Vox Pop

Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Submissions are limited to 100 words. To call in a comment, dial 829-2900 or 1-800-547-2909 then enter code 8008. To e-mail a comment, write to voxpop@brainerddispatch.com. Comments, which must meet the newspaper's standards of fairness and good taste, may be edited for clarity, length and libel.

A suggestion

To the parents of the graduating seniors of Pillager High School: The woman who taught most of your children to tie their shoes is being fired (outsourced). She was there all those years for your children. What are you going to do about it? I suggest calling or writing your local school board or superintendent.

Where were all the people?

I wonder where all the people who do not want the superstore in Baxter were when Mills Fleet Farm expanded and Home Depot and Menards came to town? Do you think that maybe that hurt the local hardware and lumber companies? How about when Applebee's and other restaurant chains came to town? Did anyone protest for the ma and pa restaurants? I'm sure I could go on and on about big businesses coming to town that hurt local stores and never heard anyone protesting it. If you don't like the fact that a super Wal-Mart is coming, don't shop there.

No support

The propaganda I hear about the president's tax cut favoring the rich is getting nauseating. If you are going to get a "tax cut," of course you have to be someone who has actually paid "taxes." The more taxes you paid the bigger your tax cut. The idea of giving away other people's money by the "tax and waist liberals" is called socialism. I for one do not support that.

Impressed by speaker

I was very impressed by speaker Al Norman. He cited a lot of evidence as to why a Wal-Mart Superstore would be detrimental in our area. I am now convinced more than ever we must protect our area from this sort of predatory, retail development. Let's grow in positive ways and save the unique character of our community.

Time is right

Yes, please use the school, at least part of it, for our youth. It has been promised for more than 50 years. The time and place are right. Ask the kids what they want and they'll help.

Welcome to Baxter

Paul and Babe are leaving as greeters to the entrance of our up north paradise, but I am sure our visitors will revel at our new green bypass, and as they across the Mississippi River and look to their left they will be greeted by the new huge gray superstore box surrounded by a sea of asphalt and be so impressed at our wise decisions and long range planning. Farther up Highway 371 they will see the "dark" old Wal-Mart store, and perhaps some boarded up gas stations, retail and grocery stores. Who could ask for more? Welcome to Baxter.

The Baxter name

Is it true that the name "Baxter" comes from an old Indian word meaning "completely paved over with asphalt?"