Reaching EVERYbody!
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid St. Joseph Newsleader St. Joseph, MN 56374 Permit No. 21 ECRWSS Postal Customer
Newsleader St. Joseph
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 Volume 25, Issue 9 Est. 1989
Town Crier
Summer Rec opens ball registration
Registration for the evening ball program for boys and girls ages 5-14 will be from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. For more information or questions, call Sharon Young at 320-293-3278 or Amanda Lopau at 320-260-1598.
Resources for individuals, families experiencing homelessness
Project Homeless Connect, a one-day event for individuals and families experiencing or near homeless, will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at River’s Edge Convention Center, downtown St. Cloud. The event, sponsored by United Way of Central Minnesota in partnership with Tri-County Action Program and Stearns County Human Services, provides a welcoming environment and a way to connect individuals with needed resources in the community. The Wilder Homeless Study conducted in Minnesota in October 2012 reflects the growing needs. Consider the following stats: from 2009-12, long-term homelessness increased faster in greater Minnesota (28 percent) than in the metro region (1 percent); children with their parents represented the fastest-growing segment of the long-term homeless population today statewide (26 percent increase from 2009-12); last year, 325 children experienced homelessness in Central Minnesota. For more information, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
Widow supports proposed work-zone bill by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com
A state bill that would ban cell-phone use by drivers at roadway work zones and decrease the speed limit by such zones has the full support of Jodi Rajkowski of St. Joseph. Her support is not surprising, considering her husband, Ron, was killed while working at a construction site two-anda-half years ago. Rajkowski testified in favor of the bill at a House committee meeting on the bill at the St. Paul Capitol earlier this month. “Our hearts ache forever for Ron, no matter how life changes or moves on,” Rajkowski said at the hearing. On Oct. 13, 2011, Ron Rajkowski and another man died after a driver from Missouri veered off the road, traveling at 70 mph, and slammed into the two workers. Craig Carlson of St. Paul, a project supervisor, was killed instantly. Rushed to a hospital, Rajkowski
died shortly after of massive internal injuries. The collision happened on Interstate 35 at Burnsville. Rajkowski, an employee of the Egan Co., was helping install fiber-optic cable at that site. The man who hit them, 21 at the time, said he realized his car was getting too close to a retaining wall when he overcorrected his steering, sending his vehicle into the two men working off the side of the road. There is no evidence that man was using a cell phone, although a cell phone was found later on the front seat of the car. In Missouri, the man was fined $100, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service and served 30 days of a work-release sentence in jail. At the time of the collision, the orange work-zone speed sign said 60 mph, but the customary white 70 mph sign had not been taken down yet, Rajkowski told the Newsleader. “If the speed limit had been Work-zone • page 2
contributed photo
Jodi Rajkowski of St. Joseph is strongly in favor of a law intended to make roadway work zones safer. Her husband, Ron, was killed by a car that veered off the road while he was working at a site near Burnsville two-and-a-half years ago. Their children are Blake (left) and Chase.
Baenninger to lead Drew University by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
Drew University in New Jersey. Baenninger announced in October she would step down from her position as CSB president effective June 30. Her new position starts July 21. In a recent press release, Baenninger said she wanted to be closer to family. “As I explained when I announced this would be my last year at CSB, my husband and
Current College of St. Benedict President MaryAnn BaenninPiano supervisor sought ger has acat Discovery Kidstop cepted a Children at Discovery Elemen- position as tary School who attend Kidstop on president of Baenninger a regular basis are being selected to participate in a music program, Piano Education Reaching Kids, to learn how to play piano. Children will receive a 30-minute lesson, one day each week during Kidstop hours. Volunteers are asked to help one day a week, 2:30-5 p.m. to supervise students while they practice. For information on this and other United Way volunteer opportunities, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
Postal Patron
I want to be close to our family at this time in our lives,” Baenninger said. “This is a perfect ‘fit’ for both Drew and for me. The university has a rich history, very strong academic programs and an abiding sense of community. I look forward to the opportunity to serve Drew and to get to know the members of its community.” The CSB presidential search
committee will continue to move forward in the process of hiring Baenninger’s replacement. Chair of the CSB Board of Trustees Lynn Newman commented in a recent press release. “The CSB Board of trustees is delighted MaryAnn has accepted another college presidential position, especially one so close to her immediate Baenninger • page 7
Alumni pets wanted for portrait sessions by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com
Adopted pets are wanted for an “Alumni Photo Shoot” March 8-9 at the Tri-County Humane Society. The idea for the photo shoot is to get updated photos of animals Hot off the press that have been adopted so they If you’d like to receive the Newsleader hot off the press, send can be added to the “Before” us your email address and we’ll photos that are already at the notify you with a link when our humane society, which always website is updated, which is typi- photographs animals before they cally by noon a day in advance of are adopted. The “Before” and the print edition. Send your email to news@thenewsleaders.com and “After” photos can then be comyou should start receiving your bined for a crowd-pleasing slide reminder at that address within a show at the society’s next Wine, week. Notify us otherwise. Kibbles and Bits annual fundFor additional criers, visit www. raiser, scheduled for April 25 thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers. this year.
