*Opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of The Messenger.
Every once in awhile something special comes down the pike that is worth remembering. It might be people at a local trailer park who took the time to sign a petition before celebrating an afternoon baby shower. It might be an old veteran who reminded me of a father who served in the Army Air Corps in both the European and Pacific Theaters during WWII. It might be an elderly grandmother who made her way to the door with her cane and the kind of smile that reminded me of my late grandmother. While each of these events were different in one way or another, they all had something in common: they involved people of kindness. And nothing in the world can replace people who show kindness.
Many years ago, I knew a boy who was told to 'go back on the other side of the tracks where he belonged.' After he thought about it for awhile, the boy decided that was exactly where he belonged. You see, the boy identified with people who were blue-collar, lived by railroad tracks, lived in trailer parks and small towns, served their country at home and abroad, and when all was said and done, they were not afraid to swim up stream when it was necessary. The story of America!
Later on in life, this same boy would go on to serve his country in the United States Air Force. Moreover, he would learn to fly airplanes, spend five decades teaching and administrating in public and higher education, and in this particular case, he would learn once again that there will always be people willing to tell other people to 'go back on the other side of the tracks where they belong.' It is for this reason that he started a petition to save his alma mater.
In the coming days, you are going to witness what happens when a school board, that never seems to learn its lesson, tries to make matters even worse. Beginning with all of the problems listed in the petition, they are going to try and “kick the can” as far down the road as possible. Currently, both a local newspaper reporter and I, have heard dates that include the possibility for a five year plan when it comes to closing the Wanamingo site. Ladies and gentlemen, what the school board fails to tell you is that they have the power to make it all happen for the 2025-2026 school year without a petition and/or special election. Why not now?
Finally, you need to remember that for every year they delay the inevitable, it is going to cost the school district untold amounts of money. When you consider the fact that Mrs. Giese was hired to get us out of statutory operation debt as soon as possible; and when you consider all the other concerns that have been identified, you come to the realization that the word “stall” has no place in the vernacular.
In conclusion, I want to thank our neighbors who stepped to the plate and signed my petition. While I knew many of them from years past, it was a privilege to meet new ones along the way. In the end, I had the chance to meet some of the nicest people I have met in my lifetime. Our children and grandchildren are fortunate to have community members who were willing to make a stand on such an important issue. Futures are at stake!
Dr. James Russell Lehman
Kenyon, MN 55946-1405
