Delta County Sheriff unveils new plans to rehabilitate inmates

 This is a good plan I think from what I can tell on the surface. In general, we want to rehabilitate our young instead of just the "get tough" mentality so common. Sometimes get tough and sometimes get smart programs work. Knowing when to do each is important. Crime has many causes and just locking people up and throwing away the key of those who have potential doesn't always make sense. That is even more true when crimes are minor and/or non-violent by nature. 

Law enforcement is not a means to an end in and of itself but a pathway to safety and stability that should always seek the highest forms of contribution. I have no problem criticizing bad behaviors when they are apparent. In this case, it is the right thing to do. Hats off! (I support police 100% and civil rights 110%)

Delta County Sheriff unveils new plans to rehabilitate inmates

As a community we should support those efforts designed to improve long term outcomes and keep our youth engaged with the public. The minute we give up on them, is the minute they give up on us.

Here is an interesting study on referrals. A lot of crimes are committed because of drugs and alcohol. These programs may put a dent in the long term negative impact. 

Examining the implementation of police-assisted referral programs for substance use disorder services in Massachusetts

Results: Five key themes emerged regarding the implementation of police-assisted referral programs across the communities: 1) program development was an ongoing process; 2) partnerships between police departments and community stakeholders were essential for starting and sustaining a program; 3) high-level leadership influenced program priorities and facilitated implementation; 4) program success was defined in multiple ways; and 5) programs contributed to shifts in beliefs about substance use and addiction among police officers.

Other Reading:
Don't Get UPSET? Multiple Ways to Solve UP Drug Problems

Volunteer Fire Departments that Find Unique Ways to Contribute

 I came across this interesting article on fire departments bucking the trend of low volunteer participation. There are two interesting things with this article. First, the beard issue and sealed masks as a religious safety obligation and the second is the method by which they maintain participation. See NY Unique Volunteer Fire Department

Most of us contribute because we care. 

Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting 6/20/2023: Annexation Averted

This definitely was an interesting meeting and the emotions were running high in the crowd. There were some upset about the way in which certain property issues were treated and that led to a series of adversarial actions. We then see these actions play out over a few years and finally come to a larger point where they could be addressed as a community. Hopefully, this will resolve the issue.

The public stepped up to the discussion with lots of great detailed, researched and well thought out information. Whether one was for or against the annexation, we find that people did their part to open a discussion on key issues that were bothering them. The more they learned, the more concerned they became.

Hopefully, these meetings sort of clear the air and allow people to resolve and move forward onto the next hurdles. We still have a community to build and I hope everyone keeps their eye on the ball. A problem arose, people tackled it, and then they should move on. The name of the game is solving problems and making decisions.

I'm thinking the solar issue will continue forward for the time being. That is technically a different issue that will still need to be decided. You don't need annexation to allow or not allow solar farms. Its a decision by the townships. We will see where that discussion will lead, but I doubt it would be as controversial as the annexation.

There is a better discussion in Delta County Board votes against Escanaba Township annexation

One side note is that people are very much engaged in local government and that is much more then you will find in many places. It is this participation and addressing concerns that is important (Freedom of Speech was upheld in this case and it reversed a course people didn't agree with. That is why we protect it and covet it like a precious stone.).

New Goals and New Things: As we get older and wiser things change.

If your a guy like me you will come to realize you have things you have to give back to society so that we can learn from them and grow. When I think of some of the goals I had in life they were important at the time when I thought of them. However, they don't make you a better person and they give you surface kudus. Buzz love is fleeting. None of that means much at the end of the day. Here were a few things I have sought to achieve and I guess they were important to me. I guess just to me...

1. Obtain degrees.

2. Raise kids

3. Financial stability.

4. Write some books. I learned stuff.

5. Start a small business.

6. etc.

We may obtain some, most or all of our goals, and those are important but are not the whole thing. For people like me, these are much harder struggles because lots of things and people work against you (Not necessarily because they hate you but because they hate the idea of you. We can get more into that later.). Where there are normal behaviors that would be unacceptable in one circumstances becomes increasing acceptable in another. Most are awesome but there are some who are more entitled than others and there are few to no backstops depending on which community you belong.

