The negativity is nauseating

[OIFx3ArmyVet]

The negativity on this forum and in this town is beyond nauseating.

Everyone complains about the Sheriff's Department, the County Commissioners, the folks on SS Disability, the folks who make more money than us, the folks starting new businesses in our town, the tourists who come to our town, the lack of jobs in our town, the lack of funds in our town...blah blah blah.

Why are we bitching all the time? What happened to optimism? How about looking at the upside of things?

The Sheriff's Department is short personnel. Therefore, their limited on what their able to do. So, rather than saying their lazy, look at the truth of the matter. There are limited funds and limited personnel. Thats the truth and unfortunate situation they currently suffer. For all you speed demons, this should make you happy. But I think you've already noticed since you all like to haul tail past the department anyway.

Maybe if we all get out there and vote, these County Commissioners everyone complains about, will get voted out. Or how about attending a meeting and raising your issues to the Commissioners in a public forum (in person--not on here--Topix won't solve your concerns).

Do you really know why that person is on SS Disability? Do you really know what everyone's ailments are? So because of one bad apple, everyone whose on SS Disability is milking the system? So the person in a wheelchair with their therapy dog beside them doesn't deserve to receive it? Stop complaining about something you have no control over, just get out there and vote for a candidate who will beat the "Gimme, Gimme" President out of office so crack downs can happen. You can't control what people do by complaining about it on Topix. Calling folks out on Topix doesn't get it fixed. How about calling Social Security's Fraud Department with valid proof in order to get that person caught?

If you don't like that folks make more money than you, how about investing some of your money. Or seek out ways to make more money. Don't throw stones at folks who might simply be a bit more fortunate than you. Its not their fault.

We should be happy that there are new businesses being opened in this town. It means more money, more folks coming to buy. More exposure. Especially when folks coming through start telling their friends back in their neighborhoods. The more businesses we have, the better revenue for this town when tourists come through for events such as Elk Fest or the races or whatnot. Be happy about it. Enjoy it! If you don't like it, go to your favorite place and leave it be. Let them help revive this town!!!

Don't complain about the tourists who come to this town. Their one of the biggest sources of revenue for this town. When the tourists are here, the amount of revenue this town receives is insane. The amount of exposure Atlanta receives is certainly amazing. Be happy that this town actually has a good amount of tourism. Encourage it!!!

Want jobs in this town? Encourage business growth! Instead of discouraging folks from starting new businesses, support the idea and encourage it. The more businesses that get established, the more jobs are created.

The more businesses created, the more jobs created, the more tourists come in, the more revenue for this town. But in order for all this to happen....we have to be POSITIVE and encourage such things rather than kill the ideas and speak negatively about anything that brings positive impact to this town.

And to think, I've only been a resident for about 7 months.

[Have faith]

I couldn't agree with you more. This town certainly needs more positive energy. The level of disgust and pessimism floating around is more hazardous to this town than any amount of polution we might encounter.

We need to really start focusing on helping make this town thrive. We need to support our local businesses and patronize them more. The amount of gas one wastes to travel all the way to Gaylord for something that might be a dollar more at Freddie's is such a waste.

I support our local businesses as much as possible unless it's something I am unable to obtain here, such as specific dog food or the cat litter I use. But pretty much, everything else I get here in town.

That's really the only way we can help this town grow. We must keep our money in Atlanta. Help it grow by spending our money here. Share your positive experiences with the local businesses or contractors you've utilized. Let your friends in neighboring towns know about the activities occurring in town.

Encourage folks to visit Atlanta, to enjoy the lakes and rivers. To enjoy the hunting and fishing. To enjoy the races, the shopping, the bakeries, the restaurants, the hotel, the flower shop, anything you can think of. This town can only be as strong and thriving as the people living within its borders.

[Its a small town]

OIFx3ArmyVet wrote:

