E-Newsletter, October 31, 2008
DEARBORN HEIGHTS TO HONOR FALLEN SOLDIER
A memorial event honoring Army Specialist Joshua Brown, a Dearborn Heights native, will be held on Saturday, November 8, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dearborn Heights City Hall. The ceremony is sponsored by Donovan Post #78 and the Auxiliary. Specialist Brown died when an IED exploded near his vehicle during operations in Baghdad, Iraq. City Hall is located at 6045 Fenton Street.
WEBSITE HELPS VOTERS LEARN ABOUT CANDIDATES, ISSUES AND OFFERS ABSENTEE BALLOT INFORMATION
The recently upgraded Secretary of State website offers voters a vast amount of information about voting. You can be prepared for the November 4 general election by making sure you are registered to vote and learning more about the issues. The Michigan Votes website offers candidate information links, voting information and frequently asked questions, explanations about voting equipment, and information about statewide ballot proposals. To visit the Michigan Voter Information Center website, visit: http://www.michigan.gov/vote.
The same website also offers information on how to vote by absentee ballot. You can vote by absentee ballot if you are over age 60, need assistance voting, or will be away on Election Day. To vote absentee, fill out and send an absentee ballot application or other signed request to your city or township clerk. Requests to have an absentee voter ballot mailed to you must be received by your clerk no later than 2 p.m. the Saturday before the election. If a last minute emergency such as a sudden illness or family death prevents you from getting to the polls on Election Day, you may request an emergency absentee ballot up until 4 p.m. on Election Day. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to your local clerk no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day.
2008 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT PROPOSALS
With the November 4 general election, you will have the opportunity to vote on two health-related ballot proposals.
Proposal 1 would allow the cultivation and use of marijuana for specified medical conditions. It would: Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health. Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility Require the Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana. Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.
People Voting YES on PROPOSAL 1 Argue That:
- Allowing the medical use of marijuana by individuals suffering from debilitating medical conditions opens another avenue for the treatment of these conditions or obtaining relief from their symptoms.
- The proposed law places conditions on the use of marijuana by qualified patients and contains safeguards to prevent abuse.
People Voting NO on PROPOSAL 1 Argue That:
- Marijuana, when smoked, is a dangerous drug without any accepted medical use, and prescription drugs containing medically useful compounds found in marijuana are already available to patients who may benefit from them.
- The proposed law will make it more difficult for law enforcement to control this harmful drug.
Proposal 2 would amend the state constitution to address human embryo and human embryonic stem cell research in Michigan. This proposal would: Expand the use of human embryos for any research permitted under federal law, but this use would be subject to certain limits. These embryos could be used for research if they: are created for fertility treatment purposes; are not suitable for implantation or are in excess of clinical needs; would be discarded unless used for research; were donated by the person seeking fertility treatment. The proposed amendment specifies that stem cells cannot be taken from human embryos more than 14 days after cell division begins. It would also prohibit any person from selling or purchasing human embryos for stem cell research. And it would prohibit state and local laws that prevent, restrict or discourage stem cell research, future therapies and cures.
People Voting YES on PROPOSAL 2 Argue That:
- The opportunity to conduct embryonic stem cell research is currently limited by one of the nation’s most restrictive regulatory systems.
- Many scientists believe that embryonic stem cell research has the best potential to treat and cure certain diseases which currently have no cure, such as juvenile diabetes.
- This stem cell research has the potential to save millions of lives and improve the quality of life for millions more.
- This proposal would not prevent continued research with other types of stem cells; it would just expand embryonic stem cell research.
- This proposal would only allow researchers, with donors’ consent, to use leftover embryos from fertility clinics that would otherwise be thrown away.
- It would also ban the sale and purchase of human embryos for stem cell research and would leave in place Michigan’s current ban on human cloning.
People Voting NO on PROPOSAL 2 Argue That:
- While a number of cures and therapies have been developed from adult stem cell research, none have been developed from embryonic stem cell research.
