A Few Pictures of the Harbor and a Tourist Boat in Escanaba

 A few nice pictures I took but they are not good enough for my art gallery The Walking Path. You may enjoy them because I think they are still pretty nice. 

Tourist ship on the water with moon.
Blurry

Harbor

Delta County Board of Commissioners Meeting (9/2/2025): Attorneys, FOIA, Development and Investment

The county continues to move forward. Several FOIA submissions have been filed in response to citizen concerns from the past, some of which have lingered unresolved for some time (The actual issue is not yet known publically but socially this issues was a bigger concern in the past.). In addition, requests for certain records have gone unanswered from a prior attorney, raising questions about transparency (The county has been actively seeking these records without a response). The ultimate significance of these issues remains to be seen, but they appear to be noteworthy (Time will answer these questions so let us be patient. I'm curious myself. Avoid coming to a conclusion until the information is obtained.).

On a positive note, growth and development are on the rise. After decades of decline, recent years have brought renewed commitment from local officials to attract investment and revitalize the area. Their efforts have drawn interest and support, while the community itself has grown more cohesive, with stronger coordination among local government entities. People seem highly invested in success of social and economic development. A testimony to the 'sense of community' that has been created.

It will be worth watching how these dynamics unfold. Investors looking to join a community on the upswing are likely to find a welcoming environment. Conversations around solar energy, waste management, development, and community events continue to gain momentum, signaling further opportunities ahead. As long as people think about what is best for their community and how to align it to the market to draw revenue/resources in a way that enhances quality of life they will do well. Forget the wider outside political interests or those who sort of like to come in a muck things up for themselves. Local governance is about local people-the stakeholders.

Small Business Trends for 2025: Is Customer Service Still Important?

As a micro-business owner, I’ve been thinking about the trends likely to shape the way I operate. According to the Small Business Administration, some of the key trends for 2025 include e-commerce, online marketing, AI, cybersecurity, and customer service. In many of these areas, large businesses have the advantage. However, customer service is one space where small businesses can truly stand out.

Large companies often rely on phone trees, focus heavily on upselling, outsource services, and prioritize cost-cutting over customer experience. Because decisions are frequently driven by dollars and cents, the bigger picture can become skewed. This opens an opportunity for small businesses to carve out a niche where larger companies can't find a workable-customizable experience.

Small businesses can offer personalized, customer-focused interactions that are difficult for larger companies to replicate. Whether operating from a shop in downtown (i.e. Escanaba or San Diego as examples) or serving a broader market online, they can maintain a hometown feel while expanding their reach.

Customers want to feel appreciated. A friendly smile, light conversation, helpful service, and a willingness to handle returns create positive experiences that customers remember. Keep in mind that positive memories create repeat customers. Treating them as part of a network of friends and associates often makes a small business more valuable than a larger competitor.

That doesn’t mean large companies never succeed at customer service, but small businesses have the advantage of seeing people as people—not just as entries on a spreadsheet. They watch them come in to the store, answer questions, sometimes even deliver the products themselves. This human, social side of business plays a major role in building loyalty and encouraging repeat customers. Meanwhile, small business owners can still adopt new technologies, blending innovation with a personal touch.

(For example, I had been looking for a long time for someone who could print a few T-shirts and other logo clothing articles on demand. I eventually found a small operation while sitting with some friends. She told me that if I dropped off the clothing, She would print it. I’m not making any money from this—I give most of the shirts to charity and donate some at charity dinners and events—but it’s still something I’d like to try locally before sending the work to a larger establishment that takes a much bigger percentage. I might consider sending a tshirt with a purchased item randomly i.e. $10)

5 Trends for 2025 from the Small Business Administation 

How Community Leadership Leads to Social and Economic Growth: The Philosophical Story of the Clan

Corruption affects society in both obvious and subtle ways. It undermines economic foundations, wastes resources, and squanders opportunities for growth. Those who engage in corruption, hatred, and other destructive behaviors often lack the insight to recognize the damage they cause. Their decisions are narrowly focused on self-interest or on compensating for feelings of inferiority/superiority. This is why strong safeguards are needed; when corruption and hatred operate unchecked, they erode communities and harm the very people who uphold our central values. Social contracts are vital, while partisan distortions rarely provide sustainable solutions for long-term prosperity (Sometimes but not often).

The Story of the Clan

The Story of the Clan is a hypothetical, philosophical thought experiment that explores what a systemic breakdown might look like. In this scenario, victims speak out, but a compromised local system—influenced by a corrupt judge and a few officials—colluded to undermine oaths, rights, freedom of speech and community well-being. These networks elevate themselves above the people they swore to protect, betraying their duty to serve. A sense of entitlement over the outcomes of the institutons themselves (i.e. why they knew the outcomes and were coached on how to commit misbehaviors without getting caught. Except this time they did.)

Witnesses, whistleblowers, and concerned citizens who exposed misconduct were placed on secretive watchlists, threatened, rights undermined and silenced. Official complaints were routed back to perpetrators, ensuring impunity. Only when the wider community rose up to challenge corruption did economic and social health begin to recover. Patriotic values tied to these shared social contracts and professions of values have a deeper place in society in contrast to the hollow lip service often paid to them by some (the self interested sum). 

The story closes on a hopeful note: adaptation, moral awakening, and collective commitment to shared values eventually overcame the shadows of hatred and corruption. Healing took time—sometimes generations—but progress began once the “thorn” of hate motivation with the path of corruption were removed by citizens who cared enough to protect others as well as the futures of their kids and grandkids. True leadership, the story reminds us, is rooted in integrity and service, not in position or authority alone. The power of democracy rests in the people and should be bottom up oriented. Leadership helps society achieve its goals and works on the behalf of its citizens (not an interconnected group). A clear distinction between those who believe in the purpose of a nation and those who believe in self-benefit of a nation emerge. 

