Support for candidates ahead of primary election: Letters to the editor for Aug. 7
St. Cloud Times letters to the editor for Aug. 7:
Gary Gray is the obvious choice for Sherburne County District 4 Commissioner
Character and experience count. And Gary Gray is the obvious choice for Sherburne County Commissioner in the 4th District.
Serving on the Clear Lake Township board for 18 years ― 11 as chairman ― Gary has the most experience of any candidate.
As a farmer and involved community member, Gary’s integrity, knowledge of the workings of local government and small business makes him the preferred choice as our commissioner. He understands the unique balance between preserving our agricultural economy and accommodating continued growth in the county. We strongly support Gary’s candidacy and urge anyone who is looking for responsible leadership for District 4 to vote for Gary Gray at the Aug. 9 primary.
― Gary and Jane Marsden, Clear Lake
3 best candidates for St. Cloud School Board
As the Aug. 9 primary quickly approaches you have a chance to vote for three of the bestschool board candidates in St Cloud. For the best interests of the students, we need to support Mike Bueckers, Nicole Rierson and Theresa Carlstedt.
The School Board’s most important responsibility is to work with their community to improve student achievement in their local public schools. After that, the school board is also responsible for overseeing the district’s budget, curriculum, personnel, facilities and selecting a Superintendent.
Over the last two years parents have navigated with their children through the challenges of COVID-19, they’ve also grown concerned by what their children are being taught ― or not taught ― in school. Inappropriate political and social agendas have replaced basic reading, writing, math, science and history in our classrooms. As a result, academic performance has dropped dramatically.
We need school board members committed to restoring focus on the true priorities and purpose of public education. Bueckers, Rierson and Carlstedt promise to do just that: Bring education back to basics; Academics is the agenda; Ensure accountability for budget and spending decisions; and promoting safety for all children.
We have important decisions to make on Aug. 9. Fortunately, we have good choices. Support Bueckers, Rierson and Carlstedt to help make St. Cloud School District 742 one of the best in Minnesota.
― Paula Christensen, St. Cloud
Support Lefty Kleis for Sherburne County Commissioner District 4
Lefty (Jerome) Kleis is running for Sherburne County Commissioner District 4. I extend my full support to him as a candidate, neighbor and friend. I encourage anyone looking for a candidate that has the “fight for what’s right” attitude and the political background needed to make and sustain real change for the people in our communities and all of Sherburne County.
Lefty served as Mayor of Becker from 2013-2016 and is ready to be a voice for the people to make sure your voice is heard. He is committed to improving public safety to keep our children and families safe and holding criminals accountable. He is dedicated to establishing an affordable and reliable energy plan with his extensive committee involvement with Excel Energy/Sher Co. Coal Plant facilities.
Lefty believes that government should be transparent, accessible for all and must live within its means. Lefty is a strong leader in our community and has been for more than 50 years. He is a person of high integrity, knowledge and strong family and core values. Lefty will hold these values true for you when you vote him to run as our District 4 County Commissioner candidate during the Aug. 9 primary election.
― Shelly Alger-Peyton, Clear Lake
I would like to call on my friends and neighbors in Sherburne County to come out and vote for Lefty Kleis to be our next Sherburne County Commissioner. For the past 30 years Lefty has been a tireless volunteer for our community, including working with our youth and our veterans. As our next commissioner, he will keep our streets safe by strongly backing our public safety department to hold criminals accountable, improve our roads and bridges and fight for good and reliable energy sources.
As a former mayor and fire board member, he also has the experience to show he will back up his words with a strong track record of watching the taxpayers’ dollars. As mayor of Becker he successfully reduced the city’s debt level. He is committed to doing the same at the county level so your future won’t be put on a credit card. We need Lefty Kleis to represent us on our county board and I want to encourage everyone in District four to get out and vote for him on Aug. 9.
― Melanie Roisland, Clear Lake
Election time is almost on us again. The primary is Tuesday. The people who live in District 4 of Sherburne County have an opportunity to vote for a very good man. Lefty Kleis is running for Sherburne County Commissioner. When Lefty was the mayor of Becker he did a great job and I know he'll do a good job as commissioner. He always did what was best for Becker and he'll do the same for Sherburne County.
― Howard Osgood, Becker
Do not judge. Tell the truth
What if you were required to follow the laws of one of the thousands of religions on the planet that you weren't born into and didn't believe in? The Bible speaks against this requirement under the "do not judge" command. The rules of the Bible are for Christians who honor its sacred text and most often were born into this faith.
Why won't the passionately Christian politicians show proof of their claim that there was voter fraud in the 2020 election? They don't have any proof, but if they repeat the lie often enough we will believe it. They claim to be Christian but are often sinfully lying and judging making their religion look like a front. If they make it hard for citizens to vote they are hoping their tribe will have a better chance to stay in power.
If they really were Christian they would hold the Biblical "do not judge" command close to heart allowing others to make their own decisions about their bodies and their lives. They would bring citizens together in loving kindness rather than waving guns and hammers to show how tough they are. They would work together in fairness for the good of all rather than repeatedly and sinfully laying blame and telling lies.
What's their big motivator? Corporations and the rich legally and secretly give candidates and politicians millions of dollars to pass laws that cut regulations and their taxes all while denying the climate crisis. Big dark money also supports certain news media that spew lies and disinformation.
Let's come together to support candidates who will work together for quality affordable healthcare, broadband, quality public education, law enforcement and safety, wages that can pay the rent, good options for farmer and address the climate crisis all in kindness, compassion, and understanding.
— Sherry Kutter, Grey Eagle MN
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Support for candidates ahead of primary election: Letters to the editor
