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This week we received an official document from the Environmental Services Department of Cass County. On one of the pages of this document were two advertisements: one for a hardware store/lumber yard and one for a real estate agent. This seems highly inappropriate.

Even if there was a disclaimer that these were paid for advertisements, it would be inappropriate. And there is no disclaimer. Does this imply endorsement of these particular businesses by the county? Perhaps the county received money for these advertisements. Does this make this official document akin to a newspaper? What of the multitude of other county businesses that are perhaps smaller in size or with less of an advertising budget?

My concern is in no way to be understood as a negative reflection on these two particular businesses.

This practice needs to be reconsidered from multiple perspectives.[[In-content Ad]]

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