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AT THE INSTITUTE

Conan Smith

Shared Hire Keeps Tabs on Lansing Policy Last November the Institute and the Michigan Environmental Council hired the talented and energetic Conan Smith as a Transportation and Land Use Policy Specialist. Based at MEC's office in Lansing, Conan tracks policy and bills in the state Legislature and works for laws and projects supported by both groups. "Conan is an accomplished writer, an incisive thinker, and a strong addition to the Institute's team of organizers," said Executive Director Keith Schneider. "We are very fortunate to have him working to invigorate the state's leadership on growth management." A graduate of the University of Michigan, Conan worked in media relations and speech writing for the state House of Representatives Democratic Caucus Services staff. Most recently, he ran the election campaign for state Representative John Hansen (D-Dexter). Public interest leadership runs in Conan's family. His grandfather, Al Wheeler, was Ann Arbor's first black mayor; his aunt, Nancy Francis, is a probate court judge for Washtenaw County; and his mother, Alma Wheeler Smith, is the state senator for the Ann Arbor area. Named for the author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, Conan enjoys drifting in a canoe with his girlfriend and "writing bad poetry."

New Board Members Bring a Wealth of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Talent

Jon Armstrong

At the January 1999 board meeting the Institute welcomed six new members. They are: JON ARMSTRONG, the former chairman of Midwest Commerce Banking in Elkhart, Indiana. After retiring to Frankfort in 1993, Jon became treasurer of Friends of the Betsie Valley Trail, president of the Benzie Shores District Library, and a board member for the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. TOM CARR, an attorney and financial consultant from Richmond, Virginia, and Arcadia in Manistee County. Tom has broad experience in business, finance, management, and the law. ROBERT OTWELL, an environmental engineer and chairman of the Traverse City Planning Commission, who is especially interested in finding more land-friendly transportation alternatives. HOWARD TANNER, a nationally renowned fisheries biologist and director of the Department of Natural Resources from 1975 to 1983 under Gov. William G. Milliken. Howard is a courageous defender of Michigan's pathbreaking environmental laws, many of which he helped design and implement. KAREN WILLARD, an attorney and former three-term state representative from Port Huron. In the Legislature Karen distinguished herself as a leader on environmental issues such as protecting citizens from poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas and the need to reform the drain code, a huge taxpayer subsidy fueling sprawl. TIMOTHY YOUNG, president of Food for Thought, which makes organic, wildcrafted products. While chairman of the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council Tim led the fight to stop the Homestead Resort from acquiring land in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Many thanks to all the members of the board for contributing their time,energy, and support to the Institute. New Grants Awarded The Institute received the following grants since the update in the last issue of the Great Lakes Bulletin. The staff and Board of Directors wish to express their deepest appreciation to these organizations. January 31 and May 1 — The Clannad Foundation, a total of $10,000 for the grassroots Support Center. March 23 — The Dyer-Ives Foundation, $5,000 for an outreach and training program to help rebuild Grand Rapids’ urban center and slow suburban sprawl. April 8 — The Steelcase Foundation, $5,000 for grassroots support of the growth management project in Grand Rapids. April 19 — The Great Lakes Aquatic Habitat Network and Fund, $500 for communications in support of reforming the Michigan Drain Code. May 5 — The Deer Creek Foundation, $50,000 for countering the private rights movement in Michigan.

Tom Carr

Robert Otwell

Howard Tanner

Karen Willard

Timothy Young