As you read this, most (if not all) of the local road projects should be complete. However, I still feel compelled to apologize one more time for all the inconveniences caused by the sheer number of projects this season. If you’re a local or have been in the area at all this summer, you know what I’m talking about and if you’re new to the area or just passing through, I hope you will enjoy all of our recent traffic improvements. There is more to be done but we are going to have to wait until next construction season for those projects. Stay tuned.

On a more somber note, the area has just experienced two significant weather events (within the same week) that caused not only property damage, but an unfortunate loss of life as well. The good news is that City staff responded very well to both events and I am both happy and proud of the work that they were able to accomplish under harsh terms. Our lakeshore north of East Fair Avenue was hit especially hard but we are doing our best to keep it accessible to the public and we are developing plans to repair and/or improve what we can.

On the bad news side of things, two lives were lost when two people ventured too close to the large waves caused by the storm on the north side of Presque Isle Park and were washed into Lake Superior. Although this type of storm is infrequent, it happens often enough and most, if not all, locals are very aware of the Lake Superior’s intensity and avoid putting themselves in this kind of danger. As a matter of fact, Lake Superior is more like an ocean or sea to us instead of a lake. We do our best to educate and warn as many people as possible, including denying access to those areas that we deem dangerous. Unfortunately, no matter how much we post signs, lock gates or warn people, there are still the few who don’t take it seriously.

Please enjoy the beauty of Lake Superior but also respect it’s power and unforgiveness.

Welcome back NMU students, faculty and staff. It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to go back to school, but we all enjoy having you around and contributing to the great community that we live in. However, I do have to apologize for the state of some of our streets especially those around campus. We made every effort to be further along in the construction process but, typical of many construction projects, things happen to change the best laid plans. In this case, the culprit has been mostly the weather as it has been wetter than expected which slows much of the work. The good news is that it all should be done before the snow flies (which roughly translates to the end of October).

You will also likely notice a lot more construction taking place than is the norm for this time of year. Supported by the progressive view of the City Commission, we are taking advantage of the many new opportunities that are being presented to us to encourage new development. I can honestly say that much of this is being driven by the construction of the new Duke LifePoint hospital in the more centralized location near downtown.

The City Commission’s approach has been to be “partners” in as much of the development as we possibly can. This makes it much more advantageous for everyone to contribute to the success of everything that we do here in the City. As a partner, I feel strongly that a development’s success is our success and, in the case of NMU, what is good for the University is good for Marquette.

One last word to those coming to Marquette for the first time, either as a student, visitor or even those of you returning to the City, please respect Lake Superior. The lake is beautiful and sometimes wondrous to look at but it is also much like a sea and can be very unpredictable, especially in the fall and winter months. Please enjoy the view, but stay safe.