Reaching EVERYbody!
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Newsleader Sartell-St. Stephen
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017 Volume 22, Issue 49 Est. 1995
Town Crier
Winter Market set Dec. 16, Jan. 6
The Sartell Winter Market will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and Jan. 6 at Sartell City Hall, 125 Pinecone Road N. Some of the many items you will find include the following: meat, eggs, vegetables from storage, micro greens, canned goods, baked treats, breads and many craft items. Come complete your holiday shopping. All items are grown, produced or crafted locally.
Christmas Toy Shop seeks volunteers
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help with the Toy Shop Dec. 19-21. Volunteers will help shoppers, direct clients, help with clothes shopping and check out when clients are finished. Christmas Toy Shop will be held at the Youth For Christ Building, 203 Cooper Ave. N. ( the old Anderson Trucking Building). Contact Barbara Nelson, the Salvation Army, at 320-257-7435 or Barb_Nelson@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Citizens sought to serve on county committees
There is an opportunity for Stearns County residents to get involved with their local County government. Stearns County is looking for residents interested in serving on various county boards, committees and task forces. The boards and committees serve a variety of county departments in a variety of areas. Stearns County is recruiting for appointments to be filled in January of 2018. The application deadline is Dec. 18 to be considered for an appointment that begins in January 2018. For information, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Dec. 15 Town Criers.
Held wishes bullies would stop, but they don’t
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
All that 10-year-old Tom Held wants is to be treated as if he matters, so that other kids don’t just stand there and do nothing when he is bullied – or just as bad, join in the taunts and laughter. The teasing started when he was a kindergartner. A heartbreaking home-made video featuring Held has gone viral on Internet with close to 30,000 views in the past month. In the video, Held sits wordlessly on a couch, looks into the camera and holds a stack of papers, which he “peels” off one by one, each page with large typed words on it that, page by page, reveal what the boy has had to endure. Held, a Sartell fifth-grader, suffers from attention-deficit disorder and Tourette’s syndrome, which causes involuntary tics and twitches. Despite those disabilities, however, he is a straight-A
student and a very kind and gentle friend to those who know and love him. Trouble is, some kids do not seem to want to know him; they’d rather make fun of him, laugh at him, leave him sitting alone in a room. The pages of printed phrases he shows viewers in his video tell a story that is both terrifying and sad beyond description. “Because I look different, I get pushed, kicked, shoved, punched.” “I was stabbed with a pencil in the arm.” “Things are thrown at me.” “I get lied about.” “I get called really mean names.” “Teased about the way I talk, look, run, eat.” “Ganged up on.” “It happens every day, all day long.” What did Held do to deserve the hellish abuse? That’s what he would like to know. His pages
by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
Cooks, bus drivers and custodians of the Sartell-St. Stephen School District announced Dec. 9 they are ready to call a strike because of frustrating labor-contract negotiations. All of the 83 employees are members of Service Employees International Union Local 284. They include custodians, grounds workers, food service, and bus and van drivers for Sartell’s five schools.
They have been working under the terms of a contract that expired on July 1 of last year. Since then, they and the district have had six negotiation sessions and three mediation sessions. Although the workers voted Dec. 9 to approve a strike, no date has been set for one, and they will have to give the district a 10-day notice before a strike. In a news release, Karen Klein, who has been a cook for the district for 13 years, stated this: “Our students deserve the best experience possible, and that
The Tim and Leah Held family of Sartell include their children Tom (upper left), Ryan (lower left) and Sophie (lower right). share his confusion about what forces could provoke such torment. He’s been told to “toughen up” and not to tell his parents.
