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Make a difference, seek office
Published Wednesday, August 27, 2008
With three seats open on the Fergus Falls School Board, the city mayoral position to be open due to Russell Anderson not expecting to run, and other city council positions available, there are lots of opportunities for local residents with a passion for our community to step up.
We hope there are plenty of passionate residents who take advantage of the opportunities.
With both the city and school district facing tough challenges, strong leadership will be essential for both boards. The school district, facing continuing financial difficulties due to declining enrollment and state funding gaps, needs a school board willing to make tough decisions that make the welfare of students the top priority.
At the city level, the mayor and council has traditionally taken a leadership role in economic development. With the economy currently at a downturn, it is important for city leaders to set a new direction to infuse new jobs into the area.
Filing for the school board and city council positions begins today, and runs through Sept. 9. Now is the time for new leaders to step up and be heard.
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 otterfan (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 1:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YAY!! Finally some new blood!
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's hope Boss Hogg doesn't run for Mayor again!!
Posted by brighteyes (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bright eyes for city council? anyone? bueller?
Posted by mccain08 (anonymous) on August 27, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
John McCain for city council, finally some new blood, lol.
Posted by duke12 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
why would anyone in their right mind subject themselves to running for office when the Journal allows anonymous, vile, flagrant comments to be posted. Nobody is accountable when we are allowed to post anonymously. The Journal should stop this..........
Posted by meliflower30 (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is that a wind of change I sense coming through this good ol' town of Fergus?? It is alarming the lack of attention that has been brought regarding the school district and its numbers increasingly declining. Not to mention the statement that our current mayor has posted on his view of Fergus Falls, stating that the numbers for Fergus are looking good. He stated that within the next 75 years Fergus Falls could have the growth rate of St. Cloud! 75 years is stagnent growth potential and in my eyes that is not a possitive figure for our future. If we are not investing more time and interest in the leaders of tomorrow we are choking out what may be left of this beautiful city. I hope to see new blood in leadership with fresh ideas as how we as a community can redeem our town.
Posted by misadventurer (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My opinion of the value of being able to comment on stories differs from the one offered by Duke. In my view, the subjects of these stories are missing a great opportunity to state their position for all to see. They can post comments, anonymously or not, in an unedited form and without risk of being misquoted. To my way of thinking, they'd have a better chance of clarifying their position to us here than they'd ever have to those that "discuss" over coffee at the local rumor mills.
Granted, there are a relatively small number of posters, and many of them misuse this forum and are easily ignored, but who knows the numbers that read the comments?
We've all seen Jamie Cooper use this forum, and whether you agree with him or not, he understands the use and its potential.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 28, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"why would anyone in their right mind subject themselves to running for office when the Journal allows anonymous, vile, flagrant comments to be posted. Nobody is accountable when we are allowed to post anonymously. The Journal should stop this.........." - duke12
I disagree with you, I think it's time we expect more from our candidates than paid advertising and prepared speeches.
the only candidate who would hide from these comments is a candidate afraid of reality.
Free speech should not be impeded, even if it is insulting to some.
thats the whole purpose of free speech in the first place.
the rules the journal provides are conducive to productive conversation.
I welcome the opportunity to address issues some may be too embarrassed or afraid to discuss in person.
thanks,
Jamie Cooper
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