Officials Fight to Maintain Consumer Protections
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More state departments become Veteran-Friendly Employers
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 9, 2020 Contact: Andy Henion, 517-284-5228
More Michigan state departments become Veteran-Friendly Employers
LANSING, Mich. – Ten State of Michigan departments or departmental units have now been certified as Veteran-Friendly Employers through the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), representing more than half of all state departments.
The Department of Environmental, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) recently became the third state department certified as a Veteran-Friendly Employer in 2020 alone, joining the departments of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB).
Since the MVAA launched the Veteran-Friendly Employer (VFE) Program in 2013 as one of the nation’s most rigorous veteran-focused initiatives, 10 state departments or units have been certified among 18 total state departments. The State of Michigan employs nearly 4,000 veterans, representing 7.3% of its workforce.
Employers in the VFE program are vetted and recognized for their commitment to recruiting, training and retaining veterans. All told, nearly 400 private and public employers across the state are certified as either Bronze-, Silver- or Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employers.
“Our veterans put their lives on the line for our families, and we must ensure that they have the support they need here at home,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “That’s why the State of Michigan is taking crucial steps to ensure our veterans can get connected to good jobs in our departments. As we approach Veterans Day, I want to thank all of those who have served our state and the family members and loved ones who have supported our veterans.”
The VFE program is part of the MVAA’s broader strategy to improve employment, educational, entrepreneurial and other quality-of-life opportunities for Michigan’s 552,000 veterans and their families. As the state’s one-stop coordinating agency for veterans, the MVAA is available 24/7 at 1-800-MICH-VET.
“Veterans bring special skillsets, a strong work ethic and values to the workplace that employers need to help make their operations successful,” said MVAA Director Zaneta Adams. “The MVAA applauds the growing list of state departments for recognizing the value of hiring veterans and is committed to working with even more Michigan employers – public and private alike – to help them grow their veteran workforces.”
Two state departments have achieved prestigious Gold-level Veteran-Friendly Employer status: Transportation (MDOT), which was certified as a VFE in 2016, and Michigan State Police (MSP), certified in 2017. Gold-level VFEs must hire and retain a certain number of veterans and implement a number of veteran-focused human resources, support and/or training programs. Only about 3 percent of VFEs have met these criteria.
“The Michigan State Police has a long history of supporting our veteran, reserve and Guard employees,” said Col. Joe Gasper, director of the Michigan State Police, which employs nearly 500 veterans. “They are valuable members of the MSP team and we support them through our participation in the VA On the job/Apprentice training program, Employee Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and our Pre- and Post-deployment Reintegration Program.”
MDOT, which employs about 140 veterans, was recognized as the MVAA’s “Rising Star” Veteran-Friendly Employer in 2016 for its innovative veteran recruiting and hiring practices, including the coordination of a Veterans Internship Program.
“At MDOT, we are very committed to including military veterans in our workforce,” said MDOT Director Paul C. Ajegba. “Their talents and skills are valuable to our work, and our mission is not only to bring them on board but to continue to help them succeed.”
Three state departments have achieved Silver-level VFE status: Health and Human Services (MDHHS), certified in 2017; Corrections (MDOC), certified in 2018; and Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), certified in 2019.
The three departments certified so far this year – DTMB, DIFS and, most recently, EGLE – join two others in the Bronze-level VFE category: Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) Workforce Development unit and Natural Resources’ (DNR) Law Enforcement Division, both certified in 2019. “We are pleased to be the state’s newest Veteran-Friendly Employer, affirming our commitment to both supporting Michigan’s military veterans and ensuring EGLE is a welcoming and engaging workplace,” said EGLE Director Liesl Clark. “Protecting Michiganders’ quality of life and the natural resources fits hand-in-glove with their mission of protecting our country.” ###
About the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency: Created by Executive Order in 2013, MVAA’s mission is to be the central coordinating agency, providing support, care, advocacy and service to veterans and their families. By calling 800-MICH-VET (800-642-4838) veterans, family members and service providers can get information and access a comprehensive network of resources and services. Learn more at MichiganVeterans.com. |
Governor Whitmer Statement on Pfizer Vaccine News
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 9, 2020 Media Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Statement on Pfizer Vaccine News, President-Elect Biden’s COVID-19 Response Team Announcement
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the following statement after Pfizer announced that an early analysis showed that their COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective, and after President-Elect Joe Biden announced his COVID-19 Response Team comprised of health experts from across the country:
“This is great news for our families, our frontline workers, and our small business owners. Michigan has always been on the forefront of innovation, and I am proud to see that Pfizer, a Michigan business and one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in the world, will produce the vaccine in our great state. We must remember that when the vaccine is ready, it will take time to distribute, and we need everyone to continue doing their part to protect each other from COVID-19. That’s why it’s so important that President-Elect Biden has announced a team of medical experts to lead our country’s COVID-19 response. It is crucial that leaders across the country listen to science and the recommendations of health experts, and President-Elect Biden has made it clear that he shares that commitment. I look forward to working closely with him and medical experts everywhere to fight this virus and save lives.”
