To get ALL the news from the Edge of the Frontier, subscribe to NORTHERN HERALD. Details on Home Page: http://members.aol.com/nhrld/index.html ****************************************************************** Copyright (c) 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 by Northern Herald and Northern Herald Publications, Inc. MEDIA AND OTHER USERS: See Copyright Info and Limited Permission to Use - Revised 9/6/97 - at the end of this file. ****************************************************************** THE LIBRARY - VOLUME 5 - 09/22/99 through 09/13/00 THE NORTHERN HERALD LIBRARY OF ARCHIVED ISSUES ************************************ FULL TEXT FOLLOWS TABLES OF CONTENTS ************************************ There is no index, nor is one needed. If you are researching a particular subject, or person, use the FIND utility in your browser's EDIT menu (at top of your screen) to locate stories dealing with your topic. Contents are in order - are not hypertext - just SCROLL DOWN to find what you want - this file is cumulative and voluminous - you may find it expeditious to FIND (from your EDIT menu on Explorer and certain other browsers) for a keyword in the headline (as listed in these Contents), or to download and then search): CONTENTS - BY ISSUE (DESCENDING): -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 09/13/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 14 -------------------------------------- Leading Edge Journalism BEMIDJI MAYOR PLATFORMS CONTRAST AT DEBATE The Bemidji Mayor's Race OUR EDITORIAL ENDORSEMENT: TERRY MELCHER Leading Edge Journalism 4A REP. DOUG FULLER, WIFE, PETITION AGAINST NATIVE AMERICAN "PEOPLE'S CHURCH"; MEDIATION REPORT ORDERED PHOTO CAPTION: RED LAKE POLICE SOBRIETY CHECK SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM FUNDING SUSPENDED A SOURCE OF CORRUPTION PHOTO CAPTION: THE FRIENDS OF ITASCA PARK PHOTO CAPTION: A & E PRODUCE PHOTO CAPTION: BUT HE PROBABLY ISN'T VOTING FOR HIM. PHOTO CAPTION: HYPNOTIST SAMI DARE AT BSU CONSUMER CORNER IF YOU'RE BUYING PROPERTY, BE REPRESENTED DIAMOND, BEAN, CERTAIN OTHER MATCHES UNSAFE -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 08/16/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 13 -------------------------------------- THE HEART OF CORRUPTION ----------------------- The Bemidji City Council MEETING OF 8/7/00 BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL DESTROYS HISTORY, HOUSING Fighting Bemidji Corruption - And We're Winning ATWATER ENDS CORRUPT COUNCIL CAREER MEN FILE ANTI-SHELTER SUIT STOCK MARKET GLOSSARY In Focus COWBOYS RIDE THE STAMPEDE Advertisement BEMIDJI MAYOR CANDIDATES' DEBATE AND PUBLIC FORUM At Backus, The Hub Of Northern Minnesota BACKUS HOLDS CORN FEST 2000 FIDDLES, FOOD, NEW ORLEANS BANDS ROCK CAJUNFEST IT'S BLUEBERRY FEST AT LAKE GEORGE! WHITE OAK RENDEZVOUS MAHNOMEN MI-GWITCH POWWOW AT BALL CLUB REIF PRESENTS REPERCUSSION'S ROMEO AND JULIET -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 07/19/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 12 -------------------------------------- Fighting Bemidji Corruption - And We're Winning SELBY & SELBY CHARGED POW-WOW AT CASS LAKE MUSKIE HAS HIS DAY AT NEVIS In Focus THE 4TH AT DEBS BEMIDJI ART CENTER'S ARTS IN THE PARK GNATS SWARM LAPORTE MOONDANCE 2000 DOPSIE SWEEPS MOONDANCE, WILL HEADLINE AT CAJUNFEST !! ERIC BURDON PRODUCES NEW ANIMALS; WILL RELEASE BOOK The Voice of the People - Letters to the Editor READER BLOWS WHISTLE ON COLUMBINE ANTI-GUN PROPAGANDA BUCKING STOCK READY AT NORTH STAR WHITE OAK SCHEDULE DAVE AND EARL'S IS COUNTY MARKET NOW! -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 06/21/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 11 -------------------------------------- Leading Edge Journalism ----------------------- Bemidji Corruption - The Beltrami County Attorney TIM FAVER: 60 DAYS APPROPRIATE FOR ASSAULT WITH GUN But Bagley Court Sentences Hastings Cop to 30 Days on "Bracelet" MOONDANCE CREWS READY FOR THE CROWDS REPERCUSSION'S "ROMEO & JULIET" IN GRAND RAPIDS, 7/23 MEDIA ARTS WORKSHOP IN TRF DEALS ON MEALS RHAE HAS DREAMS FOR BEMIDJI ARTS Advertisement DEEP-DISCOUNT WHITE OAK TICKETS FOR NORTHERN HERALD READERS In Focus "OLD TIMERS" REUNITE AT BACKUS BEMIDJI WELCOMES NEW POSTAL MANAGER WHY YOU CAN'T FIND THEM IN (photo caption - photos in print edition only) THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN WALKER!! PHOTOGRAPHY BISTRO & GALLERY OPENS OPEN WATER IN SECOND YEAR PEG TOP (photo caption) DEBS - THE PLACE TO BE ON THE 4TH EFFIE READIES FOR RODEO LETTERS TO THE EDITOR A READER DISCOVERS THE NH SITE IS JOE SIXPACK IN BEMIDJI? A VERY LONG LETTER -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 05/24/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 10 -------------------------------------- CRAIG WILLIAMS DENIES WRONGDOINGS AT BEMIDJI DOWNTOWN MEATS Leading Edge Eournalism - Follow-Up ITASCA CO. HEAD JAILER RETIRES MEDURE ADDRESSES ROMANCE ALLEGATIONS GIBSON BRINGS U.S. SENATE CAMPAIGN TO THE NORTHLAND COHASSET FIREMAN'S FEED (Picture captions - photos appear only in print edition) ENGELKING GROUP TO OFFER NEW HELP IN FINDING AN ATTORNEY THE FIREMAN'S BALL CANDIDATE SUES; CLAIMS REPUBLICAN 8TH CONG. DIST. CONVENTION HIJACKED BY CHAIR In Focus WHERE TO GET SMELT BOY SCOUT SMELT FEED AT WALKER (Picture caption - photos appear only in print edition) DOPSIE TO HEADLINE AT MOONDANCE Editorials CAROL PRIEST MAY BRING BUMS AND DRUNKS TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONERS BURN BELTRAMI COUNTY ASSETS WOMEN MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR GUN CONTROL BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT Contemporary Ladies' Perspective, Advice and Tips by The Lady Steele THE NESCO ROASTER-OVEN WATERFOWL ASSN. MEETS AT WALKER -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 04/26/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 9 -------------------------------------- Leading Edge Journalism WAS WENDY CARLSON FORCED TO HAVE ORAL ROMANCE WITH ITASCA CO. HEAD JAILER? Leading Edge Journalism HOMEOWNER HIT BY VANDALISM AT BENA The Session NEW LAW GIVES START TO REMER SUNKEN LOG/ARTIFACT RECOVERY BUSINESS LEGISLATION LIMITS INSURANCE-COSTLY AUTO GLASS REBATES SPRING CHORALE CONCERT AT PARK RAPIDS, MAY 5, 7 MEASUREMENT AND CONTROL SYMPOSIUM In Focus SCOTTISH HERITAGE AT DULUTH!! MISSISSIPPI RIVER OFFERS PARKS PASS Editorial WHY ARE WE GLORIFYING THE WRONG THINGS? Letters to the Editor WHITE EARTH CANDIDATE DOYLE TURNER DEBUNKS MYTHS THINK OF US WHEN YOU DO FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR Consumer Corner A GOOD CIGAR ISN'T CHEAP DEALS ON MEALS SO YOU AIN'T GOT TIME TO READ IT? LEADING EDGE JOURNALISM - WHY YOU FIND MORE OF IT HERE. -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 03/29/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 8 -------------------------------------- Leading Edge Journalism SCHOOL TREMORS QUAKE DEER RIVER ENGLISH TEACHER DISMISSED OVER SEXUALLY-EXPLICIT STORY WORK WITH STUDENTS NORTH ELEMENTARY AIDE DROPPED WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE 4A REFORM PARTY BACKS BROWN, POWELL FOR PRES JERRY BROWN WHERE TO WRITE - PRESIDENTIAL NONCANDIDATES JERRY BROWN GEN. COLIN POWELL INDEPENDENCE PARTY CHAIR ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING; INTERFERES WITH CAUCUSES CONSUMER CORNER Bemidji Retail Games BEMIDJI FOOD4LESS BAITED MORE THAN JUST THE TUNA THOSE CREATIVE JOHANNESONS CELLULAR TELEPHONE CORDS CORRECTION (Picture Caption - photos in print edition only): SAFE SWIMMING. For Accountants Only by Adam Steele, CPA TAASC SIMPLIFIES TAX SOFTWARE MAZE In Focus KALLBERG WORK APPEARS AT BSU TOUCHE GALLERY WOMEN'S CLUB TO MEET AT BACKUS (Picture Caption - photos in print edition only): BSU STUDENTS GET A LESSON IN CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. Editorial ARE BEMIDJI ROTARIANS THE NEW AMERICAN NAZIS? Letters to the Editor PARENTS DEMAND CHANGES; NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL ACTIONS REGARDING STUDENTS Letters to the Editor A SMOKING ISSUE: READER CHALLENGES ETS CLAIMS -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 03/01/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 7 -------------------------------------- IT'S CHILI AT REMER Recipe Box ---------- Roberta Pepin's People's Choice Award Winning NORTHERN MINNESOTA CHILI REFORMERS CALL CONVENTION TO DECIDE SPLIT-OFF BSU BRINGS JAZZ TO NORTHLAND DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ FREE TOURS OF STATE CAPITOL MN DOR HELPS AGAIN WITH TAX TASK HARDER FILES FOR PRESIDENCY Advertisement VERY EXPENSIVE TAX SERVICE In Focus SCOUTS SERVE AT NEVIS! BRAINERD MAN TO AIR COMPLAINT OVER POLICE CONDUCT Editorial HUNT HAS DONE GOOD JOB AT LEECH LAKE Letters to the Editor VOTE THEM ALL OUT! DEALS ON MEALS Some of the best Dining Values in the Northland ---- CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MURDER A Northern Herald Book Review by The Lady Steele Robert Morton's Family Journal SCHOOL VIOLENCE DECREASE BLURRED BY NEW TWIST -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 02/02/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 6 -------------------------------------- BSU TO HOST 27TH JAZZ FESTIVAL FEB. 5 Dr. Jeffrey Macomber, and guests, conducted January Concert Leading Edge Journalism DEER RIVER SKATING STAR DEPARTED AT 38 BULLOCK TO HAVE HELP OF NEW COUNSEL ON APPEAL 1999 STEELE SPHERES GO TO NEURURER, VENTURA NTC COLLEGE AT RED LAKE ON TARGET LACK OF WORK INTEREST STYMIES ANDERSON FABRICS/RED LAKE PLANT PROJECT BAGLEY SCHOOL TO BRING KURTZ PARK RAPIDS FLUTE WORKSHOP In Focus BACK TO HACK ! Editorials - Opinion GOVERNOR'S PLAN OR NOT, NORTH STILL GETS A LOT OF $$$S Letters to the Editor SHOULD U.S. PAY METRO WAGES IN GREATER MINNESOTA? RALLY FOR RURAL AMERICA MEETINGS SCHEDULED STATEWIDE YANISCH ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY CASS CONSERVATION EASEMENT BEMIDJI PARENT COMPLAINS OF SCHOOL BUS POLICY FASCISTS GET GRANT, WILL PUSH FOR MINNESOTA RESTAURANT ANTI-SMOKING LAW. Consumer Corner TAX SOFTWARE - 2000 CAVEATS Direct Answers from Wayne and Tamara INFIDELITY, LIKE PHYSICAL ABUSE, IRRETRIEVABLY BREAKS MARRIAGE -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 01/05/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 5 -------------------------------------- NORTHLAND WINTER FESTIVALS TO FILL JANUARY PRESSURE ON TO LABEL, REMOVE GENETICALLY-ALTERED FOOD Consumer Rejection May Cause Lower World Farm Prices for Crops Grown From GMO Seed KINKEL WALLOPS PETERSON/ BATCHELDER TEAM Bemidji Mayor Loses in All 5 Bemidji Wards BELTRAMI COUNTY OFFICES CLOSED FOR NON-HOLIDAY Consumer Corner CHASTITY BELTS - MANUFACTURER'S CLAIMS, PRICES COMPARED Northern Herald's DICTIONARY OF CHRISTIANITY In Focus BIELOH FEEDS CROWDS AT ANNUAL GAME FEAST (Picture caption - photos only in print edition): Letters to the Editor CHRISTIANITY AND MARRIAGE - BEMIDJI STYLE WE'RE ALWAYS GLAD TO GET STUFF LIKE THIS! Eventide - Arts & Literature ROUGHING IT by Mark Twain ------------------------------------ ISSUE OF 12/08/99 - VOLUME 5 NO. 4 ------------------------------------ SENATE 4 CANDIDATES DEFINE PRIORITIES AT CASS LAKE FORUM Election-Related Stories: Editorials - Opinion Our Editorial Endorsement: TONY KINKEL SENATE 4 - THE MOST CORRUPT CAMPAIGNS IN RECENT HISTORY (graphic caption - illustration in print edition only): DECEPTIVE REPUBLICAN ADVERTISING HOW CAN THESE GUYS EVEN TALK ABOUT "CHARACTER" ? SEEING LAWLESSNESS IN THE MAKING (photo caption - photos in print edition only) Letters to The Editor THAT COLORFUL AND WILY DOUG PETERSON FAMILY Leading Edge Journalism FAMILY, FRIENDS AWAIT BULLOCK APPEAL DEER RIVER POLICE SHOOT ROTTWEILER With a Grain of Sand IT'S ALL A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE CITY OF BEMIDJI RESTRAINED BY UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT; SUED FOR $600 BILLION CHIEF JUDGE CITES MISCONDUCT BY JUDGE HOLTER Letters to the Editor MINETTE ON SCHOOLS ------------------------------------ ISSUE OF 11/03/99 - VOLUME 5 NO. 3 ------------------------------------ GOVERNOR VENTURA SPEAKS AT BRAINERD SCHOOL THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS STUDENT QUESTIONS NOV., DEC. PRINT SCHEDULE BEMIDJI CRIME-RIDDEN WITH SEPT. AUTO THEFTS But in County, Sheriff Mounts Aggressive New Plan - Turns In Best "Solved" Rate in Years Advertisement THE BELTRAMI COUNTY SHERIFF WILL WATCH YOUR CAR Held on $1/4 Million Bail HANSON COMPLAINT INCONSISTENT WITH WITNESS STATEMENT AND WE HAVE A WINNER! - Bear False Witness BEAR contest Advertisement BRING BEMIDJI-STYLE CRIME AND CORRUPTION TO ST. PAUL? Particularly If You Drive a Caddy WHEN YOU COME TO BEMIDJI, BEST LEAVE YOUR HOOD ORNAMENT AT HOME ARTIFACTS SURFACE AT BEMIDJI DIG WINNIE STORE ENDS CREDIT ACCOUNTS ------------------------------------ ISSUE OF 10/13/99 - VOLUME 5 NO. 2 ------------------------------------ HACKENSACK CELEBRATES FALL THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE MILLENNIUM by Vi Hagford US WEST SUED Lawsuit: US West put local service last By Andrew Backover and Anne Colden Denver Post Business Writers Reprinted from The Denver Post of October 3, 1999 with permission. COMPETITIVE GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR CHILD SERVICE PROVIDERS Editorial WILL $250,000 BAIL HOLD MISS HANSON? Editorials - Opinion THE THUNDERBIRDS AND THE SEABEES LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GOVERNOR TO MAKE JUDICIAL ANOUNCEMENT AT MIDDLE SCHOOL The Adventures of Felix ----------------------- BEMIDJI MAN REFUSES TO BE INFORMANT, CHARGED WITH DUI, REFUSAL TO TEST Acquitted, recently gets license back after 1 year DPS may still keep license after not guilty finding ------------------------------------ ISSUE OF 09/22/99 - VOLUME 5 NO. 1 ------------------------------------ LEADING EDGE JOURNALISM ----------------------- Marriage, Bemidji-style EDWINA GOLDEN ARRESTED FOLLOWING KNIFE INCIDENT Husband, 3 Kids Take Refuge at Motel After Wife Goes Berserk Leading Edge Journalism ----------------------- UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUND BEMIDJI METH BUST Defendant Claims that She Was Set-Up Leading Edge Journalism - Follow-Up ----------------------------------- EPA, DNR EXAMINING SUNSET VIEW Itasca Co. Takes Easement over LL Reservation Allotment PARK SERVICE PLANS EVENTS STUDENT ART ON DISPLAY AT FORT SNELLING SINGING RANGER, CHARLIE MAGUIRE, TO RELEASE CD STATE'S FIRST SHORELAND CONSERVATION EASEMENT AL HOOVER HONORED CORRUPTION GETS SETBACK AS SHAFFER LEAVES ITASCA CO. