Flying Cloud Airport

Thanks to Flying
Cloud Airport

As a 20-year resident of Eden Prairie who lives two miles from Flying Cloud Airport, I think it’s time we say “Thank you” to Flying Cloud Airport for the many things they have done for our community. Flying Cloud Airport allows the city to lease (for a very small fee) the fields that are home to hundreds of young sports enthusiasts who participate in baseball, football and soccer.

The companies that are located on the airport grounds are home to many diverse individuals who give very generously of their time, talents and treasures to make Eden Prairie the strong and unique city that it is.

Eden Prairie residents, city and business leaders along with members of the airport have spent many hours working on details to ensure a safe and effective airport. I hope people look at the airport as a good neighbor and historical piece of property that it is and has been for more than 40 years.

Stefanie MulQueeny

Eden Prairie

Eden Prairie schools

Discusses
‘Day of Silence’

In response to Fred Koppleman’s letter to the editor on Thursday, May 1, 2008, I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss the details of the recent event at Eden Prairie High School called the “Day of Silence” and answer some of the questions surrounding it. The “Day of Silence” is an entirely optional event that takes place nationwide in middle schools, high schools and colleges. Students who choose to participate maintain a verbal silence throughout either the entire day or for only a portion of the day in order to protest the bullying and harassment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students. Some students choose to hand out pamphlets describing the reason for their protest. In no way does this action encourage homosexual behavior. Its sole purpose is to promote tolerance and acceptance of GLBT students.

While the day originated as a means to protest the harassment of only GLBT students, Eden Prairie schools have taken its purpose one step further in a positive direction. In the announcements for this event, the purpose of the “Day of Silence” is advertised as a way to protest all forms of harassment, whether it is on a basis of sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. The “Day of Silence” at Eden Prairie schools does not encourage homosexuality, but rather, it promotes the acceptance all peoples, regardless of who they are, what they look like, and what they choose to believe.

Margaret Krause

Eden Prairie

Legislature

Questions Pitzrick

I appreciate Mr. Pitzrick’s attempt to be on the side of small business and try to indicate that he is moderate and pro-economy. I find the rhetoric lacks experience and would ask the following questions: 1) Is it not your Democratic leadership who raises gas taxes in a recessive economy; how does this help small business? 2) Is it not the Democrats who are requiring bio-fuels at a tremendous subsidy in taxpayer dollars while requiring enormous amounts of natural resources in electricity and water to produce them? 3) Is it not the Democrats who want more dedication of state funds for natural resources, but yet are willing to deplete them in the name of “green technology?”

We all should be good stewards of our natural resources. We should all be concerned with job creation. We should all be concerned with the costs to produce our products. It is never economically sound to create jobs for the long-term on subsidized industries or industries that are regulated by governments as oligopolies like our health insurance industry. In each case, we run the risk of huge governmental investments of our tax dollars that are not sustainable for the long-term.

The Democrats touted the ethanol subsidy stating that when the price at the pump reached $2.65 the ethanol producers could sustain their own business and the jobs would be safe. Well, the price at the pump is now $3.50. Does this now mean we can cut the subsidies and apply these state funds to roads and repeal the sales, excise and license fee taxes in a recessive economy? I find it so disingenuous that the arguments of the past by the Democrats seem to find their way to the inconsistencies of the present.

When speaking of small business growth, who better to serve us than Jenifer Loon? She is the Republican candidate this fall. She has served as chief of staff for the Small Business Committee in Washington under Speaker [Newt] Gingrich. When we ask, are we better off today than we were two years ago? I think the answer is clearly no we are not and the Democrats have had their chance in the state Legislature. Let’s now see if we can take some real experience to St. Paul with a legislator that has the experience in small business issues. I believe that each of us remembers the Contract with America when we could clearly say “Yes” to the question were we better off then than we are now. Join me in support of Jenifer Loon for state representative in 42B.

Kathy Veurink

Eden Prairie

Editor’s note: Veurink recently ran for Republican Party endorsement in District 42B. 

Birch Island Woods

Now we know
it’s spring

Shell-shocked over April snowfalls? Afraid to put away your winter jackets? Doubting that we’ll ever see warm weather?

Then come to the Seventh Annual Birch Island Woods Plant Sale and get a big shot of optimism. This official harbinger of spring starts Friday, May 9, and runs through Sunday, May 18, at the historic Picha Heritage Farm on Birch Island Road in Eden Prairie.

Check out plant sale exclusives like the Picha Purple Morning Glory and the TP-14 tomato, plus stock up on your favorite vegetables, bedding plants, hanging baskets and potted shrubs. Visit with a beekeeper, consult with master gardeners and chat with your friends and neighbors.

Proceeds from the plant sale go toward conservation, restoration and education projects in the Birch Island Woods Conservation area.

For more information, a list of the plants for sale and a video sample of previous plant sales, go to www.fbiw.org.

Don’t miss this first real sign of spring.

Marcus Johnson

Eden Prairie