Opposition to Senate Bill 727 • Clean Air Act protects Chippewa County's health • Keep our youth on right path • Menominee's say “thanks” • Teen Health Fair Thanks
Opposition to Senate Bill 727
To Whom It May Concern:
As I am an Ohio resident, I feel compelled to voice my opposition regarding Senate Bill 727 in the state of Michigan.
Third party visitation statutes have and will continue to create a devastating impact on parental authority and the family structure. It is my belief that a fit parent is more than capable of making infinitely better choices and decisions for the welfare of their children than the court system or bureaucracy can.
The Supreme Court Agrees. According to the June 5, 2000 USSC decision of Troxel v. Granville, it states that the U.S. constitution protects a parent's fundamental right to make decisions concerning the care, custody and control of their children without government interference. This fundamental right, protected by the U.S. Constitution, commands all states to presuppose that fit parents are acting in the best interest of their children, even when denying grandparents access to the child.
For far too long, activist judges have been afforded the opportunity to override the will of the people, seizing power unconstitutionally, and imposing their radical agendas. As a result, a brush fire of legal activity has spread across this country concerning the definition of parental rights and the institution of the family.
The judiciary is intended to interpret the laws of the legislature, but now activist judges are essentially rewriting laws, undermining the authority of legislators with no respect for the separation of powers, also ignoring the negative ramifications that such actions pose to the people.
On a matter of such importance, the voice of the people “must” be heard and the U.S. Constitution upheld. The state of Michigan has an obligation to protect and preserve the rights of parents and not usurp or erode them through unconstitutional legislation such as with, Senate Bill 727.
I strongly urge that Michigan lawmaker's propose and work toward passing legislation that would encourage reconciliation within the family structure without further government intrusion. We must restore parental rights in accordance with the U.S. Constitution, by eradicating third party visitation statutes altogether within your state and across this country. www.ohiocrpr.org.
Sincerely,
Julie A. May
Marion, Ohio 43302
Email: weebo7@msn.com
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Clean Air Act protects Chippewa County's health
Dear Community:
On behalf of the American Lung Association of Michigan and as the regional manager of the Upper Peninsula office, I would encourage the Chippewa County Board of Commissioners to enact the proposed Clean Indoor Air regulation. Working with your Board of Health and local Tobacco-Free Coalition, the commissioners have initiated action that will protect the health of both employees and consumers of Chippewa County. The proposed regulation is a reasonable and timely one. An additional benefit to a smokefree workplace policy is that smoking incidence decreases; thereby, improving the health of even more people.
The dangers of secondhand smoke to the elderly, new and unborn, young children, and those with respiratory disease are very real and there have been countless studies to support this fact. Even though the aforementioned are the high risk categories of people affected by passive smoke, everyone is at risk when exposed to it. A burning cigarette is a little toxic waste dump on fire emitting benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, cyanide, and other chemicals found in diesel exhaust. Research has shown that the average excess risk of lung cancer for a spouse of a smoker is 24 percent with an 82 percent increase in the risk for stroke. The same conditions exist in some workplaces. Employees should not have to choose between their health and a job they enjoy, need, and are qualified for.
It is good to see local government caring for their citizen's rights to the best health practices. The Board of Commissioners is clearly assuming its responsibility if they support their health board whose task it is to improve and safeguard the health of residents. Your local tobacco-free coalition has been doing a fine job raising awareness and educating on this serious health issue. I would encourage residents to let their commissioners and/or coalition know now that you support the proposed regulation. If anyone wishes more information on the hazards of passive smoke, lung disease, or help in quitting smoking please call (800) LUNGUSA or go to www.alam.org.
Carol Margrif
American Lung Association
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Keep our youth on right path
The warmth of the sun shines upon us as spring begins. The eagles are soaring high above our land keeping a close watch. Most of us are preparing for spring cleanup, walks, or just enjoying the warm weather.
We, as adults, have responsibilities to provide our youth with moral guidance that put our youth on the right path. Unfortunately, Law Enforcement has an increase in property crime, underage drinking and curfew violations.
With cooperation from parents, police and residents we can build a network based on positive response that will last throughout the year. Partnerships must be developed and maintained for maximum efficiency to improve the community quality of life. We must accept the fact that we are role models for our youth and healthy habits will encourage a better way of life for everyone.
Our community has numerous resources, and believe me, I have used them either professionally or personally and the results definitely have an impact on your life.
Let's try to keep focused on the problems that affect our community as a whole and try to solve them together. By utilizing our partnerships, we will be able to maximize community resources in a problem-solving format to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime and apprehend those involved in criminal activity through community policing.
Each day is a blessing, so let's enjoy Mother Earth's tiny miracles as they blossom into spring.
Report all suspicious activity or crime in your neighborhood for a safer community.
Thank you,
Officer Norma J. Bennett
Bay Mills Community Policing Officer
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Menominee's say “thanks”
We would like to thank everyone who recently helped us during our time of sorrow. Jim's loss was a shock to all and he will be missed greatly by all that knew him, especially his family. We would like to thank everyone at the Medical Building for everything they have done. Special thanks to the doctors and nurses who have taken care of Jim over the past few years. Thank you also goes to the home care workers that went and helped him out. We would also like to thank the women of the Senior Center for putting on such a wonderful luncheon, we really did appreciate it. Thank you to Bay Mills Police for delivering all the food that was donated to the family and to everyone who donated food. Thank you to the Tribal offices for helping out in all the ways that you did. It was greatly appreciated. Thank you to the Bay Mills Ambulance Service for their quick response and efforts to help Jim. Finally to all of Jim's friends who were just there to tell an old story or just give a hug, we will never forget that you cared. Jim was well-loved by many and will be sadly missed. Thank you to everyone.
Larraine Menominee
Jim and Jodie Menominee Jr.
Danette and Joe York
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Teen Health Fair Thanks
On March 17, Brimley Area School hosted a Teen Health Fair. Nearly 20 local agencies set up booths featuring information on nutrition, skin care, driving under the influence, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health, oral care, exercise and the use of tobacco and other illegal substances.
These and other preventative health topics were presented in a festive, educational manner. Like the Spring Show, many of the booths featured a prize drawing.
We'd like to extend our thanks to the presenters for their fabulous job and to the businesses that donated many give-away items. In a small community like ours, these same organizations are repeatedly asked to help in any number of worthy projects. On behalf of Brimley Area Schools, please accept, along with my personal gratitude, our appreciation for the generous support for our young people with energy, time and resources.
Our thanks go out to: War Memorial Hospital, Hiawatha Behavioral Health, Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Chippewa County Health Department, Chippewa County Sheriff Department, Chippewa Council for Youth and Families, Michigan State Extension Office, Day Makers Salon, Diane Peppler Resource Center, Bay Mills Dental Clinic, Upper Michigan Behavioral Health, Lake Superior State University Nursing Department, Care Net Pregnancy Center, Bay Mills Substance Abuse Prevention Center, The Listening Line, Chippewa County Prosecutor's Office, Michigan State Police Post, Tobacco Coalition for Chippewa County.
Respectfully,
Mary Schwiderson, RN, Certified School Nurse
Brimley Area Schools
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