hold to care for one I love. But then I went for a long bike ride that led me to the edge of a dune overlooking Lake Michigan. I did what I always do when I first see the lake. I prayed. For it is in the presence of this seemingly infinite-size lake, that I ask for strength and guidance, that I delight in the joy of each day, that I feel most connected to God. And what I knew immediately was that I could not stop writing or talking about protecting this lake. In caring for Lake Michigan and all the Great Lakes, I am caring for me. And I am no good to another unless I first care for me. Just like the airplane oxygen masks. And so, it is with great appreciation to all of you who join me, that I pose my second question to elected officials and candidates, to those I am counting on to clean up and protect these lakes—and all sources of freshwater. Thank you for taking a moment to stand for clean water. The McKSchmidt Questions: Week 2A Grassroots Effort to Prioritize Clean WaterWhy I Care: Heavy rains in June overwhelmed water treatment facilities in Milwaukee, resulting in 363 million gallons of sewage dumped into Lake Michigan and nearby rivers; 15 million gallons of sewage from Ashland, WI flowed into Lake Superior; almost one million gallons into Lake Erie from Dunkirk, NY . . . Tens of billions of gallons of raw sewage flow into the Great Lakes each year. Bacteria and viruses thrive in the untreated sewage, often causing skin rashes, eye and ear infections, diarrhea, and the closing of nearby beaches. The sewage overflows are caused by antiquated sewage treatment centers that collect rainwater runoff, domestic wastewater, and industrial waste into one pipe leading to the sewage treatment plant. During heavy rainfalls or snowmelts, the volume of wastewater exceeds capacity, resulting in the release of untreated wastewater into nearby streams, rivers, and lakes. Until we prioritize clean water and fund the expensive—but necessary—overhaul of our water treatment facilities, we will continue to contaminate our freshwater sources across North America. Question: Will you support an investment in our water treatment infrastructure to eliminate combined sewage overflows? And what funding sources do you plan to tap? (Please copy and paste this question and email it to elected officials and those seeking your voice. Also please consider sharing the question and blog post with friends to help spread the word. Thank you. Responses may be found at McKSchmidt Questions.) Sources of information for "Why I Care:"
My Email Contact List:
Currently in office President Trump: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ U. S Congress: https://upton.house.gov/contact/ U.S. Senate: https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/contact U.S. Senate: https://www.peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary Michigan Governor: https://somgovweb.state.mi.us/GovRelations/ShareOpinion.aspx Allegan County State Senator: https://www.senatortonyaschuitmaker.com/contact/ Allegan County State Representative: http://gophouse.org/representatives/southwest/whiteford/contact/ Those seeking my vote https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/MVIC/SelectPublicBallot.aspx How to find you federal representatives Congress: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative Senate: https://www.senate.gov(Top left side of home page) How to find your state representatives (each state varies slightly) Legislator: Search for legislature.yourstate.gov Senator: Search for yourstatesenate.gov
3 Comments
8/6/2018 08:53:09 am
Mary, I understand, yet my concern is for you doing too much and ending up too exhausted to do either.
Reply
Mary McKSchmidt
8/6/2018 10:30:30 am
So true, my friend. Seeking a balance in my life's priorities has always been one of my greatest challenges. You are keying up next week's post, tentatively titled, "Seeking Balance." Thank you for your astute observation and concern.
Reply
Eric Stemle
8/6/2018 11:26:54 am
God has so many ways of touching us, Mary. It could be in a quiet moment on the shore of infinity, it could be in the loving concern of a friend. It is always a matter of helping us to open our hearts and to find the truth within. What blessings we have, even in our times of trouble. What answers we find when we listen before the question is even asked.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Available
from your local bookstore or online retailer and on this site. ![]() The Ideal Gift Tiny Treasures, a collection of wildflower photographs and poetic prose, available by clicking on the Purchase Products button below. The 2nd Edition of Tiny Treasures is designed for use on PCs, tablets, and phones and is available at online stores. To learn more, click on the Ibook/Ebook button below:
|