When I see that these different sort of rules exist for different people, I can accept that in some ways if I had to. I just think its unfair that the rest of us have to accept it so I politely encourage dysfunction to correct itself. So I will likely encourage higher functioning when I see it or I think it would be helpful (That is just my opinion.). Many are likely not interested in hearing a little wisdom from someone who has seen a lot (Its not about Will to Power as our obligations move beyond our own egos.)

The older goals were great and they did a lot of good. Then what?

A few I have...

1. My theory. I guess its something to do and it is a way to give back. (Might be something, might be nothing. Lots of good ideas were in the heap pile and many others never were finished.)

2. Kids and grandkids. Hope to help them out as much as possible. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech were once important. To many they still are. I think we should challenge when they are diminished intentionally. I did my part to preserve I think (I was polite and challenging. Others were something else. Not sure where the confusion is.)

3. Make a contribution. Life is unfair and sometimes systems contribute to that. Encouraging positive change is good. Give people opportunities is a benefit.

4. Realizing that those rewards which society craves may not be that important. 

5. Not really sure. I will let you know when I think of any other goals. .....turn the page.....I will be sharing some deeper insights even though they may not always be wanted. I think I have an obligation more to the next generation then the popular opinions of the day. 

Just remember that life will be what it is and we can influence it and enhance it but it will run its course. Each generation does their part. Even without knowing it, when I look back I see those silly goals, of which are not complete, are a contributing factor to a better society. We are just doing what we are designed to do and each generation builds upon the lessons learned and mastered through previous generations. 

I found something on the topic of writing goals. Writing about personal goals and plans regardless of goal type boosts academic performance

(Wait to judge my writings. I'm not completely incompetent. ...and just in case your wondering. I also try and turn lemonade from lemons. I think I have always been like that.)

 

Life is a Beach: We should Live on It! (A Beach Bum's Poem)

 Life is a beach and not all things in this world are fair. We know this and we know that we can only influence things only so much. So I'm trying to come up with a good little jingle on life and life's unfairness from a beach bums perspective.

Let's not take things too serious. I have the wrong type of name so everything I do going to be an issue. It makes little difference who I am as a person (at least to some). That is the danger of hate...it marginalizes a huge percentage of society and while I might feel its unfair...many feel that is the way it should be. It creates barriers where there should be none. That often comes from the values people project.

Convincing people to reach for something greater takes a little effort. It also comes with all of the risks. Rollin the dice with moral conscious. :) Ok seriously this poem has got to be the dumbest poem I ever wrote! 🤣 If you embrace the truth, you can help others acknowledge the need to make out nation competitive. We are beginning to see the the benefits of fairness and human motivation.  Being diagnosed a genius doesn't mean things will be more fair (I don't feel like a genius that is just what a couple people said based on some preliminary assessments). I'm just a single dad raising mixddbrace kids in uphill conditions.

I don't want to leave you hanging. All systems can change and if your positive, polite, and work toward the greater good it makes no difference what anyone else thinks. Many are struggling to find their own way in life, some never see beyond their own nose, and yet we have an obligation to give back whatever little wisdom we can no matter who disagrees with it. I pray for wisdom and helping others to embrace a better way.

I don't plan on becoming a full beach bum, just someone who sort of tries to enjoy each day. Focuses on what is important. There are certain values we all have and we should all share. They may be buried in plain sight.  The good news is we can turn the unfair into an opportunity. Flip the script on hate for a learning opportunity.

I come from hard knocks I can trach others to overcome. The moral of the story is....you have to answer that for yourself. 

The Beach Bums Poem

Toes in the sand, 

listening to a band. 

Life is unfair,

wear jeans with a tear!

How Strong Policing Leads to Economic Development (Creative Class and Digital Nomads)

We have a lot of controversy in our society over policing right now. I'm a 100% police supporter and 110% Civil Rights supporter. There is a cost and impact to strong and weak policing tactics that often lead to creating or dwindling the prospects of a growth environment. Any economic cluster will need to have a working location that accepts differences in order to attract the best and brightest minds the market can offer. The most readily and currently accessible groups are the creative class and the digital nomad demographics that can be used to spark growth. 

