I was sad to see the comments from a person who stated so much misinformation in the Feb. 20 opinions.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans participated in the 2017 presidential inauguration festivities. Not all of them were cheering on the new president. Black clad antifascist protesters smashed storefronts and caused other damage. Some police officers were injured and over 200 protesters were…
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.
Upon reading the article in the Jan. 30, 2021 edition of the Shakopee Valley News regarding River Valley Festival dissolving I became a little upset about the funds that were in the festival account being distributed to another city way outside of the Shakopee area.
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…
At first blush you may be merely frustrated that 52.5% of Shakopee voted for a progressive candidate but because of the vote-splitting spoiler effect, Republican Erik Mortenson will represent our community in St. Paul.
I am a local small business owner who is one of many who have been negatively affected by the shut downs and “pauses” put into place by Gov. Tim Walz. While I believe that COVID-19 is real and we all need to contribute to eradicating the virus and being successful members of our community, I…
I am writing in response to your piece about Mr. Mortensen.
As of this writing, the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 is 267,596. The hospitals are strained to accommodate patients. Some have even stopped taking new patients and referring them to other facilities. Doctors, nurses, and other health care workers are stressed as never before in recent times…
After reading Gary Shelton's editorial, I think he needs to turn off his TV news and put down his paper. Maybe he could cheer himself up by looking at his 401K balance. He believes, among other things (according to his editorial last week) that President Trump is vain, dishonest, vulgar and …
We need Eric Mortensen to help solve COVID-19-related problems facing our community, not host potential super spreader events. Please do something useful to address the increasing behavioral health crises. For example, every county in the state has a mental health crisis team. This emergency…
This is in response to the Nov. 14 letter to the editor by Josh Ondich, who wondered if we would ever know who won the presidential election. The answer is yes, we know who won.
We love Shakopee. In these challenging times, we must make our community whole by supporting the small businesses who continually give back. Local restaurants, retail stores and service businesses need our citizens’ help more than ever. Buying local means you support parents, friends and nei…
I agree with Brett Martin’s letter of support for Shakopee teachers.
I'm both humbled and honored with the confidence the Shakopee voters entrust in me.
I have always promoted third-party voting as a way to highlight your issue to major party candidates for whom you would have to hold your nose or cross your fingers to support. My preference though would be to pass ranked-choice voting where a voter could support a candidate or party that em…
The events of the presidential election during the past weeks with legal challenges, recounts and ongoing absentee ballots being accepted after Election Day in multiple states.
During the last election cycle, I wrote a letter of support for Brad Tabke for the seat he currently occupies, the House 55A seat. Part of that letter said: "Brad is ... reaching deep to understand what our community wants from their state representative, and he's willing to work to find com…
I am certain that Rep. Brad Tabke is a great dad, a wonderful husband, and a supportive friend.
I am a ‘94 graduate of Shakopee, a mother of an alum, and a mother of four future graduates, whom I open enroll because I believe in Shakopee schools. Sweeney Elementary, West Middle School and Shakopee High are integral parts of my children’s lives. I have also been fortunate enough to work…
On Nov. 3, voters in Shakopee School District will decide what the future of our schools will look like. When I began on the board in 2018, fiscal responsibility was my main focus. I believe that the operating levy our board unanimously approved is a balanced approach. It takes the concerns …
I read Peggy Gleason's wonderful letter in the Oct. 10 paper and had to agree with all she said. You are either pro life or pro death. I love how Planned Parenthood tries to sell their business as women's "health care." Just go there and try to get a chest X-ray or annual check up and see ho…
As many of you may have heard, Shakopee has been chosen as one of the 50 best cities in the United States by Money Magazine. Shakopee was 30th out of 50 cities and I believe this shows the city is moving in the right direction.
Local government should be a democratic process where different ideas should be considered. In my opinion people in Shakopee are not getting this process anymore. Let me explain.
