Vote for Back
Dear Editor,
I am pleased that Patti Back is running to retain her job as Groveland Township Clerk. I have known Patti both personally and professionally for over twenty years and know she is hardworking, honest and organized. She has a proven record of serving the residents of Groveland with integrity, understanding and an appreciation of community needs.
Patti believes in education and takes classes, participates in seminars and other professional development to gain certifications in order to be a highly capable township clerk. She has an ability to develop and foster positive working relationships and truly enjoys helping others. Patti has proven through her experience, education and her strong character to be an outstanding clerk for Groveland Township.
Please take a look at her website www.pattiforclerk.com and retain Patti Back as the Groveland Township Clerk.
Beth Nuccio, former Oakland County Commissioner
Vote for Grogan
Dear Editor,
I would like to introduce myself; my name is Angela Grogan and I am running for Atlas Township Clerk. You may know me from my twelve years behind the counter at Lucy’s Pet Supplies & Feeds in Goodrich. Just because I have retired from my store, doesn’t mean that I am ready to retire from serving my community. Owning a retail business helped me develop strong communication and administrative skills, all of which I would love to bring to the office of Atlas Township Clerk.
I am hardworking, trustworthy and dedicated to serving our community with integrity and professionalism. You can connect with me at ElectAngelaAtlasTwpClerk@gmail.com or on Facebook
@AngelaforAtlasTownshipClerk2020.
Please consider voting for me on Tuesday, Aug. 4th!
Thank you! Angela Grogan

(In response to “Go Trump” a letter by Paul Lucus, The Citizen, March 14)
When you choose a leader
Dear Editor,
I just finished reading a letter from a Mr. Paul S Lucas. I noticed the entire first paragraph was nothing but angry verbiage, directed at one of Mr. Lucas’ “neighbors,” Dale Bond.
Mr. Lucas if you’re a God fearing man, try to remember Gods commandment to Love your neighbor.
There’s so much anger in the letters, and I don’t see or hear anything Christ-like coming from you.
If you’re not a Christian, I think there’s maybe a lesson here for all of us who are, if any of you claim to be Christian then it’s time to step up and start acting like one.
We are supposed to be followers of Christ.
“Learn his ways. “
We live in the land of milk and honey and yet we are a nation divided. I think we grieve our father in heaven.
Be careful who you follow Mr. Lucas, whether you are a believer or not, there is a judgment Day. You will atone for the words you speak, and the actions you take.
Keep this in mind when you choose a leader.
Matthew 15:18 What comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart (not the locker room) and this defiles a man.
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are 6 things the Lord hates 7 that are an abomination to him;
A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who stirs up conflict in the community. (ie A nation Divided)
Blessings & peace to you, Denise L Chegash
Vote Bills for treasurer
Dear Editor,
Theresa Bills, a four plus year staff member in the Groveland Twp. office is a candidate for Groveland Twp. Treasurer to initiate much needed change and procedural updates to the treasurers department. Theresa’s education includes bachelor and master’s degrees in mathematics and science disciplines.

She also is a skilled writer who has produced many of the published items distributed by the Township. Previous to her Groveland Township employment, Theresa taught Mathematics and Science and is a sought after tutor for students wanting to achieve high college admittance test scores.
As former Deputy Treasurer, Groveland Twp., Dec. 2018-Dec. 2019, I was privileged to experience Theresa’s supportive and generous ability to share her knowledge across departments, professionalism with staff members and residents alike, as well as willingness and ability to cross train in every area of the township offices when needed. These are vital skills in a small office environment. Theresa shares her teaching skills and patience with new staff members and seasoned employees alike seeking a fresh prospective or new procedure. She is an excellent communicator which contributes to her customer service skills. Theresa will work tirelessly for all Groveland Township residents. These are all attributes we strive for but unfortunately not all obtain.
As a 35+ year member of this community I encourage voters to be informed, visit/listen to all of the candidate’s websites and interviews. View how they present themselves and their credentials, how they represent themselves during meetings and if they share future plans if elected.
Gail Carpenter
(In response to Anti-racism rally draws ire of township official, The Citizen, June 20, page 1)
This is why I hope
Dear Editor,
At the end of the old-World War II movie, The Enemy Below, the Navy doctor sums up our 1957 vision of a post war world: hope.
He says he has found another reason for hope that humanity can do better “in a funny place, in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the war.” The movie ends with the German and American sailors working together to save each other.
Like the doctor, I have found reason to hope here in our conservative community. When I saw my friends form the group, Ortonville Peaceful Anti-Racism Alliance, saw them peacefully demonstrate their demand for an end to racism, I saw hope.
Even while dinosaurs like Bob Marshall traffic in stereotypes and gross generalities, I saw hope. When I read Trustee Marshall’s “mansplaining” in The Citizen, his repeated expressions of “disappointment” in the group’s peaceful demonstrations, I saw hope (Are we living in an episode of Father Knows Best, chagrined that daddy is “disappointed”?) When I read Ms. Battaglia’s spirited response to Mr. Marshall’s statement I saw hope.
This activism is the best of America. I see Americans standing up for each other, striving for equal justice for all, demanding an end to racism, demanding that we all, every one of us, have the right to breathe. This is why I hope. Bonnie Beltramo
(In response to Anti-racism rally draws ire of township official, The Citizen, June 20, page 1)
Dear Editor,
A question that has been on my mind for quite a while now is this: Why is saying All Lives Matter not good enough?
I know I can’t and don’t speak for every person in society, but I would venture to say that anyone who says that All Lives Matter isn’t saying that black lives don’t matter. Far from it. They are saying that every life has the same amount of value and life is precious. Black lives have always mattered and they always will. If they didn’t matter, then why would Abraham Lincoln go through all that he did to get the Emancipation Proclamation passed? It is undeniably true that all men are created equal, as Thomas Jefferson penned in the Declaration of Independence and anyone who thinks otherwise is shortsighted and narrow-minded. We are all made in the image of God and our unique traits reflect a facet of who he is. To discriminate someone based on the color of their skin or their upbringing or even their vocation is so sad for the individual who is doing so because racism is the antithesis of the heart of God.
We, as a nation, must come together in unity over this because every single life matters, even those that are not yet born. They all have value and significance to contribute to society.
As a parent to two biracial sons, they have unfortunately experienced the ugliness of racial comments and statements while in high school here in Brandon. As parents, we must teach our children to honor all lives and treat people how you want to be treated. It’s just that simple and it starts within the walls of our own homes.
Jason Downs

