Open Forum: Please donate your deer hides

Open letter to all deer hunters:

Here's hoping that you will have a successful deer hunt and you've created some cherished memories with friends and family.

As fellow hunters and volunteers of the Bluewater Chapter of the MDHA we would like you to consider donating your hide to the Hides for Habitat Program.

Your recycled deer hide will be worth three times the graded value through matching dollars. The funds received will provide youth hunter education and camps as well as local habitat projects.

In 2009 the Hides for Habitat Program collected a little over 30,000 hides which raised over $200,000 for the above programs, all in Minnesota. This is great yet we all know that about 180,000 deer are harvested each year.

We can do better when you choose to donate your hide to a Hide for Habitat box marked with an MDHA logo.

Thank you for giving back to Minnesota.

Marv Fiemeyer

Bluewater Chapter Treasurer

Pine River

The voice of the disabled

A Paul Bunyan size thank you goes to the political candidates of our district for attending the annual Lutheran Social Service (LSS) Picnic. At the picnic, the candidates met the individuals who are supported at LSS (Personal Support Services) as well as the staff who support them each day. The event allowed the candidates to put faces to people who most need their voices and their votes in our government. Without the voice of senators and representatives, those who are disabled have no hope of living a meaningful life with dignity.

At the picnic, staff shared success stories about individuals that LSS supports. One incident, told to the candidates was that, on a daily basis, individuals, who were told they wouldn't walk or talk or eat regular food, are not only eating, learning to speak, and learning to walk; but, they are learning to do dishes and having a great time doing it. This type of care is available, because of the individual to staff ratio at their homes. Another important matter, brought to the attention of the candidates is, these small homes are far more cost effective to the state of Minnesota than nursing homes and state hospitals.

Last year, Sen. Paul Koering and Rep. John Ward worked hard to eliminate cutting of essential funds to individuals with disabilities. We thank you for your support for these individuals. This year, as you vote on funding, please think of the individuals you met, as well as, hundreds of others that are supported in their homes. Would you please continue to be a voice and a vote to help provide the life these individuals deserve?

Kathy Hoffman

Lutheran Social Service

Brainerd

LeMieur ran a good race

I would like to personally thank Mike LeMieur for running a issue orientated race for state representative in District 12B. MIke stood for what he believed in and what is good for the good citizens of Morrison and Crow Wing Counties ... pro-life, our elderly, our farmers, our taxpayer, jobs, health care, and our future. Mike ran this race with honor, dignity, and of high degree of integrity, even while under a heavy attack from his opponent and the Democratic Party of St Paul. As a result of this, the good people of the district chose to give him a landslide victory. I know that he is aware that he has a challenging job ahead of him as he represents us in St Paul. But with support from us and the guiding help from God, I am confident that he will represent us well.

Tony Wenzel

Randall

TONY WENZEL is listed as chair of the LeMieur Volunteer Committee on the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board website. He is also LeMieur's uncle.

Dahl held the high ground

Dirty politics, innuendo and falsehoods reap unintended consequences. Sheriff Dahl kept it clean, held the high ground and won.

Denny Leach

Rural Brainerd

Thanks to our veterans

Thank you, veterans of today and yesterday, on this Veterans Day!

No matter where you served, how you served, or where you are presently serving our country - we appreciate your service. Because of your efforts individually and as members of all the armed services, we Americans are blessed and feel secure. The wars this country sends you to fight always put a special strain on you and your families at home. We salute them as well and will keep all of you in prayers of thankfulness and appreciation.

May God continue to bless you, your families, and the greatest country on earth - the United States of America.

Fritz and Judy Bertelt

Brainerd

Our country is doomed

It is a shame the level our society has fallen to. Corruption is rampant. No honor is left. Our election laws are outdated and allow fraud at all levels. Yes, it is time for the people to take back our nation from the politicians and the unions who seem to be taking over with exorbitant wages and benefits. Unions have long been in place and have outlived their usefulness. We can no longer afford them. They are driving the financial system into the so-called ditch.

The current voter fraud is but a small example of what is taking place on the national level. How do people who commit these atrocities live with themselves? No honor or integrity is left. It is all about me and what I can gain for myself. It was said many years ago by a political figure that as soon as the people discover that they can gain for themselves huge giveaways through their vote that our country is doomed. It has now come to be and no matter what we do we cannot save it. The veto is larger than our vote. We must change them all.

Daryl Bahma

Brainerd