Light up Lansing in Protest / Stop House Bill 5977 to preserve home rule for Cities and Townships

By Richard C. Clement

Jack Adams Ice Complex at Adams/Butzel Operating Hours:

Open Skating from 1p-9pm Tuesdays through Friday, Saturdays open 10a-6pm

Friday Night Party on Skates 7pm-9pm

Skating Lessons given on Tuesday from 6p-8p and Saturday 11a-1p



For more information, contact:
Cynthia Wardlaw at (313) 727-7330
Jason McCrimmon at (313) 506-0132
Adams/Butzel Complex at (313) 628-0990
 

Coach Cynthia Wardlaw (far right)

The introduction of House Bill 5977 to stop cities from getting into community benefit agreements is morally reprehensible and irresponsible to the leadership and the Citizens of Detroit. A benefit of a Community Benefits Agreement between the City of Detroit and the Detroit Red Wings would look like this, supporting the Jack Adams / Ice Complex located at the Adams Butzel Recreation Center.   The Detroit Department of Recreation has one of the best public ice skating rinks in the area that exposes Detroit youth to a skill that will give them something to do and keep them healthy.  The Jack Adams Ice Arena Complex has a NHL size rink that is maintained by the City of Detroit.  

Skating Lessons for Youth

One of the agreements between the Detroit Red Wings and the City of Detroit is to support activities that would uplift the youth and community. The coaches there are very good and take the time to work with the children on skating skills and learning the game of Hockey.   Currently there are 2 players who are currently in the NHL that came through the program.  Some kids end up playing in college and semi pro because they are that good.

Young Detroiters take to the rink!

Therefore it is our duty to demand of our leaders in Lansing to stop meddling in affairs that usurps a local City or Townships in Michigan.  You must call and email bomb the Michigan Legislature to voice your displeasure. When you send this email of protest, please place  HB5977 (OPPOSED) in the subject line.  For a  complete list of Michigan Legislators, please click here.





The integrity of local control must be recognized and respected.


Fire up a Republican to denounce this dastardly plan..

Contact information Republican Representatives --House  

John Bumstead (R-Newaygo)                 517-373-7317

Hugh D Crawford(R-Novi)                     517-373-0827

Anthony G. Forlini (R-Harrison Twp.)           517-373-0113

Frank Foster (R-Pellston)                     517-373-2629

Bob Genetski (R-Saugatuck)                 517-373-0836

Ken Goike (R-Ray Township)                 517-373-0820

Gail Haines (R-Waterford)                     517-373-0615

Martin Howrylak (R-Troy)                     517-373-1783

Bradford C. Jacobsen (R-Oxford)                 517-373-1798

Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Twp.)                 517-373-1799

Matt Lori (R-Constantine)                     517-373-0832

Michael D. McCready (R-Birmingham)            517-373-8670

Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills)            517-373-1773

Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City)                517-373-0835

Dave Pagel (R-Berrien Springs)                517-373-1796

Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle)                517-373-0833

Amanda Price (R-Holland)                517-373-0838

Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville)                517-373-1403

Bruce R. Rendon (R-Lake City)                517-373-3817

Wayne A. Schmidt (R-Traverse City)            517-373-1766

Robert Verheulen (R-Walker)                517-373-8900

Ken Yonker (R-Caledonia)                    517-373-0840

 

URGENT! 12/14 12/15 Deadlines for Health Care, FEMA and SBA Help coming quick!

By Richard C. Clement

You have until Sunday December 14th, 2014 to sign up for FEMA and SBA help and,  Monday December 15^th to sign up for health insurance as required by the Affordable Care Act. 

Don’t delay, act today!  Sign up Now at www.healthcare.gov

If you have an emergency condition, no hospital can turn you away. Any medical facility that denies you emergency health care because you don’t have the “right” insurance may be prosecuted for civil and criminal penalties. Your monthly premium may be as low as .08 a month based on your income.

You may shop around for a better plan than what you have now if you are an existing participant.

Greater Christ Baptist Church will be giving assistance in enrolling people for health care coverage

For more information please contact

GBC (313)924-6900 or Jamie 3138203285

www.healthcare.gov

Urgent Message from SBA Office of Disaster Assistance

The SBA Office of Disaster Assistance stands ready to assist those Southeast Michigan residents and business owners that have sustained damage from the severe storms and flooding that occurred between August 11 and 13 of this year. Although many business have indicated a need for assistance, very few have returned their applications.

