To Mark Evans:
In the article, ‘Planned ‘airwalk’ draws critics’, printed in the January 23rd issue of the Leelanau Enterprise, you are quoted to have said: “If it (airwalk) is detrimental to the area, I won’t do it”
I understand you made that statement with the issue of aesthetics in mind. However, since you seem well-versed in ecotourism, and a well-meaning individual, it seems logical that you’d want to extend that sentiment to other impacts of the project as well. One aspect of ecotourism, according to the International Ecotourism Society, is that it “improves the well-being of local people”. Between the comments posted here, those on the facebook page ” Friends and Neighbors of Kasson Township” and all the “letters to editors” in local papers, (see some collected at stoptheairwalk.com) I think it’s been demonstrated how the airwalk will not improve the well-being of local people, rather the local people see it as detrimental on many levels – in ways you may not have seriously considered until now.
I think it’s time to cut your losses, stand by your words, and gracefully bow-out. What more evidence do you need that the propsed airwalk will be detrimental, aesthetics aside.
Stop pursing the project in the Glen Lake area, chalk this up to good learning, and move on. I’m sure there is a community somewhere that would welcome your project, but it clearly is not a good fit where you are trying to put it.