Important perspective
I am writing in support of Julie Puckett for Traverse City school board. Julie's educational and mathematical background will provide a deep level of analysis on the difficult issues facing the board. Her many years spent in the classroom both as a teacher and a parent volunteer will also provide an important perspective.
Julie's willingness to ask questions and question assumptions will give voice to important concerns from the general public. For more information, visit www.PuckettforTCAPS.com.
Please join me in voting for Julie Puckett on Tuesday.
John Failor
Williamsburg
Roads will be safer
I support the millage on the ballot in East Bay Township, which will raise funds to fix local roads in our township.
The average increase in property taxes per residence would be less than $7 per month and yet the benefits will be significant: Our township will control where and how the money will be spent; costly wear on our vehicles will be reduced; our roads will be safer; and the resale value of our homes will increase.
Be sure to vote "yes" Tuesday.
Holly Knibbs
Traverse City
For the local good
I urge people to vote "yes" Tuesday in support of the millage to fix our roads in East Bay Township. Those opposed refer to a "lie" by those in favor. I don't know what "lie" they mean. I do know some truths: the bad roads have cost me a tire and rim; some roads are dangerously eroded; the county can't or won't fix secondary roads; a county wide millage could send my East Bay Township tax dollars away from East Bay roads.
Let's work locally for the local good.
Diane Bair
Traverse City
Status quo is over
In an age of permanent fiscal crisis, a status quo, head in the sand, "we've always done it that way" approach is unsustainable, irresponsible, and will lead to increasingly severe hardship.
For 14 months a citizen's committee analyzed city operations and finances. The resulting report focused on city tax rates three times that of neighboring municipalities and producing more for less.
Because of his demonstrated leadership skills, Mike Gillman was unanimously selected spokesperson for the Citizens Operational Finance Advisory Committee.
As COFAC's recommendations headed for the shelf, we asked Gillman to run for city commission. Being a true public servant, Gillman accepted another call to duty.
Greg Pash
Traverse City
The writer is the husband of Christine Maxbauer, Grand Traverse County Commissioner.
Vote for COFAC
I strongly support the work done by Traverse City's Citizens Operational Finance Advisory Committee. COFAC did a thorough review of Traverse City's departments and services. COFAC identified city services that are used by all area residents but are paid for primarily by city taxpayers. That must stop. COFAC recommendations must be implemented.
Two individuals who worked tirelessly for more than a year and a half on COFAC are running for Traverse City commission. Those two individuals are Mike Gillman and MaryAnn Moore.
Vote for COFAC. Vote for Mike Gillman and MaryAnn Moore.
Chris Maxbauer
Traverse City
The writer is a Grand Traverse County Commissioner
On life support
Our roads are on life support. In Acme and East Bay townships we have a chance to improve our roads and take action to improve our community. With winter coming, we can't afford to wait any longer to start improving our roads before they crumble and result in even higher costs in the future. The state and county have no money to fix them.
We need to take pride in our community and fix our roads now. Please vote "yes" Tuesday.
Rick Cooper
Traverse City
A vote for Gillman
I had the privilege of working with Michael Gillman on the Traverse City Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee. As chair of our subcommittee on parks and recreation and other departments he was always available to us as a resource and sounding board. His leadership skills were tremendous and he encouraged and welcomed our feedback. I found his decisions and recommendations were made based on fact and logic, and he is open to looking at issues from all perspectives.
Mike is very committed and dedicated to serving Traverse City. Please join me in voting for Michael Gillman for city commissioner.
Betsy Williams
Traverse City
Opportunity is now
Please give serious consideration to voting "yes" on our special millage request for road repairs in our township. As taxpayers/residents in East Bay for almost 20 years, my family has witnessed many accidents that could have been prevented if the road system had been properly maintained.
However, forget about what has not been done. Now is our opportunity. Join our friends in Acme to improve our communities. For the sake of our family and friends from all over the area, especially those who enjoy Mt. Holiday in the winter, please vote "yes" Tuesday.
Richard and Chrisann Lesley
Traverse City
The time is now
The time is now to fix our local roads. The fact is our home values go down when roads near us fall into disrepair. According to a study published by the National Association of Home Builders, "nearby roads that are in need of repair" negatively impact housing prices by 6.5 percent.
Furthermore, we are spending money repairing our vehicles due to damage from poor roads. I keep hearing how people cannot afford to fix our roads but the truth is we can't afford not to. Invest in our community and our roads.
Join me in voting "yes" Tuesday.
