May 31, 2025

This morning at 6 a.m on Radio Drive in Woodbury, I witnessed the deepest red sun I can ever recall seeing.  Unfortunately, iPhone camera technology with amateur operator taking the picture through a windshield can’t match what I saw, but let your mind wander to a really red orb in the sky….  (The sky shade  is the effect of wildfires in Manitoba,)

May 31, 2025 Woodbury MN

The event of this last day of May, 2025, was the Town Hall of our Congresswoman Betty McCollum in Stillwater, which we attended.  I think this was the second or third town hall in our Congressional District, which is, like the other 434 in the United States, comprising about 700,000 citizens.  Per the announcement, “the stream [of the meeting] will later be uploaded and made available for viewing on [Rep Betty McCollum’s] YouTube and Facebook.”

I am always been aware, in any “political” context, how complicated and difficult a job an elected representative has, regardless of level.  There are infinite needs and infinite points of view.  Disagreement is a certainty.  The particular danger at the current time in our country is that one “side” in the political debate believes that the “winner” has a mandate to ignore or dominate the losing side.

Successful negotiations presumes fair negotiations, particularly reflecting the needs and aspirations of even the least able to represent themselves.  Unfortunately, for the time being we are in a truly tribal society, where the ruler of one side considers himself to be king, and his followers seem to be fine with that.  I certainly am not in agreement.

Todays event had about 400 reservations, and was accessible to live audience and virtually via Zoom.  It was very well organized and informative, with the Congresswoman and six additional panelists commenting particularly on the potential social impact of proposed cuts in the Federal Budget being advanced by the President and the Republican Congress, the latter passed their idea by a single vote: 215-214.  There remains a great deal to be done before we know the final result.

Here are the handouts at the session: Betty McCollum Town Hall Handout 5 31 25 and Betty McCollum General Info 5 31 25.  Your member of Congress is the key person at this point in time.  Know where they stand, and make they know where you stand.

Here is a photo of the Panel, and their names and positions:

May 31, 2025 Betty McCollum Town Hall Stillwater MN

Standing at left: Cong. Betty McCollum, Minnesota CD4; seated from left” John Connolly, Dept of Human Services Deputy Commissioner, State medicaid Director; Barbara Joers, President and CEO, Gillette Children’s Hospital; Ryan Hilmoe, Registered Nurse, Mn Nurses’ Association; Kate Weeks, Assistant Commissioner, Economic Opportunity and Youth Services, Dept of Children, Youth and Family; Jessica Francis, Executive Director, Open Cupboard, Maplewood; in front, right, Sumukha Terakanambi, Disabled and Health Care Advocate, Mn Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities, and his father.