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Newsleader Sartell

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 Volume 18, Issue 2 Est. 1995

Town Crier

School district spelling bee is Jan. 28

The Sartell/St. Stephen School District 748 spelling bee has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28 in the North Media Center at Sartell Middle School. Any home schools within the district wishing to be represented should contact the spelling bee coordinator, Lori Dornburg, at Sartell Middle School, by Friday, Jan. 11. Please include the student’s name, grade, parents’/ guardians’ name(s), address, phone number, teacher’s name, school name and home phone number. Participants will join the appropriate grade-level bees at Sartell Middle School. Be aware that Scripps National Spelling Bee rules require each “school” register with Scripps and pay a participation fee. Anyone with questions should contact Dornburg at SMS at 656-3701 ext. 2674.

Hospital requests healthy visitors only

To protect our patients and staff, St. Cloud Hospital is discouraging visitors with fever or cough from visiting hospitalized patients. Visitors who are healthy are advised to do the following: • Clean your hands after arriving and before leaving. • Always cover your cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve. • Clean your hands after coughing and sneezing. Thank you for your cooperation.

Individual tax preparer, tax site assistants sought

Volunteers are needed at the St. Cloud VITA free tax site locations to assist as individual tax preparers and tax site assistants. Tax preparers are responsible for completing individual tax returns for low-income individuals and families. An all-day training session will be offered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, and three evening sessions, Jan. 22, 23 and 24. For more information, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.

Farmers asked to remit apps for conservation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is accepting applications to help farmers improve water and air quality, build healthier soil, improve grazing and forest lands, conserve energy, enhance organic operations and achieve other environmental benefits. Funds are available for conservation activities, such as irrigation water management, reduced tillage, field buffers, rotational grazing systems and much more. The deadline for the next sign-up period in Minnesota is Jan. 18. For more information, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.

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Mothers-daughters enjoy bonding in ‘Annie’ by Dennis Dalman news@thnewsleaders.com

During a rehearsal, when theatrical newcomer Katie Radeke started dancing on stage, her two young daughters squirmed with embarrassment and later told her she was acting “silly.” But Radeke explained she had to act a bit silly because the character she is playing is a bit silly. The girls understood, and since that time they’ve had lots of fun during the many rehearsals for “Annie,” the musical comedy that opens Jan. 11 for seven public performances at Escher Auditorium at the College of St. Benedict. A GREAT Theatre production, “Annie” features 52 actors from central Minnesota – eight actors from Sartell, including Radeke and her two daughters, Grace and Ava. Another Sartell family (the mother-daughter duo of Judy and Kara Wolters) also have roles in the play. Unlike the Radekes, who have never acted together in plays before, the Wolters have performed together in many local plays since Kara, now 17, was only 9 years old. For the Wolters, acting has become an annual tradition, not to mention a fun-filled vehicle for

contributed photo

The Wolters and the Radekes rehearse the song “New York City” during a rehearsal for “Annie,” which opens Friday, June 11 at Escher Auditorium at the College of St. Benedict. From left to right are Kara Wolters, her mother Judy Wolters, Ava Radeke (girl in front), her sister Grace; and their mother, Katie. mother-daughter bonding. The other Sartell actors in “Annie” are St. Cloud State University student Megan Johnson, who plays the role of Lilly; ninth-grader Jillian Lawson, who plays Connie Boylan; and

Heidi Lenarz, who performs as one of the orphans in the play. The Radekes (mother and two daughters) are happy to be in “Annie” together. It’s the first venture into theatrics for Katie and Ava, who is a first-

grader at Pine Meadow Elementary School. Grace, a Pine Meadow fourth-grader, had a role in “Beauty and the Beast,” a GREAT Theatre production of three years ago. Annie • page 3

Meyer named chair of new school board by Dennis Dalman news@thnewsleaders.com

Michelle Meyer was elected as the new chairman of the Sartell-St. Stephen S c h o o l Meyer Board during the first meeting of the new board, which met for the first time Jan. 7. Meyer had served on the board in previous years before being elected to a two-year replacement term last November. The Sartell Newsleader was again selected as the “official newspaper” by the school board. The board also decided to add a non-voting student member to the board make-up. That student will be selected and announced later. Many Minnesota school boards have traditionally included a student liaison

member. The newly organized board is comprised of four newly elected board members, as well as two incumbents. The new ones, elected in the Nov. 6 general election, are Meyer, Jason Nies, Krista Laurich Durrwachter and Pam Raden. The incumbents are Mary McCabe and Dan Riordan. At the Jan. 7 organizational meeting, besides naming Meyer as chair, the board also elected McCabe as vice chair. Jason Nies was elected as clerk-treasurer, which the board combined into one position rather than two as before. Other actions at the board’s organizational meeting included the following: The board decided to schedule upcoming school board meetings at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of every month. Board members set salaries, which are $3,200 per year for the board chair and clerk-treasurer and $2,800 for the four

board directors (members). Those amounts are unchanged from last year’s salaries. The board did, however, decide to decrease the compensatory payments by $50-$100 per

category for special meetings other than regularly scheduled school-board meetings. Members from now on will receive $50 for meetings lasting oneMeyer • page 3

Year in Review Part 2:

