First Day of School

September 2, 2014 - marks the start of school for 2014. Yes, I know that some schools started last week. A lot of pictures on Facebook from friends, family and other relations showing the kids off to the bus stop with smiles on. As these kids go off to school and learn, my hope is that Civic classes make a Renaissance.

Over 200 years ago, old power wigged men decided that the oppression by the English Crown had gone on long enough. They acted, with the help of France, and formed a new government that we enjoy today. Along the way, many of the wrongs were corrected - Woman's Sufferage, Civil Rights Act - unfortunately one thing continues to erode; States Rights.

The 10th Amendment has been eroded and really leaves little in regards to State Rights anymore. The concept is rather simply; the power of the country is to reside in the State Houses of government and not Washington D.C. States no longer are allowed to choose their Senators; instead they are elected which allows money from outside the State to influence not mention the carpetbaggers. The concept of State Rights was to prevent a strong centralized system of government to rule over the land as the issues facing New Yorkers were much different than issues facing those from other States.

Just like today, issues facing Minnesota differ than those facing Arizona, Texas or even Maine. These
"laboratories of Democracy" were set in place for this reason.  When you get your new iPhone or Galaxy, we all choose which Apps we are to have, right? Well that is the same concept with State Rights.

If the laws of the land are the same in Minnesota as they are in California as they are in New York and we don't like them then we have no place to relocate to. Just like if we tire of Angry Birds and want to move onto Candy Crush, we have that ability by adding and deleting Apps. If you live in Minnesota and you don't like the fact that you cannot openly carry your weapon of choice, you have the ability to move to a State that does.

Some common laws ought to exists to aid in the flow of goods, the protection of private property and ensure basic civil rights exist. Let's hope our young children wake up and realize the benefits of a de-centralized system of government while we still have some freedom of choice, assembly, religion, and association.

Social Media Experiment - August 12th Primary Day

On Tuesday, August 12th, Minnesotans will be going to the polls to vote in primaries. I live in Minnesota District 47A where there will be two GOP candidates facing off in a primary and one DFL candidate in that primary. Unsure what the ballot for the Independent looks like at this point. Here is my experiment for social media - granted I am not utilizing social media to the fullest as I will only be posting here on blogger.com, Facebook and Linked In - to see how many write in primary votes I can garner for Minnesota District 47A. If you live in Minnesota District 47A please write my name in. And if you don't live in Minnesota District 47A please share this with someone that does so they may write in my name as well.

I look forward to seeing how this social media experiment will play out and the ripple effect it may have in future primary and elections.

Restoring the Senate

In Chapter 3, Mark Levin proposes the following Amendment that would restore the Senate (p33):


Section 1: The Seventeenth Amendment is hereby repealed. All Senators shall be chosen by their state legislatures as prescribed by Article 1.

Section 2: This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution.

Section 3: When vacancies occur in the representation of any State in the Senate for more than ninety days the governor of the State shall appoint an individual to fill the vacancy for the remainder  of the term.

Section 4: A Senator may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the state legislature.

Prior to the Seventeenth Amendment, Senators were chosen by the State Legislatures to represent their State in Congress. Perhaps when the Seventeenth Amendment was ratified was the end of the Statesman in Congress. In recent years, money is spent insanely by outside sources - on both sides of the aisle - to help elect a Senator that the National parties want to see in Congress.

Returning back to the original intent of electing the Senate returns a vital State right Perhaps if this was in place, Minnesotans would have seen their Senators vote for placing a tax on medical device companies when Minnesota is home to one of the largest and respected medical device communities in the United States.

Some may attempt to argue that keeping the Seventeenth amendment in place protects our Democracy. Trouble is that we don't live in a pure Democracy; rather we are a Republic that uses elected officials to represent our interests. And one of those interests is to keep politics local which is lost when Senators are elected by popular vote.

Levin surmises (p 46), "However, it will be opposed by the Statist, for he may pose as a democrat, but it is democratic tyranny that he favors." Levin continues (p 47), "Furthermore, state sovereignty is not a top priority for most senators because the state legislatures hold no sway over them. Therefore, situations arise where senators vote for major federal legislation over the strenuous objections of their own state." Guess that is why Sen. Franken and Klobuchar voted for the Affordable Care Act!

Source: Mark Levin's  The Liberty Amendments

Happy Mother's Day

Today is an important day for homo sapiens in the United States as it is Mother's Day. The day that we take a little extra time to thank the one person that was the vessel to our being. To every Mother, I wish them a Happy Mother's Day!

