Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

You are solely responsible for your comments and by using TribLive.com you agree to ourTerms of Service.

We moderate comments. Our goal is to provide substantive commentary for a general readership. By screening submissions, we provide a space where readers can share intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our news and information.

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderating decisions are subjective. We will make them as carefully and consistently as we can. Because of the volume of reader comments, we cannot review individual moderation decisions with readers.

We value thoughtful comments representing a range of views that make their point quickly and politely. We make an effort to protect discussions from repeated comments either by the same reader or different readers

We follow the same standards for taste as the daily newspaper. A few things we won't tolerate: personal attacks, obscenity, vulgarity, profanity (including expletives and letters followed by dashes), commercial promotion, impersonations, incoherence, proselytizing and SHOUTING. Don't include URLs to Web sites.

We do not edit comments. They are either approved or deleted. We reserve the right to edit a comment that is quoted or excerpted in an article. In this case, we may fix spelling and punctuation.

We welcome strong opinions and criticism of our work, but we don't want comments to become bogged down with discussions of our policies and we will moderate accordingly.

We appreciate it when readers and people quoted in articles or blog posts point out errors of fact or emphasis and will investigate all assertions. But these suggestions should be sentvia e-mail. To avoid distracting other readers, we won't publish comments that suggest a correction. Instead, corrections will be made in a blog post or in an article.

Original post:
Hempfield residents asked to give input on 2 proposed township parks - TribLIVE

As the mirror delights in telling me every morning, Im not getting any younger.

But at least I have plenty of company.

By 2034, according to Danielle Arigoni, AARPs director of livable communities (and a 1991 University of Oregon grad), there will be more people 65 and over than there are 18 and under for the first time in U.S. history.

Which is why aging in place and how best to do it is such a major issue now, one that will only become more important in the next several decades.

Its a massive demographic tipping point, Arigoni says. A 2018 AARP survey found 75% of those 50 (what I call those kids) and over want to age in their own home, and the percentages grew even higher in older age groups.

Much has been written about what to do to make a residences interior best suited for homeowners as they age. (See AARPs very informative and very free Home Fit guide.)

But less has been shared about how to make a private garden accessible as people age into their 70s, 80s and 90s. The American Society of Landscape Architects has addressed public spaces and gardens, but not private residences.

Which is where Jane Coombs, a retired landscape designer, comes in.

A few years ago, Jane and husband, Peter Dowse, knew it was time to move out of their beloved 1914 Craftsman in Sellwood. With stairs leading up to the entry, an upstairs master bedroom and a basement laundry room, the home was all the things aging-in-place experts dont recommend.

So it was that they found themselves in a one-story house in Milwaukie and Jane, with 30-plus years of landscape design experience, had a 10,000-square-foot, relatively blank canvas to work with outdoors.

And in the process of designing her garden, she always kept in mind what would work best for her and her husband 10 years down the road.

When Im 90, she explains, I wont be able to maintain the garden the way I can now.

This thinking led Jane to incorporate aging-in-place design principles in her front and back gardens, many of which weve included in the tips.

They include flat, navigable surfaces for wheelchairs and walkers, a step-free entry from inside the house to the patio, easy-maintenance plants, plenty of seating and multiple hose bibs. A LOT of hose bibs. OK, eight, to be exact.

Jane Coombs' garden offers lots of comfortable seating in the shade.Marcia Westcott Peck

Marcia:

A very dear friend of mine from high school, Oklahoma State University assistant professor Emily Roberts, has her doctorate in environmental gerontology, a field that seeks to optimize the relationship between the elderly and their physical and social environment.

I learned from her that connection to the outdoors and nature can ease and prolong a persons life, even if its just looking out the window from either a hospital bed or your own home. Having access physically or visually to nature is extremely beneficial to our well-being as we age.

The concept of biophilia, originally written about by the American biologist and naturalist E.O. Wilson, suggests we as humans innately possess a tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life.

Using that principle can help seniors thrive and stay independent and autonomous for as long as possible as they age in place.

Emily explained to me that its important to realize that whatever brought us pleasure throughout our lives doesnt diminish as we age. Instead, it brings back good memories that we enjoy even more, along with a sense-of-place attachment, the feelings that we hold for places and things that mean a lot and serve as reminders of the past.

So if you enjoyed your garden or nature when you were younger, it might be even more important as a way to stay healthy physically and emotionally as you age.

Gardens can be very therapeutic for us as we get older, so having safe access to them for as long as possible is important.

As I age, I know I will want to be gardening for as long as I can. It has always grounded me and brought me great pleasure. If I have one addiction, its gardening.

Biophilia Im a card-carrying, certified biophiliac!

I would add that not only is it important to connect to the garden as we age, but for any of the same reasons it can help us deal with the COVID-19 crisis, fires, protests and election craziness that seem to be overwhelming us at times.

Biophilia, indeed!

This art leaf water feature promotes health in Jane Coombs' garden.Marcia Westcott Peck

Art in Jane Coombs' garden.Marcia Westcott Peck

THINKING OF MOVING?

Most people know to look for a single-story dwelling, but one area they undercontemplate, or dont contemplate at all, is transportation, according to the AARPs Arigoni. Ask yourself if there are ways to get around once you cannot drive (on average, people live 7-10 years past when they can no longer drive). Are there bike lanes, public transportation, pedestrian walkways?

HOME FIT GUIDE

The AARP publication provides guidance for anyone wanting to make their home inclusive for all ages, whether they are homeowners or renters. According to the guide, Its about making sure your home is accessible to everyone.

You can download it online or AARP will send you a free copy upon request.

HELPFUL LINKS

Marcia Westcott Peck is a landscape designer (mwplandscape.com or find her on Instagram at @pecklandscape or on Facebook by searching for The Pecks), and Dennis Peck is a former senior editor at The Oregonian/OregonLive.

More:
This Oregon garden is designed for aging in place - oregonlive.com

The number of Massachusetts workers counted as unemployed dropped by more than 250,000 over the past two months, a decline of more than a third that helped the state escape from a short streak of owning the worst jobless rate in the country.

About 114,000 more workers became employed in that span, too, a sign of continued steps toward recovery following the pandemic-related recession's low point in the spring.

But the improving jobs numbers and unemployment rate likely mask deeper, more lasting damage at both the state and federal level: many people are dropping out of the workforce altogether, hinting that some -- particularly women, who disproportionately fill caretaker roles -- have given up attempts to find employment amid slow hiring and uncertainty about the COVID-19 health outlook.

"It's a significant problem," Federal Reserve Bank of Boston President and CEO Eric Rosengren said in a speech on Thursday. "The longer the pandemic goes on, the more you're going to see people leaving the labor force, not only because they can't find a job, but because they have to care for either elderly parents, people that are sick because of the pandemic, or children that are not able to go to school because schools have been closed and there is not availability of daycare."

The trend, according to economist Alicia Sasser Modestino, indicates that the recent improvement in the state's unemployment situation might be "not as rosy as it might seem."

