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High school music was great, once again |
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
Music was great!
Once again those who attended the Spring Concert provided by the musicians of Forest Lake High School were treated to a wonderful evening.
Great musicianship, professional attitude and conduct, wonderful program notes and those special touches...inviting long time music teacher Joan Moen-Pearson to guest conduct and Marcus Hahn to share his incredible talents.
What a delightful evening for all.
Thanks, too, to MarketPlace Foods for providing the delightful ending of root beer floats during the jazz music.
We are fortunate to have an 80 year history of instrumental music in this community. Here’s to 80 more years!
Jim and Lynne Moratzka
Forest Lake
Giveaways
Paying no attention to the state legislative auditor’s negative report on JOBZ, the Wyoming Council approved a second JOBZ plan and continued along a path of special interest tax giveaways in a clumsy and inept attempt to attract business.
When a business is choosing a location, they want a ready work force, good infrastructure and low taxes. We only have one out of three. The ready workforce.
Government can best serve its business citizens by staying out of business decisions. At the end of the day a business should succeed or fail on its own merits; it’s not the government’s job to show favor to one business over another.
I suggest we could save money by combining two agencies. We could merge JOBZ with the welfare program and call them what they really are: A welfare agency.
On another matter, the council’s current fighting with one another and/or their neighbors has been an embarassment to the city. And to those using the power of elected office to bully a neighbor or citizen, it’s wrong, immoral and must stop.
This council campaigned four years ago to fix the streets and to change the deplorable way the last council treated citizens. Not much has been done on either issue and recently the wagons have been circled to protect the politicians at the expense of open government and common decency.
They can do better.
Max Anderson
Linwood
Bully tactics
Wyoming Mayor Anderson’s attempt is to silence council members and the public who have different opinions than his.
By imposing a policy of council conduct, Anderson hopes to establish to prevent elected officials from chastizing staff or making derogatory public comments.
His attempt to override the First Amendment is wrong. Anderson’s policies may not be dictated to anyone personal or private. Anderson is attempting again to keep people in the dark by shutting them up.
Public comments allow the public to form their opinions; everyone has a right to comment for or against a political figure. Anderson’s bully tactics should not go unnonticed.
His tactic is the majority attempt to stifle the minority. He continues to tell the people only what he wants them to hear.
Taxpayers limited to information through his press releases don’t allow taxpayers to make informed decisions, only receiving one-sided viewpoints.
Elected officials have a greater responsibility then does the general public to see that legislative policy and the constitution is followed.
Get on with the business of the people, not just your personal agenda. It’s time to reduce our taxes and fix our roads.
Quit the wasteful spending you’re so famous for.
Gary Menne
Wyoming
Sports Driven
The school system is failing due to misalignment of priorities and mismanagement of resources.
Education is no longer number one. Competitive sports has replaced learning. Just look at the extensive media coverage of “tournament mania.” Even the parent involvement is incredible.
When school budget cuts are necessary, the first items addressed to cut are elementary school teachers, increased class sizes and to close schools.
All are scare tactics to promote the passage of higher excess levies (for our kids).
There is never, never, never a mention of any cuts to the “dozens” of competitive high school sports programs or coach terminations.
Let’s isolate and remove all taxpayer costs associated with these programs from the education system. Don’t discontinue these programs, but fund them separately.
These costs should include coaches, salaries and benefits, equipment, transportation, ice time, area feels, if any (Xcel, Target etc.).
The general public deserves to know how much of their tax dollars are being spent on non-educational programs.
This current generation of parents needs to accept their responsibility of supporting education instead of promoting sports.
Elvin A. Norby
Forest Lake
Misunderstood
In answer to “Iraq Connection,” the Vets for Freedom was a group which had experience in many areas of the War on Terror.
The connection with 9/11 included experiences in Guantanamo Bay, Cub, where the 9/11 terrorists are held.
Other experiences include Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda headquarteres organized the 9/11 attacks, in Iraq where Al-Qaeda is now on the run, and Mosul, where their last sanctuary exists.
As far as Winter Soldiers are concerned, I’m sure if Superintendent Steenblock got a few phone calls that they would protest their coming here.
He probably would cancel it.
In the end I hope you’re not suggesting we invade each person’s country which committed the 9/11 attacks, but we take and destroy Al-Qaeda as we know it.
Eugene Huerstel
Forest Lake
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