30 years ago

MARQUETTE — The Human Services Coordinating Body conducted a survey of 413 citizens and 136 key community leaders to understand some of Marquette’s key issues. Forty three percent of residents identified unemployment as their biggest concern, and thirty seven percent of community leaders agree. Marquette’s leaders also identified affordable medical care, alcohol and substance abuse, youth delinquency, recreational facilities, and household violence as other important issues. Community leaders are not alone in noticing the rise in health care inaccessibility, as it was the number two leading issue among 42% of citizens. Becky Beauchamp, executive director of the Marquette County United Way sees the survey as a good first step toward addressing these issues, as the data will be used to determine what projects receive United Way funding grants each year.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — Marquette’s State operated liquor store brought in the largest profit in the 10-month period of the 1964-1965 fiscal year. A meeting in Escanaba this week proved that the U.P.’s gross liquor sales by the state amounted to $5,470,628, compared with the previous year’s $5,226,320 figure. Although it was not analyzed by the MLCC (Michigan Liquor Control Commission), the increase in sales were due in large part to the increase in the city’s population as well as the effect of the K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base. All liquor is sold by state stores, eight per cent of the money is allocated to retail sales, 50.68 per cent is given to specially designated dealers, 34.21 per cent to bars, and 6.73 per cent to military establishments (K.I. Sawyer in Marquette County, and Kincheloe in Chippewa County). Kincheloe bought 26.94 percent of the total sold at the Sault Ste. Marie store, while Sawyer bought 20 per cent of the liquor sold at the Marquette store.