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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Aug. 19, 2005  Updated Aug. 25, 2005 Text and photos © 2005 Michele Anderson for Keweenaw Now

Governor Jennifer Granholm visits Keweenaw County

By Michele Anderson

EAGLE RIVER -- Keweenaw County residents filled the Courthouse in Eagle River on Wednesday, Aug. 17, to hear Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm share her vision of the state's future.

Creating jobs and higher education opportunities, protecting the Great Lakes and promoting tourism were some of the topics Granholm discussed in her informal presentation and question-answer session. The Governor spent a good deal of the approximately 90-minute visit greeting individuals of all ages and listening to their concerns.

Jacquie Jaaskelainen (left, foreground), Keweenaw County Democratic Party chair, welcomes Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to Eagle River for a visit with residents on Wednesday, Aug. 17. Standing in the background, in front of the Courthouse, is Don Keith, Keweenaw County commissioner. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

The event began outside in front of the Courthouse, where chairs and a refreshment table were set up and a brass band played lively music. However, rain and lightning soon sent the crowd inside the Courthouse for the meeting with the Governor.

"This is God's country," Granholm said to the crowd. "I know it's a little bit dry up here so I thought I'd bring some rain."

Governor Jennifer Granholm listened to concerns of individual Keweenaw County residents during her visit to Eagle River on Aug. 17. Here she lends an ear to Keith Walters of Copper Harbor.

On a more serious note, Granholm spoke of Michigan's recent great loss of jobs -- especially manufacturing jobs -- because of the global economy.

"We have this weird tax called the single business tax," Granholm noted.

It means manufacturers and small businesses are disproportionately taxed, she explained. This tax needs to be restructured.

Governor Granholm addresses local residents during her visit to Eagle River in Keweenaw County on Aug. 17.

The Governor outlined her plans for the future, mentioning five main projects:

1. A proposal to restructure the single business tax.

2. A plan to put people to work by training them to fill existing vacancies. Despite the high (7%) unemployment rate, Michigan still has 90,000 job vacancies, mostly in health care and skilled trades, she said. All the analyses about the future of Michigan say health care is a growing sector.

"What we want to do is take the people collecting unemployment and train them (in health care and skilled trades)," Granholm said.

The state is now setting up short-term training programs in community colleges for this purpose, she added.

Pauline Johnson, Keweenaw County resident and member of the County Zoning Board of Appeals, said she was glad to hear the Governor talk about educating people for the skilled trades like plumbers and phlebotomists. 

"That is something the service industry needs more of," Johnson noted

3. About $800 million in infrastructure projects planned in order to put 43,000 people to work. This includes filling such needs as providing nursing homes with individual rooms so that older people can live in dignity.

4. Doubling the number of college students in the state. At this point Granholm addressed some of the children in the audience.

"You guys are all going to go to college," she said.

Governor Granholm speaks to Darren Stubenrauch, right, 12, and Ryan Dube, 11, of Ahmeek. In the front row are Pauline Johnson, left, of Ahmeek, and Marilyn Marshall of Eagle Harbor. Darren and Ryan's grandfather, Frank Stubenrauch, Keweenaw County Commission chair, who introduced the Governor to the audience, chats in the background with Jacquie Jaaskelainen, Keweenaw County Democratic Party chair.

However, she noted, half the kids who go to college drop out. To address this problem, her administration plans to provide incentives with student loans bearing zero percent interest if the student finishes college. If they don't finish, they have to pay it back.

Granholm cited the importance, especially, of engineering, math and science fields, and the fact that computers make it possible to compete with someone in China or India. 

"Technology has leveled the playing field," she said. "Do you have broadband here?"

Members of the audience joined in a discussion of the merits of fast Internet and email connections. Granholm noted computers potentially allow people to make a living anywhere. 

"We want to assume that every part of the state has access to broadband by 2008," Granholm said. "It's all God's country in Michigan."

Gordon Mars of Eagle River said he was glad to hear Granholm speak about education and employment opportunities. 

Gordon Mars of Eagle River chats with Governor Granholm during her Aug. 17 visit.

"It's a pleasure -- very nice -- that she would come up to this area and propose ideas that would benefit the whole state," Mars noted, "and especially the Keweenaw."

