February - Employee Highlight
of the Month
Jamonte Cannon - Clerk III
Family Domestic
Q. How many years have you been employed with the Court?
A. I am a recent hire, only starting in January 2019.
Q. Do you have any skills or talents that most people don't know about?
A. I know a little Japanese. I took a year of Japanese back in college.
Q. Who do you admire, and why?
A. I admire my parents. They've always been images of perseverance, people who've pushed through every problem they've faced; medical issues, job searching, anything. There are times I've wanted to give up at different points of my life, but I chose instead to live up to their example. I want to show that their perseverance, especially the efforts they gave in supporting me all these years, wasn't in vain.
Q. "On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me..."
A. Watching anime or a superhero drama. While I can seem serious on the outside, I'm a big fan of anime and manga, Japanese animation and comics, respectively. I'm also a superhero fan, and watch "The Flash" sometime during the weekends.
Q. What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your job?
A. I am good at drafting documents (I try to use either actual templates or use my first successful document as a template to save time).
I can also adapt to new situations, and I can quickly empathize with people. One of the things I learned in my old job was that sometimes simply showing interest makes people willing to talk and explain their problem.
Q. Name three words that describe you.
A. "Introverted," but ultimately "optimistic" about the world in general and a "dreamer."
Q. What are you happiest doing when you're not working?
A. I love reading and writing. As I said earlier, I'm a fan of superheroes, animation and comics. Reading and writing stories about them helps me tap into my creative side, and my inner child.
Q. What is your personal motto?
A. I don't know if I'd call it a personal motto, but there is a quote from Thurgood Marshall that I strongly believe: "None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody - a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns - bent down and helped us pick up our boots."
Q. What are some causes you care about?
A. I don't have any causes I particularly stand for.
Q. What is an enjoyable part of your job?
A. The best part of the job (or really, any job I've once had) is when that moment when you know what the client needs and can direct them confidently. There's a certain Zen when you have a process down too, able to do something almost without thinking. I have yet to find either of these moments in the current clerk job, but I think I'll get there. (Like I said, "optimistic"!)
Q. What are some career highlights?
A. I've not done much yet, but on my first day, I happened to notice a form problem when observing work in the Genetic Testing Division--the original form was only workable for the year 2015 and, according to my coworker, its first page was lost over the years, leading to every sign-in list starting at 28.
The next day, I created a new Genetic Testing Sign-In form, updated to allow for its use potentially indefinitely. It's been used ever since.
Q. What is your dream job?
A. My dream job is to be an accomplished attorney. I was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in November of 2018, but I want to acquire the experience to make me truly confident in calling myself "attorney." It's part of why I'm working in the 3rd Circuit Court system in the first place.
Q. What college/university did you go to?
A. I attended Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo, from 2008 to 2012.
Q. What's a little-known fact you're willing to share?
A. As I said earlier, I know some beginner-level Japanese.
I've also been writing fanfiction (stories based on people's favorite fictional characters) for 10 years.
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Local Festivals
Detroit Irish Festival
Date: Sunday March 17, 2019
Location: Detroit Irish Fest Festival Grounds 700 Randolph Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Join us at Detroit's St Patrick's Day Celebration downtown. Enjoy all the festivities the event has to offer all day and night at this premier location right across the street from the Athenium Hotel. Irish beer, Whiskey and much more will be flowing in the outdoor party areas and the heated party tents with all kinds of local to Detroit entertainment.
18th Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade
Date: Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 3:00 p.m.
Location: Monroe Street in Historic Greektown Detroit
Detroit's Greek Independence Day Parade is lively celebratory march held in commemoration of the beginning of Greece's independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. The parade kicks off with a poetry recital featuring the works of young writers who touch on the cultural and historic importance of Greek independence. What follows next is an outstanding parade filled with hundreds of floats and performers.
Cinco de Mayo
Date: May 1-6, 2019
Location: Southwest Detroit and Patton Park Detroit
The West Vernor & Springwells Business Improvement District is celebrating Cinco de May Week from May 1-6 with dining deals, sales, special events, contests, prizes and of course, the annual Cinco De Mayo Parade and party in Clark Park. Cinco de Mayo Parade (May 6, Detroit): Enjoy an authentic celebration and parade hosted by the Mexican Patriotic Committee of Metro Detroit. The parade starts at noon at Patton Park and travels east to Clark Park. Following the parade, there will be a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Mercado at Clark Park from 2-6 p.m.
Polish Country Fair
Dates: May 24 - 27, 2019
Location: Orchard Lake St. Mary's Campus 3535 Commerce Rd, Orchard Lake, MI 48324
Carnival Rides! A 33-foot high roller coaster highlights 45+ midway rides with plenty of Thrill rides, Merry-go-rounds, including an expanded Kids Zone.
