To the Editor:
As a service provider and employer for 37 years in Carver County, I would like our neighbors and taxpayers to know the role that Mount Olivet Rolling Acres' services to people with disabilities have played in the current state budget short-fall.
Our daily charge today for services at the campus on Schutz Lake in Victoria is 5% per year (15.4%) higher than it was three years ago.  Therefore we have lived within the guidelines set forth by the Governor.
Yes, we increased more than infla-tion, but that was to account for wage increases targeted by the Legislature because staff wasn't paid competitively.  Even so, the starting wage for a resident counselor is only $10.41 per hour.  The work and schedules are demanding, but the reward of service to others is also meaningful.  We will continue to live within the Governor's guidelines.
We appreciate the support we receive from the people who live and work in Carver County.
Wayne Larson, Executive Director
Mount Olivet Rolling Acres
Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I would like to thank my family, especially my daughter Cathy and her husband Gary for taking me into their home and caring for me, also all my relatives and friends for their cards, gifts, and prayers during my recovery from surgery.  I am feeling better every day.  Thank you, all, and God bless.
Katherine Vanderlinde
Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
The Victoria Firearms Safety Asso-ciation would like to thank the Victoria Lions Club, Victoria Fire Department, Cabin Fever Sporting Goods, Hartman Communities, and the Marsh Lake Hunt-ing Club.  With all of their help and support, we are able to make the classes possible.  Thank you.
Shawn Eastman
Marsh Lake Hunting Preserve
Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I'm staying at my sis' Rosie Williams while I help out and play with the triplet grandbabies.  They are 14 ½ months old already.  Found your fishhook in the Cenex ad on page 19.
Carol J. Sabol
Montana

To the Editor:
Each day as I ride the stationary bike and walk the track above the kids bounc-ing back and forth on the ice, I am re-minded to say thanks to those who sup-ported the wonderful new ice arena, gym, and workout facility here in our home-town.
To some, I'm sure, it will always look like just a recreational facility, but to those of us who have reached the age where we are too familiar with the term rehabilitation (in my case, a brand new knee), this is a blessing to have so nearby. 
The men (I haven't met a woman yet) working the exercise area don't look like the typical twenty-something personal trainers, but they do help those with parti-cular physical needs and explain the many excellent machines there to facilitate a healthy workout.
I hope everyone will come see and enjoy this wonderful new asset in Victoria that will long serve our growing commu-nity.
Sincerely,
Pete Crawford
Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I am Mae Schmid's granddaughter, Laurie Wyatt.  My grandma, mom, and aunts and uncles asked me to submit the following letter of acknowledgement by e-mail to the Victoria Gazette.  Please let me know if you need further information.  I've enjoyed reading previous articles that they've sent to me from the Gazette.  Thanks for your assistance.
Our thanks ...
The family of Floyd (Nushie) Schmid wishes to express our gratitude to family and friends for their love, friendship, thoughts, prayers, food, and flowers, which give us strength and peace in this time of sorrow following the recent loss of our husband, father, grandfather.
We also wish to thank the staff and our friends at Presbyterian Homes on Lake Minnetonka for their kind care and attention.  A special thanks to Father Bob and to the others who contributed to the beautiful service and luncheon at St. Vic-toria Catholic Church and Parish Center and to all of those in attendance.
Friends are one of life's greatest gifts.  Please accept this as our sincere acknow-ledgement of your kindness and support.
Mae Schmid and children,
Carol Olson, Linda Erickson, Bruce Schmid, Joel Schmid, and Susan Zehnder, and our families
Victoria, Minnesota

Click here for more letters.