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| Letters to the Editor (9/13) |
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Posted: Friday, September 12, 2008 10:13 pm
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Column, story was thoughtless
To the editor:
I read, with great sadness, Jaci Smith’s defense of her reporting of Jillian Wetzel’s death. She stated that someone accused her of exploitative reporting and I agree with this statement.
Earlier in the summer, the Northfield News published an informative and provocative series on the city’s drug crisis. What the News apparently did not learn from its own investigative reporting is that addiction is not only a tragic problem for the drug user, but for their entire family. For those of us whose families have been brutalized by this terrible epidemic, thoughtless and unwanted publicity by the hometown newspaper is a vicious intrusion into an intensely personal struggle.
I agree that, when sanctioned by a user’s family and, if possible, the user, reporting on drug-related situations and tragedies has important educational merit. But, until a family has time to process what is happening or has happened, speculative reporting is incredibly disrespectful. At the time this story was published, the cause of death had not been determined but was firmly implied by the News. And, Ms. Smith acknowledges that the Wetzel family was not happy with her decision to include police statements in the article. But, it was written and published, anyway.
Ms. Smith says that she did not know Jillian but would like to think that Jillian would approve of her story. I knew Jill and I doubt very much that she would approve to have this story published, especially while her family’s grief was so fresh.
Anne Wolf
Northfield
Thanks to Bike Tour organizers
To the editor:
This is a public thank you to the 30 some sponsors of the Jesse James Bike Tour and Northfield’s Rotary Club, and the teams of volunteers who must number in the hundreds.
After retirement my wife and I moved to Northfield. I awoke one September Saturday to see a stream of bikes going by my house. I thought, “That looks like fun.” I knew the bikes were part of DJJD, but had no idea who organized it all.
Since then this bike tour has been my annual fitness goal. Every year I am impressed by three things. First, by how well organized the ride is. Second, each year I see new features added. Third, on a personal level, how preparation for the ride is “keeping me young.”
The bike tour is a lot of work for the workers, and a lot of work and fun for the riders. Congratulations and a heart-felt “Good job” to all.
Bob Ballentine
Northfield
Rossing humbled by support
To the editor:
I would like to publicly express a heart-felt thank you to all of the citizens of Northfield that turned out to vote on Tuesday in the primary election. What a great turnout — a huge increase from the previous primary. This shows that the citizens of Northfield are engaged, interested, well informed and ready for a positive change!
Thank you to all the people who attended the primary forums and who contacted me through my Web site (www.maryrossing.com) with questions and concerns. I look forward to more conversations online and in person over the next months.
Thanks also to those who volunteered to write letters on my behalf, who posted “Mary for Mayor” lawn signs in their yards, who hosted events in their homes and who supported my campaign financially. I am grateful and humbled by the support I have received.
A couple of days after I filed to run for the office of mayor I was working at Present Perfect. The door opened and a customer I rarely see anymore was wheeled in by her daughter who was visiting from the east coast. This customer is getting up in years, and has physical limitations that have forced her to move to assisted living. But it was important for her to come downtown at the first opportunity to congratulate me and tell me how pleased she was that I was running. I have received donations from people whose hospital stays have put them in precarious financial positions, and donations of time from those who “have more time than money.” But they all believe in my message of hope, of change and of moving Northfield ahead in a positive way. It is an honor to carry on this campaign on their behalf!
Thank you, voters, for giving me the opportunity.
Mary Rossing
Northfield
Support veterans, vote for Sarvi
To the editor:
Steve Sarvi has served our country with pride and has witnessed first-hand how the wars in and Iraq and Afghanistan have impacted American soldiers. Unlike John Kline, Steve will make sure that these brave men and women get the care they so richly deserve.
John Kline has been very reluctant to provide funds to the military so that disabled vets are treated for physical injuries and other afflictions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Representative Kline has been more concerned about voting with President Bush than he has been in providing for our injured troops. The Disabled American Veterans Group has given Mr. Kline the worst rating of all members of the Minnesota delegation in the House of Representatives. He has even been given some ratings of “0.”
Let’s make sure we send a clear message to those in uniform who serve our country. By electing Steve Sarvi on Nov. 4, we can demonstrate our commitment to them. Vote for Steve Sarvi.
Anthony Meyer
Northfield
Bly is in a dream world
To the editor:
Before Rep. David Bly hits the delete button on his Web page, voters really should consider his dream world of mandates.
Just Google on www.repdavidbly to read his proposal to “save the middle class” by mandating open-ended spending and, get this, mandating “better paying jobs.”
Last session Bly and Senator Dahle warmed up with the $6.6 billion transportation tax, hitting every motorist with 8.5 cents/gallon gasoline tax increases and tab and registration fee increases.
Now, just one of Bly’s proposed mandates, single-payer government health care, could easily cost more than the total income tax collected by Minnesota, more than a 5 percent payroll tax on every working Minnesotan.
So how does Bly claim a huge tax on working people’s wages will “save the middle class?” His answer seems to be to want to mandate in the state constitution “better paying jobs!” Just think about it; what does he mean?
There is an alternative in the old fashioned Smith Barney slogan: Earn it! A vote for Tim Rud in November for State Representative in 25B will save us from the socialist dreamer who now has the power to vote to pile taxes on the middle class.
Doug Jones
Nerstrand
Rossing moves forward
To the editor,
Northfield needs a leader, and Mary Rossing is the person to lead Northfield forward. She has led this community for years through her involvement in the Northfield Arts Guild, the NDDC, the Northfield Historical Society and as a business owner.
Mary knows that this election is not about the past, rules or personality, but is an election about the future of Northfield.
It is a vision of a Northfield that provides decent roads and infrastructure, excellent economic opportunities, outstanding schools and a city government that represents all of Northfield’s citizens.
In a field with several qualified candidates, Mary Rossing stands above the throng. Mary has the integrity, resources and the ability to work with all citizens to make that vision a reality. Mary is fiscally responsible and forward thinking. Mary has a proven track record of working across the divisions that separate groups and ideological lines in Northfield.
I respectfully request that all my fellow citizens join me in helping to elect our next mayor, Mary Rossing.
Noah A. Cashman
Northfield
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It saddens me that people still area killing the messenger about the drug issue in Northfield. The body count still grows and people still only talk about process and accuracy of numbers. How many deaths will it take before we can get past it and address the real issues? I'm glad my children and grand children live elsewhere in a community that addresses their drug problems openly and honestly. Please open your ears and your hearts and stop this insanity.
I to wonder how Bly is going "mandate" better paying jobs to save the middle class? Does this mean he plans on setting the wages for employees hired by private employers?
How well will that work? This will attract business and cause more start ups how? Maybe the State should look at the tax burden and the State spending and realize that trying to throw money at problems or trying to legislate it is not working?
"If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."~ R. Reagan
That about sums Mr. Bly's view of Government up!