“Knowledge is a treasure, but practice is the key to it” — Thomas Fuller, 17th century British author. * There’s probably a great deal of math behind this which, as a liberal-arts grad, I will take on a certain amount of faith. The cool map, though, shows Michigan as one of just eight “green” states […]
Derek Melot
Derek Melot is a former assistant editorial page editor, columnist and reporter at the Lansing State Journal, where he covered state and local issues extensively, earning awards from the Associated Press and Michigan Press Association. The Oklahoma native moved to Michigan in 1999, and served as Bridge editor through mid-2013.
Posted inTalent & Education
Grand Rapids, Detroit losing race to gain college graduates
The Detroit and Grand Rapids metro areas have tripled the proportion of their residents with college degrees since 1970. Still, an expert on work-force development in Michigan says the state’s two largest urban centers are treading water — at best. An analysis by the Brookings Institution of the 100 largest metro areas placed Detroit 65th […]
Posted inTalent & Education
Early childhood proposal draws media gaze
A coalition of business and community leaders announced the backing of 100 business leaders Wednesday for a plan to commit $130 million to insure that all eligible 4-year-olds in Michigan can attend half-day preschool. Research shows that as many as 38,000 eligible preschoolers are not receiving preschool services because of a lack of funds in […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power” — Horace Mann, 19th century American educator. * George Romney was the first member of his family to bid for the presidency. His effort for the 1968 Republican nomination disintegrated, however — and in ways that may have influenced his younger son’s political career […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“The degree of one’s emotions varies inversely with one’s knowledge of the facts” –Bertrand Russell, 20th century British philosopher. * A CBS reporter this month said that no person born in the U.S. circa 1985 and after has ever experienced “normal” weather — at least as defined by average 20th century conditions. Since 1985, the nation’s been […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives” — James Madison, “Father of the Constitution” and fourth president of the United States. * The overall student loan debt number isn’t cause for panic, argues Andrew Rotherham, the man behind […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Mistakes are, after all, the foundations of truth, and if a man does not know what a thing is, it is at least an increase in knowledge if he knows what it is not” — Carl Jung, Swiss psychologist. * Ice in winter has positive effects, too: http://greatlakesecho.org/2012/05/15/continued-ice-loss-on-the-great-lakes-may-cause-widespread-change-in-ecosystems/ * It was suggested, in comments to […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom” — Isaac Asimov, American science fiction novelist. * Here’s a thorny one: Some Great Lakes shoreline property owners want to be able to groom the section of beach between the water’s edge and the ordinary high water mark […]
Posted inBusiness Watch
State takes cautious approach to freight hub proposals
A dizzying number of transportation-related proposals centered on Detroit’s mid-continent location are floating around Michigan. They have funny names (Aerotropolis), links to faraway locales (Halifax, Nova Scotia) and impressive engineering goals (a rail tunnel tall enough to handle double-decker cars). One common thread through most of these proposals is a need for investment. The ideas are […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action” — Herbert Spencer, 19th century English philosopher. * The Delft Theater building in downtown Marquette has been sold and closed, reports the Mining Journal. The new owners don’t plan to revive a theater, but do hope to renovate the structure. http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/575670/Delft-Theater-sold–closed-in-Marquette.html?nav=5006 * The money-losing U.S. […]