On Second Thought

Toddlers and city leaders are equally 'amzanig'Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm.Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?? The same theory must hold true for parents deciphering toddler speak.Our 2-year-old Carson has a limited vocabulary, but lately he?s finding his voice through music.Over the holidays, we were frequently treated to holiday road songs from his corner of the back seat."Oh mitmah tee, oh mitmah tee" was a personal favorite. And when he?d really explore his vocal range, we?d hear, "Oh mitmaAAahhh teeEEEeee."The singing was usually inspired by "mitmah yites" on homes he?d notice on our drive out of town.Another holiday favorite was, "Deendo beow, deendo beow, deendo awe da way."With the holidays over, he?s been wowing his adoring fans with what he calls, "Twinto Twinto."It goes something like, "Twinto twinto, yeeto taw, how I wondo what you awe ?"His heartfelt serenades are quite endearing to the big people around him, but his mommy simply hopes the developing verses are signs of improved communication, which will no-doubt alleviate the frustrating terrible twos.City leaders are even more amzanig and cnofsunig ?As difficult as it is to understand a 2-year-old, Carson makes a lot more sense these days than our city leaders do.Our gung ho city administrator has somehow convinced our rookie council that we need to terminate contracts in order to discuss them. (I?m referring to the council?s recent termination of the 34-year contract with the county for dispatch services).I wonder if this also means that in order for the council to perform its regular review of the city administrator?s job performance, then that contract, too, will need to be terminated.City residents, if they?re as confused as I am, should call their elected councilmen:
David Hauge, 283-8367
Pat Baustian, 283-4180,
Bob Kaczrowski, 283-9261
Tom Martius, 283-4679
Mayor Glen Gust, 283-8761.
City Administrator Greg Lafond, at Luverne City Hall, 449-2388Be sure to ask them why an agreement that?s been seemingly beneficial for everyone involved for so many years is suddenly such a bad idea. If they?re looking to save money, ask them how well that worked with the last contract they terminated.In seeking proposals for a new city attorney, they terminated a $95-per-hour contract with Skewes, Klosterbuer and Vajgrt, the firm that?s been doing city legal work for 20 years.After the dust settled and the new bids came in, council members accepted proposals notably more expensive than contract they terminated.Skewes, Klosterbuer and Vajgrt will continue city criminal prosecutions at the new rate of $105 per hour, and Ben Vander Kooi will perform all other general legal work at $120 per hour.Again, my toddler makes more sense than our city leaders do ? and his terrible 2-year-old behavior is less frustrating.