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

DoubleTree Chosen as “Best of Weddings”

The DoubleTree by Hilton in Port Huron has won a prestigious award as a destination of choice for couples planning weddings.

The DoubleTree has been chosen by The Knot, a digital wedding planning resource, as a 2022 winner of The Knot Best of Weddings and has been placed in the Hall of Fame for The Knot for winning the accolade for six years straight.

Amanda Bushor, Assistant General Manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Port Huron said, “We are honored to receive the Best of Weddings award again this year. The Knot connects us with couples across the state and helps show inquiring couples what a wedding in our Abbey space looks like. This upcoming 2022 season is going to be the largest wedding season we’ve ever seen and we are so excited to help all of our couples’ wedding dreams come to life!”

The DoubleTree by Hilton is described on The Knot as “an exceptional blend of historic class & modern design” with waterfront views and the “world-class Abbey banquet space”.

Congratulations to the DoubleTree by Hilton on this award.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Bill Passed to Rename St. Clair Post Office after Corporal Jeffery Robert Standfest

The St. Clair Post Office could have a new name soon. The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill to rename the St. Clair Post Office in memory of Marine Corporal Jeffery Robert Standfest.

Standfest was a 2005 St. Clair High School graduate. He died on June 16th, 2010 in Helmland Province, Afghanistan while serving his country as a Marine during Operation Enduring Freedom.  Standfest was a K-9 handler with the Marines. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Standfest was described in his 2010 obituary as “the kind of person who could win others over easily. If Jeffrey had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. “

The legislation to rename the St. Clair Post Office was introduced by a bipartisan coalition of several Michigan legislators including Congresswoman Lisa McLain of the 10th District. McLain thanked those who voted for the bill and called Standfest an “American hero”.

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