Top Officials Sworn-In During Ceremony
County Looks Forward To Four Years Of Leadership From Coulter, Bouchard, Brown, McDonald And Nash Top Officials Sworn-In During Ceremony
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County’s top elected officials were sworn-in Thursday for the next four years in Oakland County Circuit Court by Chief Judge Shalina D. Kumar.
Incumbents County Executive Dave Coulter, Clerk/Register of Deeds Lisa Brown, Sheriff Michael Bouchard and Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash were each administered their oath of office during a brief ceremony. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the ceremony was closed to the public but recorded for later viewing.
Newly elected Prosecutor Karen McDonald was present for the swearing-in of her new colleagues, but a separate ceremony was held for her later Thursday.
Treasurer-elect Robert Wittenberg, who replaces Treasurer Andy Meisner, will take his oath of office in the summer when Meisner’s term expires.
To view the swearing-in ceremony and hear remarks from the county’s top officials, click this link.
For media inquiries only, please contact Bill Mullan, Oakland County media & communications officer, at 248-858-1048.
DNR: News Digest – Week of Dec. 21, 2020
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News Digest – Week of Dec. 21, 2020
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Each year, thousands of people greet the first day of January by joining America’s State Parks 
With winter now (officially) begun, many anglers are heading out to the ice for some frozen fishing fun. It’s important to make safety your top priority anytime you’re on the ice. Remember: there is no reliable “inch-thickness” to determine when ice is safe.
struggling Michiganders encouraged to seek assistance to keep warm
Governor Whitmer, MPSC and MDHHS urge struggling Michiganders to seek assistance to keep warm this season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 21, 2020
Media Contact: Matt Helms 517-284-8300
Customer Assistance: 800-292-9555
Michigan.gov/MPSC
Twitter
With the COVID-19 pandemic surging during the holiday season, the State of Michigan reminds residents that there are resources available for households worried about paying their energy bills.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Public Service Commission and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services join together to emphasize the availability of flexible payment plans and financial assistance for households struggling to pay bills for electricity and home heating now and after the holidays.
“As we continue fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and head into another Michigan winter, it’s crucial that all Michiganders can access the support they need to keep themselves and their families warm and safe,” Governor Whitmer said. “As the weather gets colder, I urge everyone who needs help to reach out for it. It is also crucial that our leaders at the federal level work together to pass a bipartisan relief bill that will provide families the support they need to make it through the winter. We will get through this together.”
“Michigan utilities offer payment plans for customers who’ve lost jobs or income because of the pandemic, and those struggling should contact their utility see what help is available,” MPSC Chair Dan Scripps said. “In addition, federal and state financial assistance for low-income households has been expanded to include those who’ve become newly unemployed or underemployed. Please don’t hesitate to seek help.”
Utility customers in need should contact their utility to ask about flexible payment options and assistance. They may also apply for or find out more about State Emergency Relief and the Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) through MI Bridges at www.michigan.gov/mibridges. If you need help applying, call 211 and ask for a MEAP grantee near you for help. You also can find a local MEAP grantee at the MPSC’s MEAP information page.
“No one should be without heat or electricity — especially during a pandemic,” said MDHHS Director Robert Gordon. “MDHHS wants to make sure that Michiganders experiencing financial difficulties can check out the forms of assistance available right now and reach out for help.”
Additional energy assistance programs and shutoff protections may not relieve utility customers of their responsibility to pay for their energy use, but they will help customers obtain or maintain utility service, especially during winter. They include:
- The Winter Protection Plan protects seniors and low-income customers of MPSC-regulated natural gas and electric utilities. Customers may find relief from electric or natural gas service shutoff and high utility payments between Nov. 1 and March 31.
- The MPSC and state law require all regulated gas and electric companies, and municipal electric utilities, to provide shutoff protection for seniors 65 and older during the heating season, Nov. 1 through March 31. Seniors worried about their energy service should contact their utility.
- Through medical emergency shutoff protection, customers may receive a medical hold preventing service from being disconnected for nonpayment on natural gas and/or electric bills for up to 21 days, with the option to reapply for extensions up to 126 days per household, if a customer or a member of the customer’s household has an existing medical condition that would be aggravated by the lack of utility service.
