Open Forum

We support the proposed transition house on the Solberg property in Nokay Lake township. Many times, when people are released from prison, they return to their old habits and their old friends. This transition house will help men to learn skills through supervised work experience. They will also be encouraged to grow in their spiritual lives through Biblical instruction and observing Christian behavior modeled to them by the staff at the transition house.

Men who want to live at this transition house must apply and be accepted into this program. They must demonstrate a desire to change their lives and grow spiritually before they are accepted into this program.

We have heard testimonies from people who have gone through programs like this, and the results are amazing. Lives are changed, and people become useful members of their communities.

We applaud Kent and Linda Solberg and the Board of this program in their desire to open this transition house. This has been a dream of Kent's for many years, and we believe he has the skill, faith, and perseverance to help change many lives for the better.

Keep up the good work, Kent and Linda! We are praying for you!

Lori Libersky

Pequot Lakes

Joyce Good

Brainerd

and six other people

Halfway house

Regarding the Halfway House for former inmates/prisoners in Nokay Lake Township proposed by Mr. Ken Solberg:

I don't know how long Mr. Solberg has lived in Crow Wing County, but we have a state hospital here in Crow Wing County. Called Crow Wing County Central Minnesota Regional Detention Center. This facility was built back in the '50s for the mentally retarded, now being used for drug addicts, alcoholic, etc. for rehabilitation. It has just been renovated. It is also staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by competent people, close to the police department and sheriff's department in close range when needed. Put these former inmates/prisoners there. We do not need to farm them out to other places. It would spell trouble and worry for the neighborhood, plus added expense for the taxpayer.

Gene Hornby

Rita Hornby

Rural Brainerd

A total team effort

I would like to thank The Dispatch for the positive article on the Brainerd DNR Air Tanker Base. I would like to make a point that I think was missed. The fire in Barrows on May 31, 2002, was not just a water bomber operation. It was not just a Brainerd Tanker Base operation, this was a total team effort.

Involved in this fight were; two helicopters and one air tanker from Bemidji, two water scooping tankers from Hibbing, two retardant tankers from Ely, one helicopter from Sandstone, in addition to the Brainerd helicopter and the Brainerd water scooping tanker. Also involved were the Brainerd Fire Department, Brainerd DNR regional forestry office, the Brainerd DNR area forestry office, the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center of Grand Rapids, the tanker bases at, Bemidji, Brainerd, Hibbing and Ely. Ground support for fuel and oil was Airmotive Enterprises Inc. of Brainerd airport. Ground personnel and equipment came from forestry stations through out the state. A&W Research Laboratories of Brainerd was involved with mapping the fire and locating hot spots. Their work and technical assistance saved many man-hours on the ground. The Minnesota National Guard was very involved the second day with dropping water on spot fires and mopping up.

I probably have missed some and for that I apologize. As you can see this was a team effort of highly trained and dedicated professionals doing their jobs. I am proud to be a part of this force. Thank you all.

Keith Riedel

Brainerd