According to the Daily Mining Gazette today, Mike Steber, principal of Washington Middle School in Calumet, is a total idiot. He's allowing his sixth graders to play soldier in Sidnaw when they should be in class: Sixth graders learn fitness, military skills.
Across the field, Cadet Rebecca Boyce leads a group of marchers into a rhythmic chant. "I want to hurt someone! I want to kill someone!" her diminutive ranks shout at full decibels. Boyce approves. "You guys are naturals," she says.
Across the field, Cadet Rebecca Boyce leads a group of marchers into a rhythmic chant. "I want to hurt someone! I want to kill someone!" her diminutive ranks shout at full decibels.
Boyce approves. "You guys are naturals," she says.
Where are the parents of these kids? They can't all be tobacco-chawing, low-life nincompoops. Or can they?
Thanks to the DMG and reporter Jane Nordberg for exposing this disgrace to the community! Mike Steber, you should look for a new job more suited to your talents, whatever those might be.
While we welcome the expression of all viewpoints on these pages, let's make sure that we don't let our passions get away from us. We're all neighbors here.
If Mr. Steber or any of the parents involved with the issue BeenThere brought up care to comment, we'd appreciate hearing their side of it too.
The liberal propaganda put out by the DMG sucked you people in again. You should know enough not to get fooled by that rag. The media in this country constantly undercuts our military, the only force that keeps us free from the heathen enemies who seek to destroy us. Shame on the DMG and shame on you for spreading their propaganda!
Our heathen enemies struck the first blow on 9/11, but you liberals and the liberal news media just don't seem to get that. Or you want them to win. One or the other.
Even 6th graders need to know about the world they live in, and they might be on the front lines in a few years. They should know what they're getting into. For your information, there is nothing unChristian about being a soldier, as you'd know if you read your Bible:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see his banners go! Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.
You can't be serious about the DMG being a liberal paper! It's a total mouthpiece for the right-wing establishment, for Bush, for attacking other countries, for pumping up the rich at the expense of the poor! There's no way that the DMG would go out of its way to print untrue propaganda against the military.
Not just liberals, but Bush supporters too, comprehend that it goes way over the line to teach 6th graders to march around saying "I want to kill someone!"
By the way, the song you posted is not from the bible. I guarantee that if Jesus were alive today he would not sing those words. And if you really knew your bible, you'd realize that.
The DMG reported today on the flap caused by its report Thursday of the inappropriate activities sponsored by Washinton Middle School of Calumet for its 6th graders: Nesbit program sparks debate. In addition to the apology of the Lt. Colonel in charge of ROTC at MTU, the longer story printed in the newspaper reported the surprise and regret of Mike Steber, principal of the school, who said he took lots of heat after the report. The basic facts of the matter were not disputed, however:
Lt. Col. Patrick Slowey, who oversees MTU's U.S. Army ROTC program, said he "deeply regretted what occurred" at the camp on Wednesday. "I don't doubt that what I read was accurate," he said. "My heartache is that this incident of poor judgment reflects poorly on an entire program."
Lt. Col. Patrick Slowey, who oversees MTU's U.S. Army ROTC program, said he "deeply regretted what occurred" at the camp on Wednesday.
"I don't doubt that what I read was accurate," he said. "My heartache is that this incident of poor judgment reflects poorly on an entire program."
The longer article made clear that both Mike Steber and Patrick Slowey absolve themselves of responsibility for what happened on the ground that they did not know what was going on under their commands. I find that appalling. It's every leader's job to know what goes on under his or her command. Nevertheless, failure of leadership is symptomatic of a serious problem in America today, in government, corporations, educational institutions, the armed forces, and charitable organizations.
Lots of people want the power of leadership, the prestige of leadership, the perquisites of leadership, and the paychecks of leadership. Few want to perform the duties of leadership nor to accept the responsibilities of leadership. This starts with our current president of the United States and continues right down the line.
As citizens, we need to begin demanding accountability from all of our leaders. The Camp Nesbit incident gives us a good place to start.
It looks like the DMG only pursued the story further because folks raised such a stink about what happened. Naturally the DMG tossed only softball questions at the people who screwed up. This place could really use some hard-hitting journalism!
