Rick Snyder Makes It Official

For months, Gov. Rick Snyder's campaign team has been working, campaign ads have been produced, and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has been campaigning for his spot on the ticket. But Snyder hadn't officially announced a run for a second term -- until Thursday night.

SNYDER CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

Monday
10 a.m. James Group International in Detroit
1 p.m. Two Men and a Truck in Lansing
3:45 p.m Downtown Market in Grand Rapids

Tuesday
9-10 a.m. Alfie Embroidery in Traverse City
1-2 p.m. Zehnder's in Frankenmuth
3:30 p.m. Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills

Chuck Gaidica To Step Down As Chief Weathercaster On WDIV-Local 4

Ben Bailey to lead WDIV-Local 4's Meteorology Team

"It is a privilege to be a part of Local 4 and have the career in meteorology and broadcasting that I have. It has been a long and exciting journey but I know in my heart it's time to pull back on my TV duties so I can switch gears and answer my calling to the ministry," says Gaidica.

Gaidica will join the Oak Pointe Church in Novi as part of their staff as the Pastor of World Outreach.

Chuck Gadica

"Of all the names associated with Detroit television, Chuck Gaidica is one of the most respected and beloved," said Marla Drutz, Vice-President and General Manager of WDIV-Local 4. "When Chuck came to me some time ago with a desire to change his position at the station, I was naturally very sad. I've known him since 1983 so I know that when he makes a decision of this magnitude that he has come to it after serious thought."

Gadica at the North American
Intnational Auto Show

Gaidica has worked at WDIV-Local 4 since 1987. He is extremely popular with viewers and has been voted the top weathercaster in town year after year in the Metro Times and Hour Detroit. The Chicago-born three-time Emmy winner has also been a fill-in weathercaster on NBC's Today Show and his famous "Cuddle Alerts" have been a favorite part of his weathercasts for more than 30 years.

WDIV-Local 4's News Director Kim Voet adds, "Chuck will always be a part of the WDIV family and we welcome his future special reports and contributions to our big event coverage."

Drutz announces, "With Chuck stepping down, we had huge shoes to fill to lead our meteorology team. We are thrilled to have Ben Bailey join Local 4."

Ben Bailey

Bailey joins the station immediately and he will contribute to several of the station's newscasts. He is a familiar face on Detroit TV having worked as the morning meteorologist for nine years on Fox 2's News Morning. A University of Missouri graduate, Bailey holds seals of approval from both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association.

Later this summer, Bailey will join Carmen Harlan, Devin Scillian, Ruth Spencer and Bernie Smilovitz on the early evening and 11pm newscasts as the new weather anchor and Local 4's Chief Meteorologist.

"Joining the Local 4 family is extremely exciting. It is rare that an opportunity like this comes along and I'm thrilled to be able to work alongside Chuck and the rest of the stellar weather team," says Bailey. 

Broadcasting was an early interest for Bailey who got his start at an Indiana AM radio station while still in high school. For more than 20 years, Bailey has worked in radio, television news and weather, winning awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

"Ben has that enviable combination of true talent, journalistic chops and real charisma which makes him the perfect choice for us," notes Voet. "He is an excellent addition to our newsroom and one of the many great things in store for Local 4 in 2014."About WDIV-Local 4 Local 4 News is currently the #1 newscast at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, and 11pm in Nielsen ratings for the Detroit television market, and Local 4 News at 11pm is the highest-rated newscast of all NBC affiliates in the top 11 markets nationwide.  In addition, Local 4's ClickOnDetroit.com the leading breaking news and weather website in Michigan and Detroit's number one local media website.About Post-Newsweek Stations Post-Newsweek Stations is owned by Graham Holdings Company, a diversified education and media company.  Post-Newsweek Stations owns and operates six television stations:  WDIV, the NBC affiliate in Detroit; KPRC, the NBC affiliate in Houston; WPLG, the ABC affiliate in Miami; WKMG, the CBS affiliate in Orlando; KSAT, the ABC affiliate in San Antonio; and WJXT, an independent in Jacksonville.  

Former State Senator And Author Ed Robinson Passes Away

Edward Robinson with his wife "Teddi"
at the "While The Eagle Sleeps" book signing
at the Voyager Restaurant in St. Clair Michigan June 2011

Former Michigan State Senator Edward J. Robinson, of St. Clair, Michigan, formerly Dearborn, Michigan passed away on January 16, 2014.  Son of the late Dominic Edward and Mary Ann Robinson (nee Doherty).  He married Rose Marie "Teddi" Robinson (nee Kirchner) on May 28th, 1960 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Cleveland Hts, OH.

