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 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 2 (partial) 02/24/97 - 10/12/97 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 09/22/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 21 (delayed until 9/24) -------------------------------------------------------- DNR SUED Employee Suit Asks $50,000+ For Firing Due To Whistleblowing on Thefts GRAHAM ASSAILS STRIB EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCES, INJURIES CONTINUE AT BAGLEY HARDWOOD PRODUCTS, INC. FUN FOR ALL AT LEONARD BASH! NEVIS C&C REVITALIZES, ANNOUNCES TRAIL FOR STUDS Editorials - Opinion TAKING BACK THE LIES Letters to the Editor DIVORCE VETERAN ALERTS MEN Guest Column JUVENILE CRIME: A FAMILY PROBLEM? by Scott D. Noble HOME SCHOOL WORKSHOP -------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 09/01/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 20 (delayed until 9/4) -------------------------------------------------------- HOT AIR TECHNOLOGY FEATURED AT EQUIPMENT SHOW BEMIDJI TO SHIP RUBBISH TO SAUK CENTRE Juvenile Convicted in Alleged Rottwieler Hammering Incident TAX GUY FOR EMPLOYERS ONLY TAXES ADJUSTED FOR 6 OF 7 APPEALING BELTRAMI RESIDENTS EDITORIALS - OPINION QUALITY HAS TO COME FIRST Look Closely at School Bond & Tax Ballot Questions Only 36% of Bemidji Students Tested Got "C" Equivalent in Reading BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT Contemporary Ladies' Perspective, Advice and Tips by Wanda Yoemans DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ACCIDENT? Letters to the Editor WHAT RIGHTS HAVE FATHERS? ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK A Northern Herald Special Feature CITIZEN-OFFICERS MAKE BEMIDJI STREETS, NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER An evening in the work of the Bemidji Police Department EVENTIDE "ROUGHING IT" by Mark Twain --------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 08/11/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 19 --------------------------------------------- CASS COUNTY CHIEF SHERIFF'S DISPATCHER CHARGED, RESIGNS MISCOMMUNICATION LEADS TO INJURY AT BELTRAMI JAIL KPRM-KDKK CELEBRATES 35TH AT PARK RAPIDS GRAND RAPIDS DRIVER FACES TOUGHEST RACE. EDITORIAL-OPINION Myth vs. Fact WHAT MOVES THE MEDIA? Northern Herald Answers Common Questions BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT Contemporary Ladies' Perspective, Advice and Tips by Wanda Yoemans FOR PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT QUALITY EDUCATION, HOME SCHOOLING MAY BE AN OPTION. ----------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 07/21/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 18 - CONTENTS ----------------------------------------------- CORRUPT HUBBARD CO. SOLID WASTE WORKER CORRECTED AT BOARD MEET PARENTS ADDRESS BAGLEY SCHOOL CONCERNS BELTRAMI CO. BUMS STRIKE AT PATTEN PLACE BEFORE COMING TO ONE OF NATION'S BEST SMALL TOWNS, BETTER REMOVE HOOD ORNAMENT KUBIAK COLLECTS SOUP LABELS FOR BAGLEY KIDS Won National Award for Playground Label Drive Promotion DOMESTIC RIGHTS COALITIONS OF BEMIDJI AND GRAND RAPIDS (ad) EDITORIAL Really Reforming Welfare LACK OF JOBS THEORY DOESN'T HOLD WATER PRINCIPLES OF CONFEDERACY (ad) WHITE OAK - IT'S THE PLACE TO BE AUGUST 1st-3rd ----------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 06/30/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 17 - CONTENTS Issue delayed to 7/2/97 ----------------------------------------------- MASON BROTHERS HELD AT RED LAKE; QUESTIONS RIDDLE CASE WOMEN'S SHELTER RESIDENT FAILS TO APPEAR ON PERJURY SPIRITUAL WALK AT RED LAKE JULY 2 ROTTWIELER HAMMERING PICKS UP IN NYMORE NH Restaurant Review THE GREAT WALL of Chinese food! WOMEN'S SHELTER RECEIVES, SPENDS OVER $1/2 MILLION IN YEAR Editorials - Opinion BEMIDJI TO ELIMINATE 1/2 OF PARKING SPACES Letters to the Editor WHAT PRICE, OUR LIBERTY? MINNESOTA SUMMER FESTS ARRIVE! MUSKIE DAYS AT NEVIS: JULY 12-14 DINNER THEATRE AT HACKENSACK KICKS OFF 2ND SEASON EFFIE TO HOST 42ND NORTH STAR STAMPEDE CRUISER, DUBOIS TAKE 1ST IN "TASTE OF HACK" CANOES. (AD) Now Available by Direct Mail-The Book: PRINCIPLES OF CONFEDERACY CONNECTIONS . . . E-mail re: The NH Internet site Shooting the Fireworks: Ins and outs of 4th of July photography, from the New York Institute of Photography New on the Net: Golfers can keep track of handicaps WITH A GRAIN OF SAND DOMESTIC RIGHTS COALITION (AD) - Follow-up - DIRKES/DOC-FIRST FED/US LIFE CASE "EVAPORATES" - Follow-up - RUBY HARRASSMENT CONTINUES ----------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 06/09/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 16 - CONTENTS (Issue delayed to 6/11 due to late breaking news on lead story) ----------------------------------------------- ANOTHER KIDNAPPING BY SHELTER CLAIMED Bemidji Evergreen House, White Earth Reservation also Implicated SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT CAUSES INSURANCE CONFUSION -Follow Up- BONITA JONES, WOMEN'S SHELTER RESIDENT, PERJURY SET FOR TRIAL -Follow Up- MONDRY ISSUES SUMMARY JUDGEMENT FOR FIRST FEDERAL PAUL BUNYAN DAYS AT AKELEY TO BE JUNE 27-29 TOURIST'S GUIDE TO AKELEY FOOD & LODGING EDITORIALS - OPINION PROPERTY RIGHTS: THEY SOMETIMES DEPEND UPON WHOSE PROPERTY IT IS. Letters to the Editor DIVORCE - MINNESOTA STYLE -Follow Up- DUERST SENTENCED -Follow Up- HARR PLEADS GUILTY TO DARKHOUSE THEFTS GRAND RAPIDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TRIES, FAILS