Don't attempt this when you are going to Legislative Session

A man jump 23 feet from gallery in Romania because he was so angry at parliament for cutting health insurance for his son who have autism. If anyone attenpt this at my work, they will be charged with some crime and be banned from Minnesota State Capitol for some time just like jumper jump into field at Target Field will be charged and banned for one year. You also could find more pictures by going to Huffington Post article by clicking here.

I notice there are no Ushers or Page or Sergant at Arms or Security in gallery.. How do they control fans at Romanian Parliament and wonder what are they going to do after this incident?

Rach's Letter to Star Tribune Editor

STAR TRIBUNE

12/18/2010


I use Metro Transit on a regular basis due to being legally blind. It is the only mode of transportation I have.

Because I wait for the bus at shelters or stops, I'm aware that the city, businesses and even Metro Transit have done little to clear the huge messes of snow left by plows on sidewalks and corner curbs.

I've had to walk on and wait for buses on the sides of the streets instead of on the sidewalk.

Officials need to think about the safety of bus riders and wheelchair users who need to use sidewalks to safely take the bus.

If you live near bus shelters, please shovel the bus stops and corner curbs that have not been cleared by the city or Metro Transit. Bus riders would appreciate your help.

RACHEL EGGERT, ST. PAUL

Rach's Letter to Pioneer Press Editor: Clearing snow for bus riders

Clearing snow for bus riders

Pioneer Press

12/16/2010

I am a bus rider and I use Metro Transit on a regular basis because of legal blindness; it's the only mode of transportation I have. I wait for the bus at bus shelters or stops. The city, businesses and even Metro Transit haven't cleared snow after the snowplows, leaving a huge mess on sidewalks and corner curbs. I had to walk and wait for buses on the side of the street, instead of the sidewalk.

They need to think about safety for bus riders, the elderly and disabled, even wheelchair riders, who need to use the bus and need to use the sidewalk.

If you live near bus shelters, please shovel bus stops and corner curbs. Bus riders would appreciate your help.

Rachel Eggert, St. Paul

Update from my previous blog on vent of snow removal situation

Earlier I wrote how pissed off I was about snow not being removed from bus stop on previous blog entry. Finally I got e-mail response from my councilman which was good.

Here are e-mail replies between me and my councilman:

Hi XXXX,
Sorry I didn't reply asap, was at retirement party for Speaker Kelliher at Target Field and thanks for gettting back to me sooner.

To answer your question, XXXX and XXXX- bus stops are at three corners. also two more stops on XXXX and XXXX.

If Downtown is in your ward, I also would like to see bus stops that have high volume of traffic to be shoveled also.

How long do you think work would get done?

See you on thursday at your kick off party. Thanks again for getting back to me.

Rach


Coumcilman's response after I wrote email earlier.

--- On Tue, 12/14/10, XXXX XXXXXX wrote:


From: XXXX XXXXXXX
Subject: Re: Snow removal at bus stops & shelters, sidewalk are not cleared very well- safety concern
To: "XXXXXXXX" , senatoreggert@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 7:39 PM


Thank you Rachel

I know that Mayor Coleman and I agree that safe streets, walks and
intersections are of highest priority in our Minnesota winter. Rest
assured that bus stops and crosswalks will be cleaned. The heavy
snowfall has us a little behind but our hardworking employees are
working extra shifts to do the job for you.

Are there any particular bus stops or intersections we should place on a
priority list? Email back and we'll get on them.

Thanks again for contacting us

XXXX

My vent of snow plowing & letter to my Councilman and Mayor

I had to write e-mail to my Councilman and Mayor because I was not too happy with how the Public works Department does it works even Metro Transit for not clearing snow off at bus stops and shelters. Here is my vent:


Dear Mayor Coleman and Councilmember XXXXXX,

I have been living in XXXX and XXXX area in XXX Ward since September. I do like living in St. Paul but I would like to vent out about how public works department does its job.

I am very disappointed in City of St. Paul and Metro Transit for not clearing snow off bus stops even sidewalks are very narrow. Businesses was not very helpful when it comes to clear snow off at bus stops & shelters. Streets are plowed but what about bus stops & shelter and sidewalks that have too much snow?

I am bus rider myself and I use bus on regular basis. I can’t go out that much because of bus stops are not being clear of snow. I had to walk on street because snow are STILL on low rise corner curbs even wait for buses on side of the street.

It is not too safe to wait for buses on street INSTEAD of sidewalk when there are big pile of snow. Last time we had snowstorm, I had hard time getting on and off buses due to bad balance and I am legally blind; I complained to city, they did nothing! What about people who use wheelchairs who use bus, how can they get on and off bus even where would they wait for buses if bus shelters & stops are not clear of snow? It is dangerous for them as well.

My point is that I am speaking out for bus riders and disability community. They use bus frequently like I do on regular basis and it is only mode of transportation I have since I can’t drive regular cars due to legally blindness.

Again, I am trying to get my point across for bus riders and disabled people including my own safety.

Thank you for your time to read e-mail and hope to hear from you soon


Sincerely,

Rachel Eggert

(address not published)

MSHSL SCHEDULE MODIFICATIONS FOR ELECTION DAY, TUES., NOV. 2

In order to comply with state election law so that no high school soccer is being played between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 2, several slight schedule modifications have been put in place.

Three third-place games are scheduled at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with two semifinal games scheduled for noon and 2 p.m. In all cases, there will only be 20 minutes from final horn of the previous game until the next game begins.

For the three third-place games only there will be several additional modifications:

1) Warm-ups will begin immediately after the previous game ends. Warm-ups will take place while awards are presented. The next game will start 20 minutes after the previous game ends, so games may begin prior to scheduled start times.

2) Only starting players will be introduced

3) Halftimes will be shortened to five (5) minutes.

4) No overtime will be played. Both teams will share third place.

In the event that the final game of the day (scheduled for 4 p.m.) begins after 4:15, actual playing time may be adjusted to ensure a conclusion of the game by 6 p.m.

Dill recovers from kidney transplant

State Rep. Dave Dill of Crane Lake received a new kidney Tuesday at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

By: News Tribune Staff, Duluth News Tribune

State Rep. Dave Dill of Crane Lake received a new kidney Tuesday at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

According to Dill’s family, the procedure went as scheduled and he is up and walking and feeling well. He could be released from the hospital as early as Saturday, House DFL spokesperson Sandy Connolly said.

“Rep. Dill extends his appreciation for all the love and prayers of support he has received, and is looking forward to a full recovery,” Connolly said.

Dill, 55, has battled diabetes and kidney problems for many years. He underwent gastric bypass surgery two years ago and lost more than 150 pounds, resolving his diabetes issues. But the previous damage to his kidneys was not repairable, and his kidney function has slowly deteriorated to the level that a transplant was necessary.

Dill is running for his fifth consecutive term in the House. He faces a challenge in the Nov. 2 general election from Republican Jim Tuomala of Babbitt.

2010 second Special Session coverage

By Rach Eggert

The legislature met in second Special Session on Monday, October 18th to deal with flooding relief funding after delaying for a week.

Both galleries in Senate and House Chambers was packed as if its sold out postseason Twins vs New York Yankees game at the Target Field expect we had a couple of empty seats. Even in hallways, it was madhouse and some had to watch TV in hallways because of full galleries. People from Zumbro Falls came all way via school bus to watch the process, some hardcore lobbyists, some hardcore fans (myself included when not working) and tourists that decided to stop by (saw some Japanese tourists walk around) to watch action on flooding relief but also last chance that everyone was in action just two weeks before Election. About 20 legislators are not returning or lost in Primary Election and also last time to face each other such as House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Tom Emmer for last time since they ran in Primary (Kelliher lost and Emmer won in Primary).

Senator Scott Dibble wanted to add his anti-bullying legislation to agenda for Special Session but they refuse and told him to wait until 2011 regular legislative session. He did spoke about his legislation when President James Metzen yielded the floor to Dibble for personal privilege.

There was seven legislation introduced during Special Session on House Floor:

1. House File 1: Flooding and Tornado relief funds.
2. House File 2: Open enrollment for children health plans.
3. House File 3: Disaster relief, amending MN statutes 2010 Section 12A.07 Subdivision 2.
4. House File 4: Anti-bullying (Dibble's bill wasn't introduced in Senate)
5. House File 5: Better options and training for Autism (Health insurance, autism service options, train service providers).
6. House File 6: Resolution to have President and Congress review FBI Raids on Minnesota activists.
7. House File 7: increase age for health care on dependents to 26 years old.

Who was absent: Senator Ann Rest, Rep. Steve Smith, Rep. Tim Mahoney, and outgoing Rep. Jeremy Kalin.

