In response to Anastasia Render Flores letter of “Sad future for Gaylord” (Aug. 8 Herald Times), I am one of those tourists who Gaylord is catering to. I love Gaylord and have been coming to the area since 1963.
Three years ago I was truly fortunate enough to be able to buy a summer home in Michawyé. If it wasn’t for tourism, Gaylord would be in serious trouble. Gaylord needs tourism in order to supplement its tax dollars.
As for the gas prices, I do not understand why gas prices are so high in Gaylord. Perhaps the governor’s office could do an investigation. Oh that’s right, she doesn’t have the money. But with the state sales tax on gas, she probably would like the prices to go even higher to offset her budget crisis.
As for the traffic, perhaps Ms. Flores would like to drive on eastbound M-59, in Oakland and Macomb counties, anywhere between 3:30 and 6 in the afternoon. It’s like a parking lot. And if you add a half of inch of snow to the scenario, it takes me two and a half hours to get home.
As for the economy and the foreclosures, it’s a Granholm economy. She has done nothing in her tenure as governor to makes things better. We are the only state in the country that is in a depression. Ms. Flores thinks prices are too high now; just wait until Granholm gets her state income tax increase, sales tax on services, and increases in state service fees, like hunting and fishing licenses.
In closing, I love Gaylord, its residents and its festivities. The Alpenfest, Otsego County Fair, movies under the Pavilion, Watermelon Festival, the friendly business owners, farmers market — all are great. You are lucky to have them.
My only wish is to someday become a full-time Gaylord resident. People in Gaylord are the most friendly people I know. Perhaps Ms. Flores, who seems to be unhappy, should move to another community, like Grayling or Houghton Lake.