Officials invest time to educate residents with a series of public service messages

During the month of December, a series of public service announcements were recorded by local media legend Diana Lewis on behalf of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to promote awareness to parents and adults about age appropriate video game content for children, in accordance with the video games rating system. Lewis also recorded announcements to promote gun safety locks focusing on the importance of gun safety. Her personal appeal on these issues will make many take notice. It is the hope of Commissioners Bill Dwyer and Marcia Gershenson, along with members of the Board, that the public will select age appropriate video games and gun safety locks as a result of these educational and informational messages. Dwyer stated, "My goal is to educate and inform the public on the importance of age appropriate games and the very complicated issue of gun safety, in conjunction, with early intervention for mental illness and substance abuse. These public service announcements being released are a result of a series of public informational hearings that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners' Public Services Committee conducted throughout the year. These PSAs are a key component in implementing recommendations from the report." "Sometimes, I don't think parents realize that they can be powerful and loving at the same time. Having a firm stand on the types of games a child is playing demonstrates true concern for that child's well-being. I don't think we give children enough credit, because it is my belief and my experience that when a parenting philosophy behind a house rule is appropriately explained to a child, the message is received. All too often, I see parents just resort to the 'Because I said so' argument and I don't know anyone at any age that would find that reasonable. Of course, whether it is a video game or some other rule, even with respectful explanation there may be some protest, but firm parenting coupled with a loving foundation can make a world of difference," Lewis stated. "Getting the conversation going about age appropriate games and the ratings system is very important and it is my hope that people will pay attention as we release the first public service announcement in January on video games," stated Gershenson. Gershenson, continued to explain, "The goal is to have the public service announcements air on local commercial, cable and public access channels in January and February of 2014. The second public service announcement on gun safety locks will be ready for airing in February. It is my hope that this public service announcement will encourage gun owners to safely secure their guns in their homes." Dwyer serves as the chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Public Services Committee and has conducted a series of public hearings on the issue of Curbing Gun Violence. He and his colleague, Gershenson, have worked tirelessly on this effort, in conjunction with the Curbing Gun Violence Study Group consisting of Commissioners Helaine Zack, Mike Bosnic, Michael Spisz, Gary McGillivray, and Shelley Goodman Taub, who are also members of the Public Services Committee. As a part of this ongoing effort, a series of public informational hearings were held, an online survey was created and a report was compiled to address a series of concerns as issues were brought before the committee. One aspect of the report encouraged promoting public safety and awareness on this complex issue. It has been an honor to partner with Diana Lewis on this endeavor. The Curbing Gun Violence Report was created after a five-part series of informational hearings were held with the information gathered and findings being compiled. The series hearings were held by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners' Public Services Committee and were webcasted and recorded. Dwyer and Gershenson will continue their bipartisan effort, as specified by resolution MR#13017, to Examine How Oakland County Citizens Are Protected From Gun Violence by encouraging the public to go online to read the report and provide feedback. The information is online at www.oakgov.com/boc, click on the report and survey link to offer insight. Published: Fri, Jan 3, 2014

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