Fantastic February Morning Edition
February’s Morning Edition featured a fantastic line up of speakers including Ora H. Pescovitz, Congressman Pete Hoekstra, Sultan Sharrief, Alex Milshteyn and Bob Guenzel. Russ Collins, back from the Sundance Film Festival, was our energetic emcee. Morning Edition began with a special presentation of the 2010 Strategic Alliance Partners, presenting each business with an award for their continued support of the Chamber. February’s Morning Edition was sponsored by Care Response, Inc. Valerie Dockter, Owner and RN, gave the audience a brief background of her company which is guided by four simple words: Listen, Plan, Educate, and Serve.
A last minute add to the lineup, West Michigan native Congressman Pete Hoekstra and candidate for governor was in town and able to make time to speak at Morning Edition. Congressman Hoekstra expressed that Michigan has the potential to be a phenomenally great state again. We must be a state that grows again. Michigan has several strengths, including two of the top colleges in the world, a great location and access to several natural resources. Congressman Hoekstra also expressed the need to ‘get back to the basics.’ Michigan is an expensive place to do business – this must change. Much like what the Chambers have done, Michigan needs to streamline government to become more efficient and effective. The great state of Michigan is “worth saving and it begins with us!â€
Sultan Sharrief, Film Maker and Executive Director of Beyond Blue Productions, back from the Sundance Film Festival, explained to the audience how it is “weird to have your dreams come true.†While attending the University of Michigan, Sultan wrote “Bilal’s Stand.” He spent years filming and finalizing the project, refusing to submit the film to festivals until it was ready. His dreams came true when the film was selected to be featured at the Sundance Film Festival this year. Sultan explained that it is extremely difficult in this economy to start a business, especially in the film industry. Of the 120 students that he gradated with at U of M, only three are still in Michigan trying to make movies. Sultan is building a bright future for the film industry right here in Ann Arbor.
Alex Milshteyn, GRI, ABR, Associate Broker/Realtor for Edward Surovell Realtors and President of the Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors gave us a quick Real Estate 101 of his ‘fancy’ acronyms. GRI stands for Graduate Realtor Institute and ABR stands for Accredited Buyers Representative. Alex explained to the audience with enthusiasm that the market is “blowing up!†The tax incentives have really helped the market. Alex said now is the time to buy to take advantage of the tax credits. He also said the prices have finally stabilized in the Ann Arbor area and we aren’t seeing as many significant drops. Alex is very excited for the NCRC and what it will bring to the area; especially people moving to the area in search of a new home.
Bob Guenzel, County Administrator for Washtenaw County received a standing ovation when he reached the podium. Bob announced his retirement in late 2009 after 37 years of service to the county; 22 years as attorney and the last 15 as the administrator. Bob has been working relentlessly on the budget with the Board of Commissioners. Fourteen out of seventeen ‘bargaining units’ took further salary reductions, which saved over 150 positions. Bob has mixed emotions about his retirement in May; he is excited, ‘scared as hell’ and sad. What he will miss most - the relationships, which have been “tremendously rewarding.†Bob will continue in public service and plans to spend more time with his daughters and grandchildren.
The next Morning Edition is Wednesday, March 17th at Weber’s Inn from 7am – 8:45am.