To the Editor:
I want to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Mary Meuwissen for her service to the people of the City of Victoria.  Eight years ago she won a landslide election, placing the future of our city into her capable hands.  The city has grown over the years and she has had a lasting impact on Victoria's future.
I am most impressed with Mary's thoughtful consideration of matters important to the citizens and taxpayers.  The time she allowed for each constituent to speak his or her mind, and the respect she showed each point of view, separates her from the political norm.
Mary has a remarkable leadership capacity.  She forges consensus through bringing diverging points of view together, focused on higher goals.  The vision of a city that is responsible for its future rings through the initiatives that she has advocated.  I appreciate the courage she has shown representing Victoria's interests in the face of Carver County, School District #112, the Metropolitan Council, and others.
Fiscal accountability has also been a consistent theme of Mary's administra-tions.  She has overseen equitable alloca-tion of costs, long-term consideration of investments and debt, and careful man-agement of the budget and expenditure process.  Our tax dollars have gone a long way because of her steerage.  She has overseen the development of the city staff to the advantage of the citizenry.
Mary's positive attitude and genuine compassion make her approachable and keep her connected to the people.  The enormous investment of her time is appre-ciated, and her mark will be felt for years to come.  Thank you, Mayor Mary.
Mike Shouldice
Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I can relate to the front page story in your December 2002 Victoria Gazette that featured Ray and Frannie Schmieg.  You are wondering how?  They are my aunt and uncle!  My mom had to cook and wash for almost as many kids.  Mom had ten kids, including fraternal twins. 
Mom ordered the moo-juice, like Frannie, from Dad's cousin Willie Heger.  Yep, Willie's a cousin of Dad's.  Willie's mom Rose Heger is a sister to my Grandma Mary Meuwissen.  No, folks, not the Mayor Mary of Victoria!
Mom was the oldest of 11 kids.  Frannie was born just after Mom, a year or so later.  Their mom cooked for a bunch of kids, too.
As ever,
Kay Meuwissen
Chaska, Minnesota

To the Editor:
Hi, Sue.  The following e-mail attachment was forwarded to me.  Maybe you'd find it interesting for the Gazette ...
"I had a drug problem when I was a young person and teenager.  I was drug to church on Sunday morning.  I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.  I was drug to family reunions no matter the weather or what I would rather have done.  I was drug to the bus stop to go to school every weekday.  I was drug by my ears when disrespectful to adults and teachers.  I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents.  Those drugs are still in my veins, and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think.  They are stronger than cocaine crack, or heroine; and if our children had this kind of drug problem, America would certainly be a better place."
Happy New Year.
Tom Gray
Victoria Building Official
Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
What a nice article in your Christmas edition about the Ray and Frances Schmieg family.  I wish the national news would write like that instead of covering mostly murders and other sins.  Enclosed is my subscription to the Gazette and a 2002 picture of my garden in the north church yard at Guardian Angels.  God's special blessings to your family now and always.
Father Conran Schneider
Chaska, Minnesota