FOOD - FOOD - FOOD! Authentic Polish and All-American Favorite Food: Pierogies, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, sauerkraut, hamburgers, corn dogs, fresh baked goods, smoothies and ice-cold adult beverages.
Dancing! Music! Entertainment! The St. Mary's Polish Country Fair features musical acts each afternoon and night. With a new and expanded dance floor - come early - stay late and enjoy dancing under the stars!
American Polish Festival
Date: July 12-14, 2019
Location: The American Polish Century Club, 33204 Maple Lane, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
A diverse mix of local music, polkas, Folk Dancers, arts & crafts along with Polish/American Cuisine.
This is just a few miles from Hamtramck, Mi. Poles are the second largest ethnic group in Michigan and are a significant part of the history of Detroit. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Michigan is home to the third largest Polish population after New York and Illinois. The current population of Michigan's Polish Americans is concentrated in Macomb County. Sterling Heights has become one of the centers of Polonia in Michigan, since their migration from Hamtramck. Our Festival draws thousands of friends and families from all around Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. Our spirited festival features live music and dancing. Highlighting our Festival are the biggest names in Polka Music, along with finest Polish Dance Ensembles in Michigan.
Arab Chaldean Festival
Date: July 27, 2019 - Jul 28, 2019
Location: Hart Plaza - 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226
Each year, thousands flock to Hart Plaza for the Arab and Chaldean Festival, honoring the rich cultural heritage present throughout metro Detroit. The Arab World Festival was established as a non-profit community organization in 1972 and is known best for this annual celebration. It is the largest Arab Chaldean American cultural event in North America, and this is its 48th anniversary!
This weekend-long event celebrates Arab and Chaldean music with live performances from an array of artists from all over the Middle Eastern community. It dishes up delicious Arabic and Middle Eastern food too.
African World Festival
August 16-18, 2019 11 am - 11 pm Daily
Location: Charles H. Wright Museum, 315 East Warren Detroit Michigan, 48201
The 36th annual African World Festival brings over 150,000 attendees to the grounds of The Wright Museum. This FREE 3-day festival is for the entire family, featuring performances, poetry, arts and crafts, African drumming and dance, hundreds of vendors, ethnic foods, and events for all ages!
Michigan Jewish Food Festival
Date: August 18, 2019
Eastern Market: 2934 Russell St Detroit MI 48207
Time: 11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Michigan Jewish Food Festival featuring emerging entrepreneurs from Food Lab and Kitchen Connect, and fresh produce from Detroit growers. This event will cover topics like plant-based nutrition, environmental justice, health and well-being, Detroit's bee highway, The Farm Bill, heirloom plants and bio-regionalism, Jewish law and factory farming, growing and selling cooperatively, and two speakers talked about their award-winning chicken soup and veggie stuffed cabbage.
Ann Arbor Russian Festival
Date: September 14-15, 2019
Location: St. Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church: 9900 Jackson Rd. Ann Arbor, MI
Enjoy the Russian culture, entertainment, live dance performances, and children entertainment.
St. Joseph Oktoberfest 2019
Date: Sep 2019 Dates Unconfirmed
Previous Location: St. Joseph Oratory|1828 Jay Street, Detroit, MI
Dropping by the St. Joseph Oktoberfest in Detroit is a great way to get a fix of German culture. The event features multiple days of German-themed fun for the entire family. Various acts will grace the stage each day and kick out some German-lazed jams. There will be a plethora of traditional German food, beer, children's activities, arts and crafts, gifts and more.
America's Thanksgiving Parade
Nov 2019 Dates Unconfirmed | Detroit, MI
Previous Location: Woodward Avenue between Kirby and Congress Streets|Woodward Ave & Mack Ave, Detroit, MI
The annual America's Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, Michigan, is an autumnal staple across the Great Lakes and is known as the second oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country. The one-day event features dozens of marching bands, papier-mâché characters and caricatures, balloons, clowns and floats, culminating in the arrival of Santa Claus.
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Join our E-mail List and receive our monthly E-mail newsletter from the Third Judicial Circuit Court and stay informed.
Please send us your name and email address to -
3cce-news@3rdcc.org
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Greetings,
This cold unpredictable month marks our first check-in on our 2018-19 Strategic Plan Projects. We have new projects and new team members who are helping to work on projects to move our Court forward.
The Strategic Plan Teams help us move this Court forward to realizing our vision.
Our Vision of the Future is:
As a national leader in court performance and the administration of justice, the Court is recognized for:
- Using innovative and best practices;
- Building trust and confidence in the judicial branch; and
- Providing exemplary public service, programs, and work environment including professional facilities and effective technology.
With the help of our Judges, staff, stakeholders, partners, and public, we will make record strides. Starting with this current Court newsletter, we will introduce a few Strategic Plan Teams and share what they are doing. The teams are working to bring transformations that will help the Court deliver quality judicial services. As Judge Kenny shared in his welcoming remarks at the Strategic Plan Check-in Meeting, "Public service is what we do!"