Charlie Hopper of PastyNet, which provides both dial-up and wireless Internet and email connections in the local and not-so-local areas, did not join the audience discussion, but offered his comments to Keweenaw Now in an email message.

"Governor Granholm seemed surprised that Eagle River and Keweenaw County have broadband, which, by the way, means speeds greater than dial-up. (Dial-up = 56k max, broadband is typically 128k and above, whether delivered by cable, wireless, or DSL line)," Hopper writes. "I agree with the Governor's belief that broadband should be available everywhere. I disagree with the notion that this is something government should be providing. Government is not in the business of providing fast food restaurants or retail stores, and it should not be in the business of providing Internet service (example: Gladstone, Mich., or Oakland County's proposed universal wireless service). These are services which should be left to the private sector.

"Lest I sound too Republican in my view of government's role, let me add that the government IS in the business of providing highways and bridges (which should NOT be privatized) and in my opinion HEALTH CARE should be viewed in the same manner. Universal, federally coordinated health care in my view is as basic as universal, federally controlled Interstate Highways," Hopper adds.

Hopper notes he is "an Independent, just looking for what make sense, not necessarily just passively swallowing either party line."

A resident of Eagle River, Hopper adds in conclusion: "It was a very pleasant evening all-in-all. I have met with the Governor one-on-one previously. She is a clear thinker and a good speaker, and it was thoughtful of her to stop in our home town."

Before opening her talk to questions, Granholm noted (knocking on the wooden railing in the front of the courtroom) the state legislature is working with her to diversify Michigan's economy -- and mentioned also the need for the auto industry to work on fuel cells.

"We should be the state that makes these United States independent of foreign oil," Granholm said, receiving audience applause. "I'm really excited about this future Michigan."

John Griffith, president and co-founder with his wife, Jane Griffith, of the North Woods Conservancy, expressed his delight at Granholm's mention of fuel cells to replace oil dependency.

"I just couldn't hold back when she said Michigan should be the leader in fuel cell technology," he said.

John Griffith, left, president and co-founder of the North Woods Conservancy, and his daughter Kate chat with Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm during her Aug. 17 visit to Eagle River.

Early Wednesday, realizing the Governor's visit was a bit of a surprise, the Griffiths sent to a long list of local residents an email announcing the event. On behalf of the North Woods Conservancy, they presented the Governor with agates from the beach that is part of the Gratiot River County Park extension, an acreage being considered for a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant for possible purchase. They also presented her with a photo of that shoreline and a copy of local artist Susan Robinson's illustrated book, Is this an Agate? An Illustrated Guide to Lake Superior's Beach Stones - Michigan (2001), containing Robinson's own colorful, detailed illustrations.

In support of her plan, Granholm cited Ireland as a model for job creation and lowered unemployment. They joined the European Union, restructured their business tax, got broadband, improved education and went international, she said.

"Now they have one of the lowest unemployment rates and highest job creation rates," she added. "We are doing the same thing."

5. Finally, Granholm commented on tourism and the need to promote Michigan as a tourist attraction.

"People don't even know about the Great Lakes ... those jewels that are out there," she said.

Ed Kisiel, Eagle Harbor Township supervisor, asked her, "What's being done today to protect the Great Lakes?"

Admitting Michigan had not kept a promise to develop a scheme to protect the Great Lakes, Granholm mentioned the proposed Water Legacy Act that would require Department of Environmental Quality regulation of bottling companies attempting to withdraw large amounts of water from Michigan.*

Governor Granholm shares a conversation  with Peter and Patricia Van Pelt of Eagle Harbor Township during her visit to the Eagle River Courthouse on Aug. 17.

In answer to a question from Keweenaw Now on her present views of the proposed sulfide mining near Marquette, the Governor referred to the non-ferrous metallic mining statute passed by the State of Michigan in December 2004, which she called "some of the strongest regulation for mining in the country."**

Matt Johnson, director of the Governor's Office for the Upper Peninsula, who accompanied Granholm on the visit to Eagle River, said this law was created specifically because of this Upper Peninsula sulfide mining issue.

"We believe that the mining laws, because they're some of the strongest in the nation, will balance economic development and environmental protection," Johnson said.

