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Letters to the Editor

Equipment needs to be returned

This is in response to the letter by Diane Schabo in Friday’s paper. What a sad thing to hear, that people who have been helped by this program do not appreciate it enough to return the equipment as requested. Good golly, that is stealing! And stealing from the community and others who are in need. The cancer loan closet is a great program, and we need to do what we can to support it in any way that we can help, financially or otherwise. Please, people of Dickinson County, do your part.

Disagrees with county spending

The Dickinson County Board of Commissioners voted to pay $97,000 for electrical upgrades completed this year at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds. Things to think about — — This was an unbudgeted, unauthorized expense. — There were no repayment terms in the motion. — Commissioner Stevens said electrical upgrades are the top need at Lake Antoine Park. — Should Lake Antoine Park Partners expend upwards of $100,000 on needed upgrades and then present the bill to the county board? — There will be a $420,000 drop in revenue due to the swamp tax. With the new county ...

Divisive political climate needs to be dialed down

I’m a conservative person but have always voted for the person who I think has the best interests of the American people in mind, regardless of party. As such, I went to both of the political booths at the Dickinson County Fair in Norway this year to see what their future plans are for our country. The Republican booth was selling political merchandise, handing out fliers to join the local Republican Committee, and holding a mock “voting booth” to raise money. From the Democratic booth I received a one-page handout, filled on both sides with “us” vs. “them” rhetoric. ...

State needs to restore funding cut by vetoes

On Oct. 11, the Dickinson County Board of Commissioners voted to send a letter to our state representatives detailing the financial impact from Governor Whitmer’s vetoes. The results of these vetoes to Dickinson County are devastating. The reduction in funding will necessitate layoffs of essential personnel. Vital services to our residents will be reduced or eliminated. Additional fiscal hardships will also be imposed on our townships, cities and school districts because of these vetoes. Effects on the private sector have yet to be determined. Dickinson County had $584,750 ...

County cancer loan closet needs help, cooperation

EDITOR: With the onset of the holiday season, I’d like to take a minute to first thank all who have donated in some way to the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet. Your thoughtfulness is truly appreciated and has made our organization such a successful endeavor. We are here to help our local residents who are battling cancer and while we are not able to help those outside of our service area, we may be able to pass on valuable information and phone numbers of others who could possibly lend a helping hand. On the downside, because our donations and contributions have begun to ...

Almost time for the annual train show in Florence

Some of the folks around here know my wife, Melissa, and I through our annual Florence Country Library train show that happens the second Saturday of December every year. This will be year 11! We started with one train set and a rather small gathering, with more old folks than kids in attendance. One of the older men won the only train set and buzzed out the door without mentioning his name and surely without a thank you very much. Oh, the faces of those sad and disappointed children. The second year and each year since have had a rule or two. You have to be younger than 18 and be ...