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Response to Mary Dolle’scomments on county fair
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To the Editor:
I am on the fair board, not writing as an official response from the
fair board, but as just one of the members regarding your criticism of
the fair.
It is very difficult for a small fair like ours to get a large
carnival. We tried for the last year and felt lucky to find this one.
Fillmore County did not have a carnival. We too were disappointed that
they did not bring all the rides they promised. It would be easy to get
a larger carnival after school starts but who wants the fair then?
Maybe if we had paid gate admission we could afford to do more things,
but we have tried to keep it free so everyone can attend.
There is so much more to the fair than the carnival. Did you look at
all the exhibits? In Floral Hall many people put in countless hours on
canning, baking, crafts, tending to flowers, etc. In the barns, 4-H and
open class people tended to animals the last year so that they were in
top shape for showing at the fair.
Did your children or grandchildren participate in the contests?
Several children spent the last month or more preparing their entries
for the Lego contest. The 4-H building has a new cement floor
thanks to donations from several of the townships and others. Did you
appreciate that when you looked at the 4-H exhibits?
Did you attend the talent contest? The talent from this area is
wonderful. Did you attend the grandstand activities? The grandstand was
full for most of them including the motocross, figure 8, demo derby and
tractor pulls. All of these activities bring in many participants from
all over the area.
We try to have activities for all ages from Kid’s Day to Senior Citizen’s Day with everything in between.
We are always looking for new fair board members – election is Nov. 17.
It is a volunteer position so we don’t get paid monetarily but it is
very rewarding otherwise.
Loretta Knutson
Caledonia, MN
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Another DNC Caledonia visitor, this time to protest
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To the Editor:
I also attended the Democratic National Convention in Denver - but for
another reason than Julia Massman. I was there to protest the
Democratic Party’s formal commitment to abortion rights. For the
record, Obama’s 100% pro-abortion voting as a legislator and his
promise as his first act as president would be to sign The Freedom of
Choice Act. This would allow abortions to be performed all nine months
of pregnancy, for any reason.
Obama’s vote against the Born Alive Infants Protection Act and his
disagreement with the Supreme Court’s decision that outlawed partial
birth abortion, should tell you his allegiance and our children’s
future.
The Declaration of Independence says “We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Yes, I was there protesting
the continuing murder of our babies. Over 50 million. Wake up, America.
Mary J. Colsch
Caledonia, Minn.
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Please support Brian Davis in the Sept. 9 primary
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To the Editor:
Do yourself, Minnesota, and our nation a favor, and vote for Brian
Davis on September 9. That is the date for the primary vote for U.S.
Representative from our Congressional District 1, and it is our chance
to get some new thinking into Washington. Brian Davis is the brightest,
most caring and concerned candidate running for a Congressional seat
this year.
Brian Davis has the skills and abilities needed to represent us on the
federal level. Brian has practical new solutions for our problems. He
has a plan to solve the energy crisis and put us back in control. You
deserve the best person to represent you, and Brian is the best. Vote
September 9!
Paul Ibisch
La Crescent, MN
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Vote for the strongest candidate in primary
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To the Editor:
It is important that Republicans vote for the strongest candidate
possible in the Sept. 9 primary. Dick Day is that candidate. He is an
experienced, proven leader who has fought for the issues that matter
most. Dick Day is unequivocally pro life and pro family. Dick Day
understands the need for common sense tax and regulation policies that
grow the economy. Like us, he knows the impact high energy costs have
on your family budget and supports a comprehensive energy plan that
includes drilling, conservation, and new energy technology.
Some like to talk a good game. Dick Day’s voting record is the undeniable proof that he just doesn’t talk; he walks the talk.
I know Dick Day. I’ve served in the legislature with Dick Day. I am
proud to support a well known, battle tested, tried and true
Republican. I’m proud to vote for Dick Day for Congress in the
Republican primary on Sept. 9.
Michelle Rifenberg
Former State Representative
La Crescent, Minn.
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Please help with food shelf now
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To the Editor:
Many Food Shelves, including, the Houston County Food Shelf in
Caledonia are in need of food items. The reason for this large need is
mostly economical as the cost of food, gas, electric, taxes, floods,
etc. have all greatly increased the cost of living. In the meantime,
unemployment has increased and wages have not increased to meet the
higher cost of living. Hunger is on the increase, especially for
children and senior citizens.
During this summer of 2008, in Houston and Fillmore counties, the
number of visits to the various food shelves has increased by almost 50
percent while the amounts of donations have greatly decreased as the
very poor economy has greatly affected us all.
We all know that poor nourishment and hunger, at any age, creates many
medical problems, creates absenteeism at work and school and makes
learning and working very difficult. In plain words, hunger in a
community affects everyone in the community. For many, the Food Shelf
is the only help available. It is always well to remember that except
for the grace of God, you could be hungry!
Hunger is the physical and mental condition that comes from not eating
enough food due to insufficient economic, family or community
resources. Community is a group of residents sharing common interest
for the communal benefit.
Please donate food or cash to the Houston County Food Shelf now. The
food shelf in Caledonia is located at 138 East Main Street, (side
door-telephone 725-3677). If you wish, there are food collection carts
in many churches in the area. Please, don’t worry if you cannot give a
whole bag of food or a large donation of cash. If we all merely give an
item(s) every week, it will be a blessing to many.
Yes, we all are experiencing more economic difficulties during this
recession. Take a close look at your blessings and see if you can share
a blessing or two with someone in need. Hunger is on the increase and
will probably continue to increase in Houston County. This may be the
largest Christian opportunity of your life. PLEASE HELP NOW! God bless
us all.
Larry Salm
Caledonia, MN
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Current zoning laws in county and common sense
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To the Editor:
Bob Scanlan’s article (History of Land Use in Houston County, Aug. 6)
is an interesting work of history. It seems apparent that the article
would not have been written, had the Landowners Concerned About
Property Rights not highlighted zoning abuses. The clear implication of
Mr. Scanlan’s article is that, since local zoning has been around for
43 years, it must be perfectly routine, wholesale and normal. The
subtext is that the present controversy is about zoning—it is not.
The Landowners clearly understand that an ordered society needs rules
and provisions for the protection of the public good and to avoid harm
to neighbors. What they do not understand is why the very public
officials who have sworn to uphold the Constitutional rights of the
citizens of Houston County do not apply this simple standard in Houston
County.
The controversy is about zoning that needlessly exceeds common-sense
provisions and which abridges the rights to property that are at the
core of our culture, our history and are guaranteed by both the
Minnesota and the U.S. Constitutions. These excessive zoning provisions
take away the right of the property owners to decide the best use of
their land and their buildings.
Berdell Meiners
Caledonia, Minn.
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