About 20 people brought their concerns to the on Thursday night as state Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield) and state Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods) discussed state and local issues.
The "coffee hours" chat, one of multiple events during the year during which residents are given a chance to meet and ask questions of their legislators, focused on a variety of topics in response to audience questions, including budget issues, drug testing for public assistance programs and issues affecting senior citizens.
The community is fortunate to have two elected officials – both of whom sit on appropriations committees – representing the city's interests in Lansing, said Ferndale City Council Member Dan Martin, who attended the meeting.
"I think it's always important to find out what's going on in Lansing," Martin said. "Cities are struggling. It's important to make sure our views and needs are expressed."
Angela Jackson, of Oak Park, said she was glad to see the coffee hours offered in the evening so people who work during the day could attend. "I wanted to ask about the budget surplus," she said.
Jason Krzysiak, a newly elected Pleasant Ridge City Commission member, was also in attendance. He said Gregory has a "great way of interacting with residents and listening," which he said is important at all levels of government.
"We gotta be willing to listen to the people who put us in office," Krzysiak said.
During the chat, Gregory encouraged residents to contact him to express issues of concern or ask questions.
"I will ask those questions and get you direct answers," Gregory said.
Contact your lawmakers
Sen. Vincent Gregory, D-Southfield
- Mail: PO Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909
- Office: 517-373-7888
- Fax: 517-373-2983
- website: gregory.senatedems.com
Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton, D-Huntington Woods, 27th House District
- Mail: P.O. Box 30014, Lansing, MI 48909-7514
- Phone: (517) 373-0478 or (888) 347-8027
- Fax: (517) 373-5884
- Email: ellenlipton@house.mi.gov
- website: http://027.housedems.com/
