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Letters

Where is our leadership?

To the editor: How disappointing to read Rep. Paul Torkelson’s letter to the editor (4-06-23). What a perfect example of gridlock to blame the other party rather than display the leadership we need in addressing the nursing home crisis. If Rep. Torkelson really was concerned about our elderly he would take this opportunity to educate fellow legislators and propose bipartisan legislation. He would take action rather than lay blame elsewhere. That’s what I expect of my elected representatives. Jeanie Hinsman New Ulm

Maybe Sen. Klobuchar can convince Democrats to address nursing home crisis

To the Editor: Recently, Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited the Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm and told reporters that she wants to do something to help nursing homes in this state. To that news, I have a simple response: thank you. More than 1.3 million Minnesotans are aged 65 or older, and as they age, their need for care grows. Unfortunately, the State of Minnesota is not keeping up with these needs. In the month of October, 11,000 people were turned away from nursing homes, mainly due to lack of staff. The inability to fully staff our nursing homes then creates unwanted stress on ...

Great people in New Ulm

To the editor: Thank you, thank you, thank you to the person who returned my phone and wallet on Wednesday afternoon at the Dollar Tree. Apparently my wallet with my cell phone fell out of my car, an angel found it and turned it into the Dollar Tree Store. It is wonderful to know that there are great people in New Ulm. I am so appreciative. Peggy Sundell New Ulm

Keep rural nursing homes open

To the editor: As many of you know, our long term care nursing home, Oak Hills, has been experiencing financial struggles for a while now, as have many outstate LTC facilities, for various reasons. My dad has needed to be at a skilled nursing home facility since June 2022 and we were happy he could get in to Oak Hills here in New Ulm (after being on a waiting list) near where all five of his children live and where we can visit him regularly. We need to keep our area nursing homes open (there are now 191 people on Oak Hills’ waiting list) and keep our hospital beds open for new ...

On the proposed transfer of land to the Upper Sioux

To the editor: I see in the March 30, 2023 issue of the New Ulm Journal an article titled “Bills call for transferring ownership of State Park to Upper Sioux.” Before rushing to do that, one needs to first understand what took place there in 1862 during the US – Dakota War, and why it was designated a State Park in the first place. In the fall of 1862, the Dakota attacked white settlers, primarily in the Minnesota River Valley, killing 600 men, women and children. Among the 600 were 100 children age ten or under. While up to 100 Dakota warriors were killed, no Dakota women or ...

$10 million to surrender a state park

To the editor: DNR officials certainly do appear dazed and confused when fielding questions about the proposed Upper Sioux Agency State Park transfer. These government employees expect taxpayers to spend over $10 million dollars so the DNR can demolish historic buildings dating to the 19th century, crush outbuildings paid for with public funds within recent years and forget what the Upper Sioux Agency State Park holds – a vast history – visited by more than 30,000 yearly. DNR leaders cannot give total costs to surrender the Park and refer to emotional reasons, disrepair and a ...