The Rural Insights Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Rural Insights Institute
Interviews, roundtables, and press conferences highlighting current actions and policies throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Rural Insights Podcast is produced by David Haynes and the Rural Insights Institute, the primary research and information source for Michigan's Upper Peninsula and beyond. We provide a forum for citizen journalism and citizen opinion to tell about life in rural areas and the Upper Peninsula, and we're committed to the philosophy that knowledge and truth equals power for all citizens.
Please note: Due to technical difficulties, the first few minutes of our conversation were cut off. We apologize for this issue, and hope you enjoy the episode.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, seasoned public administrator Scott Erbisch joins David Haynes to discuss the unique challenges faced by rural areas in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Topics discussed include air travel, broadband access, road infrastructure, housing affordability, and the impact of state and federal policies on rural communities. Scott sheds light on the complexities of managing rural public services and the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life in these communities.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, host David Haynes is joined by Lois Ellis, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance, and Elise Matz, Vice President of Circle Power Renewables, to discuss the transformative solar energy project at the former Groveland Mine site in Dickinson County.
Discover how this $200 million investment is repurposing abandoned industrial land to generate clean energy, provide local jobs, and contribute to Michigan's decarbonization efforts. Learn about the collaboration with local townships, the innovative property tax guarantee, and the future of solar energy in the Upper Peninsula.
Join David Haynes in the latest engaging episode of the Rural Insights Podcast! In this episode, David welcomes Karen Ogle, a Marquette native who has built a distinguished career in the U.S. State Department. Karen shares her journey from her "lost years" in Marquette to her rise through the ranks of the foreign service, highlighting the mentors and experiences that shaped her path.
Karen provides a glimpse into the life of a foreign service officer, from managing American citizen services to navigating visa processes in various countries. She emphasizes the importance of community, both in small towns like Marquette and within the tight-knit world of embassies abroad. The conversation also touches on the opportunities and challenges of representing the U.S. across the globe and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the foreign service.
We appreciated Karen's insights into the unique career path of a foreign service officer and the impact of small-town values on global diplomacy.
Join David Haynes in this engaging episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, featuring a special edition of the Rural Voices series.
In this conversation, David sits down with Robert Hilton, the Foreign Policy Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army and a Marquette native with a storied international career. They delve into Robert's journey from a history major at the University of Michigan to a distinguished 35-year service in the foreign service, discussing the transformative power of education and the values shaped by his upbringing in Marquette.
Robert shares insights into the foreign service examination process, the diverse career paths available, and how his small-town roots have influenced his global interactions. They explore the theme of service in different capacities and contemplate the future beyond a career in foreign diplomacy.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes and Student Researcher Brenna Musser talk to Representative David Preston from the 108th House District. They discuss the top issues affecting the district, including the need for more opportunities, housing, and jobs to improve the quality of life in the Upper Peninsula.
They also delve into the challenges faced by veterans in rural areas, the childcare crisis worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shortage of healthcare specialists in the U.P. Preston emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues through policy changes, investment, and removing bureaucratic hurdles.
Topics discussed include the need for more opportunities and revitalization in the U.P., challenges faced by veterans in rural areas and the lack of accessibility to advanced care, the childcare crisis and the need for regulatory reform to support cottage-style facilities, the shortage of housing and the impact of high labor and material costs, and the scarcity of healthcare specialists and the importance of attracting and retaining medical professionals in rural areas.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down for a conversation with Dennis Smith. Dennis is the President of Dennis H. Smith Consulting, a firm working in the Rural Healthcare space focusing on Policy, Strategic Planning and Advocacy. He’s also the former President and CEO of Upper Peninsula Health Plan and its related companies.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Kerri Schuiling, President of Northern Michigan University.
Topics discussed include NMU's new mental wellness program, the transition to incoming NMU president Dr. Brock Tessman, childcare for faculty and students, the university budget, and more.
Dr. Kerri Schuiling became interim president of NMU on October 1, 2021. The NMU Board of Trustees removed the "interim" portion of her title in April 2022 to recognized the extended timeline for the current presidential search. Schuiling previously served as the university's provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. She is Northern’s 16th president.
Dr. Schuiling is a 1973 NMU graduate. She also holds a master's degree from Wayne State University and a doctorate from the University of Michigan. She is certified as both a women's health nurse practitioner and nurse-midwife. She was the third nurse practitioner to practice in western Michigan and was the first credentialed nurse-midwife at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids.
