Citizen Planner Program To Be Held in St. Ignace

To address the ongoing training needs of citizens appointed to local land use and planning organizations, seven weekly Michigan State University (MSU) Extension Citizen Planner meetings will be held Monday, March 12, through Monday, April 30, at Little Bear East Conference Center in St. Ignace.

Tools and techniques will be available to help local planners address Michigan's land use and planning regulations, which have become increasingly complex. The objective is to equip volunteer community leaders with technical information and leadership skills.

Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, and Mackinac County MSU Extension staff members have worked with a committee of area residents, public officials, and professionals, to develop a program customized for this area.

Citizen Planner is a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) course in compliance with the International Association for Continuing Education. Participants can earn a Master Citizen Planner (MCP) certificate by completing the core curriculum, an examination, and a capstone project. People who earn an MCP receive course discounts, exclusive training opportunities, and other incentives.

Participants interested in completing only the seven core sessions can earn a certificate of completion.

The cost is $385 for the seven core sessions or $75 per individual session. Local selected topics are $45 per session.

The deadline for registration is Monday, February 26. Interested parties can register with the Mackinac County MSU Extension office, at 643-7307. Registration can also be done online at http://web2.msue. msu.edu/citizenplanner/eastup07. htm.