Growing deficit

To the Editor:

The hypocrisy of the Wall Street minions in Congress knows no bounds. Their policies wrecked our economy. Now by preventing any effort to jump start the recovery, they hope to get back into power!

But after two years of inaction, Republicans have one thing Congress must do, extend the Bush tax cuts for the families making more than $250,000. These tax cuts for the wealthy must be extended even though they blow up the deficit.

It’s shocking that the same Republicans who oppose job creation because of deficits, now want to keep the tax cuts that balloon the federal deficit by more than a trillion dollars.

But I want an answer from Michele Bachmann. Why do you want to extend the tax cuts for the rich and grow our deficit even more?

Seems like pure politics to me.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth Dora Martin
Spring Lake Park


Library is unfriendly

To the Editor:

 The library on 16 and seventh is very unfriendly for the elderly (like me).

Instead of having handicapped parking close to the front door, there’s a whole concrete fan-shaped concrete apron with metal poles, then a long walk to where the books are located past check out, past internet room and around a corner.

This library is not friendly for elderly and handicapped and parents with small babies and children.

Why? Aren’t we the public you are supposed to serve?

Doris Pierce
Ramsey


Steffen best successor

To the Editor:

 The election race for the open Anoka County Board District 1 area serving the western third of the county is starting to stir interest. It appears that only Natalie Steffen, really understands the area and its needs and, more importantly, how county government can work to be more efficient and effective.

As an Anoka city resident for over 35 years, I’ve seen Natalie Steffen work to squeeze value out of tax dollars paid in to the county when she was a former county commissioner and to Ramsey when she was on their council.

Now, as a Metro Council member for this area I’ve seen her help direct over one million of our tax dollars into economic development right here in River City (Anoka).

Natalie Steffen knows that economic development betters the community and fosters area job growth for all sectors.

A good share of county operations involves administering programs mandated by state and federal agencies in areas ranging from welfare, health services to highways and transportation.

According to her very informative campaign literature, Natalie Steffen has pledged to work to eliminate” overlaps and spend our tax dollars more effectively. We need the oversight experience of Natalie Steffen on the Anoka County Board - not just platitudes to “cut taxes, spending and bloated budgets.” Rah, Rah.

Natalie Steffen’s capabilities have lead Govs. Perpich, Pawlenty, Carlson, Ventura and Pawlenty (again) to appoint her to key government service positions where efficient spending was the expected norm.

We voters would likewise be wise to “appoint” Natalie Steffen to the Anoka County Board of Commissioners as the best successor to retiring Commissioner Dennis Berg.

Sincerely,
Mike Jensen
Anoka


Gaining and saving jobs

To the Editor:

RE: Stimulus Saves Jobs (July 23, 2010)

Your editorial in the July 23 edition touted the jobs created or saved by the $874 billion stimulus.

Would you please explain how you determine if a job has been saved? I know this is one of the big talking points of the Obama Administration and the liberal news media (yours included).

It would be most kind of you to explain this since you are printing this article and obviously understand the concept. Truly the Obama Administration, including Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, that voted for the stimulus bill, have not explained how they determine a “saved job”

I work both a full-time job and a seasonal part-time job and have for the past 20 years. Based on those facts:

1. Has either or both of these jobs been classified a “saved job”?

2. If only one of these jobs is classified as a “saved job”? What factors determined that this job was “saved”?

3. If either of them was saved, which one was it? Was it the full time or the seasonal?

4. For the job or jobs that was or were “saved” did my employer or employers receive stimulus dollars to classify this job or jobs as saved?

5. If I decided to leave one of these jobs and my employer or employers decided not to fill the position or positions would my employer or employers have to repay the stimulus money they received because they really hadn’t “saved” a job or jobs?

6. If my employer or employers and I mutually agree that I could go back to one or both, would they be able to get more stimulus funds because they “saved job(s)” or would it be because they “created job(s)”?

7. Based on the “saved jobs” concept could you count all the jobs that American workers held prior to the stimulus plan and still hold today as “saved jobs”? If that is the case then we didn’t need the stimulus.

Now on to the fascinating subject of created jobs:

1. If all of these jobs have been created, why is the unemployment still at 9.5 percent. How may jobs need to be created to change this number?

2. What infrastructure jobs are flowing to the private sector from the Minnesota Department of Transportation grant of $586.1 million? It seems everything was already planned prior to the grant.

3. If $910 million was spent on job creation, what happened to the other balance of the $874 billion? Wasn’t this touted by the Obama Administration so unemployment wouldn’t go above 8 percent? Weren’t these the predictions of your so called economists?

4. Isn’t it true that the unemployment rate is actually around 16 to 17 percent because of all the people that have quit looking for work?

5. Isn’t it true that most of the jobs created have been in the public sector due to the expansion of government? That fact was not mentioned in your article.

6. Isn’t it true that even the liberals such as Geitner and Bernanke now say unemployment will go up?

Perhaps your readership would actually increase if you presented matters honestly and factually and not just regurgitated the liberal mainstream media and our liberal government’s talking points. So much for “Reporting news accurately, fairly ECM’s policy” article of Aug. 6, 2010.

No thank you, I will not buy a subscription to this drivel. In many ways I find your reporting even worse than the Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press and for a daily paper even more expensive.

Sincerely,
Donna Steier
Coon Rapids


No support of arguments

To the Editor

This is in response to the letter from Mr. John Ely published Aug. 13.

The points Mr. Ely raised are critical to the future of this country as well as critical to each individual in our society. He brings out the issues of homosexuality, fear of a “socialized agenda, liberated thinking and false philosophies” and, of course, fear of the wrath of God.

