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Limelight - Brenda Jones, Detroit City Council President - Episode 12

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Brenda Jones, President, Detroit City Council

At the League's 2019 Convention, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones lent her talent and expertise to several sessions. In between all those activities, our Emily Kieliszewski sat down with Jones to get her take on her path in Detroit politics, her unique experience in Congress, and her advice for women and young people interested in entering the political arena.

Economics of Place - Lilly Shoup, Lyft - Eposide 15

Host: Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Lilly Shoup, Senior Director, Transportation Policy & Partnerships, Lyft

Dan Gilmartin sat down with Lilly Shoup from Lyft at the Michigan Municipal League's Policy Forum on technology, smart cities and big data. Shoup shared how Lyft is looking beyond just providing an affordable, reliable transportation option. They see the ability of transportation to shape communities and the way people explore their city and interact with their fellow citizens.

SaveMICity - Revitalizing historic Hamtramck stadiums - Episode 18

Host:
Tony Minghine, Deputy Executive Director & COO, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Shanna Draheim, Director, Policy Research Labs, Michigan Municipal League
Kathy Angerer, City Manager, Hamtramck

Keyworth and Hamtramck stadiums have a storied history in the City of Hamtramck. Learn how the League has partnered with the City of Hamtramck, Hamtramck Public Schools, Detroit City Football Club, and others to leverage an $800,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation to restore the stadiums and create a comprehensive recreation plan to serve the community, the schools, and the region.

Michigan Politics, Huh? - State Rep. Donna Lasinski - Episode 22

Host:
Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
State Representative Donna Lasinski (D-Scio Twp.)

State Representative Donna Lasinski shared her insights on civility in local government in a session at the League's 2019 Convention in Detroit. Afterwards, she sat down for a conversation on her constructive approach to talking about communities' futures and how to get there. Very important topic in today's contentious political environment.

 

SaveMICity - Tim Dempsey, Public Sector Consultants, Revenue Sharing Report - Episode 17

Host:
Tony Minghine, Deputy Executive Director & COO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Tim Dempsey, Vice President, Public Sector Consultants

A new study and online database shows that Michigan cities on average have 12 percent less revenue today than they did 15 years ago. On this episode of SaveMICity, we delve into the reasons for the revenue sharing decline with Tim Dempsey of Public Sector Consultants, the organization that produced the report on behalf of the League. 

To view the study and online database, click here.

Economics of Place - Rick Jacobs, CEO, Accelerator for America - Episode 14

Host:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Rick Jacobs, CEO, Accelerator for America

After an engaging presentation at Michigan Municipal League's 2019 Convention in Detroit, Rick Jacobs sat down with Dan Gilmartin to expand on the work of Accelerator for America. Their mission is to find projects happening at the local level that they can scale and/or replicate to help communities deal with economic insecurity. They've put together a top-notch advisory council comprised of mayors, union leaders, CEOs, and NGO leaders to provide technical assistance and grants to bring about investment in transit and infrastructure. Accelerator for America is also intent on promoting economic development in Opportunity Zones. Learn more about Accelerator for America: https://www.acceleratorforamerica.com/

Economics of Place - Dr. Cindy Frewen, FAIA, urban futurist and architect - Episode 13

Host:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Dr. Cindy Frewen, FAIA, urban futurist and architect

In October 2019, Dr. Cindy Frewen was a speaker at the Michigan Municipal League's Policy Forum on the future of cities. Afterwards, she sat down with League CEO Dan Gilmartin to expand on the work she does to help cities prepare for the challenges and opportunities they'll face in the next 50-100 years. For more information on Dr. Frewen, click here.

 

Economics of Place - Bryan Barnett, Mayor, Rochester Hills - Episode 12

Host:
Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
Bryan Barnett, Mayor, Rochester Hills; President, U.S. Conference of Mayors

Fresh off an inspiring presentation at the Michigan Municipal League's 2019 Convention in Detroit, Mayor Bryan Barnett sat down with League CEO Dan Gilmartin for an engaging conversation. They delved a little deeper into the unique opportunity local government leaders have to earn the trust of their constituents and effect change in their community. They also talked about Barnett's new role as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, which is enabling him to see mayors in action across the country as well as showcase Rochester Hills and Detroit. Read our blog about Barnett's Convention presentation. 

Limelight - State Rep Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) - Episode 11

Host:
Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
State Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy)

In our last episode, we heard from State Representative Mark Huizenga on how he successfully used his local government experience to run for statewide office – and win. In part two on the topic of using local government experience to run for state office, we welcome another perspective. State Representative Padma Kuppa, a former Chrysler engineer, is the first Indian-American woman and first Hindu to serve in the Michigan Legislature. She got involved in local government in many ways – including on the Troy Planning Commission. Representative Kuppa shares how she’s using her power to empower other immigrant voices, the value of social capital when running for state office, and her gratitude for the women who reached back with both hands to help her get a seat at the table – and how she’s now reaching back with both hands herself.  

Limelight - State Rep Mark Huizenga (R-74th District) - Episode 10

Host:
Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Engagement Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guest:
State Representative Mark Huizenga (D-74th District)

For some local leaders, running for state office is the next logical step. But what's the difference? How can officials translate their local experience to a statewide race? What should those considering a run for higher office be thinking about and focusing on? We dive in on those questions and more with our guest, State Representative Mark Huizenga (D-74th District). Rep. Huizenga shares his path from planning commissioner to city commissioner to mayor of the City of Walker and how that led him all the way to his current seat.