Page 4 | December 22, 2011
www.chaskaherald.com | Chaska Herald
perspectives Contributions welcome to editor@chaskaherald.com, (952) 345-6574
EDITORIAL
Peace and goodwill The best Christmas-themed stories begin with someone not exactly in the Christmas spirit. For example: A not-so-subtle description of The Grinch in “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”: “Your soul is an appalling dump-heap, overf lowing with the most disgraceful assortment of rubbish imaginable, mangled up in tangled up knots!” Charlie Brown, “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: “I think there must be something wrong with me, Linus. Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.” Ebenezer Scrooge, “A Christmas Carol”: “Every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.” Rudolph, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”: “Why am I such a misfit?” Even George Bailey, in “It’s a Wonderful Life” considers suicide after being told “You’re worth more dead than alive.” Perhaps these tales are popular because we see a bit of ourselves in these down-and-out characters. They all face some sort of trial-by-fire and claw their way back, just in time to open presents or sing “Old Lang Syne.”
Of course, the first Christmas story is the most harrowing. Joseph and his very pregnant wife Mary travel across the country because they are required to pay a tax. Mary gives birth in a barn. Then Mary and Joseph, with their baby Jesus, escape a king-ordered infant massacre. That’s not exactly picking out clothes at Baby Gap. It’s easy to imagine that the new parents were a bit stressed. When it comes to the Christmas story, it’s easiest to identify with the shepherds – pulling a night shift, only to be scared witless by an angel, who tells them a Savior is born. The shepherds are left with the message “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” With all the anger and wars and uncertainty in the world, it’s a message that needs repeating throughout the year. Who needs the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come; or an $8,000 Building and Loan payment; or Misfit Toys; or Cindy Lou Who? Peace on earth and goodwill to all. That’s a Christmas message guaranteed to make a Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
EDITORIAL
County deserves credit for ‘sunshine’ A few months ago, Carver County received a black eye from a non-profit organization for lack of information provided on its website — www. co.carver.mn.us. Recent updates, however, have resulted in a dramatic turn-around. Earlier this year, Sunshine Review gave Carver County a grade of “D” for online transparency. County officials responded. Today, Carver County is the only county in the state to be graded A+ for transparency from the same organization. The average score for the rest of the counties in the state is a “D.” Sunshine Review listed the following positive aspects of Carver County’s website: Cou nt y com missioners a re posted with contact and term information. Meeting agendas and minutes are posted. Bid opportunities are posted. Properties are searchable and taxes are payable online. Interactive GIS maps are available. Building permit information is posted. Zoning information is posted. Contact information for administrative officials is provided within each department page. Budgets are posted. Audits are posted. Information is posted on local
tax rates, and property tax rates are posted in the budget. Information is posted on Taxpayer-funded lobbying. Contracts are posted. There is information and contacts for making public records requests. However, because the page does not use the term “public records,” it may be difficult for some users to fi nd, the report noted. The county also has done a good job of posting board meetings online for review in the past year. Ac c or d i n g t o C ou nt y B o a r d Chairman Randy Maluchnik, the low grade earlier this year prompted the county to take a deeper look at its website. “As a result, we made a number of additions to become an even more transparent county,” he said. The county deserves credit for recent efforts to be more accessible to residents. In addition to website improvements, the county also began videotaping the public comment portion of board meetings in the past year. Being open, accessible and customer-friendly simply makes sense for local governments. Nothing raises suspicion more than a government that appears to have something to hide. This Sunshine Review is worth celebrating. More info at http://sunshinereview.org.
POETRY
At the Rehab Center BY ANGELA HUNT
Little poinsettia With two heads broken off Still smiling at the world Still able to be a bright spot
Grounded in a sturdy pot; Patient in demeanor Willing to wait As long as it takes
Making an effort To look perky, Its remainder pumped full of Rosy optimism
To reach To stretch To grow To heal.
Angela Hunt is a Carver author and Chaska Library librarian. She noted that this poem is “recalling times when life hasn’t been entirely celebratory.” For more info, www.booksbyangelahunt.com.
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CHASKA
HERALD
About us: The Chaska Herald, founded in 1862, is published by Southwest Newspapers, a division of Red Wing Publishing Company. We are an active member of the Minnesota Newspaper Association and the official newspaper for the City of Chaska, City of Carver, Carver County, Laketown Township, Dahlgren Township, and San Francisco Township. Published weekly on Thursdays; periodicals postage paid at Chaska, MN. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notice to the Chaska Herald, P.O. Box 8, Shakopee, MN 55379. Location: The Chaska Herald offices are located at 123 Second St. W. in Chaska. The mailing address is P.O. Box 113, Chaska, MN 55318. For general information call (952) 445-3333; send faxes to (952) 448-3146.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CHRISTMAS
Proud and blessed to call Chaska home I want to express my gratitude to the people who decide how to decorate for the Christmas holiday season. I fi nd your ability to blend ALL concepts of Christmas to be admirable. You have the cache (nativity) – for those of us who believe that. You have Santa – for those who believe in that. You have the menorah – for those who celebrate in that manner. And a lot of other types of decorations. Chaska does an excellent job of showing what this holiday season is all about – not just one aspect of it. For this I proud and blessed to live in this city. For this I’m proud and blessed to call Chaska my home.
