While waiting to the Rotary to convene at the Ramada, our Publisher read an online story in the USA TODAY, also known as "Cousin Al's Newspaper". The article was all about this 9 year old girl who addressed the CEO of McDonald's Corporation during the annual shareholders meeting. She apparently studied up on child nutrition beforehand and also the was McD's targets children in their advertising, closing by pointedly asking the CEO, "Mr. Thompson, don't you want kids to be healthy so they can live a long and healthy life?". 

     CEO Don Thompson quickly responded "We don't sell junk food. My kids also eat McDonald's.We cook lots of fruits and veggies at home,". He also stated that McDonald's sells fruits in the form of apple slices in kids meals and vegetables including side salads on the Dollar Menu. He also said that McDonald's recently began to sell fat-free chocolate milk. Mr. Thompson then thanked the girl for bringing this issue up.

     Since becoming a registered voter here in the Mitchell area, I've tried to keep myself and anyone else so inclined to listen, informed about local issues. As such, I felt compelled to leave the home office and attend today's Rotary meeting at the Ramada to see what, if anything the School Board candidates had to say. As it happens, I learned quite a few things.

     The first thing I learned was that just a few days ago, Sioux Falls had a School Board election with a 3% turnout. Hopefully we can do better. The second thing I learned is that another big issue seems to be the implementation of a $55 Million school building project that has been suggested. That's nearly twice what the proposed Next Generation Corn Palace was projected to cost. Not surprisingly none of the candidates spoke in favor of the new proposal. One of the candidates (who shall remain nameless because I don't want the other 3 to demand equal time) looked into the new building project that Brookings did, and had a table full of information about it. From what I saw, their new school cost about 10% of the proposed project. Quite formidable!

     I'll not be endorsing any candidates for the School Board at this time, because I haven't quite made up my mind yet. I have until June 4 to figure it out. Hopefully I will do just that. God be with you and do the best you can!