Thumbs Up/Down - June 29, 2012

Talk about it

KSAX cutbacks

Thumbs Down/Up: It was sad to hear the news that Hubbard Broadcasting was cutting back the operations of KSAX-TV in Alexandria. We wish only the best for the 17 employees who will be looking for new positions. Led by station manager Ed Smith, KSAX has been an important part of this community for 25 years, not only by reporting the news but through its support of community events and causes. In 2003 when KCCO-TV was no longer able to broadcast the Jaycees Jingle Bells telethon, KSAX stepped up to the plate and took on the massive work that comes with coordinating a live five-hour TV show. That’s just one example of how KSAX gave back to the community. The station also served as a helpful training ground for young, talented reporters pursuing a career in television. As Smith noted, all those reporters who moved on to other opportunities in TV are part of the station’s legacy. KSAX, which will still maintain a presence in Alexandria by maintaining its transmitter and equipment, leaves a lasting mark on this community in many ways. The station and everyone who worked there leave a void that will be hard to fill.

Summer sloppiness

Thumbs Down: Are people’s style of dress in the summer becoming way too casual and unattractive? Yes, according to an Alexandria reader who dared us to print his thumbs down. His observation: “Sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office and other public places I’m finding that a lot of women’s apparel — shorts, flip-flops and other things — during this summer are a bit hard to digest,” he said. “Some people seem to think as long as they’re comfortable, that’s all that counts. Well, I’m telling you I’m not looking forward to seeing someone that looks like they just got out of a shower.” What do you think? Send us your reaction to this thumb and we’ll print a follow-up.

Providing safe passage

Thumbs Up: David Erickson with the local vintage tractor group, the Pioneer Power Club, sends a thumbs up to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. When the club held a tractor ride this past Sunday for the Osakis Festival parade, the sheriff’s office stopped traffic so the tractors could safely cross Highway 27. Erickson also sent kudos to the Echo Press and Osakis Review for taking hundreds of photos at the parade, including the many tractors that were in it. A photo gallery is online at www.theosakisreview.com.

Bent mail

Thumbs Down: We know that mail carriers have a difficult job and the vast majority of the time make the extra effort to go above and beyond in delivering the mail. An Alexandria resident, however, had an experience that fell short. He found his diploma from Saint Benedict/Saint Johns stuffed into his mailbox even though the package was clearly too big for the mailbox and was marked in red letters, “DO NOT BEND.” He had planned to frame the diploma but found creases in the document. Rather than forcing the package into his mailbox, he questioned why the post office didn’t put a notice for him to pick up the package, especially with such fierce competition these days in the mailing industry.

Silent trail passers

Thumbs Down: An 89-year-old resident who enjoys riding bike told us that he prefers the Central Lakes Trail because the streets can be a very dangerous place to ride. He added, however, that the trail can be unsafe too – if people don’t use common courtesy. “It would be so nice if the faster riders would announce themselves when they are going to pass,” the resident said. “Simply say, ‘On your left’ when they want to pass. This would make the trail much safer.”

Couch conundrum

Thumbs Down: Maybe there is an answer to this problem and we’d like to hear it. An elderly resident had a nice couch in great condition that she no longer wanted. Rather than trying to sell it, she just wanted to donate it to a local organization. Yet every place she called turned her down, saying they didn’t have volunteers to go and pick up the couch. She was told she could drop it off but they wouldn’t come and get it. The woman didn’t have the muscle to maneuver around a couch and load it up so she didn’t know what to do. “There are so many people in need that could use the couch but I don’t know where to take it,” she said. The newspaper gave her a few phone numbers to try but we haven’t heard back from her. Her experience got us thinking that there are probably other people with large furniture items in good condition that they want to donate but don’t know how to do it. If you have an answer, e-mail it to aedenloff@echopress.com.

Tags: opinion, editorials