To deal with a more eclectic group of visitors who want to vacation, create things, start businesses, enjoy life etc. we need to open our policing perspective a little more to create an enriching environment. While its not the only factor, policing can have a significant influence on the welcoming nature of the environment (or unwelcoming if there are groups and clans). Positive interactions and relationships are key to long-term retention and growth of different types of people.

To help or hinder in the development of our nation is an important consideration. My perspective is that 80% of our officers and departments do the right thing but there is a 20% that don't do the right thing. Maybe they not only don't do the right thing but some of them might absolutely do the wrong thing. All systems must continue to adapt and this would certainly be one we can build more trust. Trust comes from consistently doing the right thing and making sure the stakeholders also consistently support the right thing (i.e. the higher value versus the lower values. If your have a hard time understanding what that means reread it a few times and let it sink in.)

The Controversy of Function: To Help or Hinder

Law enforcement has a important role of not only being enforcers of the law (imperfect lower copy of societal will and values) but also to protect and serve (higher universal function supported by most). Thus there are two functions that lead to basic trust and that comes from the intent and its application. Engaging in helpful behavior means ensuring the higher function of protecting and serving (central shared value)  while engaging in hinder oriented behaviors would be over focus on the law (a lower order concept that is often an imperfect carbon copy of societal will and values.)

(We can't really go into a long winded discussion here but just remember laws are debatable through the legislative process, social context, courts, officer correct/incorrect beliefs that lead to behaviors, etc. Deeper moral universal values are shared by everyone and bubble up in history over and over. )

Dysfunctional Systems

Dysfunctional systems cause issues across the developmental landscape, ranging from economic loss all the way over to poor system performance. When one looks at systems and their functionality they should seek to also view other markers/data from a holistic 360 degree type perspective (Forest and trees). They may find unaddressed complaints, retention issues, lawsuits, population decline, low trust ratings on surveys, etc. as contributory variables/factors to the problem. Because policing can have a significant impact on creating an environment of economic growth, they should seek to understand their deficiencies and devise plans to improve (This is where outside perspectives can really help. Diversity is important to ensure the system reflects everyone's needs. The central need for policing is maintained but its performance is improved through accurate feedback and development.)

Functional Systems

Functional systems are one's in which they are inclusive by nature and seek the greatest moral good (i.e. to protect and serve) and through that growth outlook they get better at applying the law as intended by the legislative process (Corruption is intentional misapplication). The higher moral order must come before the lower moral order and if they are reversed then we have trust issues and other dysfunctions that make their way through the system (see above). Proper alignment of perspective keeps the entire institution striving for ever more perfect performance (Its probably not 100% attainable but its the striving that makes a difference.). When the goal is higher then the function itself, then the function begins to change. When that is reversed, the function/dysfunction comes to define the system and it resists helpful change.

Secondary Markers

One may ask if it is possible to highlight a poor functioning system in order to address issues that may have been intentionally ignored or suppressed by local stakeholders (Good old boy networks)? The answer is yes. Just like one might assess a person one could assess a system through secondary systems. They don't necessarily need a direct observation of particular events but the wider spider data that relates to the latent function. For example, an easy example would be complaints and the general process and resolution status. Another might be poor performance of a department, lower societal distrust, high expenditures, injury rates, etc... If one is going negative across the board on various markers it means it might not be a well run department and may be doing significant harm to the rest of the economic-social system. 

Moving down that line of thinking (I haven't actually done it but only want to hypothetically highlight the power of understanding a problem and how big data can help resolve some issues.). After one has listed all of the potential markers and determine which problems are ongoing they can find more solutions. One could implement different reform initiatives and still not find significant improvement. That could mean many things of which stickiness of numbers and likely a deeper cultural or other issues. Its organizational management technique similar to what you would find in a company or within a team (At least I think that might be how Sherlock Holmes might do it. I mean hypothetically!)