Jeann Marie Buckbee Chaska PHOTO BY MARK W. OLSON
Holiday traditions may be dangerous
Nicole Crocker and Jacob Vipond portray Mary and Joseph in the 2011 Live Nativity, held by St. John’s Lutheran Church.
The period between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day is typically the most fi re-deadly week of the year in Minnesota. Cooking, candles, decorations and fireplaces are the main culprits, but in every case, lack of caution plays a role. When holiday traditions add fi re threats and we fail to take additional precautions, the outcome can quickly turn a holiday into a disaster. As your State Fire Marshal, I ask you to read the information below, clip it out and review it with your family. Cooking: The No. 12 cause of residential fires because distracted cooks forget to watch the stovetop. Never leave a hot burner unattended; grease fi res start in seconds. Keep clothing, clutter and children away from the stove, and your kitchen will be more fi re-safe. Candles: Candles belong in sturdy containers or holders, far from curtains, greenery, paper, gifts, and children’s reach. Never leave them burning unattended. Decorations: Water your natural tree every day. A fresh, green tree will hardly burn; a dry one can ignite an entire room in seconds. Be sure light cords are in good condition and don’t overload electrical sockets. Finally, keep greenery and heat sources three feet apart — and no fresh greens on the fi replace mantel! Fireplaces: Never burn wrapping paper in the fi replace; it’s a frequent cause of chimney fi res. If you haven’t had your chimney inspected for a year or more, do it before you light that crackling holiday fi re and the creosote buildup turns it into something very unpleasant. Please share these tips with the people you love. Your Minnesota Department of Public Safety State
CHRISTMAS
Celebrating Christ in true fashion Thank you to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ in true fashion last Sunday with the “Live Nativity” at the Chaska Community Center Theater and Lodge and outside their church. This is an annual special event for St. John’s and the community
Fire Marshal Division wishes you peace and joy during the holidays and throughout the year.
Jerry Rosendahl Minnesota state fire marshal
JONATHAN
Eitel House proposal will enrich community Editor’s note: The author is the newly appointed visual arts liaison to the Arts Consortium of Carver County (ACCC). There is a plan in the works to give the people of Chaska a most wonderful gift virtually on a silver platter. I am talking about an important, unused and slowly deteriorating historic site located in Jonathan, known as the Eitel House. The plan is to shift this property into the hands of the ACCC to be used as their headquarters and studio for the arts. Then the Eitel House will fi nally realize the process of restoration as it is put into use that will only enrich our community. Due to covenants that tie the Jonathan Association’s hands to do anything much with this property other than continue to allow it to
and it was wonderful to see families come together in the spirit of Christmas. Thank you also to the Active Older Adults for Christ who volunteered to welcome guest in The Lodge and to help with serving cookies, apple cider, coffee and reading Christmas stories to the kids. It was wonderful to hear and see what Christmas is really about!
Tom Redman Director Chaska Parks and Recreation
deteriorate, the creative option is to partner with city government and have the city take the property through eminent domain. I am aware this term, eminent domain, has left a nasty taste with the public. This time it is not about government bullying. It is a cooperative effort between the Jonathan Association, the ACCC and the city. What works is the city’s action of eminent domain to achieve the desired end for the ACCC and Chaska. Chaska’s master plan is all about community development, to truly make us the best small town to live, work and play. Support of the arts has not been all that visible to date. We are on the threshold of a golden opportunity. How could there possibly be any Bah-Humbugs ready to make an attempt to squelch this? It is a complete win, win, win for everyone, not only for Chaska but every inch of Carver County. If there would be a Bah-Humbug or two, may the ghost of Christmas Future pay them a midnight visit!
Sara L. Hanlon Mill House Gallery Chaska
Guest columns and letters to the editor: Letters to the editor and guest commentaries stating positions on issues facing the local community are especially welcome but are reviewed by the editor prior to publication. The newspaper reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and clarity. We will not print letters of a libelous nature. Letters should be 500 or fewer words in length. Exceptions are at the editor’s discretion. Deadline for letters is noon on the Monday before the Thursday publication date. Letters must contain the address and daytime phone number of the author, as well as a signature (except on e-mails). We prefer letters that are e-mailed to editor@chaskaherald.com. Editorials that appear on this page represent the institutional voice of the newspaper. Any questions or comments should be directed to the editor.
Publisher: Richard Crawford (952) 345-6471; editor@chanvillager.com Editor: Mark W. Olson (952) 345-6574; editor@chaskaherald.com Staff Writer: Mollee Francisco (952) 345-6575; mfrancisco@swpub.com Sports Editor: Eric Kraushar (952) 345-6576; scores@swpub.com Advertising Sales (Mgr.): Bob Suel (952) 345-6577; bsuel@swpub.com Advertising Sales: Vanessa Stroh (952) 345-6578; vstroh@swpub.com Circulation: Ruby Winings (952) 345-6682; circulation@swpub.com Imarketplace (Classified) Advertising: (952) 345-3003; self-serve at www.imarketplace.mn Composition: Traci Zellmann Ad Design: Renee Fette
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