Vox Pop

I agree with the person who wrote about how his/her kids do eat junk food and remain healthy. Maybe they understand that if you choose to eat junk food, you must exercise more. If schools want to look at unhealthy food, look at the processed food in the lunch line. Do they know what is in the food they serve? How much sugar in that dessert? How many carbs in that meal? How much salt? How much bad fat? Teaching a balance of food and exercise is the key.

Hidden agendas

Crosby-Ironton, in cutting back the budget, has many hidden agendas as it whittles away at its excellent staff. It's too bad that the administration chooses to remain ignorant as morale goes down the tubes because people in power have individual axes to grind. Crosby lost one superintendent because of extreme micro-management and fear tactics. The current superintendent chooses to close her eyes as everything collapses around her. When will she and her board choose to stop this spiral of confusion, deceit and lies? The people of Crosby are afraid to ask. Did not passing the referendum help?

Who should teach our children?

A highly educated professional who is well-versed in child development, reading strategies, and learning styles, or anyone off the street willing to work for a low salary? Teachers who are lifelong learners and pursue higher degrees show commitment to education and that benefits our students. The misconception is that teachers are overpaid. The reality is that quality should be sought out and paid for, a fact that is true in every other profession. If you aren't willing to pay for qualified, effective teachers, you won't get quality education in our classrooms and then our children will suffer.

Democratic full house

I attended the Crow Wing County DFL caucus at Mississippi Horizons Tuesday and what a thrill to see all the people who picked themselves off the couch and showed up for the Democrats. I saw a lot of Greens and Independents and young people. I suspect there were people who have never done this before. I took Tuesday night as a good sign that people have finally figured out it is time to change the regime here at home. It's not about gay marriage, it's about the bad economy, job losses, health insurance and the unnecessary war.

Party before country

The enthusiastic attendance at the Republican caucuses would seem to indicate that most Republicans don't give a damn about the continuing slaughter in Iraq and will vote for four more years of the same. Party before country, of course. When will working people stop electing members of the oligarchy (Republicans)?

Vending machines

I'm wondering if anyone would have the answers to a few basic questions regarding the vending machines at the school. There are some rumors going around and I'm wondering if anyone could clear it up. One is what are the net profits per year from the vending machines? And two, where do they go? Are they used and put back into the general fund and/or are they used to fund a trip for an activities club at the school?

The Brainerd School District's average net profit per year from vending machines is $18,000, school officials said. The funds are placed in the general fund and are used for unfunded programs that benefit students. Programs, such as the Fine Arts Banquet and Sophomore Appreciation Day, are funded through the vending machine profit.

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