Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Many thanks for Steve Serkland’s article, “Alex Kern
Scores!” in your Dec. 10, 2005 issue.
The article highlights the importance
of collaboration among family, educators and vocational rehabilitation
counselors, and other support professionals to foster a deaf or
hard-of-hearing student’s
success. For this successful trend to continue for students like
Alex, it is essential for everyone to contribute.
Families contribute to the early education and support of their
disabled children. Educators contribute by teaching the necessary
skills so people can communicate with each other and the world. Technological
advances will continue to close the gap for disabled people both
in and out of the workplace. As a society, we must bring ourselves
to continue to embrace differences and see everyone for his or her
contribution.
My hat is off to Alex’s family, his educators and the Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic Development for helping this
very talented young designer to succeed. Each small success realized
in different areas of a student’s life form the foundation
and building blocks for creating the next one. I look forward to
watching Alex’s career unfold with even more successes and
accomplishments.
At the Rochester Institute of Technology,
we’re not only proud
of Alex, but we’re proud to work closely with so many wonderful
professionals throughout the world to do our critical part in producing
highly educated, skilled, and productive citizens.
Sincerely,
T. Alan Hurwitz
CEO, National Technical Institute for the Deaf - Vice President,
Rochester Institute of Technology
Dear Editor:
I am writing on behalf of our campaign to secure a Light Rail line
in northern Dakota County. Light Rail would benefit our area. In
particular, it would be very beneficial for those who must rely on
public transportation.
With the explosive growth of Dakota County, the need for public
transportation is becoming a critical issue. As a solution to this
problem, the advantages of Light Rail are:
• it relieves traffic congestion
in a safe, convenient, reliable and affordable way;
• it makes the communities stronger
and more livable;
• it is good for business;
• it is good for the environment.
If you’ve ridden the Hiawatha
line, you know why it is a resounding success, with rider- ship
far exceeding expectations. The line creates its own market, increasing
pedestrian traffic, while leaving traffic flow undiminished. The
Sierra Club supports Light Rail as a sound way to reduce traffic
congestion and the air pollution that contributes to global warming.
The availability of Light Rail would be particularly important to
many of the readers of Access Press. For them, it is the difference
between getting around and being stuck at home.
Senator James Metzen (DFL) District 39 is introducing a bill in
the next legislative session to authorize a study of Light Rail in
northern Dakota County. We have been working to see the Light Rail
comes to our area.
Your voice has impact on legislators.
Please contact your state representative or senator and express
your support for Light Rail. We can make—Light Rail happen.
Sincerely,
Pat O’Regan
Member, Northern Dakota County Sierra Communities