The photographs will be taken free of charge, and both photographers will give the pets’ owners a free 8” x 10” portrait of their animals, with an option to buy more prints if the owners so choose. To make an appointment for a photo session, call 320-252-0896. Those who already have professional-quality photos of their pets are encouraged to email them with the owner’s name, the pet’s name and when they were adopted. Then put “WKB Slideshow” in the subject line and send them to tchs-events@ hotmail.com. The two photo sessions at the Tri-County Humane Society are Pets • page 3
contributed photos
These three cats and three dogs are featured on a poster about photo sessions for “Pet Alumni” for the Tri-County Humane Society. The Society is asking people who have adopted pets there to bring them back in for free photo sessions so a series of “Before” and “After” shots can be made into a promotional slide show.
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People
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Three St. Joseph students were recently named to the fall dean’s list at St. John’s University, Collegeville. They, their parents and their major are as follows: Spencer Frie, son of Elaine and Roger Frie, a senior, music; Joshua Loso, son of Patty and Neil Loso, a sophomore, undeclared; and Benjamin Evenson, son of Marne and Mark Evenson, a senior, Hispanic studies. Students must earn a minimum grade-point average of 3.80 to achieve this honor.
They are seniors Anna Bernstetter, daughter of Chris and Joe Bernstetter, and Melissa Palm, daughter of Nicole and Jeff Palm. Students must earn a minimum grade-point average to achieve this honor.
Elizabeth Larson, daughter of Debbie Stumvoll and Keith Larson of St. Joseph, Minn., has been named to the fall dean’s list at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph. Larson is a first-year music and theater double major at CSB. Students must earn a minimum grade-point average of at least 3.80 to achieve this honor.
Four St. Joseph students were recently named to the fall dean’s list at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. They and their majors are as follows: Cody Athmann, senior, human development; Samantha Evander, senior, liberal arts; Luke Teigen, freshman, biological sciences; and Elaine Caspers, senior, liberal arts. Students must attain a minimum 3.66 grade-point average to qualify for the honor.
Two St. Joseph students were recently named to the fall dean’s list at Bethel University, St. Paul. If any readers have tips concerning crimes, they should call the St. Joseph Police Department at 320363-8250 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes. Feb. 6 12:51 p.m. Welfare check. Date Street W. Complainant called to report a suspicious vehicle in the mobile home park. She stated she didn’t know where it was, but could hear an engine rev occasion-
Mallory White of St. Joseph recently received the Chancellor’s Award for fall semester from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. She’s earning her bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering.
ally. She then went on to explain it was suspicious because she was on her phone and her phone disconnected and she believed the vehicle is causing her line to be disconnected. Officer checked the area and found normal traffic coming and going in the area. Checked her phone and it seemed to work fine. No other problems. 3:21 p.m. Fraud. Northland Drive. Complainant stated she has been getting emails from ericmathewsccslegalgroup@gmail.com stating she owes money on a loan and a lawsuit will be filed if she does not pay with a Greendot card only. The email does not provide a
Work-zone from front page 55 mph, I still say Ron and Craig might have had time to see the car coming at them,” she said. “They might have had time to jump out of the way. There were no barriers protecting Ron and Craig where they were working when they got hit.” Rajkowski said a split-second accident took away her husband and the father of their two boys, and so many special days and times were forever taken away by his death. A split-second of driver distraction, she said, “can be disastrous.” Carlson’s widow, Deb, also told the committee members how devastating her husband’s death was to her and her two children. She said Craig had often told her how fast people drive past work zones and how many of them can be seen talk-
Blotter
contact number. She was advised to respond and advise them to contact the police office to assist her in this situation and see if they call us. She was also advised to call her credit bureau and advise them to keep an eye out and to contact Gmail and advise them. She was asked to contact the police station if she gets another email. Feb. 8 2:41 p.m. Tamper with vehicle. Hill Street W. Complainant stated sometime between 8:30 p.m. the previous night and now, someone went through his van. He thought the van was unlocked. He stated
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
ing on cell phones. Another person who testified at the bill’s hearing was Larry Hanson, safety director for the Egan Co. for which Rajkowski worked. “We have a pickup that nobody wants to drive because it’s Ron’s truck,” he said, choking back tears. “We have an office nobody wants to use because it’s Craig’s.” If the bill is approved by the state legislature, it will go into effect Aug. 1. Many legislators said they are in favor of banning all cell-phone use by motorists while driving, but the bill’s sponsor said he would rather address just the work-zone proposal first. The bill’s author is State Rep. Ron Erhardt (DFL-Edina). The bill as now written would make illegal the use of cell phones by drivers in work zones whether the cell phones are hand-held or not. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s
Department of Public Safety, in the past five years there have been 26,000 crashes at work zones in the state, causing 4,017 injuries and 41 deaths. “What we want,” Rajkowski told the Newsleader, “is to get people to pay more attention, to quit doing things like eating a hamburger, putting on makeup or talking on cell phones. Those things are dangerous on any roads but especially in work zones.” Rajkowski said she is hoping the proposed bill will find widespread support in the legislature and with the general public. “The more supporters we have, obviously the better,” she said. “It would be good if people would contact their legislators to say they are in favor of the bill.” Rajkowski is employed by Stearns County in its humanservices department. Her two boys Blake and Chase are now 10 and 8.
they took stuff out and laid it on the passenger seat. As of now, he does not think anything is missing, but wanted officers to be aware of it. 6:23 p.m. Extra patrol. Iris Lane E. Complainant stated during the past three weeks she has been in and out of the hospital. She noticed approximately $300 in cash and coins has been taken from the residence. She wanted to advise of the theft in case there are others in the area. Requested extra patrol.
female went into the bathroom. A female non-security employee went into the restroom and checked on her and talked to her, eventually convincing her to come out. She was very emotional and not making much sense. Officer asked if she had been drinking and she admitted she had. She was told due to her emotional state she was turned over to security and would be issued a citation by mail. Officer went with security to her dorm where it was observed she had climbed into bed and fallen asleep. They monitored her until a resident assistant was contacted who agreed to care for her for the night.
Feb. 9 2:13 a.m. Underage consumption. College Avenue S. Arrived and was met by security who said the
Lucy is a 7-year-old spayed cat who came to the shelter because her owner was moving and couldn’t take her along. Lucy doesn’t see eye-to-eye with other cats and would do best in a home were she’s the only cat. She did well interacting with older children and often looks for warmth on available laps. Lucy is described as a little shy and a lot
Tri-County Humane Society
“Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 14 Puppies - 9
Cats - 21 Kittens - 4
Gerbils - 3 Guinea Pigs - 2
735 8th St. NE • PO Box 701 St. Cloud, MN 56302
252-0896
www.tricountyhumanesociety.org
Hours: Monday-Thursday Noon-6 p.m., Friday Noon-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday Noon-5 p.m.
Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc.
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Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon
Contributing Writer Cori Hilsgen
Editor Dennis Dalman
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P.O. Box 324 • 32 1st Ave. N.W. • St. Joseph, Minn. 56374 Phone (320) 363-7741 • Fax (320) 363-4195 • E-mail address: news@thenewsleaders.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ST. JOSEPH NEWSLEADER, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374.
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
Pets
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
photographer will be Cahlean Klenke of “About a Dog Photography.” Each photo session will from front page take about 15 minutes. For cats and small pets: March 8 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. as follows: The location will be indoors in For dogs: Saturday, March 8 from 11 the training facility behind the a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, March TCHS shelter. The photographer will be Adam Lewis, a TCHS 9 from noon-5 p.m. The location will be outdoors employee. Each session will take behind the TCHS shelter. The about 15 minutes.
A pet sale continues at TCHS. Two kittens (under 6 months) can be adopted for the price of one. For cats 6 months and older, customers can name their own price to adopt them; and cats 2 years and older are free to seniors, veterans and military personnel. To adopt, call 252-0896 or to find out more information, go to www.tricountyhumanesociety.org.
Turkey hunts set for disabled
Craft & Vendor Spring Fling
Two turkey hunts for people with disabilities will take place April 15-20 and April 21-25 at Stearns County’s Rockville Park and Nature Preserve. The park will be closed to the general public during both of the five-day hunts. Hunters will be able to use shotguns, bows or crossbows. Four hunters will be selected and supervised by Midwest Outdoors Unlimited
for each of the hunts. The mission of the group is to provide outdoor recreational activities for Disabled American Veterans, disabled individuals and disabled youth in Minnesota. Each disabled hunter will be accompanied by at least one able-bodied person while in the park. For more information, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
March 22 10 a.m.-2 p.m. El Paso Bar & Grill 200 N.W. 2nd Ave. • St. Joseph
Door prizes! Vendors include: Scentsy, 31 Gifts, Avon, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Young Living and many more! Handmade blankets, jewelry, wooden decor, etc. Food and drink specials! **Please bring a canned or non-perishable food item for the local food shelf.**
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Concrete Pump Operator: MUST have a Class B license. Experience a plus but not required. Stop by and fill out an application at: 1374 105th St. NW, Rice, MN or contact Mark at 320-393-4485.
