Thanks, Member!
Hi MLUI! I used the material you sent me -- enlarged some of the items -- and created a poster to display with the pamphlets, etc. I used the material at the Keep Michigan Beautiful conference held in Traverse City last October and brought awareness to MLUI!!
CASIMERA MILLER
Highland Twp., MI

Petoskey Bypass Would Pave Farmland
We would like to help support your cause. We have been doing what we could do ourselves to slow down this sprawl and poor use of land. We didn't know of your organization until Rick Kuner came to our town to talk about the proposed beltway around Petoskey. Our farm is in one of the routings (Intertown South). It is certainly upsetting to us to think of being taken over for a beltway, and to live near such a road is also equally upsetting. Enclosed find a check for what we feel we can afford. Other causes you are concerned with are also on our list of concerns.
MR. & MRS. WINFIELD J. SLUYTER
Petoskey, MI

Pots of Money for Roads
I am just a country boy wondering about local agencies like the Grand Traverse County Road Commission or our Grand Valley Metropolitan Council.
Why is it when they want to fund some sprawl engine like the Traverse City Bypass, the Grand Rapids South Beltline, or US- 31, they inevitably try to stick a big straw into the state and federal treasuries?
What is particularly annoying is that the same fellows who have entertained us for five years with "do more with less," "personal responsibility," and "community self-sufficiency," go insane when they see a pot of money in a distant capital.
See the 1997 gasoline tax increase to "fix the roads," enabling John Engler to bask in wild Rotarian applause over the South Beltline. See also how they pronounce "Washington" with a sneer -- except when they need a lot of money for a road project. Fiscal conservatism is essentially a lie.
I salute groups like the Michigan Land Use Institute that come in low and fast on enormities like the proposed Traverse City bridge and bypass.
G.M. ROSS
Lowell, MI

Contagious Endeavors
Thank you for the membership with the Michigan Land Use Institute. It is very thoughtful of you. I will continue to share your newsletter with the Headwaters Chapter [of Trout Unlimited] members.
I pray to God that you and your fellow associates will keep up the good work and your endeavors become contagious to all counties and areas in our great state and spread across the whole nation.
GEORGE BARKER
Gaylord, MI

Positive Initiatives
The Bulletin looks great. I await future issues. Besides keeping an eye on it for Utne Reader coverage, it helps me with some of my other writing. I'm doing a series for The Nation about positive political initiatives and a report for the Coalition for a Livable Future in Portland -- a group that links growth management issues with inner city issues.
Thanks for sending it.
JAY WALLJASPER
Editor-at-Large, Utne Reader
Minneapolis, MN

Get H2S Poison Out of Neighborhoods
I'm happy to renew my membership in your very important organization. I appreciate your continued help in dealing with the issues of Filer Township and around the state.
Your presence and speaking at our meeting here was also very much appreciated. The magazine is so informative. I look forward to receiving it.
GERRI DRAVES
Manistee, MI

Legislators' E-mail
I really enjoy the Great Lakes Bulletin, and appreciate the work you are doing. How about listing all the state officials' and legislators' e-mail addresses sometime to facilitate our contacting them on the various issues you are addressing? Thanks. Keep up the good work.
LARRY FARRIS
Three Rivers, MI
(via e-mail)

Thank you for your excellent suggestion. In the meantime, I can refer you to the Tools for Action page for a link to the Michigan State Legislature. Or, you could go directly to: <www.state.mi.us>. For a printed version, ask your state representative's office for a copy of "A Citizen's Guide to State Government." -Ed.

Kudos
Your organization is really becoming a voice of the people. Keep up the good work. And thanks to all of you fine people.
GEORGE & DORA WILLIS
Brighton, IL