Reader Viewpoint
Posted 5/1/03

Bock man wants

budget clarified

To the Editor:

I am a resident of Bock and I am trying to understand what the city council is trying to accomplish when it comes to budget issues.

I just read the billing statement for the legal fees (which I have enclosed) for the city since Fat Jacks has arrived in town, and I am blown away at how much money is going to a lawyer when the Mayor has said "Fat Jacks is here to stay because the first amendment allows them by law to exist."

From what I am seeing, our city budget has lost over $2000.00 on the liquor license (since Fat Jacks no longer requires one) and has spent an additional $2000.00 on a lawyer to accomplish nothing as far as I can see.

I would like to see the council address the budget concerns here, and at least explain to us why they are spending an insane amount of money, when they could have put that money to better use like helping us out with our huge water bills!

If you don't want Fat Jacks open till all hours, give them their liquor license back, accept their offer, and give us hard working people a little relief during a bad economy!

Jeremy (Whitey) Christianson

Bock

Friends of Elim

appreciate support

To the Editor:

The Friends of Elim Auxiliary had its third annual Secretary's Day Luncheon on Wednesday, April 23. We have so much to be thankful for and so many people to be grateful to.

The weather was exceptional and that certainly was beneficial in getting people to come dine with us. As a matter of fact, so many people came out to help Elim this year that we are busy adjusting our strategy on how we can better accommodate everyone next year.

We first need to thank the auxiliary that worked very hard and donated salads. Other salad donations came from the management staff of Elim. Dairy Queen donated the cakes, Little Dukes donated the rolls and ECM helped us with some advertising as well as WQPM out of Princeton.

However, the most important ingredient was the community, the people that came to our luncheon. Without your support the luncheon would not have been such a huge success. We came very close to reaching our goal for the stackable chairs for the new activity/dining room. Each and every one of you makes a difference and everyone here at Elim is grateful. Thank you.

Elim Auxiliary

Reader questions

school budget cuts

To the Editor:

I attended the board meeting on Monday, April 21 and also the open forum on March 24 regarding the proposed budget cuts. Both meetings were filled with concerned parents, students and staff who voiced strong opinions against the cuts, but it seems without much impact on the board.

I was amazed to see how quickly, and with little or no discussion, the board voted on each item on the list even after hearing final pleas from all present to reconsider these cuts and the impact on our students. I don't understand how the board can recognize the Secondary Media Program for being cited in the "Best Practices" document for Minnesota and then practically in the next breath vote to make cuts to that program. I think if I were Kari Erickson I would be a little insulted.

The only "glimmer" of hope that I saw in the whole process was that Joe Rawley and Linda Ramson voted NO to cut Elementary Spanish and the media center paras. Sadly, they were not the majority, but I am sure I am not alone when I say that I appreciate both for their conscientious vote.

How can the superintendent say that our district is in much better shape than others? How is that possible when cuts are being made to curriculum? The only way that claim can be made is if the "reserve fund" that is so closely guarded is finally put to good use to keep the programs and positions that are being cut. What's the point? Two and a half million in the bank earning interest and we have cuts, cuts and more cuts and the board saying that they have to go "deeper"! Another $116,000 that we don't quite know where it went and all the while the ones paying the price ...they are our students!

On a final note, it was mentioned that the board has heard concerns about administrative salaries. I was surprised that this issue was brought up at all because at the open forum in March this subject was totally "squashed" and not open to discussion.

Possibly the mention of "salaries" had to do with State Auditor Awada's impending study of all superintendent contracts statewide. The reason for which is the auditor found three districts where the superintendent was paid more than the governor of Minnesota! She found contracts containing huge benefit and severance packages. In Awada's press release on Monday, April 7, 2003 she states "The size and scope of these contracts is shocking.² These contracts were passed with little or no discussion at a time when school districts were cutting budgets or asking the public for more money. We saw no discussion by the school board of how these contracts benefit the children. I doubt the public knows the financial implications to the schools because of these outlandish contracts and severance packages. I'm not sure even the school boards understand the full amount they're paying their superintendents. This study will give the public knowledge of the TOTAL COMPENSATION that they are paying superintendents.

I would ask that the completed "Superintendent Compensation Reporting Form" which must be returned to the aditor's office by May 2, 2003 be published so that the community has a full accounting. And I would like to hope that many, many others will join me in asking questions and demanding answers. After all, it really is up to us as parents and as a community. Our children are depending on us.

Nelle Phillips,

Milaca resident and parent