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Editorials - Opinion NAZIISM SPREADS TO BLACKDUCK Letters to the Editor DON'T EXPECT HIGH CHANGES IN LOW STANDARD OF NORTHLAND TELEPHONE SERVICE ART STUDENTS: DRAW THE "BEAR FALSE WITNESS" BEAR Win Art Supplies For Yourself and Your School. A Northern Herald Book Review ----------------------------- "The Last Toast to Lutefisk" authored by Gary Legwold, Minneapolis, MN A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO ADVERTISERS ROBERT MORTON'S FAMILY JOURNAL by Robert Morton M.Ed., Ed.S. Our Democracy Must Not Forsake Education for Training ****************************************************************** TEXT OF ARCHIVED ISSUES BEGINS: -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 09/13/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 14 -------------------------------------- Leading Edge Journalism ----------------------- The pre-primary Bemidji Mayor Candidates' debate and forum was convened and sponsored by Northern Herald and Charter Communications BEMIDJI MAYOR PLATFORMS CONTRAST AT DEBATE BEMIDJI -- Bemidji Mayor candidate Corey Bailey said he'd bring jobs to Bemidji by annexing all of the county land in the 36 square mile Bemidji Township, building a civic center and promoting the construction of a 500-800 room hotel where the defunct Georgia Pacific plant now stands on the Lake Bemidji shore, and, in interview, after the debate, proposed to bring new residents to Bemidji to fill the $15-$20/hour jobs that, purportedly would be thereby created. Terry Melcher expressed disapproval with current city management, including City Manager Phil Shealy and City Attorney Alan Felix, both of whom serve at the will of the City Council and Mayor. He said he'd be inclined to look for outside talent to fill the Bemidji Police Chief's position which will open in January, strongly opposes increased city taxation, and stresses community involvement as a cure for Bemidji's municipal woes, advocating more housing, and refurbishing the sentence-to-serve program. Allen Weber spoke of people-oriented civic goals, such as better public safety, rentals, more actual person-to-person goal-oriented involvement by human services, downtown revitalization and services to the elderly. So went the spirited Sept. 7th Bemidji Mayor Candidates' Debate and Forum, sponsored by Northern Herald and Charter Communications. The debate was attended by the three candidates, the other two, incumbent Bemidji Mayor Doug Peterson and Councilman Richard Lehmann declined to attend. The debate called for each candidate to address a primary issue, with rebuttals and closing; afterward, the candidates answered questions in forum style. Corey Bailey, an Internet web site operator who has done some lobbying and is seeking real estate and securities licenses, introduced his primary topic as Jobs In Bemidji, and said that the "economic boom still hasn't happened here." He said that Beltrami County has the highest AFDC rate in the state. Bailey spoke of creating jobs by "marketing the Bemidji economy the rest of the United States." "Annexation is most important in marketing Bemidji to employers," said Bailey, who advocated annexing the entire Bemidji township. Allen Weber said "We need more professional people downtown to draw people into our downtown ... It's becoming desolate," and proposed a moratorium on new building in favor of rehabilitation of existing structures. "I think we need more full-time employment - not service companies, but manufacturers, because the service companies only give part time employment and no benefits. Terry Melcher said that he agreed on a need to increase the jobs in Bemidji. He said, "... we need to find more ways to bring in more companies to keep our workers here." He cited that many college graduates now leave Bemidji after graduating. Allen Weber had chosen the topic of Getting Rid of Corruption in Bemidji, and addressed it by speaking on a variety of issues. He said that he believed in public safety, and specifically said that there needed to be more neighborhood crime watches, that they "brought the neighborhood together more to cooperate," in fighting crime. He said he favored less taxes and spending, "Everybody's crying for more - Citizens want more services, that costs money. In our own homes we can only go so far because we have a limited budget. Why can't the [City] do the same?" Weber said he opposed the proposed 1% sales tax because it would turn people away from Bemidji. Weber recognized the large amounts of spending done in Bemidji by the neighboring reservations, which he said, "probably spend more money in our town than anybody. ... They help us a lot." He stressed less emphasis on tourism saying, "If the college wasn't here, if the schools weren't here, if the Indian Nation wasn't buying here, I think our town would have collapsed a long time ago, because it's not the tourists that are helping us." Weber encouraged people to "Take pride in Bemidji," by shoveling their sidewalks and cleaning up. Weber advocated that Bemidji, "get our nose out of this Georgia-Pacific thing," and seemed to advocate leaving the site to private interests, rather than the City paying the high clean-up costs of the old plant. Weber criticized prejudice in Bemidji, "The countries I come from, I'm German, Russian, Bohemian and Jewish, people are blood. We have to make up in our own minds that prejudice stops [here] ..." Terry Melcher, reflecting on Weber's topics and earlier remarks, indicated disagreement with the notion of corruption in Bemidji, "I don't think the town is that bad," he said adding, "I don't know how much corruption," there is. Melcher, however, agreed with Weber's position on rentals and the need for more housing. Bailey responded by again saying that the answer to Bemidji's problem is primarily economic. "Bemidji is an isolated region ...," he said, reiterating the high AFDC rate and said, "it all comes down to jobs." Terry Melcher introduced himself as a 23 year old 4th-year BSU student with a daughter and a fiancee whom he plans to marry next year. He came to Bemidji in 1997. Melcher served a year and a half in the Army after high school, then being placed in inactive reserve, and has recently re-enlisted in National Guard. "A lot of questions may arise as to my age," he said, "but I've lived a long time for my age." Melcher said he is a double-major in political science and mass communications, and has served on the Student Council for all 4 of his university years, also serving as Student Senator, MSUSA cultural diversity representative and MSUSA campus representative. Melcher said, "I've traveled out to Washington D.C. three times to lobby on behalf of students, so, when I get into a job, I believe in it and I do it well. Melcher outlined his first principal topic as taxation. "The tax increase that they are proposing, I'm totally against it. I think that [tax increases] are something that our leaders always fall back on. I think we need to find alternative ways that ... keep our services high and keep our taxes low." Melcher stressed his second topic, community involvement, as one way to keep taxes down. He spoke of present programs where plumbing, construction and electrician students get credit for home building, and that the City might work more with BSU and Northwest Tech to utilize student services in constructing more low-income housing. Melcher advocated using industrial technology majors to help revitalize parks and playground equipment. "I think there are so many alternatives out there that we need to look into them. Melcher also addressed the matter of downtown revitalization, which had also been raised by Weber. "I think that we have the potential to have the best downtown in America. ... Our downtown is located right on Lake Bemidji, yet all of our businesses are going up west-town, nobody is putting any money into downtown - I think we need to do that." Corey Bailey responded by saying that he hadn't really thought about revitalizing downtown, "I think Bemidji should grow in all directions," he said, reiterating that if Bemidji would annex the entire township, "we could grow in all directions." Bailey said, though, that first, you have to have jobs. Allen Weber said that, for three years, he took care of "the trees, the flowers and picking up the trash," for the Downtown Merchants Association. Weber said that he took pride in what he did for downtown, but now, "It doesn't seem right that the merchants are so lazy that we don't do something, to improve downtown." Melcher addressed Bailey's remarks, "Theoretically, to grow in all directions would be nice, but we can't really do that; it's not fair to, at the expense of downtown. You talk about jobs and want to keep increasing jobs; and one of the biggest industries in Bemidji is tourism, and I think that's what's going to keep our tourism is [to] revitalize downtown." Corey Bailey, who had worked on the 1997 civic center proposal, advocated building the civic center as a way of drawing more tourism. Questions. The Pioneer asked how the candidates would handle the city's current budget situation. Weber said, "I'll try to do better than we're doing now.... It bothers me that we can spend all this money and still not have enough." Weber said he opposes the proposed 1% sales tax and said he wanted to see more sidewalk ramps "so people could ride their bicycles ... develop more bike trails and walking places." Weber stressed conservation efforts in the new Bemidji waterfront developments and change in Paul Bunyan Drive. Melcher said that he didn't know the exact ins and outs, but he didn't like to see cuts in programs that have "been funded in the past." Melcher said, "We need to find new alternatives ... My number 1 answer ... is just community involvement." Melcher encouraged more participation in service organizations such as the Jaycees, Masons, etc. "The Jaycees ... they fund that water carnival every year, they make about $20,000 off of it, they put that right back into the community." He said that there are about 70 student groups that want to do community service. "I think the alternatives are there ...," he said. Bailey said that Bemidji is a growing economic area. He spoke of more demand on city services, criticizing the cost of fire calls outside of the city as an example, and again strongly suggested annexation to increase the City tax base. Lakeland Television News asked what are current issues before the City Council and do the candidates agree or disagree with the Council. Melcher said that the council wasn't taking the right aspect on the proposed tax increase. "They're finding ways to spend this money, but they're not finding alternative ways to get this money," he said And Melcher criticized the Bemidji Liquor Store as a revenue source in the face of the alcohol and DWI problem, calling it a conflict of interest. Corey Bailey said that the Council should not be dealing with issues not related to macro-economics. He cited tax increment financing as the "# 1 thing" with which he disagreed, asking, with relation to TIF financing of Westridge Center, "For What?" Allen Weber criticized the Council for paying themselves too much. He said he wished the citizens would vote out the whole City Council ... "and start anew." Weber criticized the Council for it's involvement in the People's Church Special Use Permit "I think that was for the people to settle, not the City." Northern Herald asked the candidates what they thought of Al Felix as City Attorney and Phil Shealy as City Manager. Corey Bailey responded that he had no problem with Al Felix. He criticized Shealy for his actions regarding the Westridge development, saying "Lack of vision is one thing the City Manager shouldn't have ..." Allen Weber didn't address the question directly, but said he thought everyone was trying to do the best they could. Terry Melcher said that he "had the pleasure of dealing with these individuals, just as a regular citizen, and ... I was very unimpressed with both of them." He cited that Shealy, "Wouldn't listen to anything I had to say, didn't work to get to the root of the problem, didn't accommodate in any way." Melcher said that he happened to deal with Mr. Felix twice, and the first time Felix "treated me the same way Mr. Shealy did," although he said that the second time Felix was more civil. An audience member asked what should be done with the Georgia-Pacific property, including the pollution clean-up. Weber, primarily, criticized the past pollution and said that something should have been done previously. Melcher said that the cleanup would be a good opportunity for volunteerism, and supported the buy-back effort so the lakeshore property could be usable by all citizens, rather than for a housing development. Bailey said that the location would be good place for the civic center, and suggested that the lakeshore site might be used for a 500-800 room hotel. Asked what specific life experience best qualified the candidates to be Mayor, Bailey said that he was on the Bemidji civic center committee and had proposed the civic center idea to Mayor Peterson. Weber said that "Everyday I deal with the unknown ... and that, I think, is what the mayorship is about .... I like the challenge." "Why is Bemidji caught between the Bible and the bottle?" he asked. Melcher spoke of having grown up in an abusive household without much money; and that joining the Army was the "number 1 defining experience in my life. ... It taught me ... that I should believe in myself. ... It makes me want to do things for the community. Mostly I just want to make a good life for myself, my fiancee, my daughter; I want my daughter to be proud of her father and I think this is the best way I can do it. Lakeland News asked the candidates, in the last 10 years, what issues did they feel were not dealt with properly by the City Council. Allen Weber spoke of the need for rental housing, and the failure of Human Services to teach an illiterate man to read and write. Terry Melcher criticized Bemidji housing citing that some people are living in housing that "is just falling down." He called this unacceptable. Melcher said there was a need for more rehabilitation of criminals and to reestablish the Sentence-To-Service program which he said is "in shambles." He said that the Council erred in diluting the student vote by splitting the university campus into 3 voting districts saying that he thought it tended "to keep students away from the voting booths." Bailey criticized zoning saying, "Before you can annex ... you have to have the zoning for tourism." Northern Herald asked the candidates, regarding selection of the new police chief, whether they'd look for applicants from outside the department or promote from within. Terry Melcher said that he'd look outside the department, "You can't get somebody who really thinks outside the box pulling from the people who have been led by the current police chief." Bailey said he wouldn't favor either alternative, but said "It would be who is best qualified." Allen Weber said that he agreed with both other candidates. Last Words. Corey Bailey closed by saying "I've lived here ... for almost 23 years. Not much has changed. .... With proper management, influence and leadership Bemidji can be one of the ... [best] cities in the United States." And Bailey said that jobs are the issue that would improve it. Weber said, in closing, "Remember, get out and vote. This is your city. Help us to make changes by your vote. Vote! Vote! Two or three times if you can," he said. Terry Melcher said, "I want to publicly state my extreme disappointment for the final two candidates [Peterson and Lehmann] not showing up for this debate. ... This is a public debate and all five candidates should have been here. I think that it shows a lack of respect for our city; I think that it was unacceptable for them to not show up .... It's the only time the five of us get together and actually talk about issues that help out this city and their complete disregard for it is atrocious. Another thing I want to touch on is, Richard Lehmann is running an ad in The Pioneer right now that says, 'It's a new voice for Bemidji' and I just want to say that it's not a new voice for Bemidji. His voice is basically the same as Mayor Peterson's; if you look at the voting records, it's almost the same as Mayor