Dear Neighbor,
The summer season is finally upon us! I hope you are your family are able to enjoy the sunshine and spend time taking advantage of all the fun summer activities our state offers. While summer break is here for our youngest Michiganders, our team is still hard at work connecting with folks from the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods all the way up to Algonac and Harsens Island.
In this newsletter, catch up with all that we’ve been up to and learn more about some exciting investments coming to our community. From the St. Clair Shores VFW receiving a grant to repair aging infrastructure and Dutton Farm opening up a new space in Clinton Township to Algonac kicking off the first full summer with their new community pool — there’s lots of great things happening across our lakeshore district to celebrate.
As always, please feel free to reach out to share your thoughts or seek assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments — we are here to serve you. You can reach my office by emailing SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov, calling our Lansing office at (517) 373-7315, or calling our district office at (586) 252-2157.
Sincerely,
Kevin Hertel
State Senator
District 12
- In exciting news, our office helped secure the St. Clair Shores VFW Bruce Post with a $250,000 grant for critical infrastructure improvements. Read more about this investment below.
- If you, a loved one, or a neighbor need a place to escape the heat, click here to find a list of cooling center locations in and around our community that are open to the public.
- We’re bringing our office to you! Every week, a member of our team goes out into the community to host office hours where folks can stop by to ask questions, share their opinion on legislation, or seek assistance on a state issue. Sign up for a time slot here.
Connecting with Constituents Over Coffee
We couldn’t have had a more beautiful day for a coffee hour on the porch of the Pink House Tea Room up in New Baltimore. We had some great conversations about many issues at the top of folks’ minds — from lowering the cost of healthcare and housing to investments we’re bringing to our community to protect Lake St. Clair and the future of Selfridge.
Thank you to everyone who came out for this conversation, and a major thank you to Jennifer and the Pink House for hosting us!
Welcoming Dutton Farm to Macomb County
Dutton Farm, originally founded in 2010, has grown into a powerhouse of a nonprofit that currently provides nearly 200 adults with disabilities in Oakland and Macomb Counties with meaningful, enriching opportunities after high school. And now, they’re going to be able to expand their reach and enhance their programming as they move into a new home in Clinton Township.
Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of celebrating this exciting milestone with them as they officially opened the doors to their new space. As they begin to develop the property to include dedicated areas for art, culinary job training, animal care, and more, I’ll be working with my colleagues in the Senate to secure state funding to ensure they have the resources they need.
Diving Into Another Season at the Algonac Community Pool
Here’s to another summer with the Algonac community pool in full force! It was a blast helping Mayor Rocky Gillis kick off the season with a cannonball into the pool. Watching all the families enjoy this space is evidence that when we work together for our communities, it pays off.
And my son, Benny, gave the pool and the splashpad rave reviews. It looks like we’ll have to come back again soon!
Public Safety Roundtable in Grosse Pointe
As the weather warms up, we’re hearing more and more concerns about young people riding motorized bikes and scooters throughout our lakeshore communities. When they’re operated recklessly or without an understanding of the rules of the road, they can pose serious risks to pedestrians, motorists, and riders themselves.
To learn more about the issue from those on the frontlines, I met with public safety officers and local electeds in Grosse Pointe. We had a productive discussion about what they’re seeing out in the community, how they’re looking to address it at the local level, and how we can help support their efforts in Lansing. This conversation is only the beginning, so keep an eye out as we work to find commonsense solutions that keep everyone safe and healthy.
And if your child has an e-bike, please take the time to talk with them about the importance of riding responsibly. This is going to take a team effort!
Celebrating the New St. Clair Shores Fire Station
It’s only fitting that in the same year St. Clair Shores celebrates its 75th anniversary, we open a new fire station for the brave first responders who have been serving this community since before the city was even incorporated.
This was a tremendous undertaking for both the department and the city, and the result is something our entire community can be proud of. Thank you for inviting me to celebrate this exciting moment — I hope you enjoy your new home!
Honoring Our Fallen Soldiers on Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a solemn reminder that our freedom is not free, but something secured by brave men and women who sacrificed more than many of us could ever imagine. And they didn’t do it for recognition, but for a mission far greater: to secure a future grounded in freedom and opportunity for all of us.
