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Readers’ Views

Plowing issue is real

To the Editor:

I was appalled by the Sentinel editorial board’s response to the complaints that have arisen in this “movement,” as they call it, regarding Fairmont’s snow-plowing policies. “Out of line”? Seriously? Since when are the residents of this town who choose to complain about anything out of line? I guess the board feels that unless the residents agree with all the policies of this city, we don’t have the right to complain.

This snow-plowing issue is real to many, many homeowners in this town. The board seems to believe that the solution is “just go out and buy a snowblower or hire someone to do it.” Does the board truly understand that it’s not that easy for residents to just go out and purchase a snowblower powerful enough to get through the mess, or spend $25 per visit to have it done for you? My elderly mother pays $25 per time to have hers done. Multiply that times 20 or 30 snowfalls in a winter, and that’s a huge amount of money. She lives on Social Security, as do many seniors/elderly/disabled who live here, not to mention those who simply live paycheck to paycheck.

Homeowners in this town pay additional taxes on various amenities in this city, many of which some of us never utilize. Yet when it comes to a service that every single homeowner could benefit from, it’s too expensive and time-consuming. I know that the city is planning on addressing the issue with some sort of committee it is forming, which is a good thing. It’s my hope a solution will be agreed upon.

In closing, the response from the editorial board left me feeling like we “complainers” are being shamed for speaking out. I refuse to be “shamed” for speaking my mind. Shame on the board for sending that message.

Julie Woodruff

Fairmont

Support Munson

To the Editor:

On a wintry night last month in Mapleton, 80 percent of the Republican House District 23B delegates voted for Jeremy Munson on the first ballot at our endorsing convention. The delegates consist of 189 volunteers who took the time to learn the issues, meet both candidates, and heard Mr. Munson and Mr. Sanders speak and discuss pertinent issues.

Prior to the endorsement vote, both candidates agreed to honor the delegates’ selection.

On the last day allowed, Mr. Sanders filed to challenge the officially nominated candidate. Evidently, this was not a “last-minute” decision, as signs and mailers had already been prepared. Apparently, Mr. Sanders’ campaign had been revived and reorganized by a group fearing Mr. Munson’s candidacy, complete with financing, organization, press releases and “volunteer” staffing prior to Mr. Sanders’ filing.

Recently, former House District 23B Rep. Tony Cornish, whose recent resignation was the impetus for the impending special election, published an endorsement for Mr. Sanders on his Facebook pages. Among others, Mr. Cornish’s prepared statement included references to Second Amendment and pro-life issues. However, Mr. Munson has been endorsed by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. He has also received the highest possible scores from the Minnesota Gun Owners’ Caucus and the Minnesota Gun Rights Association.

I and many others have supported Mr. Cornish in the past as volunteers and contributors in his campaigns. So this recent display of disrespect to District 23B Republicans is, at very least, disheartening, and we question Mr. Cornish’s motives to reject the wishes of the 23B delegates.

The timing of Mr. Sanders’ “last-minute” decision to challenge our official endorsement has already caused our rural voters who vote by a mail-in ballot to have precious little time to vote in both the primary and general special elections. It is arguable that these specifically-timed actions have essentially disenfranchised many voters.

I encourage everyone to vote for Jeremy Munson in the primary election on Monday, Jan. 29. Mr. Munson is not a career politician, and his potential election to the Minnesota House is obviously feared by the “establishment” faction at the State Capitol.

We cannot allow non-local special interest groups to select our local representatives.

Dr. Jeff Taylor

Mapleton

What else will he ignore?

To the Editor:

Time and time again, we in out-state Minnesota have seen our voice smothered by St. Paul special interest groups with their own agendas. The House District 23B seat, vacated by Tony Cornish, special election is not about who is the nicest guy — Munson or Sanders. It is also not appointed by the past representative.

The Republican candidate for this seat was duly endorsed by a record-breaking attendance of delegates and alternates from the four counties of Watonwan, Le Sueur, Blue Earth and Waseca to the endorsing convention this past Dec. 21. The endorsed candidate is Jeremy Munson. The delegates were properly elected by the people in every precinct in our area and are the real people who live in rural Minnesota and who critically looked at both candidates to see who better understood the issues facing the people in our district. More importantly, they chose the candidate they thought they could trust to listen to them, not St. Paul pundits. After meeting both Munson and Sanders, and having had the opportunity to listen to them give speeches, show the depth of their understanding and debate the issues, the delegates turned out the endorsing convention in record numbers. Eighty percent of them voted to endorse Munson on the first vote.

