Open Forum

My 11-year-old son has been racing at Brainerd Lakes BMX for the past two years. With the news that the city of Brainerd has purchased the land on which the track is located, the future of BMX is in question. Because of this uncertainty he has decided to try motocross. Now we find out that the future of motocross is in question as well. These two sports are of a few in which physical stature is not a factor. Unfortunately our son doesn't have the physical size to participate in a lot of other sports.

There are a lot of kids currently racing whom if they weren't might get into mischief without a structured activity in which to participate. Both of these activities, motorcross and BMX, are family oriented. Very seldom do you see a child get "dropped off" to participate in races. Parental involvement is a major factor in making motocross/BMX racing what they are.

Craig Johnson of KC Race Promotions is trying to obtain a special use permit to build a motocross track in Crow Wing County. He has stated his willingness to build a new BMX track on the land in question in addition to the motocross facility. I don't know the number of families involved in motocross but I know that there are at least 100 riders at Brainerd Lakes BMX each week. That would make a lot of families grateful to Craig and his organization, not to mention how grateful they would be to the Planning and Zoning Commission if they allow KC Race Promotions to build the proposed facility.

As a resident of Crow Wing County I ask that you, please, help keep our children safe by keeping structured, family activities available to them in our county.

Sue Spencer

Baxter

Baxter meetings

We very much agree with Michael Ceriello when he writes in his guest column entitled "Baxter should reconsider TV decision" in Monday's Dispatch 9-9-02, that it is very important in a democracy to have an informed citizenry. If citizens do not wish to watch the council

proceedings that's their choice, but the choice should be theirs to make, not a council members. We applaud Ms. Wells for her vote in favor of the motion to televise council meetings, and we would ask, as Mr. Ceriello does, that the rest of the Baxter council reconsider their votes and join other Councils in this state who do understand the importance of citizens informing themselves in what ever manner they would choose including the viewing of council meetings.

Barbara Watson

Baxter

Practice what you preach

I find myself compelled to reply to the letter that appeared in the Thursday, Sept. 5 paper. I should first probably tell you that the author of that Open Forum, though I have been told I can not refer

to her by name, has been and hopefully always will be one of my closest and dearest friends.

As I read her thoughts on Tuesday's meeting I was filled with one emotion. Shame. I know from her own mouth that the author disagrees with Bob Olson on only one single issue. She is a strong advocate for the blocking of a Wal-Mart super store coming to the Brainerd area. I also know that her tunnel vision on this single issue has tainted the way she sees everything that has to do with Bob Olson.

Now, I agree with the Wal-Mart issue. I think this town would be ill-served to invite a super store in, but I think it is absolutely ridiculous to say that because a person disagrees with you, they should "go back to grade school to learn, if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all;" I think what my friend truly meant to say is that if Bob can't learn to see things her way, then he should shut up. What really disturbs me about this, is the fact the the author of the letter, just like Bob Olson, is one of the people I admire for taking an aggressive stand for what they believe to be just. The image that comes to mind is my friend screaming accusations of child labor into a megaphone in the face of Wal-Mart management.

This does not strike me as either nice or kind but goes to show that many times the truth is ugly... but it is still the truth.

So maybe the author of the Sept. 5 Open Forum letter and those of like mind should also go back to grade school to learn a new cliche, "Practice what you preach!"

Matt Taylor

Merrifield

Brainerd Business owner

Survey questioned

On Thursday, Sept. 5, I received a call from a pollster and agreed to answer their questions. He asked who I supported for U.S. Senator and named the candidates. He did the same for governor and other offices.

But for state Senate, he asked if I supported Don Samuelson or the Republican. I said the Republican is Paul Koering, and then he said that had not been determined yet.

That statement is not true. It was determined when Paul Koering was endorsed by the Senate District 12 Republicans on April 30 and was the only Republican to file for the office. He had no primary opponent.

Don Samuelson knows that and so does the DFL Party. This call was not an isolated incident. I know from talking to others that this "survey" has been taking place for several weeks. Others have received exactly the same call always saying "Don Samuelson or the Republican." It looks like they are deliberately trying to confuse voters and make Samuelson look stronger than he really is. I think this is what is known in campaigns as a "dirty trick" and I don't like it.

Jane Stucke

Baxter