Backing neighborhoods
Traverse City is finally doing something for its neighborhoods and not recklessly approving every downtown project. Under mayors Estes and Bzdok, we're actually reviewing downtown spending programs instead of the blanket approval, no-thought process of the past. Michael Estes has continually worked for the neighborhoods and will ensure that neighborhoods get their fair share of city spending. Because I'm supporting neighborhoods, I'm voting for Michael Estes for mayor. Vote Michael Estes for mayor on Nov. 8.
Anne Lowe
Traverse City
Seniors depend on BATA
The Bay Area Transportation Authority provides in excess of 530,000 rides annually. Transportation options are a necessity, and riding BATA is less expensive than owning a vehicle. People with disabilities, many seniors and others depend on BATA as their only means of transportation.
BATA has worked to increase their efficiency; they have replaced 65 percent of their fleet, developed more fixed routes for people to plan their schedules, and continue to explore ways to better meet the needs of the public.
For many BATA is a necessity to obtain and maintain employment and change their lives. Support the BATA millage for a strong community.
Cecil McNally
Traverse City
The writer is executive director of Goodwill Industries.
Maximize resources
I fully support Tim Werner for city commissioner. I have known Tim and his family for over 10 years. Tim is a smart and well-educated engineer, a hard worker with integrity and someone you can count on to make intelligent decisions based on a thorough analysis of the issues.
Tim will speak his mind in a respectful manner while bringing out the best in his colleagues and maximizing limited resources to enhance the quality of life in our community.
We would be fortunate to have Tim Werner as one of our city commissioners.
Larry Moats
Traverse City
Keep downtown strong
As a retired educator and Central Neighborhood resident, I appreciate Ralph Soffredine's efforts to work with Traverse City Area Public Schools to keep neighborhood schools open. Ralph also understands the importance of keeping downtown strong in order to have healthy and vibrant neighborhoods.
Many lake side communities around Michigan have let their downtowns suffer, and it has had devastating effects on the surrounding neighborhoods, leading to urban sprawl.
Please join me in electing Ralph Soffredine as mayor.
Susan J. Schmidt
Traverse City
Will continue strategy
Michael Estes ran for mayor the first time and said he was going to get the city budget and finances under control.
He succeeded significantly in improving city finances while dramatically expanding funding for much-needed road/street repairs, which affects all area residents.
If elected, Estes will continue his fiscally responsible strategy.
Barbara Rowlett
Traverse City
On the side of reason
Time after time, while attending city commission meetings, when it came down to the nitty-gritty, I observed it was finally Mayor Mike Estes who would ask the hard questions and understand the financial mumbo-jumbo we were subjected to, and vote on the side of reason.
On Nov. 8 I will be voting for Michael Estes, and I urge you to do the same.
Geraldine Green
Traverse City
The writer is a former Travese City commissioner.
Intelligent, thoughtful
I am pleased to endorse Michael Estes for mayor and feel his talents and commitment to the city will serve us all well. After serving with Michael on the board of Oryana Natural Foods Market and subsequently watching him tackle the complexity of our city's financial situation, I believe he has proven his abilities as a leader.
Traverse City needs his intelligent and thoughtful style to help us address the challenges we face. Vote for Michael Estes on Nov. 8
Steve Nance
Traverse City
Thoughtful consideration
I have worked with Jeanine Easterday on the Traverse City Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and on the Board of the League of Women Voters.
Of the non-incumbent candidates running for city commission, Jeanine is the only one with local government experience.
I have found Jeanine to be fair minded, accessible, articulate and a hard worker.
Jeanine doesn't make snap decisions. She does her homework; her thinking is not colored by a predetermined agenda. She makes decisions based on sound judgment and thoughtful consideration of all sides of an issue
Please vote for Jeanine Easterday on Nov. 8.
Jan Warren
Traverse City
Attacking the truth
Regarding Jack Lee's Oct. 29 diatribe against Steve Francis' Oct. 15 forum, this is symptomatic of the radical gay and lesbian "attack the truth by attacking the messenger" mode.
The Alliance Defense Fund has defended Elane Photography, a business whose Christian beliefs forbade them from photographing a lesbian commitment rite.
They were fined $6,600 by the New Mexico Human Rights Commission.
The ADF defended Julia Ward, an EMU counseling student who asked, on religious grounds, not to be assigned the case of a homosexual man seeking counseling on his homosexual relationship. She was expelled.
Does this sound like ADF bigotry?
Kathy Roush
Traverse City
A seasoned businessman
He's rational. He's reasonable. He's relateable.
