The United States has 5% of the world's population.
We also have 25% of the world's prisoners.
Prison/prisoner costs are $60 billion a year, more than the GDP of 140 countries in the world.
Backsliding? Roughly 70% of American prisoners will commit another crime within 3 years of their release from prison.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Friday, November 27, 2009
More Youtube videos uploaded from the Grant County Wind project - wind blade assembly being done
Click to enlarge the photo collection.
Numerous video clips have been added to the Editor's Youtube page, which is found online at http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor.
More information and photos will be in the December 3rd issue of the Hoffman Tribune.
Numerous video clips have been added to the Editor's Youtube page, which is found online at http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor.
More information and photos will be in the December 3rd issue of the Hoffman Tribune.
"Black Friday" madness is underway in Alexandria, as well as other regional centers across the Midwest and big cities around the U.S.
According to a report from my mom, who I talked to at 5:45am on Friday morning, it was "worse than she ever could have imagined" as she stood in the lobby of Target in Alexandria. The lines wrapped to the back of the store. She was not one of the hardy folks who stood in line hours before the 5am opening of their doors. Every item she wanted, with the exception of one toy, was all "picked over" according to her.
She was looking forward to Herberger's at the Viking Plaza - a friend in Alexandria called her and said things looked much more promising over there.
Out in the Target parking lot, my mom added that a couple crazy drivers flew out of the lot, nearly hitting another car - sort of the behavior that I would expect on a Black Friday. She was a "Black Friday rookie" - and after just her experience at Target, she went way thoroughly un-impressed by the behavior of people!
Zoom southwest to Willmar, my sister was able to get approximately 6 of the 30 items she had on a list at Target. She went over to the Super-Walmart and reported that the parking lot there was full of cars. Her last stop was the Kandi Shopping Mall further to the north in the Willmar business district.
Even farther southwest to Hutchinson, my girlfriend got in line at Target there at 3:30am. About 50 people were in front of her. She was able to get "most" of the items she wanted, and the lines there were just as deep as they were at Target in Alexandria.
She was looking forward to Herberger's at the Viking Plaza - a friend in Alexandria called her and said things looked much more promising over there.
Out in the Target parking lot, my mom added that a couple crazy drivers flew out of the lot, nearly hitting another car - sort of the behavior that I would expect on a Black Friday. She was a "Black Friday rookie" - and after just her experience at Target, she went way thoroughly un-impressed by the behavior of people!
Zoom southwest to Willmar, my sister was able to get approximately 6 of the 30 items she had on a list at Target. She went over to the Super-Walmart and reported that the parking lot there was full of cars. Her last stop was the Kandi Shopping Mall further to the north in the Willmar business district.
Even farther southwest to Hutchinson, my girlfriend got in line at Target there at 3:30am. About 50 people were in front of her. She was able to get "most" of the items she wanted, and the lines there were just as deep as they were at Target in Alexandria.
I'm glad there's women out there who'll go through the chore of being in the midst of such madness. This guy sure has no desire to partake in it! Give me the quiet shopping district of a Hoffman or Glenwood ANY day!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Girls Basketball Preseason Polls are released - hot off the press!
Class AA
1. Minneapolis Roosevelt
2. New London-Spicer
3. Pipestone
4. Dover-Eyota
5. Sauk Centre
6. Braham
7. East Grand Forks
8. Caledonia
9. Rochester Lourdes
10. New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva
Class 1A
1. Barnum
2. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey
3. Maranatha
4. Bigfork
5. Parkers Prairie
6. New Life Academy
7. Red Lake County Central
8. Granada-Huntley-East Chain
9. Brandon-Evansville
10. Bertha-Hewitt
1. Minneapolis Roosevelt
2. New London-Spicer
3. Pipestone
4. Dover-Eyota
5. Sauk Centre
6. Braham
7. East Grand Forks
8. Caledonia
9. Rochester Lourdes
10. New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva
Class 1A
1. Barnum
2. Cedar Mountain-Comfrey
3. Maranatha
4. Bigfork
5. Parkers Prairie
6. New Life Academy
7. Red Lake County Central
8. Granada-Huntley-East Chain
9. Brandon-Evansville
10. Bertha-Hewitt
First State Bank of Kensington gathers its totals for recent food drive (photo below from their lobby on Wednesday morning)
Eight tubs of food, along with $800 from the bank's coffers, will be donated to area food shelves in the surrounding counties of Stevens, Pope, Douglas, and Grant over the next couple business days.
