State to Examine and Certify Detroit Election Results

State Elections Director Chris Thomas stated this week that the Board of State Canvassers is prepared to examine, re-tabulate and ultimately certify the City of Detroit Mayoral primary election ballots.

Approximately 18,000 ballots have been questioned by the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, causing them not to certify the election results. City election workers entered the Arabic numerical total for each spelling of a write-in candidate’s name; however, did not also show the individual tally marks that would add to the total. Although statute does not call for the tally marks, County election procedures do.

The Wayne County Board of Canvassers initially considered certifying the election results without the 18,000 ballots which would have resulted in a change in election results, handing the victory to Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon instead of former Detroit Medical Center CEO Mike Duggan. When the Board decided not to certify the results, the issue moved to the Board of State Canvassers under statute.

Mr. Thomas has indicated that the lack of tally marks does not represent a significant breach in protocol and that the roughly 18,000 votes should be examined and counted. The State Board of Canvassers is expected to meet next week in Detroit and will likely take one to two days to produce a certified election result.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 23, 2013 10:23 AM
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State Clarifies Patio Smoking Interpretation

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Jamie Clover Adams issued a clarification of the state’s restaurant and bar smoking ban relative to patios and outdoor seating areas; however, industry representatives expect little change following the interpretation.

The new language states that restaurants and bars with outdoor seating areas can make these areas open to smoking as long as employees are not actively taking orders, delivering food or beverage, or providing services such as removing dirty dishes, etc. Further, the interpretation states that an establishment can change the status of the area throughout the day.

For example, a restaurant/bar with an outdoor seating area can have the area open for food and beverage during the day, during which smoking is not permitted. At night, the same area can be made open to smokers as long as service is not being provided. The times have to be clearly posted by the establishment.

Further, the interpretation states that customers can order and purchase food and/or beverage inside and carry it to the outdoor area while during smoking hours; however, again no employees can be providing service during that time.

posted by PAA Online , 10:23 AM
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Financial Emergency Ends in Pontiac

With a newly restructured city bureaucracy, the City of Pontiac emerged from financial emergency status Monday. Elected officials have been restored to power; however, the city remains accountable to a state-appointed transition board.

Former Governor Jennifer Granholm first declared a financial emergency and appointed the first manager. Four years and several managers later, the emergency was declared resolved by Governor Rick Snyder.

The transition board is composed of outgoing emergency manager Lou Schimmel, Oakland County deputy executive Robert Daddow, Department of Treasury Office of Financial Responsibility administrator Ed Koryzno, and Rochester Hills finance director Keith Sawdon.

Under Public Act 436, the financial emergency law, the transition board has considerable authority to veto decisions of the elected city officials.

posted by PAA Online , 10:22 AM
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August 16th Survey Results

In the August 16^th edition of PAAdvisory, readers were asked, with State Senator Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) recently announcing he is not seeking re-election, many names have been mentioned as potential successors. Who do you think will be the next State Senator from the 37^th District?

45 percent of respondents believe Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) will be the next State Senator from the 37^th District, with Representative Frank Foster (R-Petoskey) coming in second with 36 percent of the vote. Representative Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) was a distance third with 9 percent, and another 9 percent chose “other.”

posted by PAA Online , 10:22 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Davenport University Downtown Site Grand Opening

With 78 employees in Lansing, Davenport University opened their new downtown facility Thursday. A crowd of approximately 200 gathered for the ceremony of the new 9-story, 50,000 square foot building at the corner of Allegan Street and Grand Avenue, designed to support 2,000 full and part-time students, with a library, high-tech classrooms, labs and faculty offices.

Ross to Credit Union League

Former Commissioner of the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR) Ken Ross has joined the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) as Executive Vice President. Mr. Ross was previously with MCUL prior to being appointed Commissioner by former Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Second Geiss Plans Bid

When State Representative Doug Geiss (D-Taylor) is termed out of the House of Representatives in 2014, his wife Erika Geiss will be reportedly seeking the seat. The 12^th House District has a heavy Democratic base and generally draws a crowded primary field. Representative Geiss first won the seat in 2008 by a mere 4 percent.

Foster Passes on Senate Bid

State Representative Frank Foster (R-Petoskey) has opted not to run for the 37^th State Senate seat in 2014. Current Senator Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) has previously announced that he will not be seeking re-election. Rep. Foster is in his second term in the House of Representatives and will instead seek re-election to his House seat. Although the Primary is still year away, with Representative Foster deciding not to run, most insiders are predicting a race between current State Representatives Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) and Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) for the GOP nod in the highly Republican Senate seat.

Manufactured Housing Commission Appointment

Governor Rick Snyder announced this week that Linda O’Brien of Milford has been appointed to the State’s Manufactured Housing Commission for a term expiring May 9, 2016. Ms. O’Brien will succeed Patricia Newman. The appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

posted by PAA Online , 10:21 AM
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Question of the Week 8-23-13

posted by PAA Online , 10:01 AM
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