Victim of Paradise Manor fire dies of brain aneurysm

(February 23, 2007) Sources at City Hall have confirmed that one of the residents displaced by the fire at Paradise Manor died last week of a brain aneurysm. The mother of four including one adult daughter, died Wednesday, February 14th. The mother, who has not been named, was one of five families that lost everything in the deadly fire at Paradise Manor that killed three young children.

The three children that died in the fire are not related to woman who did of a brain aneurysm. Sources told YpsiNews that her death was likely not the result of stress related to the fire. Few other details are known.

The funeral was held this week. Money raised to pay for the funeral of the three children is expected to cover some of the costs of her funeral. Case managers from the county are working with the family and other agencies to move quickly to place the children with other family members.

Sources have privately told YpsiNews that Washtenaw County is working to get a ‘portable’ Section 8 voucher for the family for new housing. Calls to the Ypsilanti Housing Commission for comment were not returned.

Michigan think-tank says regionalization is solution

(February 20, 2007) A Livonia, Michigan based think-tank has issued the first of four reports on regionalization in the State of Michigan. The Citizens Research Council, a 90-year old independent, nonpartisan research organization released today a 16-page report entitled, Regional Approaches to Economic Development: The Challenge of Economic Development.

CRC concludes that “While it is clear that preserving the old model is untenable, Michigan (is) struggling to transition to the new competitive requirements of higher education and skills, technological innovation, e-commerce, open trade, organizational flexibility, increased product and service diversity, and relentless competition. One promising approach that is emerging in Michigan and across the nation is the realignment of economic development efforts on a regional basis.”

The report goes on to say, “Regions are the logical basis for economic development.” CRC says that Michigan leaders should consider what North Carolina is doing by organizing all counties in to seven regional centers.

The second report will focus on effective regional economic development organizational structures, the third report are the results of a nationwide survey of regional economic development organizations. The final installment will describe some of the “contradictory theoretical and programmatic approaches to economic development.” CRC officials said the will be staggering the release of the next three reports over the next month.

Estabrook receives prestigious Blue Ribbon award

(January 20, 2007) Ypsilanti Public Schools’ Estabrook Elementary School was one of 23 elementary schools in the state to receive Blue Ribbon status from the state Department of Education. The Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Program is designed to recognize schools that have made outstanding improvements and demonstrate a strong commitment to academic excellence.

Estabrook is the only elementary school in Washtenaw County to receive the distinction. The Blue Ribbon program was established in 1982. Schools under consideration for the award must complete a comprehensive report of key criteria for school effectiveness that serves as a basis for an extensive assessment of the building and programs.

Links
Ypsilanti Public Schools

Editorial Cartoon 2/19/07

Thanks to Atom Smasher for the picture.

New YpsiNews videos posted on-line

(February 19, 2007) YpsiNews.com and a number of community volunteers continue to video record City Council, boards and commission, and community meetings. The recent Water Street Update meeting held last week was posted within 24 hours of the meeting. Turn-out was light for the meeting as Ypsilanti was blanketed by a heavy snow that evening.

Readers can view any video by going to www.YpsiNews.com/video.

Other recent meetings that have been recorded include the Planning Commission, DDA, as well as the City Council Goal Setting. For the first time, YpsiNews also recorded an Ypsilanti Township meeting.

Since October 2006, over 24,300 people have watched YpsiNews videos. The December School board meeting which discussed the “Braves” mascot had over 1,000 viewers. Several City council meetings each have had some 800 viewers.

If you would like to volunteer to help record a community meeting or want to suggest a meeting we should record, contact YpsiNews.com

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