Eagle Harbor Art Fair to be Aug. 9, 10

EAGLE HARBOR -- Eagle Harbor will soon awake to the sound of more than 60 artists setting up their tents for the 48th annual Fine Art Fair and Exhibition to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10, in the churchyard of St. Peter’s by the Sea and the area surrounding the historic Rathbone School.

Featuring recent work by the members of the Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) and by 66 invited artists, the Fair will be held come sunshine or clouds, wind or rain or any other combination of the fascinating variables of Keweenaw weather.

This year the medium list includes watercolor and oil paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, quilting, fiber, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, basketry, silver, iron, copper, stone, wood, bark, computer assisted prints and other materials. Each work exhibited is original and presented by the individual artist who produced it.

Selected as this year’s Featured Artist by the Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA), photographer Roger Little of Calumet will discuss and show his work both Saturday and Sunday. Retiring from the business of taking pictures for others, he is now able to apply his technical photographic skills as an artist discovering the natural world.

Roger Little displays one of his nature photographs. (Photo courtesy Linden Dahlstrom of Copper Country Associated Artists)

"I am now able to show people what is out there," Little says, "the uniqueness of what I see and would like to help others to also see."

Concerning the perspective of a nature photographer, Little quotes his dad who told him, "'Anything that man makes, the further back you are, the better it looks. Anything that Nature makes, the closer you are, the better it looks.'"

"Woods" by Roger Little. (Photo courtesy Linden Dahlstrom of Copper Country Associated Artists)

Several local organizations will be offering food and beverage services. All of the Keweenaw County Historical sites will be open. A handicap-accessible restroom is available.

Copper Country Associated Artists maintain an art center in Calumet offering workshops and a gallery of members' work. For more information, contact CCAA show coordinators, Karen Secor or Ginny Douglas, 906 337 1252 or visit the CCAA web site: www.ccaartists.org.

Protect the Earth Summit on sulfide, uranium mining deemed successful

MARQUETTE -- Several media reports indicate that the Protect the Earth Summit held Aug. 2-3 in Marquette and at Eagle Rock was a success. This Summit to address the issue of hardrock sulfide mining and uranium mining in the U.P. consisted of workshops at Northern Michigan University, a rally with music and speakers on Presque Isle in Marquette and a walk to Eagle Rock, a site held sacred by Native Americans.

"Tribal representatives from around the Great Lakes attended and spoke to a crowd of 140 staunch supporters of the Yellow Dog Plains effort to oppose Kennecott mining on the plains," said Cynthia Pryor of the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve in an email thanking participants and organizers. "It was full of energy, strength and resolve," Pryor added.

Gabriel Caplett of Yellow Dog Summer said the event, showing both diversity and unity among the local people, marked a turning point in the effort to protect land and water from sulfide and uranium mining.

"Protect the Earth proved that dangerous mining is not a done deal in the UP, Minnesota or anywhere, as long as communities are willing to work together," Caplett noted.*

* Editor's Note: Caplett was quoted by Save the Wild UP. See also the Marquette Mining Journal article, "Mine foes hold rally at Eagle Rock," by Miriam Moeller, Journal Staff writer.

Hancock City Council seats open to write-ins for Nov. 4 election

HANCOCK -- Not only was Aug. 5, 2008, the date of Michigan Primary elections for state and township officials and judges, but it was also the deadline for registering as a candidate for Hancock City Council seats to be determined by the Nov. 4 General Election.

According to Hancock City Clerk Karen Haischer, Ward I Councilor and Mayor Pro-Tem William Laitila was the only person to register by the Aug. 5 deadline in order to be considered a candidate for (re-) election. Haischer noted no one applied to run for the two other open Council seats that are to be determined by the Nov. 4 election. Hancock Mayor and Ward III Councilor Barry Givens and Ward II Councilor Sarah Heinonen have indicated they do not wish to run for re-election to the Council, Haischer explained. Thus, two seats on the Council remain open with no candidates running for them.

The remaining seats on the City Council include At Large Councilors Lisa McKenzie, James Hainault, Tom Gemignani and Ted Belej -- who continue to serve their terms of office.

Haischer said any residents who wish to run for City Council as write-in candidates must register with her by Oct. 24, 2008, for the Nov. 4 election.

Primary Results

U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-Detroit), unopposed within his Democratic Party, received more votes in the Primary than his Republican opponent, Jack Hoogendyk, Jr., who will face Levin in the Nov. 4 election for U.S. Senator.

U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) will run against Tom Casperson, who earned the Republican party nomination over two other Republican Primary candidates, Don Hooper and Linda Goldthorpe.

Michigan Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock), who represents the 110th District in the Michigan House of Representatives, easily defeated Democratic Primary candidate John L. Faccin. Republican candidate John Larson will run against Lahti in November.

The proposal for renewal and allocation of Houghton County's operating millage passed, as did the Keweenaw County proposal for .1-mill to provide support and assistance services to veterans.

See Jane Nordberg's article in the Daily Mining Gazette, for details on the Primary Election results.

Viewpoint: To Keweenaw County voters: Vote for veterans

By Don Keith, Chair, Keweenaw County Commission

Please join me in voting yes for a Keweenaw County veteran's millage proposal on Tuesday, Aug. 5th. What's asked is just 0.1 mill to provide support and assistance services for our veterans.