- Recent breakthroughs from adult stem cell research and the use of umbilical cord cells have shown promising results without destroying human embryos.
- Since human embryonic stem cell research is already legal in Michigan and is funded with private money, this proposal is really about allowing the use of state taxpayers’ money to fund this research.
- This proposal would also prohibit the state or local units of government from enacting new laws or ordinances to regulate and restrict experimentation on live human embryos in the future.
- This proposal does not protect in the Constitution the current ban on human cloning and does not prevent changing this law in the future to legalize cloning.
GIFT CARDS ARE GOOD FOR FIVE YEARS UNDER NEW LAW
A new Michigan law recently took effect that will give the recipients of gift cards and certificates five years to use them. Starting in November, any gift card/certificate that you receive will be good for five years, and there will be no inactivity fees that reduce their value if they are not used within a certain amount of time. With this law Michigan joins 24 other states that mandate how long a gift card/certificate must last.
OCTOBER 28 IS IMMIGRANTS DAY IN MICHIGAN
Recognizing that many Michigan families had their beginnings in other countries, Governor Jennifer Granholm has declared October 28 as Immigrants Day in Michigan. The governor’s proclamation recognizes that the ethnic diversity and multicultural character of our nation and state has provided energy and strength that contributed significantly to our growth, progress and prosperity. The special day also recognizes that immigrants have supported the ideals of independence and liberty, and are examples of the dedication and perseverance needed in order to make dreams come true.
GOVERNOR ADDS ENERGY TO STATE JOBS DEPARTMENT
Governor Jennifer Granholm this week reorganized the State Department of Labor and Economic Growth and has made it the State Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The change will consolidate the state’s efforts to bring more energy jobs into Michigan. Current programs that will move into the new department include the Office of Sustainability, the No Worker Left Behind “green” jobs training initiatives, the state’s energy efficiency building code which recently took effect, and the Michigan Public Service Commission and its energy efficiency programs. The new director will be Stanley Pruss, and former DLEG Director Keith Cooley will become the CEO of NextEnergy and will continue to work with the new department to create more energy jobs.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2008 INKSTER TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
The City of Inkster will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, December 3, at 6 p.m. at the City Hall, 26215 Trowbridge Street. Bring your family and friends to enjoy the holiday spirit and welcome Santa Claus to Inkster.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 2009 ‘MICHIGAN CELEBRATES SMALL BUSINESS’ EVENT
Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) is now accepting applications for their annual awards honoring outstanding entrepreneurs and small business owners in a variety of categories, including Michigan 50 Companies to Watch. This program is sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and each year recognizes and celebrates the contributions, innovation and energy of 50 diverse second-stage companies in Michigan.
For nomination categories and forms, visit: http://www.michigancelebrates.biz. Nominations must be submitted by November 14, 2008 to be considered.
U OF M DETROIT CENTER HOSTS HOW TO START A BLOCK CLUB PROGRAM
The University of Michigan School of Social Work and the Skillman Foundation/GNI are sponsoring a “How to Start Your Own Block Club” program at the U of M Detroit Center on Monday, November 10, 2008. Presented by Alice Thompson, CEO of Black Family Development, the program will discuss how block clubs can fight crime and find ways to encourage young people to get involved in their local communities. People attending the meeting will receive a manual on the ins and outs of establishing a block club. The program runs from 5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Parking is available in the parking structure behind the center’s building ($4.00) or on the street. To register please call Tammy Miller at 313-593-0918.
TALK TIME WITH TUPAC: COFFEE HOUR TIMES & LOCATIONS
Detroit Coffee Hour: Every First Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
Mary's Grill, 20804 Plymouth Road
Inkster Coffee Hour: Every Second Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
McDonald’s, 27125 Cherry Hill Road
Dearborn Heights Coffee Hour: Every Third Friday, 10 - 11 a.m.
McDonald’s, 6412 North Telegraph Road
