I love Alpena.

We moved here over eight years ago and made it our home. We take pride in where we live.

Most of the time.

I don’t know when respect for others, kindness, and politeness went out of fashion to make way for the behavior and language I’ve seen on Facebook posts about local news, witnessed in public meetings, and interacting with others in public. It is embarrassing to read attacks on public servants who work every day to improve and enrich our community. It’s even more embarrassing when elected officials do so in public meetings.

In a community that seems to be steeped in Christianity, people protesting a warming shelter is appalling. Insinuations and accusations are thrown whenever a news article is shared. Someone always has to be unbearably rude and confrontational, triggering others to be confrontational.

Attacking and insulting people who are trying to make the community a place to be proud of, ridiculing someone who has fallen from grace, and being a NIMBY, sets us back as a community.

Enough.

I know the perpetrators of this constant negativity won’t care but I hope you do.

We are headed into the season of giving, where generosity, kindness, and acceptance take center stage. Use this time to speak up for the good work people are doing around you. Call out inappropriate behavior when you see it. Expend your energy toward the positives.

We are all guilty of venturing to the “dark side” occasionally, but I ask that we all be mindful of when we start to stray. Use that energy for something helpful and good for others. We have a rule in our house and you are welcome to use it too: “Don’t be a jerk.”

JESSICA LUTHER,

Alpena