Legislature

Defends Pitzrick

I read Kathy Veurink’s recent letter responding to Jerry Pitzrick’s economic thoughts about supporting small business. Her letter didn’t so much legitimately question Mr. Pitzrick’s thinking as take the current Democratic House and Senate members to task for what she perceives to be bad policy.

She then leapt off this attack and let us know that the woman who trounced her in the Republican race would be the best person to support new business.

Let me get this straight. Someone who has spent her career as a Washington insider and as a lobbyist for a coalition of credit collection agencies is my best choice to re-energize Minnesota’s economic future? No thanks.

I’ve known Jerry Pitzrick for more than 30 years. I trusted him enough 27 years ago to make him godfather to my children; I trust him even more today. He has spent much of his working life in the trenches of one of the nation’s largest construction firms. And for the past 10 years he has owned a small business that regularly works with developers and city, state and federal government agencies to help them establish common goals and then creatively and efficiently achieve them.

That means working with people who come to the table with widely varying agendas and needs – and helping them work together to produce the best possible solution for everyone involved. And isn’t that what millions of us have been hoping the political process would become?

Jerry Pitzrick is a rare combination of social conscience and analytical logic. Aside from being a true gentleman, he is an engineer, which means his method of solving problems is to seek out all of the information, verify its accuracy, and then work towards solutions that will have immediate as well as lasting value.

That means not blindly following party lines, but rather researching issues thoroughly and listening carefully to all sides. When we have enough people like that in government, we might actually get something done.

I’m guessing a lot of us are just sick and tired of the same old approach to politics — the approach so perfectly expressed by Veurink’s attack-dog, bared teeth, bite-the-ankles-of-anything-that-moves-and-take-no-prisoners approach.

Let’s have some fresh thinking for a change. The newly crowned Republican candidate for the House seat in 42B represents the old way of doing the state’s business that everyone – Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike – is rejecting in droves. Jerry Pitzrick represents a rational, intelligent independent approach. I think he deserves the chance to show how he can help get things done.

Skip Zetzman

Eden Prairie

Supports Pitzrick

I am writing in response to the letter last week that was questioning Jerry Pitzrick. First, I want to address the gas tax that Kathy Veurink is concerned about. As of right now the increase amounts to 2 cents per gallon, and this is the first time it has been raised since sometime in the 1980s. Minnesota will use the money raised to fix our broken infrastructure. More than that, we can build new road and transit systems with that money. I like responsible government that pays for what it needs, instead of borrowing money, don’t you? I know that in hard times like these, every penny counts, but a few dollars a month seems like a reasonable price to pay to keep our roads and bridges safe.

Now to Jerry Pitzrick. I actually talked to Jerry and learned some things about him. It turns out that he is a very strong candidate on the subject of infrastructure; Jerry Pitzrick serves on the Eden Prairie Planning Commission, and he is a civil engineer. It will be a great thing for our district to have an engineer in St. Paul who understands our transportation needs. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Jerry also wants to spend time on other infrastructure needs, like water and transmission line issues, which aren’t as glamorous as roads and light rail, but are just as vital to our community.

Jerry Pitzrick is also an experienced business consultant. He has worked with many groups whose members have different positions on an issue. He has been able to help them find areas of agreement and then work to develop win-win solutions that they can all agree on. That’s a skill that is needed in the Legislature, and would be a welcome alternative to partisan gridlock in St. Paul. He’s also a small business owner, and he recognizes that small businesses are the driving force of our economy.

Jerry Pitzrick is connected to Eden Prairie through family, his business, and his work on the Planning Commission. He has the right kind of knowledge and experience to get action on issues important to Eden Prairie. I invite you to join me and support Jerry Pitzrick for the State Legislature in 42B. He’s the right fit for our district, and the right person for the job.

Rob Boyd

Eden Prairie

Democratic direction

In last week’s edition of the Eden Prairie News, a writer questioned the direction Democrats want to take our state and our country. I would like to respond.

Earlier this year, Democrats overrode a veto by Gov. Tim Pawlenty of a gas tax increase of $0.08 (among other tax increases). The gas tax raise would increase funding for more road improvements, instead of postponing projects or paying for them later or asking construction companies to donate their services for the greater good. Are better roads a priority? Should Democrats have waited to fix our roads?

