George James

Latest Plan Calls for Blue Water Bridge Plaza to be Done in 2025

Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water Bridge Plaza Expansion Project has a completion goal for 2025, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The process was first talked about in the early 2000s and the city, county, and property owners near the project have been waiting for resolution for many years.

The plan calls for funding to be from a $26 million federal INFRA grant and the sale of bonds, along with Blue Water Bridge funds.

The original scope of the project has been reduced, but the price tag is still estimated to be at $300 million. The downsized plan will have less impact on local traffic on Pine Grove Avenue than the 2009 plan.

Getting shovels in the ground will take a while as another environmental re-evaluation and feasibility study will need to be done. Final design and bidding out the construction contracts won’t even begin until 2023. Actual construction is not expected to be completed until late 2025.

Five studies have already been done in the past two decades, and several city blocks have been cleared.  A million dollar mitigation settlement was paid to the City of Port Huron by MDOT as they lost the tax base from the cleared land.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Eisen Faces Backlash from Comments; Mitchell Switches to Independent

Two local politicians are making headlines nationwide for their very different levels of acceptance of the November presidential election. Michigan’s Electoral College gave all sixteen votes to Biden on Monday.

State Representative Gary Eisen, a Republican from St. Clair Township was accused of publicly hinting at violence in response to Michigan’s Electoral College Meeting and spoke of a “hail Mary” strategy. He was quickly stripped of his committee assignments by Republican leadership, who urged acceptance of the outcome of the election.

Eisen issued a statement saying he regrets the confusion over his statement and that while the group that he was then affiliated with had peaceful intentions, he couldn’t speak for other groups.

U.S. Representative Paul Mitchell, of the 10th District, disaffiliated himself from the Republican Party in disgust over much of the party’s refusal to concede the election to Biden. In a letter to Republican leadership that he posted on Twitter, Mitchell expressed his history of loyalty to Trump with both his voting record and his fundraising, but that leaders need to accept both winning and losing. With his term winding down, Mitchell admitted his new status as an independent is largely symbolic, but to quote him, “we all know that symbols matter”.

 

State Representative Gary Eisen today released the following statement:  

“I regret the confusion over my comments this morning, and I want to assure everyone that those of us who are supporting an alternative slate of electors intend to do so peacefully and legally. I wanted to attend today’s event to help prevent violence, not promote it. I no longer plan to go to the Capitol with that group today.  

“My comments were meant to reflect that while our group intends to be peaceful, I did not feel I could speak for other groups. Apparently some people are making credible threats of violence today, and I am glad local law enforcement is on the scene preventing any such action and keeping everyone safe. Our group, who will also be at the Capitol today to request to be seated as electors, intends to participate in our democracy peacefully. We are all concerned about safety today and hopeful for a safe, legal and clear process at the Capitol.”

 

Link to U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell’s letter: https://twitter.com/RepPaulMitchell/status/1338599898141356034/photo/1

 

International Symphony Orchestra Goes Online for Nexus Chamber Series

With the Blue Water Bridge closed to recreational international travel, crossing the bridge to support the International Symphony Orchestra is not an option, even there were in-person performances to attend. But there is still a way to enjoy the orchestral performances this season, online, from the comfort and safety of home.

The Nexus Chamber Series is being offered this year, with empty-hall chamber orchestra performances on both sides of the closed border. According to the ISO, Executive Director Anthony Wing was charged with “finding a way to reunite our musicians by remote while providing inventive programming in fresh locations in Canada and Michigan. The Nexus Chamber Series is also another step towards the diversification of the ISO as a reliable online content provider.”

The ISO plans to wow viewers with surprises, saying there will be surprising locations, programming, performers, and delivery, “to keep everyone entertained into the spring”, according to Wing.

The concert series consists of five episodes. The cost is $50 for all five or $12 per single episode. Tickets can be purchased at theiso.org.

Reporting for wGRT – Jennie McClelland

Protect Michigan Commission Charged with Planning for Vaccinations

The Protect Michigan Commission has been created within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The commission was formed in response to the pending approval of the COVID-19 vaccine. Since the formation, the vaccine formulated by Pfizer has been approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

In anticipation of the approval, Chief Medical Executive and MDHHS Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun said, “One of the most important things every adult should be doing now is planning for how they will get the vaccine when it becomes available to them. The Protect Michigan Commission will make sure all Michiganders have the information they need to make those plans. As we get closer to distributing a safe and effective vaccine, think about how you can play a role in ending this pandemic. Wear your mask now so you can prevent the spread, and avoid indoor gatherings. 2021 will be the year when Michigan beats back this pandemic, we just have to stay the course.” 

The Commission will be made up of 50 members, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and former Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, along with several others. The commission is charged with providing leadership in the effort to distribute the vaccination equitably.

The full order creating the Protect Michigan Commission can be found at EO 2020-193.pdf (govdelivery.com). 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Harbor Impact Volunteers Prepare for “Impact Sessions” This Week

The volunteers at Harbor Impact Ministries have been working hard to get ready for Impact Days this week. Like everyone else, they have had to make some modifications to maintain social distancing and keep both their volunteers and their clients safe.

Harbor Impact is a non-profit located at Blue Water Free Methodist Church in the former Sparlingville Elementary School in Kimball Township. The charity collects and distributes donated items to help community members in need. They provide other services as well, such as health care support, tutoring and literacy training, and spiritual counseling.

Impact Days are special days when qualified clients can come in and pick out the things they need to get through the month. There are actually “Impact Sessions” during this time, with organization of clients in alphabetical order. This month’s impact days are December 15th and 16th. Full details, including both how to donate items and how to sign up for services, can be found at harborimpactministries.com. Donating is currently by appointment only. Bussing to Harbor Impact is available through Blue Water Area Transit on Wednesday Impact Days.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Healthcare Marketplace Enrollment Deadline is Tomorrow

With the deadline for open enrollment in the Health insurance Marketplace fast approaching – tomorrow – numbers are up for those who have already enrolled, but there are still eligible residents who have not yet enrolled, according to numbers coming from the State of Michigan.

The number of uninsured Michigan residents went up this year, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “That’s why it’s crucial for all of those who need to get covered to enroll now, ahead of the December 15th deadline.”

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Director Anita Fox said, “The December 15 open enrollment deadline is quickly approaching, and it is vital that you get started today. The most often-cited barriers to signing up for insurance are because consumers think it’s too expensive or too complicated to enroll. The good news is, there’s free local enrollment help available and the vast majority of Michiganders who signed up last year received subsidies to lower their costs. Consumers can check out plan options and their estimated discount, all without logging in or creating an account.” 

Nearly 80,000 Michiganders already signed up for health insurance through the Marketplace. Of those, 80% got federal assistance to lower their premiums.

From Press Release: To determine eligibility and to review their options, consumers should visit the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.healthcare.gov. Depending on income and their situation, consumers may qualify for cost sharing reductions, premium tax credits, coverage for their children (CHIP), or Medicaid. For help getting started, consumers should contact DIFS toll free Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-999-6442 or visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance.  

Reporting for WGRT -Jennie McClelland