Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy New Year and welcome to my latest e-newsletter! It is and continues to be a privilege to represent Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit, and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our community in Lansing. I encourage you to stay up to date on what is going on in Lansing and continue to let me know about the issues that matter to you.

If there is anything I can do to help you and your family, please do not hesitate to call my office at (517) 373-1530, or email me at [email protected]. You can also catch me on Facebook. 

Constituent Resources

Food and Drinking Water Safety Reminders from MDARD

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is providing food and drinking water safety reminders amid winter storm related power outages.

Following these simple but important safety precautions can help protect your family’s food and drinking water if your power goes out:

  • If a power outage has occurred, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain safe internal temperatures.
  • Perishable refrigerated foods (meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs, leftovers, etc.) should be thrown out if they reach temperatures warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than two hours.
  • Frozen foods that thaw and reach temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit should be discarded.
  • Refrigerated foods will generally be safe as long as the power is not out for more than a few hours and refrigerator/freezer doors have remained closed.
  • Always discard food that turns moldy or has an unusual color or odor.
  • A full, freestanding freezer that remains closed will stay at freezing temperatures for about two days; a half-full freezer about one day. If the freezer isn’t full, group packages together so they stay colder longer.
  • If structural damage or flooding occurs due to ice, snow or wind events, discard any foods contacted by flood waters or debris.
  • If your area’s water supply has sustained damage from winter storms, drink only approved water, such as commercially bottled water. Follow any “boil water” alerts issued by health and safety personnel in your area, especially for water used for washing or cooking.

For more food safety tips, visit Michigan’s food safety website.

Community Update

December in the District

This past month was full of fellowship and service in House District 17. From holiday meals together to delivering meals to seniors with Alpha USA, it was a great reminder of everything that makes our community so incredible.

State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky delivers food

Block club holiday gathering

OCHA Holiday Gathering

Events

Coffee Hours

graphic for State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky's virtual coffee hour

I hope you can join me for one of my upcoming coffee hours! I look forward to having an informal conversation with you about the issues families face in our community. I host two coffee hours a month, one in-person and one virtual. The location for in-person coffee hours will rotate throughout the year between Livonia, Redford Township and Detroit. January’s in-person coffee hour will be in Redford Township at the Redford Township District Library (25320 W. Six Mile Road, Redford, MI 48240). 

You can join the livestream for my virtual coffee hours on my Facebook page.

In-Person: Saturday, Jan. 10, from 2–3 p.m.

Virtual: Monday, Jan. 19, from 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Never hesitate to reach out to me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns!

 

Sincerely,

 

Laurie Pohutsky

State Representative

17th House District