"Hit the Road, Mitt" Video: We don't want you in Detroit or Michigan!

Perennial Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a native of Michigan and son of former Michigan governor George Romney, famously said in December 2008: "Let Detroit go bankrupt." He was referring to the then-on-the-brink U.S. auto industry. He didn't care about the tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs that would be lost. He didn't care about the lost manufacturing base of the American auto industry. He didn't care about Detroit.

Of course, AFTER President Barack Obama and the Michigan Democratic Congressional leaders, including John Conyers, Debbie Stabenow, Carl Levin, and Sander Levin, as well as former Democratic Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm led a government-sponsored loan (not 'bailout") program, the U.S. auto industry is doing better than ever. All of the big three are reporting repeated quarterly profits, tens of thousands of saved and/or new jobs, exciting new car models, and additional investments in plants and R&D, Mr. Romney said saving the auto industry was "his idea" all along.

No, Mitt, it was not. You are famous for wanting to throw ordinary people and companies under the bus. You are most famous for flip-flopping.

Please help this video go viral as Mitt "comes home to Michigan" for a GOP debate in metro Detroit on Wednesday night to try to make us forget that he wanted Detroit to go bankrupt. We are NOT forgetting, Mitt. Hit the road.

 

Posted via email from The Black Liberal Boomer Blog

Wordless Wednesday: MI Governor Granholm on SCOTUS Shortlist

Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-Michigan) is on President Barack Obama's "shortlist" for the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

Posted via web from The DSpot Redeux Blog

Do it in Detroit: Blog Action Day- Michigan's Involvment in Climate Change

This year as participants in Blog Action Day, the "D" Spot Redeux's "Do it in Detroit" segment spotlights what Michigan is already doing to address climate change as well as features recycling programs and businesses in Detroit that are available to the public, easily accessible, and run by people who care about this city. So that means, No more excuses, become informed then "Do it in Detroit", it’s easy.

Recycling is a major component of Michigan waste reduction efforts. It is often the first step businesses take toward a more efficient and cleaner operation. It is also a popular, positive way individuals can protect their environment and reduce the impact of climate change.

A few of the many environmental and economic benefits of recycling are:

•	Minimizing the need to harvest and mine virgin materials thus preventing habitat and natural area destruction and disruption.
•	Creating more jobs than managing waste does, resulting in stronger local economies.
•	Diverting waste from landfills, extending their useful lives.
•	Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Model D TV video producer/director Tom Hendrickson talks with the Recycle Here folks about their ever expanding operations.


RECYCLE HERE!
Just because you never see any shiny, colorful recycling bins lining the streets on Tuesday mornings (or any day of the week) does not mean that Detroiters don’t recycle. While there is no curbside recycling, When Detroiters recycle, they Recycle Here! And they do it via drop off locations and, in some neighborhoods, curbside pick up, which Recycle Here runs for the city.

Recycle Here! has a main drop off facility located at 1331 Holden Ave in the New Center area. They are open every Wednesday from 10am until 6pm and Saturday from 9am until 3pm. Friendly and informed staff are always available to guide and assist you through your drop off experience. In addition to drop off services, Recycle Here! offers pick up services for a variety of loft/condo communities and businesses throughout Detroit. If you are interested in having this service added to your business or community please contact us at http://www.recyclehere.net/contact.html and we will visit your location and help you develop a program that works for you.

ARTS & SCRAPS

16135 Harper, Detroit, Mi 48224
Ph: 313-640-4411 Fax: 313-640-4422

Arts & Scraps is a Detroit non-profit organization that uses recycled industrial materials to help people of all ages and abilities think, create and learn. Please bring clean items, sorted as much as possible. Drop items off at our side delivery door during our open hours, Tues., Thurs. 11-6, Sat. 11-4. Don't live in the Detroit area? Send them to 16135 Harper, Detroit, MI 48224. Visit Arts&Scraps.org for a list of items you can and cannot donate.

