As I watched President Trump give the commencement address at West Point, it reminded me of my own time as a cadet 50 years ago when I was introduced to the Honor Code: “A cadet will not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do.” It is a simple code that all cadets are expected to live b…
I have just finished reading the article on area law enforcement following the recent protests. It concerns me that the primary area of concern at this time is on “crowd management” training, the varying levels of equipment among departments and the costs associated with acquiring additional…
Nice editorial by Kerry Meagher, but I would like to expand on it if I could.
Try as I might, I can’t recall a time when I either desired, or requested, to hire a spokesperson to represent my thoughts, words or deeds to others. This, however, did not stop Kate Payton from attempting to inject herself into that role with her Spiritual Reflections piece regarding Junete…
Minnesota’s economy is opening up again — and it couldn’t come soon enough.
In light of the tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers it demonstrates that we have a policing problem.
I was upset to read in the Pacer that COVID-19 is present in McKenna Crossing. This brings the pandemic closer to home for me because I took classes at the Y often with residents of the senior living facility — and will again some day. I do hope that the measures the facility are taking keep…
Thank you to Rev. Dan Miller for the succinct article "Flourishing is more than a physical concern."
I just wanted to thank all of the teachers and administrators of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. You are doing a great job. I appreciate all you are doing for our kids. I am sure this whole distance learning is tough. It is tricky for parents and kids, too.
A month ago, my letter criticized President Trump for a weak response to the early coronavirus warnings and forecast that many Americans would get sick and die as a direct result. Sadly, that prediction has come true. More Americans died over the last two months than during 10 years of the V…
Most Minnesotans agree that every person — regardless of ethnicity, faith, immigration status or geography — is deserving of an affordable, safe, stable place to call home. Whether we are black, brown or white, no one should have to worry about having a safe place to sleep at night during th…
On Wednesday, April 1, I was proud to be part of the online convention in which Pam Myhra received unanimous endorsements from the Republicans in Savage and northwest Burnsville. During this challenging time, I am grateful to have a strong leader as Pam Myhra to be the candidate for House Di…
I am writing to you to let you know how much the staff in our school district (Burnsville-Eagan-Savage ISD 191) is doing for our students and their families during this difficult time.
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” –Nelson Mandela
Coronavirus is expanding quickly and we now have a national emergency. This is serious because of its evolving and dynamic nature. With the enormous scope of the problem, a lot of questions and not much answer, it is easy to get confused, demoralized, frozen with fear and transfixed into inaction.
Leadership matters, especially during a crisis. Regrettably, the coronavirus crisis will be longer and more severe in the U.S. due to the lack of leadership from President Trump.
"These are unprecedented times." "We must flatten the curve." "Protect the community by staying in." These soundbites are just a snippet of the echochamber we hear over and over again. And none of them sound appealing. Frankly, in some ways, there is little appealing about what we face over …
I got a heart transplant in 2017 when I was 13 years old. Ever since then, my life is much different. I have to wash all fruits and vegetables twice. My meat has to be cooked really well so there won’t be any pink and I won’t get food poisoning. I’m sad that the person that gave me the heart…
It's January. January includes National Sanctity of Human Life Day — the original date was on Jan. 22, 1984, and in 2020 it was on Jan. 20. In the United States, this day is set apart to recognize and celebrate God's gift of life. Life is precious and everyone matters.
I’ve been watching Shen Yun since I was 4 years old. Since then, my family and I have made it a tradition to see the show every year. I can still remember the excitement I had as the show grew closer. It was and still is one of my favorite traditions.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women is holding a benefit for victims of domestic violence on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Schram Haus Brewery in Chaska.
Big Pharma profits have skyrocketed in recent years at the expense of people whose only options are to pay the prohibitive costs of medication or risk their lives by going without. The Minnesota Legislature must find a way to lift the burden from the shoulders of Minnesotans who have paid th…
In the recent aftermath of the mass shootings of El Paso and Dayton, the issue of gun reform or gun safety laws have come into the forefront of political conversations from presidential candidates, halls of Congress and talk shows.
