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Letters to the Editor

We must enhance school safety in Michigan

School violence continues to be a concern throughout our nation for many families. The number of school shootings alone continues to increase at an alarming rate. As of April 2024, there have already been 32 school shootings within the United States. Michigan has faced alarming numbers of students who have had weapons on school property, been bullied, felt threatened or unsafe, and fought on school grounds. Michigan has faced two horrific shootings recently, one being at Oxford High School and the other at Michigan State University. House Bill 5549 was introduced to enhance school ...

County board wrong to oust the library board

I disagree with the Alpena County commissioners’ recent actions and stated reasons concerning our library board. The library board rightfully refused to follow the dictates of a limited segment of our population regarding its collection management. Contrary to doing nothing, that board preserved the library’s independence by following its best judgment in serving the diverse needs of our entire community. I understand why people question the sexual education material, but it conveys information factually and effectively. Though it’s graphic, it’s not erotic or pornographic ...

Resist book bans at Alpena County Library

Cashiering Alpena’s library board has won county commissioners some friends. Book banners have dropped opposition to library millage renewal, although the damage has already been done. What mystifies me is why self-appointed morality police have prevailed against the public interest. By a large majority, Michiganders reject book bans. A 2023 EPIC-MRA survey for the Michigan Library Association found that 80% of respondents believe that “individual parents can set rules for their own children” but have no right “to decide for other parents” what books are appropriate for ...

Luther pushes straw man argument on books

In her letter to the editor on July 13, Jessica Luther, assistant director of the Alpena County Library, set up a straw man argument to try to deflect attention away from the fact that she is in favor of making highly sexualized books available to children and teens in the library. The Alpena County commissioners deemed the content of these books as obscene. Ms. Luther implied that the people who object to obscene, sexual cartoons and text in books available to children don’t really care about children. She named several ways in which she has determined that the Save the Alpena ...

Summer Reading Program fun, vote yes Aug. 6

To the editor, As much as I love the summer sunshine, beach days, and the blur of activities across our community, there’s still nothing like those rainy summer days that keep me cooped up with a good book. While the infamous personal pan pizzas of my childhood are no longer the prize for reading, the Alpena County Library’s Summer Reading Program offers engaging activities and prizes for all ages, including for adults. I’ve already picked up two prizes, including downtown dollars to spend, plus I’ve earned extra tickets to vote for the community prize, which is always a ...

Choose Matthew Wojda for PI probate judge

Presque Isle County has been given the opportunity to elect a nonpartisan judge who has experience, knowledge, compassion, and over 100 years of family roots in our county. Matt Wojda has been a personal friend of my family for over 10 years. He has unwavering commitment to the Michigan and United States constitutions, and the rule of law. He has been endorsed by seven judges in Northeast Michigan, which speaks volumes. As a mother, I know if any decisions needed to be made involving my children and family, Matt would be the one who I would want to make those decisions. He chose to ...