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DEQ proceeds with Kennecott sulfide mine application, still opposed by community groups
By Emily Svenson and Michele Anderson   Posted 11/22/2006 

MARQUETTE -- The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) resumed processing Kennecott Minerals' application for a sulfide mine under the Yellow Dog Plains and Salmon Trout River on Oct. 26, 2006. A debate over the proposed Eagle Project mine, to be located about 30 miles northwest of Marquette, has been ongoing since the spring of 2003, when Kennecott’s proposition became public. Both local and national groups oppose the mine, citing especially the danger of Acid Mine Drainage to trout streams and ultimately Lake Superior. On Nov. 14, 2006, the DEQ issued a permit review update on the proposed Eagle Project mine, stating public comments on Kennecott’s response to the DEQ's questions on their initial application will be accepted until Dec. 26, 2006. The DEQ will make a proposed decision to grant or deny the Part 632 permit application on January 9, 2007, and will also issue notice of a consolidated public hearing (on the Part 632 permit and on air and groundwater permit applications) expected to be held in mid-February. more
Photo: A view of the Salmon-Trout River, which flows through an area proposed for Kennecott Minerals' Eagle Project sulfide mine. The River contains a rare population of Coaster Brook Trout. (File photo © 2005 Northwoods Wilderness Recovery. Reprinted with permission.)

Sen. Levin calls for phased redeployment of U.S. forces in Iraq
Posted 11/19/2006 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Michigan's U. S. Senator Carl Levin addressed the Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Iraq on Nov. 15. "Our uniformed military leaders have repeatedly told us that there’s no military solution to the violence in Iraq and that a political agreement between the Iraqi sectarian factions themselves is the only way to end the violence," Levin said. "We should put the responsibility for Iraq’s future squarely where it belongs -- on the Iraqis. We cannot save the Iraqis from themselves. The only way for Iraqi leaders to squarely face that reality is for President Bush to tell them that the United States will begin a phased redeployment of our forces within four to six months." Sen. Levin is preparing to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee, of which he has been a member throughout his career. He previously chaired the Committee from June 2001 to January 2003. Visit Sen. Levin's Web site for the text of his speech to the Committee.
Photo: U. S. Senator Carl Levin at the Senate podium. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo courtesy Sen. Levin's Web site. Reprinted with permission.)

Democrats win major races in Houghton County with 52% voter turnout
By Michele Anderson  Posted and Updated 11/09/2006 

HOUGHTON -- Despite a voter turnout of only 52.15% of registered voters in Houghton County, Democrats scored victories in the major races, reflecting the national trend in this election that, according to the Associated Press, now gives the party a ruling majority in both chambers of Congress for the first time since 1994. Voters showed confidence in Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, giving her 6,497 votes (54.21%) to 5,275 (44.02%) for her major challenger, Republican Dick DeVos. Houghton County voters also gave significant margins of victory to other major incumbent Democrats: U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Representative Bart Stupak and State Senator Mike Prusi -- all of whom retain their positions. Houghton County voters helped  elect Hancock's Mike Lahti, presently Houghton County Commission chair, to the 110th District State Representative position to be vacated by term-ended Rich Brown (D-Bessemer). Democrat Anton Pintar took one of two contested Houghton County Commissioner seats, defeating Republican John Condon. County Commissioner Paul Luoma (D) retains his seat after defeating challenger Matt E. Huuki. more

Keweenaw County voters pick winning Michigan Democrats 
By Michele Anderson  Posted 11/08/2006 

EAGLE RIVER -- Election results for Keweenaw County were completed just before 10 p.m. Tuesday evening, Nov. 7, reporting 632 total votes for Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm against 507 votes for her major opponent, Dick DeVos. According to the Detroit Free Press, Granholm addressed supporters in Detroit shortly after 11 p.m., announcing she had just received congratulations from DeVos. In other major races, Keweenaw County voters contributed to victories by incumbent Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Representative Bart Stupak and State Senator Mike Prusi. Democrat Mike Lahti of Hancock also received support from Keweenaw County in his victory for the 110th District State Representative position. Three contested Keweenaw County Commissioner seats went to Don Keith, Randy Eckloff and Joe Langdon. more
Photo: Governor Jennifer Granholm addresses local residents in the Courthouse in Eagle River during her visit to Keweenaw County on Aug. 17, 2005. (Keweenaw Now file photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

Gratiot River North awaits funding for public access
By Wimberly Routhier  Posted 11/05/2006 

ALLOUEZ TOWNSHIP -- Gratiot River North, 100 acres and 4,000 feet of agate-rich cobble and basaltic bedrock on the north shore of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is slated to become part of the Keweenaw County Park, which includes the mouth of the Gratiot River, a favorite recreation spot. In March 2003, the North Woods Conservancy (NWC) became the interim owner of Gratiot River North, using proceeds from a commercial loan and holding the property until it can be transferred into public ownership as part of the County Park. A $1.95 million grant, awarded in December 2005 from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF), will make this possible when the money is received. In addition, John Griffith, NWC president and candidate for a Keweenaw County Commissioner position in the Nov. 7 election, would like to add Gratiot River South to the park. This southern piece would complete the coastal portion of the park, including 7,000 feet of up-stream river. more
Photo: Gratiot River North shoreline, looking southwest along Lake Superior toward the mouth of the Gratiot River. (Photo by John Griffith)

Ballot Proposal 2: End of Affirmative Action?
By Bryan Tyler  Posted 11/02/2006 

HOUGHTON -- With the Nov. 7 Election fast approaching, one controversial issue on the upcoming ballot is the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI), also known as Proposal 2. Guest writer Bryan Tyler reports on recent visiting speakers at Michigan Tech -- Susan Kaufmann, Associate Director of the Center for the Education of Women at the University of Michigan, who has done research on potential impacts of the MCRI, and Frank Wu, dean of Wayne State University Law School, who spoke on "The New Civil Rights  in the 21st Century" at the Rozsa Center. Tyler presents an in-depth article on the pros and cons of the MCRI, including interviews with MTU President Glenn Mroz and Chris Anderson, special assistant to the president for Institutional Diversity and executive director of Educational Opportunity at Michigan Tech. more
Photo: Frank Wu, dean of Wayne State University Law School, recently spoke at Michigan Tech on "The New Civil Rights  in the 21st Century." He also visited MTU classes and discussed  racial and gender inequality in American institutions. Wu is the author of Yellow: Race in America Beyond Black and White, in which he recounts what it was like growing up as a member of the minority. (Photo © 2006 Emil Groth) 

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