16A AMERY FREE PRESS
MAY 23, 2017 www.theameryfreepress.com
Raymond Cooper for Mayor! In June 1998, the mayor of my hometown was none other than “Silver Tongue” Dick Bland. When he first ran for mayor in 1994, his campaign slogan was “Everybody’s Friend,” and that seemed like a pretty good description of our leader. “Silver Tongue,” as just about everyone called him, did pretty well as mayor. Sure, there were a few folks who got on the wrong side of Bland over the years, but overall he was loved by just about everybody. I suppose I should have said he was loved by just about everybody before 1998. That’s when Raymond Cooper started taking shots at the mayor on his daily Renderings with Raymond radio show. Though his listening audience wasn’t aware, Cooper had firmly set his sights on the mayor’s seat, and that meant Dick Bland needed to get out of the way. It’s amazing how a nice guy like Dick Bland could be made out to be a scoundrel through the power of the airwaves, but that’s exactly what happened to “Silver Tongue.” Iris Long, editor of The Lennox Valley Hometown News, was no fan of Raymond and could see he was using his radio show to cause tension among the good folks of The Valley. So on June 3, 1998, Long published an interview with Dick Bland titled: “Silver Tongue” Debunks Cooper’s Tomfoolery In the interview, Mayor Bland fielded several questions about the Federal Reserve System. Long’s favorite quote was, “I have never been approached or contacted by the Federal Reserve System, though I would gladly lend my expertise if asked.” Several good folks of The Valley giggled as they read about their mayor offering his assistance to the “feds.” Like many small-town mayors, it was all Bland could do to stay on top of local issues. The mayor went on to describe the “outlandish” idea that egg prices had anything to do with the federal government. He noted that a dozen eggs were selling at the Country Store for $1.09. He went on to share in 1992, eggs sold for 94 cents. That, he told Long, was a 16 percent rise in six years, while inflation over that same period was 17 percent. If the Federal Reserve System was inflating egg prices over that period, it seemed to “Silver Tongue” the price would be significantly higher than $1.09. “If anything,” he continued, “the feds have been holding the price of a dozen eggs below the inflation rate.” They didn’t call Mayor Bland “Silver Tongue” for nothing. He knew how to drive a point home. And, for once, it was a valid point. Eggs had actually increased in price less than the cost of inflation over the previous six years. If the Federal Reserve System was purposely inflating the price of eggs, they would surely outpace the rate of inflation. Anyone reading the June 3 edition of The Hometown News would think Dick Bland had hit a home run, knocking the negative murmurings of Raymond Cooper right out of the park. Little did “Silver Tongue” or Iris Long realize they had played right into Cooper’s hands. “Friends,” began Raymond on his Wednesday show, “I feel as though my
reputation has been assassinated in today’s so-called ‘Hometown News’.” Bland didn’t have the only “Silver Tongue” in town. Raymond Cooper knew listeners would subliminally associate “assassinate” with politics. “What did I do to deserve this type of attack?” asked Cooper. “You would think our mayor and chief news informer would have more important things to do than besmirch my reputation,” he said. “Why are they so worried about me? I’m just one citizen trying to speak out against injustice.” The first caller, Elbert Lee Jones, was furious the local “rag” would attack a champion of the people like Raymond Cooper. He called for the mayor’s and the editor’s immediate resignations. Cooper was quick to remind his caller that the mayor had a right to his opinion, no doubt influenced by some connection with the Federal Reserve System. And expecting Bland to resign wasn’t realistic, as a new election was being held in just five months. “Maybe,” accelerated Raymond in a calm, firm voice, “someone will rise up to speak for the people in the upcoming election,” although he admitted having no idea who that person would be. “I nominate you!” blurted the next caller, Earl Goodman. “You are the leader we need.” Goodman delivered the mail in Lennox Valley, making him the only federal employee in town. For a lot of folks, his opinion carried a lot of weight. “That’s flattering,” Cooper said, “but I’ve never