EDITOR’S NOTE: Letters will be accepted for the Open Forum for publication in the next available issue after receipt. Letters may be sent to Forest Lake Times, 146 N. Lake St., Suite 125, Forest Lake, or by e-mail to ryan.howard@ecm-inc.com. Letters should not exceed 250 words and must be signed with the writer’s name, address and telephone number. Deadline is noon Monday. The newspaper reserves the right to edit letters and assure that rules of libel and good taste are not violated.
No do overs
I am writing regarding the accident that resulted in a pedestrian fatality at the intersection of Goodview Avenue and Highway 97.
Two years ago, I was hit by a car at that intersection while riding my bicycle. I was wearing a bright red shirt and riding in accordance with traffic laws. I was “lucky” to have only a separated shoulder, four broken ribs, and a punctured lung.
The Goodview/Highway 97 intersection is a busy and dangerous intersection. I hope MNDOT does something as part of the current roadway improvement project to protect us from ourselves. Too often, our driving behavior leads to dangerous situations, sometimes with deadly outcomes.
Recently, I was driving east on Highway 97 and was passed on the right by a motorcycle using the bypass lane where 11th Street SE connects from the north with Highway 97. I was travelling at the posted speed limit, but the motorcycle driver passed me illegally on the shoulder bypass lane.
With human error and arrogance ubiquitous, we need better designed and constructed roadways to protect us from ourselves. More importantly and urgently, we need to be careful as pedestrians, bicycle riders, and operators of motor vehicles. We need to care more about each other and traffic safety, so as not to risk our safety and the lives of others just to get somewhere a minute or two faster.
There are no “do overs” after a traffic accident – the results are immediate, consequential, and, unfortunately, sometimes fatal.
Eric Lillyblad
Forest Lake
Electric overload
Xcel Energy has raised rates six times in the last 10 years and wants to raise rates again for at least the next three years, a minimum of 9.8 percent. Worst of all, they want to raise the fixed charge for some services 25 percent. That’s the charge you pay before you even turn on the lights. So, even if you try to cut down on your use, you may not be able to save any money.
From 2013 to 2016, Xcel has raised rates 10.6 percent, while social security has only gone up 4.9 percent.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission needs to deny Xcel the ability to reach deeper into our pockets. Please attend a public hearing and let your voice be heard. We need to let public officials know that Xcel has increased its rates enough in the past 10 years; another $132 each year is out of the question.
Steve Cunningham
Forest Lake