Republicans also link the current high price of gas to the $0.08 gas tax increase to influence voters. Last year, gas was $2.47. With the new tax, gas would have been at $2.55. (I bet everyone would like to pay $2.55 per gallon now.) Are Republicans forgetting about other factors affecting the price of gas? Do they really believe $2.47 + $0.08 = $3.65? (Is this fuzzy math?) Republicans criticize Democrats for investigating alternative fuels and looking beyond oil. Some Republicans advocate drilling in protected wildlife areas and ignoring our responsibilities to our world. They forget that there is a limit on oil and other fuels in the ground. Is it smart for us to start researching alternative fuels and to compete with other countries? Why are Republicans against preparing for the future? (Is our future like Kevin Costner’s movie “The Postman?” Are we going back to riding horses everywhere?)

Recent years have been difficult for many. Many of my co-workers at my temporary job worry about what happens after the job ends. The prices of gas, food and other necessities increase while most people’s wages do not. Many worry about making house payments or paying off medical bills. The tax revenues have not increased, leading to budget deficits that are resolved by cutting programs and services or by forcing school districts and cities to ask to raise property taxes.

Some argue because Democrats now control of both Houses of the Minnesota Legislature and both Houses of the U.S. Congress, they are responsible for our problems. Have people forgotten President Bush and Gov. Pawlenty still have powers and responsibilities? (Are Republicans disavowing them?) I think Republicans speak to us as Lucy does to Charlie Brown in the comic strip Peanuts. Lucy holds a football and tells Charlie Brown to trust her to hold it so he can kick it. As he runs to the football, she yanks it away at the last second, and Charlie Brown falls down with Lucy smiling. How long can we trust Republican promises while suffering because of Republican actions?

I know Jerry Pitzrick, Rep. Maria Ruud, and Ashwin Madia (DFL candidates running to represent Eden Prairie in the Minnesota House and the U.S. House) and I believe they want government to work to make people’s lives better. I hope you will believe in them, too.

Dan Daniels

Eden Prairie

Coyotes

Things have changed

I have been a resident of Eden Prairie for 60 years. I started first grade, graduated and raised my children here. I am aware that coyotes have been around for quite some time and until this winter have never seen one, much less worried about them, but things have changed.

There were many times that the coyotes have been seen by me and others at my home. I have two small dogs, pay city taxes and license them. Now my dogs are unsafe. I have a fence to keep my dogs safe. A fisherman on Red Rock Lake watched a coyote jump my fence and look in my window for my dogs. Last week I came home at 4 in the afternoon. I let my dogs out and within minutes a large coyote came and walked around my fence. I don’t want to think what may have happened if I had not seen it and not acted immediately.

I, along with many neighbors, feel that the city should start taking action on this problem. Eagan and Apple Valley removed the coyotes from their cities to keep their residents and pets safe. They relocated the coyotes to an area which was not inhabited by humans.

The city of Eden Prairie needs to step up to the plate now. Our small children and pets are becoming the endangered ones.

Diane Simons

Eden Prairie

Environment

Smog alert days

Several people of Eden Prairie are familiar with me and my daughter as we have walked to Eden Lake Elementary these past two years in all weather conditions. However, it is not the idyllic situation you think because smog caused my throat to burn. The Twin Cities had two smog alert days in December. I was reminded of the smog again when our Olympic athletes were concerned about the smog in China. I think residents need to start concerning themselves with the smog in Eden Prairie.

I do not want people to feel bad about driving; I just want you to know we have a problem in Eden Prairie. Healthy people should not get a sore throat walking their child to school. I believe I have three options: I could drive to school on smog alert days; cope with the sore throat; or wear a mask. Don’t be alarmed if you see us walking to school wearing masks.

Julene Bartnik

Eden Prairie

Other topics

Were you at
Treasure Island?

Were you at Treasure Island Casino with your daughter on Friday evening, April 18? My dad is looking for you.

Here’s what he tells me:

He was on his way to Wisconsin and stopped in for a glass of beer. He sat at a stool down from you. The two of you spoke long enough for you to share that your daughter lives in Eden Prairie and you in Chanhassen. You and Dad traded RV-ing stories. Both of you are widowed. He said that it would be fun to get together sometime for coffee, but since he’s never done this before, didn’t think until he was down the road a ways that he REALLY would like to see you again. Alas, he didn’t know where to begin.

That’s where I came in. The Eden Prairie News seemed the only option.

So … here we are. His nickname is Swanie and he’s a really nice guy (Lots of other people say that, too!). Now it’s up to you.

Pam Swanson

Eden Prairie

Editor’s note: Call 952-942-7885 or e-mail editor@edenprairienews.com and we’ll pass your contact information along.