Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader - Jan. 8, 2016 by The Newsleaders

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Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid St. Joseph Newsleader St. Joseph, MN 56374 Permit No. 21 ECRWSS Postal Customer

Newsleader Sartell-St. Stephen

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

photo by Dennis Dalman

Volume 21, Issue 1 Est. 1995

Bashir Hassan, 5, holds up his sign in support of a Sartell branch library at a recent Sartell city council meeting.

Town Crier St. John’s Prep hosts Discovery Day Jan. 18

Families interested in learning about the innovative curriculum and other opportunities at St. John’s Prep are encouraged to attend the upcoming Discovery Day on Monday, Jan. 18. Students currently in grades 5-11 are welcome to attend classes, meet teachers and students and experience what it’s like to be a part of the St. John’s Prep community. Parents are also invited to attend a special session with faculty and staff. Information about sports, activities and scholarships will be provided. Guest students arrive before 8 a.m. and are matched with a “host” student for the day. Discovery Day guests are invited to spend the entire day to attend classes and take special tours. Registration for Discovery Day is required. Call us today at 320-363-3339. Due to limited space, we encourage interested families to apply now for the 201617 academic year. Founded in 1857, St. John’s Prep is a Catholic/Benedictine, co-ed, private day and boarding school, providing students of all faiths in grades 6-12, with a college-preparatory curriculum. For more information, visit www.sjprep.net or call 320-363-3339.

Senior Connection hosts balance expert Jan. 12

Paula Woischke, who currently teaches pilates, tai chi for balance and arthritis, yoga, enhanced fitness and showshoeing at the Whitney Senior Center, will speak about the importance of balance and demonstrate simple exercises to help improve balance at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the District Service Center, 212 Third Ave. N., Sartell. Sponsored by the Sartell Senior Connection, the event is free; hot cider and goodies will be served after the presentation.

Compost site open for Christmas Trees Jan. 9

Sartell residents can drop off Christmas trees Saturday, Jan. 9 at the city’s compost site from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. There is no charge for Christmas-tree drop-offs. However a food-shelf donation is requested.

Ice rink now open

The ice rinks outside of Bernick’s Ice Arena in Sartell will open Saturday, Jan. 9. The skating hours will be from 1-9 p.m. on non-school days and 4-9 p.m. on school days. The rinks were not open earlier because the weather has just not been cold enough to keep them frozen enough and skateable.

Postal Patron

Year in Review

Library issue divides Sartell in 2015 by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

In 2015, Sartell experienced continued business and residential growth, major road improvements, city financial health, long-term plans for schools, academic and extracurricular achievements and many other positive developments. The year, however, was marked also by contentious divisions among many residents concerning a planned Sartell Community Center and a longwished-for branch library. Some residents liked the council’s decision to build a community center with sales-tax dollars

at a south Sartell site; others preferred a more central site. In addition, a three-member majority of the council, which favored the southern site, refused to re-consider that site despite the fact it cannot contain a branch library. Those members also said the city cannot afford a large branch library, with its related expenses, as required by the Great River Regional Library system. Many library supporters accused those three council members of being stubborn and arrogant in their refusal to seriously consider a library as an option for the city, either in a community center or as a facility Review • page 3

Sartell church invites Muslim speakers to educate by Frank Lee news@thenewsleaders.com

Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell will kick-start an adult education series on Jan. 10 that is intended to bridge the divide between Christians and Muslims. It’s an attempt to reduce the ignorance, fear and stereotyping that may exist, particularly in light of the tragic terrorist events in France and hate crimes in the United States by extremists. “There is a lot of tension in our community, a lot of mistrust and lack of understanding of our neighbors – particularly neighbors who are Muslim in our community,” said Stephen Reetz, a former church council member and president of the congregation. Islam is the second-largest (after Christianity) and one of the fastest-growing religions with about 1.6 billion followers – or almost a quarter of the world’s population – according to some experts. “Rather than get caught up in the media and a lot of the anger and anxiety that you hear about today, we’d just like to talk directly to some people of the Islamic faith and give our community and congregation the chance to form their own opinions as people,” he said.

Islamic neighbors

Reetz is a financial associate at Thrivent Financial in St. Cloud and said the Sartell church is try-

ing to take a leadership role as a Christian congregation living out their faith. “It’s a step toward peace and understanding and growth in our community . . . as opposed to just reacting to what we see in the mainstream media,” Reetz said. My Neighbor is Muslim is the title of the free and public adult-education series at Celebration Lutheran; those interested do not have to belong to the church to attend.

Reetz Sackett Strenge Anjum “The format is we’ve asked . . . not to come and try to exthese invited speakers to just plain what Islam is, which you share about their lives, whether can study in a book.” they have a background as a The series will be held six refugee or whatever,” Reetz said. Sundays and four Tuesdays, “We want them to tell their story Educate • page 11

Stickwork burned

photo by Logan Gruber

Word came down on Jan. 5 that the Stickwork sculpture at St. John’s University, which captured imaginations of both young and old, would be burned down on the very next day at 1 p.m. The structure had lasted a lot longer than initially intended. Stickwork was built in September of 2012, and structures like this, designed by Patrick Dougherty, tend to last somewhere around two years. SJU estimates more than 50,000 people have visited the structure since it was built. More than 100 people turned out to watch the structure burn on Jan. 6. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, St. John’s University Life Safety and the St. John’s University Fire Department were on hand to maintain a safe environment. See additional photos on our website, as well as a link to footage from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University’s drone.

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

2 If you have a tip concerning a crime, call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes. Dec. 1 3:59 p.m. Domestic. First Street N. A report was made regarding an adult female and a juvenile female arguing. Officers arrived and found the juvenile female was refusing to do chores and had become aggressive toward her grandmother. Neither party wanted to pursue charges and agreed to stay separated for the evening. Dec. 2 1:10 p.m. Traffic stop. Riverside Avenue S. A vehicle was witnessed traveling 45 mph in a posted 30-mph zone. The driver stated he was un-

Blotter

aware of his speed. He was issued a citation and released. 1:33 p.m. Warrant. Riverside Avenue S. An arrest warrant was issued for an adult female. Officers located the female and placed her under arrest without incident. Dec. 3 9:06 a.m. Unwanted person. Sunset Avenue. A complaint was made regarding an adult male and female refusing to leave a residence. Officers found the male had an active arrest warrant. He was placed under arrest without incident and the female left the area. 10:48 p.m. DWI. Two-and-a-half Street. Multiple complaints were made regarding a vehicle swerving on the roadway and hitting a fire hydrant. Officers located the vehicle and detected the odor of alcoholic beverages coming from the driver. The driver was unable to pass field sobriety testing and needed assistance walking. He was placed under

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

People arrest without incident. Dec. 4 3:53 p.m. Shoplifting. Walmart. An adult male was witnessed leaving the store with unpaid merchandise. The male was located and issued a citation. 5:14 p.m Suspicious vehicle. Eighth Street N.E. A complaint was made regarding a vehicle continually driving slowly by a residence. Officers located the vehicle and found the driver was looking for his dog, which was located at the police department. Dec. 5 2:54 a.m. Intoxicated male. Lawrence Circle. A complaint was made regarding an intoxicated male, becoming physically aggressive and out of control. Officers arrived to find him being restrained due to his physical violence. No one wanted charges pursued and he was transported to detox. Blotter • page 14

2015 SARTELL SUMMARY BUDGET STATEMENT

2016 Sartell Summary Budget Statement

THE PURPOSE OFreport THISisREPORT IS summary TO PROVIDE 2015 BUDGET INFORMATION The purpose of this to provide 2016SUMMARY budget information concerning the City of Sartell to CONCERNING THE CITY OF SARTELL TO INTERESTED CITIZENS. THE BUDGET IS PUBLISHED interested citizens. The budget is published in accordance with Minnesota Statute 471.6965. This budget is ACCORDANCE WITH STAT. 471.6965. THIS SUMMARY DOCUMENT ONLY; a IN summary document only;MINN. the complete budget may be BUDGET examinedIS atASartell City Hall; 125 Pinecone Road BUDGET this MAYbudget BE EXAMINED AT 2015. SARTELL CITY HALL, 125 PINE CONE ROAD N.THE TheCOMPLETE city council approved on Dec. 14, NORTH. THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED THIS BUDGET ON DECEMBER 8, 2014.

Table 1 Governmental Funds 2015 Budget

Revenues: Property Taxes Tax Increments All Other Taxes Special Assessments Licenses and Permits Federal Grants State General Purpose Aid (LGA, etc.) State Categorical Aid (state aid for police, fire, streets) Charges for Services Fines and Forfeits Interest on Investments Miscellaneous Revenue Total Revenues Proceeds from Bond Sales Other Financing Sources Transfers from Other Funds (inc. enterprise funds) Total Revenues & Other Financing Sources

2014 Budget $4,703,608 $93,000 $1,153,509 $2,080,000 $1,023,400 $33,000 $113,068 $301,825 $1,374,113 $60,850 $5,000 $186,120 $11,127,493 $0 $0 $5,825,085 $16,952,578

2015 Budget $5,106,931 $144,000 $1,130,092 $410,000 $1,016,900 $29,000 $132,931 $304,525 $1,561,221 $65,750 $5,000 $227,620 $10,133,970 $0 $0 $5,590,435 $15,724,405

Expenditures: General Government Public Safety Streets & Highways (Public Works) Culture and Recreation Urban & Economic Development Miscellaneous Current Expenditures Total Current Expenditures Debt Service - Principal Interest & Fiscal Charges Capital Outlay Transfers to Other Funds (inc. enterprise funds) Total Expenses & Other Financing Uses

$834,318 $2,594,450 $1,248,416 $263,049 $110,067 $38,800 $5,089,100 $4,980,000 $1,365,036 $2,173,720 $6,613,220 $20,221,076

