A public workshop is approaching to help guide the future of downtown Whitmore Lake.
Northfield Townshipâs Community Park Master Plan Public Workshop will be held Tuesday, January 17th. The township purchased 23 acres of land adjacent to the Post Office in downtown Whitmore Lake and officials say now it's now time to plan for the future of downtown. Attendees are being invited to collaborate on the future of downtown Whitmore Lake, lakefront access, development options and public amenities at the Northfield Community Park site. Tuesdayâs meeting will begin at 7pm at the Northfield Township offices, located at 8350 Main Street in Whitmore Lake.
Those looking to attend are asked to RSVP by calling and leaving a voicemail with their name and number of attendees. To RSVP, please call 734-449-2880 ext. 25. More information is included in the link provided. (JM)
Northfield Community Park Master Plan Public Workshop Tuesday Northfield Community Park Master Plan Public Workshop Tuesday
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Flu Activity Appears Average In Livingston County, Up Statewide Flu Activity Appears Average In Livingston County, Up Statewide
Michigan is experiencing an increase in flu activity, which state officials say is not uncommon for January, but itâs a good reminder that it's not too late to get vaccinated.
An uptick in flu activity is being reported in Michigan, with 94 lab-confirmed cases statewide. Health Promotion Coordinator Chelsea Moxlow with the Livingston County Health Department says itâs looking like average flu activity locally so far this season. She tells WHMI Livingston County has had several Influenza A cases and a few individuals are hospitalized currently. She is prevented from elaborating on the individual cases but tells WHMI the good news is that the vaccine does seem like a good match for the strains of influenza theyâre seeing circulate this year. As for the confirmed statewide cases, 82 were Influenza A and 12 were influenza B.
Moxlow reminds individuals to wash their hands regularly, cover coughs or sneezes and if sick, stay home from school or work so the infection isnât passed around. She notes that itâs not too late to get vaccinated, as the flu season really lasts until spring. Multiple flu-shot options are available through various providers and the Livingston County Health Department provides the flu vaccine on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 4:30 with extended hours on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month. Details can be found through the link provided. (JM)
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Project Opiate To Present "A Parent's Perspective" During February Event Project Opiate To Present "A Parent's Perspective" During February Event
Most everyone knows someone affected by opiate addiction and an event in February will offer a powerful message to the local community.
Project Opiate is presenting âA Parentâs Perspective Focusing on Collaboration and Hopeâ. Project Opiate has been focused on prevention and educating the community about prescription opiates and heroin for six years now. During the event, a few speakers will tell their stories of addiction and recovery while four parents will share how their lives have been affected with their child and addiction. Finally, local law enforcement will detail how theyâre trying to work with the community.
53rd District Court Administrator Francine Zysk co-founded Project Opiate and says with parents, itâs more of a support system than a stigma system. Zysk tells WHMI itâs not just heroin as prescription drug use is rampant across the board. When Project Opiate started in the Livingston County Jail and local schools, Zysk says there were very few parents that came forward but that has changed significantly with many creating advocacy groups to share their stories. She says parents donât have the denial like they used to because it has affected so many in the community and now want their voices to be heard for others. Zysk says there is a strong support system within the community and criminal justice system and anyone who knows someone affected by or suffering from opiate addiction is invited to hear the message.
The event will take place on February 15th at 7pm at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Brighton. Organizations or agencies interested in having a table at the event are encouraged to contact Zysk at 517-540-7637 or Fzysk@livgov.com. (JM)
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Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman To Retire Brighton Police Chief Tom Wightman To Retire
The Brighton Police chief is retiring and officials say heâs been a transformational leader during his time with the City.
Police Chief Tom Wightman will be retiring on January 26th after 11 ½ years of leading the department, saying his time with the Brighton Police Department has been the most rewarding of his career. The Chief's retirement will conclude 38 years in law enforcement, including 24 years with the City of Royal Oak Police Department and three years with the Michigan Department of Corrections. The City says the department has seen tremendous growth and improvement in training techniques, technology, and involvement in the community under Wightmanâs leadership. Staff describe him as a mentor and someone ââ¦who is always looking out for his officers.â Mayor Jim Muzzin says Chief Wightman's integrity and steady leadership will leave a lasting impact on everyone who worked with him and they are extremely thankful for his years of service to the City of Brighton.