For Minnesotans this year Mothers Day takes on potentially a new meaning as the House of Representatives in Minnesota last week passed legislation that will re-define marriage in Minnesota. It begs the question: Why do we need Government to define marriage or unions when the decision is personal?

Last year when the Marriage Amendment was on the ballot, I did vote against it. The reason why I voted against it wasn't because I disagreed with the definition of marriage being proposed; rather my disagreement, thus my No vote, was with Government making an attempt to define a private decision. It boggles my mind that people, on both sides of the aisle, want to move our society forward and increase the freedoms for all people.

The re-definition of marriage is being seen as a Civil Right by the Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bi-sexual crowd. Trouble is that there is nothing in Natural Law or Civil Law that states anyone has the Right to marry another person(s). Unfortunately, over the past 200 plus years we have allowed our Government to incorporate marriage into the lexicon of law where simple contract law should prevail.

Those looking to keep the definition of marriage as between a man and woman are trying to use the very government that they rail against in the re-definition of marriage. Why are these same people not understanding that allowing Government in the equation is a loss of freedom?

So, as one sits celebrates the day with those that carried them think about the cycle of life and the happiness it can bring. As one focuses on the happiness, ponder a thought: Is my happiness better achieved privately or is my happiness better achieved with the assistance of Government?

If you are under the belief that happiness is better achieved with the assistance of Government; God help you. If you are under the belief that happiness is better achieved privately then join the effort to reduce the impact Government has on achieving that happiness.

Minnesota Dream Act takes another step forward

This past week the Senate voted, 41-23, to approved legislation that will allow illegal residents of Minnesota to go to school while paying in-state tuition. Not only that, illegal residents will also be able to apply for state and federal aid to go to school as well. I am not against anyone obtaining additional education nor making that education pursuit achievable but what is lost on the DFL led Legislature, and not just in Minnesota, is the work ILLEGAL!

If it is illegal for a felon to vote, which some do, and own a weapon, which some do, why is it legal for illegal residents of Minnesota to pay in-state tuition and receive taxpayer aid to go to school? The University of Minnesota is reporting that the legislation will result in lost revenue. Early numbers suggest $175,000 a year loss to the U of M. Granted the number is not staggering but is this something we need to be doing when revenues are scarce in the down economy?

Now this amount is just for the U of M, what about the other state institutions - how will they fair - what will be the final financial impact on the taxpayers of Minnesota? According to the financial footnote in the bill there are roughly 750 students this will impact at a cost to grant programs of $540,000 and $100,000 is one-time set up costs. That is $640,000 less dollars that will go to legal resident of Minnesota that are wanting a higher education.

Again I harken back to the word ILLEGAL. Why is it okay for illegal residents to break the law? In the end, what message are se sending to our kids and the rest of the world. If this legislation is passed and signed by Governor Dayton the financial footnote of only 750 students being the impact will be a drop in the bucket as more people will come to Minnesota to siphon off Minnesota taxpayer money without contributing to our society legally.

Voting Day!!!

Well here we are again in the month of November and on the first Tuesday of the month. It is time to vote. Being in the hinterlands of Minnesota the past four days allotted me the luxury of not hearing the last second smear tactics of the two major parties and allowed me time to reflect on all the candidates out there. Remember that other candidates will be on the ballot outside of President Obama and Governor Romney.

So, if you are in a state that is solidly red or blue then use your sacred right to vote for a candidate that reflects your beliefs, thoughts, and direction for this country as one will often find that the Democrat or Republican candidate is a lessor of two evil decision. Not to mention the fact that if a third or fourth party candidate can garner enough support they too will be able to be on the national stage with our current two-party system.

In the end, make sure you get out and vote. The state of Minnesota has a couple of extra bonus votes this  year in addition to electing our Representatives. We get to vote on amending our State Constitution.

First we have the Voter ID Amendment that would require all Minnesotans wishing to cast a vote in any election to provide a government issued ID to do so. A YES vote makes this requirement a NO vote doesn't add it to the State Constitution.

Second we have the Marriage Amendment that proposes to define marriage as being between one man and one woman. A YES vote puts it into our State Constitution, a NO vote doesn't put into our State Constitution.

While the first Amendment should be a slam dunk for everyone as it improves our process by using current technology to ensure our process is free of error. The second Amendment isn't as cut and dry; at least not for me. The reason I don't see it as cut and dry is because the concept of marriage is a rite of passage within ones religious dogma and is not a right nor should it be considered a right that the government ought to define.

In the end, again, get out and vote and if there is any indicator that has been more accurate on the Presidential stage..one can skip that vote because the Redskins lost on Sunday which means that Governor Romney wins.

