OPINION
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016
KANABEC COUNTY TIMES
5
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LETTERS: Readers voice concerns; money issues common theme FROM PAGE 4
increase (COLA) and then had increases to their Medicare and Medicaid, so they’re going backward. His “Fair COLA for Seniors Act” has been endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, an organization that works to protect Social Security and Medicare. The bill also uses the Consumer Price Index for Elderly (CPI-E) for the calculations for COLA increases, this will more accurately reflect seniors expenses. He’s also co-sponsored a bill that guarantees low-income recipients of Social Security to receive a 3 percent COLA every year and seniors with higher incomes receive at least a 1 percent COLA each year. For over half of our nation’s seniors, their Social Security check is the only income they have and Congressman Nolan wants to be sure they have enough to get by; and in turn, help our country work for everyone. To help fund these proposals he supports lifting the Social Security Cap where right now if you make over $117,500 a year Social Security isn’t taken out over that amount. There are over nine million Americans who make over the cap, if the cap is raised to $250,000 Social Security is good for at least 75 more years. After all this only seems fair with all the wealth the top earners make. It’s this kind of effort Congressman Nolan puts into his work and why he’s the one we need working for us in Washington DC. He says Social Security isn’t an entitlement but an earned benefit you’ve earned since your first pay check. He’ll continue to strengthen Social Security, help struggling seniors and prevent efforts to privatize Social Security that would leave seniors at the mercy of Wall Street brokers. Barbara Anderson Isle
Professional Directoryy Dentists
MORA DENTAL CENTER RENY CHACKO, D.D.S. JOHN M. SKILLICORN, D.D.S. PHONE 679-2147 547 S. Union St., Mora, Minn. General Dentistry, Cosmetric Dentistry, Most Insurance Accepted MasterCard and Visa accepted
DR. BRENDA JUNNILA, D.D.S. DR. MIKE DOTY, D.D.S. Family Practice Ogilvie 272-4450 — Milaca 983-2455
Dr. BRUCE N. HAASKEN, D.D.S. DR. BRYCE W. HAASKEN, D.D.S. PHONE 679-1010 130 E. Forest, Mora, Minn.
LAKE STREET FAMILY DENTAL STEVEN HOLCOMBE, D.M.D. JAMES KNUTSON, D.D.S. PHONE 679-2435 • 119 S. LAKE ST., MORA Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
JAMES M. WILLIAMS, D.D.S., P.A. Family & Cosmetic Dentistry 620 S. Union, Mora — 679-3073
Orthodontists/Dentists CAMBRIDGE PINE CITY ORTHODONTICS, PLLC Matthew M. Sievers, D.D.S., M.S. 140 Birch St. N., #106, Cambridge, MN 55008 • 763-689-3134 705 4th Ave. SW, Pine City, MN 55063 • 320-629-9944 www.cambridgeorthomn.com
America is heading over a cliff To the Editor: I am very concerned about the upcoming election. There is so much at stake. Several judges for the Supreme Court, our military is so small that we would have a hard time defending our nation. Our financial situation is unreal: We are nearly 20 trillion dollars in debt and many other things are in critical shape. Our choice is Hillary, who I believe to be the worst liar ever running for the highest office in the land, or Mr. Trump who has at least given us a chance to change things for the better. America is heading over a cliff and it is our duty to get out and vote. We are truly at a tipping point. If our Pledge Of Allegiance to the United States of America means anything to you, please get out and vote. James Holznagel Grasston
False information and scary pictures To the Editor: Our Eighth District Congressman Rick Nolan has run a positive campaign touting the work he’s done for the residents of the 8th District, from his work to revitalize the Iron Range to stopping the trains blocking the roads in Cambridge and Hinckley. He’s been named one of the top 10 congressmen in the House, that’s out of 435 congressmen. Stewart Mills on the other hand has run negative ads from the start, of the estimated $230 million dollars he got when the family sold Mills Fleet Farm. I wonder how much he’ll spend falsely attacking Congressman Nolan. His claim about Nolan supporting un-vetted immi-
