COMMENT OF THE WEEK
February 22, 2012
Students are an inspiration I enjoyed reading the article, “Seneca students compete in the national Samsung science contest” in the Feb. 1, 2012, edition of The Macomb Township Voice. It’s always nice to see young students taking an interest in math and science. Also, the project the students did was helping the water habitats in our backyard. The commitment these students and volunteers showed was remarkable. Not very many people would wade in knee-deep water when it is 32 degrees. I have participated in similar competitions at school and know first-hand that projects like this teach teamwork and determination, as well as the math and science skills. I hope projects like this will continue to inspire new, young learners. CATHERINE PIEPRZAK Macomb
Driver education is essential In response to the column, “Tragedy is never
easy to report,” I must confess that I was taken by surprise at some of Editor Jeff Payne’s allegations and revelations. Speed limits, as I am sure you know, are nothing more than the “posted” high-end limit at which one can regulate their vehicle under optimal circumstances. “Road conditions” dictate the true nature of vehicle flow and speed regardless of posted speed limits in conjunction with the requirement that every driver have full control of their vehicle at all times. After all, what is the speed limit for the un-posted gravel roads in our county and why are they not posted? In the case of County Line Road, I humbly disagree with your assessment that the posted speed limit is too high; and I could well make the argument that 45 mph near M-29 is a waste of signage. What is located in that zone that we do not find anywhere else on County Line? It is my opinion, and that of the law as well, that drivers must be cognizant of their surroundings and operate their vehicle accordingly. Posting or changing signs means nothing than an exercise in futility if they are simply ignored or road conditions render them null and void. I would advocate for a vigorous increase in driver aware-
“New Baltimore residents have been waiting patiently for changes. Most of the time the same names keep appearing on the ballots and nothing ever progresses.” - “Really” commenting on New Baltimore’s hire of a new city recreation director. To see more story comments, go to voicenews.com
ness and education that I suspect is sorely lacking. Reporting on tragedy is part of driver awareness and, although it may not be easy for some to do, it is a vital part of public alertness in an effort to prevent another such tragedy in the near future. Let not your emotion obfuscate your duty as an editor or reporter, for your work serves the community and us all very well. ED HADAM Jr. Fair Haven
Don’t declaw your cat There are some individuals who may find this subject offensive; however, it needs to be addressed. It is the declawing of millions of helpless felines that cannot speak for themselves. Declawing is an extremely painful procedure. It is the amputation of the last joint of a cat’s toes; this includes bones, ligaments, tendons, nerves and joints. Cats need their claws like humans need their fingers, and it is their first line of defense against predators. If you’re thinking of declawing, forget a cat and adopt a dog, a rabbit, snake or even an elephant. If you have a cat or want a cat, there are alternatives to declawing: Observe the cat’s behavior - places where he/she likes to scratch and place tape (clear packing tape is
PUT IT IN WRITING The Voice welcomes letters to the editor. Letters to the editor may be sent by e-mail, fax or mail and MUST INCLUDE a name, home address and daytime phone number to allow us to verify the identity of the writer. We reserve the right to edit letters for space and clarity, especially those exceeding 300 words in length. Send letters to: The Voice Letters to the editor 51180 Bedford New Baltimore, MI 48047 editor@voicenews.com (e-mail) (586) 716-8918 (fax) perfect) over the noted areas. Cats hate the sticky glue. It works like magic. Make your own catscratchers. Lumber yards will gladly give you their scraps - simple plywood, 2-by-2, old rug remnants. I made several in just a
few minutes. Ancient Egyptians honored cats - every household had one - still do. Cats protected their home, their children and were considered great hunters. If you don’t want any unwelcome critters
around the home, get a cat, but do not declaw them. Think about this: would you want to go through life without your fingers? DENE POSEY Algonac
Local reps favor banking windfall Jeff Payne Editor Since taking office a little over a year ago, Lansing has been a legislative buffet for Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican Party. With unprecedented control of all three branches of state government, the GOP has easily put through an agenda that has included elimination of the single business tax, the creation of fiscal incentives for you name it and broadening the scope of the emergency financial manager law. Just to prove there can
