A roundup of editorials from Michigan newspapers

Contrary to the rhetoric of those who opposed the ordinance, there's nothing "special" about the rights the new law will protect. They're the same rights - to work where you're qualified, to live where you want - that others have always enjoyed. It's the discrimination against gays, lesbians and transgendered citizens experience in these areas that make the law necessary.

Though this new law falls far short of achieving same-sex equality in other realms - marriage, for instance - it's an important, incremental step forward.

And it's a democratic one, to boot. It's the citizens of Kalamazoo who have decided that their community will embrace tolerance - not a court or other unelected body.

Certainly that makes it a step in the right direction toward changing the laws elsewhere in Michigan, as well as statewide, and toward the day when the state's marriage amendment, which restricts the institution to opposite-sex couples, might be reconsidered.

Just five years after Michigan adopted its marriage amendment, it seems less and less likely that the same sentiments might be expressed at the polls if a vote were held today.

Tolerance isn't always easy - or easily attained. The campaign leading up to Kalamazoo's ordinance vote was at times divisive and disheartening. But in the end, the just side prevailed in the democratic process.

Hard to argue that the city isn't better off both for having the debate and for reaching the right decision on Election Day.

DETROIT FREE PRESS, Nov. 5

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Voters should decide racetrack casinos issue

The controversial issue of allowing casinos in Michigan horse racetracks is gaining momentum. A group called Racing to Save Michigan wants voters to decide the issue in November 2010. The group took a small step in that direction recently when the Board of State Canvassers unanimously approved the form of a petition the group plans to circulate.

Supporters would have to collect more than 380,000 valid voter signatures to make the ballot.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow state regulators to license up to eight new casinos. Five of them would be at Michigan horse tracks. The state could auction off the other three licenses.

Michigan now has 22 operating casinos with a 23rd under construction.

You can easily argue that the state has enough casinos, but when you think about it, would a couple more hurt? It's pure capitalism, and the market would adjust if there were too many.

A 2004 voter-approved change in Michigan law requires voters to approve most gambling expansions at the state and local levels unless it involves Detroit's three casinos or tribe-owned operations. The measure - backed by those existing casinos - thwarted an attempt by horse track owners to install slot machines at their facilities.

Horse track owners said the change in the state Constitution leaves them with little option but to ask voters to approve their plans for full casinos.

In the 2004 law, the Legislature worked on proposals to allow slot machines at racetracks but Proposal 1, led by Indian tribes and the three Detroit casinos, stopped that action.

Representatives of existing casinos say the new proposal would end or circumvent the provision in the 2004 amendment that requires a local vote for a gambling expansion.

Voter approval of the racetrack proposal reportedly could save the state's horse racing facilities. Michigan horse race attendance fell from more than 2.5 million in 1992 to about 1.1 million in 2008.

The live racing schedule at Michigan's five major tracks was cut back this year because state support was withdrawn during the continuing budget crunch.

Michigan's major horse tracks are Pinnacle Race Course in New Boston, Hazel Park Harness Raceway, Mount Pleasant Meadows, Northville Downs and Sports Creek Raceway in Swartz Creek.

Let's face it: The gambling genie has been let out of the bottle. Why not make our wishes work for the region and state, rather than the Indian tribes and Detroit casinos? We appreciate the concerns of those who feel more casinos will increase the problems of those with gambling addictions. But people don't have to travel far now to gamble.

Increasing the number of casinos should not aggravate the problem, but it could help an ailing industry that's part of Michigan's sports and economic heritage that once was among the top three industries in the state. Also, this could add needed tax revenue to state coffers without a tax increase.

It's time to look past the vested interests of a few casino operators and look at the big picture to add taxes and jobs in a state that is in desperate need of both.

At least let the voters decide this issue.

THE OAKLAND PRESS (Pontiac), Nov. 3

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Charter must ensure access

Unless the Traverse City-area public access community can pull a legal rabbit out of its hat, it seems likely that Charter Communications is going to move local public access channels into what some have described as a cable TV gulag.

Charter wants to upgrade its service from analog to digital, much the same way over-the-air stations switched to digital transmission earlier this year. In cable terms, the switch would allow Charter to pack much more information - high-definition TV, faster computer connections and more - into its existing system.

At the same time Charter wants to push public access channels up the dial so it can use the coveted lower numbers for other services. Right now, the four public access channels are Up North 2, Northwestern Michigan College 13, Traverse City Area Public Schools 98 and Government Access 99.

Charter wants to package them on analog channels 96, 97, 98 and 99 beginning Dec. 1, and eventually move the four to channels 991, 992, 993 and 994. Thus the gulag comparison.

Public access representatives argue they have worked long and hard to "brand" themselves as channels 2, 13, 98 and 99 and that's where viewers expect to find them.

In terms of public policy, however, what's most important is that Charter ensure that its customers who purchase the lowest tier of service continue having public access channels available to them, if and when the channels move into the 90s and into the 990s.

Any loss of access to basic-tier customers is unacceptable. It would run directly counter to one of the basic promises of cable TV when firms like Charter received permission to string cable and start cashing in. Part of the deal was the cable firms had to make available - and support and promote - public access channels.

One only has to look at the long list of local governments that now air their meetings on cable and the huge array of other programming available to know that it's been a rousing success.

Charter must ensure - as in promise - that when the change to digital comes, everyone on its system will be able to view the public access channels as they do now without having to pay for that access. Charter must also help make the public aware of the switch and promote the new spots on the dial.

There must be no loss of the public's ability to view community programming, including government in action. Preserving universal access to public access must be a bedrock goal of any new arrangement. That was part of the original pact with Charter and must remain so.

TRAVERSE CITY RECORD-EAGLE, Oct. 30

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Iron Industry Museum keeps on improving

For more than 20 years the Michigan Iron Industry Museum has educated visitors about the importance the Marquette Iron Range has played in the history of the region and beyond, and it just keeps getting better at doing so.

On the heels of opening a new access road and enlarged parking lot in mid-October came news that the facility will be open year-round, rather than close at the end of October until the following spring as it has for years.

Opened in 1987 in Negaunee Township, the museum overlooks the site of the Carp River Forge, regarded as the birthplace of Michigan's iron industry.

The museum includes displays covering all aspects of the iron industry in the region, as well as offering a variety of special history-themed events like the annual Civil War encampment and antique car show.

Being open through the winter months will certainly provide more opportunity for the facility's offerings to be enjoyed.

"We think it's going to serve schools and organizations as well as local residents and travelers," Museum Director Tom Friggens said.

Having the history museum available all year is also a positive development in light of the economic woes that many state agencies and departments are experiencing.

Hopefully that's a reflection of the value state government places on the museum that tells the story of an industry that has been so vital to Michigan's success since the mid-1800s.

The iron ore that has come out of the ground across the Marquette Range has built everything from Fords and Chevys to tanks and battleships, and is now fueling the global steel industry.

In addition to the new access road, better parking and year-round operation at the facility, a two-mile interpretive trail system is in the design stages and is expected to be ready for visitors by next fall.

We hope area residents and visitors will take advantage of the expanded hours at the Iron Industry Museum to learn about our mining heritage.

THE MINING JOURNAL (Marquette), Nov. 4