Since 2021, Alpena Township Fire Chief Mark Hansen has done a tremendous job of rebuilding the Alpena Township Fire Department after the trustees failed to “contract out” fire and emergency medical services to the city. Unfortunately, the trustees continue to fail to take any action to help. They admitted they were previously aware of most issues raised in the Stone Production report.

Some examples:

1) For over a year, trustees failed to fill one of six career positions, causing about $20,000 in overtime expense and “burnout” of the other five firefighters.

2) Three new member applications have sat unaddressed by the Personnel Committee for several months.

3) Township Supervisor Nathan Skibbe prevented the department from using budgeted funds to renew an internet-based learning platform used to complete training for members unable to attend in-person sessions.

4) The department is surviving on barely 55% of the buying power it had five years ago — a loss of several hundred thousand in direct budget dollars, compounded by nearly 17% inflation over that period.

5) The supervisor acquired a new tanker first discussed years ago. This new vehicle is a lesser truck (and cost nearly $100,000 more) than proposed by the chief and his Truck Committee 18 months ago.

6) The supervisor failed to file a federal grant application on time, losing out on potential funds that would have paid for the tanker and other equipment.

7) The chief’s proposed Strategic Plan was presented to the Fire Committee, but never discussed. The trustees have not acted on other projects submitted by the chief, including staffing options and revised job descriptions.

We need elected officials who will work WITH the department and residents. We need representatives who will provide the quality services the township residents deserve.

MARQUAM JOHNSON,

Alpena Township