The League of Women Voters from Wayne County will be sponsoring a candidate forum for judicial candidates running for Third CircuitCourt, non-incumbent positions in the Primary Election (5 August 2008).
There are three open seats and the August Primary will cut the fieldfrom eleven candidates to six candidates. The forum will be held on Tuesday, 24 June 2008 at 7:00 until 9:00 PM at Vis-Ta-Tech Center at Schoolcraft College.
The address for the Livonia Campus location is 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia. There are several entrances and the Vis-Ta-Tech Center is well marked. The phone number is 734-462-4595.
For more information, see also the LWVGP website at www.grossepointe.mi.lwvnet.org
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Rouge River News
Kingfisher Bluff Update
From a Voter article, December 2005, regarding the Rouge River: “There is a lovely natural area behind Henry Ford Community College called Kingfisher Bluff. HFCC plans to cut into the banks of the bluff to build a large wooden lookout along with repaving their parking lot this is the area the Kingfisher bird uses as its nesting site. There are very few available sites for thee birds to nest. In addition, the soft shell mat and painted turtles gather at the foot of this site.”
Since that time, negotiations have been ongoing with HFCC, ECT Engineering, environmentalists, and the Michigan Department of Environment. It seemed that the engineering plans made too great an impact on Kingfisher Bluff, so MDEQ wouldn’t grant a permit to proceed.
In an interview with Allen Gigliottee, HFCC’s Director of Building and Grounds, public comments were accepted and resulting meetings were set to discuss the bluff and viewing deck. No public hearings were requested. As a result, ECT, Inc. changed their original plans which included a cantilevered design, a foundation and a retaining wall and agreed to a more natural bio-engineered style. It will be built at the very top of the bluff where the grade of ground is already level. In case there would be a disturbance of the Kingfisher birds, ECT will insert nesting tubes that the birds have been found to use at other sites.
It was the wish of all environmentalists involved that the overlook / deck would be placed near but not on the bluff because of the impact on its resources. Yet, negotiations prevailed and the outcome must have been acceptable to MDEQ as the permit was granted. HFCC will start on the overlook first, followed by the repaving of the parking lot which includes a rain garden and plantings that will help slow the storm water.
From a Voter article, December 2005, regarding the Rouge River: “There is a lovely natural area behind Henry Ford Community College called Kingfisher Bluff. HFCC plans to cut into the banks of the bluff to build a large wooden lookout along with repaving their parking lot this is the area the Kingfisher bird uses as its nesting site. There are very few available sites for thee birds to nest. In addition, the soft shell mat and painted turtles gather at the foot of this site.”
Since that time, negotiations have been ongoing with HFCC, ECT Engineering, environmentalists, and the Michigan Department of Environment. It seemed that the engineering plans made too great an impact on Kingfisher Bluff, so MDEQ wouldn’t grant a permit to proceed.
In an interview with Allen Gigliottee, HFCC’s Director of Building and Grounds, public comments were accepted and resulting meetings were set to discuss the bluff and viewing deck. No public hearings were requested. As a result, ECT, Inc. changed their original plans which included a cantilevered design, a foundation and a retaining wall and agreed to a more natural bio-engineered style. It will be built at the very top of the bluff where the grade of ground is already level. In case there would be a disturbance of the Kingfisher birds, ECT will insert nesting tubes that the birds have been found to use at other sites.
It was the wish of all environmentalists involved that the overlook / deck would be placed near but not on the bluff because of the impact on its resources. Yet, negotiations prevailed and the outcome must have been acceptable to MDEQ as the permit was granted. HFCC will start on the overlook first, followed by the repaving of the parking lot which includes a rain garden and plantings that will help slow the storm water.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Frustration with access to voter information in Wayne County
Who filed for Wayne County offices?
This should be easily available to the public, especially civic-minded groups like the League of Women Voters. The deadline was May 13; withdrawal deadline May 16.Members of our Voter Service committee (LWVDDH) have been calling the Elections dept. of the Wayne County Clerk's office, every few days since to ask when it will be posted on their website, hearing "on Wednesday", "in the next few days", "next week."On June 3,"Gil" in the Elections Dept., said that if we want a copy of the candidates who will be on the August Primary ballot, we must go in person to the City County Bldg., room 502, and pay 25 cents a sheet -there are 94 sheets, but we can go through them and pick out the local municipalities (or county-wide races) we want to copy.
He doesn't know when it will be on line. I asked why it was being kept secret, and he said it's not, it's available to anyone who comes in person and pays 25 cents a sheet for the results. Mon-Fri. 8-4:30.
