Dear Editor,  Ever wonder where all of your state taxpayer dollars go? I do. In fact, it was one of the questions that led me to run for office. As a concerned citizen, I had requested state spending information from our representatives. I was frustrated by the lack of useful information provided in response to my queries. Upon entering into public service myself, I understand why my previous requests met with such poor results. They didn’t have access to the information either.  Thankfully, the lack of useful spending data has now been addressed with the passage of SB 802, which I introduced…

To the Parents and Friends of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools – Although all the news from Lansing lately is about “Right to Work,” behind the scenes there is still education legislation that is moving forward behind the scenes and, if passed, would have profound effects on Michigan’s public schools, and on PCCS in particular. This legislation pertains to the EAA (Education Achievement Authority).  The EAA was formed a year ago as a kind of separate “school district” in Detroit that would take over the Detroit schools that fall in the bottom 5% of schools based on student achievement.  The …

I write today to express my concerns over pending legislation pertaining to the EAA (Education Achievement Authority). As I understand it, the legislation now in Lansing would expand the EAA's authority and allow it to take over any school in the state that is in the bottom 5 percent, in essence, creating a statewide school district. I actually have no objection to that part of the legislation as I do not see how or why it would matter if a bottom 5 percent school were located in the City of Detroit or not. My serious concerns relate to the following components of the legislation: The EAA …

I want to thank the members of my family, and the volunteers and supporters who participated in the campaign I conducted to become elected Wayne County Commissioner for the Tenth District.  Although I was unsuccessful in winning the election, I am extremely grateful to the people who stepped up to lend a hand and the confidence they had in me as a candidate.  In addition, I want to thank the thousands of persons who voted for me and I deeply appreciate the civility and respect I was treated with by so many of the residents of the district who gave me  the time to let me introduce my self when…

To the Editor, During the sixties, the air pollution over Michigan Downriver communities was terrible. A huge red cloud of iron oxide hung over the area. Premature deaths were blamed on the dirty air. Under federal and local funding of the Clean Air Act, the Downriver communities in cooperation with the Wayne County Health Department, launched the Downriver Air Pollution Control Project. Following a meeting in the middle of the Detroit River on the first Earth Day, the Canadian communities of Windsor and Sandwich West became full contributing members of the project. Canadian funds were …

Dear Editor, I’m disturbed by legislation that recently passed the Michigan Senate that would effectively remove all regulatory controls over premium rate increases by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Insurance premiums are already high enough in this state without making it even easier for a monopoly like BCBSM to jack up rates. Everyone should be very concerned in that BCBSM already controls 70% of the insurance market in this state. On top of that, BCBSM is being sold to a mutual insurance company by the same name that will have no charitable mission to keep costs low. But despite the …

Hello, I'm Mike Short. I live in the old 11th Congressional District of Michigan. I've posted a video to YouTube which may interest you.  I'm writing you as a individual opposed to the election of Kerry Bentivolio and I created this video with that thought in mind.  If elected, Mr. Bentivolio would be my representative for the lame-duck session of the current congress.  The prospect of having a Tea Party advocate as my representative makes me unhappy. Unhappy enough to oppose Mr. Bentivolio's bid for the next full session of congress as well. I have friends in the new 11th who should not have…

Dear Editor, Toni Hunt puts our school district first, and refuses to pander to special interest groups who are only interested in themselves, and not in what is best for our children. Toni Hunt puts student safety first and works diligently to makes sure our schools and classrooms are safe. Toni Hunt believes that the school district has a responsibility to teach all children, and that all children are capable of learning.      Toni Hunt is fearless, and speaks up for what is right for our kids and our community.   For the good of our schools, children, and community, please vote for Toni …

- Submitted by the Office of State Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton), who represents Plymouth and Canton. We’ve all seen the ads claiming all of the wonderful benefits that passage that Proposal 4 would yield. They say that if Proposal 4 passes, the state would be able to provide training for in-home care workers, create a registry of workers who pass background checks and provide financial services to patients.Here’s what you are not being told. We can do all of these wonderful things RIGHT NOW! In 2004, the Michigan Quality Community Care Council (MQCCC) was formed to do just that. In 2005, …

To the Editor, My name is David Curson and I am a candidate for U.S. Congress in the 11th District, undoubtedly Michigan’s most confusing election. I am writing this letter to try and untangle the confusion. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-Livonia) has represented the 11th District since 2003. His current term of office expires on January 2, 2013. In May of this year in a stunning surprise, the election commission determined that McCotter’s petitions to validate his candidacy for the 113th Congress contained illegal and forged signatures rendering him ineligible to run for re-election.  Then…

