Several months ago, I was pleased to see my hometown of Kiester join forces with five nearby towns to create a new community foundation called Our Town USA. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), we support communities in capturing and retaining philanthropic wealth through community foundations like this. This has become increasingly important as $7 billion is … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate…410
The Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) on Hawaii Island tests the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. In April and May of 2018, the MLO measured the highest concentration of CO2 ever recorded in human history. Four hundred ten parts per million (ppm). What does this mean for the world, the nation, and Fillmore County? To be clear, water vapor is the world’s … [Read more...]
Letter about your vote… To the Editor
Lee Hamilton was spot on concerning Republican efforts to suppress voting rights, but there’s more. Massive Republican gerrymandering has stolen voting power from millions. For decades, when Republicans have legislative control, they usually refuse to allow a vote unless there is majority Republican support. Bipartisanship is not allowed. Republican appointed members of the … [Read more...]
Letter to the Editor Policy leading up to Election Day 2018
“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” — Benjamin Franklin In case you hadn’t noticed, the 2018 election season is well underway and as Election Day draws near, so does its impact on the community and this newspaper. This is also the time … [Read more...]
They lived happily ever after!
When I was a little girl I was told the fairy tale of Cinderella. How she was discovered by the prince, fell in love, married, and set up housekeeping in his castle where “they lived happily ever-after!” I was 30 when my prince came along. “Glenn” and I “fell in love” and after our wedding, began our life together in our “castle,” a one bedroom efficiency apartment. It was … [Read more...]
Single issue voters
Who are single-issue voters? Often conservative Christians are accused of voting on one issue and one issue only, and we only vote for candidates who are anti-abortion. In many ways, that is a grossly simplistic assertion given the complexity of our lives and our political system. Having observed the left’s efforts, through courts, to penalize those who, because of their … [Read more...]
Expand, don’t restrict, voters’ access to the polls
There are times when I’m convinced the progress of this country can be measured through our ballot laws. Think about it. Over the course of our history, we’ve expanded the franchise from the sole preserve of white male property owners to most all citizens 18 and older — regardless of race, gender, or wealth. Yet despite this steady march, we remain embroiled in debate over … [Read more...]
Letter about Newburg Township meeting…
To the Editor, Some of you may have noticed the new yellow yard signs appearing around Newburg Township and Fillmore County. The yellow signs have been placed in yards and along roads in this area in support of the Newburg Township Supervisors who have a difficult situation in front of them. The township currently is debating enacting a moratorium on the construction of … [Read more...]
Is it time to save our democracy?
To the Editor, I had the wonderful opportunity to see Mount Rushmore this summer. We have been there before but this time was different. This time I realized how fortunate it is to live in a democracy, how fortunate that we had wise and forward thinking men such as Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and, then, of course, Abraham Lincoln who saved our union. Yes, we … [Read more...]
Lanesboro Area Community Foundation releases application for grants
The Lanesboro Area Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for requests ranging from $250-$1,000 from registered 501(c)3 non-profits or government agencies whose projects will enhance the lives of people who call Lanesboro home through education, supportive services, the arts, etc. Applications are available by calling Jim Haugen at (507) 467-2242 or emailing … [Read more...]