Paul                                         Gateway to a Better Life!

  Turning Michigan Around

Web Changes

This is where we'll announce the most recent additions to our web site. If you've visited us before and want to know what's changed, take a look here first. 

Through working at the ReStore in Lapeer and now in St Johns, have enabled nearly 2 dozen people to get job training/experience with over 1/2 dozen already finding full time jobs!  1 person has been able to save their home as a result!!

Check out the news and Pictures from St John's "ReStore"

Dow Chemical looks to market solar cell shingles; find the link in Alternative Energy Articles

Alternative Energy Articles also include links for building your own solar collectors! (just $50-$200 for materials)

Learn about the Habitat for Humanity of Lapeer County "ReStore"

Check out "Get Involved" and issues to contact legislators about

Check out "Bailouts" in the "Government Reform" Section

Get up to the minute Primary results at:     http://www.electionmagic.com/results/mi/L44results/L4400101002.htm

Lapeer County Habitat for Humanity is working to create a ReStore in Spring of 2009!  This will sell recycled, seconds, overruns, close-outs and other building materials at 50% or more off of retail!  All profits will help provide affordable housing in Lapeer County!

Habitat for Humanity dedicated new home in Clifford on October 11th! www.lapeerhabitat.org; and helped build 4 homes in Slovakia!

City of Lapeer approved development that will  create up to  2,000 jobs!

Top Areas of Search in January were:

                * Government Reform

                * Alternative Energy

Have contacted:

               DTE,  Lapeer Economic Development, City of Lapeer, Governor's Office and Michigan Economic Development about bringing alternative energy manufacturing to Lapeer & ultimately employing same technology on area farms

Heard back from Michigan Economic Development and it looks like the State may be able to help create the 2,000 jobs by providing some financing (up to $10,000 for each manufacturing job produced)!  See "Jobs" for more details

Energy Policy would bring Alternative Energy Manufacturing capabilities to Lapeer.  Technology  could then be used on farms (solar panels on barns, Methane processing at Dairy Farms) to reduce farmers energy costs, provide extra farm revenue, produce clean energy and lower utility rates for all customers (energy where we don't have to pay for the 'fuel' to make it)  See "Jobs" for more details and also Detroit Free Press July 13th article below

(You can get your own copy of the Flag Day/Town Hall Video from:  "Memories on Tape Video  PO Box 190     Davison, MI  48423  [810] 235-8900   for $25 "Flag Day/Town Hall"

Read the new articles from May 25th Detroit News (further down the page); much in common with what we've been pushing for and seek to accomplish!

   "Foreign" visitors include: Australia, Austria,  Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, European Country, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan and Viet Nam!

 

Press Releases

These are the older press releases we've issued over the last year and relevant articles. You may want to search for topics by keyword.

Flag Day this Saturday

By Joyce Bonesteel
Posted Thursday, June 12, 2008

By Joyce Bonesteel
VIEW Contributor
LAPEER — Mayor Bill Sprague remembers learning how to fold the flag in his Cub Scout days.
“You and another guy are standing there, trying to fold a flag that’s taller than you are,” he said. “Your hands get all sweaty, the sweat rolls down your brow, and you’re afraid the flag will touch the ground. The Cub Scout leader is watching every move.”

Sprague won’t have anyone looking over his shoulder this Saturday, June 14, in a Flag Day celebration at the Historic Courthouse. His role is to welcome visitors and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s a day for Americans to salute Old Glory, talk to 82nd State Representative candidates and bow their heads in prayer.

Chances are the candidates will pray for votes.

Shopping the farmers’ market and downtown stores is another idea promoted by the Lapeer Area Chamber of Commerce for this event. The 1846 courthouse doors will open for tours at 9 a.m. Visitors are asked to sign the registry and view a miniature flag display presented by Deerfield Church of Christ. Memorabilia sales will benefit the Lapeer County Historical Society.
Hopeful candidates will be standing by, waiting to meet you on the east side of the courthouse lawn.

Bring your faded, tattered flags to the American Legion Post 16 booth for proper disposal. A five-minute presentation by the Legion’s Color Guard is set for 9:20 a.m. Deborah Daley’s first-grade class from Mayfield Elementary School will perform “I’m Proud to be an American.”

At 9:30 a.m. the mayor will welcome everyone and lead in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by an invocation by Pastor Rick Menzing of Faith Christian Family Church. Patriotism is second nature to Brian Ervin of Heritage Research Institute, who will talk about the history of Flag Day. The Lapeer County Concert Choir will sing “The Star Spangled Banner,” and Gary Gillim of Maple Grove Christian Church will give a benediction.

The mayor plans to open a town hall meeting at 10:30 by introducing Adrienne Broaddus of WNEM-TV5, a moderator for the political hopefuls. By that time, names will be drawn to determine who goes first.

Candidates each have one minute to introduce themselves, tell why they’re running, mention key issues and what their goals are, if elected. So they’ll have to talk fast.

A question-and-answer session follows, coordinated by the moderator. After closing comments by the candidates, the meeting will end with the choir’s half-hour concert of patriotic songs.

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