The negativity on this forum and in this town is beyond nauseating.
Everyone complains about the Sheriff's Department, the County Commissioners, the folks on SS Disability, the folks who make more money than us, the folks starting new businesses in our town, the tourists who come to our town, the lack of jobs in our town, the lack of funds in our town...blah blah blah.
Why are we bitching all the time? What happened to optimism? How about looking at the upside of things?
The Sheriff's Department is short personnel. Therefore, their limited on what their able to do. So, rather than saying their lazy, look at the truth of the matter. There are limited funds and limited personnel. Thats the truth and unfortunate situation they currently suffer. For all you speed demons, this should make you happy. But I think you've already noticed since you all like to haul tail past the department anyway.
Maybe if we all get out there and vote, these County Commissioners everyone complains about, will get voted out. Or how about attending a meeting and raising your issues to the Commissioners in a public forum (in person--not on here--Topix won't solve your concerns).
Do you really know why that person is on SS Disability? Do you really know what everyone's ailments are? So because of one bad apple, everyone whose on SS Disability is milking the system? So the person in a wheelchair with their therapy dog beside them doesn't deserve to receive it? Stop complaining about something you have no control over, just get out there and vote for a candidate who will beat the "Gimme, Gimme" President out of office so crack downs can happen. You can't control what people do by complaining about it on Topix. Calling folks out on Topix doesn't get it fixed. How about calling Social Security's Fraud Department with valid proof in order to get that person caught?
If you don't like that folks make more money than you, how about investing some of your money. Or seek out ways to make more money. Don't throw stones at folks who might simply be a bit more fortunate than you. Its not their fault.
We should be happy that there are new businesses being opened in this town. It means more money, more folks coming to buy. More exposure. Especially when folks coming through start telling their friends back in their neighborhoods. The more businesses we have, the better revenue for this town when tourists come through for events such as Elk Fest or the races or whatnot. Be happy about it. Enjoy it! If you don't like it, go to your favorite place and leave it be. Let them help revive this town!!!
Don't complain about the tourists who come to this town. Their one of the biggest sources of revenue for this town. When the tourists are here, the amount of revenue this town receives is insane. The amount of exposure Atlanta receives is certainly amazing. Be happy that this town actually has a good amount of tourism. Encourage it!!!
Want jobs in this town? Encourage business growth! Instead of discouraging folks from starting new businesses, support the idea and encourage it. The more businesses that get established, the more jobs are created.
The more businesses created, the more jobs created, the more tourists come in, the more revenue for this town. But in order for all this to happen....we have to be POSITIVE and encourage such things rather than kill the ideas and speak negatively about anything that brings positive impact to this town.
And to think, I've only been a resident for about 7 months.

Well for only being here for 7 months, you have done your fair share of complaining and voiceing your opinions on here too...just sayin'

[OIFx3ArmyVet]

I sure have, for folks to wake up and start actually standing up and fighting back against all this crap and drivel everyone complains about on this forum. Stand up, make your voice heard. Attend one of the meetings and get up to that microphone and tell it like it is.

Or get on the horn if you know someone is committing fraud with Social Security or Unemployment or Workman's Comp. Turn them in, don't just sit here and complain about it. If you know it's happening, if you know the people (and folks here are dropping names like crazy) then TURN THEM IN!

Nothing will change if we complain about it here. I can't turn anyone in, I don't know anyone. But I most certainly can stand up at a meeting and say we need to support our local businesses, we need more jobs, we need an animal control officer to police up irresponsible pet owners, we need to improve upon how folks look at this town. More events, more inner community events.

We don't necessarily need to have more tourists come in. Why doesn't the community have local events, just for the folks of Atlanta? BBQ's at the lake? Folks coming out just to enjoy each others company. But no, we can't do that because everyone hates everyone.

Everyone sits here and complains about all this stuff but we don't see anyone demanding change. Lets see how many show up at the next Commissioners meeting. Then I'll know how many actually care about this town.

[7 month vet]

OIFx3ArmyVet wrote:

I sure have, for folks to wake up and start actually standing up and fighting back against all this crap and drivel everyone complains about on this forum. Stand up, make your voice heard. Attend one of the meetings and get up to that microphone and tell it like it is.
Or get on the horn if you know someone is committing fraud with Social Security or Unemployment or Workman's Comp. Turn them in, don't just sit here and complain about it. If you know it's happening, if you know the people (and folks here are dropping names like crazy) then TURN THEM IN!
Nothing will change if we complain about it here. I can't turn anyone in, I don't know anyone. But I most certainly can stand up at a meeting and say we need to support our local businesses, we need more jobs, we need an animal control officer to police up irresponsible pet owners, we need to improve upon how folks look at this town. More events, more inner community events.
We don't necessarily need to have more tourists come in. Why doesn't the community have local events, just for the folks of Atlanta? BBQ's at the lake? Folks coming out just to enjoy each others company. But no, we can't do that because everyone hates everyone.
Everyone sits here and complains about all this stuff but we don't see anyone demanding change. Lets see how many show up at the next Commissioners meeting. Then I'll know how many actually care about this town.