TO SILENCE HAMM. Recipe Box WE WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED IT: BEEF STEAK HERTER ----------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 05/19/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 15 - CONTENTS ----------------------------------------------- FIREWORKS ERUPT AT TEC FATE OF H.R. 1009 (GUN LAW REPEALER) IS BEFORE HOUSE CRIME SUBCOMMITTEE FOLLOW UP HARR FAILS TO APPEAR, CASE CONTINUED NORTHERN HERALD ISSUES SHARES DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? OKLAHOMA REP QUESTIONS BOMING INVESTIGATION COUNTY MAKES $150 AS EDUCATORS DUKE IT OUT OVER CLAIMED ADULTERY FIRST FEDERAL - USLIFE CASE CONTINUED CASE BEFORE MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT ALLEGES FAKE EVIDENCE BY ITASCA COUNTY OFFICERS EDITORIALS - OPINION FORS: ONLY ABUSE WAS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE GUEST EDITORIAL Taking Responsibility for One's Actions UNIVERSITY STUDENT GETS EDUCATION, SPEAKS OUT ON DRINKING & DRIVING Guest Columns WOMEN ADDRESS DOMESTIC ISSUES A Look Inside the Shelters In Jail for Being Poor NOTICE RECIPE BOX NH Best Buys A HOT ITEM THESE DAYS: MR. LUEKEN AND MISS CROCKER CONSUMER CORNER A SPLENDID CREDIT CARD ISSUANCE SCAM - FROM THE FOLKS AT GREYHOUND(R) TONER CARTS - NEW OR RECHARGED? ----------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 04/28/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 14 - CONTENTS ----------------------------------------------- SUGAR BUSH RUNS AT RED LAKE Maple Sugaring at the RED LAKE NATION of Chippewa Indians NEWS COVER-UP ATTEMPTED IN FIRST FEDERAL BANKING AND SAVINGS MARKETS Hearings set May 5th, 21st HUBBARD HISTORICAL, ART MUSEUMS READY FOR MAY OPENING BOOTH ONE-ACTS RUN AT THE BLACK BOX FOLLOW-UPS: THOMPSON REQUESTS EVIDENTIARY HEARING IN DUERST HARR CONTINUED TO MAY 14TH JIM MASLOWSKI: THE GUY BELTRAMI COMMISSIONERS CALL WHEN THEY WANT TO GET SOMETHING DONE FOLLOW UP: THOMAS SUIT AGAINST ATTORNEY JONES FAILS SEEGMILLER ALLOWED STAY OF ADJUDICATION FOR BURGLARY Worked as Drug Informant EDITORIALS - OPINION: HOW FAR SHOULD AUTHORITIES GO IN PROCURING INFORMANTS? LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: LORY: WORKING ON APPEAL, ASSAULTED IN PRISON RESTRAINING ORDERS CAN BE ABUSED BY ANGRY SPOUSES Reprinted by permission of The Standard-Times, New Bedford, Massachusetts. Copyright (c) 1995 by The Standard-Times MARY BECKER, OFP CUSTODIAL MOM, LOSES 6-YEAR OLD. Beltrami Deputies find near Turtle River home; earlier reports disclose neglect, abuse. RECIPE BOX: COFFEE SPECULATORS MAY PLAY AMERICANS FOR FOOLS - AGAIN PIGGING OUT: Farmland Sausage Links: A NH Best Buy --------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 04/07/97 (partial) - VOLUME 2 NO. 13 - CONTENTS --------------------------------------------------------- NEWMAN PREVAILS IN AUTO REPAIR NEGLIGENCE SUIT DUERST DENIES IMPLICATION THAT HE DIDN'T GIVE DOPE BUYER FAIR DEAL. CHENOWETH INTRODUCES GUN LAW REPEALER TEXT OF HR 1009 - STATES' RIGHTS AND SECOND AND TENTH AMENDMENT RESTORATION ACT OF 1997 JOSHUA WARD GETS TRIP TO STILLWATER AKELEY READIES FOR PAUL BUNYAN FEST LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: The Business of Marriage --------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 03/17/97 (partial) - VOLUME 2 NO. 12 - CONTENTS --------------------------------------------------------- FIRST FEDERAL BANKING AND SAVINGS INSURER ORDERED TO SHOW CAUSE STATE FARM: GUNS IN THE BUSINESS ARE A NO-NO. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Out of the Marriage, Back in the System Emergency Dental Services Hard to Find for MA Recipient NO, YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF HELP OUT THERE. Men's, Husbands' and Fathers' Resources on the Internet --------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 02/24/97 (partial) - VOLUME 2 NO. 11 - CONTENTS --------------------------------------------------------- BENSHOOF MAY BRING CLASSICAL JURISPRUDENCE TO NINTH DISTRICT BENCH "THIEF! THIEF!" MAY BE NEW LITTLE CAESAR'S(R) ITEM BLACKDUCK MAN, FORECLOSED, TELLS OF MISREPRESENTATION BY BEMIDJI FIRST FED. MARTIN: ALIVE, WELL AND 3.60 (GPA) IN MADISON ***************************************************************** TEXT OF ARCHIVED ISSUES BEGINS: -------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 09/22/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 21 (delayed until 9/24) -------------------------------------------------------- DNR SUED Employee Suit Asks $50,000+ For Firing Due To Whistleblowing on Thefts BAGLEY -- A Clearwater County resident and former third-year employee of the Douglas Lodge restaurant facility at Itasca Park has filed a wrongful discharge lawsuit against Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources, operators of the lodge. The complaint, filed August 13, 1997 in the Ninth Judicial District Court at Clearwater County, by Stacey Bukoski of Shevlin, alleges that she was harassed and finally fired for making reports of violations of procedure, including thefts of supplies, and receiving unauthorized free meals, by park employees. It recites, "1. On July 15, 1996, Plaintiff met with Region Management of Dept. of Natural Resources, Bemidji, Minnesota to report harassment caused by reporting violations of administrative procedure and violations of state law to immediate supervisors and the management while being employed as a food service worker, Douglas Lodge.... As a result of Plaintiff's action, Defendant terminated Plaintiff on Sept. 3, 1996 on the grounds: 'concern with co-workers duties and interactions with co-workers take away from Stacey's ability and time spent performing her job in an acceptable manner'" "2. Plaintiff claims that this is in violation of Minnesota Statute 181.931 subd.