Between January and August, the working-age population in Massachusetts grew 13,400, according to data published by state labor officials based on a household survey. In that same span, the labor force -- which counts both people who are employed and those who are unemployed but actively seeking work -- shrunk by 290,000.

The drop was not limited to the earlier days of the COVID-19 crisis, when job cuts were severe. In July and August, a span in which the employed population grew and the unemployed population shrunk, the labor force declined by 138,500 -- more than the 114,000 jobs added.

While both Massachusetts and the country as a whole have seen workers depart the market, the trends have taken different patterns.

Nationally, the rate of working-age adults participating in the labor force has been slowly but steadily climbing, reaching 61.7 percent in August after dropping to 60.2 percent in April. In Massachusetts, the rate fell to 60.3 percent in April, rebounded to 65.1 percent in June, and then fell back down again to 62.6 percent in August, household survey labor data show.

"We seem to be moving in the opposite direction from the country in terms of the number of people who are participating in the labor force, which means that our improvement in the unemployment rate is maybe not as rosy as it might seem," Modestino, who is associate director of the Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy at Northeastern University, told the News Service. "If some of that improvement is coming from people dropping out of the labor force, that's not how we usually like to improve the unemployment rate during a recession."

Both the fluctuating pattern and the scale of the changes are unusual. In general, the labor force shrinks during recessions and grows during expansions, but -- like so much else about the pandemic -- this economic slowdown is unprecedented.

Alan Clayton-Matthews, another Northeastern professor who is a senior research associate at the Dukakis Center, said the more acute labor-force changes in recent months reflect the new reality of the pandemic.

"In some sectors, you know you can't get a job right now," Clayton-Matthews said in an interview. "In a normal recession, you might have stayed in the labor force, but in this one where, because of COVID, there's a virtual certainty that you're not going to be able to get a job, you drop out of the labor force."

Another factor, he said, was the now-expired increase in unemployment aid offered through federal programs to blunt the impact of massive layoffs.

While experts said the volatility in the labor force figures raises red flags, they stressed that the state-level data do not offer a clear picture of why workers have departed.

Some could have opted to halt working over health concerns, some could have resigned themselves to not finding a job in the current strained economy, some might need to shift their focus to caretaking, and some might have simply retired during the pandemic.

Many experts agree, though, that the employment impacts have been disproportionately concentrated among people of color, who are more likely to work low-wage jobs prone to disruption, and among women, who often perform a larger share of parenting and caretaking duties.A survey Modestino conducted found that 13 percent of working parents either reduced their hours or lost their jobs because they had to take on child care duties during the pandemic. The effects were more concentrated among women, she said.

"Among women who became unemployed during the pandemic, 25 percent of them said it was solely due to child care," Modestino said.

In February, about 31 percent of Massachusetts claimants seeking unemployment benefits were women, according to Modestino. By July, that rate had jumped to more than 56 percent, "a tremendous shift."

A similar trend is occurring nationally. Between February and September, the percent of men aged 25 to 54 participating in the labor force dropped 1.6 percentage points, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data based on the Current Population Survey. For women in the same age range, the labor force participation rate dropped 2.8 percentage points over that span.

"In a pandemic, where many schools are closing, when many people in the 25 to 54 age bracket are having children, many families have to make a choice of whether or not they can continue to work because they have children at home," Rosengren said in his remarks. "Sometimes, that is borne by the husband, but frequently it is borne by the wife."

The long-term effects of discouraged workers may not become clear for months or years, particularly amid enormous uncertainty over the public health outlook.

Key questions remain unanswered, such as when consumers will feel comfortable resuming pre-pandemic routines, when a vaccine or treatment will be available, and whether Congress will approve another stimulus package -- that appears less likely after President Donald Trump said Tuesday he would withdraw from negotiations.

Clayton-Matthews described the risk of federal aid falling through as "the biggest sword of Damocles hanging over us."

"The economy seems to be weakening, and without another stimulus, I don't see how it's going to get by until there's a vaccine widely available," he said. "We could see a prolonged recession if there's not more support for incomes like there was in the beginning of this pandemic."

Go here to read the rest:
Many in MA Have Left the Workforce, Data Shows - Patch.com

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Everyone knows not to judge a book by its cover, but few people behave that way. Thats not to say consumers are a judgemental bunch, but first impressions happen unconsciously and quickly. If you want to stay competitive, your business should be instantly appealing.

People form an impression in just 7 seconds, so you want to make a good one fast. Youll retain customers by providing excellent goods or services, but youll attract new ones by appealing to their senses. With that in mind, here are 10 ways you can improve the appeal of your business.

Its challenging to overemphasize the importance of your businesss signage. Signs tell potential customers where you are, who you are and what you do. Its often the first thing people see, so it should be an accurate and flattering representation of your business.

Your signage should be easy to see and read, but you should also think about what it says. Avoid any negative language such as, no public restrooms and instead focus on the positives. You may also consider using bright, eye-catching colors. Just dont go overboard, and make sure its consistent with your business.

Any sidewalks and other walkways on your property should be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. While local municipalities are liable for sidewalk-related injuriesin most states, you may be liable if someone trips on your walkways. Make sure you fix any cracks or bumps to avoid lawsuits and improve the look of your property.

You should also consider how accessible your walkways are. Consider installing wheelchair ramps and affixing handrails to any stairs. If your pathways are old, you may want to repave them, which makes them easier to walk on and more attractive.

While youre working on your exterior, it doesnt hurt to plant a few trees or shrubs. Plants are an excellent way to bring some life to your building, and they also help prevent flood damage. If you already have plants outside your building, make sure you tend to them often.

Well-maintained plantlife is attractive to customers. But if its overgrown, it has the opposite effect. Youll have to trim any grass and shrubs often to keep them tidy, especially in the summer. If your grass starts to get patchy, you may need to reseed it to keep your exterior green.

If your building is dirty, it reflects poorly on your business. People might assume that, since you ignore cleanliness, you might neglect your customers too. On the other hand, if your building is clean, you seem more attentive and professional.

Wash your windows, take out the trash and mop your floors daily, if not multiple times a day. You should occasionally power-wash your exterior and retouch your paint, too. If you clean often, youll prevent any noticeable dirt or grime from appearing.

Lighting may seem insignificant, but it plays a substantial role in making customers comfortable. If your building is too dark, it can seem uninviting or unclean. You dont want your lights to be harsh, either. Aim for a soft, comfortable glow that provides plenty of visibility without straining the eyes.

Use as much natural light as possible during the day. Installing plenty of large windows provides free, soft lighting and makes your building feel more open. At night, make sure you have enough lights both outside and inside to keep everything visible.

Your floor is one of the largest surfaces in your building, so you should pay attention to it. If its dirty, unattractive or uneven, customers will notice. Whether you go with tile, hardwood or carpet, make sure you dont neglect it.

If you have hardwood floors, youll need to refinish them periodically to retain their appeal. You can hire someone to do this or do it yourself for much less, so consider your options. If your floors are exceptionally old, they may be worn-down in some areas, which requires more extensive restoration.

As a small business, you may have a similarly small building. While you cant always expand, you can make the most of the space you have. You can rearrange your furniture to make your interior appear roomier and more inviting.

