To the Editor:
I appreciate our District 112 school system and all the individuals who work very hard to ensure our children the opportunity to benefit from an excellent education. 
I especially appreciate the people who have worked to make certain our children continue to learn in quality spaces, unhampered by overcrowding - no mean feat when one considers enroll-ment has more than doubled in the past 16 years.
My family moved to Carver at the be-ginning of the 1990 school year and my eldest child entered first grade at East Union Elementary School.  That year there were 4,005 students enrolled in our district.
Last spring she graduated from the College of St. Benedict.  My middle child graduated from CHS in 2004 and is cur-rently a sophomore at Hamline Universi-ty.  On the first day of school my young-est child joined 8,602 other students in District 112 to begin her senior year at CHS.
We are fortunate to live in a school district that has had the foresight to plan for growth and to live in communities that value education enough to pass referen-dums to pay for the new schools this growth requires us to build.  As my child-ren have benefited from this school dis-trict's planning and past voters' approval, I am hopeful so shall the children who follow them.
On November 7^th I am voting 'yes' for a second high school and 'yes' for the funds to operate it.  I ask that you join me.
Cindy Monroe, Carver, Minnesota

To the Editor:
We've all had some time to think about and absorb our Spring Pilgrimage to Fatima (Portugal) and Lourdes (France).  We've just finished looking at your online photographs in Sue's Album and story at www.VictoriaGazette.com about our trip.  They are wonderful!  We would recom-mend you to be the person to document any trip in the world.  In addition, it was a joy meeting and traveling with you.  Thanks, and thanks again.
Chuck and Eileen Zimmer, Forest Lake, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I just attended a wedding in Chicago and met a couple from Victoria.  I hadn't thought of that community in forever but of course your name came immediately to my mind.  I asked right away if the couple ever read the Gazette and the answer was of course, yes.
It's been a long time since I read the paper though.  I remember reading it as a little girl when you'd sent it to my mother, your college roommate and friend.  I also remember being so excited to come and meet all of you the summer we visited your home. 
I hope all is well.  It was fun to have memories of you come back to my mind.
Sincerely,
Sarah (Joanning) Egge, Susan Schadle Joanning's daughter

To the Editor:
I am writing to support our State Senator Julianne Ortman.  Senator Ortman has worked tirelessly to represent the citi-zens of Carver County for many years.
Her voting record and discourse on the floor of the Senate and in its commit-tees consistently reflect the values of our county.  She has stayed true to the princi-ples she committed to when she was elect-ed.
Julianne is serving in a Senate that is not always friendly to the common sense values that we share, but even while in the minority she has been effective.
Julianne's background has made her ideal for the job because she is both a caring mother and member of the commu-nity, and has a talented legal mind.  Her voice of reason and restraint has made her a respected member of the Senate.
In each of the most important issues
-- whether it is a protection of marriage, right to life, fiscal restraint, or law enforcement - Julianne will vote the right way.  Please join me in sending one of our best back to the Minnesota State Senate this November 7^th.
Aaron Pratt, Waconia, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I bet qualms about adding a second high school occur in every community ex-periencing growth.  It happened in Lake-ville, which opened its second high school last year.  I worked on the citizens' com-mittee to get the bond passed and heard many of those concerns.
But a year's experience has shown that the second high school has been great for Lakeville and its students.  It creates more opportunities for kids and more ways to support community for all of us.
This fall an overflow crowd of 7,000 saw the Lakeville North-Lakeville South football game.  That's a big community builder.  While my home is in Panther territory, my daughter this week attended a Cougar sports event.
Two schools mean twice the oppor-tunities in sports, other activities, and academics.  I urge District 112 residents to vote yes for a second high school on election day.
Ronda Willsher, Lakeville, Minnesota

To the Editor:
Enclosed is a check and also thanks for a great job and match to my brother Dan Schwalbe.  If you are ever in the Tower, MN, area, give me a call and I'll buy lunch on the beautiful shores of Lake Vermillion.
Carol Pratt, Mounds View, Minnesota