DL News Staff
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From the trials of history and the embryo of social allegiance, we've finally matured to a defining cohesive social partnership in this country. These times clearly exercise the spiritual muscles that sustain us and the mutual inner desire to identify what is good. Together, we have set aside the segregating serums, which have plagued our growth and have tainted the fibers of love so evident in our blueprints of life.
February is Career and Technical Education Month. In recent years, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in our public schools have been "left behind" due, in part, to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. This is unfortunate. CTE is essential for a strong, well-educated workforce. Our workforce is the engine that drives our local, state and national economies and determines our status in the international marketplace. Career and Technical Education gives students opportunities to enhance their mastery of basic skills such as reading, writing, science and mathematics.
The situation confronting Minnesotans eventually having a senator take his rightful seat is becoming more bizarre by the moment. One week ago, the committee that meets to discuss state-local government operation reform, technology and elections, voted to stop a very sensible and logical voting requirement from taking place. This requirement was a simple photo ID, aka driver's license, or such like. Our Minnesota representative from District 9B, a member of the pre-mentioned committee, stated that this shouldn't be allowed because our senior citizens are not "used" to presenting a photo ID wh
On Friday, Feb. 20, the Senate Tax Committee heard from over two dozen citizens at a hearing held in Moorhead. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank the more than 100 people who braved the inclement weather to attend the meeting. The citizens of Moorhead could not have been better hosts. The views of those who testified were wide-ranging and heartfelt, and we appreciate all of you taking time out of your day to speak to us.
At its regular monthly meeting, Burlington Township did it again. They essentially gave the checkbook to an engineering firm to do a job. The board was briefed on the work that had been done so far and what the next step was. The board needed to decide if they were going to hold to the road specifications set by themselves or deviate to allow for steeper back slopes. What was going to happen with this driveway and that driveway? After explaining several things, it came down to getting things done. Who was going to talk to the landowners about work outside the right of way?
The State of Minnesota desperately needs a cash flow of $7 billion for the next biennium. To meet this shortage will require increases in our property taxes. You can determine if your tax bill is correct and comparable with others in your community. The key is to review the local assessors "field card" for your property designated by parcel numbers. The field card is the assessor's itemized work sheet. It lists the buildings, acreage, amenities, depreciation and dollar values. There can be errors. To err is human.
As state leaders continue the enormous task of closing the largest budget deficit in Minnesota history, we're asking citizens around the state to get involved. Beginning in less than two weeks, House and Senate members of both parties will begin holding town meetings in a variety of locations, including meetings in Brainerd and Bemidji. Those meetings will be held on Friday, February 20 in Brainerd at 10:30 a.m. at the Washington Educational Services Building located at 804 Oak Street and in Bemidji at 3:30 p.m.
I would like to commend U.S. Representative Collin Peterson for voting in favor of SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) expansion. It was great to see the new Congress begin its health care reform efforts by giving uninsured children access to health care. As a cancer survivor, I'm even more pleased that Congress is using a 61-cent tobacco tax increase to pay for the program. Research tells us that when tobacco costs more, youth and even some adults smoke less. Some kids may not start smoking at all.
I am sick and tired of the government saying that nothing can be done about the bonus money given to employees out of the bail-out money. This was not money they earned, and therefore, it was not the institutions' money to give. It is the U.S. taxpayers' money! When these entities are solvent again, they can then give bonus money to whomever they want. In the meantime, the government should insist that this money be given back to whomever gave it to them so it can be used as it was intended. This was not regular pay, therefore, it should be easy for these people to pay it back.
I wish to comment on George Kohn's usual negative statement regarding the LP-A School Board. George, if you were so concerned about the oath of office swearing in, why did you not question the board? Instead you choose to belittle the school board with a letter to the editor. I made one phone call Friday morning and was informed that all members signed the oath of office form prior to the Jan. 8 meeting. You lost the election George, so why not remove yourself and your negative attitude from future LP-A School Board meetings? -- John McGovern, Lake Park