Criticism of Dayton tax plan
From Tim Jezierski
Two Harbors
I have been researching Gov. Mark Dayton’s new tax plan that is to help balance the budget.
He says that by giving home owners a $500 tax credit it will be neutral. Yet, he says it will raise
$2 billion over the next two years. Well how canthat be? If it’s neutral it can’t raise money can it? Then I saw it. We are only giving a tax credit to people who own homes. That means he is going to raise $2 billion from renters. So all you who can’t afford a home, and all you seniors who moved into a senior apartment, thank you! You’re going to balance the state budget for us.
As they vote in the biggest budget in the history of the state, feel good that you’re doing your part to pay for all us home owners. The Minnesota state budget is a two-year budget. It was (in round numbers) $30 billion in 2009-10, $34 billion in 2011-12, and the new one is proposed at $37 billion for 2013-14.
If we were to keep the same budget as the last one, with no cuts and no icreases, not only would we now have a balanced budget with no increase in taxes, we would also be able to pay the schools the money we have shorted them, while still having a small surplus. Doesn’t that make more sense? The current budget puts off paying back the schools until 2017. If it goes through as written, again I would like to publicly thank all the non-home owners in advance for paying our fair share.
Minnesota Township Day is March 12
From Patricia Taylor
Beaver Bay Township
Each year the second Tuesday in March is Minnesota Township Day. This is the day for town board elections, unless the town has voted to have November elections. This date is when the annual town meeting is held and where the residents decide on and set the budget, and make other decisions about their towns.
Minnesota has 1,784 organized townships, with approximately 1 in 5 Minnesotans being a township resident. In Minnesota Association of Townships District 10, comprised of St. Louis, Lake, Cook, & Carlton Counties, that ratio is much higher, with up to 2.5 in 5 of the population being a township resident. Most of our rural township businesses are mom and pop operations in danger of extinction from the property tax burden brought on by the State General Tax of 2001.
Townships have many responsibilities, the main one being elections. We hire the judges & pay for their training, making Minnesota one of the most trusted states in the country for honest elections. For several election cycles Minnesota has been the state with the highest turnout among all 50. Our rural counties have an almost unheard of turnout percentage, in the upper 70’s, even in off-year elections.
Our property tax valuations are based on which township we live in. In the Legislature, the Townships are promoting a change in the way assessments are made, taking other factors into account rather than just the township the property is located in.
Townships also have the responsibility for roads, bridges, dams, airports, cemeteries, parks, fire protection etc. within their jurisdiction.
The MAT Legislative Division has many laws on the way to getting fair treatment for our Townships. Show the Legislature you care about your town by attending the annual town meeting on Mar. 12. Meetings begin after the election of officers is over. Usually about 8:30 p.m. Call your Town Clerk. Towns with November Elections usually begin at 6:00 p.m.
Mom expresses thanks to community
From Cheryl Sundstrom
Two Harbors, Minn.
On Saturday, Feb. 16, we held a fundraiser at the Northshore Cafe to benefit my daughter Lindsey. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the generosity of friends, businesses and the people of Two Harbors and surrounding areas. I write this as Lindsey lies in a hospital bed fighting to make it to her surgery date. The surgery will not only save her life, but will also improve her quality of life after so many years of illness. Raising the Dough for the Love of Lindsey raised over $3000 to help her cause.
Thank you so very much to the Northshore Cafe and its employees for, not only hosting the fundraiser, but also donating time and tips. Thanks also go out to the Peacemakers Quilters of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Evolve Hair Salon and Roxanne, Country Inn of Two Harbors, AmericInn of Two Harbors, Earthwood, Wells Fargo, Arts on Superior, Rachel Nelson, Amy Jusilla and Sharon Mindestrom, the Swanson Family, the Libal Family, Mary Rosati, and Rita S. at Moosecellaneous for their generous contributions to make the event a success.
I talked to, and met, some of the most fantastic people during this event. Complete strangers generously donated to our efforts to save the life of my daughter. I am humbled and thank you all so very much.
DNR qualified to make elk, wolf decisions
From George Foede
Two Harbors
I would like to comment on the letter in the Feb. 8 edition of the News-Chronicle from Melanie Weberg (“Wolf, elk and public lands are prey to special interests”).
I have learned a few things by reading her letter. One thing was the fact that wolves prefer to eat elk. I have a question. Do the wolves of Lake County go to northwestern Minnesota to eat elk or do the elk come to Lake County to be eaten? Seems like a long way to go for either one.
I also wonder if the writer has spent as much time and money researching the elk and wolf population as the DNR has. I don’t agree with everything that the DNR does, but I do think they are better qualified to manage the wildlife in northern Minnesota than someone living in the Twin Cities all their life. Sorry, but I will hunt wolves in Lake County every time the DNR gives me the chance. Sorr
Tags: letter to the editor, opinion
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