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5/26/2010 – Editorials


By Richard Peterson

Memorial Day ceremonies will take place on Monday to honor those who have died in service to their country.

VFW and American Legion Posts in our little towns in Benson County are hard-pressed to recruit enough bodies to form color guards, flag bearers and firing squads. Every one of the VFW and Legion Posts tells me that they don’t know how much longer they’re going to be able to carry on these ceremonies. Members of veterans groups are urged to come out to support their organizations and give proper recognition to their fallen comrades.

It would be nice if veterans who are not members would join their local veterans organizations to help carry on tradition.

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There’s an effort underway to get 60 Minutes to do a story on the Devils Lake phenomenon to gain national attention to the problems faced by people at the bottom of the basin.

People are urged to send e-mails to 60m@cbsnews.com May 26, 27 and 28 to get the attention of 60 Minutes reporters. Those without Internet connections can call 212-975-3247 or write to 60 Minutes, 524 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019.

I don’t know if this effort will get the attention of 60 Minutes reporters or if they will come here to do a story for television. But I’m sure this effort won’t hurt anything.

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". . . I’m trying to figure out what Washington is going to look like in one year. The combined message that has been sent over the past two weeks is that there is entirely too much bipartisan cooperation going on in Washington and voters want to see an end to it.

". . . The message to all incumbents and challengers is: No more playing around! It’s time to get polarized!"

–Columnist David Brooks

commenting on results

of the May 11 elections

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Voters can get their ballots from the county auditor and vote at any time as long as the ballot is postmarked Monday, June 7. If voters want to vote in person they may vote on Tuesday, June 8 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

at the Benson County Courthouse in Minnewaukan.

This is the Primary Election in which parties choose their candidates for the November election. You may vote in only one column in Primary Election. Choose to vote in the Republican column, the Democratic column or the Libertarian column. If you vote in more than one column, your ballot will be thrown out.

There is only one contest to be decided in the Primary Election. Rick Berg and J.D. Donaghe are running to obtain the Republican endorsement for US Congress. Berg received the nomination at the Republican convention earlier this year and Donaghe is challenging him.

Benson County voters will pass judgment on two county measures.

Measure No. 1 provides for an additional 10 mill levy for roads in Benson County. The county is in a very difficult position because the costs of everything related to roads have escalated. The five mills currently being assessed don’t come anywhere near covering the cost of repair and maintenance of the roads we now have. The county has more than a million dollars in its federal funds account, but that money requires a 20% match. The county can’t come up with the match money to access those funds.

In addition, the county is faced with severe damage to many roads as a result of flooding.

If this measure does not pass, there will be roads that will not be repaired and there will be roads that will have to be abandoned. The county is tapped out and it’s going to be really ugly if this measure is defeated.

The additional 10 mills would amount to $24 annually on a quarter of land valued at $48,000 and $22.50 annually on a $50,000 home.

I’m voting yes on Measure No. 1 because it’s absolutely necessary.

Measure No. 2 asks for one mill for operation of the county agent’s office. The current 3 mills does not cover expenses. One mill would hardly be noticed by taxpayers: $2.25 annually on a $50,000 home and

$2.68 annually on a quarter of land. For all the services provided by that office, it’s a small price to pay.

I’ll be voting yes on Measure No. 2.

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The teacher, explaining to her fourth grade class that heat makes objects expand and cold makes them contract, asked one of her pupils to come up with an example for the rest of the class.

Young Tommy piped up, "In the summertime, the days are long, but in the winter, they’re short."

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Bumper snickers:

A penny saved is ridiculous.

Honk if you love peace and quiet.

Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

There are three kinds of people: those who can count and those who can’t Stop repeat offenders — don’t re-elect them.

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The Farmers Press will be one day late next week because of the Monday Memorial Day holiday.

 


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