Comments on: Column: Limited Edition

By: Del Dunbar

Del Dunbar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:38:24 +0000

John, Given the higher lake elevations of Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron, wouldn’t terminating the routes of ocean-going freighters at a rail distribution center in Monroe likely help to limit the invasive species problems to just Lakes Erie and Ontario? Closing the Seaway may not be politically achievable.

By: John Floyd

John Floyd — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:01:21 +0000

Sadly, ocean-going freighters pose one of the greatest threats to the health of the Great Lakes, due to the invasive species they bring in the ballast water. There seems to be a trade-off between the lakes as cheap inter-continental transportation, and recreational/food resource. Closing the Seaway is perhaps more important to maintaining/restoring the health of the lakes than reducing urban and agricultural runoff. Michigan’s outdoor recreation opportunities – lakes, rivers, forests, U.P. “mountains” – may be its greatest, and most sustainable, natural resource.

By: Judith

Judith — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:38:25 +0000

Del –
I came late to this commentary and am so glad I did.
From your keyboard to the eyes of leadership: new, renewed, old, young, liberal, conservative… If ever there was a time to stake a claim in a better future, with repurposed and new ideas, it is now. Thanks for ‘op-edding” for my new daily news!

By: Clayton

Clayton — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:18:19 +0000

Alternative transportation, agriculture, and tourism are certainly areas where Michigan can do much better but funding for public transportation, farm assistance, brownfield cleanup, state parks, environmental preservation, are all areas that our state Republicans have resisted supporting for decades. I don’t see a Republican Governor pushing this direction unless it meant massive privatization and deregulation.

The Granholm admin. has been disappointing, but mostly because she has been shackled with an uncooperative state legislature.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:51:25 +0000

Del…

Excellent commentary. I think you are right on and as a Democrat, I’ve been deeply (profoundly) disappointed by Governor Granholm. Her strategies have barely reached the level of gimmicks…Cool Cities?

I think that one of the biggest impediments to the economy is the lack of an educated workforce. I can tell you from first hand experience, that many companies avoid Michigan, even God’s gift to the world, Ann Arbor, due to the shallow pool of educated workers.

If I were Granholm, I would focus almost exclusively on education. I would offer tuition forgivness for any Michigan college students that stay in Michigan after graduation for a certain period of time. Too much talent leaves the state…

By: Bob Martel

Bob Martel — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:58:11 +0000

We definitely need a multi-modal capable port in the Detroit area. We are getting our clocks cleaned by formerly obscure east and west coast cities that have this capability. Imagine the logistical bonus of being able to drop off all those goods smack dab in the middle of the county! Overland distribution costs and time would be cut in half! Not to mention the ability to send our USA made goods right back to them from the middle of the country rather than trucking them or railing them to one of the coasts. Oh, and yes, then it would make more sense to make stuff here in the heartland instead of along the coats.

I’ve been told by several of my non-MI friends around the country that they are seeing the Pure Michigan ads and find them compelling. “Makes MI look good,” they say surprisingly. This is the best $40 million investment that our State government has made in a generation! And I include any $ spent towards higher education (read U of M) in that assessment!