Verso tragedy dominated news in 2012 (July-December)

by Dennis Dalman news@thnewsleaders.com

July A major “facelift” gets underway at Sartell schools. Thanks to funds authorized by Sartell voters last year, the ambitious projects have begun. They include a major structural rearrangement of the District Office building, new roofs on the high school and middle school, a new running track and tennis courts, improvements to the indoor pool, a recoating of gym floors and rewiring for energy and

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technology. Laurie Conzemius, media specialist at Pine Meadow Elementary School, is appointed to the board of the International Society for Technology in Education, which has about 5,000 members worldwide. Dennis Herschbach, a Sartell resident, hosts an autograph party to sign copies of his first novel, “Convergence at Two Harbors,” a page-turner about an attempted terrorist plot in Two Harbors, Minn., which is Herschbach’s preReview • page 4

Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

Football buddies continue to play at SJU

contributed photo

Laura Dohrman (left) strings colorful holiday beads with her grandparents Donald and Rose Dohrman (grandma) during the 13th annual Hometown Christmas event held Dec. 8 at Country contributed photo Manor Health Care Center and Rapid Recovery and Aquatic Center. Hundreds of family members Three former Sartelle-St. Stephen Sabres all-area, all-conferand friends of Country Manor residents and guests gathered to celebrate Christmas. ence football teammates continue their stellar play together again collegiately at St. John’s University. They are (left to right) Rob Voshell, Sean Tillman and Paul Plombon.

Residents deck halls during Hometown Christmas Hundreds of family members and friends of Country Manor residents and guests gathered to celebrate Christmas. The joy Christmas brings was felt by everyone at the celebration. The harmonious sounds of Christmas carolers strolling the halls, Gran-

ite City Sound performing in the chapel and local musicians playing traditional Christmas songs echoed through the health-care center. While visitors listened to the sounds of Christmas, they enjoyed cookie-decorating, Christmas crafts, performances by danc-

ers from the North Crest Activity Center, a variety of foods and horse-drawn trolley rides around the campus. For additional Country Manor Christmas traditions and photos, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on People.

Blotter

If any readers have tips concerning crimes, they should call the Sartell Police Department at 251-8186 or TriCounty Crime Stoppers at 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. 26:

1:08 p.m. Alarm. Just for Kix. An alarm was set off due to front doors being broken at the building. Officers did check the building and found no one inside. A computer was taken. 10:08 p.m. Loud music. Pinecone Road. A complaint was made regarding loud music inside an apartment building. Officers walked through the halls and were not able to hear any loud music. 11:41 p.m. Suspicious person. 7th Street N. While on patrol, an officer noticed a group of males on school property. Upon making contact, the males stated they were building snowboard jumps. They were told this was unacceptable. The males cleaned their mess and left without incident. Dec. 27:

contributed photos

Carolers at the Hometown Christmas event: (front row, left to right) Dixie Morse, Aubri Akervik, Jalen Schumann, Deven Schumann and Kora Akervik; (back row) Dan Schumann, Trisha Schumann, Tiffany Akervik, Tyra Baumann, Janet Guennigsman and Jordan Kiffmeyer.

6:22 a.m. Alarm assist. Highway 10. Officers assisted Benton County in a business alarm. Officers cleared the building and found nothing missing. 5:04 p.m. Stalled vehicle. 2nd Street S. A vehicle was stalled in a traffic lane. The driver agreed to call a tow company and the vehicle was moved.

Dec. 28:

12:28 p.m. Vehicle in ditch. Pinecone Road. While on patrol, officers saw a vehicle stuck in the ditch. The driver had swerved to avoid a crash with another vehicle and then was stuck in the snow. Officers were able to get the vehicle out of the ditch. Dec. 29:

1:50 a.m. Parking violation. 4th Avenue N. Winter-parking citation issued. 3:06 a.m. Intoxicated female. A report was made regarding an extremely intoxicated female who was at the police station. The female came from a local restaurant and had asked two males to drive her home. She could not give her address and therefore they brought her to the police department. She was issued a citation for minor consumption and transported to detox. 11:38 a.m. Injured animal. Sunset Avenue. A report was made of an injured duck. The duck did seem to have an injured leg but when officers attempted to approach, it flew away. Dec. 30:

10:48 p.m. Theft. Walmart. A male was witnessed attempting to leave the store with unpaid merchandise. He was issued a citation and released. To read the entire blotter, visit www.thenewsleaders.com

Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc. Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon

Newstands Country Store and Pharmacy Holiday on Riverside Drive Holiday on 7th Street N House of Pizza JM Speedstop

Little Dukes on Pinecone Sartell City Hall Sartell-St. Stephen School District Offices Walgreens

Editor Dennis Dalman

Contributing Writers TaLeiza Calloway Cori Hilsgen

Advertising Sales Assistant Kathryn Bjorke

Design/Layout Tara Wiese

Delivery Glen Lauer

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Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

