Bluestem Prairie

Curious about "mega-rains"? Read 2017 MN Environment & Energy Report Card Draft here

At the Star Tribune, the Associated Press's Steve Karnowksi reports in Environment report card highlights threat from 'mega-rains':

As global temperatures warm, Minnesota residents need to prepare for increases in catastrophic "mega-rains" and a greater spread of tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, according to a draft environmental report card for the state.

The report card comes from the Environmental Quality Board, a coordinating body for state government agencies on environmental issues. The board will discuss the draft Dec. 21. The final version will provide a foundation for the Minnesota Environmental Congress in February.

The report card is organized around five key areas: water, land, air, energy and climate. Each section uses three metrics to assess how well Minnesota's environment is doing in those areas. It rates their current status as green, yellow and red to correspond with good, OK and poor. And it uses up arrows, flat arrows or down arrows to indicate recent trends.

"We're hoping it's pretty user-friendly. It's designed for a broad audience," Will Seuffert, the EQB's executive director, said Monday.

Bluestem has downloaded the EQB agenda packet for December 21, 2016, since we agree wth Seuffert's assessment about this document being designed for a broader audience and split out the document for our readers.

Here's the draft of the report:

2017 Minnesota Environment and Energy Report Card Draft extracted and posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Scribd

Image: A timeline from the draft report card.

If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

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Since theater is no place for "liberal rants," Alex man will boycott Dickens' "Christmas Carol"

Is Theater is not a place for liberal rants, Steve Moore's letter to the editor of the Alexandria Echo, brilliant satire or the reaction of a conservative to the cast of "Hamilton" addressing Vice President-elect Pence from the stage after the play's end? Moore writes:

To the editor:

I am a conservative and a voter. I want to express my disappointment of politics now moving into live theater. Theater to me has always been a time to get away from daily issues and enjoy the story and performance.

However, after recent events, I have decided not to attend AAAA Theatre's presentation of "A Christmas Carol." I am not interested in exposing myself and family to some liberal rant.

Please notice that my protest does not include trespassing on private property, throwing dog doo at police officers, breaking windows or stopping traffic on a public roadway.

Those four empty seats you see at the theater are those of me and my family.

Steve Moore

Alexandria, MN

"AAAA Theatre" is the Alexandria Area Arts Association, and a conservative Republican source in Alexandria told us that the volunteer cast has worked pretty hard to put together the show. She didn't know Moore.

We couldn't find anything about the letter writer, and while we highly doubt VPEOTUS Pence will stop by to enjoy the show, Moore may be right about one thing.

Dickens was something of a dirty hippie who thought "A Christmas Carol" was a good way to reach people about bleeding heart liberal stuff, according to Wikipedia:

Dickens was not the very first author to celebrate the Christmas season in literature,^[4] but it was he who superimposed his humanitarian vision of the holiday upon the public, an idea that has been termed as Dickens' "Carol Philosophy".^[7] Dickens believed the best way to reach the broadest segment of the population regarding his concerns about poverty and social injustice was to write a deeply felt Christmas story rather than polemical pamphlets and essays. . . .

Dickens was keenly touched by the lot of poor children in the middle decades of the 19th century.^[14] In early 1843, he toured the Cornish tin mines, where he saw children working in appalling conditions. The suffering he witnessed there was reinforced by a visit to the Field Lane Ragged school, one of several London schools set up for the education of the capital's half-starved, illiterate street children.^[15]

Inspired by the February 1843 parliamentary report exposing the effects of the Industrial Revolution upon poor children called Second Report of the Children's Employment Commission, Dickens planned in May 1843 to publish an inexpensive political pamphlet tentatively titled, An Appeal to the People of England, on behalf of the Poor Man's Child, but changed his mind, deferring the pamphlet's production until the end of the year.^[16] He wrote to Dr. Southwood Smith, one of 84 commissioners responsible for the Second Report, about his change in plans: "[Y]ou will certainly feel that a Sledge hammer has come down with twenty times the force—twenty thousand times the force—I could exert by following out my first idea". The pamphlet would become A Christmas Carol.^[17]

In a fundraising speech on 5 October 1843, at the Manchester Athenæum, Dickens urged workers and employers to join together to combat ignorance with educational reform,^[8][18] and realised in the days following that the most effective way to reach the broadest segment of the population with his social concerns about poverty and injustice was to write a deeply felt Christmas narrative rather than polemical pamphlets and essays

Yep, a liberal ranter. That sort of stuff could fit right in with what the cast of Hamilton said:

Brandon Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr in the hit musical, began the message by thanking Pence for attending the play and saying, "We hope you will hear us out."

 

"We, sir -- we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights," Dixon said. "We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us."

God bless us, every one.

Image: A poster for "A Christmas Carol." Regardless of political leanings, Bluestem hopes all of our readers get out and support local arts and artists.

If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

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West Central Minnesotans appreciate downtown Willmar more than council member's snide crack

Looks like people in West Central Minnesota aren't buying into negative cracks about Willmar's downtown and its diverse atmosphere--and it's not just about rejecting anti-Muslim activist Bob Enos at the polls.

On November 19, the West Central Tribune's Shelby Lindrud reported in Council discusses value of investing in downtown Willmar:

Christianson questioned whether focusing on downtown was a good use of money at all, since in his opinion the average person in Willmar does not go downtown. Only specific people frequent the businesses downtown, Christianson said.

"I look at it as a political correct thing, and PC is down the drain for me," Christianson said.

Councilman Shawn Mueske and Mayor Marv Calvin completely disagreed with Christianson's comments.

"I frequent downtown, my colleagues frequent downtown. I'm not ready to give up on downtown," Mueske said.

"I shop frequently downtown. Downtown is a happening place," added Calvin.

Who are "those specific people"? Kristian Taketomo, a reader in New London, writes in a letter to the editor, No room for xenophobia about downtown Willmar:

I felt compelled to respond to the West Central Tribune article of Nov. 19 recapping the Nov. 15th meeting of the Willmar City Council and the vote on the Willmar Downtown Development group's funding request.

First, I'd like to applaud the council members who voted to fund the group. Downtown Development has clearly been diligent in seeking grants and donations before approaching the council, having secured millions in outside funding over the past 10 years. At the end of the day, $37,000 is a small price to pay for a thriving downtown that builds the tax base and that is attractive to residents and visitors.

Second, I'm disturbed by Councilman Ron Christianson's stated reasons for opposing the funding request. Christianson remarked that "only specific people frequent the businesses downtown" and that he "look(s) at it as a political correct thing, and PC is down the drain for (him)." What could he possibly mean, calling supporting downtown businesses "PC"? Given that many of the new businesses in Willmar have been opened by immigrants and transplants, you don't have to be a detective to suss out his true meaning here.

People of all colors and creeds eat, shop, and do business downtown. Immigrant-owned and -operated businesses benefit everyone. For example, the newly established Southwest Transportation drives people to and from medical appointments. If health care consumers are a niche market, that's news to me. Moreover, downtown's independent business owners have a vested interest in the success of downtown and greater Willmar. The same cannot be said for big-box stores or restaurant chains who pack up when their market shrinks or they outgrow their space.

Christianson's thinly-veiled xenophobia has no place in Willmar and will hobble the city's continued economic revitalization.

Best Buy closed its Willmar store on October 1, so Taketomo isn't talking abstractly about big box stores leaving the West Central Minnesota regional center.

Although more strongly worded, Taketomo's opinion echoes an earlier editorial by the Tribune, Election creates new era for Willmar City Council:

City of Willmar voters have spoken, calling for a new direction on their City Council by electing three new proactive members and re-electing a moderate councilman.

This was a strong statement for a new era for the City Council and the city of Willmar as a new majority will work together and proactively represent all the residents of our fine city. . . .

The 2016 election may well become a bellwether of our city's history as the three newly elected members will join the current forward-thinking members in 2017 resulting in a refreshing majority with a positive narrative and attitude about Willmar.

Kudos to council members Mueske, Audrey Nelsen, Andrew Plowman, Rick Fagerlie and Denis Anderson last week for setting the example and supporting the importance of continued investment in downtown Willmar. They have not given up on downtown Willmar and their support disavowed the personal agendas of the council's old anti-downtown faction.

A prime example of the importance of downtown was Saturday's Holidaze events and parade, which brought many people to downtown Willmar signaling the start of the holiday season, just a day after a major blizzard brought a white and frosty look to the city.

Willmar works best when we all work together. Another prime example is the turn of the century when all in the city worked together to meet critical priorities, such as building a new YMCA and other strategic projects. The city's many efforts, led by a forward-thinking City Council, was recognized with the All America City honor in 2005. It is time to return to this team approach for Willmar.

The time has come some City Council members to cease their animosity toward various community sectors, such as downtown Willmar advocates, the Willmar business community, minority population groups, or Willmar city employees, just to name a few groups. There is no room for hatred, nativism or retribution on the part of any Willmar city leader.

