St. Joseph Newsleader - Oct. 7, 2016 by The Newsleaders

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Newsleader St. Joseph

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 Volume 28, Issue 39 Est. 1989

Town Crier Candidate forum set Oct. 10 at CSB

The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement, and the League of Women Voters of St. Cloud Area, are co-sponsoring a candidate forum at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10 in Room 204 at the Gorecki Center at the College of St. Benedict. This forum will feature candidates running for the Minnesota Senate, and House of Representatives in Legislative District 13, all of whom have been invited to participate: Senate District 13: Michelle Fischbach and Michael Willemsen. House District 13A: Jeff Howe and Anne Buckvold. House District 13B: Tim O’Driscoll and Matthew Crouse. The event is free and open to the public. There will be an opportunity for voters to register to vote in advance before and after the forum.

Abounding Joy to host ‘Harvest of Joy’ fall festival

Join Abounding Joy Lutheran Church as they celebrate the Harvest of Joy Fall Festival from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15. Highlights include handcrafted items, door prizes, baked goods, children’s activities and a silent auction. Lunch will be served. All proceeds go toward the Youth Education Scholarship Fund. Abounding Joy is located at 6000 CR 120, St. Cloud. For more information, visit aboundingjoylcmc.org.

CentraCare seeks dog-assisted therapy volunteers

Does your dog love getting attention and giving affection? CentraCare Health needs animal-assisted therapy volunteers to visit Hospice patients in their home, patients at CentraCare Health Plaza or St. Cloud Hospital. Visits have been shown to reduce anxiety, reduce pain, improve deep breathing and improve emotional and mental well-being. For more information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Oct. 7 Criers.

For additional criers, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.

See inside for our Salute to Firefighters!

Postal Patron

Heart-warming story emerges in midst of negative news (Editor’s note: This story was submitted by St. Joseph resident Rachael Mixteco to thank police departments in our towns, cities and states for the outstanding work and effort they put forward every day to keep us safe.) Rachael Mixteco, St. Joseph

Our son Elijah turned 6 today. He had one wish – a wish to take two of our town cops out to breakfast. Without Elijah’s knowledge, I, his mother, contacted our chief of police, Joel Klein, and told him about Elijah’s wish. Joel was shocked when I told him Elijah’s wish, said “Let’s do it!” and “We’re not letting him down!” So this morning, on Chief Klein’s day off, he came to town in uniform with his squad car and rang our doorbell. Elijah answered the door and was speechless. He was so excited! Chief Klein told Elijah they were going to breakfast to celebrate his birthday and that he wanted him to ride along in his car with him. Elijah was so happy at this point. Chief Klein also asked big sister, Aaliyah, 12, if she would like to ride along, too, and so they did. Elijah got to escort Elijah • page 3

contributed photo

Elijah, 6, autographs a drawing he drew over the summer for Police Chief Joel Klein. The day the Philando Castile news was on television with an emphasis of violence toward cops, Elijah sat down at the kitchen table and started drawing. He wanted to show the police that he cared, hence the big heart next to the officer.

Lease extension request vexes city council by Frank Lee operations@thenewsleaders.com

To extend the lease or not extend the lease regarding Colts Academy? That was the question before the St. Loso Joseph City Council that would affect plans for a community center. The St. Cloud Area School District is seeking a lease extension which would allow the district to keep early childhood programs at Colts Academy in St. Joseph. “I’d say no,” said council

member Bob Loso to the other council members during the Oct. 3 meeting. “I don’t want to extend this agreement out any further.” The city and the school district entered into a purchase and lease agreement for the property at 124 First Ave. SE that allowed ISD 742 to remain in the facility through July 1. “Two years ago this November we bought this property, and one of the kickers of that was for a community center,” Loso said at the meeting and the year-long extension request. The St. Cloud Area School District hopes an extension will allow the completion of the construction of a new building for early childhood programs on the

Discovery School site. “So if you extend this lease, that moves it out another two years before the city takes over the property, and that (will) make it four years (since it was purchased),” Loso said. The St. Cloud Area School District’s lease at Colts Academy in St. Joseph ends in July, and the district hopes to have its new early childhood building completed in 2018. “I don’t think the citizens of this city were anticipating a community center to take that long,” Loso said. “They have waited two years already. I don’t think two more (years) the city should wait.” The St. Cloud Area School District, according to city offi-

Newsleaders to publish responses to questionnaires Starting with today’s editions of the Newsleaders newspapers, readers will see responses from questionnaires sent to all candidates for local political offices in our readership cities. The responses will also be published online at the Newsleaders’ website once they have been in the newspapers. That way, readers can read them online anytime they like as they appear online cumulatively right up until

Nov. 8 – Election Day. Some candidates, such as those running unopposed, may not have returned questionnaire responses. Any candidate who did not receive a questionnaire for one reason or another should contact the Newsleaders to request one. Call 320-363-7741 or email editor@thenewsleaders.com. See inside for the individual candidate questionnaires.

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cials, does not pay the city a monthly rent for the Colts Academy facility, which St. Joseph plans to turn into a community center once the district is done with it. Last month, the council approved of having Hagemeister and Mack Architects Inc. of St. Cloud create designs for the proposed community center in St. Joseph. “We have HMA drawing up drawings right now, doing needs analysis and space analysis (and more) and I think at this point and time, the city should move forward and not extend this lease … so we can get the community center up and running,” Loso said. “That’s my opinion on that.” Loso was the lone dissenting voice when it was finally put to a vote at the Oct. 3 meeting whether or not to extend the lease agreement with St. Cloud Area School District. “It’s been too long,” Loso said after the vote about the delayed community center, which led into a discussion by the council about possible uses and programming at the proposed site. Council member Dale Wick said after the vote, “Part of that is on us because we haven’t done the programming part,” which Loso agreed. Funding for the new Early Lease • page 3

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016

No photo available

Andreasen

Dahlgren

Hamerlinck

Obituary

Carol R. Belling, 67

all walks of life. She could hardly wait to cast a vote for Hillary. Her inspirational, grounded love will be deeply missed by her children: daughter, Simone (Dane) Haugen; son, Nathan (Melinda); and foster son, Ron (Gretchen) Noon; grandchildren: Brittney, Jacob, Tait, Liv, Isaac, Marit, Trevor, Braden and Corissa; mother Lucille Varpness; sisters: Judy Blaisdell and Linda (Terry) Dieken; mother-in-law June Belling; sister-in-law Monica (Steve) Weekes; and brother-in-law Craig (Lori) and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her father Norman; husband Bernard; foster grandson Benjamin Noon; father-in-law Marvin Belling; and brother-in-law Don Blaisdell. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Recovery Plus Foundation or Resurrection Lutheran Church, St. Joseph.

St. Cloud Oct. 18, 1948 – Oct. 1, 2016

Carol R. Belling, 67, of St. Cloud died unexpectedly at her residence on Oct. 1. Her funeral was held Oct. 4 at Resurrection Lutheran Church in St. Joseph. The Rev. Darius Larsen officiated and interment was Oct. 5 in St. Lucas Parish Cemetery, Cottonwood, Minn. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud. Belling was an exceptional wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister; an unabashed feminist, hardworking colleague and downright beautiful human being who was loving to people of

Correction

An unnamed reader of a few lines from a Native American poem at the Sept. 25 community memorial service in St. Joseph for Jacob

Wetterling was a man, not a woman. The Newsleader regrets the error, which appeared in a story about the service in the Sept. 30 Newsleader.