St. John the Baptist Parish Center, Collegeville Just west of St. John’s University Campus on Fruit Farm Road
Fridays, March 7 & 28 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Fish Fry Tickets at the door: Adults: $10, Children (ages 5-10): $5 Children under 5: FREE Menu: Fried fish, macaroni & cheese, baked potatoes, beans, coleslaw, bread, dessert buffet and beverages Take out available. Our dining room is handicap accessible.
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
photo by Cori Hilsgen
The old Kennedy School building is getting a new name. Upon school board approval, the building will be called “Colts’ Academy.” was a need to rename the former Kennedy School building. A recommendation and decision was made to involve the students who attended that school, especially the current sixth- through eighth-grade students. Teacher Jesus Sandoval and members of the student council were consulted to obtain A naming of the old Ken- names. Students in the sixthnedy building event was held through eighth-grade homewith the students at the new room classrooms chose variKennedy Community School ous names and the list was narrowed down to the top five to select a new name. Principal Dr. Judy Nagel most popular names. Those said they were informed there five names were taken to the
Old building – new name by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
The old Kennedy School building is getting a new name. St. Cloud School District
742 Executive Director of Business Kevin Januszewski said the district is in the process of renaming the building to avoid confusion for the location of the two Kennedy buildings.
PAPARAZZI, YOUNIQUE, SCENTSY & THIRTY-ONE Saturday, March 1 • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 510 Ellie Court • St. Joseph
Come see all the new spring product lines! (Kids are welcome to join you!)
Click “attending” on our Facebook link to be entered into a special drawing! https://www.facebook.com/events/1395055494084750
We have over 1,000 frames in stock! All shapes and sizes, basic to trendy, affordable to luxury, kids and adults. “Like” us on Facebook for exclusive deals and updates!
Russell Eyecare & Associates
15 E Minnesota St, Suite 107, St. Joseph (320) 433-4326 www.russelleyecare.com
City Council votes against billboard special-use permit by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
After much review and discussion, the St. Joseph City Council denied a request for a special-use permit for the refacing of an existing static billboard sign located at 320 Old Highway 52. At its last meeting, the council on a 1-3-1 vote denied the permit based on various ordinances and facts, including the proposed dynamic sign increases and extends the existing size of the sign, it is a nonconforming use because it’s in a residential district and the lighting of the dynamic sign is in violation because the source of the light shines directly on a residential district. Several people attended the
meeting and spoke both in favor of and against the sign request. Nancy Ebel opposed the permit and said billboards can lower the value of properties. Troy Rheaume, Joe Pfannenstein and Mark Warnert spoke in favor of the updated sign. Rheaume said he was having a hard time understanding why the council was requesting so much information and said he felt they were singling out this request. Rheaume said they would be willing to work with the city in any way they could. He asked the council to “please be fair.” Council member Steve Frank said there was a general consensus among the St. Joseph Economic Development Authority and city council and planning commission for no
Christie Russell-Villnow, O.D.
FISH FRY FUNDRAISERS at the El Paso Sports Bar March 5 - El Paso ASH WEDNESDAY March 7 - 2012 Lions March 14 - Stride Academy March 21 - St. Joe Baseball March 28 - Stride Academy April 4 - Sno Joes April 11 - Stride Academy April 18 - St. Joseph Lions GOOD FRIDAY Serving 5-8 p.m. Some fundraisers will have silent auctions and/or meat raffles.
(320) 363-4345
200 2nd Ave. N.W., St. Joseph
www.elpasosportsbar.com
building leadership team and they voted on the name to submit as a recommendation to the district administration and school board members. The name “Colts’ Academy” was chosen. The name is scheduled to be presented to the St. Cloud School board members at the Feb. 27 meeting. If it’s approved, a new sign will be made for the building. Januszewski said the sign would be built by the school-district carpenter staff at minimal cost of materials only. He said the sign should be installed within the following month. Little Saints Academy currently leases space in the old Kennedy school building. It occupies 4,657 square feet of the building
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billboards. He spoke of a long history in St. Joseph of wanting to limit billboards and said the council is not intending to pick on any one person. He referred to St. Joseph Code of Ordinances 52.11, Subd. 12, and Minnesota statute section 462.357, Subd.1e regarding non-conforming use and more. Mayor Rick Schultz had asked city attorney Tom Jovanovich to review other municipalities that may have allowed signs. Jovanovich detailed his search and gave examples of actions taken by the cities of Minnetonka and Arden Hills. Council member Bob Loso questioned the increase in size of the sign based on square footage versus volume and questioned the zoning of the property and how it’s taxed. Administrator Judy Weyrens said taxation and zoning are two different issues. She said the property owners are taxed on how they use the property. Loso voted in favor of the permit and Schultz abstained from voting. Council members discussed the ordinances that applied to the request and consulted with Jovanovich for clarification.
