Macomb Woman Joins Team Responsible for Getting DIA Millage on Ballot

A Macomb Township woman will be one of seven individuals responsible for placing a millage request to support the Detroit Institute of Arts on a future ballot for Macomb County voters.

Macomb Community College Dean of Arts & Sciences and Macomb Township resident, Katherine Grenda, was one of five appointees approved by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners Monday to serve a three-year term on the seven-member Macomb County Art Institute Authority.

The authority, , is responsible for drafting a contract with the DIA and ensuring the question of a millage funding the DIA is placed on a future ballot. It will then be up to voters to pass or reject the proposed 10-year, 0.2 mill property tax, which is estimated to cost homeowner's $10 for every $100,000 of their home’s market value.

"It’s a very important issue because it will establish a relationship between Macomb County and the (DIA)," Grenda said. "I feel confident we will work out a positive relationship so our citizens of Macomb county can partake of the services of the DIA at a free or reduced rate and work collaboratively to bring more art into the county."

The other appointments included: Anchor Bay Artists Club Vice President Dorothy Stabile of Chesterfield Township; attorney for DTE Energy, David Maquera of Clinton Township; Anton Art Center Executive Director Jennifer Callans of Mount Clemens; and retired L’Anse Creuse Public Schools Superintendent Dr. DiAnne Pellerin of Shelby Township.

Two additional members, Stan Simek of St. Clair Shores and Ron DiBartolomeo of Clinton Township, have been appointed by the Office of the County Executive and do not require Board confirmation, as stated by the Arts Authority’s Articles of Incorporation.

Wayne and Oakland Counties are currently considering the same millage request.