10/28/2006

Letters to the Editor

At Issue: Elections

Won't fall for fear tactics

In my mail I received a piece of vile, contemptible literature from the Republican Party of Michigan. It shows a convict's picture and makes us believe that criminals are being put on the street to do us harm.

Once again fear is being used to get our vote. What a sham! Anyone who believes this nonsense deserves exactly what they get, more fear-based campaigns and propaganda.

I won't vote for anyone in a party who supports this kind of negative sensationalism and misleading information. It is a disgrace to our political system.

Richard Steadman
Traverse City

A bargain for the future

Dotty and I are voting "yes" to preserve 320 beautiful Long Lake Township acres to reduce development congestion and watershed stress, to enhance the qualities of our rural lifestyle setting.

All of this for less than one-half of one-tenth of 1 percent of property market value.

A wise investment with excellent property value return. We choose the long-term investment benefits. We are all stewards of the land. Let us leave a legacy of thoughtful conservation.

Frank and Dorothy Stulen
Traverse City

Doves deserve peace

For over 2,000 years doves have been a biblical symbol of peace. In 1998, the mourning dove was made the state's official bird of peace.

How ironic is it that we now want to shoot it, especially during nesting season.

Help keep our Michigan's symbol of peace protected. Vote "no" on Proposal 3.

Michele Lonoconus
Thompsonville

Save rural heritage

Leelanau County lost nearly 20 percent of its active farmland in the 1990s. We need to protect farmland before it's too late. The Farmland Preservation Proposal will provide local funding to preserve farmland and will let farmers choose whether to sell their development rights.

It is entirely voluntary. Preserved farmland is owned by the farmer and does not come off the tax rolls. The land can be farmed or left open and can be sold. It just cannot be developed into multiple home sites.

Vote "yes" on farmland preservation to protect the rural heritage and scenic beauty of Leelanau County.

Peg McCarty
Glen Arbor

There ought to be a law

I am sick and tired of political calls at all hours of the day and early evening. Worse than telemarketers. We need to pass a bill outlawing this practice.

Richard Brow
Traverse City

Prop 2 will stop progress

Michigan Proposal 2 will ban affirmative action and affect programs that help women achieve equal pay for equal work, will prohibit education scholarships and financial aid for women and minorities and ban housing and lending programs that make sure women and minorities are treated fairly and without discrimination when applying for home loans and mortgages.

Vote "no" or we will move our state backward rather than forward on important issues of education and equal pay for equal work.

Marvine Stamatakis
Traverse City

Something to hide?

There are election signs posted in and around Blair Township opposing the recall of supervisor Patrick Pahl which refer to acts being "verifiable." Someone who has to put "verifiable" on a recall sign obviously has something to hide that could do damage to their continuing career as supervisor.

Mr. Pahl, to quote Shakespeare, "doth protest too much."

Vote "yes" to recall Patrick Pahl as supervisor in Blair Township.

Gary Wertz
Traverse City

Support dove hunt

Contrary to the Record-Eagle's proposal of 2006 to ban dove hunting in Michigan, it should be allowed under Proposal C-3. It's allowed in 39 other states including Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana.

In 2004 Gov. Granholm signed a bill allowing a three-year dove hunt in counties along Michigan's southern border. The test was halted after one season when it was voted down. I have no interest in hunting doves, but would like to eat one or two. I hunted ducks and geese with my late friend George Pierrot years ago and would have loved to hunt doves with him then.

Leonard R. Barnes
Traverse City

Lost all respect

Dick DeVos' only plan is for no Single Business Tax, which equals a big deficit. How to make it up? Lay off workers like Amway? The Republican Party is not famous for helping poorer people. They fought Social Security, Medicare, minimum wage increases and more, controlled Congress for years doing little, made a mess of the country, with big spending and poorly-planned war.

The Republican Party is a group of wealthy, dishonest people whose theory is "everybody is wrong but us and thee, and we're not sure about thee."

I used to have respect for the Republican Party. No more.

Jerry R. Cervenka
Traverse City

Qualified for the job

The Benzie County Probate Judge election is about experience, and John Daugherty has it. Compared to the competition, Daugherty has far greater experience in trials, adult criminal law, district court cases and family court cases. These are all areas of law that have been added to the job of Probate Judge.

Daugherty has experience in nearly every type of case that will come before him. Let's elect the candidate with experience in 99 percent of what the job will be.

The job has changed. The judge should change, too. Vote for the future. Vote John Daugherty for Benzie Probate Judge.

Glenn Oosterheert
Benzonia

Don't kill peace symbol

Webster's Dictionary uses the dove as an established example of the word "symbol" (for peace). Shooting doves is the cold destruction of this symbol, much like the burning of our flag.

These symbols should be protected for what they represent, not violated. You just don't kill a symbol of peace.

Sylvia Kievit
New Port Richey, Fla.
The writer is a former resident of Elk Rapids.