Shop Macy's and support Arts & Scraps--Shop for a Cause

1. Purchase a $5 gift certificate from Arts & Scraps. ALL the money stays with Arts & Scraps to provide programming. 2. On October 17, go to any Detroit area Macy's and use your certificate for $5 off one item or a 20% discount all day. You may purchase more than one certificate to use on multiple smaller items. Certain departments like cosmetics and some designers do not apply; gift certificates and payments are also excluded. Purchase your certificate on the Arts & Scraps website or visit Arts & Scraps Tues., Thurs., 11-6, Sat. 11-4.

EQ-Detroit
1923 Frederick, Detroit, MI 48211 Phone: (313) 923-0080 EQ Detroit is one of the largest waste processing facilities in the United States. Located in the heart of the Motor City, EQ Detroit can be accessed by both truck and direct rail service. Our container management services include docking bays and storage of nearly 4,000 drums. The operation also provides technical support and full laboratory services to help you meet your waste characterization needs. Recycling Services: Solvent recycling, Battery recycling, Universal waste recycling, On-site mobile solvent/oil recycling, Airport services - glycol recycling, Oil recycling, Commodities (cardboard, paper, plastics, etc.), E-waste, and Waste to energy.
Michigan Business P2 Partnership (MBP3)

Known as the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership (MBP3), this voluntary program is open to all Michigan businesses, regardless of size, interested in initiating or expanding pollution prevention (P2) practices and receiving recognition for these efforts. Participants are asked to provide an annual summary of their progress and share success stories on their pollution prevention activities. Developed jointly by the business community and state government, the MBP3 program is managed by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance, who will be responsible for providing pollution prevention assistance, recognizing participants, and reporting on the program's progress. Organizations in Michigan have the opportunity to become involved in a unique program encouraging businesses to apply creative, cost-effective techniques to reduce waste and prevent the release of hazardous substances. Contact: Contact: Chris Affeldt (517) 241-9505, Agency: Environmental Quality for more information.

MICHIGAN CLIMATE ACTION COUNCIL
Recognizing that the future of Michigan and its citizens will be impacted by climate change, on November 14, 2007, Governor Jennifer Granholm established the Michigan Climate Action Council (MCAC). One of the charges for the MCAC was to develop a comprehensive climate action plan for the state. On March 1, 2009, the MCAC completed the Climate Action Plan which includes 54 policy recommendations for reducing GHG emissions and addressing related energy and commerce issues in Michigan. The Climate Action Plan is the initial step in establishing a basis for moving forward on the implementation of climate change policies in Michigan.

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) was instrumental in attracting a green energy company, Renewafuel LLC, an affiliate of Cleveland Cliffs, Inc., to come to Michigan and potentially expand. Renewafuel produces high-quality, low-emission biofuels. These dense fuel cubes are made from renewable materials such as corn cobs, corn stover, wood chips, switch grass, etc., and are a potential substitute for Western coal and natural gas that could significantly reduce green house gas emissions of utilities and other companies. Recycling Efforts in State Government - Recycling has been a major component of waste reduction efforts in Michigan and is part of the MDEQ Pollution Prevention Strategy. Often, recycling is the first step businesses take toward a more efficient and cleaner operation. For details on the various recycling efforts in the Michigan, go to http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130---,00.html.

IN THE NEWS:

• According to the New York Times, Michigan leads the nation with a 15.2 percent unemployment rate (the rate in metro Detroit tops 17 percent). On CNN's State of the Union, Granholm underscored that Congressional action on a comprehensive clean energy and climate plan is essential to revitalize the Michigan economy and American manufacturing. Watch it. Researchers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst Political Economy Research Insitute estimate that the economic recovery package, coupled with the kind of investments that a clean energy and climate bill would unleash, could create more than 53,000 new jobs in Michigan alone.
  
  
  Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-dorner/clean-energy-bill-key-to_b_310030.html
  
  
  Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-dorner/clean-energy-bill-key-to_b_310030.html

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-dorner/clean-energy-bill-key-to_b_310030.html

ACTION ITEMS:

"Take the Pledge"
The Michigan Climate Action Councils urges you to take a small step by "taking the pledge" meaning to make a voluntary commitment to reduce greenhouse gases through one or more actions that can help Michigan proactively address the threats that climate change pose on our environment.

You can read through the more than 50 actions identified on the "Climate Change Checklist" which outlines 50 actions you can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions where you live, work, or learn.

