Traverse City Record-Eagle

Election 2007

November 2, 2007

Letters At Issue: Elections: 11/01/2007

We depend on BATA

I am writing in regard to the support of the Bay Area Transportation Authority and the millage renewal.

I don't drive, and I depend on the BATA bus for transportation.

I hope and pray they will be able to continue with their excellent service and their friendly, helpful drivers.

A "yes" vote on Nov. 6 would be appreciated.

Irene Kazarian
Traverse City

Will serve the citizens

It's a clear choice for Traverse City voters in Tuesday's election.

Simply put, if you like unnecessary parking decks paid for with public money, high taxes and neglected streets, then you should vote for the incumbents.

But if you think it's possible to have a city commission that will work together and listen to our concerns, please vote for Michael Estes, Jim Carruthers and Barbara Budros.

These three outstanding individuals will serve the interests of the citizens and the neighborhoods we live in.

Ross Richardson
Traverse City

He cares about the city

Michael Estes is a person of strong moral character. He is a person who cares deeply about his family. He is a person who cares deeply about Traverse City. Michael has worked tirelessly for non-profit organizations as has Rhonda, his wife of 33 years. Michael's leadership skills, combined with his caring nature, will unite city residents and business. Residents will finally be heard. Businesses will benefit. Vote for a vibrant city. Vote for Michael Estes for mayor.

Maribel LaLonde
Traverse City

Candidate is a leader

I have worked with Scott Hardy for the last several years. I have found him to be fair, honest and, most importantly, a leader. I have seen the same qualities in Scott as he deals with city issues. I would urge you to vote for Scott for city commission.

Tim Pulliam
Traverse City

Vote for a difference

If Traverse City voters want a Federated parking deck, vote for Smyka. If Traverse City voters want to rob money from their Brown Bridge trust fund, vote for Smyka. If Traverse City voters want their tax dollars dedicated to two blocks of downtown, vote for Smyka. If Traverse City voters want what they already have, then vote for Smyka.

I don't. I am voting for Michael Estes.

Rob Wylie
Traverse City

Need action

Traverse City residents have the opportunity to tell Linda Smyka that what she is doing isn't working. We have had five years of budget deficits. We have disintegrating streets and sidewalks. When the voters reject the Brown Bridge Trust Fund initiative, we will still have disintegrating streets and sidewalks.

Smyka's bureaucratic solution is a citizen's committee charged with prioritizing (cutting) services. She isn't getting us our money's worth. She doesn't believe we can cut bureaucratic fat. She doesn't believe we can get more for less. We need someone who believes and will act. We need Michael Estes.

Sue Hooper
Traverse City

A tremendous asset

Jim Carruthers is a tremendous asset to the citizens of Traverse City, and will be even more so if elected to the city commission. He is dedicated to making Traverse City a place where all feel they have a say in the future of their city. Responsible development in keeping with our master plan, clean water, resolution of parking and traffic issues in a way that will heal the divisiveness that has pervaded previous attempts at solutions -- all while maintaining our small town ambiance -- is a tall order, but one that Jim will do his best to fulfill.

Elizabeth Whelan
Traverse City

They have a vision

We can make a huge difference Tuesday by electing Michael Estes, Jim Carruthers and Barbara Budros to the city commission.

These three are focused on our concerns. They believe the guy who sweeps the street is just as important as the hotshot out-of-town developer schmoozing for a sweetheart deal on yet another project of dubious merit.

I want to see Traverse City governed by people with vision; people I trust, people who will see that every tax dollar is spent as wisely as I'd spend it myself.

Estes, Carruthers and Budros have that vision. They deserve our vote.

Ann Laurence
Traverse City

Most qualified

When you hire for an opening in your company, you seek the most qualified candidate. When you elect a board of education member, elect the most qualified candidate -- Chuck Curtiss. Chuck has multiple degrees and work experience that directly relate to the issues facing Traverse City schools: funding, marketing, guidance, industry analysis, creative solutions.

I support Chuck Curtiss for the school board and ask you to help Chuck use his experience to support TCAPS.

Nicol McNitt
Traverse City

Professional expertise

Got change? Got Chuck? Learn the professional expertise Chuck Curtiss can bring to Traverse City Schools at www.chuckfortcaps.com. See the thorough analysis and thought Chuck has put into TCAPS and the issues it faces. Vote for Chuck Curtiss and give him the opportunity to positively impact our district for our children.

