|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
March 18, 1999Letters to the editorAgainst death penaltyCongratulations to the Record-Eagle and Sen. McManus on their statements against the death penalty legislation in Michigan.The death penalty is no deterrence to capital crimes. Michigan and surrounding states with the death penalty have similar capital crime statistics. And the cost to incarcerate for life is about 10 times less than the cost to execute, including all the appeals and legal costs. In remarks at the Forum on Capital Punishment held here in Traverse City, sponsored by Pax Christi, McManus observed that in this country since 1970, 42 people were wrongly convicted of murder and 23 people were wrongly put to death. Should we accept this result when we know this is bound to happen? At this same conference Sally Peck, a member of Murder Victims Families for Reconciliation, represented these families and gave some of the relevant statistics. This testimony is powerful. Not only is the death penalty senseless, but family members of victims generally do not demand vengeance. If they don't, why should we? Political expediency by our politicians? Being seen to be tough on crime? I wonder ... I must say that I take pride in being a citizen of the first government in the English-speaking world that has outlawed this barbarism since 1846. Robert E. Marshall Lake Leelanau Investment in future "Building a Better Benzie" is the slogan for the Benzie Country Central Schools millage campaign. This same theme is being played out at many levels in Benzie County. Business. civic, and special focus groups are working toward preserving our natural resources, improving services, housing and creating jobs. County government and citizens are collaborating ideas on a county master plan Protecting our resources, promoting trade, enhancing services, managing the inevitable growth and maintaining that special quality of life is the intrinsic goal. The key element to this whole process is our commitment to education. At the most basic level the families of Benzie desire to be healthy end strong Just as we strive to encourage strong and sensible economics we also need to remember our foundation, simply the people who choose to live and work in Benzie. A very strong element as to why people choose to live and invest in a community is its educational and cultural offerings. When we place our children into our educational system it should be reflective of what we want in our families, places of work, and communities. The Benzie County Central Schools are in need of expanded facilities at all of the current locations and the need exists for an east side elementary. The prospect of an auditorium in which the students can perform is exciting. It will be a facility with open doors to hosting a variety of community events and attracting new performances. Benzie is rich in opportunities. We encourage voters to view education as an investment for our future as a strong community. We urge voters to be positive in their right to vote March 22. Mary and Phil Hoyt Beulah Saturation point? At the risk of sounding like the devil's advocate, I would like to comment on the article by Scott Anderson, "Groups seek "'United Way' for the Arts." Has it occurred to anyone that the saturation point for performance venues has been reached in Traverse City? We have proponents for the restoration and use of the opera house. Backers for the renovation and use of the State Theater. People attempting to raise funds for bringing the Old Town Playhouse up to code. The college actively selling stage time at the Dennos. The Dendrinos Theater is available to performers. And lastly, but certainly not least, the ever-present theaters and auditoriums at the Interlochen campus. We have what appear to be many narrow interest groups who, in view of the fact that none of them may make their pet projects come to fruition, are going to form study groups. Only two conclusions can come from such studies. One: That there is only so much money that can be generated for these projects. Two: That no matter how much bartering and bickering goes on, some projects will be put on hold, perhaps indefinitely. These interest groups must be willing to see that happen. They must also be able to work out agreements to sustain the projects that are put on hold while the project that is actively being attended to goes forward to completion. In short, the arts in the Traverse City need focus and cooperation. The applied attentions of many, spread so thinly, can only lead to failure for all. Frederick H. Kramer Lake Ann Educators to vote 'yes' As a concerned and united group of educators in the Benzie Central school district, the science department faculty of Jerry Block, agriscience; Daryl Bluhm, seventh grade science; Raquel Huddleston, eighth grade science; Kevin Kinnan, earth and environmental science; and Gary Waterson, chemistry and physics, want the public to know that we wholeheartedly support the current millage proposal. We have seen overcrowding in the classrooms, the lack of proper facilities, and the problems this causes our students. As parents, we know how hard it is for our children to travel great distances to and from school, especially at the elementary level. We do not want parents and students choosing to leave our district because there are more attractive facilities in neighboring school districts closer to their homes. Our need for a new auditorium is long overdue. Our band is currently forced to perform in an acoustically compromising gymnasium because the present auditorium will not accommodate the growing number of instrumental music students, or seat the crowds of people who come to watch and listen to their performances. Our entire science staff lives in the Benzie County school district. We know that in supporting these millage issues, our taxes, like everyone else's in the district, will go up. We also know that not one cent will be used toward our salaries or our benefits. The monies collected will go entirely for the building and remodeling of our schools. As a science staff, we encourage the rest of our colleagues and the people of our district to vote "yes" on both proposals. We care about our students and we want them to have the greatest opportunity for success we can give them. John Gehring Department chairman, Biology teacher Benzie Central Schools False impression This is in response to the letter, "Mind in the gutter," by Donald G. Lappo Sr., on Feb. 27. I know Rev. Jerry Falwell. He has been a part of my life on many occasions. I have a son who graduated from Liberty University, which Jerry founded in the 1970s. Jerry is a fine man. The article that upset Mr. Lappo is entitled "Parents Alert" and can be viewed on the website www.falwell.com. It was written by the National Liberty Journal editor, J. M. Smith. An Associated Press reporter named David Reed wrote a story based on Smith's article which left the false impression that Jerry Falwell had personally launched an attack on the Teletubbies in general, and on Tinky Winky in particular. This is a children's program on TV. Like me, Jerry Falwell had never watched Teletubbies until the media accused him of attacking this program. This is a free country and people have a right to their beliefs, but not a right to destroy the reputation of a fine man unfairly. If Mr. Lappo knew Jerry Falwell, he would know that Jerry's mind is never in the gutter. Phillip D. Jacklin Glen Arbor Test is unfair This is a shortened version of a letter sent to Gov. Engler and the Michigan Board of Education. I am writing in regards to MEAP testing. I work as a substitute teacher. Recently, I was with fourth graders and we were working from the practice book for the math test. The unit covered measurement. The first question was, An ounce is a unit of measure of: a) time, b) length, c) weight, or d) capacity. The correct answer is both c and d. The answer given is c. If there is such a glaring mistake in the practice book, I'm very concerned about the real test. I am also upset about the Social Studies practice booklet. The Inquiry and Decision Making section asks the students to decide whether the U.S. Congress should pass a law that makes it illegal to sell medicines made from endangered animals. The data given includes information about the decline in the population of rhinos and tigers. There are a few quotes supporting and opposing the proposed law. My objection to this is that very few fourth or fifth grade students have enough knowledge to realize that using animals for medicines was not and is not a factor in their decline. Most students will assume that it is a major part of the falling numbers of these animals. In the next part, the students write a letter to their senator. The booklet provides four pages to do this. At the beginning of this section, they are told they will have about 20 minutes to complete the assignment. Twenty minutes to study the information, make a decision, and write a letter stating their position? They are to support their position using factual information both from the article and from prior knowledge. Remember, the data given in the booklet is irrelevant to the question. Beth Williams Williamsburg |
|