First Presidential Debate Eve!!!!

Tomorrow night President Obama and Governor Romney will square off in the first in a series of Presidential debates. A lot of rhetoric has already taken place from Romney taking about 47 % to Obama claiming that Washington cannot be fixed from the inside. Per an NBC/WSJ poll recently conducted, 40% of those polled view the debates as "important" which may impact voting come November.

On my way to get my eldest son I was listening to POTUS on Sirius radio, one of the benefits to owning a new Ford Focus, and the gentleman on - show ended at 5 pm - was having people call in and say what questions do they want to see from this debate asked of the candidates. Now I am new to this channel on Sirius radio but the host, for the fifteen minutes I listened, appeared to be fair and balanced. That is not to say he was a Fox News anchor just that he seemed to be middle of the road on the partisan spectrum.

The debate tomorrow night will be moderated by Jim Lehrer and it will take place in Denver, Colorado. The main topic or theme of the night is to be the economy, health care and governing. Interestingly enough no topic will touch on gun control. That being said, here are some questions I'd like to see asked of the candidates based on the topics mentioned above. To be brief I will keep them to a top ten style list.

1. With spending at 26% of GDP and current revenues at 14% of GDP when historically revenues are between 16-18% of GDP - what plans do you have to erase the 8-10% gap between current spending levels and historically average revenue levels?
2. Since both of you have successfully passed mandated health care, can either you of you provide proof that it bent the cost curb of medical expenses?
3. The current deficit is projected to hit $16T by the end of 2012, what will you do as President to cut the deficit in half over the next 4 years?
4. England is starting to see a shortage of qualified doctors due the rate of reimbursement and pay scales set forth under their Universal health care, what assurances do we have that a similar vacuum of talent won't take place here in the United States?
5. The Supreme Court upheld the Constitutionality of the Affordable Health Care Act based on Congresses ability to tax. How can Congress use the tax code to curb unwanted pregnancies or reduce our carbon footprint?
6. We hear a lot of Presidential candidate tout that they will reform/change Washington D.C. What criteria will you employ as President to ensure lobbyist or special interest groups are not part of your Cabinet, advisors or staff?
7. The US Constitution established three separate but equal branches of Government - How will you as President use Executive Privilege to ensure equality among the three branches?
8. Unemployment sits above 8% and the number of people actively looking for work has declined by over 500,000 people - What is your plan to get the American workforce back to work?
9. For the past year we have reduced they payroll tax by 3% resulting in $105B no longer going into the SSN coffers. People in the 40's are already being told that they can expect 70% of the benefit at retirement age - What plans do you have to ensure solvency of SSN for future generations?
10. A study was done in Minnesota to see if a hospital could sustain itself on Medicare patients alone last year. The conclusion was that it couldn't. Now the Affordable Health Care Act looks to reduce reimbursement rates for Medicare patients seen. How do you propose hospital and clinics recoup lost revenues without changing level of care or raising the cost of health care for those of us not using Medicare?

Those would be ten questions I'd like to see answered. What questions would you like to see asked?

Marriage Amendment - a Rite or a Right?

Again this week I had a conversation on the pending constitutional amendment before the citizens of Minnesota in defining marriage as being between one man and one woman. Words like bigot and intolerant were thrown around by those that oppose the Marriage Amendment. I know that I have blogged on this topic prior and my point is pretty clear; unfortunately I struggle still because people don't see the real problem facing marriage.

The real problem isn't that same sex couples want to "marry" each other, the real problem is government is being used as the final arbiter of the conversation. Marriage is a concept, a spirit concept, rooted in religious dogma that combines the female and male soul as one. In the Garden of Eden, Adam wondered alone for a while and God realized that he needed a partner; someone to balance Adam out. After a deep sleep Adam was less a rib and Eve was created. The notion is that Adam and Eve (man and a woman) are to come together.

Now some religions have expanded the notion of the Adam and Eve to include same-sex couples and that is perfectly fine as everyone has the right to their religious beliefs in America. Unfortunately, our elected officials and many Americans have allowed marriage to seep into aspects of our government - i.e. the tax code.

I have purposed on more than one occasion that we remove Government from the equation. To many that seems like a daunting task but it really isn't. People on both sides of the aisle have wanted to alter the tax code to varying degrees. Why not start with removing married filing jointly and separately while leaving in single and head of house hold. Everything else that "married" people enjoy as a benefit can be handled through contract law. Marriage is not a basic human right nor is it something that is protected by the State or Federal Constitution. Marriage is a rite and it is a decision that one makes on a personal level with no intervention from the government.