Unfortunately, he fails to support any of his arguments with specifics or logical conclusions. I am forced to conclude that perhaps he suffers from a bit of “darkened understanding”.

In regards to his comment about same sex marriage being an “abomination”, the question is why? Did Jesus condemn homosexuals? This homophobia is destructive and divisive.

One could ask what conceivable effect Joe and Tim’s marriage or Suzy and Jill’s marriage would have on Mr. Ely’s marriage or anyone else’s marriage for that matter. The honest answer is zero effect.

One could also ask : What age were you when you sat down and decided what your sexual preference was? Answer this one for yourselves honestly. I suspect that the truthful answer would be never. Therefore, I believe the root cause of this is fear and hatred of those who are “differently.”

The second thing I will address is his condemnation of “false philosophies,” “liberated thinking” and a “socialized agenda”. These subjects would be amenable to discussion if Mr. Ely would have been kind enough to at least be somewhat specific on what the false philosophies are and why he perceives them as false. What the socialized agenda is and why it is bad. What constitutes liberated thinking and why is this so wrong?

Lacking a set of specifics my conclusion is that these are nothing more than pet phrases that are without meaning.

The last item, that of the “Wrath of God” and the threat of “consequences” to nations that ignore biblical commands etc. etc. is again the fear and threat scenario. Mr. Ely seems to espouse a theocratic system of government in the United States, controlled one assumes by his version of Christianity.

This is a scenario that is so terrible and terrifying that it beggars description.

I will enumerate a few of the most egregious problems with this.

• Elimination of any semblance of religious freedom.

• Historically, anytime a religion gains secular power the results are violence, bloodshed and torture. This is true whether the religion is Christian, Muslim or Sun worshippers. (Christian- Inquisition, Crusades etc., Muslim- Iran, Saudi Arabia etc.)

• There is no hope of justice or equitable treatment under religious laws.

• This country was founded on principles of freedom of religion and separation of Church and state.

In regards to following the “biblical” laws and commandments. My questions are which ones and where are they? Old Testament regarding animal sacrifice, giving/selling virgin daughters or others into slavery? Anti-gay laws? Commit genocide on your neighbors? New Testament Love your enemy, Turn the other cheek? Thou shalt not kill? Etc. etc.

The case is that biblical laws are not able to regulate society in a fair and equitable manner.

To conclude, I see this letter as typifying the problems in our society today and offering little to solve the problems. It is a little too long on negative judgements and offers very little to support those judgments.

America was founded on the principles of liberty and freedom and Mr. Ely’s conclusions are antithetical to both. These are matters that require thoughtful actions based on fairness and intelligence to find solutions.

Sincerely,
Lloyd J. Grimmer
Coon Rapids

No moderate independent

To the Editor:

For the last four years, I and the residents of Ham Lake have had Paul Meunier as our mayor.  

In past elections for city offices, he has misrepresented himself and his views (twice directly to me in my driveway). I want to make sure that it is clear to voters that Paul is not the moderate independent he portrays himself to be. It is too easy for politicians to misrepresent themselves as something they are not these days.    

As mayor, he showed himself to be anything but moderate. Whether it was his support for having Ham Lake residents fund city sewer and water for commercial business development (while having paid entirely for their own private wells and septic), to his push for a “town center” development he proved to be out-of-step with the residents of Ham Lake and the lone voice supporting these types of measures on the city council.  

Looking through his record of votes should make clear that on many issues he goes it alone, defying the rest of the council and public, with an uncompromising unilateral approach.

For months, Paul Meunier’s campaign facebook page, ironically titled “A Fair Chance,” has listed his current office as Senator, State: Minnesota, District: 49, Party: DFL.  

This should come as a surprise to us in District 49 who for many years thought our senator was Debbie Johnson.  

Taking on the mantle of being an experienced incumbent no doubt gives a candidate an edge in a race.  

Looking at other politicians campaign websites in other races shows that they clearly state whether they hold the office or are seeking the office.  

We can’t give the benefit of doubt of this being a case of an honest mistake: If he can’t see a problem in the text on his own campaign website, how can he possibly be expected to review and critique legislation written by other legislators or worse.

Recently, I received a brochure distributed as part of Paul’s door-to-door campaigning.  

Filled with the normal political one-liners, it portrays Paul as a moderate independent. It doesn’t make clear that he is not an independent candidate, but is the endorsed candidate of the DFL (unopposed).  

Nor is he making it clear on his websites or campaign flyers that he is a candidate recruited and endorsed by Progressive Majority, a national PAC whose admitted purpose is “building a formidable farm team of progressive candidates at the local and state legislative levels who will provide progressive leadership in their local communities once elected, and fill the political pipeline for higher office for decades to come.”  

This is the sort of political machine which brings out the worst in politics. It is an unwelcome influence from well outside of District 49 here in Minnesota.  

Terry Cronin
Ham Lake

Bipartisan record

To the Editor:

Republican Party District 49 Chairman, Mr. Wyvell, again has complained about Rep. Jerry Newton’s record.  

Rep. Newton is deservedly proud of his record and can only speculate that what really bothers Mr. Wyvell is that his candidate for state Legislature has no experience and no record on which to run.

The Northstar Rail, or “boondoggle train” as Mr. Wyvell calls it, was favored by over 70 percent of the residents of Coon Rapids. The Northstar has been highly successful and will meet ridership targets.  

The Northern Lights Express Rail from Duluth to Minneapolis which Rep. Newton is co-authoring, will stop at the Foley Park and Ride.

A recent poll indicates that Northern Lights Express, too, is favored by a strong majority of Coon Rapids residents.  

Two major rail hubs in Coon Rapids will help expand business and result in many new jobs in our area. It will also result in the revitalization of the area around the Foley Park and Ride.

To Mr. Wyvell’s point about expanding Highway 10: The Highway 10 Corridor Coalition, which Rep. Newton originated some 10 years ago, has seen the successful widening of the first segment from Foley to Hanson Boulevard.

Rep. Newton and Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka are co-authors of a bill to finish the next section between Hanson Boulevard and Round Lake Boulevard.  

The two representatives will continue to work closely together to secure funding for that project in the next legislative session.

Mr. Wyvell says he hopes “the voters will review Mr. Newton’s record before voting in November.”

Voters will find that Rep. Newton was the author or co-author of 186 bills in the last session. Many became law and a majority of them had Republicans sign on as co-authors.  

Rep. Newton’s record clearly reflects bipartisan cooperation for the good of the residents of Coon Rapids and Andover.

 Marlene Walth
Coon Rapids

Support for Becky Fink

To the Editor:

On Nov. 2 we will all have an opportunity to vote in the general election. I encourage the people of Coon Rapids to vote for Becky Fink for county commissioner.

She is a longtime resident who knows and understands the needs of the community.

She will ensure that our taxes are spent wisely. She understands the need to properly invest in a community in order to continue to strengthen the vitality of a community.  

Becky Fink has the capacity to become a county commissioner that we can all be proud of. Vote for Becky Fink in November.

Bernadette Chlebeck
Coon Rapids


Pit bulls kill family pet

To the Editor:

Last Sunday evening (Aug. 15) our family pet of eight years was killed in our front yard by two stray pit bulls. She was leashed (as pets are supposed to be) and unable to defend herself and despite my efforts to rush her to the emergency vet, she died a short while afterward.

As our family works through recovering from the trauma and loss of that night, I’m left with a great deal of frustration that such a random act of violence can strike my family and there is nothing we can do about it.

The police had been warned that there were strays in the neighborhood and were even actively searching for them when it happened.

We have also learned after the fact that this is not the only incident in our extended Coon Rapids neighborhood and at least one other cat has been killed by pit bulls.

I’ve seen numerous debates over the appropriateness of keeping this breed of dogs as pets, but until now I did not have a strong opinion on the topic.

I don’t care why these dogs are violent, but the simple fact is that they are. Furthermore, I don’t understand why anyone needs to have such a breed as a domesticated pet.

Whether these dogs were intentionally released or simply escaped does not matter - it’s only a matter of time until they do escape and only a matter time until they kill.

We can debate the finer points of freedom, but I understand that one of the most fundamental goals of government is to provide for public safety.

Set aside the emotional injury for now and let’s discuss the cold facts - not only did we lose a loved one, but the attempt to save her life and the treatment for a bite that occurred during that attempt have cost our family over $600 and replacing that pet will cost at least another $200.

Even if you are callous enough to think that it’s “just a cat,” this damage is every bit as real as any other crime.

The likelihood that the police will find the dogs (and possibly the owners) remains low.

My opinion is that there is no reason that fellow pet owners should be allowed to raise pit bulls as pets, but given no other recourse, I have another solution.

Every pit bull owner should need to pay $1,000 for the privilege of owning this pet so that this money is available to compensate the people that they harm.

We heavily tax other products that we know cause social harm - why should this be an exception?

Craig Knighton
Coon Rapids


Facts are optional

To the Editor:

Re. “Reporting news accurately and fairly” editorial.

You have an appropriate news policy that I hope you live up to, but facts are clearly optional in your editorials.  

I’ve reviewed the transcripts of CCN Reliable Sources as it dissected the events associated with the initially firing of Shirley Sherrod. It appears the clip of her speech was televised only after she was fired.  

Granted, Bill O’Reilly, an opinion journalist at Fox, had taped his opinion show before the firing, but this story would not be a story without the incompetence of the administration.

It would have come and gone in a day or two with some fodder for Fox competitors to point out their mistakes.  

By the way, contrary to your comments, Glenn Beck, one of the supposed villains in all this, never covered the story until it was a story about the incompetence of the administration.   

It is hard to overstate how incompetent the administration acted in this episode.  

A 25-year-old manager in any major private-sector corporation knows that you cannot fire someone like this. How can the administration be so lacking in such basic experience?  

If they did know better, maybe the answer is that people in government don’t really think that laws or even the constitution apply to them. We have the writer of the tax code (Charlie Rangel) and the enforcer of the tax code (Tim Geithner) who did not pay their taxes.  

And last week, Rep. Pete Stark of California made a comment that the federal government has the power to do anything it wants while answering a question about health care reform.  

Maybe the lords of Washington D.C. are above the law and the rest of us just haven’t realized it yet.

Ben Riechers
Coon Rapids

Obey the rule of law

To the Editor:

 I have seen the new ad from Tarryl Clark attacking Congresswoman Michele Bachmann about comments she gave about the BP oil fund that the Obama administration has forced BP to ante up.

I don’t agree with the Chicago way of doing things: the Obama administration is making a private company give $20 billion upfront instead of doing it through the courts like it should be done.

If Tarryl Clark or President Obama would read and honor the Constitution, they would acknowledge that it’s not the job of the executive branch to make a private company liable to the people or for people’s property it has damaged. It is up to the judicial branch through the courts.

So I agree with Michele Bachmann when she said that BP shouldn’t be treated like an ATM! There are rules and they need to be followed. The rule of law needs to be obeyed in this country.

Ellen Lendt
Nowthen


Editorial misses mark

To the Editor:

With great interest, I read Don Heinzman’s latest editorial about the Shirley Sherrod incident and his emphasis on the importance of responsible, accurate and fair reporting.

Once finished, I couldn’t help but think how wildly Mr. Heinzman’s editorial missed the mark and how he should heed his own advice and report all of the facts prior to jumping to his conclusions.

I am not writing this to defend Andrew Breitbart but I will point out a few facts and issues that Mr. Heinzman either didn’t know, misrepresented or conveniently didn’t address.

Ms. Sherrod’s speech did not occur in 1986 as Mr. Heinzman reported. The speech in question actually occurred at an NAACP meeting in March of this year. In her speech, Ms. Sherrod was referring to an incident that happened in 1986.I understand it’s a minor distinction but in the interest of accuracy, I believe it is worth noting.

Mr. Heinzman then chastised Fox News and Bill O’Reilly for leading the charge that led to Sherrod’s forced resignation. What he didn’t tell us is that Fox didn’t run O’Reilly’s taped show until after Ms. Sherrod had already resigned under pressure from Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack. Mr. Heinzman noted that Bill O’Reilly jumped the gun and unfairly called for her resignation.

Nowhere in his editorial did Heinzman mention that O’Reilly’s segment had been taped earlier that day... prior to it’s 8 pm CST airing and that Ms. Sherrod had actually resigned that day before O’Reilly’s show aired on Fox News.

Prior to Sherrod’s forced resignation, there were a couple of online news reports about the video from a couple of Fox outlets. However, Mr. Heinzman implied that one of the major reasons she was forced out was because of Fox News and Beck, Hannity and O’Reilly.

Mr. Heinzman also blamed Sherrod’s ouster on internet bloggers that he claims essentially forced the Secretary of Agriculture to demand Sherrod’s resignation. Unfortunately, Heinzman did not let his readers know that Ms. Sherrod knew about the existence of the tape and attempted to alert Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan days before the story blew up nationally. She was aware that her words may be taken out of context and wanted to explain herself before the story got bigger.

After the tape went public and the Department of Agriculture pressured her to resign, Ms. Sherrod pleaded with her superiors to listen to the entire tape, but her explanations fell on deaf ears. I direct the readers and Mr. Heinzman to an article written by Walter Shaprio for Politics Daily for further confirmation of this.

In my opinion, the real issue in this story is the quick judgment that this administration once again displayed prior to knowing the full breadth of a particular situation and the related facts. I am reminded how this rush to judgment also happened last year when President Obama, in a nationally televised press conference, accused the Cambridge, Mass. police department of “acting stupidly” in the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Sadly, Don Heinzman missed the big picture of this story and apparently decided to at best, use this as a teachable moment to opine on journalistic ethics and at worst to use this forum as a thinly veiled attack on news outlets and editorialists that don’t align with his world view.

Other news sources were cited by Heinzman as meriting some sort of gold standard for trustworthy, accurate and fair reporting. He mentioned the New York Times as being one such outlet. May I remind Mr. Heinzman that this is the same New York Times that employed Jayson Blair as a writer. This is the same Jayson Blair that was proven to not only be a plagiarist; but also used frequently used deliberate fabrications to buttress his reporting.

In the 2008 presidential campaign, the New York Times also attempted to slime John McCain with a flimsy rumor of infidelity.

Did Don Heinzman ever write about or mention CBS News concerning the 2004 presidential campaign “memo-gate” scandal that resulted in Dan Rather’s “retirement”? How about ABC Political News Director, Mark Halperin’s 2004 directive to his staff to try and cast John Kerry in a more positive light?

Or did he ever mention how the majority of the so-called mainstream media fervently and viciously attacked one of the 2008 presidential candidates time and time again while failing to equally vet and question the person at the top of the opposite ticket with the same fervor and scrutiny?

I don’t even need to get into the question of balanced journalism from the Star Tribune as any objective person with familiarity of its history knows the one-sided nature of their reporting and editorials.

In conclusion, I believe that Don Heinzman has failed on all accounts in his attempt to lay blame in the Shirley Sherrod case. I’ll leave it to the readers to decide whether they believe it was due to his own bias, ignorance of the facts or just plain shoddy journalism.

In the meantime, I’ll assume that Mr. Heinzman owns a mirror and I would suggest to him that he uses it to take a long look into. If he is truly honest and interested in media fairness and accuracy, he would do the same as Bill O’Reilly did and apologize to his readers.

Sincerely,
David Tollefson
Coon Rapids


Responses  inaccurate

To the Editor:

I see several people took the time to respond to my letter to the editor about the Anoka County District 1 race, saying it was full of inaccuracies.

I’ve lived in Ramsey since 1987 and one thing I am sure of: for the last 12 years Natalie Steffen has been part of the Metropolitan Council, a body of well paid, unelected people who spend their time trying to control cities in the Twin Cities metro area.

Do you wonder why Ramsey and other cities put up those ugly globs of townhouses, apartments and houses with shared driveways, or why some cities want to build their own water treatment facilities?

The Met Council’s 2007 “Implementation Guidelines” specify that land within their MUSA boundaries have a minimum of three dwelling units per acre and it says it would prefer three-five.

The Metro Council continues to expand its MUSA (Metropolitan Urban Service Area) outward without any consent of the cities it expands into. What will that kind of control do to land values in Ramsey?

Let’s do some simple math. The city of Ramsey has an area of approximately 29.7 square miles and a current population of approximately 23,000 people.

While 29.7 square miles is approximately 19,000 acres, at three “dwellings” per acre, with a minimum of two people per dwelling, that equals 114,000 people. Make that an average of three people per dwelling and the total rises to 171,000 people in the city of Ramsey.

Let’s apply this formula to Brooklyn Center. Size: approximately 5,312 acres. Population: approximately 29,000. At three dwellings per acre and average two people per dwelling, you come up with 31,871 people.

That’s close to what it has now. How would you like Brooklyn Center density in Ramsey? If you think that is a desirable thing, I suggest you vote for Natalie Steffen, who to my knowledge has not tried to limit the Met Council’s overreaching control during her tenure there.

I attended the League of Women Voters tonight and for someone whose mantra was “we need to communicate more,” Ms. Steffen has done a poor job of it during her terms on the Met Council.

If you think development in Ramsey is too much, too fast, I suggest you want to vote for Matt Look.

Jim Bendtsen
Ramsey


‘Sensible center’

To the Editor:

 There are few to the right of Tom Emmer. My guess would be that no more than 10 percent of voting Minnesotans could in good conscience fully support Tom Emmer come November.

There are few to the left of Mark Dayton. My guess would be that no more than 10 percent of voting Minnesotans could in good conscience fully support Mark Dayton come November.

That leaves about 80 percent in “the sensible center” to vote for IP candidate Tom Horner. Should be a rout.

 Sincerely,
James A. Bofenkamp
Coon Rapids


No Bachmann at parade

To the Editor:

Festivities at the East Bethel Booster Day were cut short by the weather, but the parade finished before the storm came in.  It was a wonderful parade, well organized and fun.

I noticed that, of the two candidates for the 6th District Congressional seat, only Tarryl Clark was there meeting and greeting the parade watchers.

It turns out that the other candidate, Michelle Bachmann, was not even in Minnesota, but was at a rally in Long Island, N.Y.

The people she represents are here in Minnesota, not New York.  She missed a great opportunity, and a great parade.

Sincerely,
Arlene Gillett
East Bethel

Anniversary big success

To the Editor:

 Re: Coon Rapids 50th Anniversary Celebration

The year long Coon Rapids 50th anniversary celebration is over and what a success it was! I would like to take this opportunity to not only thank the citizens of Coon Rapids for that success but especially the following people and businesses that helped make it one for the history books.

The Coon Rapids Arts Commission and Anoka County Parks for their help with our hugely successful kick off event at the Coon Rapids Dam last June, Jensen’s SuperValu for donating the 2,000 cupcakes needed for that birthday party, the North Star Lions for all of their help not only with many volunteers and time but generous donations as well, Teda Staricha of Pro-Biz for all the great 50th Anniversary apparel, the Rockin’ Hollywoods for two fantastic performances to open and close our year-long celebration.

Joni Anderson, city clerk for all of her time and effort in being the liaison between our committee and the city. Mayor Tim Howe, Councilwoman Denise Klint and City Manager Matt Fulton for all of their enthusiasm for this communitywide event.

A big thank you to Peter Bodley and the Coon Rapids Herald for the numerous articles both in the promotion of all of the events and sharing the history of our city. Their support was immeasurable and provided most of the advertising that was needed to get this celebration off the ground and make it the success it was.

Cedar Valley Exteriors/Felix Manella donated the $50 a week for the entire run of the celebration for the trivia contest and thank you especially to Bob Powell for providing great trivia questions.

Thanks to all of the other businesses and people who helped us in other ways throughout the year to make this such a great event. I am especially grateful to Denise Evans and Eileen Matson for stepping up to help make the Coon Rapids High School All-School reunion a bigger success than any of us thought it would be. What a way to end it all!

Most of all, I would like to thank all of the committee members (you know who you are) and co-chair person Robert Breitbach for all of their time and for always being there with fantastic ideas and the can-do attitude to get those ideas executed.

We live in a great city and it was evident at all of the 50th anniversary events.

Here’s to another 50!

Sincerely,

Caroline LaCoursiere
Co-chair person 50th Anniversary Committee


‘Tax less’ is a slogan

To the Editor:

 Michele Bensen’s website seems to indicate that she has one position and that is decreasing taxes.

But she never says what she will forfeit by having lower taxes - less to roads or education or veteran programs or job training or state police or prisons or what?

Saying “tax less” is not a program it is a slogan.

Marlene Walth
Coon Rapids

Not a civil rights issue

To the Editor:

Cindy Thurston in her letter (“Moved by work of group” July 9) is very open about being a member of the Gay Equity Team (GET) and is proud about what they intend for our schools in District 11.  

She states, “This group has given me a renewed sense of belonging and pride in working toward civil rights for a whole group of people.”

The “group of people” that she is referring to are homosexuals. Ms. Thurston is sadly mistaken — this is not a civil rights issue.  

As an African American and also a former lesbian, I take exception with gay activists riding the coattails of the civil rights movement for blacks. There is no comparison. Not even close.  

Civil rights and “gay” rights are not synonymous.  Homosexuals already enjoy the typical rights of all citizens. To compare the struggle of homosexuals to legitimize their aberrant sexual behavior to what truly oppressed people in this country went through for the right to vote, sit in a restaurant, ride in the front of a bus, drink from the same fountain, attend the same schools etc. is an insult to every African American.  

The pain of black history involves a rejection of personhood based on the immutability of skin color. Our “blackness” is who we are. We cannot change that.  

Homosexuality, on the other hand, is based on behavior. It is not who they are; it is what they do.  

Homosexuals are men and women who are just like everyone else except for one area of their lives — what they do sexually.  That behavior is based on feelings and desires.

Feelings and desires can change. I know. I was a lesbian for 14 years and sought sexual relationships with women.  

I no longer do. I have been out of that lifestyle now for over 11 years. My desires and behavior have changed. I am no longer a lesbian. I, however, cannot change the color of my skin. I am still an African American.   

I am also an employee in this school district who works with young people. I understand how young people think and some of the issues they are struggling with.  

If Ms. Thurston is truly concerned about suicides related to sexual orientation, she should not work to teach acceptance of a lifestyle that most boys in junior high and high school do not want.

