ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.

I urge the Leighton Township Board and Planning Commission to deny a rezoning request to accommodate an air strip near 144^th and Kalamazoo Avenues.

My position is very similar to my opposition to legalizing fireworks. I don’t think it’s a good idea to shatter the public peace in order to satisfy the private personal wants of a few.

The Michigan Legislature several years ago made a grievous error in upsetting the public peace in order to allow some boorish and infantile behavior in neighborhoods that perhaps someday soon will result in brawls and mini-riots. In the same manner, an air strip that would serve the hobbies and amusements of a chosen few, but perhaps cause strain on nearby residents, just isn’t fair.

I do not believe residents who move to rural and agricultural areas have a blank check in expecting them to remain pristine and bereft of the pitfalls of urban life. However, every American citizen should be able to expect certain enterprises and behaviors to be regulated so as to keep them away from those who could be harmed by them in some way.

For example, if I move to a quiet, rural neighborhood, I would have a right to keep someone operating a dog kennel from moving in next door. Such noisy businesses should be zoned so they are permitted only in areas that make sense.

An air strip privately owned by 15 residences along its corridors indeed would be desirable to the people living in the 15 homes, but the potential for noise to disturb horses and for fumes, dust and other unwanted conditions for neighbors would outweigh the pleasure of those fortunate enough to be wealthy enough to join the group.

When Sly and the Family Stone sang, “We got to live together,” they weren’t talking about a privileged private group’s wants trumping the rights of its neighbors.

Furthermore, there is an air strip that has existed for a long time just north of Wayland, and it is home to ultralight planes and other small craft. Though the City of Wayland has owned the facility for many years, it would be a good idea for the developers and residents who want an air strip to somehow negotiate use of the Wayland Airport instead. It seems some kind of an agreement could be reached.

I side with Kate and Tom Scheltema, who established a horse farm business long before these plans were made public at a nearby location. Taking away their business or making it difficult for them to survive as they have for years in order to accommodate the amusement of 15 residences along an air strip would be simply unfair.

However, as an aside, the news that this proposed development includes Township Supervisor Steve Deer as a silent partner does not mean he should step down from his office. Virtually all local government officials own businesses or work in some kind or trade that occasionally may be affected by requests or developments. In these cases, they abstain and refrain from having undue influence on the decision making.

For example, it is common for local restaurant owners, bank employees, business owners and others serve on the Wayland City Council. And it is common for these same people to step aside temporarily when an issue affecting them is being decided.

I have no reason to believe the Leighton supervisor is acting in any way inappropriately.

However, I still believe the rezoning to accommodate the air strip should be denied.