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Readers write for Dec. 15, 2010

December 15, 2010 at 4:49PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (Susan Hogan/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

GOV. TIM PAWLENTY

Swipe at public workers joins race to the bottom

It seems that outgoing Gov. Tim Pawlenty cannot leave the stage without joining those who take potshots at public employees, despite being one himself ("Public-sector unions burden the taxpayer," Opinion Exchange, Dec. 14).

It's just the most recent example of the Star Tribune choosing to print pieces that vilify union employees, joining the "race to the bottom" feeding frenzy that has taken hold in this country.

That is a low blow.

Instead of looking at the real face of public employees -- folks who keep our buildings safe, drive our kids to school, plow our roads, put out our fires and work with the most vulnerable among us -- Pawlenty attempts to paint them all as the reason we are in debt.

Tell that to a school employee who makes less than $20,000 a year. Tell that to workers who have been operating understaffed and overburdened since this recession began.

Folks, see this move for exactly what it is -- positioning for a federal stage. Public employees are the backbone of our communities.

Without stable schools, transportation and emergency systems, our communities will diminish and our state will become the place no one wants to be.

This is the place that Pawlenty apparently wants us to become. If he is willing to run the state into the ground, why would we want him running the country?

LAURIE STAMMER, BUFFALO

• • •

After reading Pawlenty's fraudulent premise on our state's fine public employees, one wonders if he and his wife will be so bold as to collect the outrageous pensions they "earned" while on the state's payroll.

KRISTINE PERSSON, Buffalo

DEBT COLLECTORS

Minnesota Association of Collectors responds

The collection of consumer debt owed to Minnesota creditors, government and businesses is an essential function for our economy. Members of the Minnesota Association of Collectors are professionals whose job is to recover duly owed debt while working diligently to follow the many state and federal laws and regulations governing their business.

The Dec. 12 article "Criminals land jobs as debt collectors" raises important questions about Minnesota's debt collection screening-and-registration process.

To be clear, we agree with the state law prohibiting anyone convicted of a felony within the past five years from being a registered debt collector in Minnesota.

We also agree that the current system of checks and balances deserves additional consideration, and we will work with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to address these issues.

That being said, the article omitted valuable information to help readers fully understand the situation and included other information that is not related to collection agency activity.

In addition, the article did not include information regarding steps, policies and procedures collection agencies do take to ensure compliance with the law. Nor did it recognize there is not a uniform definition of what constitutes a background check.

Background checks are conducted using a variety of methods, from a multitude of vendors, with varying rules for what's allowable depending on applicable law and individual employer preference.

Minnesota collection agencies take extraordinary strides to ensure the protection of personal information. We have extensive policies and procedures to prevent and detect any misuse of such information.

Furthermore, we have a no-tolerance policy for any employee who violates procedures -- or whom we identify as not being in compliance with the law.

Minnesota collection agencies take our responsibilities seriously and will work with the Department of Commerce and elected officials to ensure that we have an effective law that works for agencies, employees and the state to ensure consumer protection.

TERRI SHEPHERD AND MARK NEEB

The writers, respectively, are executive director of the Minnesota Collectors Association and president-elect of ACA International.

METRODOME COLLAPSE

Consider economic impact if Vikings leave

Despite major repairs needed to the Metrodome, I do wonder about the economic impact of losing the Vikings as a team ("Can splices fix slices for Bears game?" Dec. 14).

I heard anecdotally about the Edina hotel that was set to host 140 rooms' worth of New York Giants team members and entourage, as well as the local caterer that was prepared to serve them.

When all is said and done regarding building a new stadium, I will be curious to see what the economic impact of losing an NFL team would really be. Who will stay at our hotels, eat at our restaurants and shop at our malls?

What do we stand to lose by not hosting large numbers of players, family members, fans and media? I'm afraid it would be a lot.

ANDREA FISH, EAGAN

• • •

As a former Minnesotan transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, I was entertained by the amount of news coverage dedicated to the sorry saga of the "Meltra-Dome."

I guess you could attribute it (somewhat) to the fact that it's not too often that the lowly Seattle Seahawks fans can have a chortle at someone else's expense, least of all the usually competitive Minnesota Vikings.

Still, I couldn't help that little wave of nostalgia that floated through my heart and the small smile that crept across my face as I thought to myself: "There's snow place like dome, there's snow place like dome ..."

SANDI ELLENWOOD,

SNOHOMISH, WASH.

• • •

Dear Detroit Lions organization and Ford Field grounds crew:

Thanks for letting our Vikings play at your stadium. It was really nice to see all of the purple on the field.

You're a first-class organization for helping our team feel like they were at a home game on the road.

Thanks from the Viking fans and the state of Minnesota.

SAM SEELY, MINNEAPOLIS