Paving the way to Michigan’s future is going to cost money, but it’s the only sensible approach to rebuild our state’s roads and bridges. It’s a certainty that we’ll pay either for needed upgrades, or we will pay the price with added vehicle repairs, personal injuries, limited commercial (jobs) growth and loss of federal monetary support for our road systems.

Sandy Raines was elected Montcalm County’s drain commissioner in November’s election, and we likely could not have elected a more competent and qualified person to that office. She served as deputy drain commissioner under the long-time commissioner, Don Cooper. As assistant to the highly respected Cooper, she undoubtedly played a strong role in her predecessor’s success.

In today’s world of technology and busy lives, fewer of us are reading, in turn, we are not setting that example for our children. I ask all of your readers to join me in a pledge to read to our children every night this year.

It is no secret that this newspaper is a huge supporter of the local public schools.

February is the month for EightCAP Inc.’s annual Walk for Warmth. In Michigan, that means putting on your walking shoes. Walking for warmth is our local community way of saying to those who are less fortunate, “We know that it is very important for you to be warm.” It’s one of the basic needs — shelter, food, clothing, health care — all of those things need to be in place before a person can become a productive citizen.

Congratulations to the perennial powerhouse Greenville High School wrestling team on capturing its eighth consecutive Division 2 district title at Fremont last Thursday. Coach Paul Johnson’s 2013 edition of wrestling champions (26-4) will face Escanaba in the regional semi-finals in Mount Pleasant this Wednesday.

Vote rigging in elections is bad business no matter who benefits. A proposal is currently in the Michigan Legislature that would carry the age-old political practice of gerrymandering to the max. Rep. Pete Lund, of Shelby Township, would like to have Michigan’s presidential election Electoral College votes awarded by Congressional District. To make such a change right now for purely partisan political advantage would be ludicrous. With an assist from citizen input and bipartisan legislative study, however, it might lead to further consideration.

I grew up thinking it was acceptable and maybe even expected for me to drink alcohol before it was legal to do so. “Teenagers will be teenagers.” I grew up thinking it was normal that my dad, who went to work every day, would end most of his days at the little bar down the road having drinks with his friends. I didn’t question it when my mother’s doctor suggested she relax during her pregnancies with my younger siblings by regularly having a little wine.

Oh, what is greater than a big sports winter weekend … The Michigan Wolverines were rated the No. 1 basketball team in the nation, briefly, until Indiana in Bloomington gave them their second loss of the season.

Knowledge. What higher pursuit could there be for any of us; either as a provider, recipient or both? What higher motive … than to instill in oneself or others at least a modest portion of the accumulated knowledge of the civilized world? For the earliest moments of a child’s life, learning starts at home. We emphasize “at home,” because in the formative years, much of every child’s future is being programmed, preferably in partnership with parents and teachers.