(1), para.(a), the state Whistle Blower's Law." The complaint asks damages in excess of $50,000 and re-employment. The state filed their answer September 8, 1997, summarily denying all of the allegations of the complaint, and affirmatively alleging that "Plaintiff met with Foster A. Hudson, Assistant Region I Parks Manager and John Winter, Region I Parks Manager on or about July 15th, 1996 at the Region I office in Bemidji, Minnesota, wherein she stated that she felt she had been harassed in her employment by her lead worker and that she suspected theft occurred at the Douglas Lodge kitchen where she worked." The answer continued, "[Defendants] admit that Plaintiff was employed as a food service worker at Douglas Lodge.... Deny the allegations contained in the second sentence [regarding the termination]. Affirmatively allege that Plaintiff's employment as a part-time seasonal food service worker... began on May 25, 1996, with a 6-month probationary period. [Editor's note: by the time this "probationary period" ended, the employment season would be over. Bukoski had actually worked there for the two previous years' summer seasons.] The answer continues, "Based upon deficiencies in performance which were identified and discussed with Plaintiff during her performance review which were not corrected, Plaintiff was not certified in this position. Plaintiff was informed of the non-certification decision and the reason therefor by letter dated September 3, 1996...." The answer recites, "DNR further asserts the defense that the Defendant had legitimate non-discriminatory reasons for each of the actions and decisions challenged in the Complaint and the actions and decisions challenged in the Complaint were based on reasonable factors other than motivation to retaliate to alleged whistleblowing activities." DNR further asserted that the complaint was subject to "provisions, limitations and exclusions set forth in Minnesota Torts Claims Act, M.S. 3.736 et. seq.," and that "the Plaintiff's Complaint, claims and causes of action are barred by Common Law doctrines of qualified official and good faith immunities." The Answer was signed by Cassandra O. O'Hern, Assistant Attorney General, for the Office of "Skip" Humphrey, Minnesota Attorney General. The matter has been assigned to the Honorable Judge Paul T. Benshoof, Ninth District, for procedures and trial at Bagley. In interview, Bukoski said that she was never given an opportunity to "correct" her actions after the performance review; as there were no work days between when it issued and when she was fired. Asked about the incidents, Bukoski said that she witnessed employees taking "petty stuff" from the restaurant, "bottles of steak sauces; waitresses filling up their pockets before leaving," she said, adding that employees were supposed to pay for their meals, but she observed employees cooking food for themselves, and other park employees, from outside the lodge, without payment. She said that employees and people related to Douglas Lodge employees were allowed to eat there free, in violation of the policy, and that she observed an employee loading boxes into her car after hours. Bukoski first reported these incidents to her supervisor in 1995 and was told, "If you don't want to lose your job, keep your mouth shut about it," she said. In 1996, she took it to upper management and was fired. Bukoski is seeking an attorney as her case was turned down by Legal Aid. DNR refused to comment. In recent weeks, parts of a set of valuable antique (the original Douglas Lodge set of) silverware have been suspected to be missing from the Douglas Lodge. ------------------------------------ GRAHAM ASSAILS STRIB BEMIDJI -- Minnesota Republicans convened in Bemidji Saturday to hear from prospective candidates for next year's elections and to cast a "straw vote" of support at this very early stage. The actual vote for party endorsement will be at next year's convention, comprised of a new slate of delegates who will be selected at local caucuses in early 1998. Among already announced candidates for Minnesota Attorney General, the convention heard from Doug McFarland, Hamline law professor, Charlie Weaver of Anoka and John Remington Graham, former Crow Wing County Attorney (at Brainerd) and co-founder of Hamline Law School. "In support of my candidacy," said Graham, "I offer a career of thirty years, including work as a law professor, a practitioner in fifteen jurisdictions, a public defender, a county attorney, and a constitutional scholar of international standing." "When I was a county attorney," he said, "felony prosecutions in my county increased by 79% and child protection suits increased 23% in only two years. Our incarceration rate was 76% higher than the rest of the state. And we cut office expenses by 29% across the board over four years." Then Graham took a different tact, speaking of possible inappropriate influence by the media, and saying, "...our real adversary is not the Minnesota DFL, ...but the Minneapolis Star Tribune," which he said, "by illicit means has gained undue influence in our political life." Graham cited "groundless accusation" and "smear" tactics which he said were used by the STrib against Jon Grunseth and Al Quist, and followed up by citing the case brought by John Derus against the STrib. "When [Derus] ran last year ...the Star Tribune published a scandal story. Derus was in no way involved. Yet the Star-Tribune printed his photograph with the text and headline to associate him with the story. He was discredited unfairly, and defeated by a narrow margin," said Graham. Derus had sued for a new election at the STrib's expense. Graham cited that, in the Derus/Star Tribune case, which reached the Supreme Court, "The vote was 3-2 in favor of the Star Tribune. The decisive vote was cast by Justice Alan Page. It so happens that, during the previous six years, the Star Tribune had funneled not less than $45,000 to Page's private 501(c)(3) charity." "David Cox, president of the Star Tribune, sat on the advisory board of [Justice] Page's foundation. Page's wife had recently enjoyed a consulting contract with the Star Tribune." Graham continued, "This case shocks conscience, and is far more serious than [another] ...case in Pennsylvania... in which eight judges were removed from office for receiving mere $300 gratuities. When Derus went to the Judicial Standards Board," said Graham, "his complaint was brushed off by the Excutive Secretary whose wife works on the Business Editor's desk of the Star Tribune." Associated Press Omits Result. The most insidious way certain journalists or journalism organizations manipulate elections is by just quietly not telling you who's running. That is, preventing a candidate from developing familiarity with the electorate, early on, by printing lists of candidates, with glaring omission of those, particularly those with strong electable potential, that they'd rather you didn't find out about. After all, if you don't know the name when you get to the polls, you probably won't vote for it. Although John Remington Graham gave a powerful address, drawing applause several times, and almost a standing ovation at the finish, before the GOP convention at Bemidji, Associated Press, whose canned report was carried by most of the major papers and broadcasters throughout the state, conveniently "forgot" to include his straw vote results, and even the fact that he was there or running. This may signal the start of a year-long election battle between Graham and certain elements of the media. We correct AP: The straw vote results among contenders for the GOP nomination for Attorney General were: Charlie Weaver, 504 (56.7% of 889 ballots cast); Doug McFarland, 254 (28.6%); John Graham, 58 (6.5%). Graham has predicated his campaign on running against "Skip" Humphrey for the AG post. "I've said that at all the conventions," said Graham. But many believe that DFLer Humphrey won't be a contender this year, opting instead to run for Governor. The vote may have been reflective of this. Also, McFarland and Weaver are both from the metropolitan area and may have come to the convention with pre-committed support from Twin Cities precincts. Graham's residence is Brainerd. None of the three contenders is a newcomer to the political circle. McFarland and Weaver have been previous candidates; in his run against well-supported incumbent Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson last year, Graham polled a respectable 39% statewide. Graham stated that he drew his 1996 votes on a campaign budget of less than $1,000. Graham is the author of the book, Principles of Confederacy, an exhaustive 800+ page treatise on the American Constitution. U.S. Senator Rod Grams (name similarity is a coincidence) also criticized the Minneapolis Star Tribune at the Bemidji convention. Other Issues. Prior to his convention speech, Graham touched on other issues of concern to him, such as Minnesota's unreadiness for the new federal mandate requiring interstate-tracking compatible computerized child support collection systems. If this system is not implemented by October 1, Minnesota could lose part of its federal child support funding. At the beginning of September, only 16 states had working systems. Graham spoke of a conversation he had with an unnamed child support worker in St. Paul to the effect that the Minnesota agency planned to have a system in place to comply with the mandate, but that it was not ready for use and later system failure was likely. The employee had expressed concern that lower level employees would get blamed or fired when the defective system failed. Addressing family law, Graham said, "Every distinction in the law, based on sex, is unconstitutional. ...The courts should get over their sexist bias against men... [it] gives women power over men that they shouldn't have and it ultimately has the effect of harming women and it is posing a serious threat to our family structure. ...We have a regime of statutes that are destroying the family unit." Graham has expressed opposition to the manner in which Orders for Protection are used in Minnesota and has stated that, if elected, he intends to use to opinion power of the Attorney Generals office to discourage orders that can be used by a wife or co-habitant to throw a man out of his house without "notice, evidence, and hearing." ---------------------------------------- EMPLOYEE GRIEVANCES, INJURIES CONTINUE AT BAGLEY HARDWOOD PRODUCTS, INC. She had brought the newspaper to work because her union steward, her supervisor and another employee had said they wanted to see an article about the difficulties she and her husband have had