Our health care system is broken and needs a comprehensive overhaul. Our representative in Congress, Angie Craig, knows this because she has been listening. In her first seven months, she has held seven town halls in every county in the district, one of which was focused on health care, and …
I would like to thank Peggy Jo Dunnette for her column regarding the damage Donald Trump has done to our country in such a short time. He is setting us back 50 years across the board. She is absolutely correct that everyone who isn’t a Trumpster must unite behind whichever candidate runs aga…
Not too long ago, our south-of-the-river local politicians were applauding and backslapping each on the expeditious process by which they were able to have MnDOT add an additional lane to the northbound lane on the 169 bridge during the spring flood, and this extended into the summer. Welcom…
I expect Mr. Juan Macias will be labeled a racist by those who don't understand what the relationship between the immigrant and the U.S. should be. Mr. Macias exquisitely lays out the relationship of both and the necessity for assimilation if a country is to survive and thrive. Without assim…
After the most recent episodes of mass slaughter in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, it is time, again, to focus on passing gun violence prevention legislation. Any state legislator who does not support gun violence prevention legislation must be voted out of office.
My grandson's baseball team played in the August Classic over the weekend, which was held at the Savage Community Park field. The park is beautiful, well-maintained, with clean facilities. The only issue is we felt unsafe, as the number of foul balls flying overhead created a stressful exper…
Beating cancer takes more than breakthrough research. You’re invited to make a difference right here in Scott County in this fight. Please attend and support the Relay For Life movement in our community, so together we can help the American Cancer Society attack cancer from every angle.
Since being sworn in, I have traveled all across this Congressional District on a Healthcare Listening Tour, and no matter where I am, folks are saying the same thing: we need to address the cost of health care, and we need to do it now.
I was disappointed that the Savage City Council voted unanimously to go ahead with the 190-apartment Enclave Edge despite community and city planners concerns. Hopefully, traffic access will be improved prior to beginning the development of this somewhat isolated piece of property (road-wise).
With the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools boundary updates now official, the WestWood Elementary School PTC would like to extend a warm welcome to all families moving to WestWood in the fall of 2020! We are excited to meet all of the awesome new students and families. We welcome future staff t…
On behalf of the Savage Fire Department and the Savage Fire Department Relief Association, I would like to thank everybody who came out Sunday morning to support the Fire Department and the annual pancake breakfast.
To my congressional representative, Angie Craig:
I’m involved with a group of women who are keenly interested in a post-Roe v. Wade world, but our interest lies in a different direction than Beth Anderson’s book club (Community Voices, May 22).
I’ve attended multiple boundary change meetings, and I’ve attempted to maintain a diplomatic presence on this issue. But because of what I’ve witnessed recently, I feel I must inform the entire community with the facts of what is currently taking place at these meetings.
I continue to hear the same arguments over and over again pushing for C1. What some may not realize is that these problems don’t go away under their preference, they just shift to other neighborhoods.
Last night's boundary change meeting gave us a good indication of how each school board member will vote on June 10. Most, if not all, members indicated their dislike of option B1, while four members touted C4. I urge those members to use this next week to further research option C4 and come…
The study session on Tuesday, June 3, to present more commonsense school boundary options turned into another meeting that left the audience frustrated and astounded. Four members of the board had already concluded they were pointing towards the C4 option that divides an adjoining neighborhood.
After last night's board meeting, I am more convinced than ever that C1 is the only school boundary plan that results in a legally valid boundary. The reasons are as follows:
I attended the school board study session last night as I have attended every study session. This was the first time in months and countless meetings that the board even had a discussion about the options versus the one-sided monologue that's taken place in other meetings — or worse, saying …
I read with interest Beth Anderson's Community Voices article in Roe v. Wade in the Savage Pacer regarding women’s right views in her discussion after her book club meeting. I would like to add to her book club discussion.
Disappointing results from the latest school board meeting as a modified C2 option was presented and denied for review. In a confusing vote, Chairman Lee Shimek appeared to break the tie, since one member concluded she would vote with whatever the board wanted. Three of seven board members v…
The school boundaries have been a contentious subject over the past few months, with a tremendous amount of community discussion with the school board on the options that have been put forth.
There are winners and losers when redrawing elementary school boundaries. Here is what I believe to be the unfortunate truth.
Recent unbalanced commentary on socialism, capitalism and democracy omitting oligarchy (a small group of people having control of a country) requires a brief response, which unfortunately cannot do justice to the subject matter.
This past Tuesday’s shooting in suburban Colorado could have easily happened in our community. While mass school violence is a rare event and accounts for less than 1 percent of all homicides of youth ages 5 to 18, its consequences are so serious that it needs immediate legislative action.
Last night at the second school board study session, Knob Hill/Carriage Hill neighbors and friends filled the room once again! What an amazing feeling when the community comes to work together for a common goal of keeping our kids in the school they know and love — Jeffers Pond!!
