Tracy Samilton

Buick, oldest surviving U.S. brand, celebrates 110th

Tracy Samilton — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:55:08 +0000

Buick will be 110 years old on Sunday. But the brand nearly didn't survive.

In 2009, GM's bankruptcy forced the automaker to cut brands. The company tried to find buyers for Saturn, Hummer, and Saab, but eventually those sales fell through.

The company also decided it had to choose between Pontiac, and Buick. Pontiac's customers on average were younger - that's a desirable thing for a brand - and it was outselling Buick. Yet, GM chose Buick.

Shelter for sexually trafficked girls launched in Grand Rapids

Tracy Samilton — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:36:35 +0000

A group that opened the state's first shelter for underage victims of sex trafficking says there's a need for more such shelters.

Andy Soper is with the Manasseh Project, which opened the 12-bed shelter six months ago.

"We're seeing the growth in the young women getting back up to their grade level in school, working diligently on their therapy and their recovery process, getting jobs, so we're seeing progress and it's wonderful to see," Soper told Michigan Radio.

Most small SUVS flunk new kind of crash test

Tracy Samilton — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:21:12 +0000

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports "not stellar" results for the latest group of vehicles to undergo a new "small overlap frontal crash" test.

The test sees how well a vehicle protects an occupant in a situation where just a part of the front of the car hits something. One example would be two vehicles approaching each other, and one strays a little bit over the center line, causing an offset accident.

Most Michiganders approve of gay marriage

Tracy Samilton — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:19:04 +0000

In 2004, a majority of Michigan voters approved an amendment to the state constitution, banning any recognition of marriage or civil unions between same-sex couples.

Just nine years later, it appears there has been a sea change.

A new poll, paid for by Chicago-based marketing consulting company, the Glengariff Group, finds that not only do most respondents agree the 2004 amendment should be reversed, they also support immediately replacing the ban with a new amendment, protecting marriage rights for gay and lesbian residents of the state.

Will Ray LaHood's anti-distracted driving legacy endure?

Tracy Samilton — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:48:58 +0000

Ray LaHood has seldom kept his opinions to himself.

The country's U.S. Secretary of Transportation since 2008, LaHood early established a reputation for bluntness and rattling cages.

After Toyota recalled millions of vehicles around the world for faulty floor mats that could entrap the gas pedal, LaHood advised people who owned Toyota cars to "park them" immediately and not drive them until the company fixed the problem.

He later distanced himself from the startling pronouncement.

LaHood also angered many a car company executive for attacking sophisticated car infotainment systems as too distracting. Those systems promise a new source of precious revenue for the automakers.

Could GM's Billy Durant become as famous as Henry Ford?

Tracy Samilton — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:06:49 +0000

Every school child knows the name Henry Ford, and his contribution to the auto industry.

Billy Durant never achieved anywhere near Ford's fame.

Durant was one of the progenitors of the company we now know as General Motors.

Durant's role in the building of the American auto industry could become better known, depending on just what GM decides to do with Durant's first factory in Flint. GM recently acquired the building for an undisclosed amount.

EMU Board gives President two year contract extension

Tracy Samilton — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:38:01 +0000

EMU's Board of Regents unanimously approved a two-year contract extension for the university's president, Susan Martin, at a special meeting on Friday.

Last fall, the Board reprimanded Martin for problem drinking, and told her to seek counseling or lose her job.

There was no mention of the issue during the Board meeting, in which Martin was praised for leading Eastern "during a five-year period of significant growth in enrollment, academic success, and major upgrades to campus buildings and the University's infrasture," said Board chair Francine Parker.

Elio Motors nearing launch of $6800, 84 mpg car

Tracy Samilton — Wed, 08 May 2013 22:32:51 +0000

As you read this article, just remember, people laughed at Henry Ford, too, when Ford said he wanted to make a motorized vehicle that anyone could afford to buy.

More than 100 years later, Paul Elio has the same dream.

