Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel added his usual flair
to today’s Macomb Business Awards event in Sterling Heights, embracing an
Academy Awards-type format with a huge screen that displayed videos about
nominees and winners.
But the first video, with about 300 business leaders
looking on, was a flop. The computer-driven presentation about Macomb Community
College produced audio but the only visuals on the black screen were a few tiny
blips of light.
After the video presentation was abandoned, Hackel jokingly told
the crowd: “By the way, I am very upset about that. Because I was in that
video.”
About two-thirds of the way through the breakfast meeting,
held at the Sterling Inn, Hackel said he had saved the introductions of fellow
elected officials — normally done at the start of an event like this — so
they wouldn’t sneak out early.
In the spirit of the forum, which featured a keynote
address by Detroit Tigers broadcaster Mario Impemba, Hackel playfully announced
the officials on hand much like a batting order/starting lineup for a ball
game.
But second baseman Ken VerKest, the Harrison Township
supervisor, was missing when his name was called. “Make a note,” the executive
told his staff, with a chuckle. Commissioner Toni Moceri in left field –
missing. “Another note,” he said.
But the biggest laugh from the audience came when he
introduced the diminutive Sterling Heights Mayor Richard Notte – “batting fifth
and playing SHORT-stop – Richard Notte. Did I mention that he’s playing
SHORT-stop?”