Natalie Terrell
Traverse City

Become informed

Bertha Vos parents were vocal, but the problems illuminated were never about just Bertha Vos. It put a magnifying glass on district problems. It's critical to have board members who support discussion, analyze facts, examine recommendations and evaluate the administration. If we sweep this most recent lack of scrutiny under the carpet, what segment of students will be affected with the next decision that lacks thorough and proper analysis?

Visit lwvgta.org and saveberthavos.com for Traverse City Schools board of education candidate information and tcaps.net for millage information. Become informed and vote confidently.

Beth Friend
Traverse City

Candidate is 'openly' fair

The recent letter-writer who described Jim Carruthers as an "openly gay candidate" added nothing to the city commission election, except the writer's own bias. I have sat with Jim at numerous city meetings, and what he is "openly" about is this -- he is "open" about his love for Traverse City; "open" about cutting taxes while maintaining city services; "open" about common sense; "open" about government accountability.

Dear writer, don't fret. Jim Carruthers is, above all, "openly fair" and he will represent you as if you were "openly not bigoted."

Grant W. Parsons
Traverse City

Respectful candidate

In August 2006, city residents voted by a 2 to 1 margin to deny city financing for the proposed Federated parking deck. The insult to city voters followed when Mayor Smyka, at a city commission meeting, said that if residents had known all of the facts surely they would have voted in favor of the proposal. I'm sorry, but I knew exactly why and what I voted against. People in this community do make educated voting decisions. During this election I'll be working for and voting for Michael Estes. I know he'll be respectful of my intelligence and my vote.

Christine Blackledge
Traverse City

Dedication, integrity

I encourage you to vote for Barbara Budros for city commissioner of Traverse City. Ms. Budros is the volunteer chair of the board of directors of Conflict Resolution Services (CRS). As a fellow board member, I have worked with her for the past 18 months. Donating hundreds of hours every year, she has ensured that CRS remains strong and continues to safeguard our community through its volunteer mediation and facilitation services. She will bring that same dedication to the city commission and serve with integrity representing the best interests of both the residents and the business owners.

Shannon LeJeune
Traverse City

Outstanding background

Marjie Rich offers Traverse City residents a unique opportunity to cast their vote for excellence in public school education. She not only has children in Traverse City schools, but she is a person who is truly concerned about all children and about establishing a reputation for Traverse City to be known as a community where quality education is a priority and not just a cliche. Her platform and background are outstanding. Please check out her Web site at www.richfortcaps.com. And do yourself and your community a favor: Vote for Marjie Rich for TCAPS school board on Tuesday.

Bill Hansen
Williamsburg

Experience, knowledge

As a teacher, I see the impact of the decisions our community makes in the classroom every day.

We have some of the best public schools in the state, but they will either thrive or falter based on the choices we continue to make.

This Tuesday we have another opportunity to shape our schools' future for the better. I will be voting for the TCAPS millage renewal and Kirt Kilbourne for school board.

Kirt has the experience, knowledge, honesty and character to make the right choices for our students. I hope my fellow educators will join me in supporting him.

Colleen M. Hart
Traverse City

A deserving candidate

Whenever I run into my friend Jim Carruthers, we end up talking about local issues. Whether it's the parking deck, taxes, human rights concerns, the environment, the open space, tctv2, the zoo or the other parking deck, there is a common theme. Jim is on the side of the regular citizens, the ones who (to quote George Bailey) "do most of the working and paying and living and dying in this community."

He'll keep working for us at city commission meetings, no doubt. Let's put him on the other side of the microphone. He deserves it. Traverse City deserves him.

Jerry O'Hearn
Traverse City

Food for thought

I've been thinking, with the elections next week, of all the controversial issues that have passed before current and recent commissions. I'm not going to suggest that there were good outcomes or bad outcomes for residents and taxpayers. See if you remember how you felt and keep score.

Federated's parking deck. Hagerty's parking deck. Hardy parking deck. City suing Jeff Nixon and losing. City losing Wayne Hill suit to residents. Lawsuits over Ramsdell. Fairway Hills. Bart's Barbecue. Building heights. Jason Allen. The zoo. Clover Festival. Boats on the beach. Poop on beach. Commissioner Anne Melichar.

Enough! Vote Estes, Carruthers, Budros.

Rick Buckhalter
Traverse City

Fine reputation

Why Barbara Budros?

In the last election I worked with Barbara Budros in her bid as judge. Not winning, as runner-up she was there thanking people for giving her sign privilege, still answering questions. The choice to elect someone that the word "commitment" means something to, her city, children's schools and community is "her way of life."

Barbara has a fine reputation in the legal community where employed. She has thoughts on taxes, Brown Bridge Trust Fund withdrawal, fairness and yes, "listening" is important. (Parking structures, other matters.)

