Letter writer: Cwodzinski must be reelected

I am writing this letter in a time of turmoil in our democracy. I am a 32-year resident of Eden Prairie and an 84-year citizen of our republic and Minnesota. I know Steve Cwodzinski as my senator, a neighbor, and a friend.

As a current practitioner in a counseling and consulting firm that was founded on 11/1/84, Steve and I have had numerous in-depth dialogues about public health, mental health, education, and youth and family development. 

As a former professor at the Adler Graduate School in Minnetonka, I have been impressed and challenged with the depth of concern, grasp of specific issues, and, more importantly — the direct and deeply emphatic involvement Steve has pursued with community families and youth. He definitely sees going to “the people” as part of his work as a senator.

One of our deeper conversations was regarding potential training for counselors helping police, firefighters, and EMTs deal with the stress of critical incidents, PTSD, and reoccurring personal mental health issues. The senator’s grasp of the issues and complexities guarantees that subsequent legislation will be well thought out and highly effective.

Given the demands of our times, we deserve a person who believes in democracy, knows how to use our democratic processes, sees governance as defending and expanding the well-being of all people, and who believes that taxes and the budget are meant to do so. Further, in an era of gross disrespect, will do this necessary work in the highest professional and ethical manner.

Without question, Steve Cwodzinski must be reelected. 

John M. Reardon 

Eden Prairie