St. John’s Parish Center Collegeville Take-out available!

German Buffet and Silent Auction Fundraiser Friday, Oct. 7 from 4-7 p.m.

Live Music by Nathan Neuman of Nathan’s Oldtime Band!

German Buffet including: country-style ribs and kraut, St. Joseph Meat Market sausage, German potato salad, beans, dinner roll, pickled beets, rhubarb/ apple crisp, coffee and water.

Tickets will be sold at the door Adults: $12 Children (ages 5-10): $5

Cedar Street Salon & Spa

Free Brow Wax w/haircut purchase Expires: Oct. 31, 2016

320-363-0200

Business Hours: Monday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m. • Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

235 E. Cedar St. • St. Joseph • www.cedarstreetsalonandspa.com

Haws

Palmer

Pollreis

Segura-Schwartz

Studer

Eight vie for four school board seats Eight local candidates are vying for four seats on the St. Cloud School Board this November. They are the following: Scott Andreasen, Al Dahlgren, Peter Hamerlinck, Shannon Haws, John W. Palmer, Jeff Pollreis, Monica Segura-Schwartz and Ric Studer. Six of the eight returned questionnaires sent out by the Newsleaders. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Al Dahlgren

Name: Al Dahlgren. Family: Children Le Anna, Andrew, Alex and Luke. Please give a brief biographical background: I have been a St. Joseph resident since 1991. I grew up in Roseville and attended Mounds View High School where my father was a teacher, coach and administrator. Highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: I attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in agricultural business. I worked for the J.C. Penney Co. for 20 years in management and then worked for Winmark Corp. as a regional representative for 16 years. Concurrently, I opened the Once Upon a Child retail store in St. Cloud where I now focus full time. Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? I am currently clerk of the District 742 School Board. I am committed to honesty, transparency and common sense. I have served four years on the finance committee. I am currently chairing the board-development committee. I have chaired both the personnel committee and the integration and equity committee. I served on negotiation teams, community finance committee, community education advisory board, and I am the board liaison to Kennedy and Colts academy schools.

What do you see as the chief function of a schoolboard member? The role of a board member is policy governance, ensuring our administration is implementing a rigorous system of education meeting the needs of and challenging all children to become the best and brightest persons they can be. Board policies have to be fair to our administration and staff ensuring a safe and secure environment, willingness to listen and responsiveness situations calling for action. If the second attempt at a school bond isn’t approved, what would you take as the next step(s) to resolve the space problems in the district? The need for a bond referendum is more based on space allocation, configuration and curriculum than space needs. We need to convert our educational system to one that is in line with current educational best practices. We do a great job in District 742 preparing kids for college. We offer tremendous advanced-placement offerings. If a kid wants to learn, we will challenge them. Our district’s challenge is not all kids want to go to college. Many kids are hands-on-learners, much more interested in career and tech options than they are in post-secondary college opportunities. The current bond referendum would eliminate an old antiquated boxed classroom building and provide a flexible classroom setting in which we could add a hands-on career tech learning environment for all kids in the district. Working hand in hand with our business community, we could identify and prepare students for real jobs at real businesses. Our tools, equipment and work spaces need to resemble what kids will experience when they get out into the real world. Even students with college aspirations benefit from the ap-

plication of hands-on, real-life learning experiences in combination with classroom learning. It bonds their education to life skills and gives it purpose and meaning. The old Tech is just not functional for this purpose. Apollo is, but it needs renovation. We cannot abandon these aspirations if the levy fails. The district implemented many good ways to deal with the friction between Caucasian and Somali students at Tech. Are there other ways you can think of to lower tensions and foster harmonious interactions among all students? I served on one of the two listening groups established at Tech after the walkout. One of the biggest concerns of the group was the meetings could not result in any favor or special treatment for Somali students. Lack of understanding of cultures and customs on both sides can cause irrational fears and reactions. As the Somali culture assimilates into our schools, our board must assure our teachers and administrators have the tools and prioritize time to listen and guide students of both cultures, making sure they feel heard. I think we have taken major steps to improve interactions. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? Yes. We readopted a much stronger bullying policy in October of 2014 aligning us with the requirements within the Minnesota Safe and Supportive Schools Act. Because it’s statute, major changes are not really an option. As a board member, ensuring its full adoption and follow-through is of major priority. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways School • page 5

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Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon

Editor Dennis Dalman

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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 320-363-7741. 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.

P.O. Box 324 • 32 1st Ave. N.W. • St. Joseph, Minn. 56374 Phone: (320) 363-7741 • Fax: (320) 363-4195 • E-mail: news@thenewsleaders.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ST. JOSEPH NEWSLEADER, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374.

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016

Elijah from front page Aaliyah to the squad car and put her in the squad back seat where she “couldn’t” get out, for fun. All three ventured on their way to our local Kay’s Kitchen restaurant for breakfast, while my husband and I followed in our car from behind. Upon arrival at Kay’s Kitchen, another local cop, Dan Magaard, also surprised

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Elijah with his visit for breakfast. We all sat and visited for breakfast while Elijah got to play with handcuffs, a flashlight, a baton and more as he checked out Chief Klein’s belt. Once breakfast was done, Elijah took his money and paid the cashier for their breakfast. This is what needs to be shown. This officer came in on his day off to greet our son and make his day, not to mention a lifetime memory. We thank the police department for their outstanding work in our city.

contributed photos

Top left: Elijah and St. Joseph Police Chief Klein pose with Elijah’s drawing. Klein will be moving into his new office this winter and plans to hang the picture on his wall. Above: St. Joseph Police Chief Joel Klein surprises Elijah the morning of his sixth birthday.

TEACHER

Teacher openings for 2016-17 school year. Provide early childhood ed for children ages 3-5. BA/BS or AA degree in Early Childhood or related field req. 40 hrs/wk, 11 mos/yr. Wage scale starts at $26,950/yr w/BS or $21,674/yr w/AA and great benefits.

EARLY CHILDHOOD ASSISTANT

Assist in a Head Start classroom. High school degree req, AAS or CDA pref. 29 hrs/wk. Wage scale starts at $10.82/hr.

FOOD SERVICES ASSISTANT

photo by Logan Gruber

Lease from front page Childhood Center was part of the referendum posed to voters in ISD 742, but the 2015 referendum failed, so the St. Cloud Area School District had expressed the desire to remain at Colts Academy. “I don’t know how much

more we can encourage that,” said Mayor Rick Schultz about the desire for the St. Cloud Area School District to relocate its early childhood programs to a new building. “We talked about that for weeks.” At the end of the meeting, a motion was made by Wick that was approved by the entire city council, with the exception of Loso, to discuss potential uses of Colts Academy as a community center.

Assist with food preparation and transportation to classrooms. Must lift up to 45 lbs, 28 hrs/wk, wage scale starts at $10.82/hr.

SUBSTITUTES

Substitute Teacher and Assistant openings in the classrooms and kitchen. Sub Teacher salary is $120/ day and $60/half day. Sub Assistant pay is $10.82 per hour. Subs enjoy free meals with the children.