HELP WANTED Part-time Warehouse St. Joseph, MN
Overstock Bait is looking for an energetic individual part-time in our warehouse. Shipping experience and/ or computer skills will be a plus. Individual must be able to be on their feet all day. Send resume to: jobs@overstockbait.com
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
St. John’s monk debuts solo exhibition by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
Br. Simon-Hoa Phan recently debuted his first solo exhibition on monastery life at St. John’s University. Phan has been a monk at St. John’s Abbey for 22 years. He is a professor for the College of St. Benedict’s and St. John’s University’s art department who has trained to make documentary films. Through his exhibit he offers a visual artist’s point of view of life at St. John’s through images, movement and sounds. His exhibition, “Contuitus: A View from the Monastery,” is a series of videos and video installations that features eight short videos, ranging from two to 12 minutes each, screens
which show Phan’s point of view and his reflections on monastic life. At the exhibit, Phan projects various speeds of video on transparent voile, the floor, the wall, on a TV monitor and more. He says lately his creative works have been focusing on his life as a Benedictine monk – as a Christian living out his calling in a specific manner of life. This exhibit is based on his self-examinations and reflections. In a recent press release, Phan said he wanted to show monastic life is an ordinary life with extraordinary grace. Director of Abbey Communications and Marketing Br. Paul-Vincent Niebauer said Phan not only communicates
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through his art but he loves monastic life and monastic community, even though it’s not perfect. Those are the “glimpses” Phan’s exhibit offers viewers. Niebauer said he compares the monastic life to a parentchild or married-couple relationship which is constantly changing. During the course of those years, many trials, triumphs and joys are experienced. The exhibit opened Feb. 3 and will run for six weeks at Alice R. Rogers and Target Galleries on the SJU campus. Phan hosted an open-house reception Feb. 7 and hopes to host two other talks that would allow CSB/SJU students to earn a photo by Cori Hilsgen Fine Arts Experience credit for Br. Simon-Hoe Phan explains his exhibit about monastic life at viewing the exhibition. St. John’s. Here he shows images projected on transparent voile.
Theismann updates council members on Wobegon trail by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
At the request of Mayor Rick Schultz, Stearns County Parks Director Peter Theismann updated St. Joseph City Council members on the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail at the Feb. 6 council meeting.
Theismann said Stearns County was awarded a $1-million Legacy grant toward the extension of the trail from St. Joseph to the Waite Park River’s Edge Park. The trail extension would connect the trail to the St. Cloud area. Theismann said the Legacy grant funds would be enough to
acquire the land, but it would not get the construction done. He said an estimated $2.6 million is needed for the project. Theismann is making appeals for the additional money. He said the St. Joseph Township Board has promised $10,000 and an individual citizen has offered $5,000 of her
own money. Theismann showed an example of a rail-with-trail option. He said there are at least 100 rail-with-trail projects in the United States. The rail-withtrails are adjacent to active railroad corridors and usually have some type of fencing between the pathway and the railway.
Shop/Yard Foreman: Experience in the concrete business needed. Duties include direct maintenance man as to repairs needed, maintaining maintenance logs, keeping shop a clean safe environment, ordering supplies and some materials and preparing materials for jobs daily. Qualified applicants please stop by and fill out an application at: 1374 105th St. NW, Rice, MN or contact Mark at 320-393-4485.
Laborer Form Setters for Footings/Walls: Stop by and fill out an application at: 1374 105th St. NW, Rice, MN
The proposed trail would be a 10-foot-wide trail between the railroad tracks and the county road. Theismann reminded council members the Albany Jaycees started the Wobegon Trail. He is asking people to think about possible funding options.
