The chamber hosted several candidate forums over the past few weeks. The local tone has an entirely different flavor than the state-wide and national races.
It's refreshing to listen to local candidates talk issues and tell us why we should support and vote for them, rather than the trend of trashing one's opponent. Certainly trash talking has its place in the political arena, however, I'm of the opinion that it should not dominate the entire campaign. Usually it begins with someone saying something bad about their opponent and it escalates from there.
We need to remind the candidates of the words of the famous college football coach, Lou Holtz, who said about COMPETITION: "you'll never get ahead of anyone as long as you try to get even with him." Someone ought to post this on the bathroom mirror of every candidate running for office.
I for one am sick of the negative advertising this election season, and congratulate our local candidates for sticking to the issues and not succumbing to wrestling in the mud.
Now, if we could do something about voter turnout. If you want to complain about our elected officials, you better start at the ballot box first.
That's my opinion. What's yours?
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Jitters and Patriotism
Seems lately that there are plenty of folks around who have the jitters when it comes to the economy. Rightly so. Much of our local, regional, and national economy is based on confidence levels of the consumer. Everything from the stock market to retail trade hinges on what we the consumer thinks at any given moment.
The National Media seems to remind us constantly that it's a top down process.
One interesting way to deal with that on the local basis is to try whenever possible to purchase our goods and services locally. The increase in local spending sends key data to those who keep track of those sorts of things. An upturn at the local level begins the "springle up" process. Rather than waiting for national numbers to "trickle down" to us locally, we need to take better control and force the issue from the local area upward.
Our friends in Wilmar began a process earlier this year by challenging local businesses. They've asked every business to take a look at their purchasing habits and have encouraged them to increase local spending by 5% or more wherever possible. Instead of buying that box of goods from Chicago for a slightly discounted price, they encourage the "buy local" option. From what I'm hearing it's having a multi-million dollar impact on the local economy. What a simple way to keep the local economy strong and healthy.
Local business folks know that the majority of their sales probably come from near rather than far. Maybe we should remind ourselves next time that we're thinking about purchasing goods and services from afar, to take a look in our own backyard. It might be just the ticket to send the message back up the supply chain that things aren't quite that bad locally and local consumer confidence will begin having a more positive impact on the economy.
SIDELINES NOTE
One quick impression. I was very impressed with the coaches and players from the U of M Mankato football team. During the pre-game ceremony after the singing of the National Anthem they respectfully waited at attention along the sidelines while the Color Guard unit from the National Guard marched off the field. Once the colors were retired in the endzone, their team began their pre-game celebration. Too bad that others on the field and in the stands didn't show that level of respect.
That's my opinion. What's yours?
The National Media seems to remind us constantly that it's a top down process.
One interesting way to deal with that on the local basis is to try whenever possible to purchase our goods and services locally. The increase in local spending sends key data to those who keep track of those sorts of things. An upturn at the local level begins the "springle up" process. Rather than waiting for national numbers to "trickle down" to us locally, we need to take better control and force the issue from the local area upward.
Our friends in Wilmar began a process earlier this year by challenging local businesses. They've asked every business to take a look at their purchasing habits and have encouraged them to increase local spending by 5% or more wherever possible. Instead of buying that box of goods from Chicago for a slightly discounted price, they encourage the "buy local" option. From what I'm hearing it's having a multi-million dollar impact on the local economy. What a simple way to keep the local economy strong and healthy.
Local business folks know that the majority of their sales probably come from near rather than far. Maybe we should remind ourselves next time that we're thinking about purchasing goods and services from afar, to take a look in our own backyard. It might be just the ticket to send the message back up the supply chain that things aren't quite that bad locally and local consumer confidence will begin having a more positive impact on the economy.
SIDELINES NOTE
One quick impression. I was very impressed with the coaches and players from the U of M Mankato football team. During the pre-game ceremony after the singing of the National Anthem they respectfully waited at attention along the sidelines while the Color Guard unit from the National Guard marched off the field. Once the colors were retired in the endzone, their team began their pre-game celebration. Too bad that others on the field and in the stands didn't show that level of respect.
That's my opinion. What's yours?
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Marshall Taste Update
This year's Taste of Marshall is set. Mark your calendars for Monday, November 17th at the Best Western. We're recruiting vendors to be on hand, and already our committee has signed up more than last year's event. Our goal is to have at least 20 vendors on hand to sample their food and new menu items. (5 first time vendors have already signed up!)...Committee members Marissa Kunde, Tim Sheehan, and Mark Hanson are working hard planning this years event. You won't want to miss being there.
