Monday, January 7, 2013
Former DFL candidate Brian Barnes said Rep. Erik Paulsen has a 'repeated record of failure when it comes to true bipartisanship and problem solving.'
As a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, I learned to live by a simple creed “Acta Non Verba,” or Deeds not Words. Too often, we see few deeds and far too many words coming out of Washington. It seems to take a crisis before anyone in Congress will lift a finger, except to point it at the other side. Having barely avoided the Fiscal Cliff, many politicians want to hide their career-long failures by posturing--proudly standing up, pounding their chests with conviction, and talking about the broken ways of Washington. They express outrage, frustration, and contempt. They blame others and complain. The Fiscal Cliff was avoidable. Both the House and the Senate had more than a year to settle the issue. Yet, ultimately, these career …
Monday, December 3, 2012
"It would be greatly appreciated on the behalf of my family and I, and others who are also concerned and struggling knowing when it’s okay to turn."
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Monday, December 3, 2012
To the editor: My family is currently living off of Highland Road, located in Minnetonka. Taking a turn out of this street is extremely dangerous and frightening due to the lack of ability to see if oncoming vehicles are coming from the left direction. There is a large bend with trees that stick out as well, which makes for that lack of ability to see. My hope and goal would be to create some way to prevent possible accidents, or even death from this accident-prone situation. A stop sign, light, or form of sign allowing for traffic to stop for the cars turning out of Highland Road, would be ideal. This would benefit not only to the city of Minnetonka, to all vehicles driving through this area, with their lives at risk. It would be greatly …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Former Wayzata School Board Chair looks at Terri Bonoff's claims with the helping the Wayzata School District.
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Tuesday, October 23, 2012
To the Editor: Fact checking has been in the news quite a bit lately. I decided to do some of my own fact checking on the SD 44 Senate race. I served for two terms on the Wayzata School Board, so I do have a bit of an inside view to see through a big hole in one of Terri Bonoff’s claims. DFL senator Bonoff boasts that a bill she co-authored “allowed the Wayzata School District to expand without raising taxes.” That sounds really good. Too bad the statement doesn’t quite meet the fact-checking standard. This bill provides early eligibility to the Wayzata School District for Alternative Facilities financing (Statute 123B.59). Wayzata can now issue debt for certain maintenance projects and charge the taxpayer for those debt payments …
Saturday, October 13, 2012
"By voting to re-elect Jan Callison as a Hennepin County Commissioner, we
will keep in office one member of the County Board who is responsive to her
constituents, not to a single party."
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Saturday, October 13, 2012
To the editor: Why should we bother to vote on November 6? We've heard too many stories about dishonest politicians, unethical candidates, the unwillingness of elected officials to work across party lines to address serious issues, and about our tax dollars being wasted. For all of those reasons, we MUST vote this year; to make sure we keep the ethical, capable people in office who have proven worthy of our trust! By voting to re-elect Jan Callison as a Hennepin County Commissioner, we will keep in office one member of the County Board who is responsive to her constituents, not to a single party. Jan has proven as a city council member, mayor and county commissioner that she will work hard to spend our tax dollars wisely; that she will…
Thursday, October 11, 2012
"Marriage is a unique institution that stands alone as a union of one man and one woman, and our government has a compelling interest to protect it."
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Thursday, October 11, 2012
To the editor: Our family visited the Vote NO booth at the MN State Fair in August and spoke with a self identified attorney volunteering for the cause. I asked him what the logical outcome of what constitutes 'marriage' will be if they are successful in redefining the meaning of marriage. He said that concern was a "separate issue." So, I asked him if marriage is indeed a 'right', then how can he deny that 'right' to others who desire polygamous, polyamorous, even incestuous relationships as deeply as people of the same sex? Again, he said it was a "separate issue." It isn't a separate issue, because it reveals the uncomfortable truth that if marriage is regarded as merely a 'right' and not an historical institution defined by God, …
Friday, October 5, 2012
"She would be a great asset to serve as a Park Commissioner for Three Rivers Park District."