$826,064 $2,775,264 $1,329,615 $304,960 $155,507 $67,100 $5,458,510 $4,740,000 $1,152,679 $1,639,100 $5,531,571 $18,521,860

Increase/Decrease in Fund Balance Property Tax Levy Requirement to fund this budget

-$3,268,498 $4,703,608

-$2,797,455 $5,106,931

Publish: Jan. 8, 2016

Jeff Rislov, CPA, has been admitted as a partner at Conway, Deuth and Schmiesing, PLLP. Rislov has more than 10 Rislov years of experience in public accounting and works in the Sartell and Willmar offices. His specialty areas include tax planning and preparation, agribusiness, petroleum, and international and multi-state tax. He graduated from the University of North Dakota-Grand Forks with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy. Rislov is the co-chair of CDS’s Tax Committee. He is a also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants. Rislov, his wife, Ann, and their three children reside in Sartell. Fourty-two Sartell students were recently named to the fall dean’s list at St. Cloud State University. They and their majors are as follows: Alisha Anderson, psychology; Jill Bergstrom, nursing; Chelsey Bethke, psychology; Brandon Burggraff, information systems; Molly Carey, early childhood education; Jessica Condon, social studies education; Samantha Deans, film studies; Andrew Domeier, studio art; Kyle Driesse, pre-medicine; Kimberly Duong, political science; Mitchell Emslander, real EMN; Cole Fischer, liberal arts and sciences; Julie Frana, management; Zachary Gnahn, entrepreneurship; Nicole Grant, global studies; Paige Hoghaug, biomedical sciences; Alexa Hughes, finance; Emilee King, elementary/K-6 education; Taylor Kruse, elementary/K-6 education; Jessica Lundsetter, psychology; Kyle Marsolek, technology management; Natalie McIntire, biomedical sciences; Raelin Miller, elementary/K-6 education; Ryan Nguyen, nursing; Mckenzie Ogg, psychology; Marissa Rapaway, mathematics teaching; Tomoko Rebeck, early childhood education; Hannah Rodness, communication sciences and

disorders; Inga Rodness, community health; Clare Rueter, elementary education; Jenna Runge, Spanish (teaching); Holli Sauerer, elementary/K-6 education; Mikayla Stockinger, general studies (undecided); Sally Traut, elementary/K-6 education; Jenna Turner, elementary/K-6 education; Paul Vreeland, accounting; Brandon Waldvogel, accounting; Megan Walz, liberal arts and sciences; XiaoDan Wang, accounting; Steven Wright, community psychology; Jaclyn Yasgar, finance; and Katie Yurczyk, early childhood education. To earn the honor, students must have a minimum 3.75 grade-point average. Cathy Vande Vrede, a longtime team member at PineCone Vision Center in Sartell, was recently promoted as community outreach and project manager at PCVC. In 2012, she started at PCVC, and in May Vande Vrede started in her new role full-time. Vande Vrede worked for the Sartell-St. Stephen School District for 10 years. A past administrative assistant at the Sartell Chamber of Commerce, she has many years of experience working with community groups and area businesses managing events, coordinating classes and managing employees. In the project manager role, Vande Vrede will provide leadership for the development and implementation of internal projects including action plans, supervising, time-line management, process improvements and change management. The role will focus on improving clinic processes to better serve patients. “Cathy has been a great contributor to our team,” said owner and medical director Dr. Nicholas Colatrella. “Her new role will drive efficiency and improvement within our organization.” PineCone Vision Center is a stateof-the-art comprehensive eye care provider with a team of vision-care specialists and a professional staff providing the best eyecare solutions available.

Collegeville Community Credit Union is Hiring! Full-time Member Services Representative; Part-time Bookkeeper If you have bookkeeping or accounting experience, enjoy variety in your job and want to work in an organization where you can make a positive impact, contact us.

Email: cccu@collegevillecu.com Call: 320.363.7751

Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc. Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon Editor: Dennis Dalman Admin. Assistant Cady Sehnert

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Operations Manager Logan Gruber Contributing Writers Cori Hilsgen

Production Manager Tara Wiese Delivery Bruce Probach

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, Jan. 8, 2016

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Review from front page separate from a center. About 50 library supporters carrying picket signs demonstrated in front of city hall, urging the council to set aside sales-tax money for a library. They noted many residents voted for the half-cent sales tax originally and an extension of it with the understanding a community center would contain a library. By year’s end, the council decided it will not bring up for discussion the library issue until the Great River Regional Library completes its long-term assessment study, sometime in the first part of 2016. Library supporters, not happy with that decision, expressed their displeasure. Meantime, those happy about the council’s community-center decision paid for an insert in the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader to express their satisfaction with the decision to build a community center at the south Sartell site. The following are capsule summaries of many of the news stories published in the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader during 2015.

January

Bernick’s Arena receives a Mighty Ducks grant of $100,000 for much-needed repairs and updates to the arena, including the necessity to buy a new refrigerant used to freeze the ice layer. The grant will be matched by an equal amount, $100,000, from the city. A mayor and two council members were sworn in during the first Sartell City Council meeting of 2015. The new mayor is Sarah Jane Nicoll, and the council members are incumbent David Peterson and former council member Pat Lynch, who served on the council for a term some years ago. All three were elected in the November 2014 election. A program dubbed “Fire Up

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photo courtesy of Alex Svejkovsky, WJON-Radio

Heart-attack survivor Ernie Kociemba of Grey Eagle (gesturing with left hand) shares comments with those who helped save his life Dec. 11, 2014. The lifesavers were all presented individually with Lifesaving Awards by Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes at the Jan. 26, 2015 city-council meeting. Your Feet” is started at Sar- of the Minnesota House of Reptell-St. Stephen Community Ed- resentatives. In the November ucation to help students stay 2014 election, O’Driscoll was healthy through the winter by once again re-elected as House offering afternoon sessions of member from House District 13B. snowshoeing. January weather has been A time schedule is slated for a Sartell Community Center, so unusually and stunningly with hopes to start building the “balmy” the outdoor ice rinks long-awaited center in summer and trails are closed Jan. 23. The weather is too “warm” for 2016. Janagan Ramanthan, a Sar- ice to freeze, and a lack of snow tell Middle School seventh- makes recreation trails useless grader, wins the schoolwide for cross-country skiing. Geography Bee. The Sartell Sabre Boys Swim February and Dive Team wins the Section The Sartell-St. Stephen True Team meet at Sauk Rap- School Board hires planners to ids-Rice High School. Later, the start examining space needs in team places third in the state the school system. In the past competition, the sixth year in a 15 years, enrollment in Sartell row the Sabres competed at the schools has almost doubled, to state level. 4,000. The planners, including Sartell ranks seventh among an architect, will work with the Minnesota cities as one of the Community Schools Planning best cities for young people, Committee. according to NerdWallet, a conThefts from mailboxes are sumer-advocacy website. The reported throughout the Sartell criteria included school ratings, area. home values, monthly homeTo help him earn his Eagle owner costs, median income Scout award, Sartell Boy Scout and long-term income growth. Peter Amundson plans to inFifth-grader Ben Brandt, son stall benches and trash recepof Kathy and Travis Brandt, tacles at various places in the wins the Sartell Middle School city. Amundson presented his Spelling Bee by correctly plan to the city council. spelling “havoc” and “outraA project consultant is hired geous.” Students in grades 5-8 by the city council to help set participated in the competition. up the first stage for construcRep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sar- tion of a community center. tell) is appointed Pro Tempore Review • page 5

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Our View Long-overdue FAST Act will boost transportation It’s just the shot in the arm Minnesota and 49 other states needed. Long overdue, this welcome boost is known as the FAST Act, which stands for “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act.” Up until now, the U.S. Congress would approve funding for transportation infrastructure projects and improvements in a stop-and-start herky-jerky fashion, bits of bills here and there, a series of short extensions to what was a previous comprehensive long-term transportation bill. That iffy, piecemeal approach, because of its ongoing uncertainty, was during the past decade an impediment to long-term planning in every state in the nation. Thanks to the FAST Act, Minnesota will receive a whopping $4 billion in federal transportation funding during a five-year period, from 2016 to 2020. What that means is that, in addition to funds already earmarked, there will be an additional $36 million to Minnesota this year, and increasingly higher amounts each year, with an extra $107 million in 2020. The money will be used for a wide variety of projects, including bridge-and-road repairs and improvements to make roads safer, with higher capacity, and also in some cases public-transit lines. Most of the projects will be local ones with local needs tying into the larger transportation process. The money, in addition, will provide for many other things, including improving railroad safety at highway-rail crossings and safety programs for drivers such as enhancing teen-driving skills and helping to combat distracted driving. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar was instrumental in getting those safety provisions into the FAST bill, as well as being a force in getting FAST itself passed. FAST could not have been more timely. Anybody who travels roads in Minnesota and elsewhere these days has noticed cases of sad deterioration all along our transportation systems. Some of the deterioration is not visible to the eye. That is why, without any warning, the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed Aug. 1, 2007, killing 13 and injuring many more. That should have been an immediate nationwide wake-up call, and in some ways it was in that many long-neglected bridges were inspected. There are about 600,000 bridges in this nation, and 24 percent of those are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, according to the Federal Highway Administration. For so many decades, the United States led the world in superb state-of-the-art transportation systems. Sadly, we have fallen behind, and the slow but sure decay has affected our economy negatively. Thanks to FAST, transportation renewal will not only create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, it will also in the long run increase safety, efficiency and facilitate the flow of goods and services. The FAST Act is only a beginning. Some have called it a “down payment” on a 21st Century state-of-the-art transportation system. First step or not, FAST is a welcome boost in more ways than one. Those who worked so hard to pass the bill, Democrats and Republicans alike, deserve our thanks.

