Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder talks Thursday, April 12, 2012, with Michigan mayors at the Michigan Municipal League’s Lansing office. View more photos in this set on flickr.
LANSING, Michigan – More than 20 mayors and local officials from cities around Michigan met at the League’s Capitol Office as part of a initiative of the Governor’s Office of Urban and Metropolitan Initiatives.
Harvey Hollins, Director of the OUMI began the day discussing the role of the office and how this meeting was set up for Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and state agency directors to have a conversation about mutual priorities and interests.
Mr. Hollins then introduced Governor Snyder who for the next hour had a conversation with the mayors about his desire to establish a partnership with them and cities across Michigan. The governor talked about the importance of urban core communities to Michigan’s economic recovery. He also took many questions and comments from the mayors who represented communities from across the state.
Throughout the day, the mayors heard from other agency directors such State Treasurer Andy Dillon, MSHDA Director Gary Heidel and Doug Smith of the MEDC. Each discussed some of the work they’ve been doing, its impact on cities and then took questions and comments from the mayors. League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin also spoke to the group about local economic development strategies. John Austin, representing the Brookings Institution reviewed their latest work on “Michigan’s Urban and Metropolitan Strategy.”
Mr. Hollins noted that this was the first in a series of meetings with mayors and local officials. He intends to get on the road and have regional conversations with mayors from around the state. Some of those attending included Battle Creek City Manager Ken Tsuchiyama, Bay City Mayor Christopher Shannon, Dearborn Mayor John “Jack” B. O’Reilly Jr., Detroit Director of Government Relations Kizzi Montgomery, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell, Hamtramck Mayor and League Board President Karen Majewski, Highland Park Mayor DeAndre Windom, Jackson Mayor Martin Griffin, Kalamazoo City Manager Ken Collard, Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Hannah McKinney, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, Muskegon City Manager Bryon Mazade, Royal Oak City Manager Donald Johnson, Saginaw Mayor Greg Branch, Saginaw City Manager Darnell Earley, and Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence. View photos of the event in this set on flickr.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
Hamtramck Mayor and League Board President Karen Majewski greets Gov. Rick Snyder at the Mayor’s Summit Thursday, April 12, 2012. View more photos in this set on flickr.