Donald Trump, the billionaire real-estate developer and entertainer who flirted with running for president last year, drew record crowds Tuesday night at the Oakland County Republican Party’s largest fundraiser of the year.

The challenge to recapture American greatness was the theme of Trump’s planned message to the Lincoln Day dinner at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

G1NBC TV KPTK May 15 . . . At the regular May business meeting of the PDBA, the members passed a resolution opposing the demolition of the Phoenix Center. The emergency manager had indicated in Emergency Order S-221 that one of the advantages of the demolition was the Downtown Business Association supported. The resolution urges the city to settle the law suit. Please see below: Pontiac Downtown Business Association Whereas, the members of the Pontiac Downtown Business Association have never been given the opportunity to express their opinion on the question of whether the Phoenix Center should be demolished; And whereas, the Pontiac Downtown Business Association Bylaws empower the members to democratically decide solutions to problems or situations affecting their businesses; And whereas, the patrons and businesses who have relied on parking on City of Pontiac Lot #9, can no longer rely on this large parking lot, because the City has put it up for Auction; And whereas, there has been no budget adopted by the City of Pontiac or Oakland County or other funding entity that would provide for the implementation of a plan to address replacing the parking lost by the demolition of the Phoenix Center; And whereas, there been no public discussion about the potential loss of Pontiac Income Tax Revenue, if the Ottawa Towers lost parking for future tenants who could potentially staff thousands of employees; Therefore, the Pontiac Downtown Business Association goes on record in opposition to the demolition of the Pontiac Phoenix Center. Furthermore, it urges the City of Pontiac and the County of Oakland to negotiate to resolve the legal issues involved in a law suit over the demolition, with recognition of the property rights of all affected citizens and businesses, and with a long term plan for the parking needs of Downtown Pontiac. _______________________________________________________ Secretary of the PONTIAC DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, Resolution Adopted May 15, 2013

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This is the tex message that was sent to Joe Malik 3d Founder of G1NBC TV

Over the years I have talked to thousands. I do have over 6000+ contacts in my phone. I did contact Ron Edwards from The Notebook to host this new show for G1NBC TV. I’M NOT DOING THIS FOR RATINGS THIS IS A STORY TO BE TOLD AND RON CAN DO IT!!!!!   said Joe Malik 3d.

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G1NBC TV KPTK

The Pontiac Regional Chamber promotes the growth and development of
business while contributing to a safe, stable, and prosperous environment. The
Chamber includes in its membership a growing number of manufacturing
companies, international corporate headquarters and small, specialized service
firms.

The chamber is pleased to host one of the first big outdoor carnivals of the year
for SE Michigan with rides, food, games, exhibits and more! The carnival will
kick-off with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event is open to the public.

Local dignitaries from Oakland County and the City of Pontiac will be on hand.

Light food and refreshments will be served by Dorsey Schools.
Free rides for the ribbon cutting (select rides from 3:30 to 4:15).

Ribbon Cutting

Oakland Pointe Shopping Center
390 N. Telegraph Rd
NE corner of Telegraph and Elizabeth Lake Road
Pontiac 48341
Across from Summit Place Mall

Thursday, April 25 3:30 – 4:00 pm

CARNIVAL AGENDA:

Thursday, April 25 – Sunday, May 5
April 25
4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
April 26 & 27
Noon – 11 p.m.
April 28
Noon – 9 p.m.
April 29 – May 2
4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
May 3 & 4
Noons – 11 p.m.
May 5
Noon – 9 p.m.

Live entertainment on the Oakland County Parks & Recreation stage:
Thursday, May 2 – Sunday, May 5
4 – 10 pm Daily

Pontiac Regional Chamber 248-335-9600
www.pontiacchamber.com

Governor’s plan to gut no-fault harmful to drivers in serious accidents

LANSING — House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) and State Representative Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek), Democratic vice chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee, took a strong stand against Gov. Rick Snyder and the House Republicans’ proposal to undo protections granted to Michigan drivers under the state’s no-fault insurance system.

“This legislation would make it impossible for most Michigan families to afford the life-saving and rehabilitative care they would need after a catastrophic automobile accident,” Greimel said. “Without the protections in the current no-fault law, families will be left to handle the expenses for a lifetime of treatment for traumatic brain injuries and paralysis, the costs of which will far exceed the $1 million cap in benefits being proposed. That will force people into Medicaid where taxpayers will have to foot the bill for needed medical care.”

Under the governor’s proposal, sweeping changes would be made to auto insurance policies in Michigan, including capping personal protection insurance at a level that doesn’t come close to covering catastrophic injuries, pushing the cost of treatment back onto Michigan families.

Weakening no-fault auto insurance continues the Republican pattern of catering to big corporations at the expense of families and seniors. Last session, they gave a $2 billion corporate tax break that resulted in higher taxes for seniors and families and drastic cuts to school funding.

