George James

St. Clair County Library System Wants Yes Vote on August 2nd Millage to Continue Serving Community

Denise Brooks, Chair of the YES Library Committee, said, “The Library Millage is for 1.2 mills over 10 years.”

Brooks said, “The millage will help strengthen and expand current programs and services as well as expand opportunities for broader access.” She encouraged everyone to vote YES on August 2 to support the library.

David Whipple, Chairperson of the St. Clair County Library Board of Trustees explained, “The existing millage ends this year. If the millage does not pass there will be no library and all 11 branches will close. The millage provides 78 percent of the library’s budget.”

Library Director Allison Arnold said,” The library has employed cost-saving measures to reduce expenses over the past several years. Yet, in recent years the library has had to forgo basic technical infrastructure improvements, and program, service and accessibility developments to maintain a balanced operating budget.” 

Library Millage Details can be found at https://www.yeslibrary2022.org/

From St. County Library System Director Allison Arnold:

“The mission of the St. Clair County Library System is to connect our community to the world of information so our residents can be effective, ethical users and producers of ideas and information, critical thinkers, and lifelong learners in order to allow our community to participate fully in our global society. Toward this end, the library provides free educational programs, including early literacy programs for children, and circulates books, magazines, and DVDs. Other services include free public computers; free Wi-Fi access; free online databases including Gale Courses and Ancestry.com; free meeting room access for community groups; free one-on-one assistance with technology; free access to digital books; free interlibrary loan services; and low-cost copy, printing, and fax services.

The library has employed cost-saving measures to reduce expenses over the past several years. Yet, in recent years the library has had to forgo basic technical infrastructure improvements, and program, service and accessibility developments to maintain a balanced operating budget.

COVID-19 and the resulting economic uncertainty has caused a significant reduction in penal fines (fines levied for a violation of the criminal code or a violation against the state), state aid, and interest revenue, which collectively comprise 20% of the library’s annual budget. The St. Clair County Library System’s primary revenue source (almost 80%) is the locally voted property taxes, without which, the Library would not be able to operate.”

From Denise Brooks, Chairman, YES Library Committee:

“The Library Millage is for 1.2 mills over 10 years. For a $160,000 house that would be $96 per year – four hardcover books a year or a couple Starbucks coffees a month. For the wide variety of services available from the library that is a bargain!” 

“The millage will help strengthen and expand current programs and services as well as expand opportunities for broader access. I encourage everyone to vote YES on August 2 to support the library.”

From David Whipple:

“My name is David Whipple. I am Chairperson of the St Clair County Library Board of Trustees. The existing millage ends this year. If the millage does not pass there will be no library and all 11 branches will close. The millage provides 78 percent of the library’s budget. Please join us and vote on August 2 to keep your library open.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Jody Parmann Returns to Local Art Scene with Summer Show

Local artist Jody Parmann is making a comeback on the local art scene after taking some time off to focus on caring for her children. Parmann’s exhibit, “ART of a girl, daughter, sister, woman, wife & mother” will be displayed at the Exquisite Corpse Coffee House in Downtown Port Huron for the month of July and will then move to Kate’s Downtown, also in Downtown Port Huron, for the month of August.

Parmann’s series of paintings reflect the things that she processes as a mother and a woman. Parmann said her piece “Water Yourself Mama” is a reminder to fellow mothers that if they “water” themselves, that self-care trickles down and we become better mothers. 

Parmann let her real-life frustrations with navigating the public school system for her son with autism show in her painting “Let Me Put You Back Together”.

Like many mothers who put their creative pursuits on hold, Parmann had been saving up ideas for artwork as she juggles the responsibilities of the “mundane yet miraculous existence” as a mother.

Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/3197780947125111

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Levi’s Link Run Raises Funds for Hospital Programs for Kids with Special Needs

Want to experience a challenging run or walk course while helping out kids living with special needs? Levi’s Link is making that possible this weekend.

Levi’s Link is a special needs program at McLaren Port Huron. The program provides individualized care for patients with special needs such as autism, Down’s Syndrome, sensory processing disorders, and others.

There’s still time to sign up for the 5th Annual Levi’s Link 10K, 5K, and One Mile Fun Run and Walk. The walk will be held both virtually and in person. The in-person event is this Sunday, June 26th at 9:00 a.m. at the Mid-Michigan Materials property on Fisher Road in Jeddo, an expansive gravel pit with challenging terrain. 

Levi’s Link got started by Megan Wilson, a local mother with a son on the autism spectrum, wanting to make an improvement at the hospital. Wilson’ research prompted the creation of Levi’s Link at McLaren Port Huron, which is now a model for programs at other hospitals. The Levi’s Link Program at McLaren Lansing will also benefit from this year’s race.

A link to more information can be found below.

www.levislinkrun.com

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Sanborn Multi-Use Trail Ready for Walkers, Joggers, and Bikers with June 28th Ribbon Cutting

The Sanborn Park Multi-Use Trail is getting officially launched on June 28th at 4:00 p.m. The community is invited to celebrate the opening of the new trail.

The trail is notable as it is natural and unpaved and suitable for walkers, joggers, and bike riders. There is an outside loop for beginning riders and two inner BMX lines for experienced riders.

Melanie Chandler, co-supervisor of the Port Huron Recreation Department, said that the Department saw a resurgence of outside play, particularly outside city parks, and they wanted to create more interesting opportunities for that.

Chandler said, “After visiting other communities with similar bike trails, we were excited to offer this to our own community. With help from the City of Lapeer, we completed the trail in April. We hope everyone enjoys it.”

Care was taken to preserve the environment at the park, which is heavily wooded, with cooperation from the Friends of the St. Clair River. Funding for the trail was provided by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund.

The trail entrance is east of the playground at Sanborn Park on the north side of the City of Port Huron.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bill to Pay Student Teachers Passes State House

A bill has passed the Michigan House of Representatives that would allow for both student teachers and teacher mentors to be compensated.

House Bill 6013 was introduced by State Representative Pamela Hornberger, a Republican from Chesterfield Township. The bill creates a grant program for school districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies to apply for and to use to pay the student educators and their mentors.

Student teachers currently pay tuition to student teach, which is usually an uncompensated full-time internship. If passed by the Senate and signed into law by the governor, the bill would allow for student teachers to be paid $90 per day, and for mentors to be paid a stipend of $1000.

Hornberger said, “Student teachers are apprentices in the education field and should be compensated just as apprentices in other fields are. Providing this stipend to them will ensure our students continue to receive a quality education from good teachers.”

The legislature will have to appropriate funding if signed into law, and it is not currently tied to a funding bill. The bill is supported by several education industry boards and associations

Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland

Michigan Wild Rice, or Manoomin, Could Become Official Native Grain of Michigan

Does Michigan need an official native grain? A group of state lawmakers, including Senator Dan Lauwers, a Brockway Township Republican, think so.

Lauwers was one of many cosponsors of the bipartisan bill that was introduced by Senator Adam Hollier, a Democrat from Detroit.

The lawmakers want to designate Michigan wild rice, which is technically called manoomin, as the official native grain of Michigan. Why wild rice? The bill says, “Manoomin is a sacred and important component to many wetlands and has a cultural significance to the indigenous people of this state.”

“Sacred” is a strong word, but the bill explains that the grain is a cultural staple for the Anishinaabeg people,  the group of tribes that includes the Ojibwe.

Michigan wild rice, or manoomin, grows in shallow to moderate water depths. It is a persistent natural grass that grows year after year in the Great Lakes Region.

The bill has been reported favorably by the Committee on Agriculture and would need to be approved by both the Senate and the House, and signed by the Governor.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland