Commentaries

January 07, 2008

 Commentaries is where Minnesota Public Radio welcomes your thoughtful opinion about current events and issues. Commentaries are like letters to the editor. To be considered for publication, your commentary should be issue-related, clearly written, and follow our Terms of Use. New insights into ongoing topics are especially welcome. Not all commentaries received are published. For topical interaction with others, visit the discussion groups.

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Losing a school is losing a community

My grandparents were cooks at the then Brownton School in the 40's and 50's and my mom and her sister both graduated from Brownton. I have fond memories of visiting my grandma at her apartment in Brownton. [MPR News Slideshow: McLeod West School District]

During that time - the 50's and 60's - Brownton was a small but active community, still having a weekly newspaper and many stores. My grandma would give my brothers and me each a quarter and we would spend an hour or more at the grocery picking out penny candy. I know my nostalgia for those times clouds the realities of today's economic and cultural times but the loss of schools in communities like these inevitably means the loss of community. Shipping the kids off to consolidated district schools saves money but kills community.

As populations age and no longer have children in schools, their willingness to fund community schools is lost and with it, their community. The school was such a large part of the identity of a community because unlike churches, business leagues or other associations, schools brought everyone in the community together. It is sad to see another community go through this.

Mark Kramer
Minneapolis, Minn.


I wish the radio greats never had to go

I have to tell everyone I know! [MPR News: Longtime central Minnesota radio man signs off] This is incredible. I am amazed and hope that I am still kicking it until 80. And until then I hope to see more people get into the business.

Jud Marks
Washington, DC


Are voting issues the demise of the American way?

If we are to continue voting at the ballot box and not with guns in the U.S., maybe it's time we set some universal standards like forced run-off elections when the margin of victory is statistically insignificant. [MPR News: Minnesota Senate Recount Collection]

I fear our balloting process could easily deteriorate to mob rule and anarchy otherwise.

Dave Richers
Denver, Colo.


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