Dog saved because of many fast thinking individuals On Friday evening, Feb. 10, my Golden Retriever got a rubber ball lodged in her throat. It was after 6 p.m. and all local veterinary offices were closed. My fast-thinking neighbors, Terri and Brian Vaillancourt, drove Sophie to the Chesterfield Central Fire Station on 23 Mile Road. Captain Richard Schroeder and Firefighter Douglas Newcomb worked on her but could not get the ball dislodged. They called Med Star who then transported her to the 24-hour Emergency vet office on Gratiot. While driving to that office, Sophie stopped breathing. EMT Ron Weddington and Joseph Marrosu were able to extricate the ball and got
be disagreements among their own, Snyder was rebuffed in his initial efforts to build a second bridge to Canada in Detroit while eyebrows were raised when he sought to replace the money lost by elimination of the Single Business Tax with taxes on pensions, a measure that ultimately did go through. It appears things are going to get a little trickier in year two, however, as a budget that includes a lot more revenue than had been forecast is vetted during an election year. So how should these funds, estimated to be somewhere between $400 and $650 million, be used? This could be the first of a few disagreements between GOP leaders, who will ultimately make
that decision. In a survey of local House and Senate reps, the consensus seems to be two targets: contributing to the state rainy day fund and paying down debt. What was not mentioned are some of the priorities put forth by Snyder in his budget as well as Attorney General Bill Schuette’s proposal to use a significant amount of the funds to put more police on the street. “We’d be foolish to appropriate these funds,” said Sen. Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair Township). “It would be foolish because we don’t have the ability to appropriate these funds long term.” He did go on to say that if and when permanent revenue sources are realized, education and
public safety should go to the head of the line. Rep. Jud Gilbert (RAlgonac) said the money should go to the rainy day fund and long-term obligations, particularly the teacher retirement fund. Meanwhile, freshman Rep. Ken Goike (R-Ray Township) divides the surplus into two categories: real and projected. The cash in the “real” bucket, taxpayer dollars that have already been realized, should go toward long-term debt while what is in the “projected” should not only go to debt but also taxation changes, specifically undoing income tax changes put in place last year while shifting back property tax collections to later in the year. Meanwhile, in a Jan. 27
phone conference, Schuette proposed using $140 million to put 1,000 more officers on the street over a two-year period. “There’s too much fear and not enough safety,” he said, citing the loss of 3,200 officers from state departments since 2001. Apparently his proposal resonated with Snyder as more police was one of the items covered by the budget he unveiled Feb. 9. He also proposed what he calls a small increase for education though critics have said it’s not a real increase at all as it will not entirely offset federal earmarks that will dry up this year. While the surplus has gotten a significant amount of attention, in the background is a proposal to eliminate person-
al property tax. An EpicMRA poll conducted last October shows a majority of state residents think this will just be a cash grab for business, many of which already got a boost with elimination of the Single Business Tax. Meanwhile, local government leaders warn taking this step would be the death knell for institutions from libraries to little leagues. The political will to take what opponents say would be a draconian step might not exist, especially among representatives, many of whom will be campaigning for reelection this fall. The bottom line is that what on the surface appears to be a slam dunk budget could turn into a good old family feud. Stay tuned.
her back to breathing by giving her mouth to nose respiration. She is alive and doing great now! I want to thank these wonderful individuals that went beyond the call of their “regular” duty of saving people, to saving my beloved pet, Sophie.
McKinnon and Troy Jeschke for delivering ice stands. Thanks to all of the Ice Carving Sponsors too, without your support there would not have been an ice festival. Thank you to all the residents and visitors! We hope to see you again next year!
pounds of food. The pantry, located at 424 Smith St., serves Ira, Clay Township and Algonac. The hours are Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the third Tuesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The support we receive, from our community and beyond, is greatly appreciated by the people we serve and the pantry volunteers. We want to thank you very much. The pantry is grateful for the past support we’ve received from the Community Foundation. Again, thank you.
