Roosevelt
WMS Welcomes Nutty New Mascot
Wyandotte Municipal Services has a new, unofficial mascot that is sure to power up smiles. A talented local resident 3D-printed an adorable squirrel that has brought extra charm to the community. With its sweet and playful look, the little squirrel is spreading joy and brightening the day of everyone who sees it. It’s a delightful reminder of the fun and creativity that makes Wyandotte special.
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The Teller’s Room
Book your next holiday party in The Vault’s private banquet room. Up to 20 people
serves lunch and dinner six days a week and there is a lunch special featuring a $14 Wagyu beef burger.
If you haven’t yet been to The Vault, you owe yourself a visit. Their hours are:
Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 9:00pm Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10:00pm Closed on Sundays.
CPKC Holiday Train Passes Through Downriver
This first pup and kitty duo, Meko and Marley, share a home in Wyandotte with Kathy. They get along very well and enjoy playing “got ya!” throughout the house.
On November 25th, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Holiday Train returned to the Downriver rails, spreading holiday cheer and supporting local communities. This year’s route included stops through Allen Park, Taylor, and Romulus, where the colorful train made its way through the region. The Holiday Train, a beloved tradition since 1999, raised funds, food, and awareness for local food banks along the CP network. Over the years, it has raised more than $21 million and collected over 5 million pounds of food for food banks across North America. The event once again highlighted the spirit of giving, bringing together communities in the fight against hunger during the holiday season.
KINGSFORD & SQUIRREL
Kingsford is a Black Lab (9 yrs) and Squirrel (3 yrs) love zoomies and their toys! Spoiled every day of the year, our furbabies bring joy and happiness to our Downriver family: Jon, Alicia, and favorite Grandma Vicki!
Would you like to see your pet become “Downriver Famous” in our Go Big Multi-Media empire?
Send a photo and a blurb to Sherry@ gobigmultimedia.com and we will do the rest.
Photos by Jim Jacek
Credit union brings holiday cheer with annual Santa photo event
BY ASHLEI DANG
For over 40 years, the Downriver Community Federal Credit Union has been spreading holiday joy with its beloved Santa Photo Event, featuring the same jolly Santa who has now delighted generations of families.
The event, which was completely free and open to both credit union members and non-members, provided a heartwarming holiday experience. Children had the opportunity to meet Santa, share their Christmas wish lists, and receive a beautiful printed photo of their visit in a festive holiday photo mount. Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, the children also received a gift bag filled with goodies such as jumbo coloring books, crayons, and candy canes courtesy of the credit union.
This year’s event had an extra dose of holiday magic: DCFCU’s team went above and beyond by purchasing 175 toys to distribute during the event. Samantha Rakestraw, Marketing Specialist and the organizer of this year’s festivities, shared the team’s experience shopping for the toys: “We received a lot of strange looks from shoppers as we navigated the aisles with our three carts overflowing with toys. Even the cashier, when he found out what we were doing, brought his family out to see Santa!”
After their visit with Santa, children got to choose a special toy from Santa’s sack in addition to their gift bag, making the moment even more memorable.
Parents weren’t left out of the festivities either. Each received a complimentary 2025 Downriver Community Calendar, featuring stunning local scenes from the Downriver area as well as Wayne and Monroe counties. Held during the first week of December, the event drew over 150 children over two days this year.
“As part of Downriver Credit Union’s commitment to supporting our community, it’s a joy to see the smiles on the faces of children as they visit Santa and receive toys,” said Robert LaPalme, President and CEO of Downriver Credit Union. “Giving back during the holiday season is one of the most rewarding aspects of what we do here.”
With decades of tradition and a mission to give back, the Santa Photo Event continues to be a cherished holiday highlight for families across Downriver, spreading joy and holiday spirit to all.
TURNING 65?
Time to clear up the confusion about Estate Planning ... The following definitions lack legal precision, but makes it easier to get a clear picture of what may be needed in your case.
■ Will – letter of intent of where you want your personal property to go – or not go.
■ Living Will – Documents your wishes during your final days including final healthcare choices and possibly your burial wishes.
■ Trust – This is a “company” that you start, and you become the CEO, “Trustee” and “Settlor.” The company outlives you, but continues to manage your assets as if you were alive by the successor CEO – whom you designate.
