January 15, 2008

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following appointments and reappointments to the Committee on Juvenile Justice: 

Leonard B. Dixon of Woodhaven, executive director of the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, is appointed to represent persons with special experience and competence in addressing problems related to learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, child abuse and neglect, and youth violence for a term expiring March 15, 2009.  He succeeds Clarence Williams whose term has expired.

Kenyatta A. Stephens of Southfield, chief operating officer of Black Family Development, Inc., is appointed to represent nonprofit organizations for a term expiring March 15, 2009.  She succeeds Betsy B. Mellos who has resigned.

The Honorable Matthew S. Switalski of Clinton Township, 16th Circuit Court Judge, is appointed to represent law enforcement and juvenile justice for a term expiring March 15, 2009.  He succeeds Helen V. Brinkman whose term has expired.

Barbara Levin Bergman of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County commissioner, is reappointed to represent local elected officials in general purpose local governments for a term expiring March 15, 2011.

Arthur M. Carter of Detroit, superintendent of Highland Park School District, is reappointed to represent public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention or treatment for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

The Honorable William T. Ervin of Mount Pleasant, probate judge for the family division of Isabella County, is reappointed to represent law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

Jeffrey R. Fink of Kalamazoo, prosecuting attorney for Kalamazoo County, is reappointed to represent law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

Amanda L. Good of Detroit, executive director of Alternatives for Girls, is reappointed to represent persons with special experience and competence in addressing problems related to learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, child abuse and neglect, and youth violence for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

Carol A. Harton of Lansing, director of instruction at Lansing Community College, is reappointed to represent public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention and treatment for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

Jeriel D. Heard of Farmington Hills, chief of jails and courts for the Wayne County Sheriffs Office, is reappointed to represent nonprofit organizations for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

M. Chiquita McKenzie of Harper Woods, financial aid coordinator and counselor at Marygrove College, is reappointed to represent persons with special experience and competence in addressing problems related to learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, child abuse and neglect, and youth violence for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

Brian D. Philson of Horton, vice president of programming for Highfields, Inc., is reappointed to represent public agencies concerned with delinquency prevention and treatment for a term expiring March 15, 2009. 

Joseph M. Underwood, Jr. of Cassopolis, sheriff of Cassopolis County, is reappointed to represent local elected officials representing general purpose local government for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

Gary L. Walker of Marquette, prosecuting attorney for Marquette County, is reappointed to represent law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

Elizabeth L. Weaver of Glen Arbor, Supreme Court Justice, is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring March 15, 2009.

The Committee on Juvenile Justice was organized in 1974 as an independent, state-level body to provide leadership and policy direction for administration of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act in Michigan.  The committee provides funding for programs in areas including aftercare/reintegration services, alternatives to jail; community-based services, delinquency prevention, gender specific services, juvenile-oriented community policing, minority over-representation, and Native American pass-through.

These appointments are not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

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