Leighton’s action does more than save a business

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

I wish to sing the praises of forward thinking demonstrated this week by Leighton Township Clerk Rachel Fennema and Trustees Brian Bonnema and John Hooker. Instead of succumbing to the tired, outdated, old fiddle-faddle opinion that has dominated Leighton Township for too long, this threesome decided to go where very few Leighton Township officials have gone before.

A request by the prospective new owners of the Rock ’n Bowl to offer beer, wine and spirits at the establishment was granted by a 3-2 vote.

To be sure, there are some who won’t be pleased with the decision, but former Wayland Union Schools Supt. Tom Tarnutzer, himself a Wayland High School graduate, praised the move instead of complaining about what happened in the past. His said his mother and father, Haven and Nyla Tarnutzer, founders of the old Airport Lanes, often asked the board for its blessing to grant permission for sale and consumption of alcohol at the lanes, but were rebuffed every time.

He essentially maintained this action was long overdue.

Airport Lanes was able to stay in business for more than 70 years, but the task has become more daunting recently. Ron and Linda Lannon rescued the troubled business six years and did some remodeling. But they indicated earlier this year they were interested in selling it rather than let it die on the vine.

It should be no secret that bowling alleys all across the United States are financially in trouble. Plainwell Lanes shut down not long ago. And the bowling alley in Dorr went belly up as well.

In these modern times, it isn’t easy to keep up with changing trends, and bowling alleys are finding it even more difficult to make a buck if they don’t let their customers enjoy an adult beverage while knocking down pins.

But even more than a bowling alley is at stake here. The Wayland and Martin High School boys’ and girls’ bowling teams use Rock ’N Bowl for practices and games in the winter. To let Rock ’N Bowl die on the vine also would create a hardship for two local school districts.

Furthermore, while some may scoff at the notion that bowling is a sport, it’s one more way to get teenagers be busy with wholesome activity rather than hang out and perhaps get into trouble because idleness indeed is the devil’s workshop.

So a majority on the Leighton Township Board didn’t just save a local business, it saved a couple of high school athletic programs.

Applause, applause.