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First responder media event Nov. 10
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2020
CONTACT: Ron Tennant, Grand Rapids Fire Department, 616-456-3900, [email protected]
First responder media event Nov. 10 to promote
National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week
WHAT:
The Michigan Traffic Incident Management Action Team and the Delta Township Fire Department are hosting a media event to bring awareness to National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week (Nov. 9-15) and the hazards faced by those working unplanned incidents on Michigan’s roads. The event will highlight the importance of drivers slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles, as well as safely managing traffic incidents and preventing secondary crashes. First responder vehicles and a traffic incident management demonstration will be available.
WHO:
AAA Michigan
Eaton County 911
Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) staff
Michigan State Police staff
Michigan’s Fire Service Michigan Towing Association
Michigan’s Traffic Incident Management Action Team
WHEN:
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020
10 a.m.
WHERE:
Delta Township Fire Department
811 N. Canal Road
Lansing, MI 48917
EVENT INFORMATION:
Due to recent Michigan Department of Health and Human Services orders, the event will be limited to a maximum of 50 attendees. All attendees will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and will be required to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing.
BACKGROUND:
Each year across the country, hundreds of emergency responders are struck and injured or killed while responding to traffic incidents. This year’s National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week theme is “Slow Down. Move Over. Be Safe.” It focuses on the fact that everyone has a role in traffic incident response. Simply slowing down, moving over, and driving safe around incidents and first responders can save lives.
Unfortunately, first responders are still being struck and killed or injured at an alarming rate. Safety, emergency, local, and state groups and organizations around Michigan will use the week to educate drivers and local public safety professionals about the dangers of traffic incident response in an effort to prevent injuries and deaths.
Michigan residents can join the effort by ensuring their vehicle is in good working condition, packing a roadside emergency kit, and remaining in their vehicle until help arrives. When driving near an incident scene, Michigan’s Move Over Law requires motorists to slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit and move over if possible. This law applies to stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights activated, including roadside tow trucks and courtesy vehicles operated by MDOT. It also applies to garbage trucks, road maintenance, and utility service vehicles that have amber lights flashing.
Top Five Games
Top Five Games:
By Sammy Taormina
Romeo at Stoney Creek: The Cougars are having a special season and made everyone in the State know who they were after pulling off a huge 28-21 victory over Chippewa Valley last week behind a 250 yards and three scores off 44 carries for running back Cam Burford. Burford also got an interception last week as well. Ryan Echout has been outstanding at quarterback as well for the Cougars and the Stoney Creek defense has been stout under defensive coordinator Gary Griffith. This will be the first meeting between these two neighborhood schools. Romeo has been a weird team to figure out this season but they are peaking at the right time. The Bulldogs has won three straight games including a controversial 15-14 upset win at Macomb Dakota last week behind a controversial fourth and goal by running back Brian St. Clair that according to the replays that I saw was that he threw the football into the end zone when his forward progress should had been stopped but the football was recovered by wide receiver Luke Rolfs in the end zone. The officials gave the touchdown to Romeo which upset many Macomb Dakota players, coaches, and fans and thus putting Romeo in the district finals. The Bulldogs are a hardworking team very similar to the Cougars but they are riding a ton of momentum but so is Stoney Creek. The running back battle should be very interesting between Burford and St. Clair. The quarterback matchup between Logan Rolfs and Echout is also going to be interesting as well. The coaching matchup is not too bad as well between Curt Rienas and Nick Merlo. This should be a very interesting matchup at Stoney Creek.
