Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s recent announcement he is not running for a third term created an avalanche of political hopefuls throwing their hats in the ring for an election that doesn’t take place until November 2010. We believe our local guy, Sen. Steve Dille, is as qualified as any other candidate and would bring rural reality to a field of candidates who are not always familiar with average citizens’ lives.

By Wes Edwards
Darwin

It is interesting the way things twist and turn on a daily basis. Recently, I was reading an editorial in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Administrators and teachers, are you listening? Forest Lake teachers just settled on a two-year contract, which does not include a cost-of-living pay hike. They also stopped step raises for the first year.

By Brenda Voigt
Meeker County Emergency Food Shelf manager

As I was walking down the aisles of the Meeker County Emergency Food Shelf the other day, I felt I needed to share with Meeker County residents that without their generosity the shelves would be empty.
The 2008 fall/holiday drive and the 2009 March drive brought in the largest-ever donations of food and cash.

The fall/holiday drive brought us 11,000 pounds and $39,000 in cash donations. The March drive brought us 8,308 pounds and $15,000 in cash.

By Dr. David Detert
Litchfield

With his unallotment announcement, Gov. Tim Pawlenty made it official that Greater Minnesota will again have the honor of carrying a disproportionate portion of the burden in correcting the state budget deficit.

Can we cope with this for the next few years? Of course we can, but it is not the next two years that are the real problem. How does this solve the long-term deficit problems of the state, deal with the crisis in health care costs and access, improve education, and reform the tax system and so on?

Why Minnesota Needs Health Reform

Congress and the President are working to enact health care reform legislation that protects what works about health care and fixes what is broken. Minnesotans know that inaction is not an option. Sky-rocketing health care costs are hurting families, forcing businesses to cut or drop health benefits, and straining state budgets. Millions are paying more for less. Families and businesses in Minnesota deserve better.

MINNESOTANS CAN’T AFFORD THE STATUS QUO

For many of us, the mention of dairy farming conjures visions of idyllic rural settings, wholesome lifestyles and, quite possibly, a wide smile accompanied by a milk mustache.

Meeker County commissioners discussed a proposal to record their proceedings during a meeting about a month ago.

At that time, Commissioner Jim Swenson — who proposed the audio recordings as a backup for County Auditor Barb Loch, who keeps the official minutes — and Loch were assigned to a committee to investigate the idea.

Here’s hoping that Swenson and Loch don’t stop at an audio recording. Though any recording is better than none, video recordings of the County Board’s meetings would be the best solution.

Editor’s note: Litchfield High School’s tradition of having student speakers address their classmates during commencement ceremonies continued Sunday. Following is the speech given by Tony Skaggs, son of Scott and Felicia Skaggs.

By Tony Skaggs

Congratulations, Class of 2009. We’re all here.

Editor’s note: Litchfield High School’s tradition of having student speakers address their classmates during commencement ceremonies continued Sunday. Following is the speech given by Zachary Fredman, son of Leland and Brenda Fredman.

From Sen. Amy Klobuchar
DFL, Minnesota

As part of her ongoing efforts to address the concerns of Minnesota’s auto dealers, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar today questioned top executives from General Motors and Chrysler about their plans to close dozens of dealerships in the state.