Once you are ready to take the pledge, fill out the form at http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-50990-195739--,00.html and join with others in Michigan who have committed to
helping become a leader in addressing the global challenge of climate change.

Sign Michigan's Coal Petition

Help support Governor Jennifer Granholm for her efforts to help stop the advance of global warming, including a strong proposed renewable energy standard requiring Michigan produce at least 25% of our electricity from non-polluting, renewable sources by 2025 and recruitment of renewable energy manufacturing jobs to Michigan.

By signing this petition Michigan can prevent the permitting of more coal plants until stronger protections are put in place against dangerous global warming carbon dioxide pollution. Coal-fired power plants already have serious negative impacts on public health, and today they are a major force behind global warming. Global warming is the most significant environmental and humanitarian emergency that has ever faced our planet; Michigan must play a leading role in reducing emissions of CO2, a significant cause of global warming. For more information go to: http://progressmichigan.org/page/s/globalwarming or click below to sign the petition.

You Are What You Eat Michiganders!

On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Jennifer Granholm stood outside of Peaches & Greens, a local Detroit produce store and announced the launch of a food service program that would provide fresh produce to city neighborhoods. A much
needed service for local residents who's diets are suffering due to the recent economic recession.

Detroit has been identified as a place where quality groceries and produce are not readily available. Many Detroit residents are forced to shop for groceries at convenience stores and gas stations because there are few real grocery stores inside the city limits. Many of those have limited operating hours and inflated prices.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm

The innovative program labeled MI (pronounced "my") Neighborhood Food Movers, is the result of a partnership between the state and three nonprofit organizations. In addition to Peaches
& Greens, Up South Foods and Field of Our Dreams
will be joining the team of produce companies that
are expected to hit the streets for a 4-month trial period.

Granholm's program, which will be funded by a $75,000 low-interest loan from the state, will deliver fruits and vegetables to residents with a vendor-style truck, according to the Detroit Free Press. When the produce truck, which will bear a MI Neighborhood Food Movers logo, roves through neighborhoods on a fixed route and schedule, residents in Michigan’s largest city will have the option of healthier food choices and easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

Food Movers is focusing on three areas: one bounded by Woodward Ave., Dexter, W. Grand Blvd. and Glendale; the Jefferson/Chalmers area on the East Side; and Forest, E. Jefferson, Mt. Elliott and Conner. Some Detroiters counter that the program may not be successful due to the limitations to routes as well as the "lackadaisical" mentality of many Detroiters who don't seem to take well to programs no matter the convenience or benefit to their overall health.

Jocelyn Harris, 59, a Detroiter who is the proprietor of Up South Foods, appeared overjoyed with the announcement. "This is a miraculous day indeed for many Detroit residents and a dream come true for me," said the former Detroit science teacher. "I can feel this project is destined for greatness."

After the 4-month trial period, the Food Movers program is expected to be able to expand to include more local vendors covering a broader range of geographic areas.

Redeux News: $1 BILLION in Job-Creation $$ for Michigan!

 

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm

Michigan is receiving more than $1 Billion for alternative energy projects, specifically batteries for electric cars; more than any other state!  Vice-President Joe Biden is announcing the Federal Grants today (Wed. August 5 2009) in Detroit at NextEnergy in Detroit's TechTown in the Midtown Area.

THOUSANDS of jobs will be created across the State of Michigan! W00T!

Kwame Kilpatrick: Beginning, Ending, Beginning?

The Beginning...

In November 2001, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick became the youngest person ever elected to be Mayor of the City of Detroit. At the time, although he was only 31 years old, he had been a successful member of the Michigan State House of Representatives. Elected to as a state representative in 1996 to fill the seat left vacant by his mother, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick for her successful run for the United States Congress, Kwame Kilpatrick was selected by his legislative peers to be the first African-American to hold a leadership position as head of the Democratic Caucus. Mr. Kilpatrick’s political star continued to rise, being elected vice-president of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors and as such, a “Super Delegate” to the Democratic National Committee. He even had a brief speaking appearance at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

As he stated in his first inaugural speech in 2002, Kwame Kilpatrick was a “son of the City of Detroit”, attending Pelham Middle School and Cass Technical High School. He graduated from Florida A&M University, where he was captain of the football team; but returned to Detroit to teach in the Detroit Public Schools and later earn a Juris Doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law (now named the Michigan State University College of Law).