We need a representative who will not ignore the endorsement of the dozens of men and women who came out in a blistery, cold night to vote. What part of our interests is Mr. Sanders going to ignore next if he cannot even be faithful to the endorsement?

Renee T. Doyle, alternate

House District 23B

HD 23B must decide

To the Editor:

Tony Cornish just spit in the eye of every Republican caucus-goer who voted for delegates to represent them at their county conventions and for the responsibility of endorsing candidates for the Minnesota House and Senate. He did so by personally endorsing someone other than the GOP-endorsed candidate. These delegates are the folks we ask to vet the candidates and endorsed the best one. Tony’s judgement has been compromised, in more ways than one.

I will miss Tony for his work on Second Amendment rights and his work for law enforcement. His spending, public union support and willingness to raise taxes were not his strong suits. Tony liked and voted for big government. You might not know that without looking at his voting record.

Tony used the system when it was convenient for him but now he wants a say as to who represents us House District 23B. I don’t think he deserves a say in that because his judgement has been compromised as evidenced by his actions. Tony resigned and left us facing a special election, and that is totally on him.

Both Republican candidates worked through the process and asked for the delegates to support them. After the vote was taken, mor ethan 75 percent of the delegates voted for Jeremy Munson. Pretty overwhelming, I’d say.

Jeremy is the candidate who will work to protect our Second Amendment rights, your freedoms in Minnesota and, on top of that, he runs a business that helps companies run more efficiently. We sure could use that in the state House.

He has been endorsed by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and has received top scores from the gun groups in Minnesota. I’ve been to the gun range with Jeremy and knows he has a healthy respect for our rights.Jeremy has also signed a pledge to not raise our taxes, and I believe he will work to lower them.

Draining the swamp of insider politicians in the Minnesota House who want to control us must start here by not allowing them to defeat Jeremy Munson because he is “conservative.” We need true conservatives in St Paul who are willing to fight for us and not work against us behind our backs for the big government insiders and lobbyists, just because Cornish wants us to. Have you looked at how much government has grown and taxes have made us not competitive with other states since Cornish took office?

We don’t need people who want to make government bigger and look to bring home the “pork” for their special interests and bike trails. We need roads, bridges and infrastructure to get our grain to market and encourage business growth in southern Minnesota. Jeremy knows this.

Jeremy’s opponent didn’t gain the respect of the delegates and now I have to wonder if he is just another politician who says one thing and does another.

Sen. Al DeKruif, retired

chairman, Le Sueur

County Republicans

Be advocate for reform

To the Editor:

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. Human trafficking is the act of forcing someone into labor, including sex labor against their will. Sex trafficking and forced labor are forms of human trafficking. Victims of are found in legitimate and illegitimate labor industries that include sweat shops, massage parlors, agriculture, restaurants, hotels and domestic service.

My focus is on a bill that has been introduced to the U.S. Senate by Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who is the author and key supporter of S1693 “Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017.” This is a bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934, section 230. The aim of this bill is to hold website users (such as backpage.com) and providers accountable when they violate established sex-trafficking laws. Classified websites and other online advertising sites are being used as platforms where sex services are advertised. Under current law, website providers cannot be held accountable for the content that is posted by their users, even if they are aware that this content is promoting something illegal as sex trafficking.

One thing to consider is the possible unforeseen consequences that could occur if this bill is passed is that it could be an infringement on free internet speech. The passage of this bill would help to ensure that policies about technology and its potential use as a tool for crime are up to date and effective. I say let’s stop sex trafficking and pass this bill. Here is a quote from exoduscry.com — “We live in a pornified society that promotes sexual objectification and tolerates sexual exploitation.”

This bill has bipartisan support and one of our own U.S. senators, Amy KIobuchar, is a co-sponsor. Please contact our U.S. senators and representatives and ask for their support of this bill.

Please pray for the victims of these crimes, raise awareness and be an advocate for policy reform. If you are a victim of sex trafficking or human trafficking and want help call (888) 373-7888 or text 233733 (help or info).

Lola Schultz

Legislative chairwoman

of Catholic Daughters

Blue Earth

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