Just watch, this will all blow over and nothing will be done. Except for one thing--they'll make damn sure no reporters see what they're up to in the future.
On Saturday the DMG published a representative letter from Daniel Wisti expressing the community's outrage over the Camp Nesbit disgrace. The DMG also published an editorial about the matter: Tech ROTC program badly misses mark. The editorial asked some basic questions:
Were parents notified beforehand? Were children allowed to not participate [sic] without censure? Who is responsible for this disaster?
Were parents notified beforehand?
Were children allowed to not participate [sic] without censure?
Who is responsible for this disaster?
But the DMG is a newspaper with reporters who are trained to ask such questions, find the answers, and inform readers. Why ask those questions rhetorically in an editorial instead of showing some initiative and digging out the answers for us? Is the DMG a real newspaper or a puff rag?
Come on, DMG, get out there and do your job!
The DMG has printed more letters to the editor regarding the "I want to kill" camp:
From Mary and Bill Bausano, Oxford, Ohio From Glenna Irwin, Jacobsville
From Mary and Bill Bausano, Oxford, Ohio
From Glenna Irwin, Jacobsville
No answers yet, though, to the rhetorical questions the DMG asked editorially on Saturday.
When I was young, we never worried about violent crime in the Keweenaw. Sadly, big-city crime is coming our way more and more: Man stabbed in Wal-Mart parking lot: "An unknown man slashed Houghton resident Arnold Landstrom's throat while he was in his car in the Wal-Mart parking lot shortly before 2:45 p.m."
How horrifying! What's happened to our way of life?
We are lucky to have people like Shirley Frantii to tell it like it is. Here is a link to her letter to editor of the DMG: http://www.mininggazette.com/letters/story/104202004_let02-l1004.asp.
All good, but especially this,
"All these facts led us to invade Iraq. President Bush, a man of integrity, and a born-again Christian, cannot take the blame for this war because it isn't his war."
Amen
Hallelujah!
Praise Jesus!
By the Light of the Silvery Crescent Moon...
Allah's On Board:
http://hometown.aol.com/martenharbor/hartclog2.doc
http://hometown.aol.com/martenharbor/hartclog2.pdf
Hang in there, Rock!
Coppernickus
Went to pick up a prescription and found the Medicine Shoppe closed temporarily. Argh. Got back and found this article in the online DMG--State shuts down Medicine Shoppe.
"The suspension is a result of audits of controlled substances that revealed significant shortages of OxyContin, Percocet and Percodan, and the Medicine Shoppe's failure to report to the MDCH the loss of those substances as required by the Public Health Code."
This is real bad news and I hope it's not like it looks.
Voters were pretty smart in two local elections: Newcomers take Hancock council race. In Hancock, drunk driver Jim Martin lost his seat and his mayor job. In Torch Lake township, Marlene Perrault won out over the liar who ran against her, Denise Lepisto.
Lepisto ran a filthy campaign and on the Saturday before the election she broke the law by putting flyers filled with smears in mailboxes without using postage. If Lepisto had won out over outspoken but honest Perrault, Peggy Lanctot would have resigned rather than work in the office with a crooked liar. That would have left the township in a bind. If the DMG was on the ball we'd be reading about all that, IMHO.
L2,
You must have a lot of good in you because you sure don't let it leak out very often. Must you attack children also?
moots
Birch Bark, I know what I'm talking about when it comes to Torch Lake township. Here is something right under your nose that would make a great story for Keweenaw Now, one of Michele Anderson's deep stories. I bet a lot more people would check out this site if she did that. Talk with Marlene and Peggy. Talk with Denise too, and Jim Rheault and his mother. Let Marlene and Peggy give you some names to talk to. I'm not joking, it would be the story of the year.
For years Jim and his mother have been assessing property and running the township. They assess their friends and buddies too low and screw the rest. They have tried to keep the records hidden at the farm to keep anyone from spilling the beans on them. Marlene has been standing up to them and that's why they are trying to get rid of her. Find out why Jim was fired from the bank. Report the whole thing. Watch the cockroaches run for cover. Oh it would be great!
