Elect Edison Hubert on Tuesday, August 5th, 2008 - 54th District State Representative

Edison Hubert, candidate for the 54th district of Washtenaw County State Representative, statement of address to the residence concerning issues that are pressing matters for the sustainability of both present and future life within the community.

As our economy suffers, so goes the safety of our community with the increase of crimes such as robbery, assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson, manslaughter, rapes, and murder. In 2006 over 7,000 arrests were made in Washtenaw County alone in these very areas of crime. These figures belong to communities of metropolis with census that make up a greater new of residence, not to a small quaint community. Our passion of dedication to win back our community lives with our ability to partner, and unite with departments and organizations alike. This includes supporting our police department, churches, non profit organizations, businesses within the community and neighbors, in that we pledge to unite. It has been proven that when citizens within their neighborhood become actively involved in watching, caring and protecting of their neighborhood, criminal activity is greatly reduced.

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office has a Neighborhood Watch program that encourages citizen involvement while the responsibility of actually enforcing the law and apprehending criminals remains the Sheriff’s Office duty. Becoming more actively involved by creating or joining your current Neighborhood Watch Group (NWG) will make your neighborhood a safer and more pleasant place to live.

As 54th District State Representative, I am committed to immediately enhancing the quality of life for our community, I am committed to safety.

The economic catastrophes we face in our nation are partly due to the cost of its most utilized source: Gas. A lot of Americans as well as analyst predict that this cost of oil will not decrease. For the first time in years our nation is in fear of a recession that may equal a depression. We are forced to change the way we live and to re evaluate our priorities seeking alternative resources to save on fuel and gas.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) sponsors a program called Mich-Van which acts as a Van Pool to transport people to and from work. Our Local Ride Share Office (LRO) in Washtenaw County, aide people in finding vacancies in existing Van Pools or assists those interested in forming a new Van Pool group.

The Van Pool falls underneath the Guaranteed Ride Home Program (GRH) which offers fare reimbursement should an emergency or unexpected overtime cause you to miss the van pool.

As 54^th District State Representative I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to IMMEDIATELY enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to finding alternative resources to save on gas.

The dream of home ownership in our nation is slipping away with the increase of job loss companies closing; moving to foreign countries, and our current economic situation. This economic upheaval has caused a record loss of homes in our nation and community. This past April, nearly 280 homes were sold by the sheriff’s office from the foreclosure of homes in both Washtenaw and Livingston Counties collectively. There are analogical studies that state this economic disparity will not subside until late 2009 or early 2010. With the loss of real estate, the place we call home being at the forefront of the greatest loss.

Our residents need to know that the Washtenaw County Treasures office has a Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention program in which home ownership preservation is a top priority. Whether you are in need of assistance with loan or foreclosure counseling or help getting out of a predatory loan, there is assistance for you.

As 54^th District State representative, I am committed spearheading a community initiative to immediately enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to assisting home owners and potential home owners.

Youth development is the process through which young adults acquire the cognitive, social, and emotional skills and abilities required to navigate life. This development occurs throughout a young person's life, including formal and informal settings such as home, school, and church. It also occurs through relationships, such as peer friendships, parenting, teaching, or mentoring. Every person our youths come in contact with has an impact or effect on their person growth and/or development one way or another. Our youth are precious assets to our community as well as our future in which we invest. Diamonds are not lovely when they come form the mine, neither gold before it is purified. Everything goes through a perfecting process, before it acquires its final state of being. This being said it is important that youth organizations and programs are set in place to assist the development process.

One of the programs Washtenaw County has is the 4-H Youth Development programs that are designed to provide our youth, with fun and meaningful educational experiences which will contribute to their total growth and development with regards to responsibility, leadership, self-esteem, personal achievement, and interpersonal communication.

If you would like more information about the Washtenaw County Youth Development

Programs, please click HERE.

As 54^th District State representative, I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to IMMEDITATELY enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to the development of our youth.