That's 10 cents per $1,000 of your property's taxable value. My cost will be about $3.90 per year; most property owners will pay less. The good accomplished, considerable, the good feeling gained ... priceless!

Justice and decency cry out for this proposal. Numerous veterans carry scars outside and inside, both physical and emotional. Many veterans are soft-spoken and too proud to seek assistance services.

This proposal shows respect for our veterans and helps ensure their dignity. They have earned our support. How a community treats its veterans speaks loudly of that community's character. Together, let's make assistance services available when needed.

Vote a dime for veterans; it's the right thing to do!

Sincere thanks,

Don Keith
Eagle Harbor

Primary ballots predict challenges for November General Election

HOUGHTON, EAGLE RIVER -- The Aug.5, 2008, Michigan Primary Election will include some challenges to incumbents running for re-election. While some of these candidates are unopposed within their own party in the Primary, they may face a more serious challenge from opponents in the General Election on Nov. 4.

United States Senator Carl Levin (D-Detroit) is running for re-election to a six-year term and is unopposed on the Democratic ballot; however, his Republican opponent, Jack Hoogendyk Jr., is likewise unopposed on his own party's ballot.

Known for his long career in the Senate (1978 to the present), Senator Levin's leadership and experience make him a strong candidate for the November General Election. Visit his Web site to learn about his accomplishments and his positions on many issues.

While U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), representing Michigan's First District, is also unopposed by any fellow Democrats, three Republicans will compete in the Primary in order to run against Stupak in November: Don Hooper of Iron River, Linda Goldthorpe of McMillan and Tom Casperson of Escanaba. For Bart Stupak's views on issues, visit his Web site.

Houghton County Democrats recently endorsed State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) for re-election to his position representing the 110th District (most of the Western U.P.) in the Michigan House of Representatives (see the press release on this). Lahti is opposed by one Democratic candidate, John Faccin of Crystal Falls, in the Primary. The winner of this race is expected to face Republican John Larson of Hancock in November.*

Locally, Houghton County Drain Commissioner John Sullivan of Houghton, unopposed by any fellow Republicans, could face a challenge in November by Democrat John Pekkala of Hancock, who is running on the Democratic Primary ticket without any Democratic opponent.

Houghton County Commissioner for District 3, Democrat Anton Pintar of South Range, is running for re-election, with no Primary opposition from Democrats; however Republican Craig Brewer of Hancock, also unopposed in his own party, could be a challenge for this Commissioner's seat in November. District 5 Commissioner Paul Luoma, Democrat, of Houghton, could face a November challenge from Republican Matt Huuki of Atlantic Mine. Both are unopposed in the Primary by any candidates in their respectives parties.

Three candidates (non-partisan) for Judge of the 97th District Court will face off in the Primary: Douglas Edwards, Michael Makinen and Mark Wisti. For the position of Judge of the 4th District Court of Appeals, voters will choose one from the following non-partisan candidates: Eric Doster, Jim Howell, Michael J. Kelly and Paula Manderfield.

Voters in Houghton County will also be asked to vote on the following millage proposal:

RENEWAL AND ALLOCATION OF OPERATING MILLAGE WITHIN THE COUNTY OF HOUGHTON

Shall a renewal of separate tax limitations be established for the period of 4 years ( 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 inclusive) for the County of Houghton and the Townships and Intermediate School District within the County, the aggregate of which shall not exceed 8.0 mills, as follows:

County of Houghton -- 6.3 mills

Townships -- 1.3 mills

Intermediate School District -- 0.4 mills

TOTAL: 8.0 mills

Keweenaw County

In Keweenaw County, the Primary ballots show few challenges. No Republicans or Democrats are on the ballot to challenge Democrats Donna Jaaskelainen, Prosecuting Attorney; Ronald Lahti, Sheriff; James Kaura, Inspector of Mines; or Byron Muljo, Road Commissioner. Republican Barbara Been, unopposed by any Republicans in the Primary, is expected to run against County Treasurer Geri Hall, Democrat, in November.

Four County Commissioners are running for re-election without opposition in the Primary: Republicans Joe Langdon, District 1, and Donald Keith, District 2; and Democrats Frank Stubenrauch, District 4, and Randy Eckloff, District 5. The District 3 Commissioner position is open because of the retirement of Al Gunnari. In the November election, however, three non-Primary independent candidates intend to run: Carol Rose Fouts will run for the District 3 position, while Tami A. Anderson and James A. Ziemnick will run for the District 4 and District 5 County Commissioner positions, respectively.

Keweenaw County voters will be asked to vote on the following Proposal:

08-01 Veteran's Millage

Shall the 15 mill tax limitation on general ad valorem taxes within Keweenaw County, State of Michigan, be increased as provided by Article IX, Section 6 of the Constitution of the State of Michigan, by .1 mill (10 cents per $1,000 of taxable value) for each of the years 2008 through 2018 (10 years inclusive), for the purpose of authorizing Keweenaw County to levy such millage commencing in 2008 to equip, operate, maintain and defray debt service and provide support and assistance services to veterans through a multi-county department of Veteran's Affairs, which increase shall raise in the first year of the levy an estimated $11,781?

Polls in Michigan will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.

Because of the controversial Michigan Primary held in January, no candidates for President of the United States will appear on this August Primary ballot.

*Editor's Note: See our June 23, 2008, interview with Mike Lahti to learn about his views. You can also send Mike a comment through his new Blog: http://mike-lahti.blogspot.com/.