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Letters to the Editor

Marvel at all the freedoms America provides

We just celebrated our country’s 248th year of independence! This independence was to prevent ever being ruled by a Monarchy, one person who rides roughshod over our every word and deed, but a country ruled by a Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America, and which has a checks and balance system of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. I started thinking of the freedoms I and my family and friends have been able to enjoy as United States citizens and why so many people who live in countries with dictators live without ...

Response to Mr. Bock and like-minded citizens

Did you actually attend a library or commissioners meeting? Save the Alpena Children (STAC) has,so let me correct your errors. We have never asked the books to be banned, locked up, or taken off all shelves. We have asked for answers. What is the criteria to place a book in the adult section if it’s not graphic sex? No answer. What is the opposition to placing such books in the adult section? Answer, “Because they might not find it there.” The library states parents are responsible for their children. So we asked for TOOLS to help us. 1. Place these books in the adult ...

Parents, please teach your children bike safety

There is a young man in Alpena who is lucky to be alive tonight. This afternoon I was driving on French Road where the speed limit is 45 mph. Alongside of me there were about three kids riding their bikes. I was keeping my eye on them luckily because all of a sudden the kid who was at the end turned to cross in front of me. I swerved and missed him by just inches. He is lucky that I have good reflexes. I only saw him from the back so don’t know how old he was but probably about 13. Old enough to know bicycle safety. Parents please make sure your kids know the rules before you let ...

Maybe it’s time for recall of Alpena officials

Our elected city representatives continue their 10-year pissing contest with the township over water rates, despite a court ruling. Millions of dollars that could have been spent on infrastructure go to lawyers. I am not satisfied with what my tax dollars are getting me at the local, state or federal level. Locally, the public servants cater to businesses and tourists. As usual, the average homeowner gets nothing but the bill. Water rates go up every year, as do property taxes. As stated in a previous letter to the editor, we should have low water rates as we are sitting on a ...

Vote yes to continue our downtown’s growth

Over the last seven years in my role at the Alpena Downtown Development Authority, I’ve had the privilege of seeing firsthand the impact the Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library has in our community. I’ve seen young professionals using it as a place to work remotely. I’ve seen tutors and students meeting. Adults studying for their GED. Kids and caretakers there for storytimes and crafts and meet-ups. New homeowners researching the history of their house or property owners using their archives to write grants to restore and preserve their buildings. On average, around ...

Are book critics really helping our children?

For the past few months, I’ve been on the front line of the challenges to library materials deemed unsafe, overtly sexual, and too mature for library users under the age of 18. I fully appreciate and recognize the concerns of these community members who seek to protect the innocence of youth within our community. As a parent and private citizen in the Alpena community, I do wonder what work they have done to help eliminate the legality of child marriage within the country. Do they foster at-risk kids in need of a home? Are they supporting the educators within our community who ...