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Opinion

​​No To MacArthur

Letters to the Editor

For the last four years, the community has listened to APS board member AJ MacArthur complain that his business is under boycott by community members who disagree with his decisions and actions while on the school board. The community seems to feel MacArthur is on the board in service to something other than the public school system that thousands of Alpena County families depend on. It seems counterintuitive that MacArthur is on a public school board as he homeschools his children; always has and likely always will. During a recent board meeting, MacArthur said he would not be attending ...

Democrat circus

Letters to the Editor

Monday’s school board meeting once again put the Democrat circus on full display. The attacks against Trustee Dziesinski and her professional career continued. During last week’s workshop, she read a heartfelt letter submitted to the board by a woman’s grandson. The letter was submitted to a public body and included the woman’s name and references to medical issues. Before reading it publicly, Trustee Dziesinski asked the grandson for permission, which she did not even have to do. There was no wrongdoing—just because you are in the medical field doesn’t mean you can never ...

Maintain fireplace chimney for efficiency, safety

Editorials and columns

Dear Jim: My wood-burning fireplace chimney hasn't been cleaned recently. There are discolored spots on the brick outdoors. What maintenance can I do myself? - Anna J. Dear Anna: It always is best to have the chimney flue professionally cleaned by a chimney sweep before you attempt some do-it-yourself maintenance items. A typical cleaning also includes a complete inspection of the chimney. Every year thousands of houses burn to the ground from chimney fires. The bad outdoor spots on the chimney should be checked, but are not as serious as issues inside the chimney. The most common ...

League steps up to host candidate’s forum

Letters to the Editor

Many thanks to the NE MI League of Women Voters for stepping up to host a well-run, non-partisan candidate’s forum for the upcoming APS Board of Education election on Nov. 3. The attendance was outstanding and the dialogue focused almost without exception on non-partisan issues that will build a better APS board and ultimately a better education for Alpena kids. It was also especially noticeable that the League emphasized the non-political nature of serving on this important board given what we seem to be overwhelmed with on other election fronts. Congrats League for an ...

The no-shows

Letters to the Editor

On Wednesday evening this past week, the League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization, hosted a school board candidate forum at the First Presbyterian Church in Alpena. The forum was intended as a way for the public to become acquainted with the school board candidates and their vision for Alpena Public Schools. This year the League enlisted a new format for this forum where the candidates rotated to different tables to speak directly with community members. Attendees were able to ask questions and interact directly with the candidates. There are eight candidates vying for ...

An invitation to build hope in Northeast Michigan

Editorials and columns

A few months ago, I wrote in this space about why Northeast Michigan needs Habitat for Humanity — about the housing crisis playing out quietly behind front doors across our five counties, and about an organization built to answer it one home at a time. Today I want to tell you how you can be ...