VOX POP

It has come to our attention that some readers were offended by our explanation to a non-reader in this space Tuesday about Brainerd's water problems. While that may be water under the bridge, the Vox Pop Department of Reader Mollification apologizes and has suspended the offending departments for two days. The department also suggests that reading the Dispatch is a good way to satisfy a thirst for knowledge.

Not smart enough?

The bicyclists, skateboarders and Rollerbladers should be using the bicycling trails instead of using the roads where the cars and trucks are driving. Are they not smart to figure that it is for their safety? That bicycling trail is big enough to use or share with the walkers, safer than risk getting hit by a truck or car. If they need to improve something, get busy and make that Foley Road bigger than it is and cheaper than putting a dumb light on Inglewood. You don't need an education to figure that out. I only have a high school diploma.

Trunks might not be good idea either

I read the Dispatch article on thefts from vehicles at the YMCA. The article suggests putting your valuables, purses or packages in your trunk. This is an OK idea but if the thief is watching you and is going to break your window anyway, it only takes a split second to reach in and push your remote release trunk button. It would be safer if your vehicle if your vehicle has a trunk remote disabling switch under the trunk lid, use it. Also, some vehicles such as trucks and vans have no trunk.

Get a real job

The Dispatch review of the so-called health care vigil at Gregory Park sounded like a typical DFL caucus meeting to me. Those in attendance should find real jobs, including the associate editor assigned to cover any liberal get-together event in Brainerd. Also, Mr. Oberstar, we have not heard from you on the Obama government-run health care proposal.

Forgotten stop signs

The downtown area looks beautiful after all the renovations and street work but I think the city forgot the most important part - the stop signs at the intersection of Laurel and Seventh Streets. I've seen many people fly through there and that really needs to be taken care of.

(Editor's note: The stop signs were in place Friday.)

What about my premiums?

The government has had trouble running Social Security, Medicare, the post office and Cash for Clunkers. Now they want to give health care a shot. Everyone says if you're happy with your health care provider you can keep it but no one can say what my premiums will be after the government screws up health care.

Wake up, people

Let's let BAHA run the city council and let Mary Koep be the manager. Who in their right mind would let somebody work out a contract as big as the arena's? Check out exactly what she has given away and go to the city of Brainerd Web site; see what she's not telling you. Can we all get a business so cheap and then when something breaks, the city pays for it? Oh, and by the way, we're plowing snow in the parking lot for a private entity. People, wake up. This arena shouldn't be run privately.

Bigots and racists

President Obama will address America's children to encourage them to stay in school and take their education seriously. Superintendent Razidlo has been receiving calls from right-wing extremists concerned about the school children seeing President Obama's presentation. Mr. Razidlo didn't give in. These are the same extremists who hijacked the town hall meetings. These are people who immerse themselves in Fox television and worship Rush Limbaugh. They're bigots and, by and large, racists. Don't let them dictate school policy. We mustn't let these kinds of people run our country as the Nazis did in Germany.

Why not support speech?

I strongly believe that President Obama will not speak to our nation's students about sex, politics, nor religion on Sept. 8. So, disregarding those subjects, what concerned parent would not want their child to listen to a speech from our president addressing, in the words of the Dispatch, "the importance of taking responsibility for their education and challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed?"

Children learn from parents

And we wonder why there is no respect for authority these days - the children are learning it from their parents! To not allow your kids to think on their own and form their own opinions is wrong and to not allow your children to hear a speech from the president, who is our leader whether you voted for him or not, about the importance of education shows a sure lack of good judgment. Those who vote and make decisions based on political party only rather than thinking for themselves should not be influencing our future leaders.

Report the full issue

People observing the mismanagement of construction and repair of the utilities at Eighth and Oak would like to see sanctions placed on the Brainerd Public Utilities for lack of due diligence while repairing said utilities and not give the citizens of Brainerd lip service through this paper. The problem of coliform bacteria ingested into the water system was because of lack of knowledge, training and skills developed to handle a problem of this magnitude. Precautions weren't adhered to. What's the cost for cleaning out the water system? What's will prevent this from happening again? Dispatch, report on the full issue.

Appreciate your employees

This Labor Day take time to reflect on who makes your business run. Often times, your lowest paid employees are the ones who make it possible for you to open your doors and operate every day. They are the front line, the ones who deal with the mundane, the unpleasant and, in some cases, the bizarre. Unfortunately, they are also the same people who are thought to be expendable and unimportant. If your staff didn't show up, would your business be productive? If the answer's no, take some time and effort to show your employees you appreciate them.

Wants to choose values

On Sept. 8, President Barack Obama is sending out an address to the children on their first day of school. With this comes a curriculum made by the government. This is most likely a benign uplifting speech about values, but I would like the ability to choose the values with which I uplift my children. We can't celebrate Christmas, because we may offend people, but we can give political leaders face to face time to influence our children without the opportunity for the parents to view it prior. I hope that teachers use that time to educate our children.

Would like some reimbursement

I'm a little ticked off that no notices were sent or flyers posted informing residents the city water was contaminated. I thought it was my imagination when I noticed how rancid the water smells and tastes, then I started feeling sick to my stomach and having a headache. It'd be nice to get a discount on future bills to reimburse those who've had to dip into our small incomes to pay for something we already pay for on our utility bills.

Wants something done fast

When will the Brainerd water be drinkable again? Not only does it taste so awful that I have to buy water from the store, but it stinks. I can't believe it has to smell like that. Something had better be done fast!

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.