Walkers vs Riders
IF WE KNOW ONE THING for certain… we know you can’t make everybody happy, all of the time. The recent decision to expand walking hours on Presque Isle undoubtedly left a number of residents both troubled by the process as well as disappointed with the decision.
At the same time, there are most definitely a number of people more than satisfied with the new expanded walking hours, which also affect bikers as well.
There are those who feel the best way to experience Presque Isle is to get out of the car and more in touch with the island’s natural beauty. They’re probably not wrong.
The problem with this issue is two-fold. One… even though a public announcement was made indicating this would be a point of discussion at the recent Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee meeting, not everybody has that line of communication on their radar. Consequently, only one citizen showed up to voice their opinion.
According to chairperson Tara Gluski, the committee didn’t initiate the change, but rather reviewed the proposal from the Parks & Rec Department, listened to the public comment, and, after discussion, voted to support the change.
The main reason for the new hours is the same thing we’ve heard from a lot of operations around the city… staffing. Opening and closing the loop requires manpower, and that is often in short supply.
Which brings us to the second part of the equation… the ramifications of the change. Those who enjoy the walk have no complaints, but there are many folks who can’t, for one reason or another, make that trek all the way around Peter White Drive.
One consideration has to be the fact that when vehicles are permitted, walkers are free to do their thing at the same time. It’s not ideal, what with a narrow road and walkers with strollers and kids and the like, but it’s feasible. In other words, the island is never closed to foot traffic, but, for 26 hours a week, is off limits to cars.
There are probably those who would like to see cars banned altogether, but that’s not likely to happen any time soon. That would shut out too many of us who can only make the trip with the aid of a motorized vehicle.
The best thing to do is become familiar with the hours so you can plan your visits accordingly. And maybe even give the walk a try. Just make sure you have an escape plan.
As far as the clout of the Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee in such matters goes, Gluski says, “I think there’s a lot of confusion about our role. PIPAC is an advisory committee. As an advisory committee, we weigh in on, and sometimes help develop, Presque Isle Park policy when requested by the city. Ultimately, our input is a recommendation to the city and not a binding decision.”
Their meetings are open to the public and they welcome community input. The meeting schedule can be found on the city’s website at marquettemi.gov.
More Words on the Nickname
The words “Redmen” and “Redette” will be the focus of a discussion at the next meeting of the MAPS School Board, Monday at 5:30 at Graveraet’s Kaufman Auditorium.
After a period of deferral, the MSHS nickname issue is back on the agenda… for review, and will no doubt bring out advocates for both sides. There’s no guarantee that a decision will be made at that meeting, but at least we’re moving in the direction of a conclusion.
I’ve heard from spokespersons from both the “Keep the Redmen Nickname” group as well as those representing the “Time for Change” crowd. Both are passionate and ardent in their beliefs, and 180 degrees apart.
Joe Lubig was asked to chair the committee established by the school board to look into the issue and come back with a recommendation.
The committee’s report concluded… “It is the consensus of the Marquette Senior High School Nickname Research Committee that the Marquette Area Public Schools discontinue the use of the nicknames “Redmen” and “Redettes.”
According to Lubig, “Using a consensus model over the three month period the board requested, we presented our research based recommendation on December 16, 2019 at a public meeting of the board. Our committee is advocating for the Board to follow the recommendations made by the committee based on the research we conducted per their request.”
The full report is available at: mapsnet.org/districtinformation/districtbulletin/mshsnicknameresearchcommittee
Those who favor the status quo cite the survey commissioned by the board which came back with a 60/40 split, in favor of keeping the Redmen moniker. Some people seem to think it was a “vote.” It wasn’t. It was a survey intended merely to check the pulse of the community and to be used as a tool to help the board make their final decision.
Other than that, advocates for keeping the name reference its tradition and what it means to those who have valiantly, and without shame, represented their school as Redmen and Redettes. A school’s history, especially in athletics, is important to its alumni, which the board should also take into consideration.
Jeremy Beerman, a defender of the Redmen legacy, offers the thought that the research committee had their minds made up, even before any research was done. “The ‘research’ committee was not a research committee whatsoever. Two members of the committee provided their own research pertaining to FSU [Florida State University Seminoles] and CMU [Central Michigan University Chippewas] working with their respective tribes and retaining their names. They were told that information wasn’t needed. That is a biased committee with a predetermined outcome.”
No doubt at least some of the committee members went into the process already leaning in one direction. It would have been nearly impossible to fill out the committee roster with members who had no opinion whatsoever.
Unfortunately, some of the “keep” folks have resorted to ad hominem attacks on Lubig and other “change” proponents, suggesting their affiliation with NMU corrupts their standing. I guess I missed the memo where NMU employees were deemed to be unfit to have an opinion related to the operation of the Marquette school system.
Final Words Before Monday’s Meeting
Regardless of the decision, whenever it is finalized, a considerable number of Marquette residents are going to be disappointed. But they’ll have to accept the fact that board members were elected to make the tough calls, like this one, and constituents have an equal responsibility to accept the results.
If the board decides to keep the name, the change crowd will just have to make the best of it, understanding that there appears to be no racist intent in the name, but rather a salute to our local Native American heritage. Or, we can just say it’s because we wear red.
If, however, the Redmen identity is assigned to exist only in our memories, the local traditionalists can accept the change, or, as has been suggested, start the process to recall the board members they feel have betrayed the long and storied history of MSHS.
A quote from King… Rodney, not Martin, seems appropriate. “Can we all get along?” That’s a convenient proposal… particularly when you’re on the winning side. Let’s see if we can apply it, regardless of the outcome.