Annie from front page Her daughters had to nudge Katie into trying out for the play. “I’d never been in a play before,” Katie said, “but I just turned 40 so I thought being in a play would be a good start on my bucket list,” Julie said, laughing. “The girls and I must have seen the movie version of ‘Annie’ a million times.” Mother and daughters were thrilled when they learned they passed the audition and all have parts in the play. Katie plays a servant to Daddy Warbucks. She also plays a homeless apple seller and has a part in the big rousing scene in the “Hooverville” hobo camp. Daughter Ava is also in that scene. Grace plays an orphan, a friend to orphan Annie, in the mean-spirited Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Ava has three plum roles: a Hooverville street urchin, a rich ice-skating girl and (her favorite part a ventriloquist’s dummy named Wacky), a role that allows her to act like a wooden puppet. All of the Radekes sing and dance as part of the choruses throughout the play. Katie admits she’s nervous about being in a play. “This is really a stretch for me,” she said. “I had to sing a solo to make sure the microphones were working during a rehearsal the other night, and – oh – was I scared! Yes, I’m nervous, but it’s been so much fun, and I think we’ll all have fun when the play opens. We’re very excited about it.” Katie is a special education teacher in Avon. Her husband, Paul, is a financial advisor. “We tried to convince him to shave his head and try out for the role of the bald Daddy Warbucks,” Katie said, laughing. “Well, we didn’t convince him.” It took Katie a period of adjustment to get used to being in a play with her two daughters. “I’m their mother so it was hard for me to not want to tell them what to do,” she said. “I had to learn to let the directors tell them what to do.” Katie would definitely consider trying out for another play. “It was so much fun, and the director and choreographer and everybody else were so support-

Meyer from front page to-two hours, $100 for meetings lasting two-to-four hours, $150 for meetings lasting four-to-six hours and $400 for meetings that exceed six hours. On rare meetings that would last longer than eight hours, members would receive $500 for their time. The board members agreed

Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com ive,” she said. “They are all so talented. It was a great experience to work with them.” Judy Wolters and daughter Kara feel the same way about the pleasures of bonding during theatrical rehearsals and performances. And they should know. They’ve been in play productions together for about 10 years – eight plays, to be exact. The latest one was “Joseph’s Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” “Annie” may be their last production together, as Kara, who is a senior at Sartell High School, will leave for college after this school year. She plans to study medicine, perhaps at Loyola University in Chicago. Like her daughter, Judy has had a passion for theater as long as she can remember. While growing up in Whittier, Calif., as a girl she played the role of Scrooge in a youth production of “A Christmas Carol,” and she still has an audio tape of that production. In “Annie,” Judy plays two roles – the main one being Frances Perkins, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She also appears in the “Hooverville” crowd scene, as does Kara. Kara’s chief role is that of a servant to Daddy Warbucks. When she learned she nabbed the role of Frances Perkins, Judy did some research about the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration, which led the country during the gloomy, dark days of the Great Depression in the 1930s, the era in which “Annie” takes place. Judy was impressed to learn Mrs. Perkins, appointed as Secretary of Labor in 1933, was the first woman to be named to such a high cabinet post in the government. In the play, Judy (as Perkins) performs in a cabinet scene with the president and other officials. Annie comes to visit the president and sings the famous song “Tomorrow.” The Wolters, mother and daughter, have rehearsed “Annie” for the past six nights, a couple of nights each week. Both are confident about opening night and their string of performances. “I have a bit of a case of butterflies,” Judy said. “But it’s a sense of excitement more than anything else.” There may be a tinge of sadness, too, because Judy and to serve on the following committees: Laurich Durrwachter: negotiations, finance and operations. McCabe: policy, finance and operations. Meyer: curriculum, instruction and assessment. Nies: finance and operations, technology. Raden: legislative network, curriculum, instruction and assessment, operations and technology. Riordan: Benton-Stearns Education District liaison, policy.

Kara know that “Annie” just might be their last play together. “It’s really been so much fun to work with my daughter throughout the years,” Judy said. “It was fun to do something with my child as a peer rather than a parent. We were both equals in those plays, working together toward a common goal.” Tara agrees. “It’s been a good experience being in plays with mom,” she said. “It was a good bonding experience. Someday, when I have kids of my own, it would be fun for us to act in plays together.” ‘Annie’ Based on the once-popular comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie,” “Annie” was first performed in 1977 on Broadway and went on to become a smash hit worldwide. It was also made into a popular movie. “Annie” features music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. Its best known numbers are probably “Tomorrow” and “It’s the HardKnock Life.” The GREAT Theatre production of the play stars Katie Amdahl of St. Cloud in the title role. The musical, set during the economically desperate 1930s, is the story of a spunky, resourceful girl named Annie, who is dropped off as a newborn baby at an orphanage run by the mean, boozing Miss Hannigan. Annie escapes and befriends a

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Katie Amdahl of St. Cloud has the title role in the musical comedy “Annie.” lovable stray dog named Sandy. A series of intrigues follows involving a scene in Hooverville (a camp for the homeless named after President Hoover) and a scene with President Roosevelt. One of the main characters is a billionaire named Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks who helps bring about a happy deliverance for Annie.

The GREAT Theatre production of “Annie” is unique in that it will be using the actual props, stage set and costumes used in a Broadway touring production of the play. The rented items were all delivered by a semi-truck a couple of weeks ago. Cast members describe the set and paraphernalia as “phenomenal” and “gorgeous.”