Chief Wightman currently has no plans to take on other employment after retirement, saying he has many years of accumulated projects at home to keep him busy. Deputy Chief Rob Bradford, a 20-year veteran of the Brighton Police Department, will serve as acting chief immediately following Wightman's retirement.
The complete press release issued by the City about Wightman's pending retirement is attached. (JM)
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Oak Park Man Bound Over In B&E Case At Local Cell Phone Store Oak Park Man Bound Over In B&E Case At Local Cell Phone Store
An Oak Park man has been over to circuit court on charges related to break-ins at two Livingston County stores.
29-year-old Kyle Wimbush and 33-year-old Arthur Williams were initially charged with one count each of breaking and entering and possession of burglary tools for the break-ins at the Sprint store in Brighton and Target store in Hartland Township. An additional charge of breaking and entering a building intent was later filed against each and Wimbush recently waived his preliminary exam, sending his case to Livingston County Circuit Court for trial. Future dates are pending.
Brighton Police responded to an alarm at the Sprint store on Movie Drive around 3:30am on October 31st and found a large rock had been thrown through the window. Numerous cell phones were stolen. About a half hour later, the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department responded to an alarm at the Target store on M-59 and also found a rock had been thrown through the door with several Xbox game consoles stolen. Suspect and vehicle descriptions were obtained by Target security and a be-on-the-lookout advisory was issued. A State Police unit spotted a vehicle matching the description and pulled it over on southbound US-23 near I-96, where a search turned up merchandise stolen in both break-ins. (JM)
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Livingston Transportation Summit Set For TuesdayLivingston Transportation Summit Set For Tuesday
An event is set Tuesday in Howell aiming to help shape the future of public transportation in Livingston County.
The Livingston Transportation Summit will take place at the Cleary University Johnson Center in Howell on Tuesday from 8am to noon. Itâs hosted by the Livingston County Transportation Coalition, which is made up of several local stakeholders and organizations. Coalition Chair Dr. Leo Hanifin tells WHMI theyâre trying to attract anyone who feels there could be better transportation services in the county. Hanifin says there are a myriad of groups that would benefit from an expansion of transportation services in the county, including employees, students, anyone with a physical condition that prevents them from driving, commuters dealing with traffic or seniors who want to âage in placeâ but not be stranded in their homes if they canât drive anymore.
Paul Childs, the Chief Operating Officer for the M1 Rail in Downtown Detroit will be the keynote speaker and offer perspective on the project, which Hanifin noted is the only modern transit being built in Southeast Michigan right now. The deliberations and discussions will ultimately be captured in a report to help guide future planning of transportation services. There is no charge to attend the Livingston Transportation Summit but those interested are asked to RSVP. Details are available through the link below. (JK)
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Brighton Business Cornerstone Bernie Corrigan Passes Away At 83Brighton Business Cornerstone Bernie Corrigan Passes Away At 83
A cornerstone of the Brighton business community has passed away.
Bernie Corrigan, the founder of Corrigan Oil Company, died unexpectedly Sunday at his Brighton Township home. He was 83. Corrigan began the family business in 1958 with a gas station and through the years grew the Corrigan Oil Company into gas and fuel oil delivery, towing services, construction and ownership of several convenience stores. Pam McConeghy, the Executive Director of the Greater Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce, is also a family friend. She tells WHMI that Corrigan's impact is far-reaching. "Bernie was a one-of-a-kind individual...and was probably one of the first entrepreneurs in the area. I loved the guy very, very much. He was family to me. I spent a lot of time with Bernie and I was with him the evening before he passed so it was a great shock when his son Tim called me."