Applications available at Reach-Up Inc., 350 Hwy 10 S., St. Cloud, MN 320-253-8110 or apply at www.reachupinc.org EOE Positions open until filled.

t i p e e K

LOCAL FREE

16 oz. Coffee Expires: 10-14-16

Most SA stores are owned by JM Cos., a St. Cloud-based employer since 1977.

Our View Let’s rally to help Sartell mobile home owners stay local Yet another mobile home park in the greater St. Cloud area is scheduled to be sold and shut down, leaving its residents in a terrible lurch. This one is the Sartell Mobile Home Park, until about two years ago known as Hi-Vue Mobile Home Park, along Second Street South near the Williams Integracare Clinic. It’s the third such sale in the area – the two others being in St. Cloud and Waite Park. Currently, many of its residents have formed a board with hopes they can collectively buy the park as a nonprofit association. An organization called Northcountry Cooperative Foundation is helping them with the process. We hope those residents succeed because there are 163 mobile homes in that park, each a home to families of various numbers – from senior citizens living alone to young families with children. Some of the residents have lived there for nearly 40 years, and in some cases the children of the first residents, now grown, have children of their own and they live there too, a place they have always known as “home.” At a recent Sartell City Council meeting, some of the residents spoke to the council. They told a bit about their lives and why they are hoping the ownership process is successful. If it isn’t, they will have to find someplace else to live, and that is not an easy option because it’s unlikely they can afford other forms of housing. In their testimony, it was clear they are economically challenged, but their fortitude, their pride of their homes and their sense of neighborliness came through loud and clear. There are about 1,000 mobile home parks in Minnesota with about 50,000 living units, all told. Those residents tend to be among the most economically vulnerable of people who just don’t have a lot of money to work with for a number of reasons. It’s such a shame they are susceptible to the fate of their living spaces when mobile home parks, with infrastructural deterioration or other factors, cause the park owners to shut down and sell the land. We should view these people as our neighbors, we should rally to their cause, and we should press the City of Sartell and other movers-and-shakers in the greater St. Cloud area to do anything in their power to help these people maintain their homes. We applaud the Twin Cities-based Northcountry for stepping up to the plate to help the residents. That cooperative has helped save other parks and their residents through ownership plans. Let’s pull together to help Northcountry and those residents succeed in this case, too. This dilemma of the Sartell park residents is – or ought to be – of regional concern. We should remember that old wisdom: “There but for fortune go you or I.”

The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016

Opinion Story tip? Please include phone number, e-mail It seems more and more people are talking by telephone less and less, so many think all communications can or should be done solely via email or texting. When it comes to newspapers and other media, that’s not necessarily true. In many cases, talking via phone or in person are vital if a story is to be written and published. The Newsleader staff is always happy to receive news releases and story tips from readers, but now and then there is a delay in processing and publishing them. Readers can help us out by being sure to include the following information, the most important being a telephone number: News releases News releases are informational, matter-of-fact items readers would like published in the newspaper. They don’t usually require any follow-up interviews by the news staff. The most important thing to include is a telephone number, the name of a contact person and preferably the best time to call that person. It’s also important to be sure to include what we call the Five W’s: Who, What, When, Where, Why. Here’s a hypothetical example: For more information, call June Slattery at 978-355-2011. Who: The Orion Club. The main speaker will be nationally known identity-theft investigator Richard Schimske. Local police will also talk about identify thefts that occurred in the area. What: A free two-hour class about how to avoid identity theft. When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26. Where: The Orion Club building, 904 Fifth Ave. S., Parker City. Why: To acquaint people with tips to protecting personal and financial information to help avoid identity theft via email, telephone, use of credit cards and debit cards and postal mail and other ways. For more information, call June

Dennis Dalman Editor Slattery at 978-355-2011. (Best time to call is mornings before 9 a.m. June is the Orion Club president.) Her email is junesl897@yahoo.com. Here is how that information would be published as a story in the newspaper: Headline: Orion Club to present identity-theft class. Published Story Tips on how to protect oneself from identify theft will be shared during a free two-hour class at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Orion Club in Parker City. Nationally known expert on identity theft, Richard Schimske of Chicago, will be the featured speaker, along with local police who will share examples of identity theft in this area. The class will cover how identify theft that can occur via stolen information derived via telephone, use of credit cards and debit cards, postal mail and other means. For more information, call Orion Club President June Slattery before 9 a.m. weekdays at 978-355-2011. Or email her at junel897@yahoo.com. The Orion Club is located at 259 Fifth Ave. S. in Parker City. Story tips The rules for submitting story tips should include the same kinds of information as press releases: Who, What, When, Where, Why and (please don’t forget) a phone number, the name of a contact person and best time to call. Story tips are different from most news releases in that more information is necessary to flesh-out the story. That information is obtained by an interview with a reporter in person

and/or via telephone call. Here’s an example of story-tip information provided to the newspaper. “Hello Newsleader. We wondered if you would be interested in doing a story about a neighbor of ours. Her name is Cecilia Plaquemort. She is only 17 and is an amputee. Despite that, she saved up money, then took a trip to Tanzania where she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was always a dream she had, and she raised money for people who need prostheses. I talked to Cecilia and her parents. They are all willing to be interviewed for a story. If interested, call me, Jon Germaine, at 765-930-5692. Or call the Plaquemorts at 765-930-5773. Best time to call me or them is after 5 p.m. on a weekday.” Here’s the start of feature story, as based on information obtained in telephone and in-person interviews with the Plaquemort family. Headline: Plaquemort’s dream brings her above the clouds Published Story Standing on the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro in East Africa, Cecilia Plaquemort of Parker City took a deep breath, pinched herself and shouted to her fellow climbers, “Am I dreaming this or what?!” No, the 17-year-old wasn’t dreaming, although her climb up Kilimanjaro was a long-time dream. Some said it would be difficult, if not impossible, because Plaquemort is an amputee, missing her left leg below the knee due to a car accident five years ago. “In grade school, we had a guest speaker who had climbed Kilimanjaro, and so I wanted to climb it too,” Plaquemort said. “After the accident, after I lost a leg, I was more determined than ever to reach that summit, no matter what.” And so, dear readers, to repeat, please, please, please always leave a contact telephone number (any maybe an e-mail address) when submitting news releases or story tips.

Letters to the editor:

Join League of Women Voters at candidate forum

Mary Ann Graeve, St. Joseph

Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin were concerned the new democracy would need serious citizen participation to succeed. The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a candidate forum for Senate District 13 at 7 p.m. Mon-

day, Oct. 10 at Gorecki Center on the College of St. Benedict campus. This forum will make it possible for citizens to hear and ask questions of candidates running for the State Legislature. The League of Women Voters has a strong reputation for fairness and non-partisanship in its forums.

This is an opportunity for anyone living between Paynesville and Sartell, including Avon, to make democracy live up to the Franklin and Jefferson ideal. The forum starts at 7 p.m., but the doors will open at 6 p.m. Let’s get a big turnout for the chance to have some input in our democracy.

Anne Buckvold is ‘Minnesota mean’ Jack Tomczak Host of ‘Up and At Em’ I host the podcast “Up and At Em.” The show was on the radio (KLTK) for three years until recently. I had extended an invitation to Anne Buckvold a number of times to discuss her views on extending NorthStar Com-

muter Rail. According to her tweets to me, I invited her on a year ago. She took it upon herself to do some research and listened to one episode of my show where I talked about the agonizing struggle and expense of some medical issues regarding my wife and daughter. Her tweet to me stated, “The episode I selected, you

were on alone, talking about your wife and daughter and their needs. You sounded whiny.” Regardless of one’s opinion of Northstar or other political views, it’s plain to see Buckvold is a callous woman unfit to serve in the Minnesota Legislature. Anne Buckvold is Minnesota mean.

