To the editor: Don't depend on "shared lanes" to protect drivers and bicyclists when Motokazieland Recreational Park and Campgrounds comes to 35W at Cty 9 next summer. The ten-track dirt bike racing will go on year-round with snowmobile racing in winter, if Lee Theis has his way when comp plan and ordinances are updated in coming months. Our northern commissioners asked for the update now, rather than later. No such luck. That idea was voted down on Jan. 22, 2013. New commissioner from Faribault, Dave Miller, was the swing vote. This 130-acre project will be the first in the Midwest on this …

To the Editor: The Northfield Human Rights Commission is making preparations for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. community celebration, which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013, at Emmaus Baptist Church. The community is invited to attend. The Theme of the evening is The Dream Continues. Caroline Nguyen Ticarro-Parker, speaker for the event, will be keying off this theme –“I have a dream. My dream is for the children in Vietnam to enjoy the same dream my 2 daughters live: ‘to live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of …

To the Editor: In an important step to make it easier for the community to communicate with, and contribute to, local government in Northfield, the 2012 Council approved a comprehensive overhaul of the City of Northfield's website and computer systems. That process is now almost complete (under budget and ahead of schedule), and a new and significantly expanded City website is ready for the public's review.    Please stop by City Hall during one or more of the Public Open Houses (dates below) to get a sneak preview of the new website, and to offer your feedback and suggestions to its design …

To the Editor: As Minnesotans, we pride ourselves on having a strong commitment to education and a culture that supports and nurtures discovery.  But today, as we cope with a new economic reality, students, families and industry in our region are concerned about how they can afford college and fuel the innovations that will rebuild our economy. They wonder if it’s worth it anymore.Keeping tuition affordable and helping industry advance our economy must be among our top priorities. They are at the University of Minnesota, and we invite policymakers, stakeholders, and all the people of the …

To the Editor: The fire call to the city’s derelict property last night (the former Key building at 303 Water St. S.) compels me to take action to protect my property, if the city fails to secure the building.  A fire in the building on or the open deck would do substantial smoke damage to our building.  I don’t believe the city is immune from the city’s ordinance and state statutes (M.S. 561.01 et seq.) on abandoned and dangerous properties.  I drafted a nuisance complaint against the city over 10 years ago.   I will redraft it and serve and file next week if the city does not take adequate …

To the Editor: It has been an honor to serve in the Minnesota Senate for the last two years. I am asking for your vote again on Tuesday. In February 2011, Minnesota faced a projected $5.1 billion budget deficit. Governor Mark Dayton and DFLers in the Legislature immediately started pushing a tax increase that would have slowed our economy, resulting in less job creation and higher unemployment. The Republican Legislature stood up to the Governor, and we balanced the budget without raising taxes. Unfortunately we were unable to persuade the Governor to hold spending at the same levels as the …

To the Editor: The conversation in Minnesota regarding marriage for gay and lesbian couples is complicated, emotional and, more often than not, uncomfortable. But it is beneficial. Both sides share the hope for a Minnesota that guarantees our right to religion and protects and recognizes our families. We just disagree on how we get there. There is an important distinction to be drawn between changing “ordinary” legislation and amending a constitution. While our national legislature has passed thousands of laws, for instance, it has only amended the federal Constitution on twenty‐seven …

To the Editor: I would like to send my support for Dan Cupersmith for School Board. Dan has been very involved in the issues of this community. He has taken an active role in the education of his step-children and realizes what is necessary for a quality eduction and also living within our means.  He would help our schools find ways to maintain excellence in education and yet living within the budget set up for the schools. He brings skills of budget balancing and is very good with technology, which the school system will be using more and more of in the future.  He is very dedicated to the …

To the Editor: It is my pleasure to support Rob Hardy as a candidate for the Northfield School Board.  During my tenure as the Chair of the Cannon River Stem School Board I recruited Rob to join our founding school board.  The Cannon River STEM School is a K-8 charter school with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math.  I lobbied Rob to serve on our board due to his commitment to education, expertise in Classics, writing skills, and ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.  Rob joined the founding board in November of 2008.  With my term as board chair …

To the Editor: Rhonda Pownell will get my vote for mayor on November 6. In her tenure on the city council, Rhonda has made thoughtful votes, based on her thorough preparation and her skills at listening to citizens, city staff and her council colleagues. She brings a statewide context to the table through her work as a member of the board of the League of Minnesota Cities. She also brings an admirable commitment to service to her work as a councilor. Collaboration is a strong value for Rhonda, and she has the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups. A member of the city’s …

To the Editor: Thirty-four years ago next month I was honored by being elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives as the first party labeled Republican from Scott County.  I represented during my tenure in the House the communities of Belle Plaine, New Prague and Northfield among many others in the counties of Scott, Le Sueur, Dakota and Carver.  I served with legislators like Bob Vanasek and Bob Schmitz.  The most important personal asset I found in both the legislature and in my business career was the desire to listen and work with people. Courteous conduct with those people I …

To the Editor: I am running for Mayor of Northfield, striving for the opportunity to serve Northfielders with leadership, collaboration, and integrity. The primary role of city government can easily be undermined by needless distractions and issues caused by poor communication, a lack of transparency, and unfortunately, rumors. It has been my hope that this dynamic wouldn’t be present as Northfield prepares to welcome new public servants. Unfortunately, I am experiencing the result of what can only be described as misinformation and gossiping in an attempt to sway votes. A couple of weeks ago…

To the Editor: We strongly urge you to vote for Galen Malecha to represent Northfield on the Rice County Board of Commissioners. During his six years as Commissioner Malecha has effectively voted and advocated for Northfield's needs. His understanding of those needs is enhanced by his eight years on the Northfield City Council. He stood up for county funding of bike paths against a board majority that is hostile to urban interests. He has worked to see that county roads that serve Northfield make it into the county transportation plan including Woodley to county line and County Rd. 1 to Hwy …

To the Editor: Dear voters, How we vote on the marriage amendment gives us the direct power to alter how others live their lives, and for this reason, I urge you to consider the lasting impact your vote will have on others. I have talked to some people who have said that this is a private matter that they don’t want to talk about, and we are certainly all entitled to our own opinion. However, it is important to recognize that this amendment involves public discrimination against a minority group of our citizens, and it is a misuse of our constitution which was created to protect civil …

To the Editor: We three former Rice County commissioners are supporting Kathleen Doran-Norton for commissioner in District One. Kathleen is a proven leader: as Bridgewater township supervisor since 2006, she was instrumental in their adopting their own planning and zoning ordinance and in sponsoring a Clean Waters grant to protect Rice County’s only brook trout stream.  Kathleen has years of business and technology experience and is currently employed at St. Olaf as director of enrollment information and research.  Kathleen emphasizes the need for a healthy community, economy and environment …

To the Editor: Dear Northfield City Council, I have absolutely no interest in you debating the upcoming marriage amendment vote. I do have an interest in you doing your JOB which is focusing on providing a good business climate, taking care of the city's infrastucture and working to improve the lives of the members of this community. Sorry, folks, but putting this issue on the agenda is one of the most ridiculous ideas I've heard in a long time. Focus on what you are elected to do and leave the marriage amendment discussion to state politics. You already have plenty of divisive issues you …

To the Editor: Being a local Township official I have made it a practice to watch the State Legislature, and their lawmaking, as it pertains to local governments. I was worried this last session when House File 389 was introduced. House File 389 would have weakened local governments by stopping the ability of that local government from imposing a moratorium. The power of a moratorium allows the local government to put a temporary freeze on a major development when the community is caught off-guard by unanticipated and potentially harmful proposals. Some potentially harmful proposals could be …

To the editor: I was disappointed when the Dundas City Council voted against the need for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the Rejoice building plan for the historic Holy Cross site at the public hearing in April of  2011.  I was doubly disappointed when our appeal of this decision was rejected by the District Court of Appeals one year later, May 7 of this year. I was not altogether surprised we lost, since higher courts try to uphold local government decisions for the most part. And, with the downturn in the economy, there has been a pro-business climate across the state which is …

Dear Editor, What a day it was for Church League Softball! The traditional “All Star” baseball break has included a local All Star game of players from the Church League. This year the format changed a bit with the mixing of a wider pool of players, a “friendship scramble,” in a day-long tourney that resulted in a final championship game #5. Sons of fathers on opposing teams performed magnificently and despite the rivalry proud fathers bumped and hugged them to congratulate them. All played for fun, but they had a mission, too. The tourney has been the Church League’s Fun and Fundraiser for …

To the editor: Voters in the Second Congressional District should demand to know why Rep. John Kline (a career soldier) has failed to author and support a NO-COST, “Creative Freedom Act” in Washington to boost jobs for our returning soldiers (who face up to 29% unemployment in some areas). Current rules allow the despicable practice of employers requiring our returning soldiers to SURRENDER their civil rights to creative freedom before they will be given a job! Our soldiers are not losing their precious civil rights to some foreign power but to our own less-than-patriotic American employers! …