Mother of drowning victim calls out mayor at South Haven city council meeting

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. -- A Michigan mother, Lisa Macdonald, spoke out at the South Haven City Council meeting Monday evening, in a plea for the city to install a lifeguard system at its beaches.

She called out the city’s Mayor, Annie Brown, by name at the meeting, saying Brown has not fulfilled a campaign promise of lifeguards.

This comes after the Aug. 8, 2022, death of MacDonald’s daughter, 19-year-old Emily MacDonald and her boyfriend, 22-year-old Kory Ernster. The young couple were swimming at South Beach on a yellow flag day when they ultimately drowned. Bystanders pulled the two from the Lake Michigan waters and performed CPR until officials arrived, but they were unable to resuscitate them.

Now, MacDonald is pushing for water safety education and the implementation of lifeguards at South Haven beaches. She says she personally teaches water safety lessons to South Haven community members and has addressed council several times, but feels she is not being heard by Mayor Brown or city manager Kate Hosier.

“I have a huge following of people supporting here and online getting lifeguards back on your beaches. Sadly, these people are afraid to stand up and speak out, they’re afraid of repercussions if they do,” said MacDonald.

MacDonald also says she met with Mayor Brown in 2023, claiming Brown said she would implement lifeguards during her campaign, but since being elected, has not fulfilled those promises.

“Your city and your tourists deserve better. You chose to live and work in this place that attracts thousands of unsuspecting tourists. As Mayor Brown has stated, it is a moral obligation to take care of these people. Actions speak louder than words,” expressed MacDonald while addressing the council.

In a post meeting interview, MacDonald said she will not stop her push for the city to get lifeguards, saying if even one life can be saved, it would be worth it.

“If I can help one family not go through what I’ve gone through, then this fight will be worth it… We need lifeguards. There are many layers to beach safety, but lifeguards are the first responders. They are the police officers, the EMT, the firefighters. We need them on these beaches to keep safe, it’s a proven fact,” said MacDonald.

Mayor Brown declined to comment after the City Council meeting.