Dear Friend,

 

Welcome to my latest e-newsletter! Read on for things to do this month, along with other community information.

 

Legislative Update

 

This week, I introduced House Bill 5132 in response to a Michigan court case that grabbed international headlines when a convicted rapist who pled guilty to crimes that left his 12-year-old victim pregnant was granted custody and parenting time of the resulting child. House Bill 5132 would prohibit courts from granting custody or parenting time of a child to a biological parent who is convicted of or pleads guilty to first, second, third or fourth degree criminal sexual conduct, or the attempt of those crimes, which led to conception of that child. Courts shall also deny custody and parenting time if a fact-finding hearing convinces the court that the child was conceived because of rape. Public Act 96 of 2016 took a step toward this policy, but left exceptions that clouded the intention of the Legislature. My bill eliminates those exemptions.

 

I have recently co-sponsored a bill designating March 29 of each year as “Recognize Vietnam Veterans Day.” This will be a day of recognition, not a paid state holiday. As we are all aware, the Vietnam War lasted from 1961-1975 and involved about 500,000 American servicemen. Of that number, more than 300,000 members of the Armed Forces were wounded, and more than 58,000 lost their lives, including more than 2,650 Michigan residents. These men fought bravely and with honor only to face criticism from the public outcry against the Vietnam War when they returned home.

 

I have also co-sponsored a package of bills to increase childhood reading proficiencies by reaching children early, during the most critical time in their development, and by making meaningful improvements to our state’s early childhood education system. The bills would expand access to quality child care, support various forms of early childhood reading intervention, and offer reading support to the students most in need.

 

Lastly, I have co-sponsored a bill that would amend the Public Health Code. This bill would require anyone who provides radiography to notify patients of the availability of a protective guard, including thyroid shields. The guard would protect sections of the patient’s body not subject to testing. Millions of Americans receive prostate screenings, mammograms, and dental x-rays and treatment, which exposes them to harmful x-rays. Many of our medical facilities have guards, yet there is currently no process in place to inform patients.

 

Flint families can get nutritious food at mobile pantry in October

 

Flint families may get nutritious food that can limit the effects of lead exposure during mobile food pantry hours set for October at locations throughout Flint. The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan in Flint and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are announcing the upcoming schedule for mobile food pantry stops to distribute foods rich in calcium, vitamin C and iron.

 

Families receive shelf-stable items that include tuna, baked beans, mandarin oranges, cereal, tomatoes and more. Farm-fresh produce in October will be apples, eggplant, peppers, onions, sweet corn, squash, carrots and potatoes.

 

The program is funded through the more than $300 million in state taxpayer funds that have been provided to help the residents of Flint. Food distribution sites remain open while supplies last. Upcoming dates are:

 

  • Friday, Oct. 20, at noon – St. Luke’s NEW Life Center, 3115 Lawndale Ave.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 25, at noon – Salem Lutheran Church, 2610 Martin Luther King Ave.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 11 a.m. – Richfield Academy, 3807 N. Center Road.
  • Friday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m. – My Brother’s Keeper, 101 N. Grand Traverse St.
  • Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. – Flint First Wesleyan Church, 3825 Davison Road.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 31, at noon – St. Michael Catholic Church, 609 E. Fifth Ave.

 

Information about additional food distribution dates will be announced as they are scheduled. These services are open to families other than Flint residents. For more information, visit the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan website or call (810) 239-4441.

 

Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Auction Set for Oct. 21-22

 

The Michigan Department of Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program — in partnership with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget — will hold a public auction on Oct. 21 and 22 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing.

 

The auction will feature a wide variety of items, including coins, currency, jewelry, precious metals, stamp collections and much more.

 

The public is welcome to inspect the items from 3-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, at 333 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing. On both Saturday and Sunday, the Lansing Center’s doors open at 8 a.m. and the auction begins at 9 a.m.

 

In addition to collectibles and other items, the coin auction will take place on Saturday and the jewelry auction will take place on Sunday.

 

Payment terms are cash, Visa, MasterCard or cashier's checks.

 

Under Michigan's Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, the state Treasury Department receives abandoned safe deposit box contents and works to return items to their rightful owners or heirs. Items that are not reunited with their owners must be sold at auction.

 

Proceeds from this auction and other unclaimed funds can be claimed by their rightful owners by submitting an inquiry form or by calling the Unclaimed Property Program at (517) 636-5320. To learn more, go to www.michigan.gov/unclaimedproperty.

