Open Forum

Sheriff Dick Ross is one of the most experienced sheriffs in Minnesota. His leadership and management skills are unequaled. Crow Wing County is one of the safest and finest places to live, thanks to the quality law enforcement led by a quality public servant, Sheriff Dick Ross.

Lisa Lindley

Brainerd

Ross is respected

The experience, management skills, and progressive leadership of Sheriff Dick Ross is what has given law enforcement in Crow Wing County respect. Sheriff Ross is respected because of his integrity, a quality by which he lives and leads. Re-elect a sheriff with integrity, Dick Ross.

Lee and Diane Fundanet

Brainerd

Faculty support

The undersigned faculty members of Central Lakes College wish to affirm their admiration of, support of, and complete trust in, Brainerd city council candidate Anne Nelson Fisher as a person of integrity, as a citizen, as an instructor, and as our dear friend and co-worker.

Kay Fitterer

Martha Kuehn

31 other CLC faculty members

The rest of the story

In response to the Open Forum from Wednesday's paper, if the writer had read The Dispatch many years ago, he would have know the rest of the story. The city council had been criticized for not promoting new industry. The council was approached by Colin Hall with a request for funds to start a company in the BITC buildings, that made specialty buses for Disneyland. Before the funds would be released to Hall, he had to show that he had capital upfront. Unbeknownst to the council, a local businessman lent the capital to Hall, so the council released the funds. No buses were ever made and Hall skipped town with the money. The city lost money due to deception, not because of any negligence on the part of the city council. End of story.

James Wallin

Brainerd

Republican outrage

It comes as no surprise that Republicans were outraged over the memorial service for Sen. Paul Wellstone. It was, after all, an unscripted outpouring of emotion over the loss of a beloved statesman, his wife and daughter and three devoted public servants. This is the Republican party that supports George W. Bush with his "First Amendment Zone" and handpicked, stacked audiences at every public appearance.

This is the Republican party of Rush Limbaugh's radio show with his carefully screened telephone callers, lest someone with an opposing view should slip through the filters and interrupt the GOP chorus during its chanting of the party line.

And despicably, it is the same Republican party of Minneapolis radio host Tom Barnard who, while on the air Sept. 17, wished for Wellstone's death and has yet to apologize.

It's no wonder that Republicans, who use the media to smear Democrats at every turn, are furious over the fact that 25,000 Minnesotans held a spirited celebration of Wellstone and his ideals. This was one time when they couldn't control the message or the messenger.

Tens of thousands of Minnesotans honored Wellstone and his tireless work for the "common man." Many more celebrated his belief that everyone, regardless of income, gender, race or orientation deserves a chance to achieve the American dream.

What did the Republicans expect would happen at Wellstone's tribute? Did they think Wellstone's supporters would gather together and thank George Bush for his agenda of more tax cuts for the rich?

What happened Tuesday night was the beginning of a new movement in Minnesota. It's time for the GOP establishment to heed their own oft repeated advice and "Get Over It!"

Jeanne Flint

Brainerd

Totally embarrassed

When somebody dies you don't use it as a gain. I never voted for Paul Wellstone, but that is beside the point. A family dies, to me that is terrible. There are many family members who are hurt. What happened the other night on TV was terrible. I can't believe somebody or some politicians would even think of using somebody's death for their gain. This has hit an all-time low.

John Praske

Brainerd

Civility and respect

Let's bring civility and respect back to the Brainerd city council. Vote Ed Shaw, Ward 2, and Ann Nelson Fisher, Ward 4. They are honest, intelligent and hardworking, and will make Brainerd a better city.

Mike Wheeler

Brainerd

Vote for Fisher

Anne Fisher has my support and my vote. I have worked with Anne for five years at Central Lakes College. It is a shame that a person with such integrity is under attack. We need more people like Anne in politics.

Pam Pruitt

Brainerd

VFW position

We have all read and heard that the VFW has endorsed Paul Wellstone.

There is a PAC group out there that is using the letters VFW.

It is not the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This PAC is self supporting; they do not get any monies from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars cannot and will not endorse any candidate or party. It's against our National by-laws.

Someone is using our letters and giving us a bad name.

Paul Laughton, Commander

Post 1647 VFW

Brainerd

Ross has my vote

Law enforcement is structured after the military. The highest ranking military officials earn their way through the ranks to ensure sound leadership.

As a retired military man, I ask, "What qualifies Klang to go from private to general?" We are at war on our homeland, people, Ross has my vote!

Mike Clarine

Baxter

Stop the nonsense

I just wanted to remind everyone what the political campaigns are all about. I believe that we have all lost touch with what we are really trying to accomplish. The campaigns should be showing what each candidate is trying to accomplish, and how they propose to do so. They should not be based solely on one's charisma, good looks, or polite manners. What really matters is what they are going to deliver. We should not care about their history, but what they promise for our future. We should stop digging up the past to try and make ourselves appear more righteous; for in fact we only accomplish in making our efforts look pathetic. Stop all this foolish nonsense! We are all adults now and tattling should be obsolete. Please pay strict attention to their beliefs and what they put forth, and ignore irrelevant outdated material.

Brittani Erickson

Baxter

Vote for Lee

Ward 4 is indeed lucky to have a person of Hilda Lee's caliber willing to take on the duties of being on the city council. I've always regarded Hilda as a person with concern, capability and best of all, common sense. Seize the day, citizens ... Vote for Hilda Lee.

Bunny Humphrey

Rural Brainerd

Tuesday's fiasco

After watching three hours Tuesday night of the Memorial Tribute to our Senator Paul Wellstone, his wife Sheila and daughter, Marcia, I was appalled at the turn of events. It really was a free three-hour rally for the Democratic candidate taking Wellstone's place, who had not been appointed at that time. Is the Twin Cities media going to give Norm Coleman free equal air time to promote his candidacy? I doubt it.

I have another question. Did the Democratic party pay the University of Minnesota for the use of their facilities for this political rally, or was the Minnesota taxpayers again presented with the bill? How much do you suppose it would cost the average taxpayer to rent Williams Arena for three hours?

We have no problem with a memorial Tribute for the Wellstones, but Tuesday night turned into something much different. Coleman at least refused to campaign during the time of mourning. The same cannot be said of the Democrats after Tuesday night's fiasco.

Dick and Darlene Thune

Pequot Lakes

Gottsch's ad

Dan Gottsch ran an ad last Sunday supporting Dick Ross' opponent. Since Sheriff Ross had to relieve Gottsch of his duties earlier this year because of Gottsch's misconduct, ask yourself, "Is Gottsch looking for a job if Ross's opponent is elected?" We hope not! Vote integrity, by re-electing Sheriff Ross!

Larry and Natalie Embertson

Brainerd

Wellstone

It is with heavy heart that we remember Sen. Paul Wellstone today. I had the honor of interviewing him on the radio several times, and each time he was most friendly and open. On-air I of course refered to him as "senator", but when we were off the air he insisted on being called just "Paul". The same is true of his wife, Shelia. I interviewed her on the subject of domestic violence, and she was very passionate and sincere.

Several years ago there was a story concerning the possible dumping of garbage at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. I placed a call to the office of Sen. Wellstone inquiring if the story was true. I was especially concerned about this since my father is buried there I spoke with an aide, who said he would pass on my concern to the senator. A couple hours later my phone rang, and it was Sen. Wellstone calling back saying he would personally look into it. Its that type of caring about people that is all too rare today.

Politics aside, Minnesota lost a true leader. He was a kind, genuine person who loved Minnesota. God bless the memory of Paul and Shelia Wellstone.

David Torkelson

Buffalo

Republican stands

Politics affects nearly every aspect of our lives -- for good or ill! We need to know "who, what, how, where and when" an elected official will "say and do" for us or to us. We need to know how the candidates will represent us because our very livelihood depends on it! My political beliefs align with the Republican party.

No single issue separates Republicans from Democrats more than taxation, spending and the proper role of government. The Republicans have been true to the principles of our founding fathers: that government governs best which governs least. We believe in less government intrusion, lower taxes and less government spending. Democrats, on the other hand, believe in the power of government to solve all our problems.

Our individual freedom is at stake. Every inch of growth in our government comes at the expense of an equal inch of decline in our individual liberty.

Republicans believe the unborn child has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution.

The solution to crime is not more money for social programs. Republicans propose reducing crime by getting tough with violent and repeat criminals and guaranteeing our Second Amendment right to "keep and bear arms."

Republicans propose making Minnesota's education system more effective and efficient by reducing Federal/State bureaucracy and returning authority to parents and local communities. Allowing school choice, protecting parents' rights to "home school" their children and expanding charter schools will increase competition in education. We believe in re-emphasizing the "three Rs" in education along with the traditional Minnesota values of work, honesty, home and family.

Educated voting is critical. Fight for your freedoms.

Dianna Jenkins

Nisswa

Uniting people

There will always be those who are driven by selfish purposes, greed, preservation of wealth, power, military dominance.

But people who are still able to tap into a greater force will reach for goodness, create bridges, develop platforms that survive political ill will, cultural destruction, and personal tragedy.

A spirit of new purpose has emerged in many of us who have been passive, subdued, driftless. It is time to perpetuate what lifts humanity higher -- that inspired stream of conscious commitment.

It's the Wellstone Way. It offers validation, a reason for living: Make the world a better place for all people.

The gift we share from our arrival until our departure is the opportunity to become closer to each other as a species.

To everyone confused by causes, to those of us suspicious about "the cause," anyone who feels victimized by political treachery or abandoned through governmental abuse, give yourself a chance to connect.

Reach out for the center of human passion, the place where Paul lives. Devote yourself to his ultimate cause: Uniting people.

Steve Waller

Breezy Point

What's the priority

With war in the balance, why is our president traveling around the country campaigning for his fellow Republican candidates?

Ken Maddux

Irondale Township

Franzen is honest

We have been Baxter residents for about 35 years and have known Rosemary Franzen for most of that time. She's an honest, down to earth, "listen to the people" kind of person. I know that all Baxter residents would like to be represented by her and know somebody is listening. Sue Huff

Baxter

Dedicated neighbor

Dedication to her neighborhood, as a board member of S.E.B.R.A., shows our community Anne Nelson Fisher's commitment to her neighbors.

Affordable - quality housing, supporting new and locally-owned businesses, revitalizing downtown, protecting our environment, and

listening to her constituents is a foundation we need for our council.

Caron Long

Brainerd

Ross' vision

Politics! When all is said and done, there is usually more said than done. That's why we need the progressive, experienced leadership of Sheriff Dick Ross, the only one who can continue to get the job done effectively and efficiently with a vision for our future. Re-elect Ross, Nov. 5.

Cindy Bollig

Baxter