Letters to the editor

narrowsbridgework2No cheap shots at MDOT

All of us in the Glen Lake area share your enthusiasm in welcoming the new owners of the On the Narrows Marina (“Narrows Minded: Marina wide open for summer,” June 11). We are excited to have the McCahills with us, and hope they’re here for many summers to come.

However, you say that folks are learning to ignore the MDOT “inaccurate construction signs regarding road closures.” They are, in fact, quite accurate.

The one at the turn (between Boone Dock’s and Anderson’s IGA) says “Road closed to thru traffic,” which it is. (You cannot get to Empire from there, unless you swim across the narrows. That’s what “thru traffic” means.) There is ALSO a big bright orange sign, right next to the “road closed” sign, that says “M-22 open to businesses north of Glen Lake,” which it is. There are also a variety of signs leading up to the turn that warn travelers that the Glen Lake Narrows Bridge is closed, which it most decidedly is.

MDOT has, in fact, been quite responsive to the Glen Arbor business community in getting accurate signage in place. I personally have had multiple conversations with the MDOT people, they’ve come out here several times to adjust things, and they’ve erected extra signs (the Chamber split the cost of the extra signs with them) to address our concerns. MDOT has worked hard to accommodate our requests … within the strict confines of Michigan State Law under which they operate.

I’ll grant you that the closure of the bridge is a nuisance, and that the signs are irritating. However, your cheap shot at MDOT is undeserved.

We all want to do everything to encourage traffic to the businesses along M-22, especially the Narrows Marina folks in their first year. Encouraging people to ignore MDOT warning signs is not the way to do that.

David G. Marshall
President, Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce

Promote local research

I enjoyed reading (the previous issue of the Glen Arbor Sun) because it presents well-written material about local interests. This applies to your caterpillar piece (“Yuck! It’s a tent caterpillar year,” June 11) except for using a (University of Delaware) reference when we have well qualified authorities at our own Michigan State University, both on campus and in the Agricultural Extension Service. Michigan does some things right so let’s promote our fine University when we can.

George D. Wilson

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