Make sure your furniture doesnt close off any areas, which makes it feel more cramped. Arranging things into specific zones helps with organization, but remember to keep these zones open on at least one side. With the right design, you can make a tiny space feel like twice its size.

Adding some color to your building can help liven it up and invite customers. That said, you should be careful about choosing an appropriate color palette. If your walls and furniture are too vibrant, it can feel aggressive. And too much white feels boring.

Your color scheme should match your business. If you want to appear calm, clean and comfortable, aim for soft, neutral tones. If you want your building to feel more lively, go for pastels and more variation.

Parking lot maintenance often goes unnoticed by business owners, but it can make or break your property. If your parking lot is disorganized, cramped, dirty or difficult to navigate, itll put visitors in a disfavorable mood. The best parking experience is one that customers wont notice.

Make sure that all of your pavement is as level as possible and clean. You might also have to repaint lines and post clear signage about designated spots. If you dont have a dedicated parking lot, post signs about where customers can park.

In todays world, your brick-and-mortar site isnt the only place youll make an impression. Your online presence is just as important, if not more crucial, for appealing to customers. Like your building, your website should be an easy-to-navigate, attractive and accurate representation of your business.

If you dont have web design experience, you can use a website builder like Squarespace or Wix to help. While youre redesigning your website, dont forget to optimize for mobile devices. Mobile browsing accounts for more than 50% of all web traffic, so you cant afford to ignore it.

Remember that with every change you make, you should keep your overall aesthetic consistent. Everything should fit together and it should all make sense for your business. You want your building to be appealing, but you also dont want to misrepresent yourself.

An appealing building and website alone wont ensure success, but it will help. If your business isnt attractive to consumers, youll have a hard time getting started. If you follow these steps, though, you can show customers how professional and reliable you are.

Here is the original post:
How to Improve the Appeal of Your Business - BOSS Magazine

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Several candidates across Washtenaw Countys townships are running in the Nov. 3 general election to represent their communities.

Some of the top contested races include clerk seats, trustees and township supervisors.

MLive Media Group has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information and other voting resources to readers ahead of 2020 elections.

Each candidate was given a list of questions relevant to the office for which they are campaigning. The voter guide can be accessed at vote411.org.

All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for a necessary cut if a reply exceeded character limitations.

Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should not be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.

Here is how candidates in the voter guide responded to the question:

What are your goals should you be elected and how will you work to accomplish them with current resources?

Augusta Township

Seven candidates aim are running for four seats on the board of trustees.

Linda Adams, Democrat: As a current board member. I feel that I have helped make positive steps toward making our township more financially sounder and stable in a tough economic time. And I will continue to work hard at it until we reach the goals that have been outlined to reduce rates in systems that has been ignored for years past. I would like to work on a better updated emergency response system that give residents more valuable time to take action to keep them safer in an emergency situation. I will be working on finding ways to improve communication in our area as this is area that needs drastic improvement, especially with the recent events that Covid 19 has presented. The needs for working remotely has never been needed more. There are many grants that are there for the taking. As long as you are willing to put in the work to get them. I will work diligently to find ways to get the needed funds to support our areas of concern.

Terrance Darnell Green, Democrat: As your humbled trustee, I vow to get the water billing department organized. For too long, residents of Augusta have stood victim to disorganization in water billingusing my experience running a carpentry and realty business, I will design proposals to restructure the department and spearhead these changes myself.

David Hall, Democrat: Hello Residents My Name is David Hall and Im asking you For your vote November 3rd for Augusta Township Trustee. I have lived in this Great township for 57 years and Im now retired and I think its time to bring the Augusta township Board Back to be working for the residents, No more Blindsides, No more water and tax increases unless its approved by the residents, Clean out town hall and get officers to doing what they are elected to do. Our Drains are way out dated and not working, Its time to start working with the county and get a long term plan Moving. Roads, Again its time to cover the whole township and get a long term plan on what roads and when we will update them. starting with the worse and moving forward. Stop wasting tax payers money and let the residents have a voice how to spend their money. Most of all a board working together. I have no problem working with the board our voters put in place. Form Neighborhood watches and stop the crime and dumpers.

Other candidates who did not complete the voter guide questionnaire include Deborah J. Fuqua-Frey, Republican; Christopher Ortiz, Republican; Kathleen Ruth McDonald, Democrat; and Dale-Lin Mallonen, unaffiliated.

Three candidates are vying for the supervisor seat.

Cath Howard, Democrat: I would continue our efforts to improve and replace the aging and deteriorating water/sewer system, to reduce water loss and to maintain a financially responsible rate system resulting in adequate revenue generation to allow for sufficient funding of commodity and operation costs and necessary future capital improvements. I want to ensure the completion of our new Fire Station in a timely manner, which will will eliminate a $30,000/year lease of another building and free up the old station of additional township use. I also look forward to working with the community to develop a sustainable approach to eliminating dumping in our township and to developing a stronger working relationship with both the County Road and with the Water Resources (Drain) Commissions. The Board will need to address a long-term plan for cemetery management that does not currently exist. I also believe its vital to increase Board transparency and community engagement, which will be part of my daily agenda.

Brian Alan Shelby, Republican: Vision for the next term include; improved cell reception, investigate having a cell tower built. Enhancing our businesses with either a Chamber of Commerce or Business Association. Creating a township park, farmers market or a community cent

Bradley Joseph Manley, unaffiliated, did not complete the voter guide questionnaire, and is running as a write-in candidate.

Dexter Township

A Democrat and Republican are competing for the clerk seat.

Michelle Stamboulellis, Democrat: I love Dexter and I am proud to call Dexter home. I have many reasons for running for Township office with the most important reason being to listen to my constituents and be their voice; Encouraging community involvement and engagement is what makes government a success. Our Township needs leaders who will follow our Master Plan and adopt a strong Land Preservation Program to protect our farmers legacy which is the very fabric of what Dexter is made of and what draws families to want to live in our rural community. I would work to accomplish these goals by first reaching out to the community and offering more social media avenues I want the community to feel comfortable engaging with the township elected officials.

Republican Mark Wojno did not complete the voter guide questionnaire.

Eight candidates are running for the townships board of trustees.

James Drolett, Republican: I will continue to strive to preserve the beautiful rural character of Dexter township through careful planning and zoning strategies. It is important as a board member to find community members who are willing to serve on boards and committees that have the good of the entire township as their mission, not to serve any personnel agenda. Fortunately, we have been able to do so with this Board of Trustees.

Bill Gajewski, Republican: There will be no runoff at August primary, all candidates will advance to the General Election. Thus, a unique & balanced platform will be provided prior to November General Election.

Answers to goals, problems, & assets questions will be provided in detail prior to the November General Election with good land-use planning designed to improve the quality of life for ALL our Dexter Township residents.

Mary Beth Michaud, write-in Democrat: A primary goal is to look at other townships' use of resources, provision of services and compare if there are ways to benefit our residents by working with and learning from these similar communities. As I have tried to educate myself about my Township, I have found many committees lacking in up-to-date reporting. Another goal would be timelier reporting, and updated communication available to the public.