They do not want to be “gay.” The person who hasn’t been told the truth that his homosexuality is changeable, becomes depressed and unknowingly trapped in a lifestyle with serious health risks, sometimes including early death.

When SEED-trained teachers (who make homosexuality seem like a “culture” rather than an abnormal expression of sexuality) parade “gay” students into the classroom to speak to students or other teachers, they give these students a false affirmation of their “identity.”  

It may give “gay” teens a temporary feeling of acceptance and a rush of excitement, but it ends up leaving them empty and hopeless in the long run.  

There is a better solution. Let’s tell these kids the truth. There is no inborn “gay” identity or orientation. This fact will give kids an exhilarating experience of freedom because when they know the truth, the truth will set them free.  

Please visit my website http://www.janetboynesministries.com to learn how to experience real freedom.

Sincerely,
Janet Boynes


Things are not better

To the Editor:

Mel Aanerud response that says my letter is full of inaccuracies is almost laughable.

First off since you address nothing in my letter (“Time for Change”), except for the one statement that things have gotten worse in the last 18 months, then you go on to list examples of why you think it has gotten better with a bunch of items I did not even mention in my letter.

So I will assume that you agree with the other 99 percent of the information in my letter.

Now if you believe things have gotten better in the last 18 months that is, of course, your right, but I believe it has not.

You say troop levels are down in Iraq, but forgot to mention they are up in Afghanistan.

You mention the health plan that your so proud of that 60 percent of the people were against as if that’s a good thing. I do not believe it has helped to make things better, most of it has not even started yet and will cost far more then we were told.

You say unemployment reached 10.1 percent of the workforce under Bush. Saying it does not make it true Mr Aanerud.

I would suggest people take a look at the unemployment rate figures obtained from the U.S. Department of Labor which shows these numbers: 2001, 4.76; 2002, 5.78; 2003, 5.99; 2004, 5.53; 2005, 5.08; 2006, 4.63; 2007, 4.61; 2008, 5.76.

These are yearly averages, but the month-to-month records the highest under Bush was at 7.4 percent in December 2008 right after Obama got elected.

The average for Obama in 2009 was around 9.2 percent with the highest month being October 2009 at 10.1 percent; so far this year it is 9.7 percent.

Please tell me where you got your information so I can notify the Department of Labor of its error.

I could argue all of your numbers since the Democrats controlled the House the last two years of Bush’s administration and that some numbers fell off after people knew Obama was coming.

But you would just say it’s still Bush’s fault no matter what I say.

I will again suggest like I said in my last letter that people do their own homework and not take my word on it or yours.

David Petersen
Coon Rapids


People will back Emmer

To the Editor:

I just read an article about “sound refraction” allowing you to hear more clearly when you are close to a lake in the morning. Well Don Heinzman maybe you should listen better.

Come election day you will see that more people believe in what Rep. Tom Emmer has to say than any of the other candidates.

You make extreme examples of what he would do as if the Legislature had no part in the laws governing our state.

On the same sex marriage agenda that the other candidates are advocating only Rep. Emmer takes a stand against this abomination.

Come election day you will see many good Minnesota citizens go to the polls and reverse this socialized agenda that’s coming our way.

A nation that ignores or rejects God and His Word will suffer the consequences of that choice. When a nation begins ignoring biblical commands and principles, truth becomes relative as false philosophies and “liberated thinking” take root.

Leaders tend to consider themselves advanced and intellectual, but in reality, if they are separated from God, their thinking is foolish and their understanding darkened.  

Washington has given us to much of this “liberated thinking” and we will not put up with it in this great state of Minnesota.

Your opinion does not reflect well on the paper you are writing for, we’ve had enough of the “change” that was promised and the pendulum will be reversed on election day. You can quote me on that.

 John R. Ely
Ham Lake

Statements not true

To the Editor:

 Please pass along to your readers and to Barb Anderson, a few corrections to her July 16 letter “True Goals of SEED training.”

1. You can have a classroom that affirms both heterosexuality and homosexuality and meet the needs of Christian students. Jesus spoke repeatedly of loving and accepting everyone. This is how he lived his life. As Christians following his example, an “equitable curriculum” would definitely meet our needs.

2. People are born blue-eyed or brown-eyed, right or left handed, gay or straight.

3. Adolescents are at risk of suicide not because they identify themselves as gay, but because of hate-filled ignorance from their peers and the lack of support from the community. How could there be a more important place for compassion than their school?

4. Any programs like SEED or groups like the Gender Equity Team who support thinking and attitudes where all persons are valued and respected are crucial to the well being of all our children.

Thank you,
Naomi Peterson
Coon Rapids


Positive relationships

To the Editor:

Ramsey recently held its ninth annual two-day kids’ safety camp for 144 local kids entering third and fourth grades in the fall.

Safety camp focuses on teaching children through a variety of activities, how to be more safe in their daily lives. Our goal is to reduce the amount of unintentional injuries to children and at the same time build positive relationships between the children and police officers, fire fighters and EMS personnel, who are their camp counselors.

I’d like to thank all of our camp counselors and volunteers for giving their time. We couldn’t do it without them.

Our camp is run solely on donations from local residents, businesses and registration fees. This money is used to pay for presenters, purchase supplies, provide lunches, snacks and beverages, t-shirts, water bottles and new bike helmets for each child. Additionally, we offer scholarships to families who otherwise could not afford to attend camp.

With every year, we experience a wonderful thing. A community that believes in enriching children’s lives with beneficial learning experiences and families that cannot thank us enough for what their children have learned in such a short time frame.

