October 04, 2004
October 4, 2004
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following appointments and reappointments to the Governor’s Task Force on Children’s Justice:
Wayne C. Beerbower of Farmington Hills, police officer for the City of Farmington Hills. Mr. Beerbower is reappointed to represent the law enforcement community.
Robert D. Cable, Jr. of Lincoln Park, Wayne regional director, Judson Center. Mr. Cable is appointed to represent child advocates.
Jean P. Carl of Grand Blanc, an attorney. Ms. Carl is appointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Beverly A. Davidson of Ann Arbor, therapist for Davidson Counseling Services, LLC and social worker for Washtenaw County Public Health Department. Ms. Davidson is appointed to represent health and mental health professionals.
Nancy J. Diehl of Detroit, chief prosecutor for the Felony Trial Division, Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Ms. Diehl is reappointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Honorable Susan L. Dobrich of Dowagiac, chief probate judge, Circuit Court - Family Division, Cass County Probate/Family Court. Judge Dobrich is reappointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Donald N. Duquette of Ann Arbor, clinical professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Duquette is reappointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Elias J. Escobedo, Jr. of West Bloomfield, owner/sole proprietor, Elias J. Escobedo, Jr., PLLC law firm. Mr. Escobedo is appointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Honorable Judy A. Hartsfield of Detroit, probate judge for Wayne County. Judge Hartsfield is appointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Radwan M. Khoury of Livonia, executive director and COO of the Arab-American and Chaldean Council. Mr. Khoury is appointed to represent parents and representatives of parents’ groups.
Kathleen A. Lacko of Ludington, leadership council director for West Michigan Child and Family Leadership Council. Ms. Lacko is reappointed to represent child advocates.
Sandra M. Lindsey of Lathrup Village, CEO of Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority. Ms. Lindsey is reappointed to represent health and mental health professionals.
Christine M. McPherson of Sault Ste. Marie, ACFS division director, Anishnabek Community and Family Services, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Ms. McPherson is reappointed to represent child protective services agencies.
Theodore C. Melinat of Pinconning, president emeritus of Lutheran Child and Family Services of Michigan. Mr. Melinat is reappointed to represent child advocates.
Ernestine Moore of Detroit, retired attorney and social worker. Ms. Moore is reappointed to represent child protective services agencies.
Jolanda A. Murphy of Suttons Bay, department manager/justice for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Ms. Murphy is appointed to represent the law enforcement community.
Honorable Gregory Pittman of Muskegon, family/probate court judge, Muskegon County Probate Court. Judge Pittman is appointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Michael S. Reisch of Dexter, professor of the School of Social Work at University of Michigan. Mr. Reisch is appointed to represent health and mental health professionals.
Patricia L. Sorenson of Okemos, vice president of Policy for Michigan’s Children. Ms. Sorenson is appointed to represent child advocates.
Honorable Lisa Sullivan of DeWitt, probate judge for Clinton County. Judge Sullivan is appointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
Honorable Elizabeth A. Weaver of Glen Arbor, Michigan Supreme Court Justice. Justice Weaver is reappointed as chair of the task force.
Honorable Tracey Yokich of St. Clair Shores, probate judge for Macomb County. Judge Yokich is appointed to represent judicial and legal officers.
All of the appointments are for a term commencing October 5, 2004 and expiring June 30, 2006.
The task force is responsible for the review and evaluation of the handling of child abuse cases in Michigan. It also makes recommendations to the Governor on potential courses of action that, if taken, would improve the efficiency of the current system in order to better protect children, punish abusers, and enhance the laws governing child abuse, while ensuring due process of law to all parties involved.
These appointments and reappointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
