I am writing to inquire as to why South Mich-e-ke-wis Park is so neglected? The road to get to the Park is decimated with potholes the size of small craters. I believe serious damage could be done to vehicles using this road. Also, the playground equipment looks like it hasn't been updated ...

I care about protecting clean air and water and the environment, and I am concerned about the lack of media attention to President Trump's proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency. Our state's House of Representatives has sent to the State Senate a bill that would make Michigan's ...

The Bill Speer commentary on Congressman Bergman calls Bergman a calm voice. That is only true because he avoids the difficult discussions. The commentary notes words like “tone,” and “civility,” are used to avoid discussion of the issues. The idea is sort of like saying those people ...

Fireworks, especially chinese lanterns need to be made illegal. When other folks start finding these "harmless" chinese lanterns burned into their home maybe the truth of just how dangerous they are will begin to sink in. Yes people have the right to celebrate the 4th of July however the ...

I was surprised to see parents who had their babies at the fireworks this year; don’t they know that it’s bad for their hearing as well as other health issues? What about the people who have dogs, not all dogs like the loud noise and this year how many dogs have died from having a heart ...

My mother-in-law had two bouts with cancer, a disease that eventually took her life. But because my father-in-law’s union worked diligently to negotiate better benefits for his family, they had adequate health insurance. They did not go bankrupt, as many people with serious diseases ...

Alpena’s Thunder Bay Transportation Authority has an opportunity to offer a new and special treat for tourists and residents alike. The trolleys have plenty of visual appeal which would draw people in. They simply look like a “fun time” and could be used to offer narrated tour rides. ...

We the undersigned, as representatives of arts and cultural organizations in Northeast Michigan, are concerned with proposals to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services from the federal budget. ...

One of the things that makes Obamacare work is that the rich pay a small tax. This creates a fund to insure people that have struggled to afford care. As a deliberate feature of Obamacare, this means long-term savings for the system, because preventative care is much cheaper than a trip to the ...

I started out at the Plaza Pool about nine years ago. As a veteran it cost me $150 then. It went up to $300, now up to $450, with a decrease in members every time the price increased. There used to be 25-30 people in Senior exercise class, now about 12. Maybe it is time for new management for ...

I disagree with your call for a repeal of Obamacare. Adjustments and fixes to the original bill are certainly in order, but to repeal it without a reasonable and acceptable alternative is akin to throwing out the baby with the bath water. We need to keep what works and fix what ...

The circus came to Alpena this past week bringing with it tigers, lions and camels. But you may not be aware that: ∫ Animals used in circuses are captives who are forced to perform confusing, uncomfortable, repetitious, and often painful acts. ∫ Circuses would quickly lose their ...

The idea to enforce those of the community who don't utilize a particular service is another way of government saying "you pay to survive rather than live.” I've never once had a need to utilize the recycling center and to pay an annual $20 surcharge is illogical. If I recall, it started ...

Much like homes, swimming pools, bridges, and highways, a pipeline system requires ongoing examination and upkeep. As part of its ongoing maintenance and inspection programs, Enbridge safely completed a hydrostatic test on both the east and west segments of the Line 5 crossing at the Straits ...

With all the lake problems, pollution, algae and farm run off, how is the city of Alpena able to get away with stockpiling salt on the edge of the Thunder Bay River? With all the rain, the salt runoff must go into the river and Thunder Bay even though it will be tarped. It surely is not ...

Line 5 has been in violation of its1953 Easement with the State of Michigan for years. How long must we wait for the DEQ, AG, and governor to take action? "Easement with the State of Michigan limits unsupported stretches of Line 5 to 75 feet for the pipeline's structural integrity and ...

Our representative, Jack Bergman, responded to my call to ask him not to vote for the House’s American Health Care Act. Though I appreciate the response, it only reinforced that he will keep peddling the Kool-Aid our Republican-led government is feeding us regarding health care. His ...

The Alpena Plaza Pool boasts of being the only municipal pool in five counties. Unfortunately, this is correct. Our family enjoys swimming and we were looking forward to some fun in the pool this summer, but the cost of membership (or even punch cards) at the Plaza Pool has become ...

Last year, we asked Bob and Alpena Rotary Club to consider buying a swing that was handicap accessible when we discovered there was no adaptive play equipment at Starlite Beach Playground. Bob brought our request before the membership, and they immediately agreed to purchase the swing and ...

When I was younger I once woke up to a bright light, and people around me saying, "Don't duck on an uppercut." I remember that when I discuss the illiterate economic policies by which Republicans and Democrats afflict society. Neoliberal economics was dubbed in the mid-30s by Milton ...