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A
SSOCIATED
N
EWSPAPERS OF
M
ICHIGAN
P
AGE
6
September 20, 2012
Only one of the community festi-
vals in the area will include 500 cos-
tumed students visiting the local his-
torical park to learn about the her-
itage of their community.
This week in Northville, educa-
tors will take advantage of the 24th
Annual VictorianFestival to take stu-
dents back in time for a history les-
son while they enjoy the activities
the festival has to offer.
We think this kind of innovative
and inclusive education method
deserves high marks. The old cliché
about “bringing history to life” is
completely accurate in this situation
as Northville Public School employ-
ees and community volunteers dress
in period clothing and help educate
students about Northville and
Michiganhistory during the 1800s.
Therewill be learning stations set
up throughout the downtown area
which will help teach students about
the history of the community, the
library will offer them stories about
life during the Victorian era and stu-
dents from Northville High School
will present a program of 1800s
music. The third-graders will then
take a tour of historic Mill Race
Village where they will learn about
architecture, culture and the life of
those who lived in Northville during
theVictorian age.
This is immersive education at
the very best level. Parents are
involved, too, as volunteers and
authentic costume creators. The stu-
dents spend a day in Victorian times
and some of the historical knowl-
edge simply has to stick.
We think this type of educational
opportunity which utilizes a unique
community festival as a teaching tool
is a credit to the forward-thinking of
Northville educators. It is opportuni-
I hate to admit this, but I really
miss theRepublicans.
Not these pandering hybrids
who have allowed their party to
be hijacked by a group of scream-
ing nut jobs who are being helped
by a pair of brothers with more
money than sense, and certainly
not the religious zealots attempt-
ing to lower our IQs and move us
all back in time.
These people continue to prove
they aren't real Republicans and
they give the entire political
process a bad name. Like for
instance this accurate quote, “”We
aren't going to let a bunch of fact
checkers run our campaign.”
Really? Yep. Somebody high
up the food chain in the
Republican Party said that after
all the “errors” in the speech of
Paul Ryan during the convention
were revealed. I think Karl Rove
was the first to espouse this phi-
losophy when W was campaign-
ing. Ole Karl is a strong supporter
of whichever political party pays
the highest dollar for his help, so I
discount hisRepublicanism, too.
Apparently these whackos
think it's OK with the party of
Abraham Lincoln to misstate and
mislead American voters? It's also
OK for the guy who wants to be
vice-president and who is revered
by this party to tell a huge whop-
per to a reporter about his
marathon running? Come on
folks, Honest Abewould be as red-
faced as JohnBoehner is orange if
he were around to hear these
goings on.
Ole Abe was a real Republican,
not one of these nut jobs that have
rewritten the Republican plat-
form and then turned the conven-
tion into proof positive that there
is a real need
in pharmacolo-
gy
for
Thorazine.
I want those real Republicans
back. You know, the guys who had
some genuine ideas about policy
and government. People who
understood economics and for-
eign policy. People who knew that
theUnited States was not founded
as a theocracy. Where are they
when we need them? I want the
guys who discuss policy and eco-
nomics and actually used facts to
prove their conclusions to come
back. Where are the guys who
actually told us what their plan
was? They sure weren't in Florida
because I looked for them.
We'd be the last to suggest that there isn't a concerted effort
by one political party to disenfranchise voters from the opposi-
tion.
The national news media has been full of the overt efforts of
Republicans to curtail voting by blacks in several states. The
Republican-controlled states first redrew districts in an
attempt to discourage this block of voters and then went so far
as to attempt to limit the hours polls would be open in those
districts, making voting there evenmore restrictive. Add to that
the proposed new requirement for a photo and federal or state
identification in several states, and many African-Americans
were effectively prohibited fromexercising their constitutional
right to vote.
Those are facts. Those are things that actually happened.
We agree wholeheartedly with the courts who struck down this
effort to disenfranchise black voters.
We arewell aware that there is an overt effort to deny voting
rights running rampant in several states right now and only the
courts are protecting citizens' rights from being trampled by
political zealots and religious fanatics who brag publicly about
what they have done.
We disagree, however, that it is going on in the City of
Romulus. At a recent meeting, when the members of the city
council were discussing a plan to move two voting precincts
about 400 or so feet, fromone school to another, they were pub-
licly accused of racism and the intent to deny voters their
rights.
We continue to shake our heads at this one.
