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(Editor’s Note: Karen Schmidt writes that the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula are making the Peninsula a better place to live. Read on for her thoughts. -jb)
May I clarify to members of Protect the Peninsula and the Peninsula Township Board some things about the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (WOMP) that they may not know? There seems to be some misunderstanding of WOMP’s motives and thoughtfulness that may be overlooked. Their hearts are to make the Peninsula we all love a better place to live for all of us.
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So, here are some facts about who they are and what they have done to make the Old Mission Peninsula a better place to live.
First, almost all of the winery owners are multi-generational Peninsula family members and those whose families are not from here, but have been here for several decades. Their connection to the Peninsula runs deep in other ways, as well.
It is the wineries that are actually protecting the beautiful views in the designated viewsheds for Peninsula Township. Who knows what those view corridors would look like if the wineries didn’t have those beautiful vineyards planted and maintained.
It should be obvious that they need to have a reasonable profit to stay in business, and I really believe that’s all they want. Members of WOMP have also served on various township boards and committees, and likely will again after the current winery lawsuit is over.
To remind us all, a few years ago, when the Old Mission Elementary School was slated to be closed, the owners of Chateau Grand Traverse approached other members of WOMP for donations to save the school. The members of WOMP dug deep into their pockets, and, in addition, contacted other donors to raise money necessary to save the school.
The result: the owners of the WOMP wineries directly donated and raised more than $1 Million, and the Old Mission Elementary School was saved.
Please read the recently enacted Master Plan for Peninsula Township. It reads that “The community came together and saved the school.” It is true that other members of the community helped to save that school, too. The “community” contribution outside of WOMP was generous; however, it wasn’t enough. Without the enormous contribution of the WOMP owners in both money and time, that school probably would have been gone.
The winery owners have also given substantial donations to other Peninsula projects, including:
- Bowers Harbor Park
- Dougherty House
- Peninsula Fire Department
- Peninsula Community Library
So, please remember that the owners of the WOMP wineries did all that, and they did it despite the fact that none of them are making anywhere near the amount of money that some of you might think.
When you vote on Tuesday, remember — don’t let the animosity of a few cloud the good that people behind the wineries have done for Peninsula Township.
-Karen Schmidt
(Read all Peninsula Township Election 2024 News, Opinions and Candidate Questionnaires here. Read all winery lawsuit news and opinions here. -jb)
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Hi Jane. I’m the OTHER Karen Schmidt on Old Mission Peninsula – folks mix Karen and I up all the time. Anyway, I wanted to clarify that I didn’t write the winery article. I see pros and cons on both sides and don’t have enough information to state a firm opinion. So please folks, no kudos or knocks, and a big ‘hello’ to my friend, the OTHER Karen Schmidt.