Thursday, September 9, 2010
A great editorial in the Grand Forks Herald
Click here to read it: http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/174765/group/Opinion/
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
WCA Knights girls tennis team improves to 4-1 in dual matches with a win at Perham on Tuesday night
The West Central Area Knights girls tennis team came out on top of the Perham Yellowjackets on the road last night by a 5-2 score in the varsity match. They also swept all exhibition matches to make for a nice trip back home.
“This was a very good win in a very tightly contested match,” commented WCA head coach Doug Rakoczy. “Three of our wins came in 3-set matches, and we saved our best tennis for when it mattered the most. I was really proud of how all the girls were able to hang in there and really compete when the matches got tight. Perham is a good team and the overall match really could have gone either way. ”
The Knights (4-1, 1-0 Prairie) get back into Prairie Conference action on Thursday when they travel to Parkers Prairie for a 4:30pm dual meet.
“This was a very good win in a very tightly contested match,” commented WCA head coach Doug Rakoczy. “Three of our wins came in 3-set matches, and we saved our best tennis for when it mattered the most. I was really proud of how all the girls were able to hang in there and really compete when the matches got tight. Perham is a good team and the overall match really could have gone either way. ”
The Knights (4-1, 1-0 Prairie) get back into Prairie Conference action on Thursday when they travel to Parkers Prairie for a 4:30pm dual meet.
Minnesota's success with military voting is example for other states
By Secretary of State Mark Ritchie
As other states struggle to implement new federal laws to help military voters, some are looking at what we have been able to do in Minnesota. Through a combination of legislative reforms and technology, we made it easier for our military personnel to vote and gave them more time to participate.
One of the biggest obstacles to voting faced by military personnel has been the lack of time available to receive, complete and return their ballots on time. Many are stationed in combat zones and remote places with inconsistent mail delivery services. While the process of receiving and returning an absentee ballot takes only a few days for a voter living in Brainerd, that same process may take more than a month for someone serving in Afghanistan.
Another barrier has been the intricate rules and procedures that often tripped up otherwise eligible voters. For example, some voters simply forget to sign their absentee ballot envelopes. These errors used to be discovered too late to notify voters.
Over the last three years the Office of the Secretary of State made military enfranchisement a priority and worked with the Pentagon, local election officials, legislators from both sides of the aisle, and the governor to improve the process.
We were able to get authorization for local election officials to send military voters their ballots by e-mail or fax. This cut ballot transit time in half, giving military voters more time to get their ballots returned before Election Day.
We successfully advocated for legislation requiring local election officials to immediately review returned military and overseas absentee ballots for errors so that replacements can be sent to provide voters a second chance to correct any problems that would otherwise prevent their vote from being legally counted.
We created a special easy-to-use website to help military and overseas voters cut through the red-tape. This free service has helped thousands of voters get their ballots and participate in our democracy.
We worked with the legislature to move Minnesota's primary a month earlier. Our late primary election left too few days for many of our service men and women serving abroad to participate in general elections. With help from the legislature we made it a requirement that absentee ballots be sent out at least 46 days before an election to voters who requested them to ensure that they had more time to return them before Election Day.
The results of these reforms and innovations have been dramatic. Military voting tripled from 2006 to 2008 with more than 3,000 service men and women successfully casting ballots. Military and overseas voters' absentee ballot rejection rates in 2008 were reduced-down to less than 2 percent compared to 3.5 percent for domestic absentee voters. Minnesota was recognized for its leading efforts to build overseas and military voter participation and for having one of the highest military and overseas voter satisfaction rates in the country in 2008.
Last month, Minnesota held its 2010 primary in August. While primaries are smaller than general elections, the results show that we continue to make progress. For example, by getting ballots out much earlier we were able to reduce the rejection rate for military and overseas absentee ballots to only .87 percent. This is compared to 3.4 percent for domestic absentee voters who still face complicated procedures.
These results are promising and reveal that commonsense reforms make a difference. Minnesota's success serves as a model for other states facing these same hurdles. It proves that by working with the Pentagon and voting assistance officers in the military, we can ensure that those fighting to protect our democracy can fully participate in it.
As other states struggle to implement new federal laws to help military voters, some are looking at what we have been able to do in Minnesota. Through a combination of legislative reforms and technology, we made it easier for our military personnel to vote and gave them more time to participate.
One of the biggest obstacles to voting faced by military personnel has been the lack of time available to receive, complete and return their ballots on time. Many are stationed in combat zones and remote places with inconsistent mail delivery services. While the process of receiving and returning an absentee ballot takes only a few days for a voter living in Brainerd, that same process may take more than a month for someone serving in Afghanistan.
Another barrier has been the intricate rules and procedures that often tripped up otherwise eligible voters. For example, some voters simply forget to sign their absentee ballot envelopes. These errors used to be discovered too late to notify voters.
Over the last three years the Office of the Secretary of State made military enfranchisement a priority and worked with the Pentagon, local election officials, legislators from both sides of the aisle, and the governor to improve the process.
We were able to get authorization for local election officials to send military voters their ballots by e-mail or fax. This cut ballot transit time in half, giving military voters more time to get their ballots returned before Election Day.
We successfully advocated for legislation requiring local election officials to immediately review returned military and overseas absentee ballots for errors so that replacements can be sent to provide voters a second chance to correct any problems that would otherwise prevent their vote from being legally counted.
