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Grand Funk’s Mark Farner to speak May 11

On Saturday, May 11, at the Posen Community Center, folks living in Northeast Michigan will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear an American icon, Mark Farner, speak at the annual Reagan Day Dinner sponsored by the Republican Party of Presque Isle County. In 1969, Farner, along with two boyhood friends from Flint, formed a band, which they named GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. For seven years, this band was famous as their music was played along with The Beatles, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, and other famous groups of that era. In 1976, Farner left GRAND ...

APS wrong on speaker who trashes teachers

Why is Alpena Public Schools not protecting our public school employees? The teachers and staff of APS are one of the most important assets we have in Alpena County and northern Michigan. When APS spent over $12,000 on the Rehmann Employee Engagement Survey, I thought to myself, that is a lot of money. I reasoned that this is important to learn, since we truly want to help recruit and retain our strong APS educators by helping them thrive and grow. So, when the school announced it was bringing Scott Ritsema, an outsider from Belt of Truth Ministries, to the school on May 7 to speak ...

Tear down DPI and give us back the beach

I have lived on Ford Avenue for more than 25 years. Decorative Panels International is in my backyard. Smells coming from DPI are strong. Please do not sell DPI. Tear it down and give us back our beautiful beach! DOREEN OATTEN, Alpena

State’s Proposal 2 strengthened democracy

Michigan’s presidential primary was historic thanks to Proposal 2, passed overwhelmingly by Michigan voters in 2022. As a member of the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan, I believe that voting is critical to the integrity of our democracy. That’s why I was excited to vote in the Feb. 27 presidential primary and be part of history as our state voted under the new enhancements to elections brought on by Proposal 2. I was one of 78,000 voters across the state who voted early — a provision of Proposal 2. I would like to thank local clerks for successfully implementing ...

Eclipse offered happiness shared by millions

On Monday, many were reminded of the power and beauty of the cosmos when Luna glided to cross paths with Ra in their magnificent celestial dance. Our eclipse was not full, but no less astonishing. My wife and I watched together. She has a disease of the mind and now only lives in the moment, but what a moment it was. There was no doubt about the joy the heavens brought us. We became children filled with the wonder of just being. Later, viewing the news, clearly the same happiness was shared by millions. The event united us with the realization we are all children of the universe. ...

We can help refugees, but not disabled vets?

I read today Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration quietly launched back in October a program to give up to $500 per month for up to 12 months to migrants and refugees for rent assistance. I guess this was done without input from the state Legislature. What is going on in our state and country? For the past few months, I have been trying to get the status of the disabled veteran license plate changed from an accessory plate to what it really is: a disabled plate with the ability to park in handicap parking. In this country, 26 states require a veteran to be 100% disabled to get ...