HAPPY SPRING AND MARCH MADNESS IS HERE

Today is first day of Spring and March Madness is here.

March Madness mean we are at the midpoint of legislative session. Long days and hours are ahead of us. We usually meet on Mondays and Thursdays but now they have added Wednesdays to schedule now for floor sessions.

As for March Madness, it mean basketball tournaments as well. Who do you think will win NCAA championship?

NEGATIVE ATTACK BLOG ON MAYOR COLEMAN

I did some digging and there are a blog and website that is attacking St. Paul Chris Coleman but who was behind that? Its called "My Mayor is Cheating on Me."

People who created that website are totally stupid. I have ran for public office three times in the past and used better common sense not to attack my opponents. Where are their common sense of clean campaign?

It look like St. Paul politics won't be that pretty this year so wait and see what happen. It is horrible thing to do before this saturday's St. Paul City DFL Convention.

My Mayor is Cheating on Me website

What is your opinion?

Minneapolis 10th ward candidate forum

10th ward in Minneapolis will host a forum on Sunday, March 22nd. Ward 10 is going to have a new city council person and you are invited to come hear and meet the candidates this Sunday. Bring questions and ideas to share. Hosted by ward 10 DFL

Ralph Remington isn't running for re-election so council seat is open.

Details:

Date: Sunday, March 22, 2009
Time: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Location: Jefferson Elementary
Street: Hennepin Ave & 26th Street
City/Town: Minneapolis, MN

Contact:

Phone: 612-597-7778
Email: scottgraham2@mac.com

Ward conventions for Saturday March 21st in Minneapolis

4th ward: Creekview Park Gymnasium 5001 Irving Ave N

8th Ward: Powderhorn Park 3400 15th Ave S

If you are going to be there, please send e-mail to senatoreggert@yahoo.com with result of endorsements since Rachel will not be able to make it due to funeral leave.

Registration at 9AM and convention start at 10:00 AM.

Goodman, Schiff and Colvin Roy won DFL Endrosement

During last Saturday's (March 14) ward conventions Councilors Gary Schiff and Sandy Colvin Roy won endorsement after first ballot at their own ward conventions.

Congulations Goodman, Schiff and Colvin Roy!

Lisa Goodman represents 7th ward, Gary Schiff represents 9th ward and Sandy Colvin Roy represents 12th ward in Minneapolis.

9th and 12th wards are south part of Minneapolis. 7th ward is part of Downtown and west part of Minneapolis.

Governor Pawlenty's budget released yesterday

Yesterday Governor Tim Pawlenty released his budget after we got money from Uncle Sam that would help little with controlling budget deficit.

Click here to see the budget.

Ticket to VP Biden event are sold out

You can't get in VP Biden's town hall meeting in St. Cloud tomorrow without a ticket. Tickets was out in like 20 minutes.

FUNERAL NOTICE/OBITBUARY FOR JOAN LEVASSEUR

FROM JOAN'S CARINGBRIDGE WEBSITE:

Joan Helen LeVasseur (July 23, 1982 - March 13, 2009)

Joan Helen LeVasseur was born July 23, 1982 at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Joan was the victim of a hit and run accident on March 6, 2009 as she was crossing the street in Apple Valley, Minnesota. She passed away March 13, 2009 at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, having reached the age of 26 years.

Joan was born deaf and during her early school years attended Como School for the Deaf in St. Paul, Minnesota. The family then moved to the Faribault, Minnesota area so that Joan and her brother, Luke, could attend school at the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault. Joan graduated from there in 2002.

Joan touched so many people with her bright brown eyes and beautiful smile. She had numerous friends from the MSAD and lived her life to the fullest. Joan was a very kind and caring person who loved animals and children. She never missed a chance to spend time with her family she loved so dearly and who loved her just as much. She always had a big smile and a hug for you and gave the “I Love You” sign every time she came and left family gatherings. The entire family will feel a huge void in their lives without Joan’s presence, and will miss her dearly.

Joan is survived by her mother and stepfather: Patricia & Bob Boever, of Eagan, MN; her father, Leo LeVasseur of Elk River, MN; brothers Ross (Lori )LeVasseur of Monticello, Luke LeVasseur of Waite Park, MN, and Josh Boever of Montrose, MN; nephews Collin & Spencer Levasseur, niece Paige LeVasseur, aunts and uncles: Teresa & Jim Zakrzewski of Maplewood. MN, Dennis Fehrman of St. Cloud, MN, Tom & Vicki Fehrman of Isanti, MN, Tony (Pat Boevers) Fehrman of Kenyon, MN, and Lilly & Bill Erickson of Grantsburg, WI, Kay (Jim Mika) Dellwo of Brooklyn Park, MN, Carleen LeVasseur of San Jose, CA, Lynn & Terry Shonyo of Big Lake, MN, Bonnie & Tony Hollerman of Albertville, MN and Jennifer (Todd Bollencamp) LeVasseur of Monticello, MN; many cousins; many beloved pets; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents Joan and Frank “Puff” Fehrman and Allen and Marie LeVasseur.

