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Sometimes it's good to be cautious--and other times it's better to go with your gut.
People told us not to visit Madagascar, that political conflict made the country unsafe for tourists.
But we decided to go anyway because if we had listened to those voices, we'd never have gone to Nairobi, Kampala, or Kigali.
We are cautious when we travel, but aware that our best and most eye-opening experiences are places well off the beaten path.
And, Anantanrivo, Madagascar's capital city, is a place we fell in love with.
The narrow streets, alleyways, cobblestone roads, and historic buildings remind you, at times, of parts of Western Europe. At the same time the markets, the noise, the traffic, the energy, the goats and livestock walking along the highways, were all quintessentially African.
Our journey started as we did a field visit to RTM. RTM is an Italian NGO, working with farmers to provide alternatives to slash and burn agriculture--which is practiced in many rural areas as a way to provide nutrients to the soil. Unfortunately, the nutrients don't last more than a season or two, forcing farmers to burn more forest.
Afterwards we met with Xavier Rakotonjanahary, Rice Breeding Coordinator, National Center of Applied Research for Rural Development. Xavier works with rural rice farmers, helping develop different breeds of rice that will help reduce labor, fertilizer, and other inputs.
We spent Danielle's birthday trekking in the rainforest in search of lemurs in the national rainforest of Antanarivo. Lemurs are only found in Madagascar (with the exception of the island of Comoros) largely because their ancestors were displaced everywhere else due to monkeys and apes.
In Madagascar, 90 percent of the country's original forest has been destroyed and lemurs are presently endangered due to deforestation and hunting. Additionally several species of lemurs are extinct, especially the larger species. The smaller lemurs are nocturnal and all we could see was their amazing red eyes on a night trek. We also saw large chameleons, turtles and giant snails.
During the day we saw lemurs playing (they travel as families) and eating flowers, leaves and fruits. In our video below you will see them playing, and can listen to a brief explanation about lemurs from our tour guide. They are pretty incredible animals with deposable thumbs and long tails that they use to balance themselves between trees.
In summary, if you are considering a visit to Madagascar, go. You won't regret it!
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Sen. Carl Levin spoke this Monday morning, President's Day, at the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Connection event. I went primarily to ask him about his support for climate and energy legislation. I had written to him last year about this issue, and his written reply... well, I touch on that in my question to him.
As the Senator came in, I shook his hand, and reminded him that I had sat next to him one night at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. So, when we came to question time, he called on me first.
I got this via email. Not much of a diary, I realize, but it's really good news -- even if it is coming from the Republicans this time. And it looks like they've got the heft to push this along.
A good idea is a good idea, right?
PS: I know a couple of the attorneys who will be involved in the newly minted Shoreline Caucus, and, well, let's just say, Chicago does not know who they're f*@king with.
Ten Michigan House lawmakers will soon be filing papers asking the U.S. Supreme Court to help states in the Great Lakes basin protect the natural resource from the spread of Asian carp.
Last week, the Supreme Court denied Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox's request for a preliminary injunction to force the state of Illinois and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to close the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to keep the Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes. This week, state Rep. Arlan Meekhof created the Michigan House Shoreline Caucus with Reps. Kevin Elsenheimer, Wayne Schmidt, John Proos, Tonya Schuitmaker, Goeff Hansen, Joe Haveman, Phil Pavlov, Bob Genetski and Sharon Tyler to submit an amicus curiae brief to the court in support of Cox's lawsuit to block the carp.
"To ignore the serious threat that the Asian carp poses would be irresponsible," said Hansen. "We can not stand by and allow these dangerous species to destroy the entire Great Lakes ecosystem, and with it, Michigan's economy."
"We commend the Attorney General's fight to stop the Asian carp and the concerned lawmakers of the Shoreline Caucus will continue to aid that effort, which includes submitting our supporting arguments to the Supreme Court."