“Gov. Snyder and Republicans in the legislature are completely out of touch. They have no idea the impact this plan will have on Michigan drivers who are involved in these horrible accidents.” Segal said. “Once again, they have sided with big corporate interests over the citizens they were elected to serve. After hearing their proposal — which shifts more costs onto Michigan drivers — I have absolutely no faith that they are interested in protecting consumers or victims of auto accidents.”

The proposal released today also imposes a new fee in addition to the registration fees Michigan drivers already pay. Meanwhile, insurance companies that benefit from the change would be under no obligation to share their added wealth with drivers in the form of lower premiums after the first year.

Michigan voters repeatedly upheld the state’s no-fault system through voter referendums in 1992 and 1994. A similar plan to ditch no-fault auto insurance, staunchly opposed by legislative Democrats, failed in 2011 when not enough Republicans signed onto the plan.

“This idea was bad two years ago and it’s just as bad today,” Greimel said. “Elected leaders should never leave residents more vulnerable just so big insurance can make an extra buck. Gutting the no-fault auto insurance system is bad for Michigan, and House Democrats will fight it every step of the way.”

Christian Marcillo and Glen Konopaskie are co-owners of Future Help Designs, a mobile app and software development company. Together in 2008 they began a company around the largest growing sector globally, mobile. They began out of the home office and in 2011 grew and moved to Downtown Pontiac. Their background and experience with technology, management, and business make them great business partners.

Within the mobile industry Glen Konopaskie Vice-chairs the Mobile Technology Association of Michigan driving the mobile industry in the state and Christian sits on the Innovation Council for Education, helping to bring an understanding of mobile in education. Their expertise in creating mobile experiences makes Future Help Designs innovators within the industry. Together they champion growth within their physical and virtual communities. Glen is President of the Pontiac Downtown Business Association, an accredited MainStreet community. Future Help Designs is host to SCORE’s Oakland County branch providing mentorship for business peers within their incubation space.

Both Christian and Glen give their time to helping the Pontiac community; supporting Pontiac’s economic revitalization. They provide mentorship for business peers within their incubation space and lend support and advice regarding the IT industry.

Visit http://bit.ly/10RRMao to discover other Michigan CEED Award honorees.

Natalie Burg Sunday, March 17, 2013
Both the building at 1 S. Saginaw in Pontiac and the McGowan family have deep ties to Michigan history. Through their redevelopment of the Crofoot building from abandoned office space to a ballroom, the family proved that the recipe for downtown revitalization is one part historic preservation, one part innovation, and a dash of rock ‘n roll.

Being historic is about much more than simply being old. Few commercial buildings in Michigan are better examples of both than 1 S. Saginaw St. in Downtown Pontiac. The oldest commercial building in Oakland County, the once three-story structure was constructed in 1830 and has since been home to retail shops, offices, saloons and more.

Today, it’s home to the one type of business is had never been before: a live performance and events venue known as the Crofoot Ballroom, which has not only transformed the historic building, but Pontiac itself.

“There have been countless businesses in here over the years,” says current owner Dan McGowan. “There’s been a hat shop, diner, drug store, shoe store and others. People still tell me all the time that this or that business used to be here.”

As surely as it sits on the corner of Saginaw and Pike Streets in Pontiac, the Croftoot Ballroom was also built on the intersection of the building’s past and the McGowan family history.

“My dad, Blair McGowan, came to Detroit to work for Cesar Chavez as a fundraiser for the United Farm Workers. Working with the UFW, he learned about halls,” McGowan says. “He realized the power in public assembly, and that kind of led him into the business.”

“My dad, Blair McGowan, came to Detroit to work for Cesar Chavez as a fundraiser for the United Farm Workers. Working with the UFW, he learned about halls,” McGowan says. “He realized the power in public assembly, and that kind of led him into the business.Over the years, the McGowans have been connected to such venues as St. Andrew’s Hall, Industry Nightclub and Clutch Cargo’s. It’s no coincidence that this family with such ties to Michigan’s cultural history finds themselves choosing historic locations to launch their ventures.

“We are preservationists,” McGowan says. “We believe in preserving history because there is so much we can learn from it. Places with that historical texture are so much nicer than being in a white box. Even buildings that are white boxes almost always try to emulate historic space, but they’re cheesy and they fall short.”

Such a commitment to preservation is no small undertaking. When the McGowans took on 1 S. Saginaw in 2005, it had been boarded up long enough to be slated for demotion, and therefore required significant investment to become the two-story performance venue it is today. Taking the historic building down to the studs meant coming into contact with an entirely different construction era. McGowan and his crew found artifacts such as old newspapers, candy wrappers and actual horsehair insulation.

“The whole place smelled like a stable,” says McGowan, who is clearly still enchanted by the renovation process. “It was fascinating.”