A Philosophical Concern

Perhaps the most troubling aspect of the story is that some individuals knew of the misconduct, yet chose to protect the wrongdoers instead of the victims. Such patterns arise in tightly knit social networks, where disdain for out-group members (race, religion, lifestyle, etc.) combines with distorted values to create a cult like identity. Dark triad traits that finds a path and blind support can do significant harm. The story highlights the dangers of unchecked corruption and hate. As servants of the community loyal officials to our principles eventually rallied to limit the effects of the corrupted network. Hats off to them for finding a solid footing (knowing the difference between a mistake based on bigoted information and intent to harm which was purposeful and directed). We should support good officers who serve the community and remove those who serve themselves, their friends, or their extreme ideologies.

Neglecting our fundamental laws—and more importantly, the purpose behind our institutions—weakens our values and our future. Trust erodes when misconduct becomes commonplace or when organizations fail to align lofty missions with lived integrity. If we allow in one place it becomes a foreshadowing of a future where it is allowed in other places. This is why putting good officials with the right skills and values in positions of authority is important (The best and brightest in skill and morality should rise). Developing our human capital across a wide swath of society helps ensure our freedoms. All men and women, no matter their race, religion, gender, etc. have an important role to play. It is not up to bigoted and less developed members of society to decide that role for others. Thank God we have good offcials and people who still believe even where a lack of checks and balances leads to justice defaults....and then a moral correction.

Final Note

The following piece explores various forms of corruption. Any serious study should contribute to the broader body of knowledge. Agreement is not required; what matters is the insight it adds to our collective understanding.

The Impact of Corruption on Some Aspects of the Economy

*This is a philosophical, theoretical, hypothetical learning thought experiment so take with a grain of salt. Assess what you think and feel about such a story. You may think of other alternatives, find a different conclusion, but if you thought about it on a deeper level you have taken a step forward in your personal development journey. You are increasingly becoming a critical thinker who can chart their own course and that is important for everyone. There is no specific conclusion one needs to make. 💁

The Anatomy of a Fire Truck: Understanding the Internal Mechanics of a Pumper Truck

Firefighting requires a solid understanding of both fire behavior and firefighting equipment. Knowing the internal components of a fire truck is essential for maximizing performance and preserving the equipment. Operators who understand the truck’s mechanics are better equipped to gauge its capacity, deploy lines effectively, and optimize water flow. The difference in performance between two trucks with different levels of operator expertise can be significant.

(As a note: I part-time volunteer firefight so watching videos like this really help me learn. So I share to increase my knowledge and other's knowledge. Firefighting is essential to our communities and they need all the help and support they can get. If you would like to donate to a great department send a message to the right. Tax deductible!)

3 Pieces Admitted to an Art Exhibit-Bonifas

Recently, I submitted a few pieces to the More Than a Uniform exhibit—one painting and two photographs. As a part-time hobby artist, I’ve been making an effort to submit more work to different exhibits and events, just to see how they’re received. I stay humble about my art, knowing there are many seasoned artists out there, but I truly enjoy the process. I’ll likely start another piece in a few days.

I have two online galleries if you’d like to check them out. One focuses on photos and products. If you’re interested, I can also print and ship pieces directly at a lower cost—around $30 for an 8"×10" with a matte and shipping included. Other sizes are available with adjusted pricing.

The Walking Path Gallery

My paintings are also available either online or directly from me. The price is about the same, though buying from me directly means I don’t have to give a percentage to the hosting site.

The Wooded Pathway

The Bonifas Art Center does a lot of wonderful work for the community, supporting both art and education, and it’s starting to attract more tourism as well. The More Than a Uniform exhibit runs from September 12th through 16th—so if you’re in the area, come on down!

Bonifas Art Center

Protecting the Great Lakes Study: Surface diving for hidden treasures!

Diving is a lot of fun. Strap on the tanks, jump in, and explore shipwrecks and other underwater surprises. Once, I even joined a group of divers who found an unmarked ship, and I reported it to NOAA. I can’t take credit for the discovery, but I guess I was the first one to make it official. :) In the Great Lakes, shifting sand sometimes uncovers long-lost ships, which makes every dive feel like a bit of an adventure.

But along with treasure, there’s also junk in the lakes. Protecting our largest freshwater system is crucial, yet people often toss in trash without thinking—tires, plastic, and all kinds of debris. This harms the environment, weakens fish populations, and even hurts tourism. That’s why I fully support lake cleanups and fish stocking by the DNR. Honestly, I’d love to see the return of part-time commercial hook-and-line licenses. It would not only support tourism but also help boost local fresh food production—something we should have learned the importance of during COVID. And of course, most of the revenue should go right back into stocking fish and maintaining the lakes.

You can find some information at  Fish Stocking DNR

Recently, I went surface diving since my friends haven’t been taking their boats out. My “treasures” this time were a spinner and a frog bait—nothing too fancy, but it still felt like a win. Plus, it was a good workout. With a wetsuit, snorkel, and fins, I jumped in and explored. The trick is to stick to spots sheltered from the waves.

You may be interested in this study. When I find junk I throw it on shore or take it with me and put in the trash. If is helpful if you do the same and clean up the parks and beaches and stuff. 

New study: Great Lakes beaches are littered with plastic trash