EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

ESCANABA — For the second time in five years, voters Tuesday chose to keep their city-owned power plant open rather than buy cheaper power from Wisconsin Electric. Like a similar vote in 1986, Tuesday’s defeat came by a large margin with heavy voter turnout. Final tallies were 2,392-1,795 (57 percent voted “No”). More than half the city’s registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s election. In contrast, 40 percent of registered voters turned out in the 1986 power plant election. Demand for absentee voter ballots was high as well. Mayor M. Jean Jokipii would not comment on whether the city would attempt another power plant vote. In a phone interview Tuesday, City Manager James Hauser Jr. outlined future plans. “Looking at the results, it’s the judgment of the people that they are satisfied with their current standard of quality.” The city will spend at least $1 million in the next 18 months to overhaul turbines. Hauser said plans also call for a backup power line.

90 years ago

LANSING — A request that Michigan aid in making U.S. 41 a paved trunk line highway from Florida to the tip of the Upper Peninsula was laid before G.C. Dillman, state highway commissioner, today. A delegation from Marquette, Keweenaw, Baraga and other northern counties urged Dillman to pave that portion of the route stretching to Copper Harbor. The spokesman, Norman Starrett, mayor of Hancock, declared the improvement is needed as a tourist enticement. The federal trunk line now stretches from Florida to Copper Harbor, with unpaved gaps only in Tennessee, Kentucky and Michigan. Dillman told the delegation the project is meritorious. He promised that it will be given thorough consideration and indicated that as soon as state highway finances will permit additional hard surface will be placed in the highway.