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STEVENS COUNTY
REPUBLICANS
29841 US HWY 59
MORRIS, ,MN.
56267
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Happy Thanksgiving!
Sometimes we focus so hard on correcting problems or looking for ways to improve things that we forget how good we have it. Maybe that's just human nature but, in any case, let's use this Thanksgiving holiday to remember how fortunate we are.
The recession has dealt us a setback, but even most of those who have been hit the hardest enjoy a relatively high quality of life. That said, there are many people who rely on assistance to help them get by. Our food shelves already have been experiencing increased demand and they will be leaned on even more during the holiday season. Food shelves will have their hands full trying to keep up during the holiday season, so I hope you can make a contribution. It would be especially appreciated this time of year.
Here's some contact info for area food shelves:
Alexandria Food Shelf: 12th and Lake streets, Alexandria; (320) 762-8411.
Grant County Food Shelf: Grant County Committee on Aging Social Services Building, 28 Central South, Elbow Lake; (218) 685-8200
Stevens County Food Shelf: 701 Iowa Ave., Morris; (320) 589-7436.
Sincerely,
Torrey
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Neighbor-
Veterans' Day is Nov. 11 and it serves a very important purpose in America. It is the day we recognize not just those who have given their lives in war, but all those who have worn the uniforms of service. This is an opportunity to celebrate the veterans who have volunteered to serve their country.
Our veterans have placed the nation's security before their own lives and we can never fully repay that debt, but there are things the government can do to provide support and we remain firmly committed to serving America's veterans as best we can.
There also are gestures citizens can make to help a veteran or service member, regardless of whether you personally are a veteran. We have wounded veterans in our area who need your compassion and your support. I encourage you to volunteer to offer a helping hand, whether through Veterans Affairs offices or state and local government outreach programs. And, given that we as a nation are at war today, there are many families in communities all over the country who could use assistance. For many of those on deployment, knowing their families are receiving support while they are serving in the armed forces can bring reassurance and peace of mind.
Log on to www.mdva.state.mn.us/ or call 888-546-5838 for more information.
Let's use this opportunity now, and on Veterans Day in the years to come, to celebrate service to our nation, to demonstrate the appreciation we have for our military and to inspire future generations to dedicate themselves in the name of the many that have come before them.
We also should remember the unsung heroes and heroines of our nation's defense are the spouses, children and families of our servicemen and women. Those people might not have worn our nation's uniform, but - through their personal sacrifice in time of war and peace - they also have served our nation, and should be saluted.
Sincerely,
Torrey
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Neighbor-
I will be attending an adaptive cellular phone training event for the
visually impaired, sponsored by AT&T in conjunction with the Minnesota
State Services for the Blind and Vision Loss Resources team. The
invitation below provides more information. Please pass this along to
any people you feel may wish to attend.
Sincerely,
Torrey
Minnesota State Services for the Blind Vision Loss Resources and AT&T
present CELL PHONE ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH VISION LOSS
Do you have a cell phone of any brand? Is it sometimes hard to use
features you need? Are you thinking about getting a cell phone? Don’t
miss this event!
When: Thursday, Nov. 12, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to
3 p.m.
Where: Minnesota State Services for the Blind (2200 University Ave.
Suite 240, St. Paul, MN, 800-652-9000)
Who: Teenagers & parents; Working-age adults; Seniors & family members;
Professionals
Why: To explore cell phone access for those with vision loss; To learn
about accessibility features of your cell phone; To try magnification
and speech for cell phones.
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!
Call us to reserve your free hour-long, one-on-one appointment with a
cell phone coach. Bring your own cell phone (any brand, with any
provider) or we will have demonstration phones available for you to use.
There’s no charge to work with a coach and no phones or calling plans
will be sold. This is a chance for you to ask questions about your own
phone and/or learn how a person who cannot see the keys or the screen on
a typical cell phone can use features they need or want to use
independently.
Don’t miss out on learning how to:
● Dial your phone, answer calls, get your messages,
● Change your ring tone,
● Send text messages to your friends & family,
● Use a list of contacts to keep phone numbers handy,
● Keep an electronic calendar of appointments, and
● Much more than just making and receiving phone calls.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian!
Call Gwen at 651-649-5905 or 800-652-9000 to make an appointment or ask
questions. You may also send an e-mail to gwen.bighley@state.mn.us to
reserve time with a coach.
Torrey Westrom
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- Neighbor-
I just want to let you know about a meeting where citizens will be updated on the state's use of federal energy stimulus funds (from the federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act). The update will be provided by the Office of Energy Security at 10 a.m., Oct. 30, in Room 200 of the State Office Building in St. Paul.
The meeting is open to the public and comments from other affected parties are welcomed. If you would like to testify, please e-mail the committee administrator at andy.pomroy@house.mn.