Decker murder case leads to man’s suicide by Dennis Dalman news@thnewsleaders.com

The massive effort to locate the killer or killers of Cold Spring-Richmond Police Officer Thomas Decker Thomes took a grim turn last week with the suicide of a man described as a “person of interest.” The case, however, remains under investigation, and authorities were quick to point out there is no evidence the man who committed suicide is the one who killed Decker. Now, investigators are requesting anyone who knew the man to call authorities because they are trying to determine Thomes’ whereabouts a week or so before Decker’s death and in the weeks since. During a Jan. 4 press conference at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, officials revealed Eric Joseph Thomes, 31, of Cold Spring, had hung himself on Jan. 2. At the time of his death, law-enforcement officers were trying to convince Thomes to come out of an outbuilding where he had barricaded himself several hours earlier. The officers had gone to Thomes’s residence to question him about the Decker case. At that time, Thomes ran from the house and

into an outbuilding on the property. After the three-hour standoff, officers entered the outbuilding and found Thomes had hung himself and was dead. The day of the suicide was the second visit by law-enforcement officers to the Thomes residence. They had returned to talk to him again because he had made contradictory statements about the night of Decker’s murder in downtown Cold Spring. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced a 20-gauge shotgun as the weapon used to murder Decker on the night of Nov. 29, 2012 while he was doing a welfare check in downtown Cold Spring in the back lot of Winner’s Sports Bar and Grill. Decker was shot twice with that weapon and died at the scene. At the press conference, it was announced Thomes had access to the shotgun, which was on some other property than the place where Thomes lived. Officials did not elaborate on the where or why of their statement. Right after the killing of Decker, a man who lives above Winner’s was arrested and jailed – the man Decker had meant to visit that night because the police department received a report the man may have been feeling suicidal. The man was released four days later from jail for lack of evidence. The offer of a $100,000 reward for the solving of the Decker murder led to tips that

caused authorities to interview Thomes as a “person of interest” in the case. Another tip was a black van or mini-van with a loud muffler that was seen near Winner’s Sports Bar and Grill at about the time Decker was shot to death. Authorities have located that vehicle and have impounded it. Law enforcement has been contacting people and searching records to learn more about Thomes. He graduated from Rocori High School in 1999, and many people have described him as a nice, likeable individual. Authorities also revealed Thomes had been arrested one day in 2011 for driving while intoxicated and that he had been jailed several times in connection with that incident. He had been charged with violating the conditions of his parole for the DWI case and had been scheduled to appear in court last week, but the hearing had been cancelled. Investigators are hoping more information about Thomes’s whereabouts and actions during last November and through the month of December may help lead to more information for a final solution to Decker’s slaying. Anyone with such information should call the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office at 1-877782-5683, the BCA at 1-877-9966222 or the BCA online at bca. tips@state.mn.us.

Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Review from front page

photo by Dennis Dalman

Two chaplains serve as picnic chefs during the annual “Cookout with Cops” held Aug. 23 at St. Francis Xavier Church. The cookout featured speakers, conversation and a lunch bought and served by police officers and other volunteers. At left is Mike Loomis and at the right is Kirk Knudsen. Both are volunteers for the Central Minnesota Emergency Services Chaplaincy.

vious home town. Herschbach, a retired teacher, is also the author of a book of poetry and a collection of prose poems and letters about the grieving process. Thefts of items from vehicles has the police department urging people to keep their vehicles locked and their garages locked overnight. In the period of a week or so, there were more than 50 thefts of items from vehicles and garages in virtually every area of the city. The Sartell Community Band performs its end-of-season concert in Val Smith Park. A fundraiser for the family of Jon Maus is a resounding success on the grounds of the Bernick’s Arena in Sartell. Maus, 51, of Albany, died in the Verso explosion May 28. He is survived by wife Lucy and four children: Anthony, Philip, Olivia and Veronica. The Sartell City Council agrees on a plan to fix several walking trails in the city that had been damaged mainly by willow roots next to holding ponds.

August Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar visit Sartell and meet with city officials and others. They assure displaced workers from the ruined Verso pa-

per mill they will be eligible for extended unemployment benefits as well as retraining employment counseling and school help if needed. On Aug. 2, the news everyone dreaded to hear was announced: The Verso paper mill, damaged in the May 28 explosion and fire, will close for good. Verso officials made the announcement at an afternoon press conference at Sartell City Hall. It would be prohibitively costly to repair the plant and get it in running order again, the officials announced, after being in business, under various names and ownerships, for 106 years. The current owner, Verso, is based in Memphis, Tenn. There are three other Verso paper-making mills elsewhere in the country that will continue to operate. Although many had anticipated the bad news, Verso’s closing still came as a shock to so many. It’s similar to a feeling of mourning and grief, said Sartell City Administrator Patti Gartland. The city’s attention immediately turned to other questions: Can there be a new business on that property that will bring jobs to residents? How will the 250 displaced Verso workers fare in an unstable economic climate? The State Fire Marshal announces it was an overheated compressor that caused the explosion and fire that took the life of one employee, injured several others and caused the permanent closing of the Verso

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Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 paper mill in Sartell. The May 28 catastrophe brought a stunning end to more than a century of the company, a historic and economic bedrock of Sartell. U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann visits Sartell and suggests the hydroelectric dam operated for so many years by the now-defunct Verso company could possibly by operated by the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers in the future. She also promised to help find a new business-related use for the Verso property. The city agrees to release $750,000 in half-cent sales-tax money for continued development in Pinecone Central Park. The funds are contingent upon funds raised by the Pinecone Central Park Association, a group of private citizens dedicated to park improvements on the site. The city bought that 168-acre site in 2008 from the owner of the land, which used to be the Sartell Golf Course. The annual “Cookout with Cops” draws 150 senior citizens who enjoy guest speakers, lunch and conversation at the St. Francis Xavier Gathering Place.

