05/04/2007

Editorial

Global warming rant betrays a lack of leadership

"I believe the Sierra Club, along with Al Gore, President Carter and the United Nations are socialistic organizations that are trying to change the government of this country, and I am opposed to everything they support or try to (foist) on us to do. I cannot support this unproven theory of global warming.”

— Margaret Underwood, Grand Traverse County commissioner, at a March 14 public meeting.

It's tempting to dismiss Grand Traverse commissioner Margaret Underwood as naive, a relic of a bygone era.

It's tempting to simply roll one's eyes and wave her off as an out-of-touch, goofy pol whose views betray spoon-fed right-wing radio rants.

It's even tempting to chuckle at her statement, secure in the knowledge that most thinking people realize the world is undergoing dramatic climate change. Most folks are tuned in enough to know that climate change isn't a socialist plot hatched by Al Gore and Jimmy Carter (although we're terribly suspicious of Carter and that whole Habitat for Humanity, building-homes-for-the-poor scheme).

Yes, it's tempting to ignore the Margaret Underwoods of this world. But do so at your own risk, because she's an elected official, and her wacky world views are shared by others on the county board, including fellow Commissioner Dick Thomas and board Chairman Addison "Sonny” Wheelock.

And here's the kicker: Underwood and a county board populated in recent years by too many blowhards, grifters, Flat-Earthers and out-to-lunchers are making decisions on a lot of issues that truly affect the day-to-day lives and pocketbooks of county residents.

Is it really a good idea to leave decisions on whether to site a landfill in Grand Traverse to Underwood and Dick ("e-mail the sun”) Thomas?

Should Sonny ("dinosaurs driving around in Mercedes”) Wheelock be steering decisions on whether to spend millions to build a new county jail? Wheelock may know how to latch onto no-bid, no-discussion contracts for county work, but is he the right guy to guard the taxpayers' henhouse?

The three commissioners' buffoonish comments came in response to a request they endorse a U.S. Conference of Mayors agreement that calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.

The concept may be a bit esoteric for them, but the goals are hardly radical: increase recycling, purchase energy-efficient appliances, reduce sprawl and promote transportation options.

Common-sense approaches to environmental challenges may be beyond their grasp, but they're often just as clueless when it comes to forward-thinking approaches to taxation, land use, transportation, recycling and public safety.

Voters should take a very close look and decide if these truly are the folks they want to make such important decisions.