VOX POP

I haven't always appreciated the sound of a Harley but I welcome it now. A few years ago I almost hit a guy on a quiet motorcycle. I didn't see him enter my blind spot. I couldn't hear him. (No, I did not have the radio on, and, no, I was not on a cell phone.) What an absolutely horrifying feeling to know you almost hurt or could have killed an innocent person. As far as safety is concerned, the louder the better. It saves lives. I wish they could all be Harleys.

Offensive title

While not uttered by anyone local, I truly find it offensive that a man whose express goal is to physically hurt others could be categorized as the "pride of Brainerd." We can only hope that this ultimate fighting craze will pass. Unfortunately it will probably be replaced by something even more disgusting.

Keep the park clean

I take my dog for walks daily in Gregory Park and have been finding dog poop everywhere. Some of them close to and inside the children's play area. I saw one of the reasons why while trying to avoid a large dog (not knowing if he was dangerous or not) not on a leash, wandering through the park on his own. I thought he was a dog who had gotten loose but saw a man call him over. The signs are clearly posted. I know you probably won't get caught but show some character. Keep our park clean.

'Brainerd Nice'

I have been in many other towns but never treated so royally as I am in the Brainerd-Baxter area. The clerks, waitresses and ordinary people are so nice, polite, helpful all the time. Sometimes I almost have to check my head to see if there is a crown on it because I don't think I have hardly ever opened a door myself if there is anyone else around. By the way, I'm not older, handicapped, in a wheelchair, thin or beautiful. It's just "Brainerd Nice" and I say thank you to everyone. God bless you.

Right a wrong

I was wrong but now I can see clearer. To the teacher who my son blamed for having lost his papers, thanks. I know he didn't do it. To the teacher he said didn't tell him he missed an assignment, thanks. He was lying to stay out of trouble. To the teacher my daughter blamed for her first "F," thanks. She wasn't listening in class, knew she wasn't doing her work but acted surprised she wasn't passing. Thanks for holding my kids responsible for their behavior when I couldn't see through their stage of deception. You taught us valuable lessons.

Making a big sacrifice

Jerry (Walseth, superintendent of schools) gets paid more than $15 per hour, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. He is making a big sacrifice by not taking more. I am sad he is not taking more of my $7.21 per hour of actual hours worked. The board should have insisted he take more.

Teacher raises

Isn't it funny how the teachers and administrators waited until our state government approved money for education and then they gobbled it up in raises for themselves? Then Mr. Dickinson (Steve, district business services director) says they're going to need or ask for an operating referendum. What a joke. Next time you see Mr. Walseth, tell him thanks for standing up against that pay raise and then remind the school board members when you see them, they're spending taxpayers' money and we'll vote them out.

(The pay raises approved for teachers amounted to a 1.5 percent increase for next year and 2 percent for the following year. Administrators received the same percentage increase.)

Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 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. Comments, which must meet the newspaper's standards of fairness and good taste, may be edited for clarity, length and libel. Responses to Open Forum letters will not be published in Vox Pop. Readers are encouraged to respond to Open Forum letters with an Open Forum.