What microphone do we talk into where we are actually listened to in Atlanta? I've lived here for over 25 years and I have never seen or heard of anyone single voice making a difference.
I have turned in 6 people in 4 months for defrauding the welfare system, and have yet to see any action taken,I even sent pictures along with my file showing them that one of the individuals does not have chronic back pain and unable to work, as the photo shows him splitting wood by hand, hauling logs out of the woods, plowing driveways, etc...
What meeting can I attend to make my voice heard? The twnshp meetings are a joke, I've been there done that, not worth wasting time going again until new people are in office.
We dont need more tourists?? That is the worst thing you can say about ANY town in Northern Michigan, especially Atlanta. We need a LOT more tourists, we need people to come here for a reason, and stay! I'm not sure if you have seen the Elk fesival or Bump and run race but those are 2 great things that we need more of.
In my eyes we need a few more things like that and maybe people will come when it is our down time. Why not hold ice fishing tournements? snowmobile drag races? I have a ton of ideas, but at this point I am actually sick of saying them to fall on deaf ears.

[OIFx3ArmyVet]

You misconstrued my statement. We don't just need tourism, this town needs to come together. It doesn't come together. There are no inner community events. Lets start some.

Having your voice heard takes a few little phone calls before attending these meetings. Phone calls to certain tv stations, requesting their attendance, encouraging their attendance to hear about the corruption in Montmorency County. That's how change happens.

Same with reporting these folks who are milking the system. If you've reported them and nothings changed, how about calling those same news channels and informing them of the same. Welfare or Workmans Comp or SS Disability fraud going on right here. Send them the photos.

Exactly my point in regards to things this community needs. We need more events for the community. Ice fishing tournaments, snowmobile drag races and the like. All things that this community I am sure would love to do. While this season might be over, next year is a different story. I am sure there are plenty of folks who would like to take part. As many Ice fishermen I saw on the lake, I wouldn't be surprised how many would sign up for a tourney.

Sure, I'm still wet behind the ears in regards to living in this town, but I grew up knowing that in order to make change you have to stand up and say something. You can't sit back, which alot of folks here do. While you might be one of the few, there are so many on here who just don't do much more than blab about it on here rather than actually make the effort to try for change.

One person might not be able to make change by themselves, but a group of people who come together with the same ideas of how to repair this County and make it better, now that's a shout no one can ignore. There are plenty of folks in this town who wish Atlanta was what they remember it to be long ago. And wish for it to be like that again. And I can tell you are one of them. We can make change, just have to go about it the right way. Its not an easy task, and it certainly takes time, but when the community comes together and works together to make these changes for the good--things will get better for Atlanta. First things first, attending the next meeting, perhaps with a few news channels sitting in the back taking notes, and calling out the corrupt individuals who have continued to ruin this town. And how this town and its people deserve better. And you cannot tell me this isn't true. Because we all deserve better from our leadership. We deserve leadership who is going to listen, who is going to make the effort to repair damages done by past administration, and work towards a positive outcome for this county.

I apologize that my statement made it sound like we didn't need tourism, I really honestly meant we ALSO needed more inner community events because there is a huge rift between most everyone in this town. No one really comes together for any type of event, and that, I believe, really needs to change.

[OIFx3ArmyVet]

The unfortunate thing is, with us demanding change...we'll start seeing all those folks on the "entitlement" side coming out "occupying" main street demanding they get handed everything they think their entitled to. Those same individuals we all want to see get busted for milking the system.

While we watch someone chopping wood, knowing full well he's drawing disability for a supposed bad back. Knowing you've reported him for fraud, and have yet to "see" action, also remember that despite being the one who reported it, does not mean you will be notified if they have been reprimanded for it. However, if you are close enough to that individual to see that they are still receiving that check yet still out there chopping wood, its time for another photo shoot and this time send the pics to news channels, the state police, the fraud department for workmans comp or ss disability (whichever he's drawing from) and inform the state police and the fraud department that you have also informed the media. thats a fast way to get those agencies to get this taken care of before their caught up in a media frenzy :-D

[Kevin Carigon VP COC]

OIFx3ArmyVet wrote:

I sure have, for folks to wake up and start actually standing up and fighting back against all this crap and drivel everyone complains about on this forum. Stand up, make your voice heard. Attend one of the meetings and get up to that microphone and tell it like it is.

Or get on the horn if you know someone is committing fraud with Social Security or Unemployment or Workman's Comp. Turn them in, don't just sit here and complain about it. If you know it's happening, if you know the people (and folks here are dropping names like crazy) then TURN THEM IN!

Nothing will change if we complain about it here. I can't turn anyone in, I don't know anyone. But I most certainly can stand up at a meeting and say we need to support our local businesses, we need more jobs, we need an animal control officer to police up irresponsible pet owners, we need to improve upon how folks look at this town. More events, more inner community events.

We don't necessarily need to have more tourists come in. Why doesn't the community have local events, just for the folks of Atlanta? BBQ's at the lake? Folks coming out just to enjoy each others company. But no, we can't do that because everyone hates everyone.

Everyone sits here and complains about all this stuff but we don't see anyone demanding change. Lets see how many show up at the next Commissioners meeting. Then I'll know how many actually care about this town.

