Letters 09-07-2015

Sept. 3, 2015

Our simple rules: Keep your letter to 300 words or less, send no more than one per month, include your name/address/phone number, and agree to allow us to edit. That’s it. Email info@northernexpress.com and hit send!

DEJA VUE

Traverse City faces the same question as faced by Ann Arbor Township several years ago. A builder wanted to construct a 250-student Montessori school on 7.78 acres. The land was zoned for suburban residential use. The proposed school building was permissible as a "conditional use."

The zoning ordinance required that a conditional use must meet several standards, almost the same as those in Traverse City Ordinance 1364 concerning Special Land Use Permits. The two ninestory buildings in the West Front and Pine proposal must comply with all the standards in Ordinance 1364.

Ann Arbor Township denied the application because the use was not harmonious and was not compatible with the natural environment and existing and future land uses in the vicinity.

The builder appealed. The Michigan Court of Appeals, in a three to zero decision, affirmed the Township’s denial, ruling that the Township "has discretion to determine whether a prescribed conditional use, although permissible, is nonetheless inappropriate and incompatible in a given location." The Court of Appeals approved the Township’s consideration of the effect of the increased traffic on the neighborhood, congestion and safety concerns.

The Court specifically stated that "numerous letters as well as a petition containing the signatures of approximately fifty neighboring property owners opposing the proposed school were presented to the board. Many of these owners indicated a desire to see the parcel preserved for residential use and expressed concern over the increase in traffic congestion associated with the proposed school."

The Traverse City City Commission should deny the proposal to construct two ninestory buildings for, in part, the same reasons Ann Arbor Township did.

Lee Hornberger, Traverse City

The Court Overreached

Believe it or not, everyone who disagrees with the court’s ruling on gay marriage isn’t a hateful bigot. Some of us believe the Supreme Court simply usurped the rule of law by legislating from the bench.

No one really believes that, in 1868, Congress and the states intended to force gay marriage on society. One only has to look at Section 2 of the 14th Amendment for proof. That section says that states that deny the right to vote to "males, 21 and over" could face a punishment, proof that Congress did not intend that amendment to give women the equal right to vote.

The purpose was to outlaw "racial" discrimination. And if you are a literalist, do even liberals want the 14th Amendment to be taken literally? The Amendment says "all inhabitants" of a state have equal rights. Does that mean ten-year-olds have equal rights to vote (after all, they are inhabitants)?

As far as I can see, this court has declared that the 14th Amendment prohibits discrimination against gays, but it does not provide white college applicants equal rights to admission. What the court is doing is imposing its beliefs upon society. Of course, I believe the people have the right to change the Constitution if they decide to; if gay marriage is what society wanted, then there is an amendment process. But then who needs to follow the Constitution when it can simply be amended by a majority of five?

David Dery, Central Lake

Some Diversity, Huh?

Either I’ve been misled or misinformed about the greater Traverse City area. I thought that everyone there was so "˜all inclusive’ and open to other peoples’ opinions and, though one may disagree with said person, that person was entitled to their opinion(s).

I guess I must have misunderstood the message or something, as all of the vitriol directed at Colleen Smith and her opinion about the "marriage" that happened at the State Theater. How dare Ms. Smith have an opinion contrary to others who know better than her in so many ways! What ever happened to diversity in TC? Isn’t having a contrasting opinion a part of said "diversity?"

I have a few questions for all the good people who wrote to express their outrage over her letter: Where is your outrage over ISIS beheading, stoning, or pushing people off buildings just for being suspected of being gay? Where is your outrage over the persecution of Christians by ISIS, as well as many leaders in some foreign countries? Apparently it’s OK to behead, stone, crucify, or throw gays or Christians off of buildings, but by God don’t express your distaste of a same sex couple having a "wedding" at a theater in a letter to the Northern Express! That won’t be tolerated. So much for diversity, hey?

Kelly Croff, Alanson

Defending Good People

I was deeply saddened to read Colleen Smith’s letter [in Aug. 24 issue] regarding her boycott of the State Theater. I know both Derek and Brandon personally and cannot begin to understand how someone could express such contempt for them. They are fine individuals who do good work in our community. I am certain that Ms. Smith would be unable to sustain her level of disgust if she simply had the opportunity to get to know these two people.

Linda Egeler, Elk Rapids

Not Fascinating

I really don’t understand how you can name Jada Johnson a fascinating person by being a hunter. There are thousands of hunters all over the world, shooting by gun and also by arrow; why is she so special? All the other people listed were amazing, but she seems so proud of killing an innocent animal. I am just disgusted by another beautiful animal killed just for a photo. She says she wants to be a role model for being outdoors. What a joke; it should have said a killer of fourlegged creatures. Shame on you, just another wanting to be in the spotlight.

Angela Radel, Kingsley

Back to Mayberry

A phrase that is often used to describe the amiable qualities that make Traverse City a great place to live is "small-town charm," conjuring images of life in 1940s small-town America. Where everyone in Mayberry greets each other by name, job descriptions are simple enough for Sarah Palin to understand, and milk is delivered to your door.

