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Editorial

Ishpeming on right track in battling blight

Ishpeming continues to make progress in battling blight, although more remains to be done. The city has been awarded $221,000 from the Marquette County Land Bank Authority for blight elimination. The money can be used not only for building removal but to create economic growth, land bank Chairwoman Anne Giroux said in an email that was quoted in a Mining Journal story. Of the 90 properties the land bank has demolished since 2009, 38 have been in Ishpeming. “Blight elimination, whether it be through demolition or rehab, achieves both” building removal and economic development, ...

Hospice essential in offering end-of-life comfort

Ask anyone who has watched a loved one or dear friend slip away how important hospice was, especially as the end approached, you’re likely to hear something along the lines of, “They were essential.” That’s because hospice is essential in those emotionally trying times. A ceremony recently in Marquette underscored that fact. “We want to bring everyone together to celebrate the lives of those that have passed under hospice care,” Jennie Garrett-Bureau, executive director at U.P. Home Health & Hospice, said during the Marquette County Bells for Hospice event held at the ...

Democracy depends on people voting

The months leading up to Tuesday’s general election have been full of politicking and negative campaigns by all sorts of candidates. The mudslinging illustrates just how divided our country is in the current state of things, with fanatics found on both ends of the political spectrum. But elections and voting represent an engaged democratic process through which the peaceful transition of power is upheld and respected. The foundation of our democracy rests on the participation of the public. All registered voters have an obligation to cast votes. Though they are often fueled by ...

‘Welcome Here’ reflects well on humanity

At times, the world seems to be overrun with stories of bigotry and intolerance. But then, sometimes at least, there is news that renews one’s faith in humanity. Northern Michigan University is participating in a nationwide effort to let students from other parts of the world know Marquette welcomes them. Take a walk through downtown Marquette and see businesses are displaying posters in their windows with the message “You Are Welcome Here” in multiple languages. NMU staff members delivered the posters as part of a campaign designed to strengthen international students’ ...

Find common ground to end violence

The week of Oct. 22 wasn’t America’s finest, with the shootings of two black people at a Kentucky grocery store, the bombs sent to President Trump’s and the massacre of 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue. That was apparent at a Monday candlelight vigil at Temple Beth Shalom in Marquette, where 11 candles were lit and placed alongside a list of the names of the synagogue shooting victims. It’s been alleged that the suspect Robert Bowers reportedly had a history of making anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant remarks on social media. We might never know for sure what exactly lies ...

He was there to serve UP people

To the editor: I am writing to tell everyone why they should support Ed McBroom for state Senate. I got to know candidate McBroom during his first term as a Michigan representative, which would have been in 2010. Those of you that know me know all about the problems I have had with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which began about that time. Even beyond my personal DNR issue, I usually have either other problems going on, or when it’s an issue that’s going to affect the U.P., I usually have an opinion on it. I want you all to know that Ed McBroom is someone ...