Asian carp have been found within eight miles of Lake Michigan, having passed the electrical barrier designed to stop them in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and traces of their DNA have been discovered within the lake. The Asian carp species are voracious feeders that would oust native fish and wildlife from the habitat, becoming a dominant species in the Great Lakes. One of the two species can jump up to 10 feet out of the water when startled by boats, leading to well-documented injuries to boaters hit by fish weighing up to 70 pounds.
The Shoreline Caucus has retained John Bursch, an experienced Supreme Court practitioner and chair of the Appellate Practice Group at Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, to file its amicus brief with the Supreme Court.
"It is impossible to underestimate the importance of solving this problem," Bursch said, noting that the London Times recently identified Asian carp-not recession-as the biggest threat to America's economy. "We intend to use our amicus brief to demonstrate to the court the magnitude of the crisis and the need for quick intervention." Devin Schindler, an associate professor of constitutional law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, will be assisting Bursch on the brief.
The Grand Rapids-based Land Conservancy of West Michigan closed on a $19 million deal to buy 171 acres of Lake Michigan dunes south of Kalamazoo River mouth adjacent to Saugatuck's Oval Beach City Park (formerly known as the Denison property) from Singapore Dunes, LLC, a development firm owned by Aubrey McClendon, the CEO of Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy Co.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved in this decade-long effort to save this beautiful and vital part of Michian's lakeshore.
Looking for an end-of-the-year charitable donation?
Donations for the project can be made online with credit card on the LCWM donation page. Please make sure you include Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area in the notes line.
City Commissioner David LaGrand will speek on "Pushing Public Policy on Environment - from the Local Level Up," to the Sierra Club West Michigan Group on Thursday, 17 December at the Sundance Grill at Pearl and Ottawa in downtown Grand Rapids.
This is a particularly timely topic given the current debate about funding the Purchase Development Rights program and the controversial proposal by the City to build wind turbines for powering the Grand Rapids water filtration plant. Discussion may be lively!
Come early, at 6:30 p.m., to enjoy dinner with Sierrans. Stay on for David's presentation at 7:30 p.m. And stay late for the introduction of 2010 WMG Executive Committee Members. All members and supporters are welcome! Please RSVP to Shirley Kallio.
At least two neighbors of a proposed two-windmill project of Grand Rapids city to power their waterpumps in Grand Haven Township are planning on attending Monday's informational meeting to trash the idea with their flimsy evidence.
Grand Rapids officials have a $15 million proposal to build the turbines on 79 acres it owns next to the city's Lake Michigan Water Filtration Plant, 11177 Lakeshore Drive.
The turbines would generate electricity to power 15 pumps that deliver an average of 40 million gallons of Lake Michigan water a day to 300,000 customers in Grand Rapids and some of its suburbs.
The city also would mount solar collectors at the plant in hopes of saving its water utility as much as $565,000 a year.
The city is seeking a $9.95 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to make the project feasible.
This is a wonderful project, right next to the city's water treatment plant. If you're from Grand Haven Township or just support smart new clean energy programs, head to the meeting a make sure more voices are heard.
Grand Haven Hearing on Wind Turbine Installation Monday, November 30, 6-8 pm
A public discussion has been scheduled by the Grand Haven Township Board to address Grand Rapids' potential $15 million project to erect two 300-foot-tall wind turbines next to its Lake Michigan Water Filtration Plant, 11177 Lakeshore Drive.
A panel of wind turbine experts and township officials will field questions from the audience November 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Grand Haven Township Hall, 13300 168th Ave., Grand Haven.
A recent survey claims Michigan residents are recycling less now than 10 years ago. According to Lansing's Public Sector Consultants Inc., per capita participation is down 28 percent; by the ton, Michiganders recycled 0.36 ton or 720 pounds per person in 1998. By 2008, that rate was down to 0.26 ton or 520 pounds....
Improving the rate in Michigan would also drive jobs, according to the survey. An estimated 6,800 to nearly 13,000 jobs could result, if the state recycled 30 percent of its municipal solid waste rather than the 20 percent it hits now.
