The Times They Are Achangin'

Ok, it’s time to commit small town blasphemy, and it all has to do with change.

While we were smiling contentedly at the notion that we are lucky to live in a “quaint” little village, right on Lake Michigan and away from the usual problems of the “big city”, the complexion of the global economy changed. Our state and each of its communities were drawn into this economic vortex. Specifically, we are no longer a country of manufacturing, but rather of service.

At one time most of the businesses in Michigan were tied to the automobile manufacturing industry. Today most of those jobs have left Michigan… and the United States for that matter. Whereas not many years ago there was National Motors, Bohn Aluminum, Overton’s and Everett Piano, today, there are but a handful of small factories (with the exception of Wyckoff Chemical), who employ few workers. Evidently, economies abhor a vacuum with the result that there are at least 6 motels, 6 fast food restaurants, a Wal-Mart Superstore, untold numbers of bed and breakfasts, and yes, friends and neighbors….. CONDOS; not to mention single family dwellings all over town owned by people from Chicago and Indiana. The downtown storefronts now display works of art, trendy home fashions, chocolates and antiques. Mercifully there are few “T-shirt” shops and there remain the hardware and barber shops.

Well all of this tedious rhetoric brings us to one conclusion. We have evolved into a service oriented community, catering to tourists and second home owners. In other words we have shaped ourselves (or have been shaped) to fit today’s economy. Is this a bad thing? No. Is it different? Yes. And the truth is there are always a vocal group of citizens objecting to “different”. A case in point (although no longer relevant), was the sale of the soon to be defunct Indiana School. The school board had a tentative agreement to sell the building (after it’s renovations, I would hesitate to call it an historic building) to a Chicago developer to convert it into condominiums. Neighbors objected on the grounds that it would change the ambiance of the neighborhood and create traffic problems. Would it change the neighborhood? No doubt, but not necessarily in a detrimental way. Would it create traffic problems? No more than existed with parents dropping kids off or picking them up from school several times a day. As far as I could tell, none of the people writing their opinions to the editor of the local paper suggested how the property should be utilized.

There are other examples, but enough is enough. People of South Haven, embrace the changes. Accept the tourist dollars, accept the taxes the second home owners pay (while we homesteaders pay less), and accept the jobs created (even though they may pay less than during the Union’s heyday). After all, the alternative is to move to where there are jobs. How about China for example?

Steelheaders Tournament '05

Ned, Joe and Beezer* struck out for Florida today. They waited until today to leave because Joe was working the Steelheaders Fishing Tournament yesterday. They just called from somewhere south of Louisville. (The drive must have been boring so far.)

In the course of the conversation, Joe passed along some information about the tournament that I found interesting.

I hope my recollection of the facts is close to accurate.

~There were 130 boats participating this year.
~Over 800 pounds of fillets were collected for the community Fish Boil later in the season.
~The winners in the tournament receive 110% of the entrance fees.
~This was the first year a licensed polygraph operator was on duty.

The remainder of the fish were distributed however the captains chose. With a trailer load going to a local camp ground for their own fish boil.

He also said that the start was late due to rough water and that most of the fishing took place in water over 200 feet deep…. the last time I was that far out a tanker almost ran us over.

If you're interested in more details about the Steelheaders or the tournament, try www.mssfa.com.

*Ned’s dog

The Truth About Foreigners

The United States, and by extension her citizens, has taken some hits from people around the globe since 9/11. Historically, we have frequently been characterized as the “ugly American”. I suppose this is human nature. People are quick to find fault with those who are perceived to have more money or power than they do. Even in this little tourist town, people from Chicago or Indiana who visit us are often referred to as “FIPs” (I’ll leave its meaning to your imagination). In both cases these critics have little problem taking the “foreign” money that finds its way into their coffers.

These observations are a lame excuse for me to queue up and throw in my 2¢ as it applies to the attitudes of people from different countries and cultures.

I have never had the opportunity to be an “ugly American” (‘though I am American and ugly). I have traveled across south eastern Canada and have been to Tijuana; but on both occasions I tried to behave myself and met few “natives”. Most of my contact with “foreigners” has come from playing backgammon with them on-line. Over the months I have had the opportunity to play with people from: Mexico, Sweden, Turkey, South Africa, France, Cyprus, England, Scotland (a man living in Japan), Australia, Austria, Spain and New Jersey. There were probably a few other countries, but I don’t recall at the moment. After gaming and chatting with these people I feel imminently qualified to comment of the kind of people they are. So here goes: they are rude, vulgar, surly, poor losers and winners, impolite, pessimistic, conspiracy theorists, egotistical, narcissistic, courteous, humble, well spoken, compassionate, sympathetic, humorous, optimistic, good natured, trusting and friendly. In fact they are just about like the people I’ve played in Dallas, Seattle, and Muskegon, except their English is better.

The Deck Vigilante

As I mentioned earlier, I’m building a small (10’ x 15’) extension on my deck. While this is a daunting project for me (most of my knowledge of wood comes from tooth picks), I am fortunate to have several friends who enjoy working with wood, and don’t seem to mind sharing their knowledge. Larry has been particularly helpful with his time and skill, but Don and Ned have been there for me too. Alas I digress.

For this small a project, I didn’t think a building permit was necessary. This proved to be incorrect. I was visited by the city’s building inspector (Mr. Fout) and educated on some of the finer points regarding the laws surrounding a structure such as mine. The truth is Mr. Fout is a very pleasant and helpful fellow. I brought him a drawing of the project the following day and was issued a building permit for $30. He told me with a project of this size that he wasn’t overly concerned about a permit, but that someone had called his office regarding my project and he was therefore obligated to act on it.

This brings me to the point of this little blurb. Who would feel compelled to report a backyard project to the city? Are there people roaming the streets who’s lives so lack meaning that they must take it upon themselves to police their fellow citizens? Have I somewhere along the way offended someone who perceived this act of “courage” as a way to “get even” for some imagined transgression on my part? May I humbly suggest that whatever their motivation, a knock on the door and a short conversation is both more courteous and effective than “dropping a dime” on some old coot whose major goal was to get some exercise.

People never cease to amaze me.