To the Editor, I am going to vote yes Tuesday, May 8, on the Kingsland building referendum. The reasons are pretty straight forward. The Kingsland school board, our elected representatives, have decided that the school campus in Spring Valley is in need of an indoor air quality (IAQ) project for asbestos abatement, mechanical, lighting and Americans with Disabilities Act … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… More than an education
The week of May 7, 2018, is Teacher Appreciation Week. And, Teacher Appreciation Day is on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. This past week, our newspaper presented the Golden Apple Award to Ms. Maryellen Dean, a long-time teacher at Rushford-Peterson Schools. She was nominated by two individuals: a parent and a student. Both nominations were submitted to the Fillmore County Journal … [Read more...]
Divided we stand!
In our political discourse we hear the words, “Our country has never been so divided!” Americans have a history of disagreeing with each other. During the Revolutionary war there were Loyalists and Patriots. In the Civil war the North and South fought over slavery. Following this, we were torn between Industry and Labor, Catholicism and Protestantism, Jews and Gentiles … [Read more...]
Is Kingland’s May referendum extortion?
By Bob Rowe Wykoff, MN In my opinion the notification that the community of the Kingland School District received about the upcoming vote for an $8.2 million referendum, basically amounts to extortion. Vote the way we want or we’re going to cost you more money. On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Kingsland District residents must make the choice to vote “yes,” costing themselves $17.5 … [Read more...]
Letter about President Trump’s executive order to review welfare programs … To the Editor,
The executive order that the President signed aligns with the administration’s “Principles of Economic Mobility.” It would create an accountability system for local, state and federal governments. It would also empower the private sector and local communities to create and administer local solutions to poverty. This is exactly what agencies like Semcac already provide. Our … [Read more...]
Trains
Fascism is a self-defeating ideology. In every case of a full-blown fascist government, and even those with budding fascist tendencies, you get to a point where supporters of the fascists have to start saying, doing, and believing ridiculous things. Never break from formation, never question, never ever let the idea get into your mind that the group doesn’t have the right … [Read more...]
Jesus Christ…dead or alive?
By Aaron Swartzentruber Greenleafton, MN In John chapter 14:2-3 Jesus says, “In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.” According to Jesus’ own words, He’s alive. Because a dead … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate…Students and teachers
On March 24 we saw the students’ “March for our Lives” promoting safe schools and environments conducive for learning. Resultantly, there’s much talk concerning closing gun show loopholes, improving background checks, raising the age non-military trained persons can purchase firearms, and funding for resource officers and/or arming teachers in schools. These are all debatable … [Read more...]
Want to help the world? Resolve conflicts
In a world riven by tension, there’s one skill that stands above all others: the ability to resolve conflict. It is the paramount challenge of our time. There are so many divisions that fracture our communities, states, and nations, that the ability to create common ground — to bring people together, rather than drive them apart — has become an indispensable political need. … [Read more...]
Letter about The Pope’s words…
To the Editor, It was recently reported in an Italian newspaper that the Pope stated there was no hell and that bad souls would only disappear. Since this is coming from the head of the Catholic Church, I am very concerned. If he was misquoted or misunderstood, then he should have immediately come out to decry the misunderstanding of his words. Instead, the Vatican gave a … [Read more...]