Reaching Everybody!
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Newsleader Sartell
Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 Volume 19, Issue 33 Est. 1995
Town Crier Disaster relief grants set for veterans, families
Stearns County veterans, their families and surviving spouses may be eligible for a disaster relief grant as a result of recent flooding and storms. The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is offering disaster grants of up to $1,000 for reimbursable expenses to veterans and their families who have not received other state or federal assistance. If interested, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Aug. 22 Criers.
Survey sheds light on health concerns in area
Results from a Stearns County 44-question area-wide health survey have been compiled and the results posted online. Approximately 12,000 random households were asked to complete the survey, with a wide array of questions about residents’ access to health care, nutrition, physical activity, financial stress, tobacco or drug use, driving behaviors, bullying, and other social, physical and mental health-related issues. Responses are being analyzed and used to put together a five-year Health Improvement Plan. For more information, visit www.thenewsleaders. com and click on Aug. 22 Criers.
County warns: no campaign signs in rights-of-way
Stearns County reminds property owners that placement of campaign signs and other unauthorized objects in highway rights-of-way is prohibited. Violation of this law is a misdemeanor. Civil penalties also may apply if the placement of such material contributes to a motor vehicle crash and injures a person or damages a motor vehicle that runs off the road. For more complete information, visit www. thenewsleaders.com and click on Aug. 22 Criers.
Distribute snacks to children
The Boys and Girls Club is looking for volunteers to help count and disburse snacks for each KIDSTOP location. This volunteer position would be located at the administrative office in the Roosevelt Boys and Girls Club. Vendors deliver weekly snack needs. For more information on this and other United Way volunteer opportunities, visit www.thenewsleaders. com and click on Aug. 22 Criers.
For additional criers, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
Postal Patron
Reunion celebration planned for 1994 championship by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaers.com
Adam Herbst remembers Nov. 25, 1994 as if it were yesterday. That’s the magic day he and his fellow Sartell Sabres won the Class A State Football Championship at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. It’s the only time in the nearly 50-year history of Sartell High School the football team took top state honors. That victory was the culmination of a 14-0 season for the Sabres. To this day, there is an unbreakable camaraderie – a strong bond – among those players, Herbst noted, and that is why that moment in history will be celebrated during a halftime show at a Sartell Sabres home game vs. Grand Rapids Friday, Sept. 26. After the game, athletes from 20 years ago, their spouses, parents, children, friends and supporters are encouraged to gather at the House of Pizza in Sartell for more reminiscences and celebrating. Reunion • page 3
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Twenty years ago, the Sartell Sabres football team hoisted its state Class A championship trophy after a win over Northfield in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. From left to right (starting with #78) are Jesse Reinert, Tom Stark, Steve Kimball (behind Stark), Paul Trobec, Jeff Muntifering, Jeff Blenkush (#7), Aaron Walters and Adam Herbst (#5). It was Sartell’s only football state championship in the nearly 50-year history of the high school. Coach Dean Taylor led the team to its victory.
Degiovanni gets topnotch review for work Sartell City Administrator/Financial Director Mary Degiovanni received a topnotch work review Degiovanni
from the Sartell City Council at its last meeting. Earlier, the council had met in closed session to discuss Degiovanni’s annual work performance. The review of her work stated she is “commendable and routinely exceeds expec-
tations.” That was the unanimous opinion of the council members and mayor. Degiovanni has been Sartell’s financial director for years. When Sartell Administrator Patti Gartland stepped down last year to take another position, Degiovanni
was appointed by the council to fill the administrator job temporarily. However, within weeks, the council began to consider letting Degiovanni do both jobs permanently – administrator and finance director. She agreed to take on that task.
‘Back to School’ event to help Childhood Center by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Children of all ages will get a chance to participate in the second annual Back to School 5k Race and Kids’ 1k Obstacle Course Saturday, Sept. 13 at Sartell Middle School. Same-day registration will take place from 7-8:30 a.m. on that day. The 5k race will begin at 9 a.m., and the 1k obstacle course will start at 10 a.m. on the middle-school track field. Awards will be given at ceremonies after each event. Following the 1k obstacle course, there will be a raffled-prize giveaway. All participants will get T-
shirts, and each 1k obstacle participant will get a ribbon. Besides combining fun and fitness, the event raises funds for much-needed amenities at the Sartell-St. Stephen School District’s Early Childhood Center. The event is co-hosted by PineCone Vision Center and Dentistry for Children, with contributions from many area businesses and with assistance from the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education program. Besides the races, the family-oriented day will feature vendors who will distribute information on aspects of Event • page 5
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Children set out on the Back to School 5k Run at Sartell Middle School during the event in 2013. The event raises funds for the Early Childhood Education Center.
