To the editor:
Thank you for prominently reporting on the Cleveland Township Board’s discussion of SBHT Segment 9 at its August meeting. Their discussion was in preparation for voting on an action item at September’s meeting on whether the Township should re-enter active conversations with the NPS about the trail. Reading that the Township is offering to bring sanity to the debate on this trail is a great relief. First, the Board focused on the exorbitant cost of this particular segment: over $15.5 million for 4.2 miles of bike trail, for which there is questionable need and projected light usage. Isn’t there a word for that kind of public project: “boondoggle?” Second, the Board brought sanity to the discussion when it affirmed that the planned bike trail ends at CR-651 - note, not at Good Harbor Beach, but at Good Harbor Rd, only a few yards from M-22! Suddenly dumping bikers onto a narrow, berm-less forest road does not make rational sense. The Board returned sanity to the discussion when it suggested saving $10 million by constructing the SBHT from its current terminus north on already berm-rich Bohemian Rd (CR-669) to the beach at Lake Michigan Rd. with its parking areas, picnic tables, and restroom facilities. From that point, traveling east or west, visitors will find two other beaches with facilities, and they can also find hiking trails and a wilderness lake. Thanks to the Enterprise for reporting on the Township’s efforts to bring sanity to this plan.
Doug Jones Maple City Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
