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Letters to the Editor

Response to recall

These views are my own and not necessarily those of the board or my colleagues. When it comes to Alpena Public Schools Board of Education, I vote with common sense and fiscal responsibility, and FULLY stand by the three votes that a small group is trying to recall me for. The decisions for the votes were made carefully, and I came to my conclusions by listening to the input of the community and fellow board members. This reflects my shared commitment to what’s best for our students and the taxpayers. I am hopeful media outlets will provide the opportunity to explain decisions fully ...

We must be honest with ourselves about Iran

The end of the Ayatollah, a man at the forefront of a regime that financially supports international terrorism, that brutally represses dissidents, that subsidizes the Chinese economy with petrochemicals at a discount, is a step in the right direction for democratic societies across the world. As responsible citizens, in the wake of this good news, we must address two questions. First–what happens next? Trump encouraged Iranians to “take over” their government. While that is a noble prospect, we must consider the feasibility that a people’s revolution will indeed produce a ...

Rejecting the rain garden was rejecting the grant!

I am writing in response to statements made during the recent factuality and clarity recall hearing regarding the language used to describe the rain garden issue. During that hearing, Monica Dziesinski, along with Eric Lawson and Sarah Costain, objected to the characterization that they voted against a “grant”. They argued that they did not vote down the “grant,” but only voted against installing the rain garden itself. To many of us in the community, that feels like a difference that doesn’t matter. If the grant would have fully funded the rain garden project, then voting ...

Warming shelter

Did you know that the “warming shelter” at the Alpena Fairgrounds is only open for operations from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.? This means that, though people had a relatively warm place to sleep, that they must be out of the building by 8 a.m.? No matter what the weather is like? Sort of changes the meaning of “warming shelter” doesn’t it? I thought the issue was addressed at the last county commissioners meeting in January, but that was over a month ago, and nothing has changed. Did you know that the “warming shelter” is slated to close on March 31? So – people will be out in ...

Faulty school board decisions will impact future projects

At the APS board meeting on February 23, 2026, Robert Crook, Presque Isle Commissioner District 5 defended the Board's decision to accept a higher asphalt bid. He obviously doesn't understand the public school bid process. At the APS board meeting January 27, 2025, the Payne & Dolan bid was $681,400, while the Goodrich bid was $713,950. Both bids were for a newer mix of asphalt that uses a smaller size of aggregate that is more visually appealing. These specifications were in the bid documents. Goodrich submitted an alternate bid of $685,000 for a lesser grade of asphalt. Payne ...

The quiet part, out loud

At the Feb. 23 school board meeting, board president Eric Lawson said the quiet part out loud. If you haven’t noticed the board hasn’t been talking about the Fairview Bathroom Policy lately, now infamously known as the Potty Policy, that’s exactly what they were hoping for. Eric Lawson along with Sarah Costain, Monica Dziesinski and AJ MacArthur made the Potty Policy a high priority on their personal agenda list early last year. This despite legal opinions from APS legal counsel, Thrun Law, and the ACLU saying instituting this policy would have devastating financial consequences ...