The following letter was written by Matt Stahl
and was read at the May 13th hearing of the
Tourism/Outdoor Recreation Committee:
12 May 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in regards to the recent proceedings happening with the Pigeon River State Forest lands from the viewpoint of a local businessman, land owner and resident of the State of Michigan.
It has come to my attention on Saturday, 10 May 2008 that further obtrusive rules are being added to further restrict the rights of the people of Michigan, of which the above mentioned land is supposed to be for. Further limitations and restrictions on public lands, whether in the Pigeon River State Forest, or anywhere in our State, will only lead to further disenfranchising of the people from their State. The economic impacts will be felt by us here locally, the communities that surround the state forest lands, and we can ill afford any further setbacks to any areas in Michigan. I do not ride horse, so I do not write to you in defense of any "one" standpoint. I write to you as a citizen of Michigan, and the United States of America. I would like to be physically there to present my voice to you, however my own personal economic status prohibits me from taking such a trip, as does my physical status, as I am in need of a second surgery to remove a degenerative disk in my lower back.
The actions of some in our government to further restrict uses of our "public" lands brings sorrow to my heart, as I continue to see our basic freedoms torn from us year by year. They were never granted the authorities they now claim to possess from the Only source of which they could, we the people of the State of Michigan, but rather continue to heap upon themselves the power to do as they "deem fit". The great sacrifices of those who have gone on before us, laying down their own selves to deliver people from such rule of governing, has long been spat upon and trodden under foot, and forgotten.
My fellow citizens, where does it end? The more power they take, the more they will want. If this is allowed to proceed, then what body of state forest land is next, and what further restrictions will follow? Public land apparently isn't truly public land anymore.
Sincerely,
Matthew Stahl
REMAX Lake County
3948 S. Straits Hwy. PO Box 652
Indian River, MI 49749
231-238-4820
