Contact: Cyndy Fuller
231-723-4325
TWO MANISTEE COUNTY REPS SERVE ON MICHIGAN PORT
COLLABORATIVE STEERING COMMITTEE
For Immediate Release
Manistee, Michigan --- The Michigan Port Collaborative has formed a Steering Committee comprised of leaders from 19 Great Lakes port communities in Michigan, including two from Manistee County: Dennis Blue, representing the Small Harbors Coalition and Tim Ervin, representing the Alliance for Economic Success. The full membership of the Interim Steering Committee is attached.
The Committee will meet on December 10, 2009 in Lansing to recommend a permanent organizational structure to advance the Collaborative’s goal to create an effective voice in Lansing and Washington D.C. for policies and funding that will enable coastal communities to serve as Michigan’s Front Door, ranging from harbor dredging to programs and projects that will improve the economic well-being and quality of life of Michigan’s ports.
More than 150 people attended a Fall Summit Meeting of the Michigan Port Collaborative and unanimously agreed to form the Committee to develop a structure and mission for a permanent group to advocate for funding to address needs and issues involving Michigan port communities, many of which are similar in nature. The Committee includes representatives from commercial cargo ports and small recreational harbors.
“By working with out counterparts in port communities throughout Michigan, we will more effectively demonstrate the essential need and national interest in maintaining and developing our ports along the world’s largest fresh water system,” said Dennis Blue of Onekama. “Our smaller recreational harbors are critically important resources for our economy and quality of life that are of global importance. By formalizing a voice representing all Michigan port cities, we can rightfully position ourselves on an equal playing field for resources that are allocated to our salt as well as our fresh water seas.”
A report on the Collaborative’s Fall 2009 Summit proceedings will be issued in December and will include the keynote address delivered by Lt. Governor John Cherry, a strong and early supporter of the Collaborative.
“Lt. Governor Cherry’s address helped our coastal communities envision how they may develop themselves as “Michigan’s Front Door”, a phrase he coined to help us guide future efforts to protect the Great Lakes and grow Michigan’s maritime economy and tourism,” said John Kerr, a leader of the Michigan Port City Collaborative from Detroit and Wayne County. “Together with key state and federal agencies, private and non-profit partners, we are working to elevate the recognition and economic vitality of our State’s Great Lakes port communities.”
Steering Committee Membership List
Blue, Dennis (Small Harbors Coalition / Onekama)
Cisneros, Marci (Grand Haven)
Ervin, Tim (Manistee)
Evashevski, Deb (St. Ignace)
Fairchild, Felicia (Saugatuck / Douglas)
Fogal, Marci (Port Huron)
Gilmet, Don (Alpena)
Hall, Beach (Rogers City)
Hoath, Linda (Sault Ste. Marie)
Kerr, John (Detroit / Wayne Co)
Pasakarnis, Helen (East Tawas)
Pott, Ken (St. Joseph)
Roberts, Shirley (Bay City)
Shanley, Lisa (South Haven)
Stanley, Pam (Monroe) *
Stewart, Greg (Luna Pier) *
Stonehouse, Fred (Marquette)
Stroud, Janessa (Muskegon)
Van Sumeren, Hans (Traverse City)