Published: October 22, 2009 07:30 am      

Letters at Issue: Elections: 10/22/2009

Attuned to TC

Although we have moved outside of the city limits, we still view Traverse City as our hometown and so are proud that MaryAnn Moore is running for a seat on the city commission. We have known MaryAnn for 40 years and believe that she would be an excellent commissioner. She is scrupulously honest, hard working, bright and very attuned to the goings-on of Traverse City. Her many years in real estate make her well suited to understanding the business of government.

We would ask the citizens of Traverse City to seriously consider casting their votes for MaryAnn Moore.

Frank and Del Kullman
Acme

Reach higher

Every election is about making sure that we fill the offices with people who are knowledgeable, qualified for the position, have good judgment and get the job done.

This is also true for school boards. That is why I urge my neighbors in Traverse City to support Gary Appel for school board. I have known Gary Appel for 10 years and support him because he brings a strong background to the position, consistently shows balanced, reasonable judgment and will work hard to make sure that Traverse City Area Public Schools fulfills its mission to "reach higher."

Karl Bahle
Suttons Bay

Vote 'yes' for roads

Looking for an easy way to increase your home's value in Acme or East Bay township? Come out to the polls Nov. 3 and vote "yes" to fix our local roads. According to a study of housing economics published by the National Association of Home Builders, "nearby roads that are in need of repair" negatively impact housing prices by 6.5 percent. Taking the median-priced home in Acme Township of $199,550, your home value declines by as much as $12,970.

A "yes" vote on Nov. 3 will provide money needed to improve our crumbling roads and help restore home values.

Bridget Thuente
Traverse City

Hall has experience

Due to inequitable school funding exacerbated by Michigan's struggling economy, Traverse City needs leaders on our school board to consider difficult decisions and weigh the consequences to our school communities.

A trained attorney capable of assessing issues objectively and mother of five utilizing various district programs (general education, special education, gifted education, and Montessori), Kelly Hall has experience.

In this difficult period of dropping enrollment, she understands how cuts affect various programming areas. She will consider all proposed cuts based on what is best for our children, all of our children.

Vote Kelly Hall for Traverse City school board.

Karin Cooney
Traverse City

Support sinking fund

As a taxpayer and parent of a senior at Suttons Bay High School, I urge you to support the Nov. 3 millage election for Suttons Bay Public Schools. This election will restore a 0.25-mill levy for the next five years for maintenance.

We have had a 0.25-mill sinking fund in place for several years. For legal reasons, the ballot must term this an increase because the millage expired in June 2009. For all practical purposes, this is a renewal.

Please support this millage on the editorial page of the Record-Eagle and at the polls.

Kenneth Eike
Suttons Bay

Most qualified

Gary Appel is the right guy at the right time for the Traverse City Area Public Schools board of education. With the severity of the budget crunch, we need committed leaders with the vision, experience and courage to confront the challenges at hand.

Gary is advancing the kind of bold ideas we need, with honesty, integrity, an open mind, and a unique ability to build true community consensus. I've known Gary Appel for 15 years and I literally cannot think of a more qualified candidate for school board.

Hans Voss

Traverse City

Vote 'no' on roads

Facts to consider when voting on Acme Township's road millage proposal:

-- The County may have a new 1-mill road repair tax on the ballot sometime next year.

-- Acme Township has approximately $1 million of surplus cash -- which begs the question what other projects have been deemed by the township to be more essential than fixing Acme's roads?

-- The state and county may be proposing more tax increases -- this is just the beginning.

-- There are alternative ways to fund road repairs in Acme other than the knee-jerk reaction to raise our taxes.

Just vote "no."

Glen Cavanaugh
Williamsburg

Retain Gary Appel

I urge voters to keep Gary Appel on our Traverse City Area Public Schools board because strong, intelligent leadership matters.

I served on a local non-profit board with Gary during the three years he served as president of the board. I was impressed with his leadership, work ethic and integrity.

During his tenure, our membership and programming expanded while our budget was always balanced. He was eager to innovate and helped us go in new directions as an organization.

I applaud his willingness to continue his community service on the TCAPS board of education. Please vote for Appel Nov. 3.

David Halperin
Traverse City