Purchase The Book HERE

Champion of the underdog, He was thinking of others up to his final days.  He wrote in his book, 

"While The Eagle Sleeps" that his opinions and philosophies on life were a product of his life experiences, which included growing up in a large Irish Catholic family and meeting Henry Ford in his youth,  later working  at Ford Motor Company.  He graduated from Sacred Heart High in Dearborn where excelling  in academics and sports and was class president his junior and senior years.  He attended the University of Notre Dame, where he was active in acting, sports and debate, receiving awards for Oratory and Best Collegiate Male Actor.   Receiving a Bachelor's degree in economics, he ran as the youngest candidate for Mayor of Dearborn at the age of 21. He then entered the Marines where he served as a Lieutenant for 3 years and 5 years in the Reserves.  He later attended the Detroit College of Law while  campaigning and was elected to the State Senate as representative for Dearborn. While a State Senator, he served on the  Appropriations committee and became lifelong friends with former Detroit Mayor Colman A. Young,   He was proud of his achievements in legislating mandatory newborn testing for Phenylketonuria (PKU) into law  paving the way for  newborn testing requirements  saving  the lives of countless individuals.  He was a tireless political activist and campaigner for the Democratic party but when he felt the other party had the right stuff, he was there to support them.  He was a lifelong advocate for philanthropic endeavors, active at Most Holy Trinity Church in Detroit, serving as Executive Director of Community Affiars for the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit and was  Director of the Metropolitan Detroit Citizens Development Authority.  His business, political and philanthropic career was impressive to say the least, but  his greatest pride and achievement in life were lifelong friends and a family that he loved and was proud of in all their achievements small and large.

Edward Robinson with book editor, Susan Tabar
at the "While The Eagle Sleeps" book signing
at the Voyager Restaurant in St. Clair Michigan June 2011

He is survived by his wife Teddi, daughter Rachel (Walt) Pustulka and grandson Jason, son Ryan (Kathy) Robinson and grandchildren Kaitlin, Ryan, Clare, Molly and Jack, and son John (Lynn) Robinson and grandchildren Ben and Betsy.  He is also survived by sisters Janice Wietecha and Margaret Wehring, many in-laws, nieces and nephews and countless friends.  He is preceeded in death by his sisters Alma Muir, Arline Winowiecki,  Bernadine Robinson and brother Goldwyn Robinson.

The wake will be on Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at L.C. Friederichs & Son Funeral Home in St. Clair.  In state Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Clair from 10 AM till mass at 11 AM.  Memorials may be made in Ed's name to Most Holy Trinity, 1050 Porter, Detroit, MI 48226

Edward Robinson G1NBC/City Post Interview at The Michigan Business Networking Group function at The Moose Preserve In Bloomfield Hills MI August 2011

Former Michigan Lt. Gov Connie Binsfield Dies at Age 89

Former Lt. Gov. Connie Binsfeld, who championed children's issues and was the first woman to hold leadership posts in Michigan's House, Senate and executive branch, died Sunday. She was 89.

Binsfeld, who lived on Leelanau County's Glen Lake, had been in hospice care, said Suzanne Allen, a family friend and former chief of staff to state House Speaker Jase Bolger.

Binsfeld, a Republican, served two terms as lieutenant governor under former Gov. John Engler, from 1991 through 1998. She declined to run again when Engler successfully sought a third term. She also served in the state House and Senate.

"Connie lived an unbelievable full life and was successful at everything she did," Engler said. "She was a thoughtful, kind, generous person who just happened to make a lot of history in a rather remarkable career."

Binsfeld was a surprise pick as Engler's running mate when he first sought the governorship in 1990. With polls showing him badly trailing Democratic incumbent James Blanchard, insiders predicted Engler would choose someone from the vote-rich Detroit area.

Engler instead tapped Binsfeld, a senator from rural northern Michigan who shared his conservative views. They pulled off a narrow upset and were re-elected in 1994.

"It came down to wanting somebody that would truly be a partner who I could work with," Engler said. "I knew she was a very effective campaigner. She was also somebody who believed we could win."

Binsfeld led commissions on adoptions and the state's child welfare system. The Binsfeld Children's Commission produced 197 proposed reforms for the child welfare, many of which were enacted.

While presiding over the Senate, Binsfeld was known for bringing the chamber to order with soft, rhythmic taps of the gavel that didn't end until there was silence. She said it was a trick she learned as a schoolteacher.