■ Power of Attorney – Financial and Healthcare – you need both – the first so someone can pay your bills, the second, sometimes called a Patient Advocate, designates someone to make “hallway at the hospital” decisions to take the stress off the family.
■ Ladybird Deed – probably the best thing that has happened to owning a home. I love these deeds – you grant yourself a life estate – in your own property - but retain the power to sell or borrow against the property. If you do not sell before you pass, this “springs” the house out of your estate, and your heirs have instant ownership, subject to any mortgage or taxes owed or similar.
Again, this is just a general description of the more popular terms – no one choice is a “silver bullet” but depending on how your estate gets planned out you can expedite a clean and clear process for the assets you worked a lifetime to save. Why wouldn’t you want to do that? Stop by or call and make an appointment and I’ll tell you what you’re going to need to do this right.
To my numerous former clients – thank you for allowing me to draft your estate plan!
SOUTHERN WAYNE COUNTY REGIONAL CHAMBER
Downriver’s Business Network
Save the Date for Downriver’s Premier Business Expo: The Black Tie Gala and Expo
Ron Hinrichs, CEO/President SWCRC
Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 10, 2025, and join us for an elegant evening of networking, live music, delicious food, and endless business opportunities. Showcase your organization with a vendor booth or sponsorship, or simply enjoy the event as an attendee. This is your chance to connect with top professionals and elevate your business in style!
Learn more and secure your tickets today: swcrc.com/events/blacktie2025
Veterans honored with
‘Never Forget’ Garden
The Monguagon Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently dedicated a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier “Never Forget” Garden at Oakwood Cemetery in Wyandotte.
The DAR has been a strong proponent of the Never Forget Garden initiative since 2018. The initiative was started by the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as a way to commemorate the Tomb’s Centennial in 2021.
The Monguagon Chapter decided to establish the Never Forget Garden back in May. The Chapter’s Conservation Committee Chair, Peggy Antio, introduced the project at a Chapter meeting. “Any garden can be turned into a Never Forget Garden,” explained Antio. “The main components are an
American flag, a Never Forget Garden marker, the incorporation of a white rose bush, and a bench.” Chapter members eagerly supported Antio with this project.
“‘Why a flower garden?’ Flowers represent a language you cannot hear but they speak to your heart’, says Antio.
Mary-Johna Wein, President of Oakwood Cemetery, welcomed the opportunity to transform the area into a place to reflect on our Veterans and their families, past, present, and future.
The dedication ceremony was held on November 11th, Veteran’s Day, with a National Salute of a Gun Salute and Taps by the Wyandotte, American Legion Post 217, Americanism Team.
“We must Never Ever Forget!,” concludes Antio.
The Downriver YMCA recently had the privilege of providing Fresh Thanksgiving Baskets to 184 families in the Downriver community, a gesture that brought the warmth and spirit of the holiday season to many homes. The initiative, which aimed to support families in need, was a success thanks to the collective efforts of the YMCA’s staff, board members, and generous sponsors.
The organization expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support that made this project possible. The YMCA’s Thanksgiving Basket program is just one example of the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and individuals throughout the Downriver area. With the help of its dedicated team and community partners, the Downriver YMCA continues to make a positive impact, strengthening the bonds that unite the community during the holiday season and beyond.
Wayne County works to keep roads safe
The Wayne County Department of Public Services recently issued a statement on snow removal efforts across the county. With dangerous driving conditions due to snow squalls, crews have been actively working since midnight to treat roads and cover 99 routes. The department emphasized the importance of safety during these challenging weather conditions.
Motorists are urged to take it slow, keep a safe distance, and stay at least 200 yards behind snow plows. Drivers are also reminded not to crowd the plow and to give crews the space they need to keep roads clear.
“Your safety is our priority,” the department stated, encouraging everyone to drive with caution and patience as crews continue their work to ensure safer roads for all.
Roosevelt skaters looking for winning formula
The Roosevelt hockey team won just one of its first four games, but it was a big victory as the Bears knocked off Dearborn Divine Child 5-2 on November 20th.
The game was played on DC’s home ice at the Taylor Sportsplex and it was an important win because the Falcons currently sit on top of the Michigan Metro Conference’s West Division.