Susan Byron
Traverse City
Uniquely qualified
Traverse City Area Public Schools is faced with a serious and persistent challenge: maintaining quality programs for all students while effectively addressing fiscal constraints. In these difficult times, it is critical that we elect school board members who are proven problem-solvers and who can see beyond current challenges to help forge long-range improvements.
Gary Appel is such a person and is uniquely qualified to continue serving on the TCAPS School Board. He has a deep and distinguished career working to improve education at the local, state, and national level. I urge your support of Gary Appel Tuesday.
Mark Mitchell
Traverse City
Fair and open-minded
Traverse City voters have a chance to choose an exceptionably qualified candidate in the election for city commission. That is my mom, MaryAnn Moore. She is smart, fair and open minded with an incredible work ethic. MaryAnn has been active in this community for over 40 years as a successful business owner, a school and community volunteer, an outstanding parent and grandparent and a treasured friend to many.
I know she will be a great asset to the commission. Please vote for MaryAnn Moore.
Natalie Brown, M.D., Ph.D.
Traverse City
No time for a change
I strongly support Gary Appel remaining on the Traverse City Board of Education. Gary and I were fellow board members on the board of a $20 million northern Michigan business. He brought a collaborative mind set and an inquiring mind to the work of the board. Gary always showed respect and sensitivity to the needs of staff and strived to fairly address the interests of shareholders, employees, and customers.
Now, with almost a year of experience on the TCAPS board, he is well positioned to grapple with the difficult challenges TCAPS is facing. This is no time for a change!
Keith Charters
Traverse City
Invest in roads
Nobody likes taxes, but sometimes they are needed, as is the case now with our roads. Our roads are crumbling; huge potholes and uneven surfaces. There is no miracle cure coming. "Gravel roads" bring property values down with them, and we know this impacts housing prices by 6.5 percent as indicated by the National Association of Home Builders.
We would rather invest the cost of a fast-food meal each month into better roads and have our property value increase as a result. Vote "yes" Tuesday. There are no lies in the factual information presented.
Ken and Mary Coleman
Traverse City
National background
Gary Appel is a near perfect member of the Traverse City school board. He has an extensive, nationwide background improving public schools and the quality of teaching. He is a huge proponent of public education but is absolutely not satisfied with the status quo.
He is incredibly smart, works hard, shows up to meetings prepared and on time, and is the kind of guy who can bring together different sides to get things done. I couldn't trust anyone more to fight for our kids and for our schools.
Please vote to re-elect Gary Appel to the Board of Education.
Woody Smith
Traverse City
Deserves our vote
As a former Traverse City school board member, I know firsthand the enormous responsibility and commitment the job requires. Incumbent Gary Appel has met these requisites with diligence, intelligence and integrity. Gary has the qualifications, experience and grit needed to help guide TCAPS through what may prove to be the most challenging period in the district's history.
He's worked hard for students and for the community, and deserves our vote Tuesday.
Chuck Lombardo
Traverse City
No county guarantees
Don't be fooled by the opposition! One mill, whether from a county or township millage, costs residents exactly the same amount. However, with a county millage there is no guarantee that your money will stay in your township.
If, by chance, a county millage passes in the next couple of years, the East Bay and Acme township boards have already agreed to reduce their millage so you are not double taxed.
Vote "yes" for road improvements starting this spring!
Cindy Oswald
Traverse City
Car has spoken
Bumping and jarring down one of East Bay Township's infamous roads yesterday, my car started speaking to me! "You have been given a voice to make a difference and fix our roads now! In this poor economy, a "yes" vote is the only vote that makes sense economically.
Replacing two of my snow tires, a bent rim, a ball joint and paying for two wheel alignments cost you over $750.
Our patched-up, pothole-filled roads are unsafe and lower our property values."
In groans and rattles, my car has spoken, and so should you. Vote "yes" for the road millage.
Kathy van Houwelingen
Traverse City
No other source
What lie? The fact is, if East Bay and Acme residents want their local roads improved, they are going to have to foot the bill. There is no other funding avenue. Presently in East Bay and Acme, there is no tax at any level, township, county, state, or federal, to improve local roads. This can be confusing because primary roads and maintenance for local roads do receive state and federal money. Let me say again, local road improvement has no funding! A township millage is a fair way to improve local roads. Vote "yes" Tuesday.
Tafel Hutchison
Traverse City
Lone dissenting voice
I support the re-election of Sue Brooke to the Traverse City school board. Sue was the lone dissenting vote on closing Oak Park and cutting the transportation budget, and a dissenting vote on the closing of Bertha Vos, Norris and Glen Loomis.