Law Enforcements Impact on Economic Development

We know what poor law enforcement might look but that doesn't necessarily tell us what strong law enforcement looks like. First these are just general comments and not designed to be too specific. Focus on the bigger picture, seeking long-term solutions, enforce the laws as intended, comfortable with racial and religious differences, transparency, highly trained, positive-polite personality, etc... we kind of know what the wish list is. For example, this study shows the positive impact of policing on crime. Study shows positive impact of ‘procedural justice’ police training. You may want to consider this study on Styles of Policing and Economic Development.

Keeping in mind that creative people and digital nomads are going to have differences when compared to the average population (I'm just saying this as a sort casual observational average.). They are likely to come from diverse backgrounds, highly educated, fun loving, adventurous, have a little pocket jingle, somewhat Pro society, do novel things, dress funny, etc. Consider The Complex Personality of Creative People and 45+ Exciting Statistics About Digital Nomads in 2023

After you read these articles you will realize there is likely going to be some variance in behavior and if one understands them they are part of what makes creative people creative. Having the right environment changes the script and turns mediocre into exceptional. Poor environments will end economic growth (i.e. population decline and rise 🤔) Stifle those differences and you have no basis for anything but conformity. Thus, the more you conform, the less variability, less discovery and less adaptability (Everything in balance. You do need mostly followers but blind followers are not considered positive contributors. General coordinated behaviors toward community goals is considered a positive influence.).

 From an economic perspective, I like the creative class and digital nomads as basic build blocks because they add to both the business and vacation/recreational personality of the area. As a bonus, beyond short-mid term rentals they also spend money in restaurants and might even buy a place at some point to settle. As a population with differences than the bell curve, we would need policing to be able to handle differences that may vary from their normal homogeneous social networks and perceptions of life. Thus, poor policing, clan behaviors, Good Old Boy networks, racism, etc., can be detractors from the overall health of a location and the residents that live within it. One would sort of need to study how much influence each of the factors have on the functioning of the whole. Saying that is meant to be helpful (Some might think its the opposite but they might need to check their assumptions.)

Michigan's $2Billion in Incentive Funding: Other ways of developing long-term advanced manufacturing (i.e. DC Cluster Model)

A news article came out today that I thought was really interesting. It discusses the way Michigan has been incentivizing its advanced manufacturing industries. In many ways, these seem related primarily to EV development. Considering that this field is likely going to impact other fields such as space design, military and household goods such things as lawn mowers, it makes sense to focus on the root production of some technologies. That may also require looking at resources as a way to attract future FDI in other sectors beyond the incentivizing itself. 

(I look at this stuff from a cluster standpoint and putting together the components for innovation and growth. Sometimes you just have to try new things. One of the reasons why multiple stakeholders might be interested in the Delta County Cluster Model as one method to foster a rapid development model as one way to beat out international competition in manufacturing. Not to mention as a way to develop our capacities. Micro manufacturing, prototype and design.)

Michigan funneled $2B into luring big business. Here’s where it went.

Economic Vines
Some wither some flourish

What I kind of find interesting, is that it is possible to increase FDI in manufacturing through the development and exportation of raw materials as well. You can read the report below. It does make a case for resource development as a contributory augmentation of manufacturing. Thus, I would sort of think of raw materials as being a big part of development. Thus, one will want to ensure that they have a balance between U.S. based raw and precious materials mining and those obtained through investment in locations overseas to help procure a stable supply of those resources. One might call this a supply chain development practice. Anyway, the study is below (Remember one really has to look at many studies to understand a situation. I'm just saying I might draw a little knowledge from this study).....

Does foreign direct investment influence manufacturing sector growth in Middle East and North African region?

One might wonder, beyond attracting manufacturing from incentivizing is it possible to capitalize on 1.) new supply chain and infrastructure developments to secure our natural (and precious) resources as well 2.) connect resource suppliers to the U.S. supply chain systems for supply chain security and efficiency?

Its an unsupported idea but sometimes its worthwhile to look at other ways to raise FDI beyond incentives to create longer term sustainable growth. We can't incentivize forever so incentivizing is pinpointed to initial growth but state management by our bi-partisan stakeholders makes a bigger mid and long-term differences. For example, being strategic about which countries can supply our EV and advanced manufacturing should be tied to our systems and domestic development to maintain the supply chain in the event of emergencies is helpful. (Other reading. Export Nation, Regional Exports)