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Sartell U10-Blue Fastpitch team takes first place
Friday, Aug. 22, 2014
People
contributed photo
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The Sartell U10-Blue fastpitch team took first place in the Waite Park U10 softball playoffs. Team members include the following: (front row, left to right) Ellie Pallansch, Megan Driste, Kora Akervik and Rylie DeMaine; (middle row) Shelby Rahm, Emily Lunde, Emily Schlangen, Ashlyn Rogosheske, Kiley Schmidt, Rainna Stangle, Morgan Claseman and Ella Plamann; and (back row) Coaches Joe Stangle, Dave Driste, Dave Schlangen and Bryan DeMaine. Not pictured: Valeriya Woodward.
As part of its 15th official Patient Appreciation Week July 14-18 and the Gift of Health, a year-around effort that generates $10 per patient, 360 Chiropractic clinic has raised donations totaling more than $6,000 for the Anna Marie Alliance shelter this year. Their goal is $8,000 by Dec. 31. Each Patient Appreciation Day includes complimentary wellness visits, chair massages, reflexology work, a fitness challenge and lunch all in exchange for a donation to the Anna Marie Alliance. The funds will be used to support the shelter’s School Youth Program. Pictured (from left to right) are Dr. Brent Venables of 360 Chiropractic; Charles Hempeck, executive director of the Anna Marie Alliance; and Drs. Marc Anderson and Jon Anderson of 360 Chiropractic. “The Anna Marie Alliance is a worthy cause and we are proud to support them,” Dr. Jon Anderson said.
Dr. Thomas Kowalkowski, medical director of the Intervention Pain and Physical Medicine Clinic in Sartell, was recently selected to present his research findings, at the annual scientific research meeting in Orlando, Fla. His presentation was titled “The results of Patients treated with Percutaneous Hydrodiscectomy for Radiculopathy Secondary to Herniated Nucleus Pulposis.” The International Spine Interventional Society, is an organization of more than 3,000 physicians dedicated to the development and promotion for the highest standards of practice of interventional procedures in the diagnosis and treatment of spine pain. Marissa Glazos of Sartell recently earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Blotter
If any readers have tips concerning crimes, they should 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.
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Ruth Ann Haak, a Country Manor tenant, and student volunteer Sarah Goebel, a seventhgrader who is part of the youth ministry at Discovery Church, participated in the Fourth of July festivities at the Manor. contributed photo
CMYSA U11 boys’ soccer team members include the following: (lying left to right,) are Josh Minkkinen and Grant Martin, both of St. Cloud; (front row) Jacob Hirschfeld of St. Cloud, Carter Trombley of Sartell, Ethan Schroers of Sartell and Ethan Andersen of St. Cloud; (middle row) Ethan Miller of St. Cloud, Mohammed Farah of St. Cloud, Nick Sanderson of Sartell and Jake Manar of St. Cloud; (back row) Coach Andy Pearson of St. Cloud, Dylan Cummings of Sartell, Joe Pearson of St. Cloud, Liam O’Donnell of St. Cloud and Coach Michael Cummings of Sartell.
CMYSA U11 boys’ soccer team places second in state Central Minnesota Youth Soccer U11 boys’ soccer team placed second at the Minnesota state championship in Shakopee after a heartbreaking shootout loss on July 26 to an unbeaten Bloomington team. The team finished the season with a 8-11 record in the West District. In the first round of the state tournament on July 20, CMYSA
tied with St. Louis Park 3-3 then advanced to the state title game with a 3-0 win over Inver Grove Heights on July 21. In the title game, CMYSA and Bloomington were tied at the end of regulation, then went to two five-minute overtimes where they were still deadlocked. It then went to a shootout where Bloomington won.
Country Manor housing communities gather for a block-party-style carnival On July 7, tenants from all four Country Manor housing communities gathered to enjoy a Fourth of July themed carnival. Tenants, family members and friends enjoyed an afternoon full of entertainment as the neighborhoods came together to celebrate summer “block-party” style. Children from Kids Country Child Care and Learning Center were also on hand to participate in the fun and excitement that included an adorable petting zoo brought in from Erickson’s of Osakis, horse-drawn carriage rides, mouthwatering summertime classic sweet treats including root beer floats, and carnival-style games complete with prizes generously donated by the Country Store and Pharmacy as well as the Central Minnesota Credit Union. Volunteers from the community and students from Discovery Church were on hand to help host the festivities. Tenants and their guests were treated to a selection of delicious desserts from the brand new full-service restaurant and bar on campus, Drakes. Taste-testing included old-time favorites like bread pudding. Tenants displayed their Fourth of July patriotic and fun-loving spirit by wearing their red, white and blue hats, necklaces and colors.
Aug. 6 1:10 p.m. 10th Avenue N. Suspicious vehicle. A report was made regarding a vehicle parked in a parking lot with an adult male sitting inside. An officer arrived and found the male lived at this location. 11:23 p.m. CR 120. Suspicious activity. A report was made regarding an adult male and an adult female arguing in a parking lot. Officers arrived and spoke with both parties and found the argument was only verbal and they needed no assistance. Aug. 7 4:59 a.m. River Vista Lane. Stalled vehicle. While on patrol, an officer noticed a stalled vehicle on the side of the road. The officer spoke to the driver and contacted a tow company to remove the vehicle. 7:50 a.m. 10th Street S. Suspicious vehicle. A report was made regarding an unknown vehicle parked in a neighborhood. The vehicle had left the area upon officer arrival. Aug. 8 7:04 a.m. 5th Street N. Welfare check. A report was made regarding a child left unattended in a locked vehicle. The vehicle had left the area upon officer’s arrival. The officer contacted the registered owner and discussed the situation with her. 1:50 p.m. Hi-Vue Drive. Juvenile runaway. A report was made regarding a juvenile male leaving his residence sometime overnight. Officers were able to locate the male and found he had an active arrest warrant. The male was placed under arrest and transported without incident. Blotter • page 7
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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
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Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Aug. 22, 2014
‘Night Out’ was a big hit The “National Night Out” event was a big hit Aug. 5 in Sartell, with 13 neighborhoods participating. “It was a great turnout,” Sartell Police Chief Jim Hughes said at the last city-council meeting. Hughes said he was glad to report that he, police officers and fire-department personnel were able to attend all 13 of the
events to meet with residents and share concerns. Hughes said it was good to see neighbors using their neighborhood parks for such productive gatherings. The purpose of National Night Out is for neighbors to get to know one another and, hopefully, to develop neighborhood safety strategies with advice from police and fire-
fighters. Sartell Mayor Joe Perske thanked Hughes and said he was glad National Night Out events are increasing. Perske also gave “kudos” to Sandra Cordie, a Sartell resident who has helped promote National Night Out from her own example and through the media. Cordie is a former Sartell City Council member.
Reunion
football coach at Sartell High School ever since it opened, way back in 1969. He also coached other sports until his retirement about 12 years ago. Since then, Taylor has endured with a courageous spirit several setbacks: the amputation of one arm due to cancer and more recently kidney dialysis and a broken femur. “Dean Taylor also taught history at the high school,” Herbst said. “He coached so many hundreds of youth. He’s a phenomenal man. We want players, coaches, cheerleaders, parents, fans – anybody – to come to the Sept. 26 home game in Sartell and to the House of Pizza after the game.” Another coach who helped the Sabres win the state title is
Robert Trobec. “He was our defensive coordinator and a really great coach, too,” Herbst said. Yet another coach to be honored is John Ross, who was the team’s offensive coordinator and went on to become the school system’s activities director before retiring last year. After high school, Herbst attended St. John’s University and earned a degree in communications. He is currently the SJU director of alumni relations. For more information or to let organizers know you can attend the Sept. 26 activities, call Herbst at his office at 320363-3810 or his cell phone at 651-785-6944.
