Comments for Enterprise Dispatch Blog

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by DC Grandma

DC Grandma — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:29:37 +0000

The concerns still have not been addressed regarding the new ice arena regarding the liability, etc. should an accident occur on this property. Is the school district indemnified from such liability with their “contract” with the hockey folks? I keep hearing about how great the building will be for the school district, but I haven’t heard about the liabilities involved with it being built on school district real estate, or will the school district have to obtain additional insurance to cover such possible accidents?

Comment on DC Ice and Sports Center to be topic of Thursday’s PTA meeting by Jenna O'Brien

Jenna O'Brien — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:56:08 +0000

It could be used for practices with baseball, softball and golf, football- just to name a few sports- in the case of bad weather or lack of gym space. It could also be used for reunions, expo’s, church events, shows….the list goes on. It really would benefit more than just hockey players.

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by 7 What Color is the Sky in you world

7 What Color is the Sky in you world — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:35:58 +0000

A mall in Dassel, A hotel — That would be great. I bet those people pay tax, the more paying the less your tax bill is - looks like Grandma has the right plan the rink is win/win for everyone. I think shoeless joe said it best “if you build it they will come”!

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by dcmom

dcmom — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:36:27 +0000

Physical education classes are as important and needed in school as math, science and communication classes. Especially with the obesity problem in America. Without proper activity levels the healthcare in this country is going to go through the roof…even more than it is now. We need our children to learn how to take care of their bodies as much as they need to know what 2 + 2 equals.

Some (not all) of the physical education classes from the high school are bussed into town (Cokato or Dassel) to the outdoor ice rinks for physical education class since ice is not available within walking distance from the school. The elementary schools WALK the students to the rinks. They do not go to “area ice arenas”.

Skating is a good physical activity that some children are only exposed to in physical education classes. Just like they cross country ski and snowshoe during physical education classes in the winter. In the spring and fall they do activities in class that are appropriate activities for that season like football, soccer, softball or baseball. Variety in what activities they do in class is what makes it work for all the students. Not everyone is going to be able or comfortable doing jumping jacks or push ups all class.

I applaude the physical education teachers in the varied activities that they expose the students to. We are creating better, healthier children as a result. Some students NEED the physical activity in physical education in order to concentrate in the core classes that they and the school district are tested on. A student that needs to burn off energy is not going to be as productive in a sit down class room as one that has that need met and is now able to concentrate.

The physical education teachers in this district taught my children how bad soda pop is for their bodies. That was something I tried to teach them…but was unsuccessful. I wish someone had taught me that back when I was younger. Now I have children that are healthier and rarely or ever drink pop. They will grab a drink of water, milk or juice before pop even if pop is available. That is a victory for us parents with kids in this district. They also have been to the doctor’s office less I think as a result.

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by DC Grandma

DC Grandma — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:22:58 +0000

I do not have children that attend school at the DC School District, but I live in this district and this is news to me that the school actually busses phy ed classes to neighboring ice arenas to skate. Is this an accurate statement? If this is indeed the case, for sure I will never support a levy brought to the voters - that is a total waste of money. I thought we were paying for EDUCATION not skating activites in phy ed class.

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by dcmom

dcmom — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:39:24 +0000

Look upon it this way…
If the DC ice committee does get the money to build this pole shed on school property at no cost to the taxpayers it is a win win situation.
They pay for the building and if it fails…then the school will have a pole building that can be used for multifunction events. Nobody is saying that the taxpayers will have to keep ice in the building if it is not profitable. Meanwhile when there is ice in there then they will no longer have to pay to bus the phy ed classes into town to use the ice there for the classes that have those activities. This could end up saving the district money.

I personally do not believe that they will be profitable, but until they ask for money from me to build or maintain it I do not care.

PS: I am out at the school a lot because of my children and I work in one of the towns. I have never run across this “hockey mafia” that is being referred to. Rather I see people that are involved in their children’s lives that want to provide this building for their children. If they pay for it why should I care?

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by DC Grandma

DC Grandma — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:13:15 +0000

When they ask for my tax money to support the ice arena, it will be too late to scream - only open up my checkbook which by the way is getting thinner and thinner with more requests for additional monies for our federal, state, local governments and schools. I hope you are correct that Dassel will be making tons of money with all these folks coming to town for hockey tournaments and staying in our local hotels and eating lunches at all of our restaurants and buying gas for their vehicles not to mention doing all of their shopping at our local mall. These businesses should be excited about the prospect of the new ice arena.

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by What Color is the Sky in you world

What Color is the Sky in you world — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 21:16:34 +0000

I dont play Football, Basketball or band, yet the school spent 13 million on those things, yet when they are asked to spend 0, on a rink, and people point to Hutch, or what ever city anf say, they spend this, thay spend that your 212,800 number at 150 per would = 1400 hour rented, wow, I bet some of those people eat lunch in town, maybe got gas or did some other shopping I would say it safe that a 100K was spent by people who only came to town for the rink.
When they ask for your tax money then scream.

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by DC Grandma

DC Grandma — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:46:10 +0000

What difference does it make if you know who is making the comments in this forum, either positive or negative, and why do you care? Personally, I wouldn’t want my name known because of fear “of harrassment by the hockey mafia.” This newspaper offers this forum as a spring board to get discussions going on a variety of topics. I note from the article that mostly hockey parents were in attendance at the PTA meeting. They were there to give the school board their support. Great, but what if there was opposition stated at the meeting - I am almost positive those critics would have “feared for their lives” once the meeting was finished.

Again, I suggest that the DC Regional Ice & Sports Center supporters check the City of Hutchinson’s website, and see what the expenses, income, etc. are for their hockey arenas. Ice time, etc. brought in $212,800.00; expenses totalled $324,827.00. The ice arenas are also debt-free - need I say more?

Comment on Little opposition was met regarding ice arena during Thursday’s PTA meeting by Steve J. Benda

Steve J. Benda — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:50:41 +0000

Input is always awesome and useful! Regarding editorial comments, the author of the text, whether the comment is “Positive” or “Negative” should be listed. This will illustrate true transparency and validation in a communication link like this.

Steven J. Benda - Strong promoter of asset building activities with our local youth.