collecting child support from his ex-wife, Debra Gerbracht. So Anita Peterson didn't think anything of bringing a copy to the break room, where newspapers are routinely permitted. But seeing the article, Dan Fultz, the supervisor, suspended Peterson for two days without pay for bringing the paper. Marlene Gerbracht, sister-in-law of Debra, as well as a relative of the Social Services worker criticized in the article, worked at the plant, and in the suspension notice Fultz said, "Anita knew this article would create a hostile work environment between herself and Marlene Gerbracht and Teryl [Waughtal]." That hostile environment may have preceded our coverage, though. According to Peterson, prior to the report, Marlene Gerbracht had been circulating false and groundless rumours in the plant that Peterson was being charged with child abuse. Peterson said that she reported this malicious defamation, to Bagley Hardwoods, on three separate occasions, but "nothing was done." It is not known why Gerbracht was receiving preferential treatment from the Bagley Hardwoods management. She is the only employee there allowed to work only part-time. "If she doesn't like somebody, they're out of there," said Peterson. As reported last spring, (Bagley Hardwoods Suspends Employee for Bringing Paper, NH of 01/20/97) Bagley Hardwood Products declined to be interviewed on the matter and threatened to call police (For what, is anyone's guess). Peterson said that she didn't bring the paper for Gerbracht's benefit, or show it to her, "It was shown to [the union steward] at 6:30 in the morning, that's before work starts... I was upstairs and [Gerbracht] sits downstairs... [the paper] was not brought down to her at all," Peterson said. Peterson was entitled to arbitration on whether the suspension was inappropriate and whether she should receive the back pay. The arbitration was scheduled for October 8th. But instead, "Wes [Renneberg, plant manager] called a plant meeting and told everybody that he settled my grievance and decided to pay me for one day [of the two] that [Peterson was suspended]. Nobody notified me," Peterson told Northern Herald. She said she wouldn't have settled for one day's pay, "because I shouldn't have been suspended; I didn't do anything wrong," she said. Several employees have complained about safety at the plant. Peterson said, "Their dust bags in their air cleaning system haven't been changed in two years. It's been reported to me that there's been such a big cloud of dust in that place, you could hardly see." Peterson said Bagley Hardwoods prepares for OSHA when they come; and three people had tripped over pallets in the 4 years she was there. Asked about other injuries, Peterson said that the saws don't have guards required by OSHA and spoke of two women who have had fingers severed. The most recent was Laurie Hanson, who was picking up a wood scrap near the unguarded saw blade last July. Nobody had shown her the tongs which were to be used for that. Apparently, her glove got caught in the blade which cut her thumb and middle finger and almost wholly severed her index finger. Now on worker's comp, she has had two surgeries and may need a third; she has, at least for now, lost the use of the finger. Jolene Very, a former employee, is now again working for the employer she had before Bagley Hardwoods. "They're very pleased with the work I do," she said. Very quit when Dan Fultz called her into the break room and chastised her because her daughter had called to ask if she could stay home from school [due to illness]. In 9 months, "I believe she's called me three times," Very said, adding "A lot of preferential treatment goes on there" She said Fultz told Peterson "that she had to wear earplugs when OSHA came through." Peterson is now working at Cass Forest Products for "more money, better benefits" and merit-based treatment, she said. ---------------------------------------- FUN FOR ALL AT LEONARD BASH! Photos and Story by Wanda Yoemans, NH staff writer Mother nature provided an absolutely beautiful day for the Leonard Bash held in Leonard, Minnesota on Saturday, August 30. For those who have never been to a Leonard Bash, it is a cross between a family reunion, community picnic and a street dance. The day began at noon with traditional games for the children. The three legged race, wheelbarrow race, water relay, and raw egg toss were as much fun for the spectators as they were for the participants. Prizes were awarded to all who joined the fun. The Clearbrook Community Club and the Clearbrook American Legion, Post 256, donated $200 worth of nickels that were mixed with sawdust and poured out into piles for the young and young-at-heart to search through. Musical entertainment was provided throughout the afternoon by a jam session in the Pavilion. The Country Playboys took over in the evening and the Pavilion was converted into a dance hall. Our Savior's Lutheran Church provided a reasonably priced lunch during the day. An old fashioned barbecue supper was served in the Pavilion. The New Leonard Cafe was kept busy until the wee hours of the morning. Two concession stands were also available. A Scavenger Hunt sent participants all over town looking for goodies. A volleyball tournament was held next to the Side TrackTap. Across the street, sharp shooters competed in the Turkey Shoot, with the best shot out of ten taking home a frozen turkey. Local residents and business provided over 30 entries for the Parade that cruised