The End...

Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press

Unfortunately, for Kwame Kilpatrick and the City of Detroit,very soon after he assumed office, a myriad of scandals started to unfold: too many to list here. As mayor, he oversaw many positive resurgences in Detroit,including the completion of Campus Martius, the development of the Riverwalk, businesses such as Compuware and Quicken Loans relocating to the City, conventions, the SuperBowl, the Baseball All-Stars Game,  the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, and the largest new housing boom in Detroit in decades. But he also, by his own actions, brought the most shame and disgrace to the same city he claimed he loved so much. The unearthing of each scandal brought apologies from the mayor, along with promises to "do better".

In 2005, after a hard-fought campaign, Kilpatrick narrowly won re-election for another four-year term as Mayor of Detroit. But the scandals and rumors of scandals continued. Two demoted Detroit Police Officers who were investigating some of these rumors sued Kilpatrick and the City for unlawful firing; and during the 2007 trial, Kilpatrick and his Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty, testified under oath that they did not unjustly fire the police officers, and that they did not have an affair. The trial ended with the police officers winning their case and being awarded over $9 million. But in January, 2008, the Detroit Free Press uncovered text messages sent back and forth on city-owned pagers that contradicted everything Kilpatrick and Beatty said on the witness stand. That was the beginning of an eight-month process, including indictments for perjury and obstruction of justice that concluded, on September 3, 2008, with Mayor Kilpatrick's admission of guilt, a plea deal that includes jail time, and finally his resignation from office. The governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, had already started holding hearings at the behest of the Detroit City Council to remove Mr. Kilpatrick from office; those hearings were indefinitely put on hold at 11:15 a.m. on September 3, 2008...when Kwame Malik Kilpatrick accepted that plea deal and resigned from office effective September 18 2008.

The Beginning?

Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press

On Thursday evening, flanked by his wife Carlita (whose orange-print dress matched her husband's tie), his mother Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, his father Bernard Kilpatrick (himself a target of an FBI investigation), and other family members and friends, soon-to-be former Mayor Kilpatrick delivered his "swansong". The almost ebullient Mr.Kilpatrick enumerated the accomplishments of his administration, took "responsibility" for his actions, and intimated that the City of Detroit did him a favor, saying: "...Detroit, you done set me up for a comeback." Although as part of his plea deal, he cannot run for elected office for five years, Kwame Kilpatrick may by channeling former Washington D.C. mayor Marion Berry. We'll see; but for now...

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Riding Your Bike in Detroit? Have Your License?

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Now playing: The Caravans - The Lord Will Make A Way
via FoxyTunes



Just as we start thinking about hauling our bikes out of the garage to save money on gasoline like our Governor who has started "biking to work", the City has reminded us that we need a license for our bikes!

Detroit's bicycle license ordinance states:
"It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or use a bicycle propelled wholly or in part by muscular power upon any of the streets or sidewalks of the city without first obtaining a license therefore from the city."

The ordinance has been in place since 1964; but the Detroit Police are going to start to actually enforce the ordinance again. They say it is to help locate/recover stolen bicycles, but if you're caught without a license starting on August 7 2008, you'll get hit with a $55.00 fine!

The cost is actually minimal: $5.00 for a 5-year license; it's just something else to add to your "to-do" list! (I wonder if next they'll pass a "no talking on your cell with biking" law!)

The licenses can be obtained at any of the six Detroit Police Districts between 9 am and 5 pm Monday - Friday. For further information, you can call the Detroit Police Office of Public Information: 313.596.2200.

Once you get that license, though, you can enjoy riding along the Detroit Riverwalk and around Belle Isle...the beauty and serenity will be worth it...not to mention great exercise! Also explore Campus Martius, Palmer Park, and Chandler Park (Chandler Park is part of the Wayne County Parks and Recreation System)...let me know in the comments section about other great places to ride your bike in Detroit!

Also check out "Detroit Bikes", a group that promotes group riding tours around Detroit.

Happy Riding!