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Letters to the Editor

Vote yes because library offers tax bargain

I am writing in support of our library. I will be voting YES to renew the operating budget of the library on Aug. 6. Why? Because the library is hands-down the best deal I get for my tax dollars. It costs me less than half the price of Netflix for a year and I get access to thousands of books, DVDs, and magazines — and not just hardcopy! Even if I work late and can’t make it to the library in person, I can use the free library “Libby” app to read magazines and books on my phone from home. I can also use the free service Kanopy to stream movies (take that Netflix!). I ...

My father chose democracy, and I will, too

EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter is running a second time because, when it first appeared on June 15, an editing mistake led to an error in the letter. The letter below has been corrected. June 6, D-Day, come and gone. Did you remember the day? I watched coverage of the day as old men with broken bodies sat in their wheelchairs proudly displaying their medals pinned to their uniforms. I thought about my dad. He would say, “I was an 18-year-old farm boy when I left for the service.” The men and women in France on June 6 this year were 17, 18, and 20 years old 80 years ago. ...

Jesus saved us from our sin with his sacrifice

A friend asked me, now that you are 88 years old, is there something that you can tell us that you know for sure. Yes, I said, there is a God. Yes, God created the Earth and all things, including humans. Yes, He created them male and female. Yes, the first humans, Adam and Eve, did not listen to God’s rules and sinned against God. Yes, God’s judgment against all humans because of them being sinful was eternal death in hell. Yes, God loved His created humans so much that He sent His own Son Jesus Christ to pay for man’s sins by dying on the cross and rising again on the third day. ...

I owe an apology to Alpena schools officials

I met with the superintendent of Alpena Public Schools today and learned some encouraging news. First, I would like to apologize to the teachers and the staff of APS regarding my indoctrination comment. My biggest concern was the actual textbooks coming from Scholastic going into APS, as they have an overt desire to push their agenda. APS does not buy textbooks from this publisher. I also learned that the Scholastic Book Fairs are run by a separate 501(c)3 organization made up of parents who decide where to buy books from. They can choose whom they like to provide books. As ...

Vote yes on Aug. 6 on library’s tax proposal

Dear Editor: On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Northeast Michigan, I am writing regarding the Alpena County Library millage renewal request. The League supports public libraries and is strongly urging a “yes” vote on Aug. 6. This renewal is needed to provide the necessary resources to continue its excellent programs and services. The library is a real asset to our community. The Northeast Michigan League of Women Voters advocates for an active and informed electorate and urges voters to vote yes on the millage renewal. Sincerely, DORIS FEYS, President, League ...

Please, let the professionals run our library

I am (again) prompted to write about The News using unnecessary incendiary language in their coverage. In the Thursday, June 20 story about the county commissioner and library board meeting, this sentence was delivered: “The committee wanted to know why the books, parts of which are too graphic for The News to describe in detail, ended up being purchased and placed where they are.” Why? I would think that most books on the topic of sex education are too sensitive to be shared in a local newspaper. Kids are exposed to so much conflicting messaging and information. All of our ...