To the Editor, I have friends that are Black, Native American, Indian, Mexican, and Asian.  They are all welcome in my house. The color of their skin never crosses my mind. However there are some white people and black people that are not allowed in my house because they’ve stolen from me.  It’s their behavior that matters, not their skin. Black Lives Matter came into … [Read more...]

Letter about pool story To the Editor, While your recent pool story was well written and informative, I was surprised to see the cover photo of children having fun in a public pool as if there was no pandemic. This gives the impression that all is well. It is not. The quote, “Groups congregating together has been an issue” should be a huge red flag. While Houston and … [Read more...]

Letter about...  The unstoppable march  for a better nation To the Editor, Racists are one of the main groups who support Trump, but times are changing for them. Statues of American traitors who helped kill hundreds of thousands of Americans are coming down. NASCAR has banned the ugliest symbol in America, while Trump insists we honor American traitors by continuing to name … [Read more...]

To the Editor, Travis Bartels, the head wrestling coach for the Chatfield Gophers, was not renewed as head coach this past week. As a wrestling fan, I was shocked and in disbelief. Travis has been coaching here in Chatfield for the past 19 years, and has helped build this program into something special. Travis has been a dedicated leader of a program that many towns would … [Read more...]

To the Editor, I have a unique perspective on Bartels. I’m one of only a few guys who was coached by him and have had the honor of coaching beside him. Bartels was one of my coaches in grades 7-12. He taught me life lessons through wrestling that I still think about and live by today. He continued to support me as I perused my professional fight career by coaching in cageside … [Read more...]

To the Editor, The Fillmore County Economic Development Authority Board of Directors would like to remind our neighbors of the importance of completing the U.S. Census and is asking that everyone in the county participate in this critical, constitutionally required program. The U.S. Constitution mandates that the country count its population once every 10 years, to adjust … [Read more...]

To the Editor, As members of the Spring Valley Discussion on Race (SVDoR), we feel it’s important to speak out about the events sweeping the nation and the world regarding the latest claiming of a black life by the police. Why is it important when we are so far away from the cities where protests are happening? As citizens of the rural U.S. in the midst of economic and health … [Read more...]

Caring concern for life To the Editor, In this time of uncertainty, anxiety, and grief with the pandemic of the coronavirus attacking America, we are dedicated to doing what we can to stop this great loss of life. This concern for others has brought us together with love and caring for our fellow Americans. We see the death and pain it has brought and we want to help to ease … [Read more...]

Let us out! To the Editor, Going on two months now, we’ve been staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In that time, Fillmore County had 13 cases [the time this letter was written]. As of your current issue, 12 have recovered and one has died, leaving the county COVID free. The one Houston County case must have resolved by now. There is no further need to keep our … [Read more...]

To the Editor, I used to feel guilty sitting around the house doing nothing. Recently  doing nothing has been elevated to a new level of respectability.  It is now noble and patriotic!   The suggested response to the coronavirus pandemic is staying in isolation. I begin my day sitting in my easy chair by the north window of my living room with my toast and coffee looking … [Read more...]

To the Editor, I come down to see my parents who live in Harmony about once a month and I stay for a few days. I just want to voice my concerns about the lack of compliance with the COVID-19 guidelines. In a town with such a large population of elderly citizens, I was shocked to be the only person in town wearing a mask. Not only were people not wearing masks, the businesses, … [Read more...]

To the Editor, Oh my, all of a sudden people aren’t driving, aren’t flying, aren’t buying plastic or polyester, aren’t making widgets. People who stay home, especially in warmer weather, just don’t need much oil. The oil companies and the demand for their products have had almost unlimited power for most of my 74-year lifetime. Their output has grown like a virus, to the … [Read more...]