He’s been told to “just ignore it.” “I ask what I did to cause the bullying. I was just there and was Bully • page 5
means the people who work in the schools need to know we are valued and that our work matters. I am proud of the work I do, making healthy meals for students, but right now the district only seems to care about taking care of those higher up. Without a bus driver or custodian or cook, the school simply wouldn’t run. We don’t feel like they value us at all. They will save money any way they can, even if that means hurting people who work in the school and live in the community. When they treat us like this,
it shows they aren’t valuing the school, families, students and the community.” Klein then challenged district negotiators to bring a “realistic” proposal to the bargaining table. In response to news of the proposed strike, Superintendent Jeff Schwiebert and Jason Nies, school-board member and labor negotiator of the school district, released this joint statement to the media: “We have met with this diverse group many times over Strike • page 7
Sartell senior recognized for fostering reading by Vicki Ikeogu news@thenewsleaders.com
Place of Hope is in need of the following items to help families in our community this holiday season. The needed list includes the following: teen gifts, backpacks, parent gifts, $10 gift cards, food donations, diapers, personal-care items, new socks of all sizes, winter coats, hats and mittens, wrapping paper and tape. Volunteers can also sponsor a meal or Adopt a Family for Hope. Donations can be dropped off at Bremer Bank locations in St. Cloud or Place of Hope. Contact Pastor Carol, Place of Hope, at 320-203-7881. photo by Vicki Ikeogu
The Waters Church
contributed photo
School workers consider staging a strike
Place of Hope seeks donations
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Postal Patron
Sartell Community Center’s Resource Center Volunteer Coordinator Gayle Smoley was recently named the 2017 Sartell Senior Volunteer of the Year.
There is no greater joy for Sartell resident Gayle Smoley than to see a young child pick up a book and start reading. “It’s the heart of it all,” she said. “If you can read and write, you’ve got it made.” For most of her adult life, Smoley has been on the front lines of many classrooms, teaching kids how to transform the words on a page into stories fit for their imagination. But these days, the 71-year-old has found a new calling, rooted heavily in her past experienc-
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es. As the volunteer coordinator for the Sartell Community Center’s Resource Center, Smoley has helped the city further realize the impact reading has on children – and adults – of all ages. A pioneer for the Resource Center, Smoley spends her days combing through the thousands of books donated to a free library. Together with a team of 12 volunteers, Smoley is helping make sure Sartell kids have access to a library in their city. “This is my love,” she said. Because of her dedication to Sartell Community Center’s Resource Center, along with other Reading • page 5
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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St. Stephen Catholic Church 103 – CR 2 St. Stephen, Minn.
Christmas Eve Mass 5 p.m. & 8 p.m. Christmas Day Mass 9 a.m.
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
Sartell Lions to host Dec. 16 fundraiser by Dennis Dalman editor@thenewsleaders.com
The Sartell Lions Club will hold a meat-raffle fundraiser from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill in Sartell. Mike DeLuca, secretary-treasurer of the Lions, said the proceeds will be used for improvements of the walking-trail rails and green plantings at Lions Community Park across from Sartell City Hall, as well as for the Sartell Lions’ many sight programs that include Leader Dog and Canines Can Do. Funds raised will also help the Sartell Leo Lions,
St. Stephen Optical (formerly Index 53)
which is a high-school version of the Lions Club. The meat for the event will be provided by many meat markets in the central Minnesota area, including shops in St. Joseph, Sauk Rapids, Waite Park and Bowlus. Participants in the fundraiser will have their names drawn from a bag, and the winning prize will be a gift card to one of the meat markets. There will also be a grand prize from Coborn’s, including some meat from the Coborn’s stores in the central Minnesota area. People will not have to be present to win that particular prize. Hap Holi py day s!
Larry Rudolph, Optician 306 Main St. E. St. Stephen, MN 56375 320-252-9380 320-252-6924 Home Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-noon Saturday
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Publisher/Owner Janelle Von Pinnon
Editor Dennis Dalman
Operations Assistant Rachel Mohs
Operations Director Patric Lewandowski
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Newsleader staff members have the responsibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741. If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Minnesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.
