Newaygo County Public Opinion

State Rep VanSingel Responds to Pause Extension

12/7/2020

On Monday Governor Whitmer announced MDHHS was extending the 3 week pause for another 12 days. State Representative Scott VanSingel offers his view of the action.

"I am not just disappointed with the governor's actions today in extending this selective shutdown, I'm furious. While I do believe we need to take steps to slow the spread of this virus, I strongly disagree with targeting a few specific industries. The restaurant industry has been hit especially bad by these orders and this 12 day extension may be more than many, if not most can bear. We have seen stats that indicate only 4% of Covid cases can be traced to restaurants. It is absurd to destroy this entire industry when 96% of the cases are coming from other sources.

Furthermore, new infections have dropped in recent days which makes this even more unnecessary. I've spoken to so many small business owners in my district who do not want to be government dependents, they want to work! This latest move will likely trigger legal action. There are reasons we could not pursue legal actions in the first few weeks. The restaurant industry tried and lost. We have a much stronger case at this point.

Again, we can limit the spread of this virus by practicing basic sanitation, avoiding large gatherings, and wearing a mask when out in public. All of this can be done without government mandates. Please be assured the legislature and your representative hear your concerns and are fighting for you.

Scott VanSingel

4 Comments

Letter to the Editor Policy

Near North Now welcomes original letters from readers on current topics of general interest. Simply fill out the form below. Letters submissions are limited to 300 words.

Only the author’s name and city will appear on published letters; we ask for your email address and phone number so we can contact you if necessary. Letters will be edited, usually for grammar, spelling, clarity and libel. We do not print form letters or open letters addressed to another person or institution.

The choice of letters for publication is at the discretion of Near North Now editors; they will not be able to respond to individual inquiries about letters. Copies of submitted letters are not retained; please save your own copy before submitting the form.

Near North Now is not responsible nor do we agree or disagree with any opinions expressed by writers of letters. Near North Now is also not responsible for possible libel content provided by letters to the editor.

Cindy LaBelle

12/7/2020 09:12:55 pm

Restaurants and other recreational / leisure based business are more prone to the whims of weather, social trends, holidays, and changes in the discretionary money we all have to spend. When a business owner decides to invest In such business and employees work at these, they are more suspectible to layoffs and downturns in the general economy. That is why, in part, we have unemployment insurance to buffer these downtowns for these type of workers who are employees.
Many business are operating and people are working like grocery stores, utilities, US Mail, truck drivers, garbage pick up companies, distribution warehouses, manufacturing, medical/dental/hospitals, educators, gas stations, construction, retail, state and federal government workers and congressmen, et al.
Covid-19 is real and while many will spread this virus to others and not get sick or very sick, there are many among us who may need hospitalization or die from this public health threat.
For those workers in the recreational / leisure industry that is why the state provides unemployment insurance as a buffer when they are laid off or unemployed for multiple reasons. My hope is that the state legislature will work in a bi-partisan way to ensure there is enough funding to help all unemployed Michigan workers through this pandemic and extend unemployment benefits.
In the meantime, let’s wear a mask, wash your hands often, and with others not in your household stay 6 ft. apart until our scientists and medical community figure out another way to protect us from this very contagious public health threat.
If you need restaurant food, go through the drive through, stop by for take out or grab and go, and support your local favorite eatery, they can use your business, especially now.

robb

12/12/2020 06:04:32 pm

So are you one of the fortunate still collecting a full check every week or one if the literally thousands who have yet to receive an unemployment check from a broken system that was told needed fixed way before Covid 19? Are you trying to live on the pittance unemployment offers when and if they do get around to paying you? And please....who had to be taken to the Supreme Court of this state and who still issues decrease instead of working with anyone in the legislure? Bi partisan means working with both sides not demanding capitulation. Make sure money is budgeted? From where? Closed businesses produce no tax revenue. No tax revenue...no money to hand out. Quite simple. I may not know your particular situation but it sounds as if your statements are not said as seen through the eyes of those experiencing the harsh realities too many people in this state are needlessly being put through.

jim lemson

12/8/2020 10:53:05 am

Mr .VanSingel , Please explain your plan ? We all agree this is destroying small business ,Infection numbers are going up ,Not down .Mandatory mask wearing and closings are unwanted , What is your plan ? Not political double speak , A structured plan ?

Rob Wagner

12/11/2020 01:18:49 am

Thanks, Representative VanSingel for taking a public stand on this issue.

Basic components of a good plan aren't hard to come by:

1. Liberty: Respect for the founding documents of our country, and the constitution and laws of our state are of foremost importance. That means that the rights of citizens - rights of religion, assembly, the "pursuit of happiness", equal justice under law. Consider these words from the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

2. Accountability - The legislature is charged with making law, and the Governor with implementing the law. The executive branch would do well to defer to the legislative branch for guidance in these sweeping decisions, for it is there that our elected representatives reside.

3. Transparency and Collaboration - Let's have a conversation. Show us your data; we'll show you ours. Sit down, talk it out, debate it publicly. These kinds of things happen in the legislature. Work with local hospitals and health care providers to relay information about current conditions.

4. Locality - We have local government for a reason. Decisions should be made at the lowest level of government possible, because each locality has its own unique needs, challenges, and opportunities.

5. Responsibility - Allow individuals to take, and accept, personal responsibility. Restaurant owners will cater to the desires of their clients, and shoppers will support the merchants of their choice. Many at-risk individuals would prefer to accept a certain level of risk than the consequences of trying to avoid risk.

6. Charity - Many are dying from COVID, but many are dying from dying the response. Dying from isolation, dying in isolation, dying from despair. Children are being delayed educationally, many are negatively affected emotionally and psychologically. A good plan will address both sides of these issues.

7. Clarity - Government might do well to spend less time issuing orders, and more time disseminating information. Let's publicize information on what you can do as an individual to avoid becoming seriously sick, and to avoid winding up in a hospital.

8. Leeway - Unequivocally support the right of medical providers to make decisions with their clients in the best interests of their clients. Government is not well positioned to be making these decisions.

9. Individuality - Forcing a man to close his business and sit home, even if he receives a government paycheck, is demoralizing. Work is positive, productive, and necessary. Respect the rights and necessity of men and women who serve others by their industrious undertakings.

10. Reality - Shutdown is impossible. If I sit home, I have to hire someone else to bring my groceries. But someone else still had to produce that food. And process or prepare that food. And ship that food. And someone has to build the infrastructure, and service the infrastructure. Government has no ability to determine which businesses are vital and which are not. With very few exceptions, every industry is dependent on every other industry in a web so complex that no body or organization can unweave it. Only the citizens, each fulfilling their own role, can make it work effectively.

Lastly, I encourage others to add to this conversation. What, in your mind, are the most important of the points I've suggested? What are other components critical to a plan that unites us rather than dividing us, a plan that is effective by more than a few limited measures, and that can enjoy broad-based support?

Sincerely,
Rob Wagner

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

State Rep VanSingel Responds to Pause Extension

Leave a Reply.

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE

Letter to the Editor Policy

Submit Your Letter

Archives

Categories

Near North Now

Hours

Telephone

Email