Rep. David Dill was back at work six days after kidney transplant: you could watch The Uptake's video of his return here

Governor Pawlenty signed flooding relief legislation Monday night. When the Senate was adjourning, Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller thanked every Senators and staff for showing up to do Special session and wished them luck during final two weeks of campaigning.

Issue of Session Weekly covering Special session is available online by clicking here.

Session Day Note from Minnesota Senate is available online by clicking here

House Journal from Minnesota House is available online by clicking here

NO SPECIAL SESSION TODAY

There won't bs Special Session today. They have postponed it to more likely Thursday or at later date due to waiting a word from Federal Goverment regarding flooding. Federal offices are closed today due to Columbus Day.

Stay turned.

LSO TOM LUDFORD, COMPASSIONATE OFFICER PASSED AWAY

Rach's Note: Sgt Ludford also used to work as Legislative Security Officer (LSO) during 2005 legislative session which was first year they set up LSO (they use retired troopers to provide security) to provide extra security at the Capitol during legislative session. I remember Tom as a very nice and helpful. I was very blessed to know this great person who help people at the Capitol to make sure things goes well.

The former Minnesota State Patrol Officer of the Year was a top investigator and sensitive bearer of tragic news.

By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune

Last update: October 7, 2010

Sgt. Thomas G. Ludford was a compassionate expert at probably the most emotional task confronting a police officer: telling someone a loved one has died.

Ludford also was a crack investigator who was named Minnesota State Patrol Officer of the Year in 1998, when he retired. Since then he has handled internal investigations and other patrol special projects.

"Tom was one of the good guys. He's probably the best person I have known for victims' support in the law enforcement arena," said Sharon Gehrman-Driscoll, director of victim advocacy for Minnesotans for Safe Driving. "It didn't make any difference who the case was: a very prominent Minnesotan or a person ... living in a Salvation Army building. Everybody was treated with dignity and sensitivity."

Ludford, 72, of Victoria, died Tuesday of leukemia at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, his wife said.

"He was meticulous in appearance and work product," recalled Lt. Col. Kevin Daly, who called him a friend and mentor. "You were not lucky if Sgt. Ludford was investigating your case. He would turn over every rock. He was a very thorough, complete investigator."

When he retired after 30 years with the patrol, then-Patrol Chief Anne Bears said at his award ceremony that Ludford epitomized the best qualities of the patrol because of his dedication and superior investigative skills. Ludford told the Star Tribune that day: "The only thing I've ever felt bad about was that I wasn't able to do enough to help the families who lost somebody in a car accident."

Ludford had a close call himself in 1996 while guiding I-35W traffic around construction workers in Richfield, said his wife, Marion Ludford. His patrol car, parked on the shoulder with lights flashing, was rear-ended by an impaired driver. The squad car burst into flames, knocking out Ludford. A passing off-duty deputy stopped and pulled him out before the car exploded. His wife said he escaped with a broken thumb and lingering aches. Her husband was a gentle, soft-spoken man who was tough when necessary, she said. He learned early about working with grieving survivors in his father's funeral home, she added.

Gehrman-Driscoll worked with Ludford in death notification classes her agency held for troopers. He spoke to them about how to handle and recover from the gut-wrenching notifications, she said.

One of those touched by Ludford's kindness is Barb Degnan of Edina. Her 20-year-old son was killed in a crash two days before Christmas in 1992. Ludford, who handled the case, wrote to legislators supporting her five-year effort to authorize a specialty license plate displaying a broken heart to remind other drivers to drive carefully. The plates became available in August.

Every Christmas, Ludford contacted Degnan "to let us know he is thinking of us," she said. "He was just an unusually gifted and compassionate man."

In addition to his wife of 51 years, Ludford is survived by sons Scott of Winona, Minn., and J.D. of Waconia, and four granddaughters.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, 50th St. and Knox Av. S., Minneapolis. Visitation is one hour before the service.

MINNESOTA DFL FIRST TV AD SUPPORTING MARK DAYTON

Here it is: Minnesota DFL Party's first TV commerical on Mark Dayton, their endrosee.

Nurses Ask Tom Horner to Sign “Contract with Working Families” in Duluth

TODAY, October 8th, at 3:00pm at Carmody's Irish Pub in Duluth , Minnesota nurses will present Tom Horner with a “Contract with Working Families” and ask that he pledge to put the needs of working families ahead of his close relationship with Twin Cities Hospitals and disclose his client list.

The text of the contract is pasted below:

Tom Horner’s Contract with Working Families

I, Tom Horner, hereby pledge to immediately disclose any and all contractual agreements I have had with clients in the past two years, including the Twin Cities Hospitals, my last remaining Public Relations/Communications client. I realize that my relationship with the Twin Cities Hospitals, which have more than $7 billion in yearly revenue, as a paying customer serves as a major conflict of interest should I become Minnesota ’s next Governor. I therefore recuse myself from direct interaction with any particular matter relating to the Twin Cities Hospitals.



Additionally, I pledge that neither the Twin Cities Hospitals nor any other corporate entity will have special access to or favor with my office should I become Governor. Instead, I agree, in writing, to do everything in my power to always put the needs of the working families of Minnesota ahead of any corporate entity and/or its financial agenda.

NO MORE PAWLENTY ON FRIDAY MORNINGS

SOURCE: Governor Pawlenty's Office

Saint Paul – Governor Pawlenty announced today that his last Good Morning, Minnesota broadcast will be November 12, 2010. The Governor has notified WCCO-AM management of his decision.

The Governor first broadcast his weekly radio show on WCCO-AM in February 2003. He voluntarily ended the broadcast in June 2006 prior to filing for re-election. He resumed the show in January 2007 as he began his second term as Governor.

Good Morning, Minnesota airs from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each Friday. WCCO-AM was selected after an RFP process solicited bids from radio broadcasters interested in airing the Governor’s radio show.

Mistrial declared in fatal Apple Valley hit-and-run

Joan LeVasseur was hit on March 6, 2009, while running across Cedar Avenue S. at 153rd Street in Apple Valley and died a week later.

By JOY POWELL, Star Tribune

Last update: October 7, 2010

A Dakota County judge on Thursday declared a mistrial in a fatal hit-and-run case after the jury deadlocked.

Minutes after the decision, the parents of Joan LeVasseur, who died a week after she was struck in March 2009 while crossing Cedar Avenue S. in Apple Valley, expressed frustration.

On Wednesday, jurors had sent Judge David Knutson a note saying that they were at a stalemate in considering the charges against Eric James Hunter, 41, of Rosemount. Two of the 12 jurors had been unable to reach a guilty verdict after three days of deliberation.

In addition, on Thursday, a third juror asked the judge whether he could be excused from deliberations should they continue into next week because he had tickets to a sporting event.

"I am so frustrated that I can't even think," LeVasseur's mother, Patty Boever of Farmington, said after receiving news of the jury's deadlock.

Her 26-year-old daughter, known as Joanie, lived in Apple Valley. She was hit on March 6, 2009, while running across Cedar at 153rd Street, and died a week later at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Months later, Hunter was charged with two felony counts of leaving the scene of a fatal accident and also of driving after his license was suspended.

"We are disappointed that the jury was unable to reach a decision in this matter," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said. "This was an extremely serious incident that involved the death of a young woman, and we have every intention of retrying the case as soon as possible."

Said Patty Boever: "It's not what we wanted, but we still have a chance at him."

There's no question that the car Hunter was driving struck LeVasseur, who was deaf. The question that the jury grappled with was whether Hunter knew that he had struck a person before driving off without stopping or calling police.

Hunter testified in his own defense during the nine-day trial in Hastings, telling the jury that he didn't know what he had hit that Friday night. He claimed it wasn't until five days later, when he saw a news article about the hit-and-run accident, that he realized he had hit a person -- and that she was being taken off life support.

"How could you not know that you hit a person?" Boever said.

She and her husband, Bob Boever, said that LeVasseur's head had broken through the windshield of the car Hunter was driving, leaving a hole the size of a bowling ball, bits of flesh and blood in the broken glass and a tuft of her dark hair at his feet, beneath the steering wheel.

Assistant County Attorney Kevin Golden had questioned Hunter about why he didn't call police right away. Five days after the accident, why did he first call his father and then an attorney, whose investigator called police? And why did he tell co-workers that he rear-ended a semi but later told his nephew that he hit a deer?

LeVasseur had been in a crosswalk when she ran from the middle median across a northbound lane, against a red light. Because that caused the accident, the most serious charge that prosecutors could file against Hunter was leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Had Hunter caused the accident -- or had he been found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol -- he could have been charged with a greater crime: vehicular homicide.

"We're not talking about who's at fault," Golden told the jury. "What we're talking about is the defendant's obligation after he hit her to stop."

By the time police located and impounded the car five days after the accident, it was evident that somebody had wiped down the car where it was dented from LeVasseur's body, said Apple Valley police officer Jason Weishaar.

