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Newsleader Sauk Rapids
Memorial Day brings community together
Friday, May 29, 2015 Volume 1, Issue 5 Est. 2015
Town Crier
by Steven Wright news@thenewsleaders.com
Be a Big Brother
Want to change a life? Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for men that would like to hang out with a youth ages 5 to 14 years old only three to four times a month for 12 months. You can make great memories sharing hobbies and interests. Male youth typically wait 12-18 months for a mentor. Consider going to a one-hour informational session. Contact Rachel, Big Brothers Big Sisters, at 320-258-4537 or recruiter@bbbscentralmn.org.
Apply now to hunt elk in Minnesota
Hunters have until Friday, June 12 to apply for one of seven elk licenses offered this year by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Hunters interested in applying for a license can find maps of the two hunting zones and other pertinent information on the DNR website. Elk licenses will be available in Kittson County’s central and northeast zones, while the Grygla area will be closed to enable that area’s elk population to rebuild to goal levels.
photo by Steven Wright
Boy Scouts from Sauk Rapids Troop 9 salute the flag, prior to the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday.
Among the gravestones, flowers and flags, a small group began to gather inside Sacred Heart Cemetery Monday morning. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion of Sauk Rapids lined up to march, share a few words and reflect on the importance of Memorial Day. Vietnam Veteran and VFW Chaplain Jerry Hovanes opened the ceremony with a prayer to the more than 100 people who attended. Hovanes was glad to see the large number of people who braved the cold and rain to show up for the ceremony. “It’s very important, the great turnout here from the community and the representation by both the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and the American Legion of Sauk Rapids to get people involved and remember what the day is meant to be – to remember the fallen veterans,” Hovanes said. “It means a lot to us old veterans.” John Heintze, member of the local Legion and color guard, said he hoped everyone attending would reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day, which can get lost at times. “It seems like the media these days think this is a day for retail sales and parties, but it isn’t,” he said. “It’s set aside to honor and protect our warriors and give them the credit that is coming to them, whether past or present.” Minnesota State Sen. Michelle Fischbach was also on hand to share some heartfelt words. Memorial • page 4
Maintenance ordinance approved by council by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
A public hearing was held
MSHSL launches effort during the May 26 Sauk Rapid to recruit sports officials City Council meeting on the Now is a great time to get off the bench and back into the game by becoming an official. There is a need for more officials in many activities, and more importantly, there is a need to train and prepare officials to ensure quality officiating for the next century. Officiating is a great way to stay involved with the game(s) you loved to play and provides an excellent opportunity to give back to those activities and assist in teaching life lessons to high school students. Contact your local high school, park and recreation department, or youth athletic association to find out how you can become involved at the youth level. For more information, head to thenewsleaders.com and click on May 29 criers.
issue of a new ordinance to help enforce residential property maintenance. “We need to start getting Sauk Rapids looking like Sauk Rapids should look,” Mayor Brad Gunderson said. Todd Schultz, the city’s community-development director, started off the hearing. “A number of properties are in a period of decline,” Schultz
Bring joy to Hospice patients
Police Chief Perry Beise laid out the department’s hiring plan for the foreseeable future at the May 26 council meeting. Beise said the department currently: is short one officer, another officer is being assigned to the Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force and another officer will retire in the fall. The department has been holding interviews for new of-
St. Croix Hospice is seeking individuals to visit people affected by a life-limiting illness. Companion visits are scheduled at your leisure. Other volunteer opportunities include: vigil, pet therapy (dog) and office administrative. Storytelling, training and mentoring provided. For interest, please contact Jodi Julseth at 320-2506899.
Postal Patron
said, “. . . so the city has been working on a new code.” Schultz said the new code deals with two things: the general condition of buildings, including paint, siding, shingles and brick/mortar; and, what can be parked on a lot, for example, snowmobiles, cars, ATVs and boats, where they can be parked and in what condition. “We will discover issues with this code over time that will require amendments,” Schultz wrote in his request to the council, “but that is a normal part of the process for this type
Police plan to hire three officers this year by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
ficers since April, but Beise implied it takes a long time to hire the right people. “It’s a rather arduous process to hire officers,” he said. A second round of interviews is expected to take place June 2, with the council possibly approving a conditional hire of one officer at their June 8 meeting. If there isn’t a consensus on who to hire before the June 8 meeting, the meeting likely won’t be held, and any and all city business will move to the June 22 meeting.
of code.” “What kind of time period do we give people [to comply with code] for things like cutting grass?” councilperson Nick Sauer wanted to know, in relation to citizen complaints the city has received. “We usually give people a good week, but we’ll work with them,” Sauk Rapids Police Chief Perry Beise said. “We’d rather not write a ticket . . . we’d rather just have compliance.” Schultz said most issues covered in the new ordinance will be more involved than
mowing grass, so the time period for compliance will probably be around 30 days. During the public hearing, many people wished to address the council on this matter. “After this ordinance, what’s the next ordinance?” Mike Aurelius wanted to know. “Are you going to start telling us what color to paint our houses? . . . As you write this, consider the people who live in the houses.” Aurelius implied an ordinance like this might turn neighbor on neighbor, one reCouncil • page 3
photo courtesy of the city of Sauk Rapids
Police Chief Perry Beise leads the Sauk Rapids police department. Beise and the department are looking for three good officers during the course of 2015, with one officer position currently vacant, another officer being assigned to an area task force and a third retiring in the fall. Interviews began in June.
