If I wanted to undercut, diminish, and/or destroy an opinion I didn’t agree with, I might start with telling you all about my bon-a-fides. I would begin by highlighting my credentials. For example, I might point out that I am a Distinguished professor. In the College of Technical stuff. At the largest university in the state. In other words, I want everyone to know that I … [Read more...]
Letting go!
My husband Glenn died Sunday June 16, 2019, Father’s Day. He was 82. We all experience loss whether it’s a spouse, daughter, son or a friend. We have to confront death in order to value life. Glenn and I, in our declining years, had time to reminisce and converse about our lives. We are grateful for our many years in this world and for our 53 years together. We have been … [Read more...]
Responding to the needs of entrepreneurs
By Tim Penny President/CEO Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), one of the three program areas that we focus on is Economic Development. Since our founding in 1986, we have worked to catalyze entrepreneurial activity in our 20-county region by providing early-stage investments, traditional loans, micro loans, … [Read more...]
How long can the federal debt keep rising?
A few months ago, the federal debt we have accumulated over the past decades crossed the $22 trillion mark. That’s a record. And it’s surely not going to be the last. According to Congressional Budget Office estimates, annual federal deficits over the next decade — the deficit is the annual figure for how much more Congress and the president opt to spend than the government … [Read more...]
Kingsland Operating Referendum Levy
By Kyle Rader Spring Valley, Mn I am writing today to bring awareness to the Kingsland Operating Referendum Levy that will be voted on November 5, 2019. I want to first acknowledge that I am a school board member and a parent to three young children who attend Kingsland. I graduated Kingsland, class of 1999 and have lived in the area most of my life. I am writing this … [Read more...]
Compromise is the essence of our democracy
You may not be ready for next year’s elections, but in political time, they’re coming up fast. Even politicians who aren’t running for president are crafting their stump speeches. Which means that at some point you’re almost certain to hear someone announce, sternly, “I. Will. Not. Compromise.” And if you’re there in the crowd and agree with his or her position, you may even … [Read more...]
Who remembers Starter jackets?
It’s amazing the things that stick in your head sometimes, isn’t it? I mean, 1995 was 24 years ago and I can still remember certain days from it clear as day. I can’t even remember last week that well, but some things always stick with you... like Starter jackets. Remember those? Big, puffy, in bright colors with the half zipper that meant you had to slide them on over your … [Read more...]
Erding’s misinformation; To the Editor,
In “Climate science or climate science fiction?” (FCJ, Monday, May 27, 2019), Jeff Erding recycles debunked anti-climate change disinformation. In his article, he states, “Here are some facts to consider, research them on your own.” I have, and this is what I found: Every single one of the facts Erding states is blatantly false or misleading. The article from the Washington … [Read more...]
Devil’s Advocate… Climate change mythconceptions Pt. 2
It seems I need to address myths and misconceptions about climate change. Again. Mythconception #7: A 1922 Washington Post article stated: ‘If the warming trend continues, many coastal cities worldwide will be uninhabitable’. This quote was not in the Washington Post article as stated by Jeff Erding in a recent FCJ article, nor would the claim be true, because the … [Read more...]
Time to listen to common sense
By Amy McCall Lanesboro, MN Lanesboro Public Utilities (LPU) Commissioner Don Bell said it best: “Why would you put critical infrastructure on a sandbar in the floodplain, next to a river that floods?” This dose of common sense matches the wisdom of city leaders that set a 1998 (and still current) policy of no development in the floodplain. State floodplain hydrologists … [Read more...]