Civic & Recreational Life

Clerks Office and CMU Share Valuable Election Information

During the month of October, City Clerk Heather Bouck was on CMU’s campus helping students locate their polling precinct, request an absentee ballot, or register to vote in Mt. Pleasant. This was part of CMU’s Vote Early Day which was funded by grants from MTV’s Early Voting is Easier Campus Challenge. CMU’s Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center applied for the MTV grants.

Clerk’s Office Conducts Three Elections

May – Mt. Pleasant City Commissioner Election and Gratiot Isabella RESD proposal.

August – Primary Election and Medical Care Facility’s Millage.

November – Gubernatorial, Senate, House, City Commission Races and City Commissioner term lengths.

November voters passed the Charter Amendment increasing the length of City Commissioner terms from 3 years to 4 years. In addition, the amendment requires City Commission elections to take place in November on even years, coinciding with presidential and gubernatorial races.

Citizens’ Academy Graduates New Class

Participants of the city-hosted Citizens’ Academy graduated after completing a seven-session program. This course engaged members of the community and expanded their knowledge of the structure and functions of local government. This is an annual course offering.

Island Park Ice Rink

Winter 2022 brought the return of the Island Park Ice Rink, after many years. Located in Island Park on the south softball field the 54’ x 95’ rink was open daily during the months of January and February from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., weather permitting. There was no charge to use this facility, which is maintained by the City of Mt. Pleasant Parks Department.

PEAK Program Thrives in 2022

Since its inception in 2001, the PEAK program has provided all K-8 children with educational, enrichment and recreational activities in a fun and safe environment. PEAK enjoyed a busy and successful 2022, beginning with the receipt of two Childcare Stabilization Grants, totaling more than $1.3 million. An additional $657,162 was previously awarded in the fourth quarter of 2021. This state-funded grant was available to all Michigan licensed child care providers in good standing. Thanks to this grant funding, PEAK tuition rates were able to remain at the same rate since 2016. Scholarship opportunities were also expanded, awarding 217 summer camp and 122 after-school program scholarships.

PEAK summer camp was attended by 378 children, with a free breakfast and hot lunch provided to all camp participants. The after-school program served 304 children, and provided a healthy snack to all students.

PEAK attendees were able to go on a variety of field trips which included, but were not limited to: Potter Park Zoo, Dow Gardens, Morey Courts, the Discovery Museum, Island Park Splash Pad, and the CMU SAC swimming pool. The students were also able to attend the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Elijah Elk Cultural Center for Living Culture and Traditions Seventh Generation Program.

In addition to PEAK’s one full-time staff member and 48-55 part-time staff members, 90 students from Central Michigan University’s Education department assisted with art, music, health and physical education lessons during the school year.

Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market Awarded Grant for Food Safety Educational Programming

The Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market was one of ten markets statewide to receive a food safety programming grant from the Michigan Farmers Market Association.

During Summer 2022, Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market staff and the MSU Extension Office hosted free educational food safety sessions. The once-a-month classes were offered during both the Thursday and Saturday markets in June, July and August. Sessions featured cooking demonstrations, recipes and food safety education.