The good news is that Grand Rapids
[60%] of the city's residents recycle, and that rate is expected to rise when the program expands next year.
"I think our combination of offering free curbside recycling in the city, and charging a tag and bag fee, helped drive up participation," said Mayor George Heartwell.
By next year, Grand Rapids residents will be able to put all their recyclables in one bin, Heartwell said.
A "single stream" recycling plant now under construction will be fed by new recycled-plastic bins from Cascade Engineering (notice buying local from Kent County and creating jobs for our people).
We have great natural resources in West Michigan, we should all take the time to recycle so we slow the growth rate of landfills, reduce our use of incineration, and create jobs. Kudos to the Grand Rapids City Commission for getting the new recycling process going.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was absolutely correct with his recent proclamation about the current condition of the Great Lakes State: "The State of Michigan,'' Reid declared from the Senate Floor, with a copy Time Magazine in his hand, "is in trouble.''
There's no arguing the point. Nor should there be any further argument among Reid's Senate colleagues about the value that passage of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act could offer to struggling states such as Michigan.
With expedited action on the part of the Senate, Michigan could add momentum to its goal to draw 10% of its overall energy demands from alternative source by 2015. To make that goal real, Michigan needs the means to support efforts like those of the alternative energy manufacturers that have begun to cluster in West Michigan. It's a growing list of companies and initiatives; but this burgeoning alternative energy corridor is being stalled by a Senate slow to seize its own power.
Fax your letter to give Saugatuck 12.6 million to save the South Denison property today!! Grants Management Program, Mi Dept Natural Resources,Fax #: 517-335-6813. Please write a brief letter about how the south Denison is important to you, our region, and our state.
Tonight, Grand Rapids residents will get a chance to weigh in on what the city's "green" priorities should be. The city is holding the second of three public meetings to help officials prioritize realistic goals for managing and encouraging green spaces. The first community forum was held 25 June, Green Gathering: Ideas, attracting more than 200 people to identify areas of improvement for the city's parks, connections, greening, health, natural systems and the Grand River (our story on the first is here).
From Lt. Gov. John Cherry and the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes comes news that a series of public meetings have been scheduled to give residents an opportunity to share their ideas on ways to protect the lakes.
These are the dates and locations in West Michigan:
Muskegon
21 October, Tuesday, 7:00 pm
Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute in the Multi-Purpose Room
740 W. Shoreline Dr. Muskegon, MI 49441
Contact: Al Steinman, GVSU - 231-728-3601
Kalamazoo 19 November, Wednesday, 7:00 pm Kalamazoo Nature Center
7000 North Westnedge Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Contact: Sara Reding, Kalamazoo Nature Center - 269-381-1574 ext. 17
They're seeking input on a draft Great Lakes Plan with specific recommendations for steps they can take to protect and preserve the Great Lakes in a way that enhances our economic prosperity. A copy of the draft plan is available here, along with more information on the meeting sites.
(Thanks for letting us know Lt. Governor Cherry. There's your invite folks, head over to Great Lakes Town Hall for the conversation. - promoted by philgoblue)
On Thursday, the reauthorization of the Great Lakes Legacy Act was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. This Act has been the cornerstone of our work to preserve and protect the Great Lakes and it has already proven effective in those efforts. I applaud the U.S. House of Representatives and their commitment to expand and continue this vital program. Now we have to keep pushing to make sure the United States Senate passes the legislation as well.
During the next month I will be participating in public meetings conducted by the Office of the Great Lakes. We are seeking your input on the draft framework that will serve as Michigan's action agenda for Great Lakes restoration.
Also, the Great Lakes Town Hall has asked me to be a guest blogger this week. Starting today, I'll be writing about the upcoming hearings and the Commission's work thus far. Later in the week, I'll explore the main issue areas covered in the Commission Draft Action Plan, and the need for continued collaboration at the local, regional, and national levels.