Peterson's. ... And so I hope voters don't get pulled in .... I have the dedication, I love this City and I know I'll do a good job. And I hope the voters do turn out on Tuesday, and furthermore in November, and I'll personally see if the American Dream is still alive." ---------------------------------------------------- The Bemidji Mayor's Race OUR EDITORIAL ENDORSEMENT: TERRY MELCHER Our endorsement is based upon candidates' answers to questions posed at the debate, in personal interview, other information known about the candidates and our overall assessment of their credibility based upon their responses to further questioning regarding how they would propose to implement the goals they outlined, whether they were coherent and conversant, or conversely, evasive, on related topics, and general demeanor. Candidates who refused to face the public and press in debate, namely, Doug Peterson and Richard Lehmann are excluded from consideration. What may lie in the agendas they will not discuss is likely far worse than the worst of any candidates willing to be forthcoming. In our opinion, Corey Bailey is dangerous. He proposes to force urbanization down Bemidji's throat whether the people want it or not, because he believes it's best for the economy. Still, he proposed to bring in workers from out-of-town who would be qualified to fill the high paying jobs he said he'd create. When asked how that would help present Bemidjians, he didn't have a coherent answer. And he proposes lavish things like a 500 - 800 room hotel on Lake Bemidji, without a satisfactory answer as to how he'd fill it, or what that would do to existing innkeepers businesses which, even now, find it hard to stay full. We think Mr. Bailey may have spent too much time in St. Paul, because he's full of political buzz phrases which do not endure questioning as to how the goals would be implemented or why. We wonder why he's running for Mayor of Bemidji, and not New York where his plans would be more at home. At the debate, Allen Weber made a lot of good points. At least one spectator said that his answers "made more sense" than the other two candidates'. And, occasion-ally, Weber didn't mind declining questions to which he didn't have an ready answer, rather than try to fabricate one. His approach was refreshingly candid and at the end, he proposed tar and feathering current Bemidji officials, and attorneys, a thought that might be dear to many. Unfortunately, Mr. Weber's Achilles Heel lies in availability, organization and implementation. In ways, the problem with Bemidji government is that it's been like reaching a broken answering machine that plays a message, asks you to state your business, and then doesn't record it. Bemidji's council and agencies alluringly invite citizen comment and participation, but the results are not there. In the end, as if the citizens had been talking to the wall, the Bemidji officials make their decisions irrespective of what has been said by their constituents. Throughout his campaign, Mr. Weber has been virtually uncontactable, and actually has an answering machine broken as described above. He doesn't know when you called, you'd only speak to him by telephone if he happened to call you to discuss his good ideas. He is obviously not interested in what you might call to say. This, a good public official, does not make. In the end, Weber is an excellent choice to not be there for Bemidji. He has some very good ideas, a mostly reasonable perspective and an open mind. He has done some fine things, on his own schedule. But he is not dependable and sometimes forgets appointments and work commitments. Public service means being accessible to public input on a day-to-day basis, and productivity means establishing goals and envisioning improve-ments (the fun part) and then implementing them - doing the very methodical work to bring those things about. The work may involve playing telephone tag, it may be cumbersome paperwork or it may involve just being at scheduled meetings and appointments with "homework" done so one is ready for them. Whatever it is, it is very routine and mundane and necessary to bring plans to fruition so they're more than just good ideas. This, the implementation, is Mr. Weber's weak area. As far as public accessibility goes, it's not a high priority with Mr. Weber. When asked if he had a phone number where constituents with questions couldn't contact him, he said it was 218-444-WOOD; but it should be 444-NOT-IN. Mr. Weber is affable and would not be dangerous to Bemidji, but we don't think he'd presently get the things done that people expect of their Mayor. Given his keen perception, and with work on consistency and availability, Mr. Weber may become an excellent candidate in future years, and, at present, may be suitable for certain civic appointments which do not require as absolute reliability, on a tough schedule, as does the Mayor's job. Though inexperienced, Terry Melcher is less dangerous than Bailey, and has some excellent perspectives. In our opinion, it is just a matter of inexperience and naivete that, following Weber's mention of Bemidji corruption as a topic, caused Melcher to, effectively, in a general statement of perspective, deny it, as, perhaps he didn't recall or visualize the problem. But later, when asked about specific current Bemidji officials, Melcher's mind jogged and he said, straightforwardly, that he wasn't impressed with them and further said that he'd go outside of Bemidji Police Department to find a new Chief because one wouldn't expect to find a better alternative to Chief Tell in the department that was hired and trained by him. Melcher's comments regarding Chief Tell and other officials belies that he does understand the shortfalls of certain personnel when put in specific terms, rather than generalities, and he does not hesitate to criticize these powerful officials when warranted. Additionally, he seems to be ready to shirk off political pressure and good 'ol boy politics to find realistic long-term solutions to internal problems, even where it means making tough decisions. Melcher was conversant and had a good, resolute stand on taxation, a positive approach to downtown revitalization, community work, volunteerism and refurbishing sentence-to-service to better serve the community, and also, in interview, reasonable position on annexation, the rights of existing property owners as opposed to prospective developers, and constitutional issues. We think his inexperience and blue skies naivete will subside after a year or two seeing Bemidji politics from the inside, and his responses indicate that he may well have some good answers to the problems posed. As to credibility, we are cautioned by Melcher's previous heavy experience in university politics. He probably would know how to say, pretty much, what people wanted to hear. Still, there's no outward evidence of insincerity on his part - only time in office, with a chance to respond to the public, will tell. There are no messiahs, these days. No candidate was wholly beyond reproach. Things seldom go perfectly - if they go at all, though, you can be ahead of the game, and that's pretty good. Terry Melcher is not, in all respects, the "perfect" candidate. But we have to choose from a field of five, one of whom will be Bemidji's Mayor for the next two years. Of the five candidates for Bemidji Mayor, Terry Melcher gets our nod as the best choice. A couple of years will tell if he's as good as he sounds, and if he'll do what he says. ---------------------------------------------------- Leading Edge Journalism ----------------------- 4A REP. DOUG FULLER, WIFE, PETITION AGAINST NATIVE AMERICAN "PEOPLE'S CHURCH"; MEDIATION REPORT ORDERED BEMIDJI -- A petition, filed last May, spearheaded by Doug and Jeri Fuller, 817 & 821 Minnesota Ave., Bemidji, and aimed at the predominantly Native American attended People's Church, at 824 America Ave., resulted in the matter being referred for mediation between the church and the neighbors signing the petition. The action came at the August 28th meeting of the Bemidji Planning & Zoning Commission (P & Z), with follow-up and report to P & Z in time for its November 27, 2000 meeting at which time the matter will be reconsidered. Dougs. Doug Fuller is District 4A (Southern Beltrami and Northern Hubbard Counties) State Representative; his campaign was managed in the 1998 elections by Bill Batchelder, operator of Bemidji Woolen Mills, and who also managed the unsuccessful campaign of Bemidji Mayor Doug Peterson in his bid for State Senate last fall. In the election, which seated Tony Kinkel, Peterson lost in all 5 Bemidji wards. The signatures of Doug and Jeri Fuller appear as signatures 2 and 3 on the original petition; Doug Fuller has been present during hearings on it this summer before the Bemidji City Council and P & Z Commission. The Petition. The petition asks that the City Council "revisit" the Special Use Permit under which the People's Church has operated, and that "if the original intent of the use of this facility cannot be followed, we ask the council to close the facility (People's Church). Specific objections to use of the Church, cited in the petition for intervention and possible closure of the Church included, "7. ... tobacco use on the property" (tobacco is important to Native American culture; they sometimes use it as a part of certain worship ceremonies; Doug Fuller, however, is an official of the American Cancer Society which fanatically opposes tobacco in any form). Further Church practices objected to included, "8. Use of the property as a ... homeless shelter. ... 10. Free noon meals provided Monday through Friday ... 11. Nursing service ...." And the petition further alleged complaints of loitering, garbage, increased traffic (the Church, on the edge of downtown, is about 3 blocks from the Beltrami County Building, and one block from the Human Services Building parking lot), children smoking and there during school hours, "Use of the property to run a roofing business which includes drop-off and pick-up of employees" [Well, do we want people back to work, or what? -- Ed.], "unsupervised" after school activities, and unsupervised children. Pastor Bob Kelly responds. Peoples Church Pastor Bob Kelly also owns Pinewood Shingling, a roofing business which he bases at his home in Pinewood. "There isn't a day goes by that someone doesn't ask me for work," said Pastor Kelly, who said that he hired the people that he could. Regarding the allegation that he was running the business from the Church, Kelly said, "It's an exaggeration," and explained that some of the people, without vehicles, who worked for him and lived near the church, would meet Kelly there to get a ride to the work site. Due to the petition, though, Kelly has discontinued the practice. Pastor Kelly acknowledged that Peoples Church, like many other churches, has a parish nurse, a public health nurse who volunteers without pay to deal with health needs of low-income people without cost to them. It is not known why that is objected to in the petition; nor is it known why providing meals, as do other churches, is a subject of the complaints. Kelly said attendance of the free noon meals was still going strong, "particularly at the end of the month, when peoples' resources tend to be dried up." The Pastor said that he knew of no loitering off of church property, and acknowledged that people do meet on the rear deck of the church. "It's a place where people meet each other and help each other solve problems; transportation problems, housing, food, child care," he said. Similarly, Kelly said, as regards complaints of children's activities, that there are a lot of children in the neighborhood; prior to the petition, he had never received any complaints regarding the conduct of parishioners' children on or near the property. In fact, he said, the only notice of any complaint he had was just before the petition was brought before the City Council. "Mrs. Fuller called the Thursday before the Monday the petition was presented. I wasn't convinced that everything she was saying was true. ... She didn't want to talk about it ... she couldn't perceive another point of view," he said. As an example of the exaggerated, almost paranoic perception of the petitioners, at one time, People's Church was allowing beds to be donated to be given away to people who didn't have one. "One woman who got a bed had been sleeping on the floor for six months," Kelly told Northern Herald, "she was so happy she could hardly speak." But when Peoples Church began to store the beds, they were accused by the petitioners of creating a dormitory, and when they moved the beds out to give them to recipients, they were accused of trying to conceal them. Kelly said that the beds were only stored, not used, at the Church. Donators of the beds included Pastor James Vadis of First Lutheran Church and Don Connors, an elder at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. In the past, the Church had welcomed homeless people, who, Kelly said, were given access to a telephone and calling card, and transportation to try to secure housing if it was available. "We counsel them on money ... all of the things that go to solve the problem of being homeless," Kelly said. The Church also allowed people to stay overnight, if necessary, until the City of Bemidji forbade it. Kelly said that even now, though, if House of Hospitality is full, church members sometimes invite the homeless to their homes for the night. "If I was building a church," said Kelly, "and soon we may be, I'd want to build on some efficiency apartments for homeless people." And Kelly is presently building a cabin in Pinewood where homeless people from Bemidji will be allowed to stay. Regarding children smoking on the premises, Kelly said that it was no different than any other place, even schools, where children might try to sneak a smoke behind the building; the practice is not encouraged by the Church. Kelly answered complaints about children being there during school hours by stating that some of the children are lawfully home-schooled and are not truant, and others are children of homeless persons being served by the church. "People who are homeless have a very difficult time getting their children to school." Responding to the complaints of debris on and around the property, Kelly said that the complaint arose in the spring, when the snow melt, as elsewhere, exposes things that had been thrown in the snow over the winter; and that it had since been cleaned up. "I'd invite anyone to drive by and assess it," he said. Asked about possible motives for bringing the petition against the church, Kelly said that he was puzzled by them and didn't care to interpret them. On September 7th, 2000, Northern Herald inspected the premises of People's Church and found no debris on the property. Asked if there had been past problems with the Church, Faron Morin, neighborhood resident at 809 America Ave., said, "I have no problem with it at all ... there's people there a lot of times, but they never bothered me at all." Asked specifically if he had observed unusual loitering, disorderly conduct, intoxication or drug use, Morin, a father of four small children said, "No, I haven't seen no problem at all with that. Every once in a while I see people wandering up there [to the Church] and sometimes late at night, but they don't seem intoxicated to me. Morin, who said that he, personally, has never