A point well taken after an election in which Willmar voters rejected anti-refugee activist Bob Enos a second time and by a larger percentage.

Photo: Even though these guys' ancestors might be responsible for bringing lutefisk to America, they still have a place in the fabric of Willmar's community. It's that kind of town. Photo by Dennis Benson on Facebook, via the Holidaze Parade page.

If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

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All welcome at Mankato's 2016 Community Wide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service November 23

A friend who had attended Sunday services at Centenary United Methodist Church in Mankato was pleased to pass on news of an inclusive Community Wide Interfaith Thanksgiving Service on Wednesday night at the First Congregational United Church of Christ Mankato (Facebook page).

We have posted the flier for the gathering at the top of this post, since we like the message of strength and thanks:

Through music and prayers, sacred writings and reflections, we'll come together to give thanks for the blessings of this one good earth that we have been given to share fully and joyfully.

The congregation's Facebook post about the event adds this:

Nov. 23rd, Wednesday at 7pm... ALL ARE WELCOME!
Representatives from a variety of Christian denominations, and Islamic and Native American communities will lead us in a gathering of thanks for our diversity and our common yearning for peace, shalom, salaam...

Our friend had understood that while the community-wide service was well-established in Mankato, this was the first time that the local Islamic community would be part of the celebration. A call to Dr. Dana Mann at First Congregational United Church of Christ in the Key City confirmed his impression.

The Islamic Center of Mankato, a mosque that opened in 2011, will be among the faith communities offering thanks on Wednesday night. While the center's sign was vandalized at the end of August, the Mankato Free Press reported that Abdi Sabrie, a founding board member of the center, bore no grudges: “ 'The majority of people [in Mankato] are good. It really is a great community,'  he said." Sabrie serves on the Mankato school board as well.

Native American voices at the celebration are a sign of healing, since much reconciliation work has been done in the city, where 38 Dakota warriors were executed on the day after Christmas following the 1862 United States-Dakota War.

Offerings collected will go to The Reach, a drop-in center for homeless youth and Feeding Our Communities Partners' Backpack Food Program, which:

provides a weekend's worth of healthy, well-balanced meals (see menu) in small bags. The bags are given to the students' teachers every Thursday to be discreetly placed into the child's backpack on Friday.

Bluestem is thankful to learn of yet another Greater Minnesota community in which people are coming together, rather than fearing each other.

Earlier this month, we reported about #BemidjiRespect to unite around "shared values of mutual respect, appreciation for differences" and Cows, colleges & concerns: Northfield resolves to be "safe, inclusive and welcoming community".

If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.

Cows, colleges & concerns: Northfield resolves to be "safe, inclusive and welcoming community"

Following a community meeting at St. Dominic's Church in Northfield Sunday at which people shared "their worries, concerns and even alleged instances of discrimination in town," Northfield's City Council passed a resolution promoting a "safe, inclusive and welcoming community," the town paper reports.

Known since 1914 by the slogan, "cows, colleges and contentment,"not everyone feels secure since the November election, Philip Weyhe reports in Northfield Latino community pushes for city backing:

Since the United States presidential election Nov. 8, several Northfield Latino community members have been voicing their worries, concerns and even alleged instances of discrimination in town.

At Tuesday's City Council meeting, community members asked for the city to provide a display of support for minorities in Northfield, and the council answered. In a 6-1 vote, councillors passed a resolution "affirming the city of Northfield's commitment to be a safe, inclusive and welcoming community for all.” . . .

All of this comes on the heels of a meeting at St. Dominic's Church in Northfield Sunday. About 100 residents, white and minority, gathered at the church to share concerns, worries and solutions for living in the United States after a contentious national election.

Many across the nation have worried that the recent election results are cause to believe that a large percentage of Americans are unwelcome to certain populations. Those fears were presented and talked about at Sunday's meeting.

"The community gathered to talk about what’s going to be happening with [Donald] Trump as president-elect," said one of the organizers and speakers Marlene Rojas. "There were so many concerns in the community about kids being bullied in the schools and also adults in the workplace."

Rojas went on to describe a few specific stories brought forward by community members.

"One of the testimonies... this man works at a local business, and one of the clients came in and told him 'he better pack his suitcase because you’re going to be deported soon,'" she recalled.

 "Another man shared that some co-workers showed him videos of people burning the Mexican flag," she went on. "The same man's son came home crying and said he doesn’t want to go back to school, because some kids told him he is going to get deported."

Northfield School District Superintendent Matt Hillmann was on hand to express his support for the community, saying that he will be working hard to ensure discrimination does not take place in the schools.

Mayor-elect and current city councilor Rhonda Pownell was also on hand. Community members asked her to lead action at the city level to put protections in place against discrimination. . . .

Read more at the Northfield News.

Elsewhere in the paper, Mayor Dana Graham and Mayor-elect Rhonda Pownell write in a letter to the editor A safe, welcoming community for all:

As the results of the election came in, some people rejoiced and others felt disappointment. This is a normal part of democracy. However, many in Northfield and across our nation felt great anxiety and fear.

Northfielders filled St. Dominic Church Sunday in support of our neighbors whose future now may feel uncertain. In that meeting, we both heard and reinforced two messages: Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated here; and all people, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, sexuality, religion or culture, are important to our community.

To this end, the City Council passed a resolution Tuesday to reaffirm, “Its commitment to the equal protection of and service to all residents and visitors, regardless of background or identity.” Through the leadership of our Human Rights Commission, we will be working with all parts of city government to improve areas where our community can be more equitable. With this resolution, we also affirm that the city of Northfield, including the Police Department, does not and will not use city resources for the purpose of enforcing federal immigration laws.

Since many of the concerns around the election involve families with children, we encourage residents to read the statement by Northfield’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Hillmann, which underlines the community’s determination to make all children in Northfield Schools safe and welcome: https://northfieldschools.org/nfldlead/2016/11/177/.

The diversity of our community enriches all of our lives. Taking the time to get to know people who are different from us, to walk a mile in their shoes or to feel their pain and anxiety will only serve to make us better. As current and incoming mayors, we urge our community to be compassionate to all, and pledge our own work to ensure safety, well-being and equal opportunity for Northfielders.

Finally, we need to be clear that there is particular concern and even fear in our Latino community. To them, we repeat that last sentence: Como el alcalde de ahora y la nueva alcaldesa que ganó las elecciones, pedimos a nuestra comunidad que sean compasivos con todos, y prometemos trabajar para garantizar la seguridad, el bienestar y la igualdad de oportunidades para todos los habitantes de Northfield.

In the statement, Supporting All Students, Superintendent Hillmann writes:

I, along with several other school staff, attended a meeting at the Church of St. Dominic yesterday afternoon. Father Dennis Dempsey organized the meeting so members of the Hispanic community could share their concerns and anxieties following last week’s presidential election. The church was nearly full and included a cross-section of the larger Northfield community who attended to support our Hispanic friends and neighbors.

The speakers shared their concerns and almost all shared worries for their children and how they are treated. They shared some specific concerns of insensitive/inappropriate comments made to their children by other children at school. They also shared concerns about things they have heard happening to Hispanic and children of color in other communities.

An immigration lawyer spoke and explained that while he understood the anxiety over immigration law, policy, and deportation. He reassured the community that the election would not have immediate impact on immigration law and policy. He stated he was very confident that everyone who was at the meeting would be here four years from now. He stated he would be available for those who had specific concerns.

Mayor-elect Rhonda Pownell and I spoke at the meeting too. Both of us stated clearly that Northfield is a place where hate and discrimination will not be tolerated. I explained to families that District administrators, teachers, and staff support their children unequivocally and not only want them to feel safe, but valued. I encouraged them to report any incidents of inappropriate comments, harassment, or discrimination to their teachers or principals. I assured them we have policies and procedures in place to follow up and address any concerns or incidents that may occur.

Regardless of politics, it is clear that we are experiencing unprecedented conditions following a national election. We are prepared to support every student in our school. We have systems in place and a strong common belief that all students are welcome in our schools and we will ensure a respectful envrionment for them to learn. Our staff is steadfast in their commitment to greet students each day with a warm smile, to be visible and present in our halls and common spaces, and to demonstrate ongoing care for our students. Our staff will be vigilant and intervene in situations where there are behavioral issues. I cannot emphasize this enough — please report any incidents of inappropriate comments, harassment, or discrimination to building administration. When they have specific details, they are well trained in how to address these kinds of concerns.

Northfield Public Schools staff is dedicated to preparing every student for lifelong success. We stand ready to partner with our community to realize this vision and to reinforce that Northfield is a place where all are welcome to live, work, and learn.

Bluestem will continue to post about communities uniting--witness Friday's post, #BemidjiRespect to unite around "shared values of mutual respect, appreciation for differences" as well as incidents where divisions arise.

Photo: Northfield's motto welcoming people to the college town south of the Cities in Rice County.