One of the unsung heroes (actually a heroine) of West Michigan and the environment has been Julie Stoneman. Today's Press announces her departure from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. Prior to coming to the Land Conservancy in 2000 she had worked with WMEAC and the Michigan Environmental Council. She's been a behind the scenes worker on things environmental and has seen Conservancy land holdings expand seven-fold to 4900 acres.
The Scorecard for the State Senate was based on votes on the following
bills: 1. Factory Farm Deregulation Bill (SB 504)
Passed 21-17. Eliminated requirement
for factory farms to obtain pollution discharge permits. Correct Vote: No.
2. Great Lakes Compact (SB 212)
Passed 38-0. Inter-state treaty
that protects Great Lakes water resources. Correct Vote: Yes.
3. Great Lakes Water Withdrawal (SB 860)
Passed 24-14. Leaves 25% of fishing
streams vulnerable to withdrawals, minimizes regulation or large water users,
limits public input. Correct Vote: No.
3A. Great Lakes Water Withdrawal (SB 860 -- Amendment 318)
Failed 19-19. Protection of cold
water trout streams. Correct Vote: Yes.
3B. Great Lakes Water Withdrawal (SB 860 -- Amendment 319)
Failed 19-19. Strengthen
protection for waters affected by new withdrawals. Correct Vote: Yes.
3C. Great Lakes Water Withdrawal (SB 860 -- Amendment 320)
Failed 18-19. Requires a permit for
new withdrawals with plan for restorative measures to water flow. Correct Vote:
Yes.
3D. Great Lakes Water Withdrawal (SB 860 -- Amendment 321)
Failed 17-21. Protection of rivers
and streams where user proposes withdrawal close to damaging levels. Correct
Vote: Yes.
3E. Great Lakes Water Withdrawal (SB 860 -- Amendment 322)
Failed 19-18 (20 needed for passage).
Requires public oversight and state approval of any water withdrawal over
200,000 gallons per day. Correct Vote: Yes.
4. Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (SB 213)
Passed 20-15. Incredibly weak 7%
Renewable Energy Portfolio standard by 2015 (already watered down from a
national average of around 15%) which also included huge loopholes such as
including "clean coal" as a "renewable energy form" and
including conservation in meeting the 7% standard (Michigan already uses 3-4%
renewable energy). The "bill lines the pockets of utilities instead
of creating jobs and providing a clean energy future for our state.
Correct Vote: No.
League of Conservation Voters Ratings for
2007-2008: Senate West Michigan Delegation (11
Seats)
District
Representative
Party
County
LCV Rating
Correct Votes
16
Cameron Brown
R
St. Joseph
11%
2
20
Thomas George
R
Kalamazoo, Van Buren
11%
2
21
Ron Jelinek
R
Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
11%
2
24
Patricia Birkholz
R
Barry, Allegan
11%
2
28
Mark Jansen
R
Kent
11%
2
29
Bill Hardiman
R
Kent
11%
2
30
Wayne Kuipers
R
Ottawa, Kent
22%
2,4
33
Alan Cropsey
R
Montcalm, Ionia, etc
11%
2
34
Gerald VanWoerkom
R
Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo, Mason
11%
2
35
Michelle McManus
R
Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee, Lake, Wexford, etc
11%
2
37
Jason Allen
R
Grand Traverse, etc
11%
2
Comments: Basically, with the freebee of the Compact, Senate Republicans
almost uniformly really get a 0%. Senate Republicans are horrible
PERIOD. On 5 November, it's time to start working for a Democratic
Majority in the Senate and that means winning Districts 20 (Kalamazoo), 29
(Grand Rapids), and 34 (Muskegon). You can see that Democrats are 2-3
votes away from a majority and will then be able to pass good legislation in
consultation with the House. West Michigan is the key to winning control
of the Senate in 2010 -- we need to win at least two of those three races (all
were very close last time).
