For better roads
On Tuesday we have the opportunity to make a positive change in our community. By voting "yes" for the road millage, we can begin to fix our local roads, which will lead to higher property values, lower car repair costs, and, most importantly, safer roads for our families and loved ones.
We have all complained about these roads -- the deterioration and the mammoth potholes. We can't continue simply putting a Band-Aid over a hemorrhaging wound -- our roads need to be fixed. See through all of the negativity and vote "yes" for better roads!
Stephanie Rowe
Traverse City
Don't let it happen
No one likes a tax increase, but there comes a time when it becomes necessary. Our roads are in desperate need of repair and the only way to remedy the situation is to have them redone.
Neighborhoods decline because people who live in them let it happen. Please don't let it happen here. Vote "yes" on roads.
Don Davis
Traverse City
Two leaders
Having served for 14 months on the Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee with Michael Gillman and MaryAnn Moore, I'm enthusiastically endorsing both for city commission. The mission of COFAC was to study everything the city is involved in to determine if it can done more efficiently, less expensively, or both. The final 100-page report is available through the city clerk's office.
During the thousands of hours spent on this project a few leaders emerged who could meld the differing opinions into a cohesive final product. Moore and Gillman are two such leaders.
Rick Shimel
Traverse City
Small-town values
Three candidates for Traverse City Commission will work hard to restore transparency and "small-town values" to our local city government. The three are Jody Bergman, Mike Gillman and MaryAnn Moore.
I will be voting for these three individuals Tuesday. I hope you will, too.
Jim Tompkins
Traverse City
The writer is a former Traverse City clerk and mayor.
What is the 'lie'
The "Fix Our Roads" committee is campaigning for new, improved secondary roads in East Bay Township. Members of this group are among the most decent, honest folks I know. So I was surprised at the wording on the opposition's signs that reads "Don't Believe The Lie."
My question to the opposition: What "lie" are you referring to? Many of us are curious to know. Would the opposition to the Fix Our Roads Committee please clarify the "lie" by writing a response to this letter?
Please don't sidestep this question: What is the "lie"?
Vita K. Morse
Traverse City
A good investment
As a resident of East Bay Township I am voting "yes" on the roads millage issue. I have lived in East Bay for 20 years and during that time there has been little repair of our local roads. As a retiree I do not have money to throw around but I do believe the money given for the roads is an investment in the present and the future.
Please join me in voting "yes" so our township will have the capability to maintain our local roads.
Kathy Stratton
Traverse City
Understands the issues
Traverse City schools is facing a difficult future, so this year's school board election is especially important. Therefore, I will be voting for Julie Puckett. Julie has a master's degree in educational administration and policy, giving her a deep understanding of the issues the district faces.
As the mother of two TCAPS students, she has also spent countless hours in the school volunteering and seeing the district from a parent's perspective. Additionally, Julie's mathematical training ensures she will analyze available data and think critically about the issues before the board.
Join me in voting Julie Puckett for TCAPS school board.
Kristen Salathiel
Williamsburg
For numerous roads
Regarding the upcoming millage proposals for Acme and East Bay township roads, please bear these points in mind: The cost of these millages averages less than $9 per Acme/East Bay resident per month. Conversely, vehicle repairs sustained from substandard roads may be considerably more costly (this past year I spent more than $300 from vehicle damage while driving on a township road), and property values are adversely affected as well.
Last, please remember the millages are for numerous local roads in the two townships; it is not allocated for one road.
Please vote Tuesday.
Matt Woodruff
Traverse City
Only for a few
There is a proposal on the November ballot to increase property taxes for East Bay and Acme townships for road improvements. You will see signs along the roadways to vote "yes." This proposal would only benefit a very few, since there would not be enough money for an extensive repaving program and would cost the rest of our residents hundreds of dollars in additional property taxes, of which they would not see one penny of benefit.
I am opposed to the proposal.
Patricia Fenner
Williamsburg
Build our community
With Grand Traverse County's unemployment at 11.3 percent, why would the Record-Eagle endorse a candidate who voted "no" for a project that would create 250 jobs and promise 350 jobs would stay here? The candidate is Deni Scrudato, and the project is the Old Town parking deck. She also squelched the opportunity for the city to hire the very capable Mr. Menzel as our city manager, with her rude and unprofessional comment about his father.
I urge you to get out and vote Tuesday for candidates who help build our community, not those who are led by short-sighted ideology.
Sharon L. Neumann
Traverse City
Not one penny
What have we become?
Presently there is a proposal on the ballot to increase the millage in East Bay and Acme townships for road improvements. I believe this proposal will benefit only a few township residents, including those who advocated for the millage, since the amount to be raised will pave and repair only a few roads. Residents who live on private or dirt roads and non-resident property owners will also not benefit. Other residents will not see one penny of benefit from the several hundreds of dollars they will pay over the next five years in increased property taxes.
Dar Fenner
Acme
Independent, ethical
I enthusiastically support MaryAnn Moore for the Traverse City Commission. I was delighted when MaryAnn expressed an interest in running; we are indeed fortunate to have an independent and ethical business person desirous of contributing her efforts toward the betterment of our community.
My endorsement of her is based on my work with MaryAnn for 30 years in my former position as executive of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors.
Intelligence, independence, unquestioned ethics: qualities to be valued in a city commissioner. I urge you to vote for MaryAnn Moore.
Judith Lindenau
Traverse City
Leadership abilities
What do I look for in a candidate? Someone who asks questions about existing programs and new ones. Someone who is tight-fisted with taxpayer money and where it goes. Someone who puts the very best interests of the city/school district before personal gain.
You will find these attributes in city commission candidates MaryAnn Moore and Mike Gillman (both of these people worked with me on the Citizens Operational and Financial Analysis Committee for 18 months), incumbent Deni Scrudato and Traverse City school board incumbent Gary Appel.
I know their leadership abilities. I support them all. Now go vote!
Ellen Fivenson
Traverse City
A sense of balance
I am writing this letter in support of Julie Puckett for the Traverse City school board. Julie will bring much strength to the TCAPS school board, a sense of balance, her strong work ethic and passion for education for people of all ages, along with her strong background in education.
It is important to elect the right person for the school board and Julie needs to be your choice. She will make decisions affecting the quality of life in our communities, the education of our children and grandchildren, and the spending of our tax dollars.
Tricia Wollam
Traverse City
Close to home
We should keep a close eye on township voting in Acme and East Bay on the "Fix Our Roads" initiative. A basic tenet of "good (responsible) government" is to have our money managed and spent as close to home as possible. Keeping our tax money within our townships accomplishes this.
"Good government" means taking local control. Keep our money as close to home as possible. Vote "yes" for Fix Our Roads in Acme and East Bay. This will be a very interesting test of citizens' efforts to get "good government" and to keep our money in northern Michigan.
Dave Moore
Traverse City
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