Where’s the
freedom
of choice?
Look up “free” in an English dictionary and compare that to what you see our society becoming (now and in the future).
Around every corner is a new “law” or “regulation” that does nothing but oppress our civil liberties. When will the madness end?
The latest is the seatbelt law and the ridiculous Click it or Ticket campaign. I’m not an anti-seatbelt advocate, but I do believe that we as Americans should be able to make our own decisions regarding our own well being (or lack of).
Next, the zealots will push the helmet law into effect for motorcyclists. To follow that will probably be a helmet law for anyone riding a bicycle. Then most likely will be a life vest law. On and on and on it will go.
Our freedom of “choice” is being stripped away right before our eyes, all in the name of knowing what’s best for you and me.
John Sogge
Prior Lake

Blatant
displays of
disrespect
To all of those in attendance of the 2009 Prior Lake High School graduation:
I was a graduate in this ceremony, and I am appalled at the lack of class everyone displayed. The graduation ceremony is supposed to be a classy event. Jeans and sweatshirts are absolutely not acceptable. Anyone who showed up in anything less than dresses, dress pants, dress shirts and dress shoes should be ashamed of themselves. You are a representation of our community and your children and should dress as such.
To the parents of students in the first few rows of the ceremony: It is not acceptable to get up and leave after your graduate’s name has been read. While you may think your departure was subtle, I assure you it was not. Grab a dictionary and look up the word “echo.”
I thank those of you who had the respect to stay seated and wait for the ceremony to be completed. I also thank those of you who made the decision to the leave the younger children at home. While some of you felt the need to bring everyone, no one else wants to listen to your children cry, including the graduates.
The sound of cell phones coming from the stands was very embarrassing. You are at your child’s graduation, and you do not even have the self control to turn your cell phone off for a couple of hours.
It was not a joke when the audience was asked to hold all applause until the last name was read. There is no confusion in that statement and no gray area to excuse what happened Friday night. Screaming, yelling and blowing horns have no place at a graduation ceremony, especially when you are doing it when you were asked not to.
Now, graduates, do not think I have forgotten about you. When did graduation become a casual event? The dress code was dresses, dress pants, dress shirts and dress shoes. Flip-flops do not count as dress shoes. Many of you looked like you were marching to a barbecue, not a formal ceremony announcing your graduation from high school. Marching into the stadium does not include getting out of line, waving to audience members or turning around to talk to your friends.
The lack of maturity in some of you was blatantly displayed. I hope future graduation ceremonies are severely improved.
Samantha Sutherland
Savage

Safe Haven
says thanks
for support
Safe Haven would like to thank all who participated in the sixth annual Heart of the City Half Marathon and 5K Fun Run on May 30 in Burnsville. Event proceeds will allow Safe Haven to continue providing services to youth and young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
A special thank you to our platinum event sponsors, Ames Construction Inc. and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. The event would not be a success without the help of all of the volunteers and support of the sponsors. Thank you to the many volunteers and our sponsors: Burnsville Lions Club, Waste Management, Fairview Sports and Orthopedic Care, Highland Bank and Envy Skin Clinic.
Thank you to the following supporters for contributing a product or service to the event: City of Burnsville, Burnsville Performing Arts Center, Tender Hearts Foundation, Great Harvest Bread, Pepsi Bottling Company-Aquafina, Run ‘N Fun, Professional Wireless Communications, Pro Pix Imaging, The Scene, Executive Ocean, Holiday Inn-Burnsville, Anytime Fitness, Preslicka Studio, Glenwood Inglewood Water, Eagle Creek Wellness Center, Caribou Coffee, Sam’s Club and Cub Foods.
Dan Saad
Executive Director
Safe Haven