September The Sartell-St. Stephen Education Foundation gives $25,000 to be used for school programs in all of the city’s schools. The fundraising group donates money annually for projects that parents, students and teachers would like but cannot afford. Sartell schools exceed state proficiency ratings in the Minnesota Measurement Ratings system, based on test data from last year and this. The ratings also take into account graduation rates, individual student growth and the closing of the achievement gap. State Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sartell) is honored as “Legislator of the Year” by the Minnesota School Board Association. He was cited for his work to pass a bill on school-land trust reform. O’Driscoll also receives honors from other organizations for his work on behalf of veterans and for his work on city issues and pension issues. Mary McCabe, chair of the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board, is voted out of her chairmanship, 4-2. Fellow board member Chris Gross presents a resolution citing reasons why McCabe should not be chair, including – according to the petition – inability to work with other board members and not adhering to the core values of the district. McCabe said she’d agreed to become chair only because the former chair had moved from the school district. A task force is formed to explore issues involving the possible creation of a Sartell community center, which has for years been a top priority on the wish lists of many residents, as several polls have indicated. The council plans to use $1.6 million in half-cent sales-tax funds to make a center that would have multi-uses. The task now is to determine what, exactly, do residents want? Sartell schools, like schools across the nation, begin serving meals according to a “Healthy Kids” federal mandate that is designed to make meals more nu-

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 tritious and less fattening. Some students complain the meals do not make them feel full enough during the day. An ecumenical church service honors the Verso paper mill and all of its former employees, including Jon Maus, who was killed in the May 28 explosion.

October Election season is heating up as many local candidates begin to take part in local forums and debates. The candidates include those vying for seats on the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board, the Sartell City Council and two candidates for St. Stephen mayor. The Verso employee-union president, Lyle Fleck, hosts a press conference in Watab Park during which he sharply criticizes U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Stillwater) for allegedly not showing up in person or meeting with displaced Verso unionized workers shortly after the Verso explosion. He described Bachmann’s absence and what he called her lack of concern for employees an “insult.” The Sartell LeSauk Fire Department hosts its annual open house at the fire hall. A similar open house takes place in St. Stephen. At the two events, parents watch as their children enjoy crawling in and out of fire vehicles, eating treats and intermingling with firefighters. At a Sartell-St. Stephen School Board meeting, members of the public gather, and many of the 16 speakers accuse the board of being “immature,” “disrespectful” and “dysfunctional.” For many months, there have been bickering disagreements among some board members, as well as some behindthe-scenes accusations. Some claim the effort to renew Superintendent Dr. Joe Hill’s contract is being railroaded through by just a few members. One speaker, former board member Julie Zupfer Anderson, claims some board members had repeatedly violated provisions of Minnesota’s open-meeting law by meeting or communicating when the board was not officially in session. Other speakers rap the board for the way it handled the decision to drop spring break. Some speakers at the meeting, however, defend Hill and say some board members are pushing their own agenda. Right after the public meeting, as summarized above, the board opens its official meeting during which it votes 4-2 to renew the superintendent’s contract – the very thing most of the public speakers had asked the board not to do that evening. They and two school board members wanted the board to delay the contract-renewal decision for an upcoming meeting. After a partial insurance settlement, the Verso company reimburses Sartell for $397,679 for the costs incurred by the city for emergency services and backup in the wake of the May 28 explosion and fire at the mill.

November A wandering moose takes a stroll through St. Stephen and then disappears in a swampy area to the east. St. Stephen resident Randy Asseln takes photos of the creature

Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com and shares them in the pages of the Newsleader. Verso workers say a sometimes-tearful farewell to one another and to the plant they worked at for so many years. The emotional event takes place at an appreciation ceremony held at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. The long-awaited results of Election Year 2012 are in. In the Nov. 6 election, new contender Amy Braig-Lindstrom is elected to the Sartell City Council, defeating incumbent Sandra Cordie and challenger Mike Piotrowski. Incumbent Steve Hennes is re-elected. In the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board race, the victors are Michelle Meyer (a former school-board member) and newcomers Krista Laurich-Durrwachter, Jason Nies and Pam Raden. They defeated five other candidates, including two incumbents, Chris Gross and Gary Schnellert. The newly elected members will join the two other current members, Mary McCabe and Dan Riordan, when the new board meets for its first January meeting. In St. Stephen, incumbent Mayor Cynthia Vanderweyst defeats challenger James Dahl. Mark Bromenschenkel is reelected to a second term as a Stearns County commissioner. In the Nov. 6 election statewide, Democrats take control of both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature. Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Republican) is re-elected to the State House. Also elected are U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann. Two proposed amendments to the Minnesota Constitution are defeated by state voters. One would have required photo IDs to vote; the other would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman only. Nationally, the presidency is won again by President Barack Obama. A virtual “army” of volunteers, about 120 of them, sod the football fields in Pinecone Central Park in a matter of just a few days. The fields will be ready for play next summer. Alexis Roy, after 20 years of

service as a Sartell police officer, retires. She tells the Newsleader, “It was a good ride, and I had a really, really good time.” The Verso paper mill announces it has received a $40-million insurance settlement for the extensive damage and costs incurred from the May 28 explosion and fire that caused the plant to close for good after more than 100 years of being an economic bedrock for Sartell and the surrounding area. The Sartell Sabre girls swim team takes second in the state meet, Class A division. In 2009 and in 2011, the team was named state champion.

