W e d n e s d a y , M a r c h 1 4 , 2 0 0 7

Robert A. FicanoWayne County Executive

County ExecutiveSchedule Highlights

Paul W. Smith St. Patrick’s Day CelebrationFriday, March 16Fisher Theater LobbyDetroit6:00 a.m.*Listen in on 760 AM-WJR”

South African Consulate Breakfast & ReceptionWednesday, March 21

Tiger’s Opening DayMonday, April 2Comerica ParkDetroit12:30 p.m.

Vision Fund Scholarship LuncheonWednesday, May 2Atheneum Detroit11:30 a.m.

Wayne County Executive Delivers 5th State of the County Address

In his fifth State of the County address, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano outlined an aggressive plan to help the region rebound from the stagnant economy and job losses.

“We are building tomorrow’s Wayne County today,” Ficano said during his address at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn.

“It has been said that a goal without a plan is merely a dream. In Wayne County, we don’t need dreams; we need action.”

Among his proposals:

A tax-free zone at Cobo Hall. With such a zone, the six-percent sales tax could be waived on merchandise bought and sold at Cobo. The no-tax zone would give Cobo a marketing tool to attract other conventions. Ficano said he will encourage the governor and state legislature to create the zone. Ficano’s plan to expand Cobo to nearly one million square feet has garnered widespread support. The tax-free zone would be an additional way to make Cobo more competitive.

A sales tax holiday. Ficano urged Michigan to join 14 states and Washington, D. C. to eliminate sales tax during a week for back-to-school shopping. The tax holiday would extend to all clothing, books and supplies priced at $100 or less per item; computers up to $2,000, and furniture, small electronics and computer software less than $500 per item. The state has never had a sales tax holiday.

Expansion of the biotech industry and bio-diesel facilities. Ficano announced plans for a second bio-diesel plant in Wayne County. Advanced Resource Recovery will build a facility in Inkster to take a once hazardous waste facility and convert it into an environmentally friendly state of the art bio-diesel facility. The facility will employ 40 people.

WORK SAMPLE/TS

Mackinac Policy ConferenceWednesday, May 30 – Friday, June 1Mackinac Island

FicanofestSaturday, June 23Warrendale Picnic Area

Downriver Senior Olympics Breakfast with BobMonday, July 30Romulus Senior CenterRomulus7:00 a.m.

Downriver Senior Olympics BanquetFriday, August 3Romulus Senior CenterRomulus12:00 p.m.

Western Wayne Senior Olympics BreakfastMonday, August 20Summit on the Park9:00 a.m.

Western Wayne Senior Olympics BanquetFriday, August 24TBD12:00 p.m.

Under the direction of Executive Bob Ficano, the Wayne County Department of Public Health is cracking down on unlicensed tattoo artists and body piercers who endanger primarily teens and young adults.

Their efforts recently were the subject of reports on WDIV-TV 4 and The Detroit Free Press.

In Wayne County, there are more than 30 licensed Body Art facilities that are inspected annually. The risks of infections and diseases are minimized at licensed shops. But unlicensed artists continue to do their work illegally at parties, in homes and other unsterile environments.

County health officials have formed a task force to strengthen the county law. Thousands of students have viewed the county’s presentation on the dangers of Body Art in unlicensed settings. And, a hotline has been set up for complaints – 734-727-7436.

Meet Wayne County One-Stop’s Newest Director, Anita M. GoreeThe Wayne County One-Stop Business Resource Center has new leadership. Anita Goree joined the One-Stop Business Resource Center in June of 2006, as assistant director. She was promoted to director in February 2007 replacing former director, Lawrence Jackson.

Ms. Goree has more than 10 years of professional finance experience as a commercial loan underwriter for Chase National Bank, formerly Bank One, and an Investment Banking Professional with Seibert Brandford Shank, the nationally ranked minority-women owned, investment -banking firm.

State of the County Address continued

A streamlined permitting process. Wayne County has reduced its permit process to 60 days for the processing of all environmental, roads, engineering and health permits. Ficano encouraged the state and local communities to do the same to speed up development along the I-94 corridor between Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports.

