Ask people what they value about the place they live, then get ready for some thoughtful answers.
That was my experience after asking Record-Eagle readers in an April 5 column to tell me what they valued about the place they live.
Most who responded value the area's natural beauty and its preservation. They appreciate their neighborhoods, walkable cities, friendly area residents who care deeply about the places they live and northwestern Lower Michigan's future.
They value the area network of bike trails, beaches, Sleeping Bear Dunes, state and federal forests, lakes and streams, a mix of historic and vibrant new buildings, thriving downtowns and an entrepreneurial, can-do community spirit.
Tom BeVier, a former Detroit Free Press and Detroit News reporter who now lives on Old Mission Peninsula, said it's more than historical structures like the City Opera House and State Theatre that define Traverse City and give it personality, heart and heritage. Smaller buildings and establishments like Bardon's soft-serve ice-cream, J&S restaurant and DeWeese Hardware do too.
"And don't leave out Rounds with its buckwheat pancakes," he said.
Colleen Plummer, of Pentwater, values looking out at Lake Michigan without seeing giant wind turbines.
In March, Scandia Wind Offshore and its Norwegian partner Havgul Clean Energy unveiled a $4 billion wind energy feasibility proposal to eventually build 50 to 100 wind turbines that would stand 300 to 450 feet tall in two 50-square-mile areas of Lake Michigan offshore from Grand Haven to Pentwater. The plan includes a smaller onshore wind farm near Muskegon. The Pentwater farm would be about four miles offshore. For reference, Power Island in West Bay is about five to six miles from Traverse City.
"With the threat that looms over our community, your question is the very question I've been asking," Plummer wrote. "The values, sense of 'home' and the loyalty/devotion of the people of this state have such deep rich roots. Michigan has experienced very hard times in recent years. I am very concerned. I watch politicians try to bring jobs to our state, without the sincere consideration of what is best for the entire state to coexist with new industry."
The proposal has met opposition from the Lake Michigan P.O.W.E.R Coalition, a nonprofit founded by concerned residents and business owners.
Joanne Wilson, who lives in Glen Arbor and Saignon in France, depending on time of year, values both places because their residents maintain a pride in their heritage and respect for nature.
"I think of how easy it has become to discard the old. As I do so, I'm grateful for those who put a hand up and say, 'Not so fast!' Let's hope that we continue to value history, our heritage, and the structures and scenery representative of them!"
Judy Nemitz, program administrator for Central Michigan University at the University Center and East Bay planning board member, values a city where buildings do not overshadow the landscape, hide the sunlight and sky.
"I value the call of the loons, the smell of fresh air after a spring rain, painted fall landscapes, the first snow and the stars at night," she wrote. "It is not always the place, but the connections and relationships with nature and people that have created those threads of our 'time-woven fabric' called life."
Tom Vranich, editor of the Elk Rapids News, appreciated the town's waterfront, harbor, hydroelectric dam, Elk River and Island House Library and area citizens who care deeply about their community.
"Elk Rapids is graced with full- and part-time residents who are willing to give their time to government or community service organizations that make our little town a very unique and special place to live," he said. "Many have taken it upon themselves to reinvest in their own operations to be a part of it and are seeing the benefits."
This serves as a model and shows what can be done, he said. It's something to build on to ensure a strong future. "We are able to grow infrastructure such as high-speed broadband access, improve our beautiful historic Town Hall and re-licensing of the hydro dam."
Karen Anderson, who lives on Ninth Street in Traverse City, values living in the Central Neighborhood and "feeling a part of this diverse, vigorous community."
"I have great neighbors, and we regularly meet for potlucks, conversations and cooperative ventures. Sometimes I fear that our leaders don't do enough to protect the TC neighborhoods from development, traffic, festivals and other intrusions. We have a precious resource on these old streets, and we should do everything we can to nurture it."
Nancie Billingsley grew up in Traverse City and left when she was 19. She "couldn't wait to get out of here." She loved living in Los Angeles, marrying and moving to Seattle, but all she could think about was coming back home. She values the State Theatre, the Old Town Playhouse, friendly people, beautiful beaches, good restaurants and being able to walk to everything.
"I used to roll my eyes when I'd hear people say this was 'God's country,' but now I know what they mean," she said.
For some, a sense of place includes a sense of space and the ability to live in or find quiet close at hand.
Darryl and Pam Burkhardt live near Pierport in Manistee County. They love its solitude as well as its "awesome natural beauty, awesome sunsets, fresh air off the Big Lake, people more grounded, two nearby towns (Bear Lake and Onekama) with no stoplights, and a lack of general sense of urgency in people we encounter."
"When you walk outside in the morning and smell the country air, you just feel more connected to the place and more at peace with yourself," they wrote.
