Flood relief summit news
There's an extended video report over at KSTP, along with a shorter print story
Flood relief summit held in Winona:
Congressman Tim Walz held a summit in Winona Friday to clear up confusion about flood relief options.
He gathered representatives from every state and federal agency to help in the recovery process. Mayors and other local leaders attended the summit.
"We want to do whatever we can to make sure information is out there so folks can utilize the process if at all possible," said Rushford Mayor Les Ladewig. . . .
Stir it up: union launches drive to equip flood victims' home kitchens
Hotel & Restaurant workers host drive to restock kitchens for flood survivors Oct. 31-Nov. 2, at UNITE HERE Local 21 office, 105 N. Broadway, Rochester
Two and a half months after flood waters swept through Southeastern Minnesota, our neighbors are recovering—and many are preparing to return to their homes.
As they repair their homes, clean up their yards and continue their recovery, our neighbors are looking forward to preparing home-cooked meals in their own kitchens. But before dinners are served, survivors would welcome a little help restocking their kitchens.
And the members of Rochester’s Hotel & Restaurant Workers union (UNITE HERE Local 21) know what a huge task that can be. So they’re stirring up a little help themselves, by offering their building as a collection point for donations of new and gently used kitchen equipment.
From Wednesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 2, you can bring kitchen items to the UNITE HERE Local 21 office at 105 N. Broadway, Rochester. Donations will be accepted from 8 AM to 5 PM, all three days. Please enter via the back parking lot door; push the buzzer and someone will buzz you in. Place items in the boxes in the meeting room on the right.
Call Southeast Minnesota Labor Council staffer Liz McLoone, 507-254-9249, if you need to schedule a time to deliver your contributions.
Items needed are new or gently used:
• Pots/Pans
• Silverware
• Dishes
• Baking Pans
• Cookie Sheets
• Mixing Bowls
• Spatulas
• General Utensils
• Toasters
• Microwaves
• Coffee Makers
• Electronic Mixers
• Crock Pots
• Measuring Cups
This event is sponsored by the Southeast Minnesota Area Labor Council (SEALC), which serves 34,000 union members in 16 counties. For information on the SEALC, please call President Laura Askelin, at 651-238-5334.
Netroots: reflections on better representation
Finally, pesky WSU grad D.J. Danielson looks at a letter in the Red Wing Republican Eagle scolding his current representative John Kline, in Letter: Kline, GOP should fund children, not war, then contrasts Kline's attitude toward holding public meetings:
Reading this letter coupled with the news that Tim Walz plans to hold another town hall meeting with constituents makes me wonder when and if Kline ever intends to hold one.
At the meeting in Winona last weekend, Walz made it clear to the attendees that that type of gathering is one of the most fundamental principles of democracy.
“I would argue it’s a requirement of our citizenship to engage in these discussions,” Walz told the crowd. “I would also argue that it’s a requirment of the job in representing you. It’s critically important that I provide a forum that has as easy and unrestricted access as possible to air your points of view and your concerns.”
Kline’s record of constituent outreach is anything but “easy” or “unrestricted” to constituents. When Kline does invite citizen input the medium is usually a “tele-townhall meeting” which is by its nature restricted. If Walz is able to provide stellar constituent service after fewer than 11 months in office, why does Kline continue to lack in that department?
Go read the whole thing at IHDA; DJ was a resident of the First when Walz was elected. Fellow WSU grad Jason Bauman posts on a new development of Rochester's DM & E saga in Mayo Clinic calls for review of Canadian Pacific’s DM&E purchase.
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