We want the (1) county-wide Wayne County races, the (2) 9th and 13th district Wayne County Commissioner races, and (3) the list of precinct delegates in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, and anything else that will be on our ballots that only Wayne County clerk's office has access to?
I never want to publicly print, in the name of the League of Women Voters, information I don't have from the official source. That State of Michigan Secretary of State's office has fabulous information, on line, fully accessible, at www.michigan.gov/sos, which includes all the many and confusing judicial races, as well as the other races we face in both the primary and general 2008 elections. The local city clerks offices in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights are always helpful, and give access to public information right after the filing deadlines. It is a real disservice to the people of Wayne County that public access, prior to the ballots being printed, is not readily available to interested citizens and groups.
P.S. Today, the morning of June 5, 3 weeks after the filing deadlines have passed, the information is still not on-line.
Betsy Cushman
This should be easily available to the public, especially civic-minded groups like the League of Women Voters. The deadline was May 13; withdrawal deadline May 16.Members of our Voter Service committee (LWVDDH) have been calling the Elections dept. of the Wayne County Clerk's office, every few days since to ask when it will be posted on their website, hearing "on Wednesday", "in the next few days", "next week."On June 3,"Gil" in the Elections Dept., said that if we want a copy of the candidates who will be on the August Primary ballot, we must go in person to the City County Bldg., room 502, and pay 25 cents a sheet -there are 94 sheets, but we can go through them and pick out the local municipalities (or county-wide races) we want to copy.
He doesn't know when it will be on line. I asked why it was being kept secret, and he said it's not, it's available to anyone who comes in person and pays 25 cents a sheet for the results. Mon-Fri. 8-4:30.
We want the (1) county-wide Wayne County races, the (2) 9th and 13th district Wayne County Commissioner races, and (3) the list of precinct delegates in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, and anything else that will be on our ballots that only Wayne County clerk's office has access to?
I never want to publicly print, in the name of the League of Women Voters, information I don't have from the official source. That State of Michigan Secretary of State's office has fabulous information, on line, fully accessible, at www.michigan.gov/sos, which includes all the many and confusing judicial races, as well as the other races we face in both the primary and general 2008 elections. The local city clerks offices in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights are always helpful, and give access to public information right after the filing deadlines. It is a real disservice to the people of Wayne County that public access, prior to the ballots being printed, is not readily available to interested citizens and groups.
P.S. Today, the morning of June 5, 3 weeks after the filing deadlines have passed, the information is still not on-line.
Betsy Cushman
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Candidates Forum June 24th - 3rd Circuit Court
The League of Women Voters from Wayne County will be sponsoring a candidate forum for judicial candidates running for Third Circuit Court, non-incumbent positions in the Primary Election (5 August 2008).
There are three open seats and the August Primary will cut the field from eleven candidates to six candidates.The forum will be held Tuesday, 24 June 2008 at 7:00 until 9:00 PM at Vis-Ta-Tech Center at Schoolcraft College. The address for the Livonia Campus location is 18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia. (Vis-Ta-Tech Center 734.462.4595).
There are several entrances and the Vis-Ta-Tech Center is well marked.The candidate forum will be moderated by a member of the League of Women Voters according to established League guidelines. Questions for the candidates will be from the audience. The public is encouraged to attend and learn about the candidates.
There are three open seats and the August Primary will cut the field from eleven candidates to six candidates.The forum will be held Tuesday, 24 June 2008 at 7:00 until 9:00 PM at Vis-Ta-Tech Center at Schoolcraft College. The address for the Livonia Campus location is 18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia. (Vis-Ta-Tech Center 734.462.4595).
There are several entrances and the Vis-Ta-Tech Center is well marked.The candidate forum will be moderated by a member of the League of Women Voters according to established League guidelines. Questions for the candidates will be from the audience. The public is encouraged to attend and learn about the candidates.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Voter Registration - Watch PSAs
Express Yourself.
Register, Vote and Be Heard!
As part of the Freedom of Expression through Film campaign, the League has begun participation in a series of special events geared toward helping people register to vote or update their registration information. Nearly 1,000 people attended the first two events, and hundreds picked up League publications that will help them participate in the upcoming elections. You can get involved too!
Watch our three new PSAs encouraging viewers to Register, Vote and Be Heard. Featuring Oscar® nominated actress Virginia Madsen, the campaign showcases http://www.vote411.org/ and encourages women to express themselves in life, politics and beauty – specifically by voting for what they believe in and taking care of their health and skin. Do you have friends and family who still need to register? Send them to http://www.vote411.org/!
