Open Forum

To the Brainerd Dispatch staff:

Thank you for last Sunday's Labor Day Salute, its five sections of human interest stories and interviews.

Well done, good people.

Joan Wiesner

Brainerd

Who's keeping spending in check?

In an article last week in the Brainerd Dispatch on U. S. poverty, there was a quote from Bush who said, "When we keep taxes low and spending in check - all Americans benefit." I am totally confused by his thinking. This guy throws millions, even billions, of dollars around like it is Monopoly money. How can he run the national debt up to $9 trillion for future generations to pay off and even hint that he is keeping spending in check?

Julie Pawlak

Hackensack

Sports, salaries seem to be priorities

Kudos to Marv Begin who so aptly explained in the guest column of Sunday, Sept. 2, why we should not pass the school levy that the school board is putting in front of us once again and expecting us just to accept that they ask for over $5 million once again. There are many senior citizens up here in the Brainerd area who have already done their share in contributing to the schools over many years, and now when many homes are being foreclosed, utility costs prohibitive, groceries keep climbing and yes, sales tax, property taxes and all kinds of other taxes, the school board wants us to pay for perhaps another soccer field to maintain. I believe they have several now and they're greener than many lawns and of course not to speak of all the coaches hired for all these sports, including football and basketball for the boys and girls. Nothing but the best for these school kids in the material aspects of school. People, wouldn't it be great to see a list of all the many involved in running this sports problem along with the transportation issue, and what their salaries are? I thought we were trying to educate these children, but the priority seems to be sports and salaries.

In fact that certainly is covered in your newspaper more than academic achievement...all at the expense of hard-working people who are finding it very hard to make ends meet. When there's not enough money at the end of the month what do we do? We make a balanced budget for each month according to our income. Why doesn't the school board do a better job of taking care of the school budget? Just say no more!

Pat Gamache

Brainerd

Congratulations on two events

This summer, I have had the incredible opportunity to participate in two area events that were truly inspiring. The first was the 50th anniversary celebration of the Man High flight of Dr. David Simons, who was launched by a 30-story balloon over 100 thousand feet into the air out of the Portsmouth mine pit near Crosby. This secret, pre-NASA mission, was carried out at great risk to Dr. Simons to determine the effects on man of time spent on the threshold of outer space. The results of the tests carried out by Dr. Simons while in space paved the way for future space exploration and many are still being used by NASA.

Now 50 years later, Dr. Simons came back to Crosby to be recognized and honored for his achievement, one that put Crosby on the world map with regard to space travel. I had the great honor of addressing the gathering at the Croft Mine Park, and was humbled to meet Dr. Simons, who lit up the gathering with his enthusiasm and knowledge.

The annual Fishing Has No Boundaries event at the Confidence Learning Center on Sylvan Lake was a testament to the goodwill and community spirit of residents in our area. Dozens of volunteers showed up to help people with disabilities get out on the lake and fish. In fact, our community event has quickly become the second largest in the nation, and the smiles and memories that were created for all the participants are priceless. I would encourage anyone who has never participated in an event such as this to get involved; I came away with much more than I gave and look forward to taking part again next year.

Congratulations to everyone who was involved in these two awesome events.

State Rep. John Ward

Brainerd