7th District Congressman Collin Peterson Asks Supreme Court to Uphold Second Amendment Rights
Congressman Collin Peterson has signed on to an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” brief asking the Supreme Court to uphold Second Amendment rights on the state and local government level. The Court announced in late September that it would visit the question of whether state and local governments could deny rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment on the federal level. The court case, McDonald vs. Chicago, specifically questions a Chicago, Illinois gun control law.
“I’m pleased the Supreme Court is going to address this issue,” Peterson said after learning of the Court’s decision to hear the case. “The Court should take this opportunity to make clear what we all already know, that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments too. No state legislature can take away the freedom to protect yourself.”
In a court case last year, District of Columbia vs. Heller, the Supreme Court decided that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s, and not just a group’s, right to “keep and bear Arms.” However, that case only examined federal gun control laws in theDistrict of Columbia. McDonald vs. Chicago addresses a remaining question, whether or not the Second Amendment applies to the states.
“I’ve always been a defender of the Second Amendment,” Congressman Peterson said. “It seems clear to me that no government—federal, state or local—can infringe on the right to ‘keep and bear arms.’”
In McDonald vs. Chicago, Alan Gura, the same attorney who challenged the District of Columbia gun ban, brought suit against gun regulations in Chicago. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his claims and said that the Second Amendment did not apply to the states. The Supreme Court will revisit that decision.
The amicus brief Congressman Peterson signed was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday and is available by clicking here: http://collinpeterson.house.gov/PDF/mcdonald_ac_congress.pdf (It will download a PDF file onto your computer)
“I’m pleased the Supreme Court is going to address this issue,” Peterson said after learning of the Court’s decision to hear the case. “The Court should take this opportunity to make clear what we all already know, that the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments too. No state legislature can take away the freedom to protect yourself.”
In a court case last year, District of Columbia vs. Heller, the Supreme Court decided that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s, and not just a group’s, right to “keep and bear Arms.” However, that case only examined federal gun control laws in theDistrict of Columbia. McDonald vs. Chicago addresses a remaining question, whether or not the Second Amendment applies to the states.
“I’ve always been a defender of the Second Amendment,” Congressman Peterson said. “It seems clear to me that no government—federal, state or local—can infringe on the right to ‘keep and bear arms.’”
In McDonald vs. Chicago, Alan Gura, the same attorney who challenged the District of Columbia gun ban, brought suit against gun regulations in Chicago. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals rejected his claims and said that the Second Amendment did not apply to the states. The Supreme Court will revisit that decision.
The amicus brief Congressman Peterson signed was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday and is available by clicking here: http://collinpeterson.house.gov/PDF/mcdonald_ac_congress.pdf (It will download a PDF file onto your computer)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
ELCA Church issue - commentary for discussion purposes
I and many others I know are upset by the decision of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) made at its Churchwide Assembly this past August to allow its pastors be in gay and lesbian relationships. My wife and I have been longtime, loving members of the ELCA, but we cannot fathom why the ELCA leadership would make such a decision that runs counter to the Bible, the history of the church, and the ELCA’s membership.
This is not an issue of whether gays and lesbians are not welcome as members, or that we should not care about them as human beings. Rather, this is a matter of commitment to the word of Scriptures. Among many other statements in the Bible on this issue, in Chapter 1, Verses 24 to 27 of Paul’s letter to the Romans, God makes it clear that homosexuality is a sin:
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. (NIV)
For over 2,000 years, the consensus of Christian teaching is that its members must remain faithful to the Scriptures, which does not approve of homosexual activity. Until its recent Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA and its predecessors were consistent with this consensus in its teaching documents and social statements. If ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, how can a pastor do so if the ELCA now accepts gay and lesbian relationships as not sinful?
The membership of the ELCA is clearly not in favor of this change to allow its pastors be in gay and lesbian relationships. If permitted to continue on its current path, the ELCA will be in ruins. Look at the Episcopal Church: it has been in turmoil since 2003 when it consecrated its first openly gay bishop, resulting in congregations leaving that church and growth of rival denominations. Already, ELCA congregations are considering leaving: this past September, 91% of the members surveyed at a congregational meeting of Hosanna! Lutheran Church of Lakeville, Minnesota, one of the state’s largest Lutheran congregations, felt that it should separate from the ELCA.
So, what do those of us who care about the ELCA and the future of the Lutheran Church to do? You and I must take action to alter the current path of the ELCA:
1.Contact others in your ELCA congregation to hold a vote on the issue. I believe all will be more than 90% against the change, like Hosanna! Lutheran Church.
2.Stop all funding of the ELCA at all levels. This is a must! The two largest ELCA churches in North Dakota, Hope Lutheran and First Lutheran, both in Fargo, voted to stop funding the ELCA. Please follow them.
3.Do not leave the ELCA. This is our church! Let’s give it one year to change it.
4.Contact Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal), which offers resources to help individuals and congregations make decisions about the best way forward given this crisis. Information about Lutheran CORE can be found at its website at www.lutherancore.org or by e-mailing it at info@lutherancore.org.
In closing, what upset me the most were the results of an Internet search I did for “ELCA Church Gay Ministries” on the website Bing.com: ads for “Free gay dating” and “Gay magazines” appeared throughout the web pages. The impression this gives is a travesty upon our wonderful church. Please take action.
Bob Lee
Staples, Minnesota
Bob Lee is a retired businessman. He and his wife Betty have been members of Faith Lutheran Church in Staples for over 46 years. Their four children were all baptized, confirmed, and married at Faith Lutheran.
This is not an issue of whether gays and lesbians are not welcome as members, or that we should not care about them as human beings. Rather, this is a matter of commitment to the word of Scriptures. Among many other statements in the Bible on this issue, in Chapter 1, Verses 24 to 27 of Paul’s letter to the Romans, God makes it clear that homosexuality is a sin:
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. (NIV)
For over 2,000 years, the consensus of Christian teaching is that its members must remain faithful to the Scriptures, which does not approve of homosexual activity. Until its recent Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA and its predecessors were consistent with this consensus in its teaching documents and social statements. If ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, how can a pastor do so if the ELCA now accepts gay and lesbian relationships as not sinful?
The membership of the ELCA is clearly not in favor of this change to allow its pastors be in gay and lesbian relationships. If permitted to continue on its current path, the ELCA will be in ruins. Look at the Episcopal Church: it has been in turmoil since 2003 when it consecrated its first openly gay bishop, resulting in congregations leaving that church and growth of rival denominations. Already, ELCA congregations are considering leaving: this past September, 91% of the members surveyed at a congregational meeting of Hosanna! Lutheran Church of Lakeville, Minnesota, one of the state’s largest Lutheran congregations, felt that it should separate from the ELCA.
So, what do those of us who care about the ELCA and the future of the Lutheran Church to do? You and I must take action to alter the current path of the ELCA:
1.Contact others in your ELCA congregation to hold a vote on the issue. I believe all will be more than 90% against the change, like Hosanna! Lutheran Church.
2.Stop all funding of the ELCA at all levels. This is a must! The two largest ELCA churches in North Dakota, Hope Lutheran and First Lutheran, both in Fargo, voted to stop funding the ELCA. Please follow them.
3.Do not leave the ELCA. This is our church! Let’s give it one year to change it.
4.Contact Lutheran CORE (Coalition for Renewal), which offers resources to help individuals and congregations make decisions about the best way forward given this crisis. Information about Lutheran CORE can be found at its website at www.lutherancore.org or by e-mailing it at info@lutherancore.org.
In closing, what upset me the most were the results of an Internet search I did for “ELCA Church Gay Ministries” on the website Bing.com: ads for “Free gay dating” and “Gay magazines” appeared throughout the web pages. The impression this gives is a travesty upon our wonderful church. Please take action.
Bob Lee
Staples, Minnesota
Bob Lee is a retired businessman. He and his wife Betty have been members of Faith Lutheran Church in Staples for over 46 years. Their four children were all baptized, confirmed, and married at Faith Lutheran.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Hoffman-area farmer Dan Persons is one of a handful of locals who participated in the Minnesota Farmers Union convention
Persons is shown here contributing to the policy debate on Sunday morning.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A light-hearted joke about Governor Tim Pawlenty - by State Representative Andrew Falk - Murdock
A video clip
Numerous other video clips, including a couple of Congressman Jim Oberstar, have been added to the Editor's Youtube page, which is found online at http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor
More information from this weekend's MFU convention will be posted later on Sunday evening.
