TO THE EDITOR:
The parking lot on Nixon Lake’s public access, in Clearwater Township, has been draining, for many years, directly into the lake. For safe filtration, it needs to drain west, into the marsh.
Nixon is a natural-environment lake. If a private landowner were allowing this kind of drainage, they would be penalized by the DNR.
Last fall, Bill Lee had an agreement with a previous township board supervisor that the township would put a small berm about 25 feet from the lakeshore, to keep parking-lot water from continually running into the lake. The parking lot needs to be drained away from the lake.
Proper drainage would deter four-wheelers and other vehicles from spinning in the mud, causing further damage to the parking lot.
This is a problem with a history (see Clearwater Tribune, June 14, 2013, for a page one story on the same problem).
Since the agreement was never followed through, we ask people concerned for the quality of the lake and parking lot to please join us in calling on the Clearwater Twp. board to follow through with this agreement. (The phone number for the town hall is 558-4011. If no one is there, leave a message on the answering machine.)
Let them know that you care about the quality and proper use of Nixon Lake; and about the ability to use a mud-free and rut-free parking area and lake access, so that everyone can enjoy the lake.
Bill and Virginia Lee, Denny and Becky Mix, Bekah and Alex KanableClearwater Township
TO THE EDITOR:
At a meeting with CD6 Representative Tom Emmer’s staff March 5, the CD 6 Common Ground Constituency requested he issue a statement to refute the “Big Lie” about the election, which not only incited the Jan 6 Capitol insurrection but continues to mobilize further domestic violence extremism, resulting in a current Homeland Security Terror Alert, and is now fueling passage of over 250 voter suppression bills nationwide.
At the meeting, we presented documentation of violent extremism nationally, testimonials from CD6 residents who fear for their personal safety and a petition signed by over 165 people supporting our effort. In the past, Rep Emmer stated that wants to move forward and establish common ground. We support those goals and so, as a first step, we hoped a common understanding of the facts about the election was possible.
Although staff said they would brief Rep Emmer and get back to us within two weeks, they failed to respond until March 22, despite our numerous requests, when we were told that Rep Emmer had no intention to issue a statement. The explanation we received is that he “supports the second amendment”.
Really ? His support for the second amendment means he will do nothing to address the causes of domestic violent extremism? It is an outrage that Rep Emmer stonewalled his constituents and gives tacit approval to the violence which is becoming the new normal... and now justifies his inaction with the second amendment. If you agree, please reach out to his office and let him know.
Rose Thelen
Clearwater
TO THE EDITOR:
I am so disheartened as I write this. People, I thought we were so concerned about our environment. The past week shows this just isn’t so. My husband, myself, and a neighbor spent 2 and 1/2 hours last Tuesday and again on Saturday picking up trash from the roadside and ditches. We cleaned up a total of three miles of ‘junk’, among which were two inside door panels from a car, a 32” flat screen TV, a running board, and various other items too big to put in a trash bag. We had a total of 13 large trash bags full of garbage! Can’t you wait until you are home to dispose of this stuff? Oh yes, we also found many dead, (as I call them), face masks. If nothing else teach your children respect for the environment.
Sunday I went for a mile long walk, along the same route we finished cleaning Saturday at 3:30. Found four pop/beer cans, a paper cup from McDonalds and a Caribou coffee cup.......Come on, please don’t do this!
Mary Lenk
Clear Lake
TO THE EDITOR:
How interesting it is to hear Biden say Republicans wanting legal voting in this country is like the old Jim Crow law which actually prevented blacks from voting when exactly the opposite is the truth. All Americans want LEGAL voting, period. If the Democrats pass HR 1, you can bid the Republic farewell. The Democrats want to kill the filibuster, reparations for slavery, the Green New Deal, Medicare for all and climate change laws and raise taxes on EVERYONE, not just the rich as they so eloquently state. With the borders wide open, (a humanitarian disaster they refuse to admit), the filibuster thrown out, the door to radicalism is getting busted wide open and American of both parties may not like what comes out the other side. As Ben Franklin stated to a woman who asked him about what kind of government they had created, “A great form, IF YOU CAN KEEP IT.” Well, the Democrats are well on their way to making sure that doesn’t happen. One party rule in this country is and will be a disaster and only informed Americans can prevent it in the mid term elections.
Gordon Schmidt
Loretto, MN
TO THE EDITOR:
After WandaVision last week, I decided I might as well continue to promote the Disney empire by writing about The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. In this series, we grapple with the complexity of symbols through the character of John Walker - America’s new Captain America.
Walker takes up Cap’s mantle yet fails to realize that the suit and shield don’t automatically make him a hero. Episode four climatically reveals this truth. After donning the title and garb of Captain America, the ultimate symbol of justice, Walker uses his shield to ferociously beat and murder a man in public.
Last week, Duante Wright was murdered - intentionally or not - at the hands of someone wearing what should be a hero’s symbol. A symbol that’s been exceptionalized. And by not holding the systems that abuse their power accountable, we have perpetuated the injustices done under the name of justice. Many police stand for goodness, but others have sadly stained the symbol of justice with the blood of those they swore to protect. Thus, while our local police forces may be upstanding, the symbol they wear has failed others. So rather than dismiss those who have been hurt, let’s mourn with those who mourn.
Brody Hed
Becker
TO THE EDITOR:
I’ve worked in Becker Public Schools for years, I love my job. My current job is Administrative Assistant to the principal, supporting students, parents, staff, and community- the front line at the school. As support staff, we are wearing more hats and handling more because of COVID-19. Our jobs are more stressful, doing whatever we can to make things work in schools.
When I first started in the district, it was difficult to get a job, pay was fair, morale was good, jobs sought after. Things have changed, fewer applicants and several hired are not staying. Pay is so low comparatively that some staff are on assistance to make ends meet. These aren’t just jobs for “extra money,” it’s critical work, done by community members, supporting students and families.
For almost a year, we have been bargaining for a new contract with the district. It feels like they aren’t willing to show us that value back. The proposals the district has made adds pennies to wages and stops our decades-long practice of spreading our paychecks over the year. This means no consistent pay for support staff during Christmas break and summer. We all have families to support. WE make schools work and hope our district starts recognizes this.
Respectfully submitted, Julie Brandt, Becker, MN