The regulations to support this law are being promulgated. The draft rules are expected to be finalized by the DEQ and the state legislature in December 2005.***

Johnson said a permit application is expected in November 2005.

Local residents were pleased that the Governor visited Keweenaw County and seemed impressed by her talk and her listening to individuals and their concerns.

"I think it's an honor that we're having her here in the furthest-north county in Michigan," said Jacquie Jaaskelainen, Keweenaw County Democratic Party chair. "We're small in numbers, but we're very supportive of her program. She has a daunting challenge ahead of her."

During Gov. Jennifer Granholm's Aug. 17 visit, Jacquie Jaaskelainen, Keweenaw County Democratic Party chair, presents her with a Keweenaw gift, a jewelry box made of bird's eye maple in Mohawk. At left is Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners Chair Frank Stubenrauch, who introduced the Governor to the audience gathered in the Courthouse in Eagle River.

The challenge, Jaaskelainen explained, is that in the past former Governor Blanchard helped get the state out of the red, former Governor Engler put it back into debt and Granholm's task is to get Michigan out of debt again.

Jaaskelainen presented Granholm with a wooden jewelry box of bird's eye maple from Bird's Eye Maple Creations of Mohawk. The lid is engraved with the seal of the State of Michigan, and an inscription inside commemorates her visit.

In appreciation for Granholm's support of the arts, Doug Hill, Keweenaw Krayons teen assistant, gave the Governor a bag of hand-crafted gifts from the Mohawk non-profit arts organization.

Doug Hill, left, 19, Keweenaw Krayons teen assistant, gives the Governor a bag of hand-crafted gifts from the Mohawk non-profit arts organization.

It was "a bag full of all kinds of goodies thanking her for her support of the arts," said Carol Rose, Keweenaw Krayons former director. "She's just been right there promoting us, listening to us." 

Emily Newhouse, executive director of the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home for Abused Women, said this was her first meeting with Granholm since, as Michigan Attorney General, Granholm visited the area for the Shelter's 20th Anniversary Celebration a few years ago. The Gundlach Shelter serves residents of Keweenaw, Houghton and Ontonagon counties.

"I was impressed by the way she took the time to greet people of all ages, including the kids," Newhouse said.

Two of those kids, Ryan Dube, 11, and Darren Stubenrauch, 12, of Ahmeek, happen to be two of Keweenaw County Board of Commissioners Chair Frank Stubenrauch's seven grandchildren.

"She said we came from good genes," said Darren. 

Frank Stubenrauch added, "It's an honor to have her come up here to Keweenaw. I wish the weather had cooperated.

Mark McEvers of Eagle River shares with Gov. Granholm his concerns for preserving the town's Pratt Pony Bridge as a foot bridge as opposed to using grant money to demolish it.

Marilyn Marshall of Eagle Harbor had a chance to chat with Granholm as well.

"I told her I'm very proud of her and 'thank you' for coming," Marshall said. "She said she was glad to be here."

Said Pauline Johnson, "Whether she knows it or not, she's in the nicest county in the state."

The event also attracted some Houghton County residents, including Mary Hunt of Hancock.

"I thought she was really inspiring," Hunt said. "She greeted the kids and she gave a good overview of our economy, our problems and where we ought to be going." 

Keweenaw County Commissioner Don Keith, a Republican, greeted the Governor with his usual cordiality.

"When the Governor comes to Keweenaw County," Keith said, "Republican or Democrat, she's our Governor; and I welcomed her. And she's welcome to come back any time."

Editor's notes:  * For information on the proposed Water Legacy Act, see articles by the Michigan Land Use Institute's Andy Guy: "State Business, GOP Leaders Attack Granholm Water Law" (Feb. 19, 2005) and "Granholm Moves Water Reform to Higher Ground" (June 14, 2005). ** Act No. 449 of the Public Acts of 2004, Creating Part 632, Nonferrous Metallic Mineral Mining, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. Read the DEQ description of the law. *** See a summary of these rules in "New rules will govern sulfide mining in Michigan," p. 17, in the Summer 2005 issue of MAZINA'IGAN, A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Ojibwe, published by the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). See also the Aug. 17 Keweenaw Now article, "Trekkers connect Michigan waters to highlight sulfide mining threats."

See page 2 for more photos of Governor Granholm's visit

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