Foolish idea

[Willy]

It seems when people get together some bad ideas come to the surface. It was proposed and whole heartedly agreed on at a local "love your community" workshop  that they will build a "giant bon fire pit" at the beach. Now I love a good camp fire myself but I know what can happen when you have a 15 to 20ft. fire pit and a group of irresponsible people. These things can get out of control. This will be a waste money and valuable beach area. How many children will be burnt by this monstrosity or how many drunks will fall into the pit? 

http://ludingtondailynews.com/news/72461-a-giant-bonfire-pit-at-the...

"There must have been a pent-up demand for someone to seek ideas from community residents. It was without hesitation the 100 people gathered Thursday for a Love Your Community workshop began sharing their thoughts about making Ludington and Mason County a better place.
One idea almost instantly earned $500 to make it happen — a “giant bonfire pit” at the beach as a community gathering spot.

There are no details yet, and certainly there are hurdles to jump before it can happen. But, heck, within just a few moments of coming up with the idea, Megan Payment, Brian Josefowicz and Barry Neal’s work group had financial and community support.

Josefowicz described the pit as something large, 15 to 20 feet in diameter. It would become a gathering spot where events could be held, as people would naturally gather around campfires.

Author and speaker Peter Kageyama, who led the workshop at the West Shore Educational Service District building, said the mix of fire and water (bonfire at the beach) is an alluring combination.

The mini grant was just one of those to be given by Love Ludington, which is being run through the Community Foundation for Mason County.

The next mini grant is open to the public and has a deadline of Aug. 16. Submit the idea, a photo that helps depict the plan and send it to Love Ludington. The entries with the most votes on the Love Ludington Facebook page by Sept. 2 will win $500 to accomplish the goal.

There were more than a dozen ideas that all drew rounds of applause Thursday, and there were more than a dozen interesting and hilarious T-shirt slogans shared as well.

“I think it was inspiring,” said Julie Schrader, who started the Love Ludington website and Facebook page.

Anita Wilson, whose John and Anita Wilson Fund brought Kageyama to the community this week, had been with Schrader a year ago when they heard Kageyama speak.

The event Thursday was a hit.

“I just loved the energy,” she said.

The talk now is about having him back for focus groups in the area.

People are now posting what they love about Ludington on the Ludington Daiy News Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ludingtondailynews

Share your fun ideas to make the community a better place, too.

See more about the day as News Editor Patti Klevorn wraps her brain around the fascinating morning and continues writing. Additions will be made to the story here and more will also be available in the print and eEditions of the Ludington Daily News."

[Willy]

[easymoney]

Nothing like having a big pile of burnt embers laying around to beautify the beach

[XLFD]

What's kind of neat about this idea is that just two years ago, when the Ludington City Council brain trust were making a bunch of additions to beach and park rules making glass containers and feeding seagulls against the law, they made making such bonfires in City Parks illegal too:  Section 38-72 (b) "No person shall kindle or build fires in any park or beach except in fireplaces or grills provided for that purpose.  Camp stoves, cookers or personal grills are not allowed in any beach or park except in designated picnic areas. Upon leaving such fire, the person last using it shall have the duty to see that the fire is extinguished."

I can't believe this idea was roundly accepted, it has so many drawbacks, liabilities, and frankly, it's not going to make Stearn's Beach any better, but worse.  Put it to a city-wide vote, like our charter says, before out-of-towners (like the brain-children of this bit of whimsy are) screw up our natural beach. In the meantime, I think they'll have to credit the Ludington Torch for inspiration.