gone to the People's Church, said that he didn't regard the Church, a half block away, as a security problem or a bad influence on his young children, "No, not at all," he said. At the Church, Carol Kelly, wife of Pastor Bob Kelly, told Northern Herald that Peoples Church is a Christian (Lutheran - ELCA) church. Churchgoer Roger Roberts, of Wilton, said, "This is a Christian church that is honoring the Native American traditions." ELCA has advised Kelly that they may have an interest in this as a First Amendment legal case should the City of Bemidji try to shut the church down. (The City of Bemidji, and some of its citizens, have not, historically, had much respect for constitutional rights which are freely and flagrantly violated here. In an unrelated matter, there is currently a $600 billion federal suit, by Northern Herald, pending against the City of Bemidji, and certain others for First Amendment violations). The Hearing. The matter came before the Planning and Zoning Commission, comprised of Chairman Joe Vene, Richard Slinkman, Nancy Erickson, Rita Rabe, David Landgrebe, Elaine Peterson and Roger Hellquist, as an annual review of the Special Use Permit issued to the People's Church in August 1997 to operate the church in an R-3 residential zoned neighborhood. The building had been historically used as a church building before Peoples Church took it over. Prior to the hearing, Peoples Church had agreed to enter into professional mediation with the Fullers and other neighbors; the mediation is being conducted by Upper Mississippi Mental Health Center. P & Z Chairman Vene stated at the start of the hearing that its subject would be whether there were activities that were contrary to the particulars of the Special Use Permit, such as overnight boarding of people, and people giving the church address as their home or mailing address and whether there had been any disruption of the tranquility of the neighborhood; and said, of continuing accusations made, "we've heard about people at this location being stared down, neighbors afraid to come out of their houses. I'm just telling you what has been heard - I'm not being conclusory about anything." Vene acknowledged a letter from the Director of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America expressing support for the Peoples Church. The Commission heard from Curt Oakes, Bemidji Planning administrator, several persons speaking on behalf of the church, and some of the neighbors who had signed the petition. Oakes reported that there was a concern over small children playing in the front yard of Peoples Church, and to solve it, Bethel Lutheran Church had assisted in funding a fence to be installed in the back yard next month. Barbara McGregor, a neighbor residing at 904 America Avenue, spoke to the Commission, hurling a barrage of accusations against Peoples Church parishioners, including loitering, people being outside during the early morning hours, noise pollution, kids using a wooden handicap access ramp as a skateboard ramp, throwing rocks at cars, and loud and vile language. "I feel you have a right to be safe and secure in your own home," said McGregor, "no one should be able to make you feel vulnerable, intimidated or fearful." McGregor further complained about Kelly's roofing workers congregating at the church in the morning, to be taken to their jobs, being returned there in the afternoon, and that, in inclement weather, when they couldn't work, they were at the church all day. McGregor complained about a rock being thrown, August 27th, into her backyard, but did not state that it necessarily originated from Peoples Church, or its parishioners; she asked who was legally liable for Peoples Church, and Chairman Vene responded that, as regarded allegations of unlawfulness by individuals, possibly churchgoers or their children, that it was those individuals, not the church, who were responsible. McGregor also asked the Commission whether it was permissible to operate a business at the church location under the Special Use Permit. Chairman Vene answered that it wasn't, but, "First of all, it has to be established whether a business is being operated." A question may exist as to whether merely meeting workers to give them a ride to the job site constitutes operation of a business, but the Commission did not attempt to answer that question at that hearing. Another neighbor similarly complained of people congregating near the church from 7:30 in the morning to 7:30 in the evening; that the Peoples Church grounds were an eyesore and that the fellowship had promised to improve the grounds, but had not done so. (There did not appear to be debris on the grounds when Northern Herald inspected them - we saw no "eyesore"). The neighbor insisted on a tobacco-free environment. Pastor Steve Peterson, who is on the Peoples Church Advisory Board, and also helps with some of the activities, took the podium to explain the mediation process, which would begin with the first meeting August 30th. "Each of the parties ... the concerned neighbors and people from the Peoples Church ... will be meeting with someone from Upper Mississippi who is skilled in mediation," and Peterson explained that at the first meeting, each party could air its concerns. "And then they will come together," he said, in a process with ground rules designed to resolve the differences. Commissioner Slinkman said, "Firstly, I commend the Church for what you do," then suggested that in the church's zeal to attain their goals they may have overlooked the necessity of doing no harm and being a good neighbor. He said that the concerns of the neighborhood should be addressed by the Church and could be handled. "I don't think I want, as Commissioner, to sit down here and say what those things should be. I would like for the Church and the neighborhood to get together and come up with what both of them could live with." Sammia Braddock, a Peoples Church member who also conducts women's taking circles there, testified before the Commission as to what the Church had done for her. A single parent of five, Miss Braddock said that she came from a dysfunctional family, and was associated with gang members. She said that since "I passed by there two and a half months ago, [with] no where to go," her children had been baptized and had become better disciplined. "They listen now ... Pastor Bob and Carol - they've given me more life ... [the Peoples Church] has given me direction. ... My children feel safe at the Peoples Church," she said. Commissioner Elaine Peterson responded by saying, "Here's somebody taking responsibility [for herself and her children] ... I think that's all the neighbors are asking." Following the speakers, and discussion by the Commission, Commissioner Slinkman moved that the annual review of the Special Use Permit be continued to November 27th to permit the mediation process to proceed, with a report of the mediation to be delivered to the Commission by November 13th. The motion passed unanimously. Said long time Bemidji area resident and businessman Richard Chernugal, following the hearing, "Two groups of people of good will [are] getting together to solve an issue. ... With the mediation on a timetable, I'm not certain that a timetable is a good thing for a mediation; it has to be ongoing, but I think it's good that the Planning Commission is going to get an update in 90 days. (Photo captions - photos are not shown in Library edition): Feron Morin and his children at their residence at 809 America Ave., about a 1/2 block from People's Church. Morin said he had not seen unusual loitering or disorderly conduct on the Church grounds, and that the Church did not present a problem to him or his family. A packed house attends the August 28th Bemidji Planning and Zoning Commission meeting considering closure of Peoples Church. 4A State Rep. Doug Fuller, (front row left and at inset) was present at the meeting, but did not address the issue. Fuller was also present at an earlier Bemidji City Council meeting on the same topic. Peoples Church member Sammia Braddock, holding eagle feather, prepares the table for the daily offering and cleansing with sage. She said the tradition was, "To reach our ancestors ... guiding us ... [and it's to get out] to the youth, so they can know where they can go to the creator, God, have guidance, and ask for protection ..." --------------------------------------------------------- (Photo caption - photos are not shown in Library edition): Red Lake Police operated an unannounced sobriety check Sept. 1st on the east edge of Redby. Conservation Officer Kevin Spears directs cars off of Highway 1 and into the Red Lake Fisheries parking lot where officers Jason Lawrence, Criminal Investigator, Red Lake Dept. of Public Safety, and Robert Van Wert check for license and sobriety, while Criminal Investigator Donovan Wind and Conservation Officer Jeff Pierre do a quick trunk and vehicle check for contraband. The Red Lake Nation is dry - alcohol of any type, open or not, is contraband. A drug sniffing dog was also present. Lawrence said that the checkpoint was part of Red Lake's strengthened efforts to make the highway safe and would be done periodically. "We'll arrest any intoxicated drivers, or anybody that has a warrant," he said. In the hour that the check operated that afternoon, "We've had only 3 vehicles come through with alcohol, had one warrant arrest, and about 12 vehicles with no D.L. [driver's license]; and the ones with no D.L. get parked right there and they walk from here," said Lawrence. The random checkpoint is permitted under the laws of the Red Lake Nation, which, though contained within Minnesota, is a sovereign nation. ---------------------------------------------------- SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAM FUNDING SUSPENDED ST. PAUL -- In past years, the 76 individual coalitions which comprise the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) have been known for promoting false charges against men, costing them time and money, and sometimes their freedom. In recent years, so-called date rape charges have been as ludicrous as one brought by a Bemidji co-ed against her illicit lover where she claimed that, on a certain evening, the first time they had unholy and out-of-wedlock romance it was consensual, but the second time was rape (the case ended in acquittal). Governor Jesse Ventura placed the sexual assault programs, which previously had been largely autonomous and thusly unaccountable for their actions, under the auspices of Minnesota's Department of Public Safety. On June 14th, 2000, Public Safety Commissioner Charlie Weaver charged that MCASA had violated federal and state agree-ments by reverse discriminatory practices and suspended funding of the organization. It is expected that the suspension may affect payments of fourth quarter, 2000, and all of fiscal 2001 grants, totalling $265,000. The suspension stemmed from MCASA'a May, 2000 service providers conference, which involved a Women of Color Institute that, allegedly, prohibited white women from attending its gathering. "We wanted to send a clear message that we will not tolerate discriminatory behaviour," said DPS Commissioner Weaver. --------------------------------------------------- A SOURCE OF CORRUPTION BEMIDJI -- The 8/16/00 issue of Northern Herald reported the demolition, by the City of Bemidji, of a $7,800 tax-forfeit house, which could have been sold at auction. The demolition came at a public cost of $2,275, bringing the total public loss to $10,075. (See Bemidji City Council Destroys History, Housing, in NH of 08/16/00, available at our web site - address: page 5.) Per new information which surfaced at the Sept. 5th meeting of the Bemidji City Council, it appears that the demolition, which was strenuously supported by City and County authorities, even in the face of a legal challenge, was done as a favor to Linda Lemmer, resident at 143 Gemmel Ave., Bemidji. She had asked the Council, earlier this year, to demolish the valuable property because it didn't meet her aesthetic tastes for the block. Post-publication note and correction, not in original edition: It has come to our attention that the building that Linda Lemmer requested be demolished was NOT the one (at 200 Gemmel Ave.) which was the subject of the story. She requested that a house which she owned, at 150 Gemmel Ave. be demolished. At this time, it is still not known, then, why the City of Bemidji undertook the costly and wasteful destruction of the home at 200 Gemmel Ave. ------------------------------------------------------- (Photo caption - photos are not shown in Library edition): The Friends of Itasca Park have lunch during their annual meeting Sept. 9th, 2000 at Itasca. The Friends, many of whom are park volunteers, work regularly with DNR park management to preserve and protect Itasca State Park's rich heritage and ecological diversity. Persons interested in being a Friend of Itasca Park may contact President Tim Holzkamm at 218-573-3442 or tholzkam@wcta.net --------------------------------------------------------- (Photo caption - photos are not shown in Library edition): A & E Produce is open for the season! Featuring their own farm-fresh and home-grown produce, on the North side of Highway 2 between Shevlin and Bagley. Unlike some veggie stores, the Erickson's A & E produce has only fresh-picked locally grown product. So they're only open from the start of harvest through late autumn. Would you drive all the way to Shevlin for produce? Well, if you wanted a couple pounds of fresh beets for 75 cents, or a pound of tomatoes that was just picked that day for $1, well, you just might. -------------------------------------------------------- (Photo caption - photos are not shown in Library edition): But he probably isn't voting for him. Last week, a lot of Peterson signs popped up blanketing major Bemidji streets. Shown (print edition only) is Bemidji Mayor candidate Terry Melcher, with the Peterson sign Melcher found planted in his front yard. People often assume that campaign yard signs are a sign of support by the people living there. The more signs, the more support. And that's what campaign workers would like people to think. Surprised by his opponent's sign in his front yard, Melcher inquired of the other tenants of the apartment building. None had authorized the sign. On checking with Peterson, though, he was told that the sign was placed, allegedly, because Melcher's landlord, a friend of Peterson's neighbor, had OK'd it. ------------------------------------------------------------ (Photo caption - photos are not shown in Library edition): On Sept. 4th, hypnotist Sami Dare entertained at Beaux Arts Auditorium at Bemidji State University. An entire stagefull of volunteers, hypnotized at once, are told they're driving a race car. Later, the hypnotic suggestion was given that they're all ballet dancers. As they danced upon the stage, suddenly, they're told, by the hypnotist, to "Freeze!" and are suspended in mid-step. The program was part of campus-based HUPB's regularly scheduled events. ---------------------------------------------------------- CONSUMER CORNER --------------- Readers are invited to submit consumer complaints or compliments to this column, and to our Auto Service Forum. Send info c/o this paper, P.O. Box 1535, Bemidji, MN 56619 IF YOU'RE BUYING PROPERTY, BE REPRESENTED Generally, when people buy real estate, they just call the broker who has the sign in front. That broker then handles all of the details of the sale. In real estate parlance, this is called agreeing to "dual agency." It means one broker represents both the buyer and the seller. This is very much like suing someone in court, and agreeing to let his attorney handle your case too. The funny thing is, it costs no more for the buyer to be represented, if he knows what to do. Despite the representation that, under dual agency, one realtor represents both parties, the seller's agent's duty is, technically, to the seller, not the buyer. In reality, most real estate agents are loyal to neither the buyer or the seller - agents are independent contractors who do what they think is best for them. Still, a buyer can put the odds more in his favor by having his own representation. Here's how it works: When you find a property you're interested in, instead of contacting the seller's agent, contact your own real estate agent to act as "buyer's representative" and make the offer. It is important to do this before you sign a purchase agreement. You pay nothing extra for this - the fees that the seller's agent would normally receive are simply split between the two agents. And that way you have someone representing you in the transaction who doesn't have obvious conflict of interest. Caveat: A seemingly simple real estate negotiation, particularly for first time buyers, is more complex than it seems and there are pitfalls that can cost you thousands of dollars. Having a buyer's rep, who knows the law, real estate ethics and realtors' negotiation techniques, is good advice in any transaction. We particularly advise people to use one when dealing with Paul Bunyan Realty, Bemidji. In our test scenario, we were able to catch their agent, Sharon Hunt, acting as a "dual agent," in many lies and unethical practices, including legal bluffs and scare tactics, which were designed to be to the detriment of the buyer. DIAMOND, BEAN, CERTAIN OTHER MATCHES UNSAFE "There is no product that someone cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper. Those who consider price alone are this man's lawful prey" -- Some wise person said this. For several years now, the Jaffrey, New Hampshire firm of D.D. Bean and Sons has produced and mass marketed a substandard book match which often fragments upon striking, resulting in possible clothing damage and injury. There has been at least one case, of which we are aware, where, in normal use, a burning piece of D.D. Bean matchhead, from a book of matches marketed under the famous DIAMOND brand, landed in a user's eye. A Minnesota ophthalmologist said that such injuries from matches are not infrequent. In the reported case, neither D.D. Bean, nor Diamond Brands (Cloquet, MN) have, to date, cooperated in responding in damages. Possibly because Bean's matches have become known to consumers as inferior, they are now sold under several other brand names, including Diamond. Boxes of match books generally contain no indication that they came from the Bean company. The substandard Bean book matches generally have white, rather than red or blue heads. Diamond formerly marketed a red-tipped book match, which was sturdy and did not have the fragmentation problem. Somewhere down the line, possibly for cost-control and better profit, they began, instead, marketing the inexpensive Bean product, packaged and labeled as a Diamond match. A quality control employee of Diamond was informed, in early 1999, of the defect in and potential hazards of the matches they were selling, but maintained that the fragmentation which had then been observed was an isolated occurrence. Unofficial information has recently been received that Diamond may soon scrap the Bean product and begin making their own book matches, but for now, consumers may want to avoid the Diamond, and other book matches with white heads, which may be the substandard Bean product. OHIO BLUE TIP, though hard to find in the Northland, appears to be a safer, more dependable brand. -------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 08/16/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 13 -------------------------------------- THE HEART OF CORRUPTION The Bemidji City Council BEMIDJI -- One of the residents who came from Bemidji's Jefferson Woods neighborhood on South Lake Irving had only one eye. Still, his sight was better than the Bemidji Council's hearing (not even the best Beltone® hearing aid would have been sufficient to correct it) when the residents presented concerns over their home values should the Council undertake proposed action. And with this, in two separate actions, August 7th, the Council made love over two separate groups of persons who had invested in Bemidji homes, either costing them additional money now or lowering their property values by proposing expense upon eventual sale. The actions follow a long-standing history of the current Mayor and Council to view, with contempt and disregard, people's property investments here, in favor of sweetheart contracts with construction interests, such as Ron Cuperus of Cuperus Construction, and similar crooks. (Ron Cuperus was one of the three-member police commission that returned Police Chief Robert Tell to his job after he was found to have wrongfully taken money from the City. Although not criminally punished, when found out, Tell repaid the money which he had received on phony travel vouchers (see The Robert Tell Accounts in Living on The Edge archives from the main page of the Northern Herald website)). JEFFERSON WOODS. In the first action, August 7th, the Council unanimously voted to shaft property owners (Res. No. 4756) in Jefferson Woods by proceeding with a final feasibility report on putting in city water and sewer, unneeded by many, and forcing owners, including those with new septic systems, to hook-up on eventual sale of their properties at a cost of approximately $12,000. PUBLIC "HEARING": Sept. 18th. There will be a public hearing (pardon the irony of the term) on Sept. 18th, 7:30 p.m., at Bemidji City Hall where residents can air their concerns which will probably be ignored by the Council. But they can do some talking about it and will be on TV, and so should dress well for the occasion. THE ETTESVOLD CANCER. The 8/7 meeting was paused for a moment to allow developer Mike Ettesvold to bend over so that the Mayor and Council members could kiss his behind; and as to 24-year homeowner Richard Riley, the Council just asked him to bend over (both figuratively, of course). This type of scenario has been a not infrequent occurrence ever since the Council first TIF-financed Ettesvold's Irvingboro project, on the far side of Lake Irving, many years ago. Ettesvold's gold mine - Irvingboro - met a critical City need for moderate to high income waterfront marina housing. The first single-family homes started at about $140,000. But Ettesvold didn't stop with the original Irvingboro tracts. Like a cancer, one after another, Ettesvold's projects have spread, cannibalizing everything in their sprawling path on Lake Irving's East shore, and becoming a nuisance to long-time area residents through Ettesvold's proposed "improvement" projects, to pretty-up the high income Irvingboro neighborhood, that pre-existing residents neither want, nor can afford, and which the City Council almost always lets Ettesvold have, at the expense of those other long-time residents. Ettesvold, who refused to speak to Northern Herald, earlier told other reporters, "It's basically cleaning up an area and putting a final touch on it." THE "IMPROVEMENTS." Under the measure (Res. No. 4758), which passed the Bemidji City Council 4-3 (ayes: Oberg, Atwater, Zachman, Mayor Peterson; nays: South, Lehmann, Moen), Roosevelt Road from Irvingboro's Irving Beach Dr. SW, south to the cul-de-sac by Ettesvold's new Lakehaven condos, would be widened from 24 to 32 feet, and repaved, adding sidewalks, curbs and gutters. The cul-de-sac was created last year, also for Ettesvold's benefit, in a controversial action which closed Carpenter St. and widened Rako St. over strenuous objections of long-time homeowners there. The widening destroyed front yards and practically eliminated lot setbacks. "There are a couple of homes that are 15 to 20 feet from the road now," said a neighborhood resident. High income housing needs pretty sidewalks. Richard Riley said of the proposed new sidewalks, "[It's] for these people that are living over here [in Ettesvold's developments] to walk up to Lueken's," and said that it wouldn't be a convenience for him or his wife. Chuckling, Riley said, "I don't even walk; I can hardly walk, so it's not going to convenience me in the least; it's not going to bring up my property value at all," and Riley said that he wouldn't recover the additional cost if he eventually sold the property. Of the street work, Riley said that it isn't needed; that the present road is new asphalt, built recently when the old road was torn out to make city sewer and water available to Ettesvold's projects. "This new asphalt, they're digging it up again, and repaving it," Riley said. The street project was initiated under the guise of a petition signed by owners of five of the six (the Rileys did not sign) affected property parcels. Of those five parcels, three are owned by Ettesvold or interests directly connected with Ettesvold's developments, another signer is an Irvingboro homeowner who was promised a "break" in his assessment, and one signature was by a nonresident under power of attorney for the disabled man who actually owns and lives in the property. Over the years, since 1976, that the Rileys have been in the large house at Carpenter & Roosevelt, they had sometimes taken in renters, but the Rileys converted the old rental units two years ago, and now use the property only as their family homestead. Richard and Joan Riley had objected, in writing, to the street project when it came before the Council in July, and Richard said they were told that "Somebody was supposed to get together with me," to discuss the matter. But, instead, prior to the August 7th meeting, Riley was told by Councilman Herb South that the project wouldn't pass, and so Riley did not attend the 8/7 meeting. Richard Riley said he was told, "it was a done deal - they wasn't going to go through with it. And I imagine that was just to, you know, keep us away ... from the council meeting; because they pulled that same deal ... last year with the people over on Rako [St.]. ... I think [Councilman South] was duped himself" into believing that the project would not be passed. Riley stated that, per South, the Mayor had told South, just before the 8/7 Council meeting, that Ettesvold, not the pre-existing homeowners, should be paying for the proposed improvements. Riley said the passage, with Mayor Peterson's "yes" vote, then, came as a surprise to him, and learned of it when a friend read about it in the paper and telephoned Riley. Riley stated that Ettesvold, in promoting his Irvingboro and other development plans, originally told residents that, "There wasn't going to be any cost to any of the residents here [for] improvements. ... Then ... last year or the year before, Ettesvold gave us this ... plan for this here road ... and he said my share would be $18,003. ... and I wasn't supposed to tell anybody about that." Riley said that Ettesvold told him the figure in an effort to get Riley to sell his property to Ettesvold. Since Irvingboro, Ettesvold has bought up many of the area properties for his sprawling new developments. He had approached the Rileys with a purchase offer that Richard Riley said was too low and would not accept. "[Ettesvold] ... warned me ... 'You'll get taxed right out of here,'" Riley recounted, and added, recalling the Bemidji City Council and Mayor's recent action, "They can just come and legally steal something from you and you can't do nothing about it." Riley also believes that a useful bridge on South Lake Irving Drive was taken out as a concession to Ettesvold to reduce traffic near his Irving lakeshore housing developments. EDITORIAL ANALYSIS: As stated, this follows a long standing tradition of the Council and Mayor to discount the interests and investments of those who have already built and bought here, in favor of new construction and interests which may be very adverse to current residents and other property holders. The lesson to be learned is simply: Don't invest in Bemidji. The Council neither respects, nor will protect your investment and will, in fact, erode it, turning a deaf ear to affected property owners. MENARD'S is an excellent business that has made its reputation on simple clean dealings. Good products at good cost. A few years back, MENARD'S, considering a location here, got a taste of dealings with the Johannesons (Bemidji's Marketplace Foods) and with Bemidji, and in the end "just said no" to Bemidji. Their lead may well be followed by others who care about their home & property investments, and have mistakenly considered investing in Bemidji. Ultimately, Bemidji's actions keep Bemidji small, and that's the way a community run by hayseed* mentality, irrespective of peoples' rights and property interests, should be. * As used herein, "hayseed" does not refer to farmers, most of whom are intelligent, honest and prudent businessmen. It refers to about 60% of Bemidjians, and their elected Mayor and Council, who are not. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Adverse interests. The Richard Riley home is to be assessed about $13,000 for cosmetic street "improvements" to benefit Ettesvold's Lakehaven Condos. Richard Riley, retired after a printing career for The Pioneer and Arrow Printing, sorts his fishing tackle on the back porch of his, and his wife's, 24-year home. ----------------------------------------------------------- BEMIDJI CITY COUNCIL DESTROYS HISTORY, HOUSING BEMIDJI -- The history is not pretentious, it's subdued, rustic and understated. The homes are small, serene and real - not lofty. Many of them were occupied by workers of the old Crookston Mill nearly a century ago when Bemidji was a timber boom town. The stone house at 203 Gemmel Ave. belonged to one of the original settlers, an artisan in the lost trade of stone masonry. Many abstracts go back to the original turn-of-the-nineteenth-century Bemidji Township Company. And the houses are still useful and inhabitable. It's living history and it doesn't cost $1.3 million (i.e. the tax-paid cost of the new Bemidji Historical Center) to preserve it. All it takes is the City and County staying the heck away from Gemmel Ave. and not destroying what is there. But as part of its corrupt long term "under the table" plan to make housing less affordable in Bemidji., which has involved the acquisition, by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, and subsequent demolition by the City of many of the low to moderate income rental and salable homes, Bemidji destroyed another substantial home by Lake Irving August 9th. Had it not been demolished, the tax-forfeit property at 200 Gemmel Ave. would likely have sold, at auction, to home buyers for about $9,900., its appraised value. Despite lip service to same, particularly as an excuse to draw federal and state grant funding, through the history of the present mayor and council, the City has tried to eliminate affordable housing, and has favored developers of high-income projects, such as Irvingboro's Mike Ettesvold, with tax breaks and subsidies such as TIF (tax paid) financing of their projects. The City paid Magnuson Trucking and Leasing $2,275. for the demolition. Magnuson also operates the Beltrami County solid waste transfer station. Said a local resident, "They're [the Bemidji Mayor and Council] in the business of taking state and federal funds to remodel and build new housing and they're in the business of tearing down housing" to create demand and space for tax-funded housing. He added, "Me and my wife have been looking for [a reasonably priced] house to buy for some time. ... [Bemidji] tore 2 blocks of houses down. ... I wonder why the City of Bemidji is taking federal money for housing when they're tearing down housing." (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Author William Kirtland last week relived boyhood memories of the '30s by his old former home at 169 Gemmel Ave. Just a few days and a few houses away, down the historic avenue, at 200 Gemmel, the corrupt Mayor and City Council of the City of Bemidji were having heavy machinery, visible in the upper right corner of the photo, reduce another historic home to a pile of rubble at a public cost of about $2,275. The property, shown in late spring, on its wooded lot, typical of the avenue, and with it's decking, paneled interior and terraced steps leading to its backyard view of Lake Irving, might have sold, at auction, for about $9,900, its appraised value. The demolition was performed by Magnuson Trucking and Leasing which also operates the Beltrami County Transfer Station.The City incurred the cost of destroying the historic home under a stated intent to then give the land to a favored charity (not a "public use" per Minnesota Dept. of Revenue (DOR) officials), Habitat for Humanity, but as the City acquired the tax-forfeit property, then controlled by Beltrami County, under a shady "purchase" (with a selling price of zero) rather than the usual "public use" conveyance, possibly to circumvent DOR review of the intended use and acquire the property no-strings-attached, in the end, the valuable lakefront land may end up going to another Mayor/Council favored entity for that entity's, and the corrupt officials' own purposes. ----------------------------------------------------------- Fighting Bemidji Corruption - And We're Winning ----------------------------------------------- ATWATER ENDS CORRUPT COUNCIL CAREER BEMIDJI -- Bemidji City Councilman Bruce Atwater announced last month that he will not seek re-election. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK. Outgoing Bemidji Councilman Bruce Atwater (back of head in foreground) meets with son, Beltrami Deputy William Atwater, outside courtroom. William Atwater was charged in the 1998 Bemidji police prostitution trials, receiving a long county-paid vacation (suspension with pay) from duty during the trial, before being returned to duty. (This telling photo, taken in 1998, could not have been taken under the present prohibition of cameras in the Beltrami County Courthouse). ----------------------------------------------------- MEN FILE ANTI-SHELTER SUIT LAKE GEORGE -- In past years, mens' efforts have resulted in significant legislative strides toward relaxation of gender bias. One example is joint custody, which, instead of sole custody with visitation, is now commonplace in Minnesota family courts. One of the leaders of mens' organized efforts is Frank Solchaga, director of R-KIDS, a Twin Cities based organization (www.r-kids.org) which, for years, has aided fathers in protecting custody rights and striving for judicial equity. Due to the educational work of R-KIDS and others, scientific studies confirming that women initiate family violence at least as often as men are now common knowledge. At his Lake George retreat, Solchaga announced that, on July 17, 2000, R-KIDS' Legal Action Committee commenced a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court to strike down the Minnesota Battered Women's Act because it discriminates against men. Solchaga said that, among other things, the Act directs public money to Women's shelters, but there is no parallel funding of shelters or advocacy for men. In a release, R-KIDS said, "The purpose of this suit is to cut off the main source of public money which fuels sexist bias against men in our family court system. The plaintiffs also hope to reveal the basic facts about domestic violence, and in this way to promote real solutions to this social problem. The case (No. 00-CV-1672 MJD/JGL), entitled Scott Booth [et.al.] vs. Sheryl Ramstad Hvass [et. al.] is brought against four state agency defendants: the commissioners of Corrections, Human Services, Public Safety and Children, Families and Learning. Plaintiffs include 11 named individuals, "and all others similarly situated." Attorneys for Plaintiffs are Mark A. Olson, of Burnsville, and former Crow Wing (i.e. Brainerd) County Attorney John Remington Graham. The complaint alleges jurisdiction under 28 USC 1331 and 1343, 42 USC 1983 and 1988, and under the 14th and 19th Amendments to the United States Constitution. The Minnesota Battered Women's Act, which the suit seeks to hold unconstitutional, is codified as Sections 611A.31 through 611A.36 of the Minnesota Statutes (The text of all Minnesota Statutes is available on the net:.http://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/statutes.htm). The suit claims that public funds are used to employ advocates, who, although not licensed to practice law, regularly appear in state courts to secure, for their female clients, ex-parte Orders For Protection which cause the husband, or male cohabitant to be immediately evicted from his home, and lose custodial rights, without due process of law. The suit also alleges that the publicly funded shelters "also publish fanatical, irrational, hysterical, sexist literature which maliciously and falsely defames and seeks to generate social and political hatred against men in general, portraying them as the basic cause of all domestic violence ...," and, in this, particularly cites a circular, funded under the Act, and published by the "Domestic Abuse Intervention Project" in Duluth. ------------------------------------------------------ STOCK MARKET GLOSSARY Averaging down: A strategy commonly-used by sophisticated investors. When the investor realizes the stock he bought is on the downslide, he buys more at the bargain price. Then, when the stock finally hits rock-bottom, he sells it all and loses all his money at once. ------------------------------------------------------ In Focus COWBOYS RIDE THE STAMPEDE (IN FOCUS is primarily a pictoral feature; photos, however, appear only in our print edition.) EFFIE -- It was a hot Saturday, July 29th, at North Star Ranch's 45th Annual Stampede, but the bucking stock, raised for the purpose at North Star, didn't seem to mind, and neither did the crowds - the stands were full and Chief Ramrod Howard Pitzen announced that Friday nights' attendance had set a new record. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Pony cart rides were provided by Pennie Moes, Willow River Ranch, Gheen, Minn. Right, rodeo clown Randy "Slipknot" Scheidler entertains and helps keep fallen cowboys intact. Greg Harms, Brainerd, ropes his calf in 30.68 seconds. Ross Nevala, Bay Minette, Alabama, wrestles his steer. Best wild cow riding went to Buddy Ostland, Effie; the cowboy below preferred to ride it sideways. Christine Sutton, of Buffalo, Minn. had Saturday's best barrel-racing time with 15.915 seconds. Sooo Close. Troy Promersberger, of Littlefork, scores 83 points for his wild bull ride. Chad Kenney, Pillager, had Saturday's best ride with 85. That's Gotta Hurt. Neither team was able to complete the Wild Horse Race. Here, a rider, um, dismounts. ------------------------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who won't do anything about it." -- Albert Einstein The Public and Voters are invited to the BEMIDJI MAYOR CANDIDATES' DEBATE AND PUBLIC FORUM 7:30 P.M. THURSDAY, SEPT. 7th, 2000 - BEMIDJI CITY HALL This debate is sponsored by Northern Herald and Charter Communications which will provide live broadcast of the event on their Bemidji cable Channel 2. The event will be moderated by the distinguished Dr. Roy Blackwood, BSU Dept. of Mass Communications. ADVERTISEMENT --------------------------------------------------------- At Backus, The Hub Of Northern Minnesota ---------------------------------------- BACKUS HOLDS CORN FEST 2000 BACKUS -- When Backus has a fest, it's worth coming to! Besides its highlighting Corn Feed, Corn Fest 2000 featured parade, lots of flea market merchandise, games and plain fun. Cloie Smith, Coordinator and American Legion Auxiliary President, thanked the community for all the help she received and said, "The kids seem to be really happy with the games this year." 1st Place parade awards went to Dick Anderson, Hackensack (originality); Backus Locker (theme); Pine River Journal (best musical) and American Legion Mahtomedi Post 507 (patriotic). Color Guards included American Legion posts of Hackensack, Nisswa, Pine River and Mahtomedi and the Pine River Boy Scouts. Per Smith, next year's Corn Fest will feature a "Queen For A Day," in which women over 50 can compete, and planning is already under way for Centennial Year 2002 activities, which will include an Alumni Prom, complete with tuxes and limos, at the All School Reunion at Backus Old Timer's Weekend in May, and, at Corn Fest, the largest parade ever and old-fashioned games like 3-Legged Races, Mustache and Beard Contest, Log Cutting and Grease Pole climbing. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Brittany Spears, Watch Out! Because Jr. Miss Backus, Jaclyn Sherseth is going places! Sherseth was sponsored by Connie's Salon. Cass County Dairy Princess, Tiffany Neumann and Jr. Princess, Jenny Leverington Air Rides were offered at Backus International Airport There are a lot of good reasons to come to Corn Fest, but for a lot of people, one of the best ones is the Corn! People line up for the Fire Hall Corn Feed. Each year a Pine River farm grows a special crop of this exceptional quality and very sweet corn exclusively for Corn Fest, planting per the Fest date, so the corn is at its freshest. Enjoying the corn are Randall Arezklau, Pine River; Howard Ellis, Buffalo, Minn., Jason Gilles, Marvel Gens, Vernon Center; and Paul Burth of Post 507 of the American Legion at Mahtomedi. Barb Zempel, of Backus, displays her ceramic crafts at the Corn Fest Flea Market June Lach, 79, of Backus, can be counted on to be clowning around at each year's Corn Fest. Dick Anderson with his 1st prize winning Backus School float. Kids lined up to try their hand at the Dunk Tank, but on this hot afternoon, the longer line was kids waiting to be dunked. New Jr. Mister and Miss Backus, Colton Cook and Jaclyn Sherseth, and runner-up and talent show 1st Place winner, Tara Pollock. Talent 2nd Place went to Crystal Nieman, Talent 3rd, Michelle Breccia. The talent and Mr. & Miss Backus competition judges, The Lady Steele, Betty Zaffke, Debbie Grimler, perform their solemn duty. Standing is Cloie Smith, Coordinator. ---------------------------------------------------------- FIDDLES, FOOD, NEW ORLEANS BANDS ROCK CAJUNFEST WALKER -- If you couldn't get to New Orleans this year, this was the next best thing. Even for those who did, who enjoyed the Louisian' style cusine, music and hospitality down south, CajunFest brought some of it right home to Northern Minnesota. This year's food line was excellent. The planeload of Louisiana cooks flown in for the event prepared Gumbo, Shrimp Creole, Red Beans with Sausage and Rice, Blackened Chicken, Jambalaya, Alligator Sauce Picante (very good), and Voodoo Shrimp. Also, New Orleans-style crawfish was available from Tom's Crawfish Boil, of Remer, who had a table in the food tent. And unlike some fests, it's a good deal. As little as $3 a serving; if they wanted to splurge, two people could sample many foods and get a varied and sumptuous family-style Louisiana meal - more than they could normally eat - for about $21, including crawfish. Curtis Coubello, one of over ten musical attractions on the two stages, is known for playing fiddle upside down, behind his back, and sometimes by letting someone else hold the bow, while Coubello plays by moving the fiddle body. Coincidentally, world-toured Coubello, native of the Kinder, Louisiana area where Zydeco originated, now lives in Walker, Louisiana. "I'm a fourth generation fiddle player," said Coubello, who has been playing since he was eight. Coubello will soon release his fifth album. This is his tenth CajunFest. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): At far left, headline act, Rockin Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters bring the house down at CajunFest 2000. Dopsie will soon star in a Warner Bros. movie about the life of James Brown. At near left, Curtis Coubello plays fiddle following Mardi Gras. Festgoers dance to the Bourbon Orleans Dixieland Band's Mardi Gras Mambo Below, Laura Binkley, Brookings, SD, has her hair beaded at CajunFest by Heidi Stromberg, of Heidi's Bazaar, Park Rapids. Below, the nightly masked Mardi Gras parade dances through the tents. Tom of Tom's Crawfish Boil, Remer, Minn. --------------------------------------------------------- IT'S BLUEBERRY FEST AT LAKE GEORGE! LAKE GEORGE -- Each year, when the blueberries come into bloom, so does this pristine lake community about 15 miles southwest of Bemidji and just east of Lake Itasca. This year's fest, their 17th annual, July 28th-30th, featured a Little League tourney, wilderness voyager canoeing, square dancing, 3 feeds, games, comedy and musical entertainment, and, of course, lots of blueberry pie. Parade winners included, in the adult division, Carol's Country Greenhouse, Forest Issue by "The Ladies", and Blue Moon Saloon. In the kids' division, the Lake Alice Aloha Wagon, Dannheim Berry Farm and Blueberry King floats took awards, with honorable mention to KFC's Kentucky Fried Car. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Pulling for Lake George! The Lake George team drags away Hubbard's in the Tug 'O War The Park Rapids Friendly Squares dance in the street. The Blueberry Squares dance at the Fire Hall "Forest Issue" took Second Prize What it's all about. Festgoers gather for ice cream and blueberry pie at Bonnie's Boutique Pine Country Cafe hosted a BBQ, and live music country social. ----------------------------------------------------------- WHITE OAK RENDEZVOUS DEER RIVER -- The White Oak Society, a non-profit organization affiliated with the Minnesota Historical Society, again threw open their stockade gates and took guests back to the romantic days of the voyageurs and the Northwest Trading Company at their 12th annual Rendezvous, August 5th and 6th. White Oak is dedicated to preserving and reenacting these historical times and also operates the White Oak Learning Centre for school children on their commodious grounds. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): THE FANCY DANDY BLACK POWDER SHOOT AT WHITE OAK RENDEZVOUS. The gentlemen's spouses are an important part of the Fancy Dandy Shoot. The number of shots each contender is allowed is determined by his lady's answers to a set of questions earlier posed. The ladies enjoy tea while the men sport. This day, though, a clumsy servant spilled tea on a lady; fortunately, another servant was at hand, with knife, to dispatch the first who was then carted off to have his pockets picked and be buried. In time, Sir Allester and his entourage arrive to observe the black powder competition. Would he be shooting? "Certainly not," said Sir Allester, "the black powder may soil my clothing." Mr. Hayes presented the award plaque to Chris Cheney, winner of the Fancy Dandy Shoot. In the fur post's bourgeois quarters, Mr. Edwards, a wintering partner, displays a feathery - a golf ball of the period, made from rawhide, stuffed with about a "top hat full" of goose feathers and then compressed. It is said that Tiger Woods hit one of these about 200 yards, but such talk is questionable as Tiger Woods hasn't happened yet. Anthony Hare, Jr., 5, helps load the black powder cannon at the Canoe Landing, prior to firing. Guests peruse the very good buys on Trader's Row, including mocs and leather goods by Espeseth Furs, Aitkin, Minnesota. Amy Ollila, Grand Rapids, does her time in stocks for the offense of talking too much. Children and adults enjoy a magic show at the Faire Wynds tent. Faire Wynds also featured storytelling and skits. A brief rain didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd who turned out to hear the very unique and very excellent original folk ballads of the Canadian band, Tanglefoot, although some preferred to watch from the main stage tent. Above, the camp of New Hampshire Cpt. Jeremiah Lauters of Col. Blanchard's Colonial Militia ------------------------------------------------------- MAHNOMEN MI-GWITCH POWWOW AT BALL CLUB BALL CLUB -- The Powwow at Ball Club's annual July Mahnomen Mi-Gwitch Days drew over 29 drum groups, including Duluth Traditional, Swamp Lake Singers, Wigwam Bay, Hope Lake Singers, Loud Eagle, The Kingbird Singers (Ponemah), Red Feather (Thunder Bay, Ontario), All Tribes, (Winnipeg), Southern Comfort (Oklahoma) and host drums, Leech Lake Intertribal and the Cass Lake Singers. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Loud Eagle drum group performs Korean War veteran Leo Donnel, of Ball Club, carries the Stars and Stripes in the Honor Guard. Sherry Peterson, of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, residing in Duluth, displays the ladies' jingle dress. --------------------------------------------------------------- REIF PRESENTS REPERCUSSION'S ROMEO AND JULIET GRAND RAPIDS -- The renowned Repercussion Theatre of Montreal brought their interpretation of the epic, Romeo and Juliet, to Reif Center for the Arts, Grand Rapids, July 23rd; and in so doing, titillated the packed playhouse by, while remaining true to the writing, producing a delightful lighter side environment, set in 15th century Spain, for this Shakespearian tragedy, and during which performance, an aura of twittering and giggling was audible from the audience. Repercussion's performance, combining dancing and gaiety in the first act when love is in bloom, followed by the deadly seriousness of its consequences in Act 2, was excellent. Said Director Cas Anvar, "We try to reach as many people from as many walks of life as possible and bring them the genius of Shakespeare." -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 07/19/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 12 -------------------------------------- Fighting Bemidji Corruption - And We're Winning ----------------------------------------------- SELBY & SELBY CHARGED BEMIDJI -- The Bemidji counseling firm of Selby & Selby, comprised of Terry Selby and his wife Judith, have been charged in Ramsey County court with a total of 26 counts, including theft by forgery, false representation and medical assistance fraud. The counselors allegedly had charged medical assistance for services that were never provided, and allegations include that the firm billed Medicaid for client appointments during a time when the Selbys were actually in Australia. A complete report of the charging can be found in The (Bemidji) Pioneer of July 12th, 2000. Judith Selby is also Executive Director of April's Shelter, an unwed mother's home in Bemidji, which derives substantial funding through federal, state and other grants. In past corruption, the Selbys filed a supporting legal document in Connie Johnson's false charging of Bemidji chiropractor Gregory Fors, D.C., (See Fors: Only Abuse Was of English Language - NH of 05/19/97; Fors' Motion Challenges Accusations, NH of 04/01/98; A Synopsis of the Fors Matter, NH of 11/25/98), and concealed lawfully releasable evidence in that case. A motion filed in that case alleged the Selbys had solicited "victim" clients for counseling, and that one of Selby's patients was receiving funds from medical assistance while, at the same time, getting money from the Crime Victim's Reparation Fund. The Selby firm had also assisted Bonita Jones in making her false charges against illicit roommate Jeffery Hubbard. Jones subsequently confessed to perjury. Back issues of Northern Herald, cited, are available in The Library, at our web site main page. -------------------------------------------------- POW-WOW AT CASS LAKE CASS LAKE -- The Stars and Stripes flew at half-mast, honoring departed American veterans, over the Veterans' Memorial Grounds at Cass Lake for the traditional three day powwow from July 2nd - 4th. The reason was that it was the memorial flag of WWII and Korean veteran John Dunn, a Cass Lake tribal member, contributed by his brother Ernest. This powwow traditionally accords particular and proper recognition to the contributions of the veterans, including many tribal members, who have died abroad defending our liberty. Performing at the powwow July 2nd, which featured a rare fancy feather dance, were 16 drum groups: The Cass Lake Singers (host drum), Grassy Narrows from near Kenora, Ontario, Leech Lake Intertribal, Inger Boys, Oak Point Singers, Spotted Eagle Singers, White Feather, High Eagle, Anashinabe, Yellow Feather, Red Cedar, Hummingbird, Sugar Bush, Ka Ka Bi Kong (Minneapolis), Eagle Talon, Little Spirit Wind and Wigwam Bay (Mille Lacs). (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Dennis Mosher, of the Rainy River First Nation Band of Ojibwe, near Ft. Francis, Ontario, displays traditional Grass Dance dress. Bug-O-Nay-Gee-Shig School Junior Princess Leah Mesa wore the traditional jingle dress at the pow-wow. --------------------------------------------------------------- MUSKIE HAS HIS DAY AT NEVIS NEVIS -- Yep, on July 7th - 9th the Muskie was commemorated at Nevis's 50th annual Muskie Days with parade, music, great Muskie burgers (they taste kind of like disheveled Josephs) and all sorts of goings-on! (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): In the parade, the Kentucky Fried Chicken mini-car. The Sather's Store & GFWC Nevis Study Club float. Willie Walker carefully chooses his buffalo pie in the chip throwing contest, sponsored by Dave and Pam Johnson's Northland Bison Ranch, and John Durham throws at right. Winners were, in the Bulls division, Andrew Luetger (1st), Ron Sundheim and Mike Lanegran. In the Cows division, Sue Raber (1st) took honors, as did Arlene Hukki. In Calves, awards went to Kayla Lerum (1st)with 62 feet, and Alyssa Andrews. County 20 performs in front of the Big Muskie for the crowd some of which took to dancing in the street. Co. 20, comprised of Dean and Dale Westby, Rick Amsberry and Jeff Lindstrom, books discretionarily. To apply, music-lovers may call Dale at 218-732-0292 -------------------------------------------------------- In Focus -------- THE 4TH AT DEBS (In Focus is primarily a pictoral feature; photos, however, appear only in our print edition.) DEBS -- The big Debs Fourth of July parade and festivities were held, this year, on July 4th. Each year, this community, about 30 miles Northwest of Bemidji, is packed on July 4th as thousands come for the huge parade and events. Following the parade, the year 2000 Fourth at Debs featured men's and women's bowsawing contests, egg tossing, water balloon tossing competitions and other games for young, old, and young-at-heart, alike. Parade awards went to: Cathy's Critters (custom chainsaw carvings) (best commercial entry); Ron Brown (best musical entry); Randi Stein (best horse entry); Molly and Lady Sarah Ferguson (most unique entry); Future First Responders Emily and Katy Dalby and Aaron and Adam Bartlett (funniest); Terry and MaryAnne Hanson (best antique vehicle); Dustin Maddox, Brenda and Mike Pederson, Paul Pederson, and Jason and Tyrel Kaasa, all representing Budweiser of downtown Bemidji (best hardluck float); Arvid Dalby (best float overall). (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): A Kool-Aid I.V. was just what the doctor ordered for the patient on stretcher on the Future First Responder's float, which took the award for most amusing "Thank a vet for this holiday - keeping us free" was the message of Harley-driving former Navy Seal, Bill Lamphere, below Keith Sims and Molly Miron with 2nd place ribbons from the Jack and Jill Bowsawing competition. Keith came 1,500 miles, from Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend The Fourth at Debs. Kids compete in the gunny sack race. ------------------------------------------------------- In Focus -------- BEMIDJI ART CENTER'S ARTS IN THE PARK (In Focus is primarily a pictoral feature photos, however, appear only in our print edition.) Among over 100 juried exhibits and booths, not just traditional visual arts were on display at the Arts In the Park, July 15 & 16, at Bemidji. (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Rug making was demonstrated by Mark L. Bernstein of Walcott, No. Dakota. John Cartwright, of Shoreview, Minn., paints watercolor studies of Minnesota towns and has a complete file. Scrimshaw is demonstrated by Jerry Wiese. BSU Jazz Director, Dr. Steve Konecne, performed with the Bemidji Jazz Quartet in the music booth sponsored by KAXE. The exhibition also featured fine jewelry, glasswork, very attractive ceramics and traditional art. -------------------------------------------------------- GNATS SWARM LAPORTE LAPORTE -- There was so much scoring in this open field, you'd think you were in a Bemidji bar as on Sunday, July 2nd, the LaPorte Gators got a piece of the leading team, the Nimrod Gnats in a spellbinding double-header at LaPorte. The first game ended 14-8, Nimrod, and the second was 19-9, Nimrod. The Lake and Pine League gives the viewers big time baseball thrill, at a fraction of the cost. You can enjoy a good big brat and soda for $1.50 with the game, and you don't have to strain to see. Said LaPorte Manager, Gus Forseman, of his team in its maiden year, "We get better every game. It's a real competitive league." (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): LaPorte ace hitter and pitcher, Mike Nelson LaPorte scores off of the Nimrod pitcher, bringing two men home. ------------------------------------------------------- MOONDANCE 2000 It's the personal involvement of creators Kathy and Bill Bieloh that sets their Moondance and CajunFest apart from other concerts. They can usually be found on the grounds during the fests. Mr. Bieloh takes a hardline stand on underage drinking that has given other concerts a bad name. One of Mr. Bieloh's creations that is sure to catch on at other fests is the $3 beer token. At hot times at the bar, it's sometimes hard to keep track of who's buying drinks. But customers have to produce ID at a separate table to buy these tokens. One of the Moondance staff members said simply, of underage drinking, "There's gonna be none," at Moondance. And he added that if any minors somehow slip through the cracks and are found drinking, "They're gonna be evacuated from the concert," and would lose their $100 admission bracelets. DOPSIE SWEEPS MOONDANCE, WILL HEADLINE AT CAJUNFEST !! WALKER -- More than an accomplished musician, Grammy-winner Rockin' Dopsie Jr. is a showman and an entertainer. When he performs, it's more than just great (and very dancable) Zydeco music - it's just plain fun. We couldn't catch it all with the camera - you have to be there. Dopsie has his own way of interacting and establishing rapport with the audience while visually treating them to brake dancing and other unexpected on-stage antics that made him the crowd-pleasingest favorite act at last year's Cajunfest, and got his Zydeco Twisters invited back for all four days of Moondance Jam, on the main stage opening night (Wednesday) and in multiple performances on the beverage tent stage Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In the past year, Dopsie's very successful tour took him the White House where he performed for the President and he has been working, in New Orleans, with Cyril Neville. Following Moondance, Dopsie will be appearing at Boston, New Orleans and Cape Cod, returning to Walker for Cajunfest August 11th - 13th. They'll be on Saturday Night Live, Sept. 21st., with Dan Akroyd, who Dopsie met at the House of Blues in Chicago. Dopsie's new CD, "Zydeco Man" will be available at CajunFest. Fans can also follow Dopsie on the web: www. tipitinas. com (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Rockin' Dopsie Jr. (with washboard) and the Zydeco Twisters on the Moondance main stage. Later in the performance, Dopsie and Bill Bieloh, Moondance creator, threw free strings of Mardi Gras beads to the audience. Rockin's brother Anthony Dopsie Keyboard player Kim Phillips Jammers dance in the sand to Dopsie in front of the main stage. Darwin Perkins warms up before the show in Dopsie's trailer --------------------------------------------------------------- ERIC BURDON PRODUCES NEW ANIMALS; WILL RELEASE BOOK WALKER -- Yep, they weren't exactly on the Ark and they didn't come from a test tube, but, as promised, hit tune legend Eric Burdon introduced his New Animals to a rousing crowd July 12th on the main stage at Moondance. After the set, and given an encore by the enthusiastic fans, Eric Burdon and the New Animals, performed their 30+ year favorite, House of the Rising Sun. It's actually common, in music, for members of a hit team to change. After the show, Burdon explained that the "old" Animals were the same ones for only about two years after Rising Sun's landmark hit. At Moondance, Burdon and the New Animals entertained cheering fans with favorites such as CC Rider, We Gotta Get Out of This Place and Paint It Black. "Sit ye down lad; pull up a chair and I'll tell you some weary wayfaring tales," said Burdon as he opened the interview. Coincidentally, Burdon originated, in 1941, in the village of Walker in Northern England. He began playing music as early as 1948, and had his first national hit, Baby Let Me Take You On in the U.K. in 1964, later releasing the international hit, House of the Rising Sun. The current Animals have recently been on tour in New Orleans, Arizona and elsewhere just before Moondance, "We just tour constantly," said Burdon. In addition to his world tour schedule, Burdon has just completed a 3-year literary work to be released in 2001, presently also entitled, "House of the Rising Sun." Burdon preferred not to give away the story line of the book before release, but said that it was a philosophical non-fiction work and hinted, "America has no experience in this...but, the first thing, when a country is occupied, the first two elements of society that come together are the two ... that would never speak to each other under normal circumstances. ...The Church and the houses of prostitution are the first line of defense against an oppressive