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Backer is open-minded, success-driven leader

To the editor: Kathleen Backer has an infectious smile and laughter, she is bright and has confidence. She is an experienced leader, business person, effective communicator and has worked with all levels of government from local to county and state. In these busy, confusing and sometimes troubled times, it’s so great to have a good dose of sunshine and positivity to brighten our day. As the ambassador of New Ulm and Mayor, Kathleen will share that part of her gregarious personality with everyone she meets. We have the good fortune of living in a city with so many positives and in ...

School Board is promoting mental health, equity

To the editor: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is well-regarded research in the psychology community. Maslow’s theory is often seen in the form of a pyramid. It suggests that humans have basic needs that must be met before moving on to the next level of functioning. Our most basic needs, include our physical needs; food, clothing, and shelter. Next, we have safety needs. Followed by love and belonging; friendship and connection can be included in this need. Once these needs are each met, we can move on to esteem needs; such as respect, strength, and recognition. Only if we achieve all ...

In education, all students matter always

To the editor: As the superintendent of schools, I have the responsibility to make sure all students in our schools have the academic, physical, social, and emotional supports necessary to be successful in school. This applies to all students who enter our doors, regardless of their skin color, economic status, physical abilities, gender, or culture from which they come from. This responsibility is not taken lightly. Every student matters and deserves these supports, along with caring adults to help guide them through their school journey. Regardless of the rhetoric ...

Practicing safety during harvest benefits all

To the editor: Soon the farm fields will be busy with activity. Harvest is an exciting time of a farm family’s work each year. This year we need to be aware of the ongoing road construction projects in the area. The detours are well-marked, but if you are like me, you may have found a shortcut on side roads to save time and miles. As a farmer living on a popular alternate route, I encourage you to slow down and be aware of tractors and trucks hauling the crop from the fields. Please travel at a slower speed — for your safety and that of area farmers. Do not pass ...

Elected officials don’t understand Constitution

To the editor: We seem to continue to elect people who don’t understand the principles of good government as our founders provided in the Constitution. Those principles apply to every aspect, whether it be in our lives or the government. These principles have been ignored for far too long and they need to be resurrected and the only way to do that is through education. We have been poor stewards in the maintenance of these principles when it comes to the people we elect. We apply them to our individual lives, but we don’t apply them to the people that we ...

Education today is reversal of what founders envisioned

To the editor: Our country’s founders have taken quite a few hits lately, so the approving reference to them at the recent school board candidates’ forum is welcome. “We are fortunate to have multiple strong schools in our community, but public schools play a unique role in that. Our country’s founding – our leaders recognized the need for a free universal education for all its citizens in order to have a functioning republic and democracy,” one candidate said. It should be pointed out that what we have in education today, far from being a continuation of ...