photos by Randy Asseln

In this photo by St. Stephen resident Randy Asseln, the “one-horn wandering moose” emerges from a cornfield west of St. Stephen. After crossing the road, the moose heads east toward a tamarack swamp next to St. Stephen. The creature had also been spotted in and near Sauk Centre, Melrose and Freeport.

ple throughout the world, are horrified by the unthinkable massacre of 20 students and six school staff at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. A deranged young man used his mother’s weapons to kill her, then he drove to the school where

he unleashed his bloody mayhem, firing an assault-type weapon over and over into huddling groups of terrified young students. Sartell administrators and teachers review their safety procedures at all schools.

December The cold-blooded murder of Cold Spring police officer Thomas Decker sends shock waves through the entire state. The young officer, father of four children, was gunned down while making a welfare check of a man in downtown Cold Spring. His funeral attracted thousands of people, including law-enforcement personnel from throughout Minnesota, other states and even from Canada. A Sartell contingent of police officers also attended the funeral at St. John’s Abbey. Decker’s killer has still not been found. A reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the killer or killers. The Sartell Senior Connection moves into its new “home” in the remodeled section of the School District Office Building. Regan Dockery, a Sartell High School student, captivates audiences in her starring role in the play “Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells,” a GREAT production at St. John’s University. The first Winter Farmers’ Market in Sartell is a resounding success as many customers show up at Sartell City Hall to sample and buy locally grown products. Organized by Sartell resident Amy Braig-Lindstrom, who also started a summer farmers’ market in the city two years ago, the Winter Farmers’ Market will take place the first Saturday of each month during the cold season at Sartell City Hall. Sartell school officials, like peo-

Self-Esteem Developed Here Sunday, Jan. 27

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 7 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Preschool Class Times 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Extended-Day Hour 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. Preschool Program 11:30 a.m. - 12:15p.m. Extended-Day Hour 8:30 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. M/W/F

SFX Kindergarten Program All Day, Every Day

St. Francis Xavier is a Christian school based on Catholic values. We offer a wonderful teacher-to-student ratio and strong academic curriculum. Our small-school atmosphere provides a sense of community that is critical in the primary years, with a focus on self respect for others. If you believe in a faith-based education for your child, please come visit us today, or enroll online at www.SFXSchool.org. Scholarships and special funding available for students in grades K-6. Discounts apply for parishioners and for families with multiple children in grades K-6.

Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Our View

Want to get healthier? Cut out all that sugar Most people’s New Year’s resolutions probably involve some form of dieting. And that’s a good thing because we are quickly becoming a nation of lard. One-third of all American adults and one-sixth of all children are obese. There are many reasons for the obesity epidemic: lack of exercise as more people become sedentary with their computers, their remote controls, their couches; an increasing habit of people eating starchy fast food on the run; a lack of nutritional knowledge; and the terrible habit of eating sugary foods. Researchers are finding sugar to be a veritable dietary villain, so much so that every sugar bowl should probably be printed with a skull and crossbones. Most of us know dieting can be so difficult, so discouraging. Many seek the impossible (a miracle diet), but effective dieting involves lifestyle changes that include eating habits, the portion sizes of meals, types of foods chosen and even emotional patterns (highs and lows) that can compel some to head for the kitchen or fast-food eatery. Most dieticians recommend an incremental approach to dieting, changing one’s foods and intake amounts gradually over time. It’s next to impossible to make the necessary life changes overnight. In this new year, 2013, those who resolve to diet should begin incrementally with one step: cut out as much sugar from the diet as possible. Recent scientific studies show sugar can be downright toxic because of its devious presence in so many of the foods we eat. Too much sugar can lead to obesity and all the problems associated with being overweight. Sugar can also wreak havoc with the liver, kidneys and heart. The statistics are absolutely alarming. Nearly 20 million Americans have Stage I kidney disease, and that is a direct result of high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which are also on the increase. Table sugar, as it’s known (also known as sucrose) is the worst kind of sugar. Its consumption has skyrocketed in the last few decades throughout the world, and that is because of convenience foods, more and more sugar-based snacks and processed foods – many of which contain sugar, such as many breads. A can of soda pop, depending on the brand, contains the equivalent of anywhere from 3.4 tablespoons to 4.2 tablespoons of sugar. That’s not just a load of calories; it’s eventually a load of health problems. The best step toward incremental dieting, according to most dieticians, is to start by drastically cutting down on sugar in the diet. When shopping, become a label detective and look for words such as these among the ingredients: corn syrup. sucrose, glucose, fructose. Those are all forms of sugar. Don’t allow children to have easy access to so many sweets. It’s an awful way for them to start their lives. Another incremental way to pursue a diet is to cut down on fats and salt. Start slowly, one step at a time, and the first step is to treat sugar as if it’s poison.