Memorial services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Rush City, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 a.m. also at the church on Saturday. Father Xavier Thelakkott will preside at the service. Urn bearer will be Luke LeVasseur and music will be provided by organist Nancy Sterk and soloist Paula Belland. Inurnment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rush City.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Funeral & Cremation Service, Olson Chapel, Rush City, Minnesota.

Saint Paul DFL City Convention 3/21/09

Since I am going to bury my best friend/"sister" of over 20 years in Rush City, I won't be able to cover the St. Paul DFL City Convention so if you are planning on going to convention, please keep me informed so I can update here on my blog.

You could find detail on St. Paul DFL City Convention at St. Paul DFL website. Metro Transit route #62 goes by Arlington High School on Rice Street.

JOAN LEVASSEUR PASSED AWAY

On sad note, Joan passed away at 4:20 this morning. Her family decided to take her off life support.

Her family decided to donate her organs to save other people's lives.

Funeral plans are pending but it will be on Saturday March 21 in Rush City, Minnesota.

CAR THAT WAS POSSIBLY INVOLVED WITH HIT & RUN WAS FOUND IN LAKEVILLE

A vehicle that possibly was involved with hit and run that injured a deaf woman last Friday has been tipped off and the police has found it in a garage of a Lakeville home. The vehicle owners' licenses are suspended. It was 2003 silver focus and it has been sitting in the garage since the incident.

Earlier today the group of Joan LeVasseur's friends held vigil at the crash site to pray and express their anger via media telling the driver to turn herself or himself in to the police to make the investigation easier.

VIGIL FOR JOAN LEVASSEUR WILL BE HELD TODAY

There will be vigil for Joan LeVasseur today at 4:00 PM at Cedar Avenue and 153rd Street in Apple Valley. People will meet at the sidewalk corner where Cub foods is at. That where Joan was hit while crossing the street after buying cat food on Friday March 6th at 9:15 P.M.

Rev. Cindy Dively and Deann "Bear" Dirkx will be leading prayer at the vigil. Rachel Eggert, Joan's good friend of over 20 years is leading the vigil.

The idea was bought up by Rachel's brother, Mike and some friends when they was at Joan's bedside to say final goodbye.

Joan was taken off life support today at noon according to her family last night.

Update on Joan LeVasseur

Once again, I am putting political writing aside and update you with Joan LeVasseur.

Yesterday I did visited her at Hennepin County Medical Center. She is still in critical condition. She is in deep coma and it's hard to tell when she will wake up because according to rating of coma, she is on level 3 which is worst (1 is worst 15 is good and recover quickly, will have good memory). She really have horrible brain/head injury and trauma. She is in critical and life threatening condition. She have several broken bones.

She had to underwent a couple of surgeries but will more if she ever wake up and remain alive.

Let's hope she wake up and recover. Joan's family have been praying and sleepless nights worrying about Joan so I am too.

According to KTSP (channel 5) there have been new lead in case: It's big tan sedan not van as what the police thought. They are asking car repair shops to watch out for big tan sedan with new dent/mark to help solve the crime.

Here is her caringbridge website: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joanlevasseur

Joan and I have been best friends, very close personal and family friends since we was pre-school age.

Star Trib article on hit and run

Deaf woman is hit, injured in Apple Valley; driver sought

By ABBY SIMONS, Star Tribune
March 7, 2009

As Joan LeVasseur lay in a coma Saturday, family members pleaded for the driver who slammed into her and drove away to do what's right.
Apple Valley police say LeVasseur, 26, was crossing Cedar Avenue at the intersection of 153rd Street shortly after 9 p.m. Friday when an unidentified vehicle -- which witnesses described as a tan van, sport-utility vehicle or large sedan -- hit her in the crosswalk. She was listed in critical condition at Hennepin County Medical Center Saturday night.

Although several witnesses saw the crash, none could identify the vehicle or a license plate number, said Sgt. Joe Shaw of the Apple Valley Police Department. The van's front end may have been damaged when it hit LeVasseur, Shaw said.

Her mother, Patty Boever, who had moved her deaf daughter from school to school in search of the best education possible, wept as she described how a life of accomplishment could be derailed in a horrible instant.
"We work hard all our lives to keep our children safe and someone just does this and drives away?" Boever said, her eyes red-rimmed with exhaustion and tears. "This is insane. Don't people have a heart?"

