Now that Michigan is moving into the 2nd full week of the year 2011, the news is mixed.
the "Good:
A. state-wide: Governor Rick Snyder finished the first week in office with his entire Cabinet in place;
His also had his first news conference;
Set the date for his first "state-of-the State" address.[ which will be earlier than previous addresses]
Names to get to know for Michigan's super Cabinet are:
...Deputy Chief of Staff = Jeff Barnes;
...Human Services director = Maura Corrigan;
...Environmental Quality director = Dan Wyant;
...Treasurer = Andy Dillon;
...state Budget director = John Nixon;
...Michigan Economic Dev. Corp. = Michael Finney;
Snyder has named [some on a temp basis] leaders for All Departments
Snyder has also put his personal investments into a blind trust-while he is office. To this end
as of Jan.1, 2011, an independent trustee now will make all investment decisions, and
Governor Snyder will not know which assets have been sold nor how the net proceeds have
been reinvested for the next 4 years.
Lansing is ready to move forward on the issues of & for Michigan.
B. Macomb County: the County Executive Mark Hackel names the assistant county executive:
...Friday, Jan 7, 2011, Melissa Roy was officially became the person who:
will direct all of the executive's legislative & intergovernmental initiatives-including
his [Hackel's] legislative agenda
for more on this see: www.macombdaily.com / Sat. Jan.8, 2011 / author Chad Selweski / pg 1 A /
article "Hackel manes assistant county executive"
C. Film tells "story of returning Vietnam Vets;
...January 28, 2011, this film "Our Vietnam Generation" will premiere at the Fox Theatre. Detroit;
...film producer is : Keith Famis, was driving past Oakland Hills Sept. of '09;
...Macomb Co.s VVA Chapter 154 was holding it's annual vigil;
...Keith stopped; questioned; filmed interviews; & decided --" Vietnam vets' stories had to be told"
for the full story see: www.macombdaily.com Sat. 8, 2011 / pg 3 A / author Linda May /
article " Film tells story of returning Vietnam veterans"
the Not so Good:
The Pentagon has announced cuts in budget for the Military that impacts Macomb Co., Michigan:
Background information is needed:
...in October 2010--General Dynamics of Sterling Heights had a Grand Opening at the Mound plant;
...the plant had been upgraded to produce the Stryker MGS [mobile gun system];
...highly qualified workers, including Engineers in design & Development, will be laid off;
...the "Newly elected tea party activists have said that cuts to military spending must be considered
if the federal government is to reduce its deficit" quoted from article at:
www.macombdaily.com Sat. Jan 8, 2011 / author Gordon Wilczynski / Pg 1 A & 7 A /
article "Pentagon cuts cost jobs in Macomb"
Dept. of Defense--Robert Gates announced these and other cuts to avoid deeper cuts by the White House
or Congress. Eliminating this 'military vehicle program' is one of his methods.
Makes one wonder why & how the plant in Sterling Heights plans was ever promoted if this was already in question.
Michigan's Sterling Heights [Macomb County] plant will be laying off 30 such engineers; it is to be noted here that,
...according to the author "The Sterling Heights plant isn't taking as big of a hit as its facilities in Woodbridge, VA.
and Lima, OH.
...this article is a 'must read' to keep up with happenings from D.C. that will impact your area.
...[My Opinion] --this is a very sad item & somehow I question the timing.
The MisUNDERSTOOD
Michigan is preparing for & touting the North American International Auto Show scheduled to open this coming week.
...while the nightly & some Cable News sources are covering the preparation & excitement on air;
...as sneak peaks are slipped into the coverage;
...as the excitement for the New, Novel & the Never could I afford it [car] is building;
...what is reported in the local news [as well as alluded to on National news], but;
"UAW to protest at auto show";
...demonstrations are being planned outside the NAIAS venue;
see the story at: www.macombdaily.com / Money section / pg. 1 C / author Joseph Szczesny / article:
"UAW to protest at auto show".
There can't be anyone living and reading here in Michigan who does not Understand the Words [of organizers]
nor can there be any confusion as to what could take place there at the front Entrance / Area of the show.
Seen that, heard that, & some may have been personally impacted by that before--numerous times--various places.
What is concerning is the "Why" and the "What do they intend to achieve" .
Michigan is struggling to crawl out of the high unemployment, job losses -across the board-, the bad or sarcastic labels placed upon Detroit, the Auto industry, the citizens of the state.
My question is: why now & why there ?
Contracts are scheduled to take place this coming fall, with all three auto companies.
Save this for that time.
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