Opinion - The Timberjay

Vote for Thompson and Option B

I had a letter all set to submit in support of candidates Paul Thompson, Steve Bradach and support of Option B, all of which I continue to support, however, I am compelled to respond to recent items … more

2/27/25

Embracing the call of MAGA...or what does that abbreviation really stand for

I can hear subscribers’ jaws hitting the floor right now, shattering copious amounts of investments in dental care, at seeing such a headline from a Timberjay columnist, but please, read on … more

David Colburn | 2/27/25

Firing federal workers

Even for an administration that revels in cruelty, it is striking to see the letter sent by Elon Musk’s twenty-something minions at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, … more

2/27/25

America is now openly displaying its decline

The death of human empathy is one of the most telling signs of decay in a society. Over the years, the United States has produced dozens of organizations that have resources and talent to aid … more

2/21/25

Who’s in charge?

Elon Musk bankrolled Trump’s presidential campaign. Musk moved into Mar-a-Lago and became almost a member of the family. He invited Trump to the historic launch of his starship just after Trump … more

2/20/25

False charges were leveled against me

At the Feb. 11 regular Greenwood Town Board meeting, Paul Thompson and Steve Bradach, both candidates for elective office in next month’s township elections, lodged accusations against me and … more

2/20/25

Save our local health care facilities

The potential impact of the immediate federal spending freeze on Scenic Rivers is alarming. However, there is an even greater threat to our ability to receive health care in our … more

2/20/25

Yanking the rug from under our government

The list of potential harm from illegally defunding federal government programs is very long. If successful, this will most impact those Trump and Musk care the least about — the poor and … more

2/20/25

Medicaid cuts

Rep. Pete Stauber needs to stand up for the Eighth District. He can do so by telling his colleagues in Washington, D.C. that the cuts to the Medicaid program currently under consideration by … more

2/20/25

Are our communities keeping us protected, respected, and connected?

Do you feel protected, respected, and connected in your community? If so, what creates that feeling for you? In my last column, I cited author Thomas L. Friedman urging us to “do with (not just … more

Betty Firth | 2/20/25

Baby, it’s cold outside; Or how to keep warm in the morning

I’m buried under four layers of covers. First, a forty-year-old lightly-tattered quilt given to me by my sister-in-law for a wedding gift. Not much to look at but it was handmade by her … more

Kathleen McQuillan | 2/20/25

Trump’s chaos

The impact of the utter chaos that has descended on Washington, D.C. over the past three weeks is going to start impacting the economy, and not in the way that Donald Trump would like you to believe. … more

2/13/25

Support for Option B

I am writing to express support for Option B for Greenwood Township. I was the treasurer for three years and am familiar with the job. I am also a retired CPA, so I was qualified for the position. … more

2/13/25

Ask Stauber to oppose cuts to special ed

If there’s one place where Pete Stauber should part ways with Trump, it’s on special education. HR 899 has been introduced in the House of Representatives to shut down the U.S. Department … more

2/13/25

Come see for yourself who to believe in Greenwood

I encourage every Greenwood resident to attend the monthly Greenwood Township meetings to see firsthand how our local leaders are serving our township (or not) and how meeting attendees behave (or … more

2/13/25

Elect decision makers and hire employees

We elect our township supervisors to make important decisions. With our vote ,we trust their skills to hire a fire chief, firefighters, EMRs, paving contractors, and even our snowplow drivers. They … more

2/13/25

Why are we bullying our neighbor to the north?

Several weeks ago, President Trump surprised many Americans and Canadians by suggesting that Canada become the 51st state of the U.S. He also suggested that we need nothing Canada makes, including … more

2/13/25

Rep. Stauber should focus on the disaster in Washington

We have a constitutional crisis in the making in Washington, D.C., but Rep. Pete Stauber is spending his staff resources playing politics back here in Minnesota. In a release sent to media in the … more

Marshall Helmberger | 2/13/25

How about some Russell Stover heart-shaped chocolates?

I’ve been considering the feast day of Saint Valentine; the celebration of love and affection is moments away. And I gotta say, “the universe has not been showing my aging body much … more

Scarlet Stone | 2/13/25

Tom Musech really stepped up to help

This past Saturday the North Star Draft Horse Association hosted a sleigh ride in order to help out the Cook Area Food Shelf. Considering the roads were bad from the all-day snowstorm and … more

2/7/25

We all need a little sisu right now

“What world needs now, is” sisu, Finnish sisu! “Sisu, The Finnish Art of Courage,” authored by Joanna Nylund, offers the Finnish word as a verb, not a noun, but as something … more

2/7/25

Vote No on Option B, again

Perhaps many of you remember the case of an appointed clerk/treasurer just down the road in the city of Tower. The appointed clerk/treasurer had the support of the city council (even though the … more

2/6/25

It pays to put your name on their checks

The effect of driving out the immigrants, “illegal” or not: it opens up the jobs delivering food or washing cars. Who is going to have to take those jobs now? The working poor … more

2/6/25

The oligarchs are taking over

I just talked to a friend out west who works for the federal government as a law enforcement officer in the Forest Service. He has received a letter from the Trump administration stating that his … more

2/6/25

Trump’s impetuousness could lead to war

Iran is facing “the most precarious moment in its modern history,” according to David Ignatius of The Washington Post. “Israel’s attacks have left Iran nearly naked … more

2/6/25