Governor Granholm Names Benton Harbor Task Force

June 27, 2003

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today followed through on her commitment to the people of Benton Harbor by naming a task force to help restore opportunity and hope to the citizens of Benton Harbor by addressing issues of critical importance. 

“Now is the time to unite this community, to make sure that everyone in Benton Harbor has access to great jobs and every child has the opportunity to succeed,” Granholm said today.  “Lansing is a partner in writing the next chapter in Benton Harbor’s history.  We will be working closely with community leaders and the city on an aggressive plan to make certain that Benton Harbor is not left behind and that its future is filled with hope.”

The task force will comprise the following representatives of the Benton Harbor community and senior members of the Granholm administration:

• Karen Aldridge-Eason – foundation advisor to the Governor;
• Rev. James Atterberry – Pastor of the Brotherhood of All Nations Church of God in Christ, President of the Southwest Michigan Ministerial Alliance, and Berrien County Commissioner;
• Betty Boone – Executive Director of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs;
• Bennie Bowers – Michigan State Police Officer and life-long Benton Harbor resident;
• Maurice Burton – Michigan State Police Officer;
• Paula Dawning – Superintendent, Benton Harbor Public Schools;
• Rev. Kenneth Gavin – Pastor of the Second Baptist Church;
• Leroy Harvey – Benton Harbor City Commissioner;
• Yvonne Hester – Executive Director of the Benton Harbor Street Ministry;
• Rev. Steven McCoy – Pastor of the McCoy Memorial Church of God in Christ and Benton Harbor City Commissioner;
• Helen Mitchell – A 20-year-old resident of Benton Harbor, a graduate of Benton Harbor High School in 2001, currently employed by Manpower at Whirlpool Corp.;
• Mark Mitchell – President and Executive Director of the Council for World-Class Communities (CWCC);
• Jeff Noel – President of the Cornerstone Alliance, a non-profit economic development corporation;
• Greg Roberts, Director of Community-Based Initiatives, Executive Office of the Governor;
• Bob  Swanson – Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services;
• Congressman Fred Upton – U.S. Representative (R-St. Joseph);
• Tom Watkins – State Superintendent of Public Instruction;
• Lisa Webb Sharpe – Office of the Governor:
• Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom – Michigan Surgeon General;
• Charles Yarbrough – Mayor, Benton Harbor;
• Hector Shamley -- Detroit Regional Operations Manager and African American Liaison for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights Partnership Office.
• Willie Young – A 26-year-old Benton Harbor native who came to the aid of an endangered photographer   during the civil unrest.

Among the issues the Task Force will address are recreation outlets, after school activities, job training and employment opportunities, police and community relations, economic development and housing projects, health awareness and prevention, funding partnerships among foundations, the business community and charitable organizations, early childhood learning initiative through Project Great Start, and improving schools and education.

“This is an excellent team of concerned citizens, community leaders, and professionals who are ready to go the extra mile for Benton Harbor,” Granholm said.  “They’re set up to put in place a real plan to get things moving on the right track.  We’re working on the heels of those who have already done so much for this community – with their example and leadership, we can take this to the next level.”

Team membership was established by the Southwest Michigan Ministerial Alliance and the Benton Harbor community.  The team will work in conjunction with Citizens for Progressive Change, a broad community group comprised of area citizens and civic, faith and elected leaders.