VOX POP

The tragic death of Verdelle Goble has prompted me to finally say what needs to be said: Slow down. Brainerd residents have become careless, crazy and selfish drivers. I have on three seperate occasions stopped for a pedestrian on that very same crosswalk, only to be passed on the right by the person behind me. It's time to realize you need to change your lifestyle so you may slow down on the roadways. The angle of the sun is not a good enough excuse in my opinion. You need to drive the conditions - slowing down if you cannot see well.

Kindergarten issues

I had three kids go through the kindergarten program, the oldest in all day/every other day and the last two in all day/everyday. I'm so pleased with all day/every day. With our first, they are cramming two days worth of school into one so these kids are at the same level as the rest of the school district who attend all day/every day kindergarten. They're so exhausted by the time they get home. How about those teachers trying to cram two days into one as well as seeing two groups of kids every other day?

Grow up

Why isn't the man waving the fake gun in northeast Brainerd in jail? This person obviously isn't right and is a danger to this community. Anyone old enough to drive a car should not be doing such childish acts. Grow up, little boy, or go away.

Cut out the fluff

Here is a simple solution for our school district. Cut out the fluff. If half of the kids went to school from 8 a.m. to noon and the other half from 1-5 p.m., the district could still get their money from the state. The teachers would still get their hours and have an hour for lunch/errands. We could educate twice as many with the existing buildings and teachers with no extra expenses. Any home schooler can tell you what the state demands in education does not require seven hours a day, five days a week. Educators, use your heads.

We need rain

You know how they say if you wash your car it's bound to rain. If everyone in Minnesota washed their cars, we might get some rain.

Can't believe negativity

I for one can't believe the negativity surrounding the decision regarding a referendum for the Brainerd Public Schools. Our test scores are exemplary. Our awards and accolades are boundless. My students' teachers have been wonderful. I could not have asked for more and to see our referendum levy funding compared to that of other school districts of similar size, I can't believe the fine job that must be being done in the Brainerd Public Schools. They are making the most of resources available to them.

Misplaced priority

Would you rather see taxpayers' money going for building new stadiums or building bridges? Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

North Long area needs attention

What used to be a nice park and beach on Highway 371 at North Long is now a disgusting mess. It seems that if the state has excess money, it wouldn't take much to mow this area once in a while, at least a few times in the summer, or maybe some volunteers could get together and do it. Something needs to be done with it.

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.