Please vote for Barbara Budros for Traverse City commissioner.

Barbara J. Bradford
Bellaire

Kept the city running

My husband and I are voting to re-elect Scott Hardy to the city commission.

Scott, along with mayor Linda Smyka and commissioner Ralph Soffredine, have kept our city on an even keel during difficult economic times in Michigan. Although I may not agree with Scott on every issue, he will continue to give us his honest and objective consideration of all questions before the city commission.

Please cast your vote to re-elect Scott Hardy Tuesday.

Ida Tompkins
Traverse City

The best candidate

Please join me in voting for Ralph Soffredine for city commission Tuesday. As a lifelong resident of Traverse City, I have seen the city commission work through various stages of ups and downs. Ralph Soffredine has the vision to get the job done right. His vast amount of local experience makes him the best candidate for the job. Vote for Soffredine on Nov. 6.

Michael Strom
Traverse City

Keep schools operating

The Traverse City Schools host numerous community and school group events throughout the entire year. The West Senior High building is almost never quiet. In the month of October our facility was used for the Dyslexia Association tutoring, community instrument exchange, Jackson Katz presentation, band, symphony and choir concerts, church services, the House of Hope fundraiser and two Forgotten Man dinners.

These activities were scheduled in addition to the high school's daily athletic, debate, theater and wellness evening and weekend events. We need to keep our schools maintained and open. Please vote to renew the TCAPS millage.

Chris Esper
Traverse City

The writer is Traverse City West Senior High librarian.

Thoughtful, intelligent

Marjie Rich has been passionate about education in the Grand Traverse region ever since we've known her. Through the years we've known her, she has always put issues pertaining to public education foremost, even in casual conversation. Her many volunteer efforts have improved the quality of the schools she's touched immensely, and her more recent work on district-wide initiatives are the logical outcome of the passion she's embodied for our schools.

Thoughtful, intelligent, open-minded, inquisitive and fair, Marjie will be an excellent representative for the parents and students of our district.

Mark and Suzanne VanderKlipp
Traverse City

A proven leader

Michael Estes states that if elected, he will cut expenses. Mayor Smyka is in the process of addressing costs now. A citizens' panel has been formed to study city services and how the city does business. How does Mr. Estes propose to cut expenses? Does he already know what is best for the residents of Traverse City? Isn't it a basic premise of democracy for the people to advise elected leaders on the proper use of their money? Can we trust someone who believes he alone knows what is best for Traverse City? Vote for a proven leader. Vote Smyka.

Chris Grenda
Traverse City

Safe transportation for all

The Bay Area Transportation Authority is a lifeline for so many vulnerable people in this community. As a more than 20-year rider of BATA, Mandy, along with many persons unable to drive, would not be able to work and thrive within this community. Keep the buses rolling for all those so in need of safe, affordable transportation to work, shopping, doctors and all those destinations many of us drive to with never a thought of what we would do if we couldn't drive. Please vote "yes" for BATA.

Linda and Mandy Joppich
Interlochen

The leadership we need

Mayor Linda Smyka has displayed the kind of inclusive leadership that Traverse City has needed. She is a skilled and patient facilitator and ensures that all sides of an issue are heard and questions answered. She gives equal consideration to the needs of both the business community and city residents and often provides historical or background information to help make commission deliberations more incisive.

Unlike her opponent, who focuses only on what's wrong with Traverse City, Linda has the experience and vision to help us find productive solutions for our community's challenges.

Vote for Smyka for mayor on Nov. 6.

Jan Warren
Traverse City

Leader for a growing city

Traverse City has always been a wonderful place to live and raise a family. Part of the reason it is such a great city is the vital and diverse downtown area. Unlike other towns in Michigan whose downtowns are slowly dying, or worse, too dangerous to visit, Traverse City is growing and is a drawing point for new residents, businesses and jobs. A mayor who understands the needs for a vital downtown and can bring about continued growth to the entire city is a mayor the city needs. Re-elect Mayor Smyka.

Jessica Grenda
Traverse City

Committed to the children

When I consider the candidates for Traverse City school board, I am looking for someone who has already demonstrated a commitment to our community and to our children in particular.

Kirt Kilbourne has been fighting for fair educational funding through "Citizens for Equity." Kirt also served as chairman of the board of the Northwest Michigan Red Cross for four years. He and his wife Laura are very active at Willow Hill, their children's school.

There are many issues facing the district at this time. Let's elect someone with a broad agenda. Vote for Kirt Kilbourne.

Nancy Pihlcrantz
Traverse City

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