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November 2002 News

Keweenaw County draft land use map available on Keweenaw Liberty Library

Updated 11/27/2002

HOUGHTON -- The Nov. 7, 2002, preferred future land use map for the Keweenaw County "Blueprint for Tomorrow" Draft Land Use Plan from the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) is now available on the Keweenaw Liberty Library. The pages of the "Blueprint for Tomorrow" draft plan, including photos and detailed maps, have also been uploaded to the site. Visit the Keweenaw Liberty Library and click on Land Use Planning/Zoning for the parts of the draft plan. Go to Appendix Maps for the land use map. A public hearing on the draft land use plan and maps will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Courthouse in Eagle River. more 

DEQ permit for Gratiot River bridge proposal allows public comment until Nov. 27

Posted 11/25/2002

LANSING -- A 20-day period for public comment or hearing requests on a permit application to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for a bridge across the Gratiot River in Allouez Township will end on Wednesday, Nov. 27. An easement to provide access for private owners of land adjacent to Keweenaw County's purchase of 100 acres at the mouth of the Gratiot River is the basis for the potential bridge. However, if the bridge is built, the county would probably have to return a $132,000 grant received (as part of the Gratiot purchase funding) from NAWCA (the North American Wetlands Conservation Act), since the bridge would not be allowed under this grant. more

MTU cancels Friday classes after all-day power outage Thursday, Nov. 21

Posted 11/21/2002

HOUGHTON -- After a day-long power outage, Michigan Tech University officials anticipated power would be back up on campus by 9 p.m. Thursday night, according to Dean Woodbeck, director of news and information. "There are still no classes tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 22), but faculty and staff are expected to report, and it should be business as usual," Woodbeck said early Thursday evening. The source of the power outage was one of two lines going into the Administration Building, he explained. The "age of the electrical system" was to blame. The line in question was slated to be replaced next summer. Students were allowed to leave a day early for their Thanksgiving break.

Detroit FREEP editorial says new DEQ hearing system weakens public's voice

Updated 11/21/2002

LANSING -- A Nov. 21, 2002, editorial in the Detroit Free Press says the new Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) public hearing procedures "appear intended to minimize the 'public' aspect of a public hearing." Instead of speaking in an open forum, people who want to testify will drop off written remarks or speak one-to-one with a DEQ officer who will make a record. The editorial calls the new system, while orderly, an "affront to open government and citizen engagement." Read the Free Press editorial.
See also an mlive.com article giving more public reactions as well as the DEQ's defense of their procedures for a Nov. 21 state hearing on farm pollution. 

Granholm elected Michigan's first woman governor

Posted 11/06/2002

LANSING -- Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm becomes the first woman to be elected governor of Michigan with her victory over present Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus. According to the Detroit Free Press, Granholm appeared at 11:18 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, before a cheering crowd in Detroit and announced that Republican candidate Posthumus had conceded the election. The Free Press also reported late Tuesday night that Michigan's U.S. Sen. Carl Levin and U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, had both been re-elected. Read the Free Press article.

Conservation, environmental leaders support Granholm for Governor

Posted 11/04/2002

LANSING -- Calling the last decade of state policies a departure from a 70-year Michigan tradition of conservation, leaders of Michigan's conservation and environmental communities recently urged citizens concerned about clean air and water, land protection and outdoor recreation to vote for Jennifer Granholm for Governor on November 5. more

Stupak addresses Copper Country Peace Alliance on war with Iraq

Posted 11/02/2002

HOUGHTON -- U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, met with members of the Copper Country Peace Alliance on Monday, October 28, in Houghton. The congressman explained his recent vote against President Bush's resolution for war with Iraq and answered questions about possible consequences of an invasion of Iraq. more

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