from front page Herbst and others have been trying to locate anyone who wants to honor the people involved with that remarkable victory of two decades ago. Many of them originally lived in the Sartell, St. Stephen and St. Joseph areas. He is asking people to share the news and urging everyone to be sure to mark Sept. 26 on their calendars and be there that night. A special honor will go to Dean Taylor, former Sartell High School coach, who led the team to the extraordinary triumph Nov. 25, 1994. Taylor, a local legend, was the head
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Friday, Aug. 22, 2014
‘More Than Pink’ girls ready for 5k race by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Family and friends will cheer on the “More Than Pink” girls when they compete in the “Back To School 5k” race Saturday, Sept. 13 at Sartell Middle School. (For more about that event, see story in this week’s edition.) There are 13 girls in the More Than Pink, a summer program now in its second season designed to boost the self-esteem, confidence and empowerment of girls from grades 3-6. In late July, the “Pink” girls did a practice race to prepare them for the Back to School race. During June and July, the girls enrolled in the program met twice weekly, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m.-noon, for eight weeks. At each meeting, the girls learned, often through guest speakers, about topics that can include everything from cybernet bullying to peer pressure, from budgeting to family issues. Recently, Jen Novak of PineCone Vision demonstrated a Photoshop session for the girls, showing how magazines can use photo techniques to make models appear more attractive or thinner than they are in “real life.” It was a way to teach the girls the psychological pitfalls of believing in mythical “body perfection,“ which is all but nonexistent. After their classes, the girls spend the second hour of each session having fun by biking, walking, running, rollerblading, jumping rope and dancing Zumba. The two main instructors for More Than Pink are Katie Werle,
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Two girls in the “More Than Pink” program do exercises to get in shape for the annual Back to School 5k run, which will take place Sept. 13 at Sartell Middle School. a special-education teacher in the Early Childhood Program, and Mary Bentley, a Sartell resident who teaches fourth-grade in Foley. More Than Pink was started in Sartell by Ann Doyscher-Domres, the director of the Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education program. She became aware of the program in the communityeducation program at Waconia a few years ago. Doyscher-Domres then brought the same program to Sartell in the summer of 2013. “This (course) is invaluable,” she said. “These girls have so much pressure on them, even when they’re in third grade. More Than Pink is all about being yourself, being smart and being strong and bold.” Doyscher-Domres and others
involved with the program do wish there were more enrollees, but they believe that will improve as more people become aware of the effectiveness of the program in developing confident girls brimming with self-esteem and the ability to assert themselves. Last summer, 13 girls enrolled, the same number as this summer. Ultimately, the program’s instructors would like to see More Than Pink available during the school year, as well as summers. More Than Pink is also always seeking professionals who would like to give of their time teaching a class or two on any topic that would help empower the girls. Any parent who wants to learn more about More Than Pink should call Doyscher-Domres at 320-656-3701.
Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Aug. 22, 2014
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Council approves half-cent ballot question by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
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Two bubble-blowing buddies have a good time during a break at the 2013 Back to School Run.
Event from front page health and fitness. There will also be snacks and beverages available. Inflatables will be
set up on the school grounds. To register for the event, go to SartellStStephencommunityed.com or call Cathy Vande Vrede at 320-253-4036, ext. 1. Sponsors for the event will Roadways All or part of the acquisihave informational booths at tion, betterment and constructhe event.
Meet Minnie the mouser, an 8-year-old Seal Point Siamese mix. She was surrendered because she was pregnant. She’s spayed now and won’t have to go through that again. Minnie interacted with both dogs and cats in her foster home. She didn’t especially enjoy the company of other pets, but tolerated them. Her foster mom said Minnie would follow her around the house and enjoys being pet behind her ears. Minnie is located at Petsmart in Waite Park and qualifies for the Name-Your-Own-Price promotion and would be free to a senior citizen or a veteran. “Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 10 Rabbits - 2
Cats - 30
Come November, voters in area cities, including Sartell, will have a chance to approve or reject an extension of the regional half-cent sales tax from Jan. 1, 2019 through 2038. That 20-year time span of sales taxes could bring an estimated amount, collectively, of nearly $300 million to six area cities. At its last meeting, the Sartell City Council approved the question that will be printed on the Nov. 4 ballot. It states: “Shall the City of Sartell by authorized to continue the collection of a halfpercent sales tax and use that tax (revenue) through the year 2038 to pay for all or part of the above listed regional projects?” That question pertains to the following projects listed below, which are divided into two categories: “Roadways” and “Parks/Recreation.”
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tion of new regional roadways or reconstruction of existing roadways and related infrastructure, which could include Pinecone Road, 50th Avenue S., 27th Street N., LeSauk Drive and other regionally significant roadway corridors. The amount spent for those projects cannot exceed 50 percent of the half-cent regional sales-tax revenues received by Sartell.
Parks/Recreation
Acquisition and improvement of regional park land and open space and community/ aquatic center facilities. The land acquisition could include trails, recreational fields, pools and shelters and similar facilities. The community-center facilities could include gymnasium space, aquatics/pool facilities, library/media-resource facilities, community meeting rooms, senior-center activities space and similar facilities. Like the “Roadways” category, Sartell cannot spend more than 50 percent of half-cent regional sales-tax revenues on those parks/recreation projects.
At-large projects
Voting for the sales-tax extension will automatically approve several jointly-funded regional projects in the greater St. Cloud area. They include spending sales-tax money in the following amounts through the 18-year period: Up to $500,000 annually for development and/or extension of bike-hike trails in the area. Up to $200,000 annually for a regional community/aquatics center. Up to $200,000 annually for improvements/expansions at the St. Cloud Regional Airport.
