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A question for President Biden regarding oil, gas

Local Editorials

Every so often President Biden makes himself available to the press to ask a question—when he’s not walking to or from a helicopter—and we have a suggestion for the next opportunity: “Mr. President, will you do everything in your regulatory power to make it easier for American companies to produce more oil and gas to make the U.S. and its allies in Europe and elsewhere less dependent on Russian energy?” The question is straightforward, and the goal is to elicit a straight answer that gets to the heart of the current geopolitical moment. Oil and gas prices are soaring amid ...

Time to get tougher on catalytic converter theft

Local Editorials

The theft of catalytic converters from cars has been growing over the past few years. The converters, part of the emissions control system, are coated with a variety of rare and precious metals to convert unburned hydrocarbons in exhaust into carbon dioxide and water. Thieves found that with a little practice and an electric saw they can slide under a car, take out the converter and be gone in a couple of minutes. They can sell the converters to salvage shops and recyclers for a few hundred dollars. They also leave the car owner with a very expensive repair ...

Readers' Views

Letters to the Editor

Union given the boot by Mayo employees in Fairmont To the Editor: Two months ago, on Jan. 3, 2022, in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Case Number 18-RD-288362, a petition to push the Teamsters Local 120 union out of Mayo hospital in Fairmont was officially received. This petition was circulated by Mayo employees. Results of that petition were certified two months later on March 7. After forty years of union protection Mayo employees no longer had union help and power. The workers are now alone. A worker alone is a worker without any power. Interestingly, on ...

Russian brutality should count as war crimes

Local Editorials

Russian troops that have besieged the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol have waged a kind of war that should be considered crimes against humanity. They bombed a maternity hospital. They have shelled schools and hospitals where civilians have gathered to seek shelter, including a theater where 1,300 people are believed to be inside the destroyed building. Refugees fleeing the city have run a gantlet, dodging Russian artillery and guns to escape. The city behind them is being destroyed. The siege will “be remembered for centuries to come,” because of the terror tactics of the ...

Et. Cetera

Local Editorials

Council hears appeal for Ambiance addition This week the Fairmont City Council heard the appeal of a variance request. Ambiance on Albion had asked to put a shipping container against the bluff of Hall Lake in order to offer snacks and drinks to boaters in the summer months. The council heard from owner Troy Menke, as well as from Peter Bode, planner/code enforcement technician, and from a member of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. We’re glad the council is gathering information. Let’s try and make this work. ECI looks to partner for community events The Early ...

Readers' Views

Letters to the Editor

St. John Vianney School raises $16,550 in just six weeks To the Editor: 2022 brought another successful Catholic Schools Raffle at St. John Vianney Catholic School. Teachers, staff and the surrounding community of Fairmont united with students and their families to raise an outstanding total of $16,550 for the school. Since Jan. 14, students of St. John Vianney Catholic School have been selling $5 raffle tickets as part of the Catholic Schools Raffle, a fundraising program provided free of charge by sponsor Catholic United Financial since 2009. St. John Vianney Catholic School is one ...