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Court says Michigan can keep deducting 3 percent

Withholding for retiree health costs to continue until next appellate ruling

There may be a big pot of money waiting for thousands of Michigan state employees at the end of a lawsuit over wages winding through the appellate courts.

Or there may be nothing.
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled the state can continue to withhold 3 percent of the salary of state employees for retiree health care as the court reviews a Feb. 22 lower court ruling that declared the practice unconstitutional.
The administration of Gov. Rick Snyder is appealing the lower court ruling by Ingham County Circuit Judge William Collette. He ordered the state to stop collecting the wages from several state employee unions representing about 28,000 employees.
"We were disappointed," said Ray Holman, spokesman for United Auto Workers Local 6000, which represents 17,000 state social service caseworkers, administrative employees and other workers. "We still believe that we should be getting a full check, and we're looking forward to getting that money returned."
Meanwhile, the state also is continuing to deduct the 3 percent from 13,000 nonunion state employee paychecks despite a similar ruling in February by the Michigan Civil Service Commission to end the practice. The state also is appealing that ruling.
The appellate court ruling, issued March 18, was the latest chapter involving controversial early retirement legislation passed in September to reduce state costs. As part of the law, state employees were to contribute 3 percent of their salary for retiree health care for three years.
That money - amounting to about $60 million annually - is now being funneled into an escrow account pending the outcome of the case. If the state loses the appeals, it would have to repay that money to employees.
Attorneys for state employees have argued lawmakers violated their contracts by reducing their salary as part of the retirement legislation. Attorneys for the state have said lawmakers have full power over setting retirement policy.
Collette eventually ruled the Legislature circumvented the state's constitution as a way to nullify a 3 percent wage increase this year that unionized employees negotiated.
Last year, then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm proposed the salary contributions along with retirement incentives as a reform designed to save millions annually.

 Written By: Scott Davis

Lead

            EAST LANSING – Mich., Overfishing has riddled the world with problems, causing similar disruptions in the ecosystem as those when meddling with the natural environment these species were born into. Lansing, Mich., is having trouble dealing with the growing problem of overfishing, but not in the way that one would expect.

            A topic that has threatened not only the state of Michigan, but the entire world, is now being put under speculation, posing the question “is this really a problem anymore?” Overfishing has impacted the world as a whole and local areas the same. Threatening populated areas of fish and wildlife that rely on the ecosystem will disrupt the natural lifestyle and food chain these species have grown up in, altering their lifestyle and forcing them to do whatever it may take to survive.

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Written By: Associated Press

Michigan driver's licenses add security features

LANSING, Mich. - Michigan motorists getting new driver's licenses will notice a different look.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said Monday that new licenses will have better security features.
State licenses last were changed in 2003. The updated ones begin circulating later this month.
They'll feature an intricate line pattern and outline of the state of Michigan with the Great Lakes on the front, as well as the Mackinac Bridge. For drivers who have joined the Michigan Organ Donor Registry, a red heart and the word "donor" will appear on the card.
The card also will have the laser-perforated word "MICH" on it.
A new bar code will be on the back with encoded information available for law enforcement use.
The cost of the driver's licenses will remain the same.

 

Daily News Post for March 22

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Written by: Kathleen Lavey

East Lansing schools committee narrows options

Panel to present proposals on updates, renovations, reconfigurations to board

EAST LANSING - A committee charged with looking at East Lansing's elementary schools and middle school is narrowing the options it will take to the school board next month.

Possibilities include:
• Asking voters as soon as November to extend a 7-mill bond that is about to expire. That would generate money to update and renovate buildings.
• Changing the current grade configuration to make fifth grade the top elementary grade and put sixth-graders into the middle school. That could be accomplished by renovating or replacing the now-closed swimming pool area.
• Renovating some elementary buildings with updated technology and more space, and closing or repurposing others.
"There are a lot of different opinions. Nothing is settled," said Eric Schertzing, who co-chairs the committee with Amanda Bright-McClanahan.

Six elementaries

East Lansing has six elementary schools, including Red Cedar, Pinecrest, Marble, and Donley, which serve kindergarten through fourth-graders; and Whitehills and Glencairn, which serve fifth- and sixth-graders.
Seventh- and eighth-graders attend MacDonald Middle School and ninth- through 12th-graders are at the high school.
One of the issues that looms large for the committee: All of East Lansing's elementary schools are smaller buildings that date to the 1950s and 1960s.
"They're beginning to get to the end of their useful life," Schertzing said. Low ceilings mean there is no place to run extra electric or broadband lines for computers and other technology; the schools don't have basements or crawl spaces.
Schertzing said East Lansing could come out of the process with a plan for fewer elementary schools.

