The Free Press
July 05, 2008 01:05 am
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Thumbs up: To the Greater Mankato Area United Way, the Mankato Clinic Foundation, businesses and others for coming up with emergency funding for VINE, the faith-based agency that helps the elderly live independently. VINE recently lost about one quarter of its funding when a state grant was not renewed.
VINE clearly has been steadfast in its efforts to help the area elderly with everything from yard work to rides to medical appointments. The group has helped hundreds of area residents in big ways, as evidenced by the outpouring of support and stories from those who have been assisted.
Individuals and other businesses donated another $35,000. VINE has in the last few weeks been given some $70,000 in donations to help fill the loss of $239,000 in state funding.
VINE is a worthy cause and important organization to the area’s seniors. The generosity of groups and individuals deserves recognition.
Let public see their court system
Thumbs up: To those continuing to push for better camera access in courtrooms.
A news media coalition is again asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to make it easier to have cameras in courtrooms.
Since 1983, cameras can be allowed in courtrooms but only if the judge, prosecution and defense all agree. It’s extremely rare that all agree.
The media coalition is asking the court to follow the lead of 35 other states that make it easier to allow cameras during court proceedings.
Opponents argue victims or witnesses might be reluctant to report crimes if they think they could be on camera during a later trial.
The fears are misplaced. There is no evidence in other states that people report crimes any less because of cameras in courtrooms.
The fact is cameras in the courts have not disrupted the proceedings or led to any injustices. What they do is allow the public to be able to see what goes on in their court system.
Citizens have every right to easily see how their court system works or doesn’t work. Cameras are one of the best and easiest ways to accomplish that.
Recycling at its finest
Thumbs up: To the ReBike organization, whose mission is to refurbish cast-off bicycles and sell them for reasonable prices. The ReBike shop has just moved to a new location at 323 N. Second St., near the former armory.
The group, with about 80 members on its roster, refurbishes between 500 and 600 bikes a year. Many of those are bikes that probably would still be sitting unused in garages or sent to the landfill.
These dedicated bike-repair enthusiasts not only are making something new from something old — the ultimate recyclers — but they are teaching young people how to maintain their own bikes.
They are great ambassadors for the casual biking world, the one where anyone can just hop on a bike and hit the road or trail.
Soldier remembered, rightfully so
Thumbs up: To the funeral, with full military honors, accorded a Minnesota soldier Wednesday who went missing during the Korean War.
The remains of Sgt. Edward James O’Brien, recovered in 1998, were finally and conclusively identified through DNA testing recently after 10 years without confirmation.
This is a story about a family’s persistence and the devotion of comrades, many who appeared at the Fort Snelling funeral to send home the message that our missing servicemen should not be, nor have they been, forgotten.
O’Brien was 29. The family was told he was helping to rescue Marines who had been ambushed when he was lost.
Some say the slogan, “Support Our Troops,” is often little more than a slogan. The O’Brien family, who finally achieve closure on this saga, know now that support — even after all these years — is real.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.
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