PRESIDENT BUSH arriving to make statements about bailout. - Photo by Charles Dharapak - AP
Following the defeat of the $700 billion bailout package, opposing presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are collectively urging their parties to continue working until an acceptable plan is agreed upon.

The bill, which the House voted against 228-205 on Monday, was designed to alleviate the nation’s financial crisis. Though President Bush acknowledged that the $700 billion in proposed spending was a large sum, it is still considerably minor in comparison to the estimated $1 trillion in losses that Wall Street suffered as a result of the stock market plunge.

"The dramatic drop in the stock market that we saw [Monday] will have a direct impact on retirement accounts, pension funds and personal savings of millions of our citizens," Bush stated. "And if our nation continues on this course, the economic damage will be painful and lasting."


GAIL TORREANO and Mayor Kenneth Cockrel, Jr.



AT&T to deliver 350 new jobs

Last week AT&T Inc. announced that AT&T Michigan would be bringing 350 new jobs to downtown Detroit.

These new jobs are a part of an initiative that AT&T announced in 2006, which involved the relocation of many customer service positions that had previously been outsourced.

“This is truly a proud and happy occasion,” stated Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr., “and I have to say that not only as the mayor of the City of Detroit, but also as an AT&T customer. I want to let you know that it is always a pleasure when you have an opportunity to not only do business with a company but then to see that company giving back to the community. And that’s exactly what AT&T is doing and it’s giving back in a big way.”

Employees in the new Detroit-based positions will assist AT&T High Speed Internet subscribers who self-install their service or have basic questions about service. The new employee headquarters will be located inside of AT&T’s Michigan headquarters building at 444 Michigan Ave.

MGM Grand Detroit salutes community partners

MGM Grand Detroit hosted its annual Community Partners Breakfast Sept. 25 in the Amber Room of the hotel’s convention area. The program recognized more than 18 community organizations that have been awarded a combined total of more than $306,000 raised this year by MGM Grand Detroit employees. The program will also recognize MGM Grand Detroit employee volunteers.

Since the 2002 inception of the MGM Mirage Voice Foundation, MGM Grand Detroit employees have raised more than $1.2 million for Detroit-area community organizations through voluntary payroll deductions, employee-organized golf outings and candy and flower sales. These funds are over and above MGM Grand Detroit’s corporate sponsorships.

Organizations that have received grants are the American Diabetes Association, Turning Point Inc., Vista Maria, Coalition on Temporary Shelter, Spaulding for Children, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Michigan, Child Abuse and Neglect Council of Oakland Inc. (DBA Care House of Oakland County), Detroit Parent Network, Starr Commonwealth, Wise Steward Ministries, Boys and Girls Club of Southern Michigan, InAccord, Latino Family Services Inc., Pewabic Detroit, The Front Porch, Alternatives for Girls, Joy-Southfield Community Development Corp. Inc. and Jewish Vocational Service & Community Workshop.




Annual contest pays tribute to Sojourner Truth

The M.G. Scott Foundation will again this year sponsor a high school essay contest in honor of Michigan's fourth official Sojourner Truth Day, which will be celebrated this year on Nov. 22.

Essay submissions should elaborate on what this quote from Sojourner Truth means in modern time: “If women want any rights more than they’s got, why don’t they just take them and not just be talking about it?”

Submitted essays must be 500-750 words, typed and double-spaced. The essays will be judged on quality of writing and clarity of message. The winner will be selected by a three-judge panel consisting of Sen. Martha G. Scott, Deacon Carolyn Hayes of Detroit’s Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church, and Dr. Alma Stallworth, director of the Michigan Black Caucus Foundation.

Any high school junior or senior from a school or school district in Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck, Harper Woods or any of the Pointes, or living in any of those cities, may enter. The deadline for essay submission is Oct. 24. Essays should be mailed to Sen. Martha G. Scott at PO Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909. Students should include their full name and address, the name of their school and a contact number with their essay.

The winner will receive a $500 prize. There is a second place prize of $200 and third place prize of $100. The essay winners will be announced to the press, along with the full text of the winning essay.