On this month's Corkboard...

• E.D. Message: The R-word is in our future
• Project Updates: Six new cities selected to RRC
• In the News: Suburbs Alliance writers show inner-ring cities are key to regionalism
• Upcoming Events: Make your community a collaborator in public safety with the CCC workshop

Message from the Executive Director

REMINDER: Our Collaborative Police Service Workshop is TOMORROW!  Register now for this free event!

An Island Unto Ourselves?

The Detroit Regional Chamber's annual gathering of southeast Michigan leaders always draws a big crowd, and this year was no different.  Typically, the economy dominates the discussion.  However, this year, the R-word was in full effect.  Regionalism.  Before a packed room in the Grand Hotel at Mackinac last week, Neil Pierce, chairman of the Citistates Group, cranked out example after case study after model touting the effects of a strong region on sustaining both the economic and social integrity of its constituent communities.  And he was backed up not only by leaders around the country, but by some of southeast Michigan's most solid citizens as well.    Finish reading

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Project Updates

Municipal Finance

The Governor's Task Force on Local Government Services and Fiscal Stability released its much-anticipated final report at the end of May.  Their recommendations will help lay the groundwork for legislative proposals affecting the health of local governments, so get your eyes on it today!

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Redevelopment Ready Communities

After a nail biting 3 weeks, the RRC Committee has reached a decision on the 06-07 program participants. Grosse Pointe Woods, Hamtramck, Lincoln Park, Mount Clemens, Rockwood, and Roseville are the next group of inner-ring 'burbs to become "redevelopment ready."  Visit www.redevelopmentready.com for more information on RRC.

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Affordable Housing

Over the past year, contributors from the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, MSHDA, the Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Association of Planning, MDEQ and other organizations have crafted a series of recommendations to improve the housing situation in Michigan.  These recommendations were unveiled last week at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's 2006 Michigan Conference on Affordable Housing and mark the beginning of a five-year action plan.

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Michigan's Golden Spike

We are in the process of recruiting a steering committee for Golden Spike. Anyone interested in lending their knowledge of transit-oriented development and guiding this young project should contact Cooper Holoweski for more information.

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Call for Volunteers

We are looking for regular readers of both The Corkboard and our quarterly print newsletter, The Suburban Hubbub, who are willing to participate in a design review session of the two publications.  Your feedback will help us maximize the effectiveness of our messaging.  Contact Sharon Carney if you're interested and/or willing to help.

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Annual Meeting

Thank you to all of the attendees at our annual meeting on May 19.  We had a productive discussion about our budget priorities for the coming year and the Metropolitan Agenda.  We'll keep you posted on its development and dates of future discussions.  For those of you who couldn't make it, the powerpoint presentation, our annual report, and biographies of new board members and the speakers are available on our website.

 

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In the News

The Detroit Free Press ran an enlightening op-ed the day of our annual meeting written by none other than our very own Conan Smith and Sharon Carney!  Read it and learn why inner-ring suburbs are key to regional progress. 

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Another must-read: "City Budgets," a Free Press editorial calling for legislative change to help alleviate shrinking municipal budgets and the damaging effects of the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A.  Don't miss it.

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Building off of the One-Fifth of the Nation: America's First Suburbs report published in February, Brookings Institution researcher Robert Puentes made a speech to nonprofits in Westchester, New York about what they can do to help "well-off" first suburbs meet looming challenges.  Despite having expensive housing and highly educated populations, cities like Westchester around the nation are struggling with similar issues. Read Puentes' speech to get his advice.

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Last week, Grosse Pointe Park officially became our newest member city.  Mayor Palmer Heenan and City Manager Dale Krajniak head up the eastern Wayne County community. Welcome, Grosse Pointe Park!   

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With Michigan's economy in the state it's in, interlocal government cooperation is imperative – at least, so says the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association (MGFOA), and we wholeheartedly agree.  Check out their recently published white paper titled, "The Business Case for Interlocal Cooperation."      

 

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Upcoming Events

Police Services Workshop
City officials, financial staff, police officers and others involved in public safety are all invited to attend this free-of-charge event. The workshop will address the nuts and bolts of police service collaborations, and participants will be able to hear from local experts, share their own experiences, and learn about successful local partnerships. Time is running out - literally, there are only 19 hours left!  Register now!

 

Thursday, June 15 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (That's tomorrow!)

Erin Auditorium at Roseville City Hall

29777 Gratiot Ave.

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The New Michigan Zoning Enabling Act

Michigan State University and the Michigan Municipal League are hosting a workshop on the new Michigan Zoning Enabling Act. Touted as the most important workshop on planning and zoning since 1978, it will take place in 15 different locations around the state from May 8 to June 13.  Check here for dates and locations near you.

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ARISE Detroit

A new coalition of communities was recently launched that calls on local citizens and organizations to improve Detroit as a home, a workplace, and an entertainment destination.  ARISE - Activating Resources and Inspiring Service and Empowerment - is sponsoring a week-long launch event with activities ranging from mentoring and literacy programs to promoting neighborhood peace.  Find out more about the effort here. 

 

Saturday, June 24 - Friday, June 30

Various Locations

Detroit

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