The one-time Brighton Township supervisor was a long-time member of the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and Brighton VFW. Arrangements are being handled through the Keehn Funeral Home in Brighton. Corrigan is survived by his wife Bonnie, sons Tim and Mike, and four grandchildren. Visitation for Corrigan will take place Tuesday from 2-4pm and then from 6-8pm at the First United Methodist Church of Brighton. Services will then be held there on Wednesday at 11am. (JK)
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Freezing Rain Causes Plane To Skid Off Runway At Livingston County AirportFreezing Rain Causes Plane To Skid Off Runway At Livingston County Airport
A jet airplane skidded off the runway this morning at the Livingston County Airport, leaving the plane in pieces and the pilot shaken-up, but otherwise uninjured.
Howell Mayor Nick Proctor was on his way to a Howell Rotary meeting this morning, which was being held at the EMS Center on Tooley Road, next to the airport. He tells WHMI that as he drove down M-59 toward Tooley Road, he saw a plane skidding off the runway at the Livingston County Airport. He says it skidded across Tooley Road, ripping the wings off, which then exploded. The fuselage continued on for another 30 yards into a field. Proctor says he ran over to the two-engine jet and saw a hand waving from the cockpit, which was upside down. He and two other bystanders helped him out. The pilot was the only one on board and other than a cut to his head, was okay. The pilot said he had flown in from New York state. Proctor says after first-responders arrived on the scene, he continued on to the Rotary meeting. A representative of the Federal Aviation Administration was on the scene of the crash.
Meanwhile, Livingston County Central Dispatch says most of the accidents are centered in an area around the intersection of I-96 and US-23. The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Rain Advisory for Southeast Michigan until 2am Tuesday, with steady rain expected while temperatures remain below 32 degrees. Picture courtesy of Brent Earl.
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Freezing Rain Causes Plane To Skid Off Runway At Livingston County AirportFreezing Rain Causes Plane To Skid Off Runway At Livingston County Airport
A jet airplane skidded off the runway this morning at the Livingston County Airport, leaving the plane in pieces and the pilot shaken-up, but with just minor injuries.
Howell Mayor Nick Proctor says he was on his way to a Howell Rotary meeting this morning, which was being held at the EMS Center on Tooley Road, next to the Livingston County Airport. He tells WHMI that as he approached the airport, he saw a plane skidding off the runway, proceed across Tooley Road and through a fence, which ripped its wings off. He says the wings then exploded. The fuselage continued on for another 30 yards into a field. Proctor says he and two other bystanders ran over to the two-engine jet and saw a hand waving from the cockpit, which was upside down. They then helped the pilot out. The man was the only one on board, and other than a cut to his head, was okay. The pilot said he had flown in from New York state and was the owner of the aircraft. Proctor says after first-responders arrived on the scene, he continued on to the Rotary meeting. Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy says the pilot was taken to the University of Michigan Medical Center for further evaluation. He says they received the initial call at 11:59am. A representative of the Federal Aviation Administration, who lives in the area, was on the scene of the crash within half an hour. Murphy says any details about the crash itself or the investigation will have to come from the FAA. The aircraft has since been identified by the Sheriff's Office as a Textron 525C commuter jet. The pilot is a 60 year old male from Batavia, NY. The press release is below.
The National Weather Service has issued a Freezing Rain Advisory for Southeast Michigan until 2am Tuesday, with steady rain expected while temperatures remain below 32 degrees. (JK)
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Empty Bowls Project Wraps Up MLK Events in MilfordEmpty Bowls Project Wraps Up MLK Events in Milford
Two community organizations came together yesterday afternoon in Milford to benefit local residents in need.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become a day to kick off an annual campaign to raise funds for the Community Sharing Outreach Center in Highland. The start of the Empty Bowls Painting Project was held at the Suzanne Haskew Arts Center as part of the MLK Day National Day of Service. Community Sharing volunteer Doris Landry-Kruse says the event in Milford is a grass roots effort. She says the bowls could be painted either freehand or with a stencil, and then were taken home as a reminder of the donation, which could feed a hungry child. She says Community Sharing uses 90 cents of every dollar donated for emergency assistance and food. She says the event is connected to the Martin Luther King Day because of its effort to be of service to the community.
