10/31/2006

Letters to the Editor

At Issue: Elections

Can't balance the books

Kathy Nowak is being deceptive. If Kathy is guarding and investing our money, why did she put a half-million dollars of our money in a lower-interest account? Why is she the only township official with access to that account? With seven years of experience she still can't balance the books.

Contrary to what Kathy says, she is paid mileage for the banking. The majority of her education has been paid by the township except when she went over budget. Volunteer work takes her away from being there for you

This is verifiable, check the meeting minutes. Vote yes to recall!

Marilyn Fleis
Grawn
The writer is the wife of Blair Township
Board trustee Larry Fleis.

Equal right to jobs

In regard to affirmative action (Proposal 2), I would like to relate that when my son, many years ago, applied for a job at a Big Three auto plant, he was refused a job. Why? Because he was not a minority, even though he was amply qualified and even though his dad was, at the time, a nearly 30-year exemplary employee.

It is possible that many women are also denied employment because they are not a minority. I know which way I am going to vote on Proposal 2.

Evelyn Verschaeve
Maple City

Review the records

Blair Township voters, I ask you to vote "yes" to recall Kathy Nowak as treasurer. She has refused to follow board decisions. She has failed to provide accurate and timely financial reports even after the township board and the public has, month after month, asked for clarification. Financial questions go unanswered.

I urge you to vote "no" on the recall of Pat Pahl. He has demonstrated an ability to organize and coordinate many projects related to township business. The statements made in his recall petition are false.

Joseph L. Lowe
Traverse City

Harming the township

I have seen many things at Blair Township in 6½ years.

I personally watched supervisor Pat Pahl threaten employees; I read deeds that Pat ignored; I personally spoke with many business owners who feel Pat is harming the township.

I watched the uneducated board limit the funding for education, take up time at meetings to harass treasurer Kathy Nowak and I noted that not one official has ever approached Kathy and asked her the questions that they only ask, inappropriately, at board meetings.

Learn, and then vote responsibly. Vote "yes" to recall Pahl and vote "no" to keep Nowak.

Roxanne Blackford
Traverse City
The writer is Blair Township deputy treasurer.

The country is watching

Although far away in Washington state, national news keeps us acutely aware of the assault on Michigan's mourning doves which had resumed just before we moved from there.

The whole country is watching to see what will be the fate of those gentle doves. Your initiative of compassion to save them will surely set the precedent in other states for rescuing millions of doves everywhere or doom them to the fate of the passenger pigeon. Peace to those who vote "no" on shooting doves.

Chris and Bob Anderlik
Spokane, Wash.

So-called conservative

The fact that Dick the billionaire has cut-and-run to Asia with Michigan's future just to earn an extra percentile on his inherited wealth is not what concerns me.

Dick promises a billion dollar cut in state services. Subtract from schools, health care, law enforcement, the poor and elderly, roads, parks, scholarships and the environment. Dick is a single-focus Bush conservative; one that mortgages everyone's future to benefit the corporate few. It is better to subtract Dick.

Gov. Granholm has balanced economic needs, social needs, and environmental needs while recovering from Engler's $4 billion debt! No more so-called conservatives.

Tim Wiley
Traverse City

A success story

Views of orchards, vineyards and other agricultural uses or of subdivisions, roads and other residential uses, was the choice Peninsula Township voters faced in 1994.

By a slight majority agricultural uses won. In 2002 we overwhelmingly reaffirmed that vote.

To date our purchase of development rights program has preserved over 4,000 acres and anticipates preserving another 4,000 acres. Nov. 7, Leelanau County voters are facing the same preservation millage decision.

Many express the same doubts we had. Our success should allay those doubts.

As an individual, I highly recommend a "yes" vote for Leelanau County's purchase of development rights program.

Gregory R. Fiebing
Traverse City
The writer is chairman of the Peninsula
Township Planning Commission.

Conflict of interest?

I am just wondering if the residents of Blair Township know that supervisor Pat Pahl's wife, Susan, filed a lawsuit against Blair Township (Circuit Court case #2006-25516-CZ) on Oct. 19 seeking monetary damages. Is this not a conflict of interest on the supervisor's part?

Mr. Pahl should step down from his position. If this case is won, the supervisor's wife will be gaining financially from this lawsuit against your township.

Is this really the person you want in charge of your township?

I say no, stand up for your township and vote to recall Supervisor Pat Pahl.

Kelly Steinebach
Grawn

He'll bring in jobs

We are very fortunate in Leelanau County to have one of our own running to represent the 101st District. Dan Scripps is one of the most knowledgeable, energized candidates I have seen in this election. He will use his experience to bring changes to this district like jobs in the exciting new sectors of renewable energy and information technology.

He has been endorsed by statewide conservation groups to lead the fight to protect our environment. Dan went door to door to listen to the concerns of the citizens in the 101st and he will be taking their concerns to Lansing.

Barbara Schneider
Maple City

Say 'yes' to natural area

Long Lake Township residents have an historic opportunity Nov. 7 to protect the quality of life we currently enjoy but is fast disappearing. By voting "yes" for the Natural Areas Proposal, residents can preserve two large and unspoiled parcels of property, forever setting them aside for public use.

These 320 acres of woods, wildlife and waterfront contain significant habitat, open spaces and a trail system that will be lost to further development if we don't act now. For less than the price of a cup of coffee per month, join me in voting "yes" for the Natural Area Proposal.

