To the editor
I would like to compliment The Citizen and Susan Bromley on her most recent article concerning the informational meeting about structuring a district library. I attended that meeting and later in the week read the articles in both The Citizen, (‘Library idea draws ire of Groveland, page 1, Nov. 17) and another local newspaper (Nov. 16) that initially referenced the issue. The Citizen published information ‘after? the meeting that reflected all points of view, where another local paper published an article about actions ‘before? the library meeting that referenced the Groveland Township board meeting (Nov. 12) and their discussion of the issue. It was, as expected, one-sided.
It was evident from the library meeting that both sides may never see ‘eye-to-eye?; however, there are valid points of view for both communities that were better expressed by the article in The Citizen. The press can be a powerful tool that can convey ‘first impressions? and the other local paper’s article of the 16th did not provide for any coverage of the library meeting on the 14th. To read both papers in the same week did not provide for what would be expected as fair and balanced reporting.
Despite recent issues, Ortonville has a wonderful library that is a joy to visit and to use. The citizens of this community should be proud of what they have built. It will be here to serve this community and others in the years ahead. There are many patrons that use our library from communities outside the Ortonville area instead of libraries in their current communities or libraries that their communities contract to.
Donald E. Fahlquist
Brandon Township