Reminded of the difference between hero and counterfeit

From Todd Guggisberg,

Starbuck

We tend to throw the word, ‘Hero’ around a lot lately in America. John R. Stone’s editorial about Senator John McCain in the April 22nd edition, should remind all of us of what a genuine person of character, commitment and patriotism looks like. John McCain served his nation in combat, was shot down over Vietnam, and then endured over six years as a prisoner of war under brutal conditions. Then, as Mr. Stone explains, he continued to serve his country as a rational and reasonable leader in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Our former President (who presumably still has bone spurs that prevented him from serving), stood on stage in Ames, Iowa, on July 18, 2015, and said, “(McCain’s) not a war hero. He’s a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren’t captured.” That moment revealed the type of person Mr. Trump was (and is). Furthermore, The Atlantic and Detroit Free Press reported that, “When McCain died, in August 2018, Trump told his senior staff, according to three sources with direct knowledge of this event, ‘We’re not going to support that loser’s funeral,’ and he became furious, according to witnesses, when he saw flags lowered to half-staff. ‘What the f— are we doing that for? Guy was a f—ing loser,’ the president told aides.” https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/09/08/president-donald-trump-john-mccain-loser-fact-check/5741070002/

Thanks to John Stone for memorializing John McCain and reminding us of the differences between a proven hero and a counterfeit.

When will we learn the ‘Rest of the Story…?’

Steve Nestor,

Rural Pope County Taxpayer

It has been nine months since the Fremad Block demolition project began. For several years before much discussion and preparation  had taken place. Today as we look at the now vacant lot, one wonders just what will become of the area.

Having been involved in major construction for several years, as well as renovations and reuse projects, I had some idea of what the total costs may be for this effort. So, a few months ago I contacted the Pope County HRA/EDA Director and after several attempts, I contacted the Pope County Coordinator Kirsten Kappmeyer about getting the costs to date on the project. That afternoon the figures and a report were brought to my office. For that assistance I am grateful to him. The report was from Mr. Jason Murray.

As I said, it had the expenses to date. A copy was also dropped off at the Tribune.

The total expenses added up to $688,575.00. After reviewing it and the short report, I had a few questions. So again I tried to contact the HRA and again had no success. The Tribune had lead stories prior to the commencement of the demolition which stated the demolition bid from Riley was $281,000.00 and the report showed $255,676.00. Well bids like these seldom go down, so that was in question. The Administration expense was $15,442.00. Construction Management $20,575.00. Asbestos Abatement $54,389.00. MNDOT Traffic Control $19,850.00. There were others but I see no amounts for the new sidewalks, plumbing charges for the call to shut off one water source that was overlooked, any expense for taking the 2 new street lights down when they were still standing and the building was now being torn down and later they were put back up. All in all I wanted to get a final cost. Today I have heard nothing.

So today, I would safely say the overall cost to date is around $700,000.  Yes, we now own, we, meaning the taxpayers of rural, non-Glenwood, Pope County, a $700,000 vacant lot.  And a vacant lot that still does not pay any taxes and along with that, nor do the two adjacent buildings that went down with the Fremad.

According to a notice from the HRA, to date, no offers had come in on the vacant lot. However a reliable source has said, “yes, there has.” But it was not accepted. Either way…we were also told that the TIF District taxation would “cover” the demolition costs. Hmmm.

That all said, it would seem to me that when the young fellow stepped forward and offered to take the Fremad off the taxpayers hands and refurbish it with crafters and studios on the 1st floor and in a second stage market rate apartments on the 2nd floor, we would have been much farther ahead. The building would be back on the tax rolls, the other two adjacent properties would have been paying taxes all along. And the $700,000 could have gone to other projects. Or at least some of that could have gone toward renovation of the Fremad.

That young man came to me with his building and business plan. It was well thought out. I asked him to come back to me and let me know how his next meeting was with the “powers to be.” He did so and felt very good about their response. If you recall there was a nice article about his efforts and a photo etc. in the Tribune.  He was scheduled for a second meeting and he came back after that and told me that things had changed. I told him to be careful and that something else might be behind it all. After that, his attempts and things went “south” on him. It appeared that there may have been other plans all along and he was caught in the middle… We will have to wait and see if that is the case.

Whatever… I had no idea the HRA and or County had $700,000 laying around to put into a now vacant lot. Here it sits…part of the fence missing with no entry signs and no final costs, no taxes and only questions with no apparent answers. When will we get “the rest of the story?”

It’s not political, it’s a case of doing what’s right…

From Audrey Erickson,

Starbuck

Imagine for a moment, going to work, doing your job to the best of your ability, following your training and being charged with murder, assault and manslaughter. In case you haven’t heard, this nightmare is happening to MN State Trooper, Ryan Londregan. A traffic stop in July 2023 ended in the death of Ricky Cobb II who was stopped at night for not having tail

lights and in this process it was revealed he was wanted for violating a protective order. Troopers were instructed to arrest him. Mr. Cobb did not cooperate and then sped off dragging the troopers resulting in two shots being fired to protect the lives of the troopers involved. These are horrible split second decision that these officers have to make under such difficult circumstances. An expert in these investigations determined Trooper Londregan followed his training and that his actions were justified. Hennepin County Attorney, Mary Moriarty, despite this investigation, that was ordered by her own office, moved forward with charging him anyway.

Who are you going to call if you or your family is in harms way and need help? Are you going to call 911 wanting and expecting law enforcement to assist you? We expect these people to serve and protect us only to turn our backs on them when things don’t go perfectly. It is most unfortunate that Ricky Cobb II lost his life and I feel for his family. But, no one wants to say the truth, that if Ricky Cobb II had cooperated, he would be alive today! It is not right that these prosecutors want to turn this trooper into a criminal when nothing could be further from the truth.

This letter is not intended to be political, it is about right and wrong! Despite the investigations that have taken place by four qualified current and former law enforcement individuals who all determined Ryan Londregan followed his training, these charges are not being dropped and instead Moriarty’s office has hired four former federal prosecutors to be deputized as special assistant county attorneys for this case. Moriarty says her office will fund this team with this year’s existing budget which I find hard to believe and regardless why would we waste tax dollars to prosecute a trooper who has been thoroughly investigated and found to have followed his training. It is time we stand up for what is right or we aren’t going to have law enforcement left!

I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to our law enforcement for the courage you have to keep doing what you do to protect us. May we have the courage to fight for you….we need you!