East Bethel made the right call
To the editor:
As a longtime resident of Anoka County who taught special needs children for more than 30 years, I want to applaud the action taken by the citizens of the city of East Bethel for their planned-for construction of a residential treatment facility for youth. In bucking the current trend of NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) by other communities – most recently evidenced by Forest Lake – that decision once again causes me to be proud to be living in this county. We can rest assured that should a need for help arise with one of OUR children in the future, care will be available to them.
Beth Dhennin
Coon Rapids
There’s more to Andover Community Center
To the editor:
In his Aug. 3 letter to the editor, Andover Council Member Jim Goodrich posed an interesting question and suggestion: Is the Andover YMCA/Community Center expansion proposal good for the community, and why not take it to the public in a referendum?
Unlike the council member, I think local government has a responsibility that goes beyond roads, bridges and community safety. Local government has a responsibility to build a community that attracts and keeps its residents – whether it’s through core functions or goes beyond that to building a thriving economic base, supporting the community’s activities or providing residents with multiple opportunities to live well, happy and secure.
Whether we are users or non-users, the YMCA/Community Center represents more than just a financial obligation until 2031 for Andover residents. It provides recreational and social opportunities for its residents; it’s often a center for community youth to gather; it provides a civic resource every election; and it facilitates economic opportunities at regular times throughout each year. The YMCA/Community Center is always