How it works
Residents of each of the six area cities will be asked to approve the half-cent sales tax on the Nov. 4 ballot – that is, if each city agrees to put the question on the ballot. The cities are Sartell, St. Joseph, Waite Park, Sauk Rapids, St. Augusta and St. Cloud. If residents in a city vote it down, that city will not be able to participate in sharing of the half-cent sales-tax revenue. If the voters approve, the Council • page 8
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Our View
At long last, Pinecone improvements in sight
It’s good to know improvements will start in 2015 for Sartell’s extremely busy Pinecone Road corridor. At its last meeting, the Sartell City Council approved an engineering study that will determine precisely the best kinds of improvements to make – and where. Such improvements cannot come soon enough, as any motorist or pedestrian would likely agree. Even just five years ago, the city council at that time had concerns about the increasing traffic on Pinecone Road. Someday, the council predicted, such massive traffic is going to lead to major wearand-tear, traffic snarls and safety concerns. And they were right. The prediction has come to pass, and then some. To drive the length of Pinecone Road, one must be very cautious. There are so many visual distractions along parts of it. Near the Pine Meadow Elementary School, vehicles seem to be coming from every direction at once, and motorists often seem confused, baffled and afraid. It is also extremely dangerous for pedestrians, especially when “blind spots” occur. At certain times of the day, all along Pinecone Road, traffic snarls and long waits develop, causing some motorists to become impatient and testy, taking chances they would normally not take. The engineering study will examine the possibility of installing roundabouts at some intersections along Pinecone Road. Let us hope a few more roundabouts will facilitate the traffic flow. To make matters worse, the road surfaces have deteriorated badly in some areas. Although road crews do their best to patch and seal those troublesome areas, they keep deteriorating. Obviously, a more permanent solution is needed. Now, for the bright side. Some cities and towns would love to have the road-and-traffic problems Sartell has. Increased traffic is a sign a city is growing and flourishing. All of the developments on or near the Pinecone Road corridor have caused traffic and road wear-and-tear to increase year by year. They include the mini-malls at the intersection of Pinecone and 2nd Street and further north; the Bernick’s Arena, the Grand View Estates apartment complex, Lions Community Park, Sartell City Hall and events that occur there, Pine Meadow Elementary School (as well as the middle school and high school to the east), Oak Ridge Elementary to the north, the opening of Pinecone Central Park just off of Pinecone and apartment complexes, neighborhoods and new churches to the north. Is it any wonder Sartell has road headaches and traffic woes? Let’s take a deep breath; let’s be patient. Within a year or two, things will improve along that corridor. Thankfully, the engineering study is soon to begin, and long-overdue Pinecone road projects will begin, giving that corridor and the rest of us a new lease on life.
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, Aug. 22, 2014
Opinion Stove-pipe collar has tale to tell I have a stove-pipe collar that talks; it’s one of those very old objects with tales to tell. The collar was part of my boyhood home in south St. Cloud and now hangs on a wall of my at-home library-office. About 25 years ago, I rescued it when they demolished that house, which had stood on the corner of 5th Avenue and 9th Street, near the college, since the late 1880s. A stovepipe collar was common in old homes heated with coal, wood or oil. From a first-floor stove, usually in the living room, a six-inch-wide metal stove pipe rose up right through the ceiling and through the room above. The hot pipe carried stove exhaust that was vented from a chimney on the roof. The flat round collar, installed on the floor of the room above the stove, encircled the stove pipe. Serving as an air vent, the collar could be turned clockwise or counterclockwise to let more (or less) warm air into the room from the rising heat of the stove directly below. The collar I have is a rather rusted wrought-iron one 15 inches wide with a 6-inch hole in the middle through which the pipe extended. Its design is an ornate leafand-vine pattern with open air spaces all through the metal filigree. Of all the souvenir objects I have from the good old days, that collar is the one that “speaks” loudest and most often. Now and then, while sitting in my library-office, I will look up and see that collar hanging there, and it will begin to “talk” – not literally, of course, but it has the transporting power to unlock the past instantly and vividly, as if it’s sharing sweet old secrets. As a wee tot, late at night, when I was supposed to be fast asleep in my darkened bedroom, I would often grab my pillow, sneak out of bed and lie down by the stove
Dennis Dalman Editor pipe, my head next to that collar. Lamp light from the living room glimmered up through the holes in the collar’s filigree and so would the voices of my parents and their neighbor friends. They loved to get together, drink beer and talk; and I loved to listen to the adult sounds and verbal rhythms of their conversations and laughter, trying to understand what they were gabbing about. One night they kept discussing a neighbor woman, about how she was PG. I was stumped. Next day, I asked Ma what PG means. “What do you think it means?” she asked, grinning. “Part German?” I guessed. She and her friend, Alma, burst out laughing. “Well, Denny’s close,” said Alma, taking a puff of her Pall Mall. “Ann is part German and the baby will be too.” My bedroom, which I shared with brother Johnny and later with brother Michael, was always very chilly in winter. We’d wake up and poke our faces out from under those big old patchwork quilts Grandma would make for us. We’d see silvery patterns of frost on the windows. Then, we’d hear Mom’s voice coming up through the stove collar. “C’mon, you kids,” she’d shout. “Get up right now! Time to get ready for school. And I’m not gonna tell you again.” We’d groan, snuggle down deeper under
the quilt and wonder what we ever did so bad to be punished with school on a frosty morning. Then, we’d smell the aromas of hot cocoa and toast, wafting up through the collar. Hunger would coax us from our bed. Some mornings, we’d hear a wind howling, rattling the storm windows like whistling ghosts. “Sounds like a blizzard!” I’d say. “Good!” Johnny would answer. We both loved blizzards. Not only were they fun to watch from the windows, but they meant we wouldn’t have to go to school. From the living room, on a nasty winter morning, Mom would lift her voice to the ceiling, to the pipe collar. “You kids awake yet?” she’d ask loudly. “Yeah?” we’d shout, our little delinquent voices filled with tingling anticipation. “Well, you’re staying home today,” she’d say. “It’s 20 below out. Too cold for school.” At which time, Michael and I – happy as Christmas-morning kids – would leap from bed, scramble downstairs, shiver and huddle around the stove, eat our Cheerios and then sit down with our favorite board game, Monopoly. It was from that stove collar one afternoon I heard the sounds of my parents crying. Scared and stunned, I listened closely and finally figured out Grandpa Saunders had died, not really understanding what dead meant, but thinking, “We’ll never get to go to the farm in Benson anymore.” That old collar has so many memories, mostly good, embedded in its wrought-iron heart. I always encourage people to save and display souvenirs from childhood. They never fail to keep you connected to your childhood and grounded in the magic past that made you.
‘Tis the season for political letters There are only 10 Newsleaders – 10 Fridays – until the mid-term general election Tuesday, Nov. 4. As in every election season, the Newsleader fully expects to receive many political letters to editor – praising some candidates, criticizing others. We welcome letters to editor. However, as in every campaign season, there is a need to set some limits regarding political letters: Letters must be no more than 150 words each, otherwise they will be edited to accommodate that word limit. Each letter must include the writer’s
name, home address and telephone number, or the letter will not be published. We will not accept “form letters” – those written by a campaign committee and merely signed by an individual. A writer may submit a limit of one political letter per 30-day period. Due to space considerations, when there are a slew of submissions, the Newsleader will try, in its print editions, to publish a representative sampling of letters received. Those that do not make the published papers will be found on the Newsleaders’ website: www.thenewsleaders.com.
In letters, please stick to the issues and document any facts. Be sure to provide sources for allegations so they can be verified. No letters critical of candidates will be published in the Oct. 31 Newsleader, which is the last newspaper before the Nov. 4 election. That is because candidates criticized would not have a chance to respond to accusations in the Newsleaders before the election takes place. Any questions? Call the newspaper office at 320-363-7741.
