State Roundup

Pontiac City emergency manager fires department heads PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- A state-appointed emergency financial manager for the cash-strapped city of Pontiac has fired the city's clerk, attorney and director of public works in what he called realignment in City Hall. Lou Schimmel fired the department heads effective Friday, The Oakland Press of Pontiac reported. The changes are part of what Schimmel, who was appointed to the post in September by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, said is an effort to put together his own team. "I'm putting in place ... people that I have confidence in and that work with me and helping me implement what I'm doing," Schimmel said. Schimmel's financial and operating plan released last week also includes property tax increases. He said the firings weren't motivated by monetary reasons. A plan also is in the works to make the city's fire department part of the Waterford Township Fire Department. Under the plan, the clerk's office is being merged with human resources. Vital records will be transferred to Oakland County and the Oakland County Clerk's Office will provide technical assistance in election administration. The number of voting districts in Pontiac also will be reduced. The law department in Pontiac, about 20 miles northwest of Detroit, is being outsourced to Troy-based Giarmarco, Mullins and Horton. An employee with United Water, which is contracted to manage the city's wastewater treatment facilities, will run the public works department. The employee will work at City Hall and efforts will be made to subcontract as many public works activities as possible, according to the plan. The property tax increases are designed to cover more than $4 million in pension liabilities and a $1 million tax appeal won by General Motors Co. Schimmel was appointed to fill the post held for 14 months by Michael Stampfler. This summer, the Pontiac Police Department closed, making way for the Oakland County sheriff to take over law enforcement under a cost-cutting proposal made by Stampfler. Flint Dan Kildee runn ing for U.S. House seat held by uncle FLINT, Mich. (AP) -- Dan Kildee says he'll run for the U.S. House seat held by his uncle, Dale Kildee, a fellow Democrat who announced in July he won't run next year after 18 terms. Dan Kildee formally announced his run for the 5th District seat on Tuesday. He said in a statement he has a "proven record of making government work for the people." Dan Kildee, a resident of Genesee County, ran for governor in early 2010 before dropping out of the Democratic race. The ex-Genesee County treasurer now heads the Center for Community Progress, which promotes the reuse of vacant, abandoned and problem properties nationwide. Several Democrats and at least one former Democratic lawmaker running as a Republican are either already running or considering the race. East Lansing U.S. gives Michigan State $850k for geriatric care EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State University says its College of Osteopathic Medicine has received an $800,000 federal grant to improve the training of doctors who care for the elderly. The university said Monday that the money from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration will go to create a statewide network of osteopathic geriatric fellowships for doctors to undergo specialized training after their residencies. University faculty member Carol Monson says the goal is to create a multidisciplinary model of care for the elderly. She says it's vital because of the aging of the population of Michigan and a shortage of doctors with geriatric medicine training. Detroit U.S. Supreme Court takes up Wayne County plea case DETROIT (AP) -- A skeptical U.S. Supreme Court has held a hearing on the appeal of a conviction in a Wayne County shooting. It was one of two cases justices considered Monday. The other was from Missouri. Last year, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered prosecutors to reopen the 2003 Michigan case and offer a deal with a significantly shorter sentence. The court in Cincinnati says Anthony Cooper got bad legal advice in rejecting a deal. Authorities say he shot a woman in the thigh and buttocks after missing her head. He was tried and convicted of assault with intent to murder and becomes eligible for release in 2020. The rejected deal carried a possible sentence of less than five years. Justice Samuel Alito says reopening the conviction "makes zero sense."Pontiac City emergency manager fires department heads PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- A state-appointed emergency financial manager for the cash-strapped city of Pontiac has fired the city's clerk, attorney and director of public works in what he called realignment in City Hall. Lou Schimmel fired the department heads effective Friday, The Oakland Press of Pontiac reported. The changes are part of what Schimmel, who was appointed to the post in September by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, said is an effort to put together his own team. "I'm putting in place ... people that I have confidence in and that work with me and helping me implement what I'm doing," Schimmel said. Schimmel's financial and operating plan released last week also includes property tax increases. He said the firings weren't motivated by monetary reasons. A plan also is in the works to make the city's fire department part of the Waterford Township Fire Department. Under the plan, the clerk's office is being merged with human resources. Vital records will be transferred to Oakland County and the Oakland County Clerk's Office will provide technical assistance in election administration. The number of voting districts in Pontiac also will be reduced. The law department in Pontiac, about 20 miles northwest of Detroit, is being outsourced to Troy-based Giarmarco, Mullins and Horton. An employee with United Water, which is contracted to manage the city's wastewater treatment facilities, will run the public works department. The employee will work at City Hall and efforts will be made to subcontract as many public works activities as possible, according to the plan. The property tax increases are designed to cover more than $4 million in pension liabilities and a $1 million tax appeal won by General Motors Co. Schimmel was appointed to fill the post held for 14 months by Michael Stampfler. This summer, the Pontiac Police Department closed, making way for the Oakland County sheriff to take over law enforcement under a cost-cutting proposal made by Stampfler. Flint Dan Kildee running for U.S. House seat held by uncle FLINT, Mich. (AP) -- Dan Kildee says he'll run for the U.S. House seat held by his uncle, Dale Kildee, a fellow Democrat who announced in July he won't run next year after 18 terms. Dan Kildee formally announced his run for the 5th District seat on Tuesday. He said in a statement he has a "proven record of making government work for the people." Dan Kildee, a resident of Genesee County, ran for governor in early 2010 before dropping out of the Democratic race. The ex-Genesee County treasurer now heads the Center for Community Progress, which promotes the reuse of vacant, abandoned and problem properties nationwide. Several Democrats and at least one former Democratic lawmaker running as a Republican are either already running or considering the race. East Lansing U.S. gives Michigan State $850k for geriatric care EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State University says its College of Osteopathic Medicine has received an $800,000 federal grant to improve the training of doctors who care for the elderly. The university said Monday that the money from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration will go to create a statewide network of osteopathic geriatric fellowships for doctors to undergo specialized training after their residencies. University faculty member Carol Monson says the goal is to create a multidisciplinary model of care for the elderly. She says it's vital because of the aging of the population of Michigan and a shortage of doctors with geriatric medicine training. U.S. Supreme Court takes up Wayne County plea case DETROIT (AP) -- A skeptical U.S. Supreme Court has held a hearing on the appeal of a conviction in a Wayne County shooting. It was one of two cases justices considered Monday. The other was from Missouri. Last year, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered prosecutors to reopen the 2003 Michigan case and offer a deal with a significantly shorter sentence. The court in Cincinnati says Anthony Cooper got bad legal advice in rejecting a deal. Authorities say he shot a woman in the thigh and buttocks after missing her head. He was tried and convicted of assault with intent to murder and becomes eligible for release in 2020. The rejected deal carried a possible sentence of less than five years. Justice Samuel Alito says reopening the conviction "makes zero sense." Published: Wed, Nov 2, 2011