P.O. Box 324 • 32 1st Ave. N.W. • St. Joseph, Minn. 56374 Phone: (320) 363-7741 • Fax: (320) 363-4195 • E-mail: news@thenewsleaders.com POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ST. JOSEPH NEWSLEADER, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
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Blue Line’s heart set on ‘giving back’ by Vicki Ikeogu news@thenewsleaders.com
The company’s slogan reads “More than just a sports bar.” For Scott and Esther Widor, that motto does more than just provide a mission for their business. It’s a mission for how the two live their lives. And that mission includes not only family and sports, but community-building as well. “It’s the right thing to do, basically,” Scott said. “I had a few mentors (who) personally guided me. And I had a couple good bosses (who) built into our corporate fabric that we should give back as much as we could and when possible. It’s just kind of found its way into Blue Line.” For nearly 12 years, the Widors have been serving patrons in the Sartell area from their location, 1101 Second St. S. But for nearly as long, the couple, along with their 35 or so employees, has been committed to giving back to the city that welcomed them with open arms. “It is because of this community that we have been able to be successful,” Esther said. And it was because of the commitment Blue Line and its staff has made to various Sartell organizations that the Sartell Chamber of Commerce, along with the Hospitality and Visitors Service and city staff have recognized the restaurant as the 2017 Sartell Small Business of the Year. “I’m grateful and I’m appreciative (for whoever nominated
photo by Vicki Ikeogu
St. Cloud resident and co-owner of Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill in Sartell Scott Widor stands next to the plaque he received after Blue Line was named Sartell’s Small Business of the Year. Widor and his wife, Esther, have owned the Blue Line for nearly 12 years. me),” Scott said. “And humbled at the same time. It blew me away. Because (as a business) you are never after stuff like that.” Also in the running for Sartell Small Business of the Year were All Seasons Small Engine Repair; Chiropractic Performance Center; Conway, Deuth & Schmiesing PLLP; InteleCONNECT; Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader; PineCone Vision Center; and United Way of Central Minnesota. The Blue Line Sports Bar & Grill is no stranger to being nominated for this award. The business has been nominated every year for the past five years. “We were beginning to think
we were like Susan Lucci in trying to take home this award,” Scott said. But not winning the award during that period has not deterred the Widors and Blue Line from giving back to local organizations. “(We get involved) because people ask,” Scott said. “I’m not out there looking for it, trust me. But you know, there are certain things in Sartell that I step up more (for), like obviously the Rock N’ Block concert.” In addition to sponsoring events like the Sartell SummerFest fireworks and the community concert, the Widors assist local organizations like the Salvation Army, Apple Duathlon,
Sartell Lions Club and various high-school clubs by hosting fundraising nights at the restaurant. “We have fundraisers almost every week,” Scott said. “And we donate 20 percent of the profits off of everything (on the menu) to those organizations.” Widor said he also sits on
Sartell’s HVS and helps the organization brainstorm ideas on how to increase visibility and tourism within Sartell. All this work is on top of running not only the Sartell Blue Line location, but a second restaurant in south St. Cloud, a location the Widors have owned for about five years. Scott said he hopes the values he and Esther have built for themselves and for the business will inspire their employees – who are often high-school and college-aged – to one day give back as well. “Community awareness comes from within,” Scott said. “And I hope we can continue to not only provide every guest with an extraordinary experience but continue to do the best that we can for the area.” And the Sartell Small Business of the Year award was just another stepping stone in reaffirming Blue Line’s mission. “We aren’t going to stop doing all of those things just because we got the award,” Esther said. “When other opportunities come up, where we can help, we’ll get involved.”
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
LEGAL NOTICE
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The following official summary of the ordinance referred to has been approved by the City Council of Sartell as clearly informing the public of the intent and effect of the ordinance: CITY OF SARTELL SUMMARY ORDINANCE NO. 2017-15ORD AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY FEE SCHEDULE The Council of the City of Sartell hereby ordains: Summary The 2018 Schedule of City Fees is hereby adopted. The fees adopted include Administrative, Animals, Cemetery, Compost, Development-Related, Fire Department, Licenses, Liquor, Maps, Parks, Police, Public Safety, Public Works, Rental and Utility Service Fees. Effective Date That this ordinance is effective on Jan. 1, 2018. A printed copy of the entire ordinance itemizing all city fees is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at the office of the city clerk at the Sartell City Hall. PASSED BY THE SARTELL CITY COUNCIL THIS 11th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2017.
