Letters to the editor for Oct. 30

St. Cloud Times letters to the editor for Oct. 30:

Choose candidates who show up

On Oct. 6, I attended the League of Women Voters Forum at Whitney Senior Center. Both Republican and Democrat candidates for the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota House from Senate District 14 had been invited. None of the Republican candidates participated in this debate, nor did any of them send a statement to the league to explain their absence. They snubbed the League of Women Voters and the citizens in attendance.

In these politically polarized times, it is critical to our democracy that we engage in vigorous discussion of issues that will impact us and our children well into the future. The league‘s forum was an opportunity for candidates to explain their positions. We have a right to know how they would vote.

Candidates for any political office have a responsibility to meet with voters. How they campaign is an indication of their commitment to their constituents. The decision by these Republican candidates to skip the League of Women Voters Forum without explanation speaks volumes. We deserve better.

― Maureen McCarter, St. Cloud

I recently listened to a debate between the two candidates for State Senate, or at least that’s what it was supposed to be. I was appalled that Tama Theis skipped the event entirely without notice. Voters deserve the chance to listen to candidates share their competing visions. It’s essential for informing voters and having a healthy, functional democracy.

But I also wasn’t shocked ― I recall instances in the 2016, 2018 and 2020 election cycles when she did the same exact thing running for State Representative. A candidate who skips a public forum clearly thinks that voters won’t notice or care. Maybe this behavior slipped by uncaught in past years, but not this time.

It’s hard to see how a candidate who flouts basic responsibilities can claim they care about me, my family, or earning my vote. Either Theis thinks she doesn’t need my vote or she’s taking it for granted. That’s just wrong. We owe it to ourselves to elect someone who respects us as voters, but first and foremost as people.

I’d give the benefit of the doubt to Theis if she gave notice that she couldn’t attend the forum, but she didn’t. If she treats her own candidacy as an afterthought, how would she be as Senator? We need to elect a Senator we can count on to always show up. That’s not Tama Theis.

― Joe Baratta, St. Cloud

Support for Jeff Bertram

As individuals who have served as county commissioners, we are writing to strongly support Jeff Bertram for the Stearns County District 3 commissioner seat. We know what the job requires and we know Jeff Bertram is the right person, at the right time, for the right district. Jeff has the government and business experience, he knows the people of the district and has the conservative values that will connect the people with their county government. He has shown he will work hard for all of us.

Join us in voting for Jeff Bertram for Stearns County District 3 Commissioner on Nov. 8.

― Jeff Mergen, Richmond; Mark Bromenschenkel, St. Augusta; Vince Schaefer, Rockville; and Mike Huberty, Cold Spring.

Sherburne County District 4 commissioner race

As election day approaches election ads are ramping up. Most campaign messages today do not focus on what a particular candidate has accomplished, but how bad their opposing candidate is. I wonder, do they not talk about their accomplishments because there are not any to talk about.

This leads me to discuss a candidate for the 4th District, Gary Gray. I have worked with Gray on the Clear Lake Township Board and experienced, firsthand, his leadership. He listens to residents and is willing to provide solutions that are in the best interest of the residents, as well as the township.

Gray has been out in the 4th District meeting residents and listening to their concerns. When he knocks on your door, please take the time to meet him and experience firsthand the type of person he is. Gray will be a great County Commissioner that will listen and make decisions based on the concerns of the residents, as well as Sherburne County.

Please take your right to vote and please give Gray the opportunity to represent you as the 4th District County Commissioner.

―Paul L. Goenner, Clear Lake

I am writing to encourage you to join me in supporting Lefty Kleis for Sherburne County Commissioner in the new District 4. If you want a local, experienced and dedicated person to represent you at the county, Lefty is your guy. He stands for the things I believe in like public safety, fiscal responsibility, reliable and affordable energy, election integrity and expanding broadband access.

This November, we in Sherburne County have an opportunity to elect people that will truly represent us and our values at the county level. County commissioners have a lot of power over our day-to-day lives, and there is a clear difference in this race. One candidate has shown that he values money and himself more than his community, while Lefty has proven he is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in and will always put people ahead of politics.

I'm sick of self-serving politicians. Let's elect Lefty Kleis to the county board to fight for us and our way of life. I trust him to represent me and to do what is right, no matter the opposition he will and has already faced.

— Jim Szczech, Clear Lake

Ask Emmer to support For Our Freedom Amendment

Safe. That’s how political experts describe the MN 6^th congressional district. That means Rep. Tom Emmer will be reelected no matter what he does. And what has Emmer been doing? He’s been to 32 different states fundraising for 160 other Republican candidates. He’s been courting big donors and working toward his personal political goal of becoming a top leader in his political party.

