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Letters to the Editor

Readers’ Views

How’s the sales tax money divided? To the Editor: To all the folks writing in favor of what the extra half-percent sales tax could fund— I am NOT against a community center, an event center, auditorium, ice arena, whatever. (I would like, however, to see all the city streets as flat as a pool table–all at once.) Since our first half-percent sales tax debacle in 2016, the rules have changed about how a ballot can be worded when presented to the voters. (Minnesota statute 297.99a.) So, before you blindly vote “yes” to another half-percent, you first have to specify how ...

Readers’ Views

No fear in discussing sales tax To the editor: Recently, a letter to the editor stated that there was “fear” in Fairmont regarding the proposed 0.5 percent sales tax that is on the November ballot. I have not encountered fear. What I have encountered is a robust discussion involving common sense and basic economics. Times are tough, and in tough times common sense is a tool that creates personal and community resilience. It is common sense that has voters looking at Martin County’s proposed 13.57 percent property tax increase and the City of Fairmont’s proposed 9.1 percent ...

Readers’ Views

New ice arena in Fairmont To the editor: The idea of a new ice arena has been a contentious topic of debate in Fairmont and the surrounding area since the idea was first brought to light. While the debate has centered around the costs of this endeavor, not much has been researched or discussed in terms of what a new ice arena will do in terms of economic output in the city. In 2020, the Hermantown (MN) Amateur Hockey Association teamed up with the University of Minnesota-Duluth to partake in a study that would estimate the economic impact of a 2nd ice arena within city limits. As a ...

Readers’ Views

Teamwork made city band a success To the Editor: The Fairmont City Band has finished a successful 2024 season and that would not be possible without the assistance of many groups and individuals. We’d like to thank the City of Fairmont and the Parks Department for their financial support and help with the band shell and Sylvania Park, the Fairmont Area Schools Music Department for the use of their music and equipment, and the Maintenance Department for hauling items back and forth to the park, the Interlaken Heritage Days Committee for providing the concession stand, and those ...

Readers’ Views

Stealing campaign signs is illegal To the editor: The Martin County DFL is reminding everyone that it is illegal to damage or steal campaign yard signs. Hopefully, as this election season progresses residents keep in mind that it is important to allow all Martin County residents to exercise their constitutional right to free speech and political signs are a part of that. In the event that your neighbor puts up a sign that you don’t like, please don’t think it is appropriate to take it down or deface it. A theft of a political sign is no different than the theft of any other ...

Readers’ Views

Vote yes for local option sales tax To the editor: I am trying to wrap my head around the half-percent option sales tax being voted on, on the November ballot, to be used for a community center and ice arena. First, there is SO much fear that it is going to raise our taxes. It is a half percent (.005) tax that would be added to visitors’ hotel bill, visitor restaurant bill, candy, and pop. It will not be added onto your staple grocery items. It will not be added onto your clothing bill, medications, vehicle purchase or farm equipment purchase. A $50.00 meal in a restaurant will now ...