Letters to the editor: Oct. 19

Talk about it

Vote for Randy Bolen

William M. Clark

Two Harbors

Former city councilor and county commissioner

Four years ago my friend Joe Zastara, a successful business and professional person from our community, wrote a letter to the editor and said this: “I believe Randy Bolen, who is running for mayor, and Dan Jones who is running for city council, by virtue of the fact that they have considerable experience with the city problems and opportunities should continue to serve us all. They both have demonstrated that they will not buckle under to the influences that tend to undermine our local government and will continue to consider the wishes of all citizens.”

Randy Bolen has earned our continued support.

Randy communicates and collaborates very well with our neighboring area mayors and councilors including earning the endorsements of Duluth Mayor Don Ness, Cloquet Mayor Bruce Ahlgren, Duluth City Council President Dan Hartman and Minnesota State Senator Roger Reinert.

Randy communicates and very successfully lobbies state and federal legislators to bring money to Two Harbors for much needed projects.

Randy has done an excellent job promoting Two Harbors as a business-friendly town and has worked hard to retain and work to bring business to our town.

Randy has done an excellent job in trying to unite our town by leading projects like the Kidz Block Party, Winter Wonderland at the Bandshell, Two Harbors block party and summer outdoor movie program.

Randy has a 100% voting record in support of our police and fire department.

Randy has promoted all downtown activities to promote social entertainments.

Last, but not least, Randy Bolen loves this city like no other person I’ve ever seen and wants to see it thrive and grow for generations to come!

Please join me by voting for Randy Bolen on Nov. 6 to continue as mayor for another term.

Rosati’s claims were off-base

From Jerry Norberg

Vice president, Two Harbors City Council

To the citizens of Two Harbors,

As an at-large councilor for our great city, as well as council vice president and chairman of public works (streets, alleys and sidewalks) and chairman of public safety (police and fire departments), I take issue with candidate Rosati’s letter to the editor in the Oct. 5th issue of the Lake County News-Chronicle.

Candidate Rosati has accused this council of “frivolous spending” and said we must “stick to the budget”. Folks, during my first two years on the council, we have managed to keep the overall tax levy at 0% increase. That’s right folks; your tax increase is 0%. And we have maintained city services. I would call that “sticking to the budget” and not “frivolous spending”. Candidate Rosati was involved in one of the budget committees that was able to keep the levy at 0% increase. I was, and am, very disappointed in her comments regarding this.

Candidate Rosati also made issue with the six city blocks, and the new skateboard park and paving project. While I certainly agree that a total rebuild would have been better, we simply didn’t have the money to do it. So, what should we do? Nothing? My committee, on which Mayor Bolen serves, identified six blocks in our city that were in disrepair or were gravel. No city of our size and character should have gravel avenues. This paving project was done without having to assess the residents on those streets because we felt, quite frankly, that they deserved to have an avenue that most of the other residents in our city have. It should be noted that candidate Rosati voted to approve this project. Why is she opposing it now?

Given the two candidates, there is only one choice to lead this city for the next four years. Mayor Randy Bolen has the insight and fortitude to keep our great city moving forward, not backwards.

I urge you, the citizens of Two Harbors, to vote Randy Bolen on Nov. 6th.

Thank you.

Vote yes to define marriage

From Steve Sumner

Two Harbors

After reading so many lame-brained editorials on why we should vote no on the upcoming marriage amendment, I feel it necessary to write an editorial that deals with the reality of the issue. This is not about rights or equality. It’s about entitlements and financial benefits afforded married couples. To vote no is an attempt to redefine marriage for financial gain. Why should two people of the same sex, living in an unholy, unnatural relationship be allowed these financial advantages?

There are no restrictions on homosexuals living together if they choose to do so, but the relationship should not recognized as a marriage.

Vote yes to define marriage as it should be defined: one man, one woman.

Tags: opinion