 To the Editor The Trump administration plans to defund the 988 Suicide Hotline sub-group lifeline services that provides crisis support to LGBTQ+ youth by July 17. It will not defund the 988 subgroup crisis support for Veterans, Spanish speaking or Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Nearly 40% of LGBTQ+ young people have reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year. In the first two months of 2025, nearly 100,000 youth have chosen the #3 option directing them to LGBTQ+ specialized crisis counselors. The mental, emotional and discriminatory challenges our LGBTQ+ youth face require health care counselors with whom they can relate, and who have specialized skills and knowledge regarding their needs. These youth who call 988 will now be directed to generalized counselors who may not be adequately equipped to effectively help our youth who are so much in crisis that they are considering suicide. The 988 Suicide Hotline and its sub-group lifeline services for Veterans, Spanish Speaking, Deaf and Hard of Hearing was enacted with bi-partisan support. Why is Trump and his political followers, our representatives, tearing this lifesaving tool from our youth? In this June “Pride” month, when right here in Newaygo County we celebrated the rights and joys of our LGBTQ+ community members, who work, play and pay taxes like everyone else, it is cruel and despicable that the Trump Administration is targeting our young people in crisis, essentially telling them “you do not matter to us - your life does not matter to us.” No matter what your political or religious views are, we must protect and support our youth in crisis who are facing suicide. We must contact our Representatives to tell them we oppose this hideous, targeted, and discriminatory defunding that will cause untold harm for so many of our youth. John Moolenaar. Caledonia Office: 616-528-7100; Gary Peters, Grand Rapids Office: (616) 233-9150; Elissa Slotkin, Lansing Office: 517-203-1760. Thank you, Sally Wagoner
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Photos by Tracy Murrell A large crowd participated in a Flag Day rally in downtown Newaygo, one of the multitude of protests against the Administrative Policies of President Trump that took place across the nation on Saturday. The local branch of Indivisible organized the rally and also collected donations of food and toiletry items for the Veterans Home in Grand Rapids as well as for local veterans in need. The nationwide events coincided with a military parade in Washington D.C. while protests took place in all 50 states. Richard Fitzpatrick, a former state representative who now makes his home in Newaygo was impressed by the turnout. “When I left my home Saturday morning, I had my fingers crossed that I’d be joining at least 30 or 40 others in downtown Newaygo for the “No Kings” protest. Still, with minimal news coverage and little chatter on local Facebook pages, I was mentally prepared for their being fewer. “I can’t recall ever being more pleasantly surprised than when I saw 300 to 400 lined from the River to the stoplight!” “Parking and joining the crowd, I came across quite a few friends and made numerous new ones. It was an amazing array of folks – some pushing baby strollers while others pushed their oxygen tanks. Many commenting on how this was the first “protest” they’d ever participated in. Every sign was home-made and heart-felt. The positive response of cars honking while driving by, was also encouraging. This was community grassroots at its best. Hurray for Newaygo!”   State Representative Joseph Fox (far right) helping out at a recent ribbon cutting for the Birding Trail, the latest addition to the area's recreational offerings Pictured with him from left are Newaygo County Tourism Council President Julie Burrell and Newaygo County Administrator Chris Wren One of two in the House to oppose recreational initiatives
In 1984 the Legislature enacted the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Act established in the State Constitution and providing for not less than 25% to acquire land or rights in land and not less than 25% for the development of public recreation facilities. The MDNR Trust Fund money comes from gas and oil leases and royalties on State land. It was created in a vote by Michigan residents through Proposal B, which amended the State Constitution. Since 2011, it has been solely funded by the interest and earnings of the invested funds that are managed by the Department of Treasury. It has been a boon for public recreation with grants available to units of government and recreational authorities from $15,000 to $300,000 with a 25% match required. The grant applications are reviewed and scored by DNR staff and the Independent MNRTF Board makes recommendations in December for the coming year. Locally, the Trust Fund grants over the years have led to improvements at Sandy Beach, support in the building of The Dragon Trail, expansion at the Bridgeton Boat Launch, development at Fremont parks, additions to the Coolbaugh Natural Area and many other projects aimed at enhancing our recreational opportunities As these approved projects are funded by the Trust Fund and do not rely on money from the state’s coffers, the recommendations from the independent committee are overwhelmingly approved by both parties when they reach the Legislature. This year the vote was 104-2. One of the two dissenters was our area’s State Representative Joseph Fox. Curious as to what the reasoning might be behind his half of the Nays, we reached out to Rep. Fox posing that question. We have not had a response in the week since our request. Should we hear from him we will pass along his comments |
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July 2025
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