Elect Al Dahlgren to finish what he started

Robert Jodsaas, Waite Park

I have worked with Al Dahlgren, District 742 School Board member, (during) the past five or so years on modifying the district’s standard practice of roof replace-

ment and repair projects for flat roofs. Al dove into the process and was instrumental in modifying that practice, which will lead to substantial savings for the district and the district’s tax payers. I can tell from my communications with

Al that he cares about this school district and this community. I feel his work is not yet complete, and we need him on District 742’s school board to continue these types of positive improvements in our community.

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016

School from page 2 could they be reinforced? One cannot discount the need for safety in our schools. Maslow, in his pyramid of needs, makes safety a basic need for which no higher needs can be met until safety is achieved. Children cannot learn and teachers cannot teach if they do not feel safe. Our job on the board is to have in place exceptional resources to ensure our teachers can teach and our students can learn. Recently, we have added additional staff and resources to safety measures. We have updated several of our schools to ensure greater security from outside threats. We will continue to examine this and listen to our students, parents and teachers to ensure a safe environment. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? We are no longer in a world where a teacher stands in front of 30 kids and teaches from a book, all at the same pace. Teachers in today’s classrooms have many students with varying needs. We need flexible spaces where teachers can teach different groups of students with differing needs at different paces. We need flexible spaces that one hour may be used for a math class but the next hour converted to an engineering lab. Students must understand technology. When a child leaves our schools they need to be prepared for the real world, whether that be college, Tech College or going straight to work in an auto shop, hospital or top-flight commercial kitchen. Are sports over-emphasized in schools these days? In St. Cloud schools, I don’t feel our budgets have allowed over-emphasis to occur. Sadly, we are ranked near the bottom in spending per student on activities and athletics ($198). Because of our district’s large (mandated, unfunded) special-education costs, we are forced to reallocate dollars, while other schools can spend more than double what we do. Activities keep kids busy and off the streets. They create bonds and lifelong friendships. I would like to see expanded activities and athletics opportunities in District 742.

Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? We do need to look at the number and frequency of testing. It burdens teachers and kids. Teachers need time to teach lessons rather than program kids to test well. Parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve are a good thing. That is the foundation of motivation. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. Children are one third of our population but 100 percent of our future.

Peter Hamerlinck

Name (and family information, if you wish): Peter Hamerlinck, my wife is Amy and together we have five children (all of whom have graduated or will graduate from Apollo!) Please give a brief biographical background: I was born in Wadena, Minn. and spent the majority of my growing-up years in St. Cloud. I’ve been a resident of the St. Joseph area for 20 years. Pleases give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: I’m a proud graduate of St. Cloud Apollo High School and St. Cloud State University. My career has been primarily focused in sales and I’m currently employed by IVO Networks. I also work with the Activities office at Apollo doing site management and public-address announcing. I’m a past president of the Kennedy Community School PTA. I’ve received the Volunteer Service Award from the Minnesota MS Society, Award of Excellence from the Minnesota Elementary Schools Principals Association, the Achievement in Education Award from the St. Cloud Morning and Noon Optimist Clubs and the Partners in Education Award from District 742. Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? My experience as a PTA president and on multiple levy/ bond committees provided me a base of knowledge as to how our schools operate. During my previous time on the Board, I was recognized as someone who was fair, balanced and truly interested in arriving at the right solutions. My activity with local and statewide legis-

lators directly resulted in important funding for our District. I take the time to listen to students, parents and anyone with comments or concerns. I work to recognize and acknowledge both the achievements we’ve made and challenges we face. What do you see as the chief function of a schoolboard member? A school board member is part of the group that establishes the policies of the District. Board members are responsible for high academic standards, transparency and accountability. Board members, along with district administration, establish a vision of high expectations that will lead to successful students. If the second attempt at a school bond isn’t approved, what would you take as the

next step(s) to resolve the space problems in the district? Should the bond not pass, the Board would need to work with the Superintendent as to next steps. Included in the next steps would have to be short-term solutions, long-term planning and “what if” (a boiler at Tech stops working for example) planning. Decision-making processes must include input from all aspects of the school district community with the leadership of the board and superintendent. The district implemented many good ways to deal with the friction between Caucasian and Somali students at Tech. Are there other ways you can think of to lower tensions and foster harmonious interactions among all students? I believe

5 for every negative incident that is relayed through the media, there are dozens – if not hundreds – of positive interactions among all our students. These are the positive things that happen every day and will continue to happen. As long as we continue to recognize and acknowledge these instances, we will continue to move to a positive school environment. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? I have read Board Policies 514/514a that deal with bullying. They are complete and very specific. I see no changes that are needed. With that said, it’s the responsibility of school staff to make School • page 8

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 Friday, Oct. 7, 2016

St. Joseph Firefighters!

Jim Marthaler, 39 years

Bill Lowell Jr., 31 years

Randy Torborg, 27 years

Paul Phillipp, 17 years Captain

Keith Simon, 16 years

Andy Loso, 14 years

Mark Winter, 24 years

Shirlie Brill, 12 years

Justin Honer, 20 years Assistant Fire Chief

Ken Jacobson, 12 years Captain

Jeff Taufen, 20 years Fire Chief

John Prom, 12 years

Kurt Krekelberg, 17 years

Dan Muyres, 11 years Captain

St. Stephen Firefighters!

Dave Salzer, 11 years Captain

Josh Schloemer, 11 years

Ron Schmidt, 4 years

Joe Bye, 3 years

Keith Louwagie, 7 years Captain

Brian Theisen, 3 years

Brian Arms, 6 years

Andrew Kremer, 2 years

Sharon Rennie, 5 years

Joe Orcutt, 2 years

Mike Folkerts, 4 years

Justin Hunt, 1 year

Front row (left to right): Brian Quaal, 23 years (captain); Chris Hoeschen, 9 years (captain); Jeff Blenkush, 20 years (assistant chief 2); Jeff Drais, 20 years (fire chief); Gene Skaj, 34 years (assistant chief); Rodger Bellinger, 18 years (captain) and Steve Trobec, 13 years (captain). Back Row (left to right): Jason Trobec, 11 years; Jason Paggen, 18 years; Dave Trobec, 17 years; Ralph Barhorst, 43 years; John Knettel, 9 years; Tim Borgert, 1 year; Brad Kostreba, 1 year; Joe Gordon, 7 years; Keith Patrick, 12 years; Jim Schumer, 39 years; Jeff Supan, 23 years and Al Vouk, 44 years. Not pictured: Eric Gilitzer, 3 years; Lauren Hoeschen, 7 years; Jeff Jefferson, 11 years; Mike Ringstad, 7 years; Adam Seifermann, 3 years; and Aaron Rudolph, 21 years, retired.