Karen Nolte, Democrat: Three words - Truth, Transparency to earn Trust. This is what I expect of myself while working for the Dexter Township residents. I want to discover ways to inform our residents on topics affecting our Township, thereby keeping everyone informed on topics impacting their lives and property. Critical thinking and prioritizing while working toward the future is key, we can build tools of information with very limited means. Monetary resources function frequently as a road map. They are living breathing documents setting a course, while human resources can be limitless if you can tap into those abilities.

Laura L. Sanders, Democrat: Goals for my position as Trustee will largely be co-created through listening to the concerns of the people in Dexter Township, careful attention to often complex issues, and negotiating solutions with the community. I intend to: -listen closely to your concerns as an increasingly diverse community with attention to equity and inclusion -work to balance and resolve competing needs within our community, -support reasonable development that protects the charm of Dexter Township and preserves our lakes and public lands, -foster options for farmers in land uses and sale, -secure the basic protections of law enforcement, fire safety, health, schools, parks, and other essential services for everyone in our community, and work to eliminate disparities within these systems -encourage smart infrastructure developments including roads, water, internet access, etc., -honor the history and traditions of Dexter Township while inviting sensible change.

Karen Kim Sikkenga, Democrat: I stand for three things:

One Effective, Efficient and Ethical Use of Taxpayer Dollars. The taxes we pay can support higher levels of service - services that will improve our day-to-day lives, like better local roads and garbage pick-up. My years as a financial manager and budget analyst give me the tools and knowledge to give taxpayers more for their money.

Two - Setting Priorities with Citizen Input. Our tax dollars should be put to work for the services that are important to us, while still meeting our ethical and regulatory requirements for township management. I have decades of experience seeking and responding to citizen priorities to find the best solutions.

Three - Making Transparent, Policy-Driven Decisions. Our decisions should be driven by our published and approved plans and policies, developed with citizen input. Its not about who you know: its about making lives better right here in our community.

Republican candidates Michael Compton and Mark Mesko did not complete the voter guide questionnaire.

Manchester Township

Two are competing for the treasurer seat.

Laurie Carey, incumbent Democrat: Retaining my position as Township Treasurer will mean continuing to work with our Board to find new and effective changes for our community. From continuing to work towards finding solutions for police services, obtaining internet access for the underserved areas, continuing the progress with the County Parks on the creation of trails, developing an enhanced citizen concern system, working with the village to promote Manchester as a destination and getting business and grocery back to our area for our residents. As representative for the Western Washtenaw Recycle Authority I hope to be able to continue working on the promotion of recycling more to reduce the quantity of waste that fills our landfills.

Kim Thompson, Republican: Being receptive to the needs of Township residents would be my highest priority. As your treasurer, transparency and accuracy would also be emphasized. Helping to restore the working relationship between the Township and Village is another important issue before us. I look forward to working together to make Manchester a better place for all of us.

Five candidates are vying for a seat on the board of trustees.

Lisa Moutinho, incumbent Republican: COVID has reinforced that my most important goal is continuing the work to bring broadband to rural Manchester Township. This is a request brought to our board by a small group of residents in early 2017. I accepted their challenge, and Im currently serving on the Washtenaw County Broadband Task Force, a group convened by the countys Board of Commissioners to bridge the digital divide by 2022. Our collective work is ongoing and in earnest. We have completed a countywide broadband accessibility survey, and over the summer, we will be taking appropriate measures to prepare a federal grant funding application that can bring broadband equity to our rural areas. Im committed to seeing this through and meeting the expectations of our residents, and in the time frame the Board of Commissioners has allocated.

Candidates did not complete the voter guide questionnaire: Republican incumbent Michael Fusilier, Democrat incumbent John Seefeld, and Krista Jarvis and Donald E. Steele, who both reported no party affiliation.

Northfield Township

Two are facing off for Township Supervisor Marlene Chockleys seat.

Kenneth J. Dignan III, Republican: The first goal I have is to restore the communitys confidence in their local government. I will do this through honesty and a commitment to working together with the community. We need to streamline government services. We need to be clear with those that want to invest in our community as to what they can expect and meet those commitments by keeping our word and not moving the ball halfway through the game. We need to follow through with a commitment made over 4 years ago and develop a downtown lakeside park. This can be done and must be done.

L.J. Walter III, Democrat: My goals are to serve the entire township population as opposed to a vocal few. I would like to create a better system of communication with the township, including the renovation of our official website, and ensuring that it includes a public forum where people can keep up with local news and make their voices heard in a nonpartisan moderated location. I would also like to explore the best way to bring broadband to the township, and how local government can help make it a reality.

Two are running for the clerk seat.

Marissa Prizgint, Green Party: My main goal is to represent my neighbors and their interests to the best of my ability. The Board of Trustees is not the platform for the grandiose goals of a single board member, but rather a place for all seven members to work collaboratively to lead Northfield forward. When elected, I promise to support all legal businesses by recommending/supporting policies that will expedite approval processes for new and existing businesses, recommend/support a concise communication plan to outline exactly when and how residents will learn about township happenings to engage the public in the decision-making process, work to improve the content and accessibility of the township website so citizens may easily find the information they need to participate and ask thoughtful questions, keep party politics out of the board room, protect the environment, preserve the zoning in the AG districts while promoting development where permitted, and represent my constituents without a personal agenda.

Incumbent Republican Kathleen Manley did not complete the voter guide questionnaire.

Eight candidates are running to fill four seats on the board of trustees.

Janet Chick, incumbent Republican: I will continue to actively advocate for new businesses, support our current businesses. Encourage improvements to the aesthetic and infrastructure in our downtown area. I will work to attract people to experience our township both the lake area and our green spaces. I will continue to seek new revenue sources to help provide the services and amenities our residents have been requesting, I am 100% behind and have been for 4 years providing the development of a public park and lakefront space for the residents to enjoy our beautiful Whitmore Lake. I fully support our newly formed Land Preservation Committee in their effort to educate the citizens about our rural areas about programs that are available to land owners to preserve their properties for the future, what asset and activities are available in our rural area and advise on key natural features. In addition I will continue to increase road funding for our roads in need as well as funding for our WWTP to keep it in compliance.

Dana Forrester, Democrat: If elected I would work to make it easier for businesses to open in Northfield Township by streamlining the process, and making the steps available on our Township web site. Once this is achieved, I would market Northfield Township to prospective businesses that can enhance our community via a targeted public relations campaign and personal outreach.

Another goal is to help provide community access to Whitmore Lake via Northfield Village Park. Funding for the park will need to be from a Millage (for 100% Parkland) or it will need to come from proceeds from a housing development. My goal is for Northfield Village Park to feature a beach (with fence), fishing pier, bandshell and other amenities. I will work with fellow board members, community members and potential developers to figure out the best course of action and get it done.

David J. Gordon, Democrat: The Board needs to re-order its priorities to align with what the majority of residents want. I would focus on these projects:

1- Build an affordable waterfront park and/or beach for our residents that would help reinvigorate downtown.