Rolf von Walthausen
Traverse City

A handle on the issues

At the Oct. 24 candidates' forum Sen. Allen and challenger Sharon Unger took questions from the audience. Although I didn't agree with Sen. Allen on every point, his grasp of the issues facing Michigan and the solutions he is pursuing were outstanding. He has been a leader in the drive to equalize school funding which will increase funding to Traverse City schools.

Sharon Unger's responses indicate she doesn't understand the precarious position the state is in and hasn't the faintest idea what to do about it. Her answers favored spending tax dollars the state does not have.

Vote Nov. 7.

Lou Colombo
Traverse City

Not a 'do-nothing'

Sen. Stabenow is reported to be a "do-nothing" senator. Not so. She has been very busy. In 2001 she deliberately held up the confirmations of key members of the Bush defense policy team until two months before the 9/11 terrorist attack.

A request from Sen. Stabenow to Sen. Leahy resulted in the Judiciary Committee refusing to act on President Bush's nominations to the Sixth Circuit Court.

Sen. Stabenow voted against the defense budget six times, voted to cut intelligence funding and slashed funding for the missile defense program. Her unwillingness to protect America from attack is reckless and dangerous.

Vic Crawford
Rapid City

Do what's right

Blair Township Supervisor Patrick Pahl has been deceiving the township long enough. He signed an $8,000 agreement with Grand Traverse Refrigeration on June 30, 2005, 12 days before the township board approved it. He also fired the township attorney without the board knowing, which forced them to hire a new attorney at a later meeting.

He has made too many messes that the board has later had to clean up. He has fired good employees, business owners cannot tolerate him, and he is hurting Blair Township. Please become informed and then do what's right; vote "yes" to recall Pahl.

Renee Gray
Traverse City

Deserves our vote

Dan Scripps has been endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club and the Clean Waters group for his platform stand, as well as his efforts to stop Canadian trash. In addition, his position on equity for school funding deserves top consideration. Mr. Palsrock has failed in these vital areas.

Dan Scripps deserves our vote.

Richard Haan
Honor

The voice of reason

For years John Nelson has been the voice of reason in addressing uncontrolled growth and road concerns in Grand Traverse County. We are fortunate that John is willing to serve as a county commissioner where he can continue to address these issues.

Nelson's extensive background in public service will allow him to work with the other county commissioners where he can continue to work in the public interest. I'm confident that John will be an effective and an outstanding county commissioner.

Cal Karr
Traverse City

State/federally certified

Recall Blair Township's treasurer? According to Roger Zeits, who was voted out of office in 2004 and wants to recall Nowak for not doing her job? Look at account balances. She is state and federally certified. Larry Fleis states false allegations against Pat Pahl per Web site. Where is written site plan approval from parkland donor? Minutes state work approved by board, however, work was already started and that is how Fleis and Pahl do their politics ... easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

Vote "yes" to recall Pahl. Attend board meetings and see for yourself!

A lifetime Blair resident.

Marvin Radtke
Traverse City

Attention to detail

Protection of our environment and natural resources. This is one of several basic values that inspired Howard Walker to enter public service. I met Howard Walker five years ago when he was providing trees to help beautify area roadways. I was impressed by his attention to detail and desire to see every tree flourish.

This might seem like a small deed but enough of these small deeds done every day make a difference. I encourage you to help him to continue to make a difference in Lansing. Vote for Howard Walker on Nov. 7.

Bill Myers
Traverse City

Protect mourning doves

Vote "no" on establishing a shooting season for mourning doves. Doves have been continuously protected in Michigan for 100 years. They are song birds. They should not be shot for target practice.

The birds are so small they provide very little meat. We don't need to kill them for food.

Killing the adult doves leaves orphaned young. Doves produce only one or two eggs at a time. We know what happened to the passenger pigeon.

Let us protect our doves so that we can hear their gentle songs and continue to see these birds of peace in our state.

John P. Ternes
Petoskey

Competent and dedicated

My choice is Judge Nancy Kida for probate judge. I had the pleasure of working in the probate court as a confidential intermediary and guardianship review for several years. Judge Kida always gave good direction and compassion with every case that came before her.

Judge Kida is, and has been, competent, dedicated, compassionate and fair. She sees both sides of a case with equal care and respect. Judge Kida has my respect and my vote.

Jan Stevens
Benzonia

Fight fear tactics

We've come a long way from Abe Lincoln's "with malice toward none and charity for all" philosophy at the end of the Civil War. One Republican campaign flyer has arrived at my home six times; it uses absurd fear tactics to deceive people into voting Republican.

Let's vote on the candidates and issues with intelligence, not fear.

Judy Childs
Traverse City

Use judgment at polls

It is disturbing to read the content of some letters to the editor, and I wonder how they arrived at their conclusions. It's even more disturbing to think they may actually vote in the November election.

Will those with sound wisdom and judgment not miss the opportunity to cast their vote. A wise old sage back in the '70's once said that one-issue special interest groups/organizations/political parties will destroy this country.

Max L. Binkley
Williamsburg

Not their concern

The Republicans have shown us that a huge national debt and our troops being killed is not their concern. The thing that we must realize is that the political party that got us into this mess and got our young men and women killed and maimed wants to give us a governor to make a mess of our state. We really need their kind of leadership?

Marshall Raftery
Brutus