- Through critical care shutoff protection, a customer or household can receive protection from disconnection or have services restored due to inability to pay if there is an identified critical care customer in the home and interruption of service would be immediately life threatening.
- Active duty military customers or the spouses of those called to full-time active military duty during a time of declared national or state emergency or war may apply for shutoff protection for electric or natural gas service for up to 90 days, with the option to reapply for extensions. Additionally, families of veterans and active duty military personnel can receive emergency financial assistance to pay electric, oil, gas, and other heating fuels. For information, contact the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
In addition, there are a number of ways for Michiganders to lower their home energy costs by reducing energy waste.
- Contact a certified professional and schedule a furnace tune-up so it runs more efficiently. Replace filters regularly because clogged filters make a furnace work harder. If replacing a furnace, look for the ENERGY STAR logo, which indicates a high-efficiency product.
- Discuss with your utility provider programs that can help to manage costs. Ask about or sign up for demand response or time-of-use programs or a budget plan.
- Schedule a home energy assessment to identify ways to cut energy waste. Many utilities across the state are conducting energy assessments virtually and rebates on heating, ventilation and air conditioning, appliances, lighting, insulation and other improvements are available.
- Go to the MPSC’s Be Winterwise page for more information on reducing energy bills, or check out additional recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Research options before signing up with a propane provider. Locking in a contract can mean lower prices.
- Tackle home improvements that reduce energy waste. Seal cracks around windows and doors to keep heat from escaping. Check air ducts and seal openings against leaks. Insulate attics and crawl spaces. Install a programmable thermostat, which can save an estimated 10 percent a year on heating and cooling.
- Be sure to shop around if you’re considering purchasing your natural gas through an alternative gas supplier. The MPSC’s CompareMiGas website has information to help you compare rates of suppliers serving in your utility service area, but be sure you understand the terms and conditions before signing a contract.
For information about the MPSC, visit www.michigan.gov/mpsc, sign up for one of its listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter.
AG’s Office Signs Agreement After Alleged Price-gouging
Media Contacts: Ryan Jarvi FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AG’s Office Signs Agreement with Oakland County Business After Alleged Price-gougingLANSING – While the COVID-19 pandemic persists, the Michigan Department of Attorney General remains active in its efforts to protect consumers from predatory and deceptive business practices. Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office recently signed an agreement with Smokehouse Distribution, an Oakland County business in Commerce Township that allegedly violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) by engaging in practices like price-gouging. The business was advertising excessively priced face masks for sale on a website called BeamerSmoke. The The AVC requires the business to refund customers who purchased the over-priced personal protective equipment and refrain from selling such products again for COVID-19 purposes. “From the outset, my office has been committed to protecting consumers from retailers who try to use this pandemic as an excuse to prey on the vulnerabilities of hard-working people,” Nessel Smokehouse Distribution advertised surgical-type masks at two for $18 and admitted to investigators that the masks were purchased for about 56 cents apiece. The proprietor also said the higher price was an error that was addressed as soon as it was discovered. However, the price for two masks then dropped to $12 and $10, still a significant markup. The owner indicated only 17 sales of face masks occurred through the website, but an invoice provided to the Attorney General’s office shows the business purchased nine cases of 2,000 masks each from a supplier. After the Attorney General’s office contacted the business about consumer complaints it had received, the business returned much of its mask inventory to its supplier. Under terms of the AVC, the seller will provide full refunds to specific consumers who purchased face masks and gloves on the company’s website in April. Customers who will receive a refund will be contacted by the business. Refunds must be provided to consumers within 60 days. The AVC also requires:
An Assurance of Voluntary Compliance agreement is a tool provided for in the MCPA that allows the Attorney General’s office to settle disputes with businesses that have allegedly violated the MCPA without litigation. To view more about the MCPA and the Attorney General’s efforts to protect consumers, visit the department’s website. Consumer complaints may also be filed online by visiting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection website. |