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Upcoming SEMCOG Universities focus on topics relevant to local elected officials Battling Foreclosures: What can elected officials do? — Wednesday, January 30, 2008, 9 a.m.-noon (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.), SEMCOG Ambassador Room (third floor of Buhl Building, 535 Griswold, Detroit). With housing foreclosures growing daily in Southeast Michigan, local governments are left to address the impact of foreclosed homes, displaced residents, and limited resources. Understanding the significant impact foreclosures and the resulting vacancies have on neighborhood vitality is essential for local officials, as they identify actions to assist in tackling some of the effects. This SEMCOG University aims to educate local officials on policies and programs being implemented by certain communities and the need to advocate for policies to help reverse the rising trend of foreclosures in Southeast Michigan. Get nutty, go native: The benefits of native landscaping — Thursday, February 7, 2008, 9 a.m.-noon (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.), SEMCOG Ambassador Room (third floor of Buhl Building, 535 Griswold, Detroit). At the request of our members who attended the Phase II Landscaping Workshop series in 2006, SEMCOG has developed this workshop to address the benefits and design specifications of using native plants in municipal landscapes. The keynote speaker will be Bill Schneider of Wildtype native plant nursery. He will discuss design schematics, proper maintenance activities, and how to select and purchase native plants responsibly. Three communities will discuss their experiences with incorporating native plants into municipal landscapes. Let’s get physical: The benefits of promoting active communities — Wednesday, February 20, 2008, 4-6:30 p.m. Local elected officials can impact the quality of life for residents by promoting physically active communities. Representatives from three Southeast Michigan communities who have received awards for excellence in this initiative will share their best practices. Sarah Panken of the Michigan Fitness Foundation will also be on hand to describe how local elected officials can make changes to their policies, promotion strategies, and the physical design of their communities to make it easier for community residents to be physically active. Please watch upcoming issues of Regional Update for information on the location of this workshop. SEMCOG University workshops are free-of-charge for SEMCOG members and partners; there is a $75 charge for nonmember local governments. Seating is limited. You can register online at www.semcog.org via the SEMCOG Calendar. Contact: Amanda Polanco, SEMCOG U Registrar, to RSVP.
View highlights of Executive Committee on SEMCOG's Web site Highlights of SEMCOG's December 7 Executive Committee can now be viewed on SEMCOG’s Web site. From the home page, link to News & Notices in the upper bar, then look for the link in the right column. Highlights include a presentation from Ted Wahby, Macomb County Treasurer, and Jerry Moffit Macomb County Chief Deputy Director, on the foreclosure problem in Michigan and how their county has addressed the tax foreclosure component of this issue. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Director.
CEDAC continues its focus on county economic development on January 11 SEMCOG’s Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee (CEDAC) will focus on the role of counties in addressing economic hardships facing Southeast Michigan at its January 11, 2007 meeting. Dave Tyler, Deputy Director of Wayne County's Department of Economic Development, will present the county's economic development strategy including plans for the Aerotropolis project. In addition, Mark Denson from the Detroit Regional Chamber will speak on the economic impact of the Auto Show and other major events going on this year in the region. Please note that this CEDAC meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and take place at the Wayne County building located at 600 Randolph in Detroit. Contact: Naheed Huq, SEMCOG Community and Economic Development Manager.
SEMCOG promotes state gas tax increase SEMCOG will continue to press the issue of road funding in 2008. Given the current state of Southeast Michigan’s transportation needs and the precipitous decline in funds available, we must find additional revenue to fund our roads and transit. Additional information on this issue can be found at www.semcog.org, under Planning Issues and in the Winter 2007 issue of SEMscope. Additional copies are available upon request. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Communications Director.
SEMCOG’s RideShare program hits the road On December 13, 2007, RideShare, along with SMART and Michivan, visited Delphi Corporation’s R&D, engineering, and business operations center in Auburn Hills, to encourage and promote available carpool, vanpool, and transit options for employees. This year, Southeast Michigan commuters set record highs in ridesharing. Many of these commuters also benefited from the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, which reimburses taxi fare should an emergency arise during the workday and there is a need to get home in a hurry. SEMCOG will also promote the benefits of the RideShare program at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center on Wednesday, January 23, 2007. Stop by our booth to learn more about the program, along with information about traffic crashes, transportation careers, and driver safety. Contact: Iris Steinberg, SEMCOG Senior Outreach Specialist.
MDEQ extends public comment period on draft Phase II stormwater permits At SEMCOG's request, the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is extending the public comment period of the Phase II stormwater permits and will continue meeting with SEMCOG members on this issue. The public comment period will now end on January 31, 2008. SEMCOG has been facilitating a focus group of permittees to guide our advocacy with MDEQ in late December. Contact: Chuck Hersey, SEMCOG Environment Manager.
MDOT seeks public comment on draft 2008-2012 transportation program The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking public comment on its draft 2008-2012 Five-Year Transportation Program. The Five-Year Transportation Program is a continuous, interactive dialogue with the department's customers and stakeholders. It documents the road and public transportation projects MDOT will implement. The draft 2008-2012 Five-Year Transportation Program and comment form are available on the MDOT Web site. Contact: Bill Shreck, MDOT Director of Communications, 517-335-3084.
New SEMCOG members SEMCOG welcomes two new members. The Village of Wolverine Lake (Oakland County) and Kimball Township (St. Clair County) bring SEMCOG membership to 155. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager. Best wishes from SEMCOG for a safe and happy holiday season.
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