Police officers are not paid to be abused What is happening in Ferguson, Mo.? What we know is during an arrest of an 18-year-old there was an apparent struggle and the young man was shot and killed. The police officer who is alleged to have done the shooting was himself hospitalized for his injuries. We are also being told the 18-yearold was unarmed. What we don’t know is anything else about the incident. There is an ongoing investigation by the FBI, among others. Soon a report will be issued and then and only then will the facts be known. Until that investigation is concluded, all we have is speculation. It appears many in that community have already made up their minds as to what happened and have decided, without any facts, to exact their own retribution in the form of looting legitimate businesses and burning down their town. They would appear to be unmoved by facts. They do not seem to care. There have been death threats against the police officer and against all police officers in that community. They have apparently decided lynch mobs are OK as long as they are the ones doing the lynching. The situation is further exacerbated by people like Al Sharpton, who arrive just in time to stir up an already angry mob. The only benefit served by the arrival of people like Sharpton is the benefit to Sharpton himself at the expense of the community he visits. He is a self-serving, political animal who seems to think only of himself. He’s
Ron Scarbro Guest Writer come a long way since his days as a drug dealer who turned into an FBI informant to escape punishment for his own crimes. Wouldn’t communities like Ferguson be better served by people coming to their aid not with fire-breathing, mob-stirring, rhetoric, but with constructive information? Teaching things like getting an education, respect for law and law-enforcement officers and responsibility for reproductive choices? Towns like Ferguson are the way they are because of their choices. If they are being held down or held back it’s because they are holding themselves back. Police officers are not paid to be abused. They are not paid to keep their hands to their sides while a criminal attempts to take their weapon and use it against them. Their job is to make sure laws are upheld. Failure on the part of anyone to obey lawful instructions from an officer is a crime. Lying to police is a crime. Attacking any police officer is tantamount to asking for the maximum punish-
ment. Besides all that, it’s just stupid. Like you, I don’t know all the facts regarding the incident in Ferguson. I believe we all will know when the investigation is concluded. If any police officer exceeded his authority, he should face whatever punishment the law allows. If it turns out he was completely justified in his actions, then the entire community should apologize for their actions. Rioting and looting by mobs is the action of uncivilized feral thugs. It wouldn’t surprise me if all the retailers packed up and moved out leaving Ferguson without essential services or grocery stores. Residents of all communities benefit by the presence of police officers. I wonder how the citizens would feel if they were left with no police protection. If the officer involved in this incident is sacrificed to the masses for political expediency, then every police officer should resign in protest and leave the entire state without any police protection. Residents of Ferguson, go home and wait for the official investigation. Try to act civilized. Justice will be served whether you like that justice or not.
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.
Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Aug. 22, 2014
Blotter from page 2 Aug. 9 3:02 a.m. Lowell Lane. Suspicious activity. A report was made regarding a lot of noise coming from a residence and the neighbor believed the owners were out of town. An officer arrived and spoke with an adult female who stated she was at the residence with permission. The female was able to get picked up by a friend and the residence was secured. 6:11 p.m. Riverside Ave. Welfare check. A report was made regarding an adult male stumbling on the side of the roadway. An officer checked the area and was unable to locate the male. 9:26 p.m. 2nd Street S. Verbal. A report was made regarding a male and female loudly arguing. The caller was unsure of the exact location. Officers searched the area and were unable to locate or hear anyone arguing. Aug. 10 12:21 a.m. Pinecone Road. DWI. While on patrol, an officer witnessed a vehicle traveling without their headlights on. While speaking with the driver, the officer detected the odor of alcoholic beverages. The driver was unable to pass field sobriety
testing and was placed under arrest without incident. 2:09 p.m. Hi-Vue Drive. Disorderly person. While on patrol, an officer witnessed an adult female stumbling on the side of the roadway. The female became hostile and began fighting with officers. She was placed under arrest and transported without further incident. Aug. 11 12:36 a.m. Pheasant Crest Loop. Suspicious activity. While on patrol, an officer noticed a vehicle door open. The vehicle did not seem to have any damage or to have been rummaged through. The officer secured the vehicle. 5:30 p.m. Killdeer Avenue S. Suspicious activity. A report was made regarding a vehicle parked on the roadway and an adult male on the phone arguing with an unknown person. Officers arrived and spoke with the male who was picking up his child and did not need officer assistance. Aug. 12 12:47 a.m. Oriole Avenue. Loud music. A complaint was made regarding loud music coming from a residence. Officers walked through the area and did not hear any loud music in the neighborhood.
Announcements GUNS/HUNTING GEAR: GUN SHOW August 22-24. LaCrosse Fairgrounds, West Salem, WI Fri. 3pm-9pm, Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 9am-3pm. Large Selection of guns & ammo for sale. Info: 1-563-608-4401 (Minnesota Only) (MCN) MACHINERY CONSIGNMENT SALE, Mon., Sept. 8, 2014 at 9:00 A.M. Consign early by Aug. 25, 2014 for complete advertising. No Small Items, Tires or Pallet Items Accepted After Friday, Aug. 29. Gilbert’s Sale Yard, LLC, 641-398-2218. 2 Mi. N. of Floyd, IA On Hwy. 218. Tractor House Internet Bidding Available. www.gilbertsaleyard. com (MCN) AUCTION - August 25, 2014 at Carhart Blue Top Seed, Inc., N14743 Cty Rd M, Galesville, WI 54630. Selling Production Equipment incl. Detasseling Equipment. Questions, Call 1-608-792-2577. Preview Day: August 23, 12:00-3:00. Listing and Pictures @ www.NorthernInvestment.com (MCN) SUPPORT our Service Members, Veterans and their Families in Their Time of Need. For more information visit the Fisher House website at www.fisherhouse.org (MCN) Education HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA FROM HOME. 6-8 weeks. ACCREDITED. No State test! Get a Future! FREE Brochure. 1-800-264-8330. Benjamin Franklin HS www.diplomafromhome.com (Minnesota Only) (MCN) For Sale TRAILER SALE! Dump trailers 10’ tandem axle $3,999.00 and up; 12’, 14’, & 16’ 14,000# dump with tarp: $6,099.00 and up. 6’x12’x72” v-nose ramp door, swivel jack, 24” ATP $2,750.00; 101”x18’ 10k cargo job trailer; 14,000# skidloader trailers. 515-972-4554 www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com (MCN) Business Opportunities NEED ADDITIONAL INCOME? Learn to operate a Mini-Office Outlet.
