Sherri KeatonSherri Keaton, a contributor to the Michigan FrontPage, received third place in the Best Feature Story category at the National Newspaper Publisher’s Association 2008 Merit Awards ceremony.
The ceremony took place June 25-28 in Louisville, Ky. The 67-year-old NNPA, also known as the Black Press of America, consists of more than 200 Black community newspapers from across the United States.
Keaton, a college student, has been writing columns focused on youth issues for the FrontPage.
Cockrel’s chief of staff resigns
John Clark, who had worked for Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel, Jr. has resigned as the council president’s chief of staff, following alleged videotaped evidence that he had accepted cash.
According to reports, Clark resigned June 25 after federal agents showed Cockrel the videotape footage from a hidden camera that allegedly showed Clark accepting money.
The FBI is currently investigating allegations of public corruption in the city, including looking into activities by members of City Council as it relates to the approval of a sludge treatment project last year.
Cockrel, who voted against awarding a contract to Houston-based Synargo to create fertilizer from wastewater treatment sludge, is not among those under investigation.
As part of these investigations, the FBI has obtained wiretaps and has sought information about individuals in and out of city government.
City County Building closed until July 7
The Coleman A. Young Municipal Center will remain closed until July 7, according to an announcement made by Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. The building is closed as a result of a recent lightning strike that caused a fire.
According to reports, the main reason for the closure is to allow for cleanup of the soot.
The City Council will operate from Cobo Center in the interim, as will the offices of the City Clerk. The Human Resources Department will be located at the OEDS building, 1300 Rosa Parks Blvd.
Call (313) 628-1920 for information regarding the Building Safety & Engineering Inspections department.
Clark-Coleman’s ‘grandparents’ bill passes
Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman’s (D-Detroit) bill, S.B. 420, which allows grandparents whose own child is deceased to seek visitation with their grandchild if that child is adopted by a stepparent, recently received bi-partisan support.
Michigan will now have a constitutional law to provide for grandparents and grandchildren to have access to each other under certain circumstances.
Clark-Coleman noted that the passage of this bill brings the state closer to defining relationships and maintaining family ties in today’s ever-evolving family structure.
The measure won unanimous support in the Senate committee and passed both chambers en route to Gov. Granholm’s office where it awaits her signature.
Grandparents Day was first recognized by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979 as a way in which to celebrate family values.
In the 27 years since that time, Grandparents Day has grown in stature and is now as a springboard for family events, volunteer efforts and support for grandparents, some of whom are rearing their grandchildren.
Scott, other legislators challenge Congress
In a letter delivered to Congress in March, 338 women state legislators from all 50 states, including Michigan State Sen. Martha G. Scott (D-Highland Park), championed the need for a more effective “national security budget” that responds to real threats in the new world landscape.
Representing millions of constituents, state lawmakers said their communities suffer when funds are shifted away from states and first responders. The letter urging Congress to re-evaluate the country’s security needs and to make significant changes in the proposed FY 09 federal budget was delivered to every member of Congress.
Scott remarked that the president’s proposal reveals just how out of touch he is about what the country needs for true national security. He has proposed severe cuts to Homeland Security services like first responders, and to programs that bolster economic security, such as public health and education.
The letter cites the fact that the Pentagon budget is growing at a time when funds for human needs are shrinking, and highlights that the growing Pentagon budget does not include money being spent on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For more information, visit www.willwand.org.
Bush signs unemployment extension bill
President Bush has signed a spending bill that included a provision to extend unemployment benefits by 13 weeks, according to an Associated Press report.
In Michigan, as many as 226,000 workers could receive benefits as a result of the legislation. The state could begin providing extension cash to beneficiaries by the end of the month.
The extension applies to those exhausting benefits between November 2006 and March 2009. The extension will be automatic for those receiving benefits when the program starts. Those whose benefits have ended will be able to re-apply fo r the extension.
Other features of the bill include increased college benefits for veterans and current service members, and more funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Booster Seat Law now in effect
As of July 1, Michigan’s new booster law requires children who are not yet 8 years old or 4’ 9” to ride in a properly fitting child safety seat or booster seat.
Informational materials are being distributed to licensed daycare centers, Head Start programs, local public health departments and others to ensure parents and caregivers are aware of the new law.
The signing of Senate Bill 82 is a culmination of a multi-year effort on the part of child passenger safety advocates in the state of Michigan, including the Safe Kids and Boost MI Kids coalitions.
For more information on child passenger safety, visit www.michigansafekids.org.
