Letters 8/10/06

Aug. 9, 2006

Praise for Record-Eagle
I read the item by Anne Stanton (“The Battle Goes On for Opponents of Local Daily) in the 27-July issue. Ross Childs sound like one of the “old guard” who is getting his or his cronies‘ ox gored.
I am familiar with several papers around Michigan and the U.S., and it is very clear to me - and to everyone that I know who actually reads it -- that the Traverse City Record-Eagle is among the very best anywhere.
It is objective in its coverage - regardless of what the far-right and the anti-tax crazies and the fundamentalists say -- but of course that is their usual rant about anything not backing their extreme viewpoints. The R-E’s columns cover the spectrum of political opinions, and the editorials are almost always factual and to the point. I don’t always 100% agree, but they are well thought-out and worth reading.
The Record-Eagle does really good investigative reporting on many issues that should be considered of significance and importance and general interest to people living in this area. The recent series on the almost certain conflict of interest that big money causes with a local politician is an excellent example.
People should look closely at just WHO is writing the criticisms of the Record-Eagle and weigh the credibility of the criticisms against the probable self interests of the writers.

James W. Alstrom
Bear Lake / Onekama


Keep digging
After reading Anne Stanton‘s column (7/27) I think Ross Childs should call Karl Rove. He is full of nasty ideas! I‘m sure Rove could come up with one of these to stop the Record-Eagle.
No matter if the stories are true, let‘s not offend the powerful. I only hope the Record-Eagle keeps digging. If your nose is clean, no one can hurt you.

Mary Coon • Lake Ann
Drugged drivers beware
Okay folks, if like me, you think the Michigan Supreme Court ruling on drugged driving, June 21, stinks to high heaven, now is your chance to do something about it! HB6311 has been introduced by Rep. Lamar Lemmons III (State District 3) to counteract this ruling.
To refresh your mind, the court ruled that the way the current law reads, a person with any trace of THC (the active agent in marijuana - ed.) in their body can be arrested and convicted whether they are impaired or not.
This is our time to do something about it, but it will only happen if YOU spread the word about HB6311, and call your Michigan House of Representatives member today, right now, asking him or her to support it. You can also call your State Senator and ask them to write a companion bill to HB6311.
Finally, before you vote this year, demand to know where the local, state and federal candidates personally stand on the issue of medical marijuana, then make your choice accordingly.
Currently, 80% of Michigan registered voters support medical marijuana, and yet we still have no state-wide protection against arrest and conviction of those of us who use this God-created plant responsibly as our medicine of choice. This will only change when 80% get involved and make their collective voices heard both locally and state-wide!

Rev. Steven B.Thompson
Benzonia

Disputes Great Oracle
Rejoice, for the great Oracle Robert Downes has spoken. He has proclaimed what he believes ought to be done with regard to the highly controversial building project intended for the south side of West Front Street (re: “Parking Lot Blahs,” 7/13).
“Personally,” said Downes, “I believe we need another parking deck downtown and most of the merchants there feel the same.” It’s disturbing when the Great Oracle finds it necessary to seek the approbation, the saction, and the cover of the merchant herd.
Right off, one is struck by the obvious imperfections in Downes’s belief. From his repeated insistence on referring to the West Front Street project as “the parking deck,” one can conclude that he is laboring under the false notion that a parking deck is the full extent of the proposed development. In fact, much more is involved. In reality, the structure would have four levels of parking -- one private, and three public, to be financed by taxpayers. In addition, there would be four more levels, pushing the structure up to 100 feet (and thus requiring two special permissions to deviate from the city’s maximum height limits). This exceptional height along with its design appearance of massive, dense solidity, will cause it to violate several fundamental principles set forth in the City Master Plan.
On the remaining four levels of the structure, the private downstate developer plans to have spaces for shops and offices and perhaps high-priced condos on the top two levels.
A second striking error in the position taken by not only Downes and the business lobby, but by the City Commission as well, resides with their confident but unsupported claim to know what the city and the downtown needs. If this is so,why then did the city and DDA contract with a consulting firm for a $40,000 market study of the downtown’s housing, office, and retail needs which are meant to guide city policy decisions? But this essential study will not be completed for another five months! More perverse procedure by the city officials: why are they in such a rush to claim and undertake a solution to a problem that has yet to be clearly identified? Why do they contract for a very pertinent study and then go ahead before it’s completed?

Terence M. Collins • TC

Losers don‘t get it
It‘s puzzling as to what personal motivation there is for those who twist the truth and facts as advocates in support of the Acme Meijers project. Why have the losers in the 2004 election consistently ignored the fact that 75% of the voters threw out the entire group of elected officials and chose the present board by a three-to-one margin to do just the job they are doing?
The residents standing behind Bill Kurtz and the present township board have unselfishly placed the community above personal gains and desires.

Bill Hagan • Acme