Time for the U.P. to join Wisconsin

Time for the U.P.  to join Wisconsin

Dear Editor:

It has been 51 years since the Upper Peninsula of Michigan last sought to be the 51st U.S. state, the State of Superior.

It would be better to claim this area as part of Wisconsin. Timing is perfect because the U.S. may expand its territory toward Greenland and elsewhere. 

Seriously, at least part of the U.P. should be in Wisconsin. Take a look at the map of time zones and the border of the Eastern and Central time zones. 

Most of Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone. Several counties bordering Wisconsin in the U.P. opted out and joined the Central Time Zone. The line dividing Central Time from Eastern Time would be better to run up the middle of Lake Michigan instead of abruptly turning west into the U.P. 

Combine the time zone line and state border line to run straight and it would cut the tail off the U.P. Fine, let Michigan keep the Mackinaw and Sault Ste. Marie areas. 

More than time zones, the commercial and medical hub for a large number of U.P. residents is Green Bay. The tourism and outdoor recreation of Eagle River, Minocqua, Ashland, and Hurley area tie in with the U.P. naturally. The people of this north country should be joined together in the state of Wisconsin. 

Bob Hunt 

Lodi