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.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

Opinion A new year – time to shed the lard For most of my life, I was a skinflint string-bean who could never gain weight, hard as I tried, much as I ate. I used to complain about it, and some of the pudgling diet-conscious women at work decades ago would give me killer looks that said, “Oh, you poor thing, you!” Well, that was then, when I weighed 145 pounds, max. This, sad to say, is now. My big fat wish to gain weight has come true, bloatedly true, at 213 pounds, 33 pounds above my ideal weight. Just last week, my doctor suggested exercise, but I don’t think he meant the 50 steps from my home office to the refrigerator and back again. That’s one of the hazards of working mainly from home – a nearby refrigerator, food pantry just around the corner. What makes it worse is one of my hobbies is cooking. Thus, I am surrounded, under siege constantly by high-caloric little devils. My weight gain started eight years ago, after I quit smoking cold turkey. Suddenly, I had fierce cravings for sweets, especially jelly beans and Dots. From there, it spiraled downward to homemade breads, my own homebaked pizzas, chocolate-chip cookies, caramel rolls, apple pie, lemon pie, lemon cake, lemon bars (I can’t say no to anything lemon). I won’t even list all the gourmet meals I’ve enjoyed. I have vowed time and again to cut down on all of those sweets and heaping helpings, but – alas – the road to the Land of Lard is filled with big intentions. They claim as people age, they tend to put on weight, but I don’t think it’s age as

Dennis Dalman Editor much as it is the mouth-watering foods that beckon at every turn. Every time I vow to diet, brother-in-law Kurt laughs uproariously. Others do too. Someone suggested the Duck-Tape Diet. “What in the heck is that?” I asked. “You slap a piece of duck tape across your mouth and keep it there.” Good neighbor Richard Dubbin relishes a constant parade of sweet snacks and candies all day long. For Christmas I bought him many pounds of various candies, mostly jelly beans and gum drops. And guess who ate darned near half of them before the package was even wrapped a week later? You got it – yours truly, El Lardo. Old Sweet-Tooth Richard is so lucky; I envy him. He’s my age, but he’s so hyperactive, just like the Energizer Bunny, that he can eat like a hog in a trough and never gain weight. I keep remembering how many times I vowed to quit smoking before I finally had sense enough and willpower to do it, at long last. The past two weeks, after all that Christmas food, determination and will power (I think) are finally kicking in as they did when I quit the evil weed. What spurred me on is I’ve been having trouble

putting on socks and tying my shoes, to the point where I feel virtually crippled, all but helpless, like one of those bugs stuck on its back, its legs wobbling frantically to get right side up again. A week ago, I started my sad-sack diet. The first day it was buttered toast and orange juice in the morning, an apple at noon, an orange at 2 p.m., two ham sandwiches for supper. The following days were pretty much the same, though one afternoon I splurged on bacon and eggs (but only two strips of bacon instead of five and two eggs instead of three). I have banished candies, sweets, desserts from my life. I just won’t make them anymore. That in itself should be a big help. I lost one pound since getting weighed at the doctor’s office 10 days ago. That’s one down, 32 to go. I read an article the other day that advised people struggling with weight to weigh themselves every day without fail – the very thing I had been avoiding, just as I avoided mirrors. But from now on I’m going to step onto that scale every morning. It really was an encouragement to see the scale read 213 yesterday rather than the 214 of the week before. Yes, a snail’s progress, but at least it’s heading in the right direction – south. I hope by early summer I am down to 180 pounds, my old self, once again vigorous and good-looking. Well . . . somewhat vigorous, anyway. If anybody has any diet plans or diet tips, please let me know, and I will share them with readers. It’s a new year. C’mon everybody, let’s all get nice ‘n’ thin.

Letters to the editor

Observers disappointed in youth hockey team Sue and Scott Hopkinson Woodruff, Wis. We stayed at Best Western Hotel, River Falls, Wis., on Dec. 5. Our room was next to Sartell (Minn.) Youth Hockey Team. We were delighted to see the boys participating in a sport representing Sartell. Sadly, our encouragement ends. We were appalled by the lack of adult leadership. We don’t understand why children were left unsupervised taking over the hotel, running amuck through the hallways, knocking on doors, holding elevators, setting off car alarms, yelling, playing hockey in the hallways, rude and obnoxious to anyone asking them to settle down. This behavior continued from mid-afternoon into the middle of

the night. As guests in the hotel, we could not walk down the hall without being threatened to be hit by a hockey stick or ball. We could not get any rest. Other guests in the hotel, including highly decorated soldiers and a couple with a newborn baby were subjected to this disrespectful, obstreperous conduct. There was absolutely NO adult supervision! The hotel staff was defenseless. Security cameras captured the incivility. The hotel management did its best adding additional staff to walk the hallways, talk to parents, talk to the coaches and talk to the children. Hotel staff began filming using their cell phones because they wanted to prove how disrespectful the children were talking back to them and behaving. Nothing worked. Why? Because the coaches and adult super-

vision did not want to be bothered while they were partying in the hotel bar! The general manager at the Best Western Hotel advised the hotel hosts youth hockey teams during the months of December and January, and this was the worst out-of-control weekend they’ve ever encountered. He said he was going to have to review the rules again with the Sartell hockey teams to curtail this conduct. Playing a sport is supposed to teach our youth respect, to gain social skills, take responsibility and have pride. The Sartell Youth Hockey Team, coaches and parents displayed none of these qualities. They should be embarrassed for representing their town and sport so poorly. How disappointing.

Reader suggests resolutions include vegetarian, vegan options Sami Nicholson, Sartell Once again, it’s time for New Year’s resolutions, particularly those to improve our diet-and-exercise routine. Although gun violence and traffic accidents remain the leading causes of death among young people, the most dangerous weapon for the rest of us is still our fork. Well over a million of us are killed each year by high blood pressure, diabetes, heart

disease, stroke, cancer and other chronic diseases linked to our meat-based diet. But times are changing. According to Gallup, 22 percent of American consumers are avoiding meat and 12 percent are avoiding dairy products. Supermarket chains, along with Target and Walmart, offer a growing selection of delicious and healthy plantbased meats and dairy products. Animal meat consumption has dropped by 8 percent in the past decade.

Hundreds of school, college, hospital and corporate cafeterias have embraced Meatless Monday and vegan meals. Fast-food chains like Chipotle, Panera, Subway, Taco Bell and White Castle are rolling out vegan options. Let’s make this New Year’s resolution about exploring the rich variety of plantbased entrees, lunch meats, cheeses, ice creams and milks, as well as the more traditional green and yellow veggies. The Internet offers tons of recipes and transition tips.

Freedom of speech, our most important right I watched on TV as a young black girl, probably a student, exploded in a profanity-laced tirade against a professor at Yale University. Her mother must be very proud. The issue was a letter which the professor’s wife apparently had written stating people should be a bit more tolerant of others’ choices of Halloween costumes and not be so offended. Seems innocent enough to me, but no. According to this young lady, along with others in the perpetually offended community, it was not innocent. This young lady appar-

Ron Scarbro Guest Writer ently believes she should not have to face any expression that displeases her. The new thinking seems to be no one should ever have to experience offense, period, and that no one is allowed freedom of

speech or expression that is offensive to her. Well I’ve got some bad news for this young girl. In this free country we do have that freedom and if she is offended by anything someone says, tough. She, nor anyone, is guaranteed a life free of offense. There is a serious movement on some campuses today to repeal the First Amendment. In other words, some want the right of free speech to be curtailed so as not to be offensive to anyone.

Speech • page 14

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

Review from page 3 Lyle Mathiasen, the man who was hired, has lots of experience with recreational facilities in St. Cloud, including its convention center. Sartell Middle School presents the musical Annie Jr., starring Emma Boenish in the leading role. The play is based on the famous Broadway musical Annie, which is about the adventures and misadventures of Little Orphan Annie of comic-book fame. The Sartell Girls Nordic Ski Team takes second place at sectional competition, beating out Little Falls but falling behind Biwabik. Sartell ranks high among safest cities in the state – 10th, to be exact. The honor was given by Movoto Real Estate, which used crime statistics for 2013 published by the FBI. At the time of the study, Sartell’s population was officially 16,258. The study noted the city has an “incredibly low” number of violent crimes. The city council agrees not to over-regulate sales of e-cigarettes within the city. The Sartell Sabres Dance Team wins the Class AA highkick competition at Minneapolis Target Center. The Sartell Sabres Girls Basketball Team whops Willmar to win the Central Lakes Conference championship. Maddie O’Roarke, a Sartell ninth-grader, plans a massive clean-up in the city’s many parks and calls for volunteers

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Rylee Molitor (left) was matched up against Tyler Eischens of Anoka in the 2015 state final, in section AAA on Feb. 28. Before facing off against and eventually defeating Eischens, Molitor defeated individual wrestlers from Rosemount, Farmington and Prior Lake in the 113-pound weight class. Molitor is a 10th grader, and is the first individual state wrestling champion in Sartell history. The first season of competitive wrestling in Sartell was the 1969-70 season. to help her on her clean-up day, April 18.

March

The Sabre Boys’ Dive-andSwim team wins the Section 3A meet, and seven of its members go on to compete in 10 events at the statewide tournament. At the March 7 state meet, Class A, the team places seventh among 33 competing teams. Several of the individual Sabre swimmers, including Spencer Sathre and Mitchell Dockendorf, are standouts at the meet. The city council takes decisive steps for two major city projects – a community center and improvements on Pinecone Road. Both projects seem to be taking shape, with some detail, as the council and planners continue to discuss them.

