1st District Upper Peninsula Legislative News (07-16-21) NOAA and Great Lakes Officials

The Great Lakes is an important asset and we must protect and improve it where we can. You can read below about how NOAA and municipal officials are working on understanding..."coastal erosion and habitat impacts with nature-based strategies that will safeguard coastal assets, boost local economies, and encourage resilient planning in the face of a changing climate."

Its important for us to protect the Great Lakes as a long-term resource while also ensuring we aren't just taking without returning. The Industrial Age, mixed with a prior culture of conquering the wilderness, and high demand for raw materials to feed that age, led to taking away wealth from our natural resources (i.e. rapid pollution and non-natural cities). The Digital Age and its ability to monitor large scale activity and more efficient use of solar (and other alternative energies) will provide with the power of science will likely provide 1. ways of putting wealth back in through sustainable practices and 2. creating stronger protections against environmental collapse (terraforming naturally to return wildlife and likely thinking about how that applies to seeding/farming other promising planets. Its all science fiction for the moment but the basic technologies and understandings are already in existence.). Maybe in my lifetime. 🤷

I took the following directly from the Bergman Brief which is an general news email from the Congressman's office. You can subscribe as well if you want to keep up with district news. There is a also a twitter address here. https://twitter.com/RepJackBergman We should keep up with the district news no matter what our political persuasions. The more we interrelate and listen to each other, the more we can bridge gaps for the betterment of the country.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and NOAA will announce a new Lake Michigan Coastal Resilience Initiative

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative will announce a new Lake Michigan Coastal Resilience initiative. The goal of the initiative is to bring nature-based solutions to cities being impacted by coastal storms, fluctuating lake levels, erosion, and climate change. The partnership will provide an ideal opportunity for Lake Michigan municipalities to develop innovative nature-based strategies and share lessons learned for strengthening coastal resilience and protecting community resources in shoreline areas. 

This initiative represents the first formalized partnership between NOAA and Great Lakes municipal officials to directly address coastal erosion and habitat impacts with nature-based strategies that will safeguard coastal assets, boost local economies, and encourage resilient planning in the face of a changing climate. Municipal officials will be organized by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, which represents more than 135 mayors from cities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

Through the initiative, NOAA will provide a series of trainings and workshops to help municipalities increase capacity, design restoration projects, and fortify coastal habitat using nature-based infrastructure to improve coastal resilience and advance the goals outlined in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan 3, as well as the Executive Order (E.O.) 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis At Home and Abroad to combat the climate crisis and conserve our lands, waters, and biodiversity.

The Lake Michigan Coastal Resilience Initiative is being supported by $500K in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management.

Additional information is available at https://coast.noaa.gov/regions/greatlakes/glri/

National Science Foundation (NSF) awards Michigan Technological University with $258,537 Grant

This project, entitled "Mechanistic Studies of Water Disinfectants on Iron Interfaces," is under the direction of Kathryn Perrine. The award starts Sep. 01, 2021.

USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Office in Seoul, South Korea Works with Beard’s Brewery of Petoskey

The effort to promote the MI-01 Brewery’s craft beer at a promotion event realized projected sales of over $20,000 as the result of its participation:

FAS/Seoul, in a partnership with the U.S.-based Brewers Association (BA), organized a 'Great American Craft Beer Showcase' at the Korea International Beer Expo 2021, May 17-19.  A total of 33 U.S. craft breweries, including Beards Brewery, participated in the activity.  Nine of the breweries had no Korean importer partners and looked for new export opportunities in the activity.  With brewery representatives unable to travel to the program due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, FAS/Seoul represented them at the show instead and succeeded in finding Korean importers for five U.S. breweries.

In total, the beer showcase is expected to result in $200,000 in potential sales over the next 12 months. For Beards, it is projected they could potentially make over $20,000 in new sales during that time period as a result of the promotion.

Classic Cars Cat-Man-Dos and City Branding-I Want This Muscle Car!