Obama budget defeated 99-0 in Senate

Obama budget defeated 99-0 in Senate

Since taking office, President Obama has not signed nor has Congress passed a single budget. It is the Constitutional duty for the Senate to pass a budget which only needs 51 votes to do. President Obama has routinely complained that Republicans in Congress have obstructed his abilities to get things done despite having nearly two years of control of both the House and the Senate.

Yesterday President Obama's budget was put to the test again and again it failed to garner just 1 vote in either chamber of Congress. Why might this be? And how can Democrats continue to say that Republicans are obstructing passage of crucial legislation? Soon we will need, Democrats will argue, to raise the debt ceiling. Which begs the question - Why have one if all we do is vote to raise it again? Gov. Brown of California is facing a $16 Billion short fall this year. Is the US Dollar going to be the next Euro to crumble? I as a Minnesotan do not  feel that my or any other Minnesotan's taxpayer dollars should go to bailout California. Sounds a lot like Greece to me!

Gay Marriage: Civil Rights Issue?

This past Sunday on Meet the Press, Vice President Joe Biden stated, "I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying another are entitled to the same exact rights, all the civil rights, all the civil liberties. And quite frankly, I  don't see much of a distinction beyond that." The statement lead to a series of walk backs by the White House and a few steps forward by other's in the administration over the past few days. Monday morning on Morning Joe, Education Secretary Arne Duncan in response to a question of supporting gay marriage said, "Yes, I do."

Today, North Carolina will be voting to define marriage as being between a man and a woman while later this year Minnesota will be doing the same. Many argue that creating this definition violates the GLBT communities civil rights. Civil Rights, as I understand it, pertains to the fact that no one may be discriminated based on race,creed or gender. That being said, being gay is a lifestyle and doesn't fall under that protection. Some will argue that the advent of Hate Crime legislation has added lifestyle to the Civil Rights list of protective areas.

What is being missed here is a larger argument and one I am a bit shocked that our Constitutional scholars have not explored further. Our Constitution is pretty clear on the separation of Church and State and Congress shall not pass any laws abridging the freedom to worship at the altar of any God. Those that seek to define marriage as being between one man and one woman do so under the shroud of religion.

If marriage is steeped in religious inception then to define it violates the separation of Church and State clause of the United States Constitution does it not? Instead of trying to use government to force a belief onto others why are we not working to strip away the layers of marriage embedded in our laws, regulations and all aspects of government intervention? Marriage is a choice that people make in the privacy of their dogma and that is where it should remain. I don't need an amendment to believe what marriage is nor do I need my public schools telling my children what marriage is.

Why is there not more discussion surrounding the removal of government from the equation of marriage and leaving marriage to the dogma's of the world?

Minnesota Government Shutdown - Deal reached?!?

It is being reported that Gov. Dayton has agreed to Republican June 30th offer but not without conditions. Some of the conditions that Gov. Dayton has put on the agreement are: a construction projects bill totaling $500 million, the removal from the budget bill of all policy changes on social issues, and the elimination of a 15 percent cut for state workers.

Gov. Dayton said, "Despite my serious reservations about your plan, I have concluded that continuing the state government shutdown would be even more destructive for too many Minnesotans,” the governor wrote. “Therefore, I am willing to agree to something I do not agree with – your proposal – in order to spare our citizens and our state from further damage." (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0714/Minnesota-governor-proposes-end-to-shutdown-but-will-Republicans-bite)

How is Gov. Dayton going to "spare our citizens and our state from further damage"? Granted we are losing revenue from the closing of state parks and the lottery but what Minnesotans are learning is how far the government is needlessly intruding into our lives. One example is all the pubs, resturants, and sellers of adult beverages that were in danger of having their buyer cards expiring. Why do we need to charge $20 for this card? Why is this card needed? If this card is needed then can't local municipalities provide this service?

The other question is that since Gov. Dayton has put stipulations on the June 30th proposal, does that open the door for the Republicans to counter? If that does and the Republicans do, where does that leave Minnesota?

Marriage Amendment is more than same-sex discussion

I know it has been awhile since I have posted a topic and adding my thoughts. To that I do apologize to my avid readers. Being a business owner has opened up my world to how incredibly difficult it can be to run a business, a home, and find time for family and friends. Not to mention finding time to do research into the topics of the day. I suppose I could just tune into MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News every night to get the hot topics of the day. To which I'd just get the spin and no substance.

Last night I flipped back and forth between watching the Minnesota Legislature and some of my favorite fictional television. Although the Minnesota Legislature was not able to gain a compromise on the budget - a budget was veto'd by Gov. Dayton - they were able to pass a potentially polarizing Constitutional Amendment - Definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman.

