I recognize many are unhappy with the job Brad Tabke has done as our representative by consistently putting the big city liberal agenda ahead of the actual needs of our own local community.
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…
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.
A reader last week described Rep. Brad Tabke as "tone deaf." I disagree, and for several reasons.
“We’re all in this together." We’ve all seen the billboards and commercials over the last couple months. Obviously, they mean we all must share in making sacrifices to get through COVID-19 and there’s no doubt we’ve been sacrificing.
Recently, a U.S. citizen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a Scott County courtroom. I assume that as part of his plea agreement, the defendant admitted certain facts and that those facts constituted a sufficient basis for finding the defendant guilty of second-degree murder without intent.
Let me be crystal clear, my intention is not political toward any party, nor am I pointing blame for any past decisions. I believe an open, honest, and transparent discussion is in order from all levels of government and both parties to the American people relating to the economic impacts of…
Shakopee City Administrator Bill Reynolds won't meet with SPUC Manager John Crooks, who has sent multiple invites. Crooks sends meeting invites during City Council meetings. Crooks and SPUC drag their feet on releasing salary information to Reynolds. Reynolds goes directly to the Minnesota A…
I am writing to submit my suggestion to opening the economy and keeping people safe with a different approach.
Monday marked the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week. Across the country, communities will celebrate with discounted meals, heartfelt social media posts, and decorative lawn signs. The communal demonstrations of support mean a great deal to our nation’s teachers, but they are far from so…
Here we are, five weeks into the shelter-at-home orders, and we are tired. Parents of kids young and old are doing their best to keep kids on task throughout the day. Working people are missing the occasional water cooler breaks and personal comradery with their coworkers. And those laid off…
Reflecting on these past weeks of forced change, I am encouraged by the work of our community in responding to the impact of the novel coronavirus. Together, we are #ShakoStrong even as we are physically apart. And while everyone in our community has had to adapt to a new normal, I want to e…
“You can always depend on them!” Each year National Volunteers Week is celebrated in the United States and Canada. This year it is the week of April 19-25. It is the official time to recognize and celebrate the efforts of volunteers at the local, state, and national levels.
April is national Volunteer Appreciation Month and I want to thank all the volunteers out there that make our communities stronger, safer and healthier for everyone. Especially during the COVID-19 epidemic, volunteers are needed more than ever at nonprofits and we applaud all of you that are…
Four weeks ago, our governor and our superintendent communicated to public school staff an extraordinary request: transition your entire model of doing things. Do it in less than three weeks.
Reading Brett Martin’s March 28 commentary “Millennials are angry and we need to listen” provides an important reminder that we need to listen to the millennials and strive for change but also cements the reality of how self-centered that generation is. I think it is important for Brett’s so…
When trying to count every person in a country it begins to become a very hard task. There are groups that are easy to miss. But being one of the most developed countries in the world, the U.S. should be able to do it.
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.
Perusing through the paper I see where the Shakopee School Board is considering a referendum in the fall
"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 …
Shakopee’s parks are frequented by people from all walks of life. But with that comes the risk of secondhand smoke exposure.
As a physician, public health expert with a master's in public health and the daughter of a polio survivor, I was dismayed to read in the Feb. 29 Prior Lake American that my state senator, Eric Pratt, told GOP caucus-goers he "stands with moms" when it comes to "vaccination decisions."
The Republican Party has, with intent and with purpose, let our precious democracy dissolve...supplanting it with fascism.
My family moved to Shakopee from Richfield in 1952. Dad was a farmer and also a pilot for Northwest. Mother was a homemaker, and six kids attended grade school and high school in this community. It was indeed a fabulous place to grow up. Shakopee was uniquely situated within reasonable commu…
In response to Lindstrom’s letter, “Holstine an embarrassment."
What a shock to be sitting with some of my family at halftime and see the unbelievably awful entertainment, if you could even call it that. It was more like being at a strip club, which is not what any of us desired to see at 7:15 p.m. on a Sunday evening!