The shooting started when two hunters returning to their rural cabin saw the suspect in one of their hunting platforms in a tree, Sawyer County Chief Deputy Tim Zeigle said. The platforms or ``tree stands'' allow hunters to see deer without being easily seen themselves. Both of those hunters were wounded and one of them radioed friends at the cabin a quarter-mile away. Other members of their group responded and they also were shot, he said. ``It's absolutely nuts. Why? Over sitting in a tree stand?'' asked Zeigle.
The shooting started when two hunters returning to their rural cabin saw the suspect in one of their hunting platforms in a tree, Sawyer County Chief Deputy Tim Zeigle said. The platforms or ``tree stands'' allow hunters to see deer without being easily seen themselves.
Both of those hunters were wounded and one of them radioed friends at the cabin a quarter-mile away. Other members of their group responded and they also were shot, he said.
``It's absolutely nuts. Why? Over sitting in a tree stand?'' asked Zeigle.
For more from this AP story:
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Hunters-Shot.html?hp&ex=1101186000&en=1327a69bb9bba1e5&ei=5094&partner=homepage
As I mentioned a week or so ago, people die every day for utterly trivial reasons.
I'm getting the same eerie vertigo I recall experiencing as a boy over and over again in the mid 1960's when another foreign war, as they sooner or later always seem to do, found its way violently homeward to take root in American soil.
Running has always been a reliable stress-reliever for me too, Scott.
I've been a regular ground pounder for nearly 30 years, and right now I need my usual 5 mile blow-out in a way I haven't felt for a long long time.
Thanksgiving cheer to you and yours,
CJ
CJ, I'm getting in as much running as I can before its time to switch to winter sports. I didn't run this morning though because of a cold drizzle, the kind I hate to run in. I wonder if the Hmong thing played into the shootings in Wisconsin, one way or another. Former Stockton man arrested in massacre.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Yesterday a signing ceremony heralded the administrations Great Lakes Regional Collaboration initiative: Officials Lay Groundwork for Cleanup of Great Lakes.
Dozens of officials from the United States and Canada signed a declaration on Friday that outlines a comprehensive plan to clean up the Great Lakes and the major waterways that feed them.
A democrat from Chicago, though, voiced objections to the standard Bush tactic of making nice-sounding plans without funding the implementation of those plans.
Representative Rahm Emanuel, a Chicago Democrat who has introduced legislation that would provide $4 billion over five years for essentially the same goals as those in the framework, said the new effort would fail without adequate money. The bill, a bipartisan effort sponsored by more than 100 House members, and a companion Senate bill are languishing in committee. In an interview, Mr. Emanuel criticized Mr. Bush as promising more money for Great Lakes cleanup projects, only to back off in his budget requests. Mr. Emanuel also said that the framework's goals and partners were virtually the same as those in an effort proposed in 2002 by Mr. Leavitt's predecessor, Christie Whitman.
Representative Rahm Emanuel, a Chicago Democrat who has introduced legislation that would provide $4 billion over five years for essentially the same goals as those in the framework, said the new effort would fail without adequate money. The bill, a bipartisan effort sponsored by more than 100 House members, and a companion Senate bill are languishing in committee.
In an interview, Mr. Emanuel criticized Mr. Bush as promising more money for Great Lakes cleanup projects, only to back off in his budget requests. Mr. Emanuel also said that the framework's goals and partners were virtually the same as those in an effort proposed in 2002 by Mr. Leavitt's predecessor, Christie Whitman.
Because of Bush's fiscal irresponsibility, it's not going to be possible to fund any new initiatives without stealing even more money from our children and grandchildren.
When Bush weighs the value of clean water and clean air against more welfare for the rich, he will always side with the rich. As Bush said five years ago, the "haves and have-mores" are "his base."
Been There
I don't like the Wal-Mart expansion either, but it's not going to go away. A meeting was held by local business people in reaction to the announced plans, but no significant opposition developed.
Houghton business people (led by Jack Swift) said they consider Wal-Mart to be a boon to them because it draws customers to Houghton away from the smaller surrounding towns.
It's truly a shame that Houghton allows local business people like the Campionis, who contribute so much to the community, to be hurt by the likes of Wal-Mart.
Some towns fight Wal-Mart, and some even do so successfully, as Charlevoix did this year. Now citizens in down-state Pittsfield Township have taken up the fight: Wal-Mart faces fight in Michigan township over proposed supercenter.
