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Letter To The Editor

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Jennifer Harmening for Lakeville School Board

Letter writer: If you vote for Jennifer Harmening, "I can guarantee you will not get another follower, but a true leader that will work for the better of the Lakeville School system."

To the editor, I am a business owner in the city of Lakeville, but more importantly a father of a child in the Lakeville School systems. I have followed very closely the past and current school boards and I truly believe it is time to have some new blood on the board. The current board is not broken but it needs an enthusiastic catalyst going forward. This is why I support voting for Jennifer Harmening on Nov. 6. I have known Jennifer for eight years and I have seen her in action involved in the school system. Jennifer is the type of person to not just go with the heard but to challenge and change for the better of the students in the Lakeville schools. Jennifer truly works for the best interests of the students and their families. When …

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Little has Character, Intelligence, Energy to Get Things Done

Letter writer: "Little’s compassion for people is real. You might think that once the cameras are off that he would lose the smile but I’ve never seen it."

To the editor, Over the past few months there has been plenty of information concerning the positions of our candidates for Mayor. We’ve heard from the candidates at the public debate, we’ve seen different perspectives from elected officials, there have been mailings and position papers. As managing attorney at the Lakeville branch office of Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey, I would like to provide my insight regarding Matt Little who has been working as a law clerk at our office. Hopefully this will provide an additional glimpse of the character and dedication he has to our community. In twenty five years of practicing law, I can honestly say that I have never hired anyone as capable, hardworking, and intelligent as Matt Little. On day …

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Patrick Petersen

10:54 am on Friday, November 2, 2012

Harvey, I am open the the attack, but, to be singled out being called a child is uncalled for. I have never acted like a child, but the continous harassing comments is what I dislike. I do like the suggestion about having someone maintain those pages because that is how a lot of the people learn about local, national, and world events. I would also add in Instagram too. In my job if I would wait …   more ›

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Overcoming Marriage Amendment Fears

Letter writer says amendment support rooted in fears about loss of religion—and empathetic conversations are the way around that.

To the Editor, For more than a year I and thousands of other Minnesotans have been holding conversations about the marriage amendment. We lay out our most rational arguments, citing research in biological as well as social science demonstrating that same-sex orientation is a benign, natural variation in human sexuality. We offer stories of real people who would be hurt by permanently restricting the definition of marriage to exclude same-sex couples. Many people have been persuaded that voting "no" is the right thing to do. Staunch supporters of the amendment, however, remain unmoved. They are not pondering our rational arguments. They are not empathizing with the hardships and harassment that gay people still endure in many places in our …

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Dave Thompson Supports Bellows for Mayor

Dave Thompson: "I support Mayor Bellows because he has the right vision for those of us who make our home in Lakeville."

To the editor, I am writing this letter in support of Lakeville Mayor Mark Bellows for re-election. His public service record, impeccable credentials, and commitment to fiscal prudence make him by far the best choice. Mayor Mark Bellows has a distinguished public service record. He has served as police chaplain for 22 years. He served ten years on the City Council before being elected Mayor in 2010. He is a pastor and counselor as well. These activities all demonstrate the Mayor’s commitment to individuals in need and to public service. He is well qualified for the job, as he has demonstrated over the last two years. But of course credentials and passion are not the most important characteristics for a leader. I support Mayor Bellows …

reallyguy

8:11 pm on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Take a look at all of the candidates for city office financial reports. http://www.scribd.com/LocalTransparency   more ›

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Matt Little Can Form Partnerships

Letter writer: Despite Matt Little's age "he is widely respected and listened to by officials from other cities."

To the editor, As a City Councilor in a neighboring city, I’d like to give an outsiders perspective on Matt Little. Despite his age, he is widely respected and listened to by officials from other cities. He and I frequently discuss issues ranging from urban chickens to municipal liquor. We often disagree but Matt has an ability that is not common among elected officials.  He never takes an argument personally. We can have a robust argument about why each of us is wrong and shake hands at the end of the conversation. Many of these discussions have helped me to understand the other side, which has resulted in better policy in the City of Farmington. Candidates talk a lot about creating partnerships to save money.  These partnerships are only…

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Mayor Bellows is a True Public Servant

Letter writer: "The purpose of this letter is not to disparage any candidate for city government in Lakeville, but to tell just a bit about my professional dealings with Mark Bellows."

To the editor, I would like to share my experience and thoughts on working with Mark Bellows in his professional life. As many of you know, Mark serves as a pastor at Hope Community Church in Lakeville. I have had the pleasure of working with him, not only as clergy at funeral services, but also through his work as chaplain for the Lakeville Police Department. The purpose of this letter is not to disparage any candidate for city government in Lakeville, but to tell just a bit about my professional dealings with Mark Bellows. We have called Mark on many occasions over the years to help officiate funerals when a family, suffering a loss, is in need of pastoral care or not affiliated with a church. Mark has shown grace and respect in the most…

Billy

6:45 am on Saturday, October 27, 2012

Little is the only member on the council who wants to build on a development plan from 1990 instead of spending 60000 on a professionally done study. Would he learn his lesson by voting against the liquor study and the only one voting against the finance panel. There is a reason people hire experts-they are experts. Little should understand the need of a professional - that's why he is becoming a…   more ›

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Mark Bellows is the Right Choice for Lakeville

Letter writer: Mark Bellows must remain our mayor.

To the editor, Lakeville does not need a self-proclaimed career politician who considers the city as nothing but a stepping stone who will move on if a different opportunity presents itself. Mr. Bellows is a fiscal conservative with deep roots in Lakeville and 12 years of experience as a City Council member and Mayor.  Under Mayor Bellow’s leadership, the city policies have become more transparent. He was instrumental in forming the Financial Advisory Committee.  This committee ensures that our citizens and businesses stay informed and have a voice when it comes to the budget process and our taxes, a process that was opposed by another candidate for Mayor. Mayor Bellows also implemented several programs such as: The Developers Forum, …

jessewicks

10:42 pm on Monday, October 29, 2012

Only two more months of Bellows.... Yippie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   more ›

Monday, October 22, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Enthusiastically Support Laurie Rieb For Mayor

Letter writer: "She is respectful of others and is not afraid to bring people together to resolve conflict or differences of opinion when it occurs."

To the editor, We enthusiastically support Laurie Rieb in her run to be the next mayor of Lakeville. For fifteen years we have called Lakeville home and consider it to be a great place to live and to have raised our daughters. Our family has enjoyed the many amenities this community has to offer including the fabulous parks and trail system, beaches, Lakeville Area Arts Center and many community events. For just over the same amount of time, Laurie Rieb has been working tirelessly serving the residents of Lakeville as a volunteer and in city government to make sure that this community stays this way.  Laurie is a great communicator who works hard and is a skillful problem solver. She consistently and successfully works with others to build…

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Terry Lind For Lakeville School Board

Letter writer: "When Terry says he believes in 'engaging the community to work through the challenges ahead,' he will do just that."

To the editor, If you are a parent with students currently in Lakeville schools, then I urge you to vote for Terry Lind for school board. Terry will make an excellent addition to the school board, bringing fresh ideas, along with his expertise of the inner workings of our district. When Terry says he believes in “engaging the community to work through the challenges ahead,” he will do just that.  I had the privilege to work along side Terry at Lakeview Elementary as an active member of the PTO and Parent Advisory Council.  We moved to this community six years ago in the middle of a school year.  I will never forget Terry looking at my nervous 1st grader and telling him “I have the perfect teacher in mind for you, would you like to meet her…

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Roz Peterson Can Overcome Partisan Gridlock

Letter writer Dan McElroy asks voters to support Peterson (the GOP candidate) in her bid against DFLer Will Morgan, citing her experience in business and the Lakeville school board.

Letter to the Editor, Many of us are in a new district this year for the Minnesota House due to redistricting. Through the endorsement process, I have gotten to know Roz Peterson and have been impressed by her qualifications, experience and approach to important issues.  Roz has been a business owner, a member of the ISD 194 School Board and a leader in the local Chamber of Commerce. She brings to this election the rare combination of experience in business and government. Her calm and positive attitude toward problem solving is an ideal qualification for office. Electing Roz to the House will reduce gridlock and increase our chances of positive solutions to the many challenges we face as a state. I have decided to support Roz Peterson for…

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