Landry-Kruse says for the past three years the Milford and Highland communities have come together to paint glass soup bowls, which are then used as entry into a soup supper called The Main Event, set for November 5th at Bakerâs of Milford. She says over the next few months there will be several opportunities to paint the empty bowls, the proceeds from which are used to stock the Community Sharing Outreach Center pantry. Along with the Empty Bowls there were opportunities to paint âPeace Plates,â in honor of the MLK holiday, and young people helped bundle personal items for those in need.
Chair of the Milford MLK Day Committee, Isaac Perry says the two events fit well together. He says the Empty Bowls Paint Party is a great way to provide a service to the community in honor of the day designated as a national day of service. Anyone wishing to get involved as a sponsor or by hosting a bowl painting party can contact Community Sharing at 248-880-0347, or by email at 2017emptybowl@gmail.com. (DS)
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Difffering Views Emerge On Proposed Sewer Rate Increase Difffering Views Emerge On Proposed Sewer Rate Increase
Individuals involved in litigation with Brighton Township over sewer issues again made their opinions known while a former police chief offered his.
A recent study determined that rates for sewer operations and maintenance need to be increased, with funds set aside in case of a major system component failure. Various options were presented to the utilities committee last week but members took a different path completely. The committee voted to recommend that the board utilize $200,000 in general fund monies to cover legal fees associated with a lawsuit filed against the township by some of its users.
The group of sewer users involved in litigation with the township have long stated theyâre being forced to pay excessive fees for the unused portion of a sewer system that was overbuilt and is only operating at 43% of capacity. Mike Palmer criticized the board during Monday nightâs meeting for looking to increase rates on original sewer users once again. He stated the board created this madness and it still goes on to this very day - 16 years later because the board failed to fix it as elected officials. He says they are not responsible for paying the entire debt, hence the lawsuit, telling the board âthis is what you get because of your stupidity and incompetenceâ. Palmer says the system is an entire township asset across the board that was over-built by 60% and residents did not agree to it. He says there were two classes created by the board: the privileged that are not on the system on the other side of I-96 and the under-privileged or those who got forced on 16 years ago.
Retired Green Oak Township Police Chief Robert Brookins offered remarks as a resident taxpayer during the meeting but first clarified that he had a no part in the original sewer construction decision and is not a user of the system. Brookins told the board there are many residents who pay taxes to support the general fund and would like that same general fund to pay for positive, community options rather than any litigation costs. He says the committeeâs recent recommendation essentially wants him and other non-users to financially supplement the cost of litigation some users initiated. Brookins stated the sewer users involved in litigation are basically asking all township taxpayers to help fix the issue, which Brookins says is ânot right and it truly isnât fairâ.
The township board did not offer any comments on the utilities committee recommendation but is expected to again discuss the proposed sewer rate increase at a future budget workshop on January 23rd at 7pm. (JM)
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Brighton Township Board Offers Moment Of Silence For Late Bernie Corrigan Brighton Township Board Offers Moment Of Silence For Late Bernie Corrigan
A moment of silent was offered up during a board meeting Monday in memory of a well-known man in the Brighton area who started his family business with a single service station and one tow truck.
Bernie Corrigan, the founder of Corrigan Oil Company, passed away unexpectedly Sunday at his Brighton Township home. He was 83. The one-time Brighton Township supervisor was a long-time member of the Brighton Area Chamber of Commerce and Brighton VFW.
During Monday nightâs Brighton Township board meeting, Supervisor Patrick Michel devoted a moment of silence in remembrance of Corrigan. Michel asked that the board take 30-seconds of silence in recognition of the late Corrigan â saying he was a member of the board, a businessman and donor who benefited the community in countless ways.
Arrangements are being handled through the Keehn Funeral Home in Brighton. Visitation for Corrigan will take place today from 2-4pm and then from 6-8pm at the First United Methodist Church of Brighton. Thatâs where funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11am. (JM)
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Howell Mayor Among Those Who Helped Pilot To Safety After CrashHowell Mayor Among Those Who Helped Pilot To Safety After Crash
Howellâs mayor led an unusual welcoming committee for one out of town man after his small commuter jet skidded off a runway and caught fire at the Livingston County Airport.
