Bay City, MI’s Immigration Debate: Public Safety, Fear Politics, and the Mayor’s Veto with 7th Ward City Commissioner, Chris Runberg

Bay City, MI’s Immigration Debate: Public Safety, Fear Politics, and the Mayor’s Veto with 7th Ward City Commissioner, Chris Runberg

Bay City is tucked into the curve of Michigan’s Thumb, nestled along the shores of Lake Huron. Its people like to pride themselves on being a welcoming community, a place where neighbors help neighbors and public safety is built on trust, not fear. Its tagline is “A Beautiful View of Life.” But only if you “fit in,” apparently. Recent events at City Hall have tested its identity. On March 17, the Bay City Commission narrowly passed the Resolution Affirming Bay City's Commitment to Local Public Safety Priorities and Jurisdictional Integrity—5-4—that sought to reaffirm that local law enforcement should focus on protecting and serving Bay City, not being pulled into federal immigration enforcement that has taken over the nation. It was a simple, straightforward commitment to public safety. Then came the mayor’s veto. Today, we talk with Chris Runberg, Bay City's 7th Ward Commission and author of the Resolution, on his feelings about the public response to the Resolution and the mayor's veto. Along with the question that all of us should be asking ourselves regardless of where we live: Do we want to be a city that leads with fear, or a city that leads with integrity? Podcast Show Notes Link to Resolution Affirming Bay City’s Commitment to Local Public Safety Priorities and Jurisdictional Integrity [https://baycitymi.portal.civicclerk.com/event/908/files/attachment/11262]. PULSE of the Great Lakes article [https://greatlakespulse.com/bay-city-mis-immigration-debate-public-safety-fear-politics-and-the-mayors-veto/] Chris' Substack Political Neophyte Goes to City Hall [https://runbergwriting.substack.com/p/political-neophyte-goes-to-city-hall-a0a] Email Chris: CRunberg@baycitymi.gov [crunberg@baycitymi.gov] Chris' Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/christopher.runberg.7] Article: What basic rights do people have if ICE stops them? A lawyer explains [https://www.npr.org/2025/03/28/nx-s1-5342461/ice-arrest-detention-legal-rights?fbclid=IwY2xjawJVo1NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHRuuZSApW6T7oxyQv9D-9qFmbOu4hZhuHnwaYV3N7aLop6DLMTaRB3c7sQ_aem_kq2iENecWyZB9iGsyaKMnw] This podcast may contain adult language or sensitive topics and may be triggering to some. Please take this into consideration before listening. Subscribe to our bi-monthly print magazine that celebrates the Great Lakes through Amazing Adventures, Stunning Photography, High-Profile Content & More! And it's delivered right to your doorstep. Subscribe at GreatLakesPulse.com/subscribe Follow Us On Social Media: website: https://greatlakespulse.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greatlakespulse Instagram: https://instagram.com/greatlakespulse Threads: https://threads.net/greatlakespulse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@pulseofthegreatlakes Facebook: https://facebook.com/greatlakespulse To make a tax deductable donation to our various initiatives to help Empower Great Lakers, please visit lovewhereyoulivefoundation.org/donate.

Reconciliation and Healing of Michigan's Indigenous Peoples: Episode 3

We continue our powerful journey of truth, reconciliation, and healing with survivors of the Indigenous boarding school The Holy Childhood School of Jesus in Harbor Springs. Through their courageous narratives, we confront the difficult truths of abuse, torment, and the unsettling realities concealed in unmarked graves and beneath paved roads. This isn't a podcast about seeking revenge or assigning blame. Instead, it serves as a platform to witness the resilience and strength of our Native brothers and sisters. For those of us who are descendants of white assimilation, we must pause and acknowledge the historical atrocities committed by our ancestors. This journey goes beyond notions of "white guilt" or superficial apologies. It's about actively listening to and understanding the truths of our Native communities, striving to reconcile the past and actively participate in the healing of intergenerational trauma. It calls for a commitment to truth, understanding, and empathy. This is Episode 2 of many to come where you will hear the unfiltered truths and conversations from the survivors. In this podcast, you'll directly hear from Marilyn St. Ange Wakefield, Linda Cobe, Cora Googan, Kim Fyke. These are their truths; unfiltered and unmediated. Through the medium of podcasts and the written word, we aim to amplify the voices of survivors; sharing their truths and accompanying them on their healing journey toward a shared, unified future. Join us in engaging in open dialogue, amplifying Indigenous voices, and supporting initiatives that address systemic challenges. Together, we contribute to a collective journey of reconciliation, fostering a future of healing and cultural revival—central tenets of our shared national narrative of autonomy and democracy. Resources for this Podcast We are working on a documentary to further empower the voices of Holy Childhood School of Jesus Indigenous Boardinig School Survivors. To make a tax deductable donation to help support this project, please visit shoplivelovelocalmi.com/donate.  To purchase Linda's book "Red, White & Blues" visit shoplivelovelocalmi.com/books. Linda is offering free shipping and an autographed copy.  This podcast may contain adult language or sensitive topics and may be triggering to some. Please take this into consideration before listening. Subscribe to our bi-monthly print magazine that celebrates the Great Lakes through Amazing Adventures, Stunning Photography, High-Profile Content & More! And it's delivered right to your doorstep. Subscribe at GreatLakesPulse.com/subscribe Follow Us On Social Media: website: https://greatlakespulse.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greatlakespulse Instagram: https://instagram.com/greatlakespulse Threads: https://threads.net/greatlakespulse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@pulseofthegreatlakes Facebook: https://facebook.com/greatlakespulse To make a tax deductable donation to our various initiatives to help Empower Great Lakers, please visit lovewhereyoulivefoundation.org/donate.