Members of both the Legion and VFW along with concerned citizens, met with Mayor Mars, Councilor Brennan and city staff that are also veterans including City Administrator Bill Reynolds (Marines), Assistant City Administrator Nate Burkett (Army) and Director of Parks and Recreation, Jay Tobi…
Proposing to do away with Memorial Park is wrong. The park has been in existence for 60 to 70 years built by veterans and others for the people of Shakopee. Mr. Clete Link of Shakopee put in a lot of hard work, time, dedication and money to erect the helicopter exhibit. This helicopter can b…
Kelly Holstine 2019 Minnesota “teacher” of the year is at it again. Now that she believes she has a forum she pulled a Kaepernick and knelt for our national anthem at the college football championship.
Thank you Mark W. Olson for the very informative article "Faith and Patience." Thanks also to community columnist Brett Martin on an informative but heartbreaking article "Why a Muslim teen hides her religion." It is so discouraging to realize that there are branches of Christianity that sub…
In the Dec. 19 Prior Lake American, State Rep. Tony Albright was quoted as saying that government price controls on pharmaceutical drugs could lead to controlling doctors’ fees by a “bureaucratic force.” He suggests that innovation and market forces are the better way to let drug prices be d…
Precinct caucus night is coming up soon: Feb. 25.
I was very pleased to see that the Scott County Board of Commissioners has continued to do what is right as opposed to what is politically expedient in the handling of the county’s fiscal stability. The board approved a 3.95% levy increase that will accomplish a variety of good things; but, …
There are only a few days left for Congress to pass legislation in 2019, and I would like to highlight an issue that I believe is critical for passage this year. As employers and families select insurance plans for the upcoming year, they are faced with the possibility that premiums could sk…
I moved here in 1979 with my family to open a retail store here in downtown Shakopee. This is my first letter to the editor in all that time. I love Shakopee! My kids grew up here. Over the years I have come to realize that the small businesses that I supported were the same people I found o…
The Shakopee Rotary Club, one of Shakopee’s great organizations, once again hosted their senior luncheon which was held at Turtle’s Social Centre on Nov. 12. In addition to the senior citizens that were invited by a Rotarian, many residents from St. Gertrude's, Friendship Manor and All Saint…
In the Nov. 9 edition of the Shakopee Valley News, Autumn Raw wrote that Shakopee “must declare a climate emergency” due to a river that floods and encroaches every single year.
Shakopee needs to declare a climate emergency.
Since 1963, the Jaycees have been active in Shakopee — helping young adults build professional skills, make connections, and create positive change. Our work this year has earned us recognition at the state and national levels, setting the stage for success in the future!
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Shakopee has a garbage problem.
From the bottom of our heart, we thank you for all your generous outpouring of donations, prayers, support and love at Ken Frey's benefit on Sept. 28.
As a parent and coach of four children who participated in traveling sports while growing up, and as a board member and past president of the Spring Lake Park Traveling Basketball Association, I feel compelled to comment on Dr. Niehoff’s article that gave me the impression that traveling spo…
I am writing about the article “Winning in the pool” featured in the Sept. 28 Shakopee Valley News.
Thank you to the boy scouts, leaders and dads that came out to Calvary Cemetery last Saturday to help with removing the overgrown grass from the flat headstones, and to Steve Schiffman for making their help possible.
Echoing the views of a recent letter to the editor, regarding the Aug. 9 article "Pregnant in Prison."
Friendship Manor Health Care Center would like thank all our staff and volunteers who helped make the Hawaiian Luau Picnic that was held on Saturday Sept. 7 a big success. The weather was great, the food and entertainment were wonderful and the children enjoyed face painting and games.
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.
I was very disappointed with the manner in which the writer of the article "Pregnant in Prison" described this pregnant woman: waddled, watermelon, loose skin, etc. The words were very crass, derogatory, and just plain mean. I expected better from this paper. In this day and age we don't nee…
