Is County's Economic Development Director Getting the Heave-Ho?

You know something is wrong when people start talking about your replacement even though you don't have any plans to leave.

That's what is happening with Fred Dillingham, executive director of the Economic Development Council. Dillingham has held that post since 1997 and has no plans to retire. But all of a sudden, the Livingston County Commission is talking about who will replace him when he retires.

The all-Republican county commission already has its eyes on having an Ann Arbor group, Ann Arbor SPARK, take over the job of marketing Livingston County. Now, why would Livingston County want a group from another, more urban county to take over economic development for us? Did I mention that the group is tied in with Republican Rick Snyder?

And did I mention that Dillingham was less than enthusiastic earlier this year when Snyder ditched all of the state's economic development incentives in favor of cutting taxes for businesses by $1.7 billion?

Here's what Dillingham said last spring:

"Dillingham said the county's manufacturing base could face a 'double whammy' with Snyder's corporate income tax and the governor's call to end all business-tax incentives. Dillingham previously said tax incentives are responsible for several manufacturing companies setting up shop in the county."

Could that be the reason Dillingham will be feeling some of Rick Snyder's shared sacrifice and Livingston County will have its economic development efforts farmed out to another county?

How About Some Football This Weekend?

College football kicks off this weekend for the University of Michigan and Michigan State and you can get in on the action even if you can't afford a ticket.

Join other Democrats at Livingston County Democratic Party headquarters to watch the action in high definition on the big screen. The games are:

Friday, September 2 - kickoff 7:30pm: Michigan State vs. Youngstown State.

Saturday, September 3 - kickoff 3:30pm: University of Michigan vs. Western Michigan.

Admission is free but donations are welcome. We will have snacks and soda, and please feel free to bring some to contribute.

Our office is at 10321 Grand River Road, Suite 600, Brighton.

Go Team!

Social Security, Medicare Under Attack

Republicans in Washington are out to gut Social Security and Medicare, but Michigan residents aren't about to stand by and let it happen.

The Michigan Alliance to Strengthen Social Security and Medicare will shine a light on Republican plans with a special forum on Sept. 16 in Detroit. Called "Are You Really Covered?" the event will feature Janet E. Witt, Grassroots Manager of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

The forum will examine how safe Social Security and Medeicare benefits are in the face of Republican attacks on the program. It will look into options of the "Super Committee" created by the debt-ceiling compromise and how those might threaten Social Security and Medicare. The central question of the forum is "Will Congress balance the budget on the backs of retirees and workers and give more tax breaks to the wealthy?"

Invited speakers include Sen. Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Reps. John Conyers and Hansen Clarke of Michigan, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, and Max Richtman, executive director of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

The event, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., will be at the Sacred Heart Church activities building, 3451 Rivard St., in Detroit, located at the Mack Avenue exit of I-75, across from McDonalds.

Suggested donation to cover expenses is $5.