TO THE EDITOR:
I am Chris Corey of Big Lake, who filed on time and correctly in April for the Republican CD6 Congressional endorsement. The nomination convention was May 4th, and I stepped up versus Tom Emmer, the only other candidate. It was run by Emmer’s well paid staffer, Bobby Benson. Corruption, anyone? My rightful speaking time was incorrectly denied. Walter Hudson, Vince Beaudette, and Kristin Faul, amongst others, assisted by using free speech to deny mine. Shane Mekeland gleefully celebrated with Hudson during a pathetic podcast two days later. These lackeys and others who helped can all pound sand together. Emmer was handed an unearned coronation fit for a dictator. Delegates were denied the right to vote for their preferred candidate. Some attendees correctly lobbied for me and I thank them. I subsequently filed to run for Congress in the CD6 August primary. Thank you to those who voted for me. Voting for entrenched, big government lifers like Emmer and other fakes and dems means more massive theft of what is ours. I am available as a write-in. Amendment One and the entire Constitution matter. I stand for U.S. citizens first! Thanks.
Chris Corey
Big Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
As Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer, I want to ensure that voters understand the referendum question on your election ballot to use sales tax to pay for the new Stearns County Justice Center. The question is on how to fund this project. The State of Minnesota and the County Board have determined a new Justice Center is necessary due to our county’s increasing jail overcrowding, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate court and security spaces. Stearns County is offering voters a choice: to fund the justice center through a sales tax or through a property tax. A “yes” vote on the referendum means funding will come from a sales tax; a “no” vote means the County will have to look to property taxes. A sales tax spreads the financial responsibility beyond just Stearns County residents, with about 55% of the cost covered by nonresidents who shop or do business in Stearns County, and 45% borne by local residents. This mirrors the usage of our justice system, as about half of our jail population and court users are non-residents. In contrast, if the referendum fails, the entire cost will fall solely on Stearns County property owners. The outcome of the vote on this ballot question will guide how this required county infrastructure project will be funded. I encourage voters to consider the long-term financial impacts and to choose the funding approach that best serves our community’s future. More information is available at: https://www.stearnscountymn.gov/1753/Justice-Center-Project.
Thank you,
Randy Schreifels
Stearns County
Auditor-Treasurer
TO THE EDITOR:
A few days from now we will possibly have a redo of the 2020 election, complete with inaccurate polling, accusations of fraud, possible legal challenges and treats to decertify the election. Decertification is already touted as a possibility by the mainstream news. If the outrageous campaign rhetoric is any indicator, we are in for a turbulent next few months possibly like our nation has not experienced since the Civil War, WWII or the 1960’s. Accusations that Donald Trump is the new Adolph Hitler are all over the media. Where were the death camps, mass assassinations and tribunals during his term as President? This is psychological warfare by those wanting to destroy the country. Do not fall for it. Do not hate one another because of it. We are being manipulated into self- destruction. Instead, research the candidates policies, think clearly and logically. Make Thanksgiving and Christmas a time of love and friendship again. Don’t fall for the manipulation and resulting destruction!
Keith Adams,
Monticello, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
The Sherb. Co. Board was presented an item during their 7/18/23 meeting asking for $150k to be budgeted with an additional $150k ARPA funds for the purchase of a two-vault, prefab restroom for Grams Park, which was approved. I later identified that the Missouri has been purchasing nearly identical “outhouses” for around $30k, and informed the County so they are now purchasing this outhouse for $33.7k, much less than the $300k budgeted. I asked, “How did this happen? How did this grossly over estimated item make it before the board in the first place? Who was responsible for this? What other grossly over estimated items have been presented and approved?” The only response I’ve received is that they were dealing with the “best information available at the time”, and “determined this to be a reasonable project estimate”. That is BS. It is this type of “management” that opens the door to potentially illegal/fraudulent activities. I have repeatedly asked for an independent audit to be performed to identify if there are other instances of overly inflated budget items, but none has been performed, so now I’m taking this public beyond my open forum comments, which can be viewed on the county YouTube channel on 11/7/23, 10/1/24 and 10/15/24.
Bret R. Collier
Big Lake, MN
