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To the Editor:
I worked with Michele Helgen on both the '99 referendum and the Legisla-tive Action Committee and must say that as an asset to the board and as a leader in the community, she is among the best. Michele is hardworking, intelligent, com-mitted, honest, and approachable. She has intelligence to see multiple sides of various issues, has the courage to question people's positions, and the ability to listen to people's concerns.
Her lifetime work as a governmental consultant is a real asset to any govern-mental organization that is lucky enough to get her. Her commitment to opening the board processes is critical in the next few years, due to our ridiculously fast growth and the current dissatisfaction with some of the board's decisions. Continuing mistakes cannot be afforded at this juncture. I believe Michele's successful candidacy is crucial to our schools' and communities' future.
Michael Miles, Victoria, Minnesota
To the Editor:
I am pleased and honored to lend my name to the list of Michele Helgen's many supporters in the upcoming school board race. As a former school board member, and having served on the Council of Quality Education, I know there is no one better qualified for this position.
I have watched and admired Michele over the years, and I know how much we need her skills and talents in the pubic sector. I am particularly pleased that she has focused her efforts on education, and is willing to devote her energy to serving on our school board.
Michele is smart, effective, and tenacious. She gets to the bottom line and gets things done. She has the unique com-bination of top level business experience, along with a true compassion for educat-ing kids.
And to top it all off, Michele is a gen-uinely nice person, who listens well, and is responsive to the people she serves. She has been asking the tough questions and demanding straight answers on the current bus company disaster.
I have been involved in Carver county issues and activities over the past 30 years. Michele Helgen is among the best I have worked with. We need more like her in the education field. Let's make sure we support Michele on Nov. 6th.
Marcy Waritz, Chanhassen, Minnesota
To the Editor:
Hello, fellow publisher and editor! Congratulations on your nicely done books by the Coghill brothers and your interesting Gazette. Thought you might want to give a former Minnesota news-man an item in your paper.
I celebrated my 90th birthday this year and just published a book. I am a veteran newspaperman, having edited daily and weekly newspapers in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota, as well as published papers there and in Missouri.
My book is entitled Maverick Among the Magnolias. It's a biography of the late Hazel Brannon Smith who called for integrated schools, churches, libraries, public transportation and work places, as well as demanded that blacks be accorded the right to vote, hold public office, and serve on juries, even intermarry, an act she had once branded as "a sin."
Ms. Smith, also the publisher of three newspapers in Mississippi, was shunned by most of her former friends and suffered in other ways because of her convictions. She came to win a Pulitzer Prize and virtually every other prestigious journal-istic award for her hard-hitting editorials.
My book can be ordered only online from me at www.Xlibris.com and also at www.Amazon.com or www.Borders.com.
Thank you for this. Best regards.
John Whalen, Stevens Point, Wisconsin
To the Editor:
I would like to further an important point on our city growth and education. Education is the heart of a community. Like water, utilities, and roads, quality education is a resource to build upon furthering sound growth. Last year School District #112 suffered painful "across the board" budget cuts totaling over $3 million. Had our school district and city planners worked more closely, the unexpected 200 new students and the funding which follows the students would have been counted.
Two hundred new students bring in an additional $1.25 million to the class-room. Good planning could have prevent-ed the loss of teachers and paras in the classroom.
While we are "planning" for the students which will come tomorrow, we must be diligent not to shortchange the students today. Tell your cities and school administrators to work closer on the housing growth. Insist that they un-derstand and consider the impact of rapid growth on the classroom. Thank you.
Diane Koban, Victoria, Minnesota
To the Editor:
On Tuesday, November 6th, I will cast my vote for the District #112 School Board for Laurie Gauer.
I have known Laurie for eight years in various school related and Girl Scout roles. I have personally observed her demonstrate the values of this community time after time. She has consistently shown integrity and commitment to the well being of children.
I am confident that Laurie, as a school board member, will make deci-sions based on the best interests of the children living in District #112. She will actively seek input from the members of this community to ensure that all views are heard.
Please join me in voting for Laurie Gauer on November 6th.
Nancy Birch, Chanhassen, Minnesota
To the Editor:
Good evening, Sue. My name is Erik Solie. I am one of those individuals in the picture in your recent Touch of Bavaria site on Sue's Album. Debbie Hartman told me we were at www.VictoriaGazette.com without identification, so I'll tell you the names of the rest of us to the best of my ability. Jim Machemehl, Steve Soine, Jim Judd, me (Erik Solie), Tom Pitzen, Rick Neumann, and Scott Zweibohmer. Thanks.
Eric Solie, Victoria, Minnesota
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