Although known as a motherly figure — Engler said his triplet daughters called her "Grandma Connie" — she could be forceful and passionate on issues of special concern to her, he said.

Binsfeld began her political career as a Leelanau County commissioner and was elected to the Michigan House in 1974. She served four terms there and in 1982 won a senate in the Senate, where she led the fight to ban surrogate pregnancy for pay.

She also sponsored bills on domestic violence and protection of environmentally sensitive sand dunes and served 10 years on the Great Lakes Commission.

"She was a mentor and dear friend who has left an enduring legacy," said Jason Allen, a former state senator and senior policy adviser for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Jason Allen is married to Suzanne Allen.

6 Steps to Make Working from Home Work

BY ERIC V. HOLTZCLAW

As companies and technology evolve, working remotely increasingly considered "normal."

Business owners and managers have their own set of challenges to think through, including how working from home should be rolled out across an organization. For employees, the reality of working from home can sometimes be an unwelcome surprise. Most people immediately focus on the benefits: avoiding a crazy commute, saving gas and being in a more comfortable setting. But there are downsides, too, and bad habits that can sabotage your workday.

Whether you're part of a larger organization or go it alone, here are a few tips to make the transition from the office to the home office a bit smoother:

1. Keep your routine the same. Get up like you still have to go to the office. Wake up at the same time, get cleaned up and get dressed for the day. Following a normal routine will keep you focused on the tasks you need to accomplish, and you will be ready for any pop up Skype sessions or video chats.

It's very tempting to sleep in an extra hour or two, but that can throw you off task for the rest of the day and can be counterproductive to using your work from home day to get more done.

2. Create a separate workspace. If you have an extra bedroom, set that space aside to get your work done. Even if it's just a desk with your laptop on the other side of the living room or dining room, make it your dedicated workspace. Working on your laptop while you lie in bed or on the couch in front of the TV is a recipe for distraction.

If you live with others (family, kids, spouse, roommates), make sure that it is known that your workspace is off-limits. The ability to create physical barrier--like a door or curtain--helps to remind you and others that you are "at work."

3. Do not get distracted by household chores. It can easy to get sucked in: You may be tempted to vacuum the living room, wash the dishes that are languishing in the kitchen sink, or make up the kids' beds in-between calls or while waiting for someone to respond to an e-mail.

Before you know it, a few hours will have gone by and you will be totally behind on your day. Set aside a time to do chores after you are done with your workday. Keep a tight schedule and continue to maintain a separation between your work life and your home responsibilities.

4. Make sure others know that you are working. Friends and family may think that since you are not physically in your company's office, you aren't really at work. Casual calls may increase during the day, you may get invited out more during the weeknights or for lunch, and your spouse and/or family may expect you to do more household chores since "you're at home all day anyway."

Be clear to friends and family that you are still at work, just in a different space. Resist the temptation to give in when they ask you to run errands you wouldn't usually do or to take on responsibilities you wouldn't be open to if you were working at the office instead.

5. Use technology to your advantage. Today's technology makes it simpler than ever to stay connected with your co-workers. Video chat with others through Skype or Google Hangouts, use remote-friendly document editing applications such as Google Docs or Evernote, and take advantage of screen sharing technology such as WebEx or Join.me.

Many of these applications are free and if they are not, your employer will likely provide the technology to make your time working from home more productive and support your ability to collaborate.

6. Be present! Most importantly, when you are working from home, make sure to be present and pay close attention to conference calls and webinars. Being an active participant in these interactions with coworkers and/or clients is essential. If you are not present and active, your team may forget about you and upper management may think that you are not doing enough while working remotely.

ERIC V. HOLTZCLAW, author of Laddering, is CEO and founder of Laddering Works, a marketing and product strategy firm. Holtzclaw’s weekly radio show, The "Better You" Project, shines a spotlight on entrepreneurs’ business journey. about.me/eholtzclaw
@eholtzclaw

Fire Damages Fifth Third Ballpark Near Grand Rapids.; Future of Midwest League All State Game In Question

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - A large section of Fifth Third Ballpark was destroyed by a fire that sparked Friday morning, and according to the Plainfield Township fire chief, the lack of hydrants hampered the fire crews' ability to fight the fire.

The fire started around 11 a.m. Smoke and flames from the fire could be seen from miles away.
Firefighters had to evacuate the building a half hour after they began to fight the fire, and went into defensive mode.

According to the Kent County emergency manager, the fire started in one of the suites, and just before 12 p.m., the roof on the skyboxes began to collapse.

