Letter 5/19/05

May 18, 2005

Electrically-friendly trees
It was disappointing to myself and other aesthetically conscious (tree-huggin‘) users to the midtown Traverse City section of the TART Trail to see several mature trees cut down recently.
Assumption: I unterstand Traverse City Light and Power needs to continue to give the power to the people, but couldn‘t some well-planned trimming save at least some of the foliage?
Hopefully, there are plans for some new, more electrically-friendly trees to be replanted. The TART Trail in that section of town wasn‘t that sweet to begin with; now a run through the Planets will be even more like wading through the sun.

A.S. Wosek • TC

Save Arbutus Lake
A parcel of land on Arbutus Lake is the subject of possible development yielding approximately 91 lakefront homes with around 130 homes built further inland. I have been a summer resident on Arbutus Lake since 1934 and am appalled that the only remaining pristine-like acreage is on the block.
Many species of life need that habitat if they are to survive and stay in the area. Over the years we have lost some species due to population growth. For instance, whippoorwills, loons and otters once favored the lakes. No more. Only the loon has made a comeback. Hawks, owls, kingbirds, kingfishers, herons, orioles, chickadees, crows and woodpeckers, including the pileated woodpecker, all use that land and surrounding bays for food and shelter. Muskrats, deer, porcupine, skunks and turtles also depend on undeveloped space for survival. Fish need the snags that line the shoreline for protection. The elder Mr. Salon seemed to understand the need for this land to remain in a natural state, as he did not sell it in his lifetime.
Arbutus Lake is in danger of being overbuilt. Adding 200 or so homes places a great strain on water quality, land stability, safety and quality of life. Land erosion, noise pollution and danger to small crafts and swimmers is increasing due to the traffic load on the lakes. It is unconscionable to ruin a beautiful lake for the profit of a developmental company that has no vested interest in the land once they have made their money from it. People need access to the beauty of nature and its treasures.

Elizabeth Cook • Westland

Lost bargaining rights
As an employee of the Benzie County Central Schools, I am very concerned about efforts to take away my right to collectively bargain for health insurance.
Some legislators and special interests in Lansing have introduced legislation to seize collective bargaining rights and my health care benefits. Senate Bills 55 and 56 would also give control of my benefits to six political appointees. This does nothing to address the real issue: the rising cost of health care; it is a national issue that requires a national solution. The state does not belong in the insurance business.
Public school support staff -- bus drivers, secretaries, custodians, maintenance workers, classroom aides, paraprofessionals and others -- do not typically earn high salaries. Health care benefits can be an important incentive. Everyone knows that school employees could make more money in the private sector. Good health care benefits help to attract and keep good teachers and support staff in Michigan classrooms.
Please join me in urging our lawmakers and Govenor Jennifer Granholm to stand up for the collective bargaining rights of school employees. Stop the Legislature’s takeover of school employee health care benefits and defeat SBs 55 and 56.

Crystal Friday • Benzie County
Illegal political jobs
With many of our economically challenged citizens being told to get by without previous state financial assistance for health and hope, I find it saddening that our state government cannot cut illegal political jobs that have been on the state payroll for years.
Why has this dirty little secret not been exposed the way it has been in Wisconsin? Because both Republicans and Democrats are guilty of illegally spending taxpayer money on activities that should be funded by both parties.
I worked for over three years in a system that takes the taxpayers of this state for fools. I will soon move to another state to finish my theological studies for ordination to full time ministry. I thought this final plea for the break-up of the House GOP Caucus Services Office and their Democratic counterpart would be a good way to minister to the poor of our state.
Hopefully, the millions in taxpayer money saved can be spent on single mothers trying to find jobs, health care for the poor and more Family Independence Agency case workers so children are protected. If it is up to the Lansing politicians nothing will change. If you as citizens do nothing, you will get the government you deserve. However, I know it can be better and you deserve it.

Mark J. Powell, Lansing

Keep checks & balances
For 200 years, the filibuster has been used to give the minority party some leverage in the Senate, but the Republicans now want to change the rules and eliminate it, just as they changed the rules of the ethics committee to inhibit investigations of Republican congressmen.
They clamor about 10 blocked judges’ nomination when they had blocked 60 Clinton nominations. The Republicans have forgotten checks and balances in government. Unchecked power corrupts a democracy.

Priscilla Cogan • Leland