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Open Forum: No misrepresentation on library budget
There was no misrepresentation on my part to the council regarding the library budget.
It is a matter addressed in the minutes of the September library meeting - when a motion to approve the budget of $143,000 that included utility payments passed unanimously!
At the August meeting, prior to any budget work, the board did ask that utility payments continue. However, in September, after considering a budget that did not require the additional payment, the above identified motion passed.
The library fund has a healthy balance in total funds and several important capital improvements have been done in the last two years. There should be no need to repeat those.
The library is a valuable community resource - as a part of our community it should share in the difficult decisions facing our city. We should not become a consortium of special interests, each greedy and self-concerned. Therein lies only selfishness, chaos and destructiveness.
Mary Koep
Brainerd
MARY KOEP is a member of the Brainerd City Council and the Brainerd Library Board.
Be wary of government
If you aren't extremely concerned and alarmed about the government getting involved in your health care, you should be. In Tuesday's Dispatch, an article about mammograms and breast self-exams stated "a government task force (described as a government panel of doctors and scientists) said breast self-exams do no good and women shouldn't be taught to do them." The panel also states that mammograms should only be done every two years. The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammograms.
Thankfully, the government wasn't running health care in 1995. My mom had a mammogram in August of 1995. The results were normal. Four months later, she did a breast self-exam since she hadn't done one since before her last mammogram. She felt a lump. She was seen immediately by her doctor who stated that the lump needed to be removed right away. It was Stage 3 breast cancer - a lump the size of a golf ball and the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
So, let's review these facts in light of the government recommendations. She would have had her mammogram in 1995 and wouldn't have known or bothered to do a breast self-exam (because according to the government, they do no good). She then would have waited until 1997 for her next mammogram. There is one big problem, she wouldn't have lived long enough to see her next mammogram.
Thanks to a breast self-exam, being seen by her doctor right away (as opposed to being put on a waiting list), and receiving aggressive treatment at a reduced cost because she was willing to participate in a medical study, she is still alive today.
God help us if the president and this Congress allow these so-called government experts to have a say in our health care.
Sue Fischer
Baxter
A heavenly choir
I've always imagined paradise as something like a gigantic Legacy Chorale singing the "Hallelujah Chorus." Seriously, when I heard the Legacy sing Nov. 15 in the Lord of Life Church sanctuary, I thought of angels in a heavenly choir. Their voices meld and blend so well that at times you would think you were listening to a fine tuned organ.
I respect the time and dedication these wonderful singers give to the community so that we can listen to their Celestial music.
Congratulations to the whole Legacy Chorale for being accepted to sing at the annual Minnesota Music Educator's Convention. Amazing! From a humble beginning started by Sarah Aamot, artistic director, to this pinnacle of achievement is quite an honor. One which is richly deserved.
Their slogan, "Ordinary People: Extraordinary Performances," is right on the mark. Sing on.
Luann E. Rice
Baxter
Applebee's supports veterans
Providing a super free meal for veterans and members of the armed forces on Veterans Day was tremendously generous on the part of Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar.
Sometimes we take our freedom of religion, speech, press and many of our other freedoms for granted.
Members of the armed forces make fantastic sacrifices for us all and it is apparent that Applebee's recognizes that. (It would have been great to have had our special flags flying on this special day).
On behalf of our veterans and members of our armed forces throughout the world, thank you Applebee's for your thoughtfulness!
Aubrey Fillbrandt
Sergeant major (Retired)
Minnesota Army National Guard
Brainerd
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