Pauline Repp, Mayor of Port Huron Courtesy of Pauline Repp
When we wanted to start a series of profiles of leading St. Clair women, Pauline Repp came immediately to mind. Just re-elected to a fourth term as Port Huron's mayor, Repp has been doing community work for decades and has deep roots in her city.
Prior to her service as mayor, she was Port Huron's city clerk, and a resident of the city for more than 40 years. She's also served on boards from the St. Clair County Child Abuse and Neglect Council to the Blue Meets Green Leadership Council, has led at the state level with the Southeastern Michigan Council of Governments and the Michigan Municipal League, and was named a NACW Career Woman of the Year in Port Huron.
She first was appointed to the position as the highest vote getter among city council members. Her next three terms, after a charter revision that separated the election of mayor, Repp ran specifically for the position, wanting to help the city move in a positive direction--and voters agreed with her goals each time.
We asked her how she has already seen the city make progress, and how she hopes to continue that.
The Keel: What do you think Port Huron is particularly good at doing, and what do you think it needs to do to move forward in the near future?
Repp: Port Huron has very generous and compassionate people that are willing to come to the table to nurture partnerships in order to see the entire area move forward. These collaborations need to continue into the future in order to see continued growth. For city government particularly, I would say that we do a good job of providing quality services (police, fire, parks, refuse pickup, water delivery, etc.) while dealing with declining financial resources. Balancing all this in the future will be a challenge but one I'm sure will be faced head on.
The Keel: What direction have you been moving Port Huron in, and what do you hope to lead it to continue doing?
Repp: I, as well as others, are working toward making Port Huron the place where people want to work, live and play. I believe there has been an excellent start (new developments and investments and improved neighborhoods). I would like to see the progress that has been made continue into the future.
The Keel: What's your background in Port Huron? What do you love about it?
Repp: I have lived in Port Huron for 42 years and I worked for the City of Port Huron for 25 years, retiring in 2008 as city clerk. Prior to working at the city, I was a stay-at-home mom for a few years following 10 years of employment with The Times Herald. I love Port Huron because it is a giving community and a great place to raise your family and we have many natural resources that are the envy of many a visitor. Just take a ride along the waterfront and watch the freighters go by.... it's a sight that I never tire of.
The Keel: What do you want the rest of the state or the country to know about Port Huron?
Repp: I believe Port Huron is on the cusp of wonderful things happening. We have much to offer in the way of investment opportunities and we are a wonderful place to visit. Visitors can climb the stairs of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, visit one of our many parks, dine in one of our many restaurants downtown, stay the night at the Doubletree hotel, moor your boat at the marina, stage a conference at the convention center, attend one of the many events offered at McMorran, visit our museums, visit the Lightship, and the list goes on. Also, we are home to a quality community college and a culinary institute.
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