Army vet you are invited to the Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting Tue. 13th at 7:00pm.
Our monthly meetings are open to our members and the public, so come with a friend or two and we will listen to your ideas. If you any more infro call me I'm in the book.

[OIFx3ArmyVet]

Kevin Carigon VP COC wrote:

<quoted text>
Army vet you are invited to the Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting Tue. 13th at 7:00pm.
Our monthly meetings are open to our members and the public, so come with a friend or two and we will listen to your ideas. If you any more infro call me I'm in the book.

Kevin,

Thank you very much for the invite, I will gladly be attending the meeting. While I may be new to the community, I do have ideas that might very well help improve the community as a whole. So I shall see you there Sir.

[7 month vet]

Be prepared when you go to this meeting, not only to stand during the whole thing but also to back up anything and everything you want to say. I havn't been to a meeting in quite a while, because of the snobby attitude I always got when i did attend, just a note of caution.
Do your homework before you go and know exactly what you want to say and be prepared to answer questions they will most likely ask.

[Its a small town]

7 month vet wrote:

Be prepared when you go to this meeting, not only to stand during the whole thing but also to back up anything and everything you want to say. I havn't been to a meeting in quite a while, because of the snobby attitude I always got when i did attend, just a note of caution.
Do your homework before you go and know exactly what you want to say and be prepared to answer questions they will most likely ask.

See, its this kind of attitude that brings Atlanta down! Everyone just needs to work together and bring this town around!

[Montmorency Voter]

You guys should all consider running for County Commissioner. What we need is new blood - and honesty and integrity. Some members of the board have no idea what those words mean and they need to be replaced. Everyone needs to get involved in the COC and the County Board to turn this situation around in Atlanta. Please help!

[real voter]

Montmorency Voter wrote:

You guys should all consider running for County Commissioner. What we need is new blood - and honesty and integrity. Some members of the board have no idea what those words mean and they need to be replaced. Everyone needs to get involved in the COC and the County Board to turn this situation around in Atlanta. Please help!

That is a great idea but there is one thing I would like to see and that is that they learn what the job is before they get there and stop the learn as you go program we have now.It is hard to be honest about something you no nothing about.

[Kevin Carigon VP COC]

7 month vet wrote:

Be prepared when you go to this meeting, not only to stand during the whole thing but also to back up anything and everything you want to say. I havn't been to a meeting in quite a while, because of the snobby attitude I always got when i did attend, just a note of caution.
Do your homework before you go and know exactly what you want to say and be prepared to answer questions they will most likely ask.

7 month vet your invited to.

[voter]

Kevin Carigon VP COC,

What a Joke

[Its a small town]

voter wrote:

Kevin Carigon VP COC,
What a Joke

At least he is trying to help turn this town around! What are you doing for this town? Besides being rude, finger pointing and calling people names!

[real voter]

Its a small town wrote:

<quoted text>
At least he is trying to help turn this town around! What are you doing for this town? Besides being rude, finger pointing and calling people names!

Turn what town around,who are they trying to get rid of now.If I remember right he was part of the group that said if we get rid of Rose that would fix everything.That was almost 2 yrs ago,what happened, we got rid of Rose and it got worse.Great job Kevin who you pointing your finger at now?

[Its a small town]

real voter wrote:

<quoted text>Turn what town around,who are they trying to get rid of now.If I remember right he was part of the group that said if we get rid of Rose that would fix everything.That was almost 2 yrs ago,what happened, we got rid of Rose and it got worse.Great job Kevin who you pointing your finger at now?

Umm...hello? 2 years ago? Wow, where do you get your timeline at? As you recall Rose was booted out just this past fall....and now that Bruno is in (for now) they still have their 3-2 votes in their favor. So apparently we haven't seen any real changes 'yet'!

[Soloist]

real voter wrote:

<quoted text>Turn what town around,who are they trying to get rid of now.If I remember right he was part of the group that said if we get rid of Rose that would fix everything.That was almost 2 yrs ago,what happened, we got rid of Rose and it got worse.Great job Kevin who you pointing your finger at now?

Negativity is nauseating. Rose is out of office, Briely Twp. goes on in which ever direction the township board majority wishes it to. Good, bad - right or wrong.

[Barbara]

Its a small town wrote:

<quoted text>
Umm...hello? 2 years ago? Wow, where do you get your timeline at? As you recall Rose was booted out just this past fall....and now that Bruno is in (for now) they still have their 3-2 votes in their favor. So apparently we haven't seen any real changes 'yet'!

What do you mean by 3-2 votes in
"their favor"?
who's favor? is there another entity in the township or some hidden faction going to take over or wanting to?