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Winter 2013 T H E D S O C O N N E C T I O N
STATE REPRESENTATIVE SEAN McCANN
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6 the
60th DSODSODSO Some Time with Judy Markusse Paget:
‘You Never Know What You’re Going to Learn When You Work for Mary Brown’ This is one of a series of articles spotlighting former DSO staffers.
40 Years
of Service
Excellence
Judy’s history with the 60th
District Service Office (DSO) goes
back to 1983 when she was a stu-
dent at WMU researching the topic
of comparable pay. Her advisor
directed her to go downtown and
meet with Mary Brown. And of
course, Mary had the relevant sta-
tistics and the legislative reports
that Judy needed and also knew
how to get similar information
from other states. “The environ-
ment at the DSO was very excit-
ing.” Judy recalled. “Mary
Shafsma was the director then, and
there was so much going on.”
Soon, Judy was installed as an
intern working with constituents to
receive their calls or follow-up by
letter or phone on their issues. The
phone calls she made to Lansing
were very satisfying because there
was almost always a staff person
there who could help solve the
problem. Then, as now, most of
the calls were related to the De-
partment of Social Services (now,
the Dept. of Human Services).
Judy was also sent to represent
Mary at area meetings. She would
obediently attend these events
while silently saying, “I am 23.
Please don’t call on me.”
Judy has vivid memories of
tax season because those were the
days when tax returns were done
not only at various community
sites, but also at the DSO—and she
found herself in the role of tax
preparer. “People would be lined
up outside the door with their pa-
perwork.” Again, Judy recalls her
silent refrain was, “Whoever said I
could do this?” But of course, she
found she could.
These were very productive
times in the legislature. Mary
would run 32 pieces of legislation
at a time and would also follow
numerous bills that others had ini-
tiated. In a memorable example of
bipartisanship, Mary and Jack
Welborn worked together to enlist
Department of Transportation sup-
port to install a traffic light on a
treacherous part of Stadium Drive.
Mary was involved in passing a tax
credit designed to help small brew-
The District Service office was started 40 years
ago by a young upstart Michigan Representative
named Howard Wolpe, who would go on to become
a United State Congressmen. It's legacy was shaped
by a host of representatives who followed Howard,
including the pioneering Rep Mary Brown, who is still
active in the District Service Office today. How could
Howard Wolpe have envisioned that the DSO would
still be running 40 years after its beginnings? It fills an
important need. This is an effort that continues to have
great meaning to the many residents of the Greater
Kalamazoo area who visit or call us each year.
In 2012, we not only served over 300 residents of
the 60th District, but provided volunteer experiences
and internships for some two dozen local individuals
who provided direct services in our office. We also
count ourselves extremely fortunate to have the able
assistance of our volunteer Boards of Directors for
both the DSO and the Community Services Charity.
As we look ahead to the new year, let us all con-
tinue to be mindful of Howard’s vision and call to
service and action. Like those that have come before
us, let us think about how we can impact the next 40
years! By Matt Lechel
Rep. McCann with our board of Rep. McCann with our board of Rep. McCann with our board of
directors chair, Matt Lecheldirectors chair, Matt Lecheldirectors chair, Matt Lechel
40 Years & Counting40 Years & Counting40 Years & Counting
Markusse-Paget, Continued on page 3
Page 2 - Winter 2013
60th District Service Office
By Edie Trent, DSO Director
I am given to telling them all “You
have wonderfully fallen from the sky!
Heaven Sent!” This past fall, we were
extremely fortunate to have the able assis-
tance of several individuals who very
enthusiastically embrace their time at the
DSO.
Rondale is a student at the nearby
KVCC downtown campus and is a Liber-
al Arts Transfer Major student in Com-
munications and International Studies.
He is also very involved in the media
ministries at Galilee Baptist Church.
Katie attends WMU’s undergraduate
Social Work program and works evenings
at Residential Opportunities, Inc. (R.O.I.)