Here is how the Amendment reads: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/showPDF.php

Now I went back to read the Bill of Rights in the United States Constitution and no where in there did I see where marriage was a right afforded within. As the November nears I am sure a lot of conversation will take place, my hope is that labels can be avoided. Just because someone disagrees with the notion of same-sex marriage does not translate into them being a bigot. Having this type of amendment on the ballot is precisely how the Founders wanted our country to be - States are the test tubes of democracy while the Federal Government is there to ensure the ability for these types of tests to take place.

Many times I have stated that marriage is not a right; rather it is a rite that should be returned to the Church to decide. It is time for Minnesotans to demand that our State and Federal government remove all the "rights" of marriage from the government realm. Allow people to live their lives free of government intervention. By having any marriage definition or a role in by the government is not allowing people to do so.

Hennipen County goes overboard

Okay, no one will deny that smoking is bad for ones health. At the same time, one cannot deny the fact that tobacco is a legal product and a cash cow for adding taxes to the coffers. That being said, the County Commissioners in Hennipen County, by a vote of 6-1, enacted a new ordinance that bans smoking from all county property with the exception of roads. The new ordinance is reported to potentially cost those taxpayers in Hennipen County $120,000 for new signs.

The costs of the signs is not really the issue; rather the issue is more government intrusion into our lives. One of the Commissioners who voted for the measure said that taxpayers rights end at "our" property lines. Mr. Commissioner I ask you, "Who is it that you refer to when you say 'our'?" My impression would be that all Hennipen County property really belongs to the taxpayer and not to the any elected official. Perhaps I am mistaken and I missed that part of my training to be City Council.

What will be next? What aspect of our lives that is legal for us to do will be banned? Did we not learn anything from Prohibition?

7:00. Call Canvass Board Meeting to Order @ 7:00 PM
• 2010 General Election Results
o Adopt Resolution 2010-06

7:05. Call City Council Meeting to Order @ 7:05 PM
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Miscellaneous Business (Public Comments)
• Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption
• Review Claims List for November 2010
• Old City Business (Memo)
• Approve Minutes for August 31, 2010, September 28, 2010,
October 5, 2010 & October 12, 2010

7:15. Fire Department Report
• 2010 FEMA Grant/US Fish & Wildlife Grant/DNR Grant
• New Paging System
• Civil Defense Siren Operation
• Old HFD Recue Truck
• Hamburg Fire Department Officers
o Selection vs. Election

7:25. Dennis’ Report (Public Works & Utilities)
• Community Hall Ramp Canopy Repairs
o Insurance Coverage (Repairs)
• Mock OSHA Inspection (July 14th, 2010)
• 420 Maria Avenue Curb Stop
• Sweep City Streets
• Water Wells Usage/Water Consumption for 2010
• Project List (Additional Items)

7:55. Deputy Clerk Report
• Delinquent Utility Bills Report
• Project List (Additional Items)

8:00. Hamburg Improve Parks Group
• Playground Equipment for Community Hall (Park)

8:15. City Clerk/Treasurer Report
• I/I Abatement Program (Sanitary Sewer/Storm Water Improvements)
o Easements for Project
o Pre-Construction Pictures
o Funding for Sanitary Sewer/Storm Water Improvements
o Land Purchase for Storm Water Pond/Storm Sewer Options
 Options to Reduce Property Purchase
o Project Schedule
• Proposal from EPA Audio Visual, Inc. (Projector & Screen)
o Proposal from EPA Audio Visual, Inc. (Sound System)
• 2010 Budget Items
o Review 2010 Budgeted Items to be completed in 2010
• 2011 Health Insurance Rates for Employees
• Closed Meeting for Employee Evaluations
o Employee Valuations – November 23, 2010 Meeting
• Project List
• Informational Items (Comments)
o Carver County Open Fiber Initiative BIT Cities Group
o Policing Contract Clarifications (Memo from Jeff Enevold)
o Public Hearing – Highway 212 ROW in Dahlgren Twp.
o Mediacom Rate Increases
o City Offices Closed November 11th for Veterans Day!

8:45. City Council Reports
• Councilmember Mueller Report (Sewer & Water)
• Councilmember Cummiskey Report (Streets)
• Councilmember Trebesch Report (Buildings)
• Councilmember Barnes Report (Parks)
• Mayor Malz Report

9:00. Approve Claims List for November 2010

9:05. Recess City Council Meeting

9:05. Move to Closed Meeting for the purpose of Land Acquisition Negotiations (Purchase of Private Property for Storm Water Pond)

9:20. Move to Reopen the City Council Meeting

9:20. Adjourn City Council Meeting (Adjournment of City Council Meeting following completion of Closed Meeting)




"The times set forth above are estimated. Some subjects may take a longer time to discuss and take action on; some subjects may take less time than set forth."

