(Editor’s note: Due to space constraints, the Patriot will publish up to five LTEs a week as space allows and carry over unpublished letters to the next week, if able. Also, we no longer have a policy which restricts letter writers from submitting political editorials a week prior to an election.)
TO THE EDITOR:
I wanted to take a moment and send out a big thank you to the Big Lake Fire Dept. and the Big Lake Police Dept. From the time I brought my husband home in December, to when He passed away in May, I had to call for assistance several times. You all showed up and gave us the help we needed along with giving me the assurance that we both were in good hands. I know if my husband were still here he would add his thanks and our gratitude in knowing that if we needed help it would be there for us. I thank each and every one of you for the job you do in serving our community.
Sandra Ernst
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Conservative, activist judges on the Supreme Court recently placed major restrictions on the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to address climate change. Chief Justice Roberts wrote that the climate crisis was real, but that a problem of such “magnitude and consequence rests with Congress.” We have an unexpected glimmer of hope in this arena with the Budget Reduction Act of 2022 currently working its way through the US Senate. Like any federal legislation, the bill is far from perfect, but it does offer our representatives an opportunity to embrace the fact that addressing the climate crisis is good economics. Deloitte, a premier accounting, tax, and consulting company, recently issued a report that estimated, “... the gain to the U.S. economy from decarbonizing is $3 trillion. If we do nothing, the cost is $14.5 trillion.” Congressman Emmer is consistently in the “do nothing” camp on our climate crisis. I hope you will join me in calling for him to reach across the aisle and support this bill as a first step toward embracing conservation as part of his claim to represent conservative values. Our children and grandchildren deserve no less.
Michael Sharp
Clearwater, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
During the entire month of July, 2022, the price of a gallon of gasoline has gone down. I purchased gas for $3.99 last week at a non-membership pump, I would like to thank President Biden and his administration for this. It makes a positive impact on us all.
Debra Carlson
Clear Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
I am supporting Kari Watkins for District 4 Commissioner. Kari is not a politician, with no ties to special interest groups. She wants to work for you the people and listen to your concerns first. Working alongside her husband in a small business, she is aware of issues businesses face in this current climate. Equally important is her strong faith and family values. She is concerned about the taxpayer, parents and how each citizen’s liberties are being threatened.
Jim Szczech
Clear Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Many people don’t realize that county commissioners hold authority to permit some wind and solar operations in Minnesota. This makes the upcoming primary election on August 9, an important one. We need commissioners who will stand up to save our jobs at the Sherco plant, and save our land from being covered by a sea of solar panels. Without the use of the interconnect for solar, Xcel will need to keep the coal plants online. This is unquestionably the best thing for our community. We understand that county commissioner candidate Gary Gray stands to make millions leasing his land to Xcel for the solar project. He simply has too large a conflict of interest to put Sherburne County residents first. And that is unfortunate. The best candidates for the job are probably Kari Watkins and Jerome “Lefty” Kleis. Two people who are willing to fight for our way of life in Sherburne County.
Dave and Jan Wambeke
Clear Lake
