Columns/Opinions
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Ann Thompson encourages others to run |
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To the Editor:
Four years ago when I filed for reelection, I made the decision that it
would be my last bid for a county commissioner seat. These four years
have flown by and I thank all of you for your support, encouragement,
and even disagreements. Being able to disagree about issues is a good
sign of a healthy democracy.
County government has become far more complex than it was 16 years ago
when I first took office. I leave office knowing there are a lot of
good, thoughtful, potential candidates for commissioner among the
District III residents.
I encourage anyone with a broad range of interests to consider taking
on this challenging role by filing for office from now until July 15.
Thank you.
Ann Thompson
Caledonia, Minn.
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Some thoughts on the criminal justice center issue |
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To the Houston County Commissioners and interested parties;
As a person who has been following the CJC project closely for many
years, it is very apparent that the CJC Plan needs a major
overhaul. Hundred of thousands of dollars have been wasted and
time lost, mostly do to egos and the unwillingness of our leaders to
listen to the people who granted them the power to represent us.
The following is a collection of questions, statements, observations
and conclusions of facts and ideas that are meant to inform the
taxpayer to get involved in an out of control situation.
A new short term study committee of tax payers, not just government
employees, needs to look at a new plan, as the old one is very
outdated, over built, and unpopular with the people of Houston County.
Why does the county want to build an 82 bed jail with an average jail population in the 20’s?
Is there a lesson or a warning to be learned from the Caledonia school
system costing $25 million in a time of declining enrollments that is
being used at half capacity?
Winona County has a dormitory cell holding the 40 people for sentence to serve and Huber prisoners that is working very well.
La Crosse County no longer has a Huber lock-up, but went to home monitoring.
Department of Justice’s National Institute of Corrections will do a
free analysis to help determine the number of secured cells needed for
a new jail.
The county needs to look at building between the court house and the present jail, (the old jail can be used for something).
They also need to look at a third story on to the court house, if possible.
The size of the court room and offices should be looked at again.
The schedules for court need stream lining, for instance not scheduling
all traffic court cases at 9 a.m. following a week-end.
Commissioner Larry Graf has stated the city of Caledonia and the people
of Caledonia should be a part of the planning process, Mr. Graf should
have also included all of the people of Houston County, all of them
will have to pay for and live with the decisions.
On June 3, the commissioners stated they needed to work closer with the
city of Caledonia and its people. A few days later the county issues
the city a summons notifying them of a pending law suit. That
doesn’t sound like working together.
Houston County has put forth some of the toughest zoning laws in the
United States, expecting land owners to do as they are told, but
refusing to respect or honor Caledonia’s zoning laws.
Hopefully some open minded people will run for the three open
commissioners spots giving a new perspective on these issues.
What we need is leaders like past commissioners ~ Burt Deters, Virgil
Johnson and Bob Lewis.
Please write a letter or call your commissioner and let them know how you feel.
Jeffrey Gerard
Spring Grove
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Mary Lou Busta notes: additional credit deserved |
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To the Editor:
I want to comment on the article that was in the paper regarding my
retirement from my position as the Early Childhood family
Education/School Readiness Coordinator and Parent Educator of the
Caledonia Area Schools for the past 21 years. It related many of the
highlights of my years working with parents, children, staff, advisory
councils and many of the family resource agencies in the county. I do,
however, want to make note of giving credit where credit is due and
that is to my good friend and colleague Debbie Wray. Debbie put forth a
lot of time and energy working with the advisory council and school
board in 1985 and 1986 to get the ECFE program grounded so I cannot,
and do not, want to take all the credit for starting the ECFE program.
I came in 1987 and took over where Debbie left off and continued to
move forward. I did manage to pull Debbie back into the program in the
late 90’s to help out with some parent classes because the program was
growing and additional help was needed.
I appreciate all the efforts put forth by the Caledonia community,
which includes Eitzen and Brownsville, to put the concerns of families
with young children as a priority. We can make a difference by working
with our families in the early years by being supportive to them, by
helping parents equip their children with the readiness skills they
need to be successful in school, and by staying involved with their
children and their education. This in turn will help to cut the cost of
remediation, special education and juvenile concerns later on. I truly
believe in the importance of investing in the early childhood years and
I will always be a strong advocate for this cause.
In appreciation--
Mary Lou Busta
Spring Grove, MN
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Gordy Bauer support letters due this weekend |
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To the Editor:
The Gordy Bauer support letters for nomination to the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame are due Monday, June 30, 2008.
You can email support letters to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Or mail to:
Bob Karn
1325 10th Avenue North
St. Cloud, MN 56302-7705
Spencer Yohe
Neil Morey
Caledonia, Minn.
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Opportunity is here |
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To the Editor:
The time is upon us again. Opportunity is now favorable for attainment
to succeed. The times are seeking a few good persons to come forward
and renew the hope of democracy by formal equality of rights and
privileges. You may be the exact person that is needed!
Three critical Houston County Commissioner positions will need to be
filled this year and you could be exactly what Houston County needs.
Do you think you don’t qualify? Here are the written
qualifications: “The candidate must be a United States citizen and a
resident of the county. No specific length of residency is required. A
commissioner cannot hold another elected position at the same time. The
candidate must be 18 years of age or older. No minimum education or
prior experience is required for the position of County Commissioner.”
You may not have realized that you qualified! You can serve your
neighbors for the benefit and growth of Houston County.
The time for you to step up is now. You must file between 8 a.m.,
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 and 5 p.m., Tuesday July 15, 2008. You must file
at the Houston County Auditor’s Office, 304 South Marshall Street, Room
#111, Caledonia. Upon filing to become a candidate for County
Commissioner, you will be required to pay a fee of $50. Check the legal
notice in your local newspaper for more details.
Do you have concerns? 40 acres to build a home? CJC? Loss of freedoms?
County expenditures going from $16,230,654 in 2004 to an estimated
$21,000,000 plus in 2008? Your opportunity is here. Become a candidate
today.
God bless Houston County
Larry Salm
Caledonia, Minn.
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Be part of the election process |
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Resolve to get involved in the campaigning, to register early to vote,
learn where you vote, and vote early on election day. Be a part of
what promises to be a record voter turnout in Minnesota.
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