government. That's what happened in France, Belguim, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland. The church and the hookers get together to create an underground to whisk people out of the country and out of danger." And Burdon spoke of a Colombian political writer who lived in a house of prostitution and learned to write listening, through the walls, to the conversations between the prostitutes and the high ranking politicians who were seeing them. Following Moondance, Burdon and the New Animals went on to appear at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and by August will be touring in Long Island, playing Germany by year end. They'll release a CD of totally new material in October. In a closing word of advice to readers, Burdon said simply, "Don't take no ... [stuff] from nobody." (photo captions - photos appear in print edition only): Eric Burdon, at right, on the Moondance Main Stage "New Animal" violinist and keyboardist, Martin Gerschwitz ------------------------------------------------------------ The Voice of the People ----------------------- Always had it - always will. Find more COMMUNITY ACCESS in the Northern Herald than any other major area paper. Letters to the Editor --------------------- READER BLOWS WHISTLE ON COLUMBINE ANTI-GUN PROPAGANDA This was published in the [Bagley, Minn.] Farmers-Independent. ... [A major Bemidji newspaper] would not publish it. The original transcript came from Congressman [Collin] Peterson's office. ... The following article was given to me, and I thought it should be published. President Clinton wants to add more gun laws on top of the more than the 2,000 already on the books. The testimony of Darrell Scott should be given serious consideration. Where is the media on this one? Maybe it was because it didn’t fit their pattern of thinking. -- H.A. Larson, Shevlin, Minn. On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colo., was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's sub-committee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript: "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. "The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. "In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter, I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder, I would be their strongest opponent. "I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy - it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much. of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today: "Your laws ignore our deepest needs Your words are empty air You've stripped away our heritage You've outlawed simple prayer Now gunshots fill our classrooms And precious children die You seek for answers everywhere And ask the question "Why" You legislate restrictive laws Through legislative greed And yet you fail to understand That God is what we need! "Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. "When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our education systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries, this is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in doing so, we open the doors to hatred and violence. "And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs, politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to eroding away our personal and private liberties. "We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! "We do not need more religion, we do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million-dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. "We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God! "As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School -- prayer was brought back to our schools. "Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violated your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine Your own heart before casting the first stone! "My daughter's death will not be in vain. The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!" The editor of the Bagley Farmers-Independent, which earlier printed this, added: "In light of the little attention this speech received, we checked to see if Mr. Scott did, indeed, make this address. It is, in fact, part of the Congressional Record of May 27, 1999." ------------------------------------------------ BUCKING STOCK READY AT NORTH STAR EFFIE -- As the last weekend in July approaches, residents of the Big Fork valley, just North of Grand Rapids, are gearing up 45th annual go-round of the North Star Stampede, the oldest open rodeo in Minnesota. An open rodeo is one where contestants are not restricted by organization or association. Each year, the North Star rodeo draws cowboys and cowgirls from across the United States and Canada. This year, well over one hundred are expected to compete. In past years, North Star has been known for its "Wildest Ride" contest in which, unlike the other events, points are not awarded. The wildest ride overall takes all. "The bucking stock is in top shape and raring to go," said Howard Pitzen, Chief Ramrod at North Star. In addition to using the stock for their own event, North Star also leases some stock out for other rodeos, but brings it back for the Stampede. In addition to bucking horses, North Star acquired from Swede Hansen, at Miles City, this year, a top bull which will be used in the North Star breeding program. The bull, named "Scrap Iron," is looking forward to it, and will also debut his talents (for riding, that is) at the Stampede. Back by popular demand this year will be rodeo clown Slip Knot Schiedler, who has clowned rodeos throughout the midwest. Also on hand will be D. W. Koss and his Concord stagecoach to add color and tradition to the stampede. The stampede will be July 28th - 30th. As usual, the Friday (7/28) performance, which starts at 5 pm, is family bargain night with reduced admission. Pitzen has announced that there will be extra events for the kids. Also as usual, parking and camping is free, and campers are advised to bring their own drinking water as there is no deep well on the rodeo grounds. ------------------------------------------------------- WHITE OAK SCHEDULE DEER RIVER -- The White Oak Society is comprised of people who not only remember history, they live it. And again this year, at the 12th annual Rendezvous, August 5th & 6th, they'll throw open their stockade gates to the public who want to relive the times of the Voyageurs at a Northern Minnesota fur post. A day before Rendezvous, Friday August 4th, in connection with White Oak Learning Centre, a day of public workshops ($10 for the day) will include: 10:00 How to make a powder horn; Doll making with wool; Nature trail walk 10:30 Primitive Skills; Beadworking 11:00 Blacksmithing 12:00 Black powder shooting; "Receipt" exchange 1:00 Fibre Arts; Quill making; Becoming a character 2:30 Flute making 3:00 Shooting an 18th century cannon 3:30 Entertainments of the 18th century Discount advance tickets and camping reservations are available at 218-246-9393 ------------------------------------------------ DAVE AND EARL'S IS COUNTY MARKET NOW! PARK RAPIDS -- Although, here in Northern Minnesota, their construction period open-frame barn-door look was rustic and appealing, it's all gone now as Dave and Earl have finished the store's makeover and held, in June, their Grand Opening as a new County Market. Said owner, Dave Bergman, of the new digs, "We doubled the size. There's heavy emphasis of the Fresh Focus look. The emphasis is on ... produce, bakery, deli and meat." Dave and Earl's [former] Country Store has always been a place where Park Rapidians could find value, and moreover, scarce among Park Rapids grocers, an integrious place where they just felt good about doing business and getting the benefit of the bargains. Now, Bergman said, the expansion and joining of the County Market chain will improve customer service and customers being able to find more of what they're looking for. "There's a floral department that we didn't have before," said Bergman who added that the store's new buying power means weekly specials will be hotter and better than before, so area shoppers might want to check their weekly flyer (ad) in the local paper before they shop. The store features packaged meat, and also a live butcher to custom cut meat to the customer's preference. -------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 06/21/2000 - VOLUME 5 NO. 11 -------------------------------------- Leading Edge Journalism ----------------------- Bemidji Corruption - The Beltrami County Attorney TIM FAVER: 60 DAYS APPROPRIATE FOR ASSAULT WITH GUN But Bagley Court Sentences Hastings Cop to 30 Days on "Bracelet" BAGLEY -- On November 3rd, 1999, a Clearwater County Grand Jury at Bagley indicted David William Larson, a 37 year old Hastings, Minn. police officer, who lives in Farmington, Minn., for offenses including Assault in the Second Degree [with a firearm] (M.S. 609.22 Subd. 1, also M.S. 609.11) for an incident July 24th, 1999, when Larson allegedly threatened, with his semi-automatic handgun, 2 young men, who were talking with his 15-year old daughter at a wedding reception at Angelina's, Bagley. The officer, in Bagley for the wedding, was not on duty at the time, and it is not known why he was carrying his gun while, allegedly, consuming alcohol. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) reports contain conflicting accounts regarding just how far the officer removed his gun from his waistband during the parking lot argument. But what happened that night in Angelina's parking lot, however, will never be fully known and, if the crime was committed, stringent firearms crime provisions will never be invoked as conflict prosecutor, Beltrami County Attorney Tim Faver agreed, on May 30th, 2000, to dismiss the more aggravated firearms charge, returned by the Grand Jury (Clearwater Co. Case Nos. K4-99-344 & 345), and allow Larson to plead guilty to a "lesser included" offense of Making Terroristic Threats (M.S. 609.713 Subd. 1) Defense attorney was James Ventura. Judge Rasmussen had originally been assigned to the case, but was removed by Ventura and the Honorable Judge Benshoof was appointed December 17, 1999. At the May 30th plea hearing before Benshoof, Faver argued for a 60 day sentence, but the Court imposed 30 days of house arrest with electronic monitoring, $733 fine, including costs, and 4 years' probation, with conditions including a no-drink/no bars order and that Larson must not possess or use firearms. During the investigation of the alleged crimes, Larson had been suspended with pay from the Hastings Police Department. He had been with the department for seven years. A letter from his sergeant, dated May 24th, 2000, was submitted to the Court prior to sentencing, as was a petition by fellow officers. Alleged victims of the firearm threats were Gary Halverson, 18, and Dan Labs, 20. They were attending the wedding of Halverson's cousin as guests of the bride's family. Per a filed report taken by Deputy Harmon, of the Clearwater Co. Sheriff's office, when Labs and Halverson summoned police shortly after the occurrence, the victims both claimed that "an adult male [Larson] approached them and began verbally challenging, threatening and harassing them after they had been in a conversation with ... [Larson's] daughter.... During the confrontation ... [Larson] reached behind his back and pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun, pointing the weapon at the two individuals while making verbal challenges and threats towards them." Per the report, as substantiated by statements of Labs and Halverson to BCA, they fled the area in their vehicle, but returned a short time later and found Larson gone. They went back into the reception and told their parents, and Angelina's management, what happened, and 911 was then called. In his statement to BCA Special Agent Eric Knutson, Halverson said that, while he and Labs were listening to music in Halverson's vehicle in Angelina's parking lot, Elizabeth Larson, 15, who had been sitting on the bumper of a van parked there, walked over to Halverson's vehicle and introduced herself. Per the report, Halverson stated that David Larson approached Halverson's vehicle and asked Halverson and Labs, "If they were tough," then started "yelling obscenities" at them and "he pulled out the handgun from behind his back" and "he heard the gun being cocked... Halverson stated ... he watched Larson as Larson was holding the gun with two hands, pointing it at Labs." Per the statement, Larson continued yelling obscenities and ordered them to leave the area, which Labs and Halverson then did. The BCA statement taken from Labs is essentially similar to Halverson's, except that Labs said that he noticed in the parking lot that Elizabeth Larson was drinking a can of beer that, per the statement, she got from her father, and notes, that, regarding the confrontation with David Larson, "[Labs] could smell alcohol on [David Larson's] breath." Per the BCA report of the statement of Larson, he denied pointing the gun, but said he "lifted up his shirt, told the two males that he was armed, and then showed [them] ... that he had a weapon ...he may have pulled the weapon up and out of his waistband far enough that the end of the barrel may have been exposed." In his BCA statement, Larson accused Halverson and Labs of giving his daughter Apple Schnapps, and yelling obscenities at him; he stated that he was concerned for his and his daughter's safety. Larson stated that he'd consumed "4 to 5 beers" during the two hours prior to the incident. In Analysis: It was not wholly the judge's doing that this light sentence was imposed. The Honorable Judge Benshoof was limited in that he could only sentence for terroristic threats. In this, the sentence was not necessarily unreasonable. As to the alleged assault, it will never be known whether Larson actually drew and pointed his gun, nor whose story, or which parts of each, are factual, as these things would have to be determined by a jury, which, now, will not happen. In his decision to accept the plea to the terroristic threat charge and dismiss the felony assault with a firearm, Beltrami County Attorney Tim Faver overrode the will of the Grand Jury, which indicted for same. The mandatory penalties for a crime committed with a firearm were circumvented by Faver's dismissal of that charge. These mandatory measures don't work where the prosecutor is allowed to dismiss the charge carrying them, in favor of a lesser plea. Equal Justice. A question for readers: If it had been a Native American from Red Lake who got drunk and, reportedly, pulled a gun on someone, how likely is it that he would only get 30 days on the bracelet? --------------------------------------------------------- MOONDANCE CREWS READY FOR THE CROWDS WALKER -- Among summer song festivals, Moondance has always stood out as particularly well organized and convenient for guests. Despite enormous turnout each year, the very adequate, blaze orange or other fluorescent-uniformed staff makes sure there are no long waits and people get what they came there for. It's just first-class all the way. As with most large fests, there have to be remote parking facilities. But at this one, shuttles are "right there" to express eager listeners to the grounds, pretty much, no matter when they arrive. Said one driver last year, "I started at 10 o'clock [a.m.], and we're running until they tell us to go home." He said that he expec