The Scorecard for the State House was based on votes on the following
bills: 1. Stopping Out of State Trash (HB 4211)
Passed 56-53. Surcharge fee to waste
-- making importation less attractive.
2. Investing in Renewable Energy (HB 5548)
Passed 86-21. 10% Renewable Energy
Portfolio by 2015 (already watered down from at least 15% in negotiations with
Republicans).
3. Saving Energy = Saving Money (HB 5525)
Passed 81-18. Increasing energy
efficiencies in residences and businesses.
4. Restricted Use of Harmful Chemical, Lindane (HB 4569)
Passed 72-35. Restricts use of toxic bioaccumulative chemical
that treats head lice.
5. Great Lakes Compact (HB 4343)
Passed 108-0. Inter-state
treaty that protects Great Lakes water resources.
6. Protecting Great Lakes Water from Exportation (HB 5065)
Passed 57-50. Limits exports from
Great Lakes by commercial water bottlers.
7. Broadening Water Conservation Enforcement (HB 5066)
Passed 58-47. Requires water
conservation by major water users.
8. Protecting Water as a Public Trust and Citizens' Rights (HG 5067)
Passed 101-7. Watered-down statement
that discusses water as a public trust, but not strongly.
9. Expanding Conservation Requirements of Industrial Water Users (HB 5068)
Passed 56-52. Expands water
conservation requirements for large industrial users.
10. Water Assessment Tool Utilization & Implementation (HB 5069)
Passed 56-52. Provides for a
science=based water withdrawal environmental impact assessment tool, etc.
11. Citizen & Local Government Empowerment (HB 5070)
Passed 62-45. Allow local governments
to enact water conservation ordinances and public input.
12. Expanding Conservation Requirements of Drinking Water Suppliers (HB 5071)
Passed 57-51. Expands water
conservation requirements to include large drinking water suppliers.
13. Expanding Conservation Requirements of Bottled Water Suppliers (HG 5072)
Passed 99-9. Expands water
conservation requirements to include bottled water suppliers, but allows
loopholes.
14. Empowering the DEQ to Protect Public Water Resources (HB 5073)
Passed 58-49. Allows DEQ to write
rules on water protection.
League of Conservation
Voters Ratings for the Michigan State House, 2007-2008
Dan Scripps, Democratic Candidate for the 101st State House seat, held a press conference this morning in Ludington, calling on State and Federal legislators to act on the Democrats plan to reduce the cost of gas by investing in alternative fuels and an incentive package for production and sale.
"Last week the average cost of a gallon of gas here in Michigan was $4.19. It's an increase of 28% in the last year and 5% in the last month. Locally prices are even higher. $4.25 in Freesoil, $4.27 in Bear Lake, $4.29 in Beulah. this is not news to our working families. Because of sky rocketing gas prices citizens have to make difficult choices everyday. They have to cut spending to afford gas. Which means less money being pumped into our local economy and our local businesses. They are saving less money than ever before, which means less money put away for their children's education and they are increasing their debt. A recent Associated press poll showed that gas prices are causing a hardship for nine out of ten Americans. Meanwhile, oil companies are continuing to post record profits. In February of this year, Exxon Mobile, the largest gas company in the country reported that it's 2007 profits hit $40.6 billion. Now, some are quick to blame our neighbors who own local gas stations, but when the price of oil spikes our locally owned and operated gas stations also feel the pain. It hurts their business and our local economy, the same way that it hurts our wallets. More and more of our local gas stations can't even afford to stay in business. Something has to be done."
Next week Grand Rapids residents will get a chance to weigh in on what the city's "green" priorities should be. The city is holding the first of three public brainstorming meetings to help officials develop realistic goals for managing and encouraging green spaces.
The forum will be hosted by Mayor George Heartwell. After a summary of the Green Pursuits survey results, participants will head off to a break-out session on parks, park-river-trail connections, the Grand River, etc. Participants will prioritize issues amd opportunities and develop a draft vision statement on their topic.