2- Invest in road maintenance and upgrades in the rural areas whose residents pay the majority of township taxes.

3- Work to bring high-speed Internet downtown and hopefully throughout the entire township.

4- Streamline government services to be more agile and accountable, especially planning and code enforcement.

5- Conduct an energy audit as a means to reducing our carbon footprint and then invest in creative, low-cost, and environmental-friendly infrastructure projects.

We need to preserve whats great and improve whats not. Listening to, respecting, and acting on what the residents want is Job #1.

Christine Miles, Democrat: 1. Find out what is important to the people of the township and give voice to those opinions. 2. Explore ways for responsible growth of the community without losing our rural aspect. 3. Encourage development a downtown lake area that we can be proud of as a community.

Nate Muchow, Republican: Goal #1 is getting growth back into Whitmore Lake. Our town has been stagnant since the 80s and the downtown is desolate. The people have spoken and approved Marijuana so now is the time to bring it in responsibly. Everyone wants to turn the beach front property downtown into a park and a beach. Without funds from development on the rest of the property this will never happen. Lets put single family homes on the property with the stipulation that 5 acres is saved for a town park with a beach and fishing dock so that the 90% of the Whitmore Lake residents who dont live on the lake can enjoy it. Including me. At the end of the day my goal by running for board of trustees is to bring some single family homes back into this town so the school system can prosper and we never have to think about being annexed by Ann Arbor again. I have four girls in the school system from kindergarten through ninth grade. My sister teaches special-ed here at the high school. Lets make Whitmore Lake

Joshua M. Nelson, Republican: First and foremost, I hope to keep the current property values intact, especially in the rural communities, while still attempting to encourage smart and economical development in Whitmore Lake. This can be done in a number of ways, I would attempt to accomplish this by encouraging families to come to our Township and by encouraging diverse groups of businesses to invest in Whitmore Lake, creating opportunities and jobs to help our community thrive in a competitive environment. Secondly, youve probably heard it enough, but I do want to help fix the roads. The township already has a sizable budget for the roads, and I hope to make sure those resources are allocated where they are needed most.

Adam Olney, Democrat: The Development of North Village (including public green-space and development as indicated in the Master Plan). Streamlining the Building/Business process. Supporting a township funding infrastructure (roads and sewer basin). The Township currently has a fund balance of 130% with a fund balance policy of 80%. These overages can be put to use providing needed services and upgrades to our township and residents. I will work to prioritize these needs with public input so those dollars are spent prudently and in a manner that provides the best outcome for Northfield Township. A commitment to recreational public use walk-ability (Paths, Parks and Preserves). Similar to my thoughts on infrastructure some of the fund balance each year could be directed to these projects so down the road when they become a real possibility the township has a fund to put towards them, hopefully securing additional grant funding to help with the cost.

Jacqueline R. Otto, Republican: My number one goal is to finish the job that I started back in 2012. The township was stagnate for over twenty years no development, struggles between the Agricultural and Lake areas, and lack of infrastructure and capitalization improvement plans. For me, failing to plan is planning to fail. For the past eight years, I have rolled up my sleeves using the current resources as roadmap and pushed forward the townships approved plans. I believe that the key to the townships success is for the township board to just work the plans the Master Plan (2019), the Stormwater Management Plan (2013), the Downtown Strategic Plan (2017) and the Parks and Recreation Master Plan (2015). These documents are instrumental in turning Northfield Township around and creating a thriving community.

Scio Township

Six candidates are running to fill four seats on the board of trustees.

Jackie Courteau, Democrat: I share the following goals and vision with colleagues who make up the Moving Scio Forward slate of candidates: 1) Maintain and improve the services the township provides to residents 2) Ensure transparency and opportunity for public input in government decisions 3) Increase access to the many resources that Scio Township has to offer 4) Involve more people in our government to represent the diversity in our community 5) Protect the natural environment and the rural landscape that defines Scio Township

I will work hard to connect with our citizens, foster collaboration between residents and staff as well as between the township and other organizations (county government, local mental health and law enforcement agencies, the Washtenaw County Road Commission, land preservation agencies) to leverage resources and develop creative solutions to respond to challenges posed by COVID-19 and other on-going issues. I believe we can balance growth and land preservation.

Edward Frutig, Republican: I am a big supporter of land conservation supporting local farmers and charities I have currently done this through our business buying local combining land saving historic Barns and raising funds for local charities I will now continue this as a Scio township trustee

William Gordon, Republican: Be a voice for conservative fiscal management of Township dollars. I am experienced at negotiation and expect that to be helpful in working with fellow Trustees and Township residents and vendors.

Alec Jerome, Democrat: My goals include the continuation of initiatives underway in the Township, focusing on the improvement and delivery of essential services:

1) Maintain and improve the services the Township provides to residents. 2) Ensure transparency and opportunity for public input in government decisions. 3) Increase access to the many resources which Scio Township has to offer. 4) Involve more people in our government to represent the diversity in our community. 5) Protect the natural environment and the rural landscape, which define Scio Township.

Kathleen Knol, incumbent Democrat: My goals would include supporting ongoing township land preservation efforts, encouraging public input and involvement in township government, preserving the health and vitality of the Huron River, advocating for meaningful cleanup of the Gelman dioxane plume, and supporting efforts to make our neighborhoods and parks connected with sidewalks and walkways. Additionally, I would support well planned development consistent with the township master plan.

I would work to accomplish all of these through collaborative decision making with other board members, through various committees when appropriate. I would listen to the concerns of Scio residents, in order to have a better understanding of citizen issues.

Jane E. Vogel, Democrat: 1. Excellent basic services are at the core of what a township government should provide for residents. I am committed to this task

2. The Jackson road corridor is the economic heart of Scio Township and I am committed to helping new and existing businesses to thrive, creating job opportunities and a vibrant community for our residents

3. Transparency at Township Hall: Trust in government is one of the most important things a Township can provide to its residents. I am committed to this value.

4. Environmental Stewardship: Scio residents have made clear the value they hold for our preserved spaces, and I am committed to protecting these areas, and developing more sustainable practices for future generations

See Moving Scio Forward website for details of each goal https://www.movingscioforward.com/

Superior Township

Five candidates are running for four seats on the board of trustees.

Nancy Caviston, incumbent Democrat: I will continue working with the elected township board to keep our township SUPERIOR!

I support all the Democratic Incumbent Superior Township candidates running for election. These particular candidates have the leadership qualities necessary to propel our township through the next four years and beyond.

Lisa Lewis, incumbent Democrat: My goals for Superior Township are to continue to keep the best interests for the residents at the forefront and uphold ethical behaviors when voting on issues presented to the officials.

Bernice Lindke, Democrat: I have two main goals: 1) Ensure the adoption of a budget that is sound, fair and equitable; one that distributes funds for programs and services to all areas of the township; and, 2) Adopt ordinances that promote and protect the township residents health, safety and well-being.