While Ford's Model T had four wheels, Elio's car has three -- two in front, and one in the back. And the car will seat only two people, but not side by side. The passenger seat is directly behind the driver's seat.

Troy mayor wins re-election after bitter campaign

Tracy Samilton — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:13:28 +0000

Troy Mayor Dane Slater won re-election in a bitterly-waged race against challenger Marty Knollenberg, whose campaign apparently paid for negative robo-calls the weekend before the vote.

All this for a volunteer position that pays $175 a month only, for expenses.

"Of course, that's before taxes," he joked. "That doesn't even pay my cleaning or gas bill, quite honestly."

Slater decried the city's "dirty" politics, and says he hopes things get better from now on. "We need to put an end to this dirty trick campaigning," the Mayor told Michigan Radio, "and I'm hoping they recognize, because of what happened tonight, we can stop this nonsense that is tearing us apart."

Slater was appointed mayor in 2012, after voters recalled Janice Daniels, who gained statewide attention for making anti-gay slurs shortly after her 2011 election.

Slater says he wants Troy to be known for its positives - safe streets, a strong business environment, a diverse population, and good schools.

Teachers vote to work one week without pay at Buena Vista district

Tracy Samilton — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:16:08 +0000

Teachers at Buena Vista School District have voted to work without pay for a week.

They hope the district and the state can figure out a way to keep the doors open through the end of the school year.

The Saginaw area district lost its state aid after officials discovered the school system accepted money for a program it no longer operated.

The state is withholding the district's March, April, and May payments - leaving the already-distressed district without money for payroll.

Ecorse financial emergency resolved....BUT......

Tracy Samilton — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:21:26 +0000

State officials say the financial emergency in the city of Ecorse has been resolved.

Under the direction of emergency manager Joyce Parker, the city's nearly $20 million deficit was eliminated. Its police and fire departments were merged.

The city's operating costs were reduced by $4.3 million a year, while its revenues were boosted by $2.3 million.

And Ecorse's bond rating went from "junk" to "A", with the help of special legislation at the state level.

So, Ecorse's emergency manager is stepping down. Sort of.

Chrysler profits are down, but Fiat losses are lower

Tracy Samilton — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:29:58 +0000

Chrysler made a lower-than-expected profit of $166 million in the first quarter, a decline of 65 percent from last year. It was not just analysts whose expectations weren't met; the CEO of the company admitted disappointment.

Sergio Marchionne said he knew the company would be "limping" in the period, due to retooling of the Toledo plant and preparations to launch the new Cherokee, but "we just didn't know how much."

US Treasury reduced GM ownership to 18 percent since January

Tracy Samilton — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:40:01 +0000

The U.S. Treasury is following through on its announcement late last year that it will sell its remaining stake in General Motors in an "orderly" fashion, within 12 to 15 months.

The U.S. Treasury held a 22 percent stake in GM on December 19, 2012.

Since January, the agency has sold 58,392,078 shares of GM stock at an average price of $28.04 each, reducing its GM ownership to 18 percent.

If the Treasury continues the sell-off at that same pace, it will sell its last remaining stock by early April 2014.

US EPA to propose rules on wastewater from power plants

Tracy Samilton — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:48:39 +0000

Burning coal in a power plant creates byproducts called fly ash and bottom ash. That ash contains a lot of bad stuff - mercury, lead, arsenic, to name a few.

While some plants ship the dry ash to landfills that accept hazardous materials, others mix the ash with water to make a slurry, which is moved into holding ponds.

Eventually, the water in those ponds is released into the nearest waterway.

Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac is big. It's about to become bigger.

Tracy Samilton — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:33:42 +0000

Inside the massive Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, you can buy a cappucino at the cafe, some new cleats at the sports equipment shop, and then head over to do some of the real business of the place - playing the world's most popular sport on its two full-size indoor fields.

Home to numerous youth and adult soccer leagues, the facility is usually sold out for regional competitions.

The arena also boasts an indoor lacrosse field - and now its owners plan to expand.