Day 2 of Minnesota Farmers Union state convention is underway
Don Knutson, CEO of the Greenview program, talked about the private/public partnership that employs seniors to work with rest stops across Minnesota. Greenview has staffed every rest stop in the state since 1969.
The novel idea by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been implemented on a federal level, called "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" - further information on this will be added as I study more about it. One item to note is that First Lady Michelle Obama has created a community garden at the White House grounds - a great idea to teach the public about where our food comes from and basic garden practices.
National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson, former North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, swiped a good 20 minutes of the delegates' time on Sunday morning with a keynote speech.
President Johnson began by stating that democracy is a messy thing, mainly due to the fact that everyone has a voice.
Johnson went on to highlight two major ticket items, Health Care reform and a Climate/Energy bill. With respect to the first issue, he labeled it as a "big, c ontroversial idea" - and the second, he said that the eyes of the world are on the U.S. They are basically asking, "What are you going to do on this issue?"
Other issues touched on were financial market reform and food safety.
Johnson noted that the U.S. spends twice as much per capita on health care vs. the rest of the world, but our health care outcomes are no better. Essentially, he added, the U.S. has an "emergency room health care" policy.
The novel idea by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has been implemented on a federal level, called "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" - further information on this will be added as I study more about it. One item to note is that First Lady Michelle Obama has created a community garden at the White House grounds - a great idea to teach the public about where our food comes from and basic garden practices.
National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson, former North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner, swiped a good 20 minutes of the delegates' time on Sunday morning with a keynote speech.
President Johnson began by stating that democracy is a messy thing, mainly due to the fact that everyone has a voice.
Johnson went on to highlight two major ticket items, Health Care reform and a Climate/Energy bill. With respect to the first issue, he labeled it as a "big, c ontroversial idea" - and the second, he said that the eyes of the world are on the U.S. They are basically asking, "What are you going to do on this issue?"
Other issues touched on were financial market reform and food safety.
Johnson noted that the U.S. spends twice as much per capita on health care vs. the rest of the world, but our health care outcomes are no better. Essentially, he added, the U.S. has an "emergency room health care" policy.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention is underway
Three governor candidates are shown here chumming it up outside the banquet room at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis, the site of the 68th annual Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention.
Due to issues with the hotel's wireless internet, it'll be "hit and miss" today while I'm gathering photos, video clips, and other items to blog about. Visit http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor to see more coverage of the convention.
Governor candidate Tom Rukavina from Virginia, MN.
Due to issues with the hotel's wireless internet, it'll be "hit and miss" today while I'm gathering photos, video clips, and other items to blog about. Visit http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor to see more coverage of the convention.
Governor candidate Tom Rukavina from Virginia, MN.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Black Lab puppy for sale
FOR SALE: 13-week old AKC Black Lab male puppy, excellent pedigree. Call (320) 528-2461.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Hoffman Commerce and Ag meeting held today at Anderson's Drew Drop Inn
A video clip is posted of HEDA coordinator Muriel Krusemark giving her final comments on the recent food distribution in Hoffman.
Other video clips, longer in length, are on the Editor's Youtube page. The link to that page is: http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor
Be sure to bookmark that Youtube link! It's a great addition to the coverage you can receive from the Hoffman Tribune - this way, from anywhere with a good internet connection. Tonight I spent some time uploading a handful of video clips from the Commerce and Ag meeting.
On Friday I'll (hopefully) go back on the Youtube page and add more to the descriptions of each video clip.
Enjoy the coverage! It'll definitely help keep the community more informed. Knowledge is power!
Views of progress at the Grant County Wind farm
This week the first two wind turbine blades were assembled on site. Click to enlarge the photos.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Minnesota Farmers Union State Convention this weekend - Tribune editor will be blogging on site from Minneapolis on Saturday and Sunday
Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is having their annual state convention Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis.
"Every year since 1942, Farmers Union members have gathered to develop our state policy from ideas they bring to the table," said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. "We then take that policy to the state and federal level and fight for the issues important to our members! During policy debate this year, some of the issues I expect we will be discussing are health care, climate change, and fair pricing for livestock and grain production."
Along with policy discussion, there will be elections for both Farmers Union President and Vice President. Doug Peterson, current MFU President, is running for re-election unopposed; and long-time MFU Vice President, Dennis Sjodin, has decided to not run for re-election. There are four candidates for Vice President, and they are: Tim Henning of Adrian, Scott Hoese of Mayer, Tim Velde of Granite Falls, and Gary Wertish of Renville.
