Don’t talk to strangers. That advice is widely given, especially to children. Don’t talk to strangers because they pose a threat to your safety. Don’t make eye contact. March forward. Avoid the homeless people on the street corner. Don’t exchange glances with politicians looking for votes or with folks ringing bells next to kettles. No commitment. Don’t talk to strangers.
Measures needed to increase turnout, protect the vote
Minnesotans voted in record numbers on Nov. 6, again leading the nation with the highest voter turnout – almost 64 percent. Stearns County’s turnout reached 70 percent compared with the national average turnout of about 50 percent. That is the highest percentage of voter participation in Minnesota for a midterm election since 2002 and the raw turnout of 2,593,922 was
Newly elected leaders should focus on results, not conflict
It’s time to turn the page. The election is over. A record number of voters have spoken. Even nature sent a symbolic message that a new season is here as voters woke up on the morning after the election to find fall replaced by sharp winter winds and snow. The message is clear. Voters told candidates that in races from
What are the lessons of elections past?
What have we learned in the last two years? As we prepare to vote and then wait for this year’s election results, consider these lessons from 2016. Elections have consequences and every vote counts….just ask the people who stayed home last time or who voted for a protest candidate. The outcome of the last presidential election wasn’t determined by people
Five questions for Tom Emmer
Rep. Tom Emmer is seeking a third term representing the 6th District. He was an early and strong supporter of Donald Trump and he votes with the President about 90 percent of the time. Democrat Ian Todd, a first-time candidate, is challenging Emmer in a district that leans Republican. Maybe that’s why we haven’t seen much of Emmer lately. Perhaps
Vote ‘yes’ Nov. 6 to continue Sartell-St. Stephen’s commitment to education
Voters in the Sartell-St. Stephen school district will be asked on Nov. 6 to approve a levy to fund the second stage of the district’s master plan approved three years ago. As the new high school, the first part of the master plan, nears completion, district leaders are asking voters to approve funding to operate it and to support other
Keep it local during Oct. 18 trash pickup
“If you see something, say something.” That admonition usually applies to airports and other potential terrorism targets. But on Oct. 18, in St. Joseph, those words will apply to refuse. That’s when the city has scheduled the next curbside rubbish pickup and the city is as serious about the warning as any airport security officer. During the last pickup in
Census, redistricting questions are hidden election issues
The future of Minnesota’s representation in the next decade will be decided with this fall’s elections and with decisions being made now about how Census 2020 will be conducted. How many members of Congress Minnesota will have and how their districts will be drawn will be determined by the census. The decennial count also affects drawing boundaries for other elected