Mich. Governor Snyder Walks Span in Annual Labor Day Tradition

MACKINAW CITY, Mich. (AP) - Gov. Rick Snyder led his first-ever Mackinac Bridge Walk on Monday, striding across the 5-mile-long span with thousands of others in cold, windy weather to renew one of Michigan's most popular Labor Day traditions.

About 36,000 made the crossing -- fewer than usual, probably because of the gloomy weather, said Bob Sweeney, executive secretary of the Mackinac Bridge Authority. Some huddled in blankets after reaching the finish line, where they received certificates noting their participation in the 54th annual trek across the bridge linking Michigan's lower and upper peninsulas.

"It was invigorating," said Snyder, whose entourage included daughters Melissa and Kelsey, son Jeff, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and a large group of supporters wearing neon green t-shirts.

The Republican governor, elected last November, chose not to jog across the bridge as his Democratic predecessor, Jennifer Granholm, usually did. But Snyder set a brisk pace and finished in just over an hour. "Now I have a mark to beat next year," he said.

Labor Day is the one time each year when the bridge, which crosses the Straits of Mackinac where Lakes Huron and Michigan converge, is open to foot traffic. Walkers arriving as late as 11 a.m. were allowed to participate, but many were waiting in the dark for at least an hour before the event began at 7 a.m.

It's a nonpartisan event, and Snyder avoided political rhetoric in remarks to the crowd. Instead, he encouraged physical fitness -- the theme of an initiative his administration will roll out this month. He told reporters he would continue programs aimed at promoting job growth and stimulating Michigan's anemic economy.

He even offered a welcome to President Barack Obama, who was speaking at a rally with union members in Detroit.

"I hope he has a good day in Detroit," Snyder said. "It's Labor Day, so I appreciate him coming to our state. It's too bad he couldn't get out here and walk."

The governor encountered no protesters. But activists unhappy with his economic policies -- and his support of a law granting new powers to emergency managers appointed to oversee troubled cities and school districts -- were collecting signatures on petitions seeking to recall him.

"I want to know where the jobs are that he said he was going to create," said Debbie Ball-Odeh, of Kalkaska.

Others were focused on enjoying the day -- none more so than 82-year-old Tony Kiekintveld, of Holland. He has participated in every Mackinac Bridge Walk except the first one in 1958, which was limited to about 60 VIPs including then-Gov. G. Mennen "Soapy" Williams.

It's a longstanding family tradition for Kiekintveld's family, four generations of which were on hand Monday. They spent the weekend camping in the area, feasting on smoked fish and other local delicacies.

Kiekintveld made most of the crossing in a wheelchair pushed by son-in-law Keith Vereeke, but managed to walk a short distance -- not bad for a guy whose spinal cord was injured when he fell down 14 steps a couple of years ago.

"I'm taking acupuncture now and I'm coming around," he said. "My goal is to walk it all next year."

Kyle Hurst has taken part in 30 bridge walks -- and he's only 31. On Monday, he made the trip with about a group of relatives and friends from the Grand Rapids area.

"I remember going on my dad's shoulder, going across in a stroller," said Hurst, cradling 18-month-old daughter McKenzie in a blanket. "Now it's her turn."

Hurst's mother-in-law, Pam Boven, was a first-timer. She was among 300 people chosen by the Michigan Fitness Foundation to run across the bridge ahead of the walkers.

"I was so excited to go," said Boven, 58. "It was awesome -- there was a rainbow, I had the wind at my back. It was a good day."