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Letters to the Editor

Eagle Harbor overreaches

To the editor: With its tight restrictions on short-term rentals, Eagle Harbor is raising a big middle finger to tourists, businesses and the hard working folk of the Keweenaw. Short-term rentals play an important role in a healthy tourist-recreation economy, giving tourists a rich array of choices beyond traditional motels and resorts. Their guests help support local businesses and families. The Township Board feels they have too many short-term rentals. That may be true in the small 2 sq. mile village of Eagle Harbor, where the density of rentals is 8/1 sq. mile.  However, ...

Township’s stealth STR ordinance

To the editor: This council at Eagle Harbor Township are about to pass a short-term rental (STR) ordinance that is highly restrictive and will hurt Keweenaw taxpayers. STRs are an integral part of our tourism economy, which is critical. Also limiting the use of homes and the option to rent them is asking for lower resale values and higher taxes for all resident properties. Is there a problem with short term rentals in Eagle Harbor? Maybe in the tiny 2 sq. mile Village of Eagle Harbor, where there are more than 16 of them, as compared to 14 in the remaining 57 sq. miles of Eagle ...

Wolves relisted

To the editor: Federal protections for wolves in most of the U.S., including Michigan, were restored following a recent court decision. While the DNR took a conservative approach to wolf management, Michigan wolves do not exist in isolation. One criterion for any species to be federally delisted is whether threats still exist. The court likely considered the wolf slaughter that took place in Wisconsin last year; the South Dakota law designating the wolf as “predator/varmint,” the high rate of wolf poaching in the Great Lakes states, the open and bald-faced threats of those who ...

Families on Medicaid, you are not alone

To the editor: Recently, I wrote to this newspaper about the absolute absurdity of the Affordable Care Act which forces Michigan’s children on Medicaid. I also wrote of Healthy Kids Dental program’s refusal to pay for out of network dentists. I have since learned that in order for my children to see an out of network dentist I needed to file an internal appeal with HKD. I could also request a state fair hearing if my request for an out of network dentist is denied. This is a lot of work for a subpar insurance which my taxes pay for and I didn’t want in the first place. If ...

Nature vs. nurture

To the editor: A well-known adage from psychology is that needs dictate beliefs and emotions produce actions. Beliefs may be secular or religious while actions may be benign or otherwise. Some common secular beliefs: Bigfoot exists in the northwest forests of the United States; the Earth is flat; strange things happen with a full moon; a broken mirror can bring bad luck; karma is real; thirteen is an unlucky number; and political beliefs vary widely. The primary influences of religious beliefs are family, geography, and time historically. Secondary influences are child/parent ...

Winter Fun thanks

To the editor: We want to express our great appreciation for all those involved in our recent Winter Fun Day. There are many to thank and initially, the DNR who was so kind to let us close the trail for the racers. Ryan LaPorte, president of the Keweenaw Snowmobile Club was instrumental in making this happen and Mike Fig provided a perfectly groomed palette. Eric Waara and the city of Houghton went beyond normal requests to accommodate this event with set up and prizes. Our volunteers were amazing as always: Mike Axford, Dave Bach, Pam and Jim Canady, Sandy Cooney, Bill Fink, Bob ...