If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

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#BemidjiRespect to unite around "shared values of mutual respect, appreciation for differences"

The Bemidji Pioneer and Lakeland Public Television are reporting that incidents of harassment in Bemidji, Beltrami County seat, college town and center for many many Native American services has led to the creation of #BemidjiRespect.

No word on the nature of the incidents.

The Pioneer's Matthew Liedke reports in Rallying around respect: Group of Bemidji residents prepare statement to promote unity:

Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht and a group of residents are working to highlight Bemidji as an inclusive community after they’ve heard of several recent incidents of hostility and harassment toward local citizens.

The effort began Friday, when Albrecht was contacted by three residents who informed her that their friends and family had experienced discriminatory harassment.

"A group of us met and talked about our concerns and we decided that this isn't the way Bemidji is. We decided that we should make a statement about what our values are in Bemidji," Albrecht said in an interview Wednesday.

The result is a document titled "Standing Together for #BemidjiRespect."

The statement reads that Bemidji views any of these incidents as "absolutely unacceptable, here or anywhere.

"We invite you to stand with us as we affirm shared values of mutual respect and appreciation for our differences," the statement continues. "Our community seeks to build bridges of inclusion, awareness and understanding across all divides. We face up to challenges and address them together. We hold one another accountable for doing the right thing."

Word has spread about the statement, and Albrecht said people from across the city are asking to be involved.

"The only thing we had thought of was to put out this statement. So far, the community has rallied around this idea and have said that they want to do more," Albrecht said. "So, we're also putting the question back to the community about what it wants to do, because that's where the energy is."

According to Scott Faust, director of communications and marketing for BSU and Northwest Technical College, at least 50 organizations and businesses are expected to endorse the statement by Thursday afternoon. . . .

"I've also been contacted by one of the members of Shared Vision (a local community group working to improve race relations) and he offered to be of assistance, and I think that's really awesome that they want to do something with us," Albrecht said. "I think there are a number of organizations in our city that could be helpful including Shared Vision."

The plan for the growing group is to publish its statement in the Pioneer this weekend while also creating a way for those who are interested to “opt in” to the effort.

"I'd like people to focus on the things that unite us, rather than divide us," Albrecht said. "We all share values of wanting to have the best for our family, our children and to live safely."

The full statement is at the top of this post.

Here's the report at Lakeland Public Television:

According to Wikipedia, Bemidji:

With a population of 13,431 at the 2010 census,^[6] it is the largest commercial center between Grand Forks, North Dakota and Duluth, Minnesota. Bemidji houses many Native American services, which includes the Indian Health Service. The city is the central hub of the Red Lake Indian Reservation, White Earth Indian Reservation and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. . . .

The racial makeup of the city was 81.3% White, 1.2% African American, 11.3% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

The 2015 estimated population is 14,594, according to the same article, so the city is growing.

Photo: the statement, via the Bemidji Pioneer.

If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

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National Association of Realtors Fund dumps IE cash into North Mankato municipal races

The influx of independent expenditures by the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors Fund (NARF) into municipal races has been news in Rochester, Minnesota's third-largest city. Check out this Catharine Richert story at Minnesota Public Radio, Development, money and tension dominate Rochester council races and an earlier Post Bulletin story by Andrew Setterholm, Outside group spends big on council candidates.

The NARF dropped "a combined $30,000 to help commercial realtor Scott Hoss unseat an incumbent, and to re-elect city council president Randy Staver," Richter reports.

With development anticipated to blossom as Rochester's DMC (Destination Medical Center) rams up, it's not hard to ascertain the national group's purpose in spending on candidates it believes will help members' business interests.

But what's the stake in North Mankato, population estimated 13,529 in 2015?

According to campaign finance records on file at the South Central Minnesota city's website, the same political fund had spent $4,758.83 in independent expenditures by October 13 for a single mailing supporting the candidacies of Tom Hagen for Mayor and Matthias Leyrer for City Council.

Word arrived yesterday that a second independent expenditure arrived in voters' mailboxes this week--so it's possible out-of-state group is spending close to $9400 in a local election in a city where 8186 people were registered to vote at the beginning of Election Day 2014.

We called Tom Hagen, a humanities professor at Minnesota State University-Mankato, about the independent expenditures. He said that he was surprised to see the mailing but assumed that the fund's nod came from his opposition to North Mankato council approval of a rental cap of 10-percent in September.

Hagen said the he disagreed with the 10 percent rental-per-block ordinance, a position spelled out on his website in the post, 10 Percent Rental Rule:

Recently the City of North Mankato established a new rental cap of 10%. I proposed an alternative to the city that was based on clear rules and strong enforcement, but the city chose to not even discuss it. . . .

The rental rules in North Mankato are definitely in need of change, all agree to that, but what really needs changing is the way in which North Mankato City Government involves citizens in the decision making process. Many of us, as concerned citizens, believe that non-compliant landlords and tenants should be made to answer for their actions, but that the city should not paint all tenants and landlords with the same broad brush. The involvement of concerned citizens in the process of government is helpful to the process. No one has all the answers , but by working together we can come to better solutions to challenging issues. . . .

Read the entire post on the blog. Hagen assumed his public opposition to the rule caught the PAC's eye; he stressed that although his objections to the new rule stemmed from a concern for property rights, he also was in agreement with the American Civic Liberty Union's assessment of the ordinance. 

Trey Mewes at the Mankato Free Press reported in North Mankato passes controversial rental density cap:

Some took issue with the cap's 10 percent threshold, while others worried the cap would cause rents to rise and rental options to become scarce. And some were concerned with the way city officials conducted its public meetings on the cap issue.

Many of them spoke out at a public hearing in opposition to the cap.

"The problem lies in the zoning codes and the land use regulations," said Matthias Leyrer.

Leyrer, a City Council candidate who blogs on urban planning and architecture, believed the council's decision would negatively affect the local housing market.

He wasn't the only one. Local realtors representing the Realtors Association of Southern Minnesota Board of Directors publicly opposed the cap, as did a representative of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota.

"We see that historically these initiatives, these ordinances, have been used to exclude minorities in cities or neighborhoods," said Julio Zelaya, a coordinator of ACLU's Greater Minnesota Racial Justice Project. . . .

Mayoral candidate Tom Hagen, who has had issues in the past with the city of North Mankato over its handling of noise complaints, took the city to task for the way city officials handled the rental density cap issue. While the public meetings were open to everyone, city officials only mailed meeting notices to property owners. 

"You need to get the citizens of this community involved in this process, everyone who's here, and come up with a reasonable process that works for all of us," he said.

Bluestem Prairie didn't speak to Leyrer about the independent expenditures, but the young candidate addresses them on his website:

You may have been sent to my website by a mailer that was sent by the National Realtors Association. In small type on that mailer, you will see that it says the mailer was not mailed by direction of the candidates. I would like to restate this. This mailer was sent without my knowledge as per campaign finance laws.

While I am very grateful that a group that promotes home ownership and works with property owners of all types have endorsed me, I want to make two things very clear:

1. I did not know about this mailer, nor did I ask or suggest that it be sent on my behalf in any way. 
2. This does not mean that my vote is for sale. Period.

If you hear anyone talking about me trading my vote to the realtors association to overturn a ordinance or anything of the sort, please have them reach out to me. I would be happy to talk. 

Bluestem hopes that voters understand that both candidates had nothing to do with the mail piece--which fortunately isn't a nasty attack on the others running for the same offices.

That being said, we are nonetheless discouraged to see a national organization's spending reaching down this level. Both candidates speak to the need to engage local citizens in them local government processes; this is a fine goal.

Big national PAC dimes clanging? Not so much. Unfortunately, in the era of Citizens United (oh the irony) little can be done to make Hagen's and Leyrer's voices stand out to voters rather than mail from absentee interests.

The state realtors' PAC--a separate entity--is spending IE dollars in the 17B race (for Dave Baker, R-Willmar); SD39 ( for Karin Housley, R-Forest Lake); SD24 (for Vicki Jensen, DFL-Owatonna); and SD10 (Carrie Ruud, R-Brezy Point). A friend has heard pro-Baker ads on Willmar-area radio.

Photo: The first NARF mailer to North Mankato voters.

If you appreciate our posts and original analysis, you can mail contributions (payable to Sally Jo Sorensen, 33166 770th Ave, Ortonville, MN 56278) or use the paypal button in the upper right hand corner of this post.

Or you can contribute via this link to paypal; use email sally.jo.sorensen at gmail.com as recipient.

 

 

Jeff Backer gets a little factchecking after Coalition of Greater MN Cities sponsored forum

Knock us over with a feather.

In the Morris Sun Tribune story, Backer, McNamar tackle issues at forum, a newspaper actually did a bit of fact checking of claims made in a candidate debate. The results aren't pretty for Representative Jeff Backer:

A Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities official said in a political forum in Morris it was mainly a disappointing year in the Legislature in 2015-2016 in large part because no bonding bill or transportation bill or tax bill were passed.