When not on campus, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and family pets, and she is an avid downhill skier.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Dan Truckey, Director and Curator of the Beaumier UP Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University.
Topics discussed include Truckey's involvement at the Beaumier Center, career paths for students interested in history and heritage preservation, the legacy of Dr. John Beaumier, and what we can expect at this year's Sonderegger Symposium.
The Beaumier UP Heritage Center is a historical museum and educational facility that serves to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Upper Peninsula through an active slate of exhibitions and engaging public programs for the whole region. The center also collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of Northern Michigan University.
Before returning to his alma mater, Truckey served as executive director of the Grand Traverse Heritage Center in Traverse City. Previous employers included the Sioux City Public Museum in Iowa, Noah Webster House, the Connecticut Historical Society and the former Catskills Entertainment Hall of Fame.
Truckey is a folk singer-songwriter, and also enjoys downhill skiing, biking, hiking, playing tennis and spending time with his wife, Leigh Barry ('90)—whom he met at NMU—and their two kids, Thomas and Josie.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with James Haveman, President of Haveman Group and former Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health, along with serving in several other state and national health policy organizations.
Topics discussed include student mental health services at NMU, recruiting and placement of mental health workers at universities and the current shortage, details on the Michigan Healthy plan, and mental health care services for Michigan veterans.
Guest Bio
James K. Haveman continues to have a distinguished history of public service, management and volunteer work.
He was appointed on September 1,2012 by Governor Rick Snyder of Michigan as the Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. He was chosen to drive the Governor’s aggressive health and wellness agenda forward- a critical piece for reinventing Michigan. Haveman retired from that position on September 12,2014. He previously served in this position from 1996-2003 and as the Department of Mental Health Director from 1991-1996. Haveman was appointed to both of these positions by Governor John Engler.
In 2003, he was appointed by the White House as the Coalition Provisional Authority Senior Advisor to the Iraqi Ministry of Health. He was Iraq’s Acting Minister of Heath for the first three months of his 11-month tenure. During this time he was also the Senior Health Advisor to Ambassador Paul Bremer.
Previously Haveman served as Executive Director of Bethany Christian Services, the largest child welfare/adoptive agency in the United States, Executive Director of the Kent County Community Mental Health Program and the Executive Director of Project Rehab, a substance abuse program that was located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Haveman has received numerous awards and tributes, including the National Governors’ Association Distinguished Service Award in 1998 and the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 2004.
Haveman currently is President of the consulting firm, the Haveman Group. He is a Board member of the Grand Rapids Public Museum Foundation, Youngsoft Inc., and H2H Solutions. He serves as the Finance Chair of the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Foundation Board. In the past he has served on the Board of Ferris State University and Northern Michigan University.
A social worker by training, Haveman is a 1966 graduate of Calvin College. He earned his master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University. He is married to Barbara and they have two children and seven grandchildren.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down to chat with Steve Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Northern Michigan University. Topics covered include NMU's search for a new President, and the various challenges facing higher education and how the board and NMU is addressing those challenges.
In addition to Chairman of the Board of Trustees at NMU, Steve is the recently-retired owner and officer of the Lansing-based lobby firm Governmental Consultant Services Inc. Steve previously served as a Manager of Tax and Regulatory Affairs for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. He was a political science major and Payne Hall resident at NMU in the mid-seventies, and left NMU to work at the State Capitol as Chief of Staff to a Saginaw area State Senator. Steve completed his bachelor's degree in political science and economics from Michigan State University.
Mr. Young was appointed to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees by Governor Rick Snyder for a term beginning January 1, 2019 and continuing until December 31, 2026. Steve lives in Lansing with his wife Tricia, and has two daughters, Jennifer and Stephanie.
In this episode of the Rural Insights Podcast, David Haynes sits down with Duane DuRay, Airport Manager for Sawyer International Airport--the Upper Peninsula's largest airport. DuRay has served as the Airport Manager since 2012, following his position at Gogebic Iron County Airport.
Topics discussed include the challenges presented by the reduction in flights by American Airlines and Delta Airlines, the pilot shortage, the changes to the Essential Air Service, and how the Sawyer and Marquette County are dealing with these challenges.
