Regular meeting (Public Comment – M. Radke, 2/20/2024)

Michael Radke, a former member of a local Michigan school board, is advocating for the installation of solar panels at Leelanau County offices through a grant. He draws on his experience with energy initiatives at the school district, where an energy audit and the replacement of fluorescent light bulbs led to significant long-term savings despite initial costs. Radke emphasizes that similar actions in Leelanau County could yield comparable benefits, particularly with the availability of grants to offset the initial investment.

The proposed solar energy project is not only financially beneficial but also environmentally friendly. Radke highlights the importance of taking advantage of the current opportunity to implement solar energy capture, which would contribute to the county’s sustainability efforts. He stresses the urgency of acting now, as the grants provide a unique chance to mitigate the upfront costs associated with such installations.

As a member of the Leelanau community, Radke is strongly in favor of the solar energy installation and urges the Clerk to support the initiative. He requests that his letter be forwarded to the County Commissioners to further the cause. Radke’s personal commitment to the project and his past experience with energy-saving measures underscore the potential positive impact of the solar grant on Leelanau County.