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Thank you Alpena school board!

Letters to the Editor

I wanted to take a moment to thank the Alpena school board for what they’ve been accomplishing. Over the past several months, there has been no shortage of criticism and negative commentary, much of it louder than it is helpful. Through it all, this board has stayed focused and kept working. The focus sure shows! At the most recent meeting, the board approved moving forward with a new PE classroom and weight room. Anyone who has seen the current space—often called “the dungeon”—knows just how overdue this is. For years, it was talked about, but nothing changed. Now, it ...

The school board member with the attendance problem

Letters to the Editor

A couple months ago, a community member speaking to the school board during Community Comment time, referred to Sarah Costain as the school board member with the “attendance problem.” The community member never said Costain’s name, but everyone knew exactly who he was referencing. In Costain’s first year on the school board she missed over 30% of all school board meetings. If this was Costain’s employment she wouldn’t have a job by now. If she were a student she would be in a truancy program. It’s impossible to do any job when you simply do not show up. School board ...

The fairgrounds debate is missing some key facts

Editorials and columns

The future of the Alpena County Fairgrounds has dominated local conversation in recent weeks, and for good reason: there's a major development proposal on the table, multiple parties are involved, and the stakes are high. This has also been moving very fast—perhaps too fast. In the rush, concerns have been raised, confusion has spread, and one conclusion seems to have taken hold: that the Alpena County Fair Society Board (ACFS) is part of the problem. We'd like to offer a few answers. The Fair Society has been the steward of the Alpena County Fair for well over a century. We love ...

What I grieve about

Editorials and columns

What are you grieving this morning? That was the crux of a question posed at church this past week as it got all in attendance to reflect and ponder. For some it might have been the loss of a loved one. Others might be grieving an individual’s economic circumstances and bad decisions. ...

I stand by my votes

Editorials and columns

These views are my own and not necessarily those of the board or my colleagues. As most of the community knows, I am one of the trustees currently facing a recall over three votes. I wanted to talk honestly about why I ran for the board, this experience, and give more detail on reasons for my ...

Mary: our blessed and complete gift of maternal love

Editorials and columns

As we contemplate Mother’s Day we, of course, must contemplate Mary the mother of Jesus. We are mistaken if we assume that Christianity somehow owns or has authored Mary. After all she was a very faithful Jewish girl, who is also revered by Muslims, Hindus and Christians as well. Although Mary is the very best woman that God has offered us, and to emulate, this article considers her maternal love only. And only scratches the surface of that as well. The characteristics of Mary’s personality are partially found and seen in how she lived and loved in her life and how she was ...