Letters to the Editor

The Petoskey News-Review
·6 min read

FOX News' selective editing shows power of big media bias

The selective editing by FOX News to distort the Jan. 6 insurrection as nothing more than a peaceful demonstration is an example of the power media has on its viewers.

People believe what they want to believe whether it’s true or not. Unfortunately, many Americans either don’t know how or are unwilling to use their critical thinking, or thinking at all.

Murdoch, Carlson, McCarthy are well aware of this powerful manipulation tactic, and are using it to their full advantage to increase their influence for domination over the American public.

The victim of this growing cancer is America.

The death from this disease is the loss of democracy.

Deanna Hergt-Willmott

Petoskey

We all must work together to prevent child abuse

As April kicks off, the Otsego County Child Welfare Alliance (OCCWA) recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention month. This is a time for all community members to come together and raise awareness about the issue of child abuse and neglect and to support families.

In 2021, 107 children between the ages of 0 and 17 were confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect in Otsego County. Child abuse and neglect is an adverse childhood experience that can have an adverse and lasting effect on victims and our community as a whole. It is crucial to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect and to take appropriate steps to protect our children.

We must also work to create a culture of prevention, with strong supports in place to help parents and families struggling with adversity.

As a community, we can take steps to create a safe and healthy environment for children. We can provide support for families in crisis, and take steps to identify and intervene when children are at risk. We can also advocate for policies that support children and families, such as access to mental health services, affordable housing, and job training.

Let’s come together to protect our children and build a safe and healthy community. Let’s stand together and say “no” to child abuse and neglect. To make a confidential report of child abuse or neglect, please call central intake at 855-444-3911. To learn more about the resources and education that OCCWA provides to families in Otsego County, please visit our Facebook page or our Instagram page @otsego.occwa. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization and our mission it to ensure that all families in Otsego County have the resources to raise safe and healthy children.

Manda M. Breuker

Chairperson, The Otsego County Child Welfare Alliance

Friske needs to drop the book banning and solve real problems

Dear Rep. Friske,

Why are you wasting taxpayer time and money by pushing your agenda to censor books in our public libraries and schools? The 107th has serious problems with child poverty and hunger instability. With no work force housing and untenable medical costs, you are wasting our time pushing your censorship agenda.

If you believe God put you in this position to make a difference in peoples' lives, then what are you waiting for? Fight for the things that will really make a difference for the people in the 107th.

Eileen Thorp

Petoskey

Why are we clearcutting our old growth forests?

I live in Springvale Township and have been dismayed at the extensive, clearcut logging of our old growth forests here in Springvale Township and Chandler Township.

Over the past 3-4 years, thousands of acres have been cut with logging trucks running continually. The land looks like a war zone after they are done. I've written Gov. Whitmer and Rep. Bergman with no response. With all the discussion by our politicians of reducing carbon emissions to help global warming, I am not sure how this could be happening.

Does the News-Review or any of our readers know what is happening and why? How could this be happening to our precious forests here in Emmet and Charlevoix County?

Phil Harris

Springvale Township

Thank you, Jen Buchanan, for 20 years of service to our water resources

Jen Buchanan recently completed her last day at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council as the associate director. In the nearly 20 years she has spent working there, she has contributed an enormous amount of effort and commitment in protecting our water resources. While we can’t think of how to list every accomplishment, what we do know is Jen’s efforts will have a lasting impact on Northern Michigan, with every watershed management plan, greenbelt, road/stream crossing and rain garden.

For much of her career, Jen had to work hard to overcome conventional attitudes and beliefs of how to protect water quality. Jen’s perseverance in many communities and across the state led to the Watershed Council being a beacon of lake-friendly shoreline practices, beautiful native plants, connected streams, and helpful strategies for watershed management. Her partnerships with city, county, state, and federal governments leveraged millions of dollars in grant funding to protect water resources. Her coworkers, past and present, consider her a leader, mentor, and friend. She is known by many to be the ultimate guide to funding projects and connecting resources in Northern Michigan.

Beyond the work, Jen brought a substantial amount of fun to an otherwise ho-hum office world, with intense designs and flow charts for every idea, crafts and prizes for every occasion, free clothes, inside jokes, and always volunteering her son, Simon. Behind the fun was always good advice, a solid friend, and everything you need to know about recycling. And overalls.

Thank you, Jen. Thank you for protecting our water. Our lakes and rivers would not be what they are without you. We are excited to see what you take on next.

Caroline Keson

Harbor Springs

Take time to reflect on sexual assault awareness

April’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to refocus on a problem that continues to negatively impact individuals and families nationwide and in our own communities. Over the past several years, our awareness and understanding of sexual assault, harassment and rape have improved. So, what are the next steps?

It will take all of us working together to create needed change. It begins with individuals, businesses, schools and organizations choosing to take actions that help create a community of respect.

Below are four ways to get started.

  • Kindness. Treating all people with kindness is fundamental to creating communities in which people do not harm others. Embracing kindness is consciously thinking about having compassion for others; to be mindful that everyone is bearing burdens that may not be visible.

  • Respect. Practice respect regardless of our differences. Start a conversation, find common ground or learn something about another person who may have a different life experience than you. Our differences are barriers only if we allow them to be.

  • Believe survivors. If a survivor chooses to speak their truth, you might be the first person they tell. When you respond with compassion and support, survivors are more likely to reach out to others and create a supportive network necessary for healing and justice.

  • Do the right thing. Hold people you know accountable if their language or actions are harmful or disrespectful to others. By living with integrity, you demonstrate respect for yourself, others and your community.

Please join us in taking action to create a community of respect for one another. Together we can help end sexual violence for future generations.

Chris Krajewski

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Program Director

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Letters: FOX News' selective editing shows power of big media bias