Thursday, October 10th, 2024 Church Directory

Letters To The Editor

TO THE EDITOR:

Keep Judge Helen Brosnahan! We are writing to support retaining Judge Helen Brosnahan in Minnesota’s Tenth Judicial District, which covers Anoka, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Pine, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright Counties. During her tenure, Judge Brosnahan has handled all types of cases—including criminal, civil, family, and juvenile cases. She recognizes that each case she hears is the most important case to those people involved. She ensures everyone is heard, understood, and respected in her courtroom. Before becoming a judge, she was a prosecutor for 15 years, managing and trying serious and complex criminal cases. She also has extensive experience in civil matters in both state and federal courts. In her nearly 28 years of legal experience, she has been recognized by her peers, colleagues, and the greater legal community for her distinguished work. Judge Brosnahan serves on the Washington County Law Library Board and the Litigant Services Committee, while also serving as a mentor to law students. Judge Brosnahan is committed to ethics, civility, and professionalism, and believes that judges have the highest duty to be fair and impartial. Her supporters include retired Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justices Lorie Skjerven Gildea and Eric Magnuson and Justices Esther Tomljanovich, Barry Anderson, Paul Anderson, and David Lillehaug, alongside numerous lawyers, community leaders, and retired judges. Please vote to retain Judge Helen Brosnahan. Minnesotans deserve her experience, thoughtfulness, and dedication. 

Melisa Field, Co-Chair 

Tom Tuft, Co-Chair

Citizens for 

Judge Brosnahan

TO THE EDITOR:

The Minnesota Department of Education recently released the latest statewide test results measuring student achievement, and scores remained disappointingly low: About 50% of tested students are not reading at grade level. Nearly 55% of students are not grade-level proficient in math. Scores have declined about 10% in each subject area since 2019, when they were already trending downward. The trendline of reduced proficiency is extremely troubling and should be an eyeopener. As a former educator myself and member of the Senate Education Finance Committee, it was deeply frustrating to witness Gov. Walz and the Democrat majority prioritize numerous bills in their effort to warp the K-12 system into an institution of social-political manipulation depriving our children of true academic fundamentals. The classroom is no place for these social-political agendas. We must return to prioritizing high standards on the basics including reading, writing, math, and science. Gov. Walz and Democrat policies are hurting our children’s academics and their futures. 

Sincerely, 

Eric Lucero  

State Senator, District 30 

TO THE EDITOR:

2024 is a milestone for St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Clearwater. In 1904 the church was built at 445 Spring Street. The carpenter, Mr. Pearson, built the church building and received the old school building on Lime Street that had been used as a church as part payment for his labor. Archbishop John Ireland came from St. Paul by special railroad engine to dedicate the new church. The railroad was owned by his good friend, James J. Hill. In 1904 the parish bought a horse and buggy which was used as transportation by Fr. Charles Cavanaugh who came from Annandale for services in Clearwater twice a month.(St. Luke’s was a mission church from 1870 to 1907). A mortgage was placed for $1,000 on the church. By 1909 the mortgage was burned in presence of the congregation. Early church records were kept in Pat Quinn’s Saloon as he was a church trustee. However in 1897 a severe cloudburst had caused the Mississippi River to rise and float the saloon away. By 1917 the pew rent was increased to 10 cents and the board was instructed to see to it everyone sits in his own pew. In 1927 a house was built to be used as a rectory at 245 Spring Street. The first resident pastor was Fr. Joseph Augustine Kern. In 1975 the house next to the church was purchased for the rectory. Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Catholic Church on Huber Avenue was October 2004.

Elaine Paumen, 

Local Historian

TO THE EDITOR:

Our Democracy is being threatened and the CD6 representative, Tom Emmer, is doing nothing to protect it. As a high-ranking U.S. House Republican, he is in a position to lead this country in a positive direction. He could choose to work cooperatively with Democrats to ease the border crisis, fund the government, and address issues like climate change. Instead, he has chosen to put all his energy into supporting Donald Trump. This means ignoring the rule of law and the Constitution, thus jeopardizing our Democracy. This Congressional District needs and deserves a representative who will support the Constitution and the rule of law. That person is Jeanne Hendricks. Visit her website to learn more about who she is and what she believes in. https://hendricksformn.com. 

Mary Jo Cobb,

Becker, MN.