(Editor’s note: Due to space constraints, the Patriot will publish up to 5-6 LTEs a week as space allows and carry over unpublished letters to the next week, if able.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:
Lefty Kleis is running for Sherburne County Commissioner District 4. He was given the nickname “Lefty,” because of his baseball batting style during his childhood. As former Mayor of Becker, he had extensive committee involvement with the Xcel Energy and Sherco facilities. Lefty understands Sherburne County needs to preserve our energy infrastructure for “reliable power.” Please realize, that closing these plants will leave this county and surrounding states with power outages – leaving hundreds of people without jobs and higher taxes as Becker’s large property tax revenue will be gone. Misinformation is being spread. People are being told the only option we have for “clean reliable energy’ is converting our family farms to solar. This is not true! Losing thousands of acres of prime farmland isn’t the answer. We are losing our prime food sources and solar farms leave the land unplantable for 20+ years after the panels are removed. Anyone looking for an honest candidate that has a “fight for what’s right” attitude must vote for Lefty on Nov. 8th. You need a Commissioner that you can count on, not one that will sell themselves, you or your families hard work out to the highest bidder.
Shelly Alger-Peyton
Clear Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Arvig scammed our community. In 2020, I led an effort to bring better broadband to areas in Becker. I knocked on 30+ doors, sent 400+ letters, and gathered 20 letters of support for Arvig to give to Sherburne County. The County funded the project. In my communications with the Arvig rep, she promised it was going to be symmetric fiber internet (equal download/upload). What Arvig installed was substandard, asymmetric at $140/month with a five year contract. They lied for six months, saying they’d provide me (and only me) symmetric service. After Arvig’s utility bond released, they offered me their business plan at $1,300/month! I filed a MN Attorney General complaint. Arvig threatened to drop me as a customer if I didn’t close the complaint. It’s clear Arvig is gouging when Midco is installing 1Gb symmetric fiber for $69/month. Arvig is one of the only ISPs across the US that doesn’t offer symmetric residential fiber. Arvig deceived us, yet they continue to ask for more funding. We shouldn’t waste our money on inadequate service and poor business ethics. Arvig doesn’t deserve you as a customer, nor our tax dollars. If you’re unhappy with Arvig, I need your help. Please reach out: jake@soenneker.com.
Jake Soenneker
Becker, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
September is National Recovery Month. Recovery is for everyone because it benefits everyone. In recovery, we build connections to ourselves, our families, and our communities. The theme for Recovery Month is, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”. This mantra reminds us that recovery belongs to us all. We are all called to end gatekeeping and welcome everyone to recovery by lowering barriers to recovery support, creating inclusive spaces and programs, and broadening our understanding of what recovery means for people with different experiences. Some may characterize recovery as a universal experience, but our community is proof that we are diverse. Our strength is in our diversity and because of who we are, the recovery community can assist the larger community to grow, teach, and heal. Mental health and substance use disorders are not one-size-fits all conditions. Culturally competent, multilingual resources that embrace all including historically marginalized community members is the only real path forward. Stating that “Recovery is for Everyone,” reduces stigma surrounding people with addiction disorders. Let’s embrace all paths to recovery like harm reduction, faith-based recovery, medication assisted recovery and/or 12 Step programs. Afterall, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community”.
John Donovan
Big Lake, MN