Retain Michigan students

In an Oct. 23 article State Sen. Jason Allen was quoted as saying, "and half our graduate students in math and science are foreign-born."

Why should it matter where graduate students are born? Why should it matter where they are raised?

What should matter is that Michigan's universities attract the best and brightest from around the world, and that Michigan convinces those "foreign-born" students to work in Michigan after graduate school.

The senator's statement will not help convince students to stay.

Tim Werner
Traverse City

Candidate for the people

When schools need funding it affects both Republicans and Democrats. When yet another slice of northern Michigan's resources disappear, it affects both sides. When I see a flag lowered half-staff, I know another Michigan soldier has died. We all mourn.

I don't speak for a side and their agenda. I am just a citizen of northern Michigan.

Roman Grucz will be that person to place our needs at the top of the agenda. He takes on the responsibility of giving a voice to people like you and me. We have a chance to be heard. He runs for us.

Florina L. Kapitzke
Traverse City

Records are substantiated

Blair Township voters, verified reasons to recall Treasurer Kathy Nowak exist and are substantiated in township minutes.

Voters hired her — voters must fire her. Vote "yes" to recall Blair Township Treasurer Kathy Nowak.

Regarding Supervisor Pat Pahl, township minutes don't reveal misconduct of office and he is worthy of support.

Vote "no recall" for Supervisor Pat Pahl.

Rhonda Tharp
Grawn

They'll work for you

Northern Michigan Democratic candidates are well informed and articulate. They'll be responsive and responsible. There are five good people running for county commission seats in Grand Traverse County.

Roman Grucz wants to be your state representative in order to support our governor's economic/education programs.

Sharon Unger provides a marked contrast to Sen. Allen. She is funded by the citizens of her district, not downstate dollars.

Mike Huckleberry for the 4th Congressional will not vote 98 percent with George Bush.

Gov. Granholm and Sen. Debbie Stabenow deserve our continued support.

Vote Democratic because you can and should on Nov. 7.

Lynn Larson
Traverse City
The writer is chair of the
Grand Traverse Democratic Party.

Vote for quality of life

On Election Day, Nov. 7, I will vote for candidates who reflect and promote human dignity and decency.

I will vote for candidates who express the best in us and not the worst.

I will vote for candidates who work to improve the quality of life for all of us and not just the few.

As an American citizen living in Michigan, I will vote for candidates who help make living in this country and state a joy.

In other words, I will vote straight Democratic. I hope you will, too.

Mary L. Kazmierski
Harbor Springs

Vote 'no' on 2

As a school counselor in an area school I have been impressed with local programs that address gender inequities. Our career tech-center hosts a wonderful program each year encouraging young women to look at career fields where their numbers are underrepresented.

When you vote on Nov. 7 give Michigan educators the right to respond to gender differences. Why allow a controversial Californian the right to dictate a policy limiting our chance to develop home-grown solutions to our problems?

For the sake of all Michigan's children, vote "no" on Proposal 2 and please elect candidates who share your views.

Ginna Woessner
Empire

Getting the job done

There is no better person than Howard Walker for state Legislature.

He understands the importance of agro-tourism to our state economy.

Our district leads the entire state in growth and development and we don't make a single automobile.

If only the State of Michigan took the time, they would realize that agro-tourism brings more money into our economy than any other industry. Look around. Our community is alive and flourishing.

We are becoming the talk of the nation. This did not happen without the help of men like Howard Walker. We need him to represent us. He gets things done.

Edward O'Keefe
Traverse City

Is this America?

Regarding Leelanau County's 15-year farm tax vote.

Question: Why do so many with so little have to pay so much to so few?

Answer: So we'll all have million dollar views of the multi-million dollar, 40-acre country estates of the well-to-do!

This is America? Beam me up, Scotty!

Stan Kouchnerkavich
Traverse City

Working for us

Having voted Republican most of my life, I voted for Gov. Granholm when I realized what Gov. Engler did to Michigan — huge deficits, services eliminated or cut, early buyouts for experienced staff, etc., leaving Granholm with a sinking ship.

According to the Associated Press, last June on Mackinac Island, "Granholm's presentation included a rundown of her accomplishments and spoke of her initiatives in education, job training, streamlining regulation, mentoring and health care, and presented a 22-page booklet laying out her economic plan."

She also appreciates tourism's contribution to our economy. I'm thankful we have Gov. Granholm working on our behalf.

Dee LaFata
Lake City

Vote for a change

There are three smart, capable, energetic Democrats running for county commissioner in Benzie County. A time comes when change is needed. I believe that time is now. Good government is a balanced government with both parties discussing and compromising to reach an agreement.

Kathy Ralston is running in District 5. She is a quick learner who is able to look objectively at the needs of the district and work diligently to help this county to grow and still protect our way of life.

Join me in voting for a change in county government on Nov. 7 by voting Democratic.

