Nessel Joins DOJ Lawsuit Against Google
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Whitmer Makes Appointments to Transportation Commission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 18, 2023 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Makes Appointments to State Transportation Commission Ms. Brown and Ms. Welburn are the first women of color in state history appointed to the commission
LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Ms. Rhonda Welburn and Ms. Rita Brown to the State Transportation Commission.
State Transportation Commission
Rhonda Welburn, of Detroit, is a retired member of Dickinson Wright, PLLC, where she began practicing of law in 1995. Her primary practice areas were public finance and municipal law, but she is also experienced in the areas of banking and financial services, real estate and education law. During her 25-year legal career, she was consistently ranked by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America®, Michigan Super Lawyers and recognized as a Top Lawyer by DBusiness Magazine. Before joining Dickinson Wright, Ms. Welburn had a distinguished 13-year career at General Motors, beginning her automotive career as a mathematician developing computer aided design technology and ultimately serving in a managerial position at GM’s financial staff.
Ms. Welburn serves on the board of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, and the DMC Foundation. She attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. She earned her Master of Business Administration from the University of Detroit-Mercy and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Michigan. Ms. Welburn is appointed to represent Independents for a term commencing April 18, 2023 and expiring December 21, 2025. She replaces Todd Wyett, whose term has expired.
Rita Brown, of Birmingham, is a V.P. of Development, Innovation & Infrastructure at JMC Electrical Contractor, as well as being the CEO of Brown Construction Collective +. She is an outspoken advocate for increasing representation in her industry after her own experience and struggles to be given a fair shot as a working mom. She founded Project Accelerate, a seven-week intensive program to introduce women to the design and building trades industry. Her recruiting efforts have earned her several awards from National Association of Women in Construction, and in 2017 she was invited to discuss Project Accelerate at a White House policy briefing focused on expanding careers for women in the construction industry.
Ms. Brown holds an associate’s degree from Schoolcraft College and has earned professional certificates from Michigan State University and Dartmouth. Ms. Brown is appointed to represent Democrats for a term commencing April 18, 2023 and expiring December 21, 2025. She replaces Stephen Adamini, whose term has expired.
The Commission establishes policy for the Michigan Department of Transportation in relation to transportation programs and facilities and other such works as related to transportation development, as provided by law. Responsibilities of the Commission include the development and implementation of comprehensive transportation plans for the entire state, including aeronautics, bus and rail transit, providing professional and technical assistance, and overseeing the administration of state and federal funds allocated for these programs.
These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Left: Ms. Rhonda Welburn Right: Ms. Rita Brown |
Bills would allow for work zone speed cameras
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New state psychiatric hospital to be built
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2023 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, Sutfinl1@ New state psychiatric hospital to be built on LANSING, Mich. – Today, as part of the state’s continued commitment to providing behavioral health services to Michigan families, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) announced the location of a new inpatient psychiatric hospital. The southeastern Michigan facility will be located at the current site of Hawthorn Center, 18471 Haggerty Road in Northville. The new hospital is being made possible by a $325 million FY23 budget allocation by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the legislature. It will care for patients currently served at both Hawthorn Center and Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland. The two facilities serve nearly 200 patients and are among the state’s five inpatient psychiatric hospitals for individuals who have severe mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hawthorn Center opened its doors in 1956, while Walter Reuther began operations in 1979, and need to be replaced due to aging infrastructure. “We are excited to be able to provide Michigan families in need of inpatient, behavioral health care a new state-of-the-art hospital in southeastern Michigan,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “The modern facility will allow MDHHS to continue providing quality, compassionate care to both children and adults. The consolidation of two of our current hospitals will also allow for efficiencies in administrative and support services while maintaining separate living and treatment facilities for adults and children.” “DTMB is proud to be a part of this effort to improve the lives of Michiganders most in need of care,” said Michelle Lange, DTMB director. “Our team of construction experts are eager to exercise their skills to ensure that the new psychiatric facility is completed on time and on budget and is a top-notch facility that meets the needs of both the patients and staff.” “The new facility is a perfect example of how the state is leveraging one-time resources for long-term strategic investments,” said State Budget Director Christopher Harkins. “We are thoughtfully and deliberately building the new facility on the current Hawthorn Center site, which is a convenient location for staff and patient families, and sustains a relationship with the community of Northville, which has long been a partner to the State of Michigan. This project will provide benefits for years into the future.” “Mental health, especially for children, is an urgent need in our region,” said Mark Abbo, Northville Township supervisor. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the State of Michigan to develop a state-of-the-art facility to help those in our region in need, get the highest possible mental health care.” During construction of the new facility in Northville, staff and patients currently being cared for at Hawthorn Center will be moved to a separate unit at Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital to allow for the demolition of the current Hawthorn facility. While the new psychiatric complex will serve all ages, the hospitals will be distinct facilities with separate living and programmatic spaces for children and adults. The complex, however, will include shared administration and food service. The construction manager for the project is Christman Company, with design services provided by Integrated Design Solutions LLC. Construction is expected to begin this fall and anticipated completion is in 2026. The State of Michigan operates five inpatient hospitals that serve nearly 650 patients. Caro Center, Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital serve adult patients while children and adolescents are treated at Hawthorn Center. The Center for Forensic Psychiatry provides diagnostic services to the criminal justice system and psychiatric treatment for criminal defendants adjudicated incompetent to stand trial or acquitted by not guilty by reason of insanity. Michigan’s state hospitals are accredited by The Joint Commission and are committed to providing evidence-supported, person-centered inpatient care to individuals in an environment that values compassion, collaboration and community reintegration. |
Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach
Avondale has their new Varsity Football Coach.
Written Saturday April 15th at 10:10 AM
Avondale will have a new football coach this fall.
The Yellow Jackets have named Bob Meyer as their new head coach. Meyer was confirmed as the coach on the Avondale Athletics website and also Livonia Clarenceville where he previously coached has a new coach according to the MHSAA website.
Meyer takes over for Corey Bell whom is now the quarterback’s coach at Oxford.
Meyer is no stranger to Oakland County. He coached at Walled Lake Central before heading to Livonia Clarenceville. He led the Trojans in his four years to a 25-23 record but a 25-14 record in the last three years with three postseason appearances.
Meyer comes to a program that has had a ton of success. The Yellow Jackets have made the postseason six of the last seven years and look to make it seven of eight this season. Avondale is one of the favorites in the Gold with a ton of proven experience.
The Yellow Jackets have Tyler Herzog at quarterback, along with wide receivers and defensive backs Alfonso Merritt, Justin Sykes and Cooper Voeffary, also linemen Charlie Killian, Dhruv Thakur, and Cameron Washington, and linebackers Myles Moore and Matthew Lloyd coming back.
Program strength will be very interesting to watch this season for Avondale.
The Yellow Jackets are 31-26 in the last seven years but the trend has been on the upward swing as of late. Avondale hasn’t been able to get out of the first round since 2012.
My Thoughts
I’ve talked to a lot of media experts and they say to me that this is a great hire for the Yellow Jackets to go with Meyer. Meyer brings a well-known knowledge of the game and can play any style of offense whether it is the veer or the spread offense. Defensively and depth will be question marks this season. Avondale is one of the favorites in the Gold with proven experience and you bring Meyer a proven coach to the fold, the Yellow Jackets should be a force to watch this season.
Stay tuned to OAA Now for the latest on this developing story.
Avondale Football Information Meeting
https://yellowjacketsports.org/2023/04/12/football-2023-informational-meeting/
Livonia Clarenceville Football MHSAA page
https://www.mhsaa.com/schools/clarenceville/boys/varsity/football/2023