By Eric Leitzen Hokah, MN Let’s face it: 24-hour “news” isn’t news. It hasn’t been news for a while now. When you turn on the local stuff, or when you crack open a local paper, you’ll see what you’d actually describe as news: the most important stuff that’s happening that affects you. The stuff running 24/7? That’s entertainment: celebrities, cruise ships, missing planes, … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… National Postal Worker Day
On Sunday, July 1, 2018, your local United States Postal Service locations will be closed, just like any other Sunday. And, this day has been recognized as National Postal Worker Day. I think it is important to recognize our local postal workers for a variety of reasons. For most people in our area, there are three places they visit on a regular basis: the grocery store, … [Read more...]
Of Karst and Catalpa
Eric Luoma Fountain, MN We have had many customers ask why we named our business “Karst,” to which we answer by explaining the geological term. But it’s more than a term... it’s the land upon which we live and our best hope for a vibrant, sustainable future. The well-attended, passionate and civil engagement in Mabel of those concerned about our Karst topography, environment … [Read more...]
Hey leadership! Let Congress work
There aren’t many people who would argue that Congress is working well these days. It’s been 24 years since it passed a comprehensive budget without resorting to omnibus bills. It can’t pass health-care legislation. Its members talk about the desperate need for a new infrastructure bill, but can’t even get one drafted. It’s unable to produce immigration reform. It’s facing a … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate…Atheism
In light of the article written last month about atheism, it is clear there is a severe misunderstanding among some county residents about others. I was encouraged to help set the record straight as best I can on what atheism is and who atheists are. Atheists, or non-theists, are people who do not assert the existence of God or any gods. That’s it. Note the lack of any other … [Read more...]
Deficits
Over the past couple of weeks, I came across a few interesting news items In one newspaper article a child psychologist wrote of her concerns about children who suffer from anxiety and depression. Certainly, worthy concerns and she provided good advice. Last week I came across another article that also impacts young children. Was there anything that had been invented that … [Read more...]
Letter about Catalpa LLC Environmental Impact Study…
To the Editor, As a dairy farmer with an approved feedlot permit here in Section 24 Canton TWS, Fillmore County and living only 2.5 miles from the proposed 1,900 animal unit hog facility, I believe Caltalpa LLC, the group building this facility, should be required to conduct an EIS (Environmental Impact Study) before they are allowed to build. With our karst geology, … [Read more...]
City infrastructure and finances – another perspective
By David Webb, MD Lanesboro, MN In response to the June 4 commentary by Peggy Hanson, while I am in basic agreement with her thesis, I believe she picked the wrong example to make her case. There were important factual omissions and errors in her brief description of a particular Lanesboro infrastructure project. I should like to present a more complete accounting of it … [Read more...]
Clean streams and well water threatened by factory farm proposal
By Barton Seebach Canton, MN The Catalpa LLC factory hog farm proposal that is being considered for a permit by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has residents, including me, worried about pollution of our streams and our well water. The nearly 5,000 sow farrowing operation proposed by an Iowa factory farm operator, Brad Herman, will produce more than seven million … [Read more...]
Politics: We need it
Every so often, I jot down a list of the things that discourage me about our country. There’s the widespread disregard for our core values of tolerance and mutual respect, for instance. Our declining national optimism. Our relaxed attitude toward fixing our election machinery, overseeing financial institutions, and making sure that our key democratic institutions and processes … [Read more...]