George James

Michigan’s Environmental Justice Public Advocate Works Toward “Meaningful Involvement”

Michigan continues to make national headlines with the Flint water crisis, thought to be one of the most shocking examples of environmental injustice in modern history. Since then, Michigan’s Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate was created and has just announced the launch of a new resource to connect residents with environmental justice and equity action. The website, Michigan.gov/EnvironmentalJustice is meant to showcase ongoing projects and initiatives, community partnerships, and ways to interact with the office.

One of the projects that the Office is currently working on is improving heating and ventilation systems in schools. Tribal relations are also part of the work of the office.

Regina Strong, Environmental Justice Public Advocate, said, “Action is at the heart of environmental justice advocacy. The role of the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate is to work collaboratively within state government and with the community to move toward ensuring environmental justice in the state. This new website is designed to provide a window into how we are moving the needle.”

A responsibility of the Office is to address and resolve environmental justice concerns and complaints. A link to the complaint form can be found at WGRT.com.

Environmental Justice – Grievance Procedures, Procedimientos de reclamo, إجراءات التظلم (michigan.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

MDOT Wants You to Name a Snowplow

The Michigan Department of Transportation, MDOT, has announced a snowplow naming contest. That’s right. Snowplows will have names. How about Plowasaurus? Sir Salts-a-Lot, or maybe Plowy McPlowface? Those are names that have already been selected, but the state has a fleet of 250 plows and more need naming.

Not only will snowplows be named, but they can be viewed in real time while plowing snow with the “Mi Drive map”, an online resource that shows where the plows are and provides dashcam footage.

MDOT Director Paul C. Ajegba said, “We hoped this could be both fun and instructive and we’re thrilled with the participation from students and others in the community. I love many of the suggestions, and I can’t wait to see more.”

School and community groups can go online to learn how to name a snowplow. According to MDOT, name suggestions must be G-rated and family friendly, and submissions that include famous, character, or brand names cannot be used. Final selection will be made by staff from each of MDOT’s seven regions. St. Clair County is in the Bay Region. 

A link to full details:

www.Michigan.gov/NameMISnowplow 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

“With Unity Comes Infinite Hope” Theme of PHS-NAACP Partnership

Port Huron, MI — Port Huron Schools are partnering with the Port Huron NAACP to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with service and positivity. For the past six years, both the district and the NAACP have engaged students in learning about the life and legacy of Dr. King and the civil rights movement, according to a statement from the school district.

This year’s theme is “With Unity, Comes Infinite Hope”. The theme comes from Dr. King’s quote, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” Students across the district will listen to age-appropriate readings and recordings with the message of unity and hope.

This year’s district wide project will be the making of cards for shut in seniors. The Council on Aging is partnering with the school district on the project.

Port Huron Schools Superintendent Jamie Cain remarked, “This year, more than ever, encouraging and helping others find or rediscover hope is a valuable necessity. It’s inspiring to see our students challenge themselves in the memory of Dr. King to provide hope to some of the most vulnerable citizens in our community, shut in seniors.”

A link to full archive of Port Huron Schools’ MLK Day projects:

http://phschoolsmlkday.weebly.com/

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Joins Coalition Questions FDA’s Opioid Response

The opioid crisis is raging throughout the nation and while steps are being taken to address it, many are losing patience. Michigan is part of a coalition of 48 states that have taken action to hold the federal Food and Drug Administration accountable for their efforts in combating opioid addiction.

The coalition is looking for a progress report from the FDA clarifying how they are using their authority given under the SUPPORT Act to prevent and treat the crisis. The SUPPORT Act has provisions that include safer packaging and disposal features for opioids, new regulations on non-addictive alternatives to opioids, and prescribing guidelines.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “The opioid epidemic has been devastating for states in terms of lives lost and the strain it has imposed on both our health care system and economy. Patients suffering from chronic pain or addiction are particularly vulnerable, and if we are going to protect these patients and combat this epidemic, we must start by holding the FDA accountable for their role in this crisis.”

A link to the letter:

FDA Letter – NAAG.pdf (ca.gov)

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Department of Education Trying Drum Up Interest in Teaching

The Michigan Department of Education is offering grants as a part of their effort to head off a statewide teacher shortage and diversify the educator workforce. The program is called the “Future Michigan Proud Educator Initiative”.

The program offers a competitive grant for school districts to assist them in developing opportunities for students interested in becoming teachers. Currently, the “Proud Educator” program recognizes and honors current Michigan teachers. The new effort is aimed at planting the seeds of interest in career teaching through targeted curriculum.

The grant program is aimed at students in all grades, but has expanded opportunities for middle school and high school students. The Michigan Department of Education will offer flexible models for implementation, content standards and curriculum, and professional development for winning districts.

State Superintendent Michael Rice said, “We need to encourage our young people to consider developing and using their talents as proud Michigan educators.”

The salary range for a public-school teacher in Michigan is around $30,000 – $67,000 depending on degree earned, district, and seniority.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Public Meeting for Upcoming M-29 Construction Planned

The Michigan Department of Transportation is inviting the public to attend a virtual public meeting to discuss proposed improvements to M-29 in St. Clair County. The meeting is planned for January 21st at 5:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

MDOT is in the design phase of reworking M-29 from Church Road to Palms Road, with resurfacing to improve the pavement condition, roadway drainage improvements, widening to accommodate a center left-turn lane through the project limits, and maintenance to the Swan Creek bridge.

MDOT is also proposing a “road diet” for a four mile stretch of the road that runs through the community of Fair Haven. The “road diet” would convert around 1500 feet of a four-lane section to one lane in each direction with a dedicated center turn lane. MDOT says that the proposition offers better safety by calming traffic.

The work is expected to be completed in 2025 and also includes safety improvements with signal upgrades, sidewalk ramp improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and continuous sidewalks through Fairhaven.

Click here to join the Microsoft Teams virtual public meeting

          How to attend a live event in Microsoft Teams

To join by phone without using Internet, call 248-509-0316.

Conference ID: 623 646 983#

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland