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Fire chief was correct in nixing fireworks at fair
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To the Editor:
Thumbs up to Chuck Gavin! If he would have let the fireworks go off, we
could have had a terrible tragedy. Thumbs down to the fair board; I
would think this would have been thought out better than it was as
where to shoot these off. We have an open field where there are no gas
tanks, no homes, and the animals would not have been in any danger. But
for some reason we could not shoot them off in that field. I’m curious
as to know what made the fair board think that in front of the
grandstands was a safe idea? This is not just about the fireworks, the
fair in whole was one of the worst fairs I have ever seen. The midway
(if that’s what you want to call it) was a disgrace, anyone over the
age of ten was limited to two rides. This is supposed to be a family
event, that showcases our county and community, and I’m not sure that
was showcased to the best of its ability. We need a carnival that
everyone can enjoy, and a fair that makes us proud!
Mary Dolle
Caledonia, Minn.
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ISD Foundation support benefits Caledonia Middle School
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To the Editor:
The grant committee of the ISD 299 Foundation decided to award $400 for
the use of purchasing assignment notebooks for the 2008-09 school year.
This donation supports this community in its effort to maintain the
concept of a separate middle school. CMS students have been benefitted
by this middle school structure. Many future actions by many people
will be needed to maintain this autonomy.
Individual students are also benefitted by this support in their
personal developoment. To quote Thomas Jefferson, “It is while we are
young that the habit of industry is formed. If not then, it never
is afterwards. The fortune of our lives, therefore, depends on
employing well the short period of youth.” The organizational needs of
this age group are well known. The ISD 299 Foundation has helped
many young minds through its financial support.
Brian Doty
Middle School Principal
Caledonia, Minn.
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Thoughts from a farm wife
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To the Editor:
The Rural Restoration/Adopt a Farm Family organization supports farm
families throughout the nation. Our goal is to keep farmers on the farm
from one generation to the next. Those involved with the Adopt
organization are farmers who advocate wise land use and the protection
of private property rights.
What are property rights? These are the rights we have under the
Constitution to “use” our property as long as it is not harmful to
someone else. Nationally known property rights attorney, Karen
Budd-Falen of Cheyenne, Wyo., gives the definition of harm as “an
action deemed to be hurtful or to change the lifestyle of the neighbors
in a neighborhood - harm to the fundamental way of life.” Harm is not
an opinion, but must be proven.
We have reviewed Karen Budd-Falen’s “notice of intent to sue” that was
sent to the Houston County officials. The letter was written for the
landowners in Houston County. We give it our full support and
endorsement. It offers a reasonable solution to protect both the
landowners’ and the county’s concerns by providing a foundation for the
land use plan that do not abridge constitutional rights.
In keeping families on the farm, landowners must have the freedom to
make the decisions for the best use of their land. The strict zoning
and land use plan proposed by Houston County commissioners would not be
beneficial to the family farm.
Joyce Morrison
Property Rights Advocate
Fieldon, Ill.
Submitted by Mary J. Colsch
Caledonia, Minn.
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Tax relief at the fair
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To the Editor:
Don’t miss one of the best new additions to the Houston County
Fair. It is the free daily drawing for a gift card for $50.00
worth of gas at the Houston County Republican’s booth at the fair. It
is open to all registered voters. If you haven’t registered, you can do
so at the booth. Then sign up for the drawing which will help reduce
the pain of the increase in the gas tax (going up again in October).
Once you have signed up, your name will remain in consideration for
each day’s drawing (don’t need to register again). Each day’s winner
will be published one hour before closing. A grand prize winner
will receive a Betsy Ross American Flag. I think the gas cards are a
great way to bring tax relief to the fair. Have fun at the fair!
Paul Ibisch
La Crescent, Minn.
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Take care of the little things
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To the Editor:
I don’t know about you but I want a president that knows the difference between serving the people and killing the people.
I will never forget what my 10 year old son said as we were driving in New Jersey.
He said, “Mom, if this country is under God why are we killing the babies?” Out of the mouth of babies.
That same son served in Iraq with honor. He had a choice to join the
military or not. The babies that are brutally killed by abortion do not
have a choice.
The war in Iraq is nothing compared to the war being waged against the
infants in the womb. Nothing comes before the sanctity of life and if
you can’t get that straight, how can I trust you with anything else?
Our taxpayer dollars are being spent for abortion through Planned Parenthood (that supports Obama).
If Obama gets in he will elect pro-choice judges and the killing will go on.
My dad used to say, “Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.”
A child in the womb is as little as you can get and if you don’t do anything about that, then nothing else will matter.
Joan Becker
Caledonia, Minn.
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Response on election issue letter
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Editor’s note: This letter to the editor is not run in it entirety last week. We are re-running the entire letter.
To the Editor:
I feel compelled to respond to the letter titled Abortion, an election issue (July 16, 2008).
Of course it is! Again! It is the most divisive issue in America in 50 years.
I cannot criticize the writer, as I know the writer to be a caring,
loving person. We have worked together to prevent abortions in the past
(abortions are the taking of an innocent, helpless human life.) I
believe life begins at conception.
As a ‘pro-life advocate’, I cannot let my concerns stop there. Respect
for life extends far beyond birth. I includes supporting unwed mothers
who may need our help, so abortion will not be their path. It means
teaching young people to respect and value their own bodies, and the
benefits of abstinence. Helping, when necessary to make sure children
have food in their tummies each night; to assist the elderly, the sick
and homeless. Educate our children. It is shameful they way we treat
our veterans; many are homeless; many have inadequate health care.
Consider too the lives lost in Iraq. Over 4000 troops, as many as
30,000 injured, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed and wounded.
Human life is human life, all over the world, not just here in America.
They are all God’s children. So, yes we do have to consider who a
candidate stands on other issues.
We have reduced the number of abortions by 25 percent. But, still 75
percent to go. We must continue to educate against abortion.
But dividing this nation into Us and Them has not bettered America or God’s world. (Remember, God created the world.)
This must not be a single issue election again. For eight years many
have waiting for Roe vs. Wade to be overturned. Six of those years the
same party controlled the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S.
Senate and the presidency, and also had a favorable advantage in the
Supreme Court. Yet many are still waiting for that promised reversal.
Our nation needs a change in direction on so many issues. The war in
Iraq. The economy, jobs and rebuilding our infrastructure. War and
peace policy, education, respect for all citizens. Affordable,
transferable health care. Shared responsibility, not just government,
but the people themselves.
About that terrorism implication and Freedom of Choice Act quote.
Please go to barackobama.com and check his policy on this and other
issues. (barackobama.com/click on issues/then women)
Remember, God also commanded (no. 8) Thou shalt not bear false witness against they neighbor.
Julia Massman
Caledonia, Minn.
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