Senate race wraps up
THUMBS UP: Minnesota finally has a new U.S. Senator in Democrat Al Franken. It's good there was a unanimous Minnesota Supreme Court ruling that Franken was the winner. Now, Franken can be seated in Washington, D.C. Coleman can move on to other prospects, perhaps in a run for governor of Minnesota.
No food on Thursdays
Thumbs down: It's too bad sambusas couldn't be served last week at Marshall's Thursdays on Third. We understand the Department of Agriculture's safety concerns and so did Hindi store owner Ahmed Omar. The method of transporting the food from Mankato to the store and then, to the Thursdays on Third did not appear to be safe, an ag inspector said. Omar and Thursdays on Third organizer Ellayne Conyers did not intend to violate any safety standards.
It's too bad there wasn't some investigation of food and safety standards before food events were planned at Thursdays on Third. Hopefully, the good idea to offer a variety of cultural foods on Thursdays can still happen.
Minneota teacher to Bolivia
Sideways thumb: This is sideways because the Minneota School Board didn't believe it could grant Adam Morris a leave of absence from his science teaching job so he and his family could serve as missionary teachers in Bolivia. Morris said he understood how difficult it would have been for the district to find a temporary replacement for him and respects the board's decision. We don't disagree that finding science teachers is difficult, and to find one to fill a temporary role during another's leave of absence would have been tougher. No doubt the school would have liked to find a way for Morris to keep the job, but realistically, it just couldn't.
Swedzinski's service
Thumbs up: Frank Swedzinski has retired from the Divine Providence board after 40 years. That's dedicated service. Swedzinski has also served on other boards in the past including serving as a Lincoln County Commissioner. Swedzinski was a regular fixture at various meetings on health issues, economic issues and local government issues. Folks in the region knew Swedzinski would eventually leave the Divine Providence board, but it will take some getting used to not seeing him at the board table. Thanks for your service and dedication.