AALAS and LAMA: Building a Better Tomorrow. Robert C Dysko, DVM, DACLAM President, AALAS LAMA Annual Conference Scottsdale AZ, March 30, 2010

Transcription

1 AALAS and LAMA: Building a Better Tomorrow Robert C Dysko, DVM, DACLAM President, AALAS LAMA Annual Conference Scottsdale AZ, March 30, 2010

2 Bridging the Divide Bridges are important to me Grew up on an island Live on a peninsula

3 Michigan Bridges Ambassador Bridge Completed in 1929 Spans the Detroit River Connects Detroit, MI and Windsor, ON

4 Michigan Bridges Detroit Windsor Tunnel Completed in 1930 Runs under the Detroit River Connects Detroit and Windsor (duh!)

5 Michigan Bridges Blue Water Bridge Completed in 1938 (first span) and 1997 (second span) Crosses the St. Clair River Connects Port Huron, MI and Sarnia, ON

6 Michigan Bridges Mackinac Bridge Completed in 1957 Crosses the Straits of Mackinac Connects Mackinaw City, MI (Lower Peninsula) and St. Ignace, MI (Upper Peninsula)

7 Michigan Bridges International Bridge Completed in 1962 Crosses the St. Mary s River Connects Sault Ste. Marie, MI and Sault Ste. Marie, ON

8 Michigan Bridges Ambassador Bridge Detroit Windsor, 1929 Detroit Windsor Tunnel Detroit Windsor, 1930 Blue Water Bridge Port Huron Sarnia, 1938 and 1997 Mackinac Bridge Mackinaw City St. Ignace, 1957 International Bridge Sault Ste. Marie Sault Ste. Marie, 1962

9 Michigan Map

10 Analogy to AALAS and LAMA LAMA held first meeting in 1984 LAMA is an AALAS Affiliate Organization ILAM sanctioned by AALAS in 1993 LAMA assisted with auction for scholarships LAMA now coordinates auctions and scholarships via the LAMA Foundation CMAR started in 2002 Operational committee is a joint effort between LAMA and AALAS LAMA and AALAS made the obvious connections

11 AALAS and LAMA But what do we do next?

12 New AALAS Initiatives Global Partners Ben Cohen Branch Education Fund OLC makes changes based on new Guide Mouse techniques book is available Mouse and rat anatomy atlas just back from printer!

13 AALAS and LAMA Challenge AALAS and LAMA to start a new joint venture International management effort? Sponsored talks at each other s annual meetings? CE workshops for ILAM graduates?

14 Inspiration The New Bridge in Michigan Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) Idea has been percolating for several years Canada supports, MI waffles (esp. GOP) Debate over whether it s really needed

15 Inspiration Pros Other Detroit-Windsor routes are not freeway to freeway connections Would add jobs and development for both cities Would improve transit with MI s largest trading partner Cons $$$$ Neighborhood displacement

16 2010 Michigan elects a new Governor Rick Snyder one tough nerd Won hard-fought Republican primary Won governor s race with 58% of vote

17 2011 State of the State Address Emphasized the economic recovery of the state His primary campaign platform Discussed importance of Michigan s economic link with Canada Came out in support of the additional transportation link Specifically between Detroit and Windsor Interesting, in part, because he s Republican

18 Some Helpful Meteorology December 13, 2010 Closure of Highway 402 in Canada White-out due to lake effect snow Closure lasted several days Essentially closed the Blue Water Bridge route Double span, remember Forced all traffic through Detroit Windsor Which are not freeway-freeway connections

19 Between Election and Speech Bridge itself to be paid with a combination of public and private funds Negotiated for a loan with Canada to cover Michigan costs of highway improvements Payback will be via tolls on the US side Negotiated that the loan would count as funds contributed by MI To which the federal government would match at 160% for road improvements in the rest of the state

20 Creative Solution! And to make it more appealing Proposed name is the Gordie Howe International Bridge Former Detroit Red Wings great who s a native Canadian

21 THANKS! My thanks to LAMA for the invitation AALAS for the opportunity to serve as President And the many websites I used for this presentation, especially Wikipedia!