Stories indexed with the term ‘Washtenaw County’

At Saturday’s budget retreat for Washtenaw County commissioners, a discussion on public safety issues included mention of  the lawsuit that three townships filed against the county in 2006, disputing the cost of sheriff deputy patrols. That prompted us to ask for an update: Just what’s the status of that legal wrangling?

The last time we checked in, the state Court of Appeals had just handed the county a victory, and it appeared that the years-long courtroom battle might be ending. Not so. The three townships – Augusta, Salem and Ypsilanti – have appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court, and just last week the county filed its response, according to Curtis Hedger, the county’s corporate counsel. Now, the groups will have to wait until the court decides whether or not to hear the appeal. Hedger said the process could take several more months. [Full Story]

Washtenaw County’s weatherization program, which typically serves about 100 homes annually out of a $350,000 budget, is getting $4.1 million over the next 18 months from the 2009 federal stimulus package. That amount will allow the program to weatherize 600 homes – and lower utility bills – for low- to moderate-income families during that period.

To ramp up for this influx of federal funding, the program will be hiring staff for the duration of the grant, which runs from April 1, 2009 through Sept. 30, 2010. Aaron Kraft, program coordinator, said there are two full-time employees now (including him), plus a private contractor who does inspections. Kraft expects they’ll need seven full-time staff in the office to handle outreach and applications, four more inspectors and double the number of general contractors that they use to work on these projects.

In addition to the increased number of houses they’ll be able to serve, the amount that can be spent per house has roughly doubled, Kraft said. Not including administrative costs, about $4,500 will be available for each home. The program covers houses, mobile homes, townhomes and condominiums, but not usually apartments in large complexes, Kraft said. [Full Story]

When Washtenaw County Prosecutor Brian Mackie introduced Lloyd Powell on Thursday night, he used phrases like “foot soldier of the Constitution” and “joyous crusader for justice.”

Those descriptions are meaningful not just for Powell, but for the thousands of people who’ve relied on the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s office over the nearly 30 years that Powell has led that group.

Powell was honored this week with the “I Have a Dream” award. It was given by the Washtenaw County Bar Association at its annual Bias Awareness Week dinner, attended by nearly 100 lawyers, judges and other elected officials in the legal community. The award recognizes an individual or institution that fosters greater awareness and sensitivity to racial, ethnic and gender bias issues. [Full Story]