Park budget slashed, seat left vacant

A conference table fills most of the office formerly occupied by retired 20-year Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore deputy superintendent Tom Ulrich, who has not worn a uniform since last summer.

The table won’t be replaced by a desk anytime soon. A budget cut and inflation are the reasons.

“With the current budget, I couldn’t fill the position,” explained Lakeshore superintendent Scott Tucker. “We’re going to leave it open this year even though I had 21 very qualifi ed candidates. I had to make a difficult decision.”