Cory Molitor, 4 years

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St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

School from page 5 sure this policy is followed consistently and completely. There have also been efforts made in recent years reassuring students it’s OK to let a staff member know when they’ve been bullied. This is a positive step in the effort to eliminate bullying. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? In recent years, much has been done in our schools to ensure security of students and staff. Main entrances have been made multi-layered, non-main entrances have been eliminated and security cameras have been added. As is current practice, we must continue to review and adjust as necessary the physical security features of our buildings. I would like to see all security cameras and recordings are digital (providing higher clarity) and that camera coverage is complete. We must continue to provide staff training in how to prevent and respond to emergency situations. I’ve been in a building during a lock-down drill and I felt the staff was very prepared and acted very appropriately.

Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? Technology has become the norm for so many aspects of our lives. It’s been and will continue to be part of everyday life. I’ve seen that in the classroom, technology (laptops, tablets and more) has become a piece of the puzzle for teaching the basics. Technology hasn’t replaced the basics but instead allows us options to help engage and educate in a way students can relate to. I’ve seen students who, when allowed to integrate technology, have become more active and interested in learning. Are sports over-emphasized in schools these days? The short answer is no. I work a few days a week for the Activities office at Apollo, either as a site manager or PA announcer. So I see a great number of practices and games throughout the year. What I see are kids who want to be there – they enjoy the teamwork and friendships. Student athletes also benefit from the structure sports present. I see coaches who help emphasize sports are just a part of the student’s high school life…the overall goal is to make them better prepared for life after high school. Our schools offer a wide variety of sports, activities and

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CHURCHES EYECARE Gateway Church - New Location! Russell Eyecare & Associates Saturday 6 p.m. • Sunday 10 a.m. 15 E. Minnesota St., Ste. 107 Northland Plaza Bldg. • 708 Elm St. E. St. Joseph • 320-433-4326 320-282-2262 • gatewaystjoseph.org Resurrection Lutheran, ELCA

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PUBLISHING Von Meyer Publishing 32 1st Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-7741 TECHNOLOGY Computer Repair Unlimited 24 W. Birch St. St. Joseph • 320-492-2814 www.computerrepairunlimited.com TRUCKING Brenny Transportation, Inc. Global Transportation Service St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com

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if you would like your business included. Check out the online Business Directory at thenewsleaders.com which hyperlinks to each business’ website.

clubs, allowing our students the opportunity to participate if they choose to. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? First, parents need to be involved in all aspects of their child’s life – know what classes they’re taking, what their homework is, who they hang out with both in and out of school. Parents should expect easy communication between themselves and teachers. Students need to have someone, besides a parent/guardian, who they can feel comfortable talking to should they have problems. We need to make sure our schools are appropriately staffed with counselors and mental-health professionals. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. My pledge is this: I will be transparent in all my board work, acting in an open and honest manner. I will always speak the truth and monitor that my colleagues do the same. I will continue to earn your trust by being student focused, financially responsible and an advocate for our entire district.

Shannon Haws

Name (and family information, if you wish): Shannon Haws Please give a brief biographical background: I was born and raised in St. Cloud, a community I value and love. My parents: Larry and Faith Haws. I have two sisters, Kelly and Colleen, and one brother, Ryan. My spouse, Tim, and I have four children: Zander, Haiden, Olivia and CrystalAnne. Please give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: Bachelor’s degree in business management and human resources, St. Cloud State University; currently general manager of Comfort Keepers Home Care; also EBT Information booth organizer for the St. Cloud Area Farmers’ Market; and past experience as Head Start teacher and swim coach Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? I am the mother of four children. My youngest daughter is a freshman at Tech High School. I am passionate about both education and our community. I am a thoughtful and pragmatic person. I am running on the campaign platform of “Community Solutions.” I think trust, transparency and a community connection are needed in our school-board leadership.

LEGAL NOTICES STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF STEARNS In Re: Estate of Anthony Louis Gaetz Deceased

DISTRICT COURT SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT Court File No.: 73-PR-16-8886 ORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS: It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 28th day of October, 2016, at 8:45 a.m., a hearing will be held at the above named Court at St. Cloud, Minn., for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the Will of the above named decedent, dated Dec. 28, 2007 and for the appointment of Nancy Gaetz, whose address is 3333 15th St. N., St. Cloud, Minn. 56303, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in unsupervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, a personal representative will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: Sept. 28, 2016

Mary B. Mahler Judge of District Court

Filed: Sept. 28, 2016 Mary Jo Mendel Stearns County District Court Deputy Daniel A. Eller 1126438 Attorney at Law 2103 Frontage Road N. Suite 25 Waite Park, Minn. 56387 (320) 253-3700

George Lock Court Administrator

Publish: Oct. 7 and 14, 2016

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 What do you see as the chief function of a school-board member? I see my role as a school-board member as one to continuously address the quality of education all of our students are receiving. The success of all of our students in turn will be the success of our community. If the second attempt at a school bond isn’t approved, what would you take as the next step(s) to resolve the space problems in the district? I was part of the high school’s design committee and post-referendum listening sessions. The listening sessions provided an opportunity for our community to give feedback regarding what they liked and what they did not like about the referendum. From this feedback the school district has created a second proposal. I see four fundamental groups of voters. Group 1: Will most likely always vote no. Group 2: Will most likely always vote yes. Group 3: Votes yes because they like the proposal. And finally, Group 4: Wants to vote yes to a solution but dislikes something(s) about the proposal. If the referendum fails again, my recommendation is to ask Group 4 “What would it take you to vote yes?” rather than our current approach of asking them “Why did you vote no?” Then, most importantly, empower this Group 4 to create a proposal they would support. Take this

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME STATE OF MINNESOTA Pursuant to Chapter 333, Minnesota Statutes, the undersigned, who is or will be conducting or transacting a commercial business in the State of Minnesota under an assumed name, hereby certifies: 1. The assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted is: Day One Sports Performance. 2. The stated address of the principal place of business is or will be: 29353 Lindbergh Lane, Avon, Minn. 56310. 3. The name and street address of all persons conducting business under the above assumed name including any corporations that may be conducting this business: Day One Sports Performance, 29353 Lindbergh Lane, Avon, Minn. 56310. 4. I certify I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify I understand by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath. /s/ Justin Michael Rost Dated: Aug. 26, 2016 Filed: Aug. 26, 2016 Publish: Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, 2016

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 proposal back to Group 3 and ask them if they would support this new proposal. This is a slightly different approach I believe could result in a solution. The district implemented many good ways to deal with the friction between Caucasian and Somali students at Tech. Are there other ways you can think of to lower tensions and foster harmonious interactions among all students? Have school disciplinary actions transparent and equal regardless of race or gender. Hold all students equally accountable for rules regardless of race and gender. Find opportunities to foster cross-cultural relationships in daily active learning. Increase cultural education for all staff and students. Provide more options to educate all families on school-behavior expectations. Increase classroom parent volunteers. Continue attempts to recruit qualified, diverse job applicants so our students have greater exposure to role models of multiple cultural backgrounds. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? Our school district has made diligent efforts to address bullying within our school buildings. Our ever-changing world requires our efforts to focus on cyber bullying. The idea of school and home being two separate spaces is not how our digital children view the world. Student-conduct policies need to be applied on and off school property. Our schools do not have the capabilities or resources to monitor social postings. We need to create an environment where students are encouraged to stand up to social-media posts that are hurtful to others. We need an atmosphere where students are comfortable reporting cyber bullying and where victim-blaming is nonexistent. All reports need to be taken seriously. It’s also our responsibility to teach Internet safety and etiquette. Everyone’s fear, of course,

is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? Schools have made significant improvements on school security. Increased quality and quantity of cameras on the inside and outside of our schools would aid in making our schools safer for students and staff. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? We need to educate and prepare our students to be competitive and successful in today’s and tomorrow’s society. The ABC basics still exist and are the building blocks to our cradle-to-career responsibility. The ABC basics are an essential foundation to successful adults. The technology and “frills” are representational of our school district adapting to meet the needs of our changing world and ensuring our students have the knowledge and skills needed for all post-high-school paths. Are sports over-emphasized in schools these days? No. In fact we need to increase student participation in our schools’ sports and extracurricular activities. These activities promote inclusiveness, break down barriers and keep kids connected to school. The activities play a vital role in promoting a sense of belonging and school spirit which in turn improves our graduation rate. Students participating in extracurricular activities learn time management and the activity involvement itself, aids in better choices of free-time usage. Students form friendships and benefit from interaction with positive role models. Students also are engaged in activities that will most likely carry into their adult life. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep.