During a Coalition-sponsored forum in Morris Oct. 20 between Minnesota House District 12A Rep. Jeff Backer and challenger Jay McNamar placed the blame for the disappointment at different feet.

Backer said Gov. Dayton prevented a tax bill that had bipartisan support from passing into legislation. Dayton cared more about the light rail in the Twin Cities area than a tax bill that would benefit rural Minnesota including District 12A, Becker said.

"The governor vetoed it. He put a train ahead of greater Minnesota," Backer said.

Not so, McNamar said. The Republican controlled House submitted a tax bill with a $100 million error, McNamar said.

Dayton did veto the tax bill because of a $100 million error, McNamar said. "He didn't do it because of a train (light rail)," McNamar said.

"I was there, he didn't do veto it because of a mistake," Backer said. "He vetoed it because of a train."

In published media reports from June, including WCCO and the StarTribune, Dayton said he'd veto the tax bill because of the $101 million error. Dayton used what is commonly referred to as a pocket veto in which he took no action to pass what was called a bipartisan tax bill.

Backer no expert on transit

One thing the paper didn't fact check? This placebaiting claim by Representative Backer:

Backer said light rail is expensive, under used, not practical and takes needed money away from roads, bridges and other transportation needs.

McNamar said he'd support the Twin Cities Metro area raising fees or taxes in that area to fund light rail. Ultimately construction of light rail in the Twin Cities area eases some of the use of roads and bridges. "Light rail cuts down on the traffic construction. It helps prevent the construction of new lanes," McNamar said. If less money is spent on new roads and fixing roads in the Twin Cities area more money will be available to fix roads and bridges in rural Minnesota, McNamar said.

Backer said he wouldn't support allowing the Twin Cities Metro Area to increase its taxes for light rail. Buses are a much better option, he said.

Where do we begin? Perhaps best to start with a sentence in Pioneer Press reporter David Montgmoery's story, Mark Dayton’s transportation proposals hit roadblocks: "Minnesota’s gas tax revenue is constitutionally dedicated to funding roads and bridges."

Next, Backer repeats the canard that light rail is "underused." We've seen this one before from rural Republican legislators. Take our post, Below expectations? Luverne's Sen. Bill Weber seems confused about light rail ridership figures, wherein we reported:

In Weber addresses critics with added comments, a letter to the editors of the Worthington Daily Globe, the honorable Republican state senator from Luverne hopes to clear up what he perceives are misrepresentations in this letter and this one of his "comments to the governor during his recent visit to Worthington."

We'll have to take Weber's word for what he was trying to communicate to the governor, but there's at least one part of the letter that didn't ring true to us. Weber writes:

I urged the governor to call for careful evaluation of existing light rail operations. They are not meeting original projections of ridership, etc.If people do not use it, we do not solve problems of traffic congestion.

That seemed peculiar. Hadn't we read otherwise?  Apparently so. In a January 22, 2016 press release, Metro Transit ridership tops 85.8 million in 2015, there's this:

The METRO Blue Line set a new annual ridership record and system ridership increased for the 11th time in 12 years as customers took more than 85.8 million rides on buses and trains operated by Metro Transit in 2015. . . .

Ridership on both the Blue and Green light-rail lines continued to grow as customers used the all-day, frequent service to travel to work, school, special events and other destinations. The ability to transfer between light-rail lines in downtown Minneapolis also boosted ridership. 

In all, more than 10.6 million rides were taken on the Blue Line, the highest annual ridership since it opened in mid-2004. The previous record of nearly 10.5 million rides was set in 2010. Average weekday ridership topped 30,000 for eight consecutive months. 

Nearly 12.4 million rides were taken on the Green Line during its first full year of operation. Average weekday ridership was 37,400 – just under the 2030 forecast of 41,000 rides. Ridership in the Central Corridor, including the Green Line and bus routes 16 and 94, increased by about 30 percent from 2014 to 2015 and has nearly doubled since 2013, when service was provided by buses alone. 

Oh. The Green Line's ridership trajectory appears to be following a similar path to that of the Blue Line, formerly known as the Hiawatha Line. In 2009, Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reported in Hiawatha light rail marks five years; what's next?:

Today marks five years of operation for the Hiawatha line, Minnesota's first light rail service.

Ridership is much greater than projected, and that success has helped spark a debate over how te expand transit in the Twin Cities metro area, and how to pay for it. . . .

Five years and 43 million passenger rides later, the Hiawatha line is coping with success.

Metro Transit spokesman Bob Gibbons says ridership for the line, which connects downtown Minneapolis with the Mall of America, is already 20 percent ahead of what ridership was expected to be 11 years from now. . . .

Not long afterward, we noted in Luverne's Senator Bill Weber seems confused about light rail ridership figures, part two:

Now another source confirms the central facts about ridership on the Green Line. In In final act, Central Corridor Funders Collaborative looks at what went right (and wrong) with Green Line development, MinnPost's Peter Callaghan reports:

After two years of operations, the region’s second light rail line is exceeding expectations.

Average daily ridership on the Green Line is 37,402, well on its way to the 41,000 daily trips forecast for the year 2030. Investment along the line, which connects downtown St. Paul with downtown Minneapolis, has totaled $4.2 billion, according to Metro Transit estimates. And market-rate housing projects have sprouted all along the route, even as 3,600 units of affordable housing have been created or preserved.

As such, praising the $1 billion Green Line is a sure-fire applause line for politicians in both the east and west metro. 

But southwestern Minnesota, a state senator seems certain that voters won't care about facts, but will applaud the place-baiting.

Backer is playing the same game. Don't like statistics and facts? Perhaps rural residents can look at photos of light rail ridership; we've posted one photo snapped on a Sunday afternoon and posted to Facebook the next day by trainwatcher James Oliver Smith Jr.. Smith writes:

.. People Riding Light Rail In The Twin Cities ... Sunday, October 23, 2016 1:23 PM ... Metro Transit Warehouse District/Hennepin Avenue Station ... Minneapolis, Minnesota ... An eastbound Green Line train headed for the Union Depot Station in Lowertown, St Paul approaches the platform ... The lead car of this three-car train is a Siemens S70 Light Rail Vehicle (LRv) ... LRV #254 ... You can pretty much pick any day of the week, or any time of the day, and there will be people on light rail in the Twin Cities ... This photo was taken on a beautiful October Sunday afternoon ... Regardless of what the opposition to rail transit thinks, people are using light rail in large numbers that are exceeding projections and expectations ... Light rail is servicing twice the riders that the bus routes serviced in the same corridors before ... Rail transit of any kind (streetcars, light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail subway) always attracts people, and people attract business and business attracts development ... It always works that way ... We, as a species, are mobile and have places to go, people to see and things to do ... Light rail has brought the Twin Cities into a new, modern, state-of-the-art dimension that helps people go about their daily lives efficiently, comfortably and effectively .

As for buses being a "better" option, perhaps Backer might take a look at MinnPost's 2012 article, When it comes to public subsidies, Twin Cities light rail seems a bargain, and the Pioneer Press's 2015 article (updated in 2016), again by data maven David Montgomery, Mass transit is more than light rail – and still costly.

Illustrating Backer's anti-urban bias

Maybe it's not transit costs that are the problem here. Maybe the problem is Representative Backer's anti-urban bias. Maybe Backer doesn't understand the scale any any issue of large cities--nor the notion that preventing one area from thriving by taxing itself doesn't create instant prosperity in the other.

A loss for the metro doesn't magically translate into gain for rural Minnesota. But Backer has long been fond of strange rural versus urban thinking.

As we wrote back in April in Why it's a good thing Jeff Backer is part of the April 26 Appleton Prison town hall in North Mpls:

One of the rural Republicans who is part of the town hall is former Browns Valley Mayor and current Minnesota House District 12A state representative Jeff Backer. Minnesota's western boundary waters, from whence both the Minnesota River and the Red River of the North spring, forms his district's western edge. The District Demographics contrast with those in Minneapolis.

Why do we believe it's a good thing for the country mouse to visit the big city and listen to Dehn's constituents?

The answer is rooted in statements Backer made while Mayor of Browns Valley in 2007, when the city was struck by a flood in those headwaters in the spring and heavy rain in early June. Shane Mercer of the Grand Forks Herald reported in Browns Valley recovering:

BROWNS VALLEY, Minn. - Residents of this western Minnesota town were reminded over the weekend of the brutal flooding that buried a large chunk of the community in March.

Heavy rains forced water over a road on the west side of Browns Valley on Saturday. The waters receded, but were back across the road on Monday.

Mayor Jeff Backer said Monday afternoon he was not aware of any damage to homes, and the areas hardest hit by flooding in March were not affected.

It's not as if residents needed the reminder. Some things are hard to forget. When ice jams forced the Little Minnesota River from its banks and into neighborhoods in March, more than 60 homes in the town of about 650 sustained severe or moderate damage. Backer estimated flood damage to the city at $4 million to $5 million. . . .

