Didn’t we have a deal on 35E in St. Paul?

Years ago, when the RIP 35E faction, MNDOT and the Legislature finally reached an agreement on the construction of 35E through St. Paul to I-94, it was touted to be “the most beautiful urban freeway.” Landscaping (including the median) with trees, bushes and plants was to replace the normal hard asphalt/concrete surfaces. Slower speeds, no semi trucks and greenery were the compromise.

Now today, this section of 35E is one continuous patch of overgrown weeds. Most of the trees and bushes are long ago dead and gone. MNDOT fails to mow the remaining weeds. If this was my front yard, the City of Saint Paul would have issued me a citation months ago and demanded the weeds be mowed.

Shouldn’t our Public Works Department demand that MNDOT properly maintain this section of 35E? Not only should the current crop of weeds be removed, but the cIty should demand MNDOT live up to the original compromise. The planned landscaping should be restored and properly maintained. Its current state doesn’t present the City of Saint Paul in a very positive manner for out-of-state drivers as well as our city residents. The state can spend millions on new office buildings, but maintaining carbon-absorbing greenery apparently isn’t important. As our governor is fond of saying, “we can do better.”

— Peter D. Engel, St. Paul

Dean Phillips was among the first to say so

Dean Phillips was one of the first voices to say there is significant concern as to the competency and viability of the Biden Presidency. It made him a pariah with the Party and the press, but he has now been shown to be a sage of candor and integrity. I am sorry to see him leave public office.

Given the horrific assassination attempt, and last week’s dismissal of the charges regarding the documents at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump is all but assured of being elected. His poise and courage immediately after being shot are an incredible icon of leadership, especially in contrast to the consistent aura of feebleness and confusion that unfortunately surrounds President Biden in every venue.

I want a vibrant Democratic Party, and I think that has to start now. It should tacitly concede the White House by letting President Biden run, and, painfully suffer embarrassing defeat. Channel as many resources as possible to hold on to the Senate and make any possible inroads in the House.

And, ideally, the DNC will come to Congressman Phillips, hat in hand, and offer him its Chair. I would ask him to accept, and then fire every current member. They were very much a part of the conspiracy to deny and conceal the deterioration of President Biden, they denied Vice President Harris an opportunity to prove herself in the primaries and failed to have a broad and qualified bench for the obvious and probable contingency of an incumbent in his ninth decade being unable to serve.

Rebuild this party as one that fights for families, feminism, unions, civil rights, constitutional freedoms and law and order, ideals which many Americans see as abandoned. Make it again the party of the majority.

— Andy Lynn, Mendota Heights

We all need help from others

Observing all the press coverage harping on President Biden’s performance at the recent debate with Donald Trump, I see this as abuse of and discrimination against older people, making it seem as though they cannot do great things or be in important positions. They are telling us that it is not OK to rely on others for help just because they are not perfect and may need help from others. We all need help from others every day. We live as a community.

— Sharon Rice, Roseville

Here’s a ticket

How about this for a thinking-out-of-the-box Democratic ticket: Kamala and Kinzinger?

In a time when America is so polarized, would not a Kamala Harris-Adam Kinzinger ticket promote unity? Geographical representation. A woman and a man. A liberal Democrat and moderate Republican. Certainly there would be policy disagreements. But on the most important and over-arching issue — democracy versus autocracy — there is no doubt they would stand together.

— Steve Larson, Minneapolis

Hulk?

Hulk Hogan? Really? Doink the Clown, another professional wrestler, would have been much more appropriate.

— M.L. Kluznik, Mendota Heights

Public schools are for everyone

The opinion column in the July 17 Pioneer Press about the popularity of “non-public” school funding is off base. The numerical facts may be true but the assumptions are not. As an early childhood educator for 20+ years and a public school graduate and parent, I strongly disagree with the writer of the column, which does not mention what public schools offer that non-public schools do not. I won’t list what is available to kids, instead I will state that public schools are for EVERYONE. There are amazing students, families, teachers and staff. As educators we must work together to raise educated and resilient children.

— Julie Leslie, Mendota Heights

Let’s hear from more candidates

I am a senior citizen and a voter and I consider myself well-informed about national politics and politicians. I believe President Biden has been a remarkably effective president, with a strong sense of America’s best destiny, leader in world affairs and with a strong moral compass. He has surrounded himself with competent, dedicated and serious public servants who view their fealty to our Constitution, not merely to the President. President Biden has been a compassionate, thoughtful and measured leader — widely respected here and abroad. These characteristics differentiate him from Mr. Trump.

If President Biden chooses to step down as a candidate, what is next for the Democratic Party?

Four years ago, I traveled to Iowa City to hear declared Democratic presidential candidates. The Iowa Democratic Party hosts such gatherings before primaries when there is not a Democratic presidential incumbent. This was a fascinating gathering of 18 or so candidates; each allowed to speak and lay out their platforms. I was impressed at the breadth of thought and depth of qualified candidates for president. It was uneven, some candidates standing out and others lacking focus and/or passion. All were serious about their candidacy. At the end of the day, attendees had a good sense of each candidate and how they could distinguish themselves from the others.

Fast forward to July 2024: If it comes to pass that President Biden is no longer the nominee, how would the Democratic Party select a worthy replacement? How about considering a planful, transparent and enlightening process?

I suggest a forum, based on the Iowa model, whereby each candidate would give a stump speech before a panel and televised to America. There would be two criteria for participation of candidates. First, the candidate must have mounted a presidential candidacy (with staff, a ground game and fundraising arm) in the past. Second, the candidate must have developed a platform to be published in advance. For many, this would be an updating of an earlier platform, and for others it would require a new platform from scratch. Give invitees two weeks to development their platform and prepare their speech. The speeches would have a time limit.

If there are too many candidates for reasonably anticipating a selection at the Democratic National Convention, the DNC could outline, in advance, criteria for winnowing the list. Considerations of campaign capabilities, strength of platforms, intellectual agility and energy could be applied.

The final few candidates could vie for selection at the Democratic National Convention, harkening back to Nineteenth and Twentieth Century conventions.

Given that this presidential campaign has been bereft of policy considerations, this exercise would be a great demonstration of democracy.

— Allen Lovejoy, Woodbury

Sainted

Sainted and thank you to the thoughtful woman at Perch Lake Park in Wisconsin recently. I realized after arriving at the park that I’d forgotten my sunscreen. Rather than to turn around and go back into town, I thought I would ask a person near where I parked if they might have sunscreen that I could purchase. The woman I approached said I have two tubes. Here is one for you. It was so kind of her and saved my skin from a terrible burn. I will pass that kindness on!

Also, another Sainted to my local grocery store, located off of Bailey — over and over this store shows such kindness and help in the various departments. Most recently, I was in search of a cardboard box that was an unusual size to ship an item. The clerk at the customer service counter, who possesses much wit, helped to come up with a solution as she stated, “Well, I don’t want you to have to buy a shipping box!”

So many great stories all around us, reminding us that there are many kind people all around us.

— Mary Swenson, Woodbury