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Letters to the Editor

All Saints Center for Charity

The Alpena area has seen increased needs in our most vulnerable residents in the last few years, fueled by lack of affordable housing, increased costs and more severe substance use and mental health problems. This has led to more people left unsheltered in our community. In late 2022, city government and other stakeholders came together to discuss the urgent need to expand emergency shelter options. This need corresponded to the strategic vision of All Saints Parish of Alpena and the project that resulted in the Center for Charity at St. Bernard in Alpena. Expanding on the many years ...

Impressed by children’s manners on Halloween

As always, I was impressed by the children who came to my house for Halloween Trick or Treating. The children were adorable with their imaginative and fun costumes. The sidewalks were filled with kids, adults and even some dogs. But the best part was that almost every child said "thank you" after receiving the candy. Many added the wish for a "Happy Halloween" This has been the case for years, and I commend the parents' continuing efforts to teach their children to say "thank you." Mary Bray Alpena

SILENCE!!

….says the Grand Wizard of the Alpena Public School Board, Eric Lawson. It appears as though he really doesn’t want to hear from the public. In September he created an extensive list of what could be said at school board meetings and what was prohibited, including clapping. Lawson even had deputies at the board meetings to forcibly remove anyone who might clap. It would be interesting to know what those deputies thought about Lawson misusing their time and training in this manner. Using our law enforcement officers to threaten and intimidate the public is alarming behavior. When ...

Bussing

Dear Board Members, Let's discuss the pressing matters facing our school district, it is crucial that you shift your focus to the ongoing bussing issue. While community engagement and positive interactions are important, they pale in comparison to the real challenges our parents face regarding transportation. Bussing is not just a logistical concern; it is a significant aspect of daily life for families, particularly for working parents who pay school taxes and rely on the system to meet their schedules. When parents’ work commitments do not align with school drop-off and pick-up ...

Trash talking APS board

It’s important that discussions about school policy mention facts rather than speculation and personal attacks. The issue surrounding the so-called “Potty Policy” deserves clarity, not conspiracy theories that Diane O’Connor mentioned on 10/25. The insinuation that these parents don’t care about protecting their own children at a private school. That’s crossing a line. You can argue policy without dragging people’s families into it. Let’s be honest Diane— this nonsense isn’t about protecting students or “solving a puzzle.” It’s about smearing people who ...

WANT A LAUGH

Deer hunting season always brings forth the fact that our long winter is about to descend upon us once again. That, in itself, is depressing. BUT, there is a solution that can give us a temporary solace. What could do that, you ask? No surprise here: go see "Deer Camp" at Alpena Civic Theatre. The evening started off with an uproarious introduction by director Julie Meyers and then proceeded to embellish us with a never-ending array of reasons for laughter. These four guys poured it all out with witty words of enlightenment and wondrous harmonies. It was obvious by the audience ...