Closings common

That has been common across mid-Michigan as school budgets have tightened over the past 10 years. Okemos and Grand Ledge closed buildings last year; Waverly will consolidate from four to three elementary schools.
Lansing also has closed buildings and expects to close more.
The committee will meet again March 24, then host a community forum in early April before presenting its recommendations to the school board.
Superintendent David Chapin said he thinks the committee is on track.
"The wheels are in motion," he said. "I think they're being very thoughtful."

 

Fashion Prevails Through the Down Economy

Jack Rodzik

March, 17 2011

Kositchek’s

248-974-8926

rodzikja@msu.edu

WORD COUNT: 506

Fashion Prevails Through the Down Economy

            LANSING, Mich. – Kositchek’s specialty store in Downtown Lansing, Mich. overcame the challenges brought on by the economic crisis by holding strong to the company’s key business beliefs. In late 2008, Kositchek’s went through a 20% sales decrease but has since exceeded their annual goals.

            Kositchek’s is a high-end fashion men’s specialty store located in Downtown Lansing catering to the more expensive kinds of clothing. David Kositchek, 58, has been involved with his family business since he was 12 years old, practicing the same ideals three generations of his family have passed down. Kositchek believes in using the same business strategies that have worked for his store since it began in 1865.

            Although the economy has impacted the success of many businesses, Kositchek’s has only experienced a decrease in sales of about 20% Kositchek said.

            “Being a smaller company we can maneuver, we can respond to trends,” Kositchek said.

            With the idea of keeping his company small, with a staff of about only 20 people, he was able to respond quickly and efficiently to any problems that were presented in late 2008. “It only gets complicated if you grow fast,” said Kositchek, “we grow incrementally.”

            Small businesses have been impacted tremendously in the recession, not only in East Lansing, but also throughout the entire United States. Kositchek focuses on keeping his company up-to-date and addressing every situation continuously, as a routine business strategy.

            “No matter how long you’ve been in business you have to continue to innovate, you can’t stay stagnant, always creating newness and freshness,” said Kositchek.

            “We focus on quality, we focus on service, period,” said Kositchek.

            With these two concepts, Kositchek’s continued to succeed throughout the depression of the early millennium. Kositchek stated that he does not disclose any numbers regarding his private company, and that is the way it has always been.

            “People come here for the personal service,” said Matt McLeod, 51, employee of Kositchek’s for 30 years, “they can’t believe people give you honest advice.”

            With maintaining successful business strategies, Kositchek’s sees many of the same customers coming through, helping to excel their business as a whole.

            Kositchek remains successful expressing that his job is but his passion.

            “If you focus on your passion and if I tell you that my passion is pleasing people and you focus on that and only that and keep your eye on the ball everything else falls into place,” Kositchek said.

            “I enjoy coming into work,” said Carl Dorman, 33, Kositchek’s newest employee in eight years, “I do displays so I get creative, making things look nice, of all of the customers you meet about 90 % are super people”

            Kositchek’s is a store based on the customer, with keeping the idea of business based solely around the customer, the men’s specialty store in East Lansing is able to continue to prosper, even in the worst of times.

Honesty is the Best Policy

Jack Rodzik

March 16, 2011

Kositchek's

248-974-8926

rodzikja@msu.ed

    The economic crisis of the early millennium has impacted spending on every level for the average United States citizen. Money has been especially tight in regards to what may be considered excessive spending pertaining to the quality of goods. In times like these, most people tend to cut back on using their money to provide themselves with the quantity of luxurious clothes. However, one specialty store in downtown Lansing, Mich. manages to stay in business continuing to prevail regardless of the current recession taking place because of the people who work there, Kositchek’s.

    Kositchek’s is a family owned business, currently owned by David Kositchek, employing 20 knowledgeable and loyal workers who remain optimistic even in these hard times.

    “It’s a reflection of the standards you set,” said Matt McLeod, 51, who has worked at Kositchek’s as a floor salesman for 30 years, “people come here for the personal service, they can’t believe people give you honest advice.”

    Integrity, honesty and quality of clothes and service have always been the key ideas for running Kositchek’s.

    “I enjoy coming into work,” said Carl Dorman, 33, Kositchek’s newest employee in eight years, “I do displays so I get creative, making things look nice, of all of the customers you meet about 90 % are super people”

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Lansing police, fire could face big cuts

 Official: Rejection of tax proposal may bring 120 layoffs

11:35 PM, Mar. 14, 2011

 

