Events featured in our newsletter can also be found on the Events Calendar on the main page of our website.

HAVE YOU SPOKEN OUT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE UP?

Last week we reminded you of the resolution that passed unanimously at our October meeting last fall, and asked you to speak out about it to your state representatives. That resolution was in favor of conducting a feasibility study on the potential for converting an abandoned UP correctional facility into a state psychiatric hospital.

Access to adequate mental health care resources has long been identified as an under-met need in our area. The discussion at that meeting included review of a white paper, prepared by Policy & Resolutions Chair Katie LaCosse, on the need for such a hospital in the UP, and why the State should approve the study.

Your voice can help make it possible for the UP to have the local mental health care it deserves. Click on the button below, scan the QR code in the image, or follow the link bit.ly/4maCoHL for suggested wording for your letter to your state representatives, along with contact information. THANK YOU!

INTERGROUP LEADERSHIP MEETING PLANNED

A meeting is planned for April 15th. The intent of the meeting is to get leaders of the various local progressive-leaning groups together for potential coordination on issues and priorities of mutual interest. Leaders from the Houghton County Dems, Keweenaw Indivisible, KATO, and AWAVE are expected to attend. If you would like to participate please reach out to HCDP Chair William Keith at [email protected] for more information.

YES, SPRING FLING IS JUST 18 DAYS AWAY! IF YOU HAVEN’T GOT YOUR TICKETS YET, NOW IS THE TIME!

HONORING MIKE LAHTI

At this year’s Spring Fling we honor Mike Lahti, whose years of service to our community is an inspiration. One way you can honor Mike’s legacy is by giving back to your community through serving as a Precinct Delegate. We’ve some great news for anyone considering becoming a Precinct Delegate.

EASY FILING FOR PRECINCT DELEGATE

County Clerk Jennifer Kelly has confirmed that she will bring Precinct Delegate Affidavit of Identity forms to the Spring Fling. You can fill a form out right there. She’ll even notarize it for you personally at no charge! If you are unable to attend Spring Fling, you can bring the form to the Clerk’s Office in the Houghton County Building and ask for it to be notarized and submitted (also at no charge). You must complete the form by May 5. Thanks to Clerk Kelly for helping to make the first step in serving as Precinct Delegate much easier.

You can learn more about what it means to be a Precinct Delegate on our website.

SOCIAL HOUR, DINNER, SPEAKERS, AWARDS & A SILENT AUCTION

The agenda for the annual Spring Fling follows the familiar schedule - social hour starts at 5 PM, with dinner served at 6 PM. After dinner we will hear from a number of speakers, both in person and virtually. Then, we’ll follow up with our annual Awards ceremony and the Silent Auction.

Our Keynote Speaker this year is Joe Gutowski, Chair of the MDP Rural Caucus. Joe is the driving force behind the legislative influence of the Rural Caucus, working to ensure that the voices of small communities are heard at the state level. His leadership and dedication have also been instrumental in organizing the Rural Summit, which will be held at the UAW Education Center June 16 through June 20.

SUMMER EVENTS SCHEDULE & CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

It might not seem like it right now, but summer really isn’t that far off! That means it’s time to start planning for our annual HCDP summertime events, and the full summer events calendar is now available. - click here to download a PDF to share!

Like everything we do, our summer events are staffed by volunteers, and we can always use more help! If youd like to help by marching in a parade or staffing a table at one of these events we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us a line at [email protected], or reach out directly to our Nancy Verive, our Events Committee Chair at [email protected].

MILLAGES AND BONDS ON MAY BALLOT

Absentee ballots have already been sent, and on Tuesday, May 5th, polls will open for in person voting. Across the county there are three millage proposals and a school bond proposal at issue. You can find information on the proposals at the County Clerk’s web page here - scroll to the bottom of the page for links to each proposal.

The millage proposal for the Copper Country Intermediate School District is for consideration by all voters in the District, which includes Houghton, Keweenaw and Baraga Counties. The proposal is for a renewal of the existing millage that supports the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?

With an election only a little over a month away, now is a good time to think about your voter status. Are you registered to vote? If you'd like to check your registration, or get information on absentee voting, or find out where your polling place is, or find out more about pretty much anything else to do with voting here in Michigan, then check out the handy one-stop resource at the Secretary of State's Voter Information Center at Michigan.gov/Vote.

PHONEBANK TO SUPPORT MAY SPECIAL ELECTION CANDIDATE CHEDRICK GREENE

The Chedrick Greene campaign is going all out ahead of the May special election for the state Senate seat in the 35th District. This open seat that will decide majority control of the state Senate, and it will take an all-out effort to win. Chedrick needs all of us in this fight now.

You have two opportunities this week to directly support the Chedrick Greene campaign by participating in virtual phonebanks to get out the vote! The first phonebank will be tomorrow evening starting at 6 PM, and the second will be this Saturday, April 18 starting at 1 PM. See the Upcoming Events item at the top of the newsletter for links to sign up for each phonebank opportunity.

CANDIDATES FOR STATE SENATE CHRIS MAPPS & KELLI VAN GINHOVEN APPEAR ON TV6’s “BEYOND THE BALLOT”

Both Democratic candidates for Michigan’s 38th District Senate seat have appeared on TV6’s “Beyond the Ballot” series. In this series TV6 news anchor Brady Meyer interviews candidates for office across the UP. In each episode of the series Meyer first recaps political news of the day, and then gets into a one on one interview with a candidate.

These lengthy interviews a good way to get to know your local Democratic candidates.

You can find the interviews by going to the Beyond the Ballot page on the Upper Michigan’s Source website.

The interview with Kelli Van Ginhoven is in Episode #9, and begins right after the 8:00 minute mark in the video.

The interview with Chris Mapps is in Episode #11 and begins at about 5:50 minutes into the video.

STEVENS BECOMES FIRST DEM CANDIDATE FOR US SENATE SEAT TO FILE HER BALLOT PETITION SIGNATURES

MOVIE NIGHT / SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

From event organizers at Special Olympics Area 39:

Attend our family-friendly event to support Special Olympics athletes. Watch a movie based on a true story about a girl's journey to self-esteem through Special Olympics. Enjoy food and drinks for purchase and bid on amazing items in the silent auction; winners will be announced after the movie. All funds made through the silent auction will go towards our local athletes to offset the costs of uniforms, equipment, practice facilities, transportation to regional and state games and competitions, and registration fees.

RSVP by calling Michael or Naomi at 231-445-8412, emailing [email protected] or using at our Eventbrite page.

TUE APR 14

This month's regular meeting of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners is tonight at 6 PM in the Conference Room on the fifth floor of the Houghton County Courthouse. Virtual meeting link can be found here.

WED APR 15

The Hancock City Council meets at 6 PM in the Hancock City Hall Council Chambers.

A FULL LISTING OF ALL LOCAL CITY, VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENTS, WITH CONTACT INFORMATION, AND (WHERE AVAILABLE) TIMING OF LOCAL COUNCIL MEETINGS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE.