TO THE EDITOR:
I would like to clarify some points and share some concerns related to Scott Miller, a Clearwater Township Supervisor’s letter to the editor. After several residents shared concerns regarding the public landing and the water usage on Nixon Lake, the township board formed a committee in April to identify the various concerns and suggested solutions to identified problems. That committee of 11 township residents, including landowners on the lake, was formed and a report was submitted to the board in June. Recommendations were made including a request to designate this small environmental lake, a “no wake” lake. Concerns related to lake shore damage, Aquatic Invasive Species, public safety, and others, would be addressed. This would also benefit families who love to fish and also swim and play on floating rafts and tubes within the lake, canoe, kayak, and paddle board. It is troubling that Mr. Miller dismisses this committee’s findings, and additional citizens of the township who have supported these changes at several meetings, by referring to them as “community agitators feeling self-importance by creating division”. This coming from an elected official whose primary purpose is to listen to, respect, and attend to the concerns of township residents. Very troubling!
Chuck Derry
Clearwater Township
TO THE EDITOR:
Most of the angst I read week after week in the editorial page in my opinion is based on one generation’s priority (baby boomers) and a new generation (millennials) that wants to go another way. Imagine how difficult it is to listen to a generation of people who drove the budget deficit talk about wasteful spending. Spending is only wasteful, if you disagree on what you are buying. This new generation wants to see affordable education, housing, and healthcare. Government spending on tax abatements, corporate subsidies, trillion-dollar military budgets are seen as direct competitors to the priorities of this generation. Race is one of the more difficult topics for Baby Boomers and Gen X’ers. However, millennials are a multicultural generation. It seems likely this group would like to teach their children about things like the civil rights act of 1964, voting rights act of 1965, and some of the more subtle regulatory statutes that were simply sexist and racist. Perhaps one of the best examples is Redlining, and how that past practice contributes to creating conditions that are still with us today. Baby Boomer issues of the day; the pill, abortion, ending the war in Vietnam, and the ERA discussion didn’t result in America’s collapse. Nor will millennial issues; the Afghanistan withdrawal, a reprioritized federal budget, and CRT discussions. It simply means we are changing to this generation’s version of a more perfect union.
John Polenik
Clear Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
I attended Palmer Day this year for the first time. This is the first parade I’ve been to in probably 35 years that I sat through from start to finish. It was a great time! There were at least 20 times more people than I thought were going to attend. The parade was orderly and extremely well organized! Palmer, MN is a hidden gem of small town Minnesota. I was impressed with how clean and beautiful Palmer Park was and how friendly everyone was. The organizers of Palmer Day should be very proud of their effort of putting on such a fine community event. I am from a very small town of 700, and I love it when a small town can pull off something a large event that is so well organized. It was phenomenal to see so many people smiling! As a veteran, it warmed my heart immensely during the parade to hear someone sing the national anthem, followed by seeing veterans, police and firemen go by with everyone cheering! Good job on a wonderful event. Keep up the good work. I’m looking forward to Palmer Day, 2022.
Rich Pesta
Elk River, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
I recently was up to Minnesota in Becker right after the 13 Marines & Sailors were killed in Afghanistan. I saw a lot of flags flying at half mast, and in good repair, but saw too many at the top of their flag pole and in shreds! The worst was the Becker Fire Dept. and Twp. Hall. Both had ripped flags not lowered! If you are going to fly the flags of our country, take some responsibility for it. Keep it in good shape, and if it needs to be replaced, take your old flag to city hall where you will find a flag disposal box, or take it to Becker True Value and while you are there, buy a new flag. A lot of men and women made the ultimate sacrifice so you could have the privilege to fly our flag. So do so with respect for their sacrifice and honor their memory.
Roger Bigalke
Mountain View, AK
(Formerly of Becker)
