St. Clair County

Voter Information For Final Days of 2020 Election

In the final days that voters can cast ballots in the presidential election, here are the critical pieces of information voters need to know.

Michigan.gov/Vote: Michiganders can check their registration, find their local clerk offices, drop boxes and polling place, and track their absentee ballot at the state’s official website.

Registration through Election Day: Eligible citizens can register to vote and then vote an absentee ballot in one trip to their city or township clerk’s office now through Election Day, Nov. 3. As long as they are in line by 8 p.m. on Election Day they must be allowed to register and vote. To register within 14 days of the election, a voter must bring a document verifying residency, like a utility bill, school ID or government mail with their address (digital copies are acceptable).

Early Voting by Absentee Ballot at City or Township Clerk’s Office: City and township clerk offices are required to be open at least eight hours this weekend, and will be open Monday as well. Registered voters can request and submit absentee ballots in one trip. The deadline is 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2.

Return Absentee Ballots ASAP: Voters who have an absentee ballot already should fill it out, sign the back of the envelope and hand-deliver it to their city or township clerk’s office or drop box as soon as possible, and no later than 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Voters must bring their ballot to a drop box in their jurisdiction.

Track Absentee Ballots: Voters can track their absentee ballot to determine when it was sent to them and, after they’ve submitted it, if it was received at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Missing Absentee Ballot: If a voter requested an absentee ballot and it never arrived or they lost it, they should go to their clerk’s office immediately to request and submit one in person. If they cannot do so due to health reasons, they should contact their clerk immediately.

Requested Absentee but Want to Vote at Polls: If a voter requested and received an absentee ballot but decided they would prefer to vote at their polling place, they should bring the absentee ballot with them to the polls. Once there, they can surrender it for a new ballot that they will fill out and place in the tabulation machine.

Submitted Absentee Ballot but Want to Change Vote: Voters who already submitted an absentee ballot but want to change or cancel their vote should go to their city or township clerk’s office as soon as possible, and no later than 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, voters who have already cast an absentee ballot will not be able to change or cancel it.

Polling Places Will Be Safe, Clean and Accessible: Masks, gloves, sanitizer, and protocols for hygiene and social distancing have been provided to election jurisdictions statewide. Election workers are required to wear masks and voters are strongly encouraged to do so. All polling places must have Voter Assist Terminals for any voter who wants to use one.

Voter Intimidation is Illegal: Anyone who experiences or witnesses voter intimidation, harassment or coercion of any kind should report it immediately to an election worker or their election clerk’s office. Intimidating a voter with a firearm or any other weapon or menacing behavior is a felony under existing law enforceable by local law enforcement.

All Valid Absentee Ballots Will Be Counted Fairly: To be valid, absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s city or township clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day on Nov. 3, and have a signature that matches the one on the voter’s file with the clerk. Absentee ballots are counted by pairs of election workers – one from each major political party – to ensure they are counted without political bias and in accordance with the law.

Complete Election Results Won’t Come Tuesday: Absentee ballots take longer to process and count than ballots cast at polling places. And unlike other states, Michigan law provides very limited ability for clerks to prepare them ahead of Election Day. Because of this, and the significant increase in voters casting absentee ballots, it could take until Friday, Nov. 6, for all ballots to be counted. Depending on how close the races are, this likely means that outcomes will not be determined on Tuesday.

Submitted by Michigan Secretary of State

Bruce Seymore EDA St. Clair County MEDA Award

Bruce Seymore of EDA of St. Clair County Receives MEDA Award

Bruce Seymore II, Director of Business and Community Services at the Economic Development Alliance (EDA) of St. Clair County was awarded the Robert Sieghart Award for Enthusiasm for the Economic Development Profession from the Michigan Economic Development Agency (MEDA) at their annual meeting.

The Sieghart award goes to a person who enjoys economic development and understands the importance of the profession to all communities. They are especially interested in bringing more professionals into the fold with their passion and dedication, and they know more jobs and investment in a community will benefit the entire state.

Bruce Seymore St. clair County EDA MEDA Award Winner
Bruce Seymore, EDA St. Clair County, Receives Robert Sieghart Award for Enthusiasm from MEDA at Their Virtual Meeting in October 2020

Carolyn Bennett, Economic Development Manager at DTE Energy, who nominated Bruce, said, “Bruce has done an outstanding job with communicating the recent incentive programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have helped assist 100’s of businesses with the CARES Act information being shared through DTE Energy. Bruce is always willing to assist businesses in St. Clair Country and helps promote economic development throughout the state of Michigan.”

Bruce has been on the team at the EDA of St. Clair County for 11 years. Dan Casey, CEO of the EDA St. Clair County, said,  “In a crisis, communication is key.  EDA was committed to providing the most relevant information to area businesses so they could make the adjustments to their operations, to keep their doors open and solve problems.  Bruce’s effort was critical to this process because of the relationships and trust that companies have in his knowledge and abilities.  I’m very excited for him for winning this award and appreciative of the great team we have at EDA that shares his commitment.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

Calming Effects Health Spa and Salon

Calming Effects Provides Full Range of Services

Calming Effects Health Spa and Salon has undergone many of the same changes that other businesses have faced since the COVID-19 pandemic began. As a full-service salon, they had to adjust every one of their practices to comply with health orders and continue to safely care for their customers.