Hamilton Zachariahs, Republican: I would like to continue with Superior Townships direction in managing and protecting natural features and maintaining non-developed property and nature preserves. Additionally, I hope to modernize and simplify ordinances to enable thoughtful and considered development should landowners to choose to re-purpose their land. Through that, I would like to explore lowering taxes to residents via an increased tax base. Additionally, I would like our Township to offer additional support to lower income residents, an example of this by increasing the income threshold for the property tax exemption guidelines. Big picture, Id like to ensure that Superior Township remains a great place to live and raise a family making it one of the top destinations for home ownership in Southeastern Michigan.

Democrat Rhonda McGill did not complete the voter guide questionnaire.

Sylvan Township

Three candidates who do not identify with a political party are running for supervisor.

David Brooks: Sylvan Township needs to improve its citizen responsiveness. Were from the government and are here to help shouldnt be a joke. The quality of communications between elected officials, staff and citizens can be improved. Simplifying ordinances and procedures makes life easier and saves money. The supervisor is only 1 of 5 trustees. We have to recognize each others goals and work together in the best interest of the Township.

Clifford Camp: If elected, I will leverage existing technology to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of service within the township. I will use my experience pursuing grant funding to identify outside funding sources to lessen the fiscal burden on township residents.

Scott E. Cooper: Our financial house has some work that needs to take place. The Township has been operating without a Capital Improvement Plan. Our assets are aging and beginning to fail, so we need to be able to put our taxes to work to protect our infrastructure. Additionally our community is growing and many people now want to access as much of our parks and bike trails as possible. We need to create a Parks Dept. to gain acccess to Government grants that will allow us to better serve these outdoor areas. Our roads particularly our gravel roads are in severe decline. The Washtenaw County Road Comm. estimates that we need $2,500,000 over the next 10 years and currently our Township is near the bottom of the list of Townships that contribute to the betterment of our roads. We need better roads and improvement. Finally we must find a way to improve our internet capabilities for our more rural areas, so that the kids can complete homework, and work at home families can remain home.

Two candidates are running for treasurer.

Rodney Branham, Republican: One big goal is that I would really like to see through to the end is the Sylvan Broadband Committee that was recently formed and I am the Board member on the Committee. Getting broadband (Fiber) to our residents has been a passion of mine for my entire 8 years. I will work hard for the residents to get Broadband throughout our township as this is not a luxury, it is a necessity especially for our Kids for their school work and parents that work from home.

Democrat Cyndi Jabara did not complete the voter guide questionnaire.

Three candidates are running for two seats on the board of trustees.

Kurt Koseck, Republican: Respond to customer (citizen) concerns promptly. You may not always want to hear the answer, but it is most important to be responsive. Second goal is to make the Township processes more effective.

Amanda Nimke-Ballard, unaffiliated party: 1. High-speed internet to all residences. I am on Sylvans Broadband Committee and Washtenaw Broadband Task Force, advocating for the townships needs in a county-wide broadband effort. I will further this initiative with support and funding.

2. Maintaining the rural character of the township, accomplished with zoning and planning, as is clearly directed in our master plan. Updating our zoning districts to more accurately reflect current land use in existing communities. We need land preservation efforts at the board level, and I will work to formalize our own Farmland and Natural Areas Board.

3. Focusing higher density growth in our underused sewer and water district near Chelsea, to utilize the infrastructure that already exists and alleviate pressures on the system itself and tax payers due to there not being enough customers. We also need to reach out to the City of Chelsea to reopen dialogue regarding how Sylvans water system can service some of their needs.

Read more from the original source:
Here are the Washtenaw County township races to watch for the Nov. 3 election - MLive.com

Restaurant and pub workers in Aberdeen tonight dumped buckets of ice on Union Street to protest the new curfew on the hospitality sector.

Businesses joined forces this evening for the protest, timed to coincide with the new 6pm restrictions coming into force.

Organisers said the action highlights the outrage the industry is feeling across the country towards the Scottish Governments curfew rules, which have been imposed for the next 16 days.

Its like the prohibition era again: Dismay as pubs and restaurants are banned from selling alcohol and told to close indoors at 6pm

Nick Gordon, general manager of Orchid and 99 Bar & Kitchen, and Adrian Gomes, owner of The Tippling House, rallied fellow businesses to join the protest, which took place on the closed area of Union Bridge.

Owners and staff from Dusk, Siberia Bar & Hotel, Orchid, 99 Bar & Kitchen, PB Devco, McGintys Group, Revolucion de Cuba and other bars in the city emptied buckets of ice onto the ground to symbolise what Nick says is the slow deterioration of the industry.

The ice dump idea was conjured up by whisky buyer Arthur Motley, of Royal Mile Whiskies in Edinburgh, and was repeated in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Nick said: The hospitality trade has taken blow after blow, week after week, and we have, by large, overcome and adapted to our new environments. These latest restrictions will be the final nail in the coffin for many venues across the city, and the country.

The ice represents every cocktail not shaken, every vodka coke not poured. You could say the melting of the ice represents the slow deterioration of our industry at the hands of the government. Weve seen thousands of job losses, and will see thousands more by the end of these 16 days.

As an industry, we have been scapegoated from minute one. We were the first industry to be shut down, and were the only industry to continually have restrictions put upon us.

And yet, evidence shows less than 5% of Covid-19 cases are linked directly to hospitality venues.

Hospitality venues are the safest places to be. Were the only ones implementing track and trace with every single person walking through our doors. We have staff almost dedicated to cleaning touch points throughout the venue.

A person can travel by public transport, visit five shops, meet their friend in a park and yet its only when they come to a bar that they are met with such excessive procedures as ours, such as track and trace, restricted opening times, and even the ability to sell the product that accounts for 90% of our sales alcohol.

There are similar ice dumps happening in Glasgow and Edinburgh outside Parliament and government buildings. We dont have that luxury of such high profile buildings here, so decided on the closed off section of Union Street on the bridge.

This limits disruption to walkways, and weve done it at a place where there are no shops. We want to show how responsible our industry is, and how we have managed to adapt to our new restrictions in a safe and responsible manner.

However, the latest steps are a death sentence to many. Weve been through a local lockdown already, and although there is the guise that we can still operate with outside areas, or by selling soft drinks indoors, its simply not enough to keep us going.

The new restrictions, which the First Minister announced on Wednesday, will see no alcohol served indoors in hospitality settings for 16 days up to and including Sunday, October 25, with indoor venues told to close at 6pm. Those operating outdoors must be closed by 10pm.

The move was made in an attempt to control the rising cases of coronavirus.

The socially distanced protest saw staff from across the city wear face coverings while participating and organisers also encouraged their peers to move along and not hang around.

Adrian added: It is amazing to see the support from not just the Aberdeen bartenders scene but in Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is really just an industry now which is getting victimised. Living in the middle of a pandemic, social situations are everything. Were probably one of the most regulated industries in the country in terms of how we look after our guests. We get tonnes of feedback on how safe people feel.

I think where we were with the local lockdown in Aberdeen and where we are now is miles apart. Everyones doing what they need to do and the public were responding to that positively. The 10pm was a massive hit, but the 6pm with no alcohol sales inside doesnt make sense.

Theres no real scientific evidence to suggest why we are getting picked on more than any other industry.