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Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
Bully from front page just being me.” “I don’t want to go to school anymore.” “Most of the time I wish I didn’t exist.” “I just want to be treated like I matter.” “Others stand around and do nothing or laugh.” “I want to feel safe.” The abuse, Held said, happens when no teachers are around to witness it, although once the principal was nearby when kids were bullying him. “That time, they (the kids) got
Reading from front page volunteering work throughout the area, Smoley was named the 2017 Sartell Senior Volunteer of the Year. “I really feel this award belongs to my committee (as much as it does me),” Smoley said. “We all worked really hard on this library.” For Smoley, her journey to the Sartell Community Center’s Resource Center began more than 50 years ago as a volunteer for Head Start, an early childhood-education program.
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into big trouble,” he said. Tom is the son of Tim and Leah Held. He has a brother, Ryan, 8; and a sister, Sophie, 7. The family has been hit with a double whammy – not only the bullying of Tom but the ongoing medical problems of Tim. After cutting his toe at a water park last summer, he has had to undergo 22 surgeries in an effort to stop a viciously stubborn invasive bacteria that kept infecting the bones in his right leg – a leg that had to be amputated bit by bit as the bacteria turned septic and kept re-infecting the leg. Held and his father recently told their stories to the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader and also during a video interview on
WJON-Radio by reporter Kelly Cordes. She praised and honored Tom for his courage, giving him an award and gifts that included a “hug” Teddy Bear that he can share with other kids who may be bullied. Many a night, when his son was not in the room, Tim Held would break down and cry about the stories of taunting his son would share with him. School teachers and administrators have tried very hard to solve the problem, Held said. “But I realize there’s only so much they can do,” he added. “Their hands are kind of tied.” The real solution, Held firmly believes, starts at home. “It’s got to start and end at
home,” he said, adding parents and families must teach one another to engender respect for all people, and that includes – of course – all students. That is why Tom Held and others have started an anti-bullying effort they call H.E.R.O., which stands for “Helping Everyone Respect Others.” The raise-awareness program will debut on Facebook soon once details are finalized. Its organizers hope to have its messages included in regular meetings at schools. H.E.R.O. participants hope to have others share their stories of bullying or being bullied so people will understand how the cruel behavior can damage young people emotionally for a lifetime.
It can also cause more drastic outcomes, as all too many devastating occurrences of violence and suicide have shown. “If school kids could only know what a sweet kid Tom is and how forgiving he is,” Tom’s father said. “But the teasing is still happening. The other day nobody would let Tom sit with them in the Commons (area) in the school. It’s tough to send him to school. The good news is he does have some friends.” Tom Held loves outdoor activities such as baseball, football and biking. The Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader will do an update about Tom and the H.O.P.E. program once it’s up and running.
In fact, she was one of the first volunteers at the St. Cloud Head Start when it opened in the mid1960s. “I like the younger children because you actually see them learning,” Smoley said. “You can watch the lightbulb come on. You know if you are making a difference.” Her journey through education led her to programs in Greenwood, Mississippi, and South Bend, Indiana, working in inner-city schools instilling the importance of reading and writing in young children. She then moved back to Central Minnesota. “And when I moved back to St. Cloud, I was on the other end
of the spectrum,” Smoley said. “I was at (St. Cloud Technical and Community College) working with young women who wanted to become volunteers, paraprofessionals in the classroom.” Her work continued by helping students at the University of Minnesota in the early-childhood field before the teaching bug resurfaced once again. “After that, I started work at Bethlehem Lutheran (Early Childhood Center),” Smoley said. “And when I got to Sartell, I really (started) believing in (the fact) kids make a difference if they have their parents behind them. And I really saw the reason for early-childhood family education.
The whole family needs to be educated, not just the kids.” Smoley soon began working to develop a reading program within Sartell in which parents were taught tools to help their children learn how to read. “I really firmly believe the kids were doing so much better with their language and knowing their letters,” Smoley said. Smoley eventually moved from St. Cloud’s Bethlehem Lutheran to Sartell Elementary School. She was one of the founding members of the district’s early-childhood program in 1988. She remained there until her retirement in 2012. Smoley may be retired, but she continues to play an active role
within the area. In addition to her role at the Resource Center, Smoley volunteers with the Sartell Senior Connection and the Friends of the Library program with the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud. For her, continuing to spread the joys – and importance – of reading is more than just a hobby. It’s a passion that shows no signs of slowing down. “(The Sartell sharing library) will never stop,” Smoley said. “Much like the work when I volunteer with the public library, it doesn’t stop. There’s always something to do. It’s like teaching. You’re never done.”
