Your letters - June 26 edition

Wadena needs new Humane Society

Wadena is getting a nice, new wellness center for people. Why not a nice, new humane society center for animals? A place out in the country with long kennels so they can run like the wind and joyfully bark all they want?

Elaine Byman

Wadena, Minn.

Wadena kennel ordinance ridiculous

It has been weeks now since the city council 'approved' their ridiculous ordinances. One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to know that dogs bark. That's what they do to communicate. If you're going to buy property, rent or move to someplace, you don't don't move next to an animal shelter and then complain about the noise. If you were there first, then you should have done more to protest the animal shelter when it was first established.

At first I thought the 'no noise' hours were from 4 to 9 p.m. On a second reading, I saw 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. Are you people for real? Would you like your mouth duct-taped for 17 hours? Perhaps you city council members should try it!

I grew up in Wadena. Although I moved away decades ago, I still have been proud to be from Wadena. Until now. I've always had a dog, or two, or three or four. My daughter is the pied piper for dogs. When she married she had two dogs, he had two dogs, then his daughter moved back home with her dog. They were in violation of city ordinance of only two dogs per household. They attended a city council meeting. At least this city council listened and was reasonable. My daughter and her family were allowed to keep the five dogs until, one by one, they crossed over that rainbow bridge, because your dogs are a part of your family.

I now have two dogs. We visited the Wadena County Humane Society. We were looking for a protector. All the dogs were barking but one dog stood out, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. She was the loudest. Holly has been with us over four years now.

Two years ago, I found a dog on the road. Discarded like a wet glove. It took weeks of cutting hair and many baths to find the toy poodle underneath. It took months for her to trust me and 13 tooth extractions later, I have my own personal protector.

No one is going to sneak in our back door. We praise them when they bark because that is their job! When they are assured all is ok, they stop barking and lay down together, eyes watching everyone.

Wadena people, wise up! Is this really who you want representing you and making decisions that ultimately affect you and your town? I don't have a vote there, but you do. Oh, by the way, whatever happened to 'less government control?'

Judy Leeseburg Hegg

Alexandria, Minn.

Special thanks to supporters

Thank you to everyone who planned, organized and attended my benefit. I would also like to thank those who so graciously donated items for the raffle and silent auction. Thank you to everyone who continues to provide support via calls, cards and prayers.

Dawn Kemper

Wadena, Minn.

Wadena County's hidden assets deserve thanks

I want to thank the many people who came to my aid after a recent accident in my home. Wadena County has a reason to be proud of the many professionals who work behind the scenes.

The first person on sight was Wadena County Sheriff Deputy Tim Shoening, followed by Deputy Joe Schoon and Deputy Tyler Wheeler. There is no doubt these are Wadena's finest. They certainly helped make a bad situation much better. They are professional, polite, caring and sensitive gentlemen. These gentlemen are truly unsung heros.

When the many professionals from Sebeka First Responders started to show up I was truly impressed with how they took hold of the situation and went to work. Sebeka should be really proud of Tom Hoppe, Louie Roggenkamp, Bruce Kinnunen, Joel Snyder and Jeff Wheeler. These gentlemen came with their sense of humor along with their knowledge, experience and caring attitudes. They are so good at what they do. I was truly put at ease in a bad situation.

Tri-County Hospital's ambulance showed up with two amazing men. Curtis and Gene - you are tops in my book. I again was so surprised at how they came in and took charge of the situation.

There are so many positive things I could say about these gentlemen but one of the most outstanding things was how they worked together. It appeared seamless. So many people, working together, were making great decisions on my behalf.

A big thank you to my husband Bill, my Mid State Insurance co-workers Alisha and Amanda and People's Express owner Jan Roers; your teamwork helped put everything in motion. You all have a special place in my heart.

I apologize if I have missed anyone or misspelled your names. Thank you so much for all that you did to help.

Although I hope I will not need this amazing group of professionals again, I am very proud that we have so many outstanding professionals out there to help.

Jean Faber

Verndale, Minn.