Were coming up to Christmas time which is traditionally a good time of year, but instead, were pushing customers outside to drink outside as the weather has turned. Why is it OK to drink a beer outside in the cold with no CCTV cameras picking up what is going on but you cant go inside where it is much safer where they will also have to use the toilets?

Hopefully standing together responsibly will show our solidarity and that this industry is just as important as any other.

More:
Video: Aberdeen bar staff protest against Covid-19 restrictions by dumping ice on Union Street after 6pm closing time - Aberdeen Evening Express

Although visual- and hearing-impaired individuals do not account for the majority of breast imaging patients, providers can anticipate encountering more such patients in the near future. And, knowing how to best communicate with these women and meet their imaging needs will be critical.

According to national statistics, approximately 30 million Americans over age 12 have hearing loss, and 26.9 million have some form of vision loss. These impairments can make providing screening and diagnostic breast imaging services a challenge, said a multi-institutional team of investigators. Consequently, radiologists must create protocols to ensure they are treating these patients with respect.

Breast radiologists should critically analyze the types of communication required in every scenario and determine whether or not the current processes and available options can provide the appropriate level of communication, said the team led by Claudia J. Kasales, M.D., a breast radiologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple Health in Philadelphia. All members of the breast health team, from scheduling staff to front office personnel, technologist, and breast imaging radiologists, should understand how to respectfully communicate with and identify the needs of patients facing these challenges.

The team published their findings in the Sept. 25 Journal of Breast Imaging.

Although these encounters can be stressful and emotionally charged for patients, the team said, there has been little focus given to educating breast health providers about how to effectively interact with these patients. Overall, they said, it is important to remember that every patients circumstances and experiences will be unique.

The key is to determine what level of service or aid is required to communicate effectively and to understand how to respectfully incorporate it into practice, the team said. But, to make such a determination, a breast imaging provider must better understand the needs of their patients facing communication challenges."

Hard-of-Hearing Patients

To most effectively treat these patients, the team said, there are several factors to consider.

For more coverage based on industry expert insights and research, subscribe to the Diagnostic Imaging e-newsletterhere.

Vision-Impaired Patients

Just like patients who have hearing loss, those who have low vision will also need individualized care, the team said.

Educating Staff

It is imperative, the team said, for all breast imaging staff to be trained in how to best care for patients who have communication challenges due to hearing and vision loss.

Every breast cancer team member needs to understand the heterogeneity and varying needs of the patient population and how their interactions with the patient can dramatically affect the overall experience, they said.

To reach this goal, they said, breast imaging providers can organize educational opportunities through in-service lectures, lunch-and-learn talks, or by sharing educational articles with their colleagues, including scheduling staff, front office personnel, aides, technologists, navigators, and trainees.

It is vitally important that breast center providers understand the requirementsfor interactions with the patient, as well as their family members and partner, the team concluded.

Read the original:
Breast Imaging for Patients with Hearing and Vision Loss Requires Individualized Approach - Diagnostic Imaging

OKEMOS, MI / ACCESSWIRE / October 6, 2020 / Many predicted a strong housing market in 2020, and other than a dip this spring due to mandatory COVID-19 shutdowns, the housing market appears to be stronger than ever. With loan interest rates at near historic lows, potential buyers are battling limited housing inventory and high prices, causing homebuyers to offer over asking price or getting into bidding wars. It's the perfect storm for a housing affordability crisis. So, what is the solution? The Michigan Manufactured Housing Association (MMHA) believes it's the perfect time to look at manufactured housing, and offers some insights.

MMHA Member Donald C. Westphal of Westphal Associates is a developer of neighborhoods in the manufactured housing, RV and traditional housing industries. He's seeing a strong need for affordable housing options in all areas. Westphal contends, "You just can't build a house in an affordable manner using traditional construction. Manufactured housing IS the solution."

Manufactured housing is built with the same materials you would find in a site-built home, but the process is quite different, explains MMHA Director Darren Ing. He elaborated, "First, the manufacturers are able to buy materials, windows, doors and appliances in bulk at significant savings. Second, the home is constructed and managed by the facility's full-time skilled workers, carpenters and on-site inspectors, saving time and resulting in consistent quality. Third, homes are built in an indoor, climate-controlled environment, allowing manufacturers to avoid delays related to weather conditions, as well as damaged building materials and theft, which can be costly. All of these benefits result in a process that saves the buyer both time and money, and produces a high-quality home."

MMHA Member Jay Ciokajlo is the General Manager of manufacturer Champion Home Builders, Inc. headquartered in Troy, Michigan. He shared how the pandemic has affected the manufactured housing industry from his perspective. "From March to May, we experienced a huge decrease in home orders, and had to put many orders on hold while states (including Michigan) closed due to the pandemic, plus, many local building offices were closed and not issuing transportation or occupancy permits." Their facility suspended production for four weeks to put safety measures in place, and gave suppliers time to do the same. Ciokajlo shared, "By June, we saw a surge of pent-up demand as everyone seemed to catch up. More and more people were able to return to work and resume sales activity. Both with our community customer and our retailer activity surged. Now, we are running at near maximum capacity in an effort to keep up with current demand."

Story continues

The demand within the manufactured housing industry appears to be across all price levels, from starter-homes to fully customized homes. One area of value in manufactured housing continues to be the single-section homes within land-lease communities, with starting prices that are well-below traditional site-built homes. Westphal commented, "We are seeing a lot of interest in single-section manufactured homes in the $40,000-$60,000 range." But notes the other end of the spectrum is in demand as well, "We're also seeing retirees looking to downsize, and choosing higher-end communities, and buying large homes with expansive features and garages." Homes may run in the $100,000-$130,000 range, but still very affordable compared to similarly sized and appointed site-built homes.

And "appointed," they are. Ciokajlo remarked on the design of today's manufactured homes, "The options and amenities we are using today are the same you will find in many newly designed homes, including ceramic tile showers, barn doors, luxury kitchens with granite countertops and the latest appliances. We are able to achieve the same look and feel at nearly half the price per square foot of a site-built home." With the option to place homes on private property, manufactured homes can offer a faster and more cost-effective option for homebuyer who had planned a custom build on their own site.

Westphal concluded, "Homebuyers need to consider manufactured housing to actually get to a community, tour a model home or even just look at photos online. The homes are beautiful, with the floor plans and features that buyers want, for a much more affordable price."

The Michigan Manufactured Housing Association is dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of manufactured and modular home living and connecting people interested in finding a community or home with its members. MMHA is one of Michigan's oldest trade associations, founded in 1941. MMHA is a nonprofit association representing the manufactured and modular home industry in Michigan. MMHA works to improve the image of manufactured and modular housing by educating consumers, media and government about the quality, affordability, design and beauty of the homes. For more information, visit the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association at http://www.michhome.org or contact MMHA, 2222 Association Drive, Okemos, MI 48864-5978; 517.349.3300.