Two months ago, they formed Pittsfield Community First. It has generated 200 letters and 1,000 petition signatures from residents who want Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to stay out of Pittsfield Township. "We are a small, homey town," said member Lisa Bergman. "Wal-Mart will forever change that."
Two months ago, they formed Pittsfield Community First. It has generated 200 letters and 1,000 petition signatures from residents who want Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to stay out of Pittsfield Township.
"We are a small, homey town," said member Lisa Bergman. "Wal-Mart will forever change that."
With the active support of the Houghton business people, though, the Wal-Mart SuperCenter was welcomed with open arms and incentives.
I meant to comment on this article before, but forgot to do so: President Bush's 2006 budget cuts vital funds, adds trillions to debt.
President Bush's 2006 budget is simply irresponsible. It cuts vital funds for health care, homeland security, education, jobs and veterans' programs and adds trillions to our nation's debt over coming years.
Whatever your political view, the only word you could possibly quibble with in the last sentence above is "vital." The cuts are in the President's budget and so are the increases to the debt that President Bush wants to push off onto our children and grandchildren.
You can read Congressman Stupak's list of "vital" funding items that President Bush wants to cut to see if you agree with the congressman's classification. I, personally, do agree that some of the cuts he lists are to programs that are vital to our nation and community.
But whatever spending programs you consider vital, don't you agree that we should be paying our way with our own tax money, rather than piling the bill for our perceived needs onto our children and grandchildren? Surely fiscal responsibility should not be a partisan issue.
TM,
Perhaps some people from the Port Huron area should take a walk around the Houghton Wal-Mart, as well as the substitute wetlands set up in the Houghton stamp sands, to see what they are in for.
Anyone remember Matson's rootbeer stand? It was on the corner of the highway where the mall now stands. Then came Pamida & Big Saver (currently known as Festival Foods) and the small stores and groceries began shutting down. Along came the mall and K-mart. Then came Shopko and Walmart, and Pamida and K-mart disappeared. Soon the whole gray hulk known as the CC mall will be a ruin, as will probably the Big Saver - relics of time like the Quincy mine shaft. Today people almost remember the mall in its youth with a sense of nostalgia. One day we may be remembering Walmart as a quaint store unable to change with the times. What comes around goes around. Maybe Matson's rootbeer stand will be rebuilt on its ruins.
Because it's easier now for people to skip by the incessant annoying commercials on network TV, advertisers with deep pockets are starting to sponsor "entertainment" shows that are actually commercials in disguise. Taking the lead on this? Sears and Wal-Mart: Wal-Mart's New Realm: Reality TV.
Wal-Mart, seeking additional ways to burnish its tarnished image, is turning to a new realm: reality TV. For the first time, Wal-Mart Stores is becoming a major sponsor of a reality television show, by signing a branded-entertainment agreement with ABC for "The Scholar," a summer series that begins a six-week run on Monday night. Wal-Mart will be woven into the plots of episodes of the show, which is centered on a competition among 10 high school seniors from across the country for a grand prize of a full college scholarship, valued at $250,000, covering tuition and expenses.
Wal-Mart, seeking additional ways to burnish its tarnished image, is turning to a new realm: reality TV.
For the first time, Wal-Mart Stores is becoming a major sponsor of a reality television show, by signing a branded-entertainment agreement with ABC for "The Scholar," a summer series that begins a six-week run on Monday night. Wal-Mart will be woven into the plots of episodes of the show, which is centered on a competition among 10 high school seniors from across the country for a grand prize of a full college scholarship, valued at $250,000, covering tuition and expenses.
How long will it be before politicians--and the government itself--follow suit? Stay tuned.
The DMG published a great letter from John Griffith yesterday: Edit missed mark.
To suggest that there is controversy about global warming is like saying there is some confusion about whether the earth is round or flat, or if men actually walked on the moon, or if there really was a Holocaust. While it is true that one can always find the crackpot fringe to make statements contrary to all facts and evidence, such opinions certainly do not deserve recognition in the newspaper. There are not two valid sides to every issue, although there is never a shortage of diverse opinions on any topic.
To suggest that there is controversy about global warming is like saying there is some confusion about whether the earth is round or flat, or if men actually walked on the moon, or if there really was a Holocaust.
