Wolf Hunting, Alcohol and an Unruly Carnival: Feedback Friday

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation.

(The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.)

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Wolf Advocates File Lawsuit Against DNR

Conservation groups are hoping to prevent the opening of wolf hunting and trapping seasons this fall.

Shannon Reiter agrees with the lawsuit:

How is it that the DNR can skirt all the rules to make this happen? Killing wolves is nothing more than a thrill kill for the disgusting people that would actually partake in this hunt. It's so messed up. Minnesota is supposed to be the most progressive and modern states in the midwest, but having this hunt makes me ashamed to be Minnesotan.

But Chris wacker says there are great reasons for the hunt:

Deer hunting in MN is big business, let the wolf population go for a couple more years and we wont have a deer season. All of you tree huggers should check the numbers, MN's 3000+ wolves killed nearly 40% of the number of deer that all leagal hunters killed, thats a huge factor resulting in fewer deer tags this year. What are all of these wolves going to eat when the deer are all gone?? Cats, dogs, pets, farm animals?? The hunt isnt to eliminate the, just control. Wake up out there, how many of you have actually seen a wolf?? Killing one for sport is much easier said than done, most guys who get a tag will never see a wolf let alone shoot or trap one. I consider myself to be a better than average outdoorsman living in an area with a strong wolf population. Realistically I have a very poor chance of getting a wolf.

Almost 60 people helped plant lilacs, trees and shrubs along Highways 55 and 169 on Sept. 22 during Golden Valley's Lilac Day. Volunteer Jenny Tufford had this to say about the event:

My friends and I decided to volunteer this year, and we are so glad we did! Met some wonderful people, got some exercise and did something good for the city we love. We'll be back again next year for sure!

St. Michael Catholic School Student Sing National Anthem at Twins Game
Students from STMCS were front and center (field) as they led off last Friday's game with the White Sox with the national anthem.
Commenter Bex said:

We were at that game and saw them sing! They did great! :)

It's been a long year and a half for Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, but the St. Louis Park establishment has finally hit the city's 50-50 food-to-liquor ratio and will go off probation.

Several readers, including Annetta Pohl Wilson, said they don't agree with the requirement in the first place:

Puritanic rules like this are why we have so many empty commercial buildings in SLP and hardly any bars. We aren't near any college campuses, so don't have to worry about underage and binge drinking affecting our neighborhoods. I'd love a local bar where I can hang out with my neighbors and walk home from!

Poll: Should Mystic Lake Casino Sell Alcohol?

The Star Tribune reported that Mystic Lake Casino, which is owned and operated by the The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, has to started the process to lift the ban of alcohol sales. Patch asked readers if they thought this was a good idea.

John Siskoff  didn't think so:

Prior Lake can't afford the Police protection they are required to give the Community now. It will only cause more chaos than they are already giving Prior Lake. 
No alcohol.

City Council Addresses Possible Resident Concerns Over Fourth of July Celebration

Following the 2012 Richfield Hometown Fourth of July Celebration extravaganza, city staff recommended the council discuss possibly eliminating the carnival portion of the festivities due to high police contacts and the presence of several gangs.

Reader Dave Decker felt the city should return to former practices, writing:

We never should have put the carnival over in Veterans behind the rest of the festival area. As long as the Street Dance band is going to be off in the grass over by the arena area anyway, having the entire arena parking lot open really isn't necessary. Put the carnival back in the parking lot with the food vendors...

Fields' Tweet Pounces on Ellison Campaign Manager's Facebook Statement

A Wednesday tweet by U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison's Republican challenger, Chris Fields, includes an image that appears to show answers to an April 2011 Facebook quiz on an Ellison staffer's personal Facebook account. In the quiz image, the answer to the question "Do you think election fraud occurred?" is "Yes!" Fields tweeted: "Comm Dir Matt Roznowski's admits election fraud occurred. We need Voter I.D.”

Greg Staffa, one of Fields’ supporters, thought the criticism was a stretch:

Seriously? this is what the big debate is about? As much as I would like to see Chris Fields win the fact is he wont. These petty gotcha attacks are not focused on the issues. Fields needs to put a face on the issues. I invite people to read my blog to see a different side to Keith Ellison http://www.gregstaffa.com/Greg_Staffa/Blog/Entries/2012/9/20_Keith_Ellison.html But bickering that Ellison has not called out someone else for saying something that Ellison had no control over and now bickering about this???

Minnesota Monthly Offers Creative Edina Neighborhood Names

Minnesota Monthly recently put together a tongue-in-cheek graphic offering some "friendly" suggestions for the City of Edina's ongoing neighborhood naming project. Please note the names are pretty heavy on the satire, akin to something you'd find in the New Yorker.

Considering the names include such gems as "Botoxia" and "Trophy Wife Terrace," it's probably for the best they went ahead and offered an apology beforehand.

Reader Peter Larson offered a simple, yet appropriate response:

Oh boy; here we go.