Representative Terry Morrow has never taken a raise at the legislature. He did not accept an increase in 2007 or 2008. A recent letter writer is flat wrong: Terry never “cashed in” because he never accepted the increase. Newspapers widely reported these facts in 2008.

Terry Morrow built upon this leadership-by-example in 2009, when he reduced his per-diem payments. He knew that the economy was hurting, people were losing jobs, and the state budget had a shortfall. Terry repeated this leadership-by-example by further reducing his payments in 2010.

Year after year, Terry accepts the lowest per diem of area legislators. Terry has accepted over $10,000 less than the legislators in seven regional legislative districts during his time in office: Terry and Representative Kathy Brynaert accept virtually the same amount. Each area newspaper has been sent the data and Terry has provided this information to the press in the past.

Terry does more: he has authored bills time and again to establish an independent commission to set state officials’ compensation, removing the legislature from the process.

The first bill of the legislative session covers many topics, including paying the bills and setting compensation for all Capitol employees. Without passing this bill, the legislature cannot operate. Terry voted to pay the bills, set budgets, and pay employees. He knows that individual legislators can voluntarily limit their per-diem payments. Terry took this step when virtually every other regional legislator —even those who voted against the bill—took the maximum daily amount.

Minnesota faces serious challenges that require common-sense solutions from experienced leaders. Terry works hard and successfully with our families, our area employers, our farmers, our schools, our nursing homes, our hunters and anglers, and more. Terry stays away from the negative, partisan discord that we dislike and that reflects poorly upon candidates who use it.

I encourage everyone to support Terry Morrow as our state representative so that we can rise above partisan rancor, overcome Minnesota’s challenges, and realize our opportunities.

Sincerely,
Ruth Johnson
Chair, Terry Morrow Campaign Committee

It has truly been an honor and privilege serving as your Mayor for the past 6 years. I have always worked hard with nothing but the best intentions for Gaylord and its citizens. I took the job very seriously, and working with a good city council, staff, legal counsel, and input from committees and citizens we made the decisions that needed to be made. No one said it would be easy and it proved to be anything but easy.

However, the experience and knowledge that I have gained by working with the City staff and departments, committees, the many professional consultants, the civic organizations, the local businesses and of course the citizens of this great community has been very rewarding for me. I am humbled by the whole experience, and yet very proud of serving. The activity and progress that Gaylord has made over the past few years, and continues to make today, shows that good leadership with community involvement and support can provide positive results, even in a poor economy.

Today I have new opportunities in my professional career and I will be pursuing new goals. These goals will require much more of my time and attention, leaving little time for City business and involvement. I am excited about my new goals and future, but yet saddened by leaving the city business environment. I have shared this information with Council President Carl Wetzel and would like to endorse Carl as the next Mayor of Gaylord, if he so chooses.

Carl has done an excellent job as a council member and more recently as president. He is involved and attends as many meetings as possible, staying on top of the issues and working toward solutions. Please give your consideration to Carl Wetzel as your next Mayor.

Thank you for your support over the past years and for making my experience as Gaylord Mayor unforgettable.

Sincerely,
Doug Quast

We called in the accident and then did what we could for the 10 people involved that were hurt. Then the miracle of all the volunteer workers happened. I am having troubles after what my wife and I went through and I can’t imagine how people can volunteer to be firemen or ambulance people, especially with the memories and flashbacks.

I did what I could for the first 10 minutes or so for the 10 people and then it seemed like the scene turned into a war zone. According to the Fairfax newspaper, responding to the accident were the Minnesota State Patrol with assistance from the Fairfax Fire and Rescue and Gibbon Fire and Rescue at the scene for extraction of the injured people that were trapped in the vehicles. Also assisting the Fairfax Ambulance Service with the nine injured persons, the semi driver who seemed to be only badly shaken up, were the Franklin Ambulance Service, Hector Ambulance Service, and the North Memorial Ambulance Service. Also assisting were the Renville County Sheriff’s Department and the Fairfax Police Department. There were also two life-flight helicopters that landed in Fairfax for transporting the injured and three additional helicopters that were directed to the Redwood Area Hospital to transport the injured.

Just think of all these volunteers and professionals that showed up to help someone that they don’t even know. We should all count our blessings and thank all of our own volunteer ambulance people and firemen for what they do for us. We should also thank our Police Department officers and Sheriff’s Department officers, and the State Highway Patrol because they are normally the first ones on the scenes to help us.