The New Detroit Lions: DC Did NOT Lose Us the Game!

Everyone has an opinion about the new Detroit Lions, including "old fans" who always look at the negative with our team.  In this podcast, we share our take on the team, coaching, players and naysayers. And we give our take on why the missed filed goal attempt did NOT lose us the game and was the right call for DC to make.  Content Warning: This podcast contains adult language. Take this into consideration before listening, or listening around small children.  GO LIONS!  This podcast may contain adult language or sensitive topics and may be triggering to some. Please take this into consideration before listening. Subscribe to our bi-monthly print magazine that celebrates the Great Lakes through Amazing Adventures, Stunning Photography, High-Profile Content & More! And it's delivered right to your doorstep. Subscribe at GreatLakesPulse.com/subscribe Follow Us On Social Media: website: https://greatlakespulse.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greatlakespulse Instagram: https://instagram.com/greatlakespulse Threads: https://threads.net/greatlakespulse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@pulseofthegreatlakes Facebook: https://facebook.com/greatlakespulse To make a tax deductable donation to our various initiatives to help Empower Great Lakers, please visit lovewhereyoulivefoundation.org/donate.

Reconciliation and Healing of Michigan's Indigenous Peoples: Episode 2

We continue our powerful journey of truth, reconciliation, and healing with survivors of the Indigenous boarding school The Holy Childhood School of Jesus in Harbor Springs. Through their courageous narratives, we confront the difficult truths of abuse, torment, and the unsettling realities concealed in unmarked graves and beneath paved roads. This isn't a podcast about seeking revenge or assigning blame. Instead, it serves as a platform to witness the resilience and strength of our Native brothers and sisters. For those of us who are descendants of white assimilation, we must pause, acknowledging the historical atrocities committed by our ancestors. This journey goes beyond notions of "white guilt" or superficial apologies. It's about actively listening to and understanding the truths of our Native communities, striving to reconcile the past and actively participate in the healing of intergenerational trauma. It calls for a commitment to truth, understanding, and empathy. This is Episode 2 of many to come where you will hear the unfiltered truths and conversations from the survivors. In this podcast, you'll directly hear from Bob Hazen from the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. These are Bob's truths; unfiltered and unmediated. Through the medium of podcasts and the written word, we aim to amplify the voices of survivors; sharing their truths and accompanying them on their healing journey toward a shared, unified future. Join us in engaging in open dialogue, amplifying Indigenous voices, and supporting initiatives that address systemic challenges. Together, we contribute to a collective journey of reconciliation, fostering a future of healing and cultural revival—central tenets of our shared national narrative of autonomy and democracy. This podcast may contain adult language or sensitive topics and may be triggering to some. Please take this into consideration before listening. Subscribe to our bi-monthly print magazine that celebrates the Great Lakes through Amazing Adventures, Stunning Photography, High-Profile Content & More! And it's delivered right to your doorstep. Subscribe at GreatLakesPulse.com/subscribe Follow Us On Social Media: website: https://greatlakespulse.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greatlakespulse Instagram: https://instagram.com/greatlakespulse Threads: https://threads.net/greatlakespulse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@pulseofthegreatlakes Facebook: https://facebook.com/greatlakespulse To make a tax deductable donation to our various initiatives to help Empower Great Lakers, please visit lovewhereyoulivefoundation.org/donate.

Breaking the Silence: Mental Health and Michigan Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders

In the realm of public safety, first responders are the everyday heroes among us who rush headfirst into emergencies, often saving lives or property and at great personal risk. They face a unique set of challenges and stressors that can take a severe toll on their mental health and personal relationships. They are regularly thrown into traumatic situations, witness immense human suffering, and face life-and-death decisions. In this podcast, we begin a conversation to help break the silence in Michigan. We acknowledge the mental health challenges facing first responders, which is the first step toward breaking the silence and stigma.  We speak with members of East Jordan and Charlevoix Township volunteer firefighters and first responders on the mental health challenges they face; the importance of addressing mental health issues; and how they actively work toward breaking the silence and ending the stigma. Resources for this Podcast How to Become a Volunteer Firefighter in Michigan https://firefighternow.com/how-to-become-a-firefighter-in-michigan/ The Columbia Lighthouse Project https://cssrs.columbia.edu/ East Jordan Fire Department Facebook https://m.facebook.com/p/East-Jordan-Fire-Dept-100067749455668/ Charlevoix Township Fire Department Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072537455323 Heroes Among Us Article featuring East Jordan and Charlevoix Township Fire Departments https://livelovelocalmi.com/heroes-among-us/ This podcast may contain adult language or sensitive topics and may be triggering to some. Please take this into consideration before listening. Subscribe to our bi-monthly print magazine that celebrates the Great Lakes through Amazing Adventures, Stunning Photography, High-Profile Content & More! And it's delivered right to your doorstep. Subscribe at GreatLakesPulse.com/subscribe Follow Us On Social Media: website: https://greatlakespulse.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@greatlakespulse Instagram: https://instagram.com/greatlakespulse Threads: https://threads.net/greatlakespulse TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@pulseofthegreatlakes Facebook: https://facebook.com/greatlakespulse To make a tax deductable donation to our various initiatives to help Empower Great Lakers, please visit lovewhereyoulivefoundation.org/donate.