|
General Assembly meets on June 21 The General Assembly (GA) of SEMCOG will meet on Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Sheraton Novi (21111 Haggerty Road, Novi 48375) beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tom Lewand, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Detroit Lions and Chairman of the Board, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, will discuss how leaders from both the public and private sectors can build on the strength of Southeast Michigan as a sports and entertainment destination. There is widespread agreement that an important component to improving the economic outlook for Southeast Michigan is attracting young, talented, entrepreneurial people to live here. The sports and entertainment destinations within our region are a key attraction and serve as a great model for building other important segments of Southeast Michigan's regional economy. SEMCOG will present its Regional Ambassador Awards, elect officers and delegates-at-large for 2007-2008, and review 2006-2007 accomplishments. Bloc caucuses will meet prior to the GA, beginning at 3:45 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. Also on the agenda is the adoption of amendments to SEMCOG's Bylaws, including a new voting sturcture. The Past Chairs' Reception will follow the meeting (at approximately 6 p.m.). Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
SEMCOG hosts grant writing workshop on SEMCOG and Grant Wring USA will present a two-day grant writing workshop on Monday and Tuesday, July 16-17, 2007, from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. in SEMCOG’s downtown Detroit office. Participants will learn how to write and review winning proposals, as well as how to find and track relevant grant opportunities. The cost of this two-day workshop is $425 per person, which includes all materials and full alumni benefits, (one year of free proposal review). For more information visit www.grantwritingusa.com. Please register before June 31, 2007. Contact: Cathy Rittenhouse, Grant Writing Registrar, or (800) 814-8191
SEMCOG University: Tools and Resources for Economic Development SEMCOG University presents Tools and Resources for Economic Development: Partnering with MEDC to promote community vitality on Tuesday, July 24, 2007, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.) in SEMCOG’s Buhl Building office in downtown Detroit. SEMCOG and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will present the tools available to improve some of the economic challenges facing local governments. Economic development professionals and community officials are invited to learn the tools and incentives for creating vibrant and sustainable communities. The success of local communities is largely dependent on the economic health of the state, so the MEDC is ensuring that local communities have the tools necessary for sound economic development strategies. This will better position communities to compete in the 21st century economy. Those in attendance will learn about brownfields, commercial tax abatements, CDBG, tax increment finance and Renaissance Zones, and private-sector incentives. This SEMCOG University workshop is free-of-charge for members. Seating is limited. You are encouraged to reserve a spot by Tuesday, July 17, 2007. Contact: Ken Bishop, SEMCOG Community and Economic Development Administrative Assistant, to RSVP, or register online via the Meeting Calendar on www.semcog.org.
New SEMCOG members SEMCOG welcomes two new members. Eastpointe and Roseville (both in Macomb County) bring SEMCOG membership to 152. Eastpointe’s current estimated population is 33,731; Roseville's estimated population is 47,041. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager.
Joint transportation advisory committee meeting at Cabela’s on June 27 SEMCOG's Transportation Advisory Council and the Transportation Council of TMACOG, the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, will hold its annual joint meeting on Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 1 p.m. at Cabela's in Dundee, MI. The proximity of the two regions has helped develope a working relationship and is largely impacted by Monroe County, which is a member of both SEMCOG and TMACOG. The purpose of this annual meeting is to share information and discuss common transportation issues. The transportation initiatives that TMACOG will discuss include the Veterans' Glass City Skyway, the 2007 Ohio Freight Conference, and the TMACOG crash data project. SEMCOG transportation initiatives to be discussed are the Ann Arbor to Detroit Regional Rail Demonstration Project, Funding Transportation: A Critical Economic Issue in Southeast Michigan, and environmental mitigation analysis. Contact: Jerry Rowe, Manager of Transportation Programs.
Do you know your watershed? Livingston County is currently informing residents not only that they all live within a watershed, but also letting them know which watershed. So far, eight townships and one city have purchased a total of 142 signs to inform passersby that we all live within a watershed, and that daily activities such as washing your car in the driveway or leaving a pet’s waste on the sidewalk can lead directly to lakes and streams. These messages complement SEMCOG's Ours to Protect program. Contact: Brian Jonckheere, Livingston County Drain Commissioner, (517) 546-0040.
Be careful: Summer travel period is most deadly time of year Memorial Day kicked off the summer travel season, which is the deadliest time on the nation's roads. Nationally, about 270 more people die each month in traffic crashes during the summer than other times of the year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA). Twenty of the deadliest 25 days in the past five years fell between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Southeast Michigan data show a similar trend; in 2006, there were 37, 34, and 30 fatalities in June, July, and August. SEMCOG reminds everyone to always buckle their seat belts. A flyer of "Safe Driving Tips for Summer Travel" can be downloaded at www.trafficsafety.org. Contact: Tom Bruff, SEMCOG Transportation Coordinator.
Update on federal water resources bill Congress is moving quickly to reauthorize the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the major federal funding bill for protecting and restoring the nation’s water resources. Versions of the bill have passed both the House and Senate and await action by the conference committee. SEMCOG has been extensively involved in advocacy for reauthorization of WRDA. Contact: Bill Parkus, SEMCOG Environment Planner.
SEMPeople Dearborn Heights Mayor Dan Paletko received the Public Service Award at the annual banquet of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee in Washington, D.C., for working with Arab Americans in his city.
|
|||