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Our View
Male-female pay inequity still a problem in the state Minnesota ranks tops in the nation for women workers in terms of economic and social well-being, according to a study released this year by WalletHub. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is Minnesota women workers still earn less than their male counterparts in 20 key industries analyzed, according to an article by Sanjukta Chaudhuri in Trends magazine. In those industries, full-time women workers earn on average 85.5 percent of what male counterparts make. The industries with the biggest wage gaps, Chaudhuri writes, are finance and insurance, followed by utilities, professional, scientific and technical services, company management, enterprise management and information systems. The narrowest gaps are in arts, entertainment and recreation, accommodations and food services, administrative support and waste management. Chaudhuri concludes the reasons why women earn less are complicated and various. The causes included human capital differences such as educational attainment, skills, relevant experience, productivity and tenure. Other causes are differences between labor market and family choices such as family formation or breaks from work to raise families. Systemic issues include lower rewards for equal work, career stalling, marriage and family penalties, the glass-ceiling syndrome, subtle prejudices and stereotyping. Because the causes are complex, a solution will likely be hard to come by, we can assume. However, on the other hand, there should be allowances and compensations made for so many of the causal factors, such as family raising, educational and experiential backgrounds, and lack of tenure. The causes of “subtle prejudices” and “stereotyping” have long played a part in many of the other factors, one way or another. In other words, for many decades systemic prejudices have existed to impede the economic progress of women, and there is no doubt in some quarters and many industries those same prejudicial forces, subtle or not so subtle, lurk just underneath the other causes, such as career stalling and family penalties. What is needed are studies in each of those 20 industries that would first examine all causes of pay inequity and then close the pay gaps completely irrespective of any so-called causes. It’s good Minnesota is a leader in pay equity, but it’s obvious we still have a way to go. The 14.5-percent pay-equity gap must be closed, no ifs, ands or buts about it.
The ideas expressed in the letters to the editor and of the guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Newsleaders. Letters to the editor may be sent to news@thenewsleaders. com or P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374. Deadline is noon Monday. Please include your full name for publication (and address and phone number for verification only.) Letters must be 350 words or less. We reserve the right to edit for space.
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
Opinion Bullies also diminish themselves When I watched the heartbreaking video of 10-year-old Tom Held, a victim of relentless bullying, I choked up with tears, and I flashed back to my boyhood, feeling a burning sense of shame all over again. That is because during one or two years in grade school I was a bully myself. It was back in the mid-1950s at Washington Elementary School in south St. Cloud. There was a girl in our class whose name was Elizabeth. She was a rather uncoordinated, clumsy girl with pitch-black hair that reminded us of the hair of a Halloween witch. So we teased her. Behind her back, we thought, but of course she had to have been aware of every slight and taunt. Some of us students would play a mean playground-recess game we called “Lizzie’s Fleas.” One of us would walk or run up to Elizabeth, touch her, then run over to somebody else and “tag” that kid while chanting, “You got Lizzie’s fleas! You got Lizzie’s fleas!” And then, that student would hurry over to somebody else, tag them, and repeat the taunt, thus continuing the cruel game. All of the participants in the game were boys, not surprising considering the ingrained chauvinism so prevalent in that day and age. Even as we indulged in that rotten game we knew it was wrong; we knew it was hurtful; and we did it anyway. What’s even worse is the teachers on the playground were completely
Dennis Dalman Editor aware of what was going on, and they never once did anything to stop it. At least they never told any of us to stop it. Through the years, I’ve often looked back at the inexcusable, sadistic “game” and felt so ashamed. And years later, as I became more aware of the terrible outcomes of kids being bullied, the more I felt the burning shame. Poor Elizabeth. How she must have suffered in shame and silence. How could we have been such cruel kids? Bullying, not unlike the sexual assaults so much in the news these days, is always devastating to its victims. It can knock kids’ confidence right out of them quicker than a punch to the stomach; it can shred their sense of self-worth; it can cause them to turn inward or to lash out in violence. And, as we are so well aware in recent years, it can lead children to commit suicide. Suicide among children and teenagers, especially among girls, is on the rise, and most experts believe the increase is directly due to cyber-bullying, which can be merciless, never-ending, ‘round the clock. I’d always wanted to apologize to Elizabeth,