At the close of business on October 22, 2014 the SBA has approved $23,084,800 for homeowners, renters and businesses in the State of Michigan with $5,537,600 approved in the City of Detroit. However there is much more that we can do.

Please join us in urging those with damage to submit their SBA Disaster Loan Applications as soon as possible and before the deadline of December 14th, 2014.

Click Here to Apply

For questions please contact

Michael B. Peacock

Public Affairs Specialist

US Small Business Administration

101 Marietta Street NW Suite 700

Atlanta, GA 30303-2725

Phone: 404-606-1988

Federal Disaster Loans for Homeowners Renters, and Business of All Sizes

Flood Victim News

The deadline for applying for disaster relief from FEMA is

Sunday, December 14th, 2014 @  5:00pm

The Governor’s office has declared

Detroit a disaster area on Sept 25th

Click Here for FEMA Flood Disaster Help 

www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Property Owners may qualify for loans up to $200,000

Renters and Landlords for loans up to $40,000

Citizens may qualify for Small Business loan or $32,400 in financial assistance

Open Ice Skating 7 days a Week and Learn the game of Hockey in Detroit

By Richard C. Clement

Coach Cynthia Wardlaw (far right)

Instead of waiting in line at Campus Martius to Ice Skate, you can do the same thing on a much larger rink at the Jack Adams Butzel Ice Complex located at 10500 Lyndon Detroit MI 48238.  There is open skating from 1 to 9pm Tuesday through Friday and, 11am to 6pm on Saturday. The rink is a regulation National Hockey League size surface.  Every Tuesday from 6p-9pm and Saturdays from 11a-3pm, come and learn how to skate and, play the game of Ice Hockey. Boys and Girls ages 4 to 17, will get the opportunity to learn the game of Hockey from Jason Mc Crimmon and Cynthia Wardlaw. 

Jason McCrimmon

Jason is a retired professional hockey player that played nine seasons of professional hockey and just loves to teach the game. He is a native Detroiter and one of many African Americans that played the game. (Click Here for Jason’s stats). Born and raised in Detroit, McCrimmon played youth hockey for the Detroit Rockies out of the Jack Adams Ice Arena. He then played Junior A hockey for Belle Tire Lightning of the Continental Elite Hockey League before going on to play NCAA Division III hockey at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. While there, McCrimmon was awarded ECAC East player of the week honors on one occasion, while majoring in business administration and minoring in sports marketing.  After college, McCrimmon played two years of professional hockey inEurope and was named captain of Hela-Kiekko in Finland. He also skated in the Central Hockey League and International Hockey League, ending his career last season after a stint with the Danbury Whalers of the Federal Hockey League.

Richard Clement and Jason McCrimmon

Stay tuned for the "Hockey in the Hood” tournament coming in February 2015 to be held at the complex. Teams of Boys and Girls from Washington DC, Buffalo NY, and Harlem NY will come to play in a tournament that will be a lot of fun to watch and support. This is a partnership between the Detroit Recreation Department, Ice Dreams Hockey Association and, USA Hockey 

For more information, contact, Butzel Complex at (313) 628-0990, Cynthia Wardlaw at (313) 727-7330 or Jason Mc Crimmon at (313) 506-0132.

Cush Creates Commerce on Woodward Ave and Detroit City Airport

By Richard C. Clement

Air Force 3 - US Secretary of State 

On October 21^st, 2014 Councilman Cushingberry implemented a resolution authorizing an application for a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Certificate for Lofts of Merchants Row. This structure is located at 1413 Woodward Avenue.  The structure is to be rehabilitated at an estimated cost of $188,095 per unit, creating 42 units of rental housing.This resolution is another example of giving back to the community and bringing in new residents to our city. 

In other action from City Council, the Councilman has introduced a resolution authorizing a contract (#2896481 / 2014) to provide auditing services for Preparation of the City and Airport 2014 CAFR to Plante & Moran PLLP for $675,000(USD). This action is in line with an overall goal of reopening Detroit City Airport for commercial and private air service in the near future. 

To bring Detroit back from the brink we must invest into the assets of the City like the Airport, instead of selling it off to a private company.  Working with Council member Scott Benson, there is enough room for an additional 2 runways of over 9000 feet long that will enable larger planes to land within the City of Detroit. 