LeVasseur's sister-in-law, Lori LeVasseur, said she suffered severe head trauma, including brain injuries, along with multiple fractures in her legs, pelvis, ribs and right hand. She remains in a deep medically induced coma.
Lori LeVasseur said her sister-in-law, who was engaged to be married, had recently embarked on a mission to lose weight. When she needed cat food Friday night she decided to walk the few miles to Cub Foods from the home she shared with her fiancé. Family members believe she had already bought the cat food and was circling back to pick up another item when she was hit.

"Joan was 26, responsible, and walked a lot. Everywhere," Lori LeVasseur said. "You wouldn't know she was deaf."

According the state Department of Public Safety, 33 pedestrians were killed and 957 injured after being struck by vehicles in 2007, the most recent year for which statistics are available. It was the highest number in three years.
Nearly 4 percent of pedestrian crashes result in death, compared to 1 percent of traffic crashes.

Members of LeVasseur's family huddled together outside HCMC Saturday afternoon, describing her as an animal lover who never turned away a stray. They continue to wait for LeVasseur to pull through, and plead for any witnesses -- or culprits --in the hit-and-run to come forward, if only out of decency for a young woman with so much ahead of her.

"Accidents happen and we need to do the right thing. We're hoping someone responsible for this will come forward," said Joan LeVasseur's stepfather, Robert Boever. "There's a lot of broken hearts asking for someone to come forward. Please."

Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the Apple Valley Police Department at 952- 953-2700 or the Dakota County Communication Center at 651- 322-2323.
Abby Simons • 612-673-4921

© 2009 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

I am pleading for someone to turn in after last night's run and hit in Apple Valley

I am putting political things aside and write about something else. My childhood best friend, Joan LeVasseur was hit by a hit and run driver last night in Apple Valley. I am pleading a person who drove tan van or SUV or big sedan to turn in to Apple Valley Police Department. If you know anyone who did, call AVPD at 952- 953-2700. Justice need to be served.

Joan have lot of thing ahead in her future and she is only 26. She was going to get married to her long time boyfriend sometimes next year. She loves animals and she loves nature.

Now she is in hospital lying in bed. She is in coma and fighting for her life to be alive. If she is alive, she will have long way to recover.

Not only her family are pleading so I am doing same thing so we don't lost that wonderful young lady. If you hit her or if you know who did, please turn yourselves in. Whoever did it was wrong to harm Joan. She don't deserve that.

Statewide historic Disability Rally

I got an e-mail that there will be a rally at the Capitol tomorrow (Saturday March 3rd). It is Statewide Disability Rally. I will try to make it there.

Details on the Rally

Rach's Political Report is on Twitter now!

Twitter fans have good news: Yes, Rach's Political Report is on Twitter. I just joined Twitter so please be patient as I am learning how to use it.

Rach's Political Report Twitter Page

A Steve Wilkos look a like at the Capitol

Senator Satveer Chaudhary (DFL-Fridley) has gone from hair to bald. He do look like Steve Wilkos, who used to be main security man on Jerry Springer show and currently have own daytime talk show.

Let me know if you agree with me that Satveer do look like Steve Wilkos.

Mark Ritchie for Governor in 2010?

According to some sources and rumors flying around at the Capitol yesterday that Secretary of State Mark Ritchie is considering a run for Governor next year.

Let's wait and see if it's for real if he is going to jump into crowded race. I am expecting the 2010 Governor's race to be so ugly. Trust me, it won't be so pretty when there are too much mudslinging and negative campaigning going on.

A note from former Carlson supporter

I recieved this in Facebook from a former supporter of Charles Carlson and I was surprised. He also suggest people to contact Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman to charge Mr. Carlson for taking advantage of people who spent hours volunteering on his campaign or contributed money to his campaign.

To: Supporters and former supporters of Charles Carlson for Minneapolis City Council

From: Jesse D. Berglund, Saint Paul, Minnesota (former supporter of Charles Carlson for City Council)

On March 2, 2009, the Minnesota Daily exposed Charles E. Carlson, candidate for Minneapolis City Council, as a fraud (see http://www.mndaily.com/2009/03/01/student-drop-city-council-race-lied-about-past). Carlson intentionally and materially deceived his supporters about his background, including where he was from and where he attended school; he even faked an English accent. Carlson did not grow up in England; he spent most of his life in Minnesota. He did not graduate from Phillips Exeter Academy or Princeton University; he forged his transcripts for those institutions. In essence, nearly all of Carlson’s life-story was false –it was a made-up persona meant to solicit support and donations for his political ambitions.