Suzanne Schulz, Planning Director of the City, urges citizens to take part in creating city policy on issues that affect the quality of life for people throughout Grand Rapids (and beyond):
"If you care about public parks and green spaces, bike lanes and trails, the urban tree canopy, local food and community gardens, water quality and improving the vibrancy of the Grand River, you need to attend this event. The future of the city's economic, social and environmental sustainability is in the hands of our citizens. There are many tough decisions to be made as budget belts continue to tighten. My goal is that people will leave with a better understanding of what green infrastructure is, and the give-and-take needed to make green improvements."
(reception is today, buy your tickets, attend, have fun, tell MILCV that you heard about it on WMR. Heartwell really has done a good job getting these issues a high profile and the awards will stimulate even more growth in this area. - promoted by philgoblue)
Thursday, June 12 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Wealthy Street Theater
Grand Rapids
Buy $50 Tickets
We will be honoring three municipal leaders -- Mayor Heartwell (Grand Rapids), Mayor Hieftje (Ann Arbor) and Mayor Sisson (Sturgis) -- who understand the conservation values of their constituencies and have been strong leaders in renewable energy and water-related matters.
I wrote a letter to the Editor that appeared in the Gazette last Monday. I copy that after the flip. Today, a front-page article highlighted this issue:
Outdoor furnace debate could get hotter
Posted by Kirsten Fredrickson | Special to the Gazette June 01, 2008 05:00AM
TEXAS TOWNSHIP -- Depending on whom you ask, outdoor furnaces or boilers are either underregulated, pollution-prone nuisances or unobtrusive, cost-efficient ways to heat homes.
One thing, though, seems certain: More rural and suburban areas will be grappling with how to deal with them.
In Texas Township, where population growth has sometimes clashed with its rural roots, trustees have adopted a ban on outdoor furnaces that takes effect later this month. Fueled by increasing nuisance complaints from residents, the township board also put seasonal, setback and other restrictions on existing units.
As the first community in the Kalamazoo area to establish an ordinance, and with no state or federal guidelines and scant examples elsewhere to follow, Texas Township officials struggled in crafting rules to regulate the outdoor furnaces.
"We sit here really kind of naked trying to come up with the best ordinance," Supervisor Ron Commissaris said May 12, as the township board prepared to pass its new rules after several months of consideration and public input.
"There's a lot of passion involved in this issue on both sides," Clerk Linda Kerr said.
An outdoor furnace has been described as looking like a small shed with a short smokestack. The Texas Township ordinance defines one as a "boiler or furnace, fueled by wood, coal or other types of fuel, located outside the structure it is used to heat, with the designated purpose of providing indoor heat for water and/or air for a residence or other structure."
As costs to heat with gas and other sources climb and more people look to alternate heating sources, the issue of regulating outdoor furnaces is popping up elsewhere. Kerr said township officials have fielded calls from officials in other Kalamazoo County townships and beyond.
