A framed timetable from St. Paul Union Depot hangs on my office wall. I discovered it at an antique show many years ago; saved it, and look on it every day as a reminder of the passage of time and how it changes our lives.
Human-caused global climate change is one of the most complex issues facing society today. It is a global problem felt on local scales that cuts across many dimensions — science, economics, society, politics, and moral and ethical questions. It is here today, will be around for decades and c…
The bison turned quickly, ready to charge. The two feet of snow didn’t slow its powerful hooves, but rather kicked up a rooster-tail of shiny ice crystals into the cold winter air, highlighting the bison’s efforts.
A recent letter to the editor contains a number of misunderstandings.
I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri for 12 years of my life. As you would guess, my education was subpar compared to Minnesota even though I went to the top school district in my city. I pride myself on how I've conquered Minnesota's difficult curriculum and managed to keep up even though I w…
I am in a bit of pickle, trying to understand what has upset the Feb. 20 letter writer, who wrote to complain about the recent news regarding Prior Lake Pickleballers, who are trying to raise money to improve the field.
It seems evident from Glen Weber’s Feb. 6 letter to the editor about accountability and truth, and earlier letters, that he harbors an intense dislike of Republicans in general, and anyone else whose opinion differs from his own. Each letter of his, that I recall, has included a personal att…
Students are at the center of all decisions made at Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools and there is much to celebrate in our district. This is also the time of year when school districts work to determine the budget for the coming school year. As always, PLSAS strives to be fiscally responsible …
Assuming Congress passes the President’s request for another $1.9 trillion, which is in addition to the $3.1 trillion already approved, the total amount “allegedly” being justified for COVID-19 aid and relief will reach $5 trillion.
I am at a loss as to why Wes Mader so readily avails himself of the very vehicle he derides in many of his bi-monthly op-eds — namely, the media.
For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic may be putting a hold on dinner at the charming local bistro, but the spirit of Valentine’s Day cannot be extinguished. This year, perhaps more so than in the past, you may want to make your Valentine’s Day gifts even more meaningful. So, for example, wh…
I appreciated reading Tim Reckmeyer's column addressing climate policy. Many businesses including Ford, GM, Xcel Energy, Johnson & Johnson and Cargill have already taken the lead in shifting to energy resources that are healthier for our families and the environment. It's what their cust…
Tim Reckmeyer’s column “Climate change and policy truth” in the Jan. 30 issue couldn’t be more timely. It’s time to take serious action to address the problem of climate change. Our newly inaugurated administration in Washington accepts scientific truth and is willing to tackle this problem …
The Jan. 30 column by Tim Reckmeyer on the Carbon Dividend Act reminds me again, the importance of doing “what I can” to better our environment for the future. As a grandfather, I often wonder what type of world my grandchildren will be living in when they reach my age of 76 and that motivates me.
A Jan. 23 letter to the editor claims without proof that censorship by social media companies like Facebook and Twitter is one-sided, presumably favoring liberals.
The Prior Lake City Council is considering restricting the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. As a nurse and parent, I support this move and encourage the council to do even more to help curb the impacts of tobacco on our community, and especially our young people.
As is her practice, Alexandra Matyja took Trump’s misinformation, aimed at glorifying his achievements, and presented them as facts ("A list of Trump's 'failings,'" Jan. 30).
At what point on the road to democracy's demise in America will truth and accountability supersede party loyalty and lies? The actions and words of individuals (elected and non-elected) following the violent insurrection of Jan. 6 is startling.
The following statements about Donald Trump were made by community columnist John Diers ("Here the people rule," Nov. 14, 2020; "We've lost our way. Can we ever go back?" Oct. 10, 2020).
The events of Jan. 6 were a bad omen and a disappointing start to 2021, but I’m staying optimistic. COVID-19 numbers are trending down. My wife, Marcia, and I had our first COVID-19 shots — and hallelujah for that. We may live through 2021 and greet 2022. Still, I needed a distraction and in…
I enjoy watching most sports, especially football. During college bowl game season and now as we head into Super Bowl Sunday, a variety of storylines dominate talk radio and sports news. Oftentimes what I find personally inspiring or motivating is not necessarily what’s grabbing the headlines.
Following the stunning insurrection at the nation's Capitol, the phrase "this is not who we are" was offered by some, to soothe and help begin a process of healing.
On Inauguration Day it was refreshing and inspirational to listen to the national debut of poet laureate Amanda Gorman as she shared her oratorical skills and her hopes for the country, “Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but isn’t finished.”
This is a response to Wes Mader's column, "American democracy on the brink," published Jan. 23.
