Page 1 of 3 Mish, Catherine From: Jim Taien [italen@aol.com] ‘Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 4:00 AM To: —_Heartwell, George ‘Subject: Kent County Update - 5/4/09 Kent County Update News and Views from Commissioner Jim Talen May 4, 2009 -Vol 1, Issue 7 In This Issue Dear George, Its election day tomorrow - please take the Electon Prediions opportunity to vote! In Grand Rapids we have the ‘The Silver Line GRPS Board, the GRCC Board and the transit Farmland Preservation On the Ai mmilages. aces ‘As always, comments and suggestions on this id You Know? newsletter are appreciated! Election Day - Tuesday! Election Predictions fain Our Maing List ‘The following are not endorsements (though | have endorsed Quick Links some of them), only predictions: Kent County Government GRPS Board - Tony Baker, Wendy Falb, Amie Smith-Alexander Network 180 ‘iyo Grand Rants sine Kei Sunieous obs GRCC Board - Ellen James, Nadine Klein, Richard Verburg GE Punle Schools Transit Millages - 51% The Silver Line I've heard lots of people ask "What's in it for me - | don't live near Division Ave," My response is - ‘$40 million in local economic development investment that translates into 400 local jobs. | also try to ‘emphasize the importance of planning for development instead of waiting for it to haphazardly ‘occur. My hope (and there is [ots of evidence in other parts of the country that substantiate it) is that the Division Avenue corridor will become a focal point for future retail, commercial and residential development. The public infrastructure (schools, safety services, utiles, roads) is already there - let's build on it, More information is avaliable at www.rapidsilverline oral, ‘Whatever your opinion on public transit, I hope you'll take the time to vote tomorrow, May 5. Farmland Preservation On the Air Michigan Now Radio's Chris McCarus will be doing a two-part series on the recent Farmland Preservation trip on which I was privileged to participate. The shows airs today and tomorrow (Monday and Tuesday) at noon on WGVU, 1480 AM and 88.5 FM. You can listen live online by clicking here. 7/2/2009 “oePage 2 of 3 Stimulus - How Can We Help? Last week | attended Governor Granholm’s presentation (click here to view her PowerPoint slides) of what assistance Kent County can expect from the federal Recovery Act. I'd like to be sure you know about several items. ‘* Of the $18 billion that is coming to Michigan over the next 27 months, most will come in the form of tax cuts or credits. We should already be experiencing a decrease in withholding in ‘our paychecks. The earned income tax credit has been increased by $529 and seniors and people with disabiities will get a $250 payment. First time homebuyers can receive up to an $8,000 tax credit. ‘+ Unemployment and food assistance benefits have been increased. College tax credits and Pell grants have been increased ‘+ On the energy side, there is $7.1 million for Kent County, A family of four making less than $44,000 a year can receive up to $8,500 for energy-saving upgrades. Energy-saving tax credits have also been increased from $500 to $1,500 per year. ‘An important health benefit, for those who lost their jobs after September 1 of last year, is that the stimulus package will pay 65% of their COBRA health insurance continuation. How can we get this information (and more) to those who are in most need of it? We know that too ‘many people wil be left out if we just wait for them fo hear about it through normal channels. What can we do to get the word out, ASAP, to those who can benefit? Perhaps you know of efforts to spread the word that are already in place. Your thoughts and feedback are appreciated. Here are a couple links that may be of interest Federal Govern Information Michigan Recovery Act Information Did You Know? + John Ball Zoo welcomed the most visitors ever through its gates in 2008 - 427,448 guests, ‘The zoo will Soon be opening a newly renovated Spider Monkey Island. ‘+ The U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance is a no fee, no minimum purchasing rogram for office supplies and products, tech products, park equipment, building supplies and much more. itis available to government agencies, school and non-profits. Check it out at www_uscommunities.org, Election Day - Tuesday Did ! mention that Tuesday is election day? Thanks for voting! ‘Thanks, again, for reading! Until next time, Warmest Regards, Jim Forward email Emel 7/2/2009 Ge farketing byBsafetneubseribe® ‘This emall was sent to gheartwe@grcity.us by italen@aol.com. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy Committee to Elect Jim Talen | 323 Paris SE | Grand Rapids | MI | 49503 7/2/2009 Page 3 of 3 7] Contact” Constant TRY IT PREE KK