STEEL SALES & RECYCLING
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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
Opinion Our View
New work-site driving laws should at least be tried A law to ban cell-phone use in roadway work zones begs the question: Shouldn’t cell-phone use be banned on every street and roadway in the state? As they say, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Yes, it’s good legislators are considering how to make work zones safer. There’s no excuse for the shocking number of accidents, injuries and fatalities that have occurred at or along roadway work sites in just the past 10 years – 41 deaths and more than 4,000 injuries. Work-crew members at those sites have often remarked about how many motorists breeze blithely through those sites, yakking away on cell phones or indulging in other distractive behaviors, often while exceeding the posted speed limits. That observation was made by Deb Carlson during a State House committee hearing at the St. Paul Capitol earlier this month. Carlson is the widow of Craig Carlson, who was killed, along with Ron Rajkowski, at a worksite by Burnsville in 2011. Ron’s widow, Jodi Rajkowski of St. Joseph, also spoke at the hearing. They urged legislators to ban cell phones and lower speed limits at work-zone sites. As every motorist should know by now, speed kills; and speed plus distractive behavior is a double danger. That is especially true at work sites when so many things going on at once can be distractive and/or confusing, including detours, rerouting configurations, heavy equipment, noises and workers that can easily become vulnerable to distracted drivers. Speeding or using a cell phone greatly exacerbates the distractions beyond the vehicle’s windshield. People forget a serious or fatal roadway accident usually happens – literally – in the blink of an eye, in a millisecond. Drivers who talk on cell phones, fiddle with radio knobs, eat dinner, put on makeup or do other forms of roadway multi-tasking are asking for trouble. These adults seem to act as if they are perpetual teenagers – immortal, invulnerable, indestructible. They are, in fact, irresponsible operators of fast-moving vehicles; they are threats to public safety. It’s really discouraging drivers have to be reminded driving demands one’s full attention at all times on any street or roadway. We have to wonder if any law at all is going to persuade distracted drivers to start keeping their eyes and their minds on their driving. However, it’s certainly worth a try. It took a long time, but seat-belt laws have gradually convinced an overwhelming majority of drivers and passengers to buckle up. Laws against drunken driving have convinced an increasing number of drivers not to drive while intoxicated. Perhaps if enough drivers are caught – and prosecuted – for driving while doing distractive activities, it might convince more and more drivers to realize, at long last, it’s a very dangerous thing to be doing and they should stop it before they injure or kill themselves or somebody else. Two years ago, the legislature passed a law against texting while driving. However, it’s difficult for law enforcement to determine visually if someone is talking or texting while driving. The real solution is to ban cell-phone or iPad use, period, while driving. The legislature, for now at least, should pass the workzone law. Later, if that law proves effective, it should be extended to all streets and roads. In short, no cell-phone use while driving, period. We can only hope such a law will make the difference.
Rodman, please go; the plane’s waiting. Dennis Rodman has said he will exchange himself for Kenneth Bae, an American prisoner in North Korea. What a good idea. It’s got to be the best idea Rodman ever came up with. I’m still waiting for that exchange, for his departure. What a happy day it will be, with Bae back in America where he belongs and Rodman kept safe and sound in a North Korean camp, where they might even let him play basketball. One of the most nauseating photos of recent years is the pathetic picture of Rodman hugging North Korean thugleader Kim Jong-un. Rodman’s basketball exhibition trips to that unspeakable dictatorship turned into a buddy-buddy love fest, and he’s been trying to convince us Kim Jong-un is really a “nice guy.” Yeah, right. This son of former dictator Kim Jong-il is the nice guy who presides over a system of prison camps, rape, torture, starvation, forced abortions, public executions and unspeakable acts of brutality as detailed in a recent United Nations report. He’s also the nice guy who keeps threatening the United States and other countries with his nuclear weapons. These all-powerful tyrants have long used food as a weapon of coercion. Those who do not measure up to the state’s expectations get little or no food, and many starve to death, including children. The worst vicious abuses take place in a series of secret prison camps where hundreds of thousands are believed to have died through starvation, execution
Dennis Dalman Editor and other sadistic methods. The U.N. report is difficult to read because it’s so disturbing. People who escape into China are, often with Chinese complicity, returned to North Korea to face the most appalling treatment. For example, women who are snatched back into the country and happen to be pregnant, are put in camps. The newborn baby is drowned or, in other cases, chemicals, beatings and surgical procedures without anesthetic are used to terminate pregnancies. The North Korean regime considers any pregnancy caused by a Chinese man to threaten the “racial purity” of North Koreans. It’s no wonder the U.N. report compares the North Korean brutality to Nazi Germany, with also a similar racial-purity lunacy. What a grim irony these tyrants, including Rodman’s Mr. Nice Guy, dare to call such a despicable dictatorship the “Democratic Republic of North Korea.” Rodman has called Kim Jung-un “best friend” and a “great leader” after joining in singing “Happy Birthday” to such a nice guy on his 31st birthday. Rodman affectionately calls his good friend “Kid.” In an interview with newsman Chris Cuomo, Rodman invited Cuomo to accompany him on his next trip to North Korea, and Cuomo accepted.