In Escanaba there is this pub (I think the owners would refer to it as a pub. Could also be a bar or a restaurant because they have food, entertainment and drinks. You can see more about Cat-Man-Dos HERE) located right downtown where all the action is! They are an anchor for the community and pushing the entire downtown to rethink their strategies (Check out the cool awning. Just a hint Eagles Club put in outdoor seating for members and they might put in some new chairs there. We need more of this throughout he downtown. People outside eating and dining are normal for tourism destinations.) . Events can do wonders in attracting people to the downtown area and improving their overall tourism and business draw. 

Escanaba is an underdeveloped adventure/outdoor tourism location that holds opportunities for design firm and prototype manufacturing. See Delta County Adventure Venture Capitalism and Delta County Start Ups. It is somewhat self contained and maintains significant infrastructure advantages based on its location, airport, port, and rail. These were left over from prior eras of development and have had just enough business to keep them functioning. Their capacity is much more and with the need to bring back manufacturing and update our industries this should be a place of interest to investors.

When people have positive brand experiences they often develop memories and feelings that lead to people coming back. A study looked at behavioral, sensory, affective, and intellectual experience in downtown events. See Downtown Branding Sensory Experience. Research like this is important for places like Escanaba (and Gladstone) to consider for long term fiscal sustainability. The study indicates, "Downtown brand managers need to focus on creating affective and sensory brand experiences for tourists while creating behavioral and sensory experiences for locals. Strong place dependence leads to revisit intention and positive word of mouth for both visitors and locals, thereby leading to increased revenue for the place." (Beckman, Kumar & Kim, 2013, pg. 654)

I actually just want to find one with the body
and put a modified engine in it. 

Sorry...I got a little sciency there. The street was blocked off and people were out enjoying themselves. The lasting impression many of these visitors have is "Wow...that was fun. Lets come back to Esky next time they have an event" and then they go home and scan the Internet for more fun events (Why we need to have a central place for all local events). Check out the Escanaba Visitor Site. They have some official events on there but it would be helpful to have a link to a site where bars, restaurants, and other places can put their events as well (i.e. bands, karaoke, Northern Sun Winery Concert, etc...)

Anyway...after I get a low end Harley next year (...thinking about it 🤔🏍) I might consider getting back into redoing classic cars (I had an old race Porsche someone ran into the side of a few years ago! 😭)

Beckman E, Kumar A, Kim Y-K. The Impact of Brand Experience on Downtown Success. Journal of Travel Research. 2013;52(5):646-658. doi:10.1177/0047287513478502

Human Subjects Certificates and IRB Requirements

 Researchers typically need to obtain human subject certificates to show how they are protecting subjects from undo stress and/or harm. When conducting researcher there are lots of different things that can happen that were not intended by the initial researchers. This is one of the reasons why government requires such certificates and why universities have their own International Review Board. 

In the past we have done some pretty sad things that took advantage of captive populations, children, and minorities. Nazi Germany also conducted research on its prison population (at that time mostly Jewish) in an unethical manner leading to the need for greater research insight and protections. 

You can learn more about the IRB See IRB

"Under FDA regulations, an Institutional Review Board is group that has been formally designated to review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects. In accordance with FDA regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove research. This group review serves an important role in the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects."

I recommend researchers stay up-to-date and that they provide such certificates anytime they are conducting human subjects research. Of course they are selling here but there is kind of 2 major places to get these certificates. Some updating of certificates from the email below...

Major changes to the federal regulations regarding human subjects research became effective early 2019, and if you and your team haven’t recertified, you may be at risk for non-compliance.

PHRP makes it quick and easy to remain compliant and up to date with current regulations through our Online Training certification. PHRP Online Training covers the new regulations and ethical practices for human subjects research in seven modules and features interactive practice and case studies. The course tracks and retains your progress in a personal dashboard and issues a single certificate of completion when finished. Health professionals will be able to earn continuing education credits for a small additional fee.

