By Barb Pert Templeton
Another year in the books and a review of the happenings in Marine City and Algonac reflect a busy government and an active calendar of activities in the community.
Here are some highlights:
January 2024
City seeks public input on old elementary school
Devin Boghian, 19, (L) and Gunner Lonergan, 22, (R) jumped in the St. Clair River to help a man who had fallen into the chilly water and couldn’t get back into his boat on April 13.
In last January the city announced that they would be asking residents to share their ideas about what should become of the former Algonac Elementary School. Demolition, renovation, a tear down or perhaps new construction?
The public was invited to send in their ideas or mark March 5 on the calendars to attend a public meeting on the topic. Background: On Dec. 18, 2023 the city had the unexpected opportunity to purchase the 29,000 square foot Algonac Elementary School located on 2.3 acres at 1216 St. Clair Boulevard in Algonac at a real estate auction for $185,000. Prior to the auction the school had been for sale for over seven years. It became a sort-of bouncing ball as ideas including everything from a senior center to a community center with programs for local kids were considered for the site. The school officially closed in Dec. 2014 due to declining enrollment numbers. It served more than 300 students in grades Pre-K through Five.
February 2024
Local resident Tia Raica is leading the local initiative to bring the community together to “Light It Up Blue Marine City.”
“Bonnie & Clyde” the musical opens in Marine City
Having the lives of two notorious outlaws who robbed banks portrayed on stage amid songs and dancing may seem odd but that’s not the case with this production.
“It is a dramatic musical of a magnetic love affair, the struggles of the Great Depression, a common lust for fame, a life of crime and a tragic demise,” Director Stephanie Graham, of Richmond, said about the upcoming stage production of the life story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.
The play, “Bonnie & Clyde” opened at the Riverbank Theatre in Marine City on Feb. 3. A cast of 19 brought the story to life along with some 35 songs including many musical transitions throughout the two-hour and 15-minute show.
Presidential Primary in Algonac – yes to fire dept. – no to marijuana dispensary
A Feb. 27 Presidential Primary had voters approving a special assessment for the Algonac Fire Department, by a vote of 630 for and 390 against. Another ballot proposal sought to change an Algonac ordinance that prohibits marijuana dispensaries but it failed with 503 voting yes and 517 voting no. The failure of the proposal by just 14 votes is a bit of surprise since a petition with 353 signatures seeking to repeal the ordinance prompted the ballot issue. Petitioners were seeking to have the ordinance – Division 5-Marijuana Section 26-295 “Prohibition of Marijuana Establishments” – replaced with a new one allowing one dispensary. Republican President-elect Donald Trump picked up 18,583 votes while President Joseph Biden got 7,216.
March 2024
Harsens Island gets State historical society grant
The Mrs. Roper Pub Crawl in Marine City is a nod to the popular television character on the 70s sitcom, “Three’s Company,”
The Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) announced the recipients of its second annual Michigan History Alliance® Grants. HSM awarded grants totaling $25,082 to 12 of its member organizations throughout Michigan. The Harsens Island St. Clair Flats Historical Society was granted $1,900 in funding to purchase a new outdoor storage shed. In 2011, the society opened a museum in Harsens Island’s former fire hall, which it expanded in 2021 with help from a financial bequest. The shed where tools and maintenance items are currently stored has deteriorated beyond repair, and the MHA Grant will allow it to replace that mundane but essential structure.
Algonac gets ARPA funds for old school
At a March meeting of the Algonac City Council City Manager Denice Gerstenberg told city officials, they will be getting $200,000 towards the renovation project at the former Algonac Elementary School. She said St. Clair County Commissioner David Vandenbossche offered the City of Algonac the opportunity to benefit from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) economic stimulus funds recently received by the county. The funds are available for various projects including demolition and rehabilitation of properties. The City of Algonac requested funds to go towards the Algonac Elementary School rehabilitation project in the amount of $200,000. The funds may help with the cost of architectural services, asbestos survey and removal, engineering services, furniture and fixtures, selective demolition and renovation.
The ARPA funds for the school project are being made available only as reimbursements which means the city has to spend the money and then submit documents, including invoices and cancelled checks, to the county to obtain the funds. Vandenbossche represents District 7 on the St. Clair County Commission which includes the cities of Algonac and Marine City and the Townships of China, Clay and Cottrellville.
