Escanabas New Downtown: Local Assets and Fostering Community and the Economy

 Recently, I stopped by one of the little social clubs I visit and took a look at this beautiful downtown out the front door.

This downtown has parallel parking, bike lanes, clean sidewalks, and attractive lamp posts. Look at these buildings. There is room for investment.

The downtown is poised for growth.

Recently, this town has been coming back through the revitalization of the downtown and the area in general. It was a little sleepy but has become a hot spot. It wasn't bad before; it just needed more new businesses, and some new businesses are now moving in. There has also been signifiant investment in the area from Billerud and other companies.

There is a growing sense of community, with activities and events bringing people together. Tourists are coming from all over, and tourism is increasing. The marina has races and sailboats. There are art events, Players de Noc, ice races in the winter, fishing during the summer, and nice beaches with lifeguards.

(I like to think of different sectors working together to create an organic cluster. i.e. metal stamping, wood products, infrastructure-shipping, tourism, start-up, etc. and how they work together.)

There is a lot going on in this town. From anchor businesses, to infrastructure upgrades, to an emerging entrepreneurial smart city feel. 

Now we have a beautiful, revitalized downtown that is ready for investment. There are still a few vacant buildings, but if you have a really good idea, I suggest you call the city with some investment ideas. City of Escanaba (City of Gladstone  is next to Escanaba)

If you have the capacity to invest, you can become part of the continued growth of this wonderful community filled with wonderful people.

We can show the world that we can build something new.

Escanaba's New Downtown

How Small Towns and Cities Can Use Local Assets to Rebuild Their Economies: Lessons from Successful Places

• Small towns and cities can successfully diversify and rebuild their economies by identifying and leveraging local assets, such as historic downtowns, cultural institutions, and natural environments, rather than relying solely on traditional corporate recruitment.

• Sustainable economic development relies heavily on long-range, community-driven planning processes that actively engage residents, local business owners, and regional stakeholders.

• Accessing outside funding—including state or federal grants—and providing local incentives like tax rebates or streamlined development processes helps lower barriers for private investment and business growth.

• Cross-sector collaboration among municipalities, universities, local businesses, and regional organizations allows smaller communities to combine resources and build economic resilience.

• Prioritizing environmental health, smart growth principles, and outdoor recreational assets enhances local quality of life, which in turn helps attract entrepreneurs, talent, businesses, and tourists.

APA Reference: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2015). How small towns and cities can use local assets to rebuild their economies: Lessons from successful places (Publication No. EPA 231-R-15-002). https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth

Hunker Junker Chronicles: Reviving a 1985 Buick Riviera-Degrease and Tire Shimmy

 Why Fix Up an Old Car?

Hunker Junker Classics is documenting the revitalization of a 1985 Buick Riviera that I picked up inexpensively from a friend after my other car was hit by a deer. Yes, the deer hit the car—I watched it happen.

Older cars are increasingly being restored and updated with modern amenities. Nostalgia is part of the appeal, but economics also matter. With new cars commonly costing $40,000, $50,000 or more, there is a lot that can be done with the body of an older vehicle for far less.

Illustrative Only

The Riviera Gets Some Attention

The Riviera recently received some needed mechanical work. An old oil leak was repaired, and the engine bay was cleaned up after years of accumulated oil.

A persistent tire-related shimmy was also addressed. Rebalancing the tire made the problem much better, although a small vibration remains. Since the problem appeared after the winter-to-summer tire change, the tires remain the leading suspect. Next time rotate and after than we are back to thinking about the axle.

Knowing Your Car

One lesson from working on older cars is that the owner often knows the symptoms best. Basic mechanical knowledge can help identify problems and ask better questions.

Not every repair requires replacing parts. Sometimes the first step is simply making sure the actual problem has been properly identified. That is why I prefer to understand the vehicle and its symptoms before authorizing additional work.

More Than Just a Car

For me, the Riviera is also about memories. My grandfather was a car dealer, and cars from this era remind me of him and the work he did.

He returned from Germany after serving in the war to protect people of a different religion and slow the advance of Germany, built a life, started a farm, married a farmhand, and eventually established a car dealership. That story represents a different era—one in which hard work, opportunity and independence seemed more attainable. This seem different now with the overconcentration of decision making, courts that make consolidation easy without thinking of about consumers, and money being siphoned from communities, farms, and small business to people at the top (Build local, buy local, thrive local to retain the tax advantages and wealth.). 