grants is false. Nolan supported the vetting of Syrian immigrants with the Directors of Homeland Security, FBI and National Intelligence Agency certifying they are who they claim to be. Mills calls Nolan a millionaire as if it’s a bad thing, when he’s worth almost a $14 billion. He’s trying to lead us to believe he’s a working man when he’s never worked for a business without the family name on it and posted on Facebook while his father’s working hard he’s got “Plenty of time to be ‘Peter Pan’ and go play in Never-Land.” He attacks Nolan for voting against veterans. He did vote against a veterans bill he thought was a bad bill, the next year when the bill was much improved for veterans he voted for it. It’s clear Mills is going to continue attacking Congressman Nolan with false information and scary pictures, because he’s got nothing else to stand on. We are lucky to have such an effective congressman as Rick Nolan representing us. Steve Johnston Stanchfield
QUOTABLES
‘B Franklin ‘Ben F kli may hhave discovered di d electricity- but it is the man who invented the meter who made the money.’ Earl Warren
Secrets of Pokémon Go The car rolls slowly to a stop near the local post office. “Stop the car mom,” yelled the teenager from the backseat, “the third most rare Pokémon is right up there by the post office.” This type of office “water cooler” conversation is heard almost daily as the stories of adventure from the night before are recapped. Pokémon Go is a phenomenon sweeping across towns all over America. Driving to our normal spots in town, you can see people everywhere walking and talking in groups. Almost as it was back in the day when families would venture out after dinner for an evening stroll, or young Kids Corner couples would walk the downtown streets of their hometown enjoying Dawn van Hees each other’s company. It’s an amazing site to see. It’s been many years since our small towns have looked this alive with people. So what’s the catch? Certainly, we have all heard the negative publicity about Pokémon Go. People fighting in parks about what the park should be used for, or neighbors not happy that they have a Pokémon stop in their front yard, but how about the neat things that are happening because of Pokémon Go. This game has caused people to get up off the couch, go outside and get exercise. Now they are moving many miles a day just to catch the elusive Pokémon. People are exploring their communities more and more. They are stopping in front of the older buildings (in places like Cambridge), and often, these locations have signs in front of them to explain the history of the building and of the town. Another interesting twist on this game is the amount
of people who are reaching out to meet others with their similar interest. People are building communities, talking to one another or asking what team they are on. Conversations around this game have opened up these small communities we live in. People are beginning to know their neighbors again. Aside from the social and physical aspect, there is a source of logic and strategy involved as well. Knowing when to evolve your Pokémon to ‘level up,’ understanding what Pokémon to ‘power up’ with stardust, and what Pokémon to place in a ‘Gym’ to hold it longer for more coins are just a few strategic moves each player must know. The number one benefit of Pokémon Go is the time a family can spend with their children. Teens are hanging out with their parents, playing the game and exercising together as a family. Children are explaining to their parents how to play the game or what strategy to use. Families are exploring their communities together and building relationships with others in their towns. The next time you see a slow moving vehicle stopping at some random place, think about the memories the family inside may be building, it’s that cherished time we all seek with our children. Dawn van Hees is Manager of Community and Family Partnerships at Lakes and Pines Community Action Council. Lakes and Pines’ Head Start program is a family focused preschool program serving Aitkin, Carlton, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Chisago and Isanti counties. For more information about Lakes and Pines call 320679-1800.
Funeral Homes AKKERMAN-INGEBRAND & ROCK-INGEBRAND FUNERAL and CREMATION SERVICES Mora - Phone (320) 679-1933 • 825 S. Union St. Braham - Phone (320) 396-2121 • 120 S. Broadway Ave. Mike Ingebrand, Director/Owner, Director: Katy Hamilton For funeral and obituary info go to: www.aifuneralhome.com
DRESSER-METHVEN FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES Peter D. Methven, Owner/Director; Ryan Christianson, Director; Nate Froehling, Director Phone 679-1822 - 124 E. Maple Avenue, Mora, Minn.
MILLE LACS LAKE FUNERAL HOME
Peter D. Methven, Owner/Director; Ryan Christianson, Owner/Director; Nate Froehling, Owner/Director. Phone (320) 676-3300 - 260 Main Street, Isle, Minn. 56342
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