Finding a careful balance between historic preservation and forward-thinking development, McGowan was able to reuse the original 1830 staircase that used to lead to the third floor of the building (which was long ago destroyed by fire), all the while making several dramatic changes to the structure. Among these was cutting a sizable hole in the second floor to create a mezzanine overlooking the stage below, and connecting what was formerly three separate buildings to create one, 20,000 square foot space that now includes the Crofoot Ballroom, Pike Room, Vernor’s Room and Crofoot Café.

The combination of heart, investment and elbow grease had a powerful result. The Crofoot hosts about 350 concerts and 75 special events each year. The business has created a dozen full-time positions, as well as supporting 75 part-time jobs as needed for events. Attracting 8,000 patrons per month to Pontiac hasn’t been the business’ only economic impact on the downtown.

“When places opened up [for downtown apartment rentals], our staff wanted to take those spaces,” McGowen says. “OneThe combination of heart, investment and elbow grease had a powerful result. The Crofoot hosts about 350 concerts and 75 special events each year. building had a dozen lofts in it, and nine of them were rented by our employees.”

That economic shot in the arm continues to trickle through the neighborhood. McGowan’s building next door, the former Eagle Theater, is now the Elektricity Nightclub, which employs nearly as many workers as the Crofoot, and brings even more visitors to the city – McGowan estimates up to 10,000 each month. Nearby, the new Lafayette Place Lofts recently became the largest development project in Downtown Pontiac in 30 years, bringing with it 46 upscale lofts and a grocer.

“It’s really wonderful,” says McGowan. “Pontiac has gone up and down. Now it’s starting to go back up.”

The restoration of the county’s oldest building into a new and thriving business has played no small role in Pontiac’s changing economic climate. And don’t expect the Crofoot to slow its growth now that the whole neighborhood is moving forward. McGowan is working on developing the Vernor’s Room, a smaller lounge area that was once a Vernor’s soda shop, into a more formal performance area, as well as opening a fully operational kitchen in the Crofoot Café.

“We’re moving into doing more banquets and special events outside the walls of the Crofoot, as well as some festivals,” McGowan says. “We’re growing at a good pace. We’re happy to be based in Pontiac, and are optimistic about the future of Michigan and Detroit proper.”

2012 Main Street Program Awards to Downtown Pontiac

The Pontiac Downtown Business
Association (PDBA)
is a private sector, not-for-profit
group of volunteers representing
the businesses and residential community
of Pontiac’s Downtown area. The Main Street Program is a national affiliation in which
Oakland County has the only
county level representation. This
year Downtown Pontiac’s PDBA
became a certified Main Street
Program under the guidance of
its Board of Directors, Committee
Chairs, and President Glen
Konopaskie.

The Main Event is an annual awards program put together by Main Street Oakland
County. The Main Street program focuses on the revitalization of municipal downtown areas through
economic development and historic preservation in over 2,000 cities and 46 states throughout the United States.
This years Oakland County Main Street awards program saw high praise for Pontiac’s
Downtown, shown by seven awards being given to the Board of Directors, businesses
and one individual. Last year the PDBA was honored with the Guts and
Diplomacy award for recognition of the organization’s ability to navigate and collaborate
with the City’s civic and private leaders to begin to rejuvenate the Downtown economy.
This years most notable award given to the Pontiac Downtown Business Association
was the Leadership & Integrity award. Glen Konopaskie, PDBA President and current Main
Street Director is quoted as saying, “The recognition for the high roads the group has
taken to help lead the revitalization of the city and the Downtown’s comeback was
celebrated.”

In total, there were seven awards given to entities in the Pontiac Downtown area:
• Leadership and Integrity – awarded to the Pontiac Downtown Business Association Board of
Directors
• Outstanding Signage – awarded to Lafayette Market, West Construction
• Outstanding Adaptive Use of a Building – awarded to Lafayette Lofts, TDG Architects
• Corporate Responsibility and Community Support – awarded to Future Help Designs & SCORE
• Best Work Plans / Action Plans – awarded to Pontiac Downtown Business Association Main
Street
• Most Volunteer Hours – awarded to Glen Konopaskie
• Spirit Award – awarded to Pontiac Downtown Business Association Main Street

The Main Event was held at the beautiful Royal Oak Music Theater this past Friday night, March 8th. Attendees included several downtown community members from Pontiac plus over a dozen other
communities.

The City of Pontiac and the Pontiac Downtown Business Association have jointly crafted
a partnership that is bringing back the economic core of the city. In 2012, significant changes occurred including financial re-investment, increased occupancy of both business and
residential units downtown, and a renewal of spirit that has become contagious. Robert Karazim,
one of the PDBA’s Directors summed it up best when he said, “Listen! You can hear the
heartbeat of the city returning.”

Glen Konopaskie, President
Pontiac Downtown Business Association
Pontiac Main Street Program

Christian Marcillo & Karen Jorgensen,
Promotions Committee
christian@FutureHelpDesigns.com & karenjorgensenassoc@hotmail.com