HMA Architects, based in St. Cloud, is hired by the city council to design a Sartell Community Center. Rylee Molitor, a sophomore and star wrestler, is the first individual in Sartell history to win an individual state championship in wrestling. In the state finals, Molitor defeated individual wrestlers from Rosemount, Farmington, Prior Lake and Anoka in the 113-pound weight class. Three Reserve volunteer members of the Sartell Police Department are honored by Police Chief Jim Hughes at a city council meeting. The three are Todd Ackerman, Shane Cuperus and Chris Dahlman. Those three and others typically work hundreds of hours without pay Review • page 6

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

photo by Dennis Dalman

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

contributed photo by Todd Myra

Above left: Three middle-school girls present a huge planter of geraniums as a thank-you gift to departing Sartell Middle School Principal Julie Tripp during a rally May 21, 2015 at the football field. Students in the bleachers roared their approval. Above right: Master welder/fabricator Jake Smith sands part of a metal piece that will become one of the six major sculptural works comprising the Sartell Mill Art Project.

Review from page 5 for many needed city-security tasks. The city council approved three more roundabouts in the city, in this case for Pinecone Road: at Scout Drive, Heritage Drive and Pinecone/Second Street S. The roundabouts, however, are not always popular, with one audience member at the council calling the ones on Pinecone “not necessary or productive.” The city council renews a lifeguard contract with the St. Cloud YMCA for another swimming season, 2015-2016, in the city’s wading pools. The annual Sartell Community Showcase at Sartell Middle School is once again a big success, with many attending fun activities and the booths

of many local and area businesses. Sponsored by the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce, the showcase gives residents and businesses a chance to get to know one another. A new police officer, Jacob Walters, who lives in Sauk Rapids, is sworn in by Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes at a citycouncil meeting. Record warm temperatures bring the earliest-ever opening for Blackberry Ridge Golf Course. The course opened to the public at noon March 17. Kurt Stumpf is chosen to become the new principal at Sartell Middle School in the next school year, to replace Julie Tripp, who announced her retirement earlier in the school year.

April

The Sartell Fellowship of Christian Athletes starts a mentorship program, with four boys

from the Sartell High School hockey team. The boys help students at the middle school playing foot hockey, plus give inspirational talks about perseverance and personal character. Construction begins on a massive project known as Chateau Waters in south Sartell, a resort-style senior-citizen living complex. Jeff Westerlund of LeSauk Township becomes the new manager of Pine Ridge Golf Course in Sartell. Westerlund is the former owner of St. Cloud Bakery. He said he is eager to improve on the qualities of the current course and to make innovations that will be popular with golfers of all ages. Tami Huberty of Sartell starts a new business, part of a franchise, called “Moms on the Run,” which is designed for beginning runners – mainly moms – who want to run and exercise at their own pace. It’s

also meant to be a social connection, an energetic release for fun and a way to network. A sure sign of spring, the Sartell baseball season starts April 18 with multiple games and lots of excitement at Pinecone Central Park in Sartell. The city council warms to the idea of a “Solar Garden” to be constructed in south Sartell. The concept, presented by SolarStone of Minneapolis, consists of the erection of rows of solar panels that will generate electricity that can be purchased by customers via Xcel Energy. The project, one of countless others across the nation, is a way to encourage the use of non-carbon energy production and a means to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The city council gives the go-ahead for development of a dog park within Pinecone Central Park. The park will consist

of a fenced-in area where dogs can wander, romp and run to their hearts’ content. Organizers hope to add other features to the park in the future, such as training sessions, educational activities and other fun programs for dogs and owners alike. A proposal to hire a city facilitator is nixed by the city council on a 3-2 vote. The idea was raised by council member Amy Braig-Lindstrom, who said a facilitator would enhance council functioning by promoting transparency, encouraging consistency and helping council members communicate based on equally shared information. In her comments, Braig-Lindstrom was critical of the way that, in her opinion, some council members and the city administrator either do not communicate well or put up barriers to communication. The city council decides

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Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 to sell a parcel of riverfront property just south of Rotary Park along Riverside Avenue. A decade ago, the city bought the abandoned property from a private owner; the house on it was moved; leaving the lot empty. The city paid $195,000 for the lot; it plans to sell it at a current property value of about $93,000. The need for a paved parking lot to the west of Bernick’s Ice Arena is once again discussed by the city council, but the drawback of creating such a paved lot would probably cost as much as $500,000. Sartell gets an “A” rating from an accounting firm, which praises the city’s fund balance, prudent expenditures and overall financial health. However, it advises the city re-examine the practice of three city-staff members doing overlapping work in the areas of financial and accounting functions. The city council hosts an open meeting for many sports-and-recreation spokespersons who tell the council what they would like to see in a proposed community center. Their wish list includes a need for up to six basketball courts, walking-running tracks, an indoor field for baseball-softball practice in bad weather, a permanent batting cage, a sheet of ice for practice, scoreboards, portable bleachers, a field or fields with artificial turf, gymnastics equipment, perhaps a sports dome and more. Other speakers at the meeting spoke up for a place in the center for arts, performing arts and a senior center. Before the meeting, former Mayor Joe Perske gives an impassioned plea for a branch library within a community center. A library, he emphasized to the council, should be the number-one priority in

a center. Sartell High School performs the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods.

May

Fire Chief Ken Heim, who joined the Sartell-LeSauk Fire Department in 1985, announces he will retire from the department Jan. 1, 2016. He was named fire chief in 1995. After his announcement, the city council gave Heim a standing ovation and praise for his many years of dedicated service to the safety and well-being of the residents of Sartell. Sartell Pediatrics is named “Business of the Year” by the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce during a banquet at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course. Jim Shulte is named Citizen of the Year, and Jim Wasdyke is chosen as “Senior Citizen of the Year.” Sartell Pediatrics is owned by Dr. David Smith and his wife. The business has not only grown dramatically in a short period of time but has demonstrated innovations of all kinds in its programs and services and has been socially and economically connective and philanthropic in Sartell, especially as regards the needs of children. Joe Schulte, a highschool industrial-arts instructor, has been involved in a staggering array of volunteer projects in just about every aspect of life in Sartell. Jim Wasdyke, besides being a musician, poet and artist, has dedicated his time generously to Sartell, including as a member of the Sartell Senior Connection. Many Sartell students, grades 7-12, excel at the annual Math Contest held at St. Cloud State University. The Pine Groove Arts Festival at Sartell Middle School once again raises funds for the

Sartell Music Association for much-needed musical equipment and scholarships. The Sartell High School Student Council gets a Gold Award from the National Association of Student Councils. It is only one of four high-school councils in 2015 to receive that award. The Tom Bearson Foundation is started by the family, friends and supporters of Tom Bearson, who was found murdered in September where he was a new student at North Dakota State University. Bearson, who grew up in Sartell, was an ace basketball player with a lively, contagious outgoing personality. The founders of the Foundation want to create more opportunities for recreation and to enhance security on school campuses. Sartell Middle School hosts a Special Olympics track-andfield event at Sartell Middle School with 21 teams competing from area schools. Soldiers are remembered during the annual Memorial Day ceremony in Sartell’s Veterans’ Park. The event, despite a rainy drizzle, features speeches, music, the playing of Taps and they laying of a wreath at the park’s Veterans’ Monument.

June

The annual Sartell SummerFest 2015 attracts thousands, including many out-of-towners, for the Grand Day Parade with more than 75 units, family fun and food on the grounds of the middle school, a street dance and fireworks. Market Monday, a well established farmers’ market in Review • page 12

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

Women happy to sport ‘chemo cancer hats’ by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

To Linda Kmitch of Sartell, desperation is the truest mother of invention. About 18 months ago, Kmitch found herself feeling an almost kind of wit’s-end desperation. As a volunteer at the Coborn Cancer Center, she quickly noticed there were not enough soft fleece-like hats for women who had lost their hair because of chemotherapy. She had an urge to make hats, but she didn’t know how to go about it or exactly which materials to use. Finally, in desperation, she grabbed a fleece hat, took it home, ripped it apart to examine it and then made a pattern so she could sew some more. Through the coming weeks and months, nipped again by desperation, Kmitch gradually became more and more adept, through a long process of trial-and-error, at making just the right kinds of hats, functional but also pretty. A huge part of the process was just determining exactly what kinds of hats (colors, patterns, bands, comfort levels) the women needed and wanted. She talked with many cancer patients to finetune her hat-making. “It was such a long process that evolved slowly,” she said. “And, believe me, in the begin-

ning I made some terrible hats. Just terrible! You just can’t do it right, right away. It takes so much time. And feedback.” Many hundreds of hats later, Kmitch is happy and – what’s more important to her – the recipients of the comfortable, stylish hats are so happy to wear them. The hats are made of very soft, stretchable cotton, and each has a colorful band that goes around the hat and holds it onto the head. There are many bands of various colors and patterns, chic and stylish, some with soft fabric flowers on them. Out of the 20 or so kinds of bands, cancer patients can choose up to four – ones they determine will go best with the styles and colors of clothing they usually wear in public.

Early problems

Part of Kmitch’s early desperation is that cancer patients who lose their hair most often have very sensitive scalps. Any kind of wig or hat must be extremely soft, otherwise a very irritable discomfort results, making it impossible to wear anything over the head. And Kmitch knows that all too well, having had a bout with breast cancer and resultant loss of hair five years ago. She is, thankfully, in full remission these days and loves to

volunteer time at the chemotherapy department at Coborn Cancer Center. Having “been there done that,” she not only meets with women patients to create their hats and bands but also helps comfort women who are facing such anxiety about their cancer diagnoses, offering wise words tempered by empathy and hope. She even takes calls at home when patients need to talk, to share, and sometimes the conversations are tear-filled. “But they always feel better afterward,” Kmitch said. “I help console them based on my own cancer experience. There’s so much anxiety, but there is always hope, even in cases of tough diagnoses. They are in such need of personal reassurance, and I love to give them that kind of comfort and hope.” Kmitch also empathizes with women’s need for hats. When she lost all of her hair, she had two styles of hats to wear, the only ones available. But they were acutely uncomfortable and she did not feel good in either of them. Other volunteers also make hats for the patients at the Coborn Cancer Center. Whenever she can, Kmitch calls those volunteers to give them pointers on how to make the hats as comfortable as possible and to try to get them to suit

contributed photos

At right: Linda Kmitch holds a basket of “chemo cancer hats” at the Coborn Cancer Center, where she volunteers her time. Below: Linda Kmitch and other women create these stylish and comfortable “chemo cancer hats” that are completely unique because they are designed after painstaking consultations with cancer patients.

what the women want in terms of fashion and style.