Hamburg City Council Election

To all resident's of Hamburg that may not get the Norwood Young America Times see that link, http://www.waconiapatriot.com/articles/2010/10/23/norwood_young_america_times/news/news03.txt, to see what the candidates said. I am one of those candidates that will be running for one of the two seats on the City Council. If anyone has any questions about me or my candidacy please post them here and I will respond. Or stop by my house. I will be walking around Hamburg over the coming week to re-introduce and introduce myself. Please take a moment to talk with me and get to know me.

I will answer all questions as I do not shy away from any conversation.

Primary Tuesday - Obama v Clinton

Today several states, including Minnesota, will be heading to the polls in primary voting. While the expectation is a low voter turnout in Minnesota, the race for the Democrat Party primary in Colorado will be interesting. What makess the Colorado primary for the Democrat Party is that it pits President Obama versus former President Clinton. President Obama is backing incumbant Sen. Michael Bennett while former President Clinton is backing challenger Colorado's House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.

Normally I would not really pay to much attention to primaries in other states but this one is intriguing. President Obama has a horrible track record and many incumbants running in the fall are not even mentioning President Obama in their ads. Former President Clinton did some last minute stumping for Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas that pushed her over the edge. What will the pundits say tomorrow if Romanoff beats Bennett in the Colorado primary? If Romanoff wins, what does it say about President Obama?

Hamburg City Council Agenda – July 13, 2010

NOTE: See the last item of the meeting for a special meeting following the regular meeting.

7:00. Call City Council Meeting to Order @ 7:00 PM

• Pledge of Allegiance
  
• Miscellaneous Business (Public Comments)
  
• Agenda Review (Added Items) and Adoption
  
• Approve Minutes for May & June 2010
  
• Review Claims List for July 2010
  
• Old City Business (Memo)
  

 

7:15. Fire Department Report

• 2010 FEMA Grant/US Fish & Wildlife Grant/DNR Grant
  
  • Request to Contact Congress for Support of AFG Grant
    
• Amended By-Laws of the Hamburg Firefighters Relief Association
  
  • Selection vs. Election (Memo from LMCIT)
    
• HFD Relief Association 2009 Reporting Year Forms
  
  • Email from State of MN (Items That Require Attention)
    
• Speaker System
  
• New Paging System
  
• National Night Out
  

 

7:35. Dennis' Report (Public Works & Utilities)

• 2010 Annual NPDES/SDS Permit Compliance Summary Report
  
• Draft Reissued NPDES/SDS Permit for City of Hamburg
  
• Quarantine Notice from MN Department of Agriculture (EAB)
  
• Estimates to Replace City Shop Driveway/Sidewalk
  
• Community Hall Ramp Canopy Repairs (Estimates)
  
• Estimates for Re-Siding Park Food Stand
  
• Water Tower Stand Pipe Repair
  
• Water Wells Usage – Water Consumption for 2010
  
• Project List (Added Items)
  

 

8:15. Deputy Clerk Report

• Delinquent Utility Bills Report
  
• Expenses/Hours for MCFOA Clerk's Conference
  
• Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for Hamburg Lions Club
  
• I/I Abatement Program (Sanitary Sewer/Storm Water Improvements)
  
  • 2011 Intended Use Plan Request
    
    • Funding for Sanitary Sewer/Storm Water Improvements
      
  • Easements for Project
    
  • I/I Grant Program (Metropolitan Council)
    
• Estimates for Automatic Door Opener for Polling Place
  
• City Council Wages for 2011
  
• Approve Election Judges for State Primary & General Election
  
• August 10, 2010 City Council Meeting – Change Date
  
• 2011 LMC Dues Information
  
• WMTracker from Waste Management (Informational)
  

 

8:35. City Council Reports

• Councilmember Mueller Report (Sewer & Water)
  
• Councilmember Cummiskey Report (Streets)
  
  • Handicap Bathroom for Hall
    
• Councilmember Trebesch Report (Buildings)
  
• Councilmember Barnes Report (Parks)
  
• Mayor Malz Report
  

 

8:50. Approve Claims List for July 2010

 

8:55. Recess City Council Meeting

 

8:55. Move to Closed Meeting for the purpose of Land Acquisition Negotiations (Purchase of Private Property for Storm Water Pond)

 

9:15. Move to Reopen the City Council Meeting

 

9:15. Adjourn City Council Meeting (Adjournment of City Council Meeting following completion of Closed Meeting)

 

 

"The times set forth above are estimated.  Some subjects may take a longer time to discuss and take action on; some subjects may take less time than set forth."