The victim's father, Leo LeVasseur of Otsego, said he believed that Hunter knew he hit a person. LeVasseur said his daughter had been running west to east, so she passed in front of the driver before he hit her with the right front of his vehicle, on the passenger side.

Joy Powell • 952-882-9017

Ghostly Encounter at First Avenue nightclub

I went to 7th Street Entry/First Avenue for a political fundraiser. It is great music venue for any music lovers. I really had good time but, after spent like three hours inside the club, I started to feel cold draft when I was on dance floor so I putted my zipped hoodie on, but impossible, I still felt cold. The feeling was like I was in an icebox or freezer so I went and informed the bartender what happened, while I was speaking to her, the draft followed me around and it got stronger and colder. I asked her what happened, I was informed that the club was bus depot years ago and a woman killed herself in bathroom in other part of building. When I left the club, I decided to ask the bouncer for more information, he mentioned that something had to do with the basement and there may be strong stench that never left.

I had to do research online. What those people told me at the club confirmed to be true. It was Greyhound Bus Depot on First Avenue and Seventh Street just across street from Target Center and Block E in Downtown Minneapolis. A young woman hung herself in women bathroom in stall #5. Homeless people whose died there have frequented the site when it was bus depot and it explain why I had strange feelings when I was on dance floor. Bands have reported that equipment would get thrown off stage or apparitions dancing with no legs. Some reported some people with red eyes, and one woman witnessed the woman ghost hanging herself in bathroom stall. One website claimed that it was livestock stable, school playground and bus depot before it turned into nightclub.

If you have any ghostly encounter at First Avenue or any other place, feel free to contact me at senatoreggert@yahoo.com or leave a comment.

Rep. Kim Norton's Capitol History and Tour

Here is video of my co-worker and friend, Rep. Kim Norton's video on history and tour of Capitol. It shows area that are usually off limits to the public that at the end of session, tour was only shown to Capitol employees like myself, legislators and their families. You will be hearing voices of my friends and co workers Kim, John the Capitol security guy, and Minnesota Legislature hardcore fan John Kaul.

Kim is explaining the history of Capitol building if you are into history or just a fan of the building itself.

I have gone on similar tour with John the security guy couple of times when working overnight or on weekend during final days of regular legislative session with my coworkers. I have been inside the dome, on top of the dome, and inside rotunda on the catwalk. The view was really awesome if the weather are nice but lot of walking on stairs and worth it. When I was on top of dome, I could see everything that inculdes skyline of Downtown Minneapolis, St. Paul, University Avenue, and pretty much everything. On the roof of the Capitol look like skate park which would be perfect place for skateboarders.

Only area that are off limits to the public tours are on top of dome and catwalk inside of rotunda but it is worth to watch the video yourself unless you are working at the Capitol like myself.

Thanks John Kaul for making this video. He is one of my regular so I see him every session day. He also takes really awesome pictures if you have seen his projects.

CAN WE JUST LEAVE THE WAY TARGET CENTER IS?

By Rach Eggert

A major health company, Sanford Health want to post their huge advertising sign on side of Target Center facing Target Field and Target Plaza. For god's sake, the building is going to be 20 years old (will turn 20 on Oct 13) and I like the way it is. We don't need more "spam" to take our eyes off baseball field. Purpose of Twins and Target Field is for us to enjoy baseball games even to relax and don't you think we get plenty of advertising at the Field?

Target Plaza is public gathering, those three places- Target Field, Target Plaza, and Target Center was paid with taxpayers money so we could have entrainment not spam. City owns the gym (Target Center), Ballpark Authority owns Field, and Plaza is owned by the city and field. Twins wasn't too happy about it.

Link to Tempest brewing over huge advertising sign being erected on Target Center — facing Target Field

Can Sanford Health just leave Target Center alone? I know some people think the building look so ugly but to me, it doesn't bother me at all. Whatever they want to put on the gym is totally eyesore.

What is your opinion?

IT'S OFFICIAL: SPECIAL SESSION IN OCTOBER AND POLITICAL POSTSEASON BEFORE 2011 SESSION STARTS

Its official that Governor Tim Pawlenty called on Special Session to deal with flooding that have been occurring in Southern Minnesota. It will be sometimes during between October 7-12 and it will be one day special session.

Earlier today Governor and the Legislative leaders met in private meeting to deal with the issue. Gov. Pawlenty said that he prefer to wait until he hear from the federal government regarding spending on flooding relief.

If you are hardcore fan of Minnesota State Legislature, it is your only and last chance to see all of Senators and Representatives in action before General Election because 20 or more members are not returning when they convene again for 2011 regular session. It is just like postseason for Minnesota Political junkies like myself. Last chance to watch your favorite legislators such as Satveer Chaudhary, Margret Anderson Kelliher, Tom Emmer and more in action.

It will be on webcast but being televised is questionable. The Uptake will be broadcasting the session live.

Note: If session does occur on October 7, Downtown St. Paul will be very busy with Wild VS Hurricane 11AM game at the Excel Energy Center, so best way is to take public transit because when events are occurring at State Capitol and Excel Energy Center at same time, parking is impossible to find. For Metro Transit information: Call 612-373-3777 or go on www.metrotransit.org. As for concessions and food: My employer won’t have concessions stand or Capitol cafeteria open but they do provide vending machines or you can grab a bite at Minnesota Department of Transportation cafeteria during lunch hour.

REP. MARK BUESGENS HOUSE IS LISTED AS FORECLOSURED

By Rach Eggert

Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) house is in foreclosure and it is listed on website for Southwest Homenow. His house went into foreclosure before he was busted for DWI. It listed at $717,288.00 as asking price. It is 5 bedroom single family house with two bathrooms.

Buesgens house listed on Southwest Homenow

Why don't Rep. Buesgens explain why he lost his house just like Senator Mee Moua did last week? His constituents in House district 35B may want to know why.

Senator Mee Moua lose her house to foreclosure as she went public about it last week. Why don't Buesgens do same thing?

MEMORIAL SERVICE DATE SET FOR FORMER STATE REP KATHLEEN SEKHON'S DAUGHTER

Former State Representative Kathleen Sekhon's Daughter, Rachael Diana Sekhon passed away sometimes during summer due to complication of virus. The family have set up memorial services. Here is the link:

Rachael Diana Sekhon obitbuary

The memorial service have set for Oct 9th. Kathleen Sekhon was elected twice to House in 1992 and 1996.

My new latest hobby: Minnesota Lynx

Sorry if the picture is too bright and blurry but thats me at my first Lynx game last June.

By Rach Eggert, Rach’s Political Report

Minnesota Lynx 2010 season was my first time watching professional women basketball after a friend of mine encouraged me to go and check it out last June (didn’t go last May due to end of 2010 legislative session and had to work).

I knew that Lindsay Whalen is really good player since Lynx signed her from Connecticut Sun. At least we have a hometown player to help the team win and as I am writing, we are just two road games left and I am hoping that we would win those games after big loss to Seattle Storm last night. If we win two more games then we would still have chance at playoffs. Wait and see what happen on Friday and Sunday. Other two players that I agree with most fans who are very good: Candice Wiggins and Seimone Augustus that helped the team win several games. I am sure most of Lynx fans would agree with me.

I really love "Party Zone" because you could play games and get concessions food that you usually don't find out in hallways at the Target Center.

At first I thought that WNBA is just like NBA but I was wrong. They are more fun than NBA because people tend to do crazy and silly thing such as musical chair game during Prowl’s birthday party. Minnesota Lynx staff are very friendly and helpful. The autograph party during Fan Appreciation Night was like madhouse. I wanted to get my favorite players autographs but it will have to wait until next year. I also love their party at Target Plaza although I went once due to schedule conflicts throughout the season. Glad that last home game didn’t get conflicted with Twins VS Oakland A’s game since I got Twins game ticket from a friend at last minute.

My friend was right all along, it is fun watching Lynx game as if you are watching St. Paul Saints Baseball game. Same friend I went to Twins game with earlier in the day (he is hardcore Twins fan) is now addicted to Lynx after I took him to game. This is type of sport I like. It is also awesome to meet some Lynx fans that was Facebook friends in person at games.

You can find Lynx and Target Center on Twitter:

Lynx: @minnesotalynx

Target Center: @TargetCenterMN

Some creature of weirdness: Doppler the Storm mascot

Last night when I was watching Minnesota Lynx VS Seattle Storm on Live Access, I noticed that the Storm have their own mascot so I did some research to find out who it is. Their mascot is Doppler.

The picture has came up to me: Barney the Dinosaur and Elmo so I figured out that its crossbreed and I am referring Doppler as BarneyElmo creature.

Judge for yourself.