That would be less than ten percent of the town's housing stock. We continued:

Mayor Backer compared his town's misery to that of New Orleans, which had been hit by Hurricane Katrina in late August 2005. Mercer reports:

"In my opinion New Orleans would not be in the position that they are in if they had the same people that we have here in Browns Valley," he said, alluding to post-Katrina issues in the Crescent City. "The mentality of the people (in Browns Valley) is, 'What can we do to help?' " ...

Later that fall, Backer reached for the contrast again, this time in talking to the Associated Press via Minnesota Public Radio's Browns Valley residents still picking up pieces from spring flood:

As an example of how property values can affect flood relief, Browns Valley Mayor Jeff Backer Jr. said 62 homes were touched by the flood, and 17 were severely damaged. The value of the those homes in this small town in far western Minnesota ranged from $20,000 to $35,000. The city is buying out seven of them. . . .

Backer, whose basement was flooded, said the percentage of houses in his town affected by flooding was equal to those damaged in New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. . . .

While Backer rightly felt great pain for Browns Valley, his math was a bit off. While 60 homes out of 650 in Browns Valley (just under 10%) were damaged, CNN notes in its 2015 Hurricane Katrina Statistics Fast Facts:

80% of the city flooded after levees failed. . . .

70% of New Orleans' occupied housing, 134,000 units, was damaged in the storm.

That's a far, far greater percentage of the housing in New Orleans than the housing in Browns Valley that was destroyed by the cities' respective natural disasters. It's likely more explanatory of why the City of New Orleans lost so much of its population shortly after what FEMA called "the single most catastrophic natural disaster in U.S. history" than not having "the same people that we have here in Browns Valley."

Backer's anti-urban placebaiting probably isn't a sound foundation for policy making, anymore than his memory or math skills.

Screengrabs: The upside-down photo in the Sun Tribune's original online version of the forum article seems like a pretty good visual metaphor (top); a photo of people waiting for a train earlier this month, via James Oliver Smith Jr.'s Facebook page.

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Poignant letter to Bemidji Pioneer underscores damage created by fear-mongering speakers

Bluestem recommends listening to the most recent episode of This American Life; producer Zoe Chace looks at divisions within the Republican party over refugee resettlement. Her focus is St. Cloud in Party In The USA.

Alya Jawaid has sent a moving letter to the Bemidji Pioneer, Dakdok, others fan the flames of Islamaphobia:

In the summer of 2014, a week after we had just moved into our new house in Bemidji, we were approached by someone who was desperately trying to get together Muslims to protest outside Usama Dakdok's rally in Bagley.

Naively, we showed up, kids in tow, where we encountered hatred and Islamophobia like never before. We were taunted, shouted at to the point I burst into tears. All for being a Muslim. I would like to say I was one of the brave few who sat inside the hall, trying to defend my faith. But I wasn't. We just stood quietly outside the Bagley High School, with our placards. After a while the couple who had gone inside to protest and fact-check was escorted outside for "their security." And not wanting to face a whipped up rabid crowd, we left. It was, I know, at this point that our perception of small town rural America shifted. For all the goodness and kindness we had encountered was unfairly stained by the ugliness we encountered in a few short hours. Fear does that. Fear of Muslims and fear of becoming a victim of Islamophobia.

We left Bemidji not too long after that, and this incident played no small part in an incredibly hard decision. In a few weeks this election will be over. But what about after? We Muslims are threads in the fabric of America. How can you pull out a few threads without ruining the entire tapestry? Dakdok and his companions will continue visiting northern Minnesota, and will continue their hate speech, because there is a perfectly oiled machine that pays them, that clears the way for them by threatening lawsuits, that benefits from people's fears, that has a vested interest in keeping northern Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin voting a certain way.

As far as we are able to discover, she's a doctor. Can greater Minnesota afford to lose talent because of the fear folks like Dakdok fuel?

Photo: Usama Dakdok speaking in Minnesota.

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As hunters gather for Governor's Pheasant Opener in Montevideo, a Miller vote to ponder

In Thursday's Montevideo American News, Bruce Olson reported in Hot ticket: Governor's Pheasant Hunting Opener banquet is sold out:

Friday’s banquet for the Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener is sold out as Montevideo and the surrounding area welcome Gov. Mark Dayton and his entourage for the pheasant opener for the second time.

Montevideo hosted the inaugural Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener in 2011 and our area is the first to host the event for a second time. . . .

At the West Central Tribune Friday, Tom Cherveny reports in Montevideo gears up for return of Governor's Pheasant Opener:

. . . All eyes will be on the community Saturday as it hosts the sixth annual Governor's Pheasant Opener. Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson will be among the elected officials taking to the fields around Montevideo for the start of the state's pheasant season at 9 a.m. Saturday. . . .

Montevideo is looking at the Governor's Pheasant Opener as an opportunity to showcase all that the area has to offer for pheasant hunters and all of those who enjoy outdoor recreation, according to Steinbach.

And in this case too, it provides Montevideo with a national audience. That was one of the benefits the community discovered after hosting the inaugural Governor's Pheasant Opener.

The community saw a "big, reverberating effect'' from the ongoing digital presence the event provided, Steinbach said. News articles, videos and blogs continued to pop up on phone and computer screens whenever anyone searched pheasant hunting in Minnesota.

Over 20 different media outlets, including print, broadcast and online, are expected to be represented at the activities Friday and Saturday, according to Steinbach.

With this opportunity at hand, the number one point the community wants to emphasize this weekend is the availability of public lands for hunters. There are 47,004 acres of public lands open to hunting within a 25-mile radius of Montevideo, thanks to a mix of wildlife management areas, waterfowl production areas, and walk-in access areas. The Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area, with over 33,000 acres of the total, has long been a state magnet for pheasant hunters. . . .

All this excitement (and the dollars that the hunters bring to the area) has prompted Bluestem Prairie to look back at Representative Tim Miller's , R-Prinsburg sudden "No" vote against the Outdoor Heritage (aka Legacy) funding conference committee report on May 21, 2016.

We say "sudden" because the freshman Republican lawmaker had voted for the 2015 regular session and special session funding for Legacy projects and had voted for the 2016 House version earlier in May. Moreover, in the video archive of the vote (3:01:24- ), Miller cast a green vote until apparently changing to "no" at the very last second as the clerk closed the roll.

As Legacy Chair Dean Urdahl, R-Grove City, points out at the 2:33:18-20 mark on the House's YouTube archive of the floor session that "there are no major changes in funding and projects" from the earlier House bill. True, a compromise had been worked out that allowed the White Earth Nation to run a disputed project, but since the nation offered to pay property taxes on the land, objections to the project were quelled under that compromise.

 All that we can imagine is that Miller experienced an epiphany in that last split second, jumping into the anti-Legacy Act camp, agreeing with Steve Green, R-Fosston, that--despite the expressed wishes of the citizens of Minnesota, who voted in 2006 to fund projects that would protect, enhance and restore wildlife habitat--that there's too much publicly owned land.This is the only objection against the bill that's raised in debate by a lawmaker who voted against it.

Never mind, as Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, pointed out, that it's open to hunters and other members of the public. And that the public voted for this.

Miller frequently gripes about how--in Miller's mind at least--Governor Dayton hates the region of the state in which House District 17A is located. And yet the Governor has actively promoted hunting opportunities in the area.

Indeed, the Department of Natural Resources is touting the opening of a locally funded shooting range--the Governor and agency head Tom Landwehr are likely there as we type this--in a press release that promotes the region:

The dedication is part of the 2016 Minnesota Governor’s Pheasant Hunting Opener. Gov. Dayton leads the weekend festivities, which highlight the many hunting, recreational, travel and local opportunities the Montevideo area has to offer visitors. More information and updates on the event can be found at www.mngpho2016.com. Explore Minnesota and the DNR are assisting the Montevideo Area Chamber of Commerce in planning the event.

Montevideo has a population of 5,500 and is located 130 miles west of the Twin Cities at the intersections of U.S. highways 212 and 59, and Minnesota Highway 7. The city actively promotes hunting and outdoor recreation. Within 25 miles of Montevideo, there are 25 Walk-In Access areas totaling 3,335 acres, 16 Waterfowl Production Areas totaling 4,366 acres and 76 WMAs totaling 47,004 acres. All are open to public hunting.

 Why did Representative Miller vote against the interests of his district?

Photo: MN07 Congressman Collin Peterson (DFL, left) and Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton (DFL, right) at the first Governor's Pheasant Opener in Montevideo in 2011. West Central Tribune file photo.

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Greater MN mayors condemn placebaiting notion that only way to help rural is to take from metro

Bluestem Prairie isn't the only voice in Greater Minnesota scrutinizing the tactic that we call "placebaiting," in which different regions of the state are played off against each other.