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Our country is in an economical and health care disparity. So often these catastrophes impact the low income and the senior citizen groups in our communities. Maintaining healthy eating habits becomes difficult which in turns is a gateway to an increase of medical conditions, even malnutrition. Our seniors are our history that our futures are founded upon. With our most precious inheritance at stake, it is imperative promote services that provide the necessities for our seniors in our community. In place are Senior Nutritional Programs.

Washtenaw County has a Senior Nutrition Program that supports good nutritional health and promotes the independence and well-being of older adults through two meal programs:

The Home Delivered Meals Program provides hot lunches as well as daily social contact with the delivery person in order to help older adults who cannot leave their home or prepare their own meals.

Meals in Community Settings Program offers noontime meals served in community and senior centers and senior housing facilities. A $2.50 donation is suggested. However, no one is denied services if they cannot afford to pay.

For more information on the Senior Nutrition Program please click HERE.

As 54th District State Representative, I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to immediately enhance the quality of life for our citizens. I am committed to our senior citizens.

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“Freedom is not’t Free”: Unfortunately the cost of our nation’s freedom is paid by those who have voluntarily dedicated their lives to the cause; they are our heroes, the men and women of the services. Those that are fortunate to return to out nation are often faced with the perplexities of transitioning from a life of service to a civilian. Often both these service men and women and their families struggle with the ropes of red tape inefficient and untimely activation of benefits and health services. We owe it to ALL OF OUR VETERANS to raise the standard and timeliness of benefits which they truly deserve.

The Washtenaw County Veteran Services Office mission is to provide accurate, efficient and timely services to ensure delivery of benefits to veterans and their families.

The Washtenaw County Council of Veterans (WCCV) is comprised of a group of citizens interested in the welfare of veterans and their dependents and functions a one-stop center where veterans and dependents or survivors might be assisted with all problems.

For more information on programs to assist our veterans and their families click HERE.

As 54^th District State representative, I am committed to spearheading an initiative to immediately enhance the quality of life for our community. I am committed to our veterans.

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You and your families road travel to and from desired destinations should be both safe and enjoyable. However the inconvenience of closed roads, pot holes, and unsafe highways only increase the headaches that drivers must deal with. These issues then lead to expenses that are not always readily available such as tire repairs, accidents, injuries and unwanted use of extra time traveling. These issues should be at the heart of your state representatives and should be reported when faced with these insolvencies. But all too often residence does not have contact information to rectify these problems.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for maintaining state trunk line. A trunk line being an "M," "US," or "I" route, such as M-14, US-23, I-75. So if you notice something that may be a danger to you or your vehicle you can report it any of three ways: Web, Telephone, or your local MDOT.

If you believe your vehicle has been damaged on a state trunk line, there is a procedure and form you can fill out and the state will consider an award for damages beyond what has been paid by your insurance.

Local streets, not considered a trunk line as well as road emergencies, other routine maintenance are maintained by the Washtenaw County Road Commission.

If you would like to contact the Michigan Department of Transportation click HERE.

If you would like to contact the Washtenaw County Road Commission click HERE.

As 54^th District State Representative I am committed spearheading a community initiative to IMMEDIATELY enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to making sure our roads are safe and enjoyable.

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Entrepreneurship is the practice of starting or revitalizing a business or organization, generally in response to identified opportunities. With two major universities, large quantity of technological businesses and one of the most the highly educated work forces in the nation, Washtenaw County is ideal for entrepreneurship. However entrepreneurship is often a difficult undertaking and often ends in failure, not because the idea is not great, or the entrepreneur is not dedicated, but rather because the resources to succeed are either not known or not available.

Washtenaw County's economic development partner, Ann Arbor Spark, is a great resource to utilize when embarking on your economic endeavor. Whether you are starting, expanding, or relocating to this region. Ann Arbor SPARK offers a variety of services and programs to help you get off to a strong, healthy start.

