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Hi, contrary to a recent letter to the editor by Ms. Goike, I am the chair of the Alpena County Republican Party. Jesse Osmer hasn't held an officer position for quite a while now. I've reached out to our state party to correct their online directory. However, I am actually writing for a different reason, to share information:
1. The SAFE PAC that paid for billboards and postcards for Fritz, Ratz, Carlson, and Kipfmiller is registered under Alpena Democratic Chair Sarah Lane and liberal activist Marie Fielder.
2. Both these ladies helped circulate the 'Build a Better Board' petitions for the recall. Marie Fielder even recorded a video when they handed them in to be certified.
3. Sarah Lane and Marie Fielder have been promoting all four of those candidates before the Republican Party chose to endorse.
So why do they have issues that the Republican Party chose to back four candidates while they're using surrogate groups of the Democratic Party to do the same? Because they knew the Democratic Party's endorsement is hurtful not helpful in our county where voters consistently reject liberal candidates. It's that simple.
The mailer we put out was not bullying or harassment, we used posts from their own public social media accounts, and other fact-based resources. Our mailer simply acted as a magnifying glass or microphone. Notice they are not disputing whether the mailer tells the truth – because it does. The question is: Are they sorry for any of their past comments or decisions? That's for them to say. From what I've heard, it doesn't sound like those candidates are proud of the content of the mailers, and their supporters have referred to the content of the mailer as "ugly". We agree! Now, we are waiting for them to issue an apology and an explanation of how they'll check these boldly shared beliefs at the door should they win.
These individuals want to sit on a board that influences our schools and our children. As voters we have a right to share information. As taxpayers we have a right to know who wants to work for us. As parents, we are concerned.
Darlene Alexander
Alpena County Republican Party Chair