Fairness and ethics

Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

Opinion ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ packs a punch When Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” met President Abraham Lincoln in the White House, the great man supposedly said to her, “So you are the little lady who helped start this big war.” That exchange is probably legend, but it’s a legend formed from truth. Stowe’s novel hugely helped sway worldwide opinion against slavery. Published in 1852, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was the biggest bestseller in the 19th Century, second only to the Bible in sales. As a literature student for years, I’d always heard “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was a hoked-up melodrama, oozing sentimentality. I knew it had spawned all kinds of negative stereotypes of Afro-Americans, including the subservient victim, Uncle Tom; and the charming sassy child, Topsy. I never wanted to read it, even though I was aware of its importance as a force for social change in its heyday. Recently, a book club sent me a copy of it, and I decided to give it a try. After reading the first pages, I was stunned by how good it is, and I couldn’t put it down. I am now convinced it’s the most unfairly neglected novel in all of American literature. Yes, it has its share of sentimentality and melodrama, as most novels typically did in the 19th Century. However, as a stringent antidote to those aspects, the book is filled with scenes of harrowing, brutal realism; heartbreaking depictions of families be-

Dennis Dalman Editor ing ripped apart by slave traders; and the most vicious cruelties (physical and mental) perpetrated against slaves by their “masters.” In fact, the book is downright incendiary in its evocations of the evils of slavery, so much so it makes one’s blood boil with anger about that shameful era of American (and world) history. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is a story of interconnecting plots about slaves and plantation families in various places. Characters include slaves Eliza, her husband and son, who manage to escape to the north, all the while being hounded by slave chasers; a “genteel” plantation owner and his slaves, one of whom is Uncle Tom and another being a saintly little white girl, Eva, who teaches Tom the Bible; the irrepressible slave girl Topsy; and – at a hellish place down river – the sadistic plantation owner Simon Legree (originally a Northerner). Yes, on the surface, the novel is a page-turning potboiler. However, a close reading reveals impressive complexities. For one thing, Stowe brilliantly exposes the notion there are “good” plantation slave owners. Though many were not as cruel as Simon Legree, they were all bad

because the institution of slavery itself is evil. In bold strokes of genius, Stowe evokes the horror of slavery through its heartbreaking consequences – the splitting apart of black families whose members, including children, are sold to work like domesticated animals in faraway places. Stowe’s vision of those terrors are placed within a highly matriarchal context in which she shows the strength of mothers under such unthinkable patriarchal oppression. Stowe, a feminist as well as an abolitionist, was one of the towering forerunners of the later women’s movement. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” also ingeniously explores various coping behaviors slaves developed to survive. Uncle Tom is an example of passive resistance to violence. He keeps telling Legree he may own his body, but he will never own his soul. Topsy tries to preserve her inner freedom by very shrewd “comical” antics that include mimicry, imaginative play-acting and stubborn but “cute” disobedience. Topsy and Tom are not as simple-minded as some detractors of the book have claimed. Stowe, by the way, based her book on scrupulous research. I highly recommend “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” In its shocking violence, its heartbreak, its complex explorations of slavery, its breathless storytelling pace and even its occasional humor, it’s a novel you will not be able to forget.

Tomorrow will be a better day for all of us The noise is going to get louder and louder. They will scream, “We need more gun control laws to make us safe.” “Something has to be done.” I offer here two quotes from one of our most respected Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” Here’s another one. “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.” This is an irrefutable fact: the only way to stop a gun is with a gun. When a nutcase is armed whether with a gun or a tire iron, he’s going to do harm regardless. To deal with this nutcase you don’t outlaw his gun or his tire iron, you outlaw the nutcase. Gun-control legislation is nothing more than “feel-good” legislation. Let’s re-examine the Second Amendment to the Constitution. “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” That’s pretty clear, isn’t it? First, I am all for “well regulated.” I, for example, am a military veteran and a licensed gun owner. I have a conceal-carry

Ron Scarbro Guest Writer permit. Even after my military service, to obtain that permit I had to attend a school for gun safety and use as well as submit to an extensive background check. In other words, I am well regulated. Concerning that part about the Militia, every citizen of America is a part of that Militia. Since our beginning and to this day, we are expected by our Constitution to bear arms to defend our country. Law breakers do not care about the law. Hence the term lawbreaker. They don’t care what laws are passed to control your right to bear arms. In fact, the fewer guns in the hands of responsible citizens, the easier it is for them to conduct their illegal activities. To those who would leave lawbreakers to the police, remember this. The police appear only after the crime has been committed. They clean up the mess caused by the lawbreaker. They have little ability to prevent it. A free society does not have preventative law enforcement.

Mental illness is another thing entirely. As a society, we are failing in our responsibility to these very sick people. Instead of trying to further regulate gun ownership for responsible citizens, we would be better served attempting to locate and treat those among us who are just too ill to function in a free society. Do you really think the shooters in Connecticut, Colorado and Arizona were sane individuals? Sane people don’t murder children and babies. The other thing that disturbs me is many people knew these people were ill well before they acted out their fantasies. I heard recently mental-health treatment should be at least as readily available as a gun. I agree. I know there are many opinions on this issue. Most think they have the answer. This is what I know though. These acts of mass murder are rare and random. You or I will likely never have to personally deal directly with such a tragedy. That doesn’t make it any less tragic. That doesn’t do anything to heal my broken heart or the broken hearts of the parents and grandparents of the victims in Connecticut. For you, for me and especially for those affected by this latest tragedy, God willing tomorrow will be a better day for all of us.