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Holidays and Observances that Promote
Diversity & Inclusion
The Third Circuit Court values diversity and inclusion: "We recognize our common background and respect our unique human experiences. We move forward as an inclusive organization, community, and society."
Here are brief summaries of some of the February holidays and observances. Court employees are invited to share more details about days selected or share additional days as a way of increasing our learning opportunities that can improve our workplace and the services we deliver.
The Lunar New Year was celebrated February 5th and marked the beginning of the New Year for some Asian cultures. The Lantern Festival is the climax of the Chinese New Year holiday celebration.
Presidents' Day is celebrated the third Monday in February and celebrates the birthdays of President Washington and President Lincoln. Many states include other presidents in their day of celebration. Many states have an official parade. And of course, the food traditionally associated with the holiday cherry pie, based on the legend of a young Washington chopping down of a cherry tree.
Black History Month is celebrated the full month of February in the United States and Canada. Some other countries celebrate it during October. The first U.S. celebration took place at Kent State University after it was proposed by educators and students. The United States of America exists because of the contributions of many people from many backgrounds, and Black History Month helps raise awareness of the roles and contributions made by African-Americans. Black History spans from the 1600's to today. Black History has touched our Court: Hon. Lucile Watts was the first African American woman to be elected to a circuit court in Michigan, and Hon. Virgil C. Smith was the first African American to be appointed to serve as the Chief Judge of The Third Circuit Court.
Hon. Lucile Watts Hon. Virgil C. Smith
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Strategic Plan Team Highlight
Security Team
The Security Team is comprised of Janice Hiller, Team Leader; Judge David Allen, Judge Sponsor; and Team members, Judge Charlene M. Elder; Reba Hooper; Robert Lane; Dr. Lindsay Carr; and Kathryn Eckel. (Not pictured: Judge Paul Cusick, Jeannette Heacox, Lori Kaczmarek, and Michelle Milligan)
The Safety and Security Team for the past year has improved security at all Divisions of the Third Circuit Court. Additional security cameras and metal detectors were installed. The Team worked with Deputy Court Administrators to ensure each division holds Safety Committee meetings with all stakeholders in their buildings. Floor Captains are trained and made sure they have everything they need in case of an emergency. The team has met with Supervisors and Division heads from each Division to train them on the onboarding of AtHoc and how it works. Subsequently, AtHoc has been rolled out to all court employees and also supervisory staff for the Wayne County Clerk's office and the Wayne County Sheriff's Department.
AtHoc is an alerting system, as well as an Emergency Management Notification and network crisis communication tool manufactured by BlackBerry.
The Court has used the system about 16 times over the last year. The Court has sent alerts for the following reasons:
- Weather Alerts - Court Closed
- Building evacuations because of bomb threats
- All clear on building evacuations
- General building updates
- Fire Alarms
- Fire Drills
- Building Power issues
If you are not receiving AtHoc alerts and would like to be added, please send an e-mail to janice.hiller@3rdcc.org.
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2018 Third Judicial Circuit Court
Annual Report Cover Contest
Detroit, MI - "Wayne County is blessed to have many gifted graphic arts students. We encourage these talented high school students to submit their creative designs for the cover of the 2018 Third Circuit Court Annual Report," says Chief Judge Timothy M. Kenny.
The Third Circuit Court is pleased to announce its 2018 Annual Report Cover Contest. This contest is open to high school students who reside in or attend Wayne County schools. The contest commences at 9:00 a.m. ET on March 4, 2019 and ends at 4:00 p.m. ET on April 15, 2019.
The 2017 Annual Report Cover Contest winner was Madison Ristic, a senior at William D. Ford Tech Center. Madison is an aspiring artist and graphic designer. She has won multiple awards over the course of several years. Her most recent was the poster contest for the DAFT film festival. She has also won the Academic Letter Award and the Presidential Award. After high school, she planned on attending Schoolcraft and furthering her experience in design.
The entrants in the 2018 Annual Report Cover Contest have the opportunity to win the following prizes:
The 1st Place winner will be awarded a laptop computer, 1st Place plaque, and have a reproduction of his or her artwork appear on the cover of the 2018 Third Judicial Circuit Court Annual Report, with his or her name listed as the artwork creator.
The 2nd Place winner will be awarded a $100 Visa and/or MasterCard gift card and a 2nd Place plaque.
The 3rd Place winner will be awarded a $50 Visa and/or MasterCard gift card and a 3rd Place plaque.
To see the winning entries from last year, view the contest eligibility rules, award information, and details, please visit our website at 3rdcc.org.
Contact Zenell Brown, Executive Court Administrator for more information at (313) 224-2236.
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