Larry:

The news release below came into (and very quickly out of) my inbox yesterday.
Sounds like they need you desperately up there!  Go get'um and good luck!

Mary Krugman
________________________
Michigan Chamber Supports "Balanced" Approach to Land Use...but no HP?

"The state should not mandate regional planning, growth boundaries, confusing
zoning or prescriptive land use rules."

-- Michigan Chamber President & CEO Jim Barrett

___________________________________________________________

Michigan Chamber Supports Balanced Approach to Land Use and Urban Policy

LANSING, Mich., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce Board
of Directors recently adopted a comprehensive policy statement on what is
likely to be a major issue in the 1999-2000 legislative session -- land use
and urban policy.  The Chamber supports a balanced approach to land use and
urban policy that enhances the business climate and economic competitiveness
of Michigan.

"We believe the best approach is a comprehensive strategy of both urban
investment and land use policy that protects Michigan's natural resources,"
said Christina MacInnes, Co-Chair of the Michigan Chamber's Land Use Task
Force and President of Crystal Properties, Inc., Thompsonville.  "Land is a
precious and finite resource.  The Michigan Chamber recognizes the way we
treat our land today will affect the quality and character of Michigan's
landscape for many generations."

The Michigan Chamber recommends a land use policy that reduces government
bureaucracy.  "The state should not mandate regional planning, growth
boundaries, confusing zoning or prescriptive land use rules," said Michigan
Chamber President & CEO Jim Barrett.  Specifically, the Michigan Chamber
believes Michigan land use policy should:

 *  Enhance the environmental quality and add value to the state's economy,
while protecting all citizens' rights to live where they desire.  Private
property rights included in the U.S. and Michigan Constitutions must be
protected.

*  Include numerous initiatives to be undertaken by local government to
address the decay of urban areas and resulting land use patterns including
reducing onerous tax burdens, improving the quality of municipal services, and
changing regulations that hinder land assembly, business investment and job
growth.

*  Utilize a market-driven approach for the revitalization of cities and
suburbs and "smart growth" patterns in rural areas.

*  Adopt a Forest Management Plan implementing best management practices and
sustainable forestry harvesting when the State of Michigan directly or
indirectly acquires land or interests in land containing forest resources.

The upcoming debate on land use will be more than a discussion about social
policy, Barrett said.  "It will also be an important debate about our state's
economy and job growth."

"The Michigan Chamber intends to play a leadership role in this debate,"
Barrett added.

"Job providers of all sizes have a tremendous stake in the upcoming debate,"
said Gordon H. Kummer, President of Whitehall Enterprises, Inc., Ann Arbor,
and member of the Land Use Task Force.  "It's more than so-called urban sprawl
and managed growth.  The greatest challenge will be to get policymakers to
address the underlying reasons why some cities are better places to live, work
and do business than others -- taxes, crime, and education."

"I am pleased with the Michigan Chamber's comprehensive look at land use
policy," said Morrall M. Claramunt, Executive Vice President & Secretary of
Frankenmuth Mutual Insurance Co., Frankenmuth, and member of the task force.
"It is a very complex and difficult issue with many diverse interests.  I am
confident that the business community can help frame the future debate on this
major public policy issue."

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization which
represents approximately 7,000 employers, trade associations and local
chambers of commerce.  The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an
advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal
process.

SOURCE  Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CO:  Michigan Chamber of Commerce

ST:  Michigan

IN:  ENV

SU:

05/05/98 13:13 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com