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Friday, May 29, 2015
People
Three Sauk Rapids-Rice students were recently awarded scholarships by the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation. They are the following: The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) has awarded $92,000 in scholarships Kirr Waseca to 35 students who are pursuing post-secondary education for ca- Cordon Bleu, Taher Family/Torke reers in the hospitality industry. Coffee Roasting Co. Scholarship; The scholarships were provided and, Madison Waseca of Sauk through the generosity of Min- Rapids, the Culinary Institute of nesota hospitality operators and America, Wyman Nelson Family were presented May 19. Recipi- and Northcott Hospitality/Saputo ents for 2015-16 include (with Dairy Foods USA Scholarship. The scholarship recipients their hometown, post-secondary have plans for careers as restauschool and scholarship received): rant owners and managers, chefs, Loganne Kirr of Sauk Rapids, bakers, hotel administrators, Le Cordon Bleu, Famous Dave’s event planners, hospitality human Honorary/NRAEF Scholarship; resource managers and caterers. Madelaine Virchow of Rice, Le
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contributed photo
Pictured (front row, from left to right) are the following: Summer Koenig and Megan Mohr, both of Sauk Rapids; Clare Minnerath of Sartell; Katie Lucas of Sauk Rapids; and Nicole Lindmeier, Kathryn Gent and Madi O’Rourke, all of Sartell; (middle row) Kaylee Lodermeier, Avery Mumm, Breanna Hess, McKenna Lalim and Lizzy Minnerath, all of Sartell; Hanna Meyer of Sauk Rapids; Molly Mahowald and Lexy Oftedahl, both of Sartell; and, Sara Johnson of Sauk Rapids; and (back row) Coach Kendi Ruhland; and Alysa Gallagher, Kristina Kirick, Samantha Czeck, Diana Deuel, Amanda Flemming and Megan Cook, all of Sartell; and Coach Nicolette Deason. Not pictured: McKenzie Froiland of Sauk Rapids.
Girls Knights varsity lacrosse team takes second place at state In their third year as a lacrosse team, the St. Cloud North girls lacrosse team captured the second-place trophy at the 2015 North Central Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association state tournament. All games were played at Brainerd High School stadium on the weekend of May 16-17. With an undefeated regular
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season of 6-0, the Knights claimed the No. 1 seed and were given a first-round bye on Saturday. On Sunday, they advanced to the championship round with a 14-2 win over Mankato. In the afternoon they played in a tough battle against defending champs Grand Rapids and came up short with an 11-14
loss. The St. Cloud North team consists of girls from the Sauk Rapids and Sartell community area. This year a new seventh- and eighthgrade team was created and had a record of 4-3-1 in their first season along with a Knights JV team that played in their second year of league play.
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Friday, May 29, 2015
Council from front page porting the other for violations rather than talking to each other about issues. Linda Massman said she was not concerned about the painting portion of the ordinance but rather about the broken-down boats and other vehicles in yards. She said they should be cleaned up so the town looks respectable. “The chief doesn’t have time to go around and [check for compliance]; he probably doesn’t have time to get a cup of coffee now,” said Cy Stallmont. Stallmont said the council should “put teeth” in the part of the ordinance dealing with brush piles and abandoned cars and worry about the paint on the houses later. “This problem kind of spreads . . . and I’m very concerned about it,” Brenda Graves said. She bought her home in 2004 and said at the time it was a very nice neighborhood. Now, she says, it’s slowly deteriorating, with cars parked on the lawn and trash everywhere. “I applaud the city for try-
ing to keep the city pleasant,” Graves continued. “I’m in favor of the ordinance as long as you guys don’t try to stop me from hanging my clothes on the line.” John Abraham said a neighbor of his had bought a lot, built a foundation and placed a house on it but hadn’t done anything since for an entire year. He wondered whether the ordinance would have any ability to combat a problem like this. Schultz said the ordinance would call for a timely completion of building projects. The issue of collector cars came up when Bob Mead stepped up to the podium. Mead has a collection of five cars, which only have primer on them – no paint, as they are typically parked outside and he doesn’t want the paint to bake off. He wonders if his cars would be considered junk in the ordinance. As long as the cars are currently licensed and roadworthy, Schultz said there wouldn’t be a problem with the cars. They would need to be parked in either a driveway or in the backyard of the property, he added. Schultz said he would be willing to meet with Mead at his property to help clear up
the issue. Kathryn Stonehouse brought up a car issue as well, but she was worried about a brokendown car, and how long a person would have to fix or sell the vehicle before they might be cited. According to the ordinance, a 90-day permit can be received from the chief of police to give the owner time to sell or repair the car. After the public hearing closed, the council members had another chance to discuss the ordinance. “I’ve had numerous calls,” council member Kurt Hunstiger said, “not just from the north end, not just from the south end. It’s all over.” Hunstiger said he would like to see the Housing and Redevelopment Authority be more aggressive in finding grants and other ways to help residents maintain their properties. Council member Steve Heinen added that most of the language in the ordinance has been there for a long time, and the committee just tweaked or added language onto it. Schultz said the original language is at least 13- to 14-yearsold, but some of it hasn’t been enforced very well. The fee for non-compliance
3
photo by Logan Gruber
Mike Aurelius addresses the council during the public hearing on the new ordinance. Aurelius was concerned the city ordinance would lead to a slippery slope for the city. – after a warning letter has been issued from the city – is currently set at $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $300 for the third offense. Council member Heinen and Mayor Gunderson said they felt the fee for the second and third offense could be raised higher. After the third offense, the perpetrator would be taken to court. Chief Beise said only twice in seven years has the city taken someone to court over the current ordinance. The city council voted 5-0 to pass the ordinance as is and then make amendments as needed in the future.