We continually receive requests from parents to offer the program to more ages and for longer periods of time. Their kids cannot stop talking about their camping experience.

This is the best measurement of our camp’s success. It’s no wonder safety camp is the highlight of our summer as well.

Camp wouldn’t be a reality without the support from these organizations.

Ace Solid Waste, Inc., Altron, Inc., Anderson Dahlen, Inc., Armstrong Kennels/Game Fair, Bill’s Superette, Burger King, Caribou Coffee, Carpenters Local #851, City of Ramsey, Coborn’s, CTI Towing, Dahlheimer Distributing, David & Jackie Jeffrey, Do All Printing, Faribault Foods, Frito Lay, Green Valley Greenhouse, Jimmy John’s, Kemps Ice Cream, Lano Equipment, Inc., Mama DeLuca’s Pizza, Matrix Laser Care, Inc., McDonald’s (Anoka), Mercy Hospital/Allina, Molin Concrete Products Company, NAU Country Insurance Company, North Country Concrete, Inc., North Star Towing & Service Center, Inc., Northern’s One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, Pagels Engineering, Inc., Panther Precision Machine, Plateworks, Ramsey Lions Club, Safe Kids Anoka County, Soderholm & Associates, Superior Striping Inc., Trott Brook Financial, Twin City Auto Source, LLC, Viking Council - Boy Scouts of America, Village Bank, Weikel Law Firm, Wiser Choice Liquor, Zero Zone Refrigeration.

You’ve helped make a difference in these children’s lives and we thank you for that.

Sincerely,
Chandra Kreyer
Crime prevention specialist and camp coordinator,
Ramsey Police Department


Passion for old cars

To the Editor:

I am a volunteer, and a participant of the Anoka Classic Car show. I want to let readers know that there are only a small handful of  volunteers working hard to keep the show running every weekend.  

Our passion is for old cars, but it is also our passion for classic car owners and communities to come together for fun, and to help local charities with the much needed funds they need to continue their efforts.

The past few shows have had many of our participants complaining that we are not doing our best to accommodate everyone’s needs. I encourage all that are quick to voice their negative opinions to instead come to us with helpful ideas and to ”get involved” with the show, rather than criticizing it.

We also have our share of comments coming from our “rule abiding show participants” that others are not following the rules we have set.

We need to be respectful to the surrounding land owners properties and to all the volunteers that are so graciously donating their valuable time.  

One of our biggest issues is saving spots. There is no “spot saving” allowed. We also want to enjoy the show and no one wants to spend the show nights playing “show police.”     

We work hard to make the best of the space we have available to us. Yes, the space is limited. Please understand that the city of Anoka has emergency routes, local merchant owners’ parking areas and private property owners spaces that we must not infringe on.

These shows don’t put themselves on and there are many rules and regulations that we must follow to continue. We have one of the largest ongoing car shows in the state and again, it is being run by only a few caring volunteers. We could use some help.

Please visit our website at www.anokaclassiccarshow.org for all information related to our show.

If you would like to make a positive comment, or volunteer your time to keep the show going in the best direction possible, please join us.

Most of our volunteers are also classic car owners and want the show to be the best it can be, but again, we do indeed suffer from some participant negativity, lack of positive public involvement, space, and volunteering issues.


Dave Walters
Coon Rapids
Car show volunteer

All-night party thanks

To the Editor:

A letter to those who supported the Coon Rapids High School 2010 Senior All-Night Party:

On the night of June 7, 350 graduates from Coon Rapids High School were safely inside the Mermaid Entertainment Center celebrating their accomplishments and having a great time thanks largely to the contributions and donations made by businesses, organizations and individuals.

Throughout the night the graduates won cash and prizes, played games, watched a hypnotist show, ate great food, got some strange haircuts, and more.  

These contributors made the 2010 Senior All-Night Party a success and on behalf of the parents of those 350 seniors, we thank them. We would ask our community to, in turn, patronize these establishments and support them as they have supported our kids.

Susan Hanstad,
Chairwoman 2010 CRHS Senior All-Night Party


Heat of day watering

To the Editor:

 Today was the second time, within the past week, that I’ve seen the soccer field on Highway 10, between Main Street and Hanson Boulevard, being watered in the heat of the day.  

I’m not sure which branch of our local government is responsible for this field, but it is appalling to see this water evaporating faster than it can hit the ground.

Don’t both communities, Coon Rapids and Anoka, have watering bans from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week; starting in the spring and running into September?  

I did not know that this ban applied only to “private citizens”.

 Darlene F. Aragon
Anoka


Plug for musical

To the Editor:

I wanted to give a plug for the professionally done musical now being performed at AHS.  

The Anoka Community Theatre production of “West Side Story” is more than amazing! Under the direction of outstanding Anoka alumni - Nick Jacobson-Larson, Matt McNabb and Kyle Picha,

You will be thoroughly entertained by the excellent actors, singers and the orchestra.

The next show is this coming Saturday, Aug. 7 and there are more shows the following week. The phone number for the ticket office at AHS is 506-6439.   

I was speechless after the performance on opening night.

Sylvia Goldman
Anoka

Missing sponsors

To the Editor:

In the July 23 edition of the Anoka County Union, a story ran on the July 11 Anoka Heritage Home and Garden Tour. The story was taken from a press release issued by the Anoka County Historical Society.  

I regret that it was sent out without an important correction regarding two of our sponsors, Mark and Susan Freeburg of Edina Realty and Daren Jenson of Devon’s gardens.  

The release failed to mention them as sponsors of this event. The story also fails to mention that it was the Freeburgs who donated the $50 gift certificate for guessing the correct number of golf balls in a bowl at their home which was on the tour.  

