Dear Neighbor,
Hope everyone had an enjoyable Independence Day weekend. One of the traditional items that my wife and I did participate in this 4th of July was to observe a group of our forefathers in costume gathered on the Aitkin County Court House lawn as they proudly read the Declaration of Independence.
The event was in the best tradition of a peaceful demonstration highlighting the important beliefs that our country was founded upon. Thank you to the all the wonderful volunteers that braved the heat in full costume to mark our country’s birthday.
It’s been a relatively quiet week with respect to legislative news. There has been discussion by the governor of calling a second special session, which may occur Monday. It is necessary that the legislature be called back into session for at least a day in order that he can continue his unilateral rule under emergency orders. There are some COVID-19 related items that also still need attention.
This week the governor was pressed to be more flexible on allowing persons with disabilities to resume their day activities at the facilities that provide services including employment and training. The current restrictions are severely handicapping organizations like our local Development Achievement Center, better know as DAC Mart in the Aitkin area.
DAC Mart provides critical day services. Under the current extreme COVID-19 restrictions their ability to deliver services to this important group has been curtained to the point that the long-term survival of the agency is threatened.
That is an important area that governor and the Minnesota Department of Health and Human services needs to do a better job on. Making all the decisions in Saint Paul that directly impact the wellness of this vulnerable population is not working very well.
Their guardians and the local staff are in a much better position to determine what can be done safely with respect to each of these individuals with special needs.
That will be a topic that must be addressed in a special session regardless of what reason the governor gives for calling the legislature back to Saint Paul.
Looks like we have some nice summer weather on tap, please be safe this weekend.
Sincerely,
Dale