Open Forum

Women are now 54 percent of all voters. Some of the occupations of former presidents and vice presidents include farmer, tailor, teacher (two) sheriff, rancher (two), editor, engineer and author. Were they more qualified than a governor and a mom with five children? No one gender has a patent on leadership qualities.

John Holley

Ironton

Doty is the best choice

It has been my honor to serve with Rep. Al Doty. Al did not miss a day or an opportunity to represent and serve his constituents. His dedication, positive attitude and tenacity are only a few reasons why he is the best choice to represent the citizens of District 12B.

Rep. John Ward

District 12A

DFL-Brainerd

Vote for Frank Ball

I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you what a superior job Frank Ball would do as District I commissioner. Frank has a great deal of experience in local, county, state and international government. He has compassion for people, their concerns and needs.

Vote for Frank Ball.

Barb Jensen

Brainerd

Doty listens to 12B

A partisan letter writer seemed worried that "Education Minnesota is one of Doty's largest campaign contributors." He needn't be too worried....they gave only $400 (about 1 percent of campaign funds raised). He failed to mention that. Probably he wanted you to think it was a huge amount of money.

He also failed to mention that Doty didn't vote for the 2008 Education Omnibus bill, which was favored by teachers. Probably he wanted you to think Doty votes with a union or a party or some group all the time. It's hard for some Republicans to admit that DFL members don't have to do that; they're not punished for voting their districts, like the six Republicans who voted for the transportation bill.

He also failed to mention that Doty has been actively going around 12B talking to school boards, teachers, and superintendents for all views on new education funding proposals. Probably he wanted readers to think Doty only listens to teachers, but Doty is endorsed by over 20 groups; nurses, firemen, police, laborers, nursing home workers, and local government workers. Too bad the author didn't listen better to his teachers long ago; he'd maybe have learned to tell the whole story.

Kae Holmen

President

Education Minnesota Little Falls

NRA endorses McCain-Palin

John McCain has more than two decades of pro-gun and pro-hunting votes in Congress. He supports preserving our Second Amendment freedom and rich hunting heritage. McCain and Palin have earned the National Rifle Association's endorsement. Gun owners, hunters, those who value freedom, will vote McCain-Palin Nov. 4.

Dianna Jenkins

Nisswa

Honest government needed

Trust in government, at the local and national levels is at a low. Regardless of the Brainerd City Council candidates positions on other issues, we should all be committed to restoring citizens' trust in Brainerd city government.

I would hope that all of the candidates will support a conflict of interest rule preventing any council member from voting on an issue where they or a family member have a personal or financial interest. Many other cities have adopted these rules so their citizens know that decisions are made based on what their leaders think is best for their community, not their own pocketbooks. Regardless of which candidates win the election next month, we will all benefit from honest local government.

Ed Shaw

Brainerd

Why should our children pay?

At a recent debate, John Ward's opponent criticized John for raising taxes (gas tax). Another writer criticized John for not scoring well with a right wing controlled tax league. Here's the rest of the story.

When a bipartisan legislative vote overrode the governor's veto, they put the cost of road and bridge maintenance where it belonged...with the users, including out of state drivers. Why should the elderly who rarely drive, be forced to pay for road upkeep through increased local property taxes? An article this summer stated Cass County's local share of a road project went down 30 percent when the state gas tax increase took effect. Why should our children be forced to pay for our bills? That is Ward's opponent's and the governor's strategy... bond for it and pass off the cost to our children. We pay interest but stick it to someone else! Buy hey, we didn't raise taxes! Hah! That's what was happening and will happen with Pundt. Ward believes we should pay as we go and be fair in who pays. And we will pay, one way or another.

Speaking of paying, look at the price paid by the six GOP legislators who voted for the gas tax increase because it was best for their constituents? They were punished by their party! How will Pundt be able to represent us, when he has to walk in lock-step with his suburban controlled caucus?

Finally, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the top 5 percent of Minnesota taxpayers pay only 10.5 percent in taxes while the middle 20 percent of us pay about 12 percent. Don't be fooled by the GOP shell game. They want to shift the costs to lower income and rural taxpayers and still claim they won't raise taxes.

Rob Norgon

Baxter

Check into Obama's background

I have a question to all area residents as well as the rest of our great nation. In this political campaign for president why are Sen. Obama's shady stories swept under the rug while Gov. Palin's political mistakes are looked under a microscope? If either are elected Sen Obama will have the highest office in the land while she would have a much slimmer chance at that office. I believe it is equally important to have all questions answered by all candidates before we can have a unbiased vote.

Chad Stehr

Brainerd

Doty explained his vote

I recently received a mailing from the Republican party stating "Al Doty voted to waste $400,000 of our money on sheet music." I wanted to get the full story so I contacted Rep. Doty and asked him about that vote.

It turns out that there was a line item in the last bonding bill that included $400,000 for a sheet music museum. This bonding bill included $5 million for Camp Ripley to construct a public safety training area for the whole state. Rep. Doty introduced that bill, and fought to have the facility built at Camp Ripley, winning out over several other areas competing for the site. All bonding projects end up in one large bill.

Rep. Doty voted no the first time the bonding bill came through. When changes were made and the total expenditure reduced by $20 million he then voted yes. In order to vote against the sheet music museum he would have had to vote against the entire bonding bill that created 10,000 jobs, and the facility for Camp Ripley. The bill passed 107-26.

Statements and actions taken out of context although factual, do not always convey the whole truth. Go to the source and get the entire story on any issue. Al is responsive and willing to discuss his record and views.

And by the way, Gov. Pawlenty line-item vetoed the music museum.

Any fiscally responsible governor of either party would have done the same.

Mavis Buker

Little Falls

Ward endorsed by MCCL

After working with Rep. John Ward, it is evident that he is a strong advocate for life, proven by his 100 percent pro-life voting record. Because of this record, and his ongoing commitment to supporting pro-life legislation, Rep. John Ward earned the endorsement of the MCCL State PAC.

Andrea Rau

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL)

Legislative Associate