This past Memorial Day, I had the privilege of joining veterans, families, and community members at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial and at Veterans Memorial Park in St. Clair Shores to honor the brave service members who never returned home. Their memory lives on in our hearts and in our continued commitment to the values they fought for.
Walking in the St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade
Team Hertel had a great time at another incredible St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade! It’s always wonderful to see so many members of the community come together to honor our fallen heroes and their contributions to defending our democracy.
Thank you to everyone who works so hard all year round to put this event together.
An Evening of Red, White & Blue at the War Memorial
As we celebrate 250 years of our democracy and the brave men and women who have defended it all this time, I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening than one supporting the Grosse Pointe War Memorial and their mission.
Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Schaap Center
After many years of planning, hard work, and the generosity of countless supporters, the Schaap Center is finally open! I recently had the pleasure of joining their team and excited community members to celebrate the grand opening and the start of the center’s first performances. It’s incredible to see this vision become a reality and to witness the impact it will have on our community for years to come.
Cleaning Up the Nautical Coastline
Keeping Lake St. Clair clean and beautiful for families to enjoy takes all of us working together — and this year, the St. Clair Shores Waterfront Environmental Committee had a powerful team of volunteers dedicated to that mission.
Huge thanks to all the folks who spent a Sunday morning participating in the 31st Annual Nautical Coast Cleanup. As I head back to Lansing, I’ll be carrying that energy with me as we continue fighting for the policies and investments needed to protect Lake St. Clair for generations to come.
Hosting a Small Business Roundtable
From family-owned restaurants and cafés to neighborhood shops, small businesses create jobs and economic opportunity while bringing people together. But right now, they’re being squeezed from every direction as they continue grappling with the fallout of federally-imposed tariffs and ripple effects from the Iran war.
To hear firsthand about the pressures impacting their operations and help identify solutions, I hosted a roundtable discussion with small business owners from across our lakeshore community. Thank you to all the folks who sat down to talk with us — your input will be guiding our team as we work to hopefully deliver some relief.
To learn more about our discussion, click here.
Turning Lake St. Clair into a Hands-On Classroom
Where the St. Clair River meets Lake St. Clair creates the largest freshwater delta anywhere in the world, and that kind of environment is full of wildlife and endless learning opportunities.
I recently had the pleasure to stop by and see how local schools are turning this incredible natural resource into a hands-on classroom for students — bringing in folks from the Dept. of Natural Resources, Detroit Bird Alliance, and more organizations — to teach kids about everything from aquatic organisms to bird migration, local tribes, and the importance of environmental stewardship.
Having Coffee and Conversation at the St. Clair Shores Senior Center
I always appreciate the chance to sit down with residents and hear directly about the issues that matter most to them — from keeping kids safe online and protecting voting rights to continuing our investments in clean water infrastructure here in our lakeshore district.
Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to stop by and be part of an important conversation about the future of our community.
Welcoming the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging to Grosse Pointe
One of the best measures of a society is how it treats its older citizens. These are individuals who have been the foundation of our neighborhoods, our schools, our businesses, and our families. They spent long days and long nights raising us, supporting us, building us up.
And as they age, it’s our duty to ensure that every senior in Michigan is afforded the basic measure of security, dignity, and respect they deserve in their golden years. That’s what the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging is focused on, and I recently had the pleasure of welcoming them to the Helm in Grosse Pointe Farms for a listening session where we sat down and heard directly from seniors on what resources and support they need most.
Spending Time with the Anchor Bay Fishing Club
Lake St. Clair has so much to offer, including one-of-a-kind recreation and learning opportunities. And no one knows that better than folks like the Anchor Bay Fishing Club which helps promote conservation, sportsmanship, and angler skill sets in our community.
I recently had the pleasure of getting to spend some time with their group, learn more about their work, and share some of things we’ve been working on in Lansing to protect the lake for current and future generations.
Kicking Off St. Clair Shores’ Little League on Opening Day
Had a blast helping kick off the 2026 season for St. Clair Shores Little League! I hope all the players and their families have a great summer.
