Dear Mr. Kinney

Dear Mr. Kinney

Let me if I can explain Port Huron to you, if you haven't already figured it out. Port Huron is a economically depressed town with a very negative atmosphere towards everything that goes on. It has the wrong people in charge of certain things, and everyone just wants to take charge so they can have their names as leaders. There are alot of people in this town who are in charge who really don't want things to get better; they just want to be in charge.

People who live here just have a negative feeling about the city and everything that goes on, and rightfully so because we have been burned so many times by hockey teams and other issues in general.

We, like every other city in Michigan, are going through hard times with money. Most are just working to pay the rent let alone go to a hockey game. But near the end of last season, you and your front office: staff, coaches and players, found a way to get these people to come out to the games. They put their trust in you and you gave them everything they asked for in a team and more.

Your organization started this summer off on the right foot, putting a winning team together that everyone wants here. Winning does cure all, even the impossible here in Port Huron. But near the end of this offseason it all came to a screeching halt when the McMorran Authority turned you down to run McMorran Arena. There is speculation that they wanted to rework a contract with you, but you and your company pulled out to avoid more controversy. You had a deal that everyone agreed to (besides the Authority) so you got screwed.

Now it feels like we are right back where we started at the start of last season. The feeling of the majority in the city is, "Well, there goes another team after this year so I'm not even going to bother to show up."

Now do you understand why we, in Port Huron, are so negative? The powers above us make sure we don't get anything because it doesn't suit their needs.

We, the people of Port Huron, need you Mr. Kinney to try to get past them. Every business owner before has just bailed out and yeah its probably the smart thing to do; but Mr. Kinney we need you. The thing you do have is the City Council on your side. You need to reopen talks with the Mayor. He has your back in this. Ride on his back, let him figure this out because he really wants to. The people here in Port Huron really want you to, even though most don't show it. Most don't want to put the time and effort to show the appreciation because they really don't feel like it will matter anyways. Thats the mood here in Port Huron. The thing would help the most is have you, or someone from your group, tell Port Huron your still here for the long haul. Nothing has changed from before this whole McMorran mess. Because right now people are thinking, "Well we just got screwed again! The Icehawks will be gone next year, no doubt about it."

Please Mr. Kinney, believe me when I say if people tell you that we in Port Huron need you and want your hockey team, but we need to know that your going to do everything in your power to stay for as long as you can, it will help people feel more positive.

This can start by trying to talk to the Mayor again and see what his plans are for this issue. I understand money is money and this is a business; you can't run this just for a 1,000 die hard fans, but just look back near the end of last season! Your group did the impossible by having something succeeding in Port Huron. Don't let an authority board, who are just on a total power trip, stop you now. Being successful is not easy as I think you know.

    Add a comment