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To the Journal editor:
WIth an important election fast approaching, we are listening closely to all the candidates because so many issues exist in the Upper Peninsula. We need experienced people to speak up for the U.P. and work to resolve them.
Our biggest issue at this time is attracting businesses and industrial employment. Families are being forced to leave the U.P. to find employment with living wages in other areas.
Currently, there are many homes for sale in the Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming areas. How many of these homes are being sold because the residents must move to find gainful employment?
The candidate with the most experience in resolving this problem is Joe Derocha who is very proactive in this issue. He has a proven record.
He was able to negotiate with Rio Tinto to invest in the Humboldt mill, which had been dormant for many years, to process material mined in Big Bay rather than send it elsewhere.
The mill was re-opened with the understanding that local people would be hired and receive prevailing wages. And it increased the tax base in Humboldt Township.
The ELF site had also been dormant for many years. Mr. Derocha worked to lease the ELF site to the Eagle Mine.
The income realized from these negotiations was almost a half million dollars community benefit. This financial increase provided additional funding for schools, road improvements and betterment for township residents.
Another accomplishment was his effort to reactivate an abandoned railroad corridor, the first time this happened in Michigan. This now provides the community with $50,000 a year.
Mr. Derocha has proved he has the ability to improve the employment situation, increase funding for our schools, infrastructure and provide other necessary improvements for our communities.
Pat Bureau
Ishpeming