Don't sacrifice kids

to balance budget

As a family that has decided to have a parent home and live on one income (a teacher's salary), we face our own personal budget crunch on a daily basis. However, I would pose one question. Why when we need to tighten our belt do we always sacrifice our children? Just because some walked two miles backward in the snow, or had 35 students in a classroom growing up, doesn't mean that our children should. Don't we want better for our children?

I would also propose that if you are frustrated with the way that money is being spent, get involved. School board meetings are open, and finances are a matter of public record. It is very important to have an involved citizenry. We live in a country where the education of our electorate is crucial to the success of our country.

Focus our energy on educating the children of Lakeville. Invest in our kids. Keep them competitive. The bottom line? It is about our children. Is there anything more important?

Please vote Yes for all three questions on Nov. 6.

SIGRID IVERSEN

Lakeville

Obama has plan for environment

One applauds Tom Friedman's article in the Star Tribune (Oct. 14, 2007) decrying the lack of coverage of the melting of the polar ice caps. His daughter's lament, however, reflects a lack of awareness, since Sen. Barack Obama has a well-articulated environmental plan already on record, which one can find readily online by searching on the terms "Obama" and "Ice Cap." While it may be true that many of the candidates seem to avoid the topic, Obama clearly sees this as an important issue, not just to college students but to the country as a whole. His candidacy is a breath of fresh air to all of us who care about the state of the planet.

THOMAS HAYES

Northfield

New bridge design: A pointed critique

The new I-35W bridge design looks like a skateboard on stilts.

What happened to preserving a historical area?

MARY QUINN

Prior Lake

Maybe we just need fewer kids