School and Eddy Elementary School (minigrants), St. Clair High School National Honor Society, St. Clair Parks and Recreation, and the Council on Aging. Additional funds were used to provide scholarships for three St. Clair High School seniors entering their first year of college, a scholarship for one woman returning to college, and clothing and toys for three families at Christmas. We are hopeful that we will see the same incredible support for our 2012 events - the Geranium Sale scheduled for May 12 and 19 and the Ethnic Festival scheduled for Nov. 1. On behalf of the St. Clair Women’s League:
was donated to the Mid City Nutrition Program.
KATHLEEN VALENTA Chesterfield
Winter in Richmond proved to be a good time The Taste of Richmond was a great success with 12 restaurants and 397 people sampling the fabulous food. Special thanks are given to the restaurants that participated. The events would be impossible without our hosts, too. Congratulations to Richmond Recreation for their success with the Children’s Carnival, Daddy Daughter Dance, Chili Cook-off and Senior Social. We enjoyed the wonderful entertainment by all those who participated, as well. Thanks to the Richmond Lenox EMS and Richmond Police who were present to ensure safety of all of our guests. Thank you Bob
KIM GALANTE Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce
Algonac Food Pantry winner of $1,500 grant Thank you to the Times Herald and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County for choosing the Algonac Food Pantry, one of the top 10 non-profit agencies to compete for the Share The Love Valentine’s Day $1,500 grant. Thank you to the many people who voted for the pantry, making the pantry the winner of one of the $1,500 grants. The grant money will be used to purchase hamburger, hot dogs, margarine, cheese, etc. The Algonac Lions Club donated a 16-foot freezer to the pantry making it possible to purchase larger quantities of perishable foods. In the year 2011, the pantry gave out 48,451
MARION AVERS Algonac Pantry Coordinator
Supporters of fundraisers made success possible The St. Clair Women’s League had a very successful year during 2011, thanks to the strong support for our major fundraisers by the St. Clair community. Our group made donations of more than $20,000 to the following groups: St. Clair Ecumenical Council’s Food Pantry, Kids In Distress, Blue Water Hospice, St. Clair Arts Association, St. Clair High
PAM CLEES, Publicity Chair St. Clair
Parrothead’s show thanks The Bluewater Parrothead Club would like to thank everyone who attended our first New Years Eve fundraiser. All of the money raised will be used for our many local, charitable donations, throughout the year. Also collected was 93 pounds of food, which
ALAN CASE Port Huron Township
TM
The Bay Voice, published weekly by Voice Communications Corp. at our main office, 51180 Bedford, New Baltimore, MI 48047, is mailed periodicals (permit: ISSN 8750-7188) postage paid at New Baltimore Post Office and additional offices. Standard mail enclosed. Subscriptions: $30 a year. Advertising and editorial deadlines: 5 p.m. Friday, except on weeks preceding a holiday. Deadline for letters to the editor , 5 p.m. Thursday. The Voice is printed by The Macomb Daily Press. Postmaster, send address changes to 51180 Bedford, New Baltimore, MI 48047. Publisher: Jerry Bammel General Manager/Adv. Director: Debbie Loggins Editor: Jeff Payne Assistant Editor: Courtney Flynn Office Manager: Dorothy Miok Circulation Manager: René Allard NEW BALTIMORE MAIN OFFICE 51180 BEDFORD, NEW BALTIMORE, MI 48047 All correspondence to: 51180 BEDFORD, NEW BALTIMORE, MI 48047 The Voice Newspapers are published weekly by Voice Communications Corp., including The Bay Voice, The Downriver Voice, The North Macomb Voice, The Blue Water Voice and The Macomb Township Voice. New Baltimore (586) 716-8100 | (800) 561-2248 A Journal Register Company Newspaper