But the league-leaders were no match for the Bears – and Eli Harrell – as Roosevelt scored once in the first period, three times in the second, and once more in the third, and Harrell scored them all.
The Wyandotte sharpshooter was helped along the way with assists from Cam Row (3), Joey Ogden (2), Ethan Ivity (2), Landon Hinson, Owen Malinowski,
Photos by Dave Chapman
HANK MINCKIEWICZ
and Hunter Lopez.
In goal, Roosevelt got a strong effort from Evan Kelley, who had a busy night but stopped 34 of the 36 shots that came his way. Wyandotte, meanwhile, got just 19 attempts away at the Divine Child net, but the Bears made five of them count.
The Bears and Falcons met again a little over a week later in the first round of the Allen Park Thanksgiving Tournament. That night, DC got the better of the deal, beating Wyandotte 8-3.
Divine Child led 2-1 after one period in that game, but exploded for five goals in the middle period and the Bears could not survive the onslaught. The game was 7-2 after two periods and DC scored the only goal of the final period.
Roosevelt’s other two games this season have ended with the Bears on the short end of the scoreboard.
On opening night at the Yack, Wyandotte fell to Metro West rival Ann Arbor Pioneer 7-5. This game got away from the Bears a bit, and they trailed 4-1 after one period and 7-2 after two, but the home team got its legs under it in the third period. They outscored the Pioneers 3-0 to bring the final tally to
7-5.
Wyandotte took 14 penalties in the game (to six for Ann Arbor) and the Pioneers made the Bears pay, scoring five times with the man advantage.
Pioneer scored 30 seconds into the game and it was 4-0 before Wyandotte’s Roe scored with less than a minute to play in the first period to break the Ann Arbor streak.
Harrell scored, with an assist from Roe, in the second period, and Roe completed his hat trick with two thirdperiod goals. Ivity also scored in the third.
Kelly was in goal for the Bears and he faced 46 shots.
Roosevelt then squared off with Downriver and Metro West rival Grosse Ile and came away stinging from a 7-3 setback.
It was a pretty wide open game with the team combining for 97 shots on goal. Grosse Ile had 60 of those shots and Evan Raithel got two of them to find the back of the net behind Kelly. Raithel was the only player on either team with more than one goal.
Netting goals for the Bears were Hinson, Ogden, and Harrell.
The Bears now have only a hand-
ful of games remaining before the Christmas break. Wyandotte will host Muskegon Mona Shores on December 13th, go to Kennedy Arena for a rematch with Grosse Ile on December 16th and go to the Suburban Ice Center in Rochester to face Rochester Untied on December 21st.
Bears tip-it-off
Photos by Dave Chapman 2024-25 Roster
2024-25 Schedule
Dec. 13 Mona Shores, 7
Dec. 14 GR Christian, 11:40
Dec. 16 at Grosse Ile, 7:40
Dec. 21 at Rochester, 6:45
Jan. 3 AA Richard, 6:40
Jan. 8 at Southgate, 7:30
Jan. 10 at Petoskey, 7
Jan. 11 at Cheboygan, 1
Jan. 16 at Carlson, 6:50
Jan. 22 Allen Park, 6:50
Jan. 25 at Trenton, 7:30
Jan. 29 at AA Pioneer, 3
Jan, 31 at AA Richard, 5
Feb. 5 Woodhaven, 6:50
Feb. 8 Troy, 4:40
Feb. 12 Riverview, 6:50
Feb. 17-26 Regionals
When the Bears return to action after the holiday they will host Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and go to Southgate on January 8th to face Downriver United before heading up north to Take on Petoskey on January 10th and Cheboygan on January 11th.
The Roosevelt boys basketball team kicked off the 2024-25 Michigan High School Athletic Association regular season with a 44-31 loss at the hands of Grosse Ile on November 26th. The game was the first of the eight the Bears will play before Christmas break. Roosevelt will meet league rivals Carlson, Allen Park, Southgate, Taylor, Edsel Ford, and Lincoln Park before the holiday, as well as a non-league tilt with Flat Rock.
