My son Joe is the Deli Express employee pictured in the online edition of the Nov. 22 article, "Firms are working overtime for hires." Joe has autism, has very limited language and is a client of a sheltered workshop, Opportunity Partners (OP). He worked at OP for subminimum wages, like many people in the Star Tribune series "A Matter Of Dignity" (Nov. 8-12). However, OP provided a safe, clean, supported environment where Joe learned valuable job skills. It also provided transportation, classes and a job specialist who helped Joe find a full-time, well-paying job with Deli Express, then shadowed him until he mastered the job. OP's sheltered-workshop format turned a young man with autism into a dependable worker who really enjoys his job and who will pay more than $5,000 in state and federal taxes this year. Joe would also want me to make one correction: He did not move into assisted living. He moved to a regular apartment and has help as needed to enjoy a full, happy life.
Marcia Crist, Chanhassen
• • •
Wow! What a welcome blast of good news from the front page of the Sunday paper. How impressive to read about Minnesota businesses digging in and developing creative solutions for hiring both skilled and unskilled employees.
The Nov. 22 article serves as a textbook example of the benevolent power of free-market capitalism. A state minimum wage of $8 an hour? Not good enough when capitalism clicks and creates an environment of competition for workers, as evidenced by Eden Prairie's Deli Express paying $12 an hour for entry-level line workers. That's what happens when good people start a good company and develop a successful product.
Employers providing training, transportation and extra benefits to attract workers are all noted in the article, examples of businesses doing what they can handle far more efficiently — and with pinpoint accuracy — than can government. Also noted is how Minnesota's low unemployment rate provides employment opportunities for those with criminal records rightfully in need of a second chance. Government can offer these people welfare, but only private businesses can offer them success.
Good work, Minnesota!
Donald G. Engebretson, Excelsior
PACKAGE DELIVERY
If we set up a parcel haven, we won't need stinky ink
James Lileks brings up an interesting problem in the proliferation of package delivery thefts throughout the country ("Stinky ink might thwart those package snatchers," Nov. 22). Certainly, more proactive steps are needed to reduce the disappointment of "lost" packages, relied on by our consumer-driven economy.
Our local hardware store, Settergren's Ace Hardware of Linden Hills, has begun a new service to our neighborhood. An agreement with UPS provides a secure drop point for undeliverable packages to be retrieved later. After several unsuccessful delivery attempts, packages are left at the hardware store and notes are posted at homes with instructions for retrieval. The hardware store requires the delivery slip and a valid identification to release the package to the rightful owner and confirm electronically with UPS.