Due to the continuing decrease in new case filings, the reduced number of Magistrates and serious budget issues, we are making some significant changes in the Board of Magistrates hearing locations. As of October 1, 2004, several Agency offices will be consolidated:

1.

Ann Arbor will be consolidated with Detroit with Magistrate Brennan and her entire docket transferring to Detroit.  Pre-trials for Ann Arbor cases will now be integrated into the Detroit docket. A Detroit magistrate will be assigned to handle the Reinhardt/Ann Arbor docket. Joyce Hurley will also be moving to the Detroit office.

2.

Battle Creek will be consolidated with Kalamazoo.  Magistrate Reinhardt will assume the Kalamazoo docket after October 1st, and all new pre-trials after that date will be assigned to him.

3.

Muskegon will be consolidated with Grand Rapids.  Magistrate Block will handle his existing Muskegon docket, but hear the cases in Grand Rapids.  However, new pre-trials may be assigned to all Grand Rapids magistrates.  There will be three (3) magistrates in Grand Rapids: Grit, Quist and Block.  Magistrate Block will assume the Grattan UP docket after October 1st.

The magistrate assignments for the Reinhardt/Saginaw and Reinhardt/Ann Arbor dockets still have not been finalized.

As a side note, yes, there has been some discussion about consolidating Mt. Clemens and Pontiac into a larger, new location. This is in the investigation and discussion stage and not part of the changes. We are also reviewing the docket loads in Flint and Saginaw with an eye to possible consolidation or additional Magistrate assignment.

I am sure that these significant changes will be greeted with cheers and jeers. There is no doubt that the changes will inconvenience some and cause hardship for others. These issues have been taken into consideration and were not treated lightly. I do understand that many of the customers of the Workers’ Compensation Agency will have to do additional traveling. But, given the docket and budgetary situations, we are left with few choices.

Any questions or comments about these changes or related matters should be directed to my attention.

Magistrate Jack A. Nolish

Chairperson

Board of Magistrates

Workers' Compensation Agency

Michigan Department of Labor and

  Economic Growth

313-456-3673

janolis@michigan.gov

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