Ever heard the phrase, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” As much as we try to debunk that popular adage in our Pequot Lakes community, there is a thread of truth in it.

For dozens of years our business community, through the Pequot Lakes office of the Chamber, has donated the funds and provided the volunteers and staff to deliver two of the best community celebrations in all of Minnesota — our Stars & Stripes Days July 3-4 and our Bean Hole Days, this year July 12-13.

I’m really confused about how the legislative system works. We voted and the “people” voted against gay marriage. Then the issue resurfaces in the House and Senate.

It reminds me of the abortion issue. When the country voted on possible legalization of abortion in 1972, the populace said “no.” But, with finagling of the law, it was brought before the Supreme Court as a personal freedom issue the next year and passed there.

So, why did we vote?

Vote yes to gay marriage

The state Legislature will soon vote on a bill that would expand the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples. I hope our representative, Joe Radinovich, will vote yes.

We cannot legislate love. All Minnesotans deserve to be treated fairly under the law. When people are in love, whether it be with a member of the opposite or same sex, and want to commit to each other and form a family, they deserve to be treated equally under the law.

Teachers are appreciated

As Teacher Appreciation Week approached, I considered how fortunate we have been with both children and the teachers they’ve had over the years. I remember my son Jackson’s first day of kindergarten and the surprising calm I had when I left him in the capable hands of Joe Koman. From that very first day, five years ago, I knew he was in the right place with the right people.