Editorial: Thumbs

To the U.S. Postal Service.

While it would not be a positive change if local post offices were to close, it’s good that residents are at least getting a say in the matter. The United States Postal Service has started to hold community meetings in towns like Hayward, Alden and Glenville to see what residents would prefer — their post office to close, to have fewer open hours, or other options. It’s great that residents will be able to give their input on the possible changes. It’s understandable that post offices will have to change the way they do business when they’re not processing as much mail as in years past. We just hope communities still have those amenities, even if it’s in the form of fewer hours or a kiosk at another location in town.

 

To Minnesota involvement in the Boy Scout files.

Police chiefs, prosecutors, pastors and Boy Scout leaders were among those who shielded scoutmasters and others who allegedly molested children. It’s despicable that this happened, and especially wrong that Minnesotans were involved. There were 23 men from the cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mounds View, St. Louis Park, Apple Valley, Maplewood, International Falls, Chisholm, Faribault, Rochester and Moorhead who were allegedly involved. About 14,500 pages of Boy Scouts documents were released Thursday from the years 1960 to 1984. Hopefully the matter is fully investigated and those who are found in the wrong are punished.

 

To the expansion of the Freeborn County Historical Museum.

It’s sad that part of our county’s history is hidden in storage, but thankfully a new 10,000-square-foot addition will help alleviate that problem. The new addition will also make room for an expanded library, meeting rooms, a children’s learning lab, additional restrooms, an elevator and new entrance and reception area. The change is long overdue, and it’s good that the community has supported the expansion through donations. But though the building has begun, an additional $450,000 still needs to be raised to complete the project. Donations are still being accepted for residents who want to continue to support the preservation of county history.