Sheriff's officials say the pilot, identified as a 60-year-old from Batavia, New York, lost control of his Textron 525C two-engine jet on Monday just before noon as he attempted to land at the Spencer J. Hardy Airport in Howell Township. The pilot, who was the only person aboard, escaped any serious injuries. One of those who helped him out of the wreckage was Howell Mayor Nick Proctor (pictured in foreground), who told WHMI he was on his way to a Rotary meeting when he saw the plane go off the runway and through a fence, which ripped off the wings and caused the fire. Proctor says he and others helped the pilot get out of the fuselage, which escaped the fire.
It's not clear what caused the aircraft to lose control. Officials say the accident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. Picture courtesy of Nicole Engerer. (JK)
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Local Nonprofit Hopes Grant Will Help With Children's ProgramLocal Nonprofit Hopes Grant Will Help With Children's Program
A local non-profit received a grant from the Masonic Charitable Foundation to help develop services for special needs children in Livingston County.
Excel Employment Options in Howell received $20,000, which it will use to hire a specialist to develop its childrenâs autism support program. Excel Program Director Natasha Doan-Motsinger says they currently offer services for adults in Livingston, Washtenaw and Oakland Counties to help them gain the skills needed for paid employment. She says in January of last year the state extended the age that Medicaid will cover services for children from age 6 up to age 21. She says they want to fill a need. She says Medicaid used to only pay for ADA services for children up to age 6, but as of January 1st last year they extended it to age 21, which left a huge gap in services.
Doan-Motsinger says all of the children can now have access to great services, but there are not enough programs for all of them and there are waiting lists. She says the state as a whole has been trying to meet the needs of all of the children who qualify for services, but there are not enough providers, so they hope to help fill that gap. Doan-Motsinger says the funds will be used to hire a board certified behavior analyst who will provide services to the children. She says although the grant will not cover all of the expense, it will help bring that person on to develop the program and the rest of the salary will be made up through billable services. Doan-Motsinger says unlike the adult services, which help lead to employment, childrenâs services can be anything from toilet-training to learning to communicate with their parents. She says it will depend on the needs of the child and their age, but older children will also be able to learn skills to help them gain employment.
Doan-Motsinger says she hopes to have the program up and running within this year. For more information about the services they provide, click the link on our website. Doan-Motsinger says they will also be participating in Community Connect on February 4th at Parker Middle School. (DS)
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Fights At Howell High School Prompt Parent Letter From Principal Fights At Howell High School Prompt Parent Letter From Principal
The Howell Public Schools district is setting the record straight following misinformation circulating around the community and on social media.
A letter to parents was sent out Monday by Howell High School Principal Jason Schrock following four physical altercations on school grounds toward the end of last week. Schrock said he was taking the opportunity to share the facts after having seen social media portray the school to be a place akin to a scene from âLord of the Fliesâ, noting some embellished the number of fights to as many as 13. Schrock says unfortunately, at times, young adults make poor decisions resulting in physical altercations and they have not had more this year than any other. However, he commented that having three fights in one day is highly unusual.
Schrock called the behavior unacceptable and a disruption to the learning environment, adding he was saddened to know that there were students in the area who recorded the altercations instead of stepping in or seeking assistance from a staff member. Schrock says they have also heard but not witnessed that some students posted on various social media sites when a fight will occur. He says they canât monitor the social media activity of 2,500 students but if a student were to see something like this shared on social media, the hope and expectation would be they bring it to the attention of a trusted adult to respond appropriately.
In response to the recent events, there will be an increase in adult visibility this week at Howell High School, along with reminders to students regarding behavior expectations. The administrative team will also be meeting with student leaders to gain their perspective and suggestions on the recent events. The letter goes on with detailed information for parents about talking with students as well as policies and procedures. It can be viewed in the attachment. (JM)
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Oakland University Opens Up Mike Rogers Congressional CollectionOakland University Opens Up Mike Rogers Congressional Collection
Documents covering the 14-year career of former Congressman Mike Rogers have been officially made available to the public.
