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Letters to the Editor

Democrat circus

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 ...

League steps up to host candidate’s forum

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 ...

​​No To MacArthur

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 ...

The no-shows

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 ...

Appreciation for Tricia Udell’s facts

I would like to take a moment to recognize and express my appreciation for Alpena County resident, Tricia Udell, who consistently takes the time to share accurate and reliable information with our community regarding the Alpena County Fair and Fair Board, and Alpena County Commissioners. In a time when information can spread quickly-whether it is accurate or not-it is refreshing to see someone make an effort to check the facts, provide context, and communicate information responsibly. Tricia’s willingness to educate others and help separate facts from misinformation is a valuable ...

Response to ‘Honor Work, not wealth’

The Wednesday, September 9, 2026 edition of the Alpena News contained a guest column by Kathy Pelleran-Mahoney titled ‘Honor Work, not wealth’ in which she slammed the wealthy, the corporate world, tax rates, and capital gains from investments. The short bio at the end of the article identifies her as someone who retired after a five-decade career in public service. In other words, taxpayers supported her for 50 years. She doesn’t like the wealthy or corporate tax rules. She doesn’t acknowledge that corporate taxes are largely paid by consumers. Taxes supply the slush funds ...