The Statesman Rides Again

On a dreary December day¹ in 1833, John. D. Defrees launched The Michigan Statesman and St. Joseph Chronicle in the southwest corner of the Michigan US territory. Later, Defrees would become governor of Ohio, and for that he is forgiven².

Photo credit:

James David Dickson

The Michigan Statesman. Now that’s a name.

In recent years, the term “Michigan Man” has lost some luster, and is sliding from moral ideal to parody. “Michigan Man” may not yet be the infamous equal of “Florida Man,” but it’s making a strong move on the outside rail.

But Michigan Statesman?

Hmm.

Dignified. Historic. A subtle nod to my alma mater imbedded within. And an available dot-com address?

Gotta go with it.

Back Home(s)³

After 25 years in Tampa, my family is back home amongst family and old friends. Summer and fall are arm-wrestling for control over leaves and thermometers⁴. And while we have much figure out in this new chapter, I know it was time to say goodbye to Florida and begin again.

A big part of this next chapter is finding my next mission.

I know I want to do something that contributes to my home state. Maybe several somethings. As such, I’m learning about potential problems to work on and topics to explore.

Here are three.

Power problems

One problem in particular pulls me toward it. it’s an odd one, because I have zero expertise in the area.⁵

It’s Michigan’s electric grid, its policy and strategy, and what citizens can do to protect their access to reliable and affordable power.

Michigan’s current long-term power strategy puts carbon first, people second:

Michigan’s net-zero energy law could more than double utility bills, increase blackout risks, and deliver negligible climate benefits, a new report from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy warns.

This strategy balances precariously atop an aging and fragile grid. And, just for good measure, the other side of the political aisle is forcing coal plants that are beyond end-of-life to stay open, driving up maintenance costs and inefficiencies.

So I want to dig in: How do we keep the lights on? How can citizens protect themselves with home efficiency, solar power, and generators? And how do we build bridges between renewable energy and reliable energy?

Let’s find those bridges, instead of burning them down.

Storms and stories

Michigan’s history is also fascinating, and much of it is tied our wild weather.

For example, I’m reading White Hurricane⁶, a book about a brutal November storm on the Great Lakes⁷ that sank 19 ships, ran 19 more aground, and killed 250 people.

A sustained 70-mile-per-hour wind tends to unsettle your week. Eat your heart out, Caribbean hurricanes.

Hey, this state is great

Too much of the Michigan discourse on X is pessimistic⁸. Lots of complaining and finger-pointing without solutions.

We deserve better.

There is opportunity here. Unmatched natural beauty. Mysticism and magic.

The Michigan Statesman is also here to celebrate all Michigan can offer, and to find pathways to a strong and prosperous future.

Speaking of pathways, I’ve been finding new ones logging some chilly morning miles this week. The sun’s out. Let’s soak it up while we can.

1. Odds are it was dreary. In December, the sun shines during 20-33% of the few daylight hours, on average. Christmas lights aren’t just decorative here. They’re necessary.

2. Mostly.

3. Just remembered this: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior. HOMES. The Great Lakes.

4. Fall jumped out to an early lead. Somewhere, an icy and evil grin spreads across winter’s face.

5. Not that that usually stops me.

6. The storm was also referred to as “The Big Blow,” or the “Freshwater Fury,” which isn’t bad for a no-social-media era.

7. The Edmund Fitzgerald sank 62 years later, also in November.

8. Except for Lions and Tigers Twitter. Vibes running high.