For more information and resources on how to enhance your business or business idea click HERE.

As 54^th District State Representative I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to immediately enhance the quality of life for the citizens in the community, I am committed to Economic Development.

We can never undermine awareness. For it is there knowing that we act, strive forward, and promote future actions or developments. So it is with Environmental Awareness, we all must engage in the concern for the preservation of conservation and improvement of the natural environment we call earth. This goes beyond the call of philosophy and social movement centered on one certain concern. If we move toward the small ways of saving energy and money, we stand a greater chance of increase our life span with better health conditions and happier lives. The small things, such as replacing older incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) because CFL use 75% less energy, while lasting an estimated 7 years, all while producing better light than standard light bulbs, are not so small.

The Washtenaw County Department of Planning and Environment has developed a FREE interactive CD entitled the “Green Info Guide: A Toolbox for Environmental Best Management Practices in Washtenaw County.” The purpose of the CD is to provide the residents with practical information about local solid waste and recycling services as well as information on best management practices concerning household hazardous waste, yard waste and energy efficiency.

As 54^th District State Representative I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to IMMEDIATELY enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to Environmental Awareness.

The State of Michigan is suffering with a great percentage of unemployed citizens. This is not due to education as it had been in past years, but rather to jobs that have left Michigan for other states or have elected to do business in foreign countries, but yet sell to their goods to the American people. Michigan has lost its balance of job security, but has not lost it ability for job development and new business establishment.

In order to assist our citizens in finding jobs the Washtenaw County Michigan Works! Service Center offers a resource center equipped with computers, printers and fax machine that can be used to prepare and print resumes, as well as search and apply for jobs on-line. The Service Center also hosts a face-to-face job fair every Thursday from 9:30am - 12 noon that has on-site interviews and a variety of employers and positions.

If you would like more information on these services please click HERE.

As 54^th District State Representative I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to IMMEDIATELY enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to reducing the unemployment rate.

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At the forefront of our daily concerns should be our health and wellness. We can not help any one if we are not well ourselves. All too often we neglect healthy eating, physical exercise, and rest. The increase of cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes, high blood, and cholesterol continue to grow in America. These issues no longer divide income status, race, gender or social status, but rather unite all America in unprecedented deaths among us. On average in Washtenaw County it is reported that a heart attack or strokes is the root cause of an average of 11 deaths per week. It is imperative that we take control of our health collectively as well as individually.

Washtenaw County Public Health has a program called Washtenaw Step Up (WSU) which was designed in support of the Michigan Steps Up initiative, which invites you to step up to a healthier lifestyle. Located on the Michigan Surgeon General’s web site is a Health Risk Appraisal tool that provides a confidential, in-depth assessment of and recommendations for health improvement. I encourage you to utilize the Health Risk Appraisal tool and Step Up!, for yourself, for your family, and for your community.

If you would like to learn about the Washtenaw County Step Up program click HERE.

If you would like to take the Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) assessment, click HERE.

As 54^th District State Representative I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to IMMEDIATELY enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to the wellness of our citizens.

Millions of Americans suffer from bad health due to the fact that they do not have coverage for simple doctor visits. With the expense of gas, groceries, utilities and clothing, heath care is pushed to the back due to the lack of funds incorporated with the high cost for out of pocket visits. We must face the fact that when we are not healthy we can not perform well. If our nation can afford to aide other countries, why not secure the health and welfare of its people first. There is a great concern centered on health care coverage in our community. This is and will always remain at the forefront of the 54^th district state representative, for health care coverage, services, and safe practices to its residences.

If you know of any children, pregnant women, adults, families or small business owners without health insurance, need health care, and can not afford to pay for private health care, let them know that they may qualify for free or low health care insurance through one of Washtenaw counties Health Plans

As 54^th District State Representative I am committed to spearheading a community initiative to IMMEDIATELY enhance the quality of life for our citizens, I am committed to health care.