washtenaw county

Washtenaw County Committee Delays Action on Potential 345-Million Dollar Bond Sale

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:21:40 +0000

A proposal for a 345-million dollar bond sale to pay for Washtenaw County's unfunded liabilities will move forward more deliberately than originally intended. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, The Board of Commissioners Ways and Means Committee last night pulled the item from it's agenda to allow more time for public input.

Washtenaw County Exceeds 1st Quarter Budget Expectations

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:55 +0000

Washtenaw County officials report better than expected financial results in the first quarter of the year, but still need to make millions of dollars worth of structural changes next year. As WEMU's Andrew Cluley reports, County Administrator Verna McDaniel last night gave the Board of Commissioners an update on the fiscal state of the county.

SEMCOG Public Hearing on Transit

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:28:25 +0000

The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) are collecting public feedback on short and long term transportation plans. The proposals are billed as the "2014-2017 Transportation Improvement Plan" and the "2040 Regional Transportation Plan." The first public hearing on the comprehensive measures took place Wednesday at Washtenaw Community College. WEMU's Andrew Cluley was there.

Issues of the Environment: Restoring Native Rattlesnake Habitat

David Fair — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:15:30 +0000

Rattlesnakes in Washtenaw County! They're here, and they serve a purpose. Unfortunately their habitat has been threatened, but a project is underway to help. Joining WEMU's David Fair on Issues of the Environment is Steven Parrish, Steven is the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Habitat Restoration Project Manager and Natural Areas Specialist at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. Together, David and Steven discuss work in Washtenaw County on the Eastern Massasauga Habitat Restoration and Education Project.

Dexter Moves Closer to Becoming a City

Andrew Cluley — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:33:06 +0000

Residents in the Village of Dexter have voted to continue on the path to becoming a city. WEMU's Andrew Cluley has more on the vote in Tuesday's election.

Washtenaw County Election Results 5/7/13

David Fair — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:35:41 +0000

A light ballot in Washtenaw County on Tuesday day means relatively quick results. The results, keep in mind, are unofficial until certified by the Board of Canvassers.

Voters in Dexter Village have opted to continue moving forward with the process of becoming a city. The measure passed on a vote of 460-to-408. The next step will be the election of a nine-member charter commission. Once a draft charter is adopted and passed by the state, incorporation into city-hood will go before a vote of the people.

Funds Cut for Programs Helping the Homeless

Andrew Cluley — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:29:30 +0000

Washtenaw County agencies have received just over $4 million in federal funds for programs battling the problem of homelessness. The second round of grants from the U-S Department of Housing and Urban development was announced Thursday. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

County Moves Toward Four-Year Budget Cycle

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:53:07 +0000

For the first time ever, Washtenaw County officials will be preparing a four-year budget proposal. County commissioners voted 7 to 2 Wednesday night in favor of a resolution directing the county's administration to develop a quadrennial budget. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

Washtenaw County Sees Increase in Homeless Population

Andrew Cluley — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:47:11 +0000

Washtenaw County's point-in-time homeless count saw a jump of 123 additional people without shelter this year compared to the count day in 2011. County officials fear the problem of homelessness may continue to grow. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

County Considers Expanded Mental Health Services

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:35:09 +0000

Washtenaw County is considering the expansion of community support treatment services to help meet the needs of a growing number of people receiving mental illness and substance abuse services. WEMU's Andrew Cluley has more on the plan.

Washtenaw County Second in SE Michigan for Organ and Tissue Donor Registry

Bob Eccles — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:03:33 +0000

When it comes to the percentage of adults registered as organ and tissue donors, Washtenaw County is second only to Lenawee County. Hear more from WEMU's Bob Eccles.

http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/clerk_register/gift-of-life

Issues of the Environment: Fair Food Systems

David Fair — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:12:14 +0000

Find out more about fair food systems on this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU. Our guest is Oran Hesterman, who discusses fair food systems in Washtenaw County, and some of the ways in which the county is working to provide equitable access to sustainable foods for all residents.

Washtenaw County Posts 2012 Budget Surplus

Andrew Cluley — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:28:47 +0000

Washtenaw County finished 2012 in a bit better budget position than expected, giving the county some additional money to use the current fiscal year if needed. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

Pieces Of Border-To-Border Trail Falling Into Place

Bob Eccles — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:16:01 +0000

The Washtenaw County Border-to-Border Trail is a step closer to completion, thanks to an easement obtained by the City of Ypsilanti from Fischer Honda on Michigan Avenue.

Ypsilanti City Planner Teresa Gillotti says the easement will clear the way for a pedestrian bridge to be built from Riverside Park to a corner of the Fischer Honda property, with an improved Michigan Avenue crossing then linking the trail to the Water Street re-development area.

Gillotti says the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission is covering the $38,000 cost of the easement.

County Approves Long-Term Contracts Ahead of RTW

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:44:47 +0000

Before Michigan's right-to-work law takes effect later this month, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners has approved new long-term contracts with nearly all of the unions representing county workers. Similar policy for non-union employees has been set as well. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

County Considers Landbank

Andrew Cluley — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:05:33 +0000

Washtenaw County officials are taking a second look at creating a landbank to help deal with foreclosed properties. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

Issues of the Environment: 'Fracking' part 2

David Fair — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:33:04 +0000

This week's Issues of the Environment presents part two of our series on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in Washtenaw County. Our guest is Jim Peters, Operations Manager for Northstar Energy, and a representative for the Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Educational Foundation.

Michigan Oil and Gas Producers Educational Foundation

Commissioners Consider County ID Card

Andrew Cluley — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:51:16 +0000

A new task force is starting to investigate creating a Washtenaw County identification card for people who can't or don't want to get a driver's license. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.

Issues of the Environment: 'Fracking' part 1

David Fair — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:48:39 +0000

On this week's Issues of the Environment from WEMU, the first of two discussions on 'fracking', or hydraulic fracturing, in Washtenaw County. Our guest this week is John Callewaert, the Director of the Integrated Assessment Program for the University of Michigan's Graham Environmental Sustainability Institute.

County Officially Opposes State's Right-to-Work Law

Andrew Cluley — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:41:33 +0000

Washtenaw County's Board of Commissioners has approved a resolution opposing the state's right-to-work law. Hear more from WEMU's Andrew Cluley.