Although the origin of the phrase "all gave some, some gave all" is unclear, it denotes the ultimate sacrifice made by the men and women of our armed forces who have died defending our freedoms. Memorial Day, which we celebrate each year on the last Monday in May to honor our deceased family and friends, provides us the perfect opportunity to remember those who have given all for our country. This year, as you enjoy the holiday, don't forget about the brave soldiers serving us in Afghanistan, Iraq and in all corners of our globe and pray for their safe return.

Sincerely,
Jeff Backer, Jr.

Houston Engineering, Inc. was recognized by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota with an Engineering Excellence Grand Award for its role in providing the City of Browns Valley with a solution to the flooding problem that had plagued the community for many years. There were 29 project submissions with 10 receiving Grand Awards and 19 receiving Honor awards. The Engineering Excellence Awards program recognizes innovative engineering projects in Minnesota that are beneficial to both the community and the engineering profession.

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This article reprinted courtesy of inforum.com. By Luther Stueland

A recent letter to The Forum highlighted how successful Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, Minn., is at bonding for all sorts of state projects. For the layman, bonding simply means having the state go into debt to pay for various public projects (think credit card).

This debt of course must be repaid with interest. Bonding may have a quick effect on one particular industry, but its effect lasts for only a year or two. However, the taxpayer must bear the burden of the debt for the next 20 years.

Reprinted courtesy of DL-online.com

I am writing in support of Jeff Backer, Jr., Senate candidate for Minnesota Senate District 9. I have met Jeff and believe that he has the ability, interest, and personality to represent the district very positively. Jeff understands the geographical area of the entire district and has proven leadership in the work that he has done as mayor of Brown’s Valley. A major issue there, with which he has successfully dealt, is that of flooding.

Reprinted courtesty of Inforum.com By: Curtis Powers, Browns Valley, Minn.

I have been hearing murmuring from state Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, Minn., about all that he has done for flood relief work here in the upper Minnesota River Valley. I do thank Langseth for the work he has done; however, I am not so sure he needs to be taking all of the credit.

I can tell you that here in Browns Valley, we had tried for many years to get funding from the state for this work. It wasn’t until Jeff Backer became mayor that it happened. I don’t mean to disparage past mayors. They all did a great job. But Backer got it done.

Langseth? He did his job simply by appropriating state money that should go to projects like this to begin with. Now he takes credit as if it was from his own bank account.

I want to thank Langseth for his many years in office, but I think it is time we have someone take that office who gets the job done quietly. That man is Jeff Backer.

The article reprinted from Inforum.com By:By: Ken Lucier, Moorhead

Sen. Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon, Minn., has been senator for Minnesota District 9 for 30 years. During that time, he has accepted thousands and thousands of dollars in campaign cash from lobbyists and powerful special interests. In fact, he reports over $10,000 in such contributions just through July of this year.

He has become tainted with special-interest money and partisan politics. He no longer represents the people of his district but the lobbyists and special interests in the Twin Cities who do not care much for rural Minnesota. Sadly, Keith Langseth has become their pawn for wasteful spending.

This year is different. Langseth has a strong challenger in Browns Valley Mayor and small-business owner Jeff Backer. Not only has Backer literally been everywhere in District 9 meeting voters, but he’s raised his money in small donations from people of our area, not political insiders at the Capitol.

If you believe our policies and politics are going in the right direction, Langseth is your man. If you are tired of political payoffs and business as usual in St. Paul, vote Backer. He is a refreshing change who will work for rural District 9, not urban benefactors or party cronies.