The Anoka County Historical Society regrets these omissions. Our donors and sponsors are incredibly valuable to us.

Todd S. Mahon
Anoka County Historical Society executive director


Trude best qualified

To the Editor:

Within the next few months we are going to see the biggest change in the Anoka County Board that we have experienced in at least the last two decades. This change is coming at exactly the time when we are going to need the very best and brightest people we can elect to face all the governmental issues this board will be encountering in the coming years.

With these thoughts in mind we would strongly recommend that we, the voters of the Fifth District, look closely at the qualifications and experience of Julie Trude and compare her attributes with those of the other candidates running for election to the Anoka County Boar.  

Julie Trude currently serves on the Andover City Council, a position where she has served admirably for the past 10 years. As everyone knows who has followed the actions of the council, there is no question that Julie Trude has always been prepared for each meeting and that her votes have always supported the economic development of the city.  

If elected to the board, her experience and qualifications will serve her well while she continues to promote, not only our district, but the entire county.

We have known Julie Trude since she moved to Andover with her husband, Tim, and her family. We can attest to her character not only as a neighbor but also as an informed person who responds when we have a question or concern.  

She is always willing to listen to our issues and has been helpful in seeking solutions to our questions. She may not agree with us on every issue, but after discussion we certainly understand why she feels the way she does.

If you agree with us that the next few years are going to be trying in the governance of this county and that we truly need the very best people we can find to serve on this board, you will agree with us that Julie Trude is the best qualified candidate to serve as the commissioner in the Fifth District.

Sincerely,
Charlotte and Rod Pakonen
Andover


Steffen’s experience

To the Editor:

I wish to provide information which contradicts some incorrect statements made in a previous letter to the editor regarding the candidate for commissioner of Anoka County, Natalie Steffen’s experience and intentions.

Natalie Steffen has indeed worked to cut government spending and reduce the size of government. When she was commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services for three years, she directed three major cost reduction, effectiveness improvement projects.

First, she worked with the division directors (department heads) to reduce each division’s budget. Secondly, she instituted an employee involvement process which asked staff members to recommend and implement cost reduction, effectiveness improvement projects. Thirdly, she undertook a massive department-wide reorganization to reduce the levels of management from 11 to six, reduce the number of supervisors supervising only three staff members and increase the number of more responsible individual contributor positions.

This reorganization was accomplished within the Minnesota regulations and with the direct assistance of the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations.

This third project took over 18 months from inception to completion and Ms, Steffen was continually pressing for faster results.

There is no question that Ms. Steffen has experience cutting government spending and reducing the size of government. I personally assisted Ms Steffen in these three projects as the organization consultant for the Department of Human Services for three years.

The second comment in the previous letter to the editor states that Ms. Steffen is cynical and opportunistic when she now supports a train stop in Ramsey when she did not do so when she was a member of the Metropolitan Council.

The previous letter-writer misses the point that different levels of government have different groups of people as their constituents. When on a state level, the entire population of the state are the constituents. When on a regional board covering many cities and counties, the entire region are the constituents. When on a geographically limited board such as a county board, the constituents are those people in that county.

It is totally understandable how a regional board member responsible to the entire region would determine that the best interests of the region, given funding constraints and political realities, should take precedent over the interests of one part of that region, the city of Ramsey or the county of Anoka. That is the responsibility of a regional board.

It is also totally understandable how a person running for a position that would represent one county, would focus in on what is important to that county’s constituency instead of being labeled negatively.

I think the voters in Anoka County should recognize what depth of experience in state, regional and county issues that candidate Steffen brings to the Anoka County Board. I also think voters should be grateful that this candidate understands who her constituency is, carefully listens to find out what is important to that constituency and takes the positions to support that constituency.

I am grateful for Ms. Steffen’s focus on Anoka County and her dedication to improve our county.

Mary Lou Spann, Ph.D.
Coon Rapids


Thanks for publicity

To the Editor:

All of us at ACBC Food Shelf would like to thank the organizers, participants and donors of two very successful food drives on behalf of our clients.

Saturday, April 24, local Boy Scouts collected 8,695 pounds of food and Saturday, May 8, the Anoka Postal Carriers delivered 16,958 pounds of food!

This is a very busy time at ACBC as we sort, tray and box the generous donations.

Summer is rapidly approaching; traditionally a time of increased need at most food shelves and all contributions are appreciated. Our sincere thanks to you for helping feed the hungry.

Doug Winsor
ACBC Board president


Longtime supporter

To the Editor:

I read Mr. Bendsten’s recent letter related to Natalie Steffen’s record of service and her position on Northstar Commuter Rail. I was struck by its overall inaccuracy. Let me set the record straight.

First, Natalie is a longtime supporter of the Northstar Rail project, unlike her opponent Matt Look. Natalie delivered funding and support through the Met Council to help set the stage for Ramsey to now fulfill the goal of having a rail station in a visionary, transit-oriented development.

Second, as it relates to Natalie’s governmental philosophy, she is, and has always been, a fiscal conservative. She has fought hard to deliver services to the constituents she served, whether she was an elected Anoka County commissioner or an appointed member of the Metropolitan Council.

Her stellar work carried her through the Met Council appointment process with two governors, Tim Pawlenty and Jesse Ventura.

During Natalie’s years on the county board, Anoka County received many commendations for its stewardship of the public tax dollars. Anoka County had (and still has) one of the lowest property tax per person rates in the state, plus a tremendous credit rating and a reputation for sound fiscal management.

Natalie Steffen is clearly the candidate for sound fiscal management and the effective delivery of meaningful services to the citizens of Anoka County. Please join me in supporting her in the primary on Aug.10.

Tom Gamec
Former Ramsey mayor and Northstar board member