March 29, 2024

Letters

Jan. 9, 2011
Reaching out to farmers
Kudos to Anne Stanton for the recent features on farming. It was nice to
read both sides of the CAFO (confined animal feeding operation) debate.
Consumers can support what they believe in with their purchasing dollars.
Without easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables at every roadside
stand, it gets too easy to just go to the mega-grocery stores for
everything this time of year. But great local products are available at
many stores, the indoor farmers markets and directly from the farmers.
Our website, www.MichiganFamilyFarm.com is working to help connect farmers
and consumers. Thank you for keeping this great movement in front of your
readers.

Jena Van Wagner • Executive Director, Michigan Family Farms

Trouble Town
There’s trouble right here in Traverse City.
In 2001 Traverse City had the unenviable distinction of receiving national
attention with the visit of the Reverend Fred Phelps of Kansas, a virulent
anti-gay activist. Yes, this is the same man who protests at the funerals
of dead American servicemen and women because he claims “god is punishing
America for tolerating homosexuals.”
Well Traverse City, it appears as though his disciples may be here and
working to defeat the recently passed anti-discrimination ordinance. An
over-the-top accusation? I do not think so. Their leader, Paul Nepote,
whom I did not know from Adam, actually accosted me in a drug store and
said despicable and vile things about the 19-year-old, gay army private
first-class who gave his life for his country in Vietnam, which was the
story I related at the public hearing on the ordinance.
Rev. Phelps would have been proud!
Mr. Nepote’s followers claim that this ordinance is unnecessary and will
burden local businesses. Yet, the business community has been essentially
stone silent on the issue!
Many other Michigan cities have adopted this ordinance with no problems.
Remember that song from the Music Man “There’s Trouble in River City”?
Well my friends:
We have trouble
Right here in Traverse City
With a capital T
And that rhymes with E
And that stands for Evil!

Nick LaRose • TC

Giving thanks
It’s 2011 and the staff and volunteers of the Women’s Resource Center of
Northern Michigan (WRC) are looking ahead to a new year filled with
possibilities. We give thanks to the community in which we live and the
generous individuals and businesses who have helped us provide critical
services and programs to the women, children and families in Antrim,
Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties.
We thank those who donated nonperishable food items, household supplies
and personal care items and those who made financial contributions during
our Harvest Food and Supply Drive, which will be used by survivors of
domestic violence and their children staying at our Safe Home.
We thank the 112 men who contributed to the 100 Men campaign and who,
more importantly, agreed to take a public stand to end violence against
women.
We thank our new and longtime donors who help us continue to provide
the myriad of programs and services on which this community has come to
rely.
We thank our board members and volunteers who work countless hours to help
us improve the lives of women, children and families.

Jan Mancinelli
Executive Director • WRC

Correction
A recent article on songwriter Emma Cook cited the wrong radio station
as the sponsor of the Battle on the Boardman contest which she won. The
contest was sponsored by Real Rock 105.1 and 95.5 & Classic Rock The
Bear 98.1, 93.9, 107.1, 94.5.

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