Regular city council meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in the council chambers at the Government Center, 250 Summit Ave. N. These meetings are open to the public, and a public hearing for any topic a citizen might want to speak about before the council is held near the beginning of every meeting. The meetings are also broadcast live on the city’s cable access channel, Charter channel 181. Agendas and meeting minutes may be viewed at the Government Center, or online at ci.sauk-rapids.mn.us.
18th street overlay project approved by city council by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
At its May 26 meeting – after reviewing a feasibility study and hosting an open forum – the Sauk Rapids City Council approved a plan to overlay 18th Street N., from Hwy 15 to 9th Avenue N. During the meeting, Terry Wotzka, the city engineer, stated the work needing to be done was maintenance and that it would help extend the
life of the roadway. He said it was similar as to when to re-shingle a roof and when to replace it. “The right maintenance to do at this time on this street is an overlay,” Wotzka said. Overlay work typically involves the milling and removal of two inches of existing asphalt. A fresh layer of asphalt is then placed onto the roadway, which usually will also receive new lane markings. Pedestrian sidewalk
ramps located on the road will be replaced if they are not in compliance with Americans with Disability Act standards. The pavement on 18th Street is about 20 years old, according to the feasibility study. The project cost is estimated at $412,000. Very few properties actually have a driveway leading out onto 18th Street. The Holiday gas station and one commercial lot have access on the west end of 18th Street, while
the event date and location, as well as the liquor license for the St. Cloud Sertoma Club. “America on Tap,” formerly “Granite City on Tap,” is a four-hour event which showcases more than 100 American craft beers as well as live music and food. The event is for
ages 21 and up, and designated driver tickets are available for a separate fee. 1,500 attendees are expected for the event. Police Chief Perry Beise said he would work with the event hosts to ensure the event is properly patrolled.
Craft beer festival returns to town by Logan Gruber operations@thenewsleaders.com
On Saturday, Sept. 12 from 2-6 p.m., area residents can once again enjoy “America on Tap” at the Benton County Fairgrounds, 1410 3rd Ave. The city council approved
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three residential lots have driveways accessing the street near 7th Avenue N. The two commercial properties would be assessed at
25 percent of the cost of the improvements but only on the portion of the roadway the properties touch. Their assessOverlay • page 5
Honey is a 14-year-old spayed Chihuahua mix who was returned after being adopted because she didn’t get a long with the resident dog. An ideal home would be one where she could be the center of attention. She’s been around all ages of kids but tends to get along better with older, quieter children. Don’t let her age fool you, Honey can be quite active and likes to run after birds when she’s out in the yard. She prefers the couch be positioned by a big window so she can keep tabs on her outdoor domain. “Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 17 Rabbits - 1
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Sauk Rapids Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, May 29, 2015
photos by Steven Wright
Above: Jerry Hovanes (left) and John Heintze (right) open the ceremony with a prayer.
In spirit of unity, strangers share an umbrella
photo by Carolyn Bertsch
Bob Brown of Sauk Rapids (right) and local resident David Mavie (left) share an umbrella to stay dry at the National Day of Prayer gathering earlier this month. About 50 people gathered in the rain outside of the Stearns County Courthouse to participate in the National Day of Prayer led by Pastors Carol and Geary Smith, founders of Place of Hope Ministries. During the course of an hour, prayers were said for the government, law-enforcement officers, churches, military, families, education, media and businesses. After prayers were said, the crowd was led into song.