Lots of help

At first, Kmitch created the hats by herself and paid the nearly $1,000 for materials and supplies. But it wasn’t long before other women volunteers became involved – members of the St. Monica’s Christian

Women of the St. Francis Parish of Sartell. The “hat team” is now comprised of Rita Meier, Bonnie Nies, Joyce O’Driscoll, Beccy Ruzanic, Aggie Schulte, Margaret Stang, Donna Traut and Rosie Weyer. They spend about 17 hours together, putting together the hats. Hats • page 11

Food Service Staff Needed! Pickup discovered 15 years later Sartell - St. Stephen Schools Independent School District 748

Numerous regular and substitute food-service positions available following school calendar. Up to 2.5 hours/day. Fast-paced, fun and friendly environment.

Please apply at: www.sartell.k12.mn.us

by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

A pickup truck reported stolen 15 years ago was located Jan. 3 – on the bottom of Mayhew Lake. The Benton County Sheriff’s Department was called to the scene by an individual who was fishing on the lake. When he lowered a camera down through

the ice to look for fish, he saw what appeared to be a pickup truck on the bottom. Deputies responded and used a camera to look for the truck. It was found in 12 feet of water about 100 yards north of the public access at a point about 25 yards from the west shore of the lake. Divers found no evidence in or around the truck. A registra-

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tion search of its license plates showed it once belonged to someone in Graham Township in Benton County. A retrieval of the truck was considered, but it was determined the ice was too thin for a successful retrieval. It will be recovered in the near future when the ice thickens. The sheriff’s report did not specify what make or model of pickup it is.

Call the Newsleader at 363-7741

HELP WANTED: Babygirlz Boutique in St. Joseph, MN, is currently looking for a responsible person to work Tuesdays-Fridays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and someone to work afternoon/evenings from 3-6/7 p.m. If you have a PASSION for women’s fashion, an eye for detail, are customer oriented and have some retail experience, we’d love to hear from you. Familiarity with a POS (point of sale) system and social media a plus. Pick up an application at: 11 N. College Ave., St. Joseph or email a resume to Melissa at: dressme@babygirlzboutique.com

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Winter Extravaganza a hit at St. Stephen city hall

photos by Carolyn Bertsch

Clockwise from top left: This St. Stephen family and their young neighbor, enjoyed spending time making necklaces, bracelets, and even dog collars out of pipe cleaners and beads. They are (clockwise) Tucker Vanderweyst, 11, Michael Hommerding, 9, Jessica Hommerding, John Hommerding, and Ava Hommerding, 13; Owen Seutter, 2, Sartell, places a gift beneath the giving tree as both his twin brother Issac, and Santa Claus look on; Billie Ryan, 5, Sartell, receives a gift bag and is lifted onto Santa’s lap to share her Christmas wishes at St. Stephen’s Winter Extravaganza; Evie Rothstein, 5, St. Stephen, and her mother Stephanie, color together as volunteer Cris Drais replenishes supplies in the background.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

LEGAL NOTICE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SARTELL-ST. STEPHEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS NOV. 16, 2015 DISTRICT CENTER BOARD ROOM The regular school board meeting of Independent School District 748 was called to order at 7:19 p.m. by Krista Durrwachter, chair. Members present: Durrwachter; Pam Raden, clerk; Mary McCabe, director; Jason Nies, director; Pat Marushin, director; Gopi Ramanathan, student representative and Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent. Unable to attend: Michelle Meyer, vice chair. A motion was made by Raden and seconded by Nies to approve the agenda. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to approve consent items a-d below: a. Minutes of the regular school board meeting held on Oct. 19, 2015 b. Checks in the amount of $914,649.95 as presented: General Fund 681,630.80 Food Service Fund 64,408.99 Transportation Fund 87,153.39 Community Service Fund 16,608.68 Capital Expenditure Fund 53,882.02 Summer Rec Agency Fund 10,966.07 Check numbers 161885 to 162158 Receipts in the amount of $3,638,462.35 as presented: General Fund 2,255,507.60 Food Service Fund 207,516.18 Transportation Fund 682.60 Community Service Fund 133,096.79 Capital Expenditure Fund 20,214.44 Debt Service Fund 1,020,869.74 Summer Rec Agency Fund 575.00 Receipts 41503 to 41617 Wire transfers in the amount of $29,379.81 as presented: General Fund 23,860.91 Food Service Fund 4,301.27 Community Service Fund 1,217.63 Wire transfers 20150024 to 2015000032 c. Accept the following donations: Name

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Sartell Middle School $400

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d. Accept the resignation and retirements of: resignations, Soraya Hudson, District, crossing guard, 10/26/15; Sherrill Scholtes, ORE, head cook, 11/13/15; and retirement of Jeffrey Kellerman, SHS, teacher, 1/25/16. Student Representative Report: Gopi Ramanathan, student • Kaitlyn Reichel, a first-grader at Pine Meadow Elementary, is one of 25 finalists to win a $30,000 cafeteria makeover for PME through uncle Ben’s Beginners contest. • Oak Ridge collected 1,314 pairs of socks for families in need during the month of October. • All schools throughout the district celebrated Unity Month and campaigned to be bully-free. Students at the elementary schools had the opportunity to attend an assembly with Ronald McDonald that addressed issues of bullying. • The sixth-grade play, Rumplestiltskin: Private Eye, had two great performances. • Sartell Middle School hosted its first Activity Night for seventhand eighth-grade students. Utopia Tours and Cloud Travel Main Office 3015 Hwy. 29 S., Ste. 4038, Alexandria, MN 56308

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• Sartell Middle School hosted its ninth annual Veterans Day celebration with more than 60 veterans attending lunch, an assembly with patriotic performances and Kat Stewart, a seventh-grade science teacher and veteran, as the keynote speaker. • Sartell Middle School and Sartell High School students participated in WE Day, an event that inspires youth to make a difference locally and globally. • Many teams and students were state bound including the Boys and Girls Soccer Teams, two students in Cross Country Running and several students for Girls Swimming and Diving. • National Honor Society held a We Scare Hunger Food Drive where students “trick or treated” for donations collecting more than 1,100 items to support the local food shelves. Superintendent Report: Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent • The Veterans’ Day program held at Sartell Middle School was very moving for all in attendance and those that were impacted by the day’s events. It was a genuine learning opportunity for our students – from being able to have lunch with a veteran, to listening to Kat Stewart, a seventh-grade science teacher, share her experiences during her time in the service, to the student writings that were shared. • We continue to work with Partner for Student Success. During the next few months, the organization will hire a full-time director with funds allocated through the state. The focus will continue to be a support to our communities in: • Early Childhood Education • All third-graders reading at grade-level • College and career readiness for all students • Benton-Stearns Education District is determining programmatic next steps as the current facility that houses the Voyagers Program is full. • The city and the school district continue to connect and communicate regularly to discuss the needs of our growing community and discuss colBrochures avai lable at Whitney Seni or Center!

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laboration opportunities. School Board Committees: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Advisory Committee • The World’s Best Workforce strategic plan was presented to the group which includes district teaching and learning goals, curriculum information, professional development and assessment information. • The Instructional Technology Specialists presented information on how they are delivering a digital citizenship curriculum throughout the K-12 system. Report on Enrollment: Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent, reviewed the enrollment report. Audit Report: Caroline Stutsman, a representative from BerganKDV, presented their findings of the 2014-15 audit. Copies of the audit report are online and at the District Service Center. Report on 2016-17 and 2017-18 calendar: Jeff Schwiebert, superintendent, presented the draft calendars for 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years. The calendar committee will discuss these and recommend final calendars for approval by the board. Report on Nov. 9 Professional Development Day: Kay Nelson, director of Learning Services, presented a report on the Professional Development Day. On Nov. 9, teachers across the district participated in a professional development day. Dr. Aric Putnam is working with the staff to understand the role of public education in a global world. Nov. 9 was the second session of a three-part workshop. In addition to the in-service with Dr. Putnam, teachers were engaged with a variety of subject-area topics including literacy, reading instruction, writing across the curriculum, mathematics best practice and other content-specific work. Approve Personnel Omnibus Resolution: A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Raden to APPROVE #1-21: New employees or changes: Brady Brouwer, SMS, student supervisor, $13.53/hour, R1, S1, two hours/day, Replacing Tammi Hanson, 11/4/15; Rachel Ertl, ORE, dishwasher, $14.18/hour, R1, S1, three hours/day, replacing Margaret Stang, 10/22/15;Cheryl Freihammer, ORE, head cook, 24.26/hr, RV, S7, seven-and-a-half hours/day, replacing Sherry Scholtes, 11/13/15; Tammi Hanson, ORE , student supervisor, $13.53/hr, R1, S1, two hours/day, Replacing Kari Tuomi, 10/26/15; Mark Hedstrom, SMS, lead custodian, $22.10/hour, RIV, S6, eight hours/day, replacing Mike Lashinski, 11/12/15; Mike Lashinski, SMS, head custodian, $22.36/hour, RVIII, S4, eight hours/day, replacing Scott Vadnais, 11/4/15; Jazmine Malepsy, SHS, assistant gymnastics, $3,198, BS1 , replacing Tara Gottschling, 11/9/15; Tyler Malotky, SMS, junior high boys swim, $2,137, BS1, replacing Shane Broerman, 11/30/15; Kara Rysavy, SMS, Sabre

