Letter to the editor:

Letter To the Editor:

What Europe and America have in common Europe and the USA have many things in common, one of which noted currently is the massive debt crisis both are experiencing because of politicians who fail to learn from history. George Santayana noted that those who fail to learn from mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. In both Europe and the United States, power-hungry politicians have been trying to buy votes with money we don’t have, taxing not only this generation but every generation in the future, guaranteeing a lower standard of living for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. These short-sighted politicos, thinking only of the present, seem to think they can go on forever, steadily increasing the public debt, by just printing more and more money without an equal increase in goods and services, hoping to find someone to buy our consequently less and less valuable bonds. As history has repeatedly shown us, this does not work. Every society that has tried this has collapsed. A prime example is the Soviet Union. If socialism were a better systems, we would all be speaking Russian. Previously democratic civilizations and nations that have tried this have collapsed into dictatorship. Some noteworthy examples are the Greeks, the Romans, and the post World War I Weimer Republic of Germany, the latter printing so much money that its currency became virtually worthless, bankrupting the country, and the resulting in the establishment of Hitler’s Nazi (National Socialist) party dictatorship that brought on the horrors of World War II.

It is time to rid ourselves of such history-ignoring, out-of-touch-with-reality, power-mad politicians, ousting them from power, and never let them in office again.


                Harold Bob Jones
                Blair, OK

Four things you may not know about Salvation Army

Letter To the Editor:

Four things you may not know about Salvation Army:

1) If you mail a check to the Salvation Army anywhere but to Wells Fargo in Dodge Center or to Semcac in Kasson, we do not get it; our local Salvation Army does not benefit.
2) If you give in Rochester or elsewhere, it will never help a Dodge County person.
3) Bell ringing has begun! It will be at Erdmans on Fridays and Saturdays until the last week before Christmas, when it will be every day. We need ringers! Call Marty at 634-4350 to sign up.
4) Counter kettles will be at Caseys in Mantorville, Hayfield (old 4 Corners), and West Concord, John's in Dodge Center, and Claremont Gas and Groceries. A stationery kettle will be at the Hubbell House.
Call me with any questions. Thank you for the support you give to all our helping programs!

        Sincerely,
        Marty Pogalz
        Dodge County Salvation Army Chair

Letter to the editor: Triton Facilities Referendum

Letter to the Editor

One very important aspect of the Triton Facilities Referendum is for elementary classroom space. The referendum calls for 14 additional classrooms. With no rooms available, how are we going to handle the following numbers?

At the present time in kindergarten we have 109 students in five sections, which averages out to 22 students per room. This number should be under 20 for this population. Next year this number will be higher with 128 four year olds in our district. What will happen to class size?

At the present time we have 120 three year olds in the district. That is a total of almost 250 students entering school the next two years. We have well over 200 one and two year olds and that number will grow.

Also, at the present time we are using four classrooms in the high school for our fifth graders. It is planned to bring them back into the elementary wings as the HS needs the space.

Elementary specialists are working under conditions that are not conducive to learning. For example, the art specialist works from a cart traveling from classroom to classroom instead of having her own room to set up and teach from.

For those of you who have young children in school and entering in the future, this should be of great concern to you. Actually this should be of concern to all of us. I feel that on November 29th we have only one choice and that is to vote YES.

With construction costs looking to be favorable, bond interest low and the opportunity to accomplish this with our school taxes remaining at the same level as they are now, it is a great time to pass this referendum!

                Roy Henderson

Additional info found at the following web site: http://www.triton.k12.mn.us/se3bin/clientschool.cgi?schoolname=school243

Triton Upgraded Theater

Tonight at 7 Triton High School debuts their fall play, Harvey. It's a lighthearted story about a man (played by Jimmy Stewart in the 1950 movie) and an invisible six-foot-tall rabbit.

Imagine if Triton plays were held in an upgraded theater. Grandparents with mobility issues wouldn't have to navigate the concrete stadium steps. Everyone would enjoy more comfortable seating. Local restaurants and stores would enjoy a larger after-theater crush of customers. And the students would be performing in a venue that reflects their talents -- talents they'll draw upon in life again and again. Job interviews. Making business presentations. Even running for public office.

An upgraded theater is one component of Triton's Facilities Referendum. Supporters can't be invisible like Harvey. If you're going to the play tonight, wear your Vote YES! badge and make your presence known!

Worth Mentioning

K-M Superintendent Mark Matuska started a KoMet Kommendations to recognize individuals for going above and beyond the call of duty. For example, a month ago a family was recognized for helping to pick up KMTelecom Stadium after a football game. They were not asked to do it. They just did it without expecting any compensation. At the last school board meeting three high school seniors were recognized for being National Merit Commended Scholars.

Here are a couple more situations worth noting. "DCI Distinctions" if you will.  Before the HVL championship volleyball match with Stewartville junior Bre Barrett suffered what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury while warming up. The Stewartville team was very sympathetic, especially Coach Dzubay. In fact they later sent a team letter to Bre with words of encouragement.
Bre in turn sent a letter to the Stewartville Star thanking the team and coaches for their concern and support. That's how I found out about the support shown by players, coaches and Tiger fans. Stewartville has been one of the top volleyball programs in the state for many years. It goes to show that being the best can be more than showing your ability on the volleyball court. What happens off the court can also be a reflection of the quality of a team.

I strongly believe coach Hegerle has also instilled in his players the importance of showing respect for an opponent and that the way players  handle themselves on the court is a reflection of what they are off the court.

My second comment is on the K-M girls soccer team. They suffered a disappointing loss to La Crescent in the section semi-final, but still set a record for wins in a season (14). What I found to be most impressive about the soccer team did not come to light until after the season was over.

The team was the recipient of the All-State Academic Silver medal. They had a team grade point average of 3.73. That is High Honors status. I did a little research and of the 17 girls on the roster 12 were on the high honor roll the fourth quarter last year and 15 of the 17 were on the fourth quarter honor roll.

So for those of you who contend athletics and brain power don't mix, check again. In fact one study showed that students out for extra-curricular activities scored an average of one grade point higher (B compared to C for example) as those not out for an activity. So apparently youth out for activities do find time to get their homework done!