Above: Members of the local Boy Scouts, assisted by Jerry Hovanes, raise the flag before the ceremony on Monday. Above left: State Sen. Michelle Fischbach delivers her speech Monday at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Sauk Rapids. Above right: Members of the local color guard deliver a 21-gun salute at the conclusion of Monday’s ceremony. Garfield spoke at the very first served.” The Scouts, who orchesMemorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, and Fischbach trated the raising of the flag made mention of Garfield’s before the ceremony, have had from front page speech while sharing one of a chance to visit Camp Ripley this year and talk with service “It matters we remember his famous quotes: “We do not know one members and show their reeach and every one of those men and women who sacri- promise these men made, one spect for members of the armed ficed their lives for our free- pledge they gave, one word forces. The ceremony included a dom,” Fischbach said. She read they spoke, but we do know the names of the first casualties they summed up and perfected, reading of a poem written by in each American war, as well by one supreme act, the high- Jerry Hovanes and a presentaas the names of local service est virtues of men and citizens. tion of wreaths by the VFW, members from Minnesota who For love of country they accept- and concluded with a 21-gun ed death, and thus resolved all salute and a playing of Taps. died in combat. “Although we don’t know “Each soldier had a name, doubts, and made them imhad a family, had a life,” Fisch- mortal in their patriotism and every name of every soldier from every war who gave their bach continued. “And through- their virtue.” Tony Arend, the scoutmaster life,” Fischbach said, “we can out history, brave men and women stood up for each and of Boy Scout Troop 9 in Sauk remember each of them as heevery one of us. These names Rapids, spoke to the News- roes. Each of these men and are simply representative of all leader about the importance women who gave each of us the men and women who gave of bringing the Scouts to the a very special gift. They gave their lives for our lives, for our their lives for our country and Memorial Day ceremony. “For us it’s about respect to freedom, for our country. our freedom.” “Today we remember, today The sacrifice American the community,” Arend said. service members have made “Boy Scouts is based on service we honor. Memorial day matthroughout history has been and to have them out for this ters now and into the future. acknowledged and remem- particular event is always a Always remember these hebered since after the Civil War big deal and to give back and roes, they should not be forgotin 1868. Future president James pay homage to those who have ten.”
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Friday, May 29, 2015
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photos by Dennis Dalman
Above left: A duathlete, Chad Milner of Eden Prairie, leaves the bicycle-transition area after completing the first of two 5k runs. His bike portion of the Apple Duathlon was a 33k route. Milner finished in 11th place, overall, out of the 208 duathletes who completed the race. Above middle: Winry Richards of St. Cloud (left) and Rayna Dickhaus of Cold Spring play with their jump ropes just before the start of the Sartell Apple Duathlon. Above right: A wave of runners-bikers sets off from the starting line at Sartell Middle School during the May 23 Sartell Apple Duathlon.
Sauk Rapids duathletes excel at 33rd annual ‘Apple’ by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
A Sauk Rapids man, Rob Madgwick, excelled in the 33rd annual Sartell Apple Duathlon held May 23. Madgwick placed second in his age division of males 20-54. He crossed the finish line with a time of 1:39:13. Madgwick was one of about a dozen Sauk Rapids residents
Overlay from page 3 ment, together, would total about $32,000. The three residential properties would be assessed at 50 percent of the cost of an equivalent 32-foot-wide street over the portion of the roadway the properties touch. Their assessment, together, would total about $2,100. The remainder of the cost would be paid by the city – about $378,000. A public hearing was held at the meeting. A landowner who would be assessed for a partial cost of the overlay stood to speak. Tom Bosl, of Avon, represented not only himself but
who competed in the “Apple,” along with more than 200 other runners-bikers in various age-and-gender categories. A total of 208 racers completed the “Apple,” with Madgwick finishing in 39th place overall. The race involves a 5k run, a 33k biking course and another 5k run. The participants last Saturday hailed from cities
throughout Minnesota and even from other states. The “Apple” is recognized as one of the best and most efficiently run duathlons in the nation. The overall winner of the race was Matthew Payne, 38, of Columbia Heights with a top time of 1:20:46. The female winner was Elaine Nelson, 36, of Duluth with a time of 1:34:06.
also Jim Miller at the public hearing. Bosl and Miller own the commercial property on the north-side of 18th Street N., and feel the assessment is out of line. “Mr. Wotzka [Terry Wotzka, the city engineer] mentioned this work is maintenance, so [the cost] should come out of the maintenance budget,” Bosl claimed. “The existing roadway is not substandard, in our opinion,” he continued, “. . . and the assessed improvements will not increase our property value in any way.” Miller also wrote a letter to the city council on May 19, stating many of the same points. After hearing Bosl, the mayor closed the hearing. The plan was approved unanimously as is.
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Above left: This graphic highlights the five properties which access 18th Street N. between Hwy 15 and 9th Street N. Above right: This graphic highlights 18th Street N., from Hwy 15 to 9th Avenue N. Work to be undertaken includes: the milling and removal of two inches of existing asphalt; new lane markings; and the replacement of pedestrian sidewalk ramps.
Other Sauk Rapids participants and their overall places among the 208 who finished the race are Jason Migalas, 36, 83rd place; David Vee, 31, 119th place; Adam Plant, 30, 137th place; and Amy Foss, 34, 164th place. The Apple Duathlon also allows for teams of competitors with one doing the two running portions, the other doing the biking portion. Two
Sauk Rapids teams placed in the top 10 of their age-gender divisions. A team dubbed Wreckless Moles placed third of eight teams in their category. Its members are Rebecca Ballman (runner) and Kari Osmondson (biker). A male team called Rejuv 1 placed sixth of the nine teams in its category. Its members are Rob Okerlund (runner) and Scott Eide (biker).
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Sauk Rapids Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Our View Wannabe generals should enlist themselves Wouldn’t it be nice if all these wannabe generals – these variations of Monday-morning quarterbacks – could be swept into power overnight and then proceed to smash ISIS and other terror groups? Very quickly, evil would be vanquished and the world would be a far better place. After all, these fantasy warriors keep claiming they have a strategy to deal with ISIS and the other festering problems in the Middle East. President Obama and his administration, they claim, are just a bunch of unfocused slackers who have no clue about world realities or the dangers of the powder keg that is the Middle East. Trouble is, this isn’t Star Wars, an exciting movie with a plot in which good triumphs over evil; this is the real world with all of its maddening, interconnected, tangled complications. The Middle East, more than ever these days, is one massive migraine headache. Fixing a problem there is like trying to remove a thread from a tapestry, so much easier said than done. ISIS, reportedly, is gaining ground at an alarming rate. The Iraqi army, so-called, lays down its arms and flees from ISIS. Shia Militia groups backed by Iran are fighting Sunni ISIS. The Kurds near Turkey have had successes fighting ISIS, but Turkey won’t cooperate with the United States in helping equip the Kurds. United States air strikes have limited power because one of ISIS’s strategies is to blend in with populations of civilians. Those are just some of the maddening, tangled complications of the geopolitical mess, which is also complicated and made worse by the instability of other countries in that area – a volatile nightmare. After Syria’s dictator Bashir Assad used chemical weapons against civilians a couple of years ago, President Obama, righteously outraged, threatened to strike the Assad regime and drew “his line in the sand.” At that time, Republicans and some Democrats in Congress howled with outrage about Obama using force without congressional approval. Now they are blasting him for not having used enough force as these worsening problems developed. They are still nipping at the president’s heels every time he proposes to deal with the ISIS threats, and when his policy does lead to a success, like killing a high-powered ISIS operative recently, his loud-mouth detractors nip, nag and whine at every turn. ISIS and terrorist groups of that ilk are a huge threat to the entire world. Getting rid of them, squelching their despicable influences, will not be easy. As Obama has correctly stated, it will take a long-time strategy. One can argue with Obama’s tactics and his strategies, but the surest way to begin to beat back ISIS is for Americans to show a united front against terrorism. Instead of playing cocky wannabe generals constantly opposing anything and everything Obama does, these know-it-alls should join the president in helping work out effective strategies to counter ISIS. In the meantime, these paper tigers, these warmongering generals, should perhaps consider enlisting in the military so they can put their own boots on the ground.
Sauk Rapids • Sartell • St. Joseph
Newsleaders Reaching EVERYbody!
The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders.
