Opinion editor’s word: Star Tribune Opinion publishes letters from readers on-line and in print every day. To contribute, click on right here.
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I occurred to learn the article within the Sunday Metro part about surprising crime in downtown Minneapolis (“Downtown Minneapolis is again. So is the violent crime”) proper after I learn the Star Tribune editorial in regards to the candidates for Hennepin County legal professional (“Advance Dimick, Winkler in race to be high prosecutor”). There’s a startling disconnect between the surge in crime and the generalities expressed by the candidates favored by the Star Tribune Editorial Board. Neither Martha Holton Dimick nor Ryan Winkler appeared to have a selected plan to assist scale back crime in downtown Minneapolis. Each appeared extra involved about incarceration charges and racial disparities in policing. The truth is, Dimick defended a extra lenient strategy to prosecution in an opinion piece final week (“Martha Holton Dimick: I am going to put the work again the place it must be,” July 29), seemingly happy with the truth that we’ve the fourth-lowest incarceration price within the nation.
They aren’t the one ones seemingly and not using a plan. Tim Mahoney, proprietor of the Loon Cafe, spoke for many people when he stated he is nonetheless ready for Mayor Jacob Frey and the Metropolis Council to introduce a plan to curb the violence. Companies in downtown Minneapolis and the individuals who help them deserve higher from our leaders.
Nat Robbins, Minneapolis
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As a retired Metro Transit chief of police, I do know firsthand the significance of creating the appropriate alternative for Hennepin County legal professional.
We will not have impulsive leaders within the Hennepin County Legal professional’s Workplace. Ryan Winkler is levelheaded and strategic, and that’s the reason I’m voting for him for Hennepin County legal professional. He desires the enter of individuals round him, which I am certain shall be good inside the County Legal professional’s Workplace, inside the neighborhood and different companies he works with.
I watched the general public dialog round Query 2 on policing in Minneapolis. Winkler is among the candidates I noticed vocally specific opposition. As a resident of Bloomington, I see how Minneapolis public questions of safety circulate into my metropolis. Our communities want a balanced chief within the county legal professional.
Legislation enforcement practices want reform, there is not any doubt about that. Winkler is a candidate who’s conscious that the police should not be our solely concern, though it’s a massive concern. That’s the reason he labored with Booker Hodges, who’s now the Bloomington police chief, to introduce a peace officer recruitment invoice to enhance the pool and produce in additional individuals from the neighborhood. Higher candidates will result in higher police.
Winkler will maintain poisonous policing accountable whereas nonetheless working with police chiefs on higher prevention practices. He realizes that it’s all linked and that we’d like to have the ability to have a look at a number of points on the identical time, quite than being hyper-focused on the difficulty that brings in probably the most shares and retweets.
Most significantly, he shall be progressive in his strategy however may also respect the rule of legislation and preserve calm beneath any scrutiny which may include that. He’s the chief we’d like presently, and he’s the chief I shall be voting for on Aug. 9.
Jack Nelson, Bloomington
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Paul Ostrow could be an incredible Hennepin County legal professional. Ostrow has present and long-term previous expertise as a prosecutor in a couple of county legal professional’s workplace. He has the temperament to steer the workplace with a gradual hand. He additionally has expertise in native politics that can serve properly within the present political local weather.
Ross Arneson, Mankato, Minn.
The author is a retired legal professional.
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Thanks for recognizing together with your editorial endorsement the in depth expertise within the felony justice system that Martha Holton Dimick will carry as Hennepin County legal professional.
As a lifelong resident and elected official representing half of north Minneapolis, I’ve labored facet by facet with Dimick in a number of of her roles. She was the primary North Aspect neighborhood prosecutor appointed by then-Hennepin County Legal professional Amy Klobuchar. In that position my colleague Don Samuels (who represented the opposite half of the North Aspect) and I had direct contact with Dimick together with law enforcement officials and members of the neighborhood. We have been in a position to specific our considerations about persistent violent offenders that have been impacting our neighborhoods. The technique labored to lower violent crime on the North Aspect. I additionally watched as she prosecuted sexual assault crimes that have been very troublesome and gained victories for victims that had been ignored previously. I then noticed Dimick’s work as deputy metropolis legal professional as she managed town’s felony division. She ran a hardworking division that efficiently prosecuted misdemeanors, which included livability crimes that make for unstable neighborhoods. She is aware of how vital these efforts are since she has been a home-owner in north Minneapolis for 20 years. She was an advocate for restorative justice packages and specialty courts.
As a choose she was powerful however honest.
There isn’t any different candidate on this race who has her breadth of expertise, and I enthusiastically help her.
Barb Johnson, Minneapolis
The author is a former Minneapolis Metropolis Council president and Fourth Ward council member.
MINNEAPOLIS SCHOOL BOARD
Gary Marvin Davison and I’ve by no means met (“Election considerations about colleges ought to deal with the college board,” Opinion Alternate, July 30). From what I see he’s involved about training in Minneapolis Public Colleges. Davison by no means took the time to talk with me. All I ask is when anybody desires to publicly say one thing about my experience in math, studying, writing or economics, please present correct data.
To set the document straight: I lived in Mexico for 5 years and Thailand for 13 years. In Thailand I spent 10 years conducting analysis in language acquisition. We developed a really sturdy approach to educate English.
Moreover whereas in Thailand, I found/developed a approach to educate highschool algebra to elementary college college students. Earlier than returning to Minneapolis, I taught two typical Thai fifth-grade boys (English-language-learner college students) math. They began with one-step algebraic equations (resolve for x, x + 5 = 7) they usually completed with greater than 110 workout routines on radicals (eleventh grade math) in a single semester with an 80-minute block schedule. Alongside the way in which they realized to graph equations of a line and parabolas.
In different phrases, I’ve private hands-on expertise to shut the achievement hole in math and studying. My Minneapolis college board emptiness software was coherent and particular sufficient, opposite to the claims within the commentary. After I submitted my software to fill the emptiness, I left a cellphone message with every board member telling them I used to be within the emptiness however I used to be not going to foyer for the vacant place. I do know that one of many two individuals whose identify was put ahead by the board to fill the emptiness lobbied the board members almost every single day.
In closing, if anybody desires to talk with my former college students and/or their mother and father in Thailand to confirm, I shall be comfortable to rearrange a gathering with them.
Harley Dean Meyer, Minneapolis
The author is an at-large candidate for the college board.
LOYALTY PROGRAM
Doug Martin, Basic Mills’ chief model and disruptive progress officer, mentioned the brand new Good Rewards program which, the article “Basic Mills provides loyalty app” (Aug. 3) claims, is the meals firm’s “first model loyalty program.”
I encourage to vary.
As I little one, considered one of my tasks was to chop the Betty Crocker coupons off of my Cheerios and Fortunate Charms containers and from my mom’s Bisquick and cake combine containers. We saved these and redeemed them, by mail, for quite a few kitchen objects, together with cookware, dishes and, most significantly, Oneida flatware.
As a brand new bride I began my very own field of Betty Crocker coupons and, till this system was disbanded, redeemed them usually. I nonetheless have a pint berry field of coupons in my cabinet, principally as a nostalgia merchandise, but additionally for use within the off probability that Basic Mills rehabilitates this system, a profitable enterprise that, most significantly, didn’t invade my privateness, observe my habits and permit a company to, as Martin states, “make some ideas.”
An app that “offers an in depth look” at my habits isn’t going to engender my model loyalty.
Karen Cyson, St. Cloud
