LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Raise spirits, raise economy, raise up fundraisingDear Editor,
The mission of the Elk Rapids Rotary Club is to provide service, promote integrity, advance understanding, exhibit goodwill, and promote peace. This past year, our club has provided meaningful financial grants to the Antrim County Baby Pantry (mothers and babies), Peace Ranch (veterans), Newton’s Road (local education), Elk Rapids DDA (PPE assistance), the Malawi Bike Project (international youth), and many others. We do this through donations from our neighbors, usually during fundraising events. This past year, the pandemic limited our ability to hold fundraisers such as the Rotary Show and Harbor Days Chicken BBQ. Without such events in 2021, we’ll be unable to maintain that level of critical funding. Last week’s article on the proposed powerboat race explained that the event could present new fundraising opportunities. I have the privilege of being the club’s Good Works Committee chair and, speaking for myself, believe Rotarians would jump at the chance to find a creative way of raising money for our mission. It’s my hope that the community can unite to at least try this event. Don’t allow small inconvenience to take precedence over the economic survival of our stressed business community and potential fundraising opportunity for our local service clubs. Steve Francis Williamsburg |
Time to consider another location for libraryDear Editor,
One can determine from various public sources that there are significant issues of concern from current board members about many aspects of the present course being pursued. Now might be the right time to look into the future regarding the proposed library expansion. The issue of ownership of the library, and any addition, according to the existing deed, is the property of the Village of Elk Rapids, not the Elk Rapids District Library. The library is only a renter. Does this board want to spend some millions of dollars on a structure it can never own or control? Considering how the past months of shutdown have still allowed services to be provided to library patrons, why would such a large expansion be advantageous to our community? Hasn’t the time come for the board to seriously consider another location? A location, with plenty of space for parking, easier access than trudging up a hill in winter, and most importantly, total ownership. The Island House and its surrounding parklike setting should remain as an unaltered important historic site that is imbedded deeply in the psyche of so many community residents. Mary Lobisco, Citizens for Responsible Government Letters to the Editor:
|