- James Townsend
Mayor Barnes Attends Governor's State of the State Address as Guest of Representative Julie Call

State Representative Julie Calley is allowed one guest to attend the Governor's State of the State Address each year. This year she chose long-time Portland Mayor, James Barnes.
"Its an exciting opportunity to attend this august event, that projects non-partisanship, and I am looking forward to it", Barnes shared with The Portland Beacon late today. "Julie Calley is a wonderful Representative. It is nice when you share a community", Barnes stated in reference to Ms. Calley being a Portland resident like himself. "Julie is so accountable and such a good communicator with the public. She values transparency". Barnes has been Portland's Mayor since 2003 and concluded that he expected Governor Whitmer to focus on roads, infrastructure and bridges in her speech tonight.
In case you missed it, or want to watch it again, the full State of the State Address can be viewed for a limited time at wkar.org. Click on Michigan State of the State 2019.