As an Alpena County Commissioner, today I participated in a regularly scheduled bi-monthly board meeting to conduct county business. On every meeting’s agenda are the public comment periods.

I am not sure how many Alpena County citizens are aware, but there is a very controversial issue currently being debated regarding the Alpena County Fairgrounds. Meetings the last few months have been inundated with large numbers of citizens wanting to voice their objections to the proposed plans, which they have every right to do.

I can feel the emotion behind all the noise and insults, but am struggling even at this point to comprehend how it got this bad.

Today, Commissioners were required to listen and not respond, because of public comment rules, to numerous citizens over and over accuse us of accepting money under the table to push the Blackwaters NE project forward, being lazy and not doing our jobs, and worst of all, choosing to push the Alpena County Fair to its demise by giving preference to a private entity.

Since we, as commissioners, are not allowed to comment or respond during public comment, I would like to take this opportunity to present briefly my experience the past few months.

When the commissioners were briefly presented with the Blackwaters NE proposal in closed session, I have to admit I was very interested as I believe were other commissioners.

Yes, most of us were struck with a hard-to-believe feeling, but allowed them to move forward presenting to the public at the next board of commissioners meeting.

From the initial meeting on this subject, representatives from the Fair Board had always been invited and even showed interest in moving the project forward.

The next scheduled board meeting was attended by fair members, asking questions and voicing concerns. Later on the same day, myself, another commissioner, the administrator and Mr. Attwell met with the Fair Board and 4H members to discuss the project.

There were many questions and concerns with promises that all concerns are important. Both the county and fair board proceeded with pursuing legal advice and would keep everyone in the loop. I am not someone who follows or posts on Facebook, but I will read during periods where I am between tasks, looking at pet stories, recipes, and stupid stuff to buy.

I recently find myself reading more frequently than I have in the past and came across the ugly noise on Facebook regarding Blackwaters NE, so much accusatory and defaming information that I never saw to be substantiated.

I was shocked, maybe I am naïve, but the behavior and accusations I was seeing is not the Alpena I have known and loved for almost 40 years.

The Alpena I know is a town that my husband was born and raised in and only left in the sixties when he was drafted. We made the decision in 1988 to relocate to Michigan from the Southern California desert.

Our focus was on the Detroit area; however, we arrived in Michigan in June and due to a health issue with my father in-law we stored all of our belongings at the Uhaul in Detroit and headed to Alpena. We spent most of that summer here and loved it so much that we decided to stay and look for jobs. Here it is in 2026 and I am still here.

I was very saddened by the investors of this project being accused of basically criminal behavior on screens. Knowing the situation that brought Mr. Attwell back to this area, I felt ashamed of how he and his business partner had been written about and apologized to them during the next board meeting.

This was my decision and mine alone, and I would like to remind the public, I have a right to speak also. I found it very interesting to be accused of trying to squash the citizens’ right to speak by my apology, but it only cemented how much information has been twisted.

I am old and somewhat wise enough to understand that this is part of the job and likely to happen numerous more times before the end of my term. There was a Facebook poll that was provided by a speaker at public comment where out of over 1,500 people asked, 90% voted against Blackwaters NE. We were instructed that this 90% indicates what the majority of the voting public wants. I happen to disagree, not because I want to ignore my voters, but I want my voters to be accurately represented in providing their wishes, not just a select few. My district that I represent has 3,000 registered voters, the City of Alpena itself has over 8,000 registered voters. My circle is pretty small these days and just about everyone in my circle has expressed support for the Blackwaters NE venture. Since I want to make sure voices in my district are also included, I made the decision to begin canvassing my district, door to door, face to face. Most of you that voted for me know me and know that you can give me your honest opinion, you don’t have to be afraid of me. I am compiling some FAQ’s to print on a handout and will provide my contact information. I would also like to note that I have heard pointed questions and opposition from people I have spoken with, but if I am able to provide a factual response, they are extremely thankful. What kind of disturbs me is that when I spoke about canvasing my district during our meeting and stated that I have received positive input, there was quite audible scoffing and laughter from attendees. Is there supposed to be only one opinion spoken at our meetings? Is that why people don’t want to show up and give positive input at public comment? I hope not.