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Letters to the Editor

Readers’ Views

‘A small favor to ask’ To the Editor: In response to the recent Sentinel editorial: “Will foreign leaders want to talk anymore?” To say that the editors are disingenuous is to be kind. Would the writers please share with their readers what the conversation was about? Explain what is the purpose of the legal protection of a “whistleblower?” What does “cover-up” mean? Why is it somewhat important that the leader of this country NOT ask leaders of other foreign countries to try to undermine politicians that might threaten their own prospects of winning a second ...

Readers’ Views

Still people who care To the Editor: On Monday, while on my way to work, driving down Blue Earth Avenue in Fairmont, I saw something that impressed me. Three young men were in the street in front of Freedom. When I got close enough to see, one was sweeping and the other picking up glass off the street. The third was watching for traffic. I don’t know if they broke the glass or not, but they were cleaning it up. They didn’t walk on and expect someone else to take care of it. They probably saved several flat tires. I would like to say thank you and I appreciate what you ...

Addressing child care

OWATONNA In 2016, Minnesotans were alerted to a serious lack of child care by the Center for Rural Policy and Development. Since then, there have been many efforts to work toward solutions. At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, we have been supporting the communities in our 20-county region through various programs and trainings. In SMIF’s region alone, we have a potential need of 8,616 child care slots, according to a 2018 study by First Children’s Finance. Family-based child care is a challenging, labor-intensive field that requires licensure and ongoing training and ...

Readers’ Views

Common sense needed To the Editor: Your Sept. 18 editorial criticized Beto O’Rourke for being holier-than-thou in stating that he, as president, would take your AK-15 and AK-47 assault weapons. Really? If you want to bring “holiness” into the assault-rifle discussion, I’m pretty sure that Jesus would come down on the anti-assault rifle side. Regarding protection from tyranny, I know of no modern scenarios where an armed populous has successfully defended itself from a tyrannical regime. Obviously, assault rifles are no defense against the tanks and bombs at the tyrant’s ...

Readers’ Views

Wonderful memorial To the Editor: If you haven’t driven down Winnebago Avenue in Fairmont at night, you need to take the time to do so. Our Martin County veterans have done a breathtaking job on the Martin County Veterans Memorial. The lights on it are beautiful. I personally would like to thank the veterans for all the work they have put into this project. A proud sister of a vet. Jan Nielsen Fairmont Letter twisted facts To the Editor: In reply to Jack Hanson’s letter on Sept. 12: I don’t know who you are or where you came from, Jack, but you seem to have the ...

Readers’ Views

Teachers, students grateful To the Editor: The kindergarten teachers and staff at Fairmont Elementary School would like to take the time to show our appreciation to 3M Gives for their generosity. It willingly supplied 126 kindergarteners with school supplies for the school year, including a toolbox, pencils, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, a binder and a box of tissues. A special thank you to all of the volunteers who helped gather and hand out the materials with a smile as well. Our students are always incredibly anxious to open their goody bag and see what they received. We are ...