Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

New water rate increase is a slap in the face

Millions have been spent on the ongoing pissing contest between the city and the township. The rates for water and sewage are going up again. This has been ongoing for several years, ever since we were forced to buy digital water meters. Friday’s article quoted a city employee who stated our rates were low compared with other areas until these annual increases began. We should have low rates. The main ingredient does not cost a dime as we are situated on a Great Lake. The article does not state that money from the bloated reserve fund will be transferred to the city employees ...

The U.S. Constitution requires the use of an Electoral College to elect the V.P. and president.The winner of the POPULAR Vote of each individual state is awarded that state’s electors. The National Popular vote legislation that some people are advocating seems unconstitutional. Why would the citizens of Michigan want to join a compact and give their electors to a candidate that didn’t win the popular vote in our state? Why should my vote be diluted by the leftist/progressive policies of states like California? Just a few years ago, former Speaker Pelosi said she was an advocate to ...

Book bans are anti-American, anti-democratic

The ability of teachers to properly educate students, and the freedom of students to learn by reading a variety of books, is under assault. As the Alpena News reported on Saturday, May 27, Florida and other states have enacted laws “making it easier for parents to challenge books in school libraries.” According to a Washington Post study of 1,065 complaints in 37 states, 43% of the books targeted by protesters feature LGBTQ characters and themes. Another 36% of challenged books focus on race or racism. More than 60% of protesters cite “sexual” content. In some states these new ...

NPV is an idea whose time is right now

The Preamble to the United States Constitution begins with the following words: We the People. We. The. People. Such stirring words, and a reminder that our Constitution, indeed our government, bases its legitimacy on the will of the people. Our president should also be chosen by the will of the people. That is why I am writing to advocate for the passage of the National Popular Vote legislation. NPV is legislation at the state level that says, in essence, that whichever presidential candidate that receives the most votes nationally should be elected president. Article II, Section I ...

Bergman, stop pushing us toward default

America faces a looming default crisis, all because MAGA extremists and their leader, Kevin McCarthy, are trying to force through drastic cuts to bedrock American programs —and Jack Bergman voted to help them do it. The impacts of these tactics are far-reaching: funding for veterans programs and our schools slashed, programs like Meals on Wheels and food assistance eliminated for millions, hospital funding in jeopardy, and even payment to military service members and their families in doubt. That doesn’t even begin to cover the risks of default, which would spike interest rates and ...

Township voters need to clean house soon

I think it’s time the township voters elect new board members who know how to make a decision and resolve problems. This ongoing issue with the Alpena City Water and the Alpena Township is a prime example. The amount of tax money these board members have wasted on attorneys and litigation could have been spent on new water pipes into every household in the township. It would have been more cost effective if the county would have just paid the water rates to the city. Money that could have or SHOULD have been spent on the Township Fire Department. And, paying thousands of dollars for ...