We liked everything Montiel Birmingham, Alpena’s new director of planning, development, and zoning, had to say to News staff writer Steve Schulwitz for a recent story.

Birmingham talked about creating an environment that lets locally owned small businesses thrive.

She talked about infrastructure improvements, such as renovations to the city’s harbor and parks, to help bolster tourism in the city.

And she talked about partnerships with others, including the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce, Alpena Downtown Development Authority, and the Alpena Convention and Visitors Bureau, to get things done.

That’s exactly what we need from a city planner, the position that guides the Alpena Planning Commission and Alpena Municipal Council in setting its policies affecting economic development.

An Alpena native who worked in logistics in Grand Rapids before returning home, Birmingham obviously has love for Northeast Michigan and its people.

We say congratulations to her, welcome aboard, and we look forward to hearing more about your work.