(Editor’s note: Due to space constraints, the Patriot will publish up to 5-6 LTEs a week as space allows and carry over unpublished letters to the next week, if able.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:
Last week’s Patriot had two letters that were very critical of “Lefty” Kleis. I’m not sure who they are talking about because they certainly didn’t describe the Lefty Kleis I know. I met Lefty while he was mayor of Becker and we’ve been friends ever since. He’s not mayor anymore but he’s still involved in politics and doing good for the area. Did he make mistakes while he was mayor? (Probably). Did he make anyone mad? (Almost certainly). How does anyone manage a city, even a small one like Becker, without ruffling someone’s feathers? Lefty is the most people-oriented person I’ve ever met. He loves talking to people and he’s just as good at listening. He’s even willing to admit it when he’s wrong. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Lefty was an excellent mayor and he’ll make an excellent Sherburne County Commissioner.
Howard Osgood
Becker, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Now let’s look at the Consent Agenda. A consent agenda is the second item voted on at each meeting and is supposed to consist of only routine business matters like payroll and minutes approval. The July 12th consent agenda covered (26) separate items and was 454 pages long. I can not believe that every commissioner read that document before voting on it, had no questions and agreed with every item. Many of the items descriptions are so vague that the reader has little idea as to what they are or why they are needed. Item, #3, “Community Support Grant Agreement”, 38 pages describing how $362,211 is being given to (nine) different entities. Item #4, $40,000 grant for an EV charging station in Becker. Item #8, “Commissioner and Manual Warrants”, which is described as, “Unless otherwise noted, these . . . warrants are normal and planned expenses contained within approved and budgeted county and department activities”, totaled over $26 million dollars! This item is only given (two) pages of description which contain both formatting and spelling errors and no indication as to what this money is actually going towards. This is NOT how the County should be doing business. Vote all incumbents out. Continued next week.
Bret R. Collier
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Let’s discuss campaign platforms and what is important to individuals that want to represent us as commisioner in Sherburne County. I believe Lefty Kleis’s platform that focuses on public safety, affordable/reliable energy, fiscal infrastructure improvements, county debt reduction and government transparency is the way to go. I believe the other candidate will maintain the established consistency by the former commissioner. My opinion is we don’t need status quo, we need a representative that puts the citizens first, preserves our precious land and fiscally manages our tax dollars. We are facing the closing of a major power source and massive tax revenue loss for the community. Not to mention, taxing the citizens with millions of dollars for unstable solar farms. How is this fiscal responsibility and transparent when the government refuses to disclose to tax payers the cost of these solar farms? I know a few farmers who have leased their land to solar farms. I wonder why every one of them is a 20 year lease? Efficiency? Lefty has been involved with the Sherco and Xcel committees for years and understands the burden that is approaching. In closing, I believe Lefty will work to ensure the best quality of life for all of the county’s residents.
Craig Moore
Clear Lake