While it is true that one can always find the crackpot fringe to make statements contrary to all facts and evidence, such opinions certainly do not deserve recognition in the newspaper. There are not two valid sides to every issue, although there is never a shortage of diverse opinions on any topic.
Every competent adult in the world acknowledges the truth of the points John makes. The carbon dioxide we pour into the atmosphere traps heat--that's a physical reality. None of the crackpots arguing against global warming offers a credible explanation of how he thinks the trapped heat escapes from our atmosphere.
The "me generation" Bush administration and its toadies (national, state, and local) work to suppress the facts because they put their own profits and short-term political gains ahead of the health and safety of our children and grandchildren.
As part of its disinformation campaign against the environment, the Bush administration employs editors to distort scientific reports before they are released: Bush Aide Softened Greenhouse Gas Links to Global Warming.
A White House official who once led the oil industry's fight against limits on greenhouse gases has repeatedly edited government climate reports in ways that play down links between such emissions and global warming, according to internal documents. In handwritten notes on drafts of several reports issued in 2002 and 2003, the official, Philip A. Cooney, removed or adjusted descriptions of climate research that government scientists and their supervisors, including some senior Bush administration officials, had already approved. In many cases, the changes appeared in the final reports.
A White House official who once led the oil industry's fight against limits on greenhouse gases has repeatedly edited government climate reports in ways that play down links between such emissions and global warming, according to internal documents.
In handwritten notes on drafts of several reports issued in 2002 and 2003, the official, Philip A. Cooney, removed or adjusted descriptions of climate research that government scientists and their supervisors, including some senior Bush administration officials, had already approved. In many cases, the changes appeared in the final reports.
In other words, Bush is using tax money--much of it stolen from our children and grandchildren by his irresponsible fiscal policies--to conceal the destruction of the world that our children and grandchildren will eventually inherit. And the corporate media, including our DMG, is willing to assist Bush in doing so.
Well.......I heard through the grapevine that "the good 'ole boys" got their way again tonight. One of "their" guys was elected by the Torch Lake board!! When will this stop?? Looks like they have plenty to hide and preserve for as long as possible but I for one, am tired of it. Can people really be so blind or not care that these people's taxes are SO out of wack and that's the real motivation behind their tactics? They don't give a darn about the Township as a whole. Would love to know what goes on behind the scenes to make sure they get their way. I think we really need to take a good look at this group and find a way to stop it so the Township can be one that is equal to all. I think this new supervisor is just another puppet. He won't/can't stand up to anyone. What's this about the school being shorted close to two teachers salaries??
Glad to see others concerned about this mess. Some of my neighbors voted for the recall thinking that was the way to keep their own taxes low, they think I'm looney for arguing so strongly the other way. One thing they said over and over was that the board was wasting $89,000 on unneeded reassessments and that the assessor they hired is in legal trouble already.
You have to think that people getting unfair tax breaks are the ones dead set agin changes. With the TL records such a big mess, nothing would surprise me. I can't imagine why those being screwed didn't raise a bigger stink about this recall.
I think its time for me and others to attend township meetings every time and make sure the spotlight is on everything that happens. Ignorance might be bliss but it sure makes for bad gummint. I was hoping Michele would report on TL before the election. I'd still like her to do some stories on TL.
In the overall scheme of things, Torch Lake township is a tempest in a teapot. Your troubles give the rest of us something to laugh at.
Seriously, I have every confidence you'll fix it up. In the meantime, when our townships do something stupid, we can console ourselves by thinking, "At least we don't live in Torch Lake."
Yes, the Michigan law regarding recalls is very poor. But no one can force a voter to cast a stupid vote even if the recall election is itself stupid. We always get what we deserve.
Why not work harder to defeat the recall before the voting instead of crying about it afterwards?
Been There.....you must not live in the Keweenaw or follow the Gazette, either by subscription or on-line. Or listen to the radio for that matter! There WAS an extensive campaign to stop the recall. I followed all of this garbage throughout the Spring and Summer. I asked questions, looked for things to back up what was being said etc. etc. I went directly to sources....hear-say wasn't going to do it for me. I looked at both sides. What I see is that the Coalition has some powerful and very influential individuals that will say and do whatever is necessary to get what they want. They resorted to outright lies and pressured people (easily documented), but the residents took the coalition's word as gold. You know the old saying....perception is reality. Well that really held true in this case. People perceived the coalition leaders as being honest and forthright. A little digging shows that is far from the truth. They seem to have more to hide and protect than we ever realized.