David Haynes sits down with Brian Chapman, City Manager for Sault Ste. Marie to catch up on the latest issues surrounding municipal finance and rural government, including the issue of "dark stores" and the importance of intergovernmental work in rural communities.
Sault Ste. Marie is one of Michigan's international cities, bordering Canada, and home to a large federal workforce involved with the Soo Locks, a major hospital (War Memorial) and Lake Superior State University.
David Haynes sits down with Gina Thorsen, President and Co-Owner of Stormy Kromer, one of the most well-known and successful UP brands and manufacturers--most notably for the original Stormy Kromer cap.
Thorsen discusses her background having been born and raised in Ironwood, how her career got started, some of the unique aspects of the Stormy Kromer company, and her perspective on some of the issues facing the rural UP.
David Haynes sits down once again with Gary McDowell, former U.P. legislator, U.P. resident, and current director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD).
In this episode, Gary discusses the newly-created Office of Rural Development, which was established this past January by Governor Gretchen Whitmer via Executive Directive 2022-01 and is organized within MDARD.
The Office of Rural Development's responsibilities include collaborating with stakeholders on rural economic development, collaborating to facilitate rural affordable housing development, collaborating to facilitate expansion of high-speed internet in rural communities, and address ramifications of population and demographic trends in rural Michigan, among other duties.
You can learn more about the Office of Rural Development at https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/divisions/mdard-executive-office/office-of-rural-development.
David Haynes sits down with Cheyenne Marlin, Assistant Director for the University of Michigan's U.P. Scholars Program. The program provides "substantial scholarship aid for four years of undergraduate study at U-M exclusively to incoming students from Michigan's Upper Peninsula." In her position at U-M, Marlin helps "develop, implement, and evaluate targeted programs and strategies to enhance student success for undergraduate students from Michigan's Upper Peninsula."
From the U.P. Scholars website: "Cheyenne Marlin is an enrolled member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Prior to joining the University of Michigan, Cheyenne held positions at the American Indian College Fund and the University of Minnesota, Morris, serving Native American and Alaska Native students in academic student success. Cheyenne earned a BA from Northern Michigan University and a Masters of Education from Grand Valley State University.
In this episode, David and Cheyenne discuss the U.P. Scholars Program scholarship, what it covers, how students can apply, what the experience is like for the students who are selected to be U.P. Scholars, and how this program relates to other scholarships available to students.
David Haynes sits down with Karen Kovacs, the new City Manager for Marquette. Kovacs was officially appointed as the Marquette City Manager on May 24, 2021 and took office on June 7. The City Manager is the chief administrator for the city government and has a variety of duties including administering city departments, enforcing all laws and ordinances adopted by the City Commission, recommending an annual budget, implementing the final budget, and advising the Commission.
In this podcast, Karen discusses her background, women in public administration and available resources for women looking to get into that field, the difficulty of finding housing in Marquette and what she's doing to help address this issue, and Marquette's revenue situation and what's being done and being planned to increase revenue.
This episode features Dirk Wierenga, director of Route 2 Elsewhere, a documentary which “tells the story of challenges that face rural America communities adapting to a changing economy, from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Montana” and his colleague Paul Sturgul who helped promote the film.
In this episode, David talks with Dirk and Paul about the documentary, their backgrounds, and aspects of rural culture and rural living as it pertains to the Upper Peninsula.
David Haynes sits down with Elise Bur, who was selected to be the first director of the NMU Center for Rural Health after the program received a $100,000 grant in 2020. The NMU Center for Rural Health is a collaborating center for the Michigan Center for Rural Health aiming to create an integrated health care network that better serves U.P. residents and improves their health outcomes, as well as to identify related academic programs to meet regional demand.
In this episode, David and Elise discuss what the NMU Center for Rural Health does, the things it's responsible for, and ways they are helping people right now. They also discuss how the Center is working with local healthcare organizations, working to improve food insecurity in the U.P., and the efforts to impact healthcare-related legislation both in the state and in Washington DC.
David Haynes sits down with Dr. Coby Fletcher, Superintendent of the Escanaba Area Public School District. His district--one of the largest in the Upper Peninsula--encompasses a kindergarten center, lower elementary school, upper elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school, which combine for a total enrollment of 2,150 students, a staff of 280, and a $24 million budget.