 

Countywide Recycle Day Event

 

Genesee County is pleased to announce a countywide Recycle Day collection event for hard-to-recycle items such as household hazardous waste, electronics, tires and appliances. The event is coming to Bentley High School and the Flint East Water Service Center on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. This is the last collection event of the year, so please take advantage of this great opportunity!

 

The Recycle Day event allows county residents to bring materials in their vehicle to either location during the listed hours. Recycle Day staff will be available to assist attendees in navigating through the event site and to unload items from vehicles. Event organizers are requesting that attendees enter the Bentley High School site from northbound Belsay Road (from I-69), or enter the Flint East Water Service Center site from eastbound Court Street (from Dort Highway).

 

For more information about the event, please contact the Genesee County Recycle Hotline at (810) 762-7744, email Recycle@co.genesee.mi.us or visit www.gcmpc.org/environmental.

 

MI Student Aid Outreach Team Treasury Program Resources for College

 

Michigan families and students looking for help paying for college should save the date for one of MI Student Aid’s financial aid traveling one-stop shops, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. Under the banner “MI College, MI Future, MI Doorstep,” Treasury’s MI Student Aid Outreach Team is visiting communities to educate and inform students and their families about options for paying for college. At each location, team members will provide assistance with scholarship searches, college financing strategies and state program eligibility look-ups, as well as staff a resource table with financial aid materials. These programs are free and open to the public. The Michigan Treasury will be at the following location:

 

  • Mott Community College
    Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

1401 E. Court. St., Flint

 

For more information, go www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid or connect with MI Student Aid @mistudentaid on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.*

 

 

FREE DENTAL HEALTH CLEANINGS FOR SENIORS!

Valley Area Agency on Aging (VAAA) and Mott Community College (MCC) are partnering to offer free dental health cleanings to Genesee County seniors! Care is provided by MCC dental hygiene students, under the direct supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists. Seniors who qualify are those who are 60 years of age and older. Appointments are being scheduled all day Monday through Friday; call today to schedule an appointment: (810) 762-0493.

 

Events, Programs or Services in the 48th House District

 

Craft Show

  • Saturday, Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Davison Farmer’s Market, 8110 E. Court St. in Davison

 

The Davison Farmer’s Market is hosting a craft show this Saturday. The special craft show event will be going on all day with a wide variety of vendors. Bring family and friends to enjoy a day of crafts at the market. For more information, please call (810) 412-5883 or email info@davisonfarmersmarket.com.

 

Human Trafficking Awareness Seminar

  • Thursday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.

New Covenant Church, 13176 N. Linden Road in Clio

 

Interested in learning how prevalent human trafficking is in Genesee County? This informative seminar will be led by Janeen Reigle from the Genesee County Human Trafficking Task Force. You'll learn what human trafficking is, signs and symptoms of a trafficking victim and what you can do to help. The seminar is free, but attendees are asked to register on the New Covenant website under “Events.” For more information, please call (810) 686-6571.

 

National Prescription Drug Takeback Day

  • Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Genesee County Sheriff Vienna Sub-Station, 3400 W. Vienna Road, Clio

 

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse and medications. With a national opioid crisis devastating communities across the country, the Drug Enforcement Administration is working to combat this crisis with a National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. On Oc. 28, communities across the country will provide a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse and medications. For more information or to find additional locations, please visit: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback.

 

Trick or Treat Event

  • Saturday, Oct. 28, from noon to 2 p.m.
    Davison Farmer’s Market, 8110 E. Court St. in Davison

 

The Davison Farmer’s Market is hosting a Trick or Treat event on Oct. 28. From 3-4 p.m., there will be a make your own caramel apple station. Please wear your costume, and bring family and friends. For more information, please call (810) 412-5883 or email info@davisonfarmersmarket.com.

 

Halloween Tea Party

  • Saturday, Oct. 28, from 1-2 p.m.
    Genesee-Johnson Library, 7397 N. Genesee Road in Genesee

 

Wear your costume for a spooky tea party with treats and pumpkin decorating. Children ages 1-12 are welcome. Parents, please register children only. For registration or more information, please call (810) 640-1410 or visit the Genesee District Library website.

 

Halloween Party

  • Saturday, Oct. 28, from 2-3 p.m.

Davison Area Library, 203 E. 4th St. in Davison

 

Wear your costume and join friends at the Davison Area Library for spooky treats and activities. This trick-or-treat party is sponsored by the Davison Area Library Board. For registration or more information, please call (810) 653-2022 or visit the Genesee District Library website.

 

 

Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just stand there.

—Will Rogers

 

 

I hope you found this information useful. Please feel free to contact my office if we can be of any assistance.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

State Representative Pam Faris

48th House District