Ypsilanti March For Science Saturday, April 14: Come on out and March For Science & your community!

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Once again Ypsilanti will be hosting The March For Science event on Saturday, April 14. This important and extremely necessary event will gather in front of the Mark Jefferson Science Complex at 2:45 on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. The event is organized by a diverse group of local organizations and residents who are committed to public policies that support a healthy, sustainable society and view science as a key to creating a healthy community and society.

After gathering at the Mark Jefferson building for a brief program, the march will head to Riverside Park for a closing program.

Guest speakers, including Ypsilanti Mayor Amanda Edmonds , will talk about issues currently faced in the community and the impact and importance science has on the environment.

Organizers would like to invite you all to this important and wonderful event. So come on out and March for Science and for your community!

The family-friendly event will end at 5:15.

Communities are encouraged to apply for grants for lead control service.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a Request for Proposal for community organizations to provide residential lead hazard control services to Medicaid-enrolled residents. This according to a statement from the MDHHS released April 10.

According to the organization, grants up to $1.5 million are available for qualifying cities, counties, consortiums or non-profit organizations to provide lead hazard control services. The Healthy Homes Section of MDHHS hopes to fund up to two grantees to provide these services in Michigan communities.

Services available for funding under this initiative include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Creation and maintenance of an Enrollee Engagement Plan, including targeted outreach and promotion of covered services to prioritized Medicaid-enrolled residents.
• Preparation, lead inspection, risk assessment and/or elevated blood lead investigation and lab sampling analysis activities to determine the presence of lead hazards.
• Abatement or interim controls, where necessary, of lead-based paint and lead dust hazards from an eligible residence.
• Removal or covering of soil lead hazards up to the eligible residence property line.
• Lead in water sampling and plumbing abatement per MDHHS Residential Lead Hazard Control-Lead in Water Protocol.
• Minimal rehabilitation to the extent the work will extend the life of lead abatement work.
• Temporary relocation of residents during lead abatement activities, when appropriate.
• Building local workforce capacity to safely and effectively abate lead hazards.  

As stated by the MDHHS, grant applications must be submitted electronically through the MI E-Grants program by May 15, 2018 at 3 p.m. The program period begins Oct. 1, 2018 and ends Sept. 30, 2019.  

For more information or to apply, visit the MI E-Grants website and select "About EGrAMS" link in the left panel to access the "Competitive Application Instructions" training manuel. The complete RFP can be accessed under the "Current Grants" section under the "Public Health Administration" link and selecting the "LHCD-2019" grant program.

Parola Perspective: Oh, and btw, my hometown of Flint is still without clean water.

By Purple Walrus Press contributor Brooks Parola formerly of Flint.

Oh, and btw, my hometown of Flint is STILL without clean water, and the state is shutting down free distribution of bottled water. The state, which created the Flint water crisis is claiming the water is now safe, despite tests showing that it's not...gee, where have we heard that before?

The Nestle situation is nothing more than a microcosm of what is wrong with American government today: The takeover of government by corporations who work in the interests of those businesses, against the will, and at the expense of the people...80K+ people.

On the Flint Water Crisis: Activist Melissa Mays.

By PWP contributor Melissa Mays of Flint

My fellow Flint residents,
I know we are in a State-created panic since yesterday when they casually dropped a massive bomb on us on a Friday, again. The State just took away bottled water because they put dollars over our safety, again. This is nothing new to us. But should we give up? NO. It's time to get a game plan together. Call Snyder's office. Call the DEQ. Call Rich Baird. Call AG Schuette. Call Lt. Gov Brian Calley. Let's get on a bus to Lansing. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. But most importantly, let's take care of one another and UNITE. We will force the State to do right by us like we always do. ALSO, let's disprove their lies. Everyone needs to go to City Hall Mon-Fri and pick up a water test kit from the wonderful Carma Lewis and the CORE team. If you do not have transportation, you can call CORE at 810-238-6700 and they will deliver and pick it up. Post photos of rashes and discolored water since the State keeps saying lead is our only contaminant. Take videos. Invite people over to shower in our poison or just to smell the chemical showers we are forced to use. SPEAK UP and share with the world that the State of Michigan continues to try to sweep its victims and the disaster THEY force us to live in under the rug. But we will NOT let them. WE deserve better. WE are better. WE ARE FLINT. DON'T FORGET THAT. So let's stand together and speak the truth and let these criminals hear it.
People to call and/or email:

Governor Snyder: 517-373-3400 governorsoffice@michigan.gov
Ari Adler, Gov Spokesman: 517-335-6397 AdlerA@michigan.gov
MDEQ: Heidi Grether, Head: 517-284-6700, 517-284-6544 GretherH@michigan.gov
Tiffany Brown, MDEQ Spokesman: 517-242-1376 BrownT22@michigan.gov
Rich Baird: bairdr@michigan.gov
AG Schuette: 517-373-1110 miag@michigan.gov
Lt Gov Calley: 517-373-6800 brian.calley@michigan.gov.

This is just a start. Call, email or write and let them know how you feel. Then let's go visit since they will not come to us!!
Share with the world!!

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Congresswoman Dingell encourages students to participate in 2018 Congressional Art Competition.

By Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

 Last week, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) reminded all high school students who live or attend school in Michigan’s 12^thCongressional District to participate in the 2018 Congressional Art Competition. The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. for one year alongside other first place winners from across the country. This according to Dingell's office.

According to Dingell, “The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity for students around the 12^th District to showcase their artistic talent and represent their communities in the halls of Congress,” said Dingell. “The talent we see each year in this competition is truly impressive, and I look forward to seeing the inspiring and creative works submitted for 2018. When young people have the opportunity to tap into their creativity, new doors are opened and new paths are discovered, which is why these programs are so important.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide annual event that allows high school students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and territories to showcase their artistic ability. The winning artwork from each Congressional district is displayed in an eleven-month exhibit in the United States Capitol. The winner and his or her family members are invited to Washington, D.C. for the unveiling of the artwork. The second and third place submissions will be displayed in Dingell’s Dearborn office for the next year.

Dingell will host the Michigan 12th District competition on Saturday, May 5, 2018 from 2-4 p.m. at Wayne County Community College Downriver Campus in Taylor, with a reception following for students, teachers, families and friends.

Each framed artwork must be two-dimensional and no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds. 

All submissions must follow the art competition guidelines and be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018. Artwork can be dropped off at Dingell’s Dearborn Office at 19855 West Outer Drive, Suite 103-E in Dearborn or participants may call the office at 313-278-2936 to arrange for pickup. 

Interested applicants may direct any questions to Donyale Martin at 313-278-2936 or via email at Donyale.Martin@mail.house.gov.