Dr. Fletcher discusses what led to him eventually becoming Superintendent of a UP school district, shares details on Escanaba's early middle college program, the initiatives they are taking to prevent high school dropout, initiatives to help improve students' mental health, and much more!
David Haynes sits down for another conversation with David Jahn, President and CEO of Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital. Jahn has been with War Memorial for 15 years, and prior to that he was CEO and CFO at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique (his hometown) for 22 years.
David has his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from Lake Superior State University. He is currently a member of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Board of Directors and the Vice-Chairman of the Michigan Center for Rural Health Board of Directors.
In this episode we learn about David's new affiliation with My Michigan Health, what the agreement will mean for healthcare in the Eastern UP, and also the details on the healthcare challenges the Eastern UP is facing right now and the efforts that are taking place to address those challenges.
David Haynes sits down with Ed Legault, Executive Director for the Delta County Economic Development Alliance to talk about what's happening in his part of the Upper Peninsula. Ed gives a review of some of the great things happening in Delta County, including new buildings, new businesses, and new projects. Also discussed are the issues of housing, child care, and health care in Delta County and what is being done to address the challenges in those areas.
David Haynes sits down with Dr. Charles Ballard, Professor of Economics at Michigan State University. They cover topics including Michigan's economy and budget, wealth inequality and Michigan's shrinking middle class, childcare tax, and more.
Dr. Ballard is an expert in all areas of economics including the Michigan and national economies; trade reform; tax and expenditure policy; state and local public finance; taxation; and poverty and income distribution. He has extensive experience talking with the media about the economy and politics. Ballard also directs MSU's quarterly State of the State Survey, which measures Michigan's consumer confidence and approval ratings of political leaders. In 2007, he won the Outstanding Teacher Award in MSU's College of Social Science. He currently serves as Board Chair of the Michigan League for Public Policy.
The Rural Insights Podcast highlights current actions and policies throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Rural Insights Podcast is produced by the Rural Insights Institute, the primary research and information source for Michigan's Upper Peninsula and beyond. We provide a forum for citizen journalism and citizen opinion to tell about life in rural areas and the Upper Peninsula, and we're committed to the philosophy that knowledge and truth equals power for all citizens.
David Haynes sits down with Brigitte LaPointe, CEO of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community. Previously, LaPointe served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for Upper Peninsula Health Plan in Marquette.
In this episode, Brigitte talks about her experiences growing up in the UP on the KBIC reservation and how it influenced her values and her career, and the biggest issues currently facing the KBIC--including education, employment and job training, healthcare, and more.
David Haynes sits down with Northern Michigan University alumni Nick Sizeland, Mitch Foster, and Brian Chapman to discuss their current roles as young leaders in three Michigan cities.
Nick Sizeland is currently the City Manager of Grosse Pointe Park, MI and graduated from NMU in 2016 with a Masters in Public Administration and undergraduate in Public Administration. Mitch Foster is currently the City Manager for Ludington, MI and graduated from NMU in 2011 with a degree in Political Science and Government, and University of Nevada-Reno with a Masters in Public Administration. Brian Chapman is currently the City Manager for Sault Ste. Marie, MI and graduated from NMU in 2011 with a Masters in Public Administration.
In this episode, David discusses what Nick, Mitch, and Brian are experiencing as leaders in their respective cities, their current challenges, and some of the risks they are facing.
In this episode, David talks about technology and cybersecurity with Lois Ellis, Executive Director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance, Evan Rice, Vice President of Information Technology at CCI Systems, and Doug Miller from the Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute.
David Haynes sits down with Marquette Mayor Jenna Smith and Marquette City Commissioner Cody Mayer to discuss the challenges currently faced by rural cities like Marquette, and what their thoughts are on where the future is headed for rural cities in the Upper Peninsula.
Jenna Smith began serving on the Marquette City Commission in December 2017. She was born and raised in Marquette, and went on to attend the University of Michigan where she earned a degree in Psychology and Environmental Studies in 2008. Smith was appointed Mayor in 2017, and then elected as Mayor in 2018.
Cody Mayer was elected to the Marquette City Commission in November 2020. Cody was raised in Sault Ste Marie, and is a member of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Cody attended Northern Michigan University where he received a degree in Public Administration. He has served as an enlisted soldier in the Michigan Army National Guard since December 2014 and currently holds the rank of Sergeant.