through town at around 3:00 p.m. The Kelly Christensen Family won the prize for the most humorous entry with their "Griswald Family Vacation", featuring a station wagon with Gramma riding on the roof, a dog chain and collar dragging behind and a sign asking "Where is the dog?" A big thank-you goes out to the organizer's of this annual event for providing a truly entertaining day for all. Hope to see you there next year! ------------------------------------------ NEVIS C&C REVITALIZES, ANNOUNCES TRAIL FOR STUDS Nope, this doesn't mean that you'll find the Bemidji bar crowd waiting around down on the Heartland Trail. They'll still be standing around at Bemidji's downtown bordellos. But it's good news for snowmobilers who've had their studded vehicles banned from recently paved trails throughout the Northland. For many years, Nevis C&C has been the driving force behind area commerce, tourism and the promotion of Nevis's many resources. Their yearly event culminates in Nevis's annual summer Muskie Days, which draws visitors from across the country. C&C also sponsors a Boy Scout troop, the Gene Cirks Memorial Fishing Tourney and the Student of the Month program at Nevis High School. Some have attributed the very high quality of Nevis public schools, in part, to interaction between the business community, through C&C, and the school, with the kids encouraged to participate in community activities and allowed to see the community at work. School Superintendent Richard Magaard was at the C&C meeting, which was well attended by about 45 residents and business people. Steve Frank, of member Northwoods Bank, presided over part of the Sept. 11th meeting which convened at 7:30 p.m., at Bethany Lutheran Church, Nevis. C&C voted to reorganize its leadership, adopting a structure which calls for a new 7 member board. C&C will accept candidate applications through their next meeting, when a vote will be held. A new, lower, dues structure was also adopted with dues ranging from $15 annually for individuals to $50 for businesses. Nevis Mayor Ray Melander, taking the floor, said that the city council had passed a resolution in support of C&C's reorganizing and continuing, "From the City's standpoint, thank you very much," he said. On the Heartland Trail, which runs from Walker to Park Rapids, and through Nevis, Ted Luetgers said, "We are developing an alternate trail that will be along the paved surface. It will be much more scenic, more in the woods, than the existing Heartland trail." The next meeting of Nevis C&C will be Thurs., Oct. 9, at the Nevis Senior Center, with pot luck dinner at 6:30 and meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. ------------------------------------------ Editorials - Opinion TAKING BACK THE LIES About 25 people came to the 15th annual "Take Back the Night" rally, September 22nd at the pavilion by the waterfront. The event is staged annually by the Northwoods Coalition of Battered Women (NCBW), Bemidji. Press reports attributed the low turnout to cold weather. But it was only in the 40's that night, and this is Minnesota. Many of us, if we were going, would have gone in shirt-sleeves. Perhaps, as with the little girl who cried "Wolf!" the years of lies, illegal activities in the name of law and terrorist propaganda have simply caught up with the Northwoods Coalition, eradicating any credibility they may have at one time had. No one questions the idea of helping truly battered people. But that has never been what the Northwoods Coalition has been about. It has been about a few women, who for various reasons might not have been employable elsewhere, finding lucrative jobs in the "battered women's business." The organization learned quickly that the more cases, statistics and claims they could generate, the more money they made. In their 95-96 fiscal year, NCBW paid $310,136 in salaries, and afterwards, was left with a net change in fund balance (similar to "net profit" of a business) for the year of $82,580, largely from county (taxpayers') funds. To justify their existence, NCBW has claimed that women are the prime victims of domestic abuse. But the statistics were found to be skewed by the fact that police officers, mostly, only are told to compile stats on domestic violence involving a female victim. If the victim is male, the report is often not forwarded. We now know, from the Strauss and Gelles report, that, in fact, women instigate domestic violence a little more frequently than men (it's almost equal). NCBW claimed to work with the law; their advocate could often be seen in courtrooms with women making claims or seeking "protection." But their actual regard for law was more shown when Karen Janov, Executive Director, in mid-1995, was charged with obstructing justice for taking records out the back door and trying to conceal the whereabouts of a women who had fled to Bemidji, and the shelter, to conceal a child from it's father, the custodial parent. Police had come to the shelter with a search warrant and warrant for the women; a shelter employee "whited-out" shelter records while the officers were detained and Janov removed other records. The shelter and advocate have assisted many women in procuring Orders for Protection (OFPs) or in making assault reports. The nonprofit organization can't provide lodging to just any woman on the street; it has to be justified (this is paid by tax money); she has to have been battered. The shelter has the forms for procurement of OFP justifying the "placement" for protection. So when Bonita Jones took residence at the shelter, on several occasions, she was assisted in OFPs against Jeffery Hubbard, her cohabitant. In December, 1995, she told the court, "All the OFPs that I --that I did were false accusations." She was charged with perjury, and failed to appear in court thereafter; nonetheless, NCBW assisted her release on "furlough" from jail to attend her daughter's birthday party earlier this year after arrest on the fugitive warrant. In the Jones matter, the shelter had even persuaded Jones' young child to make compelling accusations against Hubbard. But police noted inconsistencies in the statements that betrayed their falsehood. Similarly, a news account of the "Take Back the Night" demonstration a few years back carried the compelling stories of youths who claimed to have been abused. Events which, had they happened, couldn't have failed to evoke sympathy. But a credible source close to the story has said, "they were describing events that never occurred." Per the source, the mother of the children had also brought assault complaints against an individual who could not have committed the assaults because he was, in fact, in jail at the times when she said the assaults had occurred. Why the propaganda? Why are women coming into the shelter told that OFPs and divorce are the only way to go? Why are children at the shelter told to lie to police? Because every family destroyed, every woman terrorized is money in the bank to the shelter workers and directors. In June, 1996, NCBW had total assets of $422,375, mostly paid by tax money. Terrorizing women and making them believe they're victims means big money and big salaries for the shelter and its sister, the Sexual Assault Program. Every woman they scare the bejeebers out of is money in the bank. Every home broken up improves their financial statement; never mind what happens to the couple and the children. And the real victims now become the women themselves, who are scarred by the indoctrination experience, thus lessening their chances of a normal and healthy marital life, and the children who are denied their best opportunity for success in the home of their two natural parents. But fortunately, it doesn't happen so much any more. People are realizing the motives, tactics and lack of credibility of the Northwoods Coalition. Very recently, Jacklyn Jones, a worker at the shelter and cousin of Bonita Jones, is reported to have called Cass County authorities reporting drugs and guns in the van of her step-sister, Mindy Ruby. As it turns out, Ruby and Jones were having a family argument and Jones wanted her van stopped. It was. Neither drugs nor guns were found. Ruby later stated that she doesn't even own a gun. The lies aren't working so well anymore on the public, though; and the American Family, the medium in which women and children, as well as the husbands, do best, is alive and well in Northern Minnesota. There are a few disillusioned cases left, about 25 as of last Saturday at the Pavilion. ----------------------------- Letters to the Editor DIVORCE VETERAN ALERTS MEN I was glad to see in your last issue [a letter] ...written by Mark Weaver of Backus, Minnesota. I'm sure many men who have gone through a divorce would say, "Amen" to his article. If you are a man, beware. There is a false justice program out there that is staffed by women. When you are "entitled" to pay child support, you get to pay it to Beltrami County Child Support offices headed by a Laurie Hoglund and if you can't afford to pay what Judge Rasmussen has ordered (more than you paid for the whole family to live, in the home that you built and you were living in before you got evicted [by the divorce]) he will then confiscate your savings certificates to pay it. I had written a letter to Greg Lewis, County Administrator, and the [Beltrami] County Board on July 28, 1997 asking them to look into the unfair [Social Services] department and asking them to put a man in charge, rather than a woman, so a man could get some fairness. - Not even a reply to my letter. Men, you had better get some laws changed and some officials elected who will operate in your favor or you could lose the money you had [put] ...aside for retirement to a woman who used to love you. Palmer Berg, Bemidji ----------------------------------- Guest Column JUVENILE CRIME: A FAMILY PROBLEM? by Scott D. Noble One of the issues most consistently on the minds of Americans is crime, particularly violent crime. While the adult crime rate has steadied and even declined in the past few years, juvenile crime has risen at a dramatic pace. This issue, maybe more than any other, gets to the essence of the traditional family and its benefits. During the past thirty years, America has seriously struggled with the decline of the two-parent family. Numerous social indicators regularly demonstrate that the America of the 1990s is markedly different from the America of the 1960s. Possibly the most damaging aspect of this decline has been the pervasiveness of single-parent families at the expense of two-parent families. The deleterious consequences of this decline, however, have only recently begun to manifest themselves more noticeably in society. One example of this declivity has been the prevalence of juvenile crime. Indeed, the increase in violent juvenile crime over the last thirty years has been astonishing. Nationally, the number of violent crimes committed by juveniles has doubled over the