March 28, 2024

Letters 1-13-14

Jan. 14, 2014

Email letters to: info@northernexpress.com

Please keep your letter under 300 words (one page). Only one letter per reader in a two month period will be accepted. may be edited for length or to correct factual errors. Letters must be signed to be considered for print and a phone number is required for verification. Faxed letters are not accepted.

Thank you

Thank you so much for the wonderful article (in the Jan 6 edition) on the alcohol and drug detox unit. The article made a wonderful point on the struggles of people who are addicted (regardless of addiction type). Hopefully this will help community members to better understand addiction and to understand that addicts are not necessarily "weak, or bad people; they’re afflicted with a disease and they need help, not condemnation", as Mike Morey’s article stated. More stories like this are needed these days!

Jennifer Carlson - Cheboygan

An Unholy Marriage

Endless wars. Poverty. Racism. Climate Change. Pollution of water and air. Fear propaganda. Unfettered capitalism. Drone attacks. Personal data collecting. Turning everything, including water and education, into a for-sale commodity. Lack of civility in public discourse. Have you had enough?

Add in your own concerns. Abraham Lincoln told us "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

Democracy cannot survive with fear and greed dominating everything.

It is a marriage that is doomed. If you feel like I do, don’t remain silent. Become informed, speak out, get involved and plug into any social justice or environmental group. You will be surprised how standing together can make a difference.

Occupy Traverse City is just one of many groups, and it has a physical presence every Saturday from 11 –1 p.m. across from Horizon Books on Front St. You are welcome to join us for a few minutes or an hour.

Ann Rogers - TC

Opposing Motocross Track

I’m writing in response to the hearing for rezoning Griswold Mountain property for proposed construction of a motocross track. Our family cottage is located approximately one mile from Griswold Mountain and I vehemently OPPOSE this proposed rezoning and development.

It is the duty of the Cheboygan County Planning and Zoning Commission to protect the rights and quality of life of Indian River residents from the inherent risks and threats the proposed motocross track would represent.

1) Safety Risks Resulting From Overextended Emergency Response Resources:

The proposed motocross track and campgrounds would require medical, fire and law enforcement standbys that would likely overextend Indian River Emergency Services.

2) Nuisance: It is to be expected that a motocross track would be a constant nuisance to Indian River residents, not only during race days, but during incessant practice sessions, special events, etc.

3) Noisy Vehicular Traffic/ Noise of Congregation of People:

The current noise limits for motorcycles and ATVs in Cheboygan County is 94 db/a (decibels). However, according to the American Motorcyclist Association Racing Rulebook, the sound limits for race motorcycles (2-stroke, 4-stroke and vintage) range from 96-101 db/a.

According to OSHA standards, 90 to 95 decibels is the threshold level at which sustained exposure may result in hearing loss and several other adverse health effects could result.

Additional noise disturbances from the proposed motocross track would include engine tuning, racetrack PA systems and crowd noise that would have negative impacts on the surrounding community and environment.

4) Objectionable Effluent:

The addition of a motocross racetrack and campground would significantly increase the risk of pollution and toxic waste infiltrating the surrounding eco-system, create potential contaminated runoff in area waters, and create risk of large fuel tank spills near forested areas.

For these reasons and more, reject the rezoning application for and development of a motocross track.

Samantha Devick - Mullett Lake

Safe Home Thanks

Thank you to area schools, businesses, organizations, service and faith-based groups and individual community members for your outpouring of support during the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan’s (WRCNM) Safe Home Harvest Food and Supply Drive. Your generous donations are heart-warming and extremely beneficial.

Special thanks to Oleson’s Food Store in Petoskey and their customers for helping raise needed funds for the Safe Home during an in-store donation program that resulted in more than $2,000, after a generous matching grant from the Oleson Foundation. We also thank the folks at Lite 96.3 for hosting a donation drive at Oleson’s over the holidays.

The Safe Home is staffed and operated 24/7 by the WRCNM providing a secure, supportive and caring residence to survivors of domestic abuse and their children in Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet and Otsego counties. The WRCNM provides shelter residents with meals, housing, counseling and advocacy at no charge. Last year, the Safe Home provided more than 10,000 meals and 3,382 nights of refuge to 119 survivors and their children.

Donations from the community of food, supplies and gifts will be put to good use by the many families staying at the Safe Home now and throughout the year.

On behalf of the families impacted by domestic abuse, we thank you. Please know you have helped make a difference in the lives of others in your community.

Jamie Winters Safe Home Coordinator

Take Responsibility

Another Christmas season where liberals whined about poverty and income inequality. Communism produces income equality but doesn’t work because it’s human nature not to collectivize one’s earnings. Capitalism rewards educated, hard workers. A shortage of bureaucratic measures did not cause poverty, and massive doles have not banished it. Poverty is caused by unpreparedness, addictions, illiteracy, indolence, single parenthood, and bad personal choices. Washington expends trillions through government agencies, but generational poverty persists because of human individuality. Is it possible to give a work ethic and self-motivation to those getting welfare checks (the exception being Social Security and Medicare, as workers pay into both). Can one compel immature youths to become educated? Can society prevent self-indulgent teen pregnancies? Where in our world today is personal responsibility, self-respect, and self-reliance?

Upper income taxpayers share 86 percent of taxes in this country but are accused of not paying "their fair share" by those who pay nothing. This is the real economic injustice.

If you don’t want to be poor, consider the consequences of your actions. Be drug free, stay in school, learn a skill, get a job, marry before having children, and make good decisions.

Carole Underwood - Maple City

Trending

Mysterious Michigan Reads

We can’t think of a better way to spend spring break than with a great book. Northern Express asked local bookseller... Read More >>

Heirloom Recipes With Heritage, History, and Nostalgia

Before we begin to stash our coats and put winter behind us, let us remember what years past have taught us…fake sp... Read More >>

A Floral Family Affair

In the quaint downtown of Elk Rapids sits Golden Hill Farms, a shop where the artistry of floristry meets the rustic charm... Read More >>

A Look at Originalism

O Tempora O Mores! Oh the times, oh the culture. This Latin phrase relates to both the 18th century and our current times.... Read More >>