By the time the polls closed last night, 41% of Democratic voters in Michigan's 11th district, over 15,000 voters, decided to choose me as their candidate for United States House of Representatives. I congratulate and thank everyone who gave me their vote and supported the campaign. Not only did many people vote who probably would not have otherwise, but by supporting my campaign as part of a National Slate of Candidates, voters in Michigan were able to participate directly in catalyzing the fight to shape policy in the nation's capitol. Given the fact that my primary opponent made his …

I am writing in support of Shannon Price for County Commissioner in the Republican primary on August 7.  As a former Canton Township Attorney, I have worked with the county on issues relating to parks, property taxes, and infrastructure projects.  It is clear to me that a strong new voice is needed on the County Commission.   Shannon understands the issues facing Canton and Plymouth as donor communities on parks, roads, and jails.  Shannon will fight for us and fight to bring our tax dollars back into our communities. Audrey RobinsonPlymouth, MI 

In the past week, it has been revealed that the LIBOR, the mechanism which directs the setting of interest rates throughout the trans-Atlantic financial system, has been a lie. The LIBOR (London Inter Bank Offered Rate) is the average interest offered on inter-bank loans reported by the top private investment banks that make up the British Bankers' Association. For the past several years, the LIBOR has essentially been rigged against bond issuers, like municipalities and states, costing them millions upon millions of dollars in artificially high interest payments. Don't call this “insider …

As the mother of three, grandmother of one and volunteer at the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, I am — and will continue to be — a champion for our kids’ schools here in southeastern Michigan. Our kids need top-quality public schools, so they can get the education and skills they need to compete for jobs in the 21st century economy. I’ve fought back against nearly $1 billion in cuts Lansing Republicans have forced on Michigan’s schools. These cuts have devastated local schools, costing Plymouth-Canton Community Schools more than $4 million and Van Buren Public Schools more than $1.1 …

We, the Supporters of Academic Integrity in Plymouth-Canton, would like to congratulate the Senior Class of 2012, the teachers and administrators at the Park, for a peaceful and fun last week of school. There was a flash mob performance of "Thriller," seniors were stuck in place in the hallways when they were "it" during freeze tag, students got together to eat a delicious waffle breakfast after turning in their books for the last time, while others from their class took part in a field day sponsored by the National Honor Society. The senior's final week culminated for many at the Prom, which…

Editor's note: A group of parents in support of a half-day kindergarten option submitted this letter to members of the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education. The parents also shared it with Patch. The district is adopting an all-day kindergarten schedule for the 2012-13 school year in order to retain full per-pupil funding from the state. Dear Members of the Plymouth-Canton Board of Education: At your board meeting on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Hughes proposed that the district offer two classrooms (four sections) of a Young Fives program for the 2012-…

Letter to the Editor I have attended the facility utilization meetings over the course of the last couple of months, and one element seems to arise at each one: the pure ugliness residing in this community. I am speaking of the parents who continue to state that they do not want "those kids", including Tanger and Title I students, attending their schools or being relocated to their current buildings. "Those kids" are just that, kids, and they need and desire a top-notch educational opportunity as much as any other child in this district. I am both embarrassed and appalled by this ignorant …

Editor's note: Tuesday is the final day for Feb. 28 election-related letters to the editor. Send your letters to john.mckay@patch.com. Plymouth Township officials have recently stated that the Plymouth Township Fire Department will be downsized and that there must be a contraction of the department due to the end of the merger with the city of Plymouth. These changes will cause irreparable harm to the citizens of Plymouth Township, as well as those who work, visit and drive through Plymouth Township. Plymouth Township is 18 square miles, with a population of approx. 28,000 that grows to over…

The Citizens of Plymouth Township should take note of an opportunity to make a long past due structural change to their current fire/EMS delivery model. We often complain or wonder how we can make a positive impact in Washington or Lansing with little resolve. We have an opportunity in our own back yard to make a difference for generations to come and to send a message to a self-serving department that is in need of serious structural change and to remind these individuals that our entire community has suffered during these troubled financial times. We do not owe our firefighters an excessive…

On Feb. 28, Plymouth Township voters will be asked to approve a new Special Assessment District (SAD) for fire that effectively grants future boards unlimited taxing power and strips you of your authority to vote on future millage increases. If passed, the SAD will enable boards to assess up to 10 mils for equipment and an unlimited amount for employee and other operational costs.It is on the ballot as a result of an employee-backed petition drive, not bysponsorship of the Township Board. That makes it different from anything wehave ever seen or probably will ever see again. Tax increases are…