He's been a friend and neighbor for well over a decade.
He listens. Carefully.
As for what he's accomplished in Traverse City, let the facts dictate your choice.
We're voting for an experienced, seasoned businessman for mayor.
We're voting for Mike Estes.
Mark and Jan Stytzer
Traverse City
No strings attached
Mike Estes is a man of great integrity who has no obligations to groups or individuals except the citizens of Traverse City, whom he served diligently during his last mayoral term. In addition to having no baggage, Mike has the financial background and experience which is serving us well to this day. Best yet, he listens to and supports the will of the people, in contrast to his opponent, who would have had our environment denuded for no public benefit by supporting Traverse City Light & Power's proposed biomass plant.
Vote for no strings attached. Vote Mike Estes for mayor.
Margaret Dodd
Traverse City
The writer is a former Traverse City mayor
Conflicts with values
It is the pinnacle of hypocrisy for a businessman to be a major financial contributor of the campaign to defeat the nondiscrimination ordinance while expecting supporters and those who would benefit from its provisions to patronize his establishment.
We have decided, in light of Ray Dornbusch's $3,000 contribution against the ordinance, that spending money at his business, Espresso Bay, is tantamount to supporting a campaign of fear and discrimination.
We don't always know where a business will direct its profits, but we certainly do not want to inadvertently contribute to a campaign that we find abhorrent.
James and Caroline Kulczyk
Traverse City
Thought policing
Proposal 1 is a legal rat's nest. If the goal was to extend Elliot-Larsen protections to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, why not just use the language of the existing Elliot-Larsen law?
The reason is that the ordinance is intended to go way farther than Elliot-Larsen, extending to "perception" and thought policing.
This reminds me of the Traverse City schools anti-bullying policy of "sexual orientation" added to the list of who should not be bullied. Why a list at all? No one should be bullied.
Within this homosexual agenda, why isn't anyone stating the statistics of AIDS?
Lisa Baldwin
Suttons Bay
An unsound venture
The Traverse City non-discrimination ordinance unsoundly extends protected rights status to a group of people whose only distinguishable characteristic is whom they have sex with.
The Elliott-Larson civil rights laws of Michigan doesn't even establish the protected class of sexual orientation and gender identity because it has never been established as an immutable characteristic.
Taking what people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms and making it a basis for protected rights is an unsound venture legally and morally.
No society should have to prove non-discrimination as this violates the freedom of speech and religion.
Matt Schoech
Traverse City
Evaluates the facts
Barb Budros evaluates the facts of an issue. In the last four years she voted to eliminate the 1 percent administrative fee on city tax bills, supported the Old Town Parking Deck and brownfield plan for Front and Division, real public value to taxpayers, not just developers.
She voted to increase to $1 million/year neighborhood street/sidewalk fix-ups without raising taxes. She initiated a tax increment financing study, investigating the best use of city taxes still under way.
She voted against projects with little public value (Whiting Hotel, Cherry Republic), opposed an in-town biomass plant.
She listens to us. Support her.
Mary Estes
Traverse City
Would do what is best
I write this letter to support David Ford's candidacy for Traverse City commissioner. I have known David for several years through a business relationship. He is very thorough, conscientious and has a high degree of integrity. He would look at his constituents as he does his customers and do what is the best for the situation at hand. His business background would be an absolute benefit to the city commission. In fact, his common sense and business sense runs in the family as I did business with his father for many years.
I highly recommend your vote for David Ford.
Larry B. Fleis
Grawn
Public safety a priority
City commissioners for Traverse City are elected and responsible for the management of the city. The primary responsibility of this governing body is public safety. Traverse City needs a solid foundation in public safety to continue to improve the neighborhoods and downtown.
Vote for Bob Donick, city commissioner, and Ralph Soffredine for mayor. They will make sure that public safety is a priority.
Tom Bensley
Traverse City
The writer is Grand Traverse County sheriff.
Wild weather for Memorial Day weekend
Inspiration for the class of 2012
Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing
Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3"
80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump
JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini
Sliders on the Grill
Cruise ship crunch
Backstage With Beyonce
Ultimate Creamy Potato Salad
Pope's Personal Butler Under Arrest
Jenny McCarthy's New Man
Tyler's Classic Coleslaw
Britney Spears Under X Factor Fire
Flesh-Eating Bacteria Victim Hits Milestone
Hurricanes and Heat Waves Across America
Kristen Stewart Is Red Hot
Shark Attacks Australian Fishing Boat
Bradley out for playoffs
Kayaker Survives Trip Over Washington Waterfall
