LSCP Adds to Bomb Threat Reward
Posted by Amy Clickner on December 2, 2011
There is no question how wonderful of a region we have. Site Selection magazine lists us at 20th among the nation’s 576 micropolitans. We’ve been recognized by other national media as a top Summer Destination, top Winter Wonderland, top Place to Retire, top Place to Raise a Family, a top performing eCity and America’s most Distinctive Destination. We’ve been visited by the Canadian Consul General, Governor of the State of Michigan and the President of the United States. Heck, even the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers wanted a piece of us! And that’s all just in the past year! All of these things have happened because the Marquette region truly has something special going on.
I’ve said it a million times: it’s easy to market a community which is so vibrant with its spectacular events, natural beauty, rich history, and camaraderie of good hearted and hardworking residents. However, when things such as the bomb threats on Black Friday happen in our community, it has an adverse effect on numerous levels.
Obviously, when a large portion of our major local retailers close due to an emergency, it will have a negative impact on our economy. Black Friday is a day packed with super-saving sales and deals aimed to ease the impact of the holidays on the wallets of consumers, and give a profitable boost to businesses. How did the threats affect Small Business Saturday? Did shoppers stay home after the threats, uncomfortable to venture out?
Such an incident can create negative press, painting an inaccurate perception of the personality of our community. It can also be uninviting to prospective employers looking to do business in our area. Not only does it create questions in the minds of people from out of the area, but in the minds of our own residents as well. Things like this aren’t supposed to happen here, and the criminal act has left many of us feeling violated in our own community.
On the flip side, our community has responded with the strong message that such action is not tolerated in our region. Spear-headed by Mining Journal publisher Jim Reevs, a reward was immediately put forth for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for these threats. Other area businesses have since come forward to show support of the effort and add to the reward cache.
The Lake Superior Community Partnership agrees that this type of criminal act flies in the face of everything our region stands for, and that is why we are doing our part and adding to the reward fund as well. There is no room in our community for such deplorable acts, and we are confident that our law enforcement and judicial system will solve the case and bring those responsible to justice.
If you have any information related to the bomb threats please call the Marquette City Police Department at 228-0400.
