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Vol. 13, No. 10

May 5, 2008

Executive Committee meets on May 8
SEMCOG’s Executive Committee will meet on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at 1 p.m. in SEMCOG’s downtown Detroit office. Action items to be considered are:

  • approving amendment of the Ambassador Bridge Enhancement Project and Detroit River International Crossing (with conditions), and amendment of the Troy/Birmingham Intermodal Transit Facility, Woodward Avenue Light Rail Service, and Maple Road project to the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan for Southeast Michigan (RTP);
  • approving an amendment to the FY 2008-2011 Transportation Improvement Program, adding 118 projects and deleting five projects (net amount of amendment is $349.8 million);
  • approving 22 projects as Southeast Michigan’s submittal for the FY 2009 Safety Program ($5.9 million);
  • approving federal legislation that would appropriate funds in FY 2008 for redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes and provide additional resources for housing counseling services for struggling borrowers; and
  • approving a resolution regarding policy issues related to climate change.

Ron Kagan, Executive Director/CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society will be the featured speaker, discussing the public funding proposal for the zoo. Contact: Kathleen Lomako, SEMCOG Deputy Director.

Member Outreach election results
SEMCOG announces the new members of the Executive Committee elected at the Wayne, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Livingston County Member Outreach workshops.

Wayne County
The delegates representing cities and villages are Grosse Pointe Shores Mayor Pro Tem Allen Dickinson and Wayne Councilperson Susan Rowe; the alternates are Gibraltar Councilmember Kathleen LaPointe and Wyandotte Councilman Patrick Sutka. Elected as the delegate representing townships is Northville Township Treasurer Richard Henningsen; the alternate is Huron Township Trustee David Glaab.

St. Clair County
Elected as the delegate representing cities and villages is Marine City Mayor Pro Tem Dan Micoff; the alternate is St. Clair Superintendent Scott Adkins. Elected as the delegate representing townships is Ira Township Supervisor John Jones; the alternate is Fort Gratiot Township Clerk Robert Crawford.

Washtenaw County
Elected as the delegate representing cities and villages is Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell; the alternate is Chelsea Mayor Ann Feeney. Elected as the delegate representing townships is Ypsilanti Township Supervisor Ruth Ann Jamnick; the alternate is Superior Township Trustee Roderick Green.

Macomb County
Elected as the delegates representing cities and villages are St. Clair Shores Mayor Robert Hison and Richmond Councilor Jeff Yaroch; alternates are New Baltimore Mayor Thomas Goldenbogen and Fraser Councilperson Janice Wilson. Elected as the delegate representing townships is Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon; the alternate is Clinton Township Deputy Supervisor Eric Jackson.

Livingston County
Elected as the delegate representing cities and villages is Howell Mayor Pro Tem Steve Manor; the alternate is Brighton Mayor Pro Tem Ricci Bandkau. Elected as the delegate representing townships is Green Oak Township Clerk Michael Sedlak; the alternate is Hartland Township Treasurer Kathie Horning.

Elections are for a one-year term beginning July 1, 2008. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager.

Nominations for SEMCOG officers due May 20
Nominations for SEMCOG officers (First Vice Chairperson and four Vice Chairpersons) are currently being received by SEMCOG's Nominating Committee. Only elected officials who are delegates and/or alternates on the 2008-2009 Executive Committee are eligible for nomination as SEMCOG Vice Chairs. Officers will be elected at SEMCOG's Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 26, 2008, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Greenfield Village, Dearborn. The Nominating Committee meets on May 22, 2008 to identify a slate of officers. Send written nominations to SEMCOG (in care of Kathleen Lomako) no later than May 20, 2008. Contact: Kathleen Lomako, SEMCOG Deputy Executive Director.

CEDAC meets on May 9
SEMCOG’s Community and Economic Development Advisory Committee (CEDAC) meets on Friday, May 9, 2008, beginning at 9:30 a.m., for a very important presentation of a new resource for local governments – SEMCOG’s Foreclosure Web site. It offers local leaders valuable information on the tools and programs available to them to address the impact of foreclosures on residents, neighborhoods, and the community. CEDAC members are encouraged to invite other interested local governments to hear about this resource. In addition, CEDAC will continue its County Economic Development Series, with a presentation by key economic development leaders from St. Clair County, focusing on success through partnerships and coordination. Panelists will include Bill Kauffman, St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission; Sean Grodin, St. Clair County; Doug Alexander, Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County; and Randy Maiers, Community Foundation of St. Clair County. Contact: Naheed Huq, SEMCOG Manager of Community and Economic Development.

New on SEMCOG’s Web site:
A message from Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano’s video message to SEMCOG can be viewed on SEMCOG’s Web site. To view, click on the Members section of SEMCOG’s Web site, then scroll down to the “Members Speak” link. Past videos can also be found there, including those featuring U.S. Congressman Sander Levin, Bill Roberts, SEMCOG Chair and Mayor of Walled Lake, and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Director of Communications. 

Downriver Summit is May 12
The Downriver Summit will take place on May 12, 2008, bringing together leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to map the future of the Downriver area. Topics to be presented and discussed are Greening Downriver, Economic Development, Wireless Downriver, and Workforce Development. SEMCOG is a partner in this collaborative effort along with the Downriver Community Conference, the Southeast Michigan Community Alliance, and the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber under the leadership of Congressman John Dingell. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager.

New SEMCOG members
Welcome to new SEMCOG members, Chesterfield Township, in Macomb County (population 45,119, SEMCOG estimate, April 2008) and the Village of Capac, in St. Clair County (population 2,258, SEMCOG estimate, April 2008). SEMCOG membership now totals 156. Contact: Amy Malmer, SEMCOG Membership Manager.

National Transportation Week is May 11-17
More information on National Transportation Week, and activities involving SEMCOG, can be found on SEMCOG’s Web site under Hot Topics on the home page. Contact: Sue Stetler, SEMCOG Director of Communications.