To the Journal editor:

I’m reminded every day of my deep Upper Peninsula family history. My great, great grandfather was a city councilor and was quite wealthy and a part of the making of businesses that made Negaunee what it was then … a flourishing city with the nice attitude for all.

Now we look at a city with little income and large sorrow, crime rampant but, little population, nice people with grayness haunting their budget and their family. Negaunee isn’t the only city with economic and overall hardships but, all 15 counties have been hit hard. We have had great leaders but, we find ourselves still in the mess of yesterday.

I’m pro-coal, not because I want to be. It’s because I have to be for the survival of northern Michigan culture and cities. My friends it’s time to step up and realize we need to have power of our own problems in the upmost way. We send our money downstate but, have little services given back.

A newspaper article said we could make it on our own. But, we hesitate and putting up a fight. Michigan is a beautiful state and when I say Michigan I mean the Upper Peninsula. Let’s do what former state Rep. Dominic Jacobetti, D-Negaunee, fell short in doing. Let’s stand together as one people to announce either the 51st state or accountable and fair government for all not only southern Michigan counties.

I call on John Kivela, John Depetro, Keith LaCosse, Tom Casperson, and friends and family to bring a voice to a much needed issue of our being as Yoopers!

Matthew Haile

Cedar Rapids