By state Sen. Tupac Hunter Michigan is facing one of the most difficult budget crises our state has ever seen. There have been several proposals on how our state can solve this $2.8 billion shortfall, but no matter what, difficult cuts must be made. While Senate Democrats realize this, we also understand that with these devastating cuts, Michigan would not be able to successfully compete with other states in the region, and our already-struggling families would continue to suffer. Surely, the Legislature should also be … [Read more...] about Solve budget without hurting children, public safety
Teacher Salaries Need a Closer Look for Michigan to Balance the Budget
By KENNETH BRAUN A proposal to trim $346.4 million — or $218 per-pupil — from the state's 2009-10 School Aid Fund budget was soundly defeated in the Michigan House of Representatives as the new fiscal year dawned at the stroke of midnight Oct. 1. When first proposed, the idea of cutting this much from the school budget was swiftly criticized by the governor's budget director, Bob Emerson, who predicted "mass layoffs" because under this proposal, the "School Aid Fund isn't adequately funded." But what is "adequate" funding, and how … [Read more...] about Teacher Salaries Need a Closer Look for Michigan to Balance the Budget
A masterstroke of weakness
THE RICH LOWRY COLUMN By Rich Lowry If diplomatic pusillanimity was the aim, President Barack Obama’s decision to abandon our current missile-defense plans in Eastern Europe must be regarded as a masterstroke. With just one announcement, the Obama administration undercut two loyal allies, rewarded Russian bullying and diminished our ability to counter an emerging Iranian threat. If there were awards for self-defeating weakness, this move would deserve a Neville for Appeasement in a Perpetually Threatened Region. In an April … [Read more...] about A masterstroke of weakness
An Olympic moment
Give President Obama credit for one thing: He knows how to cheer on the home team. The president was in Denmark Friday, like the rest of us awaiting word on whether his hometown Chicago would be chosen to host the 2016 Olympics. Obama's appearance to lobby the International Olympic Committee was the first by a sitting American president. Critics chided the trip as wasteful and a distraction from his many issues at home. We disagree. Obama is representing his country's interests by making this trip. It … [Read more...] about An Olympic moment
All plugged up? Friendly help for a stopped-up drain
One of the best things to happen in the plumbing field in recent times has been the development of biological drain cleaners as an alternative to dangerous and ecologically harmful chemicals. These biological products work via bacteria that consume organic waste. There are various products for drain cleaning on the market. One of the best, in my opinion, is called Consume, made by the Spartan Chemical Co. Inc. While the exact formula is a secret, Consume is a composite of bacteria, enzymes and additives, all coming from natural … [Read more...] about All plugged up? Friendly help for a stopped-up drain
Charter school’s new athletic field nearing completion
A worker installs pipes for a future restroom while contractors talk in the background at Star International Academy’s new athletic venue, which features a synthetic field. School officials expect construction to wrap up in November. By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers HEIGHTS — Construction is humming along on a new athletic venue at Star International Academy in the city’s north end and should be complete by November, school officials said this week. The charter school, which puts an emphasis on intercultural … [Read more...] about Charter school’s new athletic field nearing completion
Local officials brace for less state revenue
‘We used to get a portion of income tax, we used to get a portion of single business tax, we got an inventory reimbursement and they got rid of all of those and put it all on sales tax, with the promise that the world would be good.’ — Dearborn Finance Director Jim O’Connor By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN — State legislators still had not reached a consensus on a plan to cut $1.2 billion from Michigan’s 2010 budget as of press time, but were expected to work through the weekend to try to come up with a … [Read more...] about Local officials brace for less state revenue
Oakwood’s Dearborn Town Center development reaches a new milestone
A special ceremony was held on Tuesday, Sept. 22, to mark the placement of the last steel beam in the structure of the Dearborn Town Center development taking shape at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Schaefer in the heart of the City’s east downtown business district. Once complete, the $70 million project will be a mixed-use development with a major Oakwood Healthcare medical facility serving as its anchor. The complex will also have retail space, office space and an assisted living facility for seniors. Oakwood Healthcare and the … [Read more...] about Oakwood’s Dearborn Town Center development reaches a new milestone
Bankrupt Detroit could make money more expensive for surrounding communities
By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers The precarious financial situation of the city of Detroit has led to increasing speculation about the possibility of bankruptcy — a situation in which experts believe the fallout would extend well beyond the limits of the once-prosperous automotive capital. Government bankruptcies are a relative rarity. Only about 600 have occurred since a Depression-era law made it possible. Detroit city officials have continued to mention it as a possibility, however, as they try to … [Read more...] about Bankrupt Detroit could make money more expensive for surrounding communities
New fire chief to be promoted from within
By J. PATRICK PEPPER Times-Herald Newspapers DEARBORN — Almost two months after the retirement of Fire Chief Nazih Hazime, Mayor John O’Reilly Jr. said he is getting closer to finding a successor. O’Reilly said Thursday he has assembled an interview team to assist him in the selection process and should begin seeing candidates next week. While declining to name the members of the interview team, he did say it shouldn’t take “too long” to make a selection once interviews start. “The only thing that could hold us up … [Read more...] about New fire chief to be promoted from within