Are Alpena County commissioners making the right decision by holding a special election in November to vote on millage needed for a new jail?

We hope so, and assume they are confident in their actions. We believe the question is a fair one, however, after the county’s finance committee this week voted 4-0 to recommend to the full board that $15,000 be used from the county’s fund balance to pay for the election.

Commissioners know, based on millage expirations, that next year a number of millage renewals will be before voters. There also is a chance for several new requests. Not wanting to have to compete in such an environment, the decision was made to seek the jail construction millage this year, when they command the only ballot spot.

On paper, it sounds like solid logic.

But, will county residents agree, now that they also are having to foot the bill for the election?

In a political world where up is down, and down is up, we assume that all bets regarding normal trends and logic are off.

The electorate across the country seems frustrated, angry and confused. Alpena County is no different.

If that is true, those adjectives aren’t the ingredients that will make for an easy campaign.