(Editor’s note: Due to space constraints, the Patriot will publish up to 5-6 LTEs a week as space allows and carry over unpublished letters to the next week, if able.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:
Why we’re voting for Gary Gray for District 4 County Commissioner. Gary Gray has been a resident of Clear Lake and Sherburne County since he was four years old. I knew Gary when he was a young kid, coached him in baseball during his years as a student- athlete at Tech High School, and then watched as he matured and developed his own business with his brother Paul as co-owners of Gray Potato Farm and Grayson’s Berryland. Gary has always shown a great work-ethic and the highest character in whatever he does. He can be counted on to listen thoroughly, consider all options, and make sound decisions. Throughout his life, Gary has been actively involved in his school and church community in various roles. He has served on the Clear Lake Twp. board for 18 years, as well as other local government boards. In all these roles, Gary has conducted himself in an honest, transparent and professional manner. Because of his integrity, Gary will work hard to improve the lives of all residents of our county. Gary Gray is a thoughtful and experienced candidate with a demonstrated ability to work with others for the common good. Please join us in voting for Gary Gray for District 4 Sherburne County Commissioner!
Bruce & Colleen Hentges
St. Cloud, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Back to Consent Agendas . . .So again, hundreds of pages, dozens of items, no public discussion or explanation. This is a big “Trust Me” commissioner and just approve it! True, there may have been hours of closed door meeting in which these details were reviewed, but evidence of said is not apparent in this Consent Agenda attachment. And I’m only on page 64 of 454!! This is NOT how the County should be doing business. Every citizen should be able to easily see what money is being spent on. Items such as these should be voted on individually, providing a record of which commissioner voted yea and nay. These commissioners are hired to go into the details and should be able to defend their actions, yet the use of the consent agenda in the current manner appears to be the rubber stamping of whatever is put before them. Now let’s talk about Meeting Times. Why are County Commissioner meetings being held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays? Perhaps to make it as inconvenient as possible for the populous? Most taxpayers work 9 to 5, and can’t take off to attend these meetings if they wanted to. . . this is not right. Vote all incumbents out. Next week, Abatement and Northstar.
Bret R. Collier
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
I have something to say about the Becker Public School District Sept. newsletter but first, thank you Patriot for providing a voice for our community. You are head and shoulders above our metro news medias — certainly above the national network bias. Thanks for editorials such as Dr. VanBuren who spoke about the idiocy of the Mn state for higher learning and the MN State Chancellor, who by their philosophy suppress those desiring to excel for the sake of equity. Where, pary-tell, will our medical device developers, doctors and highly skilled engineers come from? Holding high achievers back is backwards thinking setting us back decades. Now the district newsletter: (24) pages of Happenings, Calendar of events, Rules, Extracurricular Activities, pages of supplies students are required to have, the rights under FERPA, which reads as is written by the Supreme Court, and info on lunch - without mention of nutrition values. (With 50% plus of America suffering from poor food choices, etc., etc., where is the EDUCATION on eating more wisely?) Children sent for education! In (24) pages, no mention of CURRICULUM and the text publishers!!?? U.S. World ranking is dismal 27th! No thanks “wokeness”, Equity” promoters!
Thomas Godlewski
Clear Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
As a citizen of Sherburne County’s District 4 we have been represented by the same commissioner for quite some time. He has decided to not seek re-election and we have two candidates vying for our votes. A group put together an opportunity for both individuals to meet them and do a simple sit-down question and answer so we could better get to know them. We heard back from both candidates. Lefty Kleis accepted the invitation. Gary Gray replied that he “didn’t have enough time to prepare” and he has a prior commitment. I am not sure what there is to prepare for? Didn’t you sign up for answering questions when you filed for election? Is this the type of response we are going to get if you are elected? Maybe Mr. Gray is taking a Tim Walz approach to this election by not making himself available or does he have something that he is hiding? Very simply, the response to this made my decision very easy on who I am voting for and that is Lefty Kleis on November 8th!
Hunter Reimer
Clear Lake , MN
