2008 MTN Article Index

2008 Michigan Township News Article Index

Volume 50

 

Agriculture

Cultivating Agriculture: Dos and Don'ts for Townships...August, p. 18

 

Attorney General Opinions

AG Weighs In on Impact of Law Changes to ‘Public Use' at Road-Ends...

April, p. 5

Official Convicted of Extortion Must Vacate Elected Office...May, p. 4

 

Benchmarking

Performance Measures and Benchmarking: How Does Your Township Measure Up?...December, p. 22

Quantifying Results...December, p. 23

Residential survey offers additional ways to benchmark...December, p. 25

Example Benchmarks for 2008...December, p. 27

 

Blight Enforcement

Townships Can Fight Blight for Improved Quality of Life...October, p. 18

‘Maintaining Property Values and Quality of Living'...October, p. 19

Sample Definitions Used in a Blight Ordinance...October, p. 20

Sample Enforcement Letter...October, p. 22

 

Cable Franchising

Still Broken: Michigan's Video Franchising Law 18 Months Later...July, p. 18

The Cable World Since PA 480 Passed...July, p. 20

Feeling in the Dark? Here's How You Can Make a Difference...July, p. 22

 

Census

MTA, Locals Receive Kudos for LUCA Participation...June, p. 6

U.S. Census Bureau Preps for 2010 Count...December, p. 6

 

Civil Infractions

Understanding Municipal Civil Infraction Proceedings...July, p. 28

 

Communication

How to Effectively Communicate with Your Colleagues and Residents...June, p. 20Tips to Calm Your Fears...June, p. 22

What is Your Body Saying? ...June, p. 23

A Good Outline Helps You Prepare...June, p. 24

Help Shape the Future-Involve Area Youth in Your Township Government...September, p. 28

 

Cooperation

No Surprise: MTA Survey Reveals Broad Cooperation in Delivery of Township Services...April, p. 18

 

Court Decisions

Appeals Court Slaps MDEQ Over CAFO Permit Process...March, p. 4

6^th Circuit Court Addresses ‘Substantial Burden' on Religious Exercise in Township RLUIPA Win...April, p. 32

Supreme Court: Public Services Not ‘Additions' for Tax Purposes...April, p. 33

Supreme Court Vacates Decision in MTA Legal Defense Case...June, p. 4

Locals Cannot Sue on Behalf of Residents Over Zoning Decision...July, p. 4

New Court Rule Approved on Governmental Immunity Appeals...August, p. 6

Legal Briefs...November, p. 28

 

Economic Development

Sowing the Seeds of Success in Michigan's Ever-Changing Economy...

April, p. 14

Regional Placemaking for Prosperity in the New Economy...May, p. 19

A Note on Rural Placemaking...May, p. 22

 

Elections

Hello, MTA ... ? (Election Day restrictions, duties) ...May, p. 10

Voters Likely to See Lengthy November Ballot...May, p. 14

Hello, MTA ... ? (Election Day guidelines) ...September, p. 10

High School Students Can Be Election Inspectors...September, p. 29

 

Education

Engaging High School Students in Land Use and Brownfields Redevelopment...August, p. 30

Urge Schools in Your Township to Use Local Government Curriculum...August, p. 31

 

Emergency Management

Local Emergency Response Guide Now Available...May, p. 5

 

Financial Management

Budget Reminders...Jan./Feb., p. 5

Financial Forum (retirement programs) ...Jan./Feb., p. 22

Financial Forum (transfers and loans) ...March, p. 12

Financial Forum (unpaid property taxes) ...April, p. 13

Financial Forum (foreclosures) ...May, p. 13

Financial Forum (GASB 34 requirements) ...June, p. 13

Financial Forum (clothing allowances, budget reserves) ...July, p. 13

Financial Forum (internal controls for smaller townships) ...August, p. 12

Financial Forum (internal controls for larger townships) ...September, p. 12

‘Red Flag Rules' Compliance Deadline Nov. 1...October, p. 4

Financial Forum (Employee benefit cafeteria plans) ...October, p. 12

Financial Forum (Safeguarding investments) ...November, p. 12

‘Rightsizing' Your Township to Respond to Tough Financial Times...

