Just Some Fleeting Thoughts

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Hats off to all those who participated in last Saturday’s building of the Ortonville Skate Park’a great project.
And, even before the first bolts were turned, skateboarders arrived ready to ride the rails, jump the jumps and spin the spins. While the euphoria of a community park will last for years to come, please take heed. The park is a great place to play; however, there are also rules that must be followed. Helmets, pads and park hours are rules that must be obeyed; they’re not just good suggestions or ideas, rather mandatory.
Yes kids, it’s the reality of life — everything has rules.
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The word on the street lately has been budget cuts. From police, to schools, to roads, Michigan’s shortness of cash will touch us all one way or another. Poring over every part of state government, examining every dollar spent, thinking productively about how to be more efficient, or dumping long-time projects ? these are just the constructive characteristics needed in our world today. A study by one group emphasizes that government at all levels consumes more than 40 percent of the national income ? more than ever before in our nation’s history. We all need to watch very closely and examine every move Lansing makes and ones they don’t make.
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A word of caution to those in Atlas Township entrenched in the mobile home war. As a reporter I’ve covered such scuffles during my career. One developer, I remember, had three mobile home parks all within a one-mile radius on the planning commission table. At issue were about 2,300 homes in a rural area not unlike the proposed Atlas Township site. After about two-years of name-calling, finger pointing and ‘mosh pit like meetings? all the projects were dropped due to a lack of proper sewer hookups. Needless to say I was disappointed; I had great fodder for writing since every meeting brought new extremes in good versues evil, right versues wrong and the old standby, ‘don’t build that in my backyard.? When the dust had settled two facets of the melee prevailed: reporters never lacked for decent writing material and the attorneys for both sides flourished. Like I tell my kids, play fair, no name calling, and know the facts before you speak. Decide what’s best for both sides and move on to another project.

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The Michigan House will soon be considering lifting a ban on communication devices for students in schools, a rule that has endured since 1988. Lawmakers should leave it alone.
Needless to say the cell phone has evolved into an all too common icon of the modern world becoming smaller, faster, and perhaps a bit too convenient. Granted there are times when such a device can and would save a life, and as many parents? commute to work allow children to remain in constant contact’a peace of mind that I too as a parent of schoolage kids support. However, given a chance Sam, 14, and Hannah, 12, (my kids) would be calling their little buddies in the next classroom or checking out the latest sporting news or asking what’s for supper. Information that’s OK, but not during school.
Finally, while we’re at it let’s ban cell phones in church too. I choose to make my peace on Sunday in silence, don’t break that with beeps or chirps or some song. Like schools, it’s OK to have them, but park em at the door. The information age is great, but too much, too often and too easily obtained just don’t cut it.
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The Ortonville Night at the Movies scheduled for late July is a great idea for our community. A family oriented fun night will go far to establish fun in a safe controlled environment. Village Manager Paul Zelenak, should be commended for his efforts and promoting a unique community event.
However, Paul and others should consider showing the movies in the downtown area of Ortonville near South Street rather than the Elementary School grounds of Harvey-Swanson & HT Burt. What a tremendous opportunity to recognize these businesses and view a movie in an area often synonymous with parades and other civic events. While the school is part of the community, so is the downtown area; let’s make it a fun place to be.
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For many years, my son Sam has played hockey in the Eastern Michigan Hockey Association. The season runs from October through March and consists of about 40 games, a grueling expensive season for both parent and athlete.
While I dream of the day when he skates on the ice of Joe Louis Arena and I proudly boast from my glass-side-seats, ‘Yep that’s my son!? reality sets in.
First, while Sam’s a good player, he’s not a great player. Hard to accept but, he’s not likely going to make the NHL. Second, the competition for those 5,000 professional athletes? jobs is rather stiff; a lot of great players never make it. Given these facts, then why do I and other parents exhaust themselves at games confronting referees and coaches on every call or every play or every opportunity. Get over it…odds are your kid’s not going to make it to the Bigs…forget it. If they do, it’s from hard work and practice, not evacuating one’s foul mouth at a coach. Let’s support our children in their efforts, win or lose, good or bad…let the pipe dreams go…it’s easier on everyone.

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