The Bigger Picture

That connection between old cars and personal history helps explain why people restore them. They are not simply repairing transportation. They are preserving memories, exercising creativity and maintaining a connection to another time.

For now, I'm enjoying fixing up and driving the Riviera. Maybe someday I'll restore and resell a few more classics, but for now, the goal is simple: keep the Hunker Junker on the road and enjoy the ride.

Why Some People Still Love Vintage Gasoline Cars

• Preference for older gasoline-powered cars does not necessarily mean resistance to change or modern technology.
• Nostalgia can connect vehicles with meaningful memories, family traditions, independence, achievements, and important periods of life.
• Familiarity, mechanical control, and the ability to repair or understand a vehicle can provide comfort and satisfaction.
• Psychological concepts such as attachment, nostalgia, the mere exposure effect, and the endowment effect help explain why people value familiar possessions.
• The broader lesson is that consumer decisions are influenced by both logic and emotion; understanding personal experiences can provide greater insight into why people make different choices.

Walia, G. (2026, July 9). Psychology says people who are old school and still love vintage gasoline run cars aren't resistant to change but often value memories, control and familiarity: What the behaviour reveals? The Economic Times. 

Leadership: Motivation, Direction, and the Ability to Develop Innovation Solutions

Leadership is fundamental to organizations and communities because it motivates people and provides a sense of direction. How we motivate people to act on a good cause, mission, or organizational objective is part of the ability of maximizing group effort. Executives will need to learn to manage groups and how you do that is important in solving collective problems (organization or society). 

(Illustrative Only)

Leadership is based
in your personal experience, traits,
and skills. It must fit
within a certain cultural 
framework and able to motivate
teams of people. The right
challenge, leader, followers
and resources for innovative
adaptation.

Strong leaders solve
 societal-organizational problems, 
they don't seek to self enrich
or self-promote.
Ethics is still important
to ensure resources
are used wisely.

Leadership ability is drawn from the social side. It contains elements of group management, resource allocation, knowing how to use pressure, when to create a vision. Strong leadership doesn't happen overnight but is fostered over time. 

Leadership is therefore both a skill and a developmental process. This is one reason people pursue college and graduate education, participate in leadership programs, and study leadership through reading and practical experience.

Leadership can also look very different depending on the circumstances. In some historical situations, strong leadership and authoritarianism may appear similar, while in others, empathy, collaboration, and working effectively with others can produce greater achievement. Leadership is neither good or bad but the leader must choose what type they are going to be and what their followers are willing to follow.

We have seen leadership in history do great things and we have seen it do horrible things. The leader must be able to sell his vision to others. Therefore, leadership is in context. Thus this is why in some of my writings I use the concepts I, ME, WE to round out this context. I is personal leadership (many paths to being a leader), ME is the socialized evironment (values and culture), and WE the collective effort (coordinating resources). 

Ultimately, leadership involves bringing people and resources together and developing strategies to overcome challenges. Innovate for lasting change. When leadership is inclusive and encourages willing participation in shared goals, it can help organizations bring out the best in their people, compete more effectively, and innovate.

The question for leaders is not simply whether they can lead, but what kind of leadership they provide and whether their approach brings out the best in others.

 Ten Simple Rules for Good Leadership

• Good leadership is not simply the same as being a good manager or a successful professional; effective leaders help people and organizations perform at their best.
• Lead by example and demonstrate the standards, work ethic, and accountability expected from others.
• Be humble, recognize the abilities of others, share credit, and understand that strong organizations depend on people with different strengths.
• Build an inclusive and caring workplace by recognizing individuals, listening to employees, treating people fairly, and understanding their circumstances.
• Encourage shared governance, seek input, communicate decisions transparently, and develop a collective organizational vision.
• Be decisive when difficult choices must be made, accept responsibility for mistakes, and correct decisions when necessary.
• Hire the right people, give them opportunities to innovate, and delegate responsibilities to trusted team members.
• Enjoy leadership while recognizing when it is time to move on; strong leaders develop succession plans so the organization can continue successfully.

