Members,

“The power of our elected officials is nothing compared to the power within the people” (anon).

We need to remember that saying. We have a once-in-a-many-years opportunity to be heard in the next 75 days before we decide who is going to represent us as governor for the next four years.

Both candidates (D-Tim Walz, R-Jeff Johnson) will try to find ways to connect to "community vitality." You will be able to ask them about their support of local foundations such as yours and your desire to keep more of the funds that you raise local instead of sending the majority of it to St. Paul.

Both candidates (R-Jeff Johnson, D-Tim Walz) are committed to being available to citizens -- forums, one-on-one events, etc. You will see a lot of the candidates and see them in situations where they can be questioned, pressed, etc.

This is our last big chance to change the face of charitable gaming.  If we elect a governor who believes in us and what we do, our chances of getting change next year will increase dramatically.

We need to press candidates (both governor and house) at every opportunity about preserving charitable community foundations such as ours. How we raise our funds is not the issue.  Our foundations are raising the money for life-saving emergency equipment, new ball fields, environmental protection, and programs to help troubled kids. All the other things that make our communities great places to live.

In spite of our demonstrated success, Gov. Dayton has shown that he does not appreciate what we do in our local communities, choosing to NOT RETURN money raised locally to our communities to address pressing local needs, but to build downtown Minneapolis. We like the Vikings, but why should rural Minnesota be the primary funders of a billion-dollar stadium?

As they say “speak now or forever hold your peace”.

Regards,

Al