From the Record-Eagle: "A Traverse City school board member is breaking ranks to criticize a decision-making culture she contends quells minority votes," April 14, 2007; "Board member Suzann Brooke pressed administrators to detail how far students might have to walk..." March 10, 2009.
I've been grateful to Sue for her willingness to take a stand for our kids.
Julie Nelson
Traverse City
The right decision
My mom, Renee Kaufman, has put hours of time into the Fix Our Roads campaign. I respect her work and the work of all the committee members. Their campaign reflects the values we should expect from all groups working to improve our community: namely, honesty and positivity.
I view the signs stating "Don't Believe the Lies" as a lame and unjustified form of propaganda. Vote based only on the facts; Fix Our Roads has told you everything they know. Don't be drawn into the negativity presented by "Fix Your Own Darn Road."
Make the right decision for your community.
Samie Kaufman
Traverse City
We live here
I urge my neighbors in East Bay and Acme townships to vote "yes" for the road millage Tuesday. Not because it's fair but because we need to do it. This mess exists because community leaders allowed house after house to be built by developers without adequate traffic/road planning.
So why pay for a problem we didn't create? Because we live here. Because we care about safety. Because it's our property values. Why a township millage? Because our roads get fixed and fixed now. Be mad but vote "yes" to fix these awful roads.
Marcy Lindberg
Traverse City
A better district
Please join us in supporting Julie Puckett for Traverse City school board. We have seen first-hand her dedication to this community over the years, and we are confident she will bring the same critical analysis, can-do attitude and commitment to the school board that she always has to area schools -- those her children have attended and those where she has served as an educator.
When these attributes are combined with Julie's educational background and her willingness to collaborate, listen to all input and seek consensus, we know Traverse City will be a better district with Julie helping to lead it.
Chris and Amy Thompson
Traverse City
Can't ask for more
Gary Appel has the skills, talent and intelligence to guide our public schools through these difficult times. When I worked as a mathematics consultant for elementary teachers, Gary worked with our team. His respect and support for teachers is remarkable, and he demonstrated repeatedly his desire to facilitate the teachers' highest success with all students.
With Gary Appel, there is hope that the well being of our school district, all students and employees will be in the hands of someone who sees the big picture, listens to all sides, and makes decisions mindfully.
We can't ask for more.
Mary Van Valin
Traverse City
A progressive spirit
How fortunate we are that MaryAnn Moore is running for city commission. She combines a progressive spirit with hard-nosed fiscal common sense that will help Traverse City move forward without burdening the citizens' pocketbooks.
She's been active in city affairs long enough (42 years) to have gained a wise perspective on the many matters that concern residents. MaryAnn knows how very special this city is and doesn't take for granted that it will always remain so. She'll fight not just to retain but enhance the quality of life we enjoy here.
Don Hunt
Traverse City
Fix our roads
We are encouraging the voters of Acme and East Bay townships to vote "yes" on the road repair issue. We cannot understand why anyone would oppose the repair of the roads so badly in need. The only way these roads will get fixed is by our tax dollar. It is a matter of safety, property values, car repairs, and, simply put, where else will you get such bang for your buck?
When it comes down to it, these roads are our responsibility -- vote "yes" on fix our roads.
June "Beth" and Ralph Criger
Traverse City
Scrudato has her vote
Who will I vote for in the upcoming city election?
Who is the most independent?
Who is not beholden to any special interest persons or groups?
Who looks out for neighborhoods with action, not just words?
Who will listen to ordinary citizens, not just those with power?
Deni Scrudato; that's who has my vote.
Ann Rogers
Traverse City
A high priority
Next week there is a millage election to improve roads in East Bay and Acme townships. As new residents of Acme, we travel on various local collector roads several times each day, dozens of times each week, and hundreds of times every month. We support this millage proposal and think it should be a high priority for both townships.
Better road conditions will help keep our families safer, our automobiles running better and longer, and raise property values. We are willing to pay an additional tax for these concerns and encourage others in these two townships to do the same.
Bill White
Traverse City
Compassion and integrity
Julie Puckett possesses qualities of a great school board member. She brings views of an involved parent, community volunteer, and math professor. She seeks changes in equity and communication. She questions and expects accountability from all who run our educational system.
By training, Julie brings analytical skills and data reinforcement to help decision making. Yet by nature, Julie offers listening skills, compassion and integrity for positive changes.
Julie Puckett is honest, open and hard working. She will meet issues head on. Julie will work cooperatively with others, yet offer individual opinions and changes, rather than blend with the status quo.
Tom VanSipe
Debby Regiani
Traverse City
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