If you do not regularly follow politics you may not know Senator Joseph Lieberman. He is now an independent (former Democrat) Senator from Connecticut, and was the VP Nominee under the man who created the Internet, Al Gore, in 2000.
In 2006, he was forced out of the Democrat [...]
Thanks to Senator Mitch McConnell for the lead in to my post. I have cleaned up the farm language here and will let you use your imagination since America's Small City Mayor Blog has obtained the much sought after "Family Approved "G" Rating".
The revived "public option" under the Democrat [...]
I generally do not directly comment on specific issues at our local level without trying to tie the issue in with something that affects small cities everywhere. I do this with some frustration expressed by residents who follow my blog, but I have tried to widen my views given the [...]
It will soon be time for another election season here in Minnesota. With 2009 ending in a few months potential candidates for state and federal offices will need to make decisions and file paperwork.
My sources around the capital; and in talking with those "in the know" all say the current [...]
SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
“CAP AND TAX” LEGISLATION HAS DIRE CONSEQUENCES ON MINNESOTA ECONOMY
With all the recent media coverage given to the healthcare debate, I hope we do not forget about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454) “Cap and Trade” bill that passed the U.S. House of [...]
Written by Mitch Berg
Wednesday, 23 September 2009 13:06
The primary mission of society is to keep goverment at all levels supplied to its satisfaction.
Well, no, that's absurd. Or at least, so think most of us.
But to Jeff Van [...]
I was invited to join the League of Minnesota Cities policy committee on “Improving Fiscal Futures.”
To be honest sitting on committee’s like this are generally not my cup of tea. However, the advocacy that has come out of LMC in recent years (transportation tax increase in specific) has been disappointing [...]
The mayors of Todd County have taken a proactive stance and have formed the Todd County Mayor’s Association.
According to Clarissa Mayor Nathan McLaughlin, “It is an organization that has been discussed over the years, but with the numerous local and economic challenges facing our area the [...]
It is budget time for cities around the Minnesota. We draft our budgets so that we get the projected numbers down to the county. It is the beginning of a process that informs property taxpayers what tax rates will look like in the upcoming year.
One area of our budget that [...]
Met on saving taxpayers dollars in morning.
Met a group of seniors on saving bee's & butterflies in afternoon.
Thankfully have not met anyone discussing birds & bees, but the day is still young.
[...]Away on vacation, I had the chance to listen to a town-hall meeting held by President Obama. The interesting part of the meeting was a series of statements President Obama talked about in regards to how "private" companies can compete successfully with the government.
His example: The United States Post Office, [...]
Oops.
U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson scrambled Monday to defuse a comment that, on its face, insulted a quarter of his constituents in the Seventh Congressional District.
Peterson had been quoted in an online story about conspiracy theorists, saying "25 percent of my people believe the Pentagon and Rumsfeld were responsible for [...]
July 16th, 2009
Todd County Commissioners
347 Central Avenue, Suite 5
Long Prairie, MN 56347
Dear Commissioners,
We, the Mayors of Todd County, have formed the Todd County Mayor’s Association. Recently, we mailed a letter dated June 12th, 2009, to you the Commissioners and the County Administrator Nate Burkett, regarding a recent action of [...]
It is time for our budgets and audits to be posted on-line.
I was roaming the internet trying to track down our Todd County Budget and 2008 Audit. I cannot find them anywhere, but before I complain, I need to observe the log in my own eye. Our city does [...]
To The Editor
Dear Sir or Madam:
It seems to me appropriate, during the debate on paying for national healthcare, to question the immense sums spent for defense. Is discussion of that budget taboo? Healthcare costs have seemed to spiral out of control but so too have US defense costs. Why do we spend [...]
As I write this today, both houses of Congress and the Whitehouse are putting together healthcare reform legislation. I am deeply concerned regarding pieces of these plans that are being leaked out and I will explain what concerns me and my proposed solutions.
First, I am concerned because of the reason [...]
I work for FARMS International and thought I would cross-post on my personal blog: America's Small City Mayor. Most of you do not know that I produce material for our FARMS International website, newsletter, and blog.
If you would like to view some live video, music, and pictures of [...]
Law Enforcement is a unique profession and employee's of the Sheriff's Office are frequently criticized for different aspects of how they do their job. Although employee's are sometimes complimented on their response to situations, it doesn't happen often.
I recently had the opportunity to nominate one of our Deputies for a' [...]
Here is an opportunity to meet Marty Seifert as he kicks off his Campaign For Governor. We will be attending the Alexandria Event and would encourage you to stop by one of these events if you have time.
These are great opportunities to meet a candidate first hand and the election season [...]
Senator Franken was sworn in earlier today ending the 2008 election season.............FINALLY!!
I will admit that I am still shocked Franken was able to defeat Norm Coleman. I have concerns about the lack of perspective Franken has from his career and time out of the state in representing rural and agricultural [...]
We had a great time in Germany. We stayed in a small town along the French border. Our host showed us how the city restored a castle built 600 years ago. The city turned it into a city hall. It is a landmark with a moat and [...]
I was reading a Telegraph.CO.UK article this morning and thought of our upcoming election for Governor of Minnesota. With the field wide open I thought I would give just a bit of campaign advice to the candidates of both parties.
Please cross this off your list as one possible campaign strategy here in [...]
Yes!!! I have been tardy in getting new content published on my website. I apologize for the lack of new material, but I thought I should bring everyone up to speed on my plans for June and why I've been so quiet. Imagine that a politician with an excuse.
For those' [...]
Housing Repair Funds Available
The Cities of Eagle Bend and Clarissa recently received notice from the MN Dept. of Employment and Economic Development that their application for home rehabilitation funding was approved. Last summer a mailing about the program was sent to all owner-occupied households in Eagle Bend and Clarissa. Those who [...]Housing Repair Funds Available
The Cities of Eagle Bend and Clarissa recently received notice from the MN Dept. of Employment and Economic Development that their application for home rehabilitation funding was approved. Last summer a mailing about the program was sent to all owner-occupied households in Eagle Bend and Clarissa. Those who [...]A best friend of my son, Nolan, was in a bad farming accident tonight. We do not have all the details but know he has been airlifted to Minneapolis, and has sustained a number of injuries that are very serious.
The most important things in life is life itself. Moments like [...]
A best friend of my son, Nolan, was in a bad farming accident tonight. We do not have all the details but know he has been airlifted to Minneapolis, and has sustained a number of injuries that are very serious.
The most important things in life is life itself. Moments like [...]
The Browerville Mayor gave me a call this morning and pointed out an interesting section in his local paper: The Browerville Blade (May 14th, 2009 Edition). It states:
Plats for new property developments will all now have to be approved by the Todd County Surveyor before they receive final approval. Until [...]
The Browerville Mayor gave me a call this morning and pointed out an interesting section in his local paper: The Browerville Blade (May 14th, 2009 Edition). It states:
Plats for new property developments will all now have to be approved by the Todd County Surveyor before they receive final approval. Until [...]
I wanted to make everyone in the surrounding area aware of the thefts that have recently taken place. I would encourage you to lock up your items overnight so they do not disappear and report suspicious activity to myself or the Todd County Sheriff’s Office.
Apparently we have a band of [...]I wanted to make everyone in the surrounding area aware of the thefts that have recently taken place. I would encourage you to lock up your items overnight so they do not disappear and report suspicious activity to myself or the Todd County Sheriff’s Office.
Apparently we have a band of [...]It just hit the wire services that the Democratic Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, a very powerful committee stacked with 23 members of the Blue Dog caucus, slammed the Obama-Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill because it would give too much power to EPA bureaucrats. The quote from Ag Chairman Collin Peterson [...]
It just hit the wire services that the Democratic Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, a very powerful committee stacked with 23 members of the Blue Dog caucus, slammed the Obama-Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill because it would give too much power to EPA bureaucrats. The quote from Ag Chairman Collin Peterson [...]
There are days when you are proud to be a father. First son, Caleb, had a class presentation in wind energy presented by Mortenson Construction. The FAQ sheet handed out had some great points that make you smile or cry depending on your mood that day. In this sheet FAQ # 2 states:
Is [...]There are days when you are proud to be a father. First son, Caleb, had a class presentation in wind energy presented by Mortenson Construction. The FAQ sheet handed out had some great points that make you smile or cry depending on your mood that day. In this sheet FAQ # 2 it [...]
There are days when you are proud to be a father. First son, Caleb, had a class presentation in wind energy presented by Mortenson Construction. The FAQ sheet handed out had some great points that make you smile or cry depending on your mood that day. In this sheet FAQ # 2 it [...]
The tax bills coming out of the House & Senate are certainly something everyone should be paying attention too. The most interesting aspect of the House bill is that the deduction for mortgage interest is apparently going away. It means adding back the interest you currently deduct from you federal return and taxing [...]
The tax bills coming out of the House & Senate are certainly something everyone should be paying attention too. The most interesting aspect of the House bill is that the deduction for mortgage interest is apparently going away. It means adding back the interest you currently deduct from you federal return and taxing [...]
It should not come as a shock to anyone that a McCain is going around bashing the Republican Party. It is refreshing, somewhat, that her first name is not John.
However, Meghan McCain has apparently become the Republican’s new Patti Davis. Meghan has discovered that if you trash other Republican’s on [...]
It should not come as a shock to anyone that a McCain is going around bashing the Republican Party. It is refreshing, somewhat, that her first name is not John.
However, Meghan McCain has apparently become the Republican’s new Patti Davis. Meghan has discovered that if you trash other Republican’s on [...]
Leave it to the legislators in St. Paul to have a solution for everything. All this time we have had the housing and banking crisis needlessly. It need not have been. The magic bullet we have all been looking for is down in the Minnesota House and Senate. It is SF2010 & HF2279.
Senator Scheid [...]Leave it to the legislators in St. Paul to have a solution for everything. All this time we have had the housing and banking crisis needlessly. It need not have been. The magic bullet we have all been looking for is down in the Minnesota House and Senate. It is SF2010 & HF2279.
Senator Scheid [...]Many people write asking about the personal side of being an influential member of the political establishment.
Sure it seems like small city mayors have it all: …..the slush funds, the posh office, and the meetings that cater to your every whim. However, I like to let people know that I am no different [...]Many people write asking about the personal side of being an influential member of the political establishment.
Sure it seems like small city mayors have it all: …..the slush funds, the posh office, and the meetings that cater to your every whim. However, I like to let people know that I am no different [...]