Equality, not revenge
Dear Editor,
Yes. Black Lives Matter, but I believe the goal of protests has to be equality, not revenge. My skin is white and I cannot erase my heritage to atone for the sins of my ancestors.
We need to debate which monuments have historic value and which should be removed. What do we gain? Should we rewrite history books or change the name of our capital, Washington D.C. to Genesis or Boen
Let’s not blow up the mountain in North Dakota with images of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln, or some mountain in Georgia with Lee and Stonewall Jackson.
It is time for debate, not extreme reaction. That can lead to more prejudice.
I want to live in harmony, not fear. Black Lives Matter, but also, so do opinions, respect and goodwill.
I would love to see monuments for Obama, and other black heroes.
Dale Bond
(In response to Anti-racism rally draws ire of township official, The Citizen, June 20, page 1)
Big Lie Machine
Dear Editor,
It was refreshing to read Bob Marshall’s letter regarding Black Lives Matter, BLM, or as I prefer to call it, the Big Lie Machine. In the politically correct climate which has swept over our society in recent years. Logical, factual arguments that question the emotional movement du jour are rare, not because there are none but because they are often censored. The Citizen is to be commended for publishing Mr. Marshall’s letter.
As for the Big Lie, here’s just one of many. I have heard the statement on several occasions recently that black parents worry every day that their children will be killed on their way home from school by police. I Googled that scenario and came up with no match. I then tried the same query without “on their way home by police” and was presented with several hits including an article about 13 children killed in St. Louis over a six month span in 2019, none by police. If Black Lives Matter really cared about black lives shouldn’t they be working in the high crime areas of the nation’s major cities to identify and remove the perpetrators of black on black crime? But, you say, that’s the job of the police. Rightly so, but isn’t BLM calling for the defunding of police?
If BLM really cared about justice for George Floyd shouldn’t they have immediately suspended their protests the minute the four Minneapolis Police Officers were indicted instead of continuing to provide cover for arsonists, looters and property destroyers?
I fear that what we are witnessing is protesting merely for the sake of protesting not necessarily related to the stated goal. If unchecked we, as a nation, face dire consequences. If has already started in Seattle.
Phil Fry
(In response to All lives matter, a letter by Bob Marshall, The Citizen June 20)
Bring facts
Dear Editor,
I disagree with not all but most of Marshall’s rant in last week’s edition of The Citizen. But with respect to you Mr. Fleet and your paper asking people to keep their responses to 250 words I will address ONLY one of his thoughts.
Over the last 4 weeks I have watched at least 150 hours of the George Floyd horror and all of the Black Lives Matter marches, protests, sit-downs, etc. In 100’s of cities and most states in the country, including Utah, Iowa, Florida, and Texas. And never once did I hear the Marshall refrain of “pigs in a blanket, fry them like bacon” and “what do we want? Dead cops and “when do we want it, now.” Not ONE time. Not ONCE! I brought this up at our June 15th meeting and am bringing it up today to try and get an answer to my question.
I know Marshall is a man of integrity so he surely MUST have proof, evidence, facts that this was indeed “chanted” at some of the 1000’s of marches that have been held in the country over these last several weeks. I’m surprised and flummoxed that Bob didn’t have several links to his Facebook post showing YouTube videos, news report videos, Twitter videos, Instagram videos, and others which would have made his post more powerful and more importantly believable. But nothing.
Bob you surely have examples of marchers chanting this out, especially from your selected cities like Seattle, Minneapolis, Manhattan, and Washington DC. PLEASE, could you provide us with links to these videos because I, and I’m sure many other citizens in Brandon would like to see them and exactly what was “chanted”!
“In Jesus I trust, all others bring facts.”
Kris Kordella
(In response to Anti-racism rally draws ire of township official, The Citizen, June 20, page 1)
What I can do is listen
Dear Editor,
I think it is important to address the error in Bob’s thinking on Black Lives Matter, because a lot of white people say the exact same thing, that all lives matter. Of course all lives matter but Black Lives Matter too! This is a very simple, elegant, brilliant message to the Majority, that black people are not being treated the same in the exact circumstances that a white person would be.
All I can do as a white person is to try and put myself in the shoes of someone of color, I don’t think it really makes a whole lot of sense to throw out an opinion on Black Lives Matter, when I am not a Black Life! What I can do is listen. Bob, please do the same, listen.
Matt Davis