A Vital Piece of the Summer Pilot Program Equation

Meeting: Convergence Foundation at COBO Hall, Thursday, June 1, 2006 1:30PM

Intention:

Discuss and further conceptualize the "Operation Dive Project" http://www.operationdive.blogspot.com/ and the Convergence Foundations http://www.cef-trek.org/ Annual October 18, 19, and 20th Educational Showcase at COBO HALL. http://www.sae.org/events/convergence/brochure.pdf

OTHER VARIATIONS ON A THEME

The Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference

At lunchtime, there was an intriguing -- if oddly ad-hoc -- proposal for Cobo Center (which, as we all know, is badly in need of expansion and renovation). The proposal, which apparently was germinated by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and a couple of Republican legislators, would see Cobo turned into a year-around alternative fuel technologies incubator and classroom. Cobo would be expanded in the process. Speaking at a luncheon for the "Coalition for Fueling Michigan's Future" were Lawrence Technological University chancellor Charles Chambers, Detroit city CIO Derrick Miller, former state school superintended Tom Watkins and Patrick Anderson, founder of Lansing's Anderson Economic Group.

Speaking in favor of the Cobo proposal at a press conference after the luncheon was U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township, who said he would introduce legislation seeking a $50,000 federal grant for a feasibility study for the switchover. Also speaking in favor of was Michigan State House Speaker Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, who said he would seek a similar amount in state funding for the story. Miller, during the luncheon, said the proposal would probably result in Cobo Center being turned from city control over to a regional authority. At the press conference, DeRoche said the city of Detroit was so far just an observer of the project, but would hopefully be an interested participant.

After the luncheon, NextEnergy CEO James Croce said he wasn't consulted before the group made its announcement. But, he said, "I'm open-minded and optimistic." Also curiously absent from the proposal were people like Detroit Renaissance's Doug Rothwell, city economic development officials, or for that matter, Oakland and Macomb county economic development officials. But after the press conference, the chamber announced support for the "conceptual plan to expand and upgrade Cobo Center," including "an entrepreneurial and educational incubator for creating innovative technologies (and) a world class automotive research and development center to develop alternative energies." All this was kind of oddly presented, but like James Croce, let's be open-minded and optimistic and see where it goes.

GOP finds nothing funny about Bush impersonator

BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF and KATHLEEN GRAYFREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS
June 2, 2006

MACKINAC ISLAND -- What's an election year without a little campaign silliness?
A President George W. Bush impersonator entertained onlookers on the Grand Hotel porch Thursday during the Detroit Regional Chamber's policy conference.

He poked fun at Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos with assorted malapropisms, hokey jokes and an "endorsement" of DeVos. Plus, he bore a striking resemblance to the prez.
The brief show was courtesy of state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer. Among the zingers was an allusion to DeVos' leading a 2000 school voucher ballot issue that was defeated and his family ties to the Amway Corp.

Acting as straight man, Brewer noted the president's penchant for giving nicknames to friends and staffers.

"Would you tell us what your nicknames are for Mr. DeVos?" Brewer asked.

"Well," said the imposter. "I like to refer to him as DeVoucher. And another good one for him is Pyramid."

None of which drew smiles from Republicans. DeVos campaign chairman David Brandon groused that, given the troubles of Michigan's economy under Gov. Jennifer Granholm, "we don't find anything funny about what's going on."

Police endorse DeVos

Meanwhile, DeVos racked up the very real endorsement of the Police Officers Association of Michigan. The 12,000-member POAM endorsed Granholm when she first ran for governor four years ago.

DeVos campaign chairman Brandon said the POAM realizes there are 1,500 fewer police officers than there were in September 2001. He added: "If there's anything that's important in terms of leadership of this state it's safety and security. They're clearly unhappy with the leadership we've had.

Chris DeWitt, spokesman for Granholm's re-election campaign, said the POAM is mistaken in its choice. He said the reason there are fewer police officers in Michigan is that Bush cut federal funds for community police forces.

DeWitt said DeVos' support for tax cuts would result in less state money for communities, and thus even fewer police officers.

New idea for Cobo

Alternative energy projects and charter schools could be the salvation of Detroit's Cobo Conference Center according to a coalition of business and political leaders.
U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, a Bloomfield Hills Republican, and state House Speaker Craig DeRoche, R-Novi, pledged to each seek $50,000 from their legislative colleagues to fund a feasibility study on how to turn the Cobo Center into a year-round facility to be used by schoolchildren, researchers and businesspeople.

"We want to create Cobo Center into a hub, creating enough space to keep the Auto Show here and a commercial center for advanced research and development," Knollenberg said.

Derrick Miller, chief information officer for Detroit, said the city -- with help from the Wayne County Port Authority -- could issue bonds to pay for an expansion of Cobo Hall to 1 million square feet. The rental or lease fees charged to companies and schools would be used to pay off the bonds.

A study would take six to nine months to complete, said Paul Welday, spokesman for the Coalition Fueling Michigan's Future.

Copyright © 2006 Detroit Free Press Inc.

TEN POINT TOSS-UP!

What are the synergies and convergence elements between the above and http://www.sae.org/events/convergence/brochure.pdf

D.I.V.E. D.I.V.E. D.I.V.E!