2024-25 Schedule
Dec. 10 Southgate, 6
Dec. 12 at Taylor, 7
Dec. 17 at Edsel Ford, 7
Dec. 19 Lincoln Park, 6
Jan. 7 at New Boston, 7
Jan. 10 Woodhaven, 7
Jan. 14 at Trenton, 7
Jan. 16 Inter-City, 6
Jan. 21 Carlson, 6
Jan. 23 at Allen Park, 7
Jan. 28 at Southgate, 7
Jan. 31 Taylor, 7
Feb. 4 Edsel Ford, 6
Feb. 6 at Lincoln Park, 7
Feb. 14 at Woodhaven, 7
Feb. 18 Trenton, 6
Feb. 20 Tecumseh, 7
Feb. 21 at Melvindale, 7
Feb. 24-28 Districts
The Crossing Point: A PASC artistic exploration
The PASC Southgate Gallery recently unveiled The Crossing Point, an exciting exhibition running through January 3rd, 2025. This showcase features the work of fourteen talented artists from three studios, offering a rich tapestry of artistic expression.
Curated by Benjamin Haddix and Kristi Ternes, the exhibition presents a diverse array of artworks, from two-dimensional pieces to intricate sculptures. Participating artists include Michael Ficara, Manual Bart, Stanley Brown, Sereal Crawford, Dwayne Curry, Mandy Demorest, Santina Dionisi, Zainab ElHasan, Derek Ellis, David Harris, Ryan McDonagh, John Peterson, Justin Pollard, and Tessann Rondeau.
The Crossing Point emphasizes the importance of experimentation, with artists blending materials in innovative ways. The works delve into themes of architecture, play, and the transformation of ideas into tangible forms. Visitors can expect to encounter pieces that are not only visually striking but also provoke thought about the relationship between creativity and materiality.
The gallery is located at 13721 Eureka Road and is open on Fridays from 10am to 3pm, or by appointment. As audiences explore the space, they will engage with the intersection of various mediums, witnessing how artists traverse boundaries to create
captivating narratives. This exhibition promises to be a highlight of the season, inviting all to experience the dynamic world of contemporary art.
Progressive Art Studio Collective is a program of Services to Enhance Potential (STEP) a non profit organization which provides support and services to over 1,400
Wayne
INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY HEALTH
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NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBORS
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Pioneers fall in finals of D8 football playoffs
A sensational season came to an end for the Gabriel Richard football team in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 8 state championship game at Ford Field on Dec. 29.
The Pioneers, who finished the season 11-2, reached the state championship game with four consecutive playoff victories, but in the title game they ran into an inspired Beal City team and lost 43-14.
Beal City is one of the real blue bloods of smallschool football in Michigan. The Aggies have been in the state championship game 10 times in their history, winning three state titles. The Aggies were 12-2 this season with losses to Reed City and McBain, coming by a total of eight points. Last year, Beal City lost in
the state semifinals to eventual D* state champion Ubly.
Richard scored first against the Aggies in the championship game and the TD came on a thrilling play as Richard quarterback Nick Sobush hit Derek Lesko with a perfect 53-yard bomb to give the Pioneers a 6-0 lead.
Richard’s 1,000-yard running back Joey Calhoun then scored a two-point conversion and it was 8-0 less than a minute into the championship game. The opening drive lasted three plays and covered 72 yards. It was a great start for the Riverview squad, but the Pioneers could not maintain the lead as Beal City scored on three of its four first first-half possessions and led 22-8 at halftime.
Beal City got a good kickoff return to start the season half and went on to score again to make it a 29-8 game.
Richard got back into it with a 76-yard drive that lasted 16 plays and chewed up nearly eight minutes of the game clock. Sobush paid off the drive with a oneyard sneak. The two-point try failed and it was 29-14.
But that was Richard’s last trip to the end zone of the season and the Aggies added two fourth-quarter scores to get the final to 43-14.
Beal City finished with 332 total yards, all but 17 of it on the ground.
Gabriel Richard had 251 total yards. Sobush was 9-for-18 through the air for 120 yards. Sobush was also the team’s leading rusher with 58 yards, Calhoun had 46 rushing yards and Kris Vigers added 31.
Defensively, Sobush, Lesko and Eric Busbee led the Pioneers in tackles. Lesko, Calhoun and Max Riney all had tackles for a loss.
The Pioneers came into the game pretty banged up and first-year coach Mark Shea gave his team praise for hanging tough while playing shorthanded.