Singers, $757, BS1, replacing Margaret Burk, 11/1/15; Jody Schave, SMS/SHS, custodian, $15.72/hour, RIII, S1, eight hours/day, Replacing Brian Larson, 11/11/15; Patrick Strey, SMS, junior high girls basketball (50 percent), $1,069, BS1, new position, 10/27/15; Jennifer Supan, PME, paraprofessional, $17.24/hour, RIV, S2, 6.25 hours/ day, new position,11/12/15; Ryan Templin, SMS, junior high girls basketball (50 percent), $1,609, BS1, new position, 10/27/15; April Winter, SMS, ﬁfth- and sixth-grade Math Masters, $757, BS1, replacing Justine Kirkham, 10/20/15; Sara Yarand, SHS, oneto-one para (student dependent), $16.02/hour, RIV, S1, seven hours/ day, new position, 11/10/15; Leaves of absence: Kirsten Anderson, SMS, language arts teacher, LOA, 11/6/15 to 11/20/15; Lindsay Buccholz, SMS, Spanish teacher, LOA, 4/12/16 to 5/23/16; Gena Larson, SMS, special ed teacher, LOA, 4/4/16 to 6/10/16; Katie Martin, SMS, sixthgrade teacher, LOA, 12/23/15 to 3/17/16; Larisa Pettit, SMS, ﬁfthgrade teacher, LOA, 1/4/16 to 5/2/16; Emily Stoebe, SHS, special ed teacher, LOA, 4/5/16 to 5/18/16. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE THE DISTRICT SUMMARY FOR MEETING MINNESOTA STATE STATUTE 120.b11: STRIVING FOR THE WORLD’S BEST WORKFORCE. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by McCabe and seconded by Nies to APPROVE THE CONDUCT MINNESOTA STUDENT SURVEY FOR DISTRICT #748. All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Nies and seconded by Marushin to APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH THE SARTELL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION (SEA). All in favor. Motion carried. A motion was made by Nies and seconded by McCabe to APPROVE THE AUDIT REPORT. All in favor. Motion carried. Formation of Communications Committee and Schedule Work Session and Committee Meetings Members of the Communications Committee: Durrwachter, Meyer and Raden. School Board Work Session on Dec. 2, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. School Board Work Session on Dec. 9, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Minnesota School Board Association Leadership Conference MSBA Leadership Conference will be held in January. A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Raden and seconded by Marushin at 8:15 p.m. All in favor. Motion carried. /s/ Pam Raden, clerk/treasurer Publish: Jan. 8, 2016

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

‘Hoopin’ for Tommy B.’ set for Jan. 8 at high school by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

Hoopin’ for Tommy B takes place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8 at Sartell High School. The varsity game and fundraising event will feature a game between the Sartell Sabres and the Rocori Spartans. There will be a half-time performance by the Alexandria Aces. Attendees are encouraged to wear green – especially neon green – as that was one of the favorite colors of Tommy B. (Tom Bearson).

Educate from front page with audience participation in the form of questions solicited anonymously and more Muslim speakers to be announced. “It isn’t really designed to be a quizzing-them session, and it’s not designed to be a lesson on Islam but rather how Islam plays out in their lives,” Reetz said.

Changing community

Jeff Sackett is lead pastor at Celebration Lutheran Church, and Elizabeth Strenge is pastor of congregational life at the Sartell church.

Hats from page 8 Some of the hats have bangs or fringes of wig hair sewn expertly into and under the edges that looks for all the world like actual hair. Some cancer patients cannot wear wigs, Kmitch noted, because the wigs are too irritable to the scalp, even high-quality wigs. The hat-making team received a nice boost when Casting for a Cure donated enough money to buy materials for about a year. The St. Monica’s Christian Women also donated money, including some given to them just for the cancer-hat

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Bearson is the young Sartell man who was found murdered Sept. 23, 2014 in Moorhead, Minn., a case which remains unsolved. The former superb highschool basketball player, son of \ Greg and Deb Pearson of Sartell, was a new student at the University of North Dakota, Fargo, at the time of his death. Bearson’s family, friends and supporters started the Tom Bearson Foundation to keep Tom’s memory alive, to promote safety on school campuses and to promote basketball opportunities for

young people because basketball was a sport Bearson loved and excelled in since the time he was a toddler. Hoopin’ for Tommy B is partly a fundraiser for the Bearson Foundation, although Tom’s parents mostly just want people who attend to have a lot of fun while keeping Tommy’s memory alive in the area, including among the younger players coming up through the basketball program. Jan. 8 was chosen for the event because it is as close as

possible to Tom’s birthday, Jan. 6. After the Alexandria Aces perform, there will be a threepoint shooting contest ($1 per shot), and winners will receive a cupcake decorated for Tom’s birthday. The cupcakes were donated by the Sartell Coborns’ stores and Cold Spring Bakery. Proceeds will go to the Bearson Foundation, along with money raised from a 50/50 raffle. The Alexandria (Minnesota) Aces, who will put on a half-time show at Hoopin’ for Tommy B.,

is one of the top-rated acts in the NCAS and NBA. Their show has been seen by more than four million people and the group has even been invited to perform at the White House. The team was formed 25 years ago, at first as a basketball-handling club under the tutelage of master basketball trick artist Larry Novotny of Alexandria, Minn. The team is comprised of boys and girls ages 5-12 who perform mind-boggling dribbling, juggling and feats of spinning.

“Because of the changes in the greater St. Cloud area, the number of people who live here now who are Muslim, we had a sense this was a good time for this,” Sackett said of the church’s adult-education series. Celebration Lutheran took a lead role with a special worship service when the Verso paper mill in Sartell closed in 2012 after an explosion and many were left jobless. “There are many commonalities with prayer and practicing your faith and giving and certainly serving the greater good between Christianity and Islam, but there are also differences,” Strenge said. The weekly series will be held

at 9:40 a.m. Sundays, starting Jan. 10 and ending Feb. 14, at Celebration Lutheran in Sartell and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, starting Jan. 12 and ending Feb. 2. “We think by entering into this process, we can help our people not only get to know their neighbors better but also sharpen their own faith,” Sackett said.

that, so I welcome any opportunity to let people know who we are, what we believe in – the true religion,” Anjum said. “People are distorting Islam for their own good, but that is not the right thing to do,” she said. “I want people to understand we are not a religion of violence. We want to live peacefully and our religion teaches tolerance for everybody.” Anjum said her religion “does not allow killing of innocent

people, of women and children in a war.” “What we’ve been saying to our people is Jesus calls us to love our neighbors, and these are the neighbors God has given us to love,” Sackett said. “They are people who are in our communities now. And because they are our neighbors, we feel we should reach out to them and get to know them rather than learn about them through viral stories or splashy news productions.”

project. Although Kmitch is retired, she is grateful for the way others pitched in to help on the hat project. Years ago, she never would have dreamed of taking on such a task, partly because she had never sewn that kind of head covering. She had to learn from Stitch One and go from there. Kmitch, who has a college degree in recreation therapy, worked for 32 years at the St. Cloud Veterans’ Medical Center, first as a recreational therapist and then as education director. Her husband, Bob, also worked there – for 35 years. Though hat-making is a lot of work, there is a possibility others may soon help out, in-

cluding some women who expressed interest from Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell. About eight to 10 women receive the hats-and-bands every week at the Coborn Cancer Center, so Kmitch is hoping the hat-making continues for as long as there are patients who need the hats. More donations are always welcome. Checks can be made out to St. Monica Christian Women, with “Chemo Hat Project” written on the memo line, and sent to: St. Monica Christian Women, P.O. Box 150, Sartell, MN 56377. For more information, Linda Kmitch can be contacted at 320-252-9292 or lindakmitch@ gmail.com.

Religious tolerance

Zurya Anjum is a psychiatrist and Muslim from Sartell who has agreed to speak at the church about her faith and her family. “People have so many misperceptions about the religion and what it stands for and what we believe in, and I hear so much of

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

photo by Hannah Marie & Myles B. Photography

At left: Everett Hirdler, 3, of Sartell, hugs a cat mascot during the Sartell Summerfest parade. photo by Dennis Dalman

Review from page 7 Sartell, is now also Market Thursday, with a weekly venue right outside of CentraCare next to the Coborn Cancer Center in St. Cloud, just across the road from north Sartell. Thanks largely to the efforts of three local women, a railroad crossing at CR 55 and Benton Drive will become a “Quiet Zone,” meaning trains will not be allowed to blow their whistles when approaching it. The whistle noise, especially with an increase of train traffic, had become a frequent annoyance for people living near that intersection. A Relay for Life cancer fund-

raiser is a huge success on the grounds of Sartell Middle School, with many cancer survivors and loved ones walking to raise funds to help fight the dreaded disease. Almost $110,000 is raised. The annual music-and-movies festival in Pinecone Central Park begins with a free showing of the movie Wall-E. Other upcoming movies include Dirty Dancing and A Bug’s Life, not to mention a musical line-up of excellent musicians-singers from the area. The Rotary clubs of Sartell and Sauk Rapids announced they will merge soon. The merged clubs are now known as the Great River Rotary Club. Dogs and their owners are happy about the Dog Park that finally opened in Pine-

Above: Clergy line up outside as the casket of Sam Traut is brought by pallbearers to a waiting hearse for burial in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Traut was eulogized in the burial Mass as a kind, helpful, hard-working Christian with a unique goofy sense of humor. contributed photo

At right: Matthew Jurek gets a hug from his mother, Stacey Jurek, after the 2015 high school graduation ceremony. cone Central Park. Organizers, who raised funds for the park along with contributions from the city, plan to add more amenities to the fenced-in area in the future. A new state-of-the-art PineCone Vision Center opens in south Sartell, and open-house visitors express wide-eyed approval of the results. Julie Tripp, who has given 25 years of service to the Sartell-St. Stephen School District, retires in June and is honored

at an outdoor ceremony by staff and students. For many years right up to her retirement, Tripp was the principal at Sartell Middle School. The Sartell-St. Stephen School District hires four assistant principals: Zachary Dingmann and Michelle Raml for Sartell Middle School; and Brian Baloun and Sara Gabrielson for Sartell High School. Duathletes from far and wide take it to the limit at the 33rd annual Sartell Apple

Duathlon. Matthew Payne, 38, Columbia Heights, finishes first with a time of 1:20:46. Elaine Nelson, 36, Duluth, is the top female finisher, with a time of 1:34:06. More than 200 duathletes, many of them local, participated in the prestigious race.