What is Emmer not doing? He is not working toward committee leadership where he would have power in Congress to bring more money to the district to help us. He has voted against legislation that is making life better for us. As for the bills that are bringing money to the district, Emmer takes credit for them, but he voted no on every one of them.

Emmer knows big money runs politics and he is embracing that. He could be taking a different course. He could be taking leadership by introducing ­­­­the American Promise For Our Freedom Amendment to restore governance to the people and not special interests. His constituents, regardless of party, support this amendment. MN American Promise has attempted many times to meet with Emmer to make this request — to no avail. The unlimited, often dark money spent by groups from outside of our district and state is causing division and threatening our Republic. We will not give up!

It seems Emmer for now is content with the influence of big money. How does he get away with it? Because the 6^th district is safe. He will be reelected no matter what he does or doesn’t do. Here’s what you can do. Contact him and tell him to take a leadership role in the For Our Freedom Amendment. We need to make a lasting change for Minnesotans and the district.

— Kay Vaughter, Sauk Rapids

Ranked Choice Voting

My political views often strike a more balanced position between the two parties. This stands true even more so today, given the heated and extreme rhetoric between Democrats and Republicans. This year, I feel I must vote for Democrats Aric Putnam and Dan Wolgamott for the state senate and house.

I am doing so because the DFL will push for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) for statewide elections. RCV would, for the first time in my life, allow me to vote for independent parties or more moderate candidates I genuinely support without wasting my vote.

Consider the reality we encounter every election. Does one:

A. Vote for the major party candidate they prefer? Doing so means you know your actual views will never really be represented, and inflammatory partisan politics remain unchanged.B. Vote for a minor party candidate or moderate that excites you and actually represents your views? But understand your vote is wasted because only Democrats or Republicans will win.

RCV solves this problem simply and fairly. It will allow those of us who prefer Independent candidates to rank them first but then express who we prefer between the Democrat and the Republican.

At the very least, this introduces further competition into the system, forcing candidates of the two dominant parties to be more responsive to voters. Safe districts allow candidates to pander to their base in the current system. A representative system only works if districts actually elect someone representative of voters views. RCV is not a panacea, but it is a start to a more robust electoral system.

Please help build a system to get the best we have to offer into political office. Vote for Aric Putnam and Dan Wolgamott this year, and we will all have much more choice in years to come.

― Ethan Gray, St. Cloud

Do we need these 2 tax increases now?

The first question we are asked to vote on this November is a one-half of one percent sales tax increase to improve our Municipal Athletic Complex. The second question is to approve a property tax increase to improve and develop recreational trails, neighborhood parks, enhance park quality and improve park safety.

I enjoy and use the parks but an additional two taxes for parks at this time doesn't make sense when many people are struggling to pay for groceries, the house rent, gas in the car to go to work, etc. These taxes are regressive which means those in the low and middle income bracket find it hard to survive. We will find it harder to find workers for our businesses if they can't afford to live in St Cloud.

Vote "no" on these two tax proposals because now is not the time for additional taxes.

— Ken Wendinger, St. Cloud

Thanks to retired Chief Anderson

St. Cloud Police Chief Blair Anderson’s retirement in August was bittersweet. Chief Anderson has truly embodied the St. Cloud Police Department’s motto “to serve and protect” and has helped guide our community through some incredibly difficult times over these last ten years.

One success story that sticks with me is Chief Anderson’s work with Congressman Tom Emmer’s office and St. Cloud Rotary in 2017 to establish the Community OutPost, or COP House, on St. Cloud’s south side. This local partnership was a tremendous innovation, and a new opportunity for St. Cloud Police to bring their positive presence to an area in desperate need of it.

I was also pleased with the way Congressman Emmer stepped-up to help by introducing COP House legislation in Congress. Emmer’s bill will make federal law enforcement resources available to local police departments around the country wanting to establish their own COP Houses.

The false narratives that prompted the “defund the police” rhetoric we heard so much in recent years never made sense to me, and they have added to skyrocketing crime rates in cities across our country. Instead, we need stronger funding of innovative community policing initiatives like the COP House to help stem the surge in lawlessness. Our law enforcement men and women deserve our support, and we need their service to keep our communities safe and strong for everyone. Both retired Chief Anderson and Congressman Emmer get that.

Heartfelt thanks to retired Chief Anderson for his strong common sense leadership over a decade of outstanding service to our community and law enforcement. And thanks to Congressman Emmer for his leadership in Congress supporting law enforcement and helping bring COP House innovations to more communities.

― Steve Gottwalt, St. Cloud

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Letters to the editor for Oct. 30