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Friday, October 5, 2012
To the editor: I endorse Leigh Harrod for Park Commissioner for Three Rivers Park District. As a retired CEO, park and environment enthusiast I take the selection of Park Commissioner very seriously. Leigh Harrod meets all criteria. She is a geologist with a thorough knowledge in matters of the environment and natural resources. She has demonstrated a depth of understanding public policy, finance and possesses a creative way of thinking. During the past four years she served on the Excelsior Charter Commission, of which I chaired. During that time I found her to be very reliable, knowledgeable and a dependable commission member. She would be a great asset to serve as a Park Commissioner for Three Rivers Park District. As a …
Thursday, October 4, 2012
"David voted against adding nearly $1 billion to the debt, while Terri has voted for billions of dollars of debt, billions that will inevitably later return as tax increases."
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Thursday, October 4, 2012
To the Editor: Former State Senator David Gaither’s record of fiscal sobriety and common-sense positions compares favorably with State Senator Terri Bonoff’s record of reckless taxation and spending. David voted against adding nearly $1 billion to the debt, while Terri has voted for billions of dollars of debt, billions that will inevitably later return as tax increases. FN 1. David voted against a $1.3 billion tax increase, but Terri voted for nearly $15 billion in new taxes to build stadiums for wealthy corporations. FN 2. While David voted against raising the gas tax, Terri voted to raise it by 50%, and later voted to raise the gas tax as part of $6.6 billion in additional spending, twice. FN 3. David rejected a system of rationed…
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
"I want to elect candidates who are skilled listeners, interested in collaborating with colleagues no matter what party s/he represents."
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012
To the Editor: Are you as disgusted as I by negative campaigning? Almost everyone I speak with is! Voters want to hear solutions from candidates, not negative comments about opponents. I have never registered with a party and am proud that in my long voting history, I have voted for candidates not parties. I do my homework and choose candidates who represent my beliefs. In this campaign season, I have been appalled by the negativity demonstrated in the state races. I have received 3-4 mailers sharing Representative Kirk Stensrud’s (48A incumbent) accomplishments; the reverse side of one of those included negative information about opponent, Yvonne Selcer. In addition, I have received 4 mailers specifically negatively representing …
Monday, October 1, 2012
Why one Minnetonka man is voting for David Gaither in Senate District 44.
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Monday, October 1, 2012
To the Editor: Elections are about differences. To all reports both David Gaither and Terri Bonoff, the candidates for State Senate in Senate District 44 (roughly Plymouth and Minnetonka), are nice people. They both support education reform. They both care about the district. So what separates them? What are the differences? Why should you vote for one over the other? One word. Government. Bonoff’s record suggests that she thinks the government isn't big enough. She’s voted for more and better-paid bureaucrats administering more laws and regulations. And she’s voted for more taxes to pay for all that. Don’t take my word for it. Google her voting record. Gaither takes a different view. He is a small businessman that understands how …
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
"This project is vital to our communities, and our representative should be aggressively campaigning for it."
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Tuesday, September 25, 2012
To the Editor: Where has Representative Kirk Stensrud been? Missing in action. Time is ticking to approve the Southwest Light Rail project. He has done nothing to promote this potentially powerful economic engine for our area, despite the fact that the business community, area Chambers of Commerce, and local polls show overwhelming support for light rail in our area. We have a choice. It is very likely that the SW Light Rail will be built. Do we want it built on the backs of our already stressed local property tax payers, or do we want state and federal money to pay for this investment in jobs and livability for our area? The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is willing to pay half the cost of the SW Light Rail, but requires state…
stephanie perron
9:44 am on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Thank you Mr. Barnes for being the voice on this. I too was thinking the same thing, and sent his office a letter voice my concerns on his leadership. more ›