Editorial
Fixing the dam
On Oct. 10 The Mining Journal reported that the Marquette Board of Light and Power had voted not to reconstruct the hydro-dam at Marquette’s Tourist Park. Previous to that meeting the Marquette City Commission voted to request that the dam be restored. The Board of Light and Power based its decision to take this step on facts that have been disputed by many in the community.
As elected officials they exercised their right vote that was 3-1, with one member being disqualified by their BLP attorney. Now that they have voted, the next step needs to occur. The Marquette Board of Power has under its control over 600 acres in seven different parcels along the Dead River. Much of this property needs to be reverted back to the citizens of Marquette.
I understand that a few of these acres are needed to support the small Forestville Dam and the BLP facility on Wright Street. In transferring this property it will create those situations where taxable growth can occur.
During the past year utility companies such as WE Energy and U.P. Power have been divesting themselves of much of their surplus property on the open market. The BLP needs to revert that property to the citizens of Marquette so they can decide on the use of that property and protect the parcels that support recreational water usage.
A meeting is scheduled to take place in the Marquette City chambers on Dec. 3 between the Marquette Board of Light and Power and the Marquette City Commission. The topic will be the Tourist Park Dam. Without a question that should start the process to jointly work together in transferring that property. It will also give the opportunity for the silent majority to come forward and state their feelings to support the restoring of the lake and reconstruction of the dam at Tourist Park.
Jerry Irby
Marquette
As elected officials they exercised their right vote that was 3-1, with one member being disqualified by their BLP attorney. Now that they have voted, the next step needs to occur. The Marquette Board of Power has under its control over 600 acres in seven different parcels along the Dead River. Much of this property needs to be reverted back to the citizens of Marquette.
I understand that a few of these acres are needed to support the small Forestville Dam and the BLP facility on Wright Street. In transferring this property it will create those situations where taxable growth can occur.
During the past year utility companies such as WE Energy and U.P. Power have been divesting themselves of much of their surplus property on the open market. The BLP needs to revert that property to the citizens of Marquette so they can decide on the use of that property and protect the parcels that support recreational water usage.
A meeting is scheduled to take place in the Marquette City chambers on Dec. 3 between the Marquette Board of Light and Power and the Marquette City Commission. The topic will be the Tourist Park Dam. Without a question that should start the process to jointly work together in transferring that property. It will also give the opportunity for the silent majority to come forward and state their feelings to support the restoring of the lake and reconstruction of the dam at Tourist Park.
Jerry Irby
Marquette
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