An article in the Dec 29 Enterprise gives some idea of the growth pressures on our area. Benzie and Grand Traverse counties rank second and third among Michigan's 83 counties in terms of trowth. Antrim, with a growth rate of 6% over the last four years, comes in sixth. And Leelanau, up 5%, is also among the fastest growing counties in the state.

As the economy Up North becomes more diverse we can only expect these trends to continue and perhaps accelerate. Fortunately, we still have time to act to put sensible, well-designed policies in place to keep our area from being overwhelmed by uncontrolled growth, as have been so many other communities. That tired old cliche that growth is coming and can't be stopped is true enough as far as it goes. But thoughtful smart growth policies--if implemented before the storm hits, not when it's howling around our ears--can go a long way toward securing our quality of life. We have something irreplacable here. Let's not let it be lost by poor planning and carelessness.