Rach's first adventure at the Target Field

My sister, Jessica and I went to Target Field on July 31st for Twins VS Seattle Mariners game. I am going to write about my adventure. Twins won 4 to 0.

When I went inside, I had face of happy but amazing like a kid on Christmas morning and was in awe. My first reaction was: WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!! It look really nicer than Metrodome. I have been to Target Plaza (small park in between Target Center and Target Field and bridge over a highway) but never been inside. Unlikely other venues, they have gates named after retired players along with their jersey numbers such as Gate #34 for Kirby Puckett and #14 for Kent Herbek instead of usual gates A, B, C or #1, 2, 3.

Jessica and I got free Twins cap (sponsored by DQ), we are two of 20,000 fans to get free cap. The coupon attached to hat is for some money off on blizzard or ice cream from DQ. There are 5 gates so there are 4,000 caps to give away at each gates as I did some math.

The hallway is HUGE, just like Xcel Energy Center (hockey arena in St. Paul), Most of it are outdoors expect bathrooms and some areas. At dome it is small, closed and lack of fresh air. People could see game when they are in line to buy food or things. It was crowded too and from what I see, every seats are FULL. There are six types of seats but mine was bench on left field.

There are different types of concessions even they have three bars/restaurants. There was Italian, Asian, Mexican, state fair, deli, and many more. Only place I ate was at Ballpark Tavern.

Instead of going straight to our seat, we decided to go on adventure to explore the place. We went to Treasure Island booth to get free backpack, then got drinks and bought programs. We decided to walk around and did full first floor. There also are stores inside so we decided to call it Mall of Target Field because it is more like mall with baseball stadium in it. There are several Twins stores, mostly kiosks, but there are two stores on first floor one is inside and other one is outside with more choices in things. There is charging booth for cellphone/ipods and Wii for people to play video games that are sponsored by Best Buy.

We went upstairs so I could eat at Ballpark Tavern because I heard that Juicy Lucy burgers are very good. The bar is too crowded but we managed to get a table. Their hardwood floor was from Minneapolis Armory where Lakers used to play before they moved to Los Angles. Some tables are high, some are low and there was some comfy chairs also and island bar.

I would always return to Target Field. It is worth to watch game or just to hang out walking around the stadium.

ITS OFFICIAL: LEBRON JAMES IS HEADING TO MIAMI

Free agent drama is all over for good: LeBron James is going to join Miami Heat for upcoming 2010-2011 NBA season.

SOURCE: ESPN NBA

You can watch his interview HERE.

LeBron James put the NBA on notice Thursday night, joining Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami.

Ending weeks of silence and drama, the two-time MVP said on his ESPN special from Greenwich, Conn. on Thursday night that he's decided to join the Miami Heat and leave the Cleveland Cavaliers after an unsuccessful seven-year quest for the championship he covets.




LeBron Discusses 'The Decision'
LeBron James will sit down with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America on ABC (Friday, 7 a.m. ET) to discuss the ins and outs of one of the most-talked about free-agent decisions in NBA history.

"The best opportunity to win and to win now and to win in the future also," James said. "Winning is a huge thing for me."

It's a huge victory for the Heat, who got commitments from Wade and Bosh on Wednesday. That duo, along with James, formed the upper echelon of the most-celebrated free-agent period in league history.

James said the contract numbers for all three were not finalized, but all three agreed to take less money to play alongside each other.

Still, Heat president Pat Riley landed them all, a three-pack of stars to help shape his quest for a dynasty in Miami.

And for Cleveland, a city scorned for generations by some of sports' biggest letdowns, James' long-awaited words represented a defeat perhaps unlike any other.

James is gone. Home sweet home no more.

He said he made the decision Thursday morning and knows it won't go over well in Ohio.

"They can have mixed emotions, of course," James said, adding that Akron will "always be home for me."

The Cavs drafted James No. 1 overall in 2003 out of St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School in Akron, Ohio.

Emmer to Hold Town Meeting with Servers

Source: Emmer for Governor Press Release

Emmer to Hold Town Meeting with Servers

Listening tour continues, hospitality workers encouraged to participate

Tom Emmer announced today he will hold a town meeting with servers in the hospitality industry next Wednesday to listen to their concerns regarding wages, tips, taxes and health care. This week Emmer met with business owners around the state as he focused the Freedom and Prosperity Project on jobs and the economy.

“The most important issue facing the next governor is creating jobs and getting our economy back on the path to prosperity,” said Emmer. “This week we met with business owners and next week we will listen to the employees, especially servers concerned about the tip credit issue. I’m looking forward to a robust discussion.”

What Town Hall Meeting with servers in the hospitality industry.

When Wednesday, July 14, 2010 · 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

When Ol’ Mexico Restaurante and Cantina
One block north of Larpenteur on Lexington Ave
Roseville

Leslie Peterson, a 'great storyteller' turned ally for deaf-blind

Leslie Peterson, a 'great storyteller' turned ally for deaf-blind
Leslie Peterson of Minneapolis was a longtime advocate and role model for people like himself.

By SARAH LEMAGIE, Star Tribune

Last update: July 2, 2010

Lifelong deafness and the gradual loss of his sight did not keep Leslie Peterson from a rich, independent life.

A past president of the Minnesota DeafBlind Association, Peterson, who died June 28, was a longtime advocate for that community, friends and relatives said.

Peterson often spoke to school and community groups, state officials and legislators. "He was a great storyteller," and he worked hard to secure funding for services to help people who were deaf and blind, said longtime friend and interpreter Nancy Evelyn.

Friends and relatives said he helped start a social club for people with deaf-blindness, as well as the association's annual Thanksgiving banquet, where last year he received a lifetime achievement award.

But "his greatest impact to people was simply being who he was, being a role model," said Paul Deeming, a services manager at DeafBlind Services Minnesota. "He is the most independent person who is deaf-blind that I know."

In the early 1980s, Peterson helped to successfully lobby state legislators to fund services for people who were both deaf and blind, said Sharon Plett, also a longtime interpreter.

Peterson, 67, of south Minneapolis, died of lung cancer, though he never smoked, said his daughter, Mitzi Uribe of Coon Rapids.

Peterson had a condition called Usher syndrome, a relatively rare genetic disorder characterized by deafness and gradual vision loss. He was born deaf and started losing his sight at age 14.

Though he was legally blind for decades, he retained some sight until two weeks before he died, his daughter said.

Peterson was born in Montana, the son of a pastor with a large family. After graduating from a school for the deaf, he attended a Bible college in Missouri.

He moved to Minnesota, initially to be near a sister in St. Cloud. He met his future wife, Patti, "on a blind date," Uribe said, laughing.

When they were courting, Peterson used to take the bus to Patti's parents' house in Robbinsdale and walk the last few blocks to their door, which "used to make her family nervous," Uribe said.
Peterson worked as a draftsman for several years -- a job that he loved, but which he eventually had to leave as his eyesight worsened, his daughter said.

"He was really at a point in his life where he had decided to take life by the horns and start preparing himself for being deaf and blind," learning to use a cane and read Braille, she said.
Peterson remained bold his entire life, though he knew the risks, his daughter said. "A lot of times, he would be on a bus and the bus driver would forget to tap him on the shoulder, and he would be completely lost in the community somewhere," she said.

He did his own banking, could install doors and build walls, and even tore down an old garage a few years ago.

"It look him two weeks, and he got lots of cuts and bruises, but he gained lots of muscle tone and he loved it," Uribe said.

He created his own communication system, a flip chart with various messages in large-print and Braille that he used to take the bus and get around in public, Deeming said. Dissatisfied with storebought canes for blind people, Peterson made his own, attaching a pizza cutter to the end so it would roll over sidewalk cracks.

An avid chess player, Peterson would play anyone, Deeming said. "I only saw one person, one time, who ever beat him," he said. Once, Deeming said, Peterson was the only person who showed up to a club meeting at DeafBlind Services Minnesota. Lacking a chess partner, he taught a staffer how to play -- wordlessly.

Peterson is survived by his wife and two children, along with many other relatives. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Billman-Hunt Chapel, 2701 Central Av. NE. in Minneapolis, with a gathering one hour before the service.

Sarah Lemagie • 952-882-9016

The First Branch of Government: NCSL Film Rediscovered

Rach's Note: That was from 1970's where people was allowed to smoke in buildings and the advanced technology was typewriter. There was no Laptops, blackberries, Ipods, and cellphones. there may be familar faces of old timers such as Martin Olav Sabo who later get elected to Congress. Click on title of film to watch the video.

Source: National Conference of State Legislatures

by Pam Greenberg

[Note: This article was originally posted in May 2009. Repairing a broken link to the video caused it to be re-published today.]

The Minnesota Legislative Research Library has uncovered a lost treasure: a documentary film about the legislative process written and produced for NCSL in 1976 by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Charles Guggenheim, whose Academy-award winning films included Nine From Little Rock, A Time for Justice, and The Johnstown Flood.