July

The Sartell City Council begins to ponder which amenities a community center should house. The center, to be built with half-cent sales-tax money,

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Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 will cost somewhere between $10-$11 million, the council decides. A funeral is held at St. Francis Xavier Church for Sam Traut, 24, Sartell, who was murdered in Fargo after opening his door to a stranger who had asked Traut for a glass of water. That man, it was alleged, murdered another man in the same neighborhood hours before killing Traut, who was a civil engineer and a Bible-study leader for St. Paul’s Newman Center in Fargo. At his funeral, he was described as a kind, helpful, hard-working Christian with a unique sense of humor. Traut was a 2009 graduate of Sartell High School. Sartell becomes a place of detour frustration because of all of the roadwork and road repairs underway in the city. But it’s not alone; detours have become a fact of summer life throughout the entire greater St. Cloud area. The city council narrows potential sites for a community center from eight to three, based on input from studies done by hired consultants. The Sartell Lions Club gears up for its 50th birthday party. The charter was signed Oct. 27, 1965 at the old Sartell Village Hall. Of the original signers of the charter, only one – 86-yearold Charlie Schafer – is still living. Schafer, who lives in Sauk Rapids now, is still an active member of the club. The Great River Regional Library staff says it’s ready to help Sartell create a branch library but first needs to know a community-center site and details of the center’s architectural design. Plans have long called for a library to be included in the community center. Mark Bromenschenkel, a Sartell resident and Stearns County commissioner, is president of the GRRL Board, which

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approved a branch library for Sartell. He said he and others are excited about a branch library in the city because, he said, it’s long overdue and will be a state-of-the-art facility for the future. Granite Logistics opens in its new building in south Sartell. The 41 employees and visitors during the open house sing the praises of the expansive and relaxing design of the facility.

August

Many neighborhoods in Sartell celebrate National Night Out with informal get-togethers where residents share potluck food and refreshments and get to know one another while learning safety tips from police officers, firefighters and other guests. Once again, Sartell students in grades 3-12 exceed their state peers on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments tests. They surpass, on average, test scores in other school districts by anywhere from 10-30 percent in the categories of math, reading and science. The tests help teachers fine-tune programs to maintain and improve excellence. In a decision that will bring much controversy throughout the rest of 2015, the Sartell City Council votes to select a south site for the city’s community center. The facility will be located to the east of Pinecone Road S. near the edge of Lake Francis (actually a large holding pond). That site is known as “Town Square” a place that is expected to become a “downtown” Sartell area. Those who voted for the site are council members Steve Hennes, Pat Lynch and Mayor Sarah Jane Nicoll. They all agree a community center at that site would add synergistic energy to the dynamic excitement of other Review • back page

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LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF SARTELL ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS 2016 SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS S.P. 220-591-004 / MINN. PROJECT NO. TA 7315 (281) FOR THE CITY OF SARTELL STEARNS AND BENTON COUNTIES, MINN. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by the City of Sartell at the ofﬁce of the City Clerk until 11 a.m. CST, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, at Sartell City Hall located at 125 Pinecone Road, Sartell, Minn. 56377, and will be publicly opened and read at said time and place by representatives of the City of Sartell. Said proposals for the furnishing of all labor and materials for the construction, complete in-place, of the following approximate quantities: 725 CY

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The provisions of Minn. Stat. 16C.285 Responsible Contractor are imposed as a requirement of this contract. All bidders and persons or companies providing a response/submission to the Advertisement for Bids/RFP of the City shall comply with the provisions of the statute. The bids must be submitted on the Proposal Forms provided in accordance with the Contract Documents, Plans and Specifications as prepared by WSB and Associates Inc., 4140 Thielman Lane, Suite 204, St. Cloud, Minn. 56301, which are on file with the City Clerk of Sartell and may be seen at the office of the Consulting Engineers or at the office of the City Clerk. Complete digital Proposal Forms, Plans and Specifications for use by Contractors submitting a bid are available at www.questcdn. com. You may download the digital plan documents for a nonrefundable fee of $25 by inputting Quest project #4162682 on the website’s Project Search page. Please contact QuestCDN.com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn. com for assistance in free membership registration, downloading and working with this digital project information. An optional set of Proposal Forms, Plans and Specifications may be obtained from the Consulting Engineers, WSB and Associates Inc., 4140 Thielman Lane, Suite 204, St. Cloud, Minn. 56301, for a nonrefundable fee of $125 per set, check payable to WSB and Associates Inc. Bids will only be accepted from Contractors who purchase Bidding Documents as noted above.

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sealed and ﬁled with the City Clerk of Sartell and accompanied by a cash deposit, cashier’s check, or certiﬁed check or bid bond made payable to the City of Sartell in the amount of 5 percent of the amount bid to be forfeited as liquidated damages in the event the bid be accepted and the bidder fail to enter promptly into a written contract and furnish the required bond.

afﬁrmatively assure on any project constructed pursuant to this advertisement equal-employment opportunity will be offered to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, sexual orientation or age;

No bids may be withdrawn for a period of 60 days from the date of opening of bids. The City of Sartell reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

in accordance with the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minnesota Statute 363A.36 Certificates of Compliance for Public Contracts, and 363A.37 Rules for Certificates of Compliance, it will assure appropriate parties to any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement possess valid Certificates of Compliance.

Minimum-wage rates to be paid by the Contractors have been predetermined and are subject to the Work Hours Act of 1962, P.L. 87581 and implementing regulations. READ CAREFULLY THE WAGE SCALES AND DIVISION A OF THE SPECIAL PROVISIONS AS THEY AFFECT THIS PROJECT The Minnesota Department of Transportation hereby notifies all bidders: in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Act), as amended and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Subtitle A Part 21, Non-discrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation, it will affirmatively assure in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded maximum opportunity to participate and/or to submit bids in response to this invitation, and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, disability, age, religion, sex or national origin in consideration for an award; in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, and Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 230 Subpart A – Equal-Employment Opportunity on Federal and Federal-Aid Construction Contracts (including supportive services), it will affirmatively assure increased participation of minority groups and disadvantaged persons and women in all phases of the highway construction industry, and that on any project constructed pursuant to this advertisement equal- employment opportunity will be provided to all persons without regard to their race, color, disability, age, religion, sex or national origin; in accordance with the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minnesota Statute 363A.08 Unfair discriminatory Practices, it will

If you are not a current holder of a compliance certificate issued by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and intend to bid on any job in this advertisement you must contact the Department of Human Rights immediately for assistance in obtaining a certificate. The following notice from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights applies to all contractors: “It is hereby agreed between the parties that Minnesota Statute, section 363A.36 and Minnesota Rules, parts 5000.3400 to 5000.3600 are incorporated into any contract between these parties based on this specification or any modification of it. A copy of Minnesota Statute 363A.36 and Minnesota Rules, parts 5000.3400 to 5000.3600 is available upon request from the contracting agency.” “It is hereby agreed between the parties that this agency will require affirmative-action requirements be met by contractors in relation to Minnesota Statute 363A.36 and Minnesota Rules 5000.3600. Failure by a contractor to implement an affirmative-action plan or make a good-faith effort shall result in revocation of its certificate or revocation of the contract (Minnesota Statute 363A.36, Subd. 2 and 3).” A minimum goal of 4.8-percent Good Faith Effort to be subcontracted to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. DATED: Nov. 16, 2015 BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL s/s Mary Degiovanni City Administrator Sartell, Minn. Published: Jan.8 and 15, 2016

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

Team causes ruckus at River Falls, Wis. hotel by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

An extended free-for-all ruckus by the Sartell Youth Hockey Squirt C White Team at a motel in River Falls, Wis. Dec. 5 caused frustration and anger on the part of some paying guests – bad enough to cause refunds for some guests and to spur a letter to the editor to the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader. On Dec. 18, the Newsleader received a letter to the editor

from a Wisconsin couple who had stayed in a room on the same floor as the hockey team (see letter on today’s Opinion Page.) At the time of the incident, the Squirt C team was at a tournament Dec. 4-6 in River Falls, according to the Sartell Youth Hockey Association website. As always, the Newsleader checks letters to be sure they are written by the people whose names are signed on the letters. The Newsleader also dou-

ble-checks letters if potentially libelous statements are made in a letter. The newspaper was closed from mid-December to Jan. 4, and the editor became aware of the letter Jan. 4. On Jan. 6, the editor called the Best Western Hotel in River Falls to determine if the out-ofcontrol behavior of the hockey players did, in fact, occur there. The front-desk clerk, Nikkita Patterson, said it did indeed and that the letter to editor is accurate.