Driving to Flint to fly out of Bishop Airport to save money will be a thing of the past because, Detroit City Airport will be able to provide the same services and fly to more destinations than ever before.

Please stay tuned to City Council for additional good news from Detroit.

November 2014

Click here for the November 2014 newsletter!

Highlighted information

Flood Victims can begin applying for
aid!
The deadline for applying for disaster
relief from FEMA is Monday, November 24th, 2014
@ 11:59pm
The Governor’s office has declared Detroit a disaster area.

www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Property Owners may qualify for loans up to $200,000
Renters and Landlords for loans up to $40,000
Citizens may qualify for Small Business loan or $32,400 in
financial assistance

Congratulations to Attorney General Bill Schuette from the Medical Marijuana Community

By Richard C. Clement

A Weed Warrior Addressing
Lansing MI City Council

We in the Medical Marijuana community congratulate Bill Schuette on being re-elected to another four year term as Attorney General of our state.  We applaud Mr. Schuette for protecting pensions, standing up for the Constitution and, being the voice of the people.  Mr. Schuette is defending the will of the voters on issues like Affirmative Action and Same Sex Marriage that were soundly rejected by a majority of the voters in Michigan.

 One of the benefits of the Supreme Court of the United States is when they made a decision to say that religious beliefs trump the law of the land regarding Hobby Lobby vs the Affordable Care Act case.  The result of this decision is that a Rastafarian (or any other religion that supports the use of Cannabis as a Medicine) can use their medicine by law.  We hope that Mr. Schuette continues the fight for the people by supporting their will and, convincing the United States Senate and House of Representatives to remove Marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, you are protected under the HIPPA regulations that prevent you from disclosing your illness.  Any violation of these rules are punishable by law with punitive damages. However, in 2016 a statewide measure to legalize and remove Marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act will be placed on the ballot. This will be the time for people to speak in the ballot box on their support of legalizing weed for the jobs we need. Michigan would be joining states like Colorado, Washington, Oregon into common sense.  Every Democratic candidate who ran from President Obama and Marijuana legalization lost in November 2014 while Weed won big in Alaska, Oregon, and 3 cities in the State of Michigan. Local control is essential to disrupt the dollars flowing into incarceration into education.  

Weed Warriors Testifying
in Lansing MI

In two years, we will see who the lamest Duck is between: Federal and State Legislators and, the President of United States.  Marijuana will be reformed and removed from the Controlled Substances Act and, that will be another accomplishment on Barack Obama’s legacy as President of the United States, even thought he should have done it 6 years sooner.Otherwise we hope that our current legislators listen to the will of the people because people who don’t vote now, will pay the price in the next election. Then and only then, the will of the people will be finally be respected.

Rain Water Management will Save our Detroit Sewer System from being Overloaded

By Richard Clement

"Rain Water and Solar Power will create a lot of green jobs"
  - A District 2 resident daydreaming in Science Class at Mumford High School

Water Use is Critical 

In the not too distant future, City of Detroit homeowners will be required to remove the downspout that connects gutters to the sewer line by law.  Failure to comply may result in a fine as a last resort measure. However there will be opportunity to come into compliance with a one-time credit of $100 on a residential water bill.  All of this is very preliminary and will be based on public input on how to help residents to comply with these necessary changes to their home.

Currently when a large amount of rain falls on the Southeastern Region (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties) the rain water from homes combines with sewage and overflows the system. To reduce the volume of water going into the Sewer, citizens are encouraged disconnect their downspouts and redirect the water into rain barrels, and gardens.  For every square foot of your roof, equals 1 gallon of water. Doing this separates the rain water from the raw sewage system easing the load on the system.

As a part of Greening the Detroit neighborhoods, the Detroit Chapter of the Sierra Club(click here) is selling 55 gallon rain barrel kits made from bio-degradable plastic.  The water captured from a homeowner’s roof is collected into the barrels until filled. Some setups have TWO barrels because of their purpose for the water that is being collected.  An additional barrel can be connected by a 2 ft hose for overflow purposes.   Reports have it that these barrels fill quickly and people have used the water to wash their cars with.

Fire Up Detroit

When an ordinance is developed to compel change, great care and deference will be given to the citizens first. If you would like to have some input on how to compel residents to make the necessary changes, please share them with City Council and the Mayor’s office.