Bourne, P. E. (2022). Ten simple rules for good leadership. PLOS Computational Biology, 18(6), e1010133. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010133

California Recognizes Open Water Lifeguards as First Responders-MI Might Consider the Same

California recently recognized open-water lifeguards as first responders. That is great news, and perhaps it is something we can consider in Michigan.

Lifeguards complete extensive training, and as someone who does this type of work to help the local community and holds an open-water deep-water rescue certification, it is encouraging to see this recognition. I went through lifeguard training earlier this year and pick up a few evening shifts in Michigan and California. Some of that contribution may include beaches and inland lakes from time to time.

(Illustrative Only)
...and they say
we are not first responders.
You do it then,
we need more lifeguards.

As a volunteer part-time firefighter, I have also learned many of the same skills through my training. In some ways, lifeguards have higher physical requirements and more specialized initial lifesaving training, while firefighters focus more heavily on fire response as well as lifesaving techniques Lifeguarding can require CPR, AED, water rescue, swimming with victims, underwater rescue, oxygen administration, and other specialized certifications and skills. You learn much from this journey and I have great respect for the fields.

California Recognizes Open-Water Lifeguards as First Responders

• California lawmakers approved Senate Concurrent Resolution 192, formally recognizing open-water lifeguards as first responders and emergency response providers.
• The resolution passed the State Assembly on August 19, 2026, and will take effect after being signed by the Secretary of State.
• California lifeguards have performed more than 1.4 million rescues in the state’s oceans, lakes, and rivers.
• San Diego officials emphasized that lifeguards routinely respond to drownings, cardiac emergencies, floods, cliff rescues, boating accidents, and other life-threatening situations.
• The nonbinding resolution does not immediately change pay or benefits, but supporters see it as an important first step toward stronger recognition, resources, and protections for lifeguards.

Murphy, T. (2026, August 26). Lifeguards save lives. California is only now recognizing them as first responders. Times of San Diego. https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2026/08/26/california-recognizing-them-as-first-responders/

Judicial Integrity and Public Trust: Strengthening the Rule of Law (The Allegory of The Clan)

Public trust in the courts is essential to a functioning society, yet trust can be weakened by polarization, extremism, partisanship, and misconduct by officials in positions of authority.

The Allegory of the Clan provides a philosophical thought experiment for examining how corruption and coordinated hate can target people who report wrongdoing rather than addressing the long stemming underlying problem. When officials abandon their oaths, disregard constitutional principles, or use their authority to protect or reward favored groups, the damage extends beyond individual victims and can undermine confidence in the entire system.

Illustrative Only
Some of these people
have lost their purpose
and faithfulness to
our oaths and social contracts.
We must protect the next
diverse generation from 
their crazed wrath.

The vast majority of judges, police officers, and public officials do their jobs honorably and serve their communities. We applaud their noble efforts and support them. Get as many young people to pick these fields to strengthen them. However, a small number of officials engaging in misconduct can create serious problems when effective checks and balances are lacking. Add the extremism of hate with corruption and unchecked misuse of power and we have not learned the lessons of history. So we can best support those doing good by fostering and promoting good actors and removing and holding to account poor actors. 

In the Allegory of the Clan a report of corruption and hate based misconduct led coordinated aggression, misuse of tax payer resources, false investigations, backroom deals, exploitive enrichment, religious suppression, blocking freedom of speech, threats of violence, stalking, hate narratives, putting kids at risk, undermining parents rights to keep their kids safe, and all types of behaviors the founding fathers and mothers of the nation launched a new society to stop. They did not care until they were at risk of being caught, categorized, witness names gathered, etc. The courts supported a particular religous belief, victim dumped and walked off as pattern. They think rights are only for them. Victims had no safe recourse and that was by design.