Officials from Oakland University in Rochester Hills gathered last week in the Kresge Libraryâs Nyberg Room to mark the formal opening of the Michael J. Rogers Congressional Collection. Rogers, a Howell native who also served the area as a state senator before election to Congress in 2000, was present for the event. He called it, âa body of work that represents America going through change,â referring to the focus to national security issues that marked most of his congressional tenure following the 9/11 attacks. Rogers eventually rose to become the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
Consisting of 11 boxes of documents and photos, 215 artifacts, and more than 27,000 digital files, the collection was acquired by Oakland University in 2015. The universityâs website says the collection has great research value for historians and other scholars with access to discussions about issues ranging from Rogersâ fight to ban Canadian trash from Michiganâs landfills to the first of the congressional hearings on Benghazi. After leaving Congress in 2015, Rogers has become a regular national security contributor on CNN. (JK)
Pictured: Former Congressman Mike Rogers, OU President George Hynd and University Libraries Dean Stephen Weiter as they examine part of the newly opened collection. Courtesy of Oakland University.
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$10,000 In Scholarships Being Offered To High School Seniors$10,000 In Scholarships Being Offered To High School Seniors
Livingston County high school seniors have an opportunity to apply for a share of $10,000 in scholarships being provided by a local bank.
First National Bankâs 2017 Community Scholarship Program is underway and will award 10 local students with $1,000 each to use towards a college or vocational education. The scholarship opportunity is available to all seniors regardless of whether they attend public, private, charter, or home schools. Selection criteria is focused on academics, with a 3.0 minimum GPA required, community service participation, a written essay, and recommendation letters.
Completed applications are due by March 24th, and the recipients will be announced at the various schools scholarship events and at a dinner hosted by the bank for the award winners, their family, and invited guests. Applications are available online through the link below or from high school counselors. (MK)
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Transportation Summit Takes a Look at County's NeedsTransportation Summit Takes a Look at County's Needs
Business leaders, citizens and other stakeholders gathered Tuesday morning at Cleary University to talk about transportation issues.
The Transportation Coalition of Livingston County held a summit to talk about what can be done to improve public transportation, and work on a collective vision for the countyâs transportation future. The summit included keynote speaker Paul Childs, the Chief Operating Officer of the M-1 Rail who talked about that system and what something similar could mean for Livingston County residents. Coalition Chair Dr. Leo Hanifin tells WHMI the summit is just the beginning and will be followed up with more in-depth planning. He says one of the major concerns is getting employees to work. He says one big concern is that there are unemployed people here in the county who can't get to jobs that are available and begging for applicants.
Hanifin says several employers spoke up saying there are several people from different parts of the county that have a need for jobs. He says that includes people who don't have a car, those who don't have a license or that have some form of disability that keeps them from driving. He says people are anxious to get to work, and the companies are anxious to hire them.
Hanifin says in mid-February the coalition will submit a proposal for funding for $150,000 just for planning. He says the planning phase will take into consideration various modes of transportation, where and when it will run and how much it will cost to build. Hanifin says the coalition has a vision for what it would like to see happen, but wants stakeholders and community members to provide their input. He says once planning is underway the coalition will take a look at where people live, work and attend school to decide whether busses, vans, or even a light rail system would be most appropriate. He says other communities hold transportation discussions on a regular basis, but in Livingston County there have been no conversations for at least 10 years. Hanifin says the group would like to see Livingston County have what other communities have and often take for granted. Breakout sessions gave the hundred or so attending the opportunity to prioritize what they saw as the greatest needs and then talk about the impacts to the county. Hanifin invited anyone interested in the planning to join the transportation coalition. He can be contacted by email at leo.hanifin@UDMercy.edu. (DS)
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Hamburg Twp. Considers Breaking Away from County Building Dept. Hamburg Twp. Considers Breaking Away from County Building Dept.
