Hardee's Hate, Derby Donations and Domestic Partnerships: 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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After news broke that —one of 59 planned for the Twin Cities—the Edina Patch Facebook Page absolutely blew up with comments about the burger chain. The conversation continued on the website, with folks fighting back against some of the harsh words for Hardee's.

Linda Danell said the disdain for the fast food chain painted a poor picture of Edina residents:

WOW No wonder no one likes people from Edina. What a bunch of snobs. I have lived here my whole life. I dont care if Hardee's is in Edina or not. If you dont like the food dont eat it. But lets give it a chance.

David F had a timely observation of some fast food fans who might disagree with local critics:

If you have been following the Olympics you may have seen one of many stories about the busiest McDonald's in the world at the Olympic Village in London. The US and the world's greatest athletes eat fast food and in the case of people like swimmer Michael Phelps they eat up to 10000 (yes, 10,000) calories a day of McDonalds and I doubt it is their salads.

Nobody seems to like porn or fast food but somehow they are billion dollar industries, ask for a milk the next time you dine out.

The Plymouth Human Rights Committee will vote on a recommendation to have a city ordinance on domestic partner registration at the Aug. 2 meeting. The discussion could also include the controversial marriage amendment topic. Several residents weighed in on the topics before the meeting.

Evelyn Headen talked about the issue from the faith community's perspective:

If registration will benefit partners in obtaining legal rights (e.g., hospital visitation), then I'm all for it. Those who cite religious views to the contrary needn't worry. Faith communities are free to recognize same-sex unions/marriage or not, as they choose. (I'm proud to add that my faith community supports same-sex marriage and all the rights and benefits that come with legal marriage.) All persons should be entitled to civil rights under the law.

On the heels of a controversial week in which she called out an assistant to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. Michele Bachmann chatted with small business owners in St. Michael.

Following her visit and tour of a manufacturing business, user Chris Sarkinen weighed in:

After a complete investigation, could she officially declare Marksmen Metals Muslim free?

The 2012 London Olympics are in full swing. Last year's opening ceremony in Beijing was a fan favorite, so we wanted to know how this year's stacked up? Several people, including Brad Kadue, said London's show was a bit lackluster:

The two best parts were the chariots of fire bit and the Bond/Queen mum entry. The rest was music and lights. Superbowl half-time show on steroids. Beijing did it much better all in all.

St. David’s Center for Child & Family Development in Minnetonka continues role as a leader in Minnesota social services.

Debbie Kirby remembers her experience at St. David's:

I too, had a child at St David's who is now 30 years old.We started with Marlyn and Eric and Mary Bigaulke. The support that we received as a family was a great start also the Mothers sharing group help me to realize I wasn't alone in our life journey.

This was nearly the year Derby Days fireworks didn't light up the sky. But, thanks to a last-minute $10,500 donation from the city of Shakopee Tuesday, the show will go on at dusk Saturday, Aug. 4 in .

Jay Whiting thinks the move may have saved Derby Days:

The fact is Derby Days had to pay over $5000 to reserve the fireworks some time ago. The City didn't just save the fireworks, chances are there may have not been a Derby Days at all next year, because the cost would have depleted any reserve they would have. Most of the entertainment requires a payment in advance of the event. The revenues trickle in during and after the event. A reserve is necessary to be able to conduct the event at all. It was a dificult but necessary decision in order to maintain this worthwhile community event.

Bounty Hunter Chases Down Wrong Man, Faces Assault Charge

After bounty hunter Charles Ray Damrow of Farmington mistook a Hopkins resident for a "bail jumper" he was pursuing, Damrow was arrested by Hopkins police, who found a black collapsible baton, pink handcuffs and a pocketknife on his person. Damrow could be charged with second-degree assault for approaching the Hopkins man and his wife with the baton raised in a threatening manner.

ERB commented that the incident was proof that it isn't safe to go outside at certain hours:

I don't want to sound callous, but this is why you shouldn't be outside late at night or early in the morning. Only hooligans are out at those times, which is probably why the bounty hunter felt justified in pursuing. But that is just my two cents.

The Sun Current recently ran a Letter to the Editor from Richfield resident Mike Ryan who says he doesn't care about budget cuts and lights spending—his kids will not be enrolling in Richfield Public Schools.

"I keep hearing the local politicians say they want to entice higher income families to Richfield," he wrote. "But why would anyone purchase a home in Richfield when for a similar home and comparable price they could purchase a home in the St. Louis Park, West Bloomington, or the further out suburbs with a much better school district? Until Richfield begins taking even simple steps to repair it’s once highly regarded schools, they might as well forget about trying to entice any families to Richfield."

Patch asked readers to weigh in with their thoughts on switching districts, sparking a discussion with a variety of viewpoints.

Carolyn Schultz Lenzen said after 25 years in Richfield, she and her children were here to stay:

I am PROUD to call Richfield my home. As long as I live in Minnesota, my address will be within Richfield's city limits, and I am happy to say that my children will always be Richfield Spartans.