Send your opinions to: The Newsleaders • P.O. Box 324 • St. Joseph, MN 56374 or email us at news@thenewsleaders.com

Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

Community Calendar

Friday, Jan. 11 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. 1-800RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. Preventing falls, a Senior Enrichment Session, 10-11 a.m., Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320255-7245. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 610 North County Road 2, St. Joseph. www.stjosephfarmersmarket.com. Bingo party, a matching grant event sponsored by Catholic United Financial, 6-9 p.m., St. John’s Parish Center, Collegeville. All proceeds go to religious education. “Oklahoma,” performed by Homeschool Theatre, a group of home-educated youth from central Minnesota, 7 p.m., Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud. Saturday, Jan. 12 “Oklahoma,” performed by Homeschool Theatre, a group of home-educated youth from central Minnesota, 2 and 7 p.m., Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud.

Sunday, Jan. 13 DivorceCare features nationally recognized experts on divorce and recovery topics, 4-5:30 p.m., every Sunday starting today, Harvest Fellowship, 400 2nd Ave. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-529-8838.

Monday, Jan. 14 Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. 1-800RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. Caring Conversations for caregivers of patients with cancer, 6-7:30 p.m., CentraCare Health Plaza, St. Cloud. To register, 320229-5199 ext. 70659. Sartell City Council, 7 p.m., City Hall. 253-2171. Tuesday, Jan. 15 Blood drive, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. 1-800RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. 55+ Driver improvement course, four-hour refresher course, 5-9 p.m.. Apollo High School, 1000 44th Ave. N., St. Cloud. 1-(888)-234-1294. Wednesday, Jan. 16 Car-seat checkup, 3-6 p.m.,

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Gold Cross Ambulance Garage, 2800 7th St. N., St. Cloud. 320229-5139. Thursday, Jan. 17 55+ driver improvement course (eight-hour first-time course), 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Life Assembly of God, 2409 Clearwater Road, St. Cloud. 1-888-234-1294. Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, Sartell. Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. 1-800RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. 55+ driver improvement course (four-hour refresher course), 1-5 p.m., Salem Lutheran Church, 90 Riverside Drive, St. Cloud. 1-888-234-1294. Friday, Jan. 18 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. 1-800RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. Chicken and ham dinner, sponsored by the Lions of St. Joseph, 5-8 p.m., El Paso Club, St. Joseph.

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City asks to re-authorize funds for regional park by Dennis Dalman news@thnewsleaders.com

Negotiations are still underway in an effort for the City of Sartell to take a vital first step in securing property for a much-hoped-for Sauk River Regional Park. A statewide bonding bill by the State Legislature in 2010 allocated $500,000 to the City of Sartell for the purchase of that potential parkland, an amount that requires the city also to spend $500,000 for the project. That bonding amount expired at the end of December 2012. However, Sartell city officials said they intend to ask the legislature to extend the $500,000 amount into this year. City staff and the Sartell

City Council had hoped to successfully complete a land-acquisition agreement before the bond amount expired, but that could not be done in time. In the past couple of weeks, those negotiations have intensified. Sartell City Planner and Developer Anita Rasmussen said she cannot divulge details at this point because the confidential negotiations are still underway with what is known as the Dehler Family Trust, which owns the 68 acres of land that could become a regional park. Rasmussen said it’s possible the city could purchase only part of the 68 acres for a park. City officials are hoping at least a tentative land-purchase agreement Park • page 8

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Come and get me! This is Linus, an adventurous 3-and-a-half-month-old orangeand-white neutered kitten. On top of being a ham for the camera, he’s a playing machine! Pull out a cat dancer toy and he is ready to hip hop the day away. Linus spent the past several weeks in foster care and we’re told he is quite curious and talkative. In his foster home he played with and talked to all ages of children as well as a few dogs! “Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 15 Rabbits - 6

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“Dehler Property.” Planners intend to keep the natural beauty of that scenic area but add trails and recreational river access. The Sauk River is a 122-milelong watershed of the Mississippi River. Originating at Lake Osakis in Todd County, it flows east through Sauk Lake, past Sauk Centre, then southeast past Melrose and Richmond, then northeast through Cedar Island Lake and Zumwalde Lake, past Waite Park and then into the Mississippi River at a point between Sartell and St. Cloud.

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can be reached before the city council makes a formal decision to ask the legislature to reauthorize the bonding funds. The land is located in south Sartell along the Sauk River next to Whitney Park in north St. Cloud. Last month, the city council rezoned that parcel of land, designating the low level of land as parkland and the upper reaches of land as “mixeduse,” meaning a mixture of residential, business and com-

mercial. Along with the state bond amount of a half-million dollars, Sartell has also received a State Heritage grant of $500,000 for a regional park, which requires the city to spend $50,000 toward the park project. The total the city would need to spend to get both the bond amount and the grant is $550,000, and that money would come from halfcent sales-tax revenues. For many years, city officials and Sartell residents have expressed a strong interest in creating a park on the scenic acres of what’s known as the

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Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

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Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com RIV

SUBJECT PROPERTY

Staff Proposed Land Use

PROPOSED 100/500 Year Floodway Limited to no development per FEMA Designated as Park on Future Land Use Mixed Use = 30+/- Acres

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graphic courtesy Sartell Planning and Development

The “Dehler Property” is a 68acre parcel of land in southeast Sartell, south of CR 120 and just north of the St. Cloud boundary line. The City of Sartell is currently negotiating with the propery owners with the hope of developing Sauk River Regional Park in all or part of that area.