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Letters to the Editor

County board meeting

I’m writing this letter to address the Alpena County Commissions meeting about the County Campgrounds. The behavior I witnessed from Gerald Fournier and Gerald MacArthur was something I as a young adult, or anyone in that room shouldn’t have occurred. Tonight they voted on who would get to renew their contracts for the 2026 camping season, after Earl and Marsha Martin were voted away Fournier and MacArthur were laughing and yeehawing about it, when Pam Kirchoff spoke up about the unprofessional behavior she was met with disrespect from Fournier. Pam camps at the county campgrounds, ...

Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)

Our American democracy will only work when we all believe it works, but the system seems to be increasingly broken. Many disillusioned voters around the country are turning to Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), a simple change to the way we vote that we can adopt now. It levels the playing field for candidates with the best ideas, not just those with the biggest bank accounts. Ranked Choice Voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference — so every vote counts and every voice can be heard. RCV gives more meaningful choice to voters; it encourages more issue-focused campaigns ...

Speechless

Public speakers are starting to feel very UNWELCOME at the Alpena Public School Board meetings. At the May meeting, Anna Meinhardt took 40 seconds to give public speaker guidelines. In October, Eric Lawson's “new” rules went on for 2 minutes and 16 seconds, almost as long as the three minutes public speakers are allowed. If you go to the APS Board website, it states: “As elected school board members, we are interested in your concerns and opinions. Our hope is that our meetings will give you a better understanding of just how the school district operates. We encourage ...

Valuable community assets on hold

On November 5, a fire at the Center of Charity caused extensive smoke damage throughout the entire building which means that the Friendship Room which gives meals to the needy; Children’s Closet which assists families with clothes and other needs; and Baby Pantry which assists babies through toddlers with clothing, diapers, wipes, baby food, and other needs were all affected. Sadly, the chemicals in the smoke caused the entire building to need cleanup which means Baby Pantry and Children’s Closet may be out of service for as long as 6 months. The Friendship Room is opening much ...

An unwelcoming atmosphere at school board meetings

As a community member who values open dialogue, I am deeply concerned about the increasingly unwelcoming atmosphere at our school board meetings. Each meeting’s public comment period begins with a lengthy 2-minute, 16-second lecture from the board president detailing what can and cannot be said during the mere three minutes allotted to each speaker. The tone is far from inviting. While he insists that speakers must “model respect, maturity, and the best adult behavior for our children and community,” the remarks are laced with warnings, threats of removal by law enforcement and, ...

How did this happen?

FEMA- Federal Emergency Management Agency Hurricane Andrew, 1992, Florida and FEMA is there. Hurricane Katrina, 2005, New Orleans and FEMA is there. Hurricanes Irene and Sandy, 2011 and 2012, New York City and FEMA are there. Ice storm in northern Michigan, 2025 and FEMA isn’t there. Utility costs are going up $20 each month ($240 per year) for every northern Michigan resident until this storm is paid off and we are spending that much more for something we already have. Lance Heitz Presque Isle