given political office a moment’s thought,” lying through his teeth. “I’m sure there’s a more worthy candidate out there.” The next caller, Marvin Walsh, was even more intense. “I second Earl’s nomination!” Cooper, feigning meekness, was silent for a moment, rare for Raymond, before responding in a soft, firm voice, “I just don’t know. I somehow feel it’s more important for me to be a watchdog, keeping our government in check.” Callers would have none of that. “Mayor Cooper,” Thelma Biggers almost shouted into her phone, no doubt partially a result of her hearing loss, “we need you to be our mayor. Not that silver-tongued Devil!” “Wow,” answered Raymond. “I had no idea the citizens of this community felt so strongly about this.” Cooper paused dramatically, letting the tension increase. Raymond knew how to create the perfect atmosphere to stir listeners. “If my town needs me,” Cooper shouted, “how can I turn away?” Who would have thought not one Valley resident would call in about the new Methodist preacher on June 3? Raymond had once again proven effective at turning emotions in his favor. It was finally summer, and things were really heating up among the good folks of Lennox Valley. The Good Folks of Lennox Valley: The Book is now available for sale at Amazon.com and other booksellers. Get more details about Raymond, Iris, Marvin, Elbert Lee, Sarah, Juliette, Chief Dibble and the entire cast of characters from Lennox Valley! Visit LennoxValley.com for more details.
Amery Police Dept. Appreciation Day In recognition of National Police Week, the Amery Woman’s Club provided an appreciation lunch for members of the Amery Police Department. Gift Bags were also given to each of the department workers.
Polk-Burnett awards $45,000 in community service scholarships CENTURIA – With graduation just around the corner, Polk-Burnett Electric Cooperative announces the winners of its Community Service Scholarships from the Class of 2017. Thirty-six scholarship recipients will each receive $1,250 to continue their education after high school, for a total of $45,000 awarded to the sons and daughters of co-op members. “Polk-Burnett’s scholarship program is unique because it is based on community service, not academic grades, athletic performance or financial need,” said Joan O’Fallon, communications director for the cooperative. “This is an opportunity to recognize youth who make a difference in the lives of others, according to our co-op principles. We had an outstanding group of candidates this year. We thank all who applied and appreciate their community service.” Polk-Burnett’s Community Service Scholarship recipients for 2017 are: Co-op District 1 Thomas Cronick, Osceola High School Alexandra Meath, Somerset High School Tanner Johnson, Osceola High School Allison Hohler, Somer-
set High School Erin Cutts, Osceola High School Co-op District 2 RaeAnna Johnston, Unity High School Olivia Peer, St. Croix Falls High School Katherine Kopp, St. Croix Falls High School Jessica Mattson, Luck High School
High School Brooke Beecroft, Home School Co-op District 7 Sydney Venner, O’Gorman High School Grace Muntifering, Cretin Derham Hall Austin Tiller, Spring Lake Park High School Matthew Voss, Roosevelt High School
Co-op District 3 Maximillion Goulet, Amery High School Shiloh Sather, Home School Bethany Marquand, Amery High School Joseph Swanson, Osceola High School
Co-op District 8 Emma Rachner, Webster High School Olivia Amundson, Eagan High School Brianna Whisler, East Ridge High School Bayzhia Taylor, Siren High School
Co-op District 4 Connor Orf, Turtle Lake High School McKenna Meyer, Amery High School Andrew Williams, Edgerton High School Jack Swenson, Turtle Lake High School
Co-op District 9 Riley Ann Anderson, Siren High School Linnaea Wallis, Osceola High School Shayna Vendela, Grantsburg High School Synclare Stubbe, Webster High School
Co-op District 5 Nicholas Hammer, Madison West High School Devyn Sullivan, Stillwater High School Aspen Hatzenbeller, Cumberland High School Madeline Hafner, Stillwater High School
Since 1987, Polk-Burnett has awarded more than $599,000 to high school seniors. Scholarship recipients demonstrate community service and their parents are members of the coop. Polk-Burnett’s scholarship program does not affect electric rates; it is funded with unclaimed capital credits that otherwise would be forfeited to the state.
Co-op District 6 Sunny Cone, Webster High School Sadie Koelz, Webster