During his address, Ficano cited several accomplishments, including the county’s balanced budget and good credit rating; saving of millions of dollars for Downriver communities through the county operation of the waste water treatment plant; the fix up of hundreds of homes through the Nuisance Abatement Program, and launch of a community-wide alert program for emergencies. The Wayne County Land Bank has attracted more than $30 million in commitments to develop foreclosed and abandoned properties in just its first three months of operation, Ficano said.

Ficano also cited the results of two trade missions to China. Wayne County has created business partnerships, opened a trade office in Chongqing and brought an investment of resources and jobs to Canton Township.

"To attract and retain companies here, we must have a global marketplace that is competitive with a level playing field. We cannot repeat the mistakes with China that we made with Japan," Ficano said. "Hopefully, we've learned that foreign companies like Toyota must be encouraged to locate in Michigan. Chinese companies want to locate here and we welcome them."

The State of the County address was broadcast live on WJR 760 AM and on www.XLInteractive.com and taped by Comcast Cable. For a full transcript go to www.waynecounty.com.

Exposing the Hidden Dangers of Body Art

Clark Park Ice Rink Grand Opening

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the Wayne County Parks Division, and the Clark Park Coalition celebrated the grand opening of the new Clark Park outdoor ice-skating arena, located at the Clark Park recreation center in the city’s southwest corner.

The hockey program is the centerpiece of Clark Park Coalition winter programs, providing ice-skating and hockey opportunities for youth and community residents during late fall, winter and early spring. Through capital funding of $1-million, Wayne County has ensured the continuation of this program.

The Clark Park Ice Rink is a state of the art regulation ice rink featuring new infrastructure, refrigeration equipment, dasher boards, site lighting, scoreboard, bleachers, basketball rims and paving of the existing parking lot. 

The project also includes two non-regulated basketball courts for use in the spring, summer and fall when temperatures are too warm to make ice, improving the Clark Park Coalition’s capacity to provide year-round recreation to the community of Southwest Detroit.

The event also marked the 15th anniversary of the Clark Park Coalition, an energetic grassroots community organization that provides year-round athletic programs and learning opportunities to youth in southwest Detroit. This outstanding public-private partnership combines the efforts of the Detroit Recreation Department, which operates Clark Park, and Wayne County Parks, which has provided master planning and capital project assistance.

The Clark Park Ice Rink project was funded through the Wayne County parks millage for $1 million.  Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull, Inc. of Detroit, Michigan, designed the ice rink and J.L. Judge Construction Services, LLC of Detroit, Michigan, constructed it.

Clark Park Recreation Center is located at 1130 Clark Street in Detroit.

Elizabeth Park Makes Best of the Best Downriver ListWayne County’s Elizabeth Park was recently voted as the Best Park and the Most Scenic Place by readers of The News-Herald Newspapers. As one of Wayne County’s many jewels, it is nice to know that among the 2,000 respondents to The News-Herald Newspaper’s 2nd annual Best of Downriver poll, Elizabeth Park was the clear winner.

Congratulations to the Parks Crew. Keep making us all proud!

Black History Month 2007Schoolchildren participated in a tribute to Black History Month and the role played by African Americans in the development and culture of the country. The half-day event (Feb. 28) at the Old County Building in Detroit was attended by nearly 200 children from Detroit and Dearborn. Following a welcoming from Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, the Rev. Larry Simmons of Detroit delivered an inspirational message.

Other activities included a lesson in Swahili, an introduction to the country's historically black fraternities and an educational film on the history of slavery in America. The event was hosted by Wayne County Community Outreach and capped several other Black History Month activities. Wayne County has long celebrated Black History Month with educational projects designed to help children understand the contributions of African Americans, locally and worldwide.

Walk for Warmth 2007Each year Wayne County raises money on behalf of the Wayne-Metropolitan Community Action Agency to take the chill off. The 2007 11th Annual Walk in Out-Wayne County raised funds to provide direct assistance to people facing heat related emergencies.

Wayne County proudly serves each year as a partner in the Wayne-Metro Community Action Agency’s Walk for Warmth. This year Wayne County raised $1300 from the County Executive’s office. Way to go and thanks to all who continue to support this very important initiative on behalf of the County Executive and Wayne County.

Mental Health Agency Earns High Marks for Recipient Rights from State Officials