LANSING, Michigan - The 96th Michigan Legislature was officially sworn into office Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, and the Michigan Municipal League was there to welcome the new members, including about 30 former city council people, mayors, village presidents and other locally elected officials and League members.

For the first time in modern memory, there are three former Michigan Municipal League Board Presidents serving in the Michigan Legislator. They are Woodrow Stanley, D-Flint, Charles Smiley, D-Burton, and Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills. All three are serving in the state house and all three are former mayors of their respective communities. The three former mayors are among 30 former Michigan Municipal League members now serving in the 96th Legislature.

“Having such strong municipal representation gives us a very persuasive and strong voice to the concept of local communities getting their full share of revenue sharing dollars,” Vicki Barnett, former Farmington Hills Mayor, said prior to the swearing in at the Capitol.

“Cities and villages are the heart of our state,” said Charles Smiley, former Burton Mayor. “I really believe strongly that local municipalities have to excel. They have to be able to have the tools they need to deliver the services that our residents expect and deserve. I’ll do everything I can for our local governments.”

Read more from the League’s Andy Schor about the strong representation of former League members in the Michigan House and Senate. Also read what League staff members are doing in Lansing as the new lawmakers come to town. To learn more about the League and what we do go to mml.org.

View more League photos of Wednesday's activity in Lansing here on the Michigan Municipal League flickr page.

State Reps. Vicki Barnett, Woodrow Stanley and Charles Smiley are all former presidents of the Michigan Municipal League Board of Trustees. View more photos here.

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