There will be speakers throughout the convention, including: Gene Hugoson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner; Linda Hennen, State Executive Director of Farm Service Agency; Colleen Landkamer, State Director of USDA Rural Development; Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President; and the candidates for governor have been invited to speaking during our Saturday lunch break.
Our keynote speaker at the banquet will be Congressman Jim Oberstar; with greetings from Representative Tim Walz and Senator Al Franken. Senator Amy Klobuchar is also expected to be in attendance.
During the state convention, we also elect delegates to the National Farmers Union convention; and as usual, we will be serving foods from throughout Minnesota for our banquet and Saturday lunch.
"It is important to support Minnesota farmers, and what a better way to do so then by having Minnesota-grown foods at our State Convention," said Peterson.
The Minnesota Farmers Union Convention will be held on Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23 at the Ramada Plaza, 1330 Industrial Boulevard, Minneapolis. For more information, check out our website, www.mfu.org.
Check out this week's Hoffman Tribune for a list of local businesses offering Holiday Gift Certificates
Look on page 8 to read more about it.
Remember to Shop Local early and often this Christmas season!
Remember to Shop Local early and often this Christmas season!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Large turnout for the fourth annual Hoffman Holiday Expo
This was all that was left out of over 180 items that Rachel Persons and her mother-in-law had for sale in the final hour of the Expo.
Below is a scene from the Hoffman Holiday Expo, at Hoffman Square's John Kleinsasser Gymnasium.
The link for a Youtube page, with numerous video clips posted, is = http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor
Below is a photo from John Kleinsasser Gymasium on Saturday afternoon, at the Hoffman Holiday Expo held in Hoffman Square.
Unrelated to the Holiday Expo...the photo below is of a 10-week old kitten, now a pet with the owners of The Corner Store in downtown Hoffman. Today they told me they wanted to find a new home for the kitten, as they already have one cat and don't want another. Contact the Hoffman Tribune office if you want it or know a family who would!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Hoffman Holiday Expo coming tomorrow, Saturday November 14
Click to enlarge for the details
Check out the video tour of the Main Street Galleria on Youtube!
youtube.com/user/hoffeditor
See you in Hoffman tomorrow!
Remember to stop by the Corner Store as well on Main Street!
Check out the video tour of the Main Street Galleria on Youtube!
youtube.com/user/hoffeditor
See you in Hoffman tomorrow!
Remember to stop by the Corner Store as well on Main Street!
Youtube Channel created for the Hoffman Tribune
The link is: http://www.youtube.com/user/hoffeditor
Bookmark it and share it with your friends and family!
Bookmark it and share it with your friends and family!
Mark your calendars - Hoffman Legion Post 393 and Auxiliary Fall Country Western Variety Show - November 28
Click on the ad to enlarge it.
Hoffman American Legion Post 393 and Auxiliary’s FALL COUNTRY WESTERN VARIETY SHOW coming on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 7:30pm. Free will donation, matching funds by Thrivent. Refreshments by the Auxiliary, free will donation.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Glacial Ridge Health Systems of Glenwood hosting a Tree of Life lighting tonight (Thursday), candlelight vigil in honor of Hospice care
Click on the ad to enlarge it.
November is Hospice Care Provider month.
You can click on the advertisement and print it out for the use of giving a donation to the Glacial Ridge Hospice.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
click on the story below to enlarge it
At the last minute this was pulled from the November 12th layout of the Hoffman Tribune - just didn't have the room for it. But here it is, a neat way you can help out the WCA Choir program!
Minnesota Farmers Union to elect new Vice President at State Convention
St. Paul (November 5, 2009) – Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) is having their annual state convention Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 at the Ramada Plaza in Minneapolis.
“Every year since 1942, Farmers Union members have gathered to develop our state policy from ideas they bring to the table,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “We then take that policy to the state and federal level and fight for the issues important to our members! During policy debate this year, some of the issues I expect we will be discussing are health care, climate change, and fair pricing for livestock and grain production.”
Along with policy discussion, there will be elections for both Farmers Union President and Vice President. Doug Peterson, current MFU President, is running for re-election unopposed; and long-time MFU Vice President, Dennis Sjodin, has decided to not run for re-election. There are four candidates for Vice President, and they are: Tim Henning of Adrian, Scott Hoese of Mayer, Tim Velde of Granite Falls, and Gary Wertish of Renville.