The 30-minute documentary film, The First Branch of Government: From Grass Roots to Law, follows former Minnesota Representative Thomas Berg (photo) as he attempts to pass The Metropolitan Land Planning Act.

Former Representative Ray Faricy converted the film from its original format to DVD and gave it to the library, which in turn converted it to a media file format and made it available to all through the Legislature’s website.

The film begins, “Every year, 7,565 Americans travel to their state capitals to work. These citizen legislators carry with them the concerns and aspirations of their people—values which will ultimately determine the future of our children, our institutions and the quality of our land. This is the story of one of them—and the men and women who have joined him in performing this work.”


As Library Director Robbie LaFleur observes:

“Many of the scenes and sounds are anachronistic—typewriters clacking, people smoking in offices and committee rooms, and window air conditioners. Check out the plaid jackets! There are no cell phones or laptops in sight. But the human process of the Legislature that is portrayed is just as real today. Constituents have conflicting needs, priorities need balancing, and sometimes a legislator becomes irritated at roadblocks to the passage of a bill. Frustrating floor debates drag on and end in disappointment. It's difficult to balance the demands of office with home life. The film could be shown in a civics class today.”

The film really makes you feel as though you are standing in Representative Berg's shoes. He and others in the film seem totally unaware of the cameras and crew. There are scenes of Berg meeting with his constituents, talking with local officials, driving hundreds of miles on snowy roads for hearings throughout the state, and strategizing with colleagues. Berg is also faced with compromise—changing his bill in order to win wider support or risk losing the cause completely. A businessman opens his testimony at a committee hearing with: “Well, I’m one of those nasty developers...” Berg also talks with school kids in the chamber, telling them “I really hope in about 20 years several of you will be sitting out there in those seats, trying to decide what’s best for the state of Minnesota.”

The film ends by stating NCSL’s mission at that time (similar to, but shorter than our current mission):

“As an organization of the nation’s legislators and legislative staff, we have an obligation to the American people:

•To improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures
•To assure states a strong, cohesive voice in the federal decision-making process
•To foster interstate communication and cooperation
We intend to live up to that obligation.”

The film may not go viral on YouTube, but among legislative junkies or legislator wannabe's, it's a must see.

How Ironic for BP to post at their stations but.....

They made spill in Gulf of Mexico.. That doesn't make sense if they post those signs at gas station. Tell me what you think.

A historic lowering of the State Capitol Rotunda chandelier

By Mike Kaszuba, Star Tribune

As cameras recorded the event, the one-ton State Capitol Rotunda chandelier was lowered Tuesday evening for the first time since 1979.

Officials said the chandelier was lowered to prepare for work on the Capitol dome that will begin this fall, and said the chandelier appeared to be in good shape with all 92 of its heavy-grade light bulbs still working. A small gathering of officials from the Minnesota Historical Society watched as the crystal chandelier was lowered 142 feet from the top of the rotunda to just above the rotunda floor.

"It's just dirty, dusty," said Brian Pease, site manager of the State Capitol for the state historical society. After a quick inspection, the chandelier was raised back up to the ceiling. It will be lowered again this fall, and cleaned over a three-to-four-day period.

Pease said Tuesday's exercise was mainly to see how easily the chandelier could be lowered. "This was basically just a trial run," he said.

The chandelier, which is just over six feet wide, was installed at the Capitol in 1904 -- Pease said Tuesday's lowering was likely just the third or fourth time it had ever been lowered.

The chandelier is only lit on special occasions -- on statehood day each year, when a new governor is inaugurated, when the body of a notable person is lying in state in the Capitol rotunda and for other rare events. Pease said the chandelier is probably lit only 50 to 60 hours annually.

Oil Spill on Gulf of Mexico: Who to blame for the mess?

I have been hearing different version of BP oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico. Some said it was Barack Obama's fault, some said it was BP's fault. There are conflicting version of whose at fault.

BP have tried to stop the spill but "Top Kill" did not work. What you think they are going to do next?

I would like to hear from you on what you think who are at fault. Please leave a comment because I am very open to discussion.

A demand for fiscal responsibility

Rach's note: With Former US Senator Norm Coleman's permission, I can publish the article he wrote to Politico.


By NORM COLEMAN, Politico


America is awash in debt. We topped $13 trillion and rising last week.


Congress knows this. President Barack Obama knows this. The governors and legislatures of every state know this.


Few of these politicians seem to want to do anything about it. In fact, by most accounts, the president and his allies are willing to expand the size, the scope and the cost of government for current and future generations.

But the American people can do something about it — the Constitution gives them that right. Now is the time for Americans to mandate fiscal responsibility by a grass-roots movement for a balanced budget amendment.


It’s time the American people reclaimed their future, and their children’s future, and forced Congress and politicians to do what they can’t — or won’t — do: Balance the nation’s budget, and then balance it every single year afterward — as the vast majority of the states must do under their own constitutions.


Obama’s budget is a road map to decline, showing deficits of more than $700 billion every year for a decade. Under his plan, the national debt is due to more than triple, from $5.8 trillion in 2008 to more than $20 trillion in 2020 — with more than $1 trillion in interest payments. That’s $60,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States.


This doesn’t even take into account the spiraling increased liabilities of Social Security and Medicare as baby boomers come of age.


The United States is not Greece — yet. But we are on a path to a future of higher interest rates, a diminished dollar, stagnant wages and dashed dreams.


Much of the avalanche of U.S. debt will be controlled by China and other countries, whose main mission seems to be to undermine American values around the globe.


This is a troubling future for a great country, the strongest economy on the planet and a beacon of freedom for centuries.


Under Article 5 of the Constitution, there are two ways to propose amendments. First is a vote by two-thirds of each house of Congress. We know that is not likely. Second is a Constitutional Convention to propose amendments, an “Article V convention.”


It’s simple. Thirty-four states would need to petition Congress for a convention. Then, 38 states would need to ratify anything that came out of this Constitutional Convention.


Imagine this scenario that could help restore America’s economic well-being:

Governors of each state call a special session of their legislatures to petition Congress for a Constitutional Convention. This places every member of every state’s Legislature on the record as being for or against a Constitutional Convention to decide whether a balanced budget should be required for the U.S. government. Once the Constitutional Convention is held, if a balanced budget amendment is agreed on, the process would start again with each governor calling for a special session of the Legislature to vote yes — or no — on that amendment.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37718.html#ixzz0oy12q5dN

Is Ole Savior switching parties?

It may be surprise to everyone in Democratic Farmer Labor Party that Ole Savior, a frequent candidate decided to file as Republican to run for Governor. Its latest stunt that Savior is pulling besides having an Elvis impostor as running mate.

I am sure after this, he will be banned from speaking at the next DFL state convention.

You could find the proof: Candidate Filing on Mark Ritchie’s website

FCC changes could affect MN video phone provider

Source: KSTP 5

You could watch video HERE

Phyllis and Neil Jenson of Roseville say their lives changed for the better when a video phone came into the picture.

When the two got one five years ago, dat to day things became easier.

"now I can talk to a doctor or nurse, the interpreter explain it clearly, and I don't have to go to the clinic. It's all there on the videophone, I just have to go pick ip my medicine, it's much faster," saysPhyllis Jensen.

A new proposal by the FCC could take away the video phone that thousands in Minnesota's deaf community depend on.

The phone works by allowing a deaf person to make a call using sign language on one end, while a interpreters reads those signs and communicates with the other person on the other end.

For the deaf community, this is a free service.

The FCC reimburses providers like Sorenson Communications.

In the current three year plan, set to expire at the end of June, the FCC paid back more than six dollars a minute.

The new proposal would reduce the rate by 40 percent, down to $3.89.

"if this proposed rate is adopted, it will lead to Sorenson's bankruptcy," says the director of the St. paul Center.

He also says the proposal doesn't factor in costs for research, development and training.

Senator Klobuchar signed a letter to the FCC asking it to reconsider.

The FCC says it will take into account Sorenson's date before making a decision. The new rates will kick in July 1st.

Faribault native wants action in council run

By: James Warden, Faribault Daily

Sonny Wasilowski thinks City Council needs someone who can act decisively.

He’s watched the council discuss issues such as downtown color ordinances and cost-saving measures without taking any action.

“The residents of Faribault really deserve a person on the council who can make simple and tough decisions,” Wasilowski said. “From simple decisions to tough decisions, the leaders should be able to make those decisions quickly.”

The Faribault native is running for City Council and pledges to be a man of action if voters choose him to serve.

Faribault elects its council members at large. Councilwoman Kay Duchene and councilmen Roger Johnson and Kevin Voracek have terms expiring this year.