The city of Shakopee, like other municipalities across the state, has had a commission in place for decades to oversee its electric and water utilities operations. The Shakopee Public Utilities Commission has existed for nearly 70 years.
The day after the presidential debate, I asked my students their thoughts. One student said that he was curious about how a presidential debate should go, then explained to his class how he looked up the 2008 McCain/Obama debate. He said, “I learned about the process and more importantly how…
Recently current and former Shakopee Public Utility Commissioners and employees have banded together in a bid to preserve the current SPUC form of governance. As part of that effort, they have tried to paint the actions of the City as a “power grab,” a financial coup, a “political” action, o…
Recently the Shakopee City Council decided to place on the ballot the issue of eliminating Shakopee Public Utilities as an independent entity that provides electricity and water to the residents of Shakopee. This action was taken in spite of the fact that:
The driving habits of so many people these days makes one wonder how these individuals manage to keep a driver’s license.
We write to whole-heartedly support the re-election of Brad Tabke for the District 55 Minnesota House seat. Brad is the epitome of what a representative is supposed to be — he listens, he leads, and he always strives to do what is best for his constituents. As a leader, Brad is good at many …
We are former employees of the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission and ask you to Vote No to the ballot question to abolish the Shakopee Public Utilities Commission. The city has made the absurd allegation that the water delivered is not safe to drink and needs treatment. Nothing could be f…
If you still support Trump, you can no longer imagine, lie to yourself in the mirror, or tell your friends that you are not a racist.
I am writing in support of the Shakopee School Board’s request for the community’s approval of the proposed operating levy.
I am writing to support the re-election of District Court Judge Joseph Carter in Minnesota’s First Judicial District.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and an important time to recognize and stand up for victims and survivors. Did you know that one in three women and one in four men experience domestic violence in their lifetimes? We would like to think it doesn’t happen in our community, but the…
I enthusiastically endorse Brad Tabke for re-election to MN House District 55A.
One of the primary duties of government at all levels is to do its very best to provide the safety and security to the people it serves, against any and all threats.
An old saying from Poor Richard’s Almanac says, “If you sleep with dogs, you will get fleas," meaning that if you associate with people having bad ideas, it will soon contaminate your own way of thinking. Unfortunately, this appears to have happened to Brad Tabke. As Shakopee mayor, he did a…
The recent letter on Trump’s incompetence is full of ridiculous statements and begs for scrutiny. Any rational person knows that it’s impossible to correctly assert what someone else believes. Yet the writer twice claims to know what Trump believes. How does she know? She also makes several …
We are fortunate to have a dedicated citizen like James DuLaney who is willing to take on a job for us on the Shakopee City Council.
I’m tired. I’m tired of seeing Trump signs make my blood pressure raise as if the house displaying it contained my enemy. I’m also tired of being told that I am an enemy of the country because I choose to support a different political party. The truth is, whether we live on the same street, …
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association represents Minnesota’s public safety officers, including police, corrections officials, dispatchers, and firefighters.
I have not always been proud to support political candidates; oftentimes I have felt indifferent or disappointed with the choices on the ballot. But with the next election less than two months away, I could not be more proud or excited to cast my vote to re-elect Brad Tabke.
In the midst of the virus-centered environment which we all call home, I wanted to mention a bright spot that sometimes goes unnoticed in our communities. I’m referring to people who serve the day to day needs of individuals with disabilities as their profession.
The differences between the Democratic and Republican conventions were clear. Democrats presented plans to address our nation's challenges including the biggest one, global warming, while Republicans presented no plans. Trump as reported by the Star Tribune, Washington Post, New York Times a…
September is Suicide Awareness Prevention Month. The statistics surrounding the issue continue to be extremely disheartening, yet given the political will, we can make great strides in alleviating this public health crisis.
As a former sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, I find it sick-to-my-stomach disgusting that our current Commander In Chief is a bone-spurred Draft Dodger.
