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Whether you currently are a member of the Institute or are thinking of becoming one, this is a forum to express your thoughts, opinions, and insights. Thanks to all the following writers for taking the time to contribute their much-appreciated letters to this page.
Fire of Leadership
I am a MLUI member. I just received the Winter 1999 issue of the Great Lakes Bulletin. It's another terrific issue. Congratulations! Excellent organization and writing.
I am very troubled by two articles in particular: your "From the Field" viewpoint describing DEQ misinformation tactics, and the one about how Macomb County has been forced to file a lawsuit against the DEQ. These incidents suggest an ugliness on the part of state regulators to their "opposition" that goes far beyond philosophical differences.
It is one thing for the DEQ to "slow walk" those issues they oppose, or assign them lower priority and funding. However, it is quite another to misrepresent the statement of facts, and even engage in illegal administrative rule-making.
I recently suggested to an old friend in Michigan's environmental and natural resource movement that "our cause" could stand for a stronger, more aggressive stance with state agencies. Her response was, "doing so would just leave that environmental organization left out of meetings and discussions." That attitude is as shocking to me as the DEQ actions you wrote about.
Waiting for term limits and the ballot box to correct what ails our state seems like a very slow, time-wasteful course of action. Are there any major newspaper columnists who might bite on a story like this? What course of action, if any, can our legislators take to ensure the proper governance of state agencies?
Do we really have to wait until John Engler is out of office? Say it ain't so!
With the exception ofGlen Sheppard and the North Woods Call, environmentalists/conservationists in Michigan seem to have lost all fire and are trying to learn the steps to "dance with the devil." Thank goodness MLUI has come along!
DAN KEIFER
Rochester Hills, MI
Forced Off the Land
I write to inquire if citizens of west Michigan have yet noticed the similarities between themselves and citizens of Burma and the Niger Delta Basin?
There, people are being overtaken and forced to relocate without apology or compensation to save themselves from the lethal fumes, flares, leaks, and releases of oil/gas regimes.
Worldwide there is a name for the activities of corporations who fund their own legislation and receive military support to defend their own interests, people be damned. Forced relocation without apology or compensation fits this term exactly. It is called basic human rights abuse.
American refugees, formerly of Hart, Michigan,
SUZANNE MURPHY AND FAMILY
Westboro, WI
Making Changes through Legal Action
Congratulations on the great Summer/Fall issue of your Great Lakes Bulletin. Of course, I especially enjoyed the section on oil/gas drilling. Also the "Bull Market" column. I have long thought that the DNR, DEQ, MPSC, and Science Board were all in the hip pocket of the drilling industry. We must keep up political pressure, but in the long run I think the only way to stop them is through legal action.
Again, congratulations to all your staff for a fine issue. Keep up the good work.
PAUL H. PARKS
Grand Haven, MI
Logical Approach to the Solution
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me last Friday. It was very interesting to learn firsthand of the activities and projects in which the Institute is involved. What an exciting place to work — in an area and community that has many vital needs and offers so many challenges.
Also, may I express my gratitude for the advice you offered to the attendees at the public hearing sponsored by the Frankfort Planning Commission. You may think that information was lost in all the "emotion" of the evening — but it was heard and appreciated by those who count! Your sensible statements gave the gathering the logical approach to the solution of this issue. And you presented it very well. As a concerned resident of Frankfort — thank you.
MARTHA SEINITZ
Frankfort, MI
It's a New Era
Thank you for leading us out of the dark ages of land mis-use. I have followed your leadership warning flags and have been singing your praises. My check is putting my money before my words and in support of yours. You are a pilgrim in this new era of sensibility.
A fine Board of Directors — Bob Sutherland — so well informed and courageous, ditto for Tim Young.
The Bulletin — intelligent, well-formatted — again, just darn good work.
If I can be of help; please call upon me. With gratitude and admiration,
CHRISTINE ARMBRECHT
East Grand Rapids, MI
Knowledge Is Power
Congratulations on your latest Great Lakes Bulletin. We are still pursuing our coordinated township planning, and I wish I could get all of our people to join MLUI or at least read your Bulletin. You people do a great job.
HANK WATERKAMP
Atlanta, MI
SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
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Great Lakes Bulletin
Michigan Land Use Institute
P.O. Box 228
845 Michigan Avenue
Benzonia, MI 49616
E-mail: <glb@mlui.org>
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