Posted by Venti (anonymous) on May 22, 2007 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think that the word "progressive" should ever be used in the same sentence as "Fergus Falls." Just my opinion.

Posted by wayne (anonymous) on May 22, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A couple of thoughts on this letter. . .

1) "Progress" and "population growth" are not necessarily the same thing. I can envision a community that would be considered progressive, but has slow or stagnant population growth. I can also envision (and know of a few) cities that are growing rapidly that one would hesitate to call progressive communities.

2) My understanding of the population growth of Fergus Falls is that the State Hospital population has always been counted in the total population of the city. As such, while the population of the State Hospital has declined from a peak of around 2000 patients, the city has grown over that same time period by about 2000 persons. These numbers off-set each other and make it look like the city isn't growing at all.

Not that a population increase of 2000 persons over that same time period would be considered "explosive" growth. . . but it's better than two persons per year :)

Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on May 22, 2007 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One can make the arguement that the state hospitals numbers would offset the numbers but then you would have to take into consideration how many annexations have taken place!
Since the range of the city has expanded and the population has for the most part stayed the same I would say that it looks like the city has actually gone down in population.
I don't think the population is the factor to be concerned, I believe it is the quality of jobs available in a city that makes it progressive, what percentage of working people are still elgible for public assistance.

Posted by jafo (anonymous) on May 22, 2007 at 10:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point regarding annexations. I would say there are more homes/families now then ever before, however, families are smaller now. So, even though population numbers haven't risen much over the years, the city's boundaries and tax base have grown.

Posted by Dubliner (anonymous) on May 23, 2007 at 6:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm confused what Hilary Clinton and taxes has to do with the progressiveness, or lack thereof, of Fergus Falls.

All that said, I agree with venti. "Progressive" and "Fergus Falls" are two words that just don't go together.

Posted by Rumpusgoopus (anonymous) on May 23, 2007 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There is nothing more important in the world than making sure I pay the fewest taxes possible. That, and saying that liberals will raise your taxes any chance I get, even when irrelevant to the discussion.

Posted by hiqtpi (anonymous) on May 24, 2007 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rumpassgoofas---"there's nothing more important in the world"??
obviously not a person who has their own family or children's futures that WE need to think about. i have lived and worked in this community for about 14 years. i feel fortunate that i have been able to work locally and not have to commute. (especially with todays gas prices!) young and middle aged families who consider moving to this area are looking at schools and businesses and are asking the questions, "what does this city have to offer us?" "is this city making progress?" "will it be worth staying here?" if we do not "pro-gress" with regards to businesses that offer quality jobs and if we do not make changes or update our schools or even maintain our beautiful city, then these prospective families are NOT going to add to our population growth. progress and population growth in turn will bring even more prospective businesses that will bring even more quality jobs. my child is going to be graduating next year and she won't see any of the changes that will be made with the school; but maybe her children will. (yes, MY future grandchildren that I think about) (sorry but there are too many people out there that ONLY think ofthemselves) maybe when she graduates from college she will want to retun to this city and feel like this is a good place for her to raise a family. that there will be enough places for her to "shop locally" and there will be quality jobs at her fingertips. i live a couple thousand miles away from my family; very hard to not have them close. i have proudly called fergus falls my home for 14 years. i would love to see my child's future family living in this area because i want my family close to me. i came here because i saw potential for this city. and over the years it has progressed somewhat. i chose to stay here because i want to be a part of it's progress. and it HAS to continue. if that means that we have to pay out a bit more in taxes; so be it! not one person really WANTS to pay more and no one really says "YES! YES! please take my money!" but smart and progressive minded people know that sometimes it just has to be. in order for my employers' business to be sucessful and for me to continue to make a good wage; we need to see more families moving to and staying in our community. so let's say YES to progress!

Posted by Dubliner (anonymous) on May 24, 2007 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think you missed the sarcastic tone, hiqtpi.

Posted by Venti (anonymous) on May 25, 2007 at 2:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sarcasm? I didn't sense any sarcasm in that post.

Democrats hate baseball and love taxes! Just like the terrorists!

Posted by Dubliner (anonymous) on May 25, 2007 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I meant the sarcasm in the rumpusgoopus comment. Sorry that wasn't more clear.