I totally disagree with you that people get what they deserve. Totally disagree. But what I do firmly believe is that things happen for a reason. I am sure that will be the case in this situation too. Stay tuned!!
Politics can be a dirty game but I for one am proud that the ladies of Torch Lake didn't succumb to the tactics of the coalition. Seems they made their decision to either resign or to stick to the facts and keep things positive.These gals can keep their heads held high and sleep at night knowing they have nothing to be ashamed of, no regrets!
Let's hope we have all learned a thing or two through this whole mess.
Cooker and Birds Eye,
I don't claim to know a lot about Torch Lake politics. But I certainly do live on the Keweenaw Peninsula year-round, and have read some articles about the Torch Lake situation in the DMG. I don't recall reading that 3 powerful families control Torch Lake politics.
I surmise that the Rheault family is one of those you mean. What are the other two families? And how can people be intimidated by those families when voting is done by secret ballot?
Or do you mean that those families are so powerful that people in Torch Lake township don't dare speak the truth about them even when talking privately with their friends? Are those families so powerful that the DMG and WMPL are both afraid to spill the beans?
How did Jim Rheault lose last year if his family is one of those controlling Torch Lake politics?
On these boards, the subject of Torch Lake did not heat up until after the recall election was over. That's why it struck me that folks fussing about the result were not riled up enough before the election to stop that unfortunate result from happening.
We Get What We Deserve
In my opinion, it's axiomatic that we get the leaders we deserve because we live in a representative democracy. If enough people vote for effective and honest leaders, effective and honest leaders we get.
When we get ineffective and dishonest leadership, it's always because a majority voting coalition forms that comprises two distinct groups of people:
From what you have posted, it seems clear that Torch Lake is in that situation now. But so is our nation as a whole.
The Constant Battle
Those two forces, the crooked and the ignorant, will always be with us to one degree or another. The rest of us get what we deserve when we fail to keep the spotlight trained on the crooked and when we fail to do whatever it takes to lift people around us from their ignorance.
Been There,
You make some very excellent points. I can't speak for Birds Eye or J. Russell but I just found this web site. A group of twelve people worked very hard in the month before the recall vote. They found the "good old boys" had ready-made workers in the Bootjack Fire Dept. and Foundation. The worst part was the lies they published the Sat. before the vote. They were easily provable but it was too late to print the township minutes that were the proof. Strange how the masses will follow lies. The flip-flop of Dube and Cadwell was hard to understand or publish at such a late date. Another obstacle was Elsa Mugford's insisting that the high ground be maintained and that no one repesenting her stoop to the level of the oppostion. It would have been easy to show how both Dube and Cadwell had openly (and in the Gazette) supported Elsa and Cadwell had agreed to do radio commercials for her. Instead of doing that or discussing his change of mind with her, he turned around and did radio ads for the opposition! Dube made the same commercials for the opposition. Neither of those individuals had the courage to tell Elsa or talk to her about their flip flop.
You've named one of the three very powerful families.
Thanks for your ideas. They help.
I'm disgusted that on the eve of the DMG edition featuring a story on the tragic death of its young sports editor, there are posts lambasting the newspaper for slanted and incomplete coverage. This is your local newspaper and Jeff Arnold served his beloved Copper Country well. Lay off for a day. Please. Prayers of healing to his family and the dedicated Gazette staff who have lost a dear friend.
JMatthew,
Everyone I know regrets the loss of the DMG's Jeff Arnold.
In my opinion, the DMG would best honor his memory by taking on the mission of reminding drivers frequently of the importance of wearing seat belts when driving. Perhaps that would avert similar tragedies in the future.
I sure hope the DMG publishes whatever facts they know instead of just admitting that there is "a lot more than meets the eye."
Maybe constant public attention to matters in TL will help clean things up. If that fails we'll have to figure out what to do about it. It's great to know that others out there are just as concerned as I am.
JMatthews, sorry for your loss but I think you overreacted just a bit. No one was talking about sports. Sheesh!
