Six O'Clock News Briefs - The Flying DeVos Edition
Waiting to be stimulated...
The helipad saga continues. On January 12th, the Ada Township Board allowed "special permits" to be issued for the hundreds and hundreds of Ada residents that want to park the personal helicopter next to the house. The new rules "went against a Planning Commission recommendation to restrict heliports and helipads to agricultural and light-industrial zoned properties". Of course they did, don't be silly. Now a group of underprivileged Ada residents are trying to rain on Dick's flying parade by circulating petitions to get the issue put on the ballot.
Poor Dick. He's so misunderstood.
In other rich victim news, Kwame lands on his feet, leasing a home in the Dallas suburb of Southlake listed by Forbes Magazine as "the most affluent neighborhood in America". Just send us the checks, big guy.
Another Michigan company does good:
Rochester Hills-based Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (Nasdaq: ENER) reported before the opening of markets Monday that it had sharply higher revenue and net income for both the second quarter of the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31 and for the first six months.
For the quarter, the company reported net income of $14.2 million or 33 cents a share on revenue of $103.1 million, compared to a loss of $5.4 million or 14 cents on revenue of $56.4 million for the same quarter last year.
You know this company by another name - United Solar Ovonic.
One not doing so hot - Whirlpool was down 77% in the fourth quarter. Ouch.
Holton Public Schools will use wind turbines to cut energy costs. Besides the educational and "goodwill" gesture, the district looks to save up to $100,000 a year on energy expenses.
John Dingell will become the longest-serving US House member on Wednesday. Our 14 Michigan reps will honor him with a resolution and floor speeches, and Nancy Pelosi will throw him a party. Congratulations Congressman Dingell, and thanks for your service.
In Big Three news, GM's global product development chief and Volt champion Bob Lutz will retire at the end of the year, but plans on sticking around to lend a hand. Also from GM, talks to buy some Delphi plants are rumored as the company looks to protect its supply of parts for some of its top selling models from manufacturing shutdowns.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation selected Saugatuck/Douglas as one of its "dozen distinctive destinations" for 2009. The S/D Convention & Visitors Bureau wants you to know that the beach town(s) have plenty to do in the wintertime as well, with various art galleries, bed-and-breakfast and restaurants open for business, along with winter festivals and outdoor activities. The AP has a very nice write-up.
The Lions are retiring the black jerseys. Gawd I wish I cared. When do pitchers and catchers report?
"This makes no sense".
Three cheers for Clawson!
Even the police are getting into the spirit of Random Acts of Kindness week, armed with dozens of gift certificates to hand out to deserving motorists and pedestrians.
"They will be looking for people who are driving well," Clawson Mayor Penny Luebs told The Daily Tribune of Royal Oak.
Free haircuts for kids, hearing tests for seniors, clothing drives and letter-writing stations to send notes to those serving in the military are among the offerings. More than 35 downtown businesses are offering free gift certificates.
The celebration runs Monday-Sunday, and mayor Penny Luebs said, "The goal is to make kindness a way of life, so that we show kindness in our everyday lives". Indeed.