In this episode, Mayor Smith and Commissioner Mayer discuss the challenges of funding and revenue, affordable housing, and the lack of childcare in Marquette and other communities. They also discuss the future of development for properties like the old hospital building in Marquette. This is a great discussion with two of Marquette's youngest and brightest leaders!
David Haynes sits down with David Jahn, President and CEO of Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital. David has been with War Memorial for 15 years, and prior to that he was CEO and CFO at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique (his hometown) for 22 years.
David has his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and an MBA from Lake Superior State University. He is currently a member of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Board of Directors and the Vice-Chairman of the Michigan Center for Rural Health Board of Directors.
In this episode, David Jahn discusses healthcare in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and the difficulties that are being faced not just at his facility but in hospitals throughout the UP, including nursing shortages and strain, the impacts of COVID, new partnership opportunities with downstate universities to help attract and recruit more doctors, and funding difficulties from decreasing Medicare reimbursement rates.
In this episode, David sits down with Don Wotruba, UP native and Executive Director of the Michigan Association of School Boards, one of Lansing's biggest educational associations and one of the most powerful in the state.
In the podcast, Don discusses the educational policy work he is currently involved in--including managing the difficulties with mask mandates and other COVID-related policies that are controversial within communities and the tough decisions school districts are having to make.
In this episode, David Haynes talks with Sara Cambensy, State Representative for Michigan's 109th District. Prior to her election to the state legislature, Cambensy served on the Marquette City Commission, Marquette Planning Commission and was the director of adult and continuing education for Marquette Community Schools.
David and Rep. Cambensy talk about issues affecting the U.P. that both she and the legislature will be looking at in the current legislative session, including Federal infrastructure funding and getting funding into programming like schools and mental health, a bill to help communities capture more revenue from transient housing driven by tourism, and how people in rural parts of the state--especially the U.P.--can have a bigger voice in Lansing when decisions are being made that affect these rural areas.
In this episode, David Haynes talks with Dickinson County leaders about the work being done and progress being made between the area's educational sector and the manufacturing employment base.
This discussion features Dickinson Area Economic Development Authority Executive Director Lois Ellis, Systems Control Talent Acquisitions Lead Theresa Caylor, and Breitung Township Superintendent David Holmes.
In this episode, David Haynes sits down with Gary McDowell, current director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. Gary also served three, two-year terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. He grew up in Rudyard, MI, where he still resides, and is a farmer by trade.
In this episode, David Haynes sits down with Sault Ste. Marie City Manager Brian Chapman and Marquette County Administrator Scott Erbisch to discuss some of the issues facing not only their own respective cities and counties, but cities and counties throughout the Upper Peninsula.
Dr. Laura Coleman, President of Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba, MI, is one of the most respected community college leaders in Michigan and across the country. In this interview we discuss lots of interesting information about higher education in the Upper Peninsula and in Michigan.
More About Dr. Laura Coleman:
Dr. Coleman assumed the position of President in July of 2006. Prior to joining Bay College, she was Executive Dean at Bertrand Crossing Campus, Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI. She also served as Interim Dean of Institute for Diversity and Leadership at Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor, MI. She served as the Director at the Jefferson City Campus of State Fair Community College. Dr. Coleman received her Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, her Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Lake Forest, IL, and her Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from the University of Illinois.
In this episode, David Haynes interviews Ed McBroom, a Republican member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 38th district in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Senator McBroom's district covers twelve of Michigan's fifteen UP counties: Alger, Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, and Schoolcraft.
This video features our conversion with Brian Chapman, City Manager of Sault Ste. Marie and David Haynes, the Director and Editor of our Rural Insights Institute. He talks about current issues facing the Soo and future developments for the Soo.
The Soo is one of Michigan’s border communities with Canada, making it a truly an international city. The Soo is also home to a large federal workforce involved with the expanding Soo Locks and also home to a major hospital, War Memorial and to Lake Superior State University. This is a very interesting conversation with one of our major cities in the UP.
A roundtable discussion featuring David Haynes, the Director and Editor of our Rural Insights Institute, Pat Gagliardi, former member of the House of Representatives where he also served as the Democratic Floor Leader, and Mitch Irwin former Democratic member of the Michigan Senate.
This discussion was part of the 2020 Sonderegger Symposium at Northern Michigan University, put on by the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center and Center for U.P. Studies with the goal of bringing a sense of history to Yooper culture.