District 20 Kalamazoo Robert Jones District 21 Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Scott Elliott District 24 Allegan, Barry, Eaton
Michelle DiSano District 28 Kent (part)
Robin Golden District 29 Kent (part) David LaGrand District 30 Ottawa
John Chester District 34 Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Newaygo Mary Valentine District 35 Northwest LP Roger Dunigan District 37 Grand Traverse & north Bob Carr
Michigan State House Candidates
District 59 (St. Joseph & Cass Counties)
Carol Higgins District 60 (Kalamazoo) Sean McCann District 61 (Kalamazoo) Thomas Batten District 63 (Kalamazoo)
David Morgan District 70 (Ionia & Montcalm Counties) Mike Huckleberry District 72 (Kentwood & Cascade)
Brian Bosak District 73 (Kent County)
Jerrod Roberts District 74 (Ottawa County)
Leon Chase District 75 (Grand Rapids) Brandon Dillon District 76 (Grand Rapids) Roy Schmidt District 77 (Wyoming)
Scott Baron District 78 (Berrien County) Cindy Ellis District 79 (Berrien County) Julee Laurent District 80 (VanBuren) Tom Erdmann District 86 (Kent County)
Frank Hammond District 87 (Barry & Ionia Counties)
Greg Grieves District 89 (Ottawa County)
Donald Bergman District 91 (Muskegon)
Ben Gillette District 92 (Muskegon)
Marcia Hovey-Wright District 100 (Newaygo, Lake, and Oceana Counties)
Donald Bergman District 101 (Northwest) Dan Scripps
County Commissions Candidates
Allegan County Commission
9 Fritz Spreitzer (I)
10 April Carvalho
Barry County Commission
1 Bob Dickinson
Benzie County Commission
3 Kristin Hollenbeck (I)
4 Anne Damm (I)
6 Donald Tanner (I)
Berrien County Commission
3 Marletta Seats (I)
4 Mamie Yarbrough (I)
10 Andrew Vavra (I)
11 Jess Minks
12 Michael Ringler
13 John Klimek (I)
Cass County Commission
1 Ed Goodman (I)
7 David Taylor (I)
9 Judy Helpingstine
11 Clark Cobb (I)
12 Minnie Warren (I)
13 Johnie Rodebush (I)
14 Debbie Johnson (I)
Grand Traverse County Commission
1 Bernol Soutar
Ionia County Commission
1 Lynn Mason (I)
4 Mark Vroman (I)
Kalamazoo County Commission
1 Jack Urban (I)
2 Carolyn Alford (I)
3 Robert Barnard (I)
4 John Taylor (I)
5 Brian Johnson (I)
6 Mike Seals
7 David Buskirk (I)
9 Chuck Vliek
10 Michael Quinn (I)
11 Barb Hammon
12 Scott McCormick
13 Harvey Hanna
15 Leroy Crabtree
16 Thomas Post
17 Jerry Rudolph
Kent County Commission
1 Mary Lauka
2 Patricia Kramer
3 James Black
4 Fred Clowney
6 James Rinck
7 Al Nielsen
8 Keith Courtade (I)
9 Duane Sprague
10 Albert Abbasse
11 Russell Duffin
12 Pete Hickey (I)
13 Kyle Hinton
14 Carol Hennessy (I)
15 Dick Bulkowski (I)
16 Jim Talen (I)
17 Candace Chivis
18 Richard Tormala
19 Bob Synk (I)
Leelanau County Commission
3 Jason Harrall
6 David Marshall (I)
7 Karl Dungjen
Manistee County Commission
2 Marlene E. Wood-Zylstra
3 Glenn Lottie (I)
4 Ervin A. Kowalski (I)
5 Karl R. Waitner
6 Jim Krolczyk (I)
7 Carl Rutske (I)
Montcalm County Commission
1 Ronald C. Blanding (I)
Mason County Commission
5 Jerome Rybicki (I)
8 David Fonnesbeck
Musekgon County Commission
1 Kenneth Mahoney (I)
2 Charles Buzzell (I)
4 James Derezinski (I)
5 Carl Wentzlof
6 Lew Collins (I)
7 Scott Plummer
8 Anthony Longmire
9 Rillastine Wilkins
10 Benjamin Cross
11 John Jurkas
Newaygo County Commission
1 Barbara Geno (I)
5 Rick Werkema
Oceana County Commission
1 David Spitler
5 Evelyn Kolbe (I)
Ottawa County Commission
3 Jeff Williams
Van Buren County Commission
1 Claudia Maddox
3 Al Hughes
Sometimes it's good to be cautious--and other times it's better to go with your gut.
Afterwards we met with Xavier Rakotonjanahary, Rice Breeding Coordinator, National Center of Applied Research for Rural Development. Xavier works with rural rice farmers, helping develop different breeds of rice that will help reduce labor, fertilizer, and other inputs.
