Thomas Grigal says he is running against Gary Appel for the Traverse City Area Public Schools' board of education simply because Appel's seat was up for election.
"The funny thing is Gary Appel is awesome ..." Grigal said in an interview.
We agree. And we think Appel has earned a full four-year term.
Appel certainly has the qualifications. He's a former teacher and he manages educational consultants for a national nonprofit assigned to the Michigan Department of Education. He knows a lot about education and teaching but also brings commitment and real passion to the table.
Appel lists expansion of the Montessori program, the re-opening of Bertha Vos as an International Baccalaureate program and adding K-12 Spanish as major accomplishments.
Grigal says abandoning the art program for language was a mistake and many of those specialty programs aren't accessible for poorer families. He also says there's not enough dissension on the board.
Traverse City schools have made steady progress in recent years and Gary Appel is one of the major reasons. He has our endorsement.
Our Views
Related Photos
-
Gary Appel
Editorial: Appel for TCAPS board
-
-
Editorial: Park project will wed Acme to bay
The issue: Acme Township park takes a big step. Our view: Township is finally embracing its bayside heritage.
Continued ... -
Cheers: 06/17/2013
To U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Joseph Buzzella Jr., who stepped down as commander of the Coast Guard’s Traverse City Air Station after a two-year posting.
Continued ... -
Editorial: Medicaid expansion vote makes sense
The issue: State House approves Medicaid expansion. Our view: It’s a big step, but there’s more to do.
Continued ... -
Editorial: Battle over sign leaves a bad taste
The issue: Airport finally puts up sign for veterans. Our view: It didn’t happen until public got involved.
Continued ... -
Editorial: Good reasons to put off TC road bond
The issue: TC to delay road bond until 2015. Our view: There are good reasons to wait.
Continued ... - Wednesday, June 12, 2013
-
Editorial: Past time to address shooting range issues
To hear state Department of Natural Resources officials talk about it, there’s no big hurry to resolve issues surrounding informal shooting ranges on state land off Hoosier Valley Road.
Continued ... - Tuesday, June 11, 2013
-
Editorial: Solid start a big step to a degree
The issue: NMC working to get new students up to speed. Our view: Remedial classes can build a foundation.
Continued ... - Monday, June 10, 2013
-
Cheers: 06/10/2013
To Berdyll Hanrath, who signed up for World War II while still in the eighth grade; he never went back to school but got his high school diploma anyway.
Continued ... - Sunday, June 9, 2013
-
Editorial: County must make Twin Lakes beach safe
One of the major incentives for the YMCA to launch a fund drive in 2000 to build a $12 million facility that will include two swimming pools was “the need to teach kids to swim,” said Tom Van Deinse, CEO of the YMCA.
Continued ... - Friday, June 7, 2013
-
Editorial: So far, no compelling reasons to tap fund
The issue: City to delay Brown Bridge ballot decision. Our view: Voters need a compelling reason to say yes.
Continued ... - Thursday, June 6, 2013
-
Editorial: DNA ruling opens door to unanticipated results
The issue: Court OKs taking suspects’ DNA. Our view: How will the information be used?
Continued ... -
Editorial: State House modifies fireworks bill
The Michigan House of Representatives voted 107-1 last week to allow communities to limit when fireworks can be shot off during holidays.
Continued ... - Wednesday, June 5, 2013
-
Editorial: District must return excess reserves
The issue: Superintendents say TBAISD should reduce, redistribute balances. Our view: It’s local money that must go to local uses.
Continued ... - Tuesday, June 4, 2013
-
Editorial: Bills would doom redemption efforts
The issue: Bills would reduce foreclosure redemption period. Our view: Legislation puts banks ahead of homeowners.
Continued ... - Monday, June 3, 2013
-
Cheers: 06/03/2013
To Charlie Donahue, a St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School eighth-grader and winner of the Grand Traverse Regional Spelling Bee, who made it through rounds two and three at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
Continued ... - Sunday, June 2, 2013
-
Editorial: Camera legislation raises questions
The issue: Red-light camera legislation raises questions. Our view: Is this how we want laws made in Michigan?
Continued ... - Friday, May 31, 2013
-
Editorial: Partnership paying off for East Lake
The issue: Kalkaska’s East Lake gets special attention. Our view: Public/private efforts paying off.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 30, 2013
-
Editorial: Measure may circumvent constitution
Michigan politics have become so extreme that any common ground we may have had — and our ability to compromise for the common good — are long gone.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 29, 2013
-
Editorial: Property owners need help to protect easements
The issue: Property owners say utility abusing easement agreements. Our view: Courts, local governments need to level the playing field.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 28, 2013
-
Cheers: 05/28/2013
To the 400 or so volunteers who make Northwestern Michigan College’s annual Barbecue go and the thousands of area residents who flock to the annual fundraiser, which has raised more than $1.5 million over 57 years.
Continued ... - Monday, May 27, 2013
-
Editorial: Lincoln's words honor all veterans' sacrifices
The issue: Today is Memorial Day. Our view: Abraham Lincoln's words still endure.
Continued ... - Sunday, May 26, 2013
-
Editorial: Court zaps 'zero tolerance'
The issue: Cop court strikes down ‘zero tolerance’ approach to driving and pot. Our view: At last, some common sense in medical marijuana debate.
Continued ... - Friday, May 24, 2013
-
Editorial: Fairness in enforcement must apply to meters
The issue: TC increasing Saturday parking meter enforcement. Our view: This can’t be a sometimes proposition.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 23, 2013
-
Editorial: Investing in roads, schools will help Mich. recovery
The issue: State surplus to go mainly to roads, schools. Our view: Both areas need major new investment.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 22, 2013
-
Editorial: Sewer investment could pair with road repairs
The issue: TC is considering a road bond. Our view: Marrying road and sewer work may be best investment.
Continued ...
-
Editorial: Park project will wed Acme to bay
Rihanna Hits Fan With Microphone
Obama Renews Call for Nuclear Reductions
Exclusive: Locklear & Seymour Lock Lips
Miami Heat Wins in Overtime
Raw: Arizona Wildfire Scorches 8 Square Miles
Fists, chairs fly in restaurant brawl
Journalist Michael Hastings Dies in Fiery Hollywood Crash
Hairy Leg Stockings Aim to Deflect Male Attention
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Three Charged for Enslaving Mother and Daughter
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Spurs' Popovich has no problem with Spurs' intensity
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
