LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following recent appointments and reappointments:     

Commission on Services to the Aging

Valerie F. Lafferty of Okemos, attorney for Elder Law of Michigan, is appointed to represent independents for a term expiring July 28, 2011.  She succeeds Chun-Keung Leung who has resigned.

Amne M. Talab of Dearborn, director of social services for ACCESS, is reappointed to represent independents for a term expiring July 28, 2012.

Anthony P. Pawelski of Pinconning, chairperson of Bay County Democratic Party, is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term expiring July 28, 2012.

Jerutha Kennedy of Detroit, retired, is reappointed to represent independents for a term expiring July 28, 2012.

Ramesh C. Verma of Novi, retired, is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term expiring July 28, 2012.

Donald L. Newport, PhD of Greenbush, president emeritus of Alpena Community College, is reappointed to represent independents for a term expiring July 28, 2012.

The Commission on Services to the Aging, a bipartisan entity, advises the Office of Services to the Aging, the governor, and the Legislature on matters related to policies and programs for older and aging persons in Michigan.  The commission also promotes senior citizen interests within state government and communities and administers the federal Older Americans Act programs and state-funded programs.    

These appointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

State Board of Accountancy

Daniel J. Lord of Saline, president of Lord & Associates, PC, is appointed to represent certified public accountants for a term expiring June 30, 2013.  He succeeds Richard David who has resigned.

Steven M. Wolock of Beverly Hills, shareholder in Maddin, Hauser, Wartell, Roth & Heller, PC, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring June 30, 2013.  He succeeds Ellen S. Cogen-Lipton who has resigned.

Thomas R. Weirich, Ph.D. of Mt. Pleasant, professor of accounting at Central Michigan University, is reappointed to represent certified public accountants for a term expiring June 30, 2013.

The State Board of Accountancy is responsible for the certification, registration, and licensing of certified public accountants and the regulation of the practice of public accounting by individuals, firms, and corporations.

These appointments are subject to Section 6 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days.

Elevator Safety Board

William J. Kogelschatz of Portland, business manager for International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 85, is reappointed to represent elevator contractor unions for a term expiring July 22, 2013.
    
Erin C. Modiano of Orchard Lake, loss control representative for Chubb Insurance, is reappointed to represent insurance companies that are authorized to insure elevators for a term expiring July 22, 2013.

The Elevator Safety Board responsibilities include the promulgation of rules, preparation of examinations, and issuance of elevator contractor licenses.

These reappointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.    

Michigan Employment Relations Commission       

Christine A. Derdarian of Bloomfield Hills, self-employed attorney, is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term expiring June 30, 2012.

The Michigan Employment Relations Commission, a bipartisan entity, is charged with aiding management and labor in reaching amicable settlements of labor disputes by providing labor mediation services to employers and labor organizations in private industry and in the public sector.  It also determines appropriate bargaining units, provides elections for selection of bargaining representatives, certifies collective bargaining representatives, and administers law(s) prohibiting unfair labor practices by employers and labor organizations in the public sector. 

This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  The appointment stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Board of Law Examiners

The Honorable Harold Hood of Detroit, retired Michigan 1st District Court of Appeals judge, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring June 30, 2014.  He succeeds the Honorable Linda V. Parker whose term has expired.

The Board of Law Examiners was created by the Legislature to oversee the investigation and examination of persons who apply for admission to the State Bar.  The office administers the Bar exam twice a year, in February and July, and then releases the exam results.  The office also processes applications for recertification from attorneys who have been on inactive status for more than three years and wish to resume active practice in Michigan.  

This appointment is not subject to disapproval by the Michigan Senate.

State Plumbing Board

Richard S. Gaber of White Lake, financial secretary-treasurer for Plumbers' Union Local No. 98, is reappointed to represent licensed journey plumbers for a term expiring June 30, 2012.

The State Plumbing Board licenses plumbers in the state and makes recommendations regarding plumbing related rules.
 
This reappointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  It stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.    

Board of Real Estate Appraisers

Norman G. Thomas of Farmington Hills, president of R.S. Thomas & Associates, Inc./Harold Blake Co., is appointed to represent certified real estate appraisers for a term expiring June 30, 2013.  He succeeds Andrew Chamberlain whose term has expired.

Darius W. Dynkowski of Clinton Township, attorney for Ackerman & Dynkowski, P.C., is reappointed to represent the general public for a term expiring June 30, 2013.

David C. Molenaar of East Lansing, owner of Molenaar & Associates, is reappointed to represent certified residential real estate appraisers for a term expiring June 30, 2013.

The Board of Real Estate Appraisers provides for the licensure of state licensed and state certified real estate appraisers and real estate valuation specialists.

These appointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Ski Area Safety Board

Michael S. Call of Beulah, vice president of mountain operations for Crystal Mountain Resort, is reappointed to represent Lower Peninsula ski area managers for a term expiring June 8, 2013.

Joel M. Woods of Harbor Springs, general area manager for Boyne Highlands, is reappointed to represent Lower Peninsula ski area managers for a term expiring June 8, 2013.

The Ski Area Safety Board is responsible for protecting the public using ski areas and lifts by promulgating rules for the safe construction, installation, repair, use, operation, maintenance, and inspection of all ski areas and ski lifts.

These reappointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

Michigan Tax Tribunal

Cynthia J. Knoll, CPA of Holland, former principal with Rehmann, is appointed to represent certified public accountants for a term expiringJune 30, 2013.  She succeeds Susan Grimes Width whose term has expired.

Patricia L. Halm of Lansing, current Tax Tribunal member, is reappointed to represent attorneys for a term expiring June 30, 2013.

The Tax Tribunal hears appeals from taxpayers who are aggrieved by ad valorem property tax assessments, special assessments, equalization, allocation, and apportionment under the general property tax laws.  The tribunal also has jurisdiction over determinations issued by the Department of Treasury concerning income tax; sales, use, and withholding taxes; motor fuel tax; and intangible and inheritance taxes.

These appointments are subject to Section 6 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963.  They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Michigan Senate within 60 days. 

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