Area citizens are well aware of the struggle the Kingsland District has endured in recent years regarding facilities. The defeat of a dual referendum last fall that would have built a sizable addition in Spring Valley, [allowing the District to abandon the Wykoff facility] and increase district income per student did not make the situation any easier. Enrollment continues to … [Read more...]
Healthcare vs. wealthcare
It’s been very tempting to just copy the phrase “people should be taken care of if they get sick or hurt” one hundred times and submit it as my article, but I don’t think that would make it past the editors. But in truth, that’s the whole idea. Following the non-start of the American Healthcare Act (which some of you might know better as TrumpCare or RyanCare) America’s … [Read more...]
Letter about the reason for Easter…
Letter about the reason for Easter... To the Editor, “Jesus didn’t come to save civilization from wreckage, He came to save man from the wreckage of civilization” –Adrian Rogers. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He didn’t come to bring peace to the world, but to bring division. (Matt.10:34) Because the world does not believe God and those of us who do … [Read more...]
We need to safeguard the “public” in public office
For the last few years, I’ve been keeping a file of clippings about the erosion of transparency and candor in government. I’m sorry to report that it’s getting rather full. This is not a good thing. Public officials should feel strongly obliged to do their business in an open and upfront manner. If they don’t want to be scrutinized, then the burden surely has to be on them … [Read more...]
Smarter government for smarter kids
Whether you prefer small government or big government, perhaps the better conversation is around what smarter government could do. Smart government requires collaboration and a long-term vision. It helps when you can start from a place of shared interest. An op-ed in the Star Tribune on March 9 talked about ending the current “hodgepodge approach to early education in … [Read more...]
Devil’s advocate… Veil of ignorance
Have you ever been asked the question, “If you were stranded on an island, what three items would you bring with you?” or something similar? I find these questions very fun to think about. You get to be inventive, funny, or really buckle down to think critically on it. Virtually everyone has been given the opportunity to split something in half to share with … [Read more...]
Catholics at the Capitol
By Eleanore Jones Spring Valley, MN Speakers Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebr., spoke on how we must build a culture of life and love. Our state needs us. He said three things were needed: 1. Success of democracy depends on leaders like you. They say that our faith should stay out of the public square. Our founding fathers believed that we are needed … [Read more...]
How to handle the Russia mess
The recent announcement by FBI Director James Comey that his agency is investigating links between members of President Trump’s campaign and Russia has upended Washington. Yet there needs to be an even stronger and broader investigation to get to the bottom of what happened. There are really two questions at hand. The first involves Russian meddling in our election and their … [Read more...]
In response to recent protests
By Greg Davids Preston, MN In response to recent protests that shut down Interstate 94 and the Minneapolis Airport, legislation has been sponsored that would increase penalties against those who break the law while attempting to exercise their 1st Amendment rights, and I strongly support it. In no way do I want to limit free speech or curb the ability of residents to … [Read more...]
Asking our State Representative to reply in newspaper
By Nancy Bratrud Preston, MN Our MN State House Representative has occasionally asked the local newspaper to print a questionnaire for his constituents to consider and then reply to him about their views on issues he raises. Now I will ask our Representative to reply in the newspaper to an issue many constituents raise regarding medical insurance. 1. Why did you author … [Read more...]