Opinion

Weighing public safety with property rights

A long-planned tower which could improve communication coverage for emergency services is now under review in Leelanau Township. Since 2022, the county and township have been working together to move forward with tower plans, with several major actions taken such as the township passing a resolution urging the county to assist with their coverage shortfall. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM

Censorship has arrived

To the editor: Unbelievably, and in a break from past practices, local senior citizens were denied their right to obtain political and volunteer information from both Republicans and Democrats at last Tuesday’s Senior Expo held at Suttons Bay High School. The Expo promised to “bring in over 100 vendors showcasing the latest in information, resources, products, and services; giving you the tools to live a full life as you age.” The Republicans and Democrats were kicked out of the Expo, and school policy was given as the reason, even though it is nearly impossible to imagine that a school in Leelanau County has an anti-free speech policy. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Solar works

To the editor: Contrary to a recent forum article written by John Popa, my wife and I have relied on our solar arrays for several years no with satisfying results. With three separate installations we rarely have a net loss in our monthly bills. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Chasing the Northern Lights

Severe solar storms and dazzling Northern Lights displays have been gracing the skies of Michigan more than usual these past few months, and like so many other people amazed by the natural phenomena, I have been relishing every chance I get to see them. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Thumbs up, thumbs down

It’s time once again for the Leelanau Enterprise to award thumbs-up and thumbs-down to people, entities and events that have affected our county recently. The latest rain garden project at the corner of Waukazoo and Main Street in the Village of Northport wrapped up construction this month. The project was organized by The Watershed Center — Grand Traverse Bay and funded through an EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) grant. It’s also one of several green infrastructure projects completed since 2018 to help reduce village stormwater pollutants that would otherwise drain into Grand Traverse Bay. Drainage issues continue to be of concern throughout the village of Northport due to elevated water levels, but stormwater drainage solutions like rain gardens are steps in the right direction. Just in time for the busy summer months, the new addition of multiple wooden skateboard ramps have been set up at Braman Hill Recreation Area in Northport for visitors to enjoy for the season. Skatepark equipment has been on the list of things that the township has been wanting to invest in for several years. According to Leelanau Township’s 2022 parks and recreation plan, there’s been a desire to acquire more ramps and apparatus to improve the skate park. We’re hopeful the township will be able to invest in permanent solutions and amenities to the skatepark in the years ahead. Housing workshops were in full force over the past couple of weeks. Even though there aren’t any immediate options to fix the Leelanau Housing Crisis, at least some people are trying. Village of Empire signing a contract with Renovare Real Estate Development company based in Detroit for $70,000 to help purchase a new office. After not completing the goal, they are continuing with the contract to “collect data” and develop abandoned land for possible investors. Charter Communications recently announced that their fiber optic network buildout in Leelanau County has been completed, making their internet, mobile, TV, and voice services available to an additional 180 homes and businesses. Point Broadband’s larger-scale initiative continues to lag behind, but the company has provided a $3.2 million performance bond to the county as a guarantee they will reach 96% of 3,522 “unserved parcels/addresses” in the county by the end of 2024. The county’s senior services department held its 31st annual Senior Expo at Suttons Bay High School Tuesday, which was well attended. This event was one of the largest senior expos yet in terms of vendor participation, with 80 vendors scheduled to set up tables in the school gymnasium. Representatives of the Republican and Democrat parties were asked to leave the event by school administration citing policy that the facility cannot be used for political purposes. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

‘Progressive’ Bidenomics

To the editor: SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE: Groceries: +21.2% Eating out: +21% Baby food: +29.6% Pet food: +22.7% Rent: +20% Electricity: +28.4% Natural gas: +30% Apparel: +12% Used cars: +20.3% Air fare: +31.4% Public transportation: +20.8% Gasoline: +100% Car insurance: +40% Real average weekly wages: -4.2% Chris Lange Suttons Bay. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

‘Walks the walk’

To the editor: Kama Ross is doing good work as a county commissioner. She rarely, if ever, misses a meeting at the county, township or committee levels. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Support for childhood millage

To the editor: I’m often awed watching my 3-year-old grandson play; sometimes it feels like I can “see” his brain working! In fact, I am witnessing his developing brain! Research says the biggest growth spurt of the human brain is during the first 1,000 days of life — that’s when the most-used neural pathways are strengthened and those not used are pruned. Early life experiences, both healthy and traumatic, literally determine the physical architecture of a child’s brain — and consequently, have a major impact on future life outcomes. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Support senior millage

To the editor: On the Aug. 6, 2024 Primary Ballot is the renewal of the senior millage. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Vote Republican

To the editor: This election vote early for the former president who took no pay, not the guy who launders dirty foreign cash through 23 shell companies. Whose DOJ authorized deadly force raiding the home of his political opponent. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Support Childhood millage

To the editor: As a Licensed Professional Counselor with 40 years of experience working with children and adolescents, I believe that Early Childhood Development, age 0 through 5 is the most critical stage of development and forms the foundation for a child’s future,well being and ability to learn. Ninety percent of brain growth occurs after birth but before kindergarten. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

Grass removal by herd

To the editor: Massachusetts has been developing a lot of small and large solar field displays. But when the grass grows tall, it can block the sun from the solar panels. 06/19/2024 04:23 PM

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