The Positive Voices

Welcome to the Employees Positive Voices, a monthly paper dedicated to promoting social justice, civility, debate and honest dialogue. We will also be talking about the positive roles government and organized labor can play in our society. Believing that a mutual respect between labor and management is the only way to effectively advance economic prosperity and justice, we will honor the positive contributions made by union and non-union workers, big and small businesses and all individuals dedicated to building a better community, state, and nation. Employees Positive Voices is part of WPRR Public Reality Radio and shares WPRR’s mission to bring to you intelligent and challenging features, articles and commentary from many diverse points of view on subjects ranging from philosophy and science to politics and religion. That is the vision of our owner Bob Goodrich and something we will attempt to achieve every month. Bear in mind civility does not exclude the truth which can often be brutal and unsettling. Nor will we shy from satire, sarcasm or provocative and frank debate. We will welcome response in kind. You’ll see the relationship evident with WPRR as some of our writers will also be radio hosts. August is here and with it comes Michigan’s primary where the voters decide the nominees for their respective Political Party from Governor to precinct delegate. We urge all of our readers to study the issues and candidates. Voting is not only a right but a responsibility and we know if you are reading Employees Positive Voices you care about our state and you are an involved citizen and voter. Thank you so much! In our cover story Peter Carlberg challenges conventional thinking on the consolidation of local governments This month’s edition has our usual mixture of local and national columnists touching a wide range of important issues. The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan and Catherine’s Health Center as always have important information for our readers. And of course what would an issue be without our monthly Art From The Heart featuring another talented neighbor from Heartside! Besides our monthly crossword puzzle we are now adding a sudoku puzzle for your enjoyment. Input letters, op-eds, and articles are welcome for submission. We are thinking about short stories, book or movie reviews, recipes, poems, artwork, photos and whatever else you want. Employees Positive Voices wants to hear your voices. This is your paper and we will listen and act. Just let us know! Contact me at 616-560-4444, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Be the first to comment on stories or blog here on our website. I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Also check out my radio show Tuesdays with Tormala. You can also talk with me and be my friend by going to Rick Tormala if you are on Facebook. By popular demand we now have an Employees Positive Voices page on Facebook where readers can discuss articles and tell us what you want to read about and things we should be covering. We are always looking for ways for you to interact with us. Please join us.