Open Forum

I have been keeping updated on Frank Ball's career move via your website on the internet. I was very impressed when I read the editorial your paper composed about him for the July 14, 2000 edition.

I have been dear friends with Frank for several years and he never fails to impress me with his optimistic attitude and bright outlook on life, whether it be about his personal or professional trials and tribulations. It will be a sad day for the citizens of Brainerd when Frank retires and hopefully one filled with appreciation for all that Frank has contributed to the community in his time of service to the area.

Not only is Frank a great friend, but also an inspiration to those around him. It is difficult to escape his charisma and ambition. Thank you for getting the "ball" (no pun intended) rolling on singing the praises of such a unique person.

Brook Mallak

Minneapolis

Rhythm of the Rails

A few evenings ago we attended the opening production of Rhythm of the Rails. It was a great show! Each year since its beginning in 1997 this show has entertained audiences with songs and comedy sketches relating to the railroad, which has played such an important part in Brainerd's history.

This year's cast features many fine singers, who deliver their numbers with energy and skill. Performers of all ages are included, from elementary school age to grandparents, and they all seem to be having a great time.

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, July 20-22, at 307 Front St. This will be the permanent site of the production, which has been presented at different locations in past years. Seating is in comfortable armchairs (no bleachers).

We recommend this production to anyone who enjoys vaudeville-type entertainment for the whole family. (This would be a good thing to do with your summer guests.)

Doris and Hal Anderson

Pillager

Word use

Have you noticed an ever increasing misuse of words? And, does it seem more deliberate than unintentional?

One such case is the use of the word enlightened, when brain-washed would be a much more appropriate word in their context. If however, brain-washed is offensive to them, then why not go back to the old standby of indoctrinated when discussing the process of religious orientation?

To describe abortion they often use the term infanticide in error. If you should have any question as the use of these words, check the definitions of them in a good dictionary.

The conservative politicians talk of death taxes instead of inheritance taxes, and go on to use the problems of passing on a small farm through the Probate Court System. If they are really concerned about the small family owned farms and privately owned small business, then why not double or triple the present cap of $650,000.00 on tax free inheritance? They could make the changes restricted to farms and businesses that are none corporate privately owned. Or they could make the assessed inheritance taxes payable on a 10-year schedule.

And they love to use the phrase of double taxation regarding taxes on inheritance and on capital gains. Then they use the term, people's money, regarding taxes that have been collected in excess of a budget that does not include the paying down of the national debt.

Can you visualize a person inheriting one billion, or more dollars tax -free, and then in his lifetime making $500 billion in capital gains, and never paying a dime income taxes?

Don't you find it hard to vote for politicians who mislead the voters to gain support for unfair legislation?

Dennis G. Gordon

Nisswa

Happy in Oak Lawn

To the Brainerd city council members mentioned below.

I'm writing in hopes that Mr. Scheeler and Mr. Vogt re-think what they said in their comments on July 14.

Mr. Vogt's comment was " For the life of me I can't understand why people want Brainerd to die. We need to grow, and to do that we need to gain property."

To that I say bull! You can't even take care of the properties inside of the city limits now. Look at the Wards building. Are you going to make another parking lot there too? Not to mention all of the money the city could be raking in with their nice and large parking lots. Those areas should have been turned into more retail space or what ever, instead, they get used for parking! Great money-makers there!

Mr. Scheeler's comments were " You're going to have to look at giving up some land for Brainerd to grow." And " Yes, you've held our limits for 50, 60 years but those days are over."

I don't know what you were thinking when you made those comments. Maybe you get a bigger tax break or something I don't know!

The both of you need to sit down and look at some of the businesses that Brainerd has turned away in the past! Didn't one of the major snowmobile factories want to move a shop to the Brainerd Industrial Park? Only to be turned away because Brainerd was to stingy to give them a tax break or something like that. Again, Look at the Wards building Someone needs to get the ball rolling faster then they do now or this will become the Baxter, Brainerd area. Kind of has a nice ring to it doesn't it? I don't want to see Brainerd die, but I refuse to be annexed into a town that can't sustain or thrive with its unlimited possibilities they already have, but don't know they have it!

Tim Woods

Rural Brainerd