Relax, take it easy

To the Journal editor:

Apparently, virtually in the course of just a few months, Marquette and surroundings have decided to increase speeds and disregard courtesy, wreaking havoc on our roadways. Is it a sign of our bucolic past, being lost?

Having lived in many wonderful places, from Hawaii to the West Coast, Colorado, etc., we have experienced many of these places being “discovered,” turning into congested rat races. Living through the previous vicissitudes we can see it beginning to happen here in Marquette.

Many folks here are talking on their phones, pulling crazy maneuvers, speeding even in school zones and creating unnecessary hazards, all desperately trying to save a minute or two, to get where? Large trucks are everywhere now, crossing lanes, cutting corners. We are seeing much less of what we used to call ‘Aloha’ in Hawaii; slowing down, waving, smiling and yielding way to each other.

So let’s try and “take ’em easy,” another Hawaiian phrase that reveals an appreciation for the short amount of time we all have here. Be instantly forgiving, if a close call occurs, and try not to be the creator of a close call. Let’s slow down and smell the roses, get off our phones, enjoy our wonderful car or truck for the gifts they are.

Take another five minutes to get anywhere, and we will enjoy the ride, and the beauty of Marquette County, that much more … and maybe even save a few animals, keeping our vehicles from damage, along the way.

DAVID RICHARDE

Marquette

Right-wing media biased

To the Journal editor:

Would someone of national stature (preferably one of the Democratic Party candidates for president) please tell the American people how full of baloney that the national conservative news media is?

The part that I find to be the most pathetic, amusing, and laughable is how they play all of us as if we are all fools, and have the sheer nerve and gall to pretend that their right-wing “think-tanks” produce “scholarly,” “objective,” “unbiased” and “scientific” research when almost all of them are actually phony and fake right-wing propoganda factories/mills primarily funded by corporate billionaires and deca-millionaires who want to abolish all of the social safety-net federal government programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

Sincerely,

STEWART B. EPSTEIN

Rochester, New York

Walk-a-Mile was success

To the Journal editor:

The third annual Pathways Community Mental Health Walk-a-Mile-in-My-Shoes Rally was held at the Marquette Commons on May 23.

Following a short downpour of rain in the morning, the clouds parted and we were blessed with a sunny afternoon. Over 300 participants registered to walk together for a mile on the bike path. We walked to increase awareness of the stigma associated with requesting help with mental illness as well as intellectual and developmental disabilities.

An event like this cannot happen without the support of the entire community. Pathways thanks the following for their contributions to our success: Superior Rehabilitation, Adult Learning Systems, Whistler’s Towing, Peninsula Pharmacy, First Bank, 44North, Lions Club of Negaunee, Joe Lavey, Glenn Wing, Anderson Tackman CPA, Dr. Steven Klamerus, Functional Behavior Systems, Laurel Kniskern, Econo Foods, Meijer, Just Believe, Norway Springs, Border Grill and DoubleTrouble Entertainment. Our appreciation goes out to local law enforcement who help with traffic control during this event, keeping everyone safe.

We are already looking forward to the 2020 WAM event.

BRENDA STACEY, chairwoman

Pathways WAM Planning Team

U.P., state needs Line 5

To the Journal editor:

As a longtime manager of one of the nation’s and one of Michigan’s largest propane companies, I continue to follow with great interest the headlines generated about Enbridge Line 5, the major oil and natural gas liquids pipeline that extends through our state.

The pipeline, which supplies approximately 150 million gallons of propane annually to Michigan residents, has been operating safely for more than 65 years but has sparked fears among some, including Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has initiated legal proceedings to shut down the line without a backup plan in place.

Michigan is second only to California in annual residential propane consumption. Propane is used for important things such as home heating, water heating and cooking, and helps keep families warm and safe during our harsh Michigan winters. A propane supply disruption in our state and region will create unnecessary challenges for propane companies that provide this vital fuel and to residents who rely on it.

Larger companies like Ferrellgas do have an advantage because we have very large vehicle fleet and supply contracts at numerous terminals across the country. But because a high percentage of Michigan residents are served by smaller family-owned companies that do not have the same resources, more comprehensive contingency plans need to be put in place before even talking about shutting down this pipeline.

Industry and state officials must come together and find a middle ground on this important issue. Shutting down Line 5 without a good back-up plan is bad for the propane industry, bad for our state, bad for the more than 100,000 Michigan families that use propane, and just plain irresponsible.

Winter will be here before we know it, and the current lack of any realistic backup plan puts Michigan propane users at risk.

Sincerely,

DON STECKMAN, general manager

Ferrellgas

Negaunee