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Letters to the Editor

Proposed time change will hurt kids

I was shocked watching the NBC nightly News last night as they announced that the mighty U.S. Congress has finally passed the Sunshine Protection Act which now goes to the U.S. Senate. If these people were in office centuries ago the pyramids might just be completed! Now all they have to do this century is pass the SS and the Safe act. The final clock change could occur in March 2027. From there there would be no longer a "fall back" in November 2027 The bill allows states to opt-out Clause. The way I see it, it looks like it's back to square one! The problem is this was tried before ...

Sea lamprey control is a federal responsibility

I would like to thank Kayla Wikaryasz for her fine reporting of the new Fishery Heritage Exhibit at Besser Museum. She tells just a few of the stories about our Great Lakes that I hope readers will enjoy by visiting the Museum’s “walk through our Great Lakes Heritage” which is centered around the Katherine V gillnet tug and the Research Vessel Chinook. I would like to expand on one element of her coverage in Part II of her reporting. Lamprey control is a federal responsibility – federal navigation projects brought the lamprey, and it has been a long-standing policy that the ...

Holiday brings everyone together

It’s time to camp in the great outdoors! Our celebrated 4th of July heritage has brought families together now for 250 years of all things that Independence embodies: coming together for parades, family reunions and the infamous annual trip to the camp grounds. Getting ready, packing the necessities to live outside like our ancestors; our indigenous people. In Michigan, that means the wooded and water environs. Many local motels, hotels where you can park your car outside the door; because you are on the move, thank you Henry Ford, are full. Aunts and uncles and grandparents ...

We have a country to save

I’ve been reading letters to the editor over the past several weeks in what appears to be a concerted effort by a few to undermine three members of the Alpena Public School Board. Their efforts are to obtain sufficient signatures to recall them and subject them to the Nov 4 general election in which it’s hoped they would be defeated, replaced by progressive liberal candidates. Upon examining the grounds for this recall it appears it is largely based on administrative issues and not educational issues. For example, turning down grant dollars for a rain garden. On it’s face this ...

Thoughts on potential APS bond issue

Soliciting and publishing (6/23/26) comments from a few APS board members about the tax bond issue up for vote next year was premature and stirred up unneeded speculation and ill informed opinions in Alpena. At this time APS staff and consultants are developing the detailed scope of work needed and or options to deal with maintaining the aging school infrastructure. In addition there is the need to address the impact of the declining student enrollment. A detailed plan is not complete. Comments at this time only encourage those ill informed opinions form the public that will vote on the ...

We have the right to recall, sign the petitions

The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education has a problem. Multiple members of the school board are casting votes that waste taxpayer money that is supposed to fund our schools. Their names are Eric Lawson, Monica Dziesinski, and Sarah Costain. All three members have “voted no to a $150,000 grant for a rain garden at Alpena High School”. Who turns down free money? All three members “voted yes to hire a second law firm, Kallman Legal Group for Alpena Public Schools.” Lawson and Dziesinski “voted yes to award a paving contract to a higher bidder.” Lastly, “during 2025, her ...