The emergency manager also said the building's sprinkler system was not working properly.
There were 30 employees at the ballpark at the time of the fire, but everyone was able to get out safely. No injuries were reported

Around 12:30 p.m., firefighters began to get the fire under control. Multiple departments were called in to help relieve crews from the bitter cold.

Aside from regular season games, several major events were scheduled to be held at Fifth Third Ballpark in 2014.

In the summer, the Midwest League All Star Game was to be played there. Even before that, on Feb. 22, the Winter Beer Festival 2014 was scheduled to be held in the ballpark's parking lot.
Scott Graham, executive director of the Michigan Brewers Guild, released the following statement about the festival's fate:

"The Michigan Brewers Guild is certainly concerned about our upcoming beer festival at the Fifth Third Ballpark but our first concern is for all of our friends at the West Michigan Whitecaps. Our thoughts and prayers are with the staff at the ballpark today and we will asses what it means to the Guild after the damage is under control and can be assessed. Because our event is held outside the ballpark in the parking lot we are hopeful that it will turn out well. We will do our best to keep fans of MI beer informed in coming days as we learn more."

West Michigan Whitecaps management said that they plan to rebuild Fifth Third Ballpark, which was originally built in 1994, and hope to be open by the beginning of the season, which kicks off on April 8.
The Whitecaps said they would release an official statement on the fire at 2:30 p.m.

It's still unknown what caused the fire.

Fiat buys rest of Chrysler from UAW; no IPO

Fiat, owner of Chrysler Group, has agreed to buy the United Auto Workers' remaining 41.46% stake in Chrysler for $3.65 billion, plus four separate payments totaling $700 million.

The agreement, announced Wednesday, heads off a public stock offering of Chrysler shares that Fiat and Chrysler didn't want, but the UAW was forcing, in order to set a value on its stake.

It puts to an end months of cantankerous wrangling between the union and automakers about the value of the retirement trust's shares. And it's happened suddenly, in an unexpected way, as firm plans had been announced late last year for the IPO.

Fiat previously bought out the stake held by Canadian governments, so once the current deal closes, Fiat and Chrysler can be merged into a single company. No details have been hinted about where a merged automaker would have headquarters, nor whether a full merger would change product plans or management teams.

In a statement, Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said, "The unified ownership structure will now allow us to fully execute our vision of creating a global automaker that is truly unique in terms of mix of experience, perspective and know-how, a solid and open organization that will ensure all employees a challenging and rewarding environment."

UAW's employee retirement trust — VEBA — owns the stake, and it and the automakers have been unable to agree on a price. The matter went to court, but the judge declined to set a price. As part of the buyout agreement, the retirement trust won't pursue any further legal action.

Marchionne wants to own all of Chrysler so he can tap its cash to help support ailing Fiat, and to streamline operations of a merged company.

Fiat got control of Chrysler during the Detroit maker's 2009 Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, seen as a savior of Chrysler that would provide the Detroit maker with much-needed economy cars. But European markets since then have tumbled, and Euro brands have been hard pressed to maintain profits.

Chrysler, meanwhile, has reported solid earnings — $1.14 billion for the first three quarters of 2013, and nine consecutive profitable quarters. Fourth-quarter earnings will be reported later.

The purchase will be made by Fiat's Fiat North America unit. The transaction is expected to close on or before Jan. 20.

It will be structured this way:

• Chrysler and Fiat North America will pay VEBA members $1.9 billion in a special distribution.

• Fiat will pay the VEBA another $1.75 billion cash.

• Chrysler will make four payments of $175 million to the VEBA in the next year.

• The UAW agrees to a memorandum of understanding under Chrysler Group's existing collective bargaining agreements that the union will make "certain commitments to continue to support the industrial operations at Chrysler Group and the further implementation of the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, including to use best efforts to cooperate in the continued roll-out of Fiat-Chrysler World Class Manufacturing programs, actively participate in bench-marking efforts associated with implementation of these programs across all of Fiat-Chrysler manufacturing sites to ensure objective performance assessments and provide for proper application of WCM principles and actively assist in the achievement of the Group's long-term business plan."

Leafs, Red Wings meet in Big House for 2014 Winter Classic

Original Six members as well as division rivals both past and present, the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings have met 645 times during the regular season.

The 646th matchup will be one to remember.

The Red Wings play host to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday afternoon in the 2014 edition of the Winter Classic that is set to take place at Michigan Stadium.

The two franchises have been waiting to engage in the NHL's sixth Winter Classic, having been set to meet on New Year's Day in 2013 only to have the game wiped out due to the lockout.