There will be speakers throughout the convention, including: Gene Hugoson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner; Linda Hennen, State Executive Director of Farm Service Agency; Colleen Landkamer, State Director of USDA Rural Development; Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President; and the candidates for governor have been invited to speaking during our Saturday lunch break.
Our keynote speaker at the banquet will be Congressman Jim Oberstar; with greetings from Representative Tim Walz and Senator Al Franken. Senator Amy Klobuchar is also expected to be in attendance.
During the state convention, we also elect delegates to the National Farmers Union convention; and as usual, we will be serving foods from throughout Minnesota for our banquet and Saturday lunch.
“It is important to support Minnesota farmers, and what a better way to do so then by having Minnesota-grown foods at our State Convention,” said Peterson.
The Minnesota Farmers Union Convention will be held on Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23 at the Ramada Plaza, 1330 Industrial Boulevard, Minneapolis. For more information, check out our website, www.mfu.org.
Minnesota Farmers Union (www.mfu.org) is a nonprofit membership-based organization working to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers, as well as rural communities.
“Every year since 1942, Farmers Union members have gathered to develop our state policy from ideas they bring to the table,” said Doug Peterson, Minnesota Farmers Union President. “We then take that policy to the state and federal level and fight for the issues important to our members! During policy debate this year, some of the issues I expect we will be discussing are health care, climate change, and fair pricing for livestock and grain production.”
Along with policy discussion, there will be elections for both Farmers Union President and Vice President. Doug Peterson, current MFU President, is running for re-election unopposed; and long-time MFU Vice President, Dennis Sjodin, has decided to not run for re-election. There are four candidates for Vice President, and they are: Tim Henning of Adrian, Scott Hoese of Mayer, Tim Velde of Granite Falls, and Gary Wertish of Renville.
There will be speakers throughout the convention, including: Gene Hugoson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner; Linda Hennen, State Executive Director of Farm Service Agency; Colleen Landkamer, State Director of USDA Rural Development; Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President; and the candidates for governor have been invited to speaking during our Saturday lunch break.
Our keynote speaker at the banquet will be Congressman Jim Oberstar; with greetings from Representative Tim Walz and Senator Al Franken. Senator Amy Klobuchar is also expected to be in attendance.
During the state convention, we also elect delegates to the National Farmers Union convention; and as usual, we will be serving foods from throughout Minnesota for our banquet and Saturday lunch.
“It is important to support Minnesota farmers, and what a better way to do so then by having Minnesota-grown foods at our State Convention,” said Peterson.
The Minnesota Farmers Union Convention will be held on Saturday, November 22, and Sunday, November 23 at the Ramada Plaza, 1330 Industrial Boulevard, Minneapolis. For more information, check out our website, www.mfu.org.
Minnesota Farmers Union (www.mfu.org) is a nonprofit membership-based organization working to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers, as well as rural communities.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Don't forget - this Wednesday is Veteran's Day! (click on ad to enlarge)
• There will be a Veterans' Day Program for the public on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 11th at West Central Area Secondary School in Barrett at 1:00pm. Put on by the National Honor Society, the Student Council, and the Acting, Directing and Stagecraft Class.
Hoffman City Council meets tonight, Monday, November 9
The meeting begins at 7:00pm at the Hoffman Community Center.
Make plans to be in Hoffman this Saturday (Nov. 14) for the annual Holiday Expo!
Click on the image to enlarge.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Congressman Collin Peterson sponsors a bill naming the V.A. clinic in Alexandria after Max J. Beilke
PRESS RELEASE:
Peterson-sponsored Beilke bill passes the House
The U.S House of Representatives has passed a bill, authored by Congressman Collin Peterson, to rename the Alexandria, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic after Max J. Beilke.
“Sgt. Beilke was a true advocate for veterans, and naming this clinic for him is a reminder of his tireless service,” Peterson said. “I’m just glad I could be part of the effort spearheaded by Max’s family to really make this happen.”
Master Sergeant Beilke served 22 years in the United States Army and, according to military records, was the last U.S. combat solider to leave Vietnam in March of 1973. The Alexandria native died in the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack on the Pentagon. Beilke was awarded the Defense of Freedom medal and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
Although Belke retired from the army in 1974, he spent the rest of his life serving his country in support of veterans and their families. After leaving the Army, he served as deputy chief of the Army’s Retirement Services Division and was an active member of the Army Chief of Staff Retiree Council.
