Marquette

observations

To the Journal editor:

I recently read The Mining Journal’s opinion in regards to the mess left around McCarty’s Cove. The picture speaks for itself.

It’s not only here but other areas and towns in the Upper Peninsula that have out-of-town people visiting. They don’t live here and that makes a difference.

I’ve talked to some people who are from Munising. It’s being overrun from a large number of people visiting Pictured Rocks National (Lakeshore). Very congested with traffic and not leaving the area as it should be.

As a Marquette native, I’ve seen a big change in our area. As stated about leaving a mess also we have lost some of the beauty of nature with so much building going on. I hope those who represent the city will consider keeping Marquette at least a somewhat small town.

It has changed a lot since the 1950s when I was young our family home was in back of where Norlite Nursing home is. It was a beautiful wooded area and some nice clean streams.

Our neighborhood was once Fisher Street which is now the U.S. 41 Bypass. Our many neighbors were forced out of their homes. And the building continues. So how big will Marquette get? Time will tell. All I can say is I hope it will not keep getting bigger.

I remember being in the U.S. Air Force in Miami, FL, 1957-59. No snowbirds then and a lot of Florida was not populated. Look at it now. Lots of people and less rural area.

One has to take a long ride to be out in nature. Also being in the U.S. Coast Guard in Traverse City in 1964-66. I could go for a swim in Lake Michigan. Now it’s all hotels, etc. Private beaches plus a lot more people. Just think if Presque Isle was in private hands. No riding around the Island that so many people enjoy doing. Once buildings are in place then you lose the beauty of the land.

Lucky for us who live in the U.P. we can still take a ride and still see the land the way it was many years ago. Thanks again to The Mining Journal for making people aware of what can happen if people don’t respect our city and leave it a mess.

William P. Maki

Marquette