Letters: On organized trash collection

Fascism, two world wars and the ruin of Europe. Contemporaneously with Huxley, Winston Churchill attributed this worldwide destruction to the rampant effects of authoritarian and nationalistic fervor. Yet, we are replaying this fervor today with blatant pandering to fear and the call for us to be subjugated into isolation from the common destiny of humankind. This is a paralysis of the mind and spirit.My son encountered Michele Bachmann when he passed by the GOP booth at the Minnesota State Fair last year. Michele excitedly asked my son if he was impressed by Donald Trump’s rhetoric. He responded that Trump’s words will never be embossed as a message of inspiration on the Statue of Liberty.Gerry Del Fiacco, West St. PaulCOMMISSIONERS SAY FAREWELLName the entity that is responsible for attracting approximately 521 companies to St. Paul that employ over 24,434 people and generate approximately $29 million in annual tax revenue.It’s the Saint Paul Port Authority, of course.For the past 85 years, the Port Authority has overseen commerce on the Mighty Mississippi. Last year, over 6 million tons of commodities were shipped from St. Paul’s four ports. The Port is also responsible for cleaning brownfields and repurposing polluted land, developing 21 business centers, providing loans for energy-efficient capital projects and offering consulting services to Minnesota communities.In addition, the Port Authority has led the recent development of hallmark sporting and entertainment projects such as CHS Field in Lowertown, Treasure Island Center and Tria Rink in Downtown, and Allianz Field with surrounding property in the Midway.Simply put: The Saint Paul Port Authority is the economic development engine of our City.As commissioners, we’ll both miss our twice-a-month meetings with fellow board colleagues and receiving reports from superb Port Authority management and staff. But most of all, we’ll miss the excitement of experiencing, firsthand, the renaissance that is reoccurring in our Saintly City.Thank you, Mayors Randy Kelly and Chris Coleman, for giving a couple of East Siders a chance to be part of an organization that is truly making an impact in our city.It’s been a great ride! Let’s keep it going!Harry Melander  and John RegalMelander is president of the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council. Regal is a director with Securian Financial Group. Both are former Port Authority chairs and commissioners whose terms expired last month. (TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press)