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Community Calendar Friday, Aug. 22 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. Sizzlin’ Summer Art Crawl, noon to 9 p.m., downtown St. Cloud. Musicians, art demos, performers and activities for the whole family. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Saturday, Aug. 23 55+ Driver Improvement program (four-hour refresher course), 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Miller Auto Plaza, 2930 2nd St. S., St. Cloud, 1-888-234-1294.
Wednesday, Aug. 27 SummerTime by George, 5-9 p.m., Lake George, St. Cloud. Free live concert by the Fabulous Armadillos. Thursday, Aug. 28 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, Sartell. Brat and hot dog sale, sponsored by Apollo High School Spanish Club, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 1st Ave. NW. Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767.
REAL ESTATE
Monday, Aug. 25 Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. Market Monday, 3-6:30 p.m., Sartell City Hall, 125 Pine Cone Road N., Sartell. www. marketmonday.org.
PLAT BOOKS with 911 addresses, legal descriptions. Stearns County. Other counties available by order. Available at the Newsleaders, 32 1st Ave. NW, St. Joseph. Regular price $40; $30 spiral bound. NO REFUNDS. tfn-f
Tuesday, Aug. 26 Blood drive, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. Blood drive, 1-7 p.m., Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2405 Walden Way, St. Cloud. 1-800733-2767.
The Newsleaders seeks freelance writers and photographers to cover town-specific events/meetings/personalities. Freelancers are paid per story/photo. If interested, please email a resume and a few writing/photo samples to janellev@thenewsleaders.com.
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Friday, Aug. 29 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., American Red Cross, 1301 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767. Blood drive, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Cloud Hospital, 1406 6th Ave. N., St. Cloud. 1-800-7332767. St. Joseph Farmers’ Market, 3-6:30 p.m., near the Wobegon Trail Center, C.R. 2. Brat and hot dog sale, sponsored by St. Joseph Y2K Lions, supporting “Chad’s Memorial Wing” at the Place of Hope. 9-5 p.m., St. Joseph Meat Market, 26 1st. Ave. NW.
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Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Council from page 5 first $900,000 collected annually will go to the regional projects that all cities have agreed upon – that is, the major projects in the greater St. Cloud area: regional bike trails, community-aquatics center, airport projects. After that $900,000 disbursement, each city will receive a share of the funds based on a formula that includes size of population in a given city.
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Why regional?
The Minnesota Legislature, in allowing the six cities to put the sales-tax question on their ballots, emphasizes the tax must be spent on “regional” projects only – that is, those kinds of amenities that could be used by anyone or everyone in the region. In addition, the revenue cannot be spent on operational costs for a city. That is why regional halfcent sales-tax revenue cannot be spent on, say, a neighborhood road or any amenity that could be used only by residents of that particular city.
History
The regional half-cent sales tax started in 2003, after voters in 2002 approved it in four area cities: Sartell, St. Cloud, Sauk Rapids and St. Augusta. Two years later, the voters in St. Joseph and Waite Park also approved the tax, bringing the number of cities to six. Revenue since 2003 was used to fund major regional projects, such as the St. Cloud Public Library and expansion of the St. Cloud Area Municipal Airport, to name
just two projects in St. Cloud. In Sartell, 10 years of salestax revenue brought about $7 million to the city. That money was used for a variety of projects, including a partnership to build the Bernick’s Arena, a series of trails, an outdoor skating shelter and ice rink, improvements in Champion and Val Smith parks, the purchase of Rotary Riverside park land, the purchase of the private golf course for land which is now Pinecone Central Park. In addition, the Sartell City Council has dedicated rev-
Friday, Aug. 22, 2014 enue expected to be received through 2018 for a community-resource facility ($1.6 million) and for park improvements ($800,000). Throughout the years, including just recently, Sartell has sought input in a variety of ways, including surveys and public meetings, to determine on which kinds of projects residents want salestax money spent. High on that list consistently were a branch library, a community and/or senior center, parks and recreation, and road improvements.