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:
“The Devil is in the details”
A recent article criticizing the activities of Don Friske, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors, is typical of the disinformation disseminated needing clarification. First of all, the “Jefferson Project” is a sophisticated technological study of the impact of human activity on fresh water and how to mitigate the effects, a multi-state effort. Thanks, Mr. Friske for your involvement in this long-overdue project.
For purposes of clarification:
1. Don Friske did not influence the outcome of candidates elected to the County Board of Supervisors. The people did.
2. Voting by County Board members to allow Mr. Friske to appoint Committee Chairs is a clear adherence to Wisconsin Statutes 59.12(1) which in detail outlines the roles and responsibilities of county officials including the Chairman.
3. Mr. Friske’s long and impressive role as a full-time Legislator and extensive experience in other activities lends itself well as an overseer of Parliamentary procedure. The chaos of the previous Board of Supervisors probably defined the need for “corporate counsel.”
4. The Foto News decision to eliminate articles attempting to influence future political votes or decisions is not a policy implemented by Ms. Tina Scott (Foto News Editor) but rather a companywide decision.
5. Mr. Friske’s accountability is not to himself, but to the voters.
6. Mr. Friske heading up the Jefferson project does not make him a “slave master,” but rather demonstrates leadership willing to assume responsibility for the undertaking of a needed bi-partisan effort.
– Mike Closser
Merrill, Wis.
To the Editor:
In response to: https://merrillfotoews.wpengine.com/2022/05/06/moellendorf-receives-2022-iris-award-from-nami/
Ethics, a letter to the editors
NAMI and all the affiliates join together to end the stigma of mental illness.
That NAMI instructs its members, “there is” a stigma to mental illnesses, does not mean that any of the rest of us are required to do so. We can, and ought to, rise above anyone carrying that prejudice in their minds. We can be aware of those holding that prejudice without becoming one of them. Morally and ethically, that is the stance we ought take. Journalism has that obligation to its readers.
– Harold A Maio, retired mental health editor
Fort Myers, Fla.
To the Editor:
When Donald Trump was in office, he and Mitch McConnell made three lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court. McConnell went so far as to defy Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dying wish—that the next president appoint her replacement—by packing the Court with Amy Coney Barrett just eight days before the 2020 election.
The result? Today’s Supreme Court has been taken over by a hyperpartisan supermajority that is on the verge of dismantling abortion care in America.
But there’s something we can do. The Judiciary Act of 2021 would add four seats to the Supreme Court bench—restoring balance to the court. It’s the solution we need to move away from the extremely partisan rulings that now threaten our fundamental freedoms. Recent polling showed that the majority of voters support expanding the court.
Congress has changed the size of the Supreme Court seven times already in our nation’s history. It’s time to do it again. I’m urging our representatives to back this important bill now so we know they want to protect the rights of the American people. The stakes are too high to stay quiet on this important issue.
I am sick and tired of many politicians are acting as they care about unborn children, but they are against helping them after they’re born. Many politicians want to take away all birth control, then they complain when single mothers are in need of help. There are many dead beat dads who constantly ignore their children, financially and emotionally.
– Anita Wood
Tomahawk, 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.)
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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.