The plan was to move two voting places from Wick
Elementary School almost next door to Romulus Middle
School where there is more parking, better access and a larger
area for voters and voting machines. The new voting place is
well within eyesight of the former one and there is really just
about no chance for misunderstanding or confusion for voters.
With the usual Vote Here signs posted, and signs at the former
voting place, simply going about 400 feet, either by car or on
foot, should be simple matter for most voters. We admit, there
is a chance for some inconvenience for handicapped or elderly
voters who are accustomed to voting at Wick. It may prove dis-
comfiting at first brush to go to themiddle school, but themove
was being made to make it more convenient for themwith bet-
ter access for handicapped voters. With the large turnout
expected in the presidential voting, the added room for voters
was also important to making voting more comfortable, along
with providing needed additional parking during the times
polls are open.
But a few uninformed or misinformed folks berated and
criticized the council members for nearly an hour and a half.
These city officials were accused of doing exactly the opposite
of attempting to help voters. They were insulted and cross
examined and their motives challenged by people who simply
did not have correct or accurate information. Furthermore,
they were decidedly disinterested and disinclined to listen to
any rational explanation.
With the current overt effort taking place in other states to
prevent African-Americans from voting, we understand how
sensitive an issue thismight be. But this took place inRomulus.
Let's repeat that. Romulus.
The Romulus City Clerk and several council members are
African-American. The area is a Democratic stronghold in
Wayne County and these silly nincompoops want to claim that
these are the very people who would attempt to thwart their
efforts to vote?
No, not hardly. This was a foolish, misinformed and insult-
ing charade designed, we can only surmise, because someone
needed a little drama or to blow off some of the anger and frus-
tration surroundingwhat is going on elsewhere in our country.
These manufactured hysterics managed only to insult a
group of public officials who have demonstrated an exception-
al level of dedication to the public good and an almost unparal-
leled respect for the ethnic diversity of the community they
represent.
Those inferring that any type of ethnic prejudice was at
work in this effort to make voting easier and more convenient
are sorelymisinformed.
We think those folks owe the Romulus elected officials an
apology.
Students
live part
of history
Letters
Apparently these whackos think
it's OK with the party of Abraham Lincoln
to misstate and mislead American voters?
”
Those inferring that any type of ethnic prejudice
was at work in this effort to make voting easier
and more convenient are sorely misinformed.
”
Sad to say, I miss the real Republicans of old
Romulus precinct protestors were out of order
Family thanks community
To the editor:
On Saturday, Sept. 1, a fundrais-
er was held at Lodge Lanes in
Belleville to raise money for Mark
Britz. Mark is a 29-year-old man
who is battling brain cancer. Mark
grewup inBelleville.
The fundraiser was a huge suc-
cess and the family of Mark Britz
would like to sincerely thank the
following local businesses for their
very generous donations and sup-
port:
34th District Court Employees,
Romulus
A&AOil Change, Romulus
A&WRestaurant, Belleville
Al's Asphalt PavingCo., Taylor
B & B Concrete Placement, Inc.,
Romulus
B&LAutomotive, Romulus
Beirut La-Pita, Belleville
Best Asphalt, Inc., Romulus
Blue Ribbon Contracting, Inc.,
Belleville
BobEvansRestaurant, Romulus
CaptainNemo's, Romulus
ChappOil Company, NewBoston
China Chef Chinese Restaurant,
Romulus
ComericaBank, Romulus
CountrywoodFlorist, Romulus
CoyoteCorporation, Canton
Dave's&Company, Romulus
Denny'sBarber Shop, Belleville
Dos Pesos Mexican Restaurant,
Belleville
Dr. Hermann's Vet Service, Inkster
FeedRitePet Supply, Belleville
Fluff & Puff Pet Grooming,
Romulus
FrostyBoy (IceCream), Belleville
Golden Gallon Food Store,
Romulus
HungryHowie's Pizza, Belleville
HuronRiverMarket, Belleville
Jake's Auto & Truck Repair,
Romulus
K&BAsphalt Company,Wayne
K&KConcrete, Belleville
LaFuente Mexican Restaurant,
Ypsilanti
LaQuinta Inns&Suites, Romulus
Leonardo'sRestorante, Romulus
LodgeLanes, Belleville
Main Street Flowers & Gifts,
Belleville
MammothVideo, Belleville
See
Letters,
page 7
See
History,
page 7
See
Republicans,
page 7