Vikings got it right

Thumbs Up -?no, Down – no, UP for the Minnesota Vikings and their response to the Adrian Peterson debacle this week. The Vikings responded appropriately last week, deactivating their star running back upon his indictment for a felony charge of causing injury to his four-year-old son. Then they pulled a U-turn on Monday, reinstating Peterson after the team’s loss to the New England Patriots. Then, when the public and especially sponsors started howling, the Vikings quickly suspended Peterson again, putting him on the Commissioner’s Exemption List, which still allows him to keep collecting his lavish salary.

The Vikings also found it a lot easier to get it right with Jerome Simpson. The wide receiver was let go this week after another scrape with police and charges of possession of marijuana and open bottle in July. It was easier for the Vikings to part ways with the player, who hadn’t played as well as they hoped last year.

Budget time

THUMBS UP: Both the New Ulm City Council and the Brown County Board of Commissioners set their preliminary tax levies this week. The New Ulm city total property tax levy would rise nearly nine percent, while the County levy would be a little over five percent.

The final levy will be dependent on the final budgets approved by the city and county. Both the city and county are looking to maintain local budgets, without adding extra expense. The city is wrestling with a big increase in its health insurance costs and trying to bring that under control. The county’s increase, in light of its holding the line the last couple of years, is not that much of an increase.

This is the time for people to let their elected representatives know what they think they should do about spending.

Happy homecomings

THUMBS UP: Local high schools are holding their homecomings this month. The New Ulm Eagles got a good night to hold their homecoming game, with almost summer-like temperatures at game time last night.

High schools provide an important focus for community, and New Ulm is fortunate to have the Eagles, Cathedral and MVL?all working to build pride and community spirit.

Congratulations LCS

THUMBS UP: Lafayette Charter School is celebrating its 15th year of operation this weekend, with a 5K and 1K run/walk, and lots of fun and games.

Lafayette Charter School has worked hard to provide a good educational alternative for younger students in the community, and its success is a sign of the support it receives from its community and the dedicated staff it has.

Congratulations to the Lafayette Charter School.