Wasilowski describes himself as neither a liberal nor conservative. He said he’ll listen to all ideas and then take action.

“I’m just a public servant. I’ve done a lot of community involvement,” the 29-year-old said.

Wasilowski promised to manage the city’s budget challenges by working with city staff to hear how they thought Faribault could save money. He likes proposals they introduced last summer that included employee furloughs and 38-hour work weeks.

He’d also like to compress the the current opening hours into a Tuesday to Friday schedule that maintains the same hours but keeps the offices open later in the evening.

Faribault does not need to raise taxes to manage its budget crunch, Wasilowski said.

“I have the fullest confidence that the city employees know what needs to be done without raising taxes,” he wrote in an e-mail to the Daily News. “Along with community members, they’ve submitted many suggestions — I would aggressively go through them and take action on those suggestions to cut costs.”

Wasilowski is on the Daily News’ reader advisory panel.

Wasilowski has been involved in a variety of service organizations. He spent two years on the Site Council for Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf, where he also went to school.

“I just happen to be deaf. It’s not a big part of who I am,” he said.

He also attended Jefferson Elementary, Faribault Middle School and Faribault High School.

Wasilowski also is a board member for Christ Through Hands Ministry and helped the Georgia American Sign Language Teachers Association and the Faribault Deaf Club attain 501(c)(3) status.

This experience, and his willingness to make the tough decisions, would make him an asset on the council, he said.

“I believe the city is doing good right now, but it could be great,” he said.



— Staff writer James Warden may be reached at 333-3127

Rep. Steve Gottwalt E-Newsletter Update 5-18-10

Rach's note: Rep. Steve Gottwalt posted this on his Facebook page and with his permission, I can post this in case if my readers whose are living in his district wondering what Rep. Gottwalt have to say at end of 2010 Legislative Session.

Rep. Steve Gottwalt E-Newsletter Update 5-18-10

Dear Neighbor:

The 2010 Legislative Session, and the brief special session, are over --
"sine die." Your State Legislature and Governor Pawlenty were able to
reach agreement on a proposal that eliminates Minnesota’s $3 billion
budget deficit for this year without tax increases, and without
extending our time in St. Paul. I'm sure that's the result most
Minnesotans wanted.

While I'm pleased we balanced the budget for this year, the deeper
concern is for next year when we expect to face a state budget deficit
of $7 billion. Unfortunately, the majority in charge of our legislature
again managed to ignore our long term budget problems. This year's
budget settlement does little to help grow private sector jobs, downsize
government, reform state programs, or cut spending long-term.

The deal, reached just before midnight Sunday night, balances the budget
primarily by shifting $2 billion of K-12 education funding to the next
biennium, and approving Governor Pawlenty's unallotments for this year
only.

It also includes a controvercial option for the next governor to put
more than 100,000 Minnesotans into Medicaid through the ObamaCare
federal health program. As I have mentioned before, tieing ourselves to
ObamaCare is deeply concerning, especially since there is no assurance
of federal funding for this after 2014. The entire cost would then fall
on Minnesota taxpayers!

This year's budget settlement is a missed opportunity to reform
government, and spend tax dollars more efficiently and effectively.
Instead of working hard to set good priorities and live within our
means, the majority in charge kicked the can down the road to next year
when the challenge will be bigger than ever.

Again, for those who believe the solution is higher taxes on "wealthy"
Minnesotans, the facts suggest otherwise. Minnesota's spending has grown
at a double-digit rate for decades, while our economy and revenues have
not. We cannot continue to grow government at the expense of jobs and
job creators. It's killing the "goose" that lays Minnesota's "golden
eggs."

The need for true reform could not be clearer! But this year, the
legislature chose to ignore future liabilities for Minnesotans, and
continue to deficit spend. (Frankly, that's the same approach driving
our crippling federal deficit.) By permanently reforming government
spending, we could have taken a significant chunk out of next year’s
projected budget deficit. Instead, we’ve taken care of only the current
problem, and will leave the future shortfall to a new legislature and
new governor.

I have to admit, it's been great to get home after this session and see
my beautiful family, enjoy the wonderful weather, and focus more energy
on my "regular" job. I also know we have much more work to do! This
summer, I will participate in legislative discussions aimed at reducing
and streamlining the legislature and government, and moving forward with
common sense health care reforms for state programs. We have a great
deal of extremely challenginmg work ahead, and I appreciate your
confidence in allowing me to represent you at our State Legislature.
Thank you, and please keep in touch!

Sincerely in service,

Rep. Steve Gottwalt
House District 15A
St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta and Rockville

Why can't campaign workers get same training as postal workers?

By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report

During nice weather, political campaigns send out their workers/volunteers inculding myself to do doorknocking or literature drop. I've had some close calls on my routes in the past inculding one time when I was doing literature drop in South Dakota back in 2004.

It would be nice if political parties call in animal control to train people who are interested in doing doorknock and literature drop. Here is an article from KARE 11.

Minn. postal carriers learn how to avoid dog bites

MINNEAPOLIS -- Minneapolis animal control officers are teaching postal carriers an on-the-job important survival tool: how to avoid dog bites.


Minneapolis Animal Care and Control is conducting the training for about 50 U.S. postal carriers Thursday morning at the Lowry Avenue Post Office. The agency says there have been 72 reported dog bites in Minneapolis in 2010 and that children, mail carriers and delivery persons represent a significant portion of bite victims.


The training aims to teach mail carriers to not only avoid dog bites but to report dangerous dogs on their route. Animal Care and Control says dangerous dogs can be indicators of underlying criminal activity at a household, including gangs, drugs or domestic violence.

St. Paul police chief may run for Minnesota Senate

Harrington says he may want seat Moua is vacating

By Dave Orrick, Pioneer Press

St. Paul Police Chief John Harrington might run for the state Senate to fill the void being left by veteran lawmaker Mee Moua, who announced this week that she won't seek re-election.

"I'm considering it," Harrington said Wednesday, adding that he hopes to make a decision in a matter of days. "I'm hoping to talk to a couple more people ... including Senator Moua."

Harrington, who said he's "intrigued" by the prospect of becoming an elected official, said that if he decides to run, he would probably do so as a Democrat. Senate District 67 covers the city's East Side, where Harrington lives.

He declined to seek a third term as St. Paul's appointed top cop. He was a finalist to become police chief in New Orleans but wasn't selected, leaving him, at this point, jobless when his term expires June 30. He has said he plans to step aside before then so Assistant Police Chief Thomas Smith can take over. Smith was appointed by Mayor Chris Coleman and approved by the city council.

"It occurs to me that this would be a new way to serve the people who I want to continue serving," Harrington said.

Harrington's entry would amount to a big splash in what is expected to be a growing series of ripples of lesser-known candidates jumping into the race.

Moua's announcement shook up the local Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party world just before the filing period for candidates. That period began Tuesday and will end June 1. The DFL has decided not to endorse a candidate before the Aug. 1 primary, creating a potential free-for-all.
As of Wednesday, diabetes advocate Jim McGowan and Avi Viswanathan, an aide to U.S. Sen. Al Franken, were the only candidates who had filed. Both are DFLers. Several other politically active East Siders said they are considering a run.

Republican Krysia Weidell has secured her party's endorsement.

Of the names being bandied about so far, Harrington's would probably lead the field in recognition — a potentially huge factor in such a race.

Harrington's politics have been enigmatic to some observers, and if he decides to run, his choice of party affiliation could have a major impact on the race.

"The chief's job is apolitical, so I've never really made a big deal of my politics," he said. "I was raised in a Democratic family. I'm probably like most cops: I have some conservative views. I would probably line up as an independent in some ways."

Were Harrington to run as an independent, it might ensure an easy coast to the general election but it might also create trouble for DFLers who wouldn't want to lose a seat that, with Mee Moua, has been solidly Democratic.

But that scenario appears unlikely.

Referring to his support for Matt Bostrom, who is challenging Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, Harrington said, "I've been working with the Democratic party with my assistant chief's campaign, so I think I would run probably as a Democrat."

Anderson will buck party in House 17B race

Cliff Buchan, News Editor, Forest Lake Times

After seeing Democrats hold the state House seat serving Chisago County for 26 of the past 30 years, Sheldon Anderson said he could sit idle no longer and watch the Republican Party repeat history this fall.

On Tuesday, Anderson, a three-term mayor of Wyoming, filed papers in Center City to run for the House seat in District 17B as a Republican. That will mean a primary election on Aug. 10 as the party last month endorsed Bob Barrett of Shafer to seek the House seat that Rep. Jeremy Kalin, DFL-North Branch, is vacating after two terms.

It was the endorsement process and blow back and the party’s lack of success over the past three decades that motivated Anderson to not abide by the decision of the endorsing convention, he said.