Hopefully the State, County and City governments will continue to support these services and not cut their coverages or time of duty. The next person they may need to help may be you or me and every second counts. I just witnessed that first hand at Fairfax.

Next time you’re walking down the street and meet one of these people, take time to thank them for what they do because I know that most of us couldn’t do it, especially me!

Avery Grochow

I have also visited with Catherine at our Municipalities meetings and she has a great sense of humor.

I would urge citizens of this area to give her serious consideration as you make your choice for Commissioner.

Sincerely,
Pat Pinske
Gaylord

Earlier this year, State University faculty realized the gravity of Minnesota’s economic situation and accepted a contract with no salary increases.  This was the right thing to do given the massive budget shortfalls we have seen and are projected to see. I appreciate all the hard work that Chancellor McCormick and his team put into the Legislative Session and MNSCU’s budget.  In a normal budget year, I would agree that MNSCU officials deserve to be recognized for their hard work; however this is not a normal budgetary period. 

I have written a letter to the MNSCU Board stating my displeasure and asking them to reconsider the bonuses given out recently and to any other bonuses that may be considered in the near future. 

Sincerely,
Senator Kathy Sheran

This new website is designed to help answer consumer questions on the new health care program and gives consumers the opportunity to comment on how to make the site better and easier to use. The site is a one-stop shop for information on the Affordable Heath Care Act and pulls together both public and private insurance information for those who need insurance or who may want information on what might be best for them.

Here’s how it works: the website allows users to gain necessary information based on the state they live in and their specific health care needs (families, individuals with medical conditions, seniors, etc.). It also provides state-by-state insurance options—both public and private—based on user input.

Although the site provides a host of great information already, more enhancements are planned for this coming fall. The site will provide pricing data, including cost pricing estimates and comparisons, prevention and care quality measures and other useful information on various insurance options.

This is a way for people to see how the Affordable Care Act can be helpful to them and how to access the best possible coverage for them and their families. I urge people to log on, use this site and to comment on its effectiveness.

Sen. Kathy Sheran

Why would the Governor do this, you might ask? In his recent letter explaining his actions he offered the following concerns: the funding is tentative, it would create inequitable access to health care and the state cannot afford to participate.

In regard to this funding being tentative, the fact is we have already and will continue to pay taxes to the federal government, and until we stop paying why would anyone with Minnesota’s interests in mind stop us from drawing down our fair share? Right now we lose 30 cents of every dollar we send to Washington. States like Mississippi take back over $2.00 while we get 70 cents. They are happy to take our money laughing all the way to the bank.

This disparity in distribution also occurs within our state. Rural hospitals, like ISJ Mayo, receive substantially less money than most metro hospitals for an average hospital stay. So, the failure to participate in early MA enrollment is even more punitive to our area. ISJ reports a minimum of a $2 million loss for care they will be required to provide without adequate reimbursement.

In regard to inequity in access, this is disingenuous. There is no equity now in the delivery of health care services and the refusal to accept our federal tax dollars will further exaggerate this for rural Minnesota. 

And finally, the claim we cannot afford early enrollment for three years to cover persons below 133% of poverty is preposterous. The Legislature paid for the state’s share of early enrollment in our budget proposal. The Governor instead approved spending for a poorly constructed GAMC program that no rural hospital can make work without sinking their ship. The Governor wants hospitals, small businesses and the self-insured to pay more for care to cover uncompensated costs that could be paid for by drawing back our already paid federal tax dollars. In addition, early enrollment saves the state from borrowing $200 million from the health care access fund to cover costs in the General Fund.

The Governor objects to receiving $7.45 for every $1.00 of state money sent to the federal government. This is foolish when Minnesota already ranks 46th of 50 states in the amount of federal tax dollars we get back.

This action has no merit for anyone who claims to have Minnesota’s best interest in mind.  

By State Senator Kathy Sheran 

You would think that in large renovation and demolition projects that a phase 1 environmental survey would uncover all problem areas to be addressed. In reality a phase 1 environmental survey generally does not fulfill the requirement of having a licensed asbestos inspector complete an asbestos inspection report prior to commencing renovation or demolition (Builder beware!). There are rules regarding almost all phases, materials, and labor components of the renovation and demolition process. These rules are enforced by various federal, state, and municipal governmental agencies, but in the past have not been enforced 100% in every locale. Well, welcome to 2010, when government agencies including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is extending their reach into rural Minnesota to enforce these regulations. Failure to follow the requirements of these rules and regulations can result in huge potential fines for everyone involved in the renovation and demolition process. That means municipalities, land or building owners, developers, contractors, and sub contractors may be liable for potentially large fines. Because rules and regulations for pollutants are already described in federal and state requirements, everyone involved must immediately be sensitized to these requirements. They are there primarily so that we do not harm ourselves, our employees, sub contractors, or other people on the job site. Secondly, they are important so that we do not do damage to public health and the environment of the area we’re working in. These rules and regulations have big teeth associated with the penalties that the administrators, doing their job, will enforce.