PAGE 14
Riverview welcomes new elementary principal
RCSD wants to give a big Pirate welcome to the newest member of the administrative team, Mr. Erik Browe. Erik was named the new principal at Memorial Elementary for the 2024-2025 school year and comes to the position with 16 years of experience in education. Mr. Browe earned his Bachelor’s in education from Western Michigan University and his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Madonna University.
Erik grew up in Southgate and comes to Riverview
Mr. Browe is excited to be part of the community and looks forward to continuing the great traditions at Memorial Elementary. He is dedicated to fostering a positive, nurturing, and engaging learning environment for all students.
PAGE 4
Rotary Club of Southgate hosts District Governor
The Rotary Club of Southgate recently welcomed Rotary District 6400’s District Governor, Nick Krayacich, for his official visit at Downriver Community Federal Credit Union. The day began with a productive board meeting, followed by the formal gathering where several new members were sworn in by District Governor Krayacich and President Kevin Bowlby. The new members
from Melvindale where he served as an Assistant Principal and prior to that was a Special Education Teacher in Allen Park. He also has experience coaching football and basketball.
included JJ Harzel, Derrick DiBrano, and Nichole Zello from Riverview, as well as Brad Alderman, Ron Palmer, Mary Greener, Paul Knott, and Donald Corbin from Southgate.
During the meeting, the club presented a donation of $1,684 to support the Eradication of Polio campaign, raised through the club’s Pancake Breakfast fundraiser. In addition, Nick and Kevin were presented with Rotary jerseys, and the club made a book donation in the District Governor’s name to the local library, contributing “The Butterfly Story” for the community.
PAGE 7
Grosse Ile skaters off to a quick start in 2024-25
The 2024-25 high school hockey season is young, really young, but the Grosse Ile Red Devils have already notched a crucial victory.
Last year the Red Devils kind of ran off with the Michigan Metro League West Division title, but Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard was one of Grosse Ile’s closest pursuers.
On Nov. 20 Grosse Ile made sure there was still some space between the two squads when they skated away with a 7-5 victory on home ice.
The Red Devils led 3-1 after one period and 5-3 after two before settling for the 7-5 final score.
Three Red Devils – Colten Dwarzski, Max Myers and Adalar Hovis – scored two goals each to key the offense. Evan Raithel had the other Grosse Ile goal.
Dwarzski also had two assists to complete a fourpoint night and Dom Cucinella matched that effort with four assists. Six other Red Devil players had
assists, including Jake Oliver, who had two.
Grosse Ile opened the season with a 7-4 win over archrival Riverview. The Bucs are now a co-op team with Cabrini and the past few seasons have been kind of an uphill battle for the program. The climb continues, so it would appear, as Grosse Ile had a relatively easy time with the Pirates.
PAGE 18
Trenton
RecFest: A
morning of food and community
Trenton Parks and Recreation recently hosted a free community breakfast at the Westfield Center. The event, part of the RecFest Club, welcomed residents to enjoy a cozy morning before the holiday rush. Held on November 26th from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM, the breakfast provided an opportunity for locals to relax, connect, and enjoy a delicious meal.
The breakfast spread included fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, sausage, and a choice of hot coffee or fresh juice. It was a chance for families, friends, and neighbors to come together and share a meal while enjoying good conversation.
The event also encouraged attendees to support the community by donating non-perishable food items for the local food pantry or making monetary contributions to the SNAP program.
PAGE 19
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GREAT LAKES MOMENT
Michigan’s Port of Monroe fosters a blue economy that welcomes wildlife
By JOHN HARTIG
Historically, the prevailing thinking was that society could have either a healthy economy or healthy biodiversity, but not both. But over time many businesses have proven this wrong. Michigan’s Port of Monroe is one, showing how a thriving maritime industry can go hand-in-hand with exceptional biodiversity.
Nestled on the banks of the River Raisin in Monroe, Michigan is the Port of Monroe — what mariners affectionately call the “Biggest Little Port” on the Great Lakes. However, this St. Lawrence Seaway System node not only welcomes limestone, synthetic gypsum, natural gas pipeline sections, steel coils, wind energy components and containers, but it also welcomes wildlife.
The port is 35 miles south of Detroit, Michigan and 17 miles north of Toledo, Ohio. It is Michigan’s only port on Lake Erie and is the gateway to the state’s far-reaching multimodal transportation network.
