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Residents have mixed reactions to new president

Now that President Donald Trump has officially taken office, the months of speculating about what might happen now turn into watching to see what does happen.

Area residents, like the rest of the country, have mixed thoughts about what is about to transpire during the early days of the Trump administration.

Tracy Taylor said although she is not a fan of the president, or some of his positions, she is willing to support him and hope for the best.

“He talked a big game, now it is time for him to put up or shut up,” Taylor said. “If he can accomplish a fraction of what he promised I think it would be a miracle.”

Douglas Roznowski has a different take. He said he believes Trump already has proven he has an ability to follow through in statements he made during the primary and general election. Roznowski said recent business decisions by automakers where largely because of Trump and his platform for business growth in the country.

“Do you think what Ford, Chevy and others are doing is a coincidence?” he said. “He has already helped to save and create jobs before taking office. He told us he was going to do that and so far he has.”

Trina McKay said she is not a fan of politics and didn’t vote in November. She said despite that she is watching keenly as events unfold. McKay said she is tired of the hate and division.

“I’ve never been into politics, but it’s disgusting how people are treating each other,” she said. “We are better than this and one person should not be powerful enough to tear us apart the way Trump seems to have.”

Jerry Roznowski wishes Trump well but believes he needs to think before he speaks. He said because Trump is a new president we should give him the respect the office deserves.

“My opinion is the people protesting him should give him a chance,” he said. “He’s inheriting a pretty good economy so I hope he keeps that up. I want him to fulfill his promises and stop jobs from leaving.”

Rieta Gohl said while Trump was not her first choice during the campaign. She hopes he works to fix issues such as partisanship and health care legislation.

“I expect him to work through bipartisanship to fulfill his promises,” she said. “I would like to see them work on the Affordable (Care) Act to make it better for everyone. I want it to help the small businesses.”

Gohl said she also hopes everyone can settle down, and if someone doesn’t like a decision then they should contact their representatives.

Fred Lahman thinks very similarly about keeping his promises, but was not very happy about his inaugural speech and his early morning tweets. He also said he hopes to see a change with the U.S.’s relationship with Russia.

“I expect him to change things with (Vladimir) Putin so there is not another Cold War which Reagan got us out of,” he said.

Lahman said he is not for or against Trump, but he does not want to see any walls go up because he does not think that was what America is supposed to be about.

Ohio resident Barbara Sheppard said she wasn’t a Trump supporter — she voted independent — but said regardless she would give him a chance, albeit with a few requests of the new president.

“I think he needs to keep his mouth shut sometimes and I think he needs to get off Twitter,” she said. “I am hoping he becomes more ‘presidential.’ I am giving him the benefit of the doubt but I didn’t vote for him.”

Sheppard said she thought it was very important to rally around the president regardless of who he or she may be.

“We’ll see what happens,” she said. “I just hope people will give Trump a chance to do something.”

Some were not sure the Trump could cut muster but hope he can, including Alpena resident Keith Felax.

“I am not really sure about Trump,” he said. “I guess as long as he makes it better for everyone — he said he was going to try to make things better for working people — if he keeps with that then it should be good.”

Felax said it was important to give every incoming president a chance and they all promise a lot of things, but often do not come through with the promises.

“I guess we’ll have to see how he does,” he said.

William Smith of Alpena said he was glad to see Trump take over as our country’s leader and said he did not care for former President Barack Obama.

He hoped Trump would work hard to smooth over national issues.

“The biggest thing that I have been watching is the Dakota Access Pipeline issue,” he said. “(Trump) needs to smooth it out because you know the (Native Americans) are getting a raw deal, and they always have. They have had a raw deal from the get-go and they are getting another one.”

News Staff Writers Jason Ogden, Steve Schulwitz and Tyler Winowiecki contributed to this story.

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