Letters
Here you will find letters that come into our possession. They may be complete as written or edited for various reasons. Authors may or may not be identified. Editorial comment or notes may be added to clarify or challenge.
What is Happening ...
Editorial Note:
In October of 2009, the hot button issue of tree cutting at the 2 lighthouses and cemetery surfaced. The following letter was anonymously mailed to selected taxpayers in the township and found its way to the local newspapers as well. It is reproduced below as written with links added to various editorial footnotes at the end. Note carefully the tone and wording of the letter. One cannot help but wonder whether the concerns of the author(s) relate more to politics than trees.
Editorial Comments:What is Happening to Presque Isle Township?????
Acres of trees have been cut at both the New Lighthouse Park and the Old Lighthouse Park. It has been estimated the clear cut at the New Lighthouse Park is about 4 to 5 acres and the swath of trees cut at the Old Lighthouse Park is about 1.5 acres.
Our township resources were not sold for market value;1 they were given to a wood processor in exchange for his labor to remove them. The processor received all of the wood for free2 and in turn, the township has 5 to 6 acres of cleared land that must now have the stumps removed, leveled, filled and seeded all at a cost to the township residents. There will be a new area for parking at the New Lighthouse Township Park; but did we need 4 to 5 acres to park cars?3 What is the benefit at the Old Lighthouse Park? We were told that it was to improve access for ambulance and fire trucks. Then why were trees cut all the way back to Grand Lake Road where there is plenty of room for any type of vehicle? The only explanation4 is to harvest the wood resource. Trees to large to hug were taken unnecessarily.
The third area cut is Presque Isle Harbor Association property next to the cemetery. We are told that a parking lot5 is planned for this parcel. Who will be liable for for activity on this Association property? The township does not have any land right or insurance coverage for use of the property. Tree removal in this area has eliminated privacy while visiting loved ones or holding memorial services.
We want to know who is responsible for this action. The minutes6 from the Township Board meetings for the past year show no motion or approval for the removal of the trees. Further more the clerk, treasurer and two trustees say they never made a motion nor did they vote in favor for disposing of the Township assets. They were all unaware7 that the trees would be removed until after the removal. They are still unaware of the details; such as the value of the disposed resource and who did the removal.
It appears that the Township Supervisor arranged for the removal and disposal of our Township resources without Township Board approval. This amounts to circumventing the public and legislative process as set forth in the State of Michigan statutes for the administration of Township government. The Supervisor then called a special meeting of the Board to ask them to approve funds to remove stumps, grade and fill the property. This was clearly an attempt to prevent the public from knowing the cost of this project and to prevent the public their right to comment and provide input.
While some residents might not find the removal of the trees objectionable, we believe, all residents should be concerned about the deliberate circumventing of the legislative process and the denial of our residents rights to hear about and comment on the disposal of Township assets. We elected 5 Township officials to serve us. We believe that all 5 should make such important decisions.
If these issues concern you, please attend the Township Board meeting on Monday, November 9th at 7 PM at the Township hall If you cannot attend please call or send a letter or e-mail to our clerk, treasurer or trustees voicing your concern.
Karen Fournier, Clerk 595-6242 Betty Tadajewski, Treasurer 595-2223 Lyn Morrison, Trustee 595-2989 Cynthia Paavola, Trustee 595-32308
Concerned Citizens9
1Due to the recession, the market value of raw wood products is extremely depressed. The wooded areas in question consisted mainly of scrub — small, sparse and under-nourished with considerable diseased and damaged trees. The market value of the wood most likely was much less that the labor cost for its removal.
2 No, it was not free. The previous sentence stated that the wood was in exchange for labor. Here, "free" only means that no money was passed.
3No, we do not need that much parking. It never was about parking. The large area in question is primarily to reclaim the view of the lake that is historically documented in photos from earlier years. This unobstructed view of the lake was essential for the lighthouse keeper to monitor the lake as conducted his daily duties.
4Not the only explanation. Has the author driven this access road in traffic situations. Very unfriendly setting for large rigs and those unfamiliar with the surroundings. Intimidating for tourists.
5You were told wrong. No parking lot was ever considered.
6 These same minutes also do not show that there was an open discussion regarding possible tree clearing at the New Lighthouse. Several members of the attending public have verified this fact. Perhaps Township minutes are lacking in completeness?
7Check the Parks and Recreation report of the August 10, 2009 Council Meeting. Also, perhaps these people should get out more. There was open discussion (including the time-frame) amongst the general public at 2 different events held at the New Lighthouse in 2009 — the Arts and Crafts Show and the Township sponsored Labor Day Picnic. Too bad several of the trustees did not see those events to be worthy of their attendance.
8Does our Township Council not consist of 5 people? Looks like the authors have not accepted Pat Pokorski as being part of the council.
9Who are these people? Those paying close attention have probably figured it out.
While it's tempting to play it safe, the more we're willing to risk, the more alive we are. In the end, what we regret most are the chances we never took.
... DR. FRASIER CRANE, Frasier
