City Proposes Addressing Housing Needs, Sidewalk Accessibility, and Cruise Ship Docking
Port Huron City Manager James Freed has presented the proposed goals and priorities for the city of Port Huron. The list covers nine initiatives.
The city administration plans to address housing concerns by developing a community housing strategy to look at current and future housing needs along with addressing workforce housing needs in the community.
As the city prepares to spend the windfall of one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan, investment into city assets like Palmer Park, McMorran, and Department of Public Works facilities are on the docket.
Those who try to navigate the city on foot or in a wheelchair or motorized device will be interested to hear the plan to enhance crosswalks to make them more accessible.
Citizen engagement town halls, sidewalk improvements, improved signage for visitors trying to find their way in the city, and business corridor improvements are also on the list, but the most unique item may be the plan to work with regional stakeholders on docking for the Viking Cruise Line Great Lakes Cruise scheduled for 2023.
Stay tuned to WGRT as these proposals develop.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Dennis Gardner Wins Prestigious Master Farmer Award
What does it take to be a Master Farmer? Ask Fremont Township farmer Dennis Gardner. Gardner is a recipient of the 2022 Michigan Master Farmer Award, given out at the Great Lakes Crop Summit.
The award is for farmers who have demonstrated a lifetime of achievement on their farms, and also in their communities and the agriculture industry. It is the most prestigious award for achievement in the industry that feeds the world.
Gardner said he was totally honored and shocked to receive the award. He was quick to thank his wife, Reta, for her partnership in running their 2000-acre cash crop farm that stretches across both St. Clair and Sanilac counties.
Dennis and Reta Gardner have made farming a family affair with help from both Gardner’s parents, his sister, brother-in-law, and his four daughters, two of whom are already getting their careers started in the agriculture industry. The Gardner team uses the latest in technology to produce corn, soybeans, wheat, and sugar beets.
When asked about the future of family farming, Gardner said it will be hard for some farms to absorb the rising costs of growing food, but that there are still fair amounts of successful family farms.
A link to a video highlighting Gardner’s accomplishment can be found below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL6r0xRnFN4
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
St. Clair Wins MI Clean Water Grant
The City of St. Clair has received a MI Clean Water Grant. It is one of eleven cities, villages, and townships that split the $5 million total award. St. Clair will receive $210,142 from the Drinking Water Asset Management Grant.
Liesl Clark, director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said, “Michigan continues to be committed to helping communities address longstanding water infrastructure deficits. With more federal support on the way for work like removing lead service lines and other pressing needs, we’re pleased to complement those efforts with these innovative grant programs that have been assisting local water systems.”
The MI Clean Water Plan is investing $500 million into the state’s water infrastructure. The grants are aimed at reducing the risks associated with lead in the drinking water and making improvements to ensure safer tap water.
The MI Clean Water Plan funds improvements to lead lines, toxic contamination, constrained local budgets, unaffordable water rates, and other needs of municipalities.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
Karmanos Center Gets Money to Assist with Lodging for Cancer Patients
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been awarded a lodging grant by the American Cancer Society. The $50,000 grant is to help those who may face financial barriers to getting cancer treatment.
The Karmanos Cancer Institute has 15 locations, including one at McLaren Port Huron Hospital. The main campus is in Detroit.
Dr. Kathleen Goss, Vice President of Cancer Control for the American Cancer Society said, “Disparities predominantly arise from inequities in work, wealth, income, education, housing and overall standard of living, as well as social barriers to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection and treatment services.”
Over 60,000 Michigan residents learn they have cancer each year. Finding lodging near cancer centers is often a roadblock to getting care, according to the American Cancer Society.
In Port Huron, free lodging is available at the Hunter Hospitality Houses.
To learn more about supportive services at Karmanos, call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266) or visit www.karmanos.org.
https://www.hunterhospitalityhouse.com/
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
MSU College of Human Medicine in Flint Expanding
The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in Flint is expanding thanks to a $25 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. The grant will fund an increased number of public health faculty, academic research, and community health collaborations.
Flint is at the epicenter of public health policy development in the region after the 2015 discovery of elevated lead levels in children.
Aron Sousa, M.D., interim dean of the MSU College of Human Medicine said, “Our researchers have worked side-by-side with the Flint community to improve lives locally and in communities across the country.”
Sousa said, “Our work in Flint across the city’s water crisis, COVID-19, nutrition and mental health has become a national model.”
Yvonne Lewis, founder and CEO of the National Center for African American Health Consciousness said, “This partnership between the community, Michigan State University, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation gives real credibility and credence to the work, leading to strengthened public health efforts in Flint.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland