Jimmy Carter in hospice

Ihave fond memories of our 39th president of the United States that goes back to 1977 when he was elected. I was included among six publishers of community weeklies from around the United States to visit with President Carter in the Oval Office to share conditions of the state of the country from a small town perspective.

About the Town

It was an awesome, almost speechless, experience. I had voted for this president for his fundamental character and Christian principles. He set out to make government competent and compassionate. As we all remember, it was a time of inflation and a difficult time to meet those high expectations.

Another part of our favorite memories includes visiting Plains, GA, while our daughter, Stephanie, spent a year with Habitat for Humanity in nearby Americus, GA. We would visit with Stephanie and go to the president’s church in Plains and sit in on the service as well as his Sunday school class. We were even there on his 70th birthday and had a family picture taken with him.

Gene Johnson

Jimmy Carter was perhaps most significant following his presidency for his leadership in world peace and conflict mediation throughout the world.

He was awarded the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.

Carter is the author of 32 books, and his wife Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA.

It was February 18 this year that President Carter decided to spend his remaining time at his home with his family and receive hospice care at the age of 98.

High school hockey tournament

The Minnesota state boys high school hockey tournament this year was exciting as ever. Mahtomedi won over Warroad 6-5, but it took a double overtime after three periods. Charlie Drage scored with a minute and 20 seconds to go in the third period to tie the game, which brought the teams into overtime.

Jonny Grove made the winning goal in the second overtime. The Zephyrs also won the State Class A title in 2020.

Now there is energy and excitement in our basketball programs.

Signs of spring

Potholes are everywhere, the days are longer, and American robins have been spotted but they may not have migrated. The first commercial tow, Niel Deal, arrived in Winona on March 8. This is considered a normal time.

Thank you, Carter

To my surprise, my son’s column recently pointed out my 87th birthday. As a result of that and people’s internet reminders of birthdays, I had a wonderful period of greetings, emails, letters, gifts and calls. It is proof of friendships, Press readership and a community that cares. God is good.

Gasoline prices

Gas prices are creeping up again. That’s part of our inflation problem. I think it’s unfortunate that our government policies are pushing us prematurely to electric vehicles when we have so much oil and natural gas in our country.

It’s an expensive program to get charging stations set up along the highway systems, but even more costly for individuals when they live in apartments and condos. Our automobiles have become more efficient with their engines and reducing weight, thus adding miles per gallon.

I think we should continue to research new energy concepts and phase them in gradually and voluntarily, and not use legislated deadlines like California. The American people aren’t stupid. When they see that it’s practical, they will consider hybrid electric cars and full electric vehicles that can get to 400 plus miles before recharging.

Gene Johnson is Publisher Emeritus at Press Publications.

Supporting District 33A families

It is an honor to represent my neighbors in District 33A which includes the cities of Mahtomedi, Willernie, Hugo, Dellwood, Grant and Forest Lake. I look forward to serving you over the next two years, and I hope to hear from you often. I serve on the Taxes and Education Finance Committees, as well as the Legislative Audit Commission, where I chair the Audit Subcommittee. As a small business owner and former State Auditor, I know that Minnesota has a lot of work to do to make our state more friendly to families and job creators.

Minnesota has a $17.5 billion surplus. A surplus of this magnitude shows that government is taking too many of your hard-earned tax dollars. We must return this historic surplus to our families in the form of permanent, meaningful tax cuts including a full elimination of the tax on social security.

As you may know, the Governor is proposing a mix of tax increases, rebate checks, various

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“credits,” a partial elimination of the tax on social security, and fee increases. I strongly believe we should not be increasing taxes or failing to provide a full elimination of the social security tax when we have a $17.5 billion surplus.

Republicans recently released our own “Give It Back” tax plan which provides $13 billion in permanent tax cuts and one-time rebates.

Here is what we included in the proposal:

• One-time rebate checks using $5 billion of the state’s surplus funds and $3.5 billion for a onetime child tax credit available for two years. The checks are estimated to be $1,250 for single filers, and $2,500 for joint filers.

• Full elimination of the tax on Social Security for a cost of $1.26 billion to provide 472,902 Minnesotans with an average tax reduction of $1,277.

• $3 billion in permanent income tax relief by reducing both the first and second tier rates by 1% each to 4.35% and 5.8%, respectively. Minnesota currently has the second highest starting tax rates in the entire nation, levying a minimum 5.35% tax for the lowest earners. These reforms would provide tax relief to working Minnesotans who can least afford the current rates.

• An adjustment of the homestead market value exclusion,

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which would give $35 million a year in relief.

Now is the time to provide our families with permanent and meaningful tax relief, which is needed when budgets are stretched thin by rising costs of gas, groceries, and energy bills. I hope by the end of session we have provided all Minnesotans with this much needed relief.

I am also pleased to report that I was able to secure additional funding for the trail around White Bear Lake. The project was included in the bonding bill which passed the House at the beginning of March. The Lake Links Trail is an important part of our community, and I am happy that we are one step closer to finishing this project.

I am always here to listen to your concerns and assist in any way I can. Feel free to reach out to me at rep.patti.anderson@ house.mn.gov or by calling me at 651-296-3018. If you are ever in St. Paul, please stop by my office! I look forward to hearing from you as we work this session to return the surplus and support our local community.

Patti Anderson is the Minnesota House Representative for District 33A.

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Meet Lola Marie, a happy, fun and energetic young lady, who is full of affection and sloppy kisses. Lola is a 2-yearold pit bull terrier mix. She likes everyone she meets, is social with other dogs, and loves to play with any dog who will play with her. In fact, she would do very well in a home with another social, active dog. Lola arrived at Ruff Start Rescue from a local shelter. She weighs about 60 pounds, knows her basic commands and is house-trained. Having a fenced yard isn’t required, but would suit Lola very well. She would enjoy having a place where she could be let out to run and play. When she’s not playing, Lola enjoys curling up and cuddling on the couch with her favorite people. Lola is anxiously awaiting a semiactive family who will love her and welcome her into their family. She has a lot of love and joy to give in return. If you are interested in learning more about Lola Marie or adopting her, please fill out an application at www.ruffstartrescue. org. Once your application is received, Ruff Start Rescue will contact you as soon as possible.

SCHOOL BRIEF

DARE program, North Star Elementary

April 1-2, 2023 Saturday: 8-5 • Sunday: 9-3 Admission: $5 • Children 12 and under: Free The 40th Annual Gun Show is held at Pine Technical and Community College in Pine City, Minnesota and hosted by the PTCC Outdoors Club. All federal, state and local firearm ordinances and aws must be obeyed Questions? Contact Christopher Keeler at christopher.keeler@pine.edu GUN SHOW Pine Technical & Community College (cash only please) 768710

6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville Sunday at 8:30 am St. John’s Site 14383 Forest Blvd N, Hugo

Sunday at 10:30 am Parish Community Center 6995 Centerville Rd, Centerville www.stgens.org 651‐429‐7937 761757

Webinar covers loons, bird feedings

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites people interested in wildlife and outdoor skills to tune in to an upcoming webinar that features discussions about loons and backyard bird feeding Wednesday, March 29. Lori Naumann, nongame wildlife outreach specialist with the DNR, will discuss bird feeding best practices, actions people can take to benefit birds and tips for attracting different birds to feeders. The webinar is part of the

DNR’s Minnesota Outdoor Skills and Stewardship Series. The webinar is free, but registration is required. More information is available online at mndnr.gov/discover.