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Still hope for area projects
Published Friday, January 18, 2008
It was disappointing to learn this week that Fergus Falls and Otter Tail County were virtually ignored in Gov. Tim Pawlenty's bonding bill.
Pawlenty's $1 billion bonding proposal for the 2008 legislative session was released early this week but missing were appropriations for some important local projects.
One of the most important projects was a $10 million expansion at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, which included the addition of a $7 million Alzheimers unit that would have brought valuable care to veterans living in the region and more skilled jobs to our workforce. A doubling of the community based outpatient clinic was also proposed for the center.
Also excluded from the governor's plan was funding to explore a chemical dependency treatment center for incarcerated individuals from Otter Tail County. Such treatment centers make for a more healthy and safer community by reaching out to at-risk individuals who might not otherwise help themselves.
The Fegus Falls Library didn't find money for a much-needed expansion in the Governor's bill, and MSCTC-Fergus Falls was left out of specific funding.
But that doesn't mean our worthwhile community projects are off the radar screen. The State Legis-lature has the ability to keep many of the funding requests alive. It is now more important than ever that Rep. Bud Nornes and Sen. Dan Skogen work hard to put our community on the maps of other state lawmakers and make our local projects a reality.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on January 20, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is still hope for Amelia Earhart.
Posted by Josephine (anonymous) on January 20, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there any help for chipmunk?
Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on January 20, 2008 at 5:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you think he needs help?
Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on January 21, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What an oxy moron.. Bud Nornes working for us.... 2+2 = 4 last time i remembered, unless of course you are looking for a big tax break from our big republican tax breaker Bud.... then it would more likely be 3
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