Discussion on Social Media and AI with Grosse Pointe Students
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with a group of dedicated students from Grosse Pointe South High School who are taking an active role in their community and their democracy. We had a great discussion on many issues — including the prevalence of social media, the increasing use of AI, and how we can ensure technology is being used responsibly and ethically.
Seeing young people so informed, curious, and eager to make a difference gives me a lot of hope for the future. If students like these are leading the next generation, our future is in very good hands.
Securing a $250,000 Grant for the St. Clair Shores VFW Bruce Post
The VFW Bruce Post has been a cornerstone of St. Clair Shores for decades — serving as an integral place in our community where veterans can connect with one another and receive support and resources. The veterans who rely on the space for a sense of belonging after returning home from service deserve for it to be safe, accessible, and equipped to meet their needs.
That’s why I worked with Post Commander Ellis to secure a state grant that will allow them to make critical infrastructure improvements to ensure the Post remains accessible and welcoming for the thousands of veterans, families, and community members who visit them every year. More specifically, the funding will go towards repaving their parking lot, which has not been resurfaced in over 40 years and currently poses a safety hazard.
Read more about this investment and what it means for our community here.
Summer Meal Programs Available to Michigan Children
The Summer Food Service Program, also known as Meet Up and Eat Up, is available for children to receive nutritious meals during long school vacations when they do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs. This program is operated at the local level by program sponsors and is administered by the Michigan Dept. of Education, Office of Nutrition Services. To find a Meet Up and Eat Up Site, please call 211, text “food” to 304-304, or click here.
How to Beat the Heat This Summer
Summer weather means getting outside and having fun or working in the yard, but too much heat can make you sick. Your body normally cools itself as your sweat evaporates, but during extremely hot weather, when the humidity is high, sweat can’t evaporate very well. These conditions can cause the temperature of your body to become dangerously high and can lead to severe illness or even death.
Heat related illness is preventable, so it’s important to understand what you can do to keep yourself healthy when temperatures are extremely high.
- Keep cool indoors. Use an air conditioner or go to a cool place such as the basement, a neighbor’s house, shopping mall or cooling center.
- Take a cool shower or bath.
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated — don’t just wait until you are thirsty. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks such as pop. These beverages may actually dehydrate you even more.
- Avoid exercise and physical activity during the hottest time of the day. Mornings and evenings are usually cooler than midday.
- Stay out of the sun. Wear sun protective clothing like a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going outside to protect yourself against sunburn.
- Never leave children, the elderly, or pets in parked cars. Cars heat up very quickly and can become dangerously hot, even with the windows open.
And if you, a loved one, or a neighbor need a place to escape the heat, click here to find a list of cooling center locations in and around our community that are open to the public.
It is one of my top goals as your State Senator to have myself and my office be as accessible to you as possible. To share your thoughts on legislation or seek assistance with an issue, please join me at one of our upcoming district events:
Community Office Hours with Team Hertel
Weekly Office Hours in St. Clair Shores
WHEN: Every Thursday from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and by appointment.
WHERE: District Office, 22424 Greater Mack Ave., Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080
Algonac Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, June 23, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Algonac Public Library, 2011 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac, MI 48001
Mount Clemens Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, July 7, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Mount Clemens Public Library, 150 Cass Ave., Mount Clemens, MI 48043
Harper Woods Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, July 14, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Harper Woods Public Library, 19601 Harper Ave., Harper Woods, MI 48225
New Baltimore Office Hours
WHEN: Tuesday, July 21, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: MacDonald Public Library, 36480 Main St., New Baltimore, MI 48047
Please note that these office hours are hosted by staff.
If You Need Help
If you have a problem dealing with any department of state government, such as accessing unemployment benefits, my office is available to help resolve it. While we usually cannot assist with local or federal issues, we will always do our best to help direct you to the appropriate person or organization for help.
You may always feel free to email me at SenKHertel@senate.michigan.gov. You can also call our Lansing Office at (517) 373-7315 or our District Office at (586) 252-2157.
Keep Up to Date
Our bi-weekly newsletters are full of updates on what Team Hertel has been working on both in Lansing and District 12 to deliver results for Michiganders. To keep up to date with what we’ve been up to — sign up here to receive my bi-weekly newsletter, or access previous editions online here.
For more frequent updates, I also encourage you to follow our team on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BlueSky.