Monroe News: Clean water, jobs in state big focus for Sen. Peters

LASALLE — Preserving federal funding of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and bringing the new F-35 aircraft to Michigan would greatly safeguard local drinking water supplies and boost the state’s economy.

These and other priorities were mentioned during a town hall-style meeting with U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, at the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce luncheon Monday at LaRoy’s Hall in LaSalle. His remarks followed a tour of Ventower Industries’ plant at the Port of Monroe and meeting with employees about the firm’s wind turbine towers.

President Trump’s proposed budget for next year calls for complete elimination of funds for the initiative and cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which monitors pollution in Lake Erie. Sen. Peters, who sits on the Senate’s Great Lakes Task Force, is a strong supporter of the initiative that helps watch for and combat algae blooms in the lake.

“The lakes are our DNA,” the senator told about 50 members of the chamber. “Forty million people (from several states) drink water out of the Great Lakes. We must do everything we can to keep this state healthy and vibrant.”

Bill LaVoy, a former state representative, said many people are concerned what will happen to their drinking water. Sen. Peters agreed.

“Clean water is so important... it’s irresponsible to keep that out,” the senator said. “My colleagues in the Senate understand that it’s not just a regional issue. The Great Lakes is important for the entire country.”

Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan is one of five finalists for the new F-35 fighter jet squadron. Two training sites are being proposed and getting it in Michigan could bring thousands of contractor and maintenance jobs to the state, Sen. Peters said.

“If we get this, it would be around for 30 years,” he said. “We already have an infrastructure of hangars and buildings there. It would assure the life of the base and (provide) the high-tech jobs” that many states covet.

Michigan has the largest amount of space for aircraft training east of the Mississippi River, with facilities in Grayling and near Lake Huron. It would provide a “great competitive advantage” for the state, said the senator, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee along with Homeland Security, where he focuses on protecting national security.

Other topics discussed:

Infrastructure — The Senate has some “common ground” with the Trump Administration because both political parties believe more money is needed to fix the nation’s roads, bridges and transportation projects like repairing the shipping locks at Sault St. Marie. The original water pumps there are 100 years old.

“This is one of the most important projects in the whole country,” Sen. Peters said. “Eighty percent of our trade goes through there. It needs to be repaired. If one of the gates break, it could cost” millions of dollars in lost revenue and put the country in a recession.

Terrorist attacks — In response to a question from Barry Kinsey, director of workforce development at Monroe County Community College, Sen. Peters said he is meeting with Homeland Security this week. One of the biggest national concerns involve attacks from abroad or “lone wolf” strikes. He said cyberattacks or hacking that target computer information systems, infrastructures, networks and personal computer devices “steal our money” and personal information.

Autonomous vehicles — He is introducing legislation to allow for greater flexibility in testing and development of self-driving cars. A member of the Senate Commerce Committee, he is working on safety standards with the rapid development of autonomous vehicles to allow for greater flexibility in testing and development.