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Letters to the Editor

Alpena Township firefighters’ hands are tied

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 ...

Local contractors do fine and important work

With all the negativity about, it’s a good time, Alpena, to be extremely proud of our Alpena workforce. Neiman’s Family Market continues to produce, at the Alpena store, our famous bagels in a frozen pre-baked state for our stores. Products are brought up and the supplier then takes them to their warehouse and delivers them to our stores when making regular deliveries. With Ollie’s coming to the store, our operation needed to make major adjustments. Our landlord has been especially kind and workable as we moved our bagel production to a more efficient area of the store. To ...

Marvel at all the freedoms America provides

We just celebrated our country’s 248th year of independence! This independence was to prevent ever being ruled by a Monarchy, one person who rides roughshod over our every word and deed, but a country ruled by a Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America, and which has a checks and balance system of three distinct branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. I started thinking of the freedoms I and my family and friends have been able to enjoy as United States citizens and why so many people who live in countries with dictators live without ...

Response to Mr. Bock and like-minded citizens

Did you actually attend a library or commissioners meeting? Save the Alpena Children (STAC) has,so let me correct your errors. We have never asked the books to be banned, locked up, or taken off all shelves. We have asked for answers. What is the criteria to place a book in the adult section if it’s not graphic sex? No answer. What is the opposition to placing such books in the adult section? Answer, “Because they might not find it there.” The library states parents are responsible for their children. So we asked for TOOLS to help us. 1. Place these books in the adult ...

Parents, please teach your children bike safety

There is a young man in Alpena who is lucky to be alive tonight. This afternoon I was driving on French Road where the speed limit is 45 mph. Alongside of me there were about three kids riding their bikes. I was keeping my eye on them luckily because all of a sudden the kid who was at the end turned to cross in front of me. I swerved and missed him by just inches. He is lucky that I have good reflexes. I only saw him from the back so don’t know how old he was but probably about 13. Old enough to know bicycle safety. Parents please make sure your kids know the rules before you let ...

Maybe it’s time for recall of Alpena officials

Our elected city representatives continue their 10-year pissing contest with the township over water rates, despite a court ruling. Millions of dollars that could have been spent on infrastructure go to lawyers. I am not satisfied with what my tax dollars are getting me at the local, state or federal level. Locally, the public servants cater to businesses and tourists. As usual, the average homeowner gets nothing but the bill. Water rates go up every year, as do property taxes. As stated in a previous letter to the editor, we should have low water rates as we are sitting on a ...