Skoe announces town meetings

By Brad Swenson

Pioneer Staff Writer

With the 2005 session of the Minnesota Legislature opening Tuesday, state Sen. Rod Skoe is wasting no time gathering his new DFL team to gather input from local residents.

The Clearbrook DFLer, with his two DFL district House members,will meet later this week and next with constituents in town meetings to gain their input for the session, which will craft a two-year state budget.

Joining Skoe is House 2A Rep. Ken Eken, DFL-Twin Valley, who begins his second term Tuesday, and newcomer House 2B Rep.-elect Brita Sailer, DFL-Park Rapids, who starts her first term Tuesday.

“It’s very important to hear what people have to say,” Skoe said in a statement. “I enjoy these meetings and getting input for the upcoming session. This year we are especially interested to hear what the residents of District 2 have to say about the projected $1.4 billion budget deficit.”

The town meetings open Friday in House 2B communities and continue Saturday in House 2A cities, and the following weekend in both House districts. None are planned for the immediate Bemidji area, but several will be held in northern Beltrami County.

The town meetings include:

Friday

-- 8:30-10 a.m., Clearbrook School Library

-- 10:30 a.m.-noon, Red Lake Community Center

-- 1-2:30 p.m., Blackduck High School Media Center

-- 3-4:30 p.m., Kelliher High School Media Center

-- 5-6:30 p.m., Waskish Town Hall

Saturday

-- 8:30-10 a.m., Osage Community Center

-- 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Callaway Community Center

-- 1-2:30 p.m., Waubun High School Media Center

-- 3-4:30 p.m., Mahnomen High School Library

Jan. 14

-- 8:30-10 a.m., Halstad High School Multipurpose Room

-- 10:30 a.m.-noon, Ada Community Center

-- 12:30-2 p.m., Twin Valley Municipal Center

-- 2:30-4 p.m., Fertile, Duan Knutson Community Center Auditorium

-- 4:45-6:16 p.m., Fosston Civic Center

Jan. 15

-- 8-9:30 a.m., Lake Park City Hall

-- 10-11:30 a.m., Audubon Elementary School

-- 12:15-1:45 p.m. Frazee Fire Hall

-- 2:30-3:30 p.m. Park Rapids Library

Anyone with questions about the meetings can contact Skoe’s office at 124 State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155, e-mail at sen.rod.skoe@senate.mn or (651) 296-4196.