Friday, May 29, 2015
Opinion More people speak up for animals Surrounded as we are by news that ranges from disturbing (California drought) to horrific (more ISIS atrocities), it’s so gratifying – absolutely uplifting – to hear such good news about animals. Locally, the Tri-County Humane Society reports a 94-percent adoption rate for the critters at its shelter. That’s phenomenal because, typically at shelters, a 70-percent adoption rate is considered very good. The staff at the humane society attributes the adoption success to innovative approaches, animal-education outreach programs, the hard work of volunteers, the financial generosity of supporters and an increasing kindness and regard for animals among the public. Fortunately, that same regard seems to be a national trend, too. A recent Gallup poll reveals more people believe “animals should have the same rights as people” by which they mean freedom from harm, pain, neglect, abuse and exploitation. According to the care2 website, Gallup began asking animal-related questions in its polls back in 2003, when 25 percent of respondents said animals deserve to be treated humanely. Today, that number is 32 percent, increasing among all demographic groups. In addition, 62 percent of people believe animals deserve at least “some protection” from harm and exploitation. More than two-thirds of people now say they are bothered by animals being exploited in circuses, sports and research. Fifty percent of people say they are concerned about animals being used in parks, aquariums and zoos. Just as many say they are disturbed when they hear about the painful mistreatment of animals raised for food. These enlightened attitudes, no doubt, are due to education efforts in all media. WCCO-TV news shows, for example, frequently do feature spots
Dennis Dalman Editor on animals in need, animals who have been neglected or abused and where such animals can be adopted. Other news sources, increasingly, are featuring heart-warming and charming stories about pets and just how intelligent and “human-like” they can be. In recent months, there have been stories based on undercover investigations that expose acts of vicious cruelty to animals before, on their way to or inside of slaughterhouses. There have also been frequent revelations about the deprivations and stresses involved in “training” animals used to “entertain” humans, including orca whales, elephants, chimpanzees and other wonderful animals. Frequent animal-rights TV commercials showing the heartrending suffering of dogs and cats are, hopefully, having an effect on people’s increasing empathy for our fellow creatures. Horrific news reports abound. One of the worst is occurring in China where stray dogs and cats are rounded up, kept in cages unfed for weeks, then brought to a killing factory where workers poke them out of cram-packed cages with sharp sticks, then club them to unconsciousness before skinning them, with some of the pitiful creatures still alive as they are skinned. And why? So their fur can be sold internationally to manufacturers who make “cute” stuffed toys or “chic” clothing. Another abysmal type of animal abuse is dog-fighting, as highlighted in the media, especially after the notorious case of football player Mike Vick several years ago who was convicted
of participating in the vicious, disgusting “sport” of forcing dogs to fight one another unto death. Such stories are outrageous, enough to make one’s blood boil. There is a long, long way to go before such rampant animal abuse ends. However, there are many good omens and reasons to be hopeful. To name just a few good developments: • As mentioned above, the adoption rate at the local humane society is excellent. • Lawmakers are paying attention, proposing laws to protect animals, including the possible banning of animals used in medical-research experiments, the shutting down and banning of puppy mills, improved treatment standards for animals raised for food, and more prosecutions of people involved in the selling of products derived from poached animals such as elephants, rhinos and tigers. • Ringling Brothers Circus has agreed to retire its elephant performers. • Several airlines, most recently Emirate Airlines, have decided they will not transport trophies (such as horns) killed by big-game hunters. The best way to keep this hope for animals alive and growing is to get involved in any way possible: donate to the local humane society, volunteer, adopt a pet, become a member of animal-rights organizations like PETA or FARM, speak out among people you know against cruelty to animals, stay tuned to media reports regarding animals, write or meet with legislators to urge them to keep passing animalfriendly legislation. Like abused children, animals cannot speak for themselves. That is why we must do it for them, again and again and forcefully. It we keep doing that, the hope – and the happy successes – will increase.
Letter to editor
Thanks for the 48 years of memories Constance Leitheiser, Sauk Rapids Here is the promised notice of my official retirement after 48 years of teaching thousands of students ranging from pre-school age through
adults at the reformatory. Thank you to all the students, teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, cooks, counselors and office staff who have shared this joyful and at times challenging journey with me.
Remember, you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. As I am no longer allowed to be part of the solution, I refuse to be part of the problem in education. Hasta la vista and thanks for the memories!
Words have changed throughout the years As a writer I love words. I love to arrange them and situate them in ways to sell, entertain, convince and otherwise encourage my readers to see my point. Many words can be beautiful just standing alone. Words like “enchanting” or “heavenly” or even the word “beautiful.” These words really need no definition. They define themselves. Of course there are words that have the opposite meaning and effect. Words like “vulgar” or “ugly.” They also define themselves. Our language has evolved during the last few years, often changing the meaning or the emphasis of some words. Some words have become signals that should cause the
Ron Scarbro Guest Writer reader to be concerned. I am going to go over some. Have you ever gone furniture shopping? If you shop at a store with the word “interiors” in the name, be very, very careful. I have found the word “interiors” rarely means inexpensive. Here’s another of my recent favorites: “healthy,” as in foods. For some unknown reason that has come to
mean carrots. Rarely if ever do you see healthy applied to meat. One would get the feeling anything other than vegetables is unhealthy. As for me, vegetables are the food my food eats. One of the most descriptive words on my list is “upscale.” Have you ever seen a “downscale” restaurant? I have probably eaten in some, but they don’t advertise that way. Upscale means a $3 hamburger is going to cost $10. Too often it’s the same hamburger only with the designation “upscale.” That brings the price up. I still remember when a cup of coffee was just a cup of coffee. Now Words • page 7
Friday, May 29, 2015
Sauk Rapids Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Middle school gears up for technology
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High school students attend TeenLitCon High school students compete in visual arts
contributed photo
contributed photo
Middle School staff and students are preparing now for Phase II of the Increased Access and Opportunity through Technology Initiative. In preparation, this year’s fifth-grade staff and students are using iPads for teaching and learning. At SRRMS Parent Information Night for 2015-16, students showed parents how iPads work and how to use them for research and learning. Next year, all middle-school students will have their own iPad in a 1:1 environment.
contributed photo
Six SRRHS students attended the 2015 TeenLitCon on May 9 held at Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights, Minn. Students celebrated reading, interacted in large- and small-group activities and learned new writing skills by trying some silly and creative writing techniques. Students had the chance to meet some popular youth authors and make buttons out of old books. A highlight of this 2015 trip was getting copies of books signed by the young authors.