 Lansing police and fire departments face significant cuts if a proposed property tax increase is not authorized by voters, Finance Director Jerry Ambrose told City Council members Monday.Between 150 and 200 city positions - many of those police officers and firefighters - would be eliminated to help close a $20 million budget gap, Ambrose said.
No final decisions have been made, Ambrose said, but officials said as many as 60 firefighters and 60 police officers could be laid off.
Other cuts include eliminating road reconstruction projects and sidewalk maintenance as well as more furlough days for non-emergency city employees.
The May 3 ballot question would allow the council to raise $8.5 million. Ambrose also raised the possibility that about $7 million in state revenue sharing could be restored.
Police Chief Teresa Szymanski said in a statement that the cuts would make it impossible to maintain the level of street patrols now in place.
Instead of having 17 to 19 officers deployed at any one time, there would be 13 to 15, she said. Initiatives like community policing, school resource officers and the department's motorcycle division would likely be reduced or eliminated, she said.
Fire Chief Tom Cochran said in a statement that the cuts to his department would result in longer response times for fires and other emergencies. Three of the city's eight fire stations could close.
Ambrose's cuts assume that the budget deficit will be $20 million.
In an interview, Councilman Brian Jeffries said that number is likely inflated and makes assumption such as every vacant city position being filled.
Still, Jeffries said the budget situation is so dire, there may be no choice but to cut public safety. Residents, he said, should brace for a reduction in services.
The city, Jeffries said, has not effectively dealt with a structural deficit for the last several years.
"We haven't made cuts that actually change the structure," he said, adding: "We kept putting band-aids on it, hoping next year is going to get better. I don't think the city of Lansing can get away with that anymore."
For the last five years, public safety has been spared from significant budget cuts, Ambrose said.
Since 2007, Ambrose said, police-fire department staffing has decreased less than 4 percent, compared with a 26 percent reduction for the rest of the city's work force.

Written Material for In-Class Assignment

Business statement

Free shows

Recording label Strutt Records plans to market their artists more so than make a profit for themselves. The small company based in Kalamazoo, Mich. spawned from “The Strutt Bar”, which serves as a venue for not only their signed artists, but for anyone who wants to participate in their weekly open-mic night as well.

            The hometown record company does not base their success on the money they make, rather getting the artists they believe in the recognition and attention they should.

            “(Strutt Records) is an incubator for artists in the community,” said Matt Lechel, general business manager for Strutt Records. “

Second Story Lead

High-end fashion seems like it would come to an end when the recession hit in the later years of last decade, however one store local store remains in business despite the hard times. Kositchek's, located in the heart of downtown Lansing, has prevailed without making any noticeable differences in their business strategy.

Story Planner and Pitch Sheet for Kositchek's

Story Planner and Pitch Sheet

Reporter: __Jack Rodzik __________________________________________

Story slug: ________Kositchek’s__________________ Due date: _March 17_________

Story idea:___How business is affected by _recession_________________________

How long does the story need to be? ___600-800 words_____________

Contact names/numbers: _Kositchek’s Store : 517-482-1171,  Carl Dorman: 517-482-1171, info@kositcheks.com , Matt McLeod: 517-482-1171, info@kositcheks.com, David Kositchek: 517-482-1171, info@kositcheks.com, Mark Benjamin: 517-482-1171, info@kositcheks.com

Readers’ viewpoint:

What questions beyond the 5 W’s and an H would the reader like answered?

1. Who are the customers? Are they only returning customers or new?

2. What have you done to accommodate the recession?

3. When did you notice a shift in sales?

4. How are you able to stay in business in this time of struggle?__

5. Why keep the store if sales are doing poorly (if they are down)

What is the single, most important thing about the story?_Finding out how the recession has impacted their sales

What additional information is needed? __Examples of changes, lowered prices? _____

What photos, graphics or multimedia would be good additions to this story?___

Kositchek’s Store, downtown Lansing, Kositchek’s’ clothes, modeled?

___________________________________________________________________________

STORY PITCH:

      In a struggling market, can one sacrifice one’s fashion needs? Get the story behind how Kositchek’s ability to remain standing strong in times where their prices may be out of reach.

"The Death of an Imam"

Jack Rodzik

March 3 2011

“The Death of An Imam”

248-974-8926

rodzikja@msu.edu

Film and Panel Discussion Bring Up New Perspective On Race and Authority

            EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University students and guests gathered in Snyder Phillips Hall on Feb. 11 to take part in a panel discussion after watching the film “The Death of an Imam”, which focuses on media coverage regarding the controversial death of Dearborn resident Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah.

            This film brings about controversy behind the media coverage and police report of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah’s death, in which the actual story still remains quite unclear.The film features news clips of the incident in which Abdullah is considered a radical terrorist with no solid evidence to support the allegations.

            The police report stated that four FBI agents killed Abdullah, shooting him 21 times in self-defense after he shot at a police dog sent on him for robbing a Dearborn, Mich. warehouse.

            The panel held after the film screening was set up to feature a variety of professional opinions, allowing each panel member to dive into the matter with their personal perspective. The panel featured Salah Hassan, Associate Professor of the Department of English, Catherine Grosso, Assistant Professor of Law, Saeed Khan, visiting professor at James Madison and Dawud Walid, from the Council on American-Islamic Studies.