November, p. 12

Evaluating Fiscal Health...November, p. 22

Consolidation as a Solution? ...November, p. 24

‘Red Flag Rules' Compliance Deadline Extended...December, p. 4

Financial Forum (fiscal year-end) ...December, p. 16

 

Freedom of Information Act

On the Record: Michigan's Freedom of Information Act...Jan./Feb., p. 14

 

Grants & Programs

Program Urges Cooperation for the Future of Michigan Communities...

March, p. 28

Is Your Township a ‘Community for a Lifetime'? ...April, p. 6

Is Your Township ‘Promoting Active Communities'? ...May, p. 6

Township Officials Can Apply for Political Leadership Program...August, p. 5

MSU Developing Online Community Assessment Tool...October, p. 4

 

Human Resources

Background Checks: After the Warm, Fuzzy Interview is Over...May, p. 28

Fair Credit Reporting Act...May, p. 29

Is Your Township Properly Classifying Employees? ...June, p. 4

Hello, MTA ... ? (township employees) ...July, p. 10

Say What? Interview Questions Help Find the Right Employee...August, p. 26

New Form I-9 Released ...September, p. 5

Eliminating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace ...September, p. 18

Other Forms of Prohibited Discrimination...September, p. 21

Notable Sexual Harassment Case Law...September, p. 22

Employee Evaluations: I May Not be Perfect-but Parts of Me are Excellent...November, p. 30

 

Insurance

Townships Offering Employee Health Insurance Impacted by New Law...Jan./Feb., p. 28

Know Your Township's Insurance Coverage and Liability...November, p. 32

What to Look for in Your Township's Insurance Carrier...December, p. 33

 

Legislative Issues

U.S. House Passes Volunteer Responder Incentive Legislation...Jan./Feb., p. 4

NATaT-opposed Election Reform Bill on Hold...Jan./Feb., p. 4

NATaT Bill Introduced to Provide Tax Relief to Towns and Townships...Jan./Feb., p.33

Resolutions to be Considered at the 2008 Annual Meeting...Jan./Feb., p. 35

New Law Requires Quarterly Investment Reports...March, p. 4

MTA Policy Platform: Legislative Positions and Initiatives for 2008...

March, p. 34

Armed Forces FMLA Amendments Signed Into Law...April, p. 4

P&Z Legislation Heads to Governor for Signature...April, p. 4

MTA Offers Mild Support of Bills Offering Larger Township Annexation Protection...April, p. 4

House Passes Annexation Legislation...May, p. 4

No House Action Held on Tipping Fee Distribution Bill...June, p. 4

Annexation Reform Bill Falls Short on Initial Senate Vote...June, p. 4

New Law Allows Alternate Dates for July, December BOR...June, p. 4

Resolutions Being Accepted for MTA's 2009 Annual Meeting... June, p. 5

All Together Now: New Law Consolidates Three Municipal Planning Acts...June, p. 14

Senate Eliminates Revenue Sharing Increase for FY 2008-09...July, p. 4

Senate Creates Industrial Property Tax Appeal Defense Fund...July, p. 4

Legislative Commission Receives MTA List of Mandates...July, p. 5

METRO Act Revisited: Law Provides Uniformity, Confusion...July, p. 14

Senate Inserts Local Zoning Pre-emption into Energy Package...August, p. 4

MTA-PAC Committee Makes 2008 Primary Endorsements...August, p. 14

War Time Results in Military Employee Law Changes...September, p. 4

Legislature Finishes General Government Budget...September, p. 4

ORV Use on Roads Now Legal in Certain Counties ...September, p. 4

Legislation Allows BORs to Grant Second Exemption ...September, p. 4

Legislation Introduced to Allow Local Tax Options for Transportation...October, p. 4

Michigan Becomes 7^th State to Enact Great Lakes Compact...October, p. 6

MTA-PAC Committee Makes General Election Endorsements...October, p. 14

Property Tax Proposal Creates Chaos for Local Budgets...November, p. 4

House Committee Considers Ethics Bill Affecting Local Officials...

