Letters to the Editor
Successful food drive
The Staples Area Food Shelf thanks everyone for a successful March Campaign. We received $18,000 and 1,492 pounds of food.
This is a great help that enables us to continue to feed the needy with a little extra care. We try to see to it that they receive a three day supply of food for a family each month.
It’s nice to know that Staples residents are always there to help others in many situations. This is a continuous operation so donations of money and or food are appreciated year round.
If anyone has questions they can contact any board member. Father Korf is the new chairman and is learning the operation. He also says he’s short term and is thinking of retiring. Other board members include: Doreen Scott, Tom Brichacek, Phyliss Paskewitz, Arlene Johnson, Jeanie Huebner, Judy Richer, Steve Pogreba, Dawn Adameitz and Fran Mertens.
Fran Mertens and Staples Area Food Shelf Board
Board members overstepping bounds
After reading comments by Mr. Hoemberg and Mr. Frisk following the April 17 Staples Motley School Board meeting, it appears they have a desire for personal power and control of the school district’s daily operations.
In implying the current and past board members of this district have been wrong in listening to their administrators, Mr. Hoemberg is suggesting the people of the Staples Motley area have made poor decisions in electing board members who have carefully listened to many sides of each issue.
I have personally experienced Ms. Freeman, Mr. Longbella, and Mr. Winkels respectfully listening to multiple sides of an issue. Judging from Mr. Lund’s votes, he seems also aware of the complexity of issues.
These board members do not and must not listen only to angry voices on the telephone or bitter complaints on social media driven by perceived slights and a personal axe to grind. All board members should continue to listen to many people in this district and those dedicated to working for this district, including those on the coaching staff or on hiring committees.
Mr. Hoemberg should publically apologize to both past and present board members for his attack on their professionalism and valuable work over the years for our district. He might extend that apology to the coaching staff, who have worked with and closely observed Mr. VanOverbeke. There is plenty of evidence these individuals are credible judges of the job.
As for Mr. Frisk, he believes he knows just how a school board “is supposed to” act; Staples Motley has not been living up to his standards. He may not know the Staples Motley School District has been functioning well and professionally serving countless students and families in many ways for a very long time.
Onni Sharp Anderson
Wadena, Minn.
Sharp Anderson has been a high school teacher in the Staples-Motley School district since 1997, consecutively since 1999.
