Author: Letter to Editor

Minnesota’s largest public safety organization urges your support and vote for Sen. Steve Cwodzinski and House candidate Thomas Knecht. Rank-and-file police officers know that Cwodzinski and Knecht are strong supporters of increased public safety, and champions of local law enforcement officials and first responders. With increasing crime, it’s especially important to stop all efforts to defund, demoralize, or demonize local public safety officials — the men and women who keep our communities safe. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association hopes you will join us and vote for Sen. Cwodzinski and Thomas Knecht. Brian Peters, executive director, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association

As a pediatric healthcare provider and educator, and as the parent of two recent EPHS graduates, I vote for school board candidates who have demonstrated interest in the education and well-being of all children and adolescents. For this reason, I am excited to vote for Francesca Pagan-Umar, Jody Ward-Rannow, and Isaac Kerry for the Eden Prairie School Board. Francesca Pagan-Umar has been a committed, engaged, and knowledgeable school board member for the past year. Her expertise in education and her familiarity with our schools as a parent have served her well. She is a much needed advocate for mental healthcare…

I am concerned that we all have a voice at the table, without fear or name-calling. I feel that at the same time that schools are saying that they want to hear all voices, some within the school discourage voices that do not match their own. It is important that we expose children to a wide spectrum of thoughts, without adding political spin. Leadership and diversity of perspective are more important than ever, and I saw impeccable leadership from our school board member Debjyoti “DD” Dwivedy. DD made sure to address my concerns making sure that the voices of teachers,…

When Sen. Steve Cwodzinski defeated the Minnesota Senate majority leader in his first political campaign after retiring from a long and meaningful teaching career, I was both surprised and overjoyed. Steve was the kind of social studies teacher who inspired not only his students but his fellow teachers as well. I have known Steve Cwodzinski since 1982 and have the deepest respect for his character, intellect, and energy. His first campaign focused on a platform of civic-mindedness as opposed to political divisiveness, looking for ways to get key infrastructure projects moving forward, funding mental health services for students, and supporting…

Sen. Cwodzinski is up-to-date on what’s happening in the world. His weekly newsletters are highly informative, he is thoroughly engaged with his constituents, and his efficient staff makes sure he is personally available whenever needed. As chair of the civility caucus, he understands the importance of having a strong two-party form of government which promotes healthy discourse ultimately leading to productive legislation. If he were to ever again offer his excellent adult class on the American Constitution (which he knows like the back of his hands), I highly recommend it. As an independent voter and proud member of “The Cwod…

As a past school board member, I write in support of Jody Ward-Rannow and Francesca Pagan-Umar for the 4-year term on the Eden Prairie School Board and Isaac Kerry for the 2-year term. We need members who are focused on the future of our students and who will provide strong support for our teachers and staff. Teachers are our neighbors and go into teaching to give our students the learning and skills for their future. Due to a global pandemic, our students’ learning is incomplete, yet some want to suggest our students have failed. They have not failed and have,…

Eden Prairie is a diverse community. Our school board should be reflective of that diversity by including qualified diverse individuals. Students in Eden Prairie deserve to see leaders that look like them. Debjyoti “DD” Dwivedy is the person for this job. He is an immigrant who came to the United States from India when he was 22 years old. DD became an American citizen, is a member of the Army Reserves, a hard-working member of the community, and volunteers with many organizations; the most important group in my perspective is as a member of the Race and Equity Advisory Council…

For the last two years I have been watching Eden Prairie School Board meetings and have been horrified by the lack of organization and knowledge that is routinely displayed by some members. The Chair is incapable of leadership, parliamentary rules are frequently ignored, meetings ramble and accomplish little and some of the board Members are ignorant of what is happening within our schools, what their role is, or how to work together. Some do not even attend school events or interact with students, parents and teachers. Is this the best we can offer? Given this, I am voting for only…

I would like to share my perspective as an Indian-American and how my experiences will influence who I vote for in this school board election. Growing up, teachers talked about the poverty and pollution in India but dismissed the beauty of my culture. I was teased about my food and my grandmother’s sari. I can share so many experiences in which I was “othered.” If you meet me today, you hear my fluent English and experience my extroverted personality with no clue of the trauma that lies beneath. When I first moved to Eden Prairie, I fell in love with…

As we approach the November election for Eden Prairie School Board, it seems we should consider that which is most important to our children.The first, of course, our school should be a safe place of learning for all. All means everyone, regardless of religious affiliation, skin color or gender. The second is we should strive for great numbers in terms of college readiness and graduation rate. According to a Google search by state, Minnesota only ranks 29 in college readiness and 34th in graduation rates. When choosing five candidates to fill vacancies on the board, we should identify those willing…