November, p. 4

New renewable energy law includes local government role...November, p. 14

Lame-duck Legislative Session Schedule Unpredictable...December, p. 4

Commercial Forestland Withdrawal Payment Modified...December, p. 4

Local Government Financing in Crisis...December, p. 12

Examining 2009 Michigan House Election Results...December, p. 14

 

Legislative Profiles

Rep. Marc Corriveau...Jan./Feb., p. 12

Rep. Tom Pearce...Jan./Feb., p. 13

Sen. Michelle McManus...March, p. 14

Sen. Gila Z. Jacobs...March, p. 15

Rep. Joel Sheltrown...April, p. 16

Rep. Tom Casperson...April, p. 17

Sen. Jason Allen...May, p. 16Sen. Hansen Clarke...May, p. 17

Rep. Rebekah Warren...June, p. 18

Rep. David Robertson...June, p. 19

Sen. Patty Birkholz...July, p. 16

Sen. Ray Basham...July, p. 17

Rep. Andy Meisner...August, p. 16

Rep. Dave Hildenbrand...August, p. 17

Sen. Randy Richardviller...September, p. 16

Sen. Tupac Hunter ...September, p. 17

Rep. George Cushingberry Jr. ...October, p. 16

Rep. Dan Acciavatti...October, p. 17

Sen. Ron Jelinek...November, p. 16

Sen. Michael Switalski...November, p. 17

 

Michigan Townships Association

Annual Conference

Officials ‘Take Pride' in 2008 Conference...March, p. 16

Expect the best-No-nonsense Wisdom that Works...December, p. 21

 

Board of Directors

Sorensen Elected to MTA Board...March, p. 19

Meet Gary L. Cramer, 2008 MTA President...March, p. 20

District 22 Director Linda Preston Honored for Leadership...April, p. 6

Spotlight on Charlie Veneros, MTA District 5 Director...July, p. 7

MTA District 25 Director Reappointed to State Boundary Commission...October, p. 7

MTA Districts Will Hold Caucus Elections in January...November, p. 6

Spotlight on Bill Gadwau, MTA District 6 Director...November, p. 8

MTA Board Holds Meeting in U.P. ...November, p. 8

                       

Communications

MCOLG Launches Web Site, Releases Video...Jan./Feb., p. 6

Survey Shows Reader Satisfaction with MTN Content, Look...Jan./Feb., p. 30

MTN Design Tweaked Based on Member Feedback...May, p. 6

YourMichigan Campaign Takes to the Airwaves...June, p. 6

‘Protecting the Vision' Can be Viewed Online...July, p. 4

 

Legal Defense Fund

MTA Board Approves Action on Legal Defense Fund Cases...July, p. 5

 

Legislative Forum

MTA Capitol Conference: A Great Success...May, p. 30

House Speaker Addressed Key Township Issues at MTA Capitol Conference...May, p. 31

 

National Association of Towns and Townships

NATaT Legislative Victory: Bush Approves Tax Benefits for Volunteer Fire and EMS...March, p. 30

So What Does This New Law Mean for Michigan? ...March, p. 31

New Federal Grant Could Provide Funding for Local Energy Efficiency...June, p. 30

Another NATaT Victory: Congress Passes 2008 Farm Bill ... Well, Most of It...August, p. 28

NATaT Legislative Victory: Bills Allows FHLBank Letters of Credit for Tax-exempt Bonds...September, p. 4

NATaT Members Converge on Washington, D.C. During an Historic Time...December, p. 31

 

Recognition Program

Is Your Township a ‘Township of Excellence'? ...March, p. 6

What Does It Take to be a Township of Excellence? ...September, p. 30

 

Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship

Students May Now Apply for MTA Robinson Scholarship...March, p. 6

Robinson Scholarships Awarded to Future Local Leaders...August, p. 29

 

Staff

Meet Debra McGuire, CAE IOM, MTA Director of Communications & Education...April, p. 7

Welcome Debbie Shue, MTA's New Administrative Assistant...May, p. 7

Meet Larry Merrill, MTA Executive Director...June, p. 7

Meet Angie Merryfield, MTA Record Assistant ...September, p. 6

In Preparation of Upcoming Retirement, MTA Welcomes New Employee...November, p. 6

MTA Hosts Card Shower for Evelyn David...December, p. 7

 

Township Governance Academy

Academy Graduating Class of 2008 Honored at MTA Conference...