Recently married, Katie loves her pet
pitbulls and K Wings hockey.
BethAnn volunteered regularly for
much of the summer and fall 2012. She
was recently hired to work in the local
Michigan State Housing Development
Authority (MSHDA) agent’s office,
working with participants’ state housing
matters. After having been home for
much of the last twenty years with her
now adult special needs son, her goal in
working with the DSO was to gain valua-
ble work experience and re-enter the
workforce. We are thrilled for BethAnn
that she did it!
Himja (profiled in our Fall ‘12 issue)
continues her wonderful electronic media
contributions. This semester, she has
started working on her MBA in IT Man-
agement at Western. She’ll do well.
As a community volunteer, Art’s
goal has been to “give back.” He, too, is
looking for “just the right job” in the sci-
entific world. Art’s been a tremendous
“attention to detail guy” for work on our
recent Annual Appeal.
Sarah plans to attend Xavier Univer-
sity in the Fall 2013 to work on her Mas-
ter’s in Health Services Administration.
She has begun to do case work follow ups
for us and demonstrates great compassion
and caring among our constituents.
Eric is a Systems Engineer with
Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. He is
rapidly helping the DSO gain even more
electronics capabilities. As a big start, he
is concentrating on automating our online
donation process. He even ordered me a
“square” to be able to
process credit cards in
person.
Volunteer Kalamazoo
continues to be our prime
partner resource to recruit
our participants.
Our Volunteers Rock!
BethAnn Robins, volunteer extraordinaire, came one gor-
geous October morning with shovel and lily plants in hand.
Adding four mums plants later in the day—results stunning! We
added much beauty to our little corner of N. Burdick St.
How We Work at the DSO:
1. We listen. The DSO lends an ear to individuals or groups
who seek to voice their concerns more effectively to local
and state officials.
2. Ombudsman. DSO staff assists individuals navigating
their way through the bureaucracies of local and state gov-
ernmental agencies.
3. Legislative Information Center. The DSO seeks citizen
reaction to pending legislation, keeps citizens informed of
day-to-day occurrences in state government, and provides
information on access to legislative research
(www.legislature.mi.gov) in connection with specific bills.
4. State Publications. We make available numerous state
publications which are available to constituents at no cost:
copies of the MI constitution, landlord /tenants info, seniors’
publications, coloring books & state maps. Teachers &
group leaders may request in bulk.
5. Referral Services. The DSO provides a referral service to
other agencies: local, state, federal, public & private for
60th District constituents.
Eric Ulmer BethAnn Robins
& Himja Sachdev Katie Teske Rondale
Nichols-Templeton Sarah Edwards Art Reigle
Winter 2013 — Page 3
Serving the Kalamazoo Community Since 1973
eries including the fledgling Bell’s Brew-
ery. Other legislation dealt with concerns
ranging from leaky underground fuel
tanks, to allowing children to testify by
videotape, to removing unnecessary gen-
der references from government language.
Judy became the Director in Decem-
ber 1984 and stayed with the DSO until
1990 when she was recruited by Planned
Parenthood to work in the area of fund
development. After seven years, she took
a position as executive director of Minis-
try with Community which had been
founded in 1978 by her mother, Dorothy
Markusse. Judy spent eleven years in this
gratifying but intensely demanding job,
leaving in 2007 to care for her mother who
died in 2011. That was also the year that
she joined Hospital Hospitality House
(HHH) as executive director. HHH has
been in existence for 28 years but isn’t
well known to area residents because it’s
usually people who live at some distance
from the city who need the services. The
non-profit, located in a large house on
South St. provides lodging for people who
have someone who is receiving either in-
patient or outpatient medical treatment in
Kalamazoo. People who would rather
sleep at the hospital can use HHH to
shower, do laundry or nap. Many guests
are women who have recently given birth
but whose babies aren’t healthy enough
for discharge. Over the years, HHH has
served guests from 50 states and 40 coun-
tries. The length of stay ranges from less
than one day to longer than a year--and
there is no charge.
