community',' says Torgow, an Oak
Park resident.
Wayne County recently purchased
the Guardian Building from Sterling
and will move its offices there. "We
have been paying $5 million to
rent where we are now and we paid
$14 million to own the Guardian,"
Schenk says.
Schenk also is very involved in the
"aerotropolis" slated for 60,000 acres
between Detroit Metro and Willow
Run airports as a hub for cargo and
logistics-based businesses.
"We have the land as well as the
traffic to make it work," Schenk says.
He points to the number of interna-
tional flights in and out of Detroit
Metro and says Willow Run is the
fourth busiest cargo airport in the
United States.
"It's a tremendous way for us to
diversify our economy and a way to
transition people out of manufactur-
ing careers. It could generate 60,000
jobs and $3 billion for the region."
But, he cautions, "Survival of the
domestic auto industry is critical to
everything."
The Big Picture
A day in his life generally involves
five-six hours in meetings, includ-
ing contacts with at least some of
the nine different boards on which
he serves, negotiations with the
governor's office on legislative issues,
working with the Wayne County
Commission as well as direct contact
with constituents.
His modus operandi is to make
a case for a project, show how to
pay for it and explain how it makes
sense.
Since many of Wayne County's
priorities involve Detroit and
Oakland County at the very least, it's
important to move easily among the
three authorities.
Based on his past work for the
city of Detroit, "It's always been easy
for me to call people over there.
Mayor [Kenneth] Cockrel has been
very supportive," Schenk says. And,
"We've continued to view working
with Oakland County as a priority"
His parents and wife are inspira-
tions, Schenk says. In addition, "I've
taken something from each of the
four elected officials I've worked
for: Shiela Cockrel, Dennis Archer,
Kwame Kilpatrick and Bob Ficano.
"The days are never the same —
there's a new challenge each day"
If you could help
a struggling family.
a lonely older adult.. .
a child with special needs.. .
.
. . .wouldn't you try?
Economic conditions in our community are
causing untold hardship for people who never
thought they'd be in need of help.
Three ways to give nom
Join us on February 8 for Super Sunday
2. Online:
jewishdetroit.org
and make calls to our community. It's easy,
and you'll feel good knowing you've made
a difference.
For more information, or to register,
go to jewishdetroit.org/supersunday
or call (248) 203-1459.
1.Hotline:
800-GIVE-HOPE
3. Mail:
Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit
P.O. Box 2030
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-2030
When you give, you give hope.
FEDERATION'S
SUPER SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 8, 2009
If you, or someone you
know needs assistance,
contact the
The Chrysler Foundation
Jewish Assistance Project
at (248) 592-2650
With your help, Federation supports:
Akiva Hebrew Day School
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization
Hebrew Free Loan
Hillel Day School of Metro Detroit
11-1I IR le S I— 15 I2
Jeep
Jewish
Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit
888 - GIVE - HOPE jewishdetroit.org
00 °GE
Hillel Foundations at:
Eastern Michigan University
Michigan State University
Oakland Community College
Oakland University
University of Michigan
Wayne State University
Jean and Samuel Frankel
Jewish Academy
Jewish Apartments & Services
Jewish Community Center
Jewish Community Relations Council
Jewish Family Service
Jewish Home & Aging Services
JVS
Tamarack Camps
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
Yeshiva Gedolah
Yeshivas Darchei Torah
Israel Programs and Services
14433400
January 15 • 2009
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