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Who controls the narrative?

Local Editorials

It appears we’re back to square one. Of the nearly 30 Fairmont City Administrator applicants, just 10 were qualified and of the five that were interviewed, three have now declined second interviews and two weren’t offered one. It remains to be seen what the city does next. For some background, Fairmont has had six or so city administrators in the last six years. In October 2019, Mike Humpal was put on administrative leave and Troy Nemmers, who at the time was the city engineer, served as “acting” city administrator for two months before Mark Sievert was hired as interim city ...

Readers' Views

Letters to the Editor

Remember the Golden Rule To the editor: The other evening, I witnessed something that gave me pause and, in many ways, reminded me of the importance of humility, respect, dialogue, and discernment— qualities that none of us are born with but must continually practice and refine. I know I am still working on them myself. From a young age, we teach our children the importance of using “magic words” — please, thank you, excuse me. Yet, if you listen to the way many people interact today, especially in everyday settings like ordering food, you’ll find that courtesy is becoming ...

Readers' Views

Letters to the Editor

Charlie Kirk – predicted his own death To the editor: “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights,” Charlie Kirk, 2023 Seems like God gave him a clear answer. Perhaps gun rights are not “God-given”. Live by the sword, die by the sword. Ted Schaefer Fairmont

Readers' Views

Letters to the Editor

Wonderful visit to Fairmont To the editor: On Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, I was part of a bus tour of Fairmont sponsored by the Minnetonka Senior Center. Most of us on the trip had never been to Fairmont and it is safe to say none of us had any real idea what to expect from the day. We had an all-too-short time at the Martin County Historical Society; we all agreed it is a fascinating building. Around every nook and corner, we saw excellent displays in which to immerse ourselves. I was especially impressed with the amount of time, effort and work that has gone into the MCHS to make it ...

Readers' Views

Letters to the Editor

Overcome evil with good To the editor: So sad for Charlie Kirk, his family and the world. Distraught as some of us are, we need to remember Romans 12 20-21. Therefore, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. In my opinion Old Glory – half mast. If for nothing more than his example of no college, self taught, effort, courage, intellectual curiosity and clearly some gifts from God; young people can peacefully influence the ...

Passed by the Legislature, struck down in court

Columns

Nine years in the Minnesota Senate teaches you plenty. You see good ideas rise, bad ones fall and a whole lot in between. But lately, the thing that keeps jumping out at me is that more and more laws from the last few years aren’t surviving in court. The pattern is hard to miss. A controversial bill flies through the legislature. Party-line votes shove it across the finish line. Headlines roar and political points are tallied. Then it ties up the courts for months or sometimes years before finally getting tossed as unconstitutional. A fast legislature can pass laws. A thorough ...