President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation This past year has shown all of us what it means to serve others. Southern Minnesotans have stepped up to stock food shelves, provide support for children during distance learning and find creative ways to support businesses and nonprofits that are struggling. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) we work … [Read more...]

We often think of foreign and domestic policy as two separate and distinct fields. But for an American president, they are inextricably tied together. And as the Biden administration moves forward on its priorities, this is likely to become clear. The reason is that what we do in one area has an impact on what we can do in the other. If we are not strong economically and … [Read more...]

Letter about fair and equitable... To the Editor, Fair and equitable, interesting words with a lot of different meanings when it comes politics it seems.  I had a conversation with the county tax assessor a while back and he left me with those words (plus a few others).  They have stuck with me ever since.  Taxes and assessments should be fair and equitable to the … [Read more...]

I don’t have to remind everyone of what we’ve endured for the past 12 months. But, I feel like it is important to reflect on the past and present state of the pandemic. On Thursday, March 12, 2020, our family was gathering in the Twin Cities to watch the Fillmore Central Falcons girls basketball team battle for a state tournament title.  I recall standing in line with other … [Read more...]

Letter about... To the Editor, The impotent and misguided second impeachment attempt of President Trump concluded with a whimper. The Senate voted to acquit on the article of impeachment for “incitement of insurrection” regarding the January 6 Capitol incursion. The House Managers implemented a massive overreach, failing to present a coherent argument for their case. The … [Read more...]

By Stan Gudmundson Peterson, MN The consequences of November’s election began long ago.  Shortly after the Civil War some of the day’s “intellectuals” concluded that the U.S. constitution was badly flawed.  It’s a bit simplistic, but that has divided Republicans and Democrats ever since.  President Wilson probably summarized their position best when he said there was a lot … [Read more...]

Letter about gone but not forgotten... To the Editor, I was at the Lanesboro Arts Center this past week to see an exhibition of quilts.  These quilts were made by Women of Color Quilters Network’s “We Are the Story” initiative. It is an effort to foster community conversation around racial equality.  The hope is that this work will spark curiosity and reflection on how … [Read more...]

President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation National Entrepreneurship Week takes place each year in late February. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the entrepreneurs that are such a vital part of our economy and communities here in southern Minnesota. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), we are excited to celebrate the well-deserved … [Read more...]

Letter about why I am a democrat... To the Editor, Steve Colbert once commented,  “The 2% of wealthy people in the United States are a ‘minority,’ therefore Democrats should be nice to them!” I was born during the Great Depression, when F.D.R was president.  Millions of Americans were unemployed.  Under Francis Perkins the C.C.C (Civilian Conservation Corps) was enacted, … [Read more...]

With the handoff of power from one president to another, we enter this new phase of our national life in deep distress. We are divided and polarized, struggling to communicate reasonably with one another, and seemingly unable to find common ground on basic issues. Yet the path forward is neither new nor, really, difficult. We all know what needs to happen. We just need to do … [Read more...]

By Tim Penny President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation When I served in Congress, I was dedicated to representing my southern Minnesota district. I was not there to simply vote the party line; I did my best to take into consideration the differing political ideologies that existed at the time among my constituents. As a legislator, I made it a priority to … [Read more...]

Letter to Tom Vilsack from the Driftless Young Farmers Coalition.. To the Editor, To Tom Vilsack, nominated Secretary of Agriculture. We are young farmers in the heartland, and business owners that feed our communities. Many members of our coalition are new to agriculture – we aren’t part of the incumbent system of landownership and commodity farming – and we see a USDA … [Read more...]

Letter about where  is the money... To the Editor, You know, math was never a favorite subject of mine, however I think I’ve done well with the basics on addition and subtraction over the years.  I sit here very confused over the version of new math the city of Harmony used last summer on the 2020 street and utility improvement project.  I see printed in front of me request … [Read more...]

Letter about which  side are you on?... To the Editor, Congressman James Hagedorn and cohorts contend that any attempt to hold President Trump or themselves in any way accountable for having enabled, aided, abetted, and/or incited the January 6 assault on the nation’s capitol would be “divisive.” I wholeheartedly agree. It would clearly divide Americans, regardless of … [Read more...]

Letter about going “postal”... To the Editor, I was in the Harmony Post Office lobby today with my double masks and conducting my business with a lovely gal that is a frontline worker and risks her health and safety every day working there. In walks a man in his mid-to late-60s with no mask. I politely said, “I’m sorry sir, but could you put on a mask?” (There is a sign on … [Read more...]