Archive: Opinions

I sound off most weeks, though I can't imagine why anyone should care what I think.  My favorite art of the Opinions Page is the letters you send in throughout the year.  Most letters are in protest of this current issue or another, but I am always grateful that you take the time to share your opinions with the Lansing community in this way.

I believe these letters are effective.   As editor I read them more than once, and I have to admit that they have sometimes changed my own opinion, or sometimes my perspective on an issue.

You don't realize what a large footprint such a small community can place on the world.  Notably I have very much enjoyed native Lansing actor Tim DeKay's 'White Collar' on TV -- I am sad because the last episode of the series just aired.

Occasionally a letter comes in from a former Lansing person, or someone who is related to Lansing in some way.  I was thrilled when a descendent of Thomas North, who built the log cabin that now greets you as you enter Myers Park, contacted me.  He Googles himself frequently because he is interested in his family's genealogy.  With a history like that I don't blame him -- the cabin was built just after the Revolutionary War off of Conlon Road, not far from Searles Road.

Once the cabin was restored we had an article about its dedication during the Lansing Harbor Festival, and I was thrilled that other members of the North family came from their Lansing in Michigan, which their ancestors had named after their original home here, to be part of the dedication and tour the cabin.

As an aside, I frequently get press releases from Lansing, Michigan people who found the Lansing Star online but didn't bother to read any of it.  They just assume that it must be a publication in their community.  I kind of get a kick out of telling them we only cover the Lansing that is in New York!

Most letters come from right here in town, from people who have a passionate love of the community and are afraid that this issue or that might be sending Lansing to Hell in a handbasket.  Or perhaps without the basket.  Even when I don't agree with the authors, I like that they care enough about our local issues that they take the time to write.  While some strike me as rants, others strike me as most thoughtful viewpoints.  Even when a letter doesn't change my opinion I have often found myself thinking about the other guy's point of view, which gives me a deeper understanding of the kind of community we live in.

So keep those letters coming.  Even if you don't care what I have to say, our Web site statistics tell me that your neighbors love to read what you have to say.  The Lansing Star is your local newspaper, so have at it!

And in between writing those letters to the editor, have a healthy and prosperous 2015!

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