By The Center for Michigan - October 16, 2007
The Ann Arbor-based Center for Michigan is looking for ways to build consensus on Michigan's future and to eliminate partisan politics.
The nonprofit think tank, headed by founder and President Phil Power and six other co-chairs, has pulled together more than 100 community leaders from throughout Michigan to identify a common vision for the state's future through small community conversations.
The co-chairs are: Paul Hillegonds, senior vice president of corporate affairs and communications at DTE Energy Co.; Mark Murray, president of Meijer Inc.; Glenda Price, retired president of Marygrove College; Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Detroit Renaissance; Marilyn Schlack, president of Kalamazoo Valley Community College; and S. Martin Taylor, chairman of the University of Michigan Board of Regents and retired DTE Energy Co. executive.
The consensus effort is expected to pick up momentum between now and the 2010 elections, growing to a group of more than 10,000 residents who will serve as a resource for legislators on the state's core assets and possible strategies to support and expand them.
Both political parties in the Michigan Legislature "have been engaging in partisan warfare," Power said. "They have been holding hostage the interests of 10 million Michigan citizens.
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