“When I agreed to abide by the endorsement, I was assuming it would be an ethical process,” Anderson said. “It turned out not to be.”

Anderson lost on the fourth ballot to Barrett during the April 17 convention in North Branch. The tide went against Anderson, he said, when Chisago City Mayor Don Taylor and Wyoming Councilman Russ Goudge, the other two announced candidates for the endorsement, backed Barrett.

Taylor lost to Kalin in the 2008 election. Anderson also lost a four-ballot endorsement contest to Taylor in 2008 before throwing his support behind Taylor in the fall election, he said.

But Anderson said the process and attacks against family and friends motivated him to take the next step.

During the convention, Anderson said he heard remarks that his wife, Olga, who is from Belarus, Minsk, was a communist.

Anderson said Chip Cravaack of Lindstrom, the Republican endorsed candidate to run against Rep. Jim Oberstar in the Eighth Congressional District, ignored subtle pleas from party members to not step forward and second Anderson’s nomination for the endorsement.

The mayor said he was also critized for serving as campaign manager for former St. Paul Police Chief William Finney’ during his run for Ramsey County Sheriff four years ago because Finney had strong DFL backing in the race.

Stacked Deck

After being rejected in 2008 and again this year, Anderson said it was clear he would never win favor of the party leaders in House District 17B.

And the fashion in which the endorsement process was completed says it clearly, Anderson said.

“I’m not in the upper echelon of the party,” Anderson said. “I don’t dance to the party’s line.”

Anderson said he could have lived with the endorsement had it been based on records. “Not once was my six-year record as mayor of Wyoming challenged,” he said.

During that tenure, Anderson said he help lead a process that brought the former Wyoming Township and the city together as one city. Under his lead, Wyoming became the second city in the state to adopt a rigid sexual predatory ordinance, he said. He said he was the first city official in the county to step forward and back the LS Power proposal and was an activist in working to assist Xccent, Inc. to relocate 100 jobs from Osceola, WI, to a new plant in Wyoming.

“I am willing to let my record stand,” he said. “My message will resonate with the people in Chisago County who did not go to the caucus.”

Anderson said he believes he can win in August because he has better name identification, a stronger resume and leadership skills.

Anderson said he made the decision to file after evaluating the situation and hearing encouragement from other party members who shared his concerns. “They didn’t feel the endorsed candidate is the guy who can win in November,” he said.

The mayor said he will count on a strong grassroots movement in his attempt to win the primary.

“He’s [Barrett] going to have the financial backing of the Republican Party,” Anderson said. “There is no doubt that I am going to be outspent.”

Barrett Reacts

“I look forward to running in the primary with the full backing of my party,” Barrett said on Tuesday after learning of Anderson’s decision.

Bob Barrett, left, of Shafer, is the Republican-endorsed candidate in the House District 17B race.

During the endorsement process, Barrett said all four candidates were given ample opportunity to meet with delegates, both privately and during public forums. It was the result of that process that led to his endorsement on April 17, he said.

“To my knowledge, all four candidates agreed to abide by the endorsement process,” Barrett said.

In it to Win

Anderson said he believes he is the race for the right reason.

“I didn’t get into politics to make friends,” he said.”I got into politics to help make our community a better place for our kids, families and businesses.”

Anderson, 48, is a Maplewood native who has lived in Wyoming just under 10 years. He is co-owner of Capital Investigations and Security Services, Inc., St. Paul, a 20-year-old business.

Barrett, who works at Hazelden Foundation in Center City, moved to Shafer after living in the Elk River area.

In 2000 while a resident of Orrock Township, Barrett was as member of the DFL Party. That year he challenged incumbent Rep. Leslie Schumacher in the DFL primary and was defeated by a margin of 1804 to 1037.

The winner of the Republican primary is expected to face a challenge from Cindy Erickson, the DFL district chairwoman who has been endorsed by her party to run for Kalin’s seat.

On the Independence Party ticket, Curtis Lendt of Wyoming, a former Chisago County commissioner, said this week he will file to run for the House 17B seat as a third-party candidate.

The Republican Party primary is the first such vote in more than 30 years for the district.

House members give farewell speeches

Click here to watch: Goodbye speeches by House Members

Minnesota House of Representatives Public Information Office

House members give farewell speeches
published 5/16/2010

While several House members have previously announced their intention not to run for their seat, on the last night of session, Rep. Larry Haws (DFL-St. Cloud) announced during farewell speeches that he, too, is stepping down.

Other House members who previously announced they will not be seeking re-election are:

• Rep. Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove)
• Rep. Laura Brod (R-New Prague)
• Rep. Rob Eastlund (R-Isanti)
• Rep. Jeremy Kalin (DFL-North Branch)
• Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria)
• Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall)
• Rep. Cy Thao (DFL-St. Paul)

This year both the House and Senate are up for election, as are the executive branch offices. House members retiring to seek a different elected office are:

Governor
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (DFL-Mpls)
Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Delano)

Secretary of State
Rep. Dan Severson (R-Sauk Rapids)

Senate seat
Rep. Doug Magnus (R-Slayton)

U.S. 1st Congressional District
Rep. Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield)

- Lee Ann Schutz

Otremba to leave Minnesota House

By Tom Scheck, Polinaut

DFL Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba has always been a quiet member of the Minnesota House. She rarely spoke on the House floor and appeared shy around reporters. So it's no surprise that she decided to announce her retirement through a press release than in a retirement speech on the last night of session. Today, Otremba released a statement saying she's retiring:

"It has been an incredible privilege to serve the citizens of District 11B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. There is no greater honor in a democracy than to be selected by one's fellow citizens to represent them in the halls of government. I will always be grateful for the years I've had to serve in our beautiful Capitol, working to enhance the quality of life for all Minnesotans."
"Public service has been a part of my life, even before I came to the Legislature. In fact, it was my dad who brought me to my first precinct caucus. Since that day, I've never stopped working to shine a light on the wonderful things than make Greater Minnesotas quality of life so special. I will continue to advocate for the issues that matter most to rural Minnesotans - agriculture, the environment and conservation, health care, quality education and a firm commitment to protecting life from conception until natural death.

"Now I'm looking forward to spending more time with my family, especially with my two grandbabies. I'm also looking forward to having more time with all of the friends Ive made over the years who continue to be such a big part of my life. And I might even do a little sewing, too."

"I cannot say 'Thank You' often enough to the voters of Todd and Douglas for giving me and my beloved husband Ken the opportunity to be their voice in the Minnesota House. It has been a blessing and a gift."

Otremba was first elected to the Minnesota House in 1997. She won a special election after the death of her husband, Representative Ken Otremba. House DFLers say her win was the first special election victory by a DFLer in Minnesota history.

Republicans have long targeted Otremba suggesting that she was vulnerable in past election cycles but voters kept sending her back to St. Paul. It could be a prime pickup for the GOP since John McCain and Norm Coleman won the district handily.

Otremba is the 22nd member of the Legislature to retire. There are 14 House retirements and 8 retirements in the Minnesota Senate.

Rep. Marty Seifert's look on his days at the Capitol and prespective

Marty Seifert was speaking to Capitol Press Corps as Marty Owings of KFAI Radio and Capitol News looks on.

By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report

I sat down with Marty Seifert who was Minnesota House Minority Leader before he ran for Governor. He is retiring from Minnesota House of Representatives and recently lose endorsement to Tom Emmer at the Minnesota Republican State Convention.

RPR: What do you think will be the outcome of session tonight?

Seifert: Not much, and sitting around doing nothing.

RPR: What the bill do you believe that would be passed and how would you solve the budget if you were Governor?

Seifert: Not sure, unallotment ratified cuts Pawlenty recommended some shifts.

RPR: Do you think that the unallotment is legal or illegal and why?

Seifert: Legal- I agree with Justice Gileda’s dissent.

RPR: What you wish that you have done as your term is expiring as State Representative?

Seifert: More of my bills, the budget bill I outlined as Governor Candidate and all of the other stuff I outlined as Governor Candidate- welfare reform, etc.

RPR: What do you wish to recommend to new legislature next session?

Seifert: Budget balance and job growth are number one.

RPR: Do you think that the Republicans would regain control of the legislature and how have Obama administration affected the 2010 legislature?

Seifert: I think its possible. Obama is helping us big time and the enthustism is high among GOP now because of Obama.

RPR: What was best and worst part as your job when you was House Minority Leader?

Seifert: Worst part would be hiring & firing and picking resources for the candidates. The best part was meeting people and speaking to groups.

RPR: What will you miss the most about Capitol and being in the legislature?

Seifert: The People.

RPR: What advice you could give to your successor?

Seifert: Listen to constituents, serve them well, no matter what party, and vote conscience.

