DNC Chair, Michigan Dems Rally For LGBT Equality (video)

DNC Chair, Michigan Dems Rally For LGBT Equality (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Between the Lines, Dec. 18, 2013) As Republicans continue to condone the hateful, anti-gay comments of their Republican National Committeeman Dave Agema, Democrats brought out the big guns for a community forum at Affirmations featuring Democratic National Committee Chairperson Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “In…

Deadlines For CDL Drivers… Fast Approaching

Deadlines For CDL Drivers And Their Medical Providers Fast Approaching (Michigan Secretary of State Press Release, Dec. 12, 2013) Secretary of State Ruth Johnson strongly encourages Michigan residents with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) to self-certify to which type of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operation they perform to avoid losing CDL privileges after Jan. 30.…

How Michigan Funds Schools

How Michigan Funds Schools (Kevin Deegan-Krause, orig. Ferndale Friends/ KevinDeeganKrauseForFerndaleSchools.com, Dec. 10, 2013) Please put away your notes and let’s begin our discussion of school funding with a high-stakes multiple choice test: 1. Does Michigan fund schools from:                         A. Local sources         B. Federal sources C. State sources 2. Does the revenue come from:                                  …

DNR Encourages Safety and Fun When Ice Fishing

DNR Encourages Safety and Fun When Ice Fishing (Department of Natural Resources Press Release, Dec. 10, 2013)   For many people, fishing is the most relaxing way to spend the day. And in the winter months the most popular angling activity is ice fishing. To those who have never tried it, ice fishing is sometimes looked…

SEMCOG Approves I-94, I-75, US-23 Amendment to Expand

SEMCOG Approves I-94, I-75, US-23 Amendment to Expand (David Sands, SEMCOG, Dec.7, 2013, orig. http://wearemodeshift.org/node/1055) Although plans to widen the I-94 and I-75 expressways have been generating a bit of a buzz this week, dissenting voices seemed to have little sway over the bulk of the Southeast Michigan Council of Government’s Executive Committee. At a Friday meeting, the…

Police Report: Waterford Man Wanted to go to Jail

Police Report: Waterford Man Wanted to go to Jail (Oakland County Sheriff’s Department, Dec. 6, 2013) INCIDENT:  13:56 hrs, Dec. 5 – City of Pontiac  MDOP Police Property   #13-187102 SUMMARY: A subject entered the Pontiac substation and threw a chunk of asphalt against a window in the public entrance vestibule.  The window was shattered.  The…

Reckless Driving: MDOT’s Lead Foot on Freeway Projects

Guest Column: Reckless Driving: MDOT’s Lead Foot on Freeway Projects (Richard Murphy, Michigan Suburbs Alliance, December 4, 2013) The public appeals to delegates entering SEMCOG’s June meeting. The sign in back, “No new gas tax, Snyder — We don’t need our freeways wider,” demonstrates our trust problem. Over the past few years, Governor Snyder’s Lansing…

Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Deadline Nears

Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption Deadline Nears (Oakland County Press Release, Nov. 28, 2013) Counselors in Oakland County’s Veterans’ Services Division are ready to help totally disabled veterans meet the Dec. 5 deadline to retroactively claim their homestead property tax exemption for 2013. Under a new Michigan law, Public Act 161 of 2013, totally disabled…

Holiday Extravaganza in Pontiac Dec. 7

Holiday Extravaganza in Pontiac Dec. 7 (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 27, 2013) Since 1981, Pontiac has celebrated the holidays with a Downtown parade. The event has grown into a collaborative effort with Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford and White Lake taking part in the planning.  This year’s festivities take place Dec. 7 with the WinterFUN Festival…

Cogen Lipton Shares EAA Concerns, Education Alternatives (video)

Ellen Cogen Lipton Shares EAA Concerns,  Education Alternatives (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 21, 2013) As Democratic Vice Chair of the Education Committee of the Michigan House of Representatives, Ellen Cogen Lipton saw first-hand the way The Michigan Education Achievement Authority has taken shape.  Beyond that, she has looked into the results of having the…

Woodward Rapid Transit Public Meetings, Several Cities in Dec.

Woodward Rapid Transit Public Meetings in Several Cities in December (Crystal A. Proxmire, Nov. 18, 2013) The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) is hosting a series of community meetings so people can learn more about the potential for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Woodward Avenue. Information that will be presented includes: ~Proposed Alignments: What…

New Testing Standard for Teachers Announced

New Testing Standard for Teachers Announced (Michigan Dept. of Education Press Release, Nov. 15, 2013) Better prepared and effective teachers will be available for Michigan students with the advent of a more rigorous teacher certification exam this year. “We want the best and brightest teachers in Michigan classrooms,” said State Superintendent Mike Flanagan. “Increasing the…

Pizza Delivery Driver Pepper-sprayed and Robbed in Pontiac

Pizza Delivery Driver Pepper-sprayed and Robbed in Pontiac (Oakland Co. Sheriff’s Dept., Nov. 11) INCIDENT:  21:45hrs., Nov. 9 – City of Pontiac – Armed Robbery.  #13-173442 SUMMARY:  Deputies were dispatched to Captain Crust Pizza on MLK for an Armed Robbery which occurred on the 400 block of Moonlite.  Upon arriving Deputies interviewed the victim who…