Rodman assured him if he sits down to dinner with Kim Jungun and avoids the topic of politics, he’ll see what a nice guy he is. Rodman, no doubt, would have found Adolf Hitler a nice guy, too – a charming fellow who was fond of children, dogs and who was a strict vegetarian. Heckuva guy! Kenneth Bae is an American missionary who was arrested while leading a tour in North Korea and accused of “antigovernment acts.” In 2012, he was sentenced, like so many thousands of innocent North Korean victims, to 15 years of hard labor. In one interview, Rodman strongly suggested Bae might be guilty of plotting against North Korea. Later, he changed his mind and made the following statements: “I would do anything . . . if they (North Koreans) said, ‘We’ll take Dennis Rodman and we’ll let Kenneth Bae go.’ You know what? I’d do that, straight ahead. Take me. I would do that.” We’re waiting, Mr. Rodman. We’re waiting . . . The plane is waiting. Once you have completed treatment in your current rehab center, Mr. Rodman, maybe your head will be screwed back on tight enough so you’ll deeply regret your mindless dalliance with that vicious dictator. If such a change of heart should result – here’s hoping – the first thing you should do when you’re released from rehab is to apologize, in person, to the family of Kenneth Bae and then go change places with him.
Letters to editor
Reader responds to ‘Hillary haters could help her win big’ Ruth Wochnick St Joseph You forgot to mention Benghazi. (The writer is referring to Dennis Dalman’s Feb. 21 column, Hillary haters could help her win big.) Hillary Clinton is not worthy of a presidential nomination. She is not trustworthy. Hillary Clinton was the Secretary of State when our consulate in Benghazi, Libya was attacked where four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador, were killed. Clinton made one phone call to the National Security advisor who then called the president and that’s the only call that we know about. That’s it. Hillary Clinton said “With all due respect, the fact is we have four dead Americans. Whether it
was because of a protest or because guys outside for a walk one night decided to go kill some Americans. What difference at this point does it make?” She yelled into a camera with the world watching and said “who cares.” I will never forget that day and the disgust I felt. We want somebody who’s taking care of business, making sure our sovereign soil and our people are protected, and that’s not what she did. Americans died due to gross negligence and incompetence on her watch. Many of us are alarmed at the degradation that is happening to our nation. I mourn for our country under the current leadership and I pray every day for all government officials. I believe God wants us to be positive influencers and it’s only through his grace that we will restore America.
(Editor’s note: The quote from Hillary Clinton about “What difference at this point does it make?” has often been taken out of context by many Clinton detractors and used to imply Clinton does not care about the four men killed. The exchange happened during a congressional hearing with Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) asking questions of Clinton. She went on to say, “It is our job to figure out what happened and to do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again.” The entire JohnsonHillary exchange can be seen on www.politifact.com. Furthermore, despite intensive investigations, Clinton has not been found to be guilty of any wrong-doing whatsoever in the Benghazi tragedy.)
Reader supports Read and urges ‘Let’s make Congress work’ Fairness and ethics
Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.
Maxwell C. Hall Jim Read for Congress Regional Field Representative 6th Congressional District of Minnesota Being the regional field representative on the “Jim Read for Congress” campaign, I know firsthand the dedication Jim Read has to improve the lives of the people
of the 6th District of Minnesota. We realize for too long the people of the 6th District have been ignored and pushed aside with Michele Bachmann representing us nationwide. We have not been adequately represented in the U.S. Congress, and we need change. We in the 6th District have some of the brightest and most creative minds in the state, and we have the capacity to elect a person who
listens to the people of the district, pays attention to the needs of the people and one who really wants to make a difference for our country by moving it forward. We have a chance to make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans by electing Jim Read to the U.S. House of Representatives. Join us and “Let’s make Congress work!”