The spa and salon has found it’s groove, however, and they are currently providing all of their services. Owner Michelle Procruder took over for Michelle Schasser 3 years ago, but the pair still work together to keep the salon going. Schasser has shifted to serving clients and providing massage therapy, nail, and esthetician services, while Procruder runs the day-to-day of the salon.

They have been actively serving new customers, and they have welcomed a new massage therapist, Stefan Nisbett, to their team, and they are excited to have his energy and expertise available to their clients. A new skin care line is also on the horizon, and they will be hiring a couple more professionals for their team.

As COVID-19 continues to affect daily life, the term “pandemic fatigue” is coming up more frequently. Michelle Schasser says Calming Effects has more than enough services to help offset the problems that can arise from ongoing stress. “A once a month full body massage can improve your immune system, increase your feel-good hormones, and reduce the presence of stress-hormones in the body, ” said Schasser.

For more information on Calming Effects Health Spa and Salon, visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

PH Country Style Marketplace Owners Celebrate Demo Day

Steve Fernandez and Michelle Jones have been working for years to bring a grocery store to Downtown Port Huron, and part of their wait is finally over. The couple welcomed the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce and its members to 310 Huron Avenue yesterday for a Demolition Day ceremony.

After encouraging messages from Blue Water Chamber President Thelma Castillo, Mayor Pauline Repp, and St. Clair County Commissioner Jeff Bohm, Steve Fernandez shared with guests how many people have supported them along their journey.

“Everybody said this project was much needed in this community. It’s that kind of real support…this just wouldn’t happen without people taking action and doing things. We could talk all day, but at the end of the day, if you don’t have your community supporting you, this kind of project never gets finished. It never gets off the drawing board.” said Fernandez

Jones and Fernandez thanked officials in the city and county government for taking an active role in making sure the project was well-explained to investors from outside the community. Many local businesses and organizations played a key role in getting Jones and Fernandez to this point, and they are excited to bring this store to the downtown community.

“Lofts are being built, new businesses are coming in. This is an attractive place to live and raise a family, and we’re just proud to be a small part of that.” said Fernandez.

The next steps involve renovating the main floor of the building and the grand staircase that will lead to the basement. Once the grocery store renovations are complete, the couple will focus on the second story which will contain executive offices and their personal living space.

When asked what she is looking forward to, Michelle Jones said getting the store done is her priority. The inside will look very similar to their other property, Country Style Marketplace in Ft. Gratiot, with the addition of a prepared foods section where people can grab fast, ready-to-eat meals. There will also be seating along the windows facing Huron Avenue where people can sit and eat.

With a big smile, Michelle Jones said, “Don’t go down to Hall Road, you’ve got PH Country Style Market coming soon and Country Style Market in Ft. Gratiot that you can go to!”

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

City Council Members Could Decide Who Takes Seat

Port Huron, MI — At Monday night’s Port Huron City Council meeting, the second and final reading was given to two ordinances related to buildings on 7th Street. That means that rezoning is final, and the new owners of the Smith Family Funeral Home and the First Congregational Church can move forward with their plans to redevelop those properties.

Plans for the Smith Family Funeral home involve a multi-unit housing development, and the First Congregational Church will be transformed into a state-of-the-art medical facility.

There was a presentation for Council Members Worden and Harris to thank them for their time on City Council. Monday’s meeting was the last for both of them as they are not seeking re-election.

There has been some confusion about candidates running for Port Huron City Council who have verbally withdrawn from the race but are still  listed on the ballot, and the situation that would arise if Lisa Beedon wins her race for St. Clair County Board of Commissioners and resigns from the council. This situation assumes four open seats and four remaining candidates, therefore everyone left on the ballot would get a council seat.

This is untrue however, and Mayor Pauline Repp clarified, “The fourth person is not an automatic. By charter, they have to have received at least 25% of the total votes cast at the election. If they did not, then it is opened up to process applications from the community.” If that happens, the City Council will decide who takes the open seat.

“Only three people will be seated at the next Council meeting because Lisa does not have to resign until after that,” said Mayor Repp.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand.

 

Grants Available for Eligible Teachers and Support Staff

Governor Whitmer and State Treasurer Rachael Eubanks Announced a grant program for Michigan teachers and support staff who worked additional hours during the 2019-20 school year due to COVID-19.

The Teacher COVID-19 Grant and the Support Staff COVID-19 Grant programs recognize the time and additional costs classroom teachers and support staff dedicated to their students when schools closed for in-person learning last spring.

Classroom teachers who taught full and part-time in a school district or nonprofit nonpublic school during the 2019-20 school year prior to the shutdown are eligible to receive up to $500. Paraprofessionals, aids, and other support staff can receive up to $250.

Grant funding will be implemented through the Michigan Department of Treasury and the Michigan Department of Education and checks will be sent to teachers and support staff in February 2021.

For more information on eligibility and program details visit their website <HERE>.

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand