Open Forum

Toman supporter Karen Toman has all the ability and professional qualities needed to effectively lead our county as Crow Wing County Commissioner District 3. She has proven herself to be a person of the highest moral and ethical conduct. She will be a voice of integrity and common sense in this position.

Marcey Cunningham

Brainerd

The right man

The world little realizes the importance of right. Leaders who do not grasp this fact forsake the principles of truth, justice, goodness and honesty, values fundamental to all. To ensure the presence of these values in our Sheriff's Department, elect a man of character and integrity. Vote Eric Klang, Sheriff.

Lewis and Evelyn Smith

Brainerd

Fisher backers

We have known Anne Fisher for seven years. We have found her to be cooperative, honest and trustworthy. She is an approachable person to whom you can talk to about your concerns. She will work diligently to research issues and decide what is good for the community as a whole.

Cheryl Wilson

Vivian Bolles

Brainerd

Ross is experienced

The position of sheriff is an important one, that person must manage a budget and be a leader. In today's times with crime and terrorism I know I want the most experienced, best qualified person protecting our community. The person with those attributes, and more, is Sheriff Dick Ross.

Duane Stettler

Brainerd

Depend on Koering

Paul Koering will be a dependable pro-life vote in Minnesota State Senate. He supports pro-life legislation like the MCCL backed Woman's Right to Know bill and ban on partial-birth abortion. He will always vote for pro-life leadership and legislation. For a pro-life champion, vote for Paul Koering, Nov. 5.

Clara J. Kedrowski

Little Falls

Asplund is a leader

Re-elect Frank Asplund alderman at large. He has been pro-business industry development for many years and a strong supporter of BLADC and our chamber of commerce in their efforts to attract business and industry to Brainerd. We need his strong leadership for positive growth.

Kris Fuglseth

Brainerd

Personal opinion

Regarding the Open Forum letter published on 10/26/02 in support of Lucy Nesheim, our executive director suggested that I clarify my support for her candidacy. I am supporting Ms. Nesheim on my own behalf and not as an employee of Region 5. Region 5 does not support any candidates.

Gail Leverson

Wadena

Healthy solutions

As a businessman who has recently moved our business from Baxter to Brainerd, I would like to respond to the letter writer of Monday, Oct. 28. One of the reasons we moved our business is because we found a building that was located downtown, and it was zoned properly! The business that many people had a problem with was one that was attempting to locate in the country - in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It would have been a spot-zoning situation which is not appropriate nor wanted by the residents who live there. People generally have the right to protect their homes and property from intruding businesses, and being forced into becoming annexed into a city.

The Coalition for Responsible Development invites everyone to our open meetings and to be a part of designing a community that will serve its residents. Yes, we are against some businesses. We are against pornography shops, strip-joints, and huge corporations that have no stake in local economy except to suck it dry.

Now if Bob Olson, Mary Koep, and Gary Scheeler are willing to allow virtually any kind of business to perpetrate its agenda on our community -- and pillage our environment, in our estimation this is wrong, and we will continue to stand up for our own local business people and citizens who are tired of being pushed around by politicians who seem to think they "own" this town.Instead of constantly bringing problems to the community, we are offering many healthy solutions. We would rather see the re-development, clean-up, and fix-up of the city we have now before allowing this constant sprawl out into the countryside.

Chip Borkenhagen

Brainerd businessman

For the 'little guy'

If you believe in responsible community planning, and healthy business growth, then vote for Ed Shaw, Anne Fisher, Frank Asplund, and Terry Sluss. The health of our community's character and economy is crucial right now, and these are the candidates who will fight for the rights of "the little guy."

Jean Borkenhagen

Brainerd businesswoman

Asplund and Shaw

I have worked with Frank Asplund 6 years on the Brainerd City Council. He's a proven asset on the Personnel and Finance Committee. Ed Shaw has worked to maintain locally owned businesses, protect our environment, while encouraging economic development that will pay a living wage. They will serve us well.

Debbie Olander

Brainerd

Wanted: Leaders

We need leaders in St. Paul not followers. When you see our two representatives from the 12th District vote party line every time you believe they are just followers. Vote in thinkers, vote in leaders, vote in Lucy Nesheim, Debi Copa Nagel and Sen. Don Samuelson. Vote for real leadership!

Scott Pakarinen

Brainerd

Appalled by service

I am embarrassed and appalled by the actions of the Wellstone family, Democrat party and participants during what should have been a memorial service for Paul Wellstone. Vice President Dick Cheney, Trent Lott and the rest of the Republicans who were shunned, booed and otherwise made not welcome are owed an apology. This should have been a time of human compassion, outreach and grieving not a political circus. I'm not sure Paul Wellstone would be pleased at all.

Sharon Thomas

Brainerd

Respectful to all

I encourage everyone to vote for Ed Shaw for City Council. I have worked with him on several projects and I find him to be respectful to all. In this day of lack of civility, it is refreshing to find an intelligent person who shows respect and kindness to everyone.

Sara Dunlap

Brainerd

What-if's

Scheeler handles the what-ifs of city business.

Scheeler has proven this many times.

Scheeler is a proven leader and will work on all issues.

We need Scheeler to represent our city.

Scheeler will continue to work hard for the city.

Please vote for Scheeler on Nov. 5th.

Tanya Meyer

Brainerd

It's OK

I for one find the sense of humor Gary Scheeler brings to both the city council and in his everyday work, very enlightening. He really loves the city he represents. Gary also takes city business very seriously. Please vote Scheeler Nov. 5th.

Jaimi Peterson

Pillager

Gil Dewes supporter

I have observed and participated with Gil Dewes as he has performed his commissioner duties, as he has worked with our Lake Edward Conservation Club and with the Thirty Lakes Watershed District. I have found him to be open, knowledgeable and effective and deserving of your vote.

Stan Droogsma

Nisswa

Blaine and Walz

Rep. Greg Blaine has done a wonderful job for the people of Crow Wing County in the Legislature. Greg deserves to go back to the Legislature.

Representatives Dale Walz and Greg Blaine have represented Crow Wing County residents well.

Re-elect Greg and Dale from Districts 12B and 12A, Nov. 5.

Paul Lippert

Brainerd

Walz fan

Dale Walz has done a very good job in his first sessions of Minnesota Legislature.

We need to send Dale Walz back to the Legislature on Nov. 5 to continue to represent the people of Crow Wing County District 12A.

Stephen A. Lippert

Brainerd

Vote for Shaw

If you want to see further developing of small businesses in Brainerd, elect Ed Shaw. If you want to have a safe, vibrant downtown that we all can be proud of, elect Ed Shaw. If you want attention paid to the heart of the lakes area, vote for Ed Shaw.

B.J. Allen

Pine River

Brainerd business manager

Memorial service

Maybe I am way off base but in my opinion, last night's memorial was one of the most partisan, disgusting things I have ever see in my life. I seldom agreed with the man's ideas but I surely respected his right to hold those ideas and I always admired him for sticking to his ideals. That thing last night was not a memorial, it was an abomination. It was a campaign rally. By all right Coleman should have gotten three hours of free TV time tonight in the name of equal time. A memorial service? I think not!!

J. C. Brink

Pine River

Inappropriate rally

After reading the story written by Kathi Nagorski, it is no wonder why people say that the press is biased. The fact that she can't see how the Paul Wellstone pep rally was not only inappropriate but classless proves the point even further. If this truly was a memorial to Paul Wellstone, they would not have booed Sen. Lott. If this truly was a memorial, there wouldn't have been any issue with Vice President Cheney attending. If this truly was a memorial, the chants of "Let's Win, Let's Win" never would have been a part of it.

Even the state DFL chair said that it got out of hand and politicized. With news reporting like that of Kathi Nagorski, it's no wonder people walk around with blinders on!

Mark Baskfield

Lake Shore

Klang for sheriff

Great leadership is defined by experiences with and for people. Such leadership comes from the heart, giving consideration for the hearts of others. It requires an attitude of care for people. We need a change in the office of Sheriff, and I'll vote for Eric Klang.

John P. Sullivan

Baxter

Fisher and Shaw

I know both Anne Nelson Fisher and Ed Shaw personally, and they are people of integrity. Lately, they have come under unfounded personal attacks, but they have held their heads high and are looking forward to the future of Brainerd. Vote Anne and Ed for city council.

Joel Engholm

Brainerd