Who is Dean?
According to an Associated Press article on April 28, "Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean said Monday that either Hillary Rodham Clinton or Barack Obama must drop out of the Democratic presidential race after the June primaries in order to unify the party by the convention and win the election in November."
Who is Dean to order this when the count is close and the convention is the opportunity for speakers, and then for delegates to vote?
Michigan primary, Dean, democratic process? All or none drop out.
Instead, vote for (Independent Ralph) Nader or (Green Party candidate) Cynthia McKinney!
Tom Mair
Traverse City
Fire station bathrooms
I'm opposed to the bathrooms at the old Glen Arbor fire station property. The Glen Arbor board voted to sell the old fire station property and apply the proceeds to the mortgage on the new fire station. That promise is being broken.
The fact that no new taxes will be needed does not mean that Glen Arbor Township property owners aren't paying for the bathrooms. The township surplus that will be used is tax money collected from township property owners. Why couldn't that surplus be used to pay down the mortgage on the new fire station?
The proposal for new bathrooms is backed by the business community and is touted to increase business in the downtown area. If you look at the crowds of people and the summer problem parking, it doesn't seem that people are staying away from Glen Arbor because we have port-a-potties.
We need a referendum to determine the wishes of Glen Arbor. The board turned down a referendum by a vote by 3-2.
The March annual meeting is not representative of Glen Arbor as many snowbirds have not yet returned. If you think we should have a referendum, write the Glen Arbor Township Board, Glen Arbor 49630.
Jeanine Dean
Empire
Need lifeboat mindset
The Malthusian concerns expressed in Mr. Reinert's letter in the May 1 Record-Eagle are timely.
We can, to be sure, increase production of fungi and algae, but not without limit. Warm fuzzies are nice, but nice won't feed, clothe, shelter and transport us. The need for a lifeboat mindset is upon us.
Joseph Brown
Traverse City
Champion Trees on bay?
The Champion Trees from the Milarch family of Copemish are a unique gift to our community. When we consider the efforts toward creating the open area on the bay, didn't we support it because of our love for the beauty of nature?
Rather than filling the area with manmade art, what could be more fitting than Champion trees to stand under while enjoying the beautiful bay?
This could be an exciting community effort with lasting reward!
Jean Sheehan
Kewadin
The 'Grayling Lesson'
To all those who live in or near the woods, you likely heard of the recent forest fire near Grayling, which threatened the town itself. We offer condolences to those who lost their homes.
I call it the "Grayling Lesson." The Grayling Lesson is, as soon as the snow is gone we make it our first order of business to clear the perimeter of our homes and other buildings of leaves and other burnable debris. The cleared area is minimally 20 feet, but preferably 30 to 50 feet all around.
One notes in the Grayling area photos that a fire in a deciduous forest leaves most of the trees and feeds on ground cover. So a great deal of protection results from clearing of burnable debris.
Seems elementary, but can be overlooked.
Buford Waling
Maple City
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