MMRMA ELECTRONIC NEWS DIGEST
April 9, 2001
Here’s What’s New...
> MMRMA TAKES WAIT-AND-SEE POSITION ON NATURAL GAS CHOICE
> MMRMA HOSTS ANNUAL STATE POOL MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN MAY
> MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND DEATH NOTIFICATION SEMINAR
_____________________________________________________
GAS CUSTOMER CHOICE EXPERIMENT A SUCCESS, BUT QUESTIONS REMAIN
Fluctuations in the price of natural gas and uncertainty over Consumers Energy plans regarding "customer choice" have prompted MMRMA to take a wait and see approach until there is a clearer picture of where the natural gas market is headed.
MMRMA has been actively researching energy choice programs for Members in recent months. The Authority and its selected supplier are currently developing a natural gas program in the best interest of MMRMA Members. Future offerings will be at a price and on terms that return the highest value to MMRMA Members.
MMRMA is continuing to develop a usage database. If you are interested in participation, please fax a copy of one monthly gas bill for each of your facilities to Kimball Power Company. Their fax number is:
(616) 381-0025
This will not obligate you to participate in the MMRMA program. A contract will be forwarded once your bills are received.
Meantime, Members served by MichCon or SEMCO natural gas utilities are in a great position and should "sit tight" for now. Both utilities have below-market "frozen rates" until at least the end of the year. MMRMA will update Members on choices and options related to natural gas in the near future.
MMRMA is also in the process of putting together a packet of information for each Member that has shown interest in the Electric Deregulation program. The packet will list all accounts that would benefit economically from the program. In addition there will be a cost savings analysis summary and utility requirements for the program.
Three regional information meetings are scheduled in May. These meetings will enable a review of the packet information and will answer any questions Members may have.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions about Energy Choice, please contact Kimball Power at:
(888) 345-0440.
RISK TRAINING, MEMBER INTERACTION PLANNED FOR MAY STATE POOL MEETING
"Dealing with Difficult Behaviors," a program by Dr. Gordon Blush, is the featured training topic at the annual State Pool Membership meeting to be held in Mt. Pleasant on May 10th and 11th.
Dr. Blush will instruct on how to deal effectively with difficult behavior situations.
Members are invited to attend this year’s meeting, which will feature business and social interaction among State Pool Members, in addition to the training.
The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, located at 5665 E. Pickard Rd. (M-20.) As with past meetings, the Authority has arranged for a hotel package that includes coupons for dining at the hotel and tokens for the nearby Soaring Eagle Resort. MMRMA will provide for your overnight accommodations on the evening of May 10th. Group meals and training are included at no cost.
Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. on May 10th, followed by a group lunch, then training in the afternoon. Spouses and guests are welcome at lunch.
Members interested in attending the State Pool meeting are asked to respond by April 27th. If you have not received a registration form, please call MMRMA at:
(734) 513-0300.
DEATH NOTIFICATION TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19TH IN LANSING
MMRMA, in cooperation with the Thin Blue Line of Michigan, will host a risk control training program on proper procedures to be followed in death notification in the event an employee is lost in the line of duty.
The training, on April 19th, will be at the Holiday Inn West in Lansing at 7501 W. Saginaw Highway (M-43.) Registration is at 9:00 a.m. with training from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. As with all risk management training, there is no cost for members to attend.
The training is focused on public safety agencies. Those attending should be ranking officers in public safety agencies as well as city and county administrators.
Our primary presenter will be Ms. Laurie Erickson, executive director of the Thin Blue Line of Michigan and the widow of a Michigan State Police trooper who lost his life in the line of duty.
Through a RAP grant funded relationship with MMRMA, Members will now have her assistance during times of tragedy and trauma. It should be noted that other volunteer counseling groups are also eligible to receive MMRMA support. The choice of expert assistance is a matter of Member preference.
This new Member benefit, the seminar and supporting materials are provided in memory of Andrew L. Mayer, an MMRMA law enforcement risk control consultant who lost his battle with cancer on January 29, 2001.
Members wishing to attend are asked to respond by April 16th. If you have not received a registration form, please contact MMRMA at:
(734) 513-0300.
______________________________________________
Please note:
(The MMRMA Electronic News Digest is provided to our members as a news and information service only. The information has been obtained from various publications, Internet Web sites and members of the Authority. Members are urged to independently verify any information contained herein.)
Our email/fax newsletter is never sent unsolicited. To Subscribe or Un-subscribe, please visit our Web site at: www.mmrma.org
Select Electronic Information for subscription options, or you can fax us at: 734-513-0318