M. Carroll Volpe
Honor

He'll work for us

Had enough? Vote Democratic. I support Mike Huckleberry for Congress. Camp's record shows blind support for Bush's war in Iraq and other failed policies. Intelligence agencies unanimously agree the war has made us less safe. Despite the death and billions wasted with no end in sight, Camp wants to stay the course.

Record energy prices are crushing the poor and middle class. Overspending by this irresponsible Congress must stop.

From Abramhoff to Foley, Congress is awash in corruption. Nothing is getting done. Huckleberry will work on the issues most important to northern Michigan. Vote for a change. Vote for Huck.

Dean Sheldon
Traverse City

Will fight for our water

Dan Scripps, Northport resident, is committed to protecting Michigan's liquid gold, its fresh water. He is against multinational company Nestle's current practice of extracting approximately 300 million gallons from Mecosta County per year and selling bottled water for enormous profit!

Scripps' opponent states that Nestle brings jobs to Michigan and should be allowed. Which side are you on — a minimum number of jobs or our water?

If you think that Michigan should restrict water bottling companies from selling Michigan water then vote for Scripps. As an environmental attorney and protector of Michigan's natural resources, Scripps will fight for our water.

Celeste Crouch
Glen Arbor

Columnist's choice

Columnist Thomas Friedman gives us a survival choice. Send Carter and Clinton to evil dictators in Iran and North Korea to change their behavior; or, men like George Bush, who have learned that dictators like Ahmadinejad in Iran, Hussein in Iraq and Kim Jong Il in North Korea are not able to change, because they are totally under the spell of their God, that demands suicidal obedience, or the anti-God of communism, that assures that only they can make the world work.

Wake up America! Stand firm now before these evil men have nukes or wait until they use them.

Richard R. Tryon
Frankfort

Balance of power needed

As a teacher, I often get asked who I would vote for. I tell the kids I always try to learn about the person and vote for the person rather than the party, as many politicians of both parties are evil or have long since lost their moral base.

We have an opportunity now to vote for Tiyi Shippers. I have known her for 20 years and she is genuinely a good, intelligent, moral person. When it comes to governor, always vote the opposite of the party that controls Congress so that we have a balance of power and not an abusive power as we currently have in Washington.

Bruce Loper
Cadillac

A scam in the making

The tax for farmland preservation is a wolf in sheep's clothing. More taxes on everybody will result in more federal and state control of our land. Our children won't be able to build homes here. It will create large acreage estates for the rich.

Taxing farmers more will only add to farmers' costs and make them less competitive. The result will be that Leelanau County will be another great place for likes of David Letterman. Vote "no" on this tax scam.

Bruce and Betsey Price
Lake Leelanau

Time for a change

Jason Allen gets dirtier all the time. It doesn't matter who runs against him it's got to be better! After all the garbage revealed during the parking deck debacle and his involvement with the developer, now there is more! If he doesn't even know he takes money from people with known organized crime links, what does he know? Are we to believe he doesn't know the people he asks for money? Yeah, right.

The innocent school boy look and the hometown spiel never fooled me. He's no different than most of them, maybe worse! Time to go!

Tom Graham
Traverse City

Dedicated to the job

Donna Hornberger is the person we need to represent us as county commissioner for District 1. She is sincerely dedicated to doing it right. Donna has been a strong contributor to the docent program at the Dennos Museum. She has shown outstanding leadership skills. Donna is a good listener and shows concern for all people. She has the background of over 30 years of public service. Donna would be a strong leader for District 1.

Remember, you can split or mix your ticket when you cast your vote. Please join me in supporting Donna Hornberger for County Commissioner District 1.

Karen R. Foley
Traverse City

Leadership qualities

District 1 residents would do well to cast their ballots for Donna Hornberger for Grand Traverse County commissioner. Donna has the ability, the intellect and the enthusiasm to address the concerns of all commission District 1 residents, both the old guard and the new.

Richard P. Carroll
Traverse City

Don't blame incumbent

We've had a Republican Senate, House of Representatives, Supreme Court and John Engler for 12 years. Now they blame Granholm for Michigan's economic state, when she's been in office for three years.

We don't need rich people like DeVos, who have no idea what real work is, leading us at the executive branch.

Bush and DeVos are cut from the same cloth, both wealthy, extreme right-wing ideologues. Each inheriting their wealth and values. Tax breaks have brought us debt. Don't buy the single liners Dick pitches. He has no substance and old and debunked ideas. Dump Dick.

John E. McDonald
Traverse City

Record speaks for them

Since moving to Blair Township in 1999, I've attended almost all board meetings and do not support the recall of Supervisor Pat Pahl as the allegations against him are without merit and verification. I urge the Blair Township electorate to vote "no" on the recall of Pat Pahl.

Kathy Nowak is divisive, deceiving and a detrimental member of the township board. Recently, she alleged a payment of $2,500 to an individual without substantiation. Requests under the Freedom of Information Act forced her to admit that no such payment was made. Nowak must be recalled.

Walter M. Bogucki
Traverse City