Mackinnon and Associates, Hamburg Townshipâs planning consultants, recently proposed that it also provide building dept. services such as performing new housing inspections and issuing building permits.
As a result, the township invited the county building dept. to state its case for continued services. Livingston County Building Official Jim Rowell told the board that the county building dept. provides lower rates and more efficient services than private consultants, adding that it lowered fees by 25% in 2016 and might lower them again this year. Township Supervisor Pat Hohl tells WHMI that the board will look at all the issues involved in deciding whether to stay with the county or go with a consultant such as Mackinnon to provide such services.
A large group of home builders in the county showed up at the meeting to voice their support for the county building dept. One of them was Steve Gronow, who â like the others â had high praise for the dept. administered by Rowell. Gronow said if it were up to him, he would stay with the county for building dept. services rather than switching to a consulting firm. In his presentation, Rowell said the county building dept. has a staff of 25 who provide construction-related services for 16 cities, villages and townships in the county. Rowell told the board that the county building dept. doesnât cost the county anything because it is an enterprise fund that operates on permit fees alone.
The only municipalities in Livingston County that do not utilize its services are Green Oak and Howell townships. The decision on whether to stay with the county or switch to a private company will be held at a meeting on March 23rd. (TT)
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Snyder's State Of The State "Solid" But Lacking Flint FocusSnyder's State Of The State "Solid" But Lacking Flint Focus
Local Democrats and Republicans are weighing in on Governor Rick Snyderâs State of the State address and neither appeared too impressed with progress related to the Flint lead-tainted water crisis.
The Tuesday night speech was the 7th delivered by the Republican Governor, who commented Michigan was a broken state before 2010 and has come a long way, pointing to the stateâs balanced budget and best practices. He hinted at changes coming in healthcare at the federal level and touted the stateâs Healthy Michigan program as an example to follow. Governor Snyder also noted a desire to expand programs such as the MI Hidden Talent Tour, which helps employ individuals with disabilities, and the need to take better care of Veterans.
Republican Senator Joe Hune of Iosco Township felt the best way to describe the speech was solid, meaning there was nothing extremely earth shattering or ground breaking in his opinion, such as no huge tax cuts or programs. Hune felt Governor Snyder touched on issues that needed to be talked about, such as Flint and the work that remains to be done. Hune told WHMI although lead levels are getting better, from his perspective; progress has still been too slow. He said it was good to hear the governor compliment and talk about the agricultural economy â an area heâs passionate about â but also all of the new private sector jobs since the upturn in the economy. While he felt it was a decent speech, there was one topic absent Hune was interested to hear. Hune says the Legislature has pitched the elimination of the state income tax and expects as they go forward, there will be some long term phase out so he would have liked to have heard the Governor embrace that.
Vice Chair of Strategy for the Livingston County Democratic Party Dan Luria found it galling Snyder referred to Flint as a âsad chapterâ but fails to see itâs his program of emergency managers and relentless cost cutting behind it, adding he had the gall to take credit for the small improvements made in Flint so far. Luria told WHMI he thinks we have every reason to expect more Flint scenarios and sink holes such as the recent one in Fraser that prompted evacuations. He commented the Republican Legislature is more and more averse to raising taxes for anything but the stuff that would really make a difference will require a lot of resources â referring to infrastructure such as roads, sewers and gas lines. He says projects get done piecemeal because there is no overall, integrated well-funded plan to fix things once and for all. While the Governor tried to put a positive spin on working with local governments when talking about billions of dollars in unfunded liability, Luria feels it really just offers a glimpse into the agenda for the coming year to go after local public employee pensions and retiree healthcare.
As for other components of the speech, Governor Snyder talked about the need to bring employers and others to Michigan, create job opportunities and provide better training. He cautioned about legacy liability in municipalities across the state, referring to unfunded retiree healthcare and pensions. Other topics included improving community and police relations, better protections for wetlands and the environment, and expanding programs in prisons to equip returning citizens vocational skills and better job opportunities. (JM)
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