My sister has a concern: There is a 16-year-old neighbor girl who has to walk a half mile to the bus stop at 5:30 a.m. (In town, it is three blocks to the farthest bus stop). She walks 1.5 miles at 3 p.m. to reach home. She has been told not to accept rides from anyone, including people she knows.

My sister has raised concerns to the bus manager and to Eric Mitchell at the high school. They have said that they have a set bus route and have made arrangements with the parents to pick her up … but no one does.

So everyone knows that regardless of the weather, she is walking a mile before she gets to her dirt road at 3 p.m. She is not only exposed to the elements but to other threats.

Yes, the parents are irresponsible, but the bus driver, and all concerned, are negligent in putting this girl at risk.

Our taxes should pay to have the bus driver go the extra mile … or is her time that precious? Shame on all who know and turn a blind eye to this situation.

THEA LUCAS,

Alpena County