Contact:

All Seasons CommunicationsCheryl Russell,crussell@allseasonscommunications.com

SOURCE: Michigan Manufactured Housing Association

View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/609133/Michigan-Manufactured-Housing-Association-MMHA-Members-Contend-that-Manufactured-Homes-are-the-Solution-to-the-Housing-Shortage

Read the original:
Michigan Manufactured Housing Association (MMHA) Members Contend that Manufactured Homes are the Solution to the Housing Shortage - Yahoo Finance

(WWJ) Multiple people are facing federal charges in an alleged plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and other political figures in Michigan.

Arraignments are being were heldbefore Jessica AllmandMagistrate for Antrim County in the Traverse City for the menwho were allegedly involved inthe plot that was thwarted by the FBI.

A document filed in federal court this week identifies the suspects as Michigan residents Adam Fox, Brandon Caserta,Ty Garbin, Kaleb Franks and Daniel Harris, as well asBarry Croft of Delaware.

An FBI agent wrote in an affidavit that thefailed plan involved members of a Michigan militia. The agent wrote "several members talked about murdering 'tyrants' or 'taking' a sitting governor" and encouraged each other to talk to their neighbors and spread their message.

READ: Criminal Complaint filed in US District Court

The criminal complaint states: "Foxsaid their best opportunity to abduct Governor Whitmer would be when she was arriving at, or leaving, either her personal vacation home or the Governors official summer residence. Both residences are located in the Western District of Michigan. Fox described it as a 'Snatch and grab, man. Grab the f Governor. Just grab the bitch. Because at that point, we do that, dude -- its over.'FOX said that after kidnapping the Governor, the group would remove her to a secure location in Wisconsin for 'trial'."

It's alleged the group staked out Whitmer's vacation home twice. and also planned to blow up police vehicles and a bridge.

The feds say evidence in the case includes numerous text messages exchanged by the defendants.

In connection with the case, Michigan State Police and FBI conducted raids and made arrestsat multiple locations, including in Shelby Township, Sterling Heights, Waterford and Clarkston, as well as at a manufacturedhome community Wednesday night in Livingston County, according to theUS Attorney's office.

FBI-Detroit Special Agent Mara Schneider told WWJ that a number of warrants were served at a residence on or near Lansing Avenue in Hartland, in the Hartland Meadows Manufactured Homes community. That's off M-59/Highland Road between Pleasant Valley and Hickory Ridge roads, east of US 23.

According to reports, a SWAT team was on the scene, with some officersdressed in camouflage gearandcarrying guns.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, issued the following statement:

A threat against our Governor is a threat against us all. We condemn the actions of the group of individuals that plotted against Governor Whitmer and state government. These people are not patriots. There is no honor in their actions. They are criminals and traitors, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. "

More information will be released at a new.

LISTEN NOW on theRADIO.COM AppFollowRADIO.COMFacebook|Twitter|Instagram

Go here to see the original:
FBI: Militia group plotted to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer - KCBS

It is hard to imagine that it has been a month since the fires.

On my own street, a third of the houses are gone. And of the homes remaining, half are still uninhabitable because of damaged wells, melted wiring, or smoke damage. Across the district 300 units of workforce or retirement housing have been lost in a region that sorely needs housing and workers. The best news is that no one died in the Echo Mountain Fire thanks to the lifesaving work of our first responders.

These are real people and real losses. It is the most significant impact and loss Oregon has ever experienced.

9 fatalities and 3 people missing.

2,159 people being sheltered.

6,835 people registered for assistance with $14.5 million approved so far.

Approximately 1 million acres burned.

In an earlier newsletter, I talked about the problem of beginning to clean-up. Oregon is working with federal and local partners to safely address ash and debris. Since two of three residences lost locally and across the state are manufactured homes, we first face the expensive and time-consuming problem of checking for asbestos, insulation, and plastics contaminants. Removing fire debris is a two-step cleanup process. Step 1 is clearing properties of household hazardous waste to minimize exposure to the public and our water supplies. Step 2 is removal of ash, debris and burned-out structures.

STEP 1: Household hazardous waste removal No cost to property owner.

Once a property owner completes a Right of Entry (ROE) form with their county, crews will evaluate the property for any overhead hazards (impacted trees) or other physical hazards and conduct air monitoring and visual observations to identify locations of household hazardous waste.

Crews will then remove those items from the property for safe disposal.

STEP 2: Ash and debris removal

Cleanup crews then will remove burned-out structurespossibly including building foundationsash and other debris.

When this step is complete, property owners will be able to begin the rebuilding process.

The State Debris Management Task Force is overseeing a coordinated effort by federal, state and local government agencies to address hazardous waste removal. The task force consists of the Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. State, county and federal partners are actively working to develop funding and implementation options for ash and debris removal.

With the General Election looming, Ive also been asked how people receive their ballot if their mail has been disrupted or their address temporarily changed.

Ballots will start being mailed October 14. You can pick up all of your mail (including ballots once they are mailed) at the post office that serves your permanent residence address. You can also register a temporary mailing address at oregonvotes.gov/myvote. Contact your county election office for additional options.

If you submit a change of address with the Post Office, ballots be not be forwarded. This is one of the security features designed to prohibit voter fraud. You must inform election officials of your temporary address.

You do not need to re-register to vote if you are living somewhere temporarily. You just need to let election officials know where to mail your ballot. If mail cannot be delivered to your home or mailbox, it will be held at your local post office and you can pick it up there.

The Oregon Health Authority on Monday reported 288 coronavirus cases, with confirmed or suspected infections rising to their highest levels in nearly two months. There were no new fatalities.

Oregons daily average for the past week is 294 cases, the highest its been since August 11. Thats in line with new state modeling that projected cases would likely continue to climb this month.

Oregon has reported 35,049 confirmed or presumed infections and 572 deaths, among the lowest totals in the nation. To date, 707,292 Oregonians have been tested.

Most of our district has now moved into Phase 2 of Governor Browns reopening guidelines. Wider reopening includes recreational sports, venues like movie theaters, bowling alleys, and arcades, and increased in-office work. Indoor social get-togethers are capped at 10 people with physical distancing.

Yes it is confusing. Does a restaurant or bar close at ten or midnight? What is considered a "Gathering" verses an "Indoor Social Get-Together"? How many people are allowed in each category?

I'm hearing from many of you about the overwhelming stress, anxiety, and ongoing struggles of schooling from home, wildfire impacts, smoke, civil unrest, and, well, this pandemic. My staff and I are individually struggling at times with the enormity of it all right along with you. Please use the mental health resources at your disposal, including the helpline below.

SAMHSAs Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Call SAMHSAs Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.

Oregon Safe and Strong has a wealth of resources for you, your loved ones, including how to help those close to you if you're able. There are options from texting, phone calls, and email to reach out for help when needed.

NAMI Oregon, the National Alliance of Mental Health, maintains a toll-free information Helpline for individuals living with mental illness and their family members. Call 800-343-6264 or 503-230-8009.

Please feel free to email or call my office with any feedback, questions, or concerns. My office is here to help you find the resources you may need and navigate the state bureaucracies.

As always, my very best wishes and gratitude for the privilege of representing you.

Representative David Gomberg

See the article here:
Gomberg: Rebuilding and Recovering | Opinion | thenewsguard.com - The News Guard