We welcome letters to the Editor, a chance for members of the community to comment on issues of concern to them. All letters must be original, not duplications of letters addressed to public officials or written by others. The views and opinions expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of this publication, its publishers, Editor, or staff.

To the Editor:
These are some tough times. Inflation at a forty-year high, so painfully evident at the gas pump and in the grocery store; record-breaking heat waves, wildfires, drought, and flooding, both in the U.S. and around the world; heat-trapping carbon dioxide at a four million-year high in our atmosphere. What do we do?
Some folks say we should double down on oil and gas production. But then we’d also be doubling down on the heat waves, wildfires, flooding, and drought, to the long-term detriment of everyone.
Instead, how about doubling down on our transition to a clean energy economy? It will be financially challenging, but ultimately less so than having to pay for the ever-increasing costs of climate-related disasters, and in the long run, we–and this planet we all live on–will be much better off.
Our parents/grandparents/great-grandparents faced some tough times. Having endured the Great Depression, they found themselves immediately confronted with the challenges arising from World War II. They met those challenges by rationing gas, food items, and a host of other goods and materials; growing victory gardens; paying higher taxes to finance the war effort; and for some, making the ultimate sacrifice. They did it all with that most admirable “can do” attitude, for the ultimate benefit of all of us.
Are we up to taking on these tough times in a manner that will benefit our children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren? I think we are. As Rosie the Riveter once said, “We can do it!”

– Bill Bussey
Bayfield, Wis.

To the Editor:
I’m writing this letter today about complaining. Complaining and worrying are a waste of time, because neither one gets you anywhere other than ruining your day.
Think about what do you have to complain about today.
I’ve heard that some people have complained about the new garbage cans the City of Merrill distributed. They are big and ugly. Well, at least we are not living in a garbage can. I’m not anyway.
Got any flowers? Pick them and give them to someone before they leave this earth. If not, go to a store and buy some.
Some say the kids have nothing to do or places to go. What? Really? Go for a walk. We have the River Bend Trail and Council Grounds Park, and all the other parks in town, too.
Help a neighbor, visit a lonely neighbor, or go to the nursing home.
Think about being thankful.
I woke up this morning. That’s pretty good, I think.
Always be kind and smile.

– Sincerely, Darlene Weirick
Merrill, 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.)
*The writer must include their full name, complete address, and a phone number where he/she can be easily reached for verification. Phone numbers and street addresses will not be published, but will be used for verification purposes, if necessary. Letters must be signed and the name, city, and state will be printed.
*Letters may be edited for style, grammar, and length. Form letters or those we determine to be libelous or slanderous will not be accepted. Any letter deemed derogatory, inflammatory, or involving vulgar language will not be published. We reserve all rights to reject material submitted to this publication.
*Letters will be published on a “first come, first served” basis. Any letters which we are unable to publish in the printed newspaper may be run online at www.merrillfotonews.com and/or may be printed in the paper at a later date.

Political Letters To The Editor Policy:
All letters submitted as an endorsement for a political candidate, referendum, or political agenda will carry the same guidelines as above; however, they will be charged $40.00 per letter of up to 250 words in length. Longer political letters will be accepted but will be charged $10.00 per additional 50 words. All political letters must be prepaid prior to printing. Letters to the Editor will not be accepted from candidates running for election or representatives of an organization endorsing their own referendum, as these are clearly advertisements and not opinion letters; those submissions will be referred to our Advertising Department to be run as paid ads.