Region Six Education Seminar Highlights

The Region 6 Seminar held in Manistee on May 30, 2008 was a huge success!  Speakers Bob Slattery, Jr., Ed Bradford, and Jeff Mikula gave attendees some important information on asset management and how it applies to their communities.  Slattery discussed, in general, what communities can do to save funds and improve road conditions.  Bradford and Mikula discussed the success of the city of Manistee’s current, on-going project and offered suggestions.  Speaker Ann Emington of DEQ talked about Michigan’s economic development program and how it is currently at risk due to limited funding.  Heather Seyfarth, community planner for the Land Information Access Association gave a short presentation about intergovernmental cooperation to improve local land use policies.

Summer Minnick, director of League State Affairs gave a comprehensive update of what’s going on in Lansing.  Revenue sharing was a big part of her presentation and what local officials can do to make sure the Legislature keeps the promise. 

Community Excellence Award
The votes are in!  After many excellent presentations by officials across the region, attendees chose the village of Elk Rapids as the Region 6 Community Excellence Award winner finalist.  This win places Elk Rapids in the running for the ultimate win—the 2008 Community Excellence Award Cup!  The final competition will be fierce, pitting the winner from each region against each other for the BIG win, which will be announced at the 2008 Annual Convention on Mackinac Island, October 1-4, 2008.  Don’t miss out— register early to come out to vote for your favorite project.   Congratulations to the village of Elk Rapids!