but I did not know where she was or how to contact her. Years ago, I wrote a column about the cruelty of our mindless, stupid, vicious game of “Lizzie’s Fleas.” A classmate from those grade-school years, a woman named Jeanine, happened to read that column and sent it to Elizabeth because she’d stayed in touch and knew where she lived. Jeanine wrote me at the newspaper to inform me that Elizabeth did indeed remember the mean game but that she had managed to brush it off, at least later. She told Jeanine to tell me she appreciated my reaching out to apologize but that the long-ago hurt was all but forgotten and certainly forgiven. Thank you, Elizabeth. It’s ironic you have forgotten it, but I have not. It’s yet another reminder people who hurt others also hurt themselves in one way or another, somewhere down the line. It’s the lesson tyrants (and diehard bullies) never seem to learn – or learn too late. Dear readers: Please read the story about bully victim Tom Held in today’s newspaper, and then sit down with family members and have a good discussion about how all forms of bullying, even mild verbal teasing, can hurt children so deeply, so badly. As Tim Held, the father of Tom, told me: The real solution to bullying must start and stop in the home.
Letter to the editor
Thank you to Sartell residents, businesses Mayor Sarah Jane Nicoll Council Member Mike Chisum Council Member Ryan Fitzthum Council Member Pat Lynch Council Member David Peterson We want to express our appreciation for a couple of major events brought to Sartell through the time, talent and
generosity of our local residents and businesses. The Country Lights Festival holiday lighting around Lake Francis has drawn well over 1,000 people already, and it will continue through Dec. 31. And Liberty Bank Minnesota just organized and hosted a huge open house event for the public at the Sartell Community Center, providing free food, entertainment and inflatables Dec. 10.
The generosity of these residents and businesses is overwhelming, but their commitment to organize and carry out these major events is also incredible. These folks are hands-on and out there doing the work and meeting with the many residents who come out to enjoy these free activities. It brings us together, supports all of us and brings lots of free fun to Sartell. We are extremely grateful.
Franken exit opens way for change During the last few weeks, a lot of national and international attention has been focused on our home state of Minnesota. This attention, though, has not been the kind we would have liked to receive. This is of course due to our embattled Sen. Al Franken, who for several weeks now has been embroiled in a series of sexual-misconduct allegations. Though Franken made a pledge Dec. 7 to resign in the coming weeks, this is just the first in a series of steps our state will go through on the road to replacing him. Franken’s case is just one of many sweeping the nation in recent months. After allegations by many women throughout multiple years were made against powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, the metaphorical house of cards has begun to fall. Some of the most famous and powerful men in the world have come under scrutiny by accusers and their supporters. Those once thought untouchable are having the limelight shown on their most terrible actions and are being forced from positions of power. What’s so sad about this is justice is so delayed or late for those who have had to suffer for so much time thinking they wouldn’t be believed. The #MeToo movement that started on Twitter has also provided a platform for those who were unable to make their voices heard before. Hopefully, this is the first step toward making sure everyone in this country is accountable for their actions and everyone has the right to be safe and comfortable in
Connor Kockler Guest Writer whatever environment they find themselves in. People across the world have shown they believe in this ideal, and this kind of wrongful behavior is unacceptable. Sadly, though, what started as a universal movement is now turning partisan. Accusations that are considered to be grounds for resignation by one side against opposing parties are dismissed when they emerge among their own ranks. Every single accusation deserves proper investigation and accountability. Democrats such as Franken and John Conyers or Republicans like Donald Trump and Roy Moore should get no less scrutiny due to their political affiliations. If there is a way to move forward, it should be by uniting to rid our communities and workplaces of attitudes and behaviors that if not promote, end up condoning such mistreatment of fellow people. This isn’t just a problem for social elites and those in positions of power. There are people in our local communities who everyday have to endure prejudices or mindsets purely based on their gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity. America is based on the ideal of equal opportunity and that people are equal before
the law. That means every citizen of this nation from the richest to the poorest should be protected from abuse. No matter how powerful someone is, that does not give him or her the right to use that power to take advantage of others. If we want to keep that ideal alive, we need to live it ourselves. We need to recognize when something isn’t right, to speak up when we see people being treated in ways that are wrong. It’s up to us to be champions for each other and spread the word people shouldn’t have to suffer in silence any longer. So in the coming weeks, I hope Franken will quietly exit the stage. And I hope in appointing a new senator to serve until the special election next November, Gov. Mark Dayton will exercise his best judgment. Minnesota deserves a new senator who represents all of our people, who will advocate for our best interests in Washington, D.C., and who is someone who values practicality over politics. Minnesota and the world need people who respect others and want to do things in a right and ethical manner. Optimistically, perhaps we can turn a new chapter, as more wrongdoing is exposed, remedies will be proposed and systems can bring accountability immediately rather than taking decades. We can make that change and turn that chapter, but only if we all push to make it so.
Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
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the last year and want to come to a settlement that benefits the workers and is a fair use of our taxpayer resources . . . The district felt our last offer was a fair increase in wages and insurance contributions and was greater in total percentage increase than the other groups we have settled with this year. We are having difficulty
determining the priorities of this group but are willing to keep working to find a fair resolution.” Jesse Paggen, who has worked as a custodian for the district for 22 years, said this: “We aren’t doing this to be rich. We just want what is best for our families . . . Some people who do important work in our school barely make enough to pay for gas to get to and from work. When the district undervalues the people who work in
the schools – cutting pay and making health-care virtually unaffordable – it impacts students . . . People love working here and rely on these jobs to survive, yet the district is looking to take more from people who work hard for very little. I hope this helps to get the district to take us seriously.” The two sides in the labor-contract negotiations are expected to continue the mediation process.
Community Calendar
Is your event listed? Send your information to: Newsleader Calendar, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374; fax it to 320-363-4195; or, e-mail it to news@thenewsleaders.com.
Saturday, Dec. 16 Free Community Meal, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1107 Pinecone Road S., Sartell. Monday, Dec. 18vv Lunch and cards, sponsored by Helping Hands Outreach, noon-3 p.m., Rusty Nail, 4 CR 2 S., St. Stephen. Town Hall Meeting, a public forum focusing on improving VA healthcare services and programs, 5 p.m., Auditorium (Bldg. 8), St. Cloud VA Medical Center, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud. Sartell-St. Stephen School Board, 6-8 p.m., District Service Center. 212 Third Ave. N., Sartell.
St. Joseph Rod and Gun Club, 7 p.m., American Legion, 101 W. Minnesota St., St. Joseph.
Tuesday, Dec. 19 Community Lunch and Entertainment, sponsored by Helping Hands Outreach, noon-2 p.m., St. Stephen Parish Hall, 103 CR 2 S. 320746-9960. St. Cloud Area Genealogists meeting, 7 p.m., Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud. stearns-museum.org Wednesday, Dec. 20 SALT (Seniors and Law enforcement Together), 9 a.m., Sartell Police Department, 310 Second St. S., Sartell. Thursday, Dec. 21 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group featuring Jim Berg from TED Talk introduction, 9 a.m., Sartell Community Center, 850
19th St. S., Sartell. American Red Cross Blood Drive, noon-5 p.m., Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4310 CR 137, St. Cloud. 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org. American Legion-Sartell, open to all veterans young and old, 6 p.m., Liquid Assets, 1091 Second St. S. #600, Sartell. john.denney@charter. net. Tommy B. Hoopin’ in Heaven Night, 7 p.m., varsity boys basketball game, Sartell High School Gym 748 Seventh St. N., Sartell, 320-656-0748.