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Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? There are some students who are heavily involved in activities and others who may have a little too much free time on their hands. These expectations and caseloads may be family value driven. Schools can aid in lessening pressures by scheduling distant competition (such as Moorhead) on Fridays and Saturdays rather than a school night. Also a team approach for core subject staff to communicate and structure tests and projects on different due dates would aid in lessening pressures and also improving results. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. Please visit my website www.shannonhaws. com. You can also find me on facebook: Shannon Haws for School Board. You can reach me by email shannonhaws@ hotmail.com. My cell phone: 320-250-3893.

Jeff Pollreis

Name: Jeff Pollreis. Please give a brief biographical background: My parents were Robert and Betty Pollreis. I was one of 14 children and grew up on Eighth Ave. N. in St. Cloud. I graduated from Apollo in 1978 and went straight into the U.S. Air Force for the next four years, serving our country. I married Lisa Klaverkamp from St. Augusta in 1987. We have three beautiful children – Shannon, Dustin and Thomas. Our entire family attended District 742 schools and we are proud of it. Highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: I graduated from the Security Specialist Technical School in the Air Force and obtained the rank of sergeant. Graduated from Pinellas County Technical College’s firefighting program, then the St. Petersburg Junior College’s Emergency Medical Technician program and attended general classes at SCSU. I have worked as front manager at Crossroads Perkins. The last

29 years I’ve worked for the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department in the Jail Division. My job title is programs and resources coordinator. I was nominated for the county Lifesaving Award, and for the Minnesota Jail Programmer of the Year Award three times. My Release Advanced Planning Group won Best Program of the Year in Minnesota, and several of my volunteers won best volunteers of the year for Minnesota. One of my past inmates I have helped won NCAAP Father of the Year Award. Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? I help those employees and all people around me become the best they can be. I am trained in interpersonal communications – health realization, I am a union member and worked on contract negotiations as a team member for six contracts. I listen well, include all involved and seek out a winwin solution if possible. I am always a positive person. I am someone you can trust because I will earn it by both my actions and my words. What do you see as the chief function of a schoolboard member? A school-board member should help establish a very clear long-term vision and policies for the school district, keeping in mind responsible spending, ensuring all efforts and resources directly impact the learning of all students. They should hold accountable themselves and the superintendent when these goals are not met. They do not micro-manage. If the second attempt at a school bond isn’t approved, what would you take as the next step(s) to resolve the space problems in the district? Have building meetings where all the space needs can be accessed and see if there are ways to better use the limited space we do have. Check for any redundancies. Listen to all staff, parents’ and students’ input. We must think outside the box. The district implemented many good ways to deal with

9 the friction between Caucasian and Somali students at Tech. Are there other ways you can think of to lower tensions and foster harmonious interactions among all students? The district should have more meetings, socials, icebreakers, newsletters and events that invite in the parents and students attending our schools. Parents should lead by example and learn more about one another to realize how we are not different when it comes to caring about the future of our students. Prejudice is a learned behavior and is taught at home early on. It can be stopped and eradicated once and for all. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? Yes. I feel the policy means well but lacks consistent enforcement. It states “After the investigation has been completed, the building principal shall take appropriate action consistent with the bullying policy.” What appropriate action? There should be spelledout consequences for the most common violations of policy, no exceptions. All students should be treated equally. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? I believe we need to continue putting in secure entrances in all our schools. Train all staff de-escalation skills. Have more cultural diversity training for staff, students and invite parents as well. I believe in proactive measures rather than reactive. I would hold accountable all students and parents starting with the small stuff before it leads to bigger things. Mutually earned respect greatly affects security in any setting, even in a jail where I work in. All students need to know they are accountable for their actions. I will bring my background in law enforcement and safety to School • page 10

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

School from page 9 the board. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? I agree the basics are very important. I also feel to ready our students for the world they will be living in, they must embrace new technology. There should be a balance. I would rather know how to find an answer than to have it memorized. Are sports over-emphasized in schools these days? I do not feel sports are over-emphasized in schools. I believe sports, music clubs and any extracurricular activities should be welcomed and nourished these days? Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? We are all under the pressures we put on ourselves. Learning time management would help the student in all of us. Less TV, more family reading time to our younger children. More scheduled family meals together. Accountability by parents and students on what needs to be done and when. We must conquer procrastination. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. I want to be your choice for a new voice, someone who will bring a law-enforcement background to the board. Someone who

has seen every day how drugs, bad influences, poverty and broken families affect our youth. I will be a hard-working board member who has no hidden agenda. I will always listen to all parties involved and together we will find the best solution possible. I will work to keep all our neighborhood schools open and thriving. I will work to stop wasteful spending. I have attended all board meetings since I was elected to run. I also have toured almost all of our schools. I am serious about wanting to do a good job if elected and have been preparing myself for the possible work ahead. Thanks for taking the time to read this article about my views. To learn more about me, please see my website jeffpollreis.com or call me at 320-248-3436 and I will try to meet with you or your group.

Monica Segura-Schwartz

Name: Monica Segura-Schwartz. Family: I’ve been married for almost nine years to Troy Schwartz, a St. Cloud native. Please give a brief biographical background: I was born in Bogotá City in September 1972. I am the only child of a single mother. I grew up living with my mom and three aunts. My extended family has always been close to me. While working as an electrical engineer (about six years) in Colombia, I came to St. Cloud State University in 2001 to improve in English. As I was doing so, I enrolled in the master’s program in social responsibility, (graduated 2008). Shortly before graduating, I started working at Catholic Charities, with individuals with developmental dis-

school bond isn’t approved, what would you take as the next step(s) to resolve the space problems in the district? To understand what the community wants from our schools and the “whys” of their vote. The bond is not only addressing limited space, it’s also addressing safety concerns, technology demands and in general how physical installations are competitive not only to hold our current body but to provide them with what is expected of high school education today and in the future. This is a community issue and as such we need to come to a solution as a community. My role will be to provide safe spaces for dialogue where we can hold tensions and move to solutions. I believe in our community and that we are able to come to a consensus, especially about the education of our children. The district implemented many good ways to deal with the friction between Caucasian and Somali students at Tech. Are there other ways you can think of to lower tensions and foster harmonious interactions among all students? I propose looking deeply into the issue and considering all students while we foster harmonious interactions. White and Somali students are about 70 percent to 80 percent of Tech student body. Tensions are not exclusive of two ethnicities. It’s also important to continue to communicate achievements of the district and school not only in this area but in all others. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How

