Coffee hour includes updates from state Rep. Edwards

EASTPOINTE — The Aug. 24 Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce coffee hour gave State Rep. Kimberly Edwards, D-Eastpointe, the opportunity to share news from the state level.

Edwards was the guest speaker during the one-hour event. Because of inclement weather, the coffee hour was moved from the outdoor Eastpointe Community Garden to Eastpointe City Hall.

Edwards, who has lived in Eastpointe for eight years, represents the 12th District, which includes Roseville, Eastpointe and the east side of Detroit. She began her first two-year term in January. During her presentation, the elected official touched upon several issues, including unity.

“As your representative, I plan to continue delivering for our people and working to promote strengthening in our community,” she said. “It is the people and our local businesses that provide so much more for this community.”

She mentioned that her father was in the U.S. Army.

“We know some branches of the military work together, but they also jokingly don’t work together. When I was child, he was stationed over in Germany,” Edwards said. “While he was stationed there, they’d often have to reach out to the Marines for support and they would work together to solve the issue together. They’d get it together, and they made sure it happened.

“That’s why I decided to pick this topic, because I feel like Eastpointe, Roseville and the other communities that I serve are continuing to work together and unifying and strengthening our community,” Edwards said. “Real change happens when voices are heard and there is free and open dialogue. As a legislator with my colleagues, we’re also continuing to work with unity in mind as well. This term we expanded Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, that includes anti-discrimination protection for sexual orientation and sexual identity. That is huge for anyone who is (a member) of the LGBTQ.”

During her speech, the elected official said the state budget was “a critical investment in redeveloping neighborhoods and supporting small businesses with over $100 million in new community revitalization grants.”

Edwards told attendees to contact her office regarding grants available for small businesses.

“Oftentimes we’re looking for individuals to forward them to,” she said. “Email us; that way we have someone we can send those grants to.”

Edwards’ office phone number in Lansing at (517) 373-0852. Her email address is kimberlyedwards@house.mi.gov.

She also told the audience that her office holds monthly meetings on mental health.

“We focus on different aspects each month. One month we did men’s mental health and we focused on ‘What’s in your wallet?’” Edwards said. “Men usually carry credit cards and financial burdens, their stressors or a loved one that has passed that may have caused trauma.”

Edwards plans to hold more mental health conversation groups this fall. At the time of the coffee hour, no dates had yet been scheduled, but check her website.

“Please feel free to reach out to my office with concerns or ideas you have,” she said.

The coffee hour gave Eastpointe resident Timothy Kniaz the opportunity to highlight the Eastpointe Community Garden, which is located on Nine Mile Road, east of Gratiot Avenue.

“It’s across from the Fire Department. It’s a really awesome space. We’re doing tons of work to get it together. We have a group every Saturday that comes and volunteers,” he said. “You’re more than welcome to come there. You don’t have to do anything. You can hang out. You can talk. Every Saturday we put out a vast amount of produce for anybody to take.”

Also at the meeting, Macomb County Clerk/Register of Deeds Anthony Forlini addressed the crowd regarding the Clerk’s Office Fraud Guard Alerts program.

The program is designed to help homeowners avoid being victims of property fraud. Property owners can register their names, and when a Macomb County real estate document is recorded with their name on it, they will be notified via email. Visit macombgov.org/clerk for more information.

The next Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce coffee hour is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sept. 12 at the Oddfellows Hall, located at 23322 Gratiot Ave. Chamber members attend coffee hour for free; the cost is $5 for nonmembers. For more information, visit erchamber.com or call (586) 776-5520.