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Open Forum: Thanks for a great Fourth of July
Having been born and raised in Crow Wing County, you would think that I would be used to the celebrations we have in the area over the Fourth of July. From tremendous parades, park festivities and of course the fireworks, it never ceases to amaze me on things that go on through the course of a week. I would like to take a minute and recognize the people who put another wonderful holiday together in our county and say "thank you" for your extra effort. Each year it simply gets better and better and makes me extremely proud to be a small part of it.
Sheriff Todd Dahl
Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office
Share your independence
During the month of July, Lakes Area Interfaith Caregivers and Faith In Action for Cass County are asking you to share your independence by helping someone keep their independence. Would you be interested in practicing random acts of independence by helping with things such as: friendly visiting, transportation, minor home repairs, light housekeeping, or running errands? Do you know of a neighbor, friend, or family member who might benefit from some assistance? Please consider supporting the Independence Campaign by making a monetary donation to help with these efforts. For more information about Faith in Action for Cass County, call (218) 675-5435 or toll free 1-866-675-5435, or check out the Web site at www.faithinactioncass.com. For more information about Lakes Area Interfaith Caregivers in Crow Wing County, call 1-877-245-7454 or check out the Web site at http://interfaithcaregivers.com .
Theresa Eclov, Executive Director
Faith in Action for Cass County
Hackensack
Compassionate, I wonder!
As Pawlenty abuses his power as governor and un-allots the elected Legislature's legally arrived at budgets, we will now begin to see the compassionate Republican's true colors.
As he removes the poorest of the poor from heath care programs, don't be surprised when the cost of a visit to the emergency room goes up to offset the cost of treating the uninsured in the only place they will be able to get needed medical care.
As he withholds the payments to the schools and forces many school districts to borrow against the funds the legislature honorably provided for the schools, watch and see your property taxes raised as the schools have no other way to raise the funds.
As he exercises his dictatorial control over nursing homes, don't be surprised when you meet someone or a relative of yours has problems finding a nursing home when they need it at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives.
Don't be surprised when the fishing licenses go up in price, or the hunting permits cost more, or the many other fees we pay, are raised to make up for the governor's misuse of a law from the 1930s that has only been used a few times in the history of the state of Minnesota.
Of course, his national image will be enhanced with his "base" at the cost of all of us here in Minnesota. Compassionate is defined as "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering." As Pawlenty ignores his claims of compassion and disregards the spirit of his faith and causes more misfortune, increases suffering for the poor, and shows his lack of sympathy for those in need, gird your loins.
Jim Grimes
Crosby
The Fifth of July
Today will start like every other day except there seems to be no significant theme to remember it by. The fireworks have all been lit and the pungent smell of gunpowder still lurks in the trees and bushes. My dog has finally settled down and the squirrels have come down from their lofty perches where they hid yesterday to play tag once more in the green grass of my lawn. For most of us the Fourth was a time to honor our veterans and celebrate our hard-fought freedom. For others it was just a lousy excuse to make noise and behave badly, but we can't dwell on them.
I sat last night, in the eerie darkness, on the comfort of my deck, in my pajamas, and watched the fire works exploding over Sand Island as they have for so many years. Down the shoreline my good neighbor, and friend, turned his music box up and John Phillip Sousa's rendition of "Stars and Stripes Forever" floated out over the still waters. Yes we were people caught up in the moment of that one special day a year when we have our little pep rallies -- lest we forget what freedom is all about. This was a scene, I know, was repeated in cities and hamlets all over our country.
But today is the fifth and it's not known for anything special and we feel like the parents of the bride sitting alone after the reception, amongst the clutter, knowing that moment in time has passed, and like all of the other celebrations it's now just a fading memory. All of that enthusiasm and patriotic fervor we had last night is gone too and now sadly it's back to the realities of life.
Mike Holst
Crosslake
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