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Custodial Maintenance
Custodial maintenance at the College of Saint Benedict is seeking to fill a full-time custodian position. • 8 p.m. - 4:30 a.m. • Tuesday-Saturday For more information and to apply online, please visit http://employment.csbsju.edu Women, individuals of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The College of Saint Benedict is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
Friday, Dec. 22 Benton County Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 218 First St. N., Sauk Rapids. 320-253-9614. mnbentonhistory.org Tae Guk Kwon Do, 3-4 p.m., Independent Lifestyles, 215 N Benton Drive, Sauk Rapids. 320-267-7717.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY AUTO BODY REPAIR Auto Body 2000
(behind Coborn’s in the Industrial Park)
St. Joseph • 320-363-1116
PUBLISHING Von Meyer Publishing 32 1st Ave. NW St. Joseph • 320-363-7741 www.thenewsleaders.com
TRUCKING Brenny Transportation, Inc. Global Transportation Service St. Joseph • 320-363-6999 www.brennytransportation.com
Call the Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader at 320-363-7741 if you would like to be in the Business Directory. WANTED TO BUY WANTED TO BUY: Basswood logs by truckload delivered to Dodgeville, WI. Bark intact, harvested in dormancy, delivered FRESH cut. Pre-arranged purchases only. Call Al Ladd at 608-935-2341 ext.333 (MCN) ALL ZONE ADOPTION **ADOPTION** Adoring, Financially Secure, Loving Family, Outdoor Adventures, Music awaits 1st baby. Expenses paid **1-800352-5741** (MCN) PREGNANT? CONSIDERING ADOPTION? Call us first. Living expenses, housing, medical, and continued support afterwards. Choose adoptive family of your choice. Call 24/7. 855-390-6047 (Void in IL & IN) (MCN) AUTOMOBILES CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Competitive Offer! Nationwide FREE Pick Up! Call Now For a Free Quote! 888-366-5659! (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR TO CHARITY. Receive maximum value of write off for your taxes. Running or not! All conditions accepted. Free pickup. Call for details. 855-752-6680 (MCN) CABLE/INTERNET SWITCH TO DIRECTV. From $50/ Month, includes FREE Genie HD/DVR # 3 months HBO, SHOWTIME, CINEMAX, STARZ. Get a $50 Gift Card. Call 877-8945275 (MCN) Change the way you watch TV- Get rid of cable and get DIRECTV! You may also qualify to receive $100 VISA gift card when you sign up today - Limited time Only. CALL NOW! 844-359-1203 (MCN)
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Sartell-St. Stephen Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
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Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE | THE GIFT OF THE STORY
M
The Reader
any people on your list, young and old, have a real passion for reading. They are always ready to tell you what book they’re devouring at the moment and can rattle off a list of their favorite author from every genre.
These enthusiasts can be tough to buy for because you may not be sure exactly which books they have read over the years. A little creativity in your gift-giving can go a long way toward finding the perfect present. There are many reading subsets, from fiction and non-fiction to biographies and true crime. Knowing what your friend or family member prefers is a great first step to finding the perfect gift.
BOOKS OR TECHNOLOGY Reading has a new venue in the form of modern technology. This adds to your choices because there are now multiple formats in which readers can enjoy books. E-readers are perfect for tech-savvy readers. These devices are always coming out in newer, better equipped models, so help your friend stay on top of technology with the latest offerings. Traditional books come in soft or hardbound copies. Hardbound are generally more expensive but are better for collecting and showcasing on shelves. Consider the type of reading your book-lover prefers before buying that new bestseller.
YOUNG READERS Reading is vital to the development of children. Giving
© FOTOLIA
opportunities to read as well as a variety of reading material at a young age will encourage reading. Family members and caregivers can play significant roles in developing reading readiness, and the easiest time to learn is during the early ele-
mentary years. That is a great reason to choose books as gifts.
OTHER OPTIONS Newspaper or magazine subscriptions are another option. Gift-givers could choose local or national newspapers. Magazines that spe-
cialize in topics such as fashion or hunting, or those tailored to children are good options. A lot of people have favorite authors, so purchasing an book autographed by the author would be an unforgettable gift. Another possibility
would be an autographed collector’s item. Audio books are great for traveling long distances or for those who are more geared toward that type of learning. Of course, you can never go wrong with a gift certificate to your local bookstore.