TO THE EDITOR:
A June 25, 2022 letter to the editor included several incorrect statements about the use of voting equipment for Sherburne County’s elections. As the officer charged with overseeing elections in our County, I believe it’s important to set the record straight. Sherburne County has not purchased new voting equipment. We continue to use the same equipment that has been used in all elections since 2016. That equipment received a required software update that was recently approved by the State of Minnesota. We have also purchased new servers to be used solely for the security of election information. But our voting equipment remains the same as it has been since 2016. Our equipment is secure, reliable and accurate. We know this because election officials publicly test all equipment before an election and verify the accuracy of the tabulated count after each election. Our election process has proven time and again to be far more accurate than hand counting ballots, which is susceptible to human error. Because of the security and accuracy procedures we have in place, you can be assured that your vote will count and will be counted accurately.
Diane Arnold
Sherburne County Auditor/Treasurer
TO THE EDITOR:
On Friday morning, June 24, I was painting door frames at a townhouse in Becker. Later that morning, I got in my van and turned on the radio to hear the best news I’ve heard in years! The U.S. Supreme Court had just overturned Roe vs. Wade! I have been hoping and praying for this to happen for many years and I’m thankful to have lived long enough to see it happen. In Minnesota, we are still allowing abortion, the killing of babies, but our four neighboring states will stop. Shame on Minnesota! Since 1973, 63 million babies in the womb have been killed. What a terrible record for America! Please get out and vote for pro-life candidiates this fall. My three favorite candidates are Andrew Mathews and Jim Newberger for Minnesota Senate and Shane Mekeland for Minnesota House.
Jim Aleckson
Becker, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
When is a mural not a gift to the City of Big Lake? When the city won’t let you paint one. Thats the issue we have in Big Lake. A city that has no ordinance for murals and “ does not recognize a mural” but tells you its a sign! We have a city planner with an undergraduate degree in design and sees a mural as a sign.We have a city that has a mural on city property at Lake Park. City after city are covering bleak walls with great murals bringing bold color and art to blank concrete. Not forgetting the obvious violation of an individual rights under the First Amendment ....FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.Not forgetting the Minnesota Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court fully supports and defends an individual to paint a mural. And highly restricts municipalities input and content of a mural. It is impossibile at any level of intellectual disfunction that one can look at mural and see a sign. It is impossibile to have no knowledge, history, understanding or experiance with something and then define it! It is further beyond understanding that a city cannot embrace a gift that will rejuvinate the last remaining historic block in the city. And that a well known muralist who is currently in California ( of all places) painting a mural while the City of Big Lake trys to understand one. If you support the mural, call city hall and leave your name and phone number.
George Quinn
Big Lake, MN