Several Web sites dedicated to ARRA funding are available to help you do some homework on this issue. State and local governments have a lot of responsibility in terms of putting these funds to their intended use and I encourage taxpayers to take advantage of these sites:
1. The primary Web page for Minnesota is: http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/recovery/.
That page has links to two other interesting topics:
The first link is Fed Assistance Spent FY09: http://www.usaspending.gov/faads/faads.php?&fiscal_year=2009&principal_place_state_code=27&sortby=u&busn_indctr=r&datype=T&reptype=p&data base=faads&detail=0.
The second link lists Funding Details: http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/doc/citizen/summary.pdf.
2. Information regarding local grants issued in Minnesota is at http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/multisites/recovery/loc-grants.
3. A list of transportation projects is at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/federalrecovery/index.html.
4. To see details on public safety, education, energy, economic development, and health and human services, click on the following link and then click on the box for each topic. http://www.mmb.state.mn.us/multisites/recovery/graphs.
5. To review the things done by the Minnesota Department of Commerce to implement its share of ARRA, open the Stimulus Funding Progress Report at http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Commerce/Minnesota_Stimulus_Funding_Progress_Report__090909041145_ARRAExp enditureProgressReport.pdf.
6. An overview of ARRA funding across the United States is at http://www.recovery.gov/Pages/home.aspx.
I hope you find this information helpful and attend the Oct. 30 meeting in St. Paul.
Sincerely,
Torrey
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Neighbor-
Here is some heat-related info as our weather turns wintery. This
information is from the Minnesota Department of Commerce Energy
Information Center, providing a wide range of energy saving information
that every household can use to help control their heating costs.
Energy saving recommendations include:
· Seal attic bypasses. The Attic Bypass Guide from the Energy
Information Center will help you locate and fix leaks inside your home
that allow heated air to escape into the attic.
· Turn down your thermostat to 65 degrees while at home and 55 to 60
degrees when away or asleep.
· Replace your old furnace with a new, efficient model. Look for the
ENERGY STAR label on all new appliances.
· Replace or clean furnace filters monthly during the heating season.
· Place window film on the interior of the leakiest windows in yourhome.
· Install a carbon monoxide alarm.
· Call your utility about having a home energy audit and ask about a
budget plan to spread out your heating costs over several months.
· Keep radiators and duct registers clean.
· Call, write or email for our Low Cost-No Cost Home Energy Guides that
contain many ways to help control energy costs all year long.
For more information on staying warm this winter, visit
www.staywarm.mn.gov for details about heating assistance grants, gas
and electric discount programs, weatherization help, and energy
efficiency and safety tips. Or, contact Minnesota's Energy Info Center
at 651-296-5175 or toll free in Minnesota 1-800-657-3710.
Also note that Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule takes effect today
Thursday, Oct. 15. It protects residential utility customers from having
their electricity or natural gas shut off through April 15, provided
they contact their utility to set up a payment plan. Those who are
having trouble paying their electric/natural gas bills are advised to
contact their local utility company right away.
Sincerely,
Torrey
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Neighbor-
A new Web site is available with a wealth of information regarding
energy-related programs. Here's the link:
http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=Energy.
The Web site - produced by the Minnesota Dept. of Commerce’s Office
of Energy Security - provides “information and assistance to
residents, builders, utilities, non-profits and policy makers on home
improvements, financial assistance, renewable technologies, policy
initiatives, and utility regulations.”The site includes plenty of information about assistance for heating
bills, weatherization and more. Just click on the “low income
assistance” box on the home page. Eligibility guidelines are provided
so you can find out if you qualify.
A growing number of local citizens have been approaching me to express
concern over high heating bills as we slide closer toward winter. The
current recession has put a lot of people in a bind and they simply
cannot afford the added costs of winter heat.
It is good that the Democrats were prevented from passing a heating oil
tax in the 2009 session, because that would have just made things even
more difficult for a lot of cash-strapped people. I vigorously opposed
that proposal because it would have further burdened many people who
cannot afford even higher heating fuel costs.
Many of us are still shaking our heads at the fact most DFL legislators
wanted to make heating oil more expensive than it already is.
If you hadn't heard about that fact, it’s important that you do know
what attempts were made at the Capitol by some legislators.
I also have been fielding more and more questions from people who are
looking to update their alternative energy systems and the
aforementioned Web site provides information regarding available
incentives. Click on the “renewable” heading to learn about tax
rebates, grants and loans available through state and federal programs.
Another handy tool provided by the site is a do-it-yourself energy
audit to determine your home’s efficiency. The site claims the
potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5
to 30 percent per year, so spending a few minutes could save you a lot
of money this winter. Click on the site’s “renewables” box for
details.
Lastly, a progress report is available pertaining to the energy-related
funds provided to Minnesota in the federal American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act. Here’s a link to the report:
http://www.state.mn.us/mn/externalDocs/Commerce/Minnesota_Stimulus_Funding_Progress_Report__090909041145_ARRAExpenditu reProgressReport.pdf
I plan to write more about that subject soon. Until then, I hope you
find the information I’ve passed along today to be helpful.
Sincerely,
Torrey
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