Now let us add a twist to our story. The people who felt entitled to target others did so because of their belief that they represent the religion and color that makes them first class citizens and provides justification to dehumanize others through second class citizenship. Their underlining assumptions were that they practiced the religion and were of the race of the earliest colonies. However, when you analyze the history one might find they didn't practice the religion of the early founders (Quackers, Protestants, Bapitists, Islamic Free and Slaves, Jews, Great Spirit/Native and other religions), don't have Sons/Daughters of Liberty historical footprint and don't represent anything but false narrative (not that narrow pedigree matters in a merit system). In contrast, the victims have histories in family back to a few years after the British colonies started and have supported freedom with generations of sacrifce. In that family there were Minute Men, indentured servants, people who choose America over Britain, military members in most major wars, possible Contributors to founding documents, etc. All wiped away through narrative and discounted distorted whitewashed history by a few bigots on the the bench. Retaliation being the tool of extremists in silencing others and suppressing rights. They were seeking to use narrative to rally the crowd to disperse responsibility for horrific crimes (i.e. parking one of the officers who had corruption reported against him outside the whistleblowers house that might have led to the whistleblower's death. There was a reason why they were there alone.)

Now you see why it is so important to stand against corruption and hate. They have no checks and do not always stop at the stop signs. When you stand for what is right you are protecting your community, past/future victims and encouraging the system to serve all citizens. Freedom and the Bill of Rights being more valuable than almost all other activities and outcomes. The victims being more patriotic than any of the perpetrators and willing again in family history to uphold our shared values against those undermining our institutions to benefit themselves and harm others. They do so peacefully in spirit of protecting the next diverse generation. They shield future victims in ways the clan court was not willing to do. They do so in positive and helpful ways.

Trust of the institution across various levels continue to decline and those who could fix don't know how to do that because they are in part socialized to look at others as less deserving, worthy, or paticipants in the history of society. The fundamentals of societal purpose and basic underlining assumptions of the value of human freedom may not be in alignment. The explicit values are manifested in the actions and the implicit bias in the decisions. The good news is the vast majority understand the importance of shared futures. Most are trying to do the right thing.

Judicial integrity requires more than technical compliance with the law. Anyone can misinterprete intent, take laws out of context or use technicalities to justify poor behaviors. We have seen this in history (i.e. slavery, targeting of religious minorities-founding principles, etc. ) Courts must also uphold the principles and purpose of the constitutional system. The goal should be to serve the public—not a political party, wealthy interests, clan networks, foreign interests or extremist groups.

Strengthening accountability, encouraging open discussion, and restoring confidence in the courts are important steps toward ensuring that the justice system fulfills its mission and earns greater public trust. or not. 

*The Allegory of the Clan is a theoretical, hypothetical, philsophical thought experiment so take with a grain of salt and feel free to bring forward new points, alternative ideas, and disagreements/agreements. There is no right or wrong answer as we are just exploring the positives and negatives.

This page is sort of interesting. 

Center for Judicial Ethics: Promoting Integrity and Public Trust in the Courts

• The Center for Judicial Ethics, part of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), focuses on strengthening judicial integrity and public trust in the courts.
• The Center provides research, training, and resources to help state judicial conduct commissions oversee judicial behavior and address misconduct.
• Public confidence is viewed as essential to a strong judicial system because it affects whether people perceive courts as fair, impartial, and legitimate.
• Judicial ethics involves issues such as conflicts of interest, financial disclosures, gifts, recusals, social media, and professional conduct.
• The Center is also addressing emerging ethical issues involving artificial intelligence and its use in legal decision-making.
• State judicial systems use different approaches to discipline, with the NCSC providing resources to help understand how judicial conduct is governed across states.
• Overall, the Center emphasizes that ethical judicial behavior and accountability are important foundations for maintaining public confidence in the rule of law.

National Center for State Courts. (n.d.). Center for Judicial Ethics. https://www.ncsc.org/our-centers-projects/center-judicial-ethics

How Going Stoic Helps Achieve Your Goals and Find More Joy

Let’s talk about focus for a moment. There’s a concept in philosophy—and I like philosophy because it can be a little like practical psychology—that relates to how we spend our time. It is called Stoicism we can stay busy running from one thing to another, trying to get everything done, while spending hours on things that really aren’t important. That can clutter our days, create stress, and make it harder to achieve the goals that matter most.

If you’ve chosen your goals based on your skills, abilities, and what you truly want to accomplish, then you should spend your time working toward those goals. That means removing some of the clutter—things that don’t matter, don’t bring you happiness, or don’t contribute to your purpose.