Register and purchase the course here or contact us to learn more about customized institution pricing. Get a full year of access to the self-paced course and download a personalized certificate of completion. If you have any questions on how to proceed, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Justice and Prison Reform: Looking at the Big Picture Through Aperture Adjustments

Justice is a system that is designed to ensure that we have a level of order in society. It has also become big business and there is a whole structure to the field that ranges from people who clean prisons to the people who made the arrest (I support police 100% and 100% improvements where needed). A justice system is necessary because we know that there are people who don't always follow good moral conscious and need a different level of boundary enforcement (i.e. walls). Incarceration is not an ideal solution because it represents a prior failures (not to mention the cost and outcomes) of our (meaning there is a line that moves people into criminality that we could shortcut) society in terms of child rearing, mental health, criminality and science. 

What I'm saying is that there are many steps before someone becomes a criminal and each of these steps may have been the sins of others and a failure of our society to act when it was needed (...thats not giving an excuse for bad behavior which must still be held to account for Justice to occur.). Most people are not born with inherent anti-social traits (that would make our species cannibalize each other. We often learn how to do that from each other! 🤯) but they learn these behaviors from their parents, environment and at times biological-environmental influences. To only look at the specific crime at a single instance in time doesn't necessarily tell us much about the person, their motives, and the root causes (That is not to say that the specific crime is not worthy of punishment or that anyone should get a free pass just because we look at a broader picture). 

Looking at a snap shot is different than looking at a 10 minute video (They have different levels of content and context). That is why we have a responsibility to understand the roots of criminal behavior from a socio-biological level and in turn use our moral reasoning to determine the most effective outcomes for everyone involved. Having a broader picture changes some of the assumptions and in turn some of the solutions. We can continuously propose new solutions and in turn move toward a more sustainable system (..and more accurate in understanding and solving problems.)

What if we could understand through science (and a change in legislation) so we can reduce our prison population (saving us money) while becoming more effective? I think we would all agree at least in principle of the expensive costs of prison (..and even perhaps accepting any practical changes that make it more effective in protecting the public.). Prison (or the threat thereof) might be enough with mental health counseling (and medication and monitoring) to allow a much larger percentage of society to be productive (versus being a drain on resources). Changing our legal strategies to better collect data and make positive pressure to change when certain behaviors come to light (i.e. first offenders).

Solving complex problems like justice and prison reform that leads to more effective effort requires a focus on actual scientific investigation matched with a wider angle lens (through data collection) on crime so as to better help protect the public (...and help the victims). While putting some people in prison may still be necessary, there may be a larger portion of people who can be rehabilitated through better understanding of the underpinnings of crime and new solutions (whatever they may be.). Sometimes changing the aperture of the lens leads to whole new sets of knowledge and insight. 

No problem getting tough on crime through better understanding and more accurate solutions. Isn't the goal to minimize future crime, reduce financial and tertiary costs to society, while become more effective (morally and fiscally)? ...ifs its not then perhaps the problem isn't the justice system but the societal context within which it exists (i.e. the need to believe in the developmental line of the justice institution and not allowing it to get stuck at one point in history of its developmental line.)

I'm not a softy on crime...but I'm a believer in pushing every system in the modern world upwards through continuous improvement that leads to more effective outcomes (The problem of change is often more political than practical.). If some systems are advancing (i.e. medical) and some systems are stagnant then we have some lopsided institutional development. The U.S. is one large system and it functions best when all of the systems are striving toward the same end and maximum performance. It makes us an adaptive species.

University-Industry Research Pooling for Cluster Development

Clusters are "communities" of like mined organizations and stakeholders that share similarities in characteristics. These similarities also create opportunities for shared R&D among multiple organizations at the same time (They build others they build themselves). For example, the Aerospace Industry and the Navy might have shared needs as they relate to a new tool or a new product design made from rare metal. All of that requires some level of effort and offering opportunities for business to pool their resources so researchers find solutions to industry problems. 

