Chippewa ranked second
It was recently brought to my attention that the February 2009 issue of The Progressive Farmer magazine’s fifth annual list of “Best Places to Live in Rural America” ranked Chippewa County second in the Midwest. The article noted that the top counties had “smaller student-to-teacher ratios, incorporated agricultural education at school, rallied around FFA and 4-H programs. It mentioned further that “studies indicate rural students score well in science … and have better attention spans.”
One thing that makes Montevideo such a great place to live is all the amenities we have — given the relatively small size of our community.
An excellent educational system is one of the main draws a community can have to encourage people to relocate there and to attract industry and business.
If the quality of our educational program deteriorates, we can expect to see a migration away from, rather than into, our community.
This reverse migration can lead to the loss of business, jobs and community amenities. We might mirror other communities in the area that have lost almost everything, rather than being a community with progress and growth.
We, as a community, must support our school. Residents who do not have family in school still need to support the school. They need to realize that without an excellent educational system, we will lose the amenities they do enjoy.
We need to find a way to vote on another referendum and to make sure it passes. The annual increase in taxes is so minimal, especially as compared with the benefits the entire community will continue to enjoy.
Everyone’s future depends upon the education and opportunities we provide our youth. They are the leaders of the future. Without a strong elementary and secondary education, they are doomed to mediocrity. If they are mediocre, our country will become mediocre.
—Peggy Frederickson
Montevideo
Advancing the kingdom of God
Why do I appreciate Easter? Why would someone give themselves over to walk a lonely road and willingly submit to being hung on a cross?
As God, in the flesh, hanged dying on the cross, he spoke, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23.
I awoke this morning with a heavy heart. I was remembering my sadness from last summer when I heard that believers associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America had made the decision to ordain those who are actively involved in immorality. It grieves my spirit again today.