The Clinic opened in October, and the VA estimates it will serve 3,500 local veterans with primary and mental health care as well as other services.
Peterson-sponsored Beilke bill passes the House
The U.S House of Representatives has passed a bill, authored by Congressman Collin Peterson, to rename the Alexandria, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic after Max J. Beilke.
“Sgt. Beilke was a true advocate for veterans, and naming this clinic for him is a reminder of his tireless service,” Peterson said. “I’m just glad I could be part of the effort spearheaded by Max’s family to really make this happen.”
Master Sergeant Beilke served 22 years in the United States Army and, according to military records, was the last U.S. combat solider to leave Vietnam in March of 1973. The Alexandria native died in the September 11, 2001 terrorists attack on the Pentagon. Beilke was awarded the Defense of Freedom medal and the Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
Although Belke retired from the army in 1974, he spent the rest of his life serving his country in support of veterans and their families. After leaving the Army, he served as deputy chief of the Army’s Retirement Services Division and was an active member of the Army Chief of Staff Retiree Council.
The Clinic opened in October, and the VA estimates it will serve 3,500 local veterans with primary and mental health care as well as other services.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Two more area school levy referendum results
Lac qui Parle Valley passed 484-118, 80% yes.
Montevideo failed 913-807.
Results from other Rural Minnesota school district referendum votes are published in this week's November 5 Hoffman Tribune issue.
Putting things into perspective for folks at West Central Area...read the following list. WCA ranks near the bottom of average teacher salary. (2006-2007 figures posted)
The communities of Wheaton, Battle Lake, Hancock, Ortonville, Osakis, Parkers Prairie, Underwood, Ashby, Evansville, Cyrus, and Herman-Norcross (all smaller districts than WCA) are the area districts with a lower average teacher salary in 2006-2007.
Sauk Centre = 55,123
Melrose = 53,121
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa = 52,245
Alexandria = 50,735
Minnewaska = 50,387
St.Cloud schools = 50,170
Albany = 50,331
Rocori = 49,759
New London-Spicer = 49,177
Paynesville = 49,122
Montevideo = 48,269
Maccray = 47,182
Morris Area = 47,060
Holdingford = 47,045
Brandon = 46,793
Breckenridge = 46,739
Litchfield = 46,337
Fergus Falls = 46,290
Rockford = 45,654
Upsala = 45,645
Benson = 45,374
YME = 45,178
Kimball = 45,064
Pierz = 44,701
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle = 44,611
Royalton = 44,547
C-G-B = 44,340
Willmar = 43,934
K-M-S = 43,904
Dawson-Boyd = 43,287
West Central Area = 43,227
Wheaton = 43,072
Hancock = 42,672
Eden Valley-Watkins = 42,545
Marshall = 42,554
Battle Lake = 42,500
Ortonville = 42,078
Swanville = 42,013
Renville County West = 41,800
A-C-GC = 41,493
Howard Lake-W-W = 41,092
Browerville = 41,049
Osakis = 41,007
Parkers Prairie = 40,450
Minneota = 40,447
Maple Lake = 40,462
Underwood = 39,994
Ashby = 38,589
Evansville = 37,937
Cyrus = 35,860
Herman-Norcross = 34,594
Montevideo failed 913-807.
Results from other Rural Minnesota school district referendum votes are published in this week's November 5 Hoffman Tribune issue.
Putting things into perspective for folks at West Central Area...read the following list. WCA ranks near the bottom of average teacher salary. (2006-2007 figures posted)
The communities of Wheaton, Battle Lake, Hancock, Ortonville, Osakis, Parkers Prairie, Underwood, Ashby, Evansville, Cyrus, and Herman-Norcross (all smaller districts than WCA) are the area districts with a lower average teacher salary in 2006-2007.
