By Melanie Deeds
Legal News
Awards will be presented, good food and drink will be enjoyed and funds will be raised during The Resolution Center’s 25th annual “Evening at the Movies” set for Tuesday, April 10 at the MJR movie theater complex in Sterling Heights.
One of the highlights of the event is the awards ceremony during which 41B District Court Magistrate Daniel Goulette will be honored with the center’s 2018 Conflict Resolution Center Advocacy Award.
Craig Pappas, center executive director, said Goulette has been working collaboratively with the center for nearly 17 years through its weekly small claims mediation program.
The court serves Mt. Clemens, Harrison Township and Clinton Township.
Goulette “has been incredibly supportive of alternative dispute resolution as a means of peacefully resolving claims brought to his court,” Pappas said. “He has been a mentor to our staff and mediators and has conducted continuing education workshops for mediators working in the 41-B District Court.”
Earlier, Goulette announced plans to retire and Pappas said those connected with the center “thought it was fitting to recognize our appreciation for inviting us into his courtroom every week over all these years.”
Barbara Johannessen will be honored with the Lawrence W. Beckett Volunteer of the Year award, Pappas said, while James Gillespie will be presented with the Laurence Harwood Distinguished Mediator Award.
The “Evening at the Movies” event raises funds to support the center’s restorative justice and peer mediation programs.
These programs, Pappas said, “take place in local schools to address conflicts among students with the intent of reducing absenteeism and promoting a safe and supportive school climate.”
Pappas called 2017 “a banner year,” with the Mt. Clemens facility handling 3,100 cases. He said 2,362 of those cases were mediated or facilitated with agreement while 397 cases were mediated without a settlement.
The remaining 351 cases either were settled prior to mediation, withdrawn, a party was unwilling to participate or a party could not be located.
Meanwhile, last year the center received 1,086 referrals from courts throughout Macomb County and just under 2,000 referrals from schools in Eastpointe, New Haven, Clintondale and Sterling Heights.
More than 6,600 adults and some 2,900 school-aged children received service from the center during 2017, Pappas said.
More than $1 million was distributed via mediation agreements, he added.
Tuesday’s event begins at 5:30 p.m at the MJR Marketplace Digital Cinema 20, located at 35400 Van Dyke.
Tickets for the event — $60 per person or five for the price of four — include hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beer, wine and the choice of one movie. In addition, the theatre provides complimentary popcorn and soft drinks.
For additional information, contact The Resolution Center at 586.469.4714 or visit www.theresolutioncenter.com.
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