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Letters to the Editor

Asking for Michigan info for a class project

Dear People of the great state of Michigan, Hello! I am a third-grade student in Northern Virginia. Our class is learning about the United States and I will be teaching our school about the state of Michigan. In the month of May, I will create a display for our state fair that I hope will make you proud. Although I have gathered facts about your state from books and websites, I think that I can receive the best information from the people who live there. This is why I am writing to you. I am hoping that you would be willing to send me some items to help me learn more about the best ...

Local mission trip efforts are commendable

Part of good journalism is publishing opinion pieces from readers as “Letters to the Editor.” The Alpena News does this at least weekly. I write in reference to such a letter published on Saturday, March 4 entitled, “Questions about ‘God’s love’ in Belize.” Although not connected to Immanuel Lutheran Church, I feel it necessary to supply some correction to disinformation in the writer’s letter. I fear that the letter’s writer understands neither God’s love nor Belize. God’s love is expressed in word, deed and attitude. The team from Immanuel Lutheran, out of ...

Trips offer new experiences, perspectives

My response to Mr. Shuman: Wow. I made three trips to Guaymas in Sonora, Mexico: (1) with the VOSH group (Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity). Each volunteer had two suitcases, one filled with eyeglasses (extras were left for next time); (2) helping build an orphanage, after traveling (5 drivers, 10 others) on a school bus loaded with donations; (3) helping drive a decommissioned ambulance donated to the Mexican Rotary Club. This trip was with Doug Berney – remember him? He was featured on the The Alpena News front page after the Alpena County Fair a few years back, his corn ...

Grateful for generosity of local community

Let me start by saying I, as well as the area veterans (approximately 2,500 in Alpena alone), are grateful for the way the people of this area stepped up and generously contributed to a new DAV van to transport veterans to downstate appointments. At that time, there were three of us taking turns driving, then COVID hit, and we lost two of our drivers. We are once again asking for people to help get these veterans to their appointments. It requires a physical (the VA doesn’t take the safety of our veterans for granted) that is done in Saginaw and a little bit of time. The rewards of ...

Ideas for putting a stop to senseless deaths

For too long, we have seen two areas of murder and death that are out of control and taking a horrible toll on our people and our psyche. Police officers misuse of lethal force in arrests, and the killing of thousands with fentanyl are scourges that must be addressed. Both problems are complex and require action that takes time to accomplish. I hope to start a discussion that could begin to produce immediate common-sense solutions. Regarding arrests, the best possible behavior to exhibit is to simply submit, don’t argue, and don’t resist or run. Regarding drugs, make sure ...

WMCU should rethink decision on music

As of March 1, National Public Radio affiliate WCMU, broadcasting at 91.7 F.M. from its location at Central Michigan University, will no longer host classical, jazz, blues, bluegrass, new world, or other music on its radio platform. Instead, station managers have announced that its radio programming will consist only of news and talk shows. All music has now been moved to the internet as web-based offerings, which can be streamed if one is logged on to WCMU. While we certainly cannot get enough of reliable, trustworthy information in these troubled times, it is also the case that we ...