Register, Vote and Be Heard!
As part of the Freedom of Expression through Film campaign, the League has begun participation in a series of special events geared toward helping people register to vote or update their registration information. Nearly 1,000 people attended the first two events, and hundreds picked up League publications that will help them participate in the upcoming elections. You can get involved too!
Watch our three new PSAs encouraging viewers to Register, Vote and Be Heard. Featuring Oscar® nominated actress Virginia Madsen, the campaign showcases http://www.vote411.org/ and encourages women to express themselves in life, politics and beauty – specifically by voting for what they believe in and taking care of their health and skin. Do you have friends and family who still need to register? Send them to http://www.vote411.org/!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
May 2008 Voter News
Help keep our democracy strong this summer by getting involved with your local League! If you're already a member, please forward this note to friends and ask them to get active, or share your story to help inspire others. And--don't forget to ask your friends and loved ones to register to vote by visiting http://www.vote411.org/!
Take Action Now for Global Climate Change!
The Senate is expected to take up global climate change legislation in the coming days. Your Senators need to know that they should support strong action to control global warming. Tell them today! For more information, read about the League's work on this important topic here.
LWV and Boomster.com Encourage Voter Participation in 2008
The League and Boomster.com, a new information and social networking site for baby boomers, are joining forces to promote political awareness and voter activity for the upcoming election. Boomster.com is a free, member site for experienced, well-informed people ages 45 and up, interested in issues about the next phase of their lives – whether new careers, volunteering or pursuing passions. Boomster.com will soon be featuring articles about the League and discussions about political volunteering, as well as linking to VOTE411 and the League site. Visit Boomster.com to join the conversation!
Take Action Now for Global Climate Change!
The Senate is expected to take up global climate change legislation in the coming days. Your Senators need to know that they should support strong action to control global warming. Tell them today! For more information, read about the League's work on this important topic here.
LWV and Boomster.com Encourage Voter Participation in 2008
The League and Boomster.com, a new information and social networking site for baby boomers, are joining forces to promote political awareness and voter activity for the upcoming election. Boomster.com is a free, member site for experienced, well-informed people ages 45 and up, interested in issues about the next phase of their lives – whether new careers, volunteering or pursuing passions. Boomster.com will soon be featuring articles about the League and discussions about political volunteering, as well as linking to VOTE411 and the League site. Visit Boomster.com to join the conversation!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Upcoming Events
The Commission for Women at the University of Michigan Dearborn is planning a
Professional Women's Organization Fair on
Thursday, April 10, 2008 between 11AM and 1:30 PM
Kochoff A-C of the University Center.
The league plans to have an informational table.
If you can help Toni Tront give information out about the league, please call her at 313.274.2171 or send her an email. This is usually very gratifying work and give the league great exposure to a very professional gathering of women.
On Sunday, April 27, 2008
Realtors in four counties are hosting open houses to encourage potential home buyers to take a look at houses for sale. In addition, many communities are also participating, hoping to show off the great things in their city. The Dearborn Board of Realtors is coordinating efforts to have activities around town. In support of the Realtors' efforts, the City of Dearborn is offering the use of Studio A inside the beautiful Ford Community & Performing Arts Center for community groups (service clubs, neighborhood associations, cultural arts or recreational groups) to set up information tables about their organization. The league decided to have an informational table.
If you have time between Noon and 5:00pm to help us give information out, please call Val Murphy Goodrich or myself.
Professional Women's Organization Fair on
Thursday, April 10, 2008 between 11AM and 1:30 PM
Kochoff A-C of the University Center.
The league plans to have an informational table.
If you can help Toni Tront give information out about the league, please call her at 313.274.2171 or send her an email. This is usually very gratifying work and give the league great exposure to a very professional gathering of women.
On Sunday, April 27, 2008
Realtors in four counties are hosting open houses to encourage potential home buyers to take a look at houses for sale. In addition, many communities are also participating, hoping to show off the great things in their city. The Dearborn Board of Realtors is coordinating efforts to have activities around town. In support of the Realtors' efforts, the City of Dearborn is offering the use of Studio A inside the beautiful Ford Community & Performing Arts Center for community groups (service clubs, neighborhood associations, cultural arts or recreational groups) to set up information tables about their organization. The league decided to have an informational table.
If you have time between Noon and 5:00pm to help us give information out, please call Val Murphy Goodrich or myself.
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