We created a special easy-to-use website to help military and overseas voters cut through the red-tape. This free service has helped thousands of voters get their ballots and participate in our democracy.
We worked with the legislature to move Minnesota's primary a month earlier. Our late primary election left too few days for many of our service men and women serving abroad to participate in general elections. With help from the legislature we made it a requirement that absentee ballots be sent out at least 46 days before an election to voters who requested them to ensure that they had more time to return them before Election Day.
The results of these reforms and innovations have been dramatic. Military voting tripled from 2006 to 2008 with more than 3,000 service men and women successfully casting ballots. Military and overseas voters' absentee ballot rejection rates in 2008 were reduced-down to less than 2 percent compared to 3.5 percent for domestic absentee voters. Minnesota was recognized for its leading efforts to build overseas and military voter participation and for having one of the highest military and overseas voter satisfaction rates in the country in 2008.
Last month, Minnesota held its 2010 primary in August. While primaries are smaller than general elections, the results show that we continue to make progress. For example, by getting ballots out much earlier we were able to reduce the rejection rate for military and overseas absentee ballots to only .87 percent. This is compared to 3.4 percent for domestic absentee voters who still face complicated procedures.
These results are promising and reveal that commonsense reforms make a difference. Minnesota's success serves as a model for other states facing these same hurdles. It proves that by working with the Pentagon and voting assistance officers in the military, we can ensure that those fighting to protect our democracy can fully participate in it.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dog lost in the Hoffman/Barrett area last week
Lost dog: English cocker, male, golden in color, weighs 34 pounds, white chest, tail is a half tail, no collar or tattoo. He goes by the name of Warsaw. Very friendly. Lost between Hoffman and Barrett on Thursday, August 26 at about 5:00 in the evening. Call 320-986-2003 with any information.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Congratulations to the WCA boys cross country team as they won the Bois de Sioux meet on Thursday night
Photo courtesy of John Starner.
At Breckenridge on Thursday night, the West Central Area Knights boys cross country team repeated as champions of the Bois de Sioux meet.
Alex Toms finished as runner-up, following his senior brother Kyle Toms across the finish line. The next WCA runner to finish was Neil Hyttsten, who took 12th.
“Kyle once again led the pack from the start and never looked back, unless to check on his brother Alex Toms, who finished in second place,” stated West Central Area head coach John VanKempen. “They have different running styles but both their techniques have proven successful for us so far. Kyle will keep up a strong pace throughout the race, while Alex has the ability to turn it on and off throughout races.”
Read more about the race, which had some very exciting finishes, in next week's September 9 issue of the Herman-Hoffman Tribune.
At Breckenridge on Thursday night, the West Central Area Knights boys cross country team repeated as champions of the Bois de Sioux meet.
Alex Toms finished as runner-up, following his senior brother Kyle Toms across the finish line. The next WCA runner to finish was Neil Hyttsten, who took 12th.
“Kyle once again led the pack from the start and never looked back, unless to check on his brother Alex Toms, who finished in second place,” stated West Central Area head coach John VanKempen. “They have different running styles but both their techniques have proven successful for us so far. Kyle will keep up a strong pace throughout the race, while Alex has the ability to turn it on and off throughout races.”
Read more about the race, which had some very exciting finishes, in next week's September 9 issue of the Herman-Hoffman Tribune.
Visit the Herman-Hoffman Tribune website's videos page to see a clip of WCA's Megan Endreson performing the National Anthem
The link for the Herman-Hoffman Tribune website is: http://www.hermanhoffmantribune.com
Then click on the "videos" tab.
WCA senior Megan Endreson did an outstanding job singing the National Anthem last night, and while I arrived later than I wanted to for the game, I got there in time to record part of the song.
I have other video clips from the football game as well. Some could be dubbed highlights for B-B-E, while others show some great scenes for the WCA Knights.
Stay tuned.
Then click on the "videos" tab.
WCA senior Megan Endreson did an outstanding job singing the National Anthem last night, and while I arrived later than I wanted to for the game, I got there in time to record part of the song.
I have other video clips from the football game as well. Some could be dubbed highlights for B-B-E, while others show some great scenes for the WCA Knights.
Stay tuned.
Chokio-Alberta/Herman-Norcross Spartans football team picks up a big road win at Bertha-Hewitt 34-32 in their season opener
Hats off to Coach Dave Hofland and his coaching staff, along with the entire Chokio-Alberta/Herman-Norcross Spartans football team, as they pick up a huge road win over a very tough Bertha-Hewitt Bears squad. Final score: CAHN 34, B-H 32.
Next week: CAHN at Hancock on Friday, September 10 - the Owls lost 48-0 to Eagle Valley last night.
Area 9-man football scores last night:
Wheaton 12, Verndale 8 (a big Pheasant Conference win for the Warriors)
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 14, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 0
Brandon-Evansville 46, Ashby 16
Underwood 48, Lincoln HI 0
Next week: CAHN at Hancock on Friday, September 10 - the Owls lost 48-0 to Eagle Valley last night.
Area 9-man football scores last night:
Wheaton 12, Verndale 8 (a big Pheasant Conference win for the Warriors)
Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 14, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy 0
Brandon-Evansville 46, Ashby 16
Underwood 48, Lincoln HI 0
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