Letters 9/7/0 6

Sept. 6, 2006

Grayling‘s theme park
I have a few questions for those involved in the possibility of a “theme park” being built south of Grayling. Why? Why, when there are automotive and automotive-related manufacturing facilities going bankrupt and being closed down on practically a daily basis here in Michigan?
Tear down one of those old plants and build it there. Maybe where one of them is located near a metropolitan area with a population base that would provide workers AND people to buy tickets to attend the “theme park.”
Why build it out in the middle of nowhere, where land and animal habitat have to be destroyed for the sake of a few? Soon, it will be possible that only a few people are going to be able to afford to put gas in their car to drive to the theme park. Not that I would want the people of the area to be denied of more “seasonal employment,” but does it really make economic sense? Are those living in the area willing to cough up the cash to (along with the rest of the state’s resident’s, i.e. corporate welfare) and provide the necessary state and federal subsidies that will be required for the new infrastructure?
Are you prepared for the inevitable onslaught of additional development, traffic? Think of the town of Dundee, post-Cabela’s (a huge sporting goods store south of Ann Arbor - ed.); it’s like a three-ring circus. Why ruin such a great natural area that currently brings plenty of tourism? If people want to live where there is more than enough of failed development, come on down here to lower Michigan!

Michael Bonnell • Novi

Leave playgrounds alone
This has nothing to do with any article I’ve seen in the Express, lately, but there should be something said about playground safety. I just read a report on Fox News, about the huge push for safety on our playgrounds. Now, I’m for safety, but to what expense. These people are instilling a fear in children to the point that they no longer have any childhood initiative to push the envelope.
I find a huge problem with this in the fact that our nation is facing severe childhood obesity problems. We blame it on internet, TV, and video games, but lets look at these people that are convincing our kids that physical activity is dangerous. This is nuts!
They the people of the United States are killing the risk takers in their youth and squashing the hopes of a future generation. Don’t take away dodge ball, don’t ban tag, not everyone is a winner all the time.
Could you imagine if Lance Armstrong quit riding his bike the first time he fell off it. Or Michael Jordan, the first time he got elbowed in the nose on a childhood playground basketball court, he went home crying to Momma and took up a life of chess instead. No, these people learned the rights and wrongs early and those were life long lessons. Gosh, it hurts to turn my bike to sharp or if I don’t learn to move, my nose will pay.
Bottom line, let’s get back to parenting, leave the playground alone and teach our kids to be active and responsible instead of a bunch of sheltered blobs afraid to leave the safety and security of the overly-padded house.

Joe Deater • Lake Ann

Supports free speech
It has recently come to my attention that Ross Childs has put togther a petition of some 800 supporters who think some of the Record-Eagle editorial staff should be replaced due to conflicting opinions between same. As a supporter of free speech I respect and would defend the right to exercise free speech in this and any other matter. But to demand the resignation of editors who don’t agree with your position is an attempt to
silence voices of dissent. And to organize and petition for the removal of an outspoken critic is to organize and petition for the censorship of free speech.
This wonderful country is “the land of the free.” Our freedom is our most important posession. This cannot be overstated.
Our elected leaders should do all they can to defend our freedom -- especially the freedom of speech. They should not attempt to take away any of our freedoms. Those who believe in freedom should stand up against this kind of tactic. Support our freedom, don’t support those who will try to take it away!

Scott Lowe • via email

Keep it up
Recently the Traverse City Record Eagle newspaper has come under attack from a coalition of individuals who desire a controlled press. Some of these individuals have been put to task by the Eagle and now seek vengeance. From my perspective, the Eagle has asked the difficult questions, sought full disclosure and demanded accountability.
This is something all newspapers should do. Because the Eagle has demanded accountability, the editors and staff now face a lynch mob. No, the Eagle isn’t perfect!
Has the Eagle made mistakes? Have they beaten some stories to death?
Absolutely! They beat to death the stories on the Judge and his football tickets, Northwestern Michigan College on travel expenses and even attacked the chamber for a “Cool Cities” grant. So what! Maybe the Eagle editors should shake hands with the respected directors of our college and our chamber. But that doesn’t warrant censure of the press.
The vast majority of the stories contained in the Eagle are positive. The Eagle promotes area activities, sports and other events. The Eagle has always supported our largest employer, Munson Medical Center. They’ve supported our area schools, the senior center, small businesses and the community at large.
Without the Eagle, there would be no disclosure of embezzling public officials, intoxicated police officers or pot smoking judges. Without the Eagle unaccounted road commission and police department funds would never have been revealed or investigated.
Our multimillion dollar defective septic plant would have gone unnoticed and government would continue to function in closed sessions.
We in Northern Michigan should to be grateful to the fine editing and reporting by our local newspapers. All of the papers and all of the proponents of a free press need to rally behind the Record-Eagle.

Michael Estes • TC
Robbed of glory
I am an avid reader of the Northern Express and read each issue from cover to cover.
Recently, I attended the Punge Fest on the Old Mission Peninsula. I was surprised when I saw the picture of Jim Neu (drummer) and Tim Callahan (guitarist) in the Northern Express. They played briefly during the long celebration. I am writing in relation to that picture.
The band that played throughout the evening was Replay. Their talent and experience was evident not just in the quality of the music and arrangements that they chose, but also in the applause they received and the number of people dancing during each number.
These guys were exceptional and, on top of that, local talent. It is my opinion that it would have been more appropriate to have pictured Replay in view of their greater experience, talent, and long time residency in Grand Traverse County. Northern Express is a periodical that exemplifies the Grand Traverse area. Let’s focus on promoting from within.

Kathleen M. Gignilliat • TC




Zoos a bad trip
Traverse City Commissioners should be commended for taking the issue of the Clinch Park Zoo with the seriousness it deserved and for making the right decision for the animals (re: “Goodbye Animals,” Aug. 24).
For years, concerned residents and visitors to the area expressed concern about the profoundly inadequate conditions animals in the zoo had to endure. Animals kept in zoos are denied everything that is natural to them; every aspect of their lives is controlled and managed. They are housed in cages that don’t come close to the jungles, deserts, and forests that are their natural homes. They have no choice in their diets, mates, or living companions. The physical and mental frustrations of captivity often lead to abnormal, neurotic, and even self-destructive behavior.
More and more people believe there is no justification for keeping animals in cages for our fleeting distraction and amusement. People who don’t want to support the cruel treatment of animals should continue to avoid all zoos and roadside menageries.

Jennifer O’Connor
Animals in Entertainment
Campaigns Writer • PETA