TO THE EDITOR:
Martin Luther King’s ultimate message was love, respect, unity and forgiveness! Maybe it is time for all Americans to pay heed and ignore the desire for power and control via violence, intimidation and destruction. Maybe it is the MLK message we must all adhere to if we are to survive those who have set out to cancel our culture and bring down this Republic. On the other hand, maybe it is time to fight fire with fire. It is up to all of us to make the hard choices and not allow those who seek only political power to decide how we all will live. Yes, all lives matter and we are, without a doubt, the last best hope on Earth. I’m sure the Democrat disaster at the border, the 100,000 folks who are being detained there until they can be shipped to every community in the country, will attest to that. The prediction of two million more by mid summer will be a test of exactly what Americans will put up with. Yes, these are real numbers which the media never tells you and every border agent will attest to it. This is why the administration does not allow journalists at the border. They call that transparency? As Ben Franklin said, we have a great document in the Constitution ------ If you can keep it. The challenge is ours to keep it and be informed. Exactly what will we be passing on to our children and grandchildren?
Gordon Schmidt
Loretto, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Bill Morgan, Patriot Owner, Publisher, Graphic Designer, Sports Writer and Staff Writer wrote a piece asking for signatures to the COS Convention of States action. Mr. Morgan identifies the Endorsers of COS as patriots. It is well written and strikes all the right emotional cords. Beyond that it simply fills a block in the front page. Who are these elitists Mr. Morgan is rallying against? I need names Mr. Morgan for without names I cannot objectively look at the record and determine if I support or object to my representative’s actions. The piece is filled with non-descript villains, those who engage in government overreach, those who deliver unsustainable debt, those who impose crushing regulations on businesses and states sovereignty -these are all vague. Once these are identified, I can determine for myself if I support or refute their actions. At its core this is how a representative democracy works. You provided a list of prominent endorsers of the COS movement. This is not a grassroot movement. I went to public school, I have no need for astro-turfing funded by Television political personalities, Ivy League and Private School, dare I say elitists.
Shannon Polenik
Clear Lake, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
Dear Governor Walz,
On February 9th I shared with you the Big Lake Chamber Board‘s support to reopen businesses to their full capacity. We support Rep. Baker’s Roadmap to fully open businesses next month and have events resume fully by May 1st. We support our neighboring Senator Andrew Mathew’s SF1 to reopen businesses.While we appreciate your loosening the restrictions in March 12’s Executive Order 21-11, our business community needs to have a plan when they can fully reopen. With the 6-ft. distancing guidelines, some of our businesses with smaller spaces aren’t able to increase the number of tables they can seat their customers. This limits their ability to bring back their employees and to make a profit to pay taxes. On behalf of our 200 members, we ask that you provide a transparent plan to fully reopen our economy that Minnesota businesses, their employees and customers can rely on. Other states have reopened businesses when certain health-based metrics, dates, or other milestones have been achieved. We ask you to do the same so our businesses can plan ahead with ordering inventory, hiring employees and promoting their businesses. Let us know if you have any questions.
Becker Area Chamber of Commerce
Big Lake Chamber of Commerce & Industry
TO THE EDITOR:
I have known Kim Noding for more than 10 years. She is an honest, hardworking small business owner residing in Big Lake for the past 26 years. She is devoted to her marriage, her family, her community. When Kim has a vision she doesn’t just talk about it, she pursues it. She reaches out for ideas, opinions and experiences from those around her and beyond until she has a solid platform to achieve the plan that will be most beneficial to everyone. I have witnessed many of her achievements and watched her face challenges with grace and perseverance. Be assured that Kim will involve her community during her term on city council. She will agree with you on some things and if she disagrees she will explain her reasons why. Casting your vote for Kim Noding for City Council on April 13 will ensure a positive vote for Big Lake. She will serve you well!
Emily Granlund
Elk River, MN
