Letters to the Editor
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Merrill Foto News, its publishers, Editor, or staff.
To the Editor:
Thank you to all the people who came out and voted on April 5th. I am humbled and amazed by everyone who supported me throughout my Mayoral campaign. There are not enough words to express my gratitude to all the people who inspired, encouraged, and assisted in my run for office. Most importantly though, thank you to the voters who had the faith in me to elect me as the next Mayor. I will do my best to bring the core beliefs that you voted for to city government and always be a voice for the people.
Thank you,
– Steve Hass, Mayor Elect
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
To the citizens of Lincoln County District 7,
I would like to personally thank the voters of Lincoln County District 7 first, for signing my nomination papers back in December so I could be added to the ballot and second, I would like to thank those who supported and voted for me in this past Spring election. Having been part of this wonderful County for the last 14 years, your support for me was nothing short of amazing and I appreciate your support so much. We fell a little short, but it was not due to the lack of effort, and it was a great experience!
Congratulations to Greta Rusch for being elected to another term to represent District 7. You have served the District for the last 16 years and I personally wish you the best for your upcoming term, representing all of District 7.
Thank you,
– Jay Downey
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
I have high regard for professional drivers that keep our commerce moving to the right place in a safe timely manner. On the flip side, I have no tolerance for the “convoy” mentality that weaponizes their vehicles to promote some right wing agenda, claiming their rights have been violated.
I have now arrived at senior citizen status and I have gotten there by taking advantage of modern medicine, including vaccines. Think about the act of driving hundreds of miles and spreading the COVID virus every time the trucks needed to stop for fuel. Other collateral issues include wasted costly gasoline or diesel, being part of a deliberate traffic slowdown, causing delays for emergency vehicles, being a general nuisance in residential areas; that type of stupidity won’t help any of us drivers displaying a Wisconsin license plate. The list goes on.
Finally, I am disappointed with the Foto News for this front page support of the “people’s convoy” manifesto. And, to the CDL drivers, keep up the good work and thank you.
– Rich Prange
Rock Falls, Wis.
A note from the Editor: The Merrill Foto News provides hyper local news coverage. When something is happening right here in our community, we provide coverage of that event. We also try to answer the obvious questions people will have such as, “What is that all about?” Including news coverage of any event that happens in Merrill does not constitute an endorsement of that event.
To the Editor:
As a Merrill parent of two children enrolled at MAPS, I am deeply saddened by the school referendum results of the April 2022 Spring election. This vote is a HUGE loss for MAPS staff, parents, and students. Future generations deserve community support. Additional funding for MAPS education opportunities, sports programs, youth programs, and activities should never be turned down, no matter the cost. An investment in community youth is worth every penny!
The results of the referendum vote tell us that much of the community is not willing to invest in education. This vote should have given area parents a reason to educate their children through MAPS instead of a reason to look for educational and activity opportunities elsewhere.
I encourage my children to join MAPS programs, athletics, and clubs to keep them occupied, out of trouble, and an active member in the community. How many opportunities for our MAPS children will be missed because of this vote? Merrill area parents and students will now have the next four years to see what budget cuts will cost MAPS, not in terms of money, but in our children’s educational experience.
Sincerely,
– Courtney (Oberg) Busterud
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
The voters of District 11 have spoken and most of them said they want someone new to represent them on the Lincoln County Board. I would like to congratulate Randy Detert and wish him all the best.
I would like to thank everyone who helped with my re-election campaign, all the folks who went out to vote, and all the good folks of the 11th District. You are the reason I ran in the first place. It has been an honor to serve you.
I would like to thank those Supervisors with whom I have had the privilege to serve. I very much valued the camaraderie, thoughtful debates, and different perspectives. I would like to thank the great people who work for Lincoln County. I wish more people understood the work the County employees perform and how most have a passion for providing the services we all take for granted. I have gained a great deal of respect for these folks and the work they do.
Last but not least I would like to thank my family, friends, and employees. Being involved in local government takes a fair amount of time, not to mention mental energy. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by great people who kept things running at home and on the farm when I was busy with County obligations and who were there to give advice or just lend an ear.
– Hans Breitenmoser
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
Sometimes we forget how doing something small makes a difference. I invite you to join a group that encourages people to each make a small contribution. In combining our small efforts, we make a larger impact. In early December 2020, I searched for a non-profit organization to donate through their Amazon Wishlist. After I picked one, I recruited our three adult children and Mom to support the organization. Together, we purchased 20 items. I realized our small contributions could make a big impact. I wondered if I asked a few friends to support a different Wisconsin non-profit each month if we could make a difference. After contacting my friend Dianne, we started a Facebook Group called Our Monthly Resolution. Each month, we select a small non-profit organization and encourage participants to donate. The response has been fantastic. We’d love for you to join our group. Our April non-profit is Memory Lane Farm in Marshfield, Wis.: https://www.memorylanefarm.us/. Their mission is to offer farm-based opportunities to people of all ages to enhance lives through learning, exploring, and self-discovery. They offer a summer farm camp for grades 3-6. And a mentoring program, Cultivating Hope, for ages 5 thru adult. Scholarships are available. To join Our Monthly Resolution, please join our Facebook Group.
– Stacie Prochaska
Arena, Wis.
To the Editor:
Last April, I asked the Merrill Historical Society Board to give historic preservation status to the old American Legion building; the Board was NOT interested. I also sent in an editorial saying that the demolition of the T.B. Scott mansion was a wake-up call, and that it was time to take historic preservation seriously.
Last April, I also spoke at a Historic Preservation Committee meeting and spent a lot of time updating the three historic property lists I was given. In May, I tried to give my comprehensive report, but the Committee was NOT interested in my findings and did not even allow me to finish reading my report.
So now I read in the paper how Historic Preservation Committee member Elizabeth McCrank has come forward to make sure that the American Legion has historic preservation status, telling us that it is time to take historic preservation seriously, and citing the demolition of the T.B. Scott mansion as an example!
Although I am glad that after many years of meetings, the Committee has actually accomplished something, it disturbs me that no one wanted to listen to MY ideas a year ago. However, when someone comes forward who is “from here” and lives “in the city,” those same ideas are taken seriously. It seems that people in Merrill are happy to use MY ideas as long as they can take the credit for them, while ONCE AGAIN, kicking me in the face.
– Heather O’Neill
Town of Harding, Wis.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
*Letters must be 250 words or less (There will be no exceptions to this. Any letter longer than 250 words will not be printed.)
*All letters must include full name, address and phone number of the composer. Phone numbers and addresses will not be published, but will be used for verification purposes, if necessary.
*Letters will be published at the discretion of the Editor. While letters on most any topic will be published, any letters deemed derogatory, inflammatory, slanderous, or involving vulgar language, will not be published.
*Letters will be published on a “first come, first served” basis. Any letters which we are unable to publish in the printed newspaper will be run online at www.merrillfotonews.com and may be printed in the paper at a later date if possible.
Please NOTE: The Letters to the Editor Policy of the Merrill Foto News will be changing effective April 15, 2022. Complete details will be released at that time.