Editor,
The Trump administration has decided to separate children (including babies) from immigrants crossing into the United States to seek asylyum. A Border Patrol Agent reported that 658 children were separated from their parents during the period of May 6-19, 2018. These children are being held in juvenile detention centers (supposedly military bases). You just can’t imagine the disappointment in the hearts of the immigrant parents after leaving their homeland to find a better life for themselves and their children, only to have their family torn apart. Who will be changing diapers and giving hungry babies a bottle in the middle of the night? What about the little boys and girls that are in a strange country and miss their parents? Who will wash their clothes, feed them and make sure that they brush their teeth? Will their caregivers mistreat or harass these little ones? Hopefully not. Who are their caregivers? Were these people given background checks like anyone who works at a daycare center is? Medical experts are concerned that this will cause Toxic Stress for these children. Their parents are being held in adult detention centers awaiting deportation. We do not know if the children will be re-united with their parents or not. This a total atrocity by the Trump administration. Please contact your Congressional representative and ask them to reverse this policy. Mr. Trump, this is not how you make America Great.
Patrick Hommerding
Merrill
Dear Editior:
We would like to commend Master of Ceremonies, Paul Russell, and all the other people who helped organize the Memorial Day program. The Merrill City Band under the direction of Linda Becker did a wonderful job as usual. Our thanks to all those volunteers who play in the band, inspired us. Soloist James Bjorklund, accompanied by the city band, inspired us with his strong voice when singing several patriotic songs. Guest speaker, Vaughn Edsal, delivered a powerful message about the meaning of Memorial Day. He pointed out that it is important that we take time every day, keeping in our thoughts and prayers, all those who has answered the call to serve.
Also, we were encouraged to remember and support all the families who sacrificed so much, and continue to sacrifice, as their loved ones serve in our armed forces, some giving their lives in service to our country. Our freedom should be taken for granted. Memorial Day is every day, if we truly value that freedom.
Lastly, we would like to say that by holding the ceremonies in the Merrill High School auditorium, people don’t have to contend with weather issues or outside distractions. They can more readily concentrate on the messages of the day, while being comfortably seated. Merrill can be very proud that there are so many individuals who are willing to volunteer to make this wonderful program such a success.
Ron and Phyllis Presl
Merrill
Compost bins available to Merrill and Tomahawk residents.
Why should we compost? Because it is nature’s way to keep the earth health and fertile. It also keep vegetable and fruit refuse and food scraps out of the landfill and thereby causing less harmful methane gas, which contributes to climate change.
The finished compost, a nutrient rich soil can then be used to fertilize garden beds, bushes and trees of your own yard, all good reasons, why we should compost our table scraps, etc.
A limited amount of composting binds are being made available to city residents for sale. These large black plastic bins are sold at cost for the price of $1.00. Included is a very helpful, informative booklet on how to keep your compost healthy. These bins have been purchased from the Marathon County landfill and are also available through their department. The UW-Ext. office has a bin on display at the Service Center (ground floor) in Merrill.
If you are interested in purchasing a compost bin call UW-Ext. office at 715-539-1072 or Susanna Juon-Gilk at 715-536-7054.
We encourage Merrill and Tomahawk residents to use a more environmentally friendly way to deal with their plant-based scraps.
this project is sponsored by: Live Sustainable, Lincoln County, UW-Ext. and a newly formed group: TL, LEAF (Transition Lincoln, Local Environmental Activists and Friends).
Susanna Juon-Gilk
Merrill