This past week was full of many memories that satisfied my eternal optimism. Teacher of the Year On Tuesday, the Fillmore County Journal presented the first-ever Teacher of the Year award to Mary Hoiland, a 46-year veteran teacher of the Rushford-Peterson School District. For quite a number of years, our staff at the Fillmore County Journal has been talking about how … [Read more...]
Prayers for the president
By Pastor Norm Omodt, retired Chatfield, MN We have often heard people say, “We need to pray for the President.” Of course we do. And be specific. I pray Mr. Trump will become a good president for our country with some good concern for other countries, also. If they also do well, it’s better for the world. And I pray that good people will help Trump feel more secure … [Read more...]
A president struggling to get on track
I have significant differences with Donald Trump’s political stances, but I want him to enjoy a successful presidency. It’s good for neither the country nor the world when a U.S. president struggles or fails. Yet I also believe that constructive criticism can help a president grow more capable. It’s in this spirit that I want to take a hard look at the Trump presidency so … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Collaborative marketing equals community branding
Within the past two weeks, a new publication has appeared in the Chatfield area. The Chatfield Tourism Center has been the host of many tourists year after year, and the volunteers have been handing out publications for other communities such as Harmony, Lanesboro, and Preston -- but never anything for Chatfield. There wasn’t any promotional piece to promote the community, … [Read more...]
We could all stand to listen more
By Eric Lee Harmony, MN On April 3, House Minority Leader Melissa Hortman called to break up the “100% white male card game” occurring in the retiring room. Many readers of the Fillmore County Journal are represented by Rep. Greg Davids, who following her remarks, called on Rep. Hortman, not only to apologize, but to resign her position. Frankly, I was disappointed by his … [Read more...]
Who does the federal budget actually benefit?
As with any budget, there of course needs to be cutbacks in order to benefit another area of the budget. Even within households we have budgets. For example, do we scrap our subscription to satellite radio in order to payoff our credit card debt a little sooner? It is a highly important subject to be sensitive about and make sure it is followed fairly strictly to ensure … [Read more...]
The Kingsland facilities dilemma: a common sense solution
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...]