Letter to the editor: Lillie: getting the job done – yesterday and today

Ted Lillie is the right choice for the Senate District 53 seat. Why? Because not only is he a well-respected community leader but a small business owner as well. As a third generation publisher of the Lillie Suburban Newspapers, Sen. Lillie knows what it’s like to run a small business, meet a payroll and stay on budget. Ted recognizes what needs to be done and, time after time, demonstrates he does what it takes to get those things done.

I have known Ted for almost 20 years. I watched him recognize that kids in our community needed more money for scholarships. What did he do? He founded Co Action Academic Resources and pulls together business and school leaders to generate scholarships. Since then, $100,000-plus of scholarships have been successfully distributed. That’s one example: I watched him don Santa suits delivering gifts to families in need, I watched him lead community forums to help select a new schools superintendent, I have simply watched him do.

And no, this was not election year politics. These examples all started nearly a decade before Ted even considered running for public office. This is Ted. He has always made a priority of working hard and bringing people together for a better community. A philosophy not about more government and taxes.

A philosophy about entrepreneurs having the freedom to grow their businesses. A philosophy that supports business owners putting personal resources and capital at risk. A philosophy that all sectors of business and industry be allowed the opportunity to grow, not just a hand-selected few.

As a small business owner myself, Ted Lillie’s track record has left me confident that he has the knowledge, experience and skills to move Minnesota forward in the coming years.

Marc L. Cove - Oakdale

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion, updates, elections