Man allegedly assaulted at GOP SD8 convention planning meeting as Franson v. Nelson heats up

The Fergus Falls Daily Journal reports in Charges possible after fight at GOP committee meeting:

Charges are pending following a skirmish at a Republican committee meeting last week in Battle Lake, according to Battle Lake Police Chief Kent Kortlever.

Police were called at 7:45 p.m. to the Shoreline Restaurant where the committee meeting was being held and a 76-year-old Fergus Falls man reportedly attempted to defend an 84-year-old woman’s actions.

A 65-year-old, from Perham, told the man not to read a letter that he had in his hand. The 65-year-old allegedly tried to take the letter from his hand, and allegedly hit him in the face while reaching for the letter.

Police did not see injuries on the man, but he said he was feeling queasy and that he has a history of coronary problems, so Battle Lake Rescue and Ringdahl Ambulance were called.

Police are reviewing statements which will be forwarded to the city attorney for a final review for possible charges.

According to a Bluestem Prairie source, the meeting was called to plan the Republican endorsing convention for House District 8B, where Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) is being challenged from the right by Perham Tea Party activist Sue Nelson. Neither Franson nor Nelson was at the meeting, according to our source.

An email sent out by a committee member and widely circulated has been shared with Bluestem. The two-part document--beginning with a report back from GOP activist Mike Van Horn and concluding with an account by veteran Otter Tail County Republican Bill Schulz, victim of the alleged attack. Here's the email (Bluestem has redacted the name of the alleged attacker, who is a Nelson supporter, as apparently charges have yet to be filed)

Meeting opening formalities concluded. First item before new business, Faye Yager challenged Arles Kumpala that she was not acting impartially toward legislative candidates, and that is was professional courtesy of SD8 endorsing convention committee members to remain neutral. Faye stated that Arles had made a Facebook post that lended support to a candidate. Arles stated that she hadn't, that she does not use Facebook, and that her emails are impartial. The haranguing of Arles kept up, and [redacted] joined in at one point. Arles was visibly shaken and confused by the charges. Bill Shulz rose to Arles's defense, and loudly proclaimed, "that is enough [redacted]!" Bill walked toward the table where the committee was meeting and delivered a letter to Arles that Bill said contained character defamation of a candidate that was circulated by [redacted]. [redacted] and Dennis Poppenhagen were shouting over Bill that he was out of order; that he was not part of the meeting. Bill kept up his tirade and picked the letter back up that he had placed in front of Arles. [redacted], who was seated at the center of a 10 foot long table, stormed toward Bill who was standing next to Arles at the end of the table, and wrestled the letter away from him, knocking him backward into another table. Bill stated that he is filing assault charges and left the room. When the melee was over, the discussion turned back to Arles and her Facebook post. John Waller looked up Arles's Facebook page and stated that it had not been updated since 2009. The meeting now continued with convention business.

I was interviewed after the meeting by a police officer that asked what had taken place in the scuffle. He asked if I saw Bill struck in the face by [redacted]. I replied that I had not, [redacted] was between me and Bill. Later, talking to Dennis Poppenhagen, Dennis stated that it was a light slap at the most. That is what Dennis apparently told the officer, so Dennis saw it. Dennis stated that the officer said our statements were not coinciding. Dennis asked the committee members to stick around because Peter Balega was on his way to get statements from us. I told him that I did not want to talk to an attorney and left. I think the only committee members remaining were Dennis, John, and Faye (who was getting ready to leave). [redacted] was still talking to police when I left at 9:40.

~ Mike Van Horn

Bill talking now. Dennis Aksamit and Jeff Wiebe were interviewd by the deputies and said that [redacted] charged me, I backed up and tried to move away. [redacted] demanded the letter (screaming) I held the letter high above my head and behind me as [redacted] bumped into me and knocked me against the wall. I reached for the arms of my walker to avoid going down, and [redacted] threw her arm across my face, hitting my nose with her wrist, grabbed the paper away from me, and threw her forearm into my face . That pushed me up against the wall.

I told [redacted] that she had assaulted, battered me, and I was going to call the police. I demanded the paper be returned to me. Someone took it from [redacted] and handed it to me.

I went out to the front of the café and asked the wairess behind the counter to call the police, as I had been struck by someone in the back dining area, and returned to myseat in the meeting area. Soon, I felt radial pain in my arm and jaw, which seemed like angina ( A SENSATION WITH WHICH I AM TOO FAMILIAR) . I became light headed. About 20 minutes passed, no cops coming. The waitress I had asked to call the police came into the room and I had asked her if she had contacted the police. She said no, since everything seemed normal, so if I wanted to call the police, I should do so.

I called the police. I was feeling even worse, and growing short of breath, and moved away toward the other end of the room. [Redacted's spouse] came into the room (he hadn't been there earlier, and headed for me, and I told him if he didn't want to answer to the police, stay away from me.

A Battle Lake police officer arrived, and began to interview me.[Redacted's spouse] came over and demanded of the police officer to know what crime could a liar be charged with. The cop told him to move to the other end of the room.

After I had described what had happened, cop asked if anyone saw it. I named Dennis Aksamit and Jeff Wiebe as having the best view. They both gave statements which comport with what I have said here.

A sheriff's deputy arrived and was the one who interviewed Dennis and Jeff, and the sheriff told Dennis that this was very likely to wind up in court, and would Dennis be willing to testify in court? Dennis gave an emphatic yes.

As I was being interviewed by the cop I got a bit dizzy, and almost slid from my chair. He told me he was calling for the volunteer rescue squad. They arrived, along with a retired MD, they did my vitals and called the ambulance from Fergus Falls, and I was transported to Lake Region hospital ER. They kept me for more than four hours,and released me. Diagnosis :traumatic coronary event due to trauma due to the events of the evening.

Dennis Aksamit showed up at the ER and kept me company for the last hour and a half, then drove me home. Many thanks, Dennis.

This IS NOT the way I wanted to spend this Tuesday evening. But I saw [redacted] and Faye Yager badgering Arles, screaming phony accusations at her, and was revolted that the primary accuser has been sneaking around defaming Mary Franson. Then Jim Nelson of Douglas cty, seated just inches from Arles jumped in with [redacted] and Faye and threw his 6'2" , 250 pound frame into roaring at Arles, I had seen enough and stepped up to help Arles fend off the assault.

I fear that this is only the beginning of a nasty scuffle, but it is long overdue.

I am bone tired, so please, don't call me before 10 AM on Wednesday.

Bill

We'll have more as this story develops. If this is what a planning meeting is like in this endorsement battle, we're hoping the convention adds extra security. Uffda.

Photo: An elephant fight. This story reminds us of another recent Greater Minnesota GOP story, Meeker County conservative gadfly fears Free Mason menace from 88-year-old Marine & milk guy.

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