Judy may wonder sometimes how her
life might be different if she hadn’t be-
come intrigued by the topic of pay inequi-
ties and found her way from WMU to
Mary Brown and the DSO. That question
can’t be answered but we do know that,
like her mentor, Judy has made an im-
portant difference in many people’s lives.
By Deborah Gang
Above: Deborah Gang, Ken Greschak, Martha Cohen, & Bill Hough
At left: Laurie Harbaugh & Laurie Terlesky
At right: Julie Rogers
& Mary Brown
Through Our Through Our Through Our
Door Fall 2012Door Fall 2012Door Fall 2012
Who are we Who are we Who are we
listening to?listening to?listening to?
We are conveniently located in We are conveniently located in We are conveniently located in
Downtown Kalamazoo, in the 300 block Downtown Kalamazoo, in the 300 block Downtown Kalamazoo, in the 300 block
of N. Burdick, just a few doors south of of N. Burdick, just a few doors south of of N. Burdick, just a few doors south of
the Rickman House. We welcome dropthe Rickman House. We welcome dropthe Rickman House. We welcome drop---
in visitors, as well as phone calls and in visitors, as well as phone calls and in visitors, as well as phone calls and
emails. Ever since the days of “then” emails. Ever since the days of “then” emails. Ever since the days of “then”
State Rep. Howard Wolpe, the DSO has State Rep. Howard Wolpe, the DSO has State Rep. Howard Wolpe, the DSO has
served constituents “dayserved constituents “dayserved constituents “day---tototo---face.”face.”face.”
A woman receiving Medicaid was A woman receiving Medicaid was A woman receiving Medicaid was
using a medical device to help her using a medical device to help her using a medical device to help her
with her condition. The manufacturer with her condition. The manufacturer with her condition. The manufacturer
changed the design of this disposable changed the design of this disposable changed the design of this disposable
device and the new version does not device and the new version does not device and the new version does not
fit her well. She is aware of a product fit her well. She is aware of a product fit her well. She is aware of a product
that would fit her better but was told that would fit her better but was told that would fit her better but was told
by the medical supplier that the State by the medical supplier that the State by the medical supplier that the State
would not pay for what she would would not pay for what she would would not pay for what she would
prefer to use. We are currently advo-prefer to use. We are currently advo-prefer to use. We are currently advo-
cating for her.cating for her.cating for her.
A disabled woman returning to her A disabled woman returning to her A disabled woman returning to her
home from a hospital stay would not home from a hospital stay would not home from a hospital stay would not
have power in her apartment because have power in her apartment because have power in her apartment because
of alleged fraud by a family member. of alleged fraud by a family member. of alleged fraud by a family member.
With DHS’s Adult Protective Services With DHS’s Adult Protective Services With DHS’s Adult Protective Services
assistance, we were able to help her assistance, we were able to help her assistance, we were able to help her
get her power restored and a payment get her power restored and a payment get her power restored and a payment
plan established.plan established.plan established.
A constituent was due a sizeable re-A constituent was due a sizeable re-A constituent was due a sizeable re-
fund from Unemployment Insurance. fund from Unemployment Insurance. fund from Unemployment Insurance.
At first, she was ordered to pay back At first, she was ordered to pay back At first, she was ordered to pay back
funds which the state had indicated funds which the state had indicated funds which the state had indicated
they paid her in error, which she did. they paid her in error, which she did. they paid her in error, which she did.
