Again this year, the community center was most cooperative in finding space we could use for the full three days of the sale. With the money raised, the Becker  Library will be able to enhance and continue their many offerings and programs for our community to enjoy.

 

 

There appears to be a tight race for County Commissioner in District 2 of Wright County.

 

Both Tom Prerrault and Darek Vetsch are wanting to replace Pat Sawatzke who is serving his last term by his own choice.  Tom has served on the Monticello City Council for years and Darek is part of the Russell's family ownership and heads up the Chamber of Commerce in Monticello.  Both reside in Monticello.

 

Some of us felt a need to get to know more about each of them and why they were wanting this elected office.  We are having both of them appear together at the Silver Creek Town Hall on Thurs.,  Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.  The location is just south of the intersection of I-94 and Hwy. 8.

 

It will be mostly a Q & A session, with hopefully most of the questions coming from audience members.  What are any concerns or issues you know about at the county level that you would like to have discussed?

Come and be heard, it certainly will not happen at the national level this year!  I believe this is the only time that Vetsch and Perrault will appear at the same time in front of an audience. All are welcome as well as school kids to see how the process or electing can work effectively.

 

 

Please allow me to thank Ms. Sheri Ruter for providing an essential reminder of the very significant power of education to change the world.

 

Ms. Ruter’s prudent reminder pulled on my heart’s memories of growing up in our great little school district. There were two that are significantly pertinent to this educational power and needed infrastructure.  

 

One occurred at a time when the area one room school houses were being closed and merged to join us in our great little school district. I was in about the seventh grade and before these students arrived our teacher repeatedly prepared us for their arrival. The main point of that preparation was that students coming would be academically behind and we’d all have to work together so they could catch up. When they came it was noticed to be clearly to the contrary. 

 

But why; what was the lost power or was it just in the educational philosophy itself? It should be noted that I know no details or facts of whether or not people should vote for the 742 school district infrastructure needs. This is to simply state the important fact that infrastructure alone does not educate students, it never has and never will.  

 

The second impactful memory came directly from the significant changes made in the philosophy of today’s educational system and will have to be preserved for space on another day. But let’s all be encouraged to think about priorities before we vote. With resources becoming more limited, we have the next generation’s future at stake, financial and otherwise.

 

 

Tracy Bertram does support and did vote to accept the $7 million golf course master plan. This is not a lie. Ms. Bertram has been a golf season pass holder not just an occasional golfer as previously stated. Check into her voting record on golf course spending for the last eight years including the upcoming budget that is waiting for approval until after the election. 

 

Ms. Bertram may have a good working relationship with some city staff. But Ms. Bertram, Mayor Kleis and city staff work for you and me. I have no interest in whether or not the city staff approves of our choice for mayor or the city council.   

 

As it pertains to involvement with bringing in and supporting local businesses, a simple stroll down First and Bank Streets suggest who's efforts the businesses support. It is not even close. Making a tangible effort to support business owners is something altogether different than someone "working behind the scenes". This is why the business owners I spoke with know Lefty Kleis, they only heard of Tracy Bertram or did not know of her at all.

 

I support Lefty Kleis for mayor.

 

 

I would like to clarify a couple items that were written in the paper last week.

 

Mr. Knutson - in reference to your comment about the lawsuit. This is very simple. I had exhausted all other alternatives. My first amendment rights were violated and my due process was never granted. The federal judge stated that the censors were not enforceable, had I known that I would have never filed the suit.

 

In regards to people saying that it is a lie that I am stating, "My opponent wants to spend over 7 million on the golf course which includes the Master Plan and CIP". That statement is 100% true. She voted on this very topic Dec. 15, 2015. 

 

Her voting record doesn't lie. If she did not intend to spend money on the golf course, I feel she would have at the very least, questioned it during discussions. The reason these projects haven't started is that they city doesn't have the money unless we ask the taxpayers for even more. 

 

This is why I am in support of moving the golf course to the private sector so the tax payers will not have to subsidize the course anymore. I want golf to stay in Becker, I just want the city out of the golf business!

 

 

According to The Business Dictionary, the definition of “leadership” is: 1.  The individuals who are the leaders in an organization, regarded collectively.  2.  The activity of leading a group of people or an organization or the ability to do this.

 

Leadership also involves: 1. establishing a clear vision, 2. sharing that vision with others, 3. providing the information, knowledge and methods to realize that vision, 4. coordinating and balancing the conflicting interests of all members and stakeholders.

 

In my opinion, our next Mayor should embody the leadership qualities listed above.

 

Ask yourself, does our current Mayor have a clear vision for the City (that doesn’t involve Pebble Creek) and has he shared that vision? I haven’t heard it. 

 

Does our current mayor coordinate and balance the conflicting interests of all members? In my opinion, having to be censured by council could not be more opposite of this leadership quality!

 

Do you want a leader who is more worried about being combative and accomplishing a personal agenda than leading our city? Or a leader who wants to work in collaboration with council and residents to keep our city an amazing place to live?

 

I believe Tracy Bertram has what it takes to be a fantastic mayor and leader of our great city. Tracy Bertram has my full support!