They now meet as division rivals, with the Red Wings having shifted from the Western Conference to the East in the new-look Atlantic Division following realignment. The two clubs are tied for fourth place in the standings with 45 points, five back of Tampa Bay and Montreal.

That makes today's matchup an important one in the grand scheme of the season and not just for the novelty of playing outdoors.

"We all understand it's a great event and a great showcase for the league," said Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. "It's our responsibility to participate.

"To tell you the truth, as I said lots of times, it wasn't high on our list because we have lots of things going on. With it comes a lot of distractions. But, again, the most important thing to us is that we're going to go out and compete and give ourselves the best chance to win."

While the Maple Leafs will be making their Winter Classic debut, the Red Wings visited the Chicago Blackhawks and Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, 2009 and secured a 6-4 victory in front of 40,818 fans. Detroit rallied after being down 3-1, with Jiri Hudler scoring two goals and Ty Conklin making 43 saves.

Detroit has a few holdovers from that game, including Pavel Datsyuk (1 goal) and Henrik Zetterberg (3 assists) as the duo helped the Red Wings score a single team-high six goals for a Winter Classic game.

Now Detroit takes its turn to host at Michigan Stadium, the largest college football stadium in the country that is known as "The Big House." The official capacity for a football game at Michigan Stadium tops 100,000 people.

"You don't remember everything in your life, but you remember moments. This should be one. But it's way more fun when you win. It's been like that since you were six," said Detroit head coach Mike Babcock.

The Red Wings and Leafs offered a preview of this matchup in Toronto on Dec. 21, with Detroit earning a 5-4 shootout victory. Datsyuk and Daniel Alfredsson both scored in the tiebreaker and Jonas Gustavsson was perfect in the shootout for the Red Wings.

Toronto overcame a 3-1 deficit and led by a goal before Detroit's Tomas Tatar netted the equalizer with 6:16 on the clock in the third period.

Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves for the Maple Leafs in relief of James Reimer, who was pulled after the first period having allowed three goals on 12 shots.

Despite the loss, the Leafs are still 4-1-1 in their past six meetings with the Red Wings but have lost five of their last seven as the visitor in this series.

Dion Phaneuf had a goal for the Maple Leafs versus the Red Wings and will play in his first game today since officially signing a seven-year contract extension on Tuesday. The new deal is worth a reported $49 million.

Phaneuf has four goals, 11 assists and a plus-13 rating in 39 games this season and has missed just 18 games since coming to Toronto via a trade with Calgary on Jan. 31, 2010.

"You grow up playing on outdoor rinks as a kid. And to be able to come here and, obviously, with this news (of the extension) being announced, to have my family here ... it's going to be a special game to be a part of. I'm really looking forward to stepping out there, not only (Tuesday) to practice but (Wednesday) when there are 110,000 people. It's going to be an experience I'll never forget as a player," said Phaneuf.

Toronto has a chance to win three straight for the first time since Oct. 26-30 today. The Maple Leafs split four games decided in a shootout from Dec. 19-27 before picking up a 5-2 win over Carolina on Sunday.

Phaneuf had a goal and Phil Kessel scored twice to reach 20 goals on the season. Center Tyler Bozak returned following a 12-game absence caused by an oblique injury and had three assists.

Bernier helped the Leafs to the victory despite the club getting outshot 43-27. He came away with 41 saves in his third straight start.

Bernier will draw the start today over Reimer and is 1-1-1 with a 3.13 goals against average in five career games versus the Red Wings, two of those starts.

He doesn't expect the outdoor conditions to impact his play too much.

"It's actually good," Bernier said of the ice conditions on Tuesday. "The only thing was probably the wind sometimes when it was blowing, especially most of the practice it was blowing in my face. It was pretty cold, but other than that, it felt good."

Detroit had won three of four before suffering a 6-4 setback to the Nashville Predators on Monday. The Red Wings fell to 3-6-2 in their last 11.

Datsyuk, Justin Abdelkader, Patrick Eaves and Drew Miller all scored in the loss while goaltender Jimmy Howard showed some rust in his first game since Dec. 10. He yielded five goals on 28 shots faced in his return from a sprained left MCL.

"That's a tough thing for the goaltender. So the great thing about (Howard), he's a world-class goalie. He's always been good. He usually bounces back good," noted Babcock.

Howard is 0-1-0 with a 3.43 GAA in two career meetings with the Leafs.

Alfredsson was a late scratch with an upper-body injury and his status for the Winter Classic is unknown.

The New York Rangers defeated the Flyers 3-2 in the most recent Winter Classic on Jan. 2, 2012 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia