Democrats put

voters second

This is the season for non-politics, and I wonder why. Shouldn’t this be the time after the state government is recessed to discuss what they accomplished?

For example, the Democrats won total control of the House and Senate last year. Their campaigns talked about being moderates, financially responsible, non-partisan, improving education and reducing property taxes.

What actually happened?

Moderates? Even the new suburban Democrats, who projected a moderate image, voted with the extreme left in taxes and spending. Democrats typically vote as a herd rather than individuals representing their constituents.

Financially responsible? They voted for $5 billion of new taxes (even though we have a $2 billion surplus). They passed spending legislation like drunken sailors and used the basic Democratic theme, “any problem can be solved by raising taxes and spending more.”

Non-partisan? The Republicans were basically frozen out of the legislative process. It was rare for a Republican to be included, and during the last hectic days, they were hardly allowed to speak. There was no serious effort to negotiate with the governor, either.

Education? They passed more spending on education, of course. They always do. The education lobby supports the Democrats overwhelmingly. But they disproportionately added money for the inner city, the least-efficient education system in the state that now spends 40 percent more than other districts and graduates less than 50 percent of their students. Again using that principle, “the only way to solve any problem is to throw taxpayers’ money at it.”

Property taxes? No progress, which is probably good. [I] never understand why the state paying part of the property taxes is a good idea. It’s still taxes, and it relieves the local government from pressure to stop excessive taxation.

Did the voters get value from the Democrat Legislature? I think not. As usual, the Democrats put the party first, supporters second and constituents last.

John A. Benedict

Prior Lake

Will money win

out over trees?

Let me get this straight:

First, the Met Council, the Minnesota DNR, a local expert and an Environmental Assessment study together point out that a rare forested area known as SS-9 exists in south Savage and that it should be protected at all costs.

Second, the decision is made to build a new high school that will be filled to capacity within two years on land adjacent to SS-9.

Third, supposedly to everyone’s surprise, Prior Lake Aggregates decides its use of the gravel pit on the exact opposite side of SS-9 is at the end of its life, so it decides to develop the land for housing.

Lastly, the Savage City Council meets to discuss the demise of SS-9 and collectively pretend that they had no idea SS-9 was going to be bulldozed right from the start.

Hasn’t anyone any sense on our [Savage] City Council these days? Is there no one who has enough decency to stand up to big-money developers?

Apparently the high school kids will get a front-row seat in higher learning when the chain saws and bulldozers move in and the wildlife moves out.

Today’s lesson in suburban values?

It’s all nice and chummy to talk about protecting the environment for the future, but as benevolent Savage Mayor Tom Brennan says, “People want to see and use their natural resources.”

I’d like to thank the mayor for thinking and speaking for me, by the way. Never mind the ludicrous, idealistic folly inherent in the notion that a rare, forested wild land carries value.

Bring on the bulldozers! There’s money in that there forest!

Now that’s ethical leadership in action.

Christina Henning

Savage

Schools crunch

numbers well

Now that the School Board has finalized the details of a November referendum, I think it’s very important for all taxpayers to understand just how fiscally responsible and efficient the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District operates each and every day.

Specifically, the cost to educate a student in our district is $1,073 below the state average. On a per-pupil basis, our district spends below the state average in a number of areas including instruction and support services, facilities, operations and maintenance, student transportation, district administration and school administration.

District 719 has the lowest percentage of district and school administration of all schools in the metro area. Furthermore, as evidence the district is always looking for ways to save money, they recently refinanced outstanding bonds to the tune of a savings of $2.1 million to the taxpayers over the next 14 years. Finally, as we all know the district has undergone the difficult and painful task of cutting over $2.3 million from the budget the past couple of years to make ends meet.

The bottom line for all to know is the leadership of our district carefully manages each and every dollar every day. The request in front of us for additional funding is very real and necessary to handle growth, manage class sizes and maintain and restore necessary programs. The factors driving funding shortages such as growth, limited and irregular state funding, inflation and unfunded mandates are not excuses, but realities of the world we live in.

The successful passage of the upcoming bond and levy referendum in November is critical to keeping this district at a level we all want for our kids.

Steve Sammis

Spring Lake Township

Busy, but still

well-informed

I hear it all the time. “My calendar is so full and I don’t want to get involved.” Or, “My summer is already filling up with activities.”

I know. As a mother of four children (7, 6, 4 and 1), I can relate. Even so, I decided to be an active volunteer in a committee for kids called Stand By Me. Taking part in this important cause has really opened my eyes to how we as adults can be important advocates for our children.

Stand By Me is a citizen’s committee supporting the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools referendum. Before I became involved with this group, I participated in the budget cut discussions last spring. While it was a difficult process, it opened my eyes to see that our school district really needs our help to keep the best standards possible for our kids. It also allowed me to see that the school district truly tries to manage our taxpayer dollars wisely and efficiently while doing its best to continue to offer important programs to students.

Growing up in a small farming community of a little over a 1,000 people provided me with many opportunities. Now as I watch my children, I can see they also have opportunities that I am thankful for and want to see continue. Our public school system is providing what I want as a parent. That is why I am passionate about being involved in the referendum discussions and passing along information to everyone I meet. Let’s keep building on that momentum for all kids of District 719.

Maybe some of the talk you hear differs from my opinions. That is OK as everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think it is unfortunate. Schools around the metro are all in the same boat regarding school funding, and we here at Prior Lake-Savage have the opportunity to do something about it. Let’s ensure that our school system has all the basic tools it needs to help students learn in the best environment possible, with the best teachers leading them.

Understanding what the upcoming referendum is all about is something we can all do to help the children of our community. So please, Stand By Me and the other volunteers who are working hard to do what is best for all of our children. To get involved, call (952) 212-8401.

Gwen Wick

Prior Lake

Charity, God

unite here

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” (Francis Pharcellus Church, Sept. 21, 1897, New York Sun) used to be first in my list of uplifting newspaper articles. No more.

“A haven for area youth” (Prior Lake American, June 16, 2007) is now “numero uno” – a great report about Dan Saad, father of 1,200 boys and girls. Make that father of 1,205 boys and girls – we’d better include the five bright children Becky and Dan Saad love and care for in their own home.

Francis Pharcellus Church and the Prior Lake American expanded superbly the ancient truth: Ubi caritas, ibi Deus est (“Where charity prevails, there we find God.”)

Bert Keel

Prior Lake

Letters policy

All letters to the editor submitted for publication in the Prior Lake American will be verified before they are printed. In addition to the letter-writer’s name, the letter should contain an address and daytime and evening telephone numbers so the newspaper staff can verify the letter writer’s identity. The Prior Lake American will not print any unverified letters, nor any letters without all the above mentioned information.

Letters that are potentially libelous will not be printed or will be edited. However, letters will not be refused because staff disagrees with their content. Letters may be edited as space requires. Not all thank-you letters will be printed. Writers should keep their comments under 500 words.

Letters to the editor may be sent to: Prior Lake American, P.O. Box 538, Prior Lake, MN 55372 or to editor@plamerican.com. Call Lori Carlson, editor, at (952) 345-6378 for further information.

The deadline for letters to the editor is noon Wednesdays.