abilities, and later became the manager for the Immigrant and Refugee Resources Department, a position I currently hold. Highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: Education: Electrical engineer degree from the Pontifical Xavierian University, in Bogotá, Colombia, and a master’s degree in social responsibility from SCSU. Sample of local boards: Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, St. Joseph Church Parish Council and Hispanic Committee, St. Cloud Dioceses Parish Council, Create CommUNITY, GREAT Theatre, PERSEVERANCIA cofounder, District 742 Strategic Planning Core Team. Why are you qualified to serve as a school board member? Because I really care about children, education and this community, and I have experience in boards and other governing bodies. What do you see as the chief function of a school board member? The board’s function is to define policy, provide direction and assure accountability from the schools to their children, family and community. Board members represent the community in a team to embody the board’s main function. I believe in transparency and being present while consistently remembering that first and foremost our duty is to our children and our children’s success, safety and education above else. In summary, our chief function is to be attentive to community and work as a team to provide direction to the schools for the benefit of our children. If the second attempt at a

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Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 would you change it? I have been part of the Safe and Supportive Schools Committee in the district since before the Law on Bullying passed at the state level. I am very familiar with the policy. The work of this committee has been in developing policy but also a process of addressing the issue at its roots. As a board member, I like to emphasize adult and community consciousness about bullying, so we are the example our children need to follow. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? Security measures are always about enforcement, which is an act after the fact. These measurements will never be enough if there is no work on prevention, and fostering good and appropriate relationships. This task is more challenging than it sounds. We need to model a community of dialogue and compromise for our children to follow suit. At schools, I will advocate for and support spaces of reflection and fostering critical thinking to help children think before acting, reacting less, as well as to deal with their own feelings and tensions. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? Children learn in different ways and for some technology and “frills” may motivate them to excel, but for others it may just be the perfect distraction to avoid real learning. I believe children should be exposed to diverse ways of teaching because not all of them are going to complain with a chosen method. Are sports over-emphasized in schools these days? Sports are very important and a good way to keep children engaged, and more. In the light of concern, I will look into what alternatives there are for children interested in other types of activities. I am a firm advocate for the arts, for example, and would like to see more and more arts explored and used in schools. Our challenge may always be a good balance of opportunities that provides enough choices to all. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? It’s important to consider all these pressures and to teach our students how to deal and cope with them. We are preparing children to be part of a world that moves faster than the one we are seeing now, with a storm of information to discern from many different sources and

St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 more diverse than what we’ve seen. Schools should provide a safe environment for students to learn to cope, to understand stress and to find ways to release themselves. Please feel free to add any ideas or comments. I believe the board needs voices like mine. As an immigrant, a woman and a person who has worked as a family advocate in relationship with the schools, I kept waiting to have more representation of every sector of our community in the board. I felt the call to offer options in these elections. I also have been part of a number of committees during my career in St. Cloud and before coming to the USA, which has

given me experience in the type of dialogue and work the board is set to do. I have experience on many boards. I am very patient, persevere and dedicated. I really care about children in our schools and community.

Ric Studer

Name: Richard A. (Ric) Studer. Please give a brief biographical background: Born and raised in St. Cloud; 1966 graduate of Tech. Have lived on the West Coast and in the Twin Cities Metro area and returned to St. Cloud in 2002. Highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received,

special skills and knowledge: I have a bachelor’s degree in history and an associate’s degree in sound arts. I’ve been a professional musician, worked in hospitality-industry management and was a caregiver to my parents for 12 years. I have been, or currently am, a board member of Unite, CMSP, St. John’s Episcopal Church (three separate times) and the Central Minnesota Independent Musicians’ Collaborative. I am a published songwriter and have produced band and songwriter demos during the course of 15 years. Why are you qualified to serve as a school-board member? Anyone is qualified to be a

school-board member who has a passion for the future of our culture. I in particular am qualified because I have a unique ability to synthesize analytic deliberations into a short, simple and essential explanation and express that solution clearly. What do you see as the chief function of a schoolboard member? The function of a school board member is to facilitate the development of our youth and interested adults to become happy, successful and productive members of society. If the second attempt at a school bond isn’t approved, what would you take as the next step(s) to resolve the space problems in the dis-

Community Calendar

Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com. Friday, Oct. 7 Brat Sale, sponsored by the St. Joseph Lions, 9:30-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. St. Joseph Area Historical Society open, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave. NW. stjosephhistoricalmn.org. Octoberfest Fundraiser, 4-7 p.m., St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 14241 Fruit Farm Road, St. Joseph. Saturday, Oct. 8 Central Minnesota Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1480 10th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids. 320-251-2498. Brat Sale, sponsored by the St. Joseph Lions, 9:30-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 First Ave. NW. Central Minnesota Chapter of the Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, 12:30 p.m., American Legion, 17 Second Ave. N., Waite Park. Saturday, Oct. 9 St. Stephen Breakfast with Firefighters, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Church of St. Stephen Parish Hall.

Monday, Oct. 10 Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., parking lot of Hardware Hank, Seventh St. N., Sartell. marketmonday. org. St. Joseph Township Board, 8 p.m., St. Joseph Township Hall, 935 College Ave. S.

Tuesday, Oct. 11 Sartell Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., Waters Church, 1227 Pinecone Road. 320-258.6061. info@sartellchamber.com. Poor Clare Tea Benefit, 2-6 p.m., St. Francis Xavier Church, 219 Second St. N, Sartell. St. Joseph Joint Planning Board, 7 p.m., St. Joseph City Hall, 25 College Ave. N. 320-363-7201. cityofstjoseph.com. Holistic Moms Network, 7-8:30 p.m., Good Earth Co-op, 2010 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 320-252-2489. Restoring the Ojibwe Language, a Historial Film Series, 7-8 p.m., Charles Lindbergh Historic Site, Little Falls. www.mnhs.org/calendar. Wednesday, Oct. 12 St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., St. Joseph Community Fire Hall, 323 Fourth Ave. NE. stjosephchamber.com.

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Thursday, Oct. 13 St. Joseph Senior Citizens, 1:30 p.m., St. Joseph Community Fire Hall, 323 Fourth Ave. NE. Family Farmers’ Market, 2-6 p.m., River East parking lot, CentraCare Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle, St. Cloud. 320-252-2422. Sartell Firehall Open House, 4:30-7 p.m., Sartell Fire Station, 220 Fourth Ave. S. St. Cloud Area Mothers of Multiples, 7 p.m., VFW Granite Post 428, 9 18th Ave. N., St. Cloud. St. Joseph Action Group quarterly meeting, 7 p.m., American Legion, 101 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph. 320-363-7666. Friday, Oct. 14 St. Joseph Firehall Open House, 4-7 p.m., St. Joseph Community Fire Hall, 323 Fourth Ave. NE. Saturday, Oct. 15 St. Stephen Firehall Open House, 9 a.m.-noon, St. Stephen Fire and Rescue Station, 2 Sixth Ave SE. Harvest of Joy Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Abounding Joy Lutheran Church, 6000 CR 120, St. Cloud. Community Meal, 11:30 a.m.12:45 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell. at:www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com 515-972-4554(MCN) HEALTH & MEDICAL Got Knee Pain? Back Pain? Shoulder Pain? Get a pain-relieving brace at little or NO cost to you. Medicare Patients Call Health Hotline Now! 1- 800-6042613 (MCN) LIVING WITH KNEE OR BACK PAIN? Medicare recipients may qualify to receive a pain relieving brace at little or no cost. Call now! 844-668-4578 (MCN) Stop OVERPAYING for your prescriptions! SAVE! Call our licensed Canadian and International pharmacy,compare prices and get $25.00 OFF your first prescription! CALL 1-800-263-4059 Promo Code CDC201625 (MCN) Viagra!! 52 Pills for Only $99.00!Your #1 trusted provider for 10 years. Insured and Guaranteed Delivery. Call today 1-888-403-7751 (MCN) IF YOU HAD AN IVC FILTER PLACED FOR BLOOD CLOTTING AND HAD COMPLICATIONS, between 2010 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles H. Johnson 1-800-535-5727. (MCN) MISCELLANEOUS ALL THINGS BASEMENTY! Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing, Finishing, Structural Repairs, Humidity and Mold Control. FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1-800-

