Over the past month, I have heard a rumor repeated to me by several individuals in various communities throughout Fillmore County. It has come to my attention that there is a concern that the Fillmore County Journal will only be delivered to white boxes in each community instead of mailboxes via the United States Postal Service. Apparently, with our requests for … [Read more...]
The budget process remains broken
Think about this for a moment: Two days away from a federal shutdown, Congress comes up with a stopgap measure to keep the government operating... for a week. A few days later it arrives at a bipartisan budget deal lasting a bit over four months. This, in turn, moves the President to take to Twitter with the following statement: “Our country needs a good ‘shutdown’ in September … [Read more...]
Entrepreneurship starts with encouragement
For the second year, Minnesota ranks first of the 25 largest states in the Kauffman Index for Main Street Entrepreneurship. We have the highest rate of business owners (7.75%), established small business density (687.2 small businesses per 1,000 firms) and business survival rate (50.75% that made it to at least five years in business). However, while we’re going great as a … [Read more...]
Letter about the American Health Care Act…
To the Editor, In 1867, U. S. Congressman John Bidwell wrote: “I concede that men may sometimes honestly differ in opinion. But, in questions of principle…, some things are so palpably wrong as to carry them beyond the sphere of opinion.” It is time to “Make America Great Again.” Let us begin by examining our most heartfelt governing principles, taking a single issue as … [Read more...]
Letter about Should college be free?…
To the Editor, This is in response to the article, “College should not be free,” written by Kendyl Bennett in the May 15 Fillmore County Journal. Her assertions are: “The government does not have enough money to fund college for everyone,” and “There are plenty of resources for students who wish to attend college.” The federal budget for 2015 was 3.8 trillion dollars, so … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… More good than bad
Routinely, every morning I turn on the news while running on the treadmill, and inevitably I hear bad news. There are drive-by shootings in Rochester, robberies, drug abuse, child abuse, sex trafficking, threats of war, violent protests -- constant negativity. It’s enough to make a person think there is more wrong in the world than there is right. But, that’s … [Read more...]
With a $1.65 billion surplus, why is the Legislature short-changing our justice system?
By Minnesota Third Judicial District Chief Judge Jeffrey D. Thompson As a district court judge, I know firsthand the importance of a strong, adequately-funded judiciary. Our courts play a crucial role in our democracy. As Chief Judge of the Third Judicial District, I see the impact of the courts throughout southeastern Minnesota, from rural one judge counties like Dodge, … [Read more...]
Basic needs
My wife and I just welcomed our second child and first son, Timothy Scott, into the family. Almost immediately after he was born, the bonkers nature of Minnesota weather decided to drop the temperature about 40 degrees overnight, and now the entire house is sporting a case of the sniffles. Now, I’d love to tell you all about how I sit in a second-hand chair in my … [Read more...]
Child care crisis: We’re listening
By Rae Jean Hansen Vice President - Early Childhood, SMIF Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) understands that early childhood is a key component to sustained economic development. For more than 30 years, even before research proved investing in early childhood was more than a “nice thing to do,” we were pulling cross-sector partners together to improve the … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate… Live local
It’s Spring! And last week was National Small Business Week (April 30 – May 6). It’s okay if you missed it. I will do my best to convince you that we can live local every week of the year. I am privileged to have been asked to speak for the Fillmore Central National Honor Society on the night of the Spring Equinox. I feel I wouldn’t have this opportunity if I lived amid a … [Read more...]