Open forum

I understand that Causeway On Gull, the time share resort, is petitioning the Lake Shore City Council to build more units than what the local ordinance allows. As a frequent visitor and future resident of the Brainerd lakes area the following is my analysis of this proposal:

Eutrophication: The natural aging process of lakes.

Cultural Eutrophication: The natural aging process of lakes accelerated by our own ignorance, abuse and neglect.

Seventy-two vacation homes on land that can only reasonably handle 50 residential homes: Cultural Eutrophication of an unconscionable magnitude.

Why do we even have ordinances controlling lake shore zoning if developers like Causeway On Gull can just build to whatever scale they deem profitable?

Susan Friedmann

St. Paul

Praises Kinkel

Minnesotans won't have a doubt about who to blame if the Legislature adjourns before important state business is accomplished. The impact of quitting early, as proposed by House Republicans, would be extremely unfortunate.

No matter what happens in the hectic days ahead, I want to take a moment to praise your state senator, Tony Kinkel, for his diligent work this year. Sen. Kinkel's efforts have contributed to the Senate's balanced budget approach that deals with the current surplus responsibly. Recent events endanger our work due to the tactics of House Republicans.

The Senate budget package includes a great deal of tax relief, including another tax rebate check, lower yearly car registration fees, property tax and farm relief, and across-the-board permanent income tax relief. But what about our state's other vital needs?

For instance, House Republicans are refusing to help education. In the Senate, we recognize that more than half of our school districts are suffering financially due to a number of factors, including unexpected high fuel costs, declining enrollment and demands in the areas of special education, technology and building maintenance needs.

Sen. Kinkel and I feel strongly that our efforts on behalf of all Minnesotans should not fall victim to unreasonable House Republican political maneuvering. We still hold out hope that good policy will prevail.

Sen. Roger D. Moe

St. Paul

He kept his word

Gov. Jesse Ventura merely kept his word to keep government out of the personal life of women, their families, their doctors and their religion when he vetoed the "Women's Right to Know" bill. He has always stood for limited government and will continue to. I didn't vote for the man, most of the time I can't stand him, but this proves he cannot be easily swayed or manipulated. The news this week that he cannot expect Republican "help" with his unicameral legislation is a joke. It's so dead in the water anyway. To tie it to this issue is a sham. (I do believe the Republicans are going to try to "get him" for this however! )

Most abortions are not "walk in" appointments. There is usually some lapse time already between when a woman has a consultation for an abortion and the procedure is performed. Women have weighed the odds already and it is an agonizing decision. The "Woman's Right to Know" is a law that is patronizing to women and it is humiliating to health care providers who already give full disclosures about medical procedures they are about to perform. It is intended to provoke guilt and shame in women who are already distressed.

With the global population crisis, why is there not more emphasis given to family planning and education? Lack of information and ignorance are the key problems that lead to medical crisis decisions like abortion. Family planning solutions remain constrained by a vocal minority in Congress. Abstinence based "just say no" education in our schools is a noble effort, and works for some; but not for the kids who are going to be sexually active anyway. The gagging of our educators to even mention "condom" in the classroom is gross negligence.

Marcia Ferris

Brainerd

Gull Lake units

So, another development wants to build an excessive number of units on Gull Lake. Forget about the decline in water quality on the lake or more impervious coverage allowing pollutants to seep into our precious wetlands or metropolitan traffic flows on roads designed for rural Minnesota. Let's ignore the detrimental impact of over-development today on our ability to live in unity with nature or our great-grandchildren's ability to experience the beauty that we do. Money is far more meaningful anyway. In the end, isn't that what it's all about?

Dewey Albrecht

Pine River