An unforgetable experience!

The 2014 Swingshift and the Stars dance competition has come to conclusion, and what a season it was!

It wasn't just a dance competition. It was so much more than that. It was an eye-opening experience that shed light on the fact that our communities are comprised of incredibly generous and supportive people. As a whole, Swingshift and the Stars 2014 generated just under $302,ooo! Wow!

Although all 6 charitable organizations represented in the competition benefited greatly, one set themselves apart from the rest. Troy Broad and Pam McCormick (representing Leelanau Christian Neighbors) danced their way to the top of the competition, winning 3 of the 4 events on the scorecards, as well as setting an unmatchable pace with donation numbers.

Troy, Pam, and LCN set their sights on the Legendary Dan Brady's donation record, set the previous year in 2013 with Habitat for Humanity. The incredible support from the community, coupled with some inspired moves on the dance floor, set the LCN team on a collision course to smash that record. And smash it they did, collecting over $129,ooo for Leelanau Christian Neighbors and all those they support in need.

Be sure to watch our final installment of the Swingshift and the Stars video series, as we take a look back on an unforgetable experience!

A plan to restore crumbling roads & bridges, if backed by voters.

The fate of Michigan's tired roadways will be on the ballot this May, where voters will determine whether or not a new funding plan will be implemented. Michigan hasn’t updated its overall investment in roads since the gas tax was adjusted in 1997.

"This plan makes long-term investments that will give motorists a safe, modern transportation system," says Governor Snyder.

If approved, an estimated $1.3 billion a year will be put towards transportation. After the first two years, more than 60 percent of the road revenue will go to counties, cities and villages for their local road and bridge needs. The plan also protects revenue for schools and local governments.

Highlights of the plan include:

• Removing the current sales tax on fuel and switching to a new wholesale tax for motor fuels (gas and diesel) that is more dynamic yet includes protections for consumers. Snyder explained that the current sales tax on fuel is constitutionally dedicated to the support of schools and local governments. It does not go for road maintenance. The ballot proposal will ensure that all state taxes paid at the pump will go to the support of transportation.

• Protecting schools and local governments from lost revenue by asking voters in the May 5 election to approve a 1 percent increase in the state sales and use tax on retail purchases, taking it from 6 percent to 7 percent. The result is an additional $300 million a year for schools and $94 million a year for local governments.

• Supporting state and local harbors, boating access sites and off-road vehicle trails with an additional $26 million a year when fully implemented.

• Providing tax parity by making the wholesale tax rates on diesel and gasoline equal. • Freezing the registration depreciation tax for current vehicles, and eliminating its applicability for new vehicles. The registration rate is increased for trucks over 26,000 pounds.

• Assisting low-income families by restoring the Earned Income Tax Credit to its full level. The credit was reduced in 2011.

• Requiring that at least 20 percent of all maintenance contracts entered into by the Michigan Department of Transportation provide for payment based on performance outputs or outcomes. Michigan’s seven largest road agencies will be included in this system.

• Increasing the use of pavement warranties as much as possible, by establishing them on all projects where appropriate for state and local governments. There also is a reporting requirement under which the governmental entity must explain if it did not secure a warranty for a project over $1 million.

House Bill 4539, sponsored by Senator Wayne Schmidt, was signed by Governor Rick Snyder on January 12, 2015. However, whether or not the state of Michigan will move forward with this plan is yet to be seen, as it will be in the hands of the voters come May.

Additional bills were also signed by Snyder in the transportation package as well, including HB5493, which makes wholesale tax on diesel and gasoline equal.

Learn more and read the full press release here.