Grand Traverse County
Related Photos
-
Douglas Tesner
Area veterans get critical support
Moore implements 'affirmative action' measure to help area vets
TRAVERSE CITY -- It's no secret that Michael Moore is among the country's most outspoken critics of the war in Iraq.
What's far lesser-known is Moore's empathy for the troops who've fought there.
Moore, founder of the Traverse City Film Festival that owns the State Theatre downtown, said the theater is implementing a new labor policy requiring all its contractors and vendors to attempt to hire veterans who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Moore described it as an "affirmative action" measure to help area veterans find employment opportunities when they return home -- opportunities that Moore said are severely lacking for many servicemen and women.
Moore's disdain for the war in Iraq is well-documented. He was booed on stage when he criticized the war and President George W. Bush while accepting his Academy Award in 2003.
His opposition to the war remains as strong as ever. But Moore said he's just as upset about the treatment of the troops fighting the war, ranging from the lack of high-tech equipment to protect the soldiers to their medical treatment and the economic and employment uncertainty they face when returning home.
"For the past couple of years I've been receiving letters from a lot of Iraq War veterans," Moore said in an interview Saturday at the State Theatre. "They can't find work, they can't get the medical help they need ... some of them even had their homes foreclosed."
Moore points to statistics to make his case. The federal labor department last month released unemployment rates for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan that showed a 6.1 percent jobless rate for veterans who have served since September 2001. That compares to a national unemployment rate of around 5 percent in April. The jobless rate for veterans ages 18 to 24 was substantially higher, totaling 12 percent compared to 9.5 percent for non-veterans in the same age group.
The federal government also reported that 16,000 formal and informal complaints were filed from 2004 to 2006 by members of reserve forces who encountered problems getting re-hired when they returned from military service to their jobs.
"Instead of receiving our veterans with open arms when they come back, they get 'Sorry chump, there's nothing for you,'" said Moore, who's hired military veterans for key editing and production positions for his documentaries, including "Fahrenheit 9/11" and "Sicko."
"This isn't a political stance," he said. "We're a community-based organization and (veterans) need to know people in this community will do their best to help them find work."
Moore said part of his motivation to help veterans stems from his father, who served in the Marines and fought in the South Pacific during World War II.
"When he came back, he was able to go school, he was able to buy a house ... it's not like that anymore," Moore said. "Being the kid of a veteran, you're aware of this."
In another show of support for the troops, Moore said the State Theatre will begin offering free admission to active-duty military servicemen and women to any movies shown at the theater.
"They don't have a lot of money when they're in the military," he said.
Moore said he'll ask other businesses in the community to make a similar "affirmative action" pledge to veterans, and hopes the effort takes off across the region and the state.
"It's not enough on Memorial Day to remember the sacrifices others have made," he said. "It's about what sacrifices we are going to make to make it better for those who've served their country."
-
-
Bill O'Brien: Residents don't rest on their laurels
Three interviews — very much different yet still oddly similar, and very insightful as to the challenges that face Traverse City.
Continued ... -
Festive cherry drinks
This week, especially, cherries are everywhere and in everything from pies to salads. Adding a kick of cherry to a cock- or mock-tail is one more way to enjoy a favorite local fruit. Spirit and cocktail makers have found sophisticated ways to feature cherries in drinks. The result is cherry cheer that goes beyond the typical sweet-bomb maraschino garnish.
Continued ... -
Cherry Festival's stage will be jamming
The music at this year's National Cherry Festival will be jamming — from the familiar favorites of 1964 The Tribute to the blues-y guitar of Tommy Castro and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Gregg Rolie.
Continued ... -
Tesner's struggle draws to a close
Peggy Tesner was with her husband, Doug, Tuesday morning when his struggle ended, and she is relieved her husband of nearly 16 years no longer feels pain.
Continued ... -
NMC president receives positive review
Trustees at Northwestern Michigan College gave the institution's leader an overall 3.68 rating on a 4-point scale after evaluations on core competencies and key responsibilities.
Continued ... -
Eighth Street back in business
Construction on one of the city's busiest streets will be done in time for its most hectic week.
Continued ... - Clearing the Record: 06/30/2010
- June 29, 2010
-
Ex-employees shocked by county's accusation
Grand Traverse County likely lost $172,000 on a bad business loan, but instead of pursuing debtors, officials circulated a memo that pointed fingers at the defunct company's employees.
Continued ... -
Munson reaches out during 'Lunch With Ed'
Small groups representing a variety of community interests regularly join Munson Healthcare CEO Ed Ness in a conference room to nosh on boxed lunches and hear Ness explain what's behind Munson's partnership talks with Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids.
Continued ... -
TCAPS officials project $4.2M shortfall
Administrators in Traverse City's public schools project the district will incur a roughly $4.2 million shortfall next year, an estimate that comes amid several undetermined variables.
Continued ... -
Spectrum among top 10 systems in nation
Spectrum Health is rated among the top 10 health systems in the country by a national health rating firm.
Continued ... -
Police: Woman made up sexual assault
A Kalkaska woman falsely reported that a man sexually assaulted her in a hotel room, police said.
Continued ... -
Woman accused of making false report
A Williamsburg woman falsely reported her vehicle stolen, deputies said.
Continued ... -
Deputy allegedly saw man smoking crack
A Traverse City man faces a felony drug charge after a deputy said he watched him smoke crack cocaine.
Continued ... -
TC man faces felony drug charges
Deputies arrested a Traverse City man after they said they found marijuana and unauthorized prescription drugs in his backpack.
Continued ...
-