Tickets will soon be available for $10 each and we're limiting the number of tickets sold to 400. Be the first to get your tickets reserved by calling the chamber!
Tickets will soon be available for $10 each and we're limiting the number of tickets sold to 400. Be the first to get your tickets reserved by calling the chamber!
CPA Marshall
Have thoroughly enjoyed participating in this years Marshall Citizens Police Academy Class or as they call it: Police Dept. Community Partnership. What a great chance for my 22 classmates and me to see up close and personal the inner and outer workings of public safety in our community.
Earlier this week I rode in an ambulance to the scene of a 2-car "accident." The mock accident included a drunk driver, a belligerent passenger in that car, along with a mini van that had three "victims" trapped within.
Our class had the chance to observe this highly effective training program. It allowed public safety officials (police, fire, and ambulance) to practice their response to a serious accident.
Not sure who had more fun, but everyone seemed to enjoy watching the van "torn apart" by the jaws of life so that fire and ambulance crews could get to the "accident victims." Not unlike watching a can of sardines opened. Really!
After the car crash folks had been "rescued" we followed the police officers to the jail as the driver was then processed for driving while "mock DUI" and causing an accident. We all gained an appreciation (or fear) of the booking process prior to entering the jail.
Later this week I'll get the chance to go on a 4-hour ride along with a Marshall Police officer. More on that later.
Public Safety Chief Rob Yant and his able assistant Kim Rapp, along with numerous public safety officials do a great job with this valuable community orientation program. If interested, look for next year's class to begin in the fall of 09.
Earlier this week I rode in an ambulance to the scene of a 2-car "accident." The mock accident included a drunk driver, a belligerent passenger in that car, along with a mini van that had three "victims" trapped within.
Our class had the chance to observe this highly effective training program. It allowed public safety officials (police, fire, and ambulance) to practice their response to a serious accident.
Not sure who had more fun, but everyone seemed to enjoy watching the van "torn apart" by the jaws of life so that fire and ambulance crews could get to the "accident victims." Not unlike watching a can of sardines opened. Really!
After the car crash folks had been "rescued" we followed the police officers to the jail as the driver was then processed for driving while "mock DUI" and causing an accident. We all gained an appreciation (or fear) of the booking process prior to entering the jail.
Later this week I'll get the chance to go on a 4-hour ride along with a Marshall Police officer. More on that later.
Public Safety Chief Rob Yant and his able assistant Kim Rapp, along with numerous public safety officials do a great job with this valuable community orientation program. If interested, look for next year's class to begin in the fall of 09.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Between the 40's
In case you missed the exciting football game over the weekend between SMSU and Winona State, it was an exciting finish and win for the home team.
While the win was sweet success for Coach Eric Eisness and the entire team, the fans seated in the stands between the 40's were treated to something very special.
Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Tim Steinbach has never been one to be a shrinking flower. Nope, Coach Steinback keeps the defensive players and many of the fans in the stands very focused on the game with his pacing, loud words of encouragement, and overall enthusiasm for the game! This weekend, Coach "S" reached deep down into his coaching motivation bag of tricks and put on a display worthy of the ages.
His loud and highly animated efforts payed off! The defense make the key stop with only a couple of minutes left in the game. This allowed the offense to score the winning touchdown in what some might consider SMSU's greatest upset of the season.
For his efforts, Coach "S" got the Gatorade bath at the end of the game and hugs and high 5's were everywhere on the field.
Way to go Mustangs, Coaches, and Coach Tim Steinbach!
While the win was sweet success for Coach Eric Eisness and the entire team, the fans seated in the stands between the 40's were treated to something very special.
Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Tim Steinbach has never been one to be a shrinking flower. Nope, Coach Steinback keeps the defensive players and many of the fans in the stands very focused on the game with his pacing, loud words of encouragement, and overall enthusiasm for the game! This weekend, Coach "S" reached deep down into his coaching motivation bag of tricks and put on a display worthy of the ages.
His loud and highly animated efforts payed off! The defense make the key stop with only a couple of minutes left in the game. This allowed the offense to score the winning touchdown in what some might consider SMSU's greatest upset of the season.
For his efforts, Coach "S" got the Gatorade bath at the end of the game and hugs and high 5's were everywhere on the field.
Way to go Mustangs, Coaches, and Coach Tim Steinbach!
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