No value for the money
This is in reference to a March 24 article, which points out that Traverse City Light & Power customers have been paying a green fee, if they wanted to, for the last 17 years. They have not been getting value for the money that they have contributed to the Light and Power. All the green power generation that has been built is one wind turbine. They should have used some of the money to keep the hydro dam on the Boardman River, if they are so interested in green power. Both the Traverse City Light & Power hydro dam and the one that Consumer's Power have shut down could still be generating clean and free power right now if they would have kept up both, mechanically and structurally.
Lars Ritola
Traverse City
Drive safely, save gas
A March 22 letter, "Slow down, save gas," hit one of my hot buttons. Gas is becoming more expensive and everyone is whining about it, yet look how they drive. The vast majority of drivers speed, which uses excessive amounts of gas and, by the way, makes them law violators. The majority of drivers also crowd the car in front of them, thus endangering that driver.
When people get in their cars they become rude and self centered. They behave in ways they would never do if they were face to face with the other driver. The only solution to this chaos on the highway is to instill the fear that they will be caught violating the law, but that requires a much greater police presence on the highway. The state and local politicians refuse to address this issue. Forty thousand people killed annually on our nation's highways and millions injured and yet no one takes this seriously.
I'm disgusted when the media blames the weather for those 50- to 100-car crashes that occur from time to time. The blame lies with those people speeding nose to tail and then are unable to stop when they encounter dangerous conditions.
Eric Heizer
Eastport
Trapping has its place
I would like to respond to a recent letter about the so-called horrors of trapping. It is apparent to me that the writer doesn't have a real view of nature nor does she understand the problems we put on our environment. Trapping is a necessity because it keeps animal populations in check. We are constantly building our houses, businesses and roads in areas populated by all animals. These animals are then forced to live closer together, causing overpopulation, starvation and disease.
Are we to say, "Let nature take its course?" We caused these problems, not nature. It would be unconscionable to say that. We have an obligation to regulate this. How do I know this? Read it in the Bible, Genesis 1:26, "Man will be masters over all life, the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals".
Trapping is not cruel if done ethically and efficiently. Unfortunately, there are bad apples in every basket, trapping not excluded. Don't penalize us all; prosecute those not following the law. If we used that writer's point, should we take away all drivers' licenses because a few drive drunk? I don't think so.
Steve Jones
Rapid City
New campaign slogan
I am getting older, becoming less patient and tolerable, and it seems that this presidential campaign is the most pathetic I've seen.
A handful of politicians who think they are invincible, point fingers, make up lies, doctor old photos and find two skeletons. That's called slander or libel (I think).
They are after an electoral vote. I don't know how the Electoral College works either, but I know someone has a politically correct answer for me. I do know my presidential vote means nothing.
Before the end of the campaign, the latest buzz word, "Super Delegate," will be changed to "Secret Super Delegate."
And all for the "party." That word also nauseates me. Because of the "party," our nation is politically "uncontrolled" and financially irresponsible.
My idea would be to put all the candidates on the November ballot as Independents and all fellow Americans could elect the best candidate. Hopefully, not the biggest liar or bigot.
Then we would have a president, fairly elected, by all unbiased Americans -- not the parties. Put the politics in the round file and let's all work together as a team. We can call it "Team America, a New Beginning."
Pat Kelley
Traverse City
Tax dollars down a hole
Shortly after the Democrats took over the House in 2006, they sponsored a bill to remove our troops from Iraq. I wrote our representative Dave Camp to support this bill; he declined. Since that time almost 1,000 more soldiers lost their lives in Iraq. He, along with the rest of the Republicans, say they are pleased with our policy in Iraq. More than one American soldier dying a day seems to be of no concern to him or his party.
What are we doing there? Iraq poses no threat to us whatsoever, unless you consider what we are now experiencing: recession, price increases, high oil, low dollar and incompetent Republicans. You cannot keep throwing tax dollars into a hole in the ground and not have repercussions.
We must have open, competent and forward thinking leaders. Traverse City is leading the way in our area; let's hope the rest of the county and country will, too.
Don Dierkes
Interlochen
The writer ran for the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners in 2006.
Opportunity for children
I am writing in response to the March 4 letter opposing all-day kindergarten.
The writer accurately cites child development experts who warn that excessive academic pressure on children has many negative effects. However, it is a mistake to equate all-day kindergarten with academic pressure. On the contrary, research shows that such programs create a more relaxed learning environment. The all-day program allows teachers more time to individualize curriculum and provides them more opportunities for assessment. The "work day schedule," as the writer calls it, provides a consistent routine that children age 3 to 6 feel comfortable with.
While the writer claims that there are very few benefits for the 5-year-old attending all-day kindergarten, the opposite is true. It is well documented that children who attend all-day kindergarten have an easier time transitioning into first grade. They show significant gains in social skills, have a positive outlook and exhibit higher academic achievement down the road. It is also important to note that most 5-year-olds love school and will be thrilled with this change.
Thanks to Traverse City Area Public Schools for giving this opportunity to our children.
Anna Langstaff
Traverse City
The writer is a Montessori teacher.
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