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  • The presentation of the colors takes place amid the singing of the national anthem on Friday during the Traverse City Coast Guard Proclamation Ceremony at the Open Space. Record-Eagle/Keith King

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July 10, 2010

TC designated as Coast Guard city

Traverse City is 10th in nation to receive the honor

BY ALEX PIAZZA apiazza@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Traverse City can add another title to its resume.

It's already known by many as the cherry capital, and officials on Friday afternoon designated Traverse City as a U.S. Coast Guard city.

Hundreds gathered at the Open Space to honor Traverse City for its nearly 70 years of support to Coast Guard members and their families.

"The community goes to great lengths to make our families feel welcome," said Jonathan Spaner, commanding officer at the Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City. "This is something I've never seen anywhere else, and I've been stationed at over a dozen locations. They know that we're going to come in for a few years and then leave. They keep an open mind, despite the fact that we're transitioning."

Traverse City is the 10th city to receive the designation and the second from Michigan. Grand Haven was honored in 1998 as the first Coast Guard city.

Dr. Bob Portenga, a local orthodontist, last year questioned Spaner why Traverse City didn't hold the title of Coast Guard city.

"There's no reason why Traverse City can't be a Coast Guard city," said Portenga, who faced some opposition because of Grand Haven's designation.

Portenga's question spurred a series of discussions and an extensive application process that resulted in Friday's ceremony.

"It's been a dream of mine for many years now," he said. "I'm glad it finally came through. All it does is kind of bind us closer together with the Coast Guard."

Mayor Chris Bzdok said the designation also adds to the city's "wow factor."

"I think anything that provides additional name recognition for Traverse City is good," he said. "Anything that puts us in people's minds ... that's a positive thing."

Bzdok believes the combination of the Coast Guard designation and the National Cherry Festival, among other local traditions, could entice more people to visit Traverse City and instill a stronger sense of community among its residents.

"Traverse City's future is placed with several centers of excellence," he said. "It's just a reason for people to be proud of Traverse City, that we've got these brave, dedicated, highly skilled people protecting us."

Mike Cummings doesn't believe the designation alone will generate additional tourism to Traverse City. Then again, he said, it couldn't hurt.

"I didn't realize the significance of it," said Cummings, a Traverse City real estate agent. "I don't think it's going to have a huge impact, but when you combine it with everything else ... it could shift more people to the area."

Tribal Chairman Derek Bailey commended the Coast Guard for its heightened outreach to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

Bailey and Spaner communicate each week about how the band can build on its relationship with the Coast Guard. Spaner's two-year stint in Traverse City is set to expire next summer, but Bailey said the designation will create a stronger bond between the Coast Guard and the band for years to come.

"We're looking to further develop our relationship," he said. "It sets a building block for future leaders. Those leaders have something to guide them. That is what is exciting. We're all in this together."

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