To the editor:

I write in response to Anita Gaul’s article May 13 on the opinion page. As Vice Chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission Anita voices her opinion that the new flag design was completed under completely open and fair circumstances. Apparently Anita is also chair of the Lyon County DFL Party, and I find that fact to be very telling.

Anita says the new flag was created by members representing “diverse constituencies” (Democrat DEI language). Most of us had no idea this was even happening. Anita takes to task Paul Torkelson’s comments that not all sides were considered during the committee selection process. One might remember the committee was created during the DFL Trifecta.

I would think if Anita truly believes the flag design is appropriate, it would have deserved the light of day before it was forced upon the people of the State of Minnesota the way it was. The new flag design has done nothing but deeply divide our State. And it’s getting worse, as various cities and counties either recognize or cast aside the new flag.

Even lawsuits are being threatened. This is what happens when one party rule tries to keep the people in the dark. I would think a simple ballot measure asking the people of the State of Minnesota to choose between adopting the new state flag as proposed, or keeping the more traditional flag in place could easily end the debate. Let the people decide. How hard is that?

Paul Platz

Lafayette