Four students from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School participated in the section 8AA visual arts competition. They are (from left to right) Tyler Speicher, Samantha Mastey, Kathryn Winzenbur and Farwah Tariq. This is the first year for this competition. Joanie Hauck has been the advisor for the volunteer art club and students have been thrilled to take part in the club. The competition was held April 25 at Alexandria High School. Five pieces from SRRHS students were entered in the competition. Speicher, Mastey, Winzenbur, Tariq and Sidney Hauck were excited to have their artwork in the competition. Sauk Rapids-Rice High School will add art back into the curriculum at the high school level, which will hopefully grow the number of participants in this competition next year.
SEND US YOUR NEWS AND PHOTOS! Everyone wants to know what is going on in the community, so please send your submissions regarding birth announcements, academic honors, sports achievements, school activities, youth programs and more. Submissions may be sent to: news@thenewsleaders.com, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374 or call 363-7741 or fax 363-4195.
Words from page 6 it has hundreds of names and descriptions along with hundreds of different prices. If I wanted a chocolate milkshake, I would go to an ice-cream shop. Kermit the Frog of the Muppets sings It’s Not Easy Being Green. I certainly agree. Let us consider the word “green.” It used to be one of my favorite words. To me it meant trees, grass, oh and money. Not anymore. Now it means all things environmental. It means driving electric cars. It means sorting your garbage. It means buying into all of the cockamamie ideas of environmental wackos regardless of the facts of the situation. Like Kermit says, it’s not easy being green How about “natural” or “organic?” I saw a sign in the meat market that advertised organic salmon. What, pray tell, would be non-organic salmon? Oh, that must be the salmon sitting beside it that was several dollars less per pound. Whatever. If you want to pay more for a designation, be my guest. Now for some words I just don’t understand. It seems we have changed the meaning to suit some agenda. Be real cautious of “pro-
cessed” cheese. Some advertisers would have you believe it’s better for you to eat nonprocessed cheese. Here’s my question. How does milk become cheese if it is not processed? I don’t think it happens by itself. Do you like sweet corn? Do you realize all sweet corn is “genetically modified?” Now there’s a scary phrase. The sweet corn we eat has come from a long line of modifications to improve its palatability and its acceptance as a human food. In fact, many of the foods we eat today have been crossbred and altered to make them tastier, more stable and more easily shippable. Somebody has been messing with their genes. How else do you think you can get tomatoes in the middle of winter? There are many more questionable words but I hope you get my point. It’s up to us to buy into or reject wild claims. As for me, I think I’ll go get me a down-scale hamburger with a genetically modified tomato and pig out. Scarbro is retired and spends most of his free time with his grandchildren having moved from Sartell to St. Simons Island, Ga.. Writing and commenting on the news of the day is a pastime. Visit his weekly blog at ronscarbro.blogspot. com for more commentary.
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, May 29 Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Y2K Lions with proceeds benefitting Camp Friendship, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 1st Ave. NW, St. Joseph. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2.
Saturday, May 30 The Miscreants of Tiny Town, art exhibition by Alex Kuno, now through Sept. 11, Alice R. Rogers Gallery and Target Gallery, St. John’s Art Center, St. John’s University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. 3632701. csbsju.edu/fine-arts/visual-arts. Central Minnesota Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1480 10th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids. 320-251-2498. Brat sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Y2K Lions with proceeds benefitting Camp Friendship, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 1st Ave. NW, St. Joseph. Mattress Sale fundraiser, sponsored by the Sauk Rapids-Rice Music Department, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., VFW, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. St. John’s Bible pages on display, now through mid-December, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Hill Museum and Monastic Library, St. John’s University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. 320-363-3351. 320-363-3514. Legion baseball team spaghetti dinner, 4:30-7:30 p.m., American Legion, 101 W .Minnesota St., St. Joseph.
Monday, June 1 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 1st St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-2539614. mnbentonhistory.org. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. marketmonday.org. Sauk Rapids Riverside Lions Club, 7 p.m., Jimmy’s Pour House, 22 2nd Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. eclubhouse.org/sites/srriverside. Tuesday, June 2 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Veterans’ Hospital, volunteer services area, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org. Blood drive, 1-7 p.m., Atonement Lutheran Church, 1144 29th Ave. N., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org. Central Minnesota Market, 3-5:30 p.m., VA Hospital, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 320-2512498. Wednesday, June 3 Blood drive, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Miller Auto Plaza, 2930 2nd St. S., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. redcrossblood.org. Thursday, June 4 55+ Driver Improvement program (eight-hour first-time course), 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Life Assembly of God, 2409 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud. 1-888-234-1294. Optional online courses: mnsafetycenter.org. Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 1st St. NE, Sartell. Great River Regional Coin Club, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Miller Auto Marine Sports Plaza, 2930 2nd St. S., St. Cloud. Sauk Rapids Jaycees, 7 p.m.,
VFW, 901 N. Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. srjaycees.weebly.com.
