Open Forum

My name is Matt Taylor. I am the owner of the Eclectic Cafe in downtown Brainerd, and a facilitator of the Rock Sober program. Early this afternoon, while Rock Sober was taking a break, a man on a bicycle rode up to me on the sidewalk in front of the Eclectic Cafe. I would estimate this man's age at about 30 years, he was wearing a bright red t-shirt and a red baseball cap. His name was Darryl, unless the name tag he was wearing belonged to another. Darryl asked me, and I quote: "Hey, man, you know where I can score some weed?"

I proceeded in explaining to my new foundfriend that I did not smoke "weed", and I would appreciate it if he didn't ask people for it in front of my shop. For some reason this made Darryl angry. He started to pull some tough guy talk. At that time I asked one of the youth that attends Rock Sober to go in and call the police. This also made Darryl angry. It must also have sparked his memory that soliciting drugs is illegal, because he took the opportunity to speed away on his bicycle.

Since the Eclectic Cafe opened in January of 1998 we have tried to be a safe place for the people of our community to find refuge from the pressures of drugs and alcohol. Since the birth of Rock Sober in the fall of 1998, we have also become leaders in the community for helping young people find a life of sobriety.

To the Darryls out there: I beg you, please respect the idea that not everyone walks your path. The Eclectic Cafe, and the sidewalks of downtown Brainerd, are not places where the use or the sale of drugs will be tolerated.

I would also like to thank Keith Emerson, of the Brainerd Police Department for his immediate response to our call. I know you and your colleagues are dedicated to the task of keeping the streets of Brainerd safe.

Matt Taylor

Brainerd

Moral leaders needed

Unlike Mr. Welch I'm not proud of our current president and I am amazed at some of the proud voters out there. Anybody who votes for a candidate based on political party alone should be ashamed. Whatever happened to voting in good moral people who stand for something other than a party affiliation?

The impeachment proceedings were not about Clinton's sexual immorality; it was about his lying and deceit under oath. Which was impeachable. Sadly, people were just too tired of hearing about the mess and not enough moral people were demanding that he get what he deserved. Instead, Clinton and others would have you believe even our Founding Fathers were equally as immoral and launched a multi billion dollar campaign to convince us of just that. The movie about Thomas Jefferson was just one example of the smear campaign. There is no DNA evidence linking Thomas Jefferson to having fathered any children with his household help. It is all a big lie and fabrication. He did have a couple of brothers who admittedly fathered children, a fact that has been quietly overlooked by the media.

Clinton has been a shameful example of a father, husband and leader. He can't even go back to Arkansas; they don't want him, they were glad to get rid of him in the first place. He was one of the biggest crooks in the state. No wonder they want to settle in New York. It will be a good place for him, close to all of his cronies in the banking world and his buddies at the United Nations. He has done a good job for them; they will embrace their comrade with open arms.

I'm proud to say I didn't vote for the guy, and look forward to going to the polls again to vote for people of moral character and fiber, regardless of what party they belong to. I just hope there is an army of informed conscientious people lined up at the polls this fall that are willing to do the same. It is time to restore morality and honesty in our elected officials.

Steve Smith

Brainerd

Upset with TV report

I'm writing in response to the lady who thinks the pregnant mares suffer extreme inhuman abuse by the so-called farmers and big drug companies.

The May 11 news report by Channel 11 was to give a positive report so everyone could see for themselves that these mares are not being abused. Instead, like usual, the news media only reports what it wants.

If you have never been to one of these barns to see for yourself, I do not think you should make any judgements. The barn that was shown is probably cleaner than some homes. These mares are probably treated better than some children. The mares are exercised, they can move around in their stalls and they do not face a close wall.

These horses are owned by several farmers in the area and I do not know of a single one that abuses their animals. They would not send their mares to the Urine Barn if they thought they would be abused. The farmer who owns the barn spends several hours a day caring for these mares. Probably more time then a lot of people spend with their own children.

Go see a barn for yourself before you make judgements!

Nancy and Bob Dambowy

Brainerd

Farm rebates

Last year the Legislature passed $70 million in one-time tax rebates for Minnesota farmers and livestock producers. Many farm families missed the filing deadline of November 30, 1999 and lost thousands of dollars in tax relief.

The 1999 rebate payments were $4 an acre up to a cap of $5,600 for FSA-certified farmers. They were based on a farm's 1999 property taxes or on information from a farm's 1998 crop year. Eligible farms must have had at least 40 acres in the 1998 crop year. Livestock producers could receive rebates for half their 1999 property taxes on 160 acres or less.

This year, the Legislature passed a bill to extend the 1999 rebate deadline through June 30, 2000. Farmers who missed the November deadline can still apply for the rebate through the end of this month.

Farmers who applied late for the rebate and were denied because of the late filing should automatically receive a check from the Department of Revenue. Anyone who falls in this category and has not yet received a 1999 rebate check should call the Department of revenue toll free at 800-652-9094 or at 651-296-3781. If the department of Revenue has no record of your application, there is still time to re-apply before June 30.

Farm operators who haven't applied should complete Form AG-1, Agricultural Assistance Application along with either FSA form 156EZ or a property tax statement showing the farm's agricultural classification.

Livestock producers must complete Form AC-1, AG-2 (Certification for Agricultural Assistance) and Schedule F (1040) or other federal schedules attesting to farm gross receipts. The Form AG-2 must be requested from and then completed and certified by the local county auditor. The auditor has 14 days to determine the refund amount and return the completed form to applicant producers.

You can find more information and print a rebate application at the Department of Revenue Internet site (www.taxes.state.mn.us). You can also call the tax help line at 800-652-9094 or 651-296-3781.

The farm tax rebate was targeted to farm families who live and work on the land. While it won't solve all the financial problems farmers face, it should provide some help while commodity prices are low.

The rebate won't do any good if it's not in your pocket. If you missed the rebate deadline last year, be sure to send in your application now.

Senator Tony Kinkel

Senate District 4

Know what you eat

To all the folks who eat. This is a letter to express my grave conerns with the food industry and genetically engineered food. Most people have no idea what this is or that it exists, but as one starts to investigate it becomes a terrifying reality that we as consumers have no idea or choice. Basically we are guinea pigs to the food industry and we don't even know it.

I feel that as an American I have a right to eat food that has not been genetically altered. Especially when no one knows the the consequences because the food industry has not been required to label or do any preliminary tests, before we, the consumers have to eat this genetically engineered food. I believe that media has a responsibility to investigate this matter, especially when it effects everyone.

When you are thinking about whether or not to do a story on this issue, just remember the next time you are eating something, do you really know what you are eating and that it can possibly be detrimental to your health.

Katie Novotny

Minneapolis