Dear Friends,
I am in Aitkin today for the funeral of Aitkin County Sheriff Department Investigator Steven Sandberg who was tragically killed in St. Cloud last week. My heart is heavy for my hometown of Aitkin and I hope you will keep his family and the Aitkin community in your thoughts and prayers.
On a lighter note, Speaker Kurt Daudt was in Kandiyohi County this week and we got to visit the great Wildcat 6th grade class and talk about the Capitol renovation and how state government affects their families and schools. They were so courteous and polite and had some great questions for the Speaker and me. Thanks again for the wonderful hospitality!
We also had an excellent tour of Rice Care Center seeing the new renovations and wonderful living setting for residents. The new funding we passed this year is going to help them keep more staff and puts Greater MN nursing homes on the same playing field as those in the Metro.
We wrapped up the day hearing from businesses about the urgency of broadband expansion. It's so important that we expand broadband around the state and especially in Kandiyohi County. New ideas and models are being worked on to bring faster internet and I'm excited to see what new technology can do to connect even more people. We need to get our Internet providers to partner with the state and take advantage of the federal dollars that will be spent in MN like never before—more than $80 million in just the next few years. More to come on this important issue!
Mark your calendars! A national TV station has included the Koosman Christmas lights in a national contest and they will be here to film the lights and crowd. We are asking for area residents to come see the amazing light display and show the TV crews some of our Kandiyohi County hospitality! This will take place Thursday Oct 29th. Folks should arrive at 5:45 and the judge will be there at 6:30. The event will conclude by 8:00PM. This will be a fun, family friendly event. Directions can be found here.
I am so proud of all the work Chad and Angela Koosman have done over the years for our community and the Christmas Spirit they have displayed for us to see. The music, dancing lights and warm hospitality is a source of pride and inspiration for our area. We always bring friends and family each year to this amazing display. I hope you can join them Oct 29th!
All for now. Have a wonderful week! Thanks for the privilege of serving you in the MN House!
Dave
Dave Baker
State Representative, District 17B
651-296-6206
rep.dave.baker@house.mn
www.fb.com/repdavebaker
www.twitter.com/DaveBakerMN