Friday, June 5 St. Joseph Area Historical Society open, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 1st Ave NW. stjosephhistoricalmn.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Greater St. Cloud, 5 p.m.-6 a.m. today-Saturday, June 6, Sartell Middle School, 212 3rd Ave. N., Sartell. 320-255-0757 ext. 304. RelayForLife.org/GreaterStCloudMN. Saturday, June 6 Benton County Extension Master Gardeners’ plant sale, 8-11 a.m., Coborn’s parking lot, 110 1st St. S., Sauk Rapids. Central Minnesota Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1480 10th Ave. NE, Sauk Rapids. 320-251-2498. Living History: Meet the Lindberghs, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 1620 Lindbergh Drive S., Little Falls. Benton County Historical Society, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 1st St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. John’s Bible pages on display, now through mid-December, noon-4 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Hill Museum and Monastic Library, St. John’s University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. 320-363-3351. 320-3633514. Jaidah Ruedy spaghetti dinner and silent-auction benefit, 4:30-8 p.m., Moose Lodge, 1300 3rd St. N., Waite Park.
Sauk Rapids Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, May 29, 2015
From the bench
What does a judge do? Lone mallard skims the river by Judge Frank Kundrat
“What do you do as a judge?” I’ve been asked that question many times. The answer is “many different things.” I serve as a district-court judge. My position is also commonly referred to as a “trial-court judge.” My fellow Minnesota district judges and I are based in the various county courthouses. District judges preside over cases and trials of many types: criminal, family, civil, probate, juvenile. I often refer to the wide variety of criminal cases we hear as “misdemeanors to murders.” For example, in recent weeks, I heard criminal cases involving domestic violence, murder, leaving the scene of an accident, terroristic threats, assault, theft, robbery, drunk driving and other traffic offenses, criminal sexual offenses, violation of protective orders, felony possession of firearms and many other crimes and misdemeanors. In the family-law area, trial judges hear and decide cases involving divorce, child custody, parenting time, property division, child support, spousal maintenance (alimony) and other disputes and issues involving family relations. We also hear civil claims and trials involving medical malpractice, auto accident and other injury claims, fights over boundary lines and real property ownership, small claims, employment termination, contract disagreements and many other disputes. District-court judges also handle juvenile-delinquency cases; child-protection cases, often involving the removal of children from an unsafe or abusive home; and school truancies, runaway children, terminating parental rights to children, and other court hearings to protect and advance the best interests of children. Probate law involves overseeing the administration of estates, family trusts, guardianships and
conservatorships for those needing help and protection in their daily affairs, adoptions and name changes, commitment of people to institutions for their protection and that of the public, disputes over wills and trusts and the proper division of a deceased person’s assets. As you can imagine, these matters can get quite contentious, and the intervention of a court is often necessary to keep peace among the parties. The district judges also oversee what are called master calendars, where people make their initial appearances before the court. In the criminal context it usually takes place soon after a person is charged with an offense. It could be a relatively simple matter like a traffic ticket to a very serious felony crime involving the setting of bail to help ensure a person released from custody will return back to court for further proceedings. There are also family master calendars, which involve petitions for orders to stop harassment or for protection against threats or violence from a domestic partner or family member. Commitments, adoptions, name changes, an occasional wedding, and other matters not heard on the other calendars are also usually scheduled to be heard on the family master calendar. In addition to hearing the cases described above, district judges also have other duties. We rotate being on call and available in the evenings, at night and on weekends for issuing search warrants, reviewing the possible release of those in law-enforcement custody on weekends and other emergency situations needing a judge’s immediate attention. Being a district court judge is a 24/7 job. We judges wouldn’t have it any other way. Judge Frank Kundrat serves in the 7th Judicial District of Minnesota, chambered in St. Cloud.
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photo by Carolyn Bertsch
A lone mallard skims the Mississippi River along the banks of the Sauk Rapids Municipal Park on the evening of May 12.
Ask a Trooper How many cars may someone sell at the end of a driveway without having a ‘dealer’ license? Q: How many cars can someone try to sell at the end of the driveway without having a “dealer” license? A: The law pertaining to a “dealer license” talks about the limit of vehicles a person can sell without needing that license.
Minnesota State Statute 168.27 sub. 8 says; “A person is limited to the sale, purchase or lease of not more than five motor vehicles in a 12-month period. As far as where a person is selling them, much of this will depend on the local zon-
ing ordinances. I advise you to check with you local city, county or township about how many vehicles you can sell on your property. Vehicles are not allowed to be sold from rest areas, park-and-rides and within the highway right-of-way.