Groves at Warren Mott: This is going to be the first meeting between the Falcons and the Marauders. Warren Mott is coming off a 49-14 beat down of Berkley behind wide receiver KJ Allen whom had five catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns while running back N Christian Gilbert had six carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears. They also have a very good quarterback throwing to them as well in James Chaney. He had three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns himself against Berkley. Chaney is more than capable of putting numbers himself in the zone read. He had 29 carries for 188 yards and two rushing touchdowns and was five for nine for 46 yards and a passing score earlier in the season against Utica. Groves is coming off a 30-21 victory over arch rival Seaholm behind the play of quarterback Kaleb Garner threw for two touchdown passes both to wide receiver Orion Kendra. The Falcons also have Jaden Mangham for Warren Mott to deal with as well. The coaching matchup is very interesting between Brendan Flaherty and Tom Milonov. This is going to be a very interesting district finals.
Oak Park at Wyandotte: The Knights have earned their first two game winning streak of the season after beating Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit 27-21 last week. This is going to be the first meeting since 2012 with Wyandotte. The Bears beat Oak Park 10-6 in the 2012 regional finals which motivates Coach Greg Carter. Wyandotte has been rolling people. They earned a 38-13 victory over Detroit Renaissance last week. The Bears feature a very good quarterback in Jalen Pitchford. Pitchford has had a monster year this season on both sides of the football (also plays on defense.) Wyandotte also has a ton of talented players as well in running back Logan McGraw and wide receivers/defensive backs Donavan Canterbury and Richard Clark. They are well coached under Coach Ron Adams. Oak Park is back healthy and they has their fair share of athletes as well in running back Davion Primm along with quarterback James Burnley and linemen Rayshawn Benny, among others. This should be very interesting in Wyandotte on Friday night.
North Farmington at South Lyon: North Farmington made a huge statement last week behind the play of quarterback Jacob Bousamra and running back Justus Whitehorn whom were both very impressive combining for five touchdowns in their 44-28 victory over Fenton last week. South Lyon is coming off an impressive 42-37 home victory over Walled Lake Western. The Lions are a very young team which they weren’t expected to do much but they have grown up in a hurry. This will be the seventh meeting all time between these two teams with South Lyon holding a 4-2 season series edge and the first meeting since 1995 when both teams were in the Western Lakes Activities Association. It is shaping up to be a very interesting game in South Lyon.
West Bloomfield at Sterling Heights Stevenson: This is going to be one of the most hyped matchups in the State on Friday night. Who doesn’t love a good OAA Red vs MAC Red matchup??? It will be the first meeting between these two teams. The Titans have a ton of experience back from a team that made the Division One State Semifinals last season. We don’t know about the health of Jordan Ramsey. Ramsey did not play in their 19-14 victory over Southfield Arts and Tech. He hasn’t played in a few weeks due to injury but Sterling Heights Stevenson has some very talented players to fill the void for Ramsey in Jordan Kwaitkowski, Tony Schumate, and quarterback Biagio Madonna. Kwaitkowski and Schumate combined for 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Warriors. Kwaitkowski caught a pass for a score in that game as well. The Titans have heard a ton about the Lakers and especially running back Donovan Edwards. Edwards had two scores in a 56-3 blowout of Troy on Friday night in the Swamp but they saw their four game shutout streak snapped with a Ryan Peluso field goal. The quarterback matchup is going to be very interesting between Alex Short and Madonna. The running back battle should be the key matchup between Edwards, Dillion Tatum, and Mekhi Elam. The battle in the trenches are also going to be interesting between Michigan commit Giovanni El-Hadi going up against one of the best defensive lines in the State led by Amir Herring and Brandon Davis-Swan. The coaching matchup is also going to be very interesting as well between Coach Ron Bellamy and Coach Justin Newcomb. There are going to be a ton of storylines heading into this game at Runkel Field on Friday night.