State Rep. Gary Eisen this week voted to approve a bipartisan plan to make state government more accountable to the people of Michigan.  Eisen, of St. Clair Township, said the governor and legislators should be held to the same standards of transparency as local and state governments. “As a legislator, we need to be accountable to the people we represent. Supporting this plan is giving Michigan residents the transparency they deserve,” Eisen said.  Michigan is one of just two states that still exempts its governor and the Legislature from open records laws. The bipartisan solution approved today would end these exemptions and increase transparency in state government.  The proposal will subject the governor and lieutenant governor to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and hold state representatives and senators to the same high standard by creating the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA).  While LORA mirrors FOIA in many ways, there are exemptions for constituent inquiries to ensure that personal information is protected and kept private. Other types of communications – including those lawmakers have with state departments and lobbyists – would not be exempt.  The LORA plan also ensures residents have access to a fair and effective way to appeal improper denials and excessive fees.    House Bills 4007-13 and 4015-16 now advance to the Senate for consideration.

For 32 years, the Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center has offered HOPE to  young moms and dads, and their phone number even spells HOPE.  HOPE in Latin is Spero (pronounced sparrow). This image of a bird inspires rising above circumstances, freedom, and HOPE. We find how our Lord provides even for the birds and are we not more valuable than they? (Matt 6:26, Luke 12:24).  The Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center changed their business name to Spero Center effective March 15, 2019.  They will continue to  specialize in pregnancy diagnosis and options with compassion and practical help, upholding the highest standards in accordance with national affiliations. All their services are free: pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, options counseling, pre-natal and parenting classes, baby items, community referrals, and much more. According to Executive Director Jennifer MacDonald, they help nearly 800 men and women every year until their baby is 24 months old.  The change in name, MacDonald says,  makes the clinic distinct and we won’t be confused with BW OB/GYN! We are keeping everything else the same—mission, website, phone numbers, etc. We are looking towards expanding our services for the future and want to make sure to include both men and women.
We’ve made many improvements over the years. Our office is professional and private, yet warm. We’ve implemented on-line scheduling, clients can text us 24/7, there’s 24 hour hotline access, and use short, appealing, educational video clips on large TVs!. We have liberal open hours, and we’re open during the holidays (only closed 10 weekdays in the year).  Under much consideration, the board approved this exciting change. We ask for your blessing and assistance in reaching out to the community for a smooth transition.

The Community Foundation has announced it will award two lifetime achievement awards at its 75^th Anniversary Dinner on May 9^th at the Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron.  Don Fletcher and Marty Weiss, who between them have more than 75 years of community leadership experience, are the two recipients of the 2019 Distinguished Service Award.  “We’re excited to recognize two outstanding community leaders,” said Mike Cansfield, Chair of the Board at the Community Foundation.  “This prestigious award is rarely given out and goes to an individual who has not only supported and provided leadership to the Foundation, but has made significant contributions to the revitalization and overall economic growth of this region.”  The DSA was first awarded in the late sixties, honoring four individuals: Louis A. Weil, founder of the Times Herald; Fred L. Riggin Sr., President of Mueller Brass; Edgar W. Kiefer, President of Port Huron Sulphite & Paper Co.; and local philanthropist Henry G. McMorran.  Since then, this award has only been given when an individual exhibits the extraordinary characteristics and achievement worthy of this honor.   Among past recipients are F. Granger Weil, son of Louis and former editor and publisher of the Times Herald; John F. Wismer owner of Radio First; along with Howard Acheson and his son Jim Acheson.   Don Fletcher is best known as the retired President and CEO of Port Huron Hospital.  He started with the Foundation as an Advisory Trustee in 1999 and has continued as a valuable member to this day, including his time as Board Chair from 2010-2013.  Outside of the Foundation, Don offered his time and leadership to various local boards and professional organizations including: United Way Campaign Chair in 1999, elected Chair of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association in 2000, and as the first Co-Chair of Blue Meets Green.  Marty Weiss, our own Foundation historian, began his adventures with the Foundation back in 1964 when he became an Advisory Trustee.  He continued to serve as trustee and on numerous committees and initiatives until his retirement in 2013.  He served more than 50 years on the SC4 Foundation board as well.  Mr. Weiss provided leadership as a local business owner in downtown Port Huron and served as President of Downtown Port Huron, Inc. in 1974.  Also that year, he received the notable recognition of “Outstanding Young Man of the Year” by the Port Huron Jaycees.  The Community Foundation of St. Clair County is the oldest and largest foundation in Michigan’s Thumb Region.  On May 9^th it will celebrate its 75^th Anniversary.   Event and ticket information is available on the Foundation’s website at:  Stclairfoundation.org

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and St. Clair County Health Department have confirmed two probable cases of mumps in adults who traveled internationally to India and became ill after their return in early March. The third probable case is a student at Fort Gratiot Middle School in Port Huron.  Mumps is a vaccine-preventable disease that is spread through saliva or mucus from the mouth, nose or throat, usually when the person coughs, sneezes or talks. Symptoms of mumps usually begin 16-18 days after exposure, but can appear up to 25 days after exposure and may include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides

Mumps can occasionally cause complications, especially in adults. Complications may include:

• Inflammation of the testicles
• Inflammation of the brain
• Inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord (meningitis)
• Inflammation of the ovaries and/or breast tissue
• Deafness

Dr. Annette Mercatante, St. Clair County Health Department’s Medical Health Officer stated “The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best protection from mumps. It is important to make sure you and your children’s vaccines, including MMR, are up to date now and before any international travel.” Mercatante also reiterated the importance of overall vaccination, “Vaccines save lives, and a fully vaccinated community protects each other.”  The St. Clair County Health Department offers the MMR vaccine and travel consultations. Walk-in vaccine clinics are available on Mondays from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, at the main office located at 3415 28^th Street in Port Huron. Vaccination and travel consultations are available by appointment Tuesday through Friday. Call (810) 987-5300 to schedule.  For more information, visit www.scchealth.co or call (810) 987-5300. Follow us on social media @scchdmi.

At a lunch meeting Thursday, March 21, the Eastern Michigan Christian Foundation awarded $43,000 in grants to sixteen different local non-profit organizations thanks to the generosity of Sanctum Contracting.   Mid-City Nutrition, SONS, New Life Christian Academy, Score, Operation Transformation, Youth For Christ, Wonderful News Radio, The Blue Water Feed The World Project, Bridge Builders, Hunter Hospitality House, the Spero Center, A Beautiful Me, The Industry, the Blue Water Area Rescue Mission, The Difference Makers, and the Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center all received grant money toward individual specific projects.  Projects ranged from marketing, in the case of the Spero Center (which is the new name of the Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center), to materials and equipment for the school and funds for providing food for the Feed The World Project.  Mid-City Nutrition requested funds to repair the van in which they pick up food from local grocers and Hunter Hospitality House used theirs toward the remodeling of a bathroom to make it handicapped accessible.   Brian Smith, Chairman of the Eastern Michigan Christian Foundation stated that he was excited to announce the wide variety of grants, which is poured right back into the community as an investment in our local people.