Carlson’s deceptions were not merely unethical and wrong, they also likely were illegal. Carlson used his deceptions to obtain campaign contributions from many people, who likely donated in reliance on the truth of his statements. This is theft through fraud, and everyone who donated to his campaign should be able to seek restitution for the amount they donated. While I have the deepest sympathy for Charles and his history of mental illness, he did not appear of unsound mind at any time during my personal interactions with him. Instead, he seemed to consistently repeat the same lies, even when confronted with the truth. As he suspended his campaign, he still could not apologize to his supporters, instead claiming that he ended the campaign so that he could officiate tennis elsewhere. Following the revelation of the deception and suspension of the campaign, many former supporters expressed to me their anger, frustration, and disbelief at what happened. Some had invested considerable time and effort and significant money (during bad economic times) in support of this fraudulent candidate. After receiving this reaction, I believe that Carlson should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for taking advantage of everyone involved and to deter future bad conduct by him or others.

If you donated to the campaign of Charles Carlson for City Council and believe that Carlson should be prosecuted for these criminal acts, please email or fax the letter below (with your information added) to the Hennepin County Attorney’s office: citizeninfo@co.hennepin.mn.us (do not send it as an attachment to this address, just copy and paste into the message), or copy and paste the info into a new document, then print and fax it to 612-348-9712. If you do decide to take action please let me know, as I will try to compile numbers of people to demonstrate our disaffection. You can reach me by email me at jdbmn1977@gmail.com or here on facebook. Thanks, everyone, and please forward this to anyone you know who may be interested.

--Jesse

To: Supporters and former supporters of Charles Carlson for Minneapolis City CouncilFrom: Jesse D. Berglund, Saint Paul, Minnesota (former supporter of Charles Carlson for City Council)On March 2, 2009, the Minnesota Daily exposed Charles E. Carlson, candidate for Minneapolis City Council, as a fraud (see http://www.mndaily.com/2009/03/01/student-drop-city-council-race-lied-about-past). Carlson intentionally and materially deceived his supporters about his background, including where he was from and where he attended school; he even faked an English accent. Carlson did not grow up in England; he spent most of his life in Minnesota. He did not graduate from Phillips Exeter Academy or Princeton University; he forged his transcripts for those institutions. In essence, nearly all of Carlson’s life-story was false –it was a made-up persona meant to solicit support and donations for his political ambitions. Carlson’s deceptions were not merely unethical and wrong, they also likely were illegal. Carlson used his deceptions to obtain campaign contributions from many people, who likely donated in reliance on the truth of his statements. This is theft through fraud, and everyone who donated to his campaign should be able to seek restitution for the amount they donated. While I have the deepest sympathy for Charles and his history of mental illness, he did not appear of unsound mind at any time during my personal interactions with him. Instead, he seemed to consistently repeat the same lies, even when confronted with the truth. As he suspended his campaign, he still could not apologize to his supporters, instead claiming that he ended the campaign so that he could officiate tennis elsewhere. Following the revelation of the deception and suspension of the campaign, many former supporters expressed to me their anger, frustration, and disbelief at what happened. Some had invested considerable time and effort and significant money (during bad economic times) in support of this fraudulent candidate. After receiving this reaction, I believe that Carlson should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law for taking advantage of everyone involved and to deter future bad conduct by him or others. If you donated to the campaign of Charles Carlson for City Council and believe that Carlson should be prosecuted for these criminal acts, please email or fax the letter below (with your information added) to the Hennepin County Attorney’s office: citizeninfo@co.hennepin.mn.us (do not send it as an attachment to this address, just copy and paste into the message), or copy and paste the info into a new document, then print and fax it to 612-348-9712. If you do decide to take action please let me know, as I will try to compile numbers of people to demonstrate our disaffection. You can reach me by email me at jdbmn1977@gmail.com or here on facebook. Thanks, everyone, and please forward this to anyone you know who may be interested.

--Jesse

*****Standardized Letter to Hennepin County Attorney (fill in the areas in parentheses, and add any other pertinent information, or tailor the letter ):

(Date)

Mr. Mike Freeman
Hennepin County Attorney
C-2000 Government Center
300 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55487

Dear Mr. Freeman:I request that your office investigate and file charges against Mr. Charles E. Carlson of Minneapolis, Minnesota (date of birth 12/13/1985) for fraudulently obtaining either a financial and personal contribution from me for his political campaign. Mr. Carlson used false statements and representations concerning his identity and background in his campaign for Minneapolis city council, and he recently suspended his campaign when the Minnesota Daily published a newspaper article exposing his lies (see http://www.mndaily.com/2009/ 03/01/student-drop-city-council-race-lied-about-past). I donated money and time to his campaign in reliance on the truth of his statements, and I also seek restitution for the amount that I donated. Thank you for your time and I may be reached at (phone number and/or email).

Sincerely,

(Name)
(Place of residence)

A candidate have to quit due to lying about his past

Charles E. Carlson who ran for Minneapolis 2nd Ward City Council as DFL candidate was exposed by Minnesota Daily, University of Minnesota newspaper.

You could find it here

Lesson to people who are thinking about running: Never lie because you can be exposed.