In 2023, the port received about 2.5 million tons of cargo. The port can transfer cargo between rail, truck or vessel. In 2023, the port received $16 million in state and federal grants to build a terminal that will allow the port to handle container shipments, the most common and efficient shipment method for goods. This will make Port of Monroe the first container terminal in Michigan when it comes online in 2025, making it one of the most state-of-theart ports on the Great Lakes.
The Great Lakes Seaway Partnership has documented that
the Port of Monroe and its maritime commerce support: 1,659 jobs, $96 million in economic activity, $121.1 million in personal income and local consumption expenditures and $38.5 million in federal and state tax revenue.
Port of Monroe is also getting a reputation for its exceptional wildlife
Western Lake Erie and the Port of Monroe are situated at the intersection of the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways. The flyways are ideal for migrating birds because they provide food, water and shelter. The Port of Monroe happens to be surrounded by approximately 1,742 acres of conservation lands — Sterling State Park, Ford March Unit of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, and wetland and prairie habitats that are part of the Monroe Power Plant — and the waters of western Lake Erie.
Lake Erie has been recognized for its biodiversity in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (one of 67 areas of continental significance to North American ducks, geese and swans), the Canada-U.S. Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan, and the Lake Erie Biodiversity Conservation Strategy produced by The Nature Conservancy. It has been identified as a priority area for waterfowl conservation by Ducks Unlimited.
Western Lake Erie and the lower River Raisin are a magnet for waterfowl because they provide stopover habitats where birds rest, refuel and find shelter during their migration between breeding and wintering areas. Such sites are critical for bird survival, as migration is the most dangerous part of their life cycle.
“More than 300,000 diving ducks
like canvasbacks, bluebills, redheads and mergansers migrate through the area each year,” said Richard Micka, a lifelong outdoorsman and member of the River Raisin Public Advisory Committee and the International Wildlife Refuge Alliance. “We also have dabbling ducks that do not dive beneath the surface, including blue-winged and green-winged teal, pintails, black ducks and mallards. It should be no surprise that this area has long been a birding and waterfowl-hunting mecca.”
To help support osprey recovery efforts, the Port of Monroe worked with DTE Energy to relocate an active osprey nest at the port and then constructed two osprey platforms on its property. These platforms provide nesting habitat and have been successful in attracting this “species of special concern” in Michigan.
The Port of Monroe also welcomes many other avian visitors. For example, Caspian tern, a threatened species in Michigan, has been a regular visitor to the port that inspires a sense of wonder in both port workers and deckhands from visiting ships.
Lake Erie has the highest biological diversity and fish production of all the Great Lakes, and as a result, one of the largest freshwater fisheries in the world. Located at the mouth of the River Raisin is the 3,279-megawatt Monroe Power Plant owned by DTE Energy with Wildlife Habitat Councilcertified habitats. This plant is literally in the shadow of the port. The thermal discharge from the plant prevents the water from always freezing in the winter and attracts large numbers of fish from Lake Erie’s world-class fishery. This, in turn, attracts fish-eating bald eagles — often more than 100.
The interest in seeing so many bald eagles in one place has led to an annual bald eagle tour sponsored by DTE Energy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. These tours have been held on power plant property for 14 consecutive years. Interest in seeing our National Symbol is so great that individuals have to be selected by lottery.
“We have seen up to 200 bald eagles while we are breaking ice with a tugboat at the port in winter,” said Paul LaMarre, director of the Port of Monroe. “It often feels like we are in a wildlife sanctuary, instead of a maritime port. This is something I wish more people could experience.”
Not only is the Port of Monroe growing its operations and maritime economy, but it is also a partner in cleaning up the River Raisin Area of Concern and stewarding its natural resources.
“The Port of Monroe is a shining example that industry and environment can coexist,” said LaMarre. “The synergy of community, wildlife, and commercial waterway is at the heart of what we as a public port are striving to protect.”
Originally published by Great Lakes Now. John Hartig is a board member at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. He serves as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Windsor’s Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research and has written numerous books and publications on the environment and the Great Lakes. Hartig also helped create the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, where he worked for 14 years as the refuge manager.
Photos courtesy of the Port of Monroe