            One of the main points of panel discussion, brought up by Grosso, was about the disputable police report on the night of Abdullah’s death, Oct. 28, 2009. Records state Abdullah shot a dog that was sent on him and in defense the FBI agents fired back, whereas the untold news stories, which mainstream media failed to pick up, show records of the canine unit that was sent on him arriving at a veterinarian hospital at the same time that it was shot. The gun that shot the dog was also tested for fingerprints and DNA, nothing was ever found that traced back to Abdullah.

            This sheds light on the fact that even some of the highest credible organizations, the FBI, fails to keep accurate records at times. Erica Shekell, an MSU film student who transcribed the footage for “The Death of an Imam”, told she felt the mainstream media made the mistake of reporting the incident poorly.

            “It was interesting, when I was looking at clips online about FBI sending informants into Mosques, it’s a form of religious profiling. It was interesting to see that it wasn’t just this one event, it’s a problem,” Shekell said. “They swallowed the FBI’s side of the story.”

            Saeed Khan, who has consulted with British Broadcasting Company World and Time Magazine, who said the police report was “Interesting because it’s not just a series of facts, but also an editorial”.          

Daily News Story for March 3

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Written by: Melissa Domsic

$97M City Center II project may break ground this year

  

EAST LANSING - Developers and city officials have not given up hope on the prolonged City Center II project.

Scott Chappelle, president of Strathmore Development Co., said he expects to close on construction financing in the next 60 days. He would not provide further details.
City Center II would span about 5.5 acres from Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road to Valley Court Park. Plans include a hotel, residential units, office space, retail space and a performing arts theater.
The mixed-use complex has been in the works for several years as developers have struggled to secure financing in the tight credit market.
The latest estimates peg the project cost at $97 million, Chappelle said.
"We do feel that we have the means to move the project forward," Chappelle said. "We're currently in the process of finalizing architectural and engineering issues."
Chappelle said he hopes to break ground sometime this year.
But there are still issues that need to be worked out.
Owners of the seven properties on the City Center II site owe about $128,084 in delinquent 2010 property taxes.
Chappelle said the taxes would be paid off when he finalizes the construction financing in the next 60 days.
The site plan and special use permit expire in April.
The East Lansing planning commission on March 9 will consider a one-year extension of the site plan and special use permit, said City Manager Ted Staton.
"After many years in the planning process and a couple years in the financing process because of the collapse of the commercial credit markets, we're excited that it looks like the project has a fighting chance to be financed here over the next few months," Staton said.
Read Thursday's Lansing State Journal for more on this report.

Daily News post for March 1st

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Polar Plunge expected to raise $70,000 for Special Olympics

The clouds were pale gray. The landscape: snowy white.
But the crowd at Sunday's Polar Plunge was, in a word, colorful.
There was the team dressed like condiments: yellow mustard, red ketchup, a green pickle.
One team was done up in Mardi Gras masks and beads with hues of purple, gold and green.
And there were Brian Powe and Doug Buxton. Powe, 34, of DeWitt, and Buxton, 39, of Lansing, sported dark blue overalls and bright yellow body paint to mimic the minions in movie "Despicable Me."
They cheerfully waited their turn to dive into the icy waters of the pond at Eagle Eye Golf Course along with the "leader," Ed White, 34, of Ovid, and more than 400 other crazily clad polar plungers. Each paid at least $50 for the privilege, with proceeds going to Special Olympics.
Why do it?
"It raises money for a good cause," White said.
"It's the excitement of doing something you wouldn't normally do," Powe said.
"This is a million times better than watching TV at home," Buxton said.
Jeff "Jaybird" Cole of Mason, whose daughter, Jenna, 21, competes in Special Olympics, dressed in a frilly French maid's outfit, complete with fishnet stockings and a cap made from a plunger and a plume.
The ensemble was particularly striking, as he's 6 feet, 4 inches tall and completely bald.
"I've jumped every year," Cole said. Sunday's jump was the seventh annual. He has leapt into the water dressed as Santa, a cheerleader, a pirate in drag.
"I was a hula dancer a couple of years ago," he said.
The good cause keeps him coming back.
"Somebody had a T-shirt that said, 'freezin' for a reason,' and that's what this is."
Divers were only in the icy water for a moment, watched over by rescue divers and emergency personnel.
Tyler Wise, 23, a recent Alma College graduate, had just three words to describe his plunge as he headed back towards shelter wrapped in a blanket.
"It was cold," he said.
And then he uttered the words that organizers love to hear: "I can't wait 'til next year."
Valerie Suszko, Area 8 fundraising chairwoman for Special Olympics, said the organization expected to raise about $70,000 through the event. Sponsored by Law Enforcement Torch Run, the East Lansing event is one of 24 plunges around the state.
Suszko said the local event has gotten larger each year.
"It has pretty much doubled in size," she said. "We have lots of wonderful supporters."