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Business thriving due to Promise Act To the Editor: I want to thank Scott Unke, the owner of Marina Lodge in Fairmont, for hosting my staff recently to discuss how a law enacted in 2023 is helping his business overcome economic obstacles and not only survive, but to thrive. The meeting was nothing short of inspiring. The Marina Lodge has been directly impacted by the Promise Act, which I introduced in 2023. It was signed into law a few months later. It provides grants and loans to businesses across Minnesota who have been hindered by lack of access to capital, or if their communities ...

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Importance of complying with Title IX To the editor: Dear Area School Boards and Concerned Community Members: I am asking you to take a stand by sending a formal letter urging the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), Minnesota State High school League (MSHSL), and MN Legislators to fully comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which guarantees equal opportunities for all students in education and athletics. Executive Order 14201 requires student athletes to compete on teams that correspond with their sex assigned at birth and could result in loss of federal ...

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Letters to the Editor

Help Opera House, other assets To the editor: Upon exiting the post office Oct. 15, a poster on the board in the concourse caught my eye. The Fairmont Opera House needs $4 million dollars by the end of 2025 or will permanently close. On Nov. 8, 2016, the citizens of Fairmont, by a margin of 60 percent, approved a half percent sales tax for the purpose of funding recreational amenities, trails and/or a Fairmont Community Center. I truly believe a large number of yes and no voters would favor directing funds from this tax to restore this gem to its original glory. C’mon, Fairmont, ...

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Letters to the Editor

To the Fairmont City Council To the editor: I’m going to be honest — I’m disappointed. I’m tired of watching good people get torn down while the same old nonsense keeps happening in City Hall. Pat Oman is the best thing that has happened to Fairmont in years. In the short time he’s been here, he’s already shown what real leadership, accountability, and action look like. Unlike many who sit behind their desks, Pat actually goes out of his way to help residents and resolve problems that others ignore. He listens, he follows through, and he cares about this ...

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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 ...