The Cambensy Bombshell—the Allegations, Heated Reaction, Valid Points, and What It Portends for the Hospital Site Development…Also, a Possible Blakely Comeback, and a Fun, Chaotic Italian Restaurant

The Latest From Marquette, MI by Brian Cabell

SO, THE PLANS to transform the old hospital site into a brand new $160 million neighborhood are in jeopardy. This, thanks to an explosive letter written by State Representative Sara Cambensy to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Among a litany of allegations, Cambensy cited a lack of transparency, a lack of competition for the bid, and a possible conflict of interest in the massive development deal… “There is a long list of allegations that she made that are just not correct,” says Dave Nyberg, the executive director for business engagement at NMU.

Cambensy’s controversial missive to the AG throws shade at the NMU Board, the NMU Foundation, Foundation CEO Brad Canale, the Veridea Group (the developer), Veridea CEO Bob Mahaney, Lifepoint (which owns the hospital property), the City Commission, City Commissioner Jenn Hill (less than a week before her primary election), and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation…Whew!

To be fair, Cambensy, by most reports, has been an effective representative for her constituents over the last six years, and her essential point—that Bob Mahaney, as CEO of Veridea and an NMU Board member (and ex officio member of the Foundation Board) might have had a conflict of interest—was voiced by others in the community…But Foundation CEO Brad Canale counters: “All possible conflicts were cleared by our legal counsel. We took great care with this.”

Nyberg also explains that the Foundation Board assigned a special committee to oversee and score the RFQ (Request for Qualifications) process that chose Veridea as the developer; Mahaney was not part of that process….Still, where there’s smoke…

What’s baffling to the NMU Foundation, which engineered the deal to develop the property adjacent to NMU’s campus, is Cambensy’s motivation. “We talked to her throughout this process (while the deal was being put together), we tried to involve her, we kept her informed, but she disengaged,” says Nyberg…Further, he says, she did not contact the Foundation before sending her letter to the Attorney General…And most embarrassing, Cambensy’s initial claim that Mahaney’s wife contributed to City Commissioner Jenn Hill’s primary election campaign was simply false. A mistaken identity.

“I’m disappointed and angered that our State Representative did not come to the City with her concerns,” says City Commissioner Jessica Hanley. “We used to have quarterly meetings with her to discuss issues. She discontinued them.”

We’ve tried twice to contact Representative Cambensy regarding these questions, but so far, no response.

Bottom line question: Might the issues raised by Cambensy delay, or even scuttle, Veridea’s ambitious project? Michele Thomas, the Director of Development for Veridea, says that’s a matter for the NMU Foundation to decide.

So what’s next? “The Department of Attorney General has received Representative Cambensy’s letter and is reviewing the content,” says Amber McCann, the communications director for the AG…Okay, so does that mean weeks of delay? Months? We don’t know.

FORMER TV6 ANCHOR Sarah Blakely may make a comeback on local TV…Management at WZMQ, the new CBS station in town, has met with her. “If she chooses to get back into broadcasting, we would welcome her,” explains a cautious Brian Staulter, the executive VP at the station…There are some legal concerns, apparently. Blakely left TV6 last year after voicing dismay about the station’s Covid vaccination mandate and alleged sexual harassment by another employee.

WZMQ also tried to lure former TV6 meteorologist Karl Bohnak out of retirement, but after months of deliberation, he chose to stay retired.

The station, which is now broadcasting remotely out of Pennsylvania, hopes to open its local studio and offices on Washington Street downtown (the former Kildare Irish American Pub) by early fall…It will occupy only the second floor of the building, with a new entrance. The bottom, streetside floor, for now, will remain vacant.

YEAH, THE CROWDS are back on the sidewalks, in the hotels, restaurants and coffee shops, and at the festivals here…but most downtown business folks will tell you the crowds this summer are somewhat smaller than they were last summer…Last year, you might recall, Marquette was the great getaway—a desperate escape from the dreary Covid lockdown…This year, it’s closer to a normal, brisk summer. Nothing wrong with that.

ITALIAN FOOD LOVERS have reason to cheer. Yet another Italian restaurant—Strega Nonna—is setting up shop, in the former Chappers Pub in Negaunee… “It’ll be authentic Italian style,” says owner and chef Rachael Grossman. “The whole Italian experience…a fun, chaotic atmosphere…food never ending…the food inspired by the seasons…” She expects to open with a fairly simple regular menu, along with fixed-price, multi-course meals once a month…Also planned: sales of olive oil, wines, and Italian specialties in the front of the restaurant.

Grossman’s a Negaunee gal…She’s been running a highly rated, fixed price, outdoor restaurant in Portland for the last several years, but longed to return home. “I wanted to buy a house here but couldn’t afford it, so Instead, I bought a job…” she explains, meaning she bought the Chappers building which is now undergoing renovation…Opening is anticipated for January.

A COMEBACK FOR the arts…Jamie Weeder, the artistic director of the UP Shakespeare Festival and the Wolfs Head Theater Company, is back to producing plays in Marquette after a Covid-induced moratorium…She held auditions last week. “It was a good call,” she says. “Twenty-five people showed up. This community needed to be together, to support each other, cheer each other on, reconnect.”…Weeder hasn’t decided on exactly which play she’ll direct—she’s whittled it down to a mere eight…The venue? Also undecided. Could be the familiar Ore Dock Brewing Company, or possibly someplace new.

LOOKING FOR A job? Michigan’s Department of Corrections, like just about everyone else, is looking for employees…At last count, according to Bridge Michigan, our state prisons were down 900 employees….Starting pay is $19 an hour, and that’s due to rise another 5% in October. Officers with 5 ½ years’ experience make about $61,000 a year--not chicken feed by any means, but then again, there is just a wee bit of stress on the job.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE up-and-down weather here. 85 degrees and muggy one day, 62 and rainy and blustery the next. In late July! Early August!...Still, take a look at the national weather picture—scorching heat in the Southwest, the Northwest, and much of the Midwest, deadly flooding in Kentucky and St. Louis, out-of-control fires in California, and a never-ending drought in the Southwest….Considering all that, 62 degrees under cloudy skies doesn’t sound all that unpleasant.

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