| Aug. 14, 2009 |
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| Wednesday, 12 August 2009 | |
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Focus of safety camp To the Editor: Ramsey recently held its eighth annual two-day Kids’ Safety Camp for 177 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, firefighters 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, Bill’s Superette, Burger King, Caribou Coffee, Carpenters Local No. 851, city of Ramsey, Coborn’s, Dahlheimer Distributing, David and Jackie Jeffrey, Do All Printing, Eric and Katherine Moss, Frito Lay - Twin Cities North, Game Fair, Green Valley Greenhouse, Inc., Jimmy John’s, Kemps Ice Cream, Mama DeLuca’s Pizzeria, Matrix Laser Care, Inc., McDonalds (Anoka), Mercy and Unity Hospitals, Molin Concrete Products Company, NAU Holding, LLC, North Country Concrete, Inc., North Star Towing and Service Center, Northern Counties Secretarial Service, Inc., Pagels Engineering, Inc., Panther Precision Machine, Inc., Premier Commercial Properties, Inc., Ramsey Lions Club, Ramsey Rotary, Ramsey Women of Today, Inc., Superior Striping, Inc., The Learning Lodge, LLC, Twin City Auto Source LLC, Viking Council - Boy Scouts of America, Village Bank, Weather Proof Systems, Inc., Wiser Choice Liquor, Zero Zone. 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 Debate over health care To the Editor: They say that all politics is local and even the raging debate over health care policy in Washington is proving this adage true. With the torrent of e-mails and phone calls over the last several days from concerned citizens such as you, I felt prompted to respond to the growing frustration and outrage over the news coming out of our national government in Washington. I have heard from many senior citizens who are worried about the health care policy proposals coming from Washington. They ask what they’ll do if they have a costly or chronic condition and if they’ll be able to get good care — or any care. They fear the idea of long waits and lower quality care, as characterize so many other government-run health care systems around the world. People from Canada and European countries travel here for their care — where will we go, people ask, when our system is just like those that drive other people here? Moreover, they are dismayed that non-governmental organizations like AARP prominently support the plans coming out of Washington. In sum, they want their concerns heard and their interests known. Other citizens are rightfully frustrated with the overbearing nature of government, as exemplified by the health care issue. People tell me of their increased agitation every time they turn on the news or pick up a paper. It’s always about the health care proposals and it’s never what they want to hear. They ask how, as they are forced to tighten their belts and watch their pocketbooks, the government in Washington can force on us a health care policy we do not want and cannot afford. The great thing about democracy and republican government is that you really do have a voice. State government can be a driver of the public interest and can serve to signal the national government what the true desires of the people are. Moreover, state government is the government close to the people and as your representative I share a sense of sameness and closeness to be able to better understand your needs. For these very reasons, the current issue of health care is one better handled at the state level and it is my goal to do so this coming session. Politics is local and it is also personal. We can make our voice heard, our interests known and together we can achieve what Minnesotans truly desire. Sincerely, Rep. Peggy Scott Andover Anti-abortion demonstration To the Editor, The Epiphany Catholic Church, 40 Days for Life Committee wishes to thank you for your article, “Anti-abortion group protests outside clinic,” in the Aug. 7 edition of the ABC Newspapers. The article was very comprehensive in explaining the purpose of the prayer vigil and demonstration in front of the Coon Rapids Health Partners’ Clinic on Robinson Drive. We appreciate the time you took, Peter Bodley, to come on July 28, at 6:15 p.m. to interview some of the 50-plus participants and take pictures of the event. The information you presented, along with the pictures, made our cause clear. That was to close the abortion clinic at Health Partners’ Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Again, thank you for your work. This prayer vigil had the blessing and encouragement of our pastor, Father Dennis Zehren. With his leadership we are able to pray and march in our effort to end abortion. We would also like to thank Coon Rapids Police Chief Steven Wells and Assistant Chief Tim Snell, who graciously met with members of our committee. We appreciate the guidelines they gave us in order that all those attending the prayer vigil would conduct themselves according to the law. The site supervisor at the Coon Rapids Health Partners’ Clinic was also contacted and she gave us helpful information for an orderly, peaceful demonstration. Gratefully, Patricia Bock Coon Rapids Thanks for dog park To the Editor: Thank you to the city of Ramsey for the new dog park (Bark Park) in Alpine Park off Sunfish Lake Boulevard/Alpine Drive. Ramsey dogs concur that Bark Park outranks Town Center as the place to be seen. After a run, thirsty dogs collect around the unique dog water fountain, swapping stories and being cool. The humans collect around the picnic table, enjoying the fresh air, relaxation and just plain fun of it all! Sincerely, Shaaron Freeburg Ramsey |
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