 

COMMUNITY HALL & PARK ACTIVITIES

 

 

JUNE                     5 – Wedding Reception (Price)

                 18-20 – Zummerfest Celebration

                    26 – Wedding Reception (Franck & Wolter)

                    26 – Kim Schneider (Park)

 

JULY                    10 – Wm. Mueller & Sons (Park)

 

COMMUNITY CENTER (FIRE HALL) ACTIVITIES

 

 

JUNE                     1 – Hamburg Fire Department (Relief Association)

                     7 – Hamburg Lions Club Meeting (YA Twp Room)

                     7 – Hamburg Fire Department Training

                     8 – Hamburg City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM

                    12 – Community Center Rental (Wherley)

                    13 – Washington Lake 4-H Club

                    21 – Hamburg Lions Club

                    22 – Hamburg City Council Meeting – 7:00 PM

                    28 – Hamburg Fire Department (Relief Association)

 

 

 

 

                    
 

 

                    

        
 

                    

The Ardent Viper receives hate mail!!!!

A few weeks back the Star Tribune printed one of my letters to editor. The title of my entry was "Marriage is not a Right" which ran in the paper on May 14^th. In the event you missed it here is what it said (http://www.startribune.com/opinion/letters/93729454.html?page=2&c=y):

It is time for Minnesotans to recognize that government involvement in the institution of marriage is the problem. Everyone has the right to choose a partner in life. It shouldn't be up to government to determine the makeup of that choice. We need to repeal all aspects of marriage from government and leave it to the religious institutions. It is time to replace the marriage license with a partnership recognition certificate that will give all legal aspects that the current marriage license does.

Why you may be asking yourself am I bringing this up now? It is not to toot my own horn about being published in the Star Tribune rather in response to a piece of mail I received earlier this week. A normal white envelope appeared in my mail box on Wednesday May 26^th with my name and address and a return address of American News Center 55401. At first glance I paid it no attention as I figured more junk mail. Thursday I decided to open it. Inside the envelope were two news articles. The first article was "Bonin guilty of four more road slayings" an AP story from Santa Ana, California. The second was "Sordid, gay-on-gay murder ignored in marriage debate" from WorldNetDaily dated January 1, 2010.

As I said, I really gave no thought. Then yesterday I asked my wife if she had seen what someone sent me in the mail. To which she had and didn't make sense. On closer inspection of the envelope she discovered a cartoon with the title of "The lower end of the Behavioral Spectrum". The cartoon depicted a normal man then a queer ape then a queer supporter ape with human head. My wife immediately thought hate mail to which I brushed off. So she did an internet search on the mysterious return address. Come to find out that it is hate mail in response to the letter to the editor posted above.

Here are some additional bloggers that received similar hate mail from American News Center 55401.

http://www.wilderoastcafe.com/diary/2006_01_01_archive.shtml

http://theangrycraig.blogspot.com/2008/03/american-news-center-55401.html

http://blueminneapolis.blogspot.com/2006/05/hate-mail-brought-to-you-courtesy-of.html

I am all for free speech and association. I recognize that with all the freedoms we take for granted we also must accept the fringe elements of every cloth among us. What raises my ire a bit, not much, is the anonymous factor and ignorant message the envelope sent. Personally I do not care who others choose as their life partners. My religious upbringing raises questions about why one may choose a same-sex partner and aspects of the teachings discuss its sin. Regardless of that, we live in a land where freedom reigns, at least for now, and with any free society there will be elements that we disagree with. I have on several occasions discussed the Same-Sex Marriage debate and offered an alternative solution that, I feel, will put the conversation to rest. What is so wrong with removing the "Marriage" license from our Governmental and Legal documents and replacing it with a certificate of partnership?

I understand we have over 200 years of institutional marriage red tape to unwind but the solution seems so obvious as to appease the Religious factions in America while ensuring the basic freedoms that our Founding Fathers intended to exist. No longer will there be an IRS box for marriage, no longer will the doctor's have to discern relations, no longer will we need to debate the sanctity of marriage as it will be preserved in religious ceremonies, and no longer will the Justice of the Peace be used to oversee marriage or any other type of union between two people. Everyone wins, right?

Tax Day Rallies; What will be tomorrow’s headline?

