Commitment to justice
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider has been a stalwart protagonist in the David and Goliath battle that Meijer waged against the Acme Township and its citizens. Despite the fact that Meijer paid the civil penalty of $190,000 and state Attorney General Cox refused to refer campaign finance act violations by individuals to Schneider, he continued to pursue justice for his constituents. Schneider challenged the Michigan Court of Appeals (Judge Donald S. Owens ) decision to seal the Meijer file. We should note that the request to seal the file was made by Meijer.
The citizens of the region should applaud Schneider for his courage and commitment to fighting a state corporate giant as well as elected state officials (Cox and Land). The announcement that appeals court Judge Donald S. Owens has reversed his May 29 decision to seal the court file would never have happened without Schneider's commitment to justice.
Sharon Oriel
Glen Arbor
Pave those bike paths
In regard to the recent "windfall" the Grand Traverse County Road Commission discovered through the wonderful paving bid submitted, it would be nice for the residents of the area to have some of that extra paving ability used on planned-for bike paths in the area.
Looking forward, as fuel prices double again, less demand will be placed on the worn-out roads as more residents turn to less expensive forms of transportation. Paving a worn-out road now is akin to closing the corral gate after the cattle have escaped.
John Robert Williams
Traverse City
Water is public resource
We could debate and discuss the details and technicalities of the recently agreed-upon water rules passed by the Michigan Legislature.
The very serious flaw of this decision, however, can be stated quite simply. By neglecting to treat water as a public trust resource and rather offering water as a commodity, our legislators have offered this life essential mineral to be brokered on the world market. International trade agreements now may trump any state regulations.
Perhaps we, as a people, could change this by supporting a referendum affirming that water is a public trust resource.
John A. Nelson
Traverse City
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