Michigan Matters focuses on controversial issues concerning the metro Detroit area. The program is hosted by WWJTV Community Affairs Director and Detroit Free Press Columnist Carol Cain who has shared her perspective on local and national radio and TV shows for over a decade. In addition to one-on-one interviews, a high-profile panel of metro Detroit political, business and community leaders will join her for roundtable discussions. Regular panelists will include L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive; Denise Ilitch, President of Ilitch Enterprises; and Derrick Miller, Managing Partner of Citivest Capital Partners.
Sunday, October 12, 2008 on Michigan Matters
Carol Cain talks with Ken Rogers about one of this region's shining lights: Automation Alley. Then Jim Epolito of the MEDC, Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano, and Business Leader Denise Ilitch join Carol for the Roundtable and Final Viewpoint segments.
Watch "Michigan Matters" Sunday at a new time, 11:00am.
Previous episodes of "Michigan Matters" are also available on the web. Click on the home page, select the tab for "Michigan Matters" in the video player, and choose the segment you would like to see.
Email Michigan Matters: michiganmatters@wwjtv.com
Panel Members:
Carol Cain, Community Affairs and Editorial Director, WWJTV
Derrick Miller, Business and Community Leader
Denise Ilitch, Business and Community Leader
L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive
FINAL VIEWPOINTS FOR 10-12-08
JIM EPOLITO
Do you know what can be accomplished in 60 days? Sixty days can be all the time it takes for the CEO of New York-based Business Intelligence Associates to see one of our Upper Hand ads with Jeff Daniels, call MEDC Customer Assistance, appear before the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Board for approval of tax incentives, and announce a project that will generate $8 million in new investment and create 599 jobs.
From watching TV, making a phone call and committing to grow in Michigan-all in 60 days! This New York company was one of 20 job-creating deals announced in August-which surpassed July's previous record for the greatest number of relocations, expansions and redevelopments ever to come before the MEGA Board in the program's 13-year history.
DENISE ILITCH
It was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and VOTE. Two women, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns led the effort as part of the National Woman's Party. Its members held meetings, distributed pamphlets, petitioned and lobbied legislators, and organized parades and speaking tours. In 1917, the National Woman's Party began to picket the White House carrying signs asking for the right to vote. The women were arrested, imprisoned, beaten and often force fed when they went on hunger strikes. Thus unfolded the Night of Terror on Nov.15, 1917, when a warden in Virginia ordered his guards to teach the imprisoned women a lesson because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. They were beaten and tortured.
Women of all classes risked their health, jobs and reputations by continuing their protests. Woodrow Wilson and his cronies tried to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so she would be institutionalized. He refused saying Alice Paul was "strong and brave but not crazy. Courage in women, he said, is often mistaken for insanity" These protests coupled with public support for the imprisoned women forced President Wilson to endorse the amendment and the 19th amendment was signed into law on August 26, 1920. I wonder what these courageous women would think of those of us who do not exercise our right to vote. So, this November I encourage you to exercise that right. Engage in the voting process. Support Voter registration programs and by all means encourage and remind all women of this vital privilege.
ROBERT FICANO
During this presidential campaign season, both the democratic and republican candidates must be mindful of and prepared to address the very real concerns of our automotive industry, the industry that helped build the middle class in America. There is a great deal to be learned. The automotive industry continues to make tremendous investment to re-engineer and retool itself to meet the needs of consumers.
Our presidential candidates must recognize that the automotive industry is developing and implementing policies that enable the introduction of new and sustainable technologies in 21st century automobiles. The industry is proactive in championing public policies that benefit society in the areas of environment, energy and vehicle safety. It's a leading source with industry, federal and local government stakeholders to address shared objectives, domestically and globally.
From the factory floor to the boardroom, our automotive companies are investing in the talent, tools and resources needed to meet the global competition that requires new ways of doing business. Our presidential candidates can learn a lot from the industry that put the world on wheels.
CAROL CAIN
With our local economy showing no real signs of recovery yet, it's hard to determine when the tide will turn. We talked this morning about Automation Alley and, it's good all appears to be well there. But, what about the rest of the State? To lay this all on Gov. Granholm is unfair. One can argue about her pro-activity and methods of fixing Michigan's problems but, it's clear she didn't' create them. This State has been structurally flawed for years, primarily because of a reliance on an industry that didn't change with the times fast enough. Now, with the very fear of God in all of us, things are beginning to happen. But the seeds being planted will need years to grow. Alternative energy initiatives, a significant uptick in the film industry, Google's 1000 jobs, and lots more are evidence that all is far from lost. Michiganders don't quit and, that's good. But, it's patience, not toughness that's going to be needed to ride out our own version of "Hurricane Season".
