Michigan is the worst at [fill in the blank here].  That's not acceptable and here's what I would have done differently if I was your governor.

Luckily for Granholm, I doubt DeVos is saavy enough to do that.  He'll probably just throw one attack after another at her, and it will probably be the same attacks that Michigan voters have aleady heard a few dozen times.

Of course, if DeVos was really smart, he'll also resist the temptation to defend Amway's reputation during the debate.  Amway, after all, is the proverbial tar baby - the more he touches it, the more it sticks to him and traps him.

When the election is over, he can spend his billions to improve Amway's reputation.  For the time being, however, he's best served avoiding any association with the company that he used to run.  Vice President Dick Cheney (R), for example, used to run Haliburtion - but he never once brought it up during either election because of the negative image the company has in the minds of some Americans.

Amway has that same problem, multiplied by a thousand.

Unfortunately for Republicans, I don't think DeVos is strong enough to resist the temptation. 

Posted by fnemecek at 05:20 PM | Permalink

The National Federation of Independent Business named U.S. Representative Peter Hoekstra (R-2, Holland) a Guardian of Small Business for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners in the 109th Congress.

NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer praised Hoekstra for "standing up for small business,” citing Hoekstra’s 100 percent NFIB voting record. In presenting the group’s coveted “Guardian of Small Business” award, Stottlemyer said, “Small business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses and employees and stand by those who stand for them.”

The NFIB tallied 14 key small business votes in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 1st and 2nd sessions of the 190th Congress. Issues included tax relief, affordable health care, liability reform and regulatory reform. In particular the NFIB considered Hoekstra’s Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act, which would enable small businesses to compete for government contracts that are currently reserved for federal inmates.

In all, NFIB will present Guardian awards to 54 senators and 242 representatives who voted favorably on key small-business issues at least 70% of the time during the 109th Congress.

Posted by fnemecek at 04:21 PM | Permalink

Saulius "Saul" Anuzis, Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, announced last Friday that he was filing a Hatch Act complaint against Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI); claiming that state employees were campaigning for her re-election and doing so on state time.  When Granholm's press secretary Liz Boyd was asked about Anuzis' complaint by Dawson Bell of the Detroit Free Press, she responded by referring to it as "a public relations stunt intended to divert attention from the abysmal record of Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos."

Anuzis responded to by amending his original complaint to include an additional section
to deal with Boyd's comment to the reporter.  He claims that her remarks constitute yet another breach of the Hatch Act.

I know that it's Anuzis' job to get Republican elected and generally cause problems for Democrats, but - quite frankly -  the man seriously needs to get a grip on reality.

Boyd was responding to a question from a reporter.

The simple act of a press secretary responding to a question from a reporter about the operation of state government does not even come close to violating the terms of the Hatch Act.  Answering questions like that one is Boyd's job.

I know that polls for this year's gubernatorial race are looking very, very close.  However, it makes him look down right desperate when he files nonsense complaints like this.

More importantly, it makes me worry about what kind of additional nonsense we're in for over the next 36 days. 

Posted by fnemecek at 10:54 AM | Permalink

State Representative Howard Walker (R-104, Traverse City) announced last Thursday that the village of Kingsley in northern Michigan has secured a $598,000 state grant. These funds will be used to help improve 5,100 feet of water main.

“This is great news for the village of Kingsley to ensure residents have an adequate water supply that is clean, healthy and safe,” expressed Walker. “These improvements to the water system will help growth and development in the community.”

The grant is part of the $15.3 million Infrastructure Capacity Enhancement Program helping 37 communities upgrade existing infrastructure systems that are deteriorating, obsolete or in need of increased capacity.

Priority was given to projects that were ready to begin construction in the immediate future, had sufficient local matching funds, and had complete preliminary cost estimates.  The Kingsley project includes almost $400,000 in additional local funding from the village.

Posted by fnemecek at 10:47 AM | Permalink

 

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D, MI) announced a series of sixteen appointments and reappointments to the Council for Labor and Economic Growth last Friday.  These appointments took effect immediately.

Lizabeth A. Ardisana of Orchard Lake, CEO of ASG Renaissance, was appointed to represent businesses for a term expiring April 30, 2009.  She succeeds Enrique Carrillo who resigned.

Patrick “Shorty” Gleason of Davison, president of the Michigan State Building and Construction Trades Council, was appointed to represent labor organizations for a term expiring April 30, 2010.  He succeeds Thomas Boensch who resigned.

Timothy J. Nelson of Traverse City, president of Northwestern Michigan College, was appointed to represent individuals and organizations that have experience and expertise in the delivery of workforce investment activities for a term expiring April 30, 2010.  He succeeds Richard Pappas who resigned.

Daniel J. Phelan of Jackson, president of Jackson Community College, was appointed to represent individuals and organizations that have experience and expertise in the delivery of workforce investment activities for a term expiring April 30, 2007.  He succeeds Albert Lorenzo who resigned.

Marjorie A. Sorge of Livonia, vice president of corporate communications with Metaldyne, was appointed to represent businesses for a term expiring April 30, 2009.  She succeeds Myra Moreland who resigned.

Patrick D. Cannon of Haslett, State Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator and executive director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind was reappointed to represent additional members for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Norma R. Hagenow of Grand Blanc, president and CEO of Genesys Regional Medical Center, was reappointed to represent businesses for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Dennis W. Hands of Rochester Hills, business representative and freight coordinator with Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43, was reappointed to represent labor organizations for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Janet Joseph of Howell, co-owner of Dunnage Engineering, Inc, was reappointed to represent businesses for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Alan A. Low of Brighton, president and CEO of Dynalectric of Michigan, was reappointed to represent business for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Sharon C. Peters of Lansing, president and CEO of Michigan’s Children, was reappointed to represent individuals and organizations that have experience with respect to youth activities for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Eugene W. Pierce of Birch Run, assistant superintendent of Tuscola Intermediate School District, was reappointed to represent individuals and organizations that have experience and expertise in the delivery of workforce investment activities for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Hubert Price, Jr. of Pontiac, president of Synergistics Consulting, was reappointed to represent businesses for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Jaye N. Shamisddeen of Lansing, state director for the Department of Labor and Economic Growth - Rehabilitation Services, was reappointed to represent additional members for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

Mary Thornton of Grosse Pointe Shores, general director of operations for General Motors University, was reappointed to represent businesses for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

George W. Yost of Midland was reappointed to represent additional members for a term expiring April 30, 2010.

The Council for Labor and Economic Growth is an ongoing strategic advising body that encourages and stimulates innovative public and private responses to workforce challenges.  Members work to develop policies and help implement programs that shape a flexible 21st century workforce that meets the needs of Michigan’s businesses, allowing them to successfully compete in the global marketplace today and in the future.  The council is an action-oriented board with the ability to not only recommend changes but to ensure their implementation.  The council also serves as the state workforce investment board required by the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 29 USC 2821.
 
These appointments and reappointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

Posted by fnemecek at 10:35 AM | Permalink