State Roundup

Highland Park Crews remove many Highland Park streetlights HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Crews have removed about 1,400 streetlight poles from Highland Park as part of a settlement that allowed the impoverished Detroit enclave to avoid paying $4 million in unpaid bills going back several years. DTE Energy Co. has replaced about 200 lights with newer models on street corners, but most neighborhoods remain without streetlights, The Detroit News reported Tuesday. The Detroit-based utility said work is expected to be finished by Oct. 31. DTE spokesman Len Singer said the utility began removing light poles in August, rather than just cutting off the power, to avoid lawsuits and confusion. The utility is under no obligation to power communities that don't pay their bills, but wanted to maintain some service, he said. "We wanted to work with the city to maintain some level of service, and do so in a way that would allow the city to cover the bill each month," Singer said. "They simply weren't able to maintain the costs for having all the previous lights." There are concerns about safety in areas where new streetlights aren't being put up. "After they took the street light from in front of my business, someone climbed onto my roof and stole an air conditioning unit," said Bobby Hargrove, owner of Hargrove Machinery Sales. "I feel like I'm being punished -- I've always paid my bills on time, but they took the street light anyway." Highland Park Mayor Hubert Yopp, however, said crime has not increased since the lights were removed. Under the agreement, the financially troubled city was able to reduce its monthly utility bill from $62,000 to $15,000, an amount officials say fits the city's budget. "We're no longer in debt, and our bill is lower each month," he said. "But I'm certainly not happy about the level of lighting in the city, and I'm doing whatever I can to work something out." Yopp said he understands the frustration of residents and is trying to secure federal or state funding to restore lighting to the city's neighborhoods. Some cities own light poles and pay DTE for electricity. In the case of Highland Park, the utility owns the lights, Singer said. Old poles were sold for scrap, Singer said, and the new ones will be powered via overhead lines rather than underground ones to make maintenance easier. "Mostly, it was a liability issue; we didn't want to have poles there that were de-energized, and likely won't ever be energized again," Singer said. "Also, we wanted to avoid the confusion of having lights up that don't work. In the end, we figured it was better to just take them out." Lansing Lansing-area officials considering 'aerotropolis' LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Officials in the Lansing area are moving forward with efforts that could create an "aerotropolis" that includes the Capital Region International Airport. The Lansing State Journal reports Tuesday that officials in Lansing and Clinton County's DeWitt Township are working out tax revenue sharing agreements. Those are a step toward the plan to create a cluster of manufacturing, distribution, technology and other businesses surrounding the airport. If the tax deals are approved, officials could seek a Next Michigan Development zone designation for the effort. There's already an Aerotropolis project under development around Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus and the Ypsilanti-area's Willow Run Airport. Mount Clemens Macomb County considers photo ID for veterans MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. (AP) -- A proposal for a new photo ID in one Michigan county aims to make it easier for military veterans to cash in on discounts offered by businesses. The Detroit Free Press reports the idea for veteran photo ID was expected to be discussed Tuesday by Macomb County officials. The card would be available through the Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds, and would show proof of service. The newspaper reports such cards are offered in Emmet and Charlevoix counties, as well as in other places around the country. Clerk/Register of Deeds Carmella Sabaugh says her office would like to begin the service in time for Veterans Day next month. Marquette Mich.'s Upper Peninsula to host Model A gathering MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) -- Enthusiasts of Ford's Model A are expected to converge on Michigan's Upper Peninsula next year for a national convention. The Mining Journal of Marquette report the Model A Ford Club of America gathering scheduled for June 18-22 will include events around Marquette County and the Upper Peninsula. The area's ties to Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. and its founder Henry Ford played a role in its selection as a host location for the event. Ford used lumber and iron from the Upper Peninsula for vehicles, and mills were built to give access to raw materials. A car parade and show are in the works. Members of the Superior A's chapter of Model A Ford Club of America have been planning for the event for several years. Lansing Michigan panel studies workers' compensation bill LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- A committee of lawmakers in the Republican-led Michigan House is continuing work on legislation that could change the state's workers' compensation laws. The House Commerce Committee is scheduled to hear more testimony on the legislation Tuesday but a vote isn't expected. Business groups want the legislation to help contain workers' compensation costs for employers. Supporters say the bill would clarify what's defined as an injury sustained while working or as a result of a job. Business groups say a revised law could provide clarity of definitions and cut down on workers' compensation lawsuits. Unions oppose the proposed changes, saying it could become harder for employees who are injured to get certain benefits. Unions also dislike provisions that would lessen workers' compensation benefits for employees eligible for retirement income. Dearborn Michigan ethnic chamber groups form council DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Several of Michigan's ethnic chambers of commerce are teaming up to help the region and themselves. Leaders of the groups as well as other business, political and community leaders plan to gather Tuesday afternoon to announce the creation of the Council of Ethnic Chambers of Commerce. The meeting will be held in Dearborn, the heart of the area's large Arabic community. Organizers say goals of the council include promoting collaboration, combining their strength and expanding regional business growth. Members include state chambers representing Arabs, Africans, African-Americans, Asians and Hispanics. Census data released this year shows that the number of Hispanic and Asian residents in Michigan increased by more than one-third during the past decade. Another category -- non-Hispanic, multi-racial -- jumped 45 percent. Published: Wed, Oct 12, 2011