(Illustrative Only)
Declutter the 
things that distract
you from focus and
peace. 

As you get older, you begin to reflect on your experiences and see things differently. You realize that some of the energy you spent running around and staying busy wasn’t really necessary. It wasn’t wasted because you were learning, but many of those activities simply didn’t matter in the long run. They were just busyness.

You also begin to realize that you should do more of the things that make you happy, rather than simply doing things to make other people happy. The same can be true of your activities and relationships. You naturally begin to gravitate toward the people and things that are more meaningful and productive for you.

I thought this study was interesting because it connects philosophy with empirical research and evidence. It’s an interesting look at how focus, self-reflection, and our choices can shape how we spend our lives.

Stoicism, Mindfulness, and the Brain: The Empirical Foundations of Second-Order Desires

• The article examines Stoic ideas about self-regulation alongside findings from psychology and cognitive neuroscience.
• It focuses on how people can regulate immediate desires by developing higher-order preferences about which desires they want to act upon.
• Stoic practices are compared with mindfulness approaches, particularly their potential role in attention, emotional regulation, and self-control.
• The authors connect philosophical ideas about voluntary action and self-regulation with contemporary research on brain processes and behavior.
• The article suggests that combining philosophical analysis with empirical research can provide a stronger understanding of how people develop greater control over their thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Wittmann, M., Montemayor, C., & Dorato, M. (2025). Stoicism, mindfulness, and the brain: The empirical foundations of second-order desires. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1569237. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1569237

City of Gladstone Commission Regular Meeting (07-13-2026)

The Gladstone City Council meeting is being posted here for people to view. If you're trying to attract interest from investors, startups, or others considering the area, it helps to have this information available online. One thing we've seen since COVID is that more communities are putting meetings and information online, making it easier for people to get a feel for what's happening within a city.

It's also helpful to see some of the city's work involving modern infrastructure, audits, and other areas of development. The city is updating and moving forward, so take a look at the video and review some of the information below. The more you follow along, the better feel you'll get for the area.

(Summary of transcripts. Any mistakes let me know.)

ATV / ORV Ordinance & School Safety (1:25 – 30:35)

• Public Comment: An elementary school principal requests a revision to local street ordinance restrictions (specifically regarding 29th Street and the 600 block area near the school). She highlights ongoing safety concerns with light/ORV traffic cutting across school grounds during recess and outdoor learning times.
• Commission Discussion: Commissioners debate ATV/ORV traffic compliance, speed enforcement, and the historical growth of the town over the last 40 years.
• Education & Enforcement: Members emphasize the need for youth education (potentially involving a school resource officer) and enforcing existing regulations rather than relying solely on signage.
• Procedural Motion: The commission forms a dedicated committee (including designated commissioners) to evaluate the ordinance amendment, redact specific restricted sections (e.g., 29th Street/600 block), and coordinate with city staff to start the required public hearing and posting process.

City Approvals & Financial Requests (31:00 – 38:56)

• The commission handles routine administrative approvals, special city requests (including event scheduling for August), and contract/equipment work authorizations.

Blight, Vacant Properties & Economic Tools (39:04 – 57:36)

• Vacant Building Registry: Discussion on establishing a registry to inventory abandoned or neglected properties while acknowledging administrative oversight and inspection challenges.
• Code Enforcement Constraints: Clarification that code enforcement is limited to visible public right-of-way issues (e.g., long grass, structural roof collapse, broken windows) unless properties are registered rentals.
• Funding & Incentives: Review of potential economic tools to assist property owners with structural issues—including Neighborhood Improvement Authorities (NIA), Tax Increment Financing (TIF) captures, Brownfield redevelopment options, and state matching programs (such as MATCH on Main).

City Financial Audits & Infrastructure Lawsuit Response (59:00 – 1:01:39)

• Audit Clarification: In response to a public letter and lawsuit requesting an independent forensic audit of city finances (2019–2025), it is noted that annual audits have been consistently approved by the State of Michigan Department of Treasury.
• Water Infrastructure Project: The official refutes claims in the lawsuit, emphasizing that state and federal funding for critical water projects depends on these approved audits. The city is actively moving forward with replacing a 100-year-old water intake pipe to secure the municipal water supply before system failure.