That of course doesn't mean companies can't research issues on their own (Flying solo might work for specific patents but doesn't work well for industry breaking technologies that unlock doors to unknown future industries.). They would then be focused more on specific application of industry research for their own needs (...leading to patents, products and wealth specialized to that company). However, when we are dealing with mutual shared interest in research that benefits manufacturers and other societal stakeholders there really isn't much of a reason not to do it and hedge the skills and knowledge of different companies to investigate and resolve issues that impact multiple industries at one time (Remember that when we solve industry problems and then specific application within particular companies we lead to US, and other partaking stakeholders, leading industries and world economies. It would be helpful us to have a tax system that encourages R&D and turns companies doing business in the US. to moving their headquarters to the U.S. leading to further intellectual dominance. See Calibrated Tax Structure MNC Draw and Calibrated Tax Structure HQ Concept.  and 15% International Tax Floor).

Here are a few benefits of pooled cluster research. 

1. Location Enhances Innovation: Locating R&D and university research in the same space and on the same problems increased problem solving and the wider applicability of findings for national development. See Fostering New Discoveries See Location and Growth

2. It Creates Shared Competencies and Like Minded Rationality. See Hub Competencies

3. It Creates Opportunities for Skilled Labor: Cutting edge products also create opportunities for advanced labor knowledge. See Firm Specific Human Capital.

4.) It allows business researchers to try out ideas and then apply those ideas to other clusters throughout the country. Localized and Regional Hub Benefits

As a nation we will want to ensure that we stay on top of competition and be that country where real innovative magic happens (perhaps as part of a global brand in alignment with our core principles. Much of culture was spread through commerce.). That may require us adjusting how we think of university-research relationships in an effort to solve practical problems. We are building not only a nation but also a network of other nations and allies that may also benefit through contribution. It is an opportunity to put our STEM knowledge to work in created business and social benefits through wider global supply chains. 

Imagine a New Ludington Street! Contest for Downtown Microgrant

Ok I know its super cheesy but it was
5 spare minutes and an old digital photo!

Escanaba has so much potential as a city and rethinking our town can make a big difference in the lives of our residents and "livability". The town maintains opportunities with its strategic location, port, under-developed downtown, marina, tourism, outdoors life, and motivated entrepreneurs. Just behind the surface is a small city that can develop and grow into something unique with its own brand and opportunities. 

We have to first envision it! The information below is taken from the webpage of the project. See Michigan Municipal  League Foundation for information on the microgrants.

The Daily Press has a pretty solid discussion on it here 'Escanaba in contest for downtown microgrant"

Project Description:
A streetscape placemaking experiment featuring pedestrian friendly improvements from café seating to street side planters, integrated community art, music, and recreational events based around participating businesses. A visioning charrette will encourage the community to imagine the future.

Location:
Escanaba

Description of the Artist's or Artists' work:
Staci is the education coordinator for the Bonifas Arts Center, a painter, and ceramics artist. We are still discussing the project, but a collaborative chalk art exhibit with students is possible.

The outcomes hoped to achieve are:
To demonstrate the value of unique placemaking by combining an interactive arts and music event with a community visioning/ charrette exercise to engage the public and encourage interest in the future of the Ludington Street area in Escanaba. Promoting local business, restaurants, and recreation.

https://mmlfoundation.org/grants/resilient-ludington-street

Delta County From Homestead to Marina Happy Hours: Two Pictures

 Delta County Michigan is one of those places where you can pretty much get the best of multiple worlds. For those who love horses and homesteads you can done your flannel start a hobby farm while those who love the nautical lifestyle may find themselves raising their wine glasses at a Marina happy hour. Its a place where four seasons and all the blessings of a varied lifestyle can come down to a single place (Depending on the season you can pretty much get about everything in. If you don't like a particular season wait a few months and you can be snowshoeing and rabbit hunting.) See Delta County Neuroeconomics and Adventure Capital

Stonington

Escanaba Marina