Great Scott and Birds Eye,
Any ideas on how we could organize a group that is interested in exposing the inequities that have existed in Torch Lake Township for years and need to be corrected? Too many residents seem to be afraid to be identified. This fear needs to be addressed. The wrongdoings WILL be uncovered but we need to work together and get things done rather than just talk. "Truth is always the victor."
A couple dozen came to the TL board meeting last night, some skipping dinner as the starting time has been moved to 6 p.m. Tax fairness in taxation was on the minds and tongues of most, and Brian Cadwell said he was interested in fair taxes too. He said that he could not fix what was done wrong 3 or 5 years ago, but that he wants to make it right going forward. We'll see.
It looks like quite a few of us will be watching to make sure.
Great Scott,
Was there any mention of the White City boat launch repair at the Torch Lake township meeting? Have they dropped that issue since the Coalition so successfully dumped Elsa Mugford? That would be a shame since the work is so badly needed and Elsa worked so hard to get the grant. Maybe the "in" group doesn't want it since it was Elsa who did the work? That would be a shame since so many of us go out there to use the park and boat launch. The present board and its behind-the-scenes-manager had better get with it and start working for ALL of us. THE fire dept. and its foundation are great but there are other issues needing attention, too.
So Cadwell SAYS he is interested in fair taxes. But why wouldn't the Supervisor want to go back and correct what CAN be corrected over the last 3-5 years....however you have to go back way further than that to really see when all of the corruption started. I am watching to see how he handles our present tax assessor. I hope Cadwell is supporting him but I have my doubts. Mr. Botto took a beating at the meeting and Cadwell let the speaker go on and on. What's up with that? We finally have an independent assessor in there that has unveiled the wrong doings/unequal taxation that has gone on for over 20 years under the past two assessors. People want fair taxation but those that have benefited from years of favoritism are now crying and saying it's the new assessors fault. It took over 20 years for 2 assessors to put us in this position, it won't be corrected over night! People WANT all of the benefits of fair taxes but aren't willing to pay their fair share. If they decide to replace Botto, we ALL need to let Cadwell know we will NOT support hiring a Torch Lake Twp. resident/tax payer for that position. We need an unbiased, fair and accountable person, like we have right now! The sad state our Twp. is in is directly due to in-house representation. Let's get this straightened out once and for all. I'd say let Botto do his job and have the Board deal with the many other issues. What is the status of the roads and boat launch? Maybe I missed something but I haven't heard anything lately.
You hit the nail on the head, Birds Eye. In fact you hit several. Where are all the people that should be up-in-arms over our present board and its supervisor? It sure sounds like a cookie-cutter board. Since they have been in power I understand that there has been only ONE vote that wasn't unanimous. The previous board, at least, had individual opinions. I think the current supervisor gets his voting instructions and then passes them on to the other board members. There's not even intelligent discussion on issues, from what I hear. Let's hope Great Scott continues to monitor the meetings for us.
I've heard that Cadwell already has Mr. Botto's successor chosen. Is that giving Botto a fair chance? Do they just want someone who will do as told instead of doing what is right? There is much to be uncovered and we can't let the current board find an assessor who will continue to sweep the past dirt under the rug. It's time for the tax payers to say, "Enough! Give us fairness and equality."
Cooker,
You asked:
Where are all the people that should be up-in-arms over our present board and its supervisor?
Speaking as an outsider, I wonder if you've considered the possibility that most Torch Lake people are happy with the Cadwell and the current board. No official ever pleases everyone, but it appears to me that the vast majority there are satisfied with things as they stand.
Anyone unhappy with the current arrangement had an opportunity to run for the open seat in the November 8 election. Unless I'm way off the mark, none of the posters here decided to contest that seat.
Contrast that with the actions of the people who were actually dissatisfied with the previous board. They got off their backsides and changed things to their liking. They worked hard and got what they wanted. Driving along M26 at the time, my impression was that many more people had signs out supporting the recall than not.
Sure it's right to keep an eye on what the board does--that's always the right thing to do. But the fact of the matter is that no one was actually unhappy enough to do something to change its makeup.
As I've said before, we get the government we deserve. And I say that as someone who--the vast majority of the time--has to live in a country with leadership I know to be completely unworthy.
That's life in a representative democracy. And I wouldn't have it any other way.