Most frequently, urban lawmakers are cast as villains, rural voters are the target, and Republicans are the perpetrators in this divisive rhetoric. Regional differences and needs do exist, but one region's gain doesn't automatically mean that another area must lose.

In Elect candidates who'll compromise, Sara Carlson, the Mayor of Alexandria, and Dave Smiglewski, the Mayor of sunny Granite Falls, describe and condemn the frame:

Let's not mince words: Minnesota's 2016 legislative session was, by and large, a massive failure. Political posturing led to the demise of the transportation bill and bonding bill, while a typo that would have cost the state $100 million compelled Gov. Mark Dayton to veto an otherwise good tax bill. . . .

There is plenty of blame to go around — and many sore fingers from all that pointing —but with just weeks until the election, it's time to stop complaining and start looking for solutions.

As voters, we need to ask the candidates and ourselves how things will be different in 2017. Whether we send back the same cast of characters or elect new ones, we need leaders who refuse to accept the inaction of the last biennium as the status quo. "Compromise" must be more than just a buzzword. It must be a course of action if we are going to see real results for Greater Minnesota.

Last session, it was disappointing to see that some rural legislators appeared to operate under the impression that in order to help Greater Minnesota, they needed to take something away from the metro area.

This strategy of attempting to hurt the metro — by cutting state aid to Minneapolis and St. Paul and preventing construction of light rail transit, even if it was paid for by metro-area dollars — proved to be counterproductive. Trying to poke holes in the metro's bucket did nothing to actually improve Greater Minnesota. Instead, it only fueled more of the divisiveness that prevents progress and harms our entire state.

This cannot continue. We need legislators who will focus on accomplishing good things for the communities they represent rather than devote their time and energy to trying to stop the other party or region from getting things they need. . . .

Read the whole column at the Grand Forks Herald. We think that it will likely be published in newspapers across the state.

Carlson and Smiglewski serve as president and vice president, respectively, of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.

Photo: Pop some corn at home, because the Granite Falls' Kiwanis Club's terrific popcorn stand is closed for the season.

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Willmar student royalty: homecoming court could help show the world what their schools are like

While some adults in Brainerd and Aberdeen are freaking out about Muslims and refugees, Willmar High students are confident their homecoming court demonstrates that "being around people from other ethnicities just feels normal."

The West Central Tribune's education beat reporter Linda Vanderwerf interviewed Willmar High's homecoming royalty for The privilege of diversity, an article centered around the student body's selection of Anisa Abdulahi, a Somali-American senior, as homecoming queen for the public high school in the West Central Minnesota regional center that's a two-hour drive west of Minneapolis. Vanderwerf reports:

To her classmates, Anisa Abdulahi deserved to be elected Willmar Senior High's homecoming queen because she's so nice, and everybody likes her.

The other members of her royal court recognize she's the first Somali-American homecoming queen, but they pay more attention to the type of person she is.

Anisa was crowned Monday evening, along with homecoming king Grant Duininck. They were elected by the entire student body after seniors chose the candidates.

For Riley Schneider, the homecoming princess, "I didn't think about it that much; I thought Anisa deserved it most out of anyone, because she is so amazing."

Grant said he was happy when Anisa was named queen. "It was kind of a unique situation that no other class has had before, and it was the opportunity that we had."

The students said attention given to the diverse homecoming court could help show the world what Willmar's schools are like.

The Senior High has had Hispanic students in its homecoming court in the past and this year. Anisa was the first Somali ever nominated. The student body is 57 percent white, 23 percent Hispanic, 18 percent black and 2 percent Asian.

The relative lack of racial strife in Willmar's schools stands in contrast to reports of problems with Muslims or other minorities around the state and country.

"From the outside, it looks kind of cool for other schools to see," said Sophie Schmitz, one of the queen candidates. "This is Willmar; this is what we represent; this is what we have." . . .

The coronation follows last spring's graduation, to which United States Senator Al Franken spoke and personally congratulated each student, out of respect for Muna Abdulahi, one of the graduates who had served as a U.S. Senate page, and "he’d been largely impressed with her." The Class of 2016 valedictorian was Maité Marin-Mera, who was born in Ecuador.

The more recent article continues:

Anisa's family moved to Willmar when she was a third-grader, and the schools have been a welcoming place.

"I feel like they don't judge you on your color, on your race or religion or where you came from," she said. "They treat you the way they would want to be treated." . . .

High School Principal Paul Schmitz said people who aren't connected to the schools may not realize "it's just what's normal" for kids who have gone to school together for years.

Students of all backgrounds rise to prominent positions in the school, Schmitz said. "To me, it isn't a surprise; it just seems like a natural progression. That's just the way our school is," he said.

Students recognize the cultural and racial backgrounds of their classmates but "they really see each other as individuals," Schmitz said. . . .

Read the whole thing at the West Central Tribune. Amazing young people.

Photo: That crowning moment. Photo by Briana Sanchez, West Central Tribune. Photo gallery here.

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Greater Minnesota loves bees: Baxter City Council learns of pollinator garden plans in park

Here in rural Minnesota, Bluestem finds that many of our neighbors are concerned about the decline of pollinators. One action that helps bees and other pollinators is to provide habitat (though this in itself doesn't solve the complex matrix of habitat, parasites, pesticides and fodder that factors into the problem).

In Wednesday's Brainerd Dispatch we read in Chelsey Perkins' story, Baxter City Council: A buffet for the bees: Pollinator garden planned for Baxter park:

A storm-damaged area of Loren Thompson Park will soon see new life with the planting of a pollinator garden.

The Baxter City Council learned about plans for the garden—which represents a partnership between the city's parks and trails department, the Crow Wing Power Green Touch program and Crow Wing County Master Gardener Ken Lueken—at its Tuesday work session.

Rick Pederson of Crow Wing Power said the park seemed a good fit for the program, which recently wrapped up a three-year project in Berrywood Park. The program provides funding up to $1,000 per year toward improving parks. . . .

Pederson said the goal of the garden is to introduce a more natural environment for pollinators while restoring the landscape from the storm damage. Attracting butterflies and bees offers an opportunity to educate the public about their importance, Pederson noted.

"I didn't realize how big of a deal pollinators actually are, in terms of our food stocks," Pederson said.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pollinating animals assist in pollinating more than 75 percent of flowering plants and almost 75 percent of all crops.

"Often we may not notice the hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies and flies that carry pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar," the FWS website states. "Yet without them, wildlife would have fewer nutritious berries and seeds, and we would miss many fruits, vegetables, and nuts, like blueberries, squash, and almonds, not to mention chocolate and coffee, all of which depend on pollinators."

Recent studies on the populations of pollinators indicates a precipitous decline for a multitude of reasons, including habitat loss and disease. The FWS notes planting pollinator gardens, which offers a variety of nectar and pollen sources, is one way to help.

The educational aspect of a garden like this meant encouraging people to install gardens like this one at their homes, he said.

"It's a living classroom for the public in general," Lueken said, noting youth projects in the past have resulted in young people encouraging their parents to plant pollinator gardens. . . .

We're happy that the project has already educated Otter Tail Power's Green Touch coordinator about the value of pollinators. If the company ever gets around to developing solar gardens, perhaps it would consider planting pollinator habitat around them. All the cool kids are doing it.

Read more about the proposed park improvement in the Brainerd Dispatch.

Image: Making a pollinator-friendly world.

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Winona may use Pokemon Go as excuse to limit right to assemble at Veterans Memorial Park

Crowds gathering to play Pokemon Go in Winona's Veterans Memorial Park are prompting the City Council to consider broad restrictions for the use of the park by the public, Winona Daily News staffer Glen Olson reported Friday in Catch 'em all — just not at Winona's Veterans Memorial Park; city proposal would limit Pokémon Go, other activity.

Should the proposed ordinance pass on Monday, impromptu demonstrations like the July 14, 2016 March for Hugs, will be a thing of the past in the park, which was built with private funds and dedicated in 2009.

A confrontation in the park between Pokemon Go players and angry veterans was posted on Reddit on July 29 has gained widespread attention, from Forbes Tech's Pokemon GO Spawns A Real Life Battle In A Veterans Memorial Park to the UK's Telegraph post, Pokemon Go hotspot in veterans memorial park sparks confrontation to Mic.com's Ridiculous Video Captures Man Flipping Out Over Pokémon Go Players in Veterans' Park.

Here's the viral video [warning: foul language]:

Point of fact: the park isn't a cemetery, but does include memorial paving stones with the names of area veterans on them. The Winona city police officers are to be complimented on their professionalism (maybe it was the hug one received from marchers earlier in the month).

Lost in the focus on the video and Pokeman Go players? The rest of the ordinance. Olson reports in the Daily News that a range of free speech and assembly activities would be restricted:

The ordinance would cover a wide array of activities, not all related to increased traffic from Pokémon players, and some which is already prohibited.

Obvious restrictions would include littering, disorderly conduct or driving through the park off of designated roads.