Sen. Mike Bennett Caught Looking at Porn on Senate Floor

By: Lane Wright, SUNSHINE STATE NEWS

Posted: May 3, 2010

No one will argue that sitting on the Senate floor during session can get a little boring, but looking at porn is probably not the best way to pass the time.

On Thursday morning, Sunshine State News captured exclusive video of Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, looking at pornographic material on his state-issued computer on the Senate floor.

Ironically, as Bennett is viewing the material, you can hear a Senator Dan Gelber's voice in the background debating a controversial abortion bill.

"I'm against this bill," said Gelber, "because it disrespects too many women in the state of Florida."

Bennett defended his actions, telling Sunshine State News it was an email sent to him by a woman "who happens to be a former court administrator."

"I was just sitting there, bored as they were debating the abortion bill," Bennett said.

"I opened it up and said holy [expletive]! What's on my screen? and clicked away from it right away."

Sunshine State News could not verify how long the image of four bikini-clad women with their tops exposed was open before our cameras started rolling on it, but it was up for at least three seconds before it disappeared from the screen.

Senate spokesperson Jaryn Emhof explained further on Bennett's behalf.

"There was some confusion about an email he received," said Emhof. "He thought it was an email about an item being debated on the Senate floor. As soon as he realized it wasn't he closed the page."

But the one image we caught on camera wasn't the only thing Bennett had viewed. It appears other files, including at least two videos, may have been downloaded, too. He was also caught on camera watching a video of a dog running out of the water and shaking itself off. It is unclear if he also thought that was an email about a bill being debated on the floor.

We offered Bennett an opportunity to prove his statements to Sunshine State News by showing the executive editor and videographer the email record with a government-related subject line, but after talking to the Senate's top lawyer, he declined to let us see those records.

This revealing video comes just weeks after an investigation found a number of federal Securities and Exchange Commission employees had been spending several hours visiting pornographic websites on government-issued computers when they should have been working.

When asked if he ever looks at pornography while on the Senate floor, Bennett responded, "You'd have to be insane to do that. It all goes through a server. I don't think anybody would be doing that."

Minnesota Republican State Convention recap

Today’s Republican State Convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Downtown Minneapolis is less crowded, and very quiet not the usual they had Thursday Night and yesterday. Today was all about party business and judicial endorsement that would be coming up. They did Constitutional Committee Report earlier.

Party officers gave out their report on how the party have been doing for past year.

Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson took over Platform Committee discussion.

Tom Emmer addressed the convention and the balloons dropped onto the crowd when they went wild.

Marty Seifert, Rhonda Sivarajah, and their spouses are here as well. They was out in the common area with Tom Emmer meeting delegates and convention-goers. Emmer look like a happy kid on Christmas morning with his biggest smile that most people would not normally see.

When asked about his loss from yesterday and what he is going to do, State Representative Marty Seifert said that he is OK. According to word around the convention that Marty may run for some public office because it look like he is not finished with public service. Who knows what he would do next.

Evie Axdahl spoke to the convention.

I wanted to say thank you to Communication Director Mark Drake and GOP Chairman Tony Sutton for letting me cover the Minnesota Republican State Convention.

You can watch MN GOP Convention Live

You could watch the convention live from your home in your Jammies or just want to keep updated with what is going on right now.

MN GOP State Convention Live

Ballot result for GOP Endrosement for Governor

Here are results from Governor endorsement at yesterday’s Minnesota Republican Party State Convention in Minneapolis.

First Congressional District: Seifert 161 votes, Emmer 77 votes

Second Congressional District: Seifert 101 votes, Emmer 196 votes

Third Congressional District: Seifert 83 votes, Emmer 166 votes

Fourth Congressional District: Seifert 65 votes, Emmer 98 votes

Fifth Congressional District: Seifert 33 votes, Emmer 92 votes

Sixth Congressional District: Seifert 111 votes, Emmer 250 votes

Seventh Congressional District: Seifert 53 votes, Emmer 43 votes

Eighth Congressional District: Seifert 138 vote Emmer 95 votes

The result was: 53 percent went for Emmer on the first ballot, with nearly 43 percent for Seifert.

I am at MN GOP State Convention

There aare lots of people at Minneapolis Convention Center in Downtown Minneapolis. The mood are very festuve.

This morning I saw a Emmer supporter bringing pig around when I arrived to MCC. There was less people unlikely last week when I got to Duluth Entrainment Convention Center.

People was very polite and respectful to me and I wanted to say thank to Sheldon Anderson, who is Mayor of Wyoming MN/House candidate for House District 17 and Anne Neu from Chip Cravaack campaign for getting me on the floor since guest passes are all out.

Several of my co workers from the Cspitol, lobbyist and media are here as well.

My top boss, Gov. Tim Pawlenty is speaking and thanking everyone for their support and volunteering on his past campaigns. Also thanked everyone for his service as Governor.

I have been taking pictures and walking around to see whats going on.

Met children of Rhonda Siverjah who is running mate of Marty Siefert. They are very nice people.

Gonna check out all excitment when I come back from my meeting in St. Paul.

R.T. Rybak: Bigger holes to fill

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak looked back on his failed attempt to win the DFL's nod for governor and looked ahead to tackling the city's problems, including those nasty potholes.

By STEVE BRANDT, Star Tribune

Last update: April 28, 2010

His voice is still hoarse from last weekend's DFL convention, and R.T. Rybak is nursing it this week with mugs of tea.

Back in his Minneapolis City Hall office, he says he's relieved that two years of compartmentalizing his life between the duties of a mayor and the grind of campaigning for governor are over. He says that even focusing on potholes is refreshing.

"It's a little like taking a duplex and turning it into a single-family house," Rybak said this week, reflecting after finishing runner-up to House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher for DFL endorsement Saturday in Duluth. "I'm taking one side out of my brain and filling it with the other."

Does he still want to be governor? That depends on circumstances.

"I'm open to it,'' he said. "It won't have much to do with me having a personal ambition. If I died tomorrow, I would be incredibly fulfilled knowing I got to be mayor of Minneapolis. I don't need another notch on my professional belt.

"I ran for governor because the state was in such a mess and ... that jeopardizes everything we've accomplished, so whether I do something again will depend on large part on whether the state gets straightened out and whether the issues I care about get fixed."

What about Congress, if a Democrat there moved on?

Rybak, an early and tireless Barack Obama supporter, said he's not ruling anything out, but added: "My place in public service is as an executive and as far as Washington goes, I had a great opportunity to go to Washington when President Obama got elected. ... [My wife] Megan and I talked about that and we're Minnesotans."

Why he didn't get endorsed

He said a major factor in losing his endorsement bid was because he couldn't overcome the loyalty of super-delegates to Kelliher, whom he has pledged to support. Those were the convention's 190 state and federal elected and party officials.

Endorsements of her by Sen. John Marty and Rep. Tom Rukavina as they dropped out helped to seal the deal.

Others say that building trades' hostility to Rybak cost him votes, as well as his inability to convert his lead within a band of progressive Democrats known as ReNEW Minnesota to the 60 percent threshold needed to bind its bloc of delegates.

Some were surprised that he couldn't draw more overt support from Obama and his operatives. Rukavina's fiery speech also may have siphoned off some delegates early on. Some Rybakers complain privately that some Minneapolis legislators bad-mouthed his mayoralty.

Still, some say the urban mayor proved political viability statewide, and that it's no shame to finish second in a crowded field. "His ability to motivate and inspire people are tremendous attributes," said Dan McGrath, executive director of TakeAction Minnesota, a progressive political arm.
Training for the future

Rybak said his new statewide contacts will help Minneapolis at the state level, where a negative perception of the state's biggest city has sometimes prevailed.

He's also building some political chits. He'll return to Montgomery's Kolacky Days contest in July, not only for the rubber match in his kolacky-eating contest with that city's mayor, Mick McGuire, but also to stump in the parade for McGuire's legislative bid.

On a personal level, odds are that he might be spotted in an antique store as he restores equilibrium to his personal life. "Megan has built up many chits that I'm sure she'll cash in," he explained. You may also spot him training for the two or three triathlons he hopes to enter after limiting himself to one last summer while campaigning for mayor.

Inside City Hall, Rybak's relatively painless supplemental 2010 budget, which accommodates new state aid cuts, is expected to pass Friday. He'll go from there to meet with department heads to craft his 2011 proposal. Job creation and youth are tops on his agenda.

He's working with other mayors and business on regional competitiveness issues, working with St. Paul on developing green manufacturing jobs, and developing jobs from his homegrown food initiative. He's beating the bushes for more summer jobs for teens, reassessing the city's youth violence prevention effort, looking for college money for city high school graduates and working with others to revive the state's bid for competitively awarded federal school dollars.

"I planned to work on all of these issues some way. But it was unclear whether I'd be doing that as a mayor or a governor," he said. "Now it's quite clear that I'll be doing it from here and it's OK."

Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438