Time for change
“There is more methamphetamines in Crow Wing County than ever” says the deputy in a recent Dispatch article. Meanwhile, we are still subjected to the inability to buy cheap over-the-counter cold medications that work (the replacement is no more effective than a sugar pill. (http://www.theannals.com/content/41/3/381.abstract). We were promised there wouldn’t be a problem for law-abiding citizens to buy such drugs — a lie. They don’t keep it in stock; they shut down sales early in the evening and they won’t allow you more than a box even if your whole family has a cold. Time to change that!
Fiasco should have been shut down
The sheriff’s statement was “many people were put in jeopardy by Johnson’s decision to flee.” I would have to ask how many people were put in jeopardy by the officers’ decision to pursue? It would seem that Johnson did not represent a danger to the general public, her identity was known and she could have been taken into custody at a later time. I sincerely hope that if the sheriff was not present and in operational control, a wise sergeant, county or city, would have shut this fiasco down.
Disappointed in MMBA show cost
I was very disgusted this past weekend. We were all set to go to the MMBA show because we were thinking of doing some home improvements. We walk in the doors of the Civic Center only to see a sign that says “Admission, $3.” I can’t help but think that that is moronic. If we were hiring them to do a job for us, we’d be paying lots more than that. Why would a couple spend $6 to walk through the show to have businesses advertise and show us what they can do (as their business) for us? If you were to call up those said businesses, it would be a free estimate. Why couldn’t this be free? Something is very wrong with this picture. Why do they need to charge people to walk through? Where does the money go? I don’t know how others feel but I was very disappointed.
New detox?
Almost a year has gone by and still no new detox center. What’s going on here? Look at the police blotter — there are a lot of intoxicated people on the streets. Where do they go? Intoxicated people are unable to make good decisions. Many, but not all, need a safe placement for observation. Many people have died as a result of alcohol and drugs. Could be your brother or sister. Intoxication does not discriminate. Let’s get detox going before something really serious happens. Detox saves lives. Human life far outweighs monetary costs. Always will.
Support your locally owned business and merchants
I would like to thank my locally owned northeast Brainerd grocery store for last weekend. Going the extra mile to have an Easter bunny on hand to greet my granddaughter and grandson as they entered the store. My grandkids still talk about how the Easter bunny had them laughing, hopping around and getting ready for the Easter egg hunt in my backyard. For going that extra mile, I will continue to only shop and support our locally owned businesses and merchants who, like me, call the Brainerd area their home.
No answers
The Brainerd State Hospital is the newest one in the state. It is being demolished along with all the trees, etc. Who decided to do that? I have written to legislators more than once asking if the Department of Human Services or was it the legislators who decided to tear it down? No answers (I know they are busy campaigning). Several years ago, the administration building was closed for a long time so that all asbestos could be removed and the bricks were tuck pointed and the interior repainted and remodeled.
Minnesota Honest
People here may be known as “Minnesota Nice” but they should also be known as “Minnesota Honest.” Many thanks to the person who turned in my gold engraved necklace at Walmart Sunday. It is a reminder of a great trip I made a few years ago and would have been sadly missed. Thanks again.
April Fools’ joke?
The following help wanted was taken from the April 1 edition of the Brainerd Dispatch: Hourly wages offered were $7.50; $15-16; $9; $7.25; $8.50; $10-14; $7.25 and $12.50 for various positions. Was this an April Fools’ joke? Are they trying to attract immigrant workers? These are not living wages. Later the public will have to pay for housing allowances, food stamps and unemployment benefits so these same workers can make it through the winter season. Our local employers continue to exploit the labor force year after year. It’s a way the 1 percent keeps control of the 99 percent. Lakes area employers, please pay your fair share.
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays online only. Submissions are limited to 100 words. To phone in a comment, call (218) 855-5888 and leave a message. To e-mail a comment, write to voxpop@brainerddispatch.com. To mail a comment, send it to the Dispatch at P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401. Comments, which must meet the newspaper’s standards of fairness and good taste, may be edited for clarity, length and libel.
Comments (14)
Add commentApril Fools Joke
All those employers have decided to tripple the wages to make you happy.
Now all you have to do is dig deep and pay double for your purchases. As a true liberal, I'm sure you'll be happy to do that to suppliment all the other "free" ( TO THEM) things so many people get here.
MMBA show
We had thought about going to the show too. I HAD heard that there might be a charge at the door. I figured a buck or 2 if it was going to the food shelf or some other cause. But he flyer I found on line was for $3/ no charity mentioned. I seems by the time a family had to pay to get in just to talk to businesses about DOING business there was something wrong with this picture. I had several projects that I would have loved to make some contacts about but this didn't seem right to me. It may be time for them to rethink the whole thing.
Detox: sounds harsh but let
Detox: sounds harsh but let them drink themselves to death. There is nothing you can do until they would like help. If it was my brother, yep, he can drink himself to death.
Wages
I love how people complain about wages. "Oh no we have to have wages over $16.00 an hour to be liveable." The only reason why you have to have that amount of money is your so deep in dept thats the only way you can pay off everything. I don't know about you but when I was in school I was taught how to manage my money. My wife and I have made our current wage liveable and we don't make a lot. We have 2 nice cars, a nice living environment, and a couple LCD tv's. If a person learns to budget their income and live within the means of their income even if one spouse has a job at $10/hour and one has a job at $8/hour both working full time you can live decently. The key is DON"T SPEND MONEY YOU DON"T HAVE. Don't put it on a credit card either.
Lets think about the costs
Lets think about the costs involved for the builders association to put on the Home Show before we spout off about paying $3 to get in. The builders association has to pay the city of Brainerd to rent the Civic Center, plus they have to provide security for the event. Who do you think the three dollars goes to? It's not split up amongst the vendors that are at the show, so you are not paying the vendors to go speak with them about ideas, you are helping to recuperate the costs of putting on the show.
People complain about costs
People complain about costs yet they pay the fee ... People complain about wages yet they take the job without negotiating or educating themselves.
Money talks, what are you saying?
jimjimjoebob
I read your response to the Vox Pop and I am only guessing that you must be one of them. The money that the builders pay to enter in the show is a tax write off. Its and advertising expense that they can deduct. Every business owner (I believe) pays some sort of fee to belong to an association. Why couldn't some of that fee be put aside for shows like this? Most associations have a fund set aside for such things. And as for security...why would you need security at a builders show? I can't remember the last time I saw a fist fight over an appointment time or a some construction ideas from owners to consumers. Just sounds crazy to me. Also, if the money went to a charity or something it might have been a different outcome. Just sayin'
MMBA show
When we first drove up I was surprised of all the parking spots! Then we found out why.... I wonder how many people just like us turned right around and left (shaking our heads) Plus it really doesn't make much sense...we used to go both days. Now we didn't go at all. I almost feel like not using the company I was going there to look at.
In these times
The City of Brainerd should donate the arena! More workers keeping busy helps the city, too!
MMBA Show
The vendors don't mind it one bit. It helps qualify the attendees at the show and keeps out the freebie grabbers. St. Cloud Home show $5, Lake home and Cabin show at the Mpls convention center $9, Bemidji Home Sport and Cabin Show $5.
Civic Center
The city owns the building but it is managed and run by the hockey association.
Civic Center
The city owns the building but it is managed and run by the hockey association.
Builders Show
It was 3 bucks last year also. I predict this event will die off soon. It don't make any sense to pay some company money to view their product or service when you can get them to come to you or at least go to their place of business for free. We paid the 3 bucks last year but decided that would be the last time we attended one of these shows. Let them keep their tootsie rolls, note pads and key chains--its all junk anyway.