From the Port Huron Times Herald: “Little by little, the odds for a Port Huron casino are beginning to improve. First, there was the important support U.S. Sen. Carl Levin gave the effort earlier this year, a setback to Detroit. Motor City officials have tried to block Port Huron’s bid, a development they view as a threat to Detroit’s three casinos.
“With new support from U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, Port Huron’s casino effort marked another important sign of progress. The Rhode Island Democrat last week became a co-sponsor of H.R. 2176, legislation essential to Port Huron’s gambling facility.
“The bill seeks long-sought federal approval of a 2002 land trade between the state of Michigan and the Upper Peninsula’s Bay Mills Indian Community. The Chippewa band, based at Brimley, agreed to drop its claim to 110 acres of property at Charlotte Beach on the St. Marys River in exchange for the establishment of a new reservation on the property of Port Huron’s Thomas Edison Inn. The reservation would become the site of Port Huron’s Indian-run casino.”Despite his opposition to casino gambling, Gov. John Engler approved the deal. He did so largely because the Point Edward Charity Casino and Sarnia’s Hiawatha slot machines were drawing a substantial number of Americans who crossed the St. Clair River to gamble in Ontario. The Thomas Edison Inn casino would allow Port Huron to compete.”
Turtle Talk 
In 1993 Port Huron voters defeated a plan by casino syndicator Mike Malik to build a casino in town; 7-8 years later, in 2001, they narrowly approved his scheme in a non-binding advisory vote. It’s been six years now, perhaps the voters of Port Huron should be asked once again what they think about a casino in town.
Frankly, this sounds like great news for Port Huron. I thank Mr. Malik, the Bay Mills Tribe and all the others supporters of this project for sticking to it and not giving up. For more than 10 years we have watched people flock to Sarnia, taking their money and our jobs with them. It’s time for Port Huron.