Sauk Centre = 55,123
Melrose = 53,121
Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa = 52,245
Alexandria = 50,735
Minnewaska = 50,387
St.Cloud schools = 50,170
Albany = 50,331
Rocori = 49,759
New London-Spicer = 49,177
Paynesville = 49,122
Montevideo = 48,269
Maccray = 47,182
Morris Area = 47,060
Holdingford = 47,045
Brandon = 46,793
Breckenridge = 46,739
Litchfield = 46,337
Fergus Falls = 46,290
Rockford = 45,654
Upsala = 45,645
Benson = 45,374
YME = 45,178
Kimball = 45,064
Pierz = 44,701
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle = 44,611
Royalton = 44,547
C-G-B = 44,340
Willmar = 43,934
K-M-S = 43,904
Dawson-Boyd = 43,287
West Central Area = 43,227
Wheaton = 43,072
Hancock = 42,672
Eden Valley-Watkins = 42,545
Marshall = 42,554
Battle Lake = 42,500
Ortonville = 42,078
Swanville = 42,013
Renville County West = 41,800
A-C-GC = 41,493
Howard Lake-W-W = 41,092
Browerville = 41,049
Osakis = 41,007
Parkers Prairie = 40,450
Minneota = 40,447
Maple Lake = 40,462
Underwood = 39,994
Ashby = 38,589
Evansville = 37,937
Cyrus = 35,860
Herman-Norcross = 34,594
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
WCA Levy referendum fails
The final tally was 497 yes to 571 no.
A total of 979 people voted in person; the remaining votes were tallied from absentee voters.
Levies passed in Cyrus, Brandon, Ulen-Hitterdahl, and Detroit Lakes. A levy vote failed in Perham.
Video clip at 9:39pm, the voting machine is printing out the vote tally ticket.
Video clip a couple minutes later, after the final vote was read by all members of the voting judges team.
Photos from the evening, click to enlarge
Heavy turnout reported at the Levy referendum polling site at the WCA High School
Over 750 people have voted as the evening was starting.
Polls close at 8:00pm.
Polls close at 8:00pm.
*Coming tonight (Tuesday) - live updates from the WCA Levy vote tallying
The editor will be at the WCA High School after the polls close to see what the results are! Stay tuned.
Alexandria Blizzard hockey team faces off with U.S. Women's Olympic Hockey team last Wednesday night (video clips added)
Click to enlarge the pictures.
Following the hockey game, won by the Blizzard, an autograph signing session was held with area youth and members of the Women's and Blizzard hockey teams.
The editor attended the event and was impressed by the packed crowd who attended last Wednesday night!
Following the hockey game, won by the Blizzard, an autograph signing session was held with area youth and members of the Women's and Blizzard hockey teams.
The editor attended the event and was impressed by the packed crowd who attended last Wednesday night!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Additional points to consider on the WCA Levy Vote
Point 1: the school district went to one voting poll, verusus five, to save money. It is an example of how serious they are about doing what's best for property taxpayers. Voting at the high school saves the district at least $4,000.
Point 2: the school district was put behind the 8-ball in May 2006, when it was discovered that the Minnesota Department of Education made a computation error that cost the district over $150,000.
Point 3: WCA is lucky to have the great administrative team that it has - it ranks 163 out of the 182 schools in Minnesota under 1,000 in enrollment for administrative costs.
Point 4: "welfare" programs for a school district do not exist - revenue comes from taxpayers only, expenses are largely through paying teachers. If schools can offer an education they obviously need teachers! *so the school has a huge heating bill? Sorry, there's no "heating fund" to help out. *there's no "food shelf" for a school district in need of more funds.
Point 5: WCA already ranks among the lowest in the area for teacher pay. Their average pay is about $9,000 less per teacher than Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa, a district equal in size and property wealth to WCA.
Point 6: WCA does think outside the box
1) they hired Dr. Cheney at 3 days a week in 2006
2) they studied sharing a superintendent with Morris Area (Morris
turned down the idea)
3) they moved the 5th-6th grade to the Barrett facility, a move that
will save over #370,000 per year *this move was unpopular with
many (short-sighted and un-informed) parents but it will
save taxpayers a large pot of money every year, the district
sided with taxpayers, even though it was an unpopular move at the time
4) they employed an administrative pay freeze last summer, what
other districts have done this? I can't think of one.
Point 7: WCA has been seriously underfunded in the area of special education.
-$380,000 deficit from 2000 to 2006 in special education, something
the school has no control over.
So to those who think "WCA was asleep at the wheel with special education spending" - I have to ask: "Do you think that WCA has a choice as to what kids can enter the district?" Another question: "What is the Christian thing to do with our special education kids?"
The people of West Central Area like to think of themselves as good, Christian folks. I guess I'll find out if that's true or not next Tuesday after the vote is tallied. A good, Christian person would not whine and complain about helping take care of children with disabilities or special needs.
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