Letter to the Editor: It's Time for the Legislature to Get Serious About Poverty

Two Burnsville residents weigh in on the Family Economic Security Act.

Dear Editor: Our state legislators are faced with many difficult decisions this session. I’d like to highlight the Family Economic Security Act (FESA) because I don’t believe that our middle class family is very different from the one many of you have. We’ve had family members trying to live, keep a roof over their heads and raise young families on minimum wage jobs and no access to childcare. They live in poverty with no end in sight. I am asking our legislators to give serious attention to promoting the wellbeing and stability of our MN families who do live in poverty through the Family Economic Security Act (FESA). It was crafted from recommendations made by the bi-partisan Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020, a …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letter to the Editor: Nobody Will Remember What You Said in Two Years ...

Will elected officials count on their constituents to remember their “promises and performances” and hold them accountable? Or do they hope voters will forget?

Dear Editor: Election Day is upon us. I look for candidates whose ideals most coincide with my values and will vote those same convictions. Will they count on their constituents to remember their “Promises and Performances” and hold them accountable? Or do they hope voters will forget? Joe Atkins said, and must believe, that people won’t remember from one campaign cycle to the next. However, some of us do. We continue to pay for his “Performances AND his Promises.” For example: As mayor, Atkins credits himself for building amenities “with no taxpayer dollars.” Despite cost cuts, the VMCC/Aquatic Center still loses nearly $500,000/year.   Joe uses Target as an example of “streamlining tax codes and regulation.” Target started building and …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Homeless in Dakota County

Guest Column: "We Should Strive to Meet the Basic Needs of All"

Neighbors, Inc. spokesperson Daniel Zhu believes the root causes of homelessness—and homeless individuals themselves—are often misunderstood.

From the perspective of Neighbors, Inc., it seems that the problem of homelessness is larger than many people in the community realize. A lot of attention is given to metropolitan areas, but the suburbs of the Twin Cities also have a rather large homeless population as well. The problem tends to be less visible in the suburbs because homeless individuals tend to float from one shelter to another or stay with friends. In the suburbs “doubling up,” a situation where many individuals or families stay in the homes of others, is prevalent. These people are not always counted or recognized as homeless, but since they lack permanent or consistent shelter, they are still technically homeless. Over the years, it seems like homelessness has grown. …

• Photos (2)

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Erosion Prevention is Cheaper than Clean-Up

Storm damage in the wake of soil and water conservation budget cuts highlights the need for "small but smart investments," writes author.

To the editor: Minnesotans have pulled together and responded to severe storm damage throughout the state. We are now in the process of recovering again from some of the worst flooding our state has ever seen. Northeastern Minnesota and parts of southern Minnesota saw high levels of rainfall in a short duration and have the flooding and damage to prove it. As we have several times during the past few years, the legislature will convene a special session to help communities devastated by floods and storms. Minnesotans do the right thing and we come together to help those in need. However, we know how and have the ability to prevent disaster damage and minimize the costs of clean-up. Some effective protections are those soil conservation and…

• Photos (1)

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Investing in Schools Benefits Everyone

A "yes" vote for the District 197 referendum is aligned with the community's values, author writes.

 What do the Halloween bonfire and a "Yes" vote for the Nov 8 school levy have in common? They both are an expression of values - and an acknowledgement that when we structure for success, we are much more likely to achieve success. I didn't attend the bonfire, but I am sure glad our energetic kids had a fun place to go. It matters to me that our community is a place where we value each other - and truthfully that is one of the most self-serving things a resident of ISD 197 can do. Why? Because when we fund our schools, or organize safe events, each and every one of us benefits. When we invest in our schools we maximize the chances for success for our young people. This makes our community a better place for everyone. Period. Our property …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Think Outside the Box—Combine School Districts

West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights school districts could maintain education quality and opportunities by merging, author writes.

To the editor: Since the budget cuts in some areas have meant the merging of responsibilities with surrounding districts, ie Human Resource position in So. St. Paul and Community Education with both SSTP and Inver Grove Hgts, let's also look at ways to reduce expenses by combining more positions within administration. We need to maintain the high standards that have prevailed in District 197 in our education, including the great options for all our students. The current District 197 administration could be combined with our neighboring 2 very small districts, therefore producing a medium sized district compared to others in the metro area. The combination could also increase the opportunities for our students by providing an International …

• Photos (1)

Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Jill Smith Can 'Hit the Ground Running' on Mendota Heights Council

Mendota Heights resident Bernard Friel makes his case for the open council seat applicant.

The applicants for City Council have an interest in the City and in public service and have demonstrated that interest by participating in government service in the community. All have participated in service to the City of Mendota  Heights, but only one of them has the broad range of experience, background and service that would permit her, in the words of Mayor Krebsbach “to hit the ground running” and that is former councilperson Jill Smith. Furthermore she is the only candidate who has broad support of the citizens of the City as evidenced by her prior elections to the City Council and her loss by the narrowest of margins this past November.   She is distinguished from the other applicants as well, by reason of the fact that She has  …

Editor's Notebook

Day Ten: The Ten Days of Mendota Heights Patch

Learn how to use many of Patch's features through these nuggets of know-how.

It's a season of discovery, and Mendota Heights Patch launched just in time to be a part of it. In the days leading up to the New Year, I'll be writing regular tips on how to use the Patch site and all its features to help readers get the most out of every visit. Instead of a big, lengthy tutorial, check back here in the upcoming days for a few info bites (bytes?) each day that can be read and tested out in a matter of minutes. The final day of tips is focused on how the opinion section of Patch operates much the same as the classic news section model. Tip 19: Send a Letter to the Editor Consider this an open invitation for residents of Mendota Heights, Mendota and Lilydale to submit a letter to the editor. Express your thoughts or …

• Photos (1)