St. Clair Shores Fire Department Receives $250K Grant

U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow announced Wednesday that the St. Clair Shore Fire Department received a $251,213 federal grant.

U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow announced Wednesday that the St. Clair Shore Fire Department received a $251,213 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The funds, designated for operational and safety needs of the department, came from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. “Our emergency first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect communities across the state, and I’m pleased that these grants will help them carry out their vital mission,” Sen. Levin said in a release. Sen. Stabenow added in the release, “Our firefighters provide brave and crucial services to communities across Michigan. These grants will help fund the resources and equipment they need to perform their duties …

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Sen. Carl Levin Statement on Fiscal Cliff Agreement

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-MI, issues a statement about the vote Congress took to avert the so-called "Fiscal Cliff." This bill extends the tax cuts passed during George W. Bush's presidency that would have expired on Jan. 1, and delays automatic spending cu

It was essential that Congress avoid the highly damaging effects of going over the fiscal cliff. Inaction would have threatened to throw us back into a recession, and that was clearly unacceptable. So while I would have preferred an agreement that better addressed our historical shortfall in revenues, passing an imperfect agreement was far better than the alternative of returning to recession.   But the harsh reality is that we have delayed only for two months the damaging automatic spending cuts called sequestration. As we seek in the coming months a more comprehensive approach to avoid sequestration, one that will require both prudent spending cuts and additional revenues, it is imperative that we focus on the hundreds of billions of …

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USS Detroit is Important to Nation

All of us who call Detroit home are proud that once again, a USS Detroit will join her sister ships in flying America’s flag on the oceans of the world.

In early November, I traveled to Marinette, Wis., just across the state line from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, to attend a ceremony that marked a very big day for me, for my wife, Barbara, for Michigan and for the country: the ceremonial “laying of the keel” of the new USS Detroit. The ceremony is a revered naval tradition, marking the official beginning of the construction of a new ship. It was an honor to attend for many reasons, beginning with the fact that Barbara will serve as this ship’s sponsor. Under Navy tradition, a sponsor is considered a permanent member of a ship’s crew and expected to advocate for the well-being of both ship and crew. Barbara will be a tremendous sponsor for the USS Detroit and a great supporter of her crew. …

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Statement of Senator Carl Levin on Memorial Day Holiday

U.S. Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released this statement on the Memorial Day holiday.

Each year, Americans pause on Memorial Day to remember those have served our country, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price to defend us and our freedoms. This Memorial Day weekend, as brave Americans serve their nation in far-away places and their loved ones anxiously await a homecoming, we should reflect on the enormous sacrifices of our troops and their families, from our nation’s founding until today.

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Armed Services Committee Preserves Selfridge Aircraft

Senate Armed Services Committee, led by U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-MI, votes to preserve aircraft and jobs at Michigan Air National Guard bases.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved Thursday the annual defense bill that preserves Air National Guard aircraft and personnel, including hundreds at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Sen. Carl Levin, D-MI, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced that the committee reported the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013. Included in the bill is language that would prohibit the Air Force from implementing proposed cuts in Air National Guard aircraft and personnel. The proposed cuts would have eliminated the A-10 squadron and nearly 400 part-time and 250 full-time positions. “The Air National Guard performs an extremely important function, and its capabilities should not be casually or precipitously …

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Regional Leaders, Airmen to Lend Support to Selfridge

Regional leaders are scheduled to gather today to show their support for Selfridge Air National Guard Base as airmen discuss the benefits of serving as a "Citizen Soldier."

Local and regional leaders are scheduled to meet today and show their support for Selfridge Air National Guard Base which is in danger of losing of hundreds of jobs under an Air Force proposal. Nearly 400 part-time and 200 full-time positions could be lost if the Air Force proposal to eliminate the A-10 squadron at the Harrison Township base is approved. This uncertainty has personnel at the base concerned about the future of the squadron, and their positions. “I’m a very goal-orientated person,” said Staff Sgt. Jared Kowalski, an egress technician with the 127th Maintenance Squadron at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, in a release. “One of my goals is to serve 20 years in the Air National Guard if I can," said Kowalski, who has a full-…

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Residents to Get Flood Insurance Relief

Nearly 1,700 St. Clair Shores residents will no longer need to carry flood insurance.

Residents in the southern area of the city will soon be informed that they no longer need to carry federally mandated flood insurance. Nearly 1,800 parcels in an area bounded by Nine Mile, Marter, Jefferson and the Milk River, will be released from carrying the insurance, which can cost some homeowners more than $1,000. "We are an inland lake community and this is an unnecessary mandate," said Ben Hughes, St. Clair Shores city manager. The 1,781 homes and condominiums were added to the flood map when it was revised in 2006. In recent months, city officials worked with Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) and their staffs to have these parcels removed. "We are going to get a benefit for these residents," said …

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Veterans and Officials Share Thoughts on Memorial Day

Elected officials and veterans share their thoughts on the meaning of Memorial Day.

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