DEARBORN — Lt. Gov. Brian Calley addressed a group of local government officials, community leaders and entrepreneurs last week about extending hands across party lines to introduce policy changes in Lansing that would impact the city. He spoke about creating environments to draw investment, improve education and eliminate lead exposure.

Calley spoke Saturday, September 17, during the Saturday Brunch Club at La Pita Mediterranean Restaurant, which was attended by the likes of attorneys, civil rights leaders, a former Lebanese elite forces general, Henry Ford College President Stan Jensen, Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent Glenn Malyeko, educators, judges and State Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights).

Calley, a Harvard University alumnus, laid out prospective developments of “outdated formulas” in government that ineffectively use resources and funds, leaving some communities underserved, while others benefit because of how revenue sharing is currently disbursed across the state.

The lieutenant governor said the goal is to ensure resources are helping the maximum number of people.

“When one area of the state is not working as well, it affects other areas too,” he added.

One shortcoming of ineffective resource disbursement in Detroit that has ensured continued strife for many families in certain neighborhoods is a broken education system, Calley said. Although Detroit is seeing an increase in residential and economic activities in some popular districts, he said engaging parents and uplifting students’ home life sets them up in a better position to learn.

Calley attributed students’ low performances in underdeveloped districts statewide to lead exposure and said studies reveal a clear alignment between areas where kids struggle to meet required reading levels and regions with high lead contamination in paint, dust, soil and water systems.

“We have to make sure that kids are at the school ready to learn, that their needs are met and also that they’re not being poisoned as they grow up at a time that really affects their ability to learn later on,” he said.

Knezek praised Calley for his understanding of building relationships with legislators across the aisle to, “ensure that if a chamber flips, if a governor flips, that there is going to be longevity for the things we’re working on.”

In May, Calley publically endorsed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, posing questions regarding his outreach to Arab Americans.

“It is time for Republicans to unify behind @realDonaldTrump,” he tweeted.

Calley told The AANews that although Trump, “can be rough around the edges in the way he addresses things” as he maneuvers through his campaign, the first-time political candidate is going through a learning process and with time will better connect with people.

He added that he found Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton to be an “unacceptable alternative.”

Unlike the Democratic party, Calley said, Republican party constituents tends to be more diverse in ideas and policy issues, explaining some Republicans’ willingness to vote for Trump.

“I know that he’s got a lot of work to do with some people and I will hope that he does,” Calley added. “It would be my counsel that whoever holds the presidency of the United States would be somebody that could bring people together and could be a unifier. I’ll continue to carry that message. I think we do that very well here in Michigan and I think we can continue to be an example.”