trict? Explore alternative plans to make the current location of Tech viable as a modern highschool campus and bring Apollo up to modern standards while concurrently refining and clarifying plans for building a new high school up to and including finding a different location. Any plans for a new school must be explained and heavily promoted by the school district in a more personal, conversational way The district implemented many good ways to deal with the friction between Caucasian and Somali students at Tech. Are there other ways you can think of to lower tensions and foster harmonious interactions School • back page

LEGAL NOTICES CITY OF ST. JOSEPH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VACATION OF DRAINAGE & UTILITY EASEMENT OF OUTLOT C, COLLEGE SECOND ADDITION The St. Joseph City Council shall conduct a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 at 6 p.m., or shortly thereafter, at the St. Joseph City Hall. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the vacation of the drainage and utility easement for Outlot C, College Second Addition. The request has been submitted by the College of St. Benedict, 37 College Ave. S.

All persons wishing to be heard will be heard with oral testimony limited to five minutes. Written testimony may be submitted to the City Administrator, City of St. Joseph, P.O. Box 668, St. Joseph, Minn. 56374. Judy Weyrens Administrator/Clerk Publish: Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, 2016

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Health-care professionals to celebrate Mass School by Cori Hilsgen news@the newsleaders.com

A Catholic Mass honoring physicians, other healthcare professionals and medical workers will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph. The Mass is for health-care workers of all faiths. Family and friends are also invited to attend the event. St. Cloud Diocesan Bishop Donald Kettler will offer a special blessing for the hands of health workers, recognizing the work performed by those in the medical field. The St. Benedict’s Monastery Schola will lead the music. According to the St. Cloud Diocese’s website, the “White” Mass celebrates the unique contributions health-care workers make to the medical field. The name of the Mass originated from the white coat usually worn by those in the medical field. The Mass is a chance for workers to be recognized for their commitment to their chosen profession to help heal, to celebrate health and to receive a blessing from the bishop. The College of St. Benedict Director of Campus Ministry Sister Sharon Nohner said for years the college has hosted a “Red” Mass during which they recognize and give a special blessing for those who work in the legal profession. “It raised the question as to why we had not had a White Mass blessing for those who work in health care in our diocese seeing as the Sisters of St. Benedict have done so much in establishing the Catholic healthcare system in our area and beyond,” Nohner said. Bret Reuter, director of mission and spiritual care at St. Cloud Hospital, said in a press release that health care is sacred and soulful work.

from page 11

contributed photo

Bishop Donald Kettler (right) prays a blessing for health-care workers after the 2015 Mass held at the Sacred Heart Chapel at the St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph. A 2016 Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Chapel. “We need grace – God’s grace – to be present to patients, families and our colleagues in a manner that, as our mission suggests, reflects the healing mission of Jesus,” he said. “The Mass for health-care professionals celebrates the sacred work of caring for the sick among us and calls upon God’s grace that we may be vessels of God’s loving, healing presence to all those we serve.” There are 24 Catholic-sponsored hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living residences in the St. Cloud Diocese. The Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict founded St. Cloud Hospital in 1886 and St. Cloud School of Nursing in 1908. They also founded schools for X-ray technology, anesthesiology, laboratory technology, the St. Benedict’s Senior Community nursing home and developed a four-year registered nursing degree through the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. The tradition of a White Mass to honor health-care workers was reintroduced into the diocese last year. Nohner said about 70 health-care professionals attended last year’s Mass. “It was a wonderful event that many wanted to see continue and become a yearly event,” she said. “The White Mass is a time to invite all who

are in the health-care profession to gather and be blessed for the healing work they are doing in our communities.” Annette Jesh, parish healthministries program coordinator for St. Cloud Hospital, said the St. Cloud Diocese has a rich history of providing health care. “When we gather together, we have an opportunity to renew our dedication as members of the health-care community and how each of us responds to providing holistic health – that is the process where there is harmony and balance among the dimensions of our lives and those we care for – body, mind, spirit and relationships,” Jesh said. The event is sponsored by the Diocese of St. Cloud, Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Benedict Senior Community of CentraCare Health in partnership with CSB/ SJU and St. Cloud Hospital. A reception will be held after the Mass in the Sacred Heart gathering space.

among all students? Any social upheaval among students begins with parents, as parents are responsible for a young person’s world view and understanding of societal norms. Therefore, racial and ethnic sensitivity classes and/or seminars can be developed and provided for parents who wish their children to graduate. I realize this is a harsh solution and will be subject to intense resistance, but the issue has a harsh nature with intense resistance to change. This parental development would be mandatory for all parents of all racial, ethnic and religious persuasions. Have you examined the district’s policy regarding bullying? Is it adequate or does it need improvements? How would you change it? I have not examined it. Everyone’s fear, of course, is the unthinkable: violence in schools. Do you think the district’s security measures are adequate? If not, which ways could they be reinforced? The district is instituting new safety and security measures and I will wait to determine if they are working and adequate. To be fair they must be given time. Some people complain schools should get back to the ABC basics and too much technology and “frills” are taking over the basics. What would you tell those people? While I agree renewed emphasis on the basics is desirable, the old-school approach was accompanied by deep parental involvement that is no longer prevalent. There-

Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 fore, even the basics must be augmented by modern and advanced teaching methods that reflect modern society. Jobs today involve group problem-solving using cutting-edge technology rather than individuals in cubby holes. Our educational process must reflect this or our matriculating and immediate job-seeking graduates will be at a distinct disadvantage. Are sports over-emphasized in schools these days? Yes. Although they remain a viable learning experience, they must remain valuable as a teaching tool with less emphasis on community identity, recruiting and facility arms races. Academic and arts achievement should be brought on a par with athletic achievement through recognition programs and student assemblies for high achievers in those areas. Students are under extreme pressures: homework; tests; extracurricular pursuits; all sorts of parental, peer and societal expectations to achieve – not to mention lack of sleep. Are there ways to lessen those pressures for them? Less emphasis on test scores and grades and more on life skills and personal development. Less busy work and testing and more time spent on cooperative problem-solving and development of critical-thinking skills. This will have the value-added effect of facilitating longer and less-stressed sleep. Once parents determine activities are safe, they should allow students to plan and participate in the extracurricular activities of their choice. Peer pressure has been part of the high-school experience since the neolithic age. I’m not certain anything can be done about that.