However, she filed an appeal and, However, she filed an appeal and, However, she filed an appeal and,
eventually over a year later, an admin-eventually over a year later, an admin-eventually over a year later, an admin-
istrative law judge hearing the appeal, istrative law judge hearing the appeal, istrative law judge hearing the appeal,
determined that there was no miscon-determined that there was no miscon-determined that there was no miscon-
duct in her separation. Rather it was duct in her separation. Rather it was duct in her separation. Rather it was
a judgment call she made in good a judgment call she made in good a judgment call she made in good
faith. She was entitled to benefits faith. She was entitled to benefits faith. She was entitled to benefits
between the time she left and the orig-between the time she left and the orig-between the time she left and the orig-
iiinnnaaalll dddaaattteee ooofff hhheeerrr aaannntttiiiccciiipppaaattteeeddd rrreeetttiiirrreeemmmeeennnttt...
This is when she called the DSOThis is when she called the DSOThis is when she called the DSO———we we we
were able to help her learn when she were able to help her learn when she were able to help her learn when she
would get the check. It came.would get the check. It came.would get the check. It came.
Poinsettia Sale Poinsettia Sale Poinsettia Sale
a Great Success!a Great Success!a Great Success!
Our Annual Holiday flower Our Annual Holiday flower Our Annual Holiday flower
sale and gathering at Doug & sale and gathering at Doug & sale and gathering at Doug &
Penny Thompson’s home went Penny Thompson’s home went Penny Thompson’s home went
extremely well in early De-extremely well in early De-extremely well in early De-
cember 2012. Panse’s Green-cember 2012. Panse’s Green-cember 2012. Panse’s Green-
house has partnered with us house has partnered with us house has partnered with us
for several years to provide the for several years to provide the for several years to provide the
lovely blooms we make avail-lovely blooms we make avail-lovely blooms we make avail-
aaabbbllleee tttooo ooouuurrr fffrrriiieeennndddsss aaannnddd fffaaammmi-i-i-
lies. Your participation in this lies. Your participation in this lies. Your participation in this
fundraising event is greatly fundraising event is greatly fundraising event is greatly
appreciated. appreciated. appreciated.
Annual AppealAnnual AppealAnnual Appeal
To date, the donors to our To date, the donors to our To date, the donors to our
recent Annual Fund Appeal recent Annual Fund Appeal recent Annual Fund Appeal
are from 79 households! are from 79 households! are from 79 households! Thank you so much.Thank you so much.Thank you so much.
Markusse-Paget, continue from page 1
Our hosts: Penny & Doug Thompson
Sean McCann State Representative
60th District Service Office
315 N. Burdick Ave., Ste. 100
Kalamazoo MI 49007
(269) 382-4676
www.60thdso.org
Lansing Office
N-994 House Office Bldg.
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 373-1785
Toll Free: (888) 833-6636
Fax: (517) 373-5762
Established in 1973, the 60th District Service Office is a non-profit corporate entity established for
the purpose of providing Kalamazoo area residents with direct access to their government and increas-
ing the responsiveness of the government to their needs and concerns. Services are provided without fee
on an entirely non-partisan basis. While the 60th DSO is sponsored by the State Representative, it re-
lies on the contributions of supporters to fund the daily operations.
Matthew Lechel, Chair Gary Swanson, Vice Chair Laurie Harbaugh, Secretary Fran Dwight, Treasurer Deborah Gang, Past Chair Ken Greschak Janet Jones Millie Lambert Laurie Terlesky
Mary Brown Ed LaForge Alexander Lipsey Rep. Sean McCann Julie Vogel, Staff Edie Trent, Staff
60th DSO Board of Directors
Upcoming Event!
May 2013 This year’s Spring Brunch will be held at the McCann and the
Chope-Hughes homes. If you would like to be a sponsor of this upcoming
event, please contact Mary Brown at (269) 569-5962.
Think Spring!
Think Spring Brunch!
Page 4 - Winter 2013
SCAN us on your SmartPhone
www.60thdso.com
Follow us on Facebook
The Back Page
60th WISHLIST— These are items we’d love
to have in the office.
Paper shredder
Bulletin board
More suitable confer-
ence room table &/or
chairs
An iPad