More closely related to concerns over the recent crowds that suddenly began gathering at all hours earlier this month when the game was released include prohibitions on hammocks and tents, sleeping and sunbathing, recreational activities and games (electronic or not), having pets in the area and playing music.

Some of the broader restrictions would include picketing and demonstrating, speeches or oration to assemblies, and displaying flags or placards.

The exception to many of these rules would be if they were part of a designated military memorial ceremony, or expressly authorized by the city.

The broad restrictions against free speech and assembly without prior permission by the city would likely have dampened the March For Hugs, one of the few non-veterans-related demonstrations of any kind at the park that a superficial online search revealed (rallies and protests in Winona seem to happen mostly in Windom Park or at public buildings like City Hall and the county courthouse).

A March for Hugs

In the Winona Daily News, Samantha Setzer reported in Embracing peace: Residents march with singular purpose—hugs—Thursday in Winona:

Eleven-year-old Ezra Frame rode his scooter through Lake Park and down Huff Street Thursday evening with a sign that read “Less Killing More Love.”

“This has to stop,” Frame said.

He and his mom, Amy Ross, were part of a somewhat impromptu six-person Free Hug Peace March Thursday evening down Huff Street — which Frame affectionately named “Hug Street.”

The march was organized by Ross and her friend, Tesla Mitchell, in response to recent violence in the U.S. It’s the type of response, Ross said she believes the world needs.

“We’re sick of seeing all the killings and want to be more positive,” Ross said.

Mitchell admitted she had wanted to organize a peace march for some time, but when Ross approached her about one, she said she felt confident enough in promoting peace, that she believes the U.S. needs to achieve.

“If we can succeed, then the rest of the world can succeed in peace,” Mitchell said.

Though the march was small in numbers, every passerby left with a smile. And the march picked up at the end, concluding with a Winona police officer stopping for a hug — and the group crashing, with hugs, a crowd of people outside playing Pokemon Go. . . .

Hugging police officers without permission from the city council? That should send the country racing toward hell in a flaming handbasket.

KTTC-TV had more in Winona group raises people's spirits with hugs:

Mass shootings. Protests. We've been going through a lot as a nation lately, so in response to all the violence and heartbreak a group of people put on a peaceful march in Winona, a march of hugs. These folks had one mission in mind - to brighten people's days.

This small group, not affiliated with any movement, got together Thursday and decided to try and bring change their way. They say they are tired of all the violence going around and they think that something as simple as a hug can make a world of difference to people.

Plenty of folks were excited to see them and see that there's still some good in the world and that's exactly what the huggers had in mind.

"We all want to feel love, we all want to feel acceptance and that's why our country is where it's at right now is because there isn't that love and acceptance and equality," Tesla Mitchell, one of the huggers, said. "We need to be putting that back into the world and so we have to do that, personally we have to do that, we have to be the change that we want to see."

They walked around the Veterans Memorial Park and down to a nearby Kwik Trip to see people. They even ran into a local law enforcement member who was more than happy to stop by and give them hugs.

That sweetness and cop-hugging might have to stop. However, the comments on Winona Daily News article about the proposal are for now running against the ordinance.

With their permission, hug your favorite veteran and each other, gentle readers, in Winona and wherever you may be.

Photo: Screenshot from KTTC's coverage of the March for Hugs (above); Winona Daily News' hug photograph.

Hat tip: Johanna Rupprecht on Facebook.

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MN12A: another Backer backer placebaiting letter, Local Government Aid (LGA) edition

From the looks of the letters to the editor flowing into the local papers in House District 12A, Backer backers just can't help themselves when it comes to place-baiting.

Backer backers are the supporters of Minnesota state representative Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley, who won the seat in the 2014 Republican wave, defeating Elbow Lake's Jay McNamar by a mere 660 votes.

Consider the latest missive, Wolverton excavator William Nichol's Watch what Jay does, not what he says. While Nichol hits the usual 'phobe notes about marriage equality and the dignity of transgender people ("forcing girls and boys to shower together"), he accuses McNamar of favoring metro areas in the distribution of Local Government Aid (LGA):

. . . Secondly, in 2013, Local Government Aid was increased by $80 million. However, half of the new money went to the metro areas. Jay voted for this unfair distribution of funding. . . .

How is it that Jay didn’t actually vote for what he claimed he stood for on the campaign trail? Simple answer – he really is metro at heart. How can he claim to care about rural values but not defend them in office? Weakness. Or he takes us for chumps! Or both. . . .

Let's turn to the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities to understand why LGA isn't simply a thing for "us" in Greater Minnesota but not for "the metro areas." In fact, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities put out a fact sheet about the "Top LGA Myths."

Here's the document:

LGA Myths Updated posted by Sally Jo Sorensen on Scribd

Note that the working group that crafter the 2013 formula reform includes Greater Minnesota Republicans, not just some secret cabal of metro power brokers. We bold the names of rural Republicans on the list, while placing the names of Greater Minnesota Democrats in italics:

The 2013 LGA formula reform was developed by a working group including legislators and all city groups. The bill containing the LGA formula (HF 1608/ SF 1491) had broad bipartisan support. Authors included Reps. Lien; Davnie, Lenczewski, Simonson, Faust, Mahoney, Davids, Carlson, C. Johnson, Hamilton, Torkelson, Kiel, Nelson, McNamar, Hansen, Marquart, Fabian, Loeffler, Bly, and Bernardy.

We didn't include Simonson as a Greater Minnesota representative, since Duluth is a "first class city." Note that the majority of the working group, regardless of party, represent Greater Minnesota.

It's clear from the support for the LGA reform from the greater Minnesota cities themselves--and the statewide, bipartisan working group that crafted it--that the aim was to do best for all Minnesota. Even Backer praised the compromise while campaigning in October 2014, according to the Wahpeton and Breckenridge Daily News, though he said the increased spending was "not enough."

But for Backer backers, LGA is just another opportunity to placebait, pitting Minnesotans against Minnesotans. Enough.

Photo: Jeff Backer, R-Browns Valley.

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In aftermath of drowning, Willmar community ed to offer more water safety, swimming classes

Willmar residents are working together on another thoughtful response to last week's tragic drownings of 10-year-old Idris Hussein and 11-year-old Ahmed Hashi in Foot Lake.

Water safety training and swimming lessons.

In the West Central Tribune article, Preventing another tragedy, Gretchen Brown reports:

"These two young children have to be the last, last, last, last," one man had said at their June 28 burial, yelling louder with each word.

Area groups like Willmar Community Education and Recreation and the YMCA have provided traditional swimming lessons to the Willmar community for years.

Pam Vruwink of WCER says there's a gap between what is currently offered and what is needed. She's working to fix it.

"I think it's really important that we are flexible and respond to the needs of the community," Vruwink said. "We need to reevaluate what we're currently providing."

Traditional swimming lessons aren't always the perfect fit for all, culturally or practically.

So WCER is in the preliminary stages of planning several introductory water safety sessions, with a goal to teach children and others common water hazards and how to help out if they see someone in trouble. . . .

With the sticker price for traditional swimming lessons through WCER ringing in at $45 per session, without scholarships, some are unable to participate.

Since last week's drowning, WCER has been approached by several businesses and groups wanting to contribute financially to the cause and help sponsor students.

"They say, 'We see the value in swimming lessons,'" Vruwink said.

Older students in the Willmar School District can receive swimming lessons through middle school gym classes, but some don't participate, for religious objections or otherwise.

"There are a number of girls that aren't participating, because of the clothing, religious beliefs," Vruwink said.

There, WCER saw another gap. It began offering a girls-only swimming lesson class this summer.

It's great to see the community rise to answer the cry from the heart by the man at the burial in a practical way. Readers who want to help financially provide or physically teach swimming lessons can call the WCER office at 320-231-8490, the West Central Tribune reports.

Early reports from Bluestem:

Willmar residents walk from Lutheran church to lake to support grieving Somali neighbors

Here's how to help the families of the two Willmar boys who drowned yesterday in Foot Lake

Photo: Mementos left by well-wishers last week near the spot where Idris Hussein and Ahmed Hashi drowned.

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Paging Rep. Torkelson: City of Fairmont issues water advisory, nitrate levels unsafe for infants

Rep. Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska, must be having one heckova day. First his long-promised, but hastily vetted bonding bill went down on the Minnesota House floor, as KEYC-TV's Shawn Loging reports in Day After House Releases Bonding Bill, Fails To Get Votes Needed.

But that's not the only bad news for the Hanska-area Republican pork producer. The station also reports in Kelsey Barchenger's Drinking Water Warning In Fairmont:

High nitrate levels have the city of Fairmont warning of possible health concerns caused by the drinking water.

Water samples tested today show nitrate levels of 12 mg/L. That’s above the maximum contaminant level of 10 mg/L.

The city says high nitrate rates can infants younger than six months to become seriously ill and could die if untreated.

Water, juice and formula for infants should not be prepared with tap water.