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Community Calendar
Friday, Feb. 28 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St.. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-7332767 “How I Learned to Drive,” 7:30 p.m. SCSU Theater Department, Arena Stage, Performing Arts Center, St. Cloud State University. Play runs through Saturday, March 1. 320-3084636 or www.scsutickets.com. Saturday, March 1 “How I Learned to Drive,” 7:30 p.m. SCSU Theater Department, Arena Stage, Performing Arts Center, St. Cloud State University. Play runs through Saturday, March 1. 320-3084636 or www.scsutickets.com. Sunday, March 2 “The Typist,” documentary about Larry Tillemans and the WWII Nuremburg Trials, 1 p.m., Church of St. Joseph, St. Joseph. Wind Ensemble Friendship Concert, 3 p.m., Stewart Hall’s Ritsche Auditorium, St. Cloud State University. 320-308-3223. Monday, March 3 Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St.. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. Tuesday, March 4 Blood drive, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,
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American Red Cross, 1301 W. St.. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-7332767. MNsure information meeting, presented by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota, noon-1 p.m., Hope Community Support Program, 157 Roosevelt Road, Suite 300, St. Cloud. 651-645-2948 or 1-888-NAMI_Helps. Blood drive, 1-7 p.m., Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 N. 29th Ave., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. Wednesday, March 5 55+ Driver Improvement program (four-hour refresher course), 5-9 p.m., Gilleland Chevrolet-Geo, Inc., 3019 Division St., St. Cloud, 1-888-234-1294. St. Joseph Area Historical Society, 7 p.m., Old City Hall, St. Joseph. www.stjosephhistoricalmn.org. Thursday, March 6 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, Sartell. Project Homeless Connect, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., a one-day event for individuals and families experiencing or near homeless to help connect with needed resources, River’s Edge Convention Center, 10 4th Ave. S., St. Cloud. Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St.. Germain
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St., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. Great River Regional Coin Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 2nd St. S., St. Cloud. St. Joseph City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall. 320-363-7201. Friday, March 7 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St.. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-7332767. Fish Fry, 4-7:30 p.m., St. Francis Xavier School, 219 2nd St. N., Sartell. Fish Fry, 4:30-7:30 p.m., parish center, St. John the Baptist Parish, Collegeville, 320-363-2569. Fish Fry, 4:30-8 p.m., St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club fundraiser, American Legion, St. Joseph. Fish Fry, 5-8 p.m., 2012 Lions fundraiser, El Paso Sports Bar & Grill, St. Joseph.
Saturday, March 8 Sartell Farmers’ Winter Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N.
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FREELANCERS SOUGHT
THE NEWSLEADERS seeks freelance writers and photographers to cover town-specific events/meetings/personalities. Freelancers are paid per story/photo. If interested, please email a resume and a few writing/photo samples to janellev@thenewsleaders.com.
Baenninger from front page and extended family,” Newman said. “She is a strong leader and an exceptional person. We know she will serve Drew University well, and we wish her nothing but the best in her new endeavor.” Drew University is a private, liberal-arts university located in Madison, N.J. It has a total enrollment of more than 2,000 students. Baenninger was chosen from a pool of more than 100 applicants. During her tenure at CSB, Baenninger oversaw multiple construction projects, received national recognition for the
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7 college’s study-abroad programs, internationalization efforts and support for undergraduate research. She also diversified the student body and improved student quality, which resulted in increased financial strength for CSB. Baenninger plans to focus on building Drew’s legacy of internationalism, embark on capital projects and increase visibility of the university while maintaining its longstanding tradition of excellence as a liberal-arts institution. The search committee expects to conclude the search for a new president by the end of March.
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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
8
More snow, again! by Cori Hilsgen news@thenewsleaders.com
As if the weather hasn’t given area residents enough to complain about, 8 inches of new snow fell in the area late last week, followed by more frigid temperatures. The heavy, wet snow caused very dangerous road conditions for evening and morning commuters Feb. 20 and 21. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported numerous vehicles in ditches and advised people not to travel anywhere in central Minnesota unless necessary. The Minnesota State Patrol issued a no-travel advisory early Friday morning and reported the snow- and ice-covered roads were the worst the region has seen in 25 years. Blowing and drifting snow added to the dangerous travel conditions. Between Thursday and Fri-
Friday, Feb. 28, 2014
day afternoon, the state patrol responded to more than 400 crashes, including 40 semis that had jackknifed. Several roads were closed in the southern part of the state and Gov. Mark Dayton directed the Minnesota National Guard to assist stranded motorists. Freeborn, Renville and Steele county sheriffs requested help obtaining shelter and other resources for stranded motorists. Local school districts of St. Cloud, Sartell-St. Stephen and Sauk Rapids-Rice joined many others in the state in closing for yet another snow day. Neighborhoods were busy shoveling, plowing and blowing snow. Many residents’ banks of snow on both sides of their driveway are now so high, they wonder where they’ll be able to put more photo by Cori Hilsgen Snow covered cars filled the parking lot across from Gorecki Dining and Conference Center after snow. heavy snowfall last weekend.
Sponsored by: St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club Visit Saint John’s Prep for
Discovery Day Friday, March 14 Friday, April 11
All-you-can-eat
FISH FRY FUNDRAISER! “It’s time to eat fish again!”
Friday, March 7 • 4:30-8 p.m. American Legion of St. Joseph $9.50 Adults • $7.50 Children 10 and under
Students in grades 5-11 are invited to experience Prep! Call 320-363-3315, option 3 to RSVP and reserve your space.
www.sjprep.net
Find us on
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