The idyllic Mayberry may be unattainable in today’s world of post-WWII sprawl, fast paced technology, and enlightened sensibilities for gender and race equality. We can, however, emulate the culture of 1940s life. As the GIs returned, they moved from walkable neighborhoods with urban transportation, shops, and schools to suburbs, creating physical and cultural distance.

The solution is to bring the larger population of today back to mixed zoning neighborhoods, with increased housing density. Increasing walkability and bringing back our onceproud train and streetcar systems also lessens our dependence on the car, expensive roads, and strained natural resources.

While "small-town charm" can be hard to describe, there are good intentions behind the sentiment. By supporting smart urban density like the Pine Street development in TC, the values of Mayberry can be preserved.

Bradley Matson, Traverse City

Don’t Be Threatened

The August 31 issue had 10 letters(!) blasting a recent writer for her stance on gay marriage and the State Theatre. That is overkill. Ms. Smith has a right to her opinion, a right to comment in an open forum such as Northern Express, and a right to stop attending the State Theatre if she feels that strongly. Those who advocate gay marriage, whoever or wherever it is conducted, should not be threatened by one person’s contrary opinion.

Jean Wynn, Petoskey

Treat The Sickness

Thank you to Grant Parsons for the editorial exposing the uglier residual of the criminalizing of drug use. Clean now, I struggled with addiction for a good portion of my adult life. I’ve never sold drugs or committed a violent crime, but I’ve been arrested, jailed, and eventually imprisoned. This did nothing but perpetuate shame, alienation, loss and continued use.

Families, if you care about your children, parents, brothers, sisters, get loud! Canada has decriminalized addiction and we need to follow this civilized enlightened path. We can start locally with the Traverse City police force which, though equipped with the anti-overdose drug Naloxone, will nonetheless arrest the addict after saving his life. Look to Gloucester, Mass., where any addict who walks into the police station and turns in his remaining needles, drugs, and other paraphernalia will not be arrested but guided safely into detox and rehab.

Do you want to keep living in a community that locks up its children for being sick? There are alternatives; make your voice heard.

Mike Morey, Traverse City

About A Girl -- Not

Consider your audience, Thomas Kachadurian ("About A Girl" column). Preachy opinion pieces don’t change people’s minds. Example: "My view on abortion changed"¦It might be time for the rest of the country to catch up." Opinion pieces work best when engaging the reader, not directing the reader.

In a perfect world, everyone would be against abortion, but our world is far from perfect. In the case in Paraguay where a tenyear-old girl was raped by her stepfather, Huckabee and Rubio have gone on-record supporting the denial of abortion. Oh, are they doctors?

Kachadurian’s statements supposedly made by the pro-choice position are not true, including, "Pro-choicers refuse to acknowledge that there is a human life involved at some point."

I’m for all life. Let’s work together to be proactive and support each other. Rich women can always have a safe abortion, law or no law. Buckets of blood are what’s left for the poor. Induce the abortion, then the doctor can finish it up.

Plus, Mr. Kachadurian, calling feminists "militant" alienates most of your readers. Have a friend edit your work.

Judy Childs, Traverse City

Disappointed

I am disappointed with the tone of many of the August 31 responses to Colleen Smith’s Letter to the Editor from the previous week. I do not hold Ms. Smith’s opinion; however, if we live in a diverse community, by definition, people will hold different views, value different things, look and act different from one another. Ms. Smith is boycotting the State Theater. This seems to be a legitimate and non-violent way to express her opinion about an issue she feels strongly about. I do not have to agree with her position, but by insulting her and wishing that she stay out of our diverse, tolerant community seems counterproductive to the goals of a diverse, tolerant community. I am not sure any of us can escape to a place where everyone holds all of our views. I suggest we disagree with each other in a less abrasive fashion. Civility is one mark of a vibrant, diverse community - not total compliance to one view.

David Halperin, Traverse City

Free Will To Love

I want to start off by saying I love Northern Express. It is well written, unbiased and always a pleasure to read.

I am sorry I missed last month’s article referred to in the Aug. 24 letter titled, "No More State Theater."

When I read Ms. Smith’s comments I could see into a heart so black I dropped the paper. I had to go shower her filthy comments off.

I have lived in Northern Michigan all my life. I know I am sheltered from a lot of the world’s hate and prejudice. I like it that way. Hate this huge, right in my backyard, needs to be addressed, so here goes.

Ms. Smith, we are all people first, with feelings. God gave us all free will; how we use that is up to us. I choose to love. I try every day to make someone’s day better, with a smile, a kind comment or action. I try to respect, help and love the people I have to share my home, workspace, town and this world with. I do not judge. God gave me free will and I choose to use it for good.

You have ripped a hole in my heart, and I am sure in many hearts in our community, with your venom. Please stay away from the State Theater; it is too wonderful for the likes of you.

I will pray for you to see that we are all God’s children.

Jennifer Donker, Charlevoix