If the structure you are working on is defined as a “facility” by Minn. R 7011.9920, which incorporates by reference the requirements of Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 61, subpart M., the following are examples of some of the requirements you must comply with:

• Have a licensed asbestos inspector complete a thorough asbestos inspection prior to the start of renovation or demolition

• Notify the MPCA 10 working days prior to the start of asbestos abatement Remove all regulated asbestos-containing materials (RACM) prior to renovation or demolition

• Adequately wet RACM and ensure that it remains adequately wet until it’s collected and contained

• Notify the MPCA 10 working days prior to the start of demolition

Again these rules were placed “By the people” to protect all of us from airborne carcinogenic fibers that have no known safe level of exposure. The MPCA can take samples for enforcement purposes if any suspect asbestos-containing material is found in a “facility” that is being renovated or demolished. Enforcement is only the last resort of the compliance process. So, save yourself time and money by being aware of and complying with the state and federal regulations.

Although some structures you are working on may not be defined as a “facility,” it may still have asbestos hidden in ceiling tile, floor tile, thermal system insulation, attic insulation, or even cement board. Although these structures are not regulated by 40 CFR, Part 61, subpart M, you should still take measures to protect yourself from airborne asbestos fibers.

Information on asbestos can be found on the MPCA website at www.pca.state.mn.us or by writing to; MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155.

Mick Montag
Montag Development

Recently, dairy farmers have had a difficult time making a profit because input costs are high and the price dairy farmers receive for their milk is not enough to cover their costs. Only one-fourth of the amount of money you pay at the grocery store for a gallon of milk actually makes it back to the farmer. Some consumers do not know where their food comes from, let alone their dairy products, and there are 4,700 dairy farms in Minnesota providing 1000 million gallons of milk for consumers; each cow producing 6 gallons of milk per day. Educating people where their food comes from is a Minnesota Farmers Union priority, and part of that priority surrounds dairy and dairy products.

Rural Minnesota is 20% of our economic engine. This is about our local economy and where the money is spent. Dairy farmers need your support; take time this month for a dairy break. You as a consumer or as a farmer can make a difference.

Ed Anderson, President
Sibley County Farmers Union

As Board Members of the Friends of Fort Ridgely, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving and promoting Fort Ridgely, we vehemently oppose these changes.

The DNR proposes to move the park ranger station from its current location at the park entrance to the Museum at the Historic Site on the far west end of the park. The plan is to take over and inhabit one-half of the museum building (the only remaining structure from the original fort). There will be no public parking next to the museum except for handicap. For any customer service the public must park by the picnic shelter parking lot and walk all the way across the ball diamonds and parade grounds. Imagine doing this when the temperature is 20 below zero.

This move carries a price tag in excess of $700,000. This is ludicrous!

The current location of the park station is where it is because it works. As people enter Fort Ridgely they must stop to purchase park stickers, camping fees, golf rentals and green fees, winter sliding tubes, building rentals, purchase souvenirs and other services.

To move this station would create more confusion for the public, and wouldn’t it require more man hours to continually keep checking the parking lots to verify all cars have a permit?

Moving into the historic site would detract from the historic aspect of the Commissary building and the surrounding ruins. The Fort Ridgely Historic Site is one of the most important sites in the entire country. The story it tells should not be interfered with by the DNR.

In the past the Friends of Fort Ridgely have lobbied for various park improvements such as the campground road and more accessible bathrooms. This would be a better use of the money to benefit the public.

These plans will move forward unless the public lets their voice be heard. Write or call your legislator to inform them of the plan and ask them to help put an end to this ill-conceived idea.

If you would like more information you are welcome to contact any of the board members:

President John Fritsche, New Ulm
VP Harold Windschitl, Sleepy Eye
Secretary Tom Runck, Fairfax
Treasurer Paula Weir, Fairfax
Director Dave Nelson, Fairfax
Director John Sommer, Gibbon
Director Dwayne Witt, Sleepy Eye
Director Lucy Timm, Fairfax
Director Jeff Daniels, Fairfax