Vol. 11, No. 12

June 5, 2006

General Assembly meets on June 22
Please note early start time of 4 p.m.

The General Assembly (GA) of SEMCOG will meet on Thursday, June 22, 2006, at the Hotel Pontchartrain (2 Washington Boulevard, Detroit), beginning at an earlier-than-usual time of 4 p.m.

Tim Skubick, anchor of the weekly public television series, "Off the Record" since 1975 and the longest-serving member of the state capitol press corps, will engage the audience in a lively discussion of the upcoming November elections.

In addition, a status report on the Ann Arbor to Detroit transit study will be presented, focusing on the five alternative routes; opportunities for public input; and the consensus-building process. It is anticipated that formal action on this study will be taken at the October 2006 General Assembly meeting.

SEMCOG will present its Regional Ambassador Awards, elect officers and delegates-at-large for 2006-2007, and review 2005-2006 accomplishments.

Bloc caucuses will meet prior to the GA, beginning at 3 p.m., to elect the important positions of Bloc Chairs and Vice Chairs, and members of the Regional Clearinghouse Review Committee and the Transportation Improvement Program Development Committee.

The Past Chairs' Reception will follow the meeting (at approximately 5:30 p.m.) and will be held at the Top of the Pontch. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager.

 

Nominating Committee recommends slate of officers

SEMCOG's Nominating Committee — Township Bloc representative Richard Henningsen, Northville Township Treasurer; County Bloc representative Joan Flynn, Macomb County Commissioner; City and Village Bloc representative Ronald Gillham, Huntington Woods Mayor; and Education Bloc representative Max McCullough, Macomb ISD Board of Education Vice President — have recommended the following slate of SEMCOG officers:

• Chair – John Jones, Ira Township Supervisor;
• First Vice Chair – William Roberts, Walled Lake Mayor;
• Vice Chair – Mary Blackmon, Wayne County RESA Board of Education Vice President;
• Vice Chair – Robert Cannon, Clinton Township Supervisor;
• Vice Chair – Philip Cavanagh, Wayne County Commissioner; and
• Vice Chair – Robert Hison, St. Clair Shores Mayor.

Officers will be elected at the June 22 General Assembly. Delegates can also recommend an officer candidate from the floor at the meeting. Contact: Kathleen Lomako, SEMCOG Depute Executive Director.

 

Water Week is June 3-11

SEMCOG and the Southeast Michigan Partners for Clean Water announce the second annual Water Week in Southeast Michigan will take place from June 3-11, 2006. This year, for the first time, a gubernatorial proclamation extends Water Week to a statewide event in "support of the tremendous outreach efforts of so many organizations working together to protect our water resources for the citizens of Michigan."

During Water Week, we celebrate, learn about, and enhance our region's and the state's abundant water resources through recreation, education, and stewardship activities. Water Week activities in Southeast Michigan will include Rouge Rescue on June 3, River Day events in the Clinton River Watershed on June 10, Livingston County Waterfest on June 10, St. Clair County River Day on June 10, and River Day in Macomb County on June 10. Examples of activities include river and stream cleanups, fishing events, nature walks, and river crossing sign installation. Local communities are encouraged to sponsor an event during Water Week. Water Week events are listed on www.semcog.org. Click on the "Ours to Protect" logo on the home page, then the Water Week logo toward the bottom. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.

 

Sewer grant application available at www.semcog.org

Many SEMCOG members are facing a dilemma — how can they afford needed improvements to their aging sewer infrastructure during these difficult economic times? The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is now offering sewer system improvement grants of up to $1 million to local governments. These grants can be used to cover the cost of developing a State Revolving Fund (SRF) or Strategic Water Quality Initiatives Fund (SWQIF) loan application, including project planning, design services, and developing a user charge system. More information, including the grant application is available at www.semcog.org; look for the Sewer Grants Available link under Planning Issues on the home page. Contact: Chip Heckathorn, MDEQ, (517) 373-4725.

 

CEDAC focuses on Downtown Development Authorities on June 9

SEMCOG's Community and Economic Development Advisory Council (CEDAC) will focus on downtowns at its Friday, June 9, 2006 meeting. Daniel Dalton, from the law firm Tomkiw Dalton, PLC, will provide an overview of Downtown Development Authorities (DDAs) and Tax Increment Finance Authorities (TIFAs). Following this, Gina Cavaliere, Executive Director of Warren's DDA will discuss how the City of Warren has used DDAs and TIFAs for economic development projects in the city, and the impact of these tools on the community. CEDAC begins at 9:30 a.m. and will end by noon. Contact: Ken Bishop, Community and Economic Development Administrative Assistant.

 

Choose earth-friendly landscaping

With an estimated 70 million pounds of pesticides applied to lawns nationwide annually, SEMCOG and the Southeast Michigan Partners for Clean Water, suggest that earth-friendly landscaping can protect kids, pets, and the environment from the harmful effects of herbicides and pesticides.

The chemicals in herbicides and pesticides pollute our waterways if washed from our lawns and gardens into storm drains and roadside ditches. Remember, storm drains lead directly to lakes and streams. Here are some ways residents can care for their lawns and gardens and help keep our water clean:

• Go native. Select plants native to Michigan. Native plants are better able to tolerate Michigan's climate, require less fertilizer and water, and are more disease resistant. [What plants are native to Michigan? Black-eyed Susan, Coral bells, Purple coneflower, and Columbine; blueberry and raspberry bushes; Christmas, Lady, and Maidenhair ferns. All can be found in local nurseries and greenhouses.].
• Variety is the spice of life. Use a wide variety of plants to help control pests and minimize the need for pesticides.
• Water wisely. Lawns need about one inch of water per week. Use a rain gauge and water only when necessary, instead of on a fixed schedule.
• Use mulch. Place a thick layer of mulch (e.g., four inches) around trees and plants. This helps retain water, reduce weeds, and minimizes the need for pesticides.
• Mow high. Make your lawn cheaper and easier to maintain by mowing high — three inches is the rule. Let grass clippings fall back on the lawn. Since clippings recycle nutrients back into the soil, fertilizer can be reduced by 25 percent or more.
• Use less for pests. Use pesticides and herbicides sparingly. Limit application of these chemicals to problem areas only. Contact: SEMCOG Information Services.