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Candidates advised of rules for political sign placements

During this election season, the Michigan Department of Transportation and local county road commissions remind all candidates that campaign signs can interfere with motorist and pedestrian vision along streets and highways. Signage at intersections and other places in the right-of-way can also be problematic for maintenance operations. Candidates are advised of MDOT’s sign placement criteria: — Political candidates are responsible for obtaining approval from the adjacent property owner to place the signs. — Signs must be more than 30 feet from the edge of the roadway ...

Federal waste of office space stifles economies at many levels

The federal government is the largest owner of U.S. real estate, including more than half a billion square feet of office space. That is far more than it needs, and the cost of maintaining it has ballooned to unsustainable levels. The Public Buildings Reform Board recently identified 26 buildings across 15 states — totaling more than 7.3 million square feet — as potential candidates for the government to dispose of due to poor usage and high maintenance costs. It’s the third set of disposal recommendations since Congress created the board in 2016. That’s a great start, but the ...

MDARD shares food safety tips for Independence Day

State officials want to help America remain the land of the free ... from food poisoning. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has offered these food safety reminders to help Michiganders prepare for Fourth of July picnics and barbecues: KEEP IT CLEAN — Wash hands thoroughly before and after cooking and before eating to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. Use soap and water, hand sanitizer or sanitizing hand wipes. — Clean and sanitize all food preparation and serving surfaces before use, including cutting boards and picnic tables. Take precautions ...