April 2024
Marine debuts “Light It Up Blue” campaign
Marine City shone bright on April 2 when it launched a “Light It Up Blue” campaign on World Autism Awareness Day. Led by local resident Tia Raica, the initiative aimed to bring the community together in solidarity with individuals and families affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Throughout the month of April, businesses, homes, and public spaces in Marine City were encouraged to participate by lighting up their exteriors with blue lights. The symbolic gesture serves as a beacon of support and understanding for those living with autism.
In addition to lighting up with blue, participating businesses are encouraged to decorate their storefronts with blue ribbons, luminaries, banners, and signage promoting autism awareness messages.
Local pair jumped in the river without hesitation
An incident at the Smith Street boat launch in Algonac on Saturday, April 13 had the local fire department rescue boat on the scene along with a pair of area men who jumped into the St. Clair River to help a man who had fallen overboard. The incident began when Devin Boghian, 19, of Clay Township and Gunner Lonergan, 22, of Algonac, were passing by in a vehicle and noticed a man in the river hanging onto the back of a boat. The duo pulled over, ran to the water, swam out to the boat and eventually managed to pull the man in distress on board.
When the boat’s motor wouldn’t start Devin and Gunner waved down an Algonac Fire Department Rescue Boat and got the boat, themselves and the man in distress towed to shore.
“He was screaming ‘I can’t breathe’ and I was trying to grab him and I tried to take his hand and was telling him to pull himself up but he said I can’t feel my legs I can’t help you,” Devin said.
The temperature of the water in the St. Clair River in earl April usually falls near the 42- degree mark. Algonac Fire Chief Joseph Doan was pleased to share that the victim in the water was treated and released from a local hospital.
May 2024
Riverside Market returns to Algonac
The Algonac City Council approved a special event application to allow Riverside Market to return to Smith’s Field in Algonac beginning Friday, May 17. The popular market was hosted on Fridays, from 3 to 7:30 p.m., thru Oct. 18. It welcomed food vendors, crafters, small businesses and farms. The sponsoring organization for the market was Jacob’s Ladder F&H, LLC and the event chair was Michelle Binaghi. In seeking the special event permit Binaghi asked that the market be open on Fridays because that’s when people get off work for the weekend.
In addition, she asked to extend the market hours to 7:30 p.m. to give people more time to make it to Smith’s Field after work. She also noted that Smith’s Field is located behind the local Dairy Queen off M-29 in Algonac. A farmer’s market was attempted in 2023 on Thursdays in a different location but it didn’t take off.
June 2024
Mrs. Roper pub crawl debuts in Marine City
“Break out the Caftans.” It’s a humorous tag line for an event that seems to be popping up across the country more formally referred to as the “Mrs. Roper Pub Crawl.”
The event is a nod to the popular television character on the 70s sitcom, “Three’s Company,” the always sarcastic but certainly entertaining character, Helen Roper played by actress Audra Lindley. She was married to the apartment super, Stanely Roper, who was forever trying to keep the trio of roommates, Jack (John Ritter), Chrissy, (Suzanne Somers) and Janet (Joyce DeWitt) in line. The local Mrs. Roper Pub Crawl in Marine City included eight local bars and restaurants participating and over 200 ticket holders. All funds raised will be donated to the Marine City Maritime Days festival in August.
Vandalism at beach restrooms in Marine City addressed
The public restrooms at the Marine City Beach don’t even open until Memorial Day weekend but it didn’t take long for an individual or perhaps a group to vandalize the facilities and prompt their closing on May 28. The Facebook Page, City of Marine City, Michigan, had a post that day with a sign noting the closure of the beach restrooms due to vandalism which then generated 163 comments. Many were from residents upset about the situation and suggesting the city install cameras outside the restrooms to catch the culprits.
When Marine City Police Chief James Heaslip was contacted by phone about the situation on June 10, he said new processes are being put in place to address the issue. He said the charge for
such action would be malicious destruction of property and the fine incurred would depend on the damage and what a judge would deem appropriate. City Manager Scott Adkins said the recent incident had unknown individuals vandalizing both the men’s and women’s pavilion restrooms. They pulled soap dispensers off the walls and spread the soap contents on the floors, sinks and walls. They also went into the toilet facilities and threw “every type of material you can image and some human waste material on top of that rendering all of the bathrooms unusable.”
