Current Events

Small but Mighty
She may be small but she is mighty. At least in economic terms. Over 3000 commercial vessels chug through Lake Saint Clair every year; many loading and unloading on either side of the Detroit River. Couple this with the fact that this lake accounts for over one third of the entire Great Lakes sport fishing catch each year and nearly half of the entire Great Lakes sport fishing effort. More than 167,000 boats are registered on both sides of the lake where boating activities pump an estimated $289 million into the local economies. Sailboat racing in Lake Saint Clair is world class. In fact, many of the international rules and regs are determined along its shorlines (including for the Americas Cup Race). Activities are numerous: Sport fishing, ice fishing, canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing, sailing, ice boating and swimming to name the most obvious. Events include various fishing derbys, hydrofoil racing, sail regattas, our local dragon boat racing, and yes...even the Jobby Nooner.

Read more: Wind On Water Under Fire

Resident Kristy Bottle is concerned that, due to budget cuts, her kids will no longer have the benefit of taking part in the local recreation program.

Bottle has kids in the DRC soccer program and is helping lead an effort to make sure the program is not scrapped. She and other families gathered outside city offices for a peaceful demonstration last week before the March 16 council meeting.

"The closer it gets, we're getting really concerned," she said. "We don't have anything else in the area. We were hoping to get community support. We want them to know it's important for our kids."

The picketers gathered quietly inside city hall while Bottle and others addressed the council during the meeting.

"This is important," she said. "I plan on living in Algonac for a long time. Once it's gone, how long is it going to take to get a program like this back?"

She conceded that cuts must be made, but asked that the council reconsider pulling out of a program that statistically lowers the rate of childhood delinquency.

"Even in our own homes, we have to make cuts to a certain extent," said the mother of four. "Can't they limit the program or come up with some other plan? We have a lot of questions and we're not getting any answers."

The program operates under a joint agreement by Algonac, Clay Township and Algonac Community Schools. The two municipalities contribute $40,000 and the school district provides 'in kind" services, like office space, telephones and facilities for recreation programs, said DRC board chairman Dennis York.

He also addressed the council at the meeting, urging them to "look further ahead," when the economy recovers and potential homebuyers survey the benefits of moving into the community.

"With all the foreclosures going on now, down the road, a lot of families will be looking to move into the city," he said. "If they have families and you don't have a rec program, they will look for another place that does."

He also pointed out that, for the price tag, the rec programs give a "pretty big bang for their buck."

York said if the city decides to pull out, the program will end.

"We'll have to close up," he said. "My feeling is, they're in a hard situation right now, but they have to make a decision soon."

York said the commission is at a standstill while they wait, unable to sign up participants for the concerts or programs until they are sure there will be any concerts or programs.

Michele Devoogd was one of the local parents that came to show support for the DRC. She has two kids in the program who have enjoyed kayaking and other recreation activities.

"We need to find the money," she said. "There is money that comes from the state towards recreation. Is state funding not enough? They should let the parents know if there is something we can do. We can fundraise."

Besides the children's programs, DRC sponsors the Concerts in the Park on Thursdays, as well as trips to places like the Eastern market and sporting events, the Senior Olympics, Walk Michigan and various art classes. The full program can be viewed at algonac-clay-recreation.com.

DRC Program director Tracy Vandermeer said there were 125 children enrolled in the summer playground program last year and 50 kids in the Gators Camp, which exposes children to kayaking, fishing and other outdoor activities. Another popular class is the dance programs, with about 75 children currently enrolled in dance classes. A total of about 200 local kids attend the Introduction to Basketball workshops, held six times a year and about 150 children attend a similar soccer program annually.

York said the small fees DRC charges would not be able to sustain the program. Eighty percent of the money goes to the instructors and the other 20 percent covers supplies and upkeep, he said.

"Compared to other communities like Chesterfield, we offer more for a lot less," he said.

"I understand they're strapped. They have to look at what they're spending. Everybody has to make cuts. But they have to look ahead."

City Manager Karl Tomion said he would be happy to meet with representatives to discuss the fate of the program, pointing out that he is new to the job and not up to speed on all the details.

"You apparently value it very much," he said.

He also said the council will not make their final decision before the budget workshop at 7 p.m. on April 13. The session is open to the public.