Open Forum

In response to your article about me to the school board: Re: to David Colvin. I think people should know you're printing half-truths about me.

1. When I was using the school computer I was doing my college homework. I was wrong and I apologized. And it didn't happen again.

2. A student who jumped on my back and witnessed by several people saw the horseplay incident. This incident caused me physical injury.

3. I was on campus early to take a co-worker who was leaving for a farewell lunch.

I think if you go into someone's past you should report the whole truth.

David Colvin

Brainerd

(Editor's note: Colvin declined to direct the school district to open his personnel file and declined to comment fully on the incidents that were reported in Friday's paper.)

Mental illness meeting

If you are having trouble understanding your loved one's mental illness (severe depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and others) and don't know where to turn, you can learn about it and how to cope with it in a free course beginning Monday, Sept. 8, in Brainerd, sponsored by NAMI Brainerd Area.

Called "Family to Family Education Program" it is a 12-week course for family and friends of individuals with serious mental illness. It is taught by trained NAMI family members and teaches the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.

NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) is a nation-wide grassroots family-based advocacy, education and support organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by mental illness by providing family support, working for better mental health care, and fighting the stigma associated with mental illness.

This course is only offered once a year, and space is limited, so call Martha Anderson (one of the co-teachers) today at (218) 568-4091 or e-mail her at hagar@uslink.net to register. Graduates have called this course "a life changing experience."

Martha Anderson, president

NAMI Brainerd Area

Pequot Lakes

Leave no pile behind

Candidate George Bush told us in the 2000 election he wanted to change the tone in Washington. He has not done so. As this election cycle draws near, it is painfully clear the McCain/Feingold attempt to rein in campaign financing, although well meaning, was woefully inadequate. President Bush, rather than taking the lead in this area, is flying from city to city stuffing Air Force One with obscene amounts of cash and flying back for more. It seems his rallying cry has become "Leave no pile behind."

Michael Ward

Brainerd

Downtown businesses

In your recent opinion piece about all the businesses in downtown Brainerd's vibrant 60's, you overlooked The Brainerd Daily Dispatch which, as you may know, now resides on the ragged edge of town awaiting annexation by Baxter.

Stephen A. Busch

Pequot Lakes

Pawlenty's home run

Minnesota Democrats are trying to start a California-style recall of Gov. Pawlenty. The main difference is that California's Governor Davis is very unpopular and is supported by less than 20 percent of the people, while Gov. Pawlenty enjoys wide support in Minnesota for balancing the states budget without raising taxes.

Democrats are bitter because Pawlenty is doing such a great job and they want people to think that he is not. Democrats in the Legislature didn't have any ideas of their own for balancing the budget so they simply wanted Gov. Pawlenty to raise taxes and he refused. The Democratic leadership is acting like a kid who didn't get his way and now wants to take the ball and go home.

When partisan Democrats come by with a recall petition, let them know that Gov. Pawlenty has hit a home run by balancing the budget without raising taxes. Tell them we need more leaders like him rather than less. Better yet, let Tim Pawlenty know that you appreciate all that he's accomplished for Minnesota and look forward to another term in office.

Karen Toman

Brainerd