Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

Trump poor in spirit, something he can’t buy

As I wrote this letter on April 4, Northern Michigan was just beginning to recover from a historic ice storm. I had just finished reading numerous stories in The Alpena News of local communities’ efforts to help those in need — so many stories of kindness and generosity. April 3 was the day of one of the worst, if not the worst, stock market crashes in decades, and as I write this on April 4, the stock market is again in a free fall. And where was Donald Trump? Off to Mar-A-Lago for a long golf weekend. (Of course, this requires the use of Air Force One and more Secret Service ...

Tell the people we voted for to speak for us

Campaign Finance Laws were originally set to establish equal opportunities for all candidates who ran for political office in the United States. Also, to prevent wealthier candidates from overwhelming voters by jamming the airwaves, publications etc., giving the appearance that they were “better qualified by the mere fact that they were wealthier!” Absurd! In the early 2000s, the influence of Big Money was revisited, allowing “Soft Money” on behalf of the wealthy and then “Citizens United” in 2010 further tilted political influence toward wealthy donors and ...

Could it be that DEI are all Christian virtues?

Could it be that Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity (DEI) are all Christian virtues we are called to honor? Could it be that the fight against DEI is a fight against what it means to be a Christian? Who do you follow? The prophet Micah and Jesus tell us what is required. Notice the two key words in the texts: require and commandment. He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? Jesus in the Gospel of John. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. ...

Terrible scores in reading and math at APS

I am the son of a school principal turned US Navy Captain, and both of my mothers were English teachers. I attended schools all over the country, both small and large. I know what great education looks like and the results thereof. I am highly qualified technically in all phases of computing and electronic communications with 54 years of experience. I attended the last school board meeting where most of the audience were either current teachers or retired teachers with a couple of sharp students. The Alpena Public Schools system is not delivering quality education, and that is why ...

If you had a microphone, what would you say?

I recently attended a banquet, where in her acceptance speech, a scholarship recipient declared that because she had a microphone, there were things she had to tell us. Things like supporting DEI and the Department of Education and keeping opportunities alive for students who need them. She urged us to write to our local representatives and other politicians to advocate for what we desire, to take action. And although I do not have a microphone, I have a pen. So here is my message: stay true to yourself, believe what you believe, but also be open to other opinions, keep growing, don’t ...

Hospital is an unsung gem in community

I’m happy to be able to write this, as not long ago my name might have appeared in the obituary section. My name is Jerry Board, and my story began the evening of Jan. 26. As I was preparing for bed, I felt a strange discomfort in my chest. My wife drove me to Alpena MyMichigan hospital. When I mentioned chest pains to the receptionist, I was quickly ushered to an exam room where wires were placed on my chest that led to a machine. A nurse looked at the printout and shouted, “I WANT A DOCTOR IN HERE NOW.” A doctor came in and I asked him, “What’s going on?” He replied, ...