March, p. 24

2008 TGA Graduate Strengthens Township Trails System...July, p. 25

 

Reports and Papers

Report: Partnerships, State Funding Needed to Maintain U.P. Forestland...March, p. 5

New Reports Examine Michigan's Future...August, p. 5

Study Looks at Local Government Health Care Costs...October, p. 5

 

State and Federal News & Issues

STC to Review Township Poverty Exemption Policies...Jan./Feb., p. 4

FCC Order Limits Use of PEG Channel Fees...Jan./Feb., p. 5

Judicial Orders Halt Efforts to Move PEG Channels...March, p. 4

New GAAMPS Approved by MDA...April, p. 5

http://www.michigan.org/ Ranks as Most Visited State Tourism Site...

April, p. 5

Michigan Earns B-plus in State Performance ‘Report Card'...May, p. 4

State Expands Testing Sites for Assessors...July, p. 5

STC Adds List of Missing Reports to Web Site...August, p. 4

Changes to the Assessing 14-point Review Process...October, p. 4

Clearing Up Confusion Over PILT Payment Processing...October, p. 27

DEQ Report: 75 percent of Sewer Overflows Corrected...November, p. 4

New Calendar Year Brings a New State Department...December, p. 4

 

Tax Collection

The Evolution of the Property Tax Poverty Exemption...September, p. 14

Attention Treasurers: Reminder for Tax Collection Office Hours...

November, p. 4

 

Technology

Resources Available to Residents to Handle DTV Switchover...August, p. 28

 

Township Administration & Management

General Law Township with Taxable Value of $72 Million or More Required to Publish Minutes...Jan./Feb., p. 4

Reminder for Tax Collection Office Hours...Jan./Feb., p. 4

Hello, MTA ... ? (Employee recognition programs) ...Jan./Feb., p. 10

Standard Mileage Rate Increases to 50.5 Cents...March, p. 5

Reminder: Hatch Act Affects Certain Township Officials and Employees...March, p. 7

Hello, MTA ...? (Poverty guidelines and asset tests) ...March, p. 10H

ello, MTA ...? (Investment reports, filing requirements) ...April, p. 10

Townships are Responsible for Issuing Fireworks Permits...May, p. 4

New FMLA Workplace Poster Released...May, p. 4

Resources Available to Help Residents in Foreclosure Trouble...May, p. 5

Municipal Facilities: Opportunities to Improve Efficiency and Reduce Expenses...May, p. 32

Hello, MTA ... ? (Medical benefits plans, board member relations) ...

June, p. 10

IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate to 58½ Cents...August, p. 6

Hello, MTA ... ? (Liquor licenses) ...August, p. 10

New Records Retention Schedule Available ...September, p. 5

Hello, MTA ... ? (Oath of office, transition to new board, miscellaneous) ...October, p. 10

New Form 4564 Released...November, p. 6

Hello, MTA ... ? (Township expenditures) ...November, p. 10

Board of Review Appointments Due Jan. 1...December, p. 4

New HR Records Retention Schedule Available...December, p. 5

Hello, MTA ... ? (Township laws) ...December, p. 10

 

Townships & Township Officials

Retired Clerk Profiled for Life-long Learning...Jan./Feb., p. 6

Officials Foster International Goodwill Relations with Korean ‘Sister City'...April, p. 30

Eagle Township Supervisor Established MSU Endowment to Support Local Government...June, p. 32

Township Passes ‘Transparency in Government' Resolution...August, p. 6

Hillebrand Named ‘Township Clerk of the Year'...August, p. 7

Township Staff, Projects Honored for Historic Preservation Efforts...August, p. 7

Buena Vista Charter Township Races into the Center of the Soap Box Derby World...September, p. 6

U.P. Township Gets Press in New York Times...October, p. 7

Township Expands Broadband Service to Community...November, p. 5