|
Open Forum: LID helped clean up Crow Wing Lake
The Serpent Lake property owners face the same challenges that we, at Crow Wing Lake, confronted in the 1990s. Our lake was overrun with two exotic aquatic plants, curlyleaf pondweed and coontail, probably introduced by way of our public landing. Enjoying boating or swimming out from the shoreline was near impossible. Green algae scum was prevalent along with weeds that covered our beaches. That was in 2000.
A group of us attended the Initiative Foundation's Healthy Lakes Program. Our entire membership brainstormed and established remedial priorities and developed a lake management plan. The DNR approved the plan and we launched our first goal to save the lake. We engaged a professional in 2001 to treat the weeds chemically. We raised about $8,800 through donations. Over the next five years we raised as much as $19,000 by contributions of 1/2 to 2/3 of lakeshore owners. The positive effect on our lake was remarkable.
In 2006 Crow Wing County commissioners approved our application for a Lake Improvement District (LID). Now all lakeshore owners participate and we can treat a larger area, however, limited to 20 percent of the lake surface. Our professional also uses copper sulfate to reduce the snail population, which has exploded in recent years and harbors swimmers itch. None of the chemicals used is a threat to humans or aquatic life. We're informed that native plants and fish are thriving.
Our residents, whose property ends at the shoreline, have spent more than $175,000 to clean up a lake that anyone can use. I sympathize with some Serpent Lake people who believe that they shouldn't have to be the "caretakers" of the lake. But, as of now, if you don't do it no one else will.
Lyle Bourdon
Fort Ripley Township
Crow Wing Lake
Oberstar should hold meetings
I sent an e-mail to Rep. James Oberstar inquiring as to the schedule of his town meetings August. The key point of his response was "Given the size of my district and my inability to hold enough public meetings to satisfy the demand, I believe the best way for constituents to provide essential input on health care is to write directly to me." Does anyone seriously believe that? The state of Wyoming has one representative for the entire state which is about 3.5 times bigger than Oberstar's district - Rep. Cynthia Lummis will be holding 15 town halls across her state. In Montana, also with only one representative, Rep. Denny Rehberg is holding 16 town halls across his state. even though Montana is five times bigger than Oberstar's District. How come those representatives can find time for their voters?
Would not the real reason be because he has made a couple of nutty votes in recent months and is about to make another when Congress reconvenes. First he voted for the president's trillion dollar "porkulas" bill which (predictably) has done nothing for the economy. Then he voted for that idiotic cap and tax bill because he figures if everyone's electric bill is quadrupled then the earth's temperature will go down, and now he wants to put the federal government in charge of your health care. Oberstar and his cohorts have bankrupted Social Security, Medicare, Amtrak, the Post Office and the country. Yeah, I want them telling my doctor what to do.
Oberstar's unwillingness to face the voters is symptomatic of the extreme arrogance of these moon bats. We need to term-limit them. Two terms and you are out - Oberstar has been there for 35 years!
Steve Thornberg
Hinckley
Republican scare tactics
Many GOP leaders are using scare tactics to turn average citizens away from a so-called public option in national health insurance legislation. They misguidedly claim it involves the government in medical care. In addition, they freak out with even the thought of helping the many families with elderly and children.
Why? They are convinced that whenever the federal government does something, it is bad. But would they reject Medicare? Would they turn down Social Security? Would they reject VA benefits? Strangely, they like to help the drug and health insurance companies make more record profits at the expense of the American citizens already suffering from a recession/depression the previous government perpetrated. Still, these saboteurs think nothing of pouring money into lobbying efforts to stall legislation - that, of course, means more profits. Also they try to use clever language (death panels) to emotionally confuse the people.
What to do? Contact your representatives and senators to let them know you will not stand for the political and costly games they are playing to prevent ordinary people from getting modest health plans. Those who have affordable health care can keep the plans and thereby further the wealth of the big businesses that rip off the public.
Don't Americans deserve at least a fraction of what current members of Congress and congressional retirees get in health care benefits from the public payers? Let's remember these naysaying leaders when elections come again by voting them out.
M. Fritz Bertelt
Brainerd
Defend your rights
Shame on you Klobuchar, Franken.
I am deeply upset with these government figures, who supposedly fight for our rights. They voted against our Constitution when they voted against national reciprocity. Regardless if you agree with concealed carry weapon or not, the second amendment guarantees your rights. Also it is the only amendment that says in black and white "shall not be infringed," yet Americans dismiss it and government infringes upon it every day. We all agree on the right to free speech and everyone is very quick to defend that amendment. So why not defend your right to keep and bear arms? Merriam-Webster defines: Keep: "to watch over and defend." Bear: "to carry or possess." What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not understand?
Brandon Ray DeCent
Brainerd
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
Top Commented Articles
