Open Forum: A successful rookie season

A hearty round of congratulations is in order after a successful rookie season for the Brainerd Chapter of "Let's Go Fishing With Seniors" organization. These folks (all local volunteers) took over 800 nursing home residents, seniors, grandkids, veterans and disabled people fishing and boating on our local lakes.

Using their specially designed pontoon, with wheel chair ramp access, Let's Go Fishing provided all the fishing equipment, and bait plus boat captains and helpers. Everything was free-no charge whatsoever.

Let's Go Fishing is a fully grass roots operation supported solely by sponsors, donations and most importantly, volunteer time from local anglers. In the nearly five decades we've been active in the sport fishing world, this is one of the finest operations of its kind, that we've ever seen anywhere. The volunteers and sponsors deserve a big "thumbs up". We are indeed fortunate to have this organization in our Brainerd Lakes Area.

Ron, Al , James and Daniel Lindner

Lindner Media Productions

Baxter

Here's your choice

If you want the union to run the sheriff's department, vote for Eric Klang. If you want law enforcement leadership to run the sheriff's department, vote for Todd Dahl.

Larry Specht

Nisswa

Gazelka not against education

As a public school teacher and daughter of Paul Gazelka (running for state Senate District 12), I have heard my dad is "against education". With five kids, three graduated from Brainerd Senior High School, my dad understands the importance of funding education and will make student focused decisions.

Jessica Branston

Tulsa Okla

Stevenson's vision needed

Taylor Stevenson, a refreshingly passionate, intelligent, and proving to be the most knowledgeable and winnable candidate for State Senate District 12.

Taylor's vision and energy are what we need to move lake country back into a positive business climate again.

For ideas about building resilient communities and rescuing jobs: TaylorStevenson.com.

Chip Borkenhagen

Baxter

Klang for sheriff

Eric Klang is the right person for county sheriff. In 30 years I have worked with many departments, and I was impressed with his leadership and people skills when working with him on a missing woman case. He worked well with the family, press, and all personnel involved. Elect Klang.

Bob Heales

Private investigator

Crosslake

Historical society needs help

Have you seen the historical buildings at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds? They were restored and are staffed each year during the fair by volunteers. Among the buildings is the Carbine House, an original log home that was built in 1868 near where the YMCA is currently located. Duncan and Ella Carbine owned the house and lived in it for many years. It was discovered in the early 1960s when the YMCA began dismantling the house then at Oak and 7th streets. The log part of the house was saved, moved to the fairgrounds and restored by the Crow Wing County Historical Society with the help of other community groups. It was opened to the public by the Crow Wing County Historical Society for visitors and guests to get a glimpse into Brainerd's past.

This year the Carbine House was closed to the public because of serious structural deterioration. The house is in need of major renovations if it is to be saved. I am concerned that if the building is not restored soon, it may be lost to future generations. The Historical Society doesn't have the funds to renovate and repair the building. I'm making a plea to local knowledgeable builders and volunteers to help us with this project. If you are interested in lending a hand to this important endeavor, please call the Crow Wing County Museum at (218) 829-3268. Donations of building materials and volunteer hours as well as monetary donations will be gratefully accepted.

Mary Hoag

Crow Wing County Historical Society Board member

Doty and health care

A review of the voting records in the Journal of the House on important health care issues shows that Rep. Al Doty is voting the liberal/Obama line.

In May 2010, Doty voted against legislation prohibiting an individual insurance mandate. That mandate is part of President Obama's federal takeover of the health insurance industry. With the mandate in place, families who don't want government health insurance will be fined a percentage of their income. Under the Obama health insurance plan, we are mandated health insurance that may not be suited to our individual needs.

Not only did Doty vote to take away our ability to choose, he moved us closer toward a costly government mandated, socialist health care that will be enormously costly to taxpayers.

In the 2009 legislative session, Doty voted against an amendment to HF 1362 to improve health care competition. This amendment would also have lowered costs by guaranteeing the right to purchase health insurance policies that are approved in any other state. (Journal of the House, page 4135)

Since he first ran for office six years ago, Doty has been praising the virtues of the single payer health care plan. We don't need Doty's Obama/Care.

Cortney Ambuehl

Little Falls