Finally, the subhuman, vile, dictatorial racist is gone from the White House! We’ve been told that: “We will press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril…” Relax everyone. America finally will be perfected by those who know best.
“Stop hanging out with people that tell you what you want to hear. Hang out with people who tell you the truth” –Eric Thomas. On Nov. 5, 1965, the group known as the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology cautioned President Lyndon B. Johnson that continued accumulation of…
There is no question about it! It is a dog-eat-dog world out there, and now I have proof.
Illegal dumping, which is when people throw waste such as couches, tires, or hazardous materials in ditches or other unauthorized locations, is an ongoing problem. It often happens when people rent dumpsters too.
Minnesota is facing a youth nicotine epidemic and flavored tobacco products are the major contributor. Big tobacco has done an excellent job at making products affordable, attractive, acceptable and accessible for youth. In doing so they have been convincing teens and parents that vaping is …
It’s Monday, Jan. 18 and I’m writing this as I watch the morning news programs — especially some disgusting, new videos of Jan. 6. It’s a national holiday, Martin Luther King’s birthday. It’s also an unhappy irony as we recognize and celebrate the meaning of Dr. King’s work and reflect on th…
The debate about who won and who lost is over, but events over the past four years and highlighted by the past two months, make it clear that Americans are losing.
I’m so touched that Melissa Enger had a “great day” on Jan. 6. (“Former PLSAS Board Member Recounts Her Experience at the Capitol,” Prior Lake American, Jan. 16)
I want to thank Southwest News Media and the Prior Lake American for continuing to publish letters it receives from its readers each week. The freedom to debate ideas, even if rebuttal comments sometimes become personal attacks, is what has up until recently separated America’s excellence fr…
The events of this past week have caused five people to lose their lives, leave our country with a major black eye, and completely undermined the process of governance that has existed for almost 250 years.
It’s a new year and at Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools we are already planning for the 2021-22 school year, and looking ahead with hope and optimism that all students will be able to return to in-person learning. As we plan, our goal is always to create learning experiences that are personali…
A light and gentle snow started falling the other day while I was out in the woods. Quickly the tiny flakes started to build a uniform blanket covering the ground. It was a beautiful scene.
What happened to the America that I grew up in? An America that welcomed immigrants and embraced those looking for a better life in the greatest country on Earth. An America where people were considered innocent until proven guilty. An America where the news media reported the facts and the …
The events of this past week have caused five people to lose their lives, leave our country with a major black eye, and completely undermined the process of governance that has existed for almost 250 years. The reaction has left people with shock and anger with knee jerk reactions across the…
If you’re close to retirement, you’ll have several financial issues to consider, but you’ll want to pay attention to one of the most important of these issues: health care costs.
A recent letter writer is wrong in proposing that our country needs to be “separated” because some of the rest of us (including the majority in Minnesota) do not live in the Trump cult world of alternate facts.
The following letter was sent to all staff of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools from the school board. It is being shared here to publicly acknowledge that every single staff person in the district contributed to helping the students, families and community navigate the past year.
The late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously said, “Everyone is entitled to his/her own opinion, but not his own facts” — a distinction that gets more difficult in direct proportion to the popularity and proliferation of social media.
I wear my heart on my sleeve. When I say Prior Lake Rotary is awesome, I’m not being boastful, but telling it like it is. I’m honored and privileged to be leading this group of people of action this year as club president. As we are to the midway point of the Rotary year, a year that has loo…
The New Year is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the fresh beginnings of January, the clean slate that is before us, just ready for us to create in any way we choose. So, If I am going to be completely honest with myself, I’m ready for this year to be done. Most of the people I t…
Winter is a time of plenty for owls. The nights are very long, and the days are painfully short. I was reminded of this the other day while out photographing and filming a wild Barred Owl sleeping in a tree. I spent several hours just observing this magnificent raptor as it dozed in a large …
There is no doubt 2020 has posed many challenges for the American people; our political climate being a fine example of the tough decisions we have all been forced to make. While there is a great degree of separation amongst neighbors regarding their political, religious and overall moral vi…
It is necessary to respond to Alexandra Matyja's Dec. 12 letter that suggests I might acknowledge or agree with Trump “that there is a lack of truthfulness in the national news media.” Nothing could be farther from the truth!
Many seniors will be alone this holiday season, some separated from family and friends because of COVID-19, some afraid for the future. An experience I had as a middle-aged adult helps me understand what being alone and afraid feels like.
Welcome to our special Home for the Holidays edition.
The year 2020 has challenged us in ways we never could have imagined and I know most of us are more than ready to leave it behind and look forward to 2021 with hope and optimism.
