Editor’s note: These letters to the editor are published online only.
The Andersons an amazing family
Over 65 years ago, I had the privilege of attending a private school for girls called Marybrook Academy in Maumee. At that time I was a kid whose parents could not afford my tuition. The Andersons took care of that, and they paid for my tuition, and I’m sure other unfortunate girls as well.
They also donated food and money for clothes for us. In the summer, they allowed us to swim in their private pool. I’m sure they continued their generosity over the years. They will truly be missed, especially by me, a girl who will never forget their kindness.
DOROTHY SABA
Bronson Avenue
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Don't argue with science
I would like to thank The Blade’s Matt Markey for shining a light locally on the issue of the Grayling Fish Hatchery on the Au Sable River in the April 9 issue of The Blade (‘‘Anglers battle fish farmer in trout heaven”).
There was a lot of information from both sides of the issue, and it was a great starting point for someone to begin to understand the issue.
Having said that, I can't help but cringe when I hear people refer to real science as pseudoscience when the very real science is going to have a negative impact on their pocketbook, as Mr Vogler, the hatchery owner, was quoted as doing in the article.
The so-called “pseudoscience” Mr. Vogler references comes from Dr. Mark Luttenton and Dr. Ray Canale. Dr. Luttenton is an aquatic ecologist, a professor of biology at the Annis Water Resources Institute and associate dean of the graduate school at Grand Valley State University. He is an expert on algae, macroinvertibrates in streams, and fish disease.
Dr. Ray Canale is a professor emeritus in environmental engineering from the University of Michigan. He was the expert witness and court approved monitor in the Platte River fish hatchery case in Michigan. He is a renowned expert in the field of pollution control engineering for aquaculture facilities.
Furthermore, Mr. Vogler appears to make this personal, as if there is a vendetta against him. The real issue is the pollution discharge permit, which allows the Grayling fish farm to pump 1,600 pounds of phosphorus and about 160,000 pounds of fish feces and uneaten fish food into the Au Sable every year. Michigan’s Platte River State Fish Hatchery — designed, by the way, with the assistance of Dr. Ray Canale, one of the expert witnesses — produces an average of 50 pounds of phosphorous per year.
If Mr. Vogler were to only produce 50 pounds of phosphorous per year, this would be a very different conversation.
Finally, while to some it may appear as though this is a dispute between environmentalists and a small business, in actuality there are many local businesses and hundreds of workers that would be severely impacted if the fish farm is permitted to lower the water quality of the Au Sable River. The workers impacted directly include guides, fly shop employees, restaurant workers, and hotel workers, just to name a few — all for the sake of creating one or two jobs at the hatchery.
These businesses depend on clean water, the health of the river, and the wild trout in it. From a business perspective, the value of tourism and fishing to the local economy far outweighs the contribution a fish farm will make.
BRAD WHITE
Perrysburg
First Published April 11, 2017, 6:41 p.m.
