This Week's File

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Jan. 23, 2009—Week 1

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Sheila Schimpf

http://cns.jrn.msu.edu

FIRST FILE OF 2009: Welcome to our first file of the semester. Our correspondents look forward to serving you in the upcoming months.

COUNTIES AHEAD: On Monday, Jan. 26, your correspondents will interview Thomas Hickson, legislative director of the Michigan Association of Counties. Likely topics will include the impact of the national recession and state budget woes on county governments and the public services they provide, legislative priorities for local governments and possible consolidation of services and improved municipal cooperation.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

GREATLAKESFUND: Candidate Barack Obama proposed a $5 billion trust fund for Great Lakes projects such as infrastructure, beach cleanup and battling invasive species. A lawmaker from Leland explains the importance of the lakes to West Michigan. We also talk to experts from the DNR, Ludington Area Charter Boat Association, Michigan Environmental Council and a Muskegon-based scientist for Ann Arbor’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. By Jack Johnston. FOR LUDINGTON, TRAVERSE CITY, HOLLAND, PETOSKEY, UP NORTH, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, SOUTH BEND, SPORTSMEN, ALPENA, MARQUETTE & ALL POINTS.

            w/GREATLAKESFUNDIMAGES: Zebra mussel and quagga mussels. Credit: Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.

GREENMACOMB: Two Macomb County legislators, one new and another a returnee, have environmental issues high on their agenda for 2009, though not the same issue. A Mt. Clemens representative is continuing his push to restrict Canadian trash from coming into Southeast Michigan, while a first-termer from St. Clair Shores wants money to improve storm drains and water systems, steps she says will protect Lake St. Clair. The Michigan Environmental Council intends to work with area lawmakers on Lake St. Clair issues. By Danielle Emerson. FOR MACOMB, ROMEO, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

TAXAMENDMENT: If property values are plunging due to the economic downturn and foreclosure crisis, then residential property taxes should drop too, or at least stay even, a Portland legislator argues. He’s resurrecting a failed constitutional amendment to do that.  But the city manager of Imlay City, the Michigan Townships Association and the Michigan Municipal League argue that would be a lousy move that unfairly targets local governments and jeopardizes essential public services. By Thomas J. Morrisey. FOR LANSING, LAPEER, MACOMB, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

INVASIVESPECIES. Lake Erie property owners are using front-end loaders to bury zebra mussels in the sand after storms pile the invaders up to 3 feet high. Meanwhile, Experts warn of a surge of invasive species – some new, some already here – throughout the Great Lakes. By Alison Costello. FOR OAKLAND, MACOMB, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, ALPENA, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, UP NORTH, MARQUETTE, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.

LAKESPLAN: A $3-billion-a-year proposal from the state would focus on environmental projects along the Great Lakes, but inland communities stand to benefit as well. A Gaylord-based conservation group explains that northern and Northeast Michigan are the home to the headwaters for many coldwater rivers and streams that flow into the Great Lakes. By Joe Vaillancourt. FOR GRAYLING, CADILLAC, CLARE, GLADWIN, ALPENA, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, TRAVERSE CITY, SOUTH BEND, UP NORTH, PETOSKEY, SPORTSMEN, & ALL POINTS.

ALTERNATIVEENERGY. Alternative energy could light up Michigan’s future, but it’s less likely to be wind energy in the Upper Peninsula than in other parts of the state, one expert says, but a Marquette lawmaker is more optimistic. Meanwhile, Northern Michigan University plans to shift to cellulose as a hearing source and Cliffs is researching biofuels. By Gabriel Goodwin. FOR MARQUETTE, TRAVERSE CITY, ALPENA & ALL POINTS.

WIND: It’s a safe bet that most Michigan residents haven’t heard of the 11-member state Wind Energy Resource Zone Board, but the little-known group is tackling one of the most pivotal issues facing Michigan—alternative energy. A state Energy Office expert explains new developments in technology, including advances in wind turbines, and a company manufacturing vertical turbines in Manistee expects to create 141 jobs in three years. By Tim Weatherhead. FOR LUDINGTON, TRAVERSE CITY, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS  & ALL POINTS.

CNS

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