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Lucky to have Workforce Development in Caledonia
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To the Editor:
Houston County residents are very lucky to have a Workforce Development Office located here in Caledonia. The staff in the office provide a variety of services which is open to the public.
A few of the services provided include career counseling and assessments, job search techniques, resumes and cover letters, interview preparation, helping individuals with computer skills and applying for unemployment benefits. They have job postings which are updated weekly.
There are other programs they offer which are too numerous to mention. Pam Erickson is the career counselor and Anita Hahn is the intake specialist. They are both very friendly and knowledgeable. Pam and Anita do a lot of wonderful work to help people in our county deal with these difficult economic times.
People would be worse off in our county if we didn’t have this agency to help our citizens in need.
Sincerely,
Kari Neumann
Caledonia, Minn.
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Support for Jeanne Feldmeier for county treasurer
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To the Editor:
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeanne Feldmeier this last week to learn more about her and her bid to become the Houston County Treasurer. As I visited with her I came to find about her many strengths, talents, and experience that would be very useful and needed as a County Treasurer. Her background of over 35 years in banking, from starting as a teller, then on to being a bookkeeper, internal auditor, operations and loan officer, bank manager as well as assistant city clerk in her earlier years, gives Jeanne a strong background working with finances and people. In the last 10 years she has been with Associated Bank in Rushford. Jeanne also has a BS degree in accounting including government accounting principles. In her spare time Jeanne is and has been involved in many local organizations, Rushford EDA, treasurer of Rushford Lions Club, Winona area Chamber of Commerce, Houston Hoedown Committee, and others.
With her strong financial, banking and community service background, I strongly feel Jeanne Feldmeier would serve the people of Houston County with trust and respect.
Larry Graf
Former Houston County Commissioner
La Crescent, Minn.
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Arrogance or ignorance?
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To the Editor:
On June 13, I sent the following letter via email to each of the commissioners at their @co.houston.mn.us address. Not one of them responded. Are they too important to reply to a lowly constituent (even to say “no comment”) or too ignorant to check their email? Either is unacceptable for a county commissioner!
Subject: Chris Von Arx Letter
Hello commissioners,
I read Chris Von Arx’s letter to the editor with disgust and horror. Whichever commissioner he spoke with should be ashamed of himself! How can he sleep at night? As evidenced by his comments, he does not listen to what the landowners have been saying. We are not against all zoning regulations!
The statement that you commissioners are not backing down indicates that you are corrupted by the power of your positions and you no longer use any common sense (with the possible exception of one of you). Further, his comment that we had better have deep pockets indicates he doesn’t care one iota about the welfare of his constituents!
How about the rest of you? Have you forgotten the following which is on your website? (The elected Commissioners who serve the County of Houston are a dedicated group who put serving the public above all else. “We are committed to providing exceptional citizen service at all times.”)
We did not want to file a lawsuit, but you will not listen, or even have the courtesy to respond to our attorney. Maybe it’s time for all of you to resign.
With representation like this (as Joe Pellowski said it is like 1930’s Germany), I am contemplating selling the farm and moving someplace with more respect for people. I do not say that lightly because this farm has been in our family for over 130 years. Do you want people to leave Houston County? Maybe one of you wants to buy me out....and have to live with your own regulations!
We just want you to sit down with us and work through the land use plan, making changes to abide by state and federal laws. Really commissioners, is that too much to ask? As I pointed out in a letter to the editor a couple weeks ago, you ultimately would be the ones to approve or disapprove the result. Stop acting so disgracefully and let’s get to work.
Note: I did not send this email immediately because I was so angry. After mulling it over a couple days, I decided it needs to be sent. You need to start listening!
Yvonne Krogstad
Spring Grove, Minn.
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To the voters of Houston County
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To the Editor:
As a former mayor of the city of Rushford, I would like to share with you my experience with candidate Jeanne Feldmeier. As a manager of one of our local banks, Jeanne made a presentation to the city council about how she and her bank could preserve more assets for the city. Her presentation convinced the city council her firm and investment knowledge could benefit the overall financial condition of the city. By using her sound advice, the city was able to gain a much better return on our funds than that of her competitors. The strategies she used were very beneficial to the city of Rushford. I’m sure that her expertise would definitely be an asset to the citizens of Houston County and that’s why I would encourage you to vote for Jeanne Feldmeier for Houston County Treasurer.
Les Ladewig
Rushford, Minn.
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To the voters of Houston County
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To the Editor:
As a former mayor of the city of Rushford, I would like to share with you my experience with candidate Jeanne Feldmeier. As a manager of one of our local banks, Jeanne made a presentation to the city council about how she and her bank could preserve more assets for the city. Her presentation convinced the city council her firm and investment knowledge could benefit the overall financial condition of the city. By using her sound advice, the city was able to gain a much better return on our funds than that of her competitors. The strategies she used were very beneficial to the city of Rushford. I’m sure that her expertise would definitely be an asset to the citizens of Houston County and that’s why I would encourage you to vote for Jeanne Feldmeier for Houston County Treasurer.
Les Ladewig
Rushford, Minn.
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It’s election mania again
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To the Editor:
Unbelievable, it’s “election mania again.” Recently I read in the local papers that a seemingly nice, well intended young man named Jeremy Miller, had won his party’s endorsement for District 31 State Senate seat. I congratulate him. He seeks an important and challenging responsibility. The issues ahead are very complex.
After reading his statement several times, stating he had a three-point plan, I discovered his plan was actually a three item wish list. Mr. Miller’s list of political buzz phrases like, “out of control”, “wasteful spending,” “defining wants from needs.” Oh, please… have some nerve! Tell us where you think this waste is. Also tell us what you believe the role of government really is.
In the spring of 2009 I attended a public hearing in Winona. State finance and budget staffers presented the projected state budget and illustrated the budget shortfall, etc. Members of the public (most representing services which rely partially or solely on state and/or federal funds, including school districts. Most explained how they had cut back already, and would not be able to cut further. State Senator Sharon Ropes was there. She had traveled throughout her district that day attending all such meetings and listening carefully to her constituency. These staffers and many elected officials have worked tirelessly to solve our state budget crisis.
You stated lowering taxes as a possible solution. Please explain how less revenue to the state would help pay the state’s obligations, like road repair and school aid. Your solutions sound like the “tax table of Paw-Len-ty,” just pass the short-fall on to cities, school districts and counties. Local taxes are dangerously high for property owners already.
Oh, and about that “reducing regulations thingy” you mentioned. How’s that working for yah so far?… with Wall Street? and the gulf?
Julia Massman
Caledonia, Minn.
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