She added that she was working the afternoon, night and post-midnight hours when four hockey teams from different cities were staying at the motel the weekend of Dec. 4. Patterson said it is true there appeared to be no adults making the Sartell teammates mind, that the adults were in a lounge downstairs while the hockey teams were on the second and third floors. She said the motel staff told the players they could go down to the first floor but they said they

preferred to have fun, including in the hallways, on the upper floors. Some guests were so disgusted by the rude and disrespectful behavior, Patterson said, that the motel gave them refunds. “It was my worst weekend in the three years I’ve been working here,” Patterson said, referring to the unmanageable situation. Patterson said that later staff succeeded in contacting a coach for the Sartell team, who apologized.

Sartell is always ‘Home Sweet Home’ for Binsfeld by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com

Home Sweet Home. That’s how Dr. Timothy Binsfeld feels after returning recently to his home town, Sartell. After being gone for so long, Binsfeld Binsfeld was hired last summer as a physical therapist at the International Pain and Physical

Speech from page 4 Certain words cannot be used. Historical flags must be destroyed. History must be rewritten to keep anyone from being offended.

As a test of this new thinking, independent filmmaker Ami Horowitz recently visited Yale University attempting to get signatures on a petition to repeal the First Amendment. In less than an hour he had 50 signatures. These obviously spoiled youngsters have no knowledge of what this country is all about. Today I offer you this lesson. Some say certain lives matter. Really? Do you want your life to

Medicine Center in Sartell. He is the only doctor in the greater St. Cloud area, so far, to be specially certified to do physical therapy with sufferers of Parkinson’s disease. “It’s good to be back,” he said. “I love this community and couldn’t wait to get back. I’ve always loved Sartell because it’s such a friendly, kind and caring city.” Born in 1990 as a twin at the St. Cloud Hospital, the son of Connie and Jeff Binsfeld, Binsfeld

grew up in a home in the Via Riviera neighborhood just north of the city, a home where his parents still live. In high school, he loved sports and played football, was a member of track and did weight-lifting in the winter months. He graduated in 2007, then studied at Southwest Minnesota Sate University in Marshall, with a double major in biology and chemistry. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse, to study physical therapy and earned a doctorate in

that discipline last July. The next month, he began working at the International Pain and Physical Medicine center. Medicine and helping others seems to run in the Binsfeld family. Father Jeff makes dentures and other specialized teeth at Thoele Dental Lab in Waite Park. Mother Connie works as a para for an elementary day program for children with special needs in the Sartell School District. Timothy’s twin sister, Becky, is a dental hygienist in Sauk Rapids.

Binsfeld and the center he works for specialize mainly in chronic neck and back pain. His philosophy of medicine is to empower patients to do as much as they can on their own, with teamwork the key in working together to find solutions to problems. I’m kind of a coach that way,” he said. “I try to motivate.” Currently, Binsfeld lives with his parents in Sartell and hopes to find a home soon in Sartell or at least in the greater St. Cloud area.

matter? Then do something that matters. Create, build, discover, do anything that makes your life and others better. Get an education, get a job, respect law, be a good citizen. That’s how you make your life matter. One matters because of who they are and ultimately what they do, not what they are. No group in this country should be separated out for any special reward or punishment simply because of their race. We are rapidly approaching a point in this country when the majority will no longer tolerate the whining and complaining of any minority group. If you are a citizen of America, you already are ahead of most of the world. How many people throughout

this world do you think would trade places with the poorest American living in the worst ghetto? I would guess millions. So then part two of the lesson today is to look around you. See what you are blessed to have. To the young lady screaming profanities at the Yale professor, how many people do you suppose would love to be a student at one of the most prestigious universities in the world? You are fortunate beyond your wildest dreams. If you don’t mess it up by your terrible attitude and your foul mouth, you will probably graduate with the prospect of a great career and fantastic earning potential. All of us have the choice of being a force for good or be-

ing a part of the problem. As Americans we are all guaranteed opportunity but there is no guarantee for success. That is determined by our talent, our intelligence and our hard work. This world is going to continue to need intelligent movers and shakers. The society of the perpetually offended will rightfully fall by the wayside.

Blotter

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.

from page 2 9:59 p.m. Driving complaint. CR 1. A complaint was made regarding a vehicle driving the wrong direction and slow. An officer located the vehicle driving slowly but found the driver was not intoxicated. The elderly female stated she was on her way home. She was advised to be more cautious with her driving. Dec. 6 8:14 a.m. Suspicious vehicle. A report was made regarding an unknown vehicle parked at the business for two days. An officer contacted the registered owner, who stated he was hunting and would pick the vehicle up soon. 2:04 p.m. Welfare check. Eighth Street N. A report was made regarding an adult male stopping at a residence and asking for directions to the same location twice within a week. An officer located the male, who stated he was just new to the area. Dec. 7 11:13 a.m. Welfare check. First Street N.E. A report was made regarding an occupied vehicle parked at a business for several hours, with a sleeping male. An officer spoke to the driver, who stated he was waiting for a friend to arrive so he could get gas. No assistance was needed. 7:19 p.m. Verbal. 10th Avenue N. A complaint was made regarding two adult women arguing. Officers arrived and found the argument was only verbal. One female agreed to leave the residence without incident. No further assistance was needed. Dec. 8 12:04 p.m. Domestic. CR 120. A report was made regarding an adult male and an adult female arguing in a parking lot. Officers arrived and found the argument was only verbal and they needed no assistance.

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 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, Jan. 8 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Saturday, Jan. 9 Winter Market, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. www.marketmonday.org. Trivia Party, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Waite Park Public Library, 253 N. Fifth St. 320-253-9359. Read to Buster, 11 a.m.-noon, Waite Park Public Library, 253 N.

Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Community Calendar

Fifth St. 320-253-9359. Central Minnesota Chapter of the Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, 12:30 p.m., American Legion, 17 Second Ave. N., Waite Park. Monday, Jan. 11 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. Sartell City Council, 6 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. 320-253-2171. Tuesday, Jan. 12 Sartell Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., Waters Church, 1227 Pinecone Road. 320-258.6061. info@sartellchamber.com. ICAN Prevent Diabetes, 3:154:15 p.m., Sacred Heart Church,

2875 10th Ave. N.E., Sauk Rapids. 320-650-3082. Minnesota: A History of the Land: The Northern Forest, 7-8 p.m., Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, 1620 Lindbergh Drive S., Little Falls. 320-616-5421. lindbergh@ mnhs.org. Holistic Moms Network, 7-8:30 p.m., Good Earth Co-op, 2010 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. 320-252-2489.

Wednesday, Jan. 13 St. Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce, 11:30 a.m., St. Joseph Community Fire Hall, 323 Fourth Ave. NE. stjosephchamber.com. Northstar Commuter Rail Extension, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, 1 p.m., Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 320-650-2500.

Thursday Jan. 14 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, 520 First St. NE, Sartell. Sartell-Sauk Rapids Mom’s Club, 9-10:30 a.m., Celebration Lutheran Church, 1500 Pinecone Road N., Sartell. Friday, Jan. 15 Benton County Historical Society, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, 610 CR 2, St. Joseph. St. Joseph Area Historical Society open, 4-7 p.m., Old City Hall, 25 First Ave NW. stjosephhistoricalmn. org. St. Cloud Singles Club Dance,

15 8 p.m.-midnight, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. S., Waite Park. 320339-4533. stcloudsingles.net. Saturday, Jan. 16 Northstar Commuter Rail Extension, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, 9:30 a.m., Dunn Brothers Coffee, 900 Cooper Ave. S., St. Cloud. 320-251-0484. 55+ Driver Improvement program (four-hour refresher course), 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Miller Auto Plaza, 2930 Second St. S., St. Cloud. 1-888234-1294. mnsafetycenterorg. Sunday, Jan. 17 B u i l d - Yo u r- O w n - O m l e t t e Breakfast, 8 a.m.-noon, American Legion, 17 Second Ave. N., Waite Park. 320-251-5498.

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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016

Review from page 13 developments in that area, including nearby apartment complexes and other new residential areas. Council members Amy Braig-Lindstrom and David Peterson vote “no,” saying they much prefer a more central location. The southern site is one of eight the council had been considering. The annual Rock ‘n’ Block party, sponsored by the Sartell Area Chamber of Commerce, draws a large crowd with plenty of activities, including a beer-brewing contest. The Sartell Muskies baseball team heads to the state tournament in Cold Spring and Watkins after winning the Class C playoffs the week before in Mora and Hinckley. St. Francis Xavier Church hosts its third annual Franny Fest Teen Night for children in grades 7-12. The fun event includes human foosball, races and a jousting match. The city council decides to join a partnership with private interests to develop a recreational/picnic spot near Lake Francis in south Sartell. At its previous meeting, the council voted to dedicate $165,000 in park funds for trails and other amenities in the Lake Francis area, contingent upon other

photo by Hannah Marie & Myles B. Photography

Locals release yellow balloons with messages on them to Tom Bearson into the air Aug. 22 at a fundraiser. members of the partnership following through with their intentions. Lake Francis is a 12-acre pond. Sartell City Administrator/ Financial Director Mary Degiovanni is given a “commendable” rating by the Sartell City Council after a performance review. The Tom Bearson Foundation hosts a successful fundraiser at Blackberry Ridge Golf Course in memory of the young Sartell man, a superb basketball player and college student who was murdered in the Fargo-Moorhead area in 2014. The crime remains unsolved. The Foundation is raising money to encourage

the development of gymnasium space and to strengthen safety on school campuses. A trio of police officers suddenly finds themselves acting the role of midwife at the birth of a baby in Sartell. They were called to a residence for an emergency in which a woman was giving birth at home with no time to get to the hospital. The officers (John Lester, Kelly Mader, Steve Mathews) did their jobs admirably, helping birth Delaney Rose Eaton. The baby and mother, Barbara, were rushed to the hospital after the birth and were doing just fine. The officers were later honored by the city council for their expertise and

grace under pressure during the emergency.

For more Year in Review, please see next week’s issue.