Traverse House Member Betsy, who won third prize in the Ernie Reynolds Essay Contest in conjunction with the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service inc. The winning Essay was about Betsy and the residents of her building she lives in using their advocacy resources and skills to protect their housing environment.
Betsy and the residents of Riverview Terrace went to the city commissioners office and got a petition started. This was all a reminder of the past for Betsy who lost her backyard to developers when she was younger. They helped write and inspire Proposal Three on the recent Traverse City Michigan Ballot which gave voters the right to say no to the two nine story buildings that were set to go up near the property. The first petition got thrown out, but through advocacy and determination Betsy and the residents prevailed. The proposal was on the ballot and passed.
Betsy feels inspired by her accomplishment. She says "we all have a story to be told. A story is never complete unless it is told."