Onetime criminals could be cleared BY JOHN GALLAGHER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Wayne
County Executive Robert Ficano announced Wednesday a way to let onetime,
nonviolent offenders wipe out their criminal records by staying clean for five
years.
In an upbeat State of the County speech Wednesday night at the
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, Ficano also
revealed that a German company, IAV Automotive Engineering, will build a
$16.5-million North American headquarters in the county this year. A crowd of
about 300 people interrupted the speech frequently with applause.
Ficano pitched his plan to give prior criminal offenders an
opportunity to clear their records as an economic development initiative -- a
way to help residents find jobs.
"Today, one simple indiscretion can permanently block a person's
pursuit of a barber's or real estate license or many other state licenses," he
said. "We need to reopen those job opportunities for citizens who qualify for a
second chance."
Ficano called his plan STEP, for Second Chance Through
Expungement Program. Under the plan, residents who have had only one,
nonviolent conviction and who have lived a clean life for at least five years
would be eligible to set aside that past conviction.
Greg Mathis, the TV personality, former 36th District Court
judge and former gang member whom Ficano called "America's favorite judge," has
agreed to help promote the STEP program, Ficano said.
For more about a May 13 town hall at East Lake Baptist Church
and other STEP related information, please call (313) 833-4587
May 1, 2008
Volunteers are (again) honored at Meals on Wheels luncheon
Dearborn - The volunteers for Wayne County's Meals on Wheels have been recognized for their hard work and dedication to a program that serves nearly 3,000 meals a day.
Veterans are again honored by Wayne County and its partner
Detroit - Wayne County and its Veterans Affairs' division again recognized its military servicemen/women and their families with a special health expo at the Samaritan Center in Detroit.
Cobo expo spotlights vast health network:
County exec welcomes participants
Detroit - Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano helped welcome visitors, sponsors and experts to a health expo at Cobo Hall on Monday that stressed the importance of coverage for Michigan's uninsured citizens.
Wayne
County Executive Robert Ficano announced Wednesday a way to let onetime,
nonviolent offenders wipe out their criminal records by staying clean for five
years.
Dearborn - The volunteers for Wayne County's Meals on Wheels have been recognized for their hard work and dedication to a program that serves nearly 3,000 meals a day.
Detroit - Wayne County and its Veterans Affairs' division again recognized its military servicemen/women and their families with a special health expo at the Samaritan Center in Detroit.
Detroit - Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano helped welcome visitors, sponsors and experts to a health expo at Cobo Hall on Monday that stressed the importance of coverage for Michigan's uninsured citizens.