Adults and children over six months can drink the tap water, however pregnant women or those with specific health concerns are asked to consult with a doctor before drinking the water. 

The city says the water entering the Water Treatment Plant meets standards, however it may be several days before the water reaches all areas of the distribution system. 

Earlier this month, Bluestem posted in Rep. Torkelson dismisses concerns about nitrates in Minnesota's drinking water:

In a May 3 discussion with Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Weber and Representative Rick Hansen, DFL-S. St.Paul, Representative Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska, dismissed concerns about nitrates and drinking water quality.

In the discussion (audio here) Torkelson claims that the problem of nitrates in drinking water is an isolated problem that's no threat. Around the 7:40 minute mark, Hansen calls nitrates in drinking water the iceberg beneath the surface in terms of infrastructure needs. With more detection of nitrates and more research into data that the legislature funded, the suburban Democrat says, there's more need to mitigate.

Around 9:52, Torkelson says, "The nitrate issue is a very complicated one. Nitrogen moves with water but it comes from a variety of sources and it can be in the ground for a long times before it shows up in any water system. And I'd like to remind folks that we do not have any systems that I know of --any municipal systems in Minnesota that have high nitrates. They're tested regularly and they meet the requirement. So they're safe. Minnesota's drinking water is safe. . . .

Weber reminds Torkelson that the only reason the water is safe in some communities is because "you've had to take that extra step of adding the infrastructure to treat the water.

At 10:55, Torkelson replies, "True, but it's a very small number of communities, it's quite isolated at this time and I don't anticipate that it's going to be a broad concern." . . .

We're not sure the citizens of Fairmont would agree right now.

Meme: Breaking news about nitrates, from our May 9, 2016 post.  Photo via Torkelson's twitter avatar.

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Get a map: folks fretting about which bathroom people use don't know what town they're in

While Life Site News and the Minnesota Child Protection League have the fantods about the "political correctness" of Minnesota's advertising industry, perhaps they should be worrying about just being correct with their own twitter social media campaing.

Bluestem dropped in to see what was up with the plan to have a truck wrapped with a fear-mongering, anti-transgender graphic visit every Target store in Minnesota when we captured the exchange above. We didn't recall the Steele County Target being a "SuperTarget" branded with the signage on the store above.

"Hannah West," an account that might have been created simply for this single tweet, was on to something. We contacted the Owatonna store and learned that indeed, it's just a regular Target and there's no "Super Target" signage on the building's exterior.

A simple slip-up? Logo fluidity? Media incompetence? All of the above?

On Tuesday, the Column's Andy Birkey reported in After MN billboard companies refuse anti-trans ad, group rents a truck:

The Child Protection League, a group that opposes LGBTQ rights, rented a truck with LifeSiteNews, a propaganda website for ultra-traditionalist Catholic theology, after Minnesota billboard companies refused to sell the duo an anti-transgender billboard for their Flush Target campaign.

Claire Chretien, national spokeswoman for LifeSiteNews’ #FlushTarget campaign, told the news outlet she works for — LifeSiteNews — that Minnesota ad agencies declined to do business with the two groups.
“We had to resort to using a billboard truck to get our message out after every billboard company in Minnesota turned down our advertisement,” Chretien added. “It would seem ‘political correctness’ has now trumped ‘free speech’ even in the advertising industry.”

The Flush Target campaign takes aim at Target’s recent announcement that it does not discriminate against transgender and gender non-conforming customers and employees. The MNCPL and LifeSiteNews appears to be attempting to capitalize off of the American Family Association’s boycott of Target.

The religious right duo have also enlisted the help of veteran culture warrior Andy Parrish. A former staffer for former Rep. Michele Bachmann, he also served as campaign manager for the unsuccessful attempt to ban marriage equality in Minnesota. Parrish ran press for the Flush Target truck unveiling at the Minnesota Capitol on Monday.

Minnesota Public Radio's Riham Feshir had more on Monday in Target transgender bathroom policy sparks opposition campaign, including a cameo appearance by Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe, author of the Transgender People Can't Pee Bill.

Is it any wonder why the Minnesota House Republicans have taken up bills with language allowing blaze pink to be worn by deer hunters (something for the ladies) and bathroom bans? Let us recommend a good road map/GPS and less gender identity panic.

Screengrab: Flush Target not at the Owatonna Target.

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Tweet clash: GOP operative Andy Parrish calls delegate obscene cream puff before slapping him

Detroit Lakes Council member scolds Green for failing to support local trail committee’s efforts

Since we haven't seen anything much of a House bonding bill, we can't speak to its contents compared to the narrowly defeated Senate bonding bill described in Vicki Gerdes' story, Bonding bill failure puts Northland Trail in limbo in the DL Online.

Support for the trail is bi-partisan, but Rep. Steve Green, R-Fosston, is against it, Gerdes reports:

The Heartland State Trail project and its supporters thought they were getting a boost from legislators early this past week, when the Minnesota Senate introduced a capital investment bill that includes $3.3 million for the planned trail extension between Detroit Lakes and Frazee.

However, the failure of the bill by a narrow margin on Thursday has put in doubt the fate of construction projects across the state this year – including the Heartland Trail.

The additional funding would have helped move forward a project that has been in development since as far back as 2004, said Detroit Lakes Alderman Bruce Imholte, who praised Ludtke and former DL Mayor Larry Buboltz for their efforts during the project’s early stages.

In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature invested $2.7 million in the Heartland Trail project connection. However, the project faced a major setback when unexpected costs arose that required additional funding before construction could be completed. . . .

Like Ludtke, Imholte also praised senators Eken, Skoe and Stumpf for their efforts, along with state representatives Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth) and Bud Nornes (R-Fergus Falls) for trying to get similar funding included in the House bonding bill (which had yet to be released as of this newspaper’s publication deadline).

“They’ve been fantastic – very helpful to us,” Imholte said. He wasn’t as complimentary of Rep. Steve Green (R-Fosston), whom he said has been less than supportive of the trail committee’s efforts to obtain bonding money for the project.

“He doesn’t support using (bonding) money for trails,” said Imholte, adding that he doesn’t understand why a legislator from this area wouldn’t support using tax dollars for local projects rather than spending the money in other areas of the state.

Governor Dayton’s bonding proposal was released in January and does not include funding for the Heartland Trail; however, the unexpected costs did not arise until it was too late to be included in his proposal. The Heartland Trail was one of the Governor’s top parks and trails priorities back in 2014.

The Detroit Lakes area is a prime international birding and vacation destination, so the trail would be a good investment for the area and the state.  A Chamber of Commerce representative tells the paper:

“Trails are extremely popular with our visitors – we’re always fielding questions about what trails are available in our area,” said Cleone Stewart from the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau. “A multi-use, year-round trail like the Heartland Trail will play a huge role in drawing tourists, athletes, outdoors enthusiasts and other visitors to our community. Everyone is excited for the trail connection to come into fruition.”

The Becker County DFL and Bryan Klabunde for MN House both shared the DL Online article on Facebook. The Mahnomen County farmer was endorsed by district Democrats to challenge Green in November's election.

Photo: A sign for the Heartland State Trail.

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Will Jim Newberger's best intentions flood Greater Minnesota with sex offenders?

In a post last Thursday, Bluestem looked at a special moment when Tony Cornish wondered how a black sex offender ended up in Minnesota Lake. The deep thought came during a committee hearing for Becker Republican Jim Newberger's HF3260.

But Cornish's concern about sex offenders isolated in small towns may not be addressed by Newberger's bill.

The Brainerd Dispatch reports in Look out greater MN, bill mostly bans sex offenders from metro:

A bill that would further restrict where the state’s most serious sex offenders could live — and give cities and counties the ability to restrict them even more — is progressing in the Legislature.

But the measure, which would allow local municipalities to take a not-in-my back yard approach to sex offender housing, could largely prohibit such offenders from living in either St. Paul or Minneapolis — the two biggest back yards in the state.

Currently, “Level 3” sex offenders — the most likely to re-offend — cannot live “near” schools, according to state law. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jim Newberger, R-Becker, and put before the House’s public safety committee on Tuesday, would expand that restrictions to parks, as well as “other locations frequented by children.”

The bill would also allow local government agencies, like cities and counties, to enact even more restrictive ordinances on where Level 3 offenders can live.

The bill’s proponents argued that local communities know what’s best for them — but repeatedly stressed that the bill would not allow any municipality to bar sex offenders completely.

But in places like St. Paul — with a dense concentration of parks — that’s largely what the language would do.

In St. Paul, roughly 97 percent of all properties are within a half-mile of a park. In Minneapolis, the total is 95 percent, city officials said.

Of the 459 Level 3 sex offenders registered statewide, 122 live in Minneapolis and 43 in St. Paul.

There are other problems with the bill, the article points out, like courts in other states overturning similar laws.  But surely it's the thought that counts when it comes to Representative Newberger.

Photo: Representative Jim Newberger

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