Today is April 15^th. Have you filed your taxes? The bigger story today will be the millions attending Tea Party rallies around the United States. In Minnesota there will be 8 or 9 rallies with the largest one likely to be in St. Paul. I understand that many have formed their opinion of the Tea Party movement by what they gleam from MSNBC, CNN, ABC or other media outlets. I challenge everyone to make your own mind up by attending a rally today. Do not let the media through their slant or bias taint your understanding of the Tea Party movement.

The powers that be in the United States are using us as pawns in their game of power and see the Tea Party movement as another means. Groups on the Left will be attending the Tea Party rallies today to disrupt the rallies and attempt to blend themselves into the group in order to get sound bites for the mass media. This is not to say that a fringe element within the Tea Party muffles the message as the mass media has focused on them instead of the core.

Our 1^st Amendment right of freedom of assembly will be tested today as well. I am sure there will be counter rallies to the Tea Party as well. Although last year there was one in St. Paul that had a total of five people. No matter what side of the debate one is on, we can all agree that our current government is heading us to the cliff. The CBO has reported that our current spending is unsustainable and will lead to deficits unseen. So, get out there and have your voice heard. Be part of the action instead of having it reported to you. See with your own eyes and hear with your own ears as to the message being sent forth by the Tea Party. I do not expect anyone to agree with all their points but at least one will be able to hear them unfiltered.

Sen. Klobuchar’s response to the current employment situation.

This is a response I received today from Sen. Klobuchar to my plan of getting America back on its feet.

 

Dear Mr. Lund:

 
 

Thank you for taking the time to contact me about our current employment situation.  I appreciate your thoughts, stories, and concerns.

 
 

The weak economy and continued high unemployment rate are among the most challenging problems facing our country.  Across the state, Minnesotans continue to make a great effort to pay their mortgages and provide for their families. While we have seen signs of some economic improvements, there are too many people who have lost their jobs in Minnesota and across the country. 

 

For these reasons I have supported extending benefits to help out-of-work Americans endure the current economic crisis.  Recently, I supported H.R. 4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act of 2010, which extends emergency unemployment benefits and COBRA health insurance subsidies through December 31, 2010 for those who have lost their jobs. On March 10, 2010 this legislation passed in the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 62 to 36.  Additionally, I supported the Temporary Extension Act of 2010, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009, the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010 and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, all of which provided temporary support and helped put Americans back to work during these tough economic times.  As long as the dynamics of our economy necessitate extensions, I will continue to support them for the suffering Minnesotans that need interim relief. 

 

Providing for out-of-work Americans, however, is just the first step.  Every day I hear from Minnesotans who are urgently seeking work and can't find it.  I also hear from businesses large and small that want to hire, but can't in this struggling economy.  That is why I supported the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, which recently passed in the Senate with a 70 to 28 vote.  This legislation provides tax breaks and credits to small businesses for hiring and retaining unemployed workers, and making purchases of needed equipment. This legislation is paid for by increasing foreign tax compliance and eliminating the abuse of tax credits by closing offshore loopholes. 

 
 

Someone once said of our current economy, that while Wall Street got a cold, Main Street got pneumonia.  That's why I also support initiatives that help small and mid-sized businesses overcome the current tight credit constraints.  Last fall I advocated for a targeted lending program to increase the available credit to small and mid-sized businesses, and I continue to work on proposals to encourage lending to responsible and promising businesses and entrepreneurs.  The Small Business Association has more than doubled the amount of available loans to businesses, and while I recognize that this is a start, I believe there is more that can be done.  Providing the needed additional credit will help small businesses hire new employees, purchase needed equipment, invest in research and development, and expand their facilities.

 
 

American businesses can't grow if the demand for their products stays constant. We also need to increase the demand for American products through export promotion.  There's a lot of potential in harnessing the customers abroad; 95 percent of the world's customers are located outside the United States.  That is why I introduced S. 3084, the Export Promotion Act of 2010, which provides businesses with direct assistance and increases available resources for representation and counseling on starting export operations.  The Department of Commerce found that every dollar spent on export promotion resulted in $213 of export revenue for our businesses. 

 
 

As we continue to work on legislation that will help restore our economy's ailing health and provide needed relief to millions of Americans, we should put aside partisan differences to do the necessary and critical work to ensure our long-term economic stability.  I will continue to take action to help middle-class families and build a stronger, more prosperous America while being fiscally responsible. 

 

Again, thank you for writing to me about this issue.  One of the most important parts of my job is listening to what the people of Minnesota have to say to me.  I am here in our nation's capital to do the public's business and to serve the people of our state.  With that in mind, I hope you will contact me again about matters of concern to you.

 
 

Sincerely,

Amy Klobuchar

United States Senator