Right on the edge
CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
Now the National Basketball Association has canceled the first two weeks of the regular season due to a labor dispute with players. The NBA and the players’ union have not been able to reach a collective bargaining agreement, and according to a statement from the NBA, the cancellation will include all the games previously scheduled to be played through November 14.
For the sake of all the B-ball fans across the country, let’s hope future negotiations will go far faster than American Crystal Sugar and the locked-out union workers in the Red River Valley have been able to resolve their disputes, or it might mean no hoop excitement will be happening this year! Bummer.
SO FAR—NO DEAL IN MINNESOTA
Ramsey County’s elections director, Joe Mansky, who oversaw the commission that one- term Gov. Jesse Ventura created in 2000, said he doesn’t see the Republican-controlled Legislature and DFL Gov. Mark Dayton agreeing on anything by the deadline to resolve the arguments about where Minnesota should draw the new redistricting lines. Mr. Mansky is predicting that the redistricting issue will again be headed to court. And just how much time and money this protracted argument will cost is anyone’s guess. My feeling is we should deduct, at a minimum, at least $150 per day from each legislator’s salary until they stop playing this idiotic game of partisan politics of the Democrats vs. Republicans. Seriously. You are not the HATFIELDS and McCOYS, for crying out loud! Isn’t it the point of your job to work for every citizen in Minnesota—regardless of the party you align yourselves with, not the political party you are affiliated with? We should all send each of our legislators an email and tell them to stop wasting our money and get the job done. Period. If you cannot do that, then pray tell, what and whom are you there for? This continued infighting is making the people you each proclaim to love and serve so much crazy, and is driving many into poverty.
And I would like to know exactly when these same men and women plan on re-instating the Minnesota Home Tax Credit, too? I mean, really? Or have you all resigned yourselves to being voted out of office in the next election? Because when the majority of Minnesotans wake up and realize you have taken away one of the few real bonuses the state of Minnesota offers its residents, the Homestead Tax Credit, you should really consider whether walking that long campaign trail will be worth your time.
SCHOOL BUS LAWS
The Moorhead Police Department sent out an important news release today, and it is something younger and older drivers alike have not been paying attention to as closely as they should. I hope every driver out in CAR-LAND will read and refresh their memory regarding what you MUST do when approaching a yellow school bus.
Safety Reminder –School Stop Arm Violations
The Moorhead Police Department would appreciate a reminder to all drivers that the law requires them to stop their vehicles whenever a school bus extends its stop-signal arm and has red flashing lights. Failure to comply with this driving law will continue to be strictly enforced due to the high level of danger that these violations present to the children. Below is the applicable State Statute.
169.444 SAFETY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN;
DUTIES OF OTHER DRIVERS.
Subdivision 1. Children getting on or off school bus. When a school bus is stopped on
a street or highway, or other location where signs have been erected (under section 169.443, subdivision 2 , paragraph b), and is displaying an extended stop-signal arm and flashing red lights, the driver of a vehicle approaching the bus shall stop the vehicle at least 20 feet away from the bus. The vehicle driver shall not allow the vehicle to move until the school bus stop-signal arm is retracted and the red lights are no longer flashing.
Subd. 1a. Passing on right. No person may pass or attempt to pass a school bus in a motor vehicle on the right-hand, passenger-door side of the bus when the school bus is displaying the pre-warning flashing amber signals as required in section 169.443, subdivision 1.
Subd. 2. Violations by drivers; penalties. (a) A person who fails to stop a vehicle or to keep it stopped, as required in subdivision 1, or who violates subdivision 1a, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $300.
(b) A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if the person fails to stop a motor vehicle or
to keep it stopped, as required in subdivision 1, or who violates subdivision 1a, and commits either or both of the following acts:
(1) passes or attempts to pass the school bus in a motor vehicle on the right-hand,
passenger-door side of the bus; or
(2) passes or attempts to pass the school bus in a motor vehicle when a school child is outside of and on the street or highway used by the school bus or on the adjacent sidewalk.
In other words, if you see a school bus, just cool your jets and wait until the kids are safely off and away from the bus, out of the way of all traffic, before you continue on your merry way.
It’s generally called PRACTICE SOME PATIENCE. Five extra minutes isn’t going to kill you and more importantly, you won’t kill a child just trying to get home.
ATTENTION! SPAGHETTI LOVERS
AND THE HILLSBORO CLASS OF 1971
Ash and I recently attended his 40th year high school reunion, and while everyone had a great time, we along with many others were sad to learn one of their classmates has cancer and wasn’t able to attend. Diagnosed with lung cancer, Lee Byars has recently undergone radiation treatments. I spoke with his daughter, Angie Kisser, who said her dad is a very strong-willed individual and the doctors are optimistic regarding Lee’s treatment plan.
A spaghetti feed and silent auction benefit to help defray both living and medical expenses Lee has incurred will be held October 15, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., at Faith United Methodist Church located at: 909 19th Avenue North, Fargo. So for all those 1971 “Burros” and many other friends of Lee Byars, grab your bib and join Lee and his family members on Saturday to feast, bid and celebrate Lee while he continues his courageous battle. If you cannot attend on October 15, but would like to contribute to the Lee Byars fund, any Wells Fargo Bank will take your contribution and be happy to return to you a tax deductible receipt. Or, you can go online to make a donation at: http://www.dakmed.org/lendahand/
This is web address for the Dakota Medical Foundation crisis and donation website.
In the meantime, Lee, know that your Hillsboro classmates of 1971 are all pulling for you.
Email address for Soo: sooasheim@aol.com or asheimrote@aol.com