previous decade, and the FBI predicts another doubling in the next 10 years. In Minnesota, the situation is much the same as it is nationally. In 1971, according to the Minnesota Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center, the juvenile arrest rate was 34.4 per 10,000. By 1991, the rate had more than tripled to 116.3 per 10,000. In just twenty years, the arrest rate for juveniles has exploded in Minnesota. Many criminologists and demographers are warning that America could very well encounter a juvenile crime explosion in the next ten years because the population of juveniles will become much larger. In fact, according to Andrew Peyton Thomas, the Assistant Attorney General for Arizona, over the next 10 years, the population of 14 to 17 year olds will grow 23 percent. This is coupled with the fact that the current generation of juveniles has brought about the worst juvenile crime rates in recorded history. The correlation made by experts in the field is that with the increased number of juveniles will come an increase in crime committed by them. This may well be the case, but it fails to get at the issue of causation. Why have so many young people turned to committing crimes? The past thirty years have witnessed a multitude of changes in society. The most important, in relation to the increase in juvenile crime, has been the increase in births to unmarried females. In 1960, Minnesota had a births to unmarried females rate of 2.8 percent of all births. By 1991, the rate had jumped to 22.4% Nationally, one-third of all births now occur out of wedlock. [Note: In Beltrami County, which has one of the state's highest crime rates, the illegitimacy rate is 44%, also one of the highest in the state -- Ed.] As a society, we are now raising more and more of our children in single-parent homes. The two-parent family, as the basis for providing the best opportunity for success in life, has become, to some people, an outmoded idea. Social scientists now proclaim that the best predictor of a young man committing crime is not his race, income or neighborhood, but whether or not he has a father. What a message we are sending to our children when we choose to bear and raise them, in ever increasing numbers, in homes without the benefit of two parents! Single parents know more than others do just how difficult it is to raise a child successfully on their own. For thousands of years, the two-parent family has proven to be the most beneficial institution for bearing and raising children. That is why it has become readily apparent that this journey away from the two-parent family has resulted in dire consequences for the nation, and most significantly, for the nation's children. The prospect of a juvenile crime explosion in the next ten years may well occur because of this bulge in the juvenile population. The real concern, however, is whether we, as a society, will make a commitment to our children ensuring that they will be raised in two-parent families. Population surges have and will occur at various times in the history of a nation. Merely bracing for the consequences of these occurrences will do nothing to strengthen our society for the future. Providing children with the best opportunity for success can and will prove successful for our future. Scott Noble is a Field Representative for the Minnesota Family Council. The Minnesota Family Council is Minnesota's largest nonprofit, non-partisan pro-family organization. Editor's note: Legislatively, we need to no longer look at the single mother as a disadvantaged object of pity. We need to look at her as someone who, by her own choosing, may be the source of a crime surge that in future years may victimize your property, home and family. ----------------------------------- HOME SCHOOL WORKSHOP A home schooling informational meeting for parents interested in exploring this option for their children will be held October 5th at 7 p.m. at Naomi's (formerly Hitchin' Rail restaurant), Shevlin. It is free and the public is invited. For Info: 218-785-2509 ------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 09/01/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 20 (delayed until 9/4) -------------------------------------------------------- HOT AIR TECHNOLOGY FEATURED AT EQUIPMENT SHOW ITASCA PARK --No, Senator Grams wasn't there. Neither was Skip Humphrey or Bemidji Mayor Peterson. This technology goes back much farther. Thousands attended the annual Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers' Threshing Show and Hot Air Engine Reunion near Itasca Park, August 15th-17th. "For Friday, I feel we have record attendance," said Gary Johannessohn, of Bagley, President of the association, "we have exhibitors... who brought their [working] hot air engines from [as far as] Arizona. When it comes to hot air engines, we have the worlds most complete display," he said of the Hot Air building, which was filled with exhibitors and operating antique, as well as contemporary, engines of every size and sort. The event also featured antique tractors and implements (including tractor pulls) and home arts. Exhibitor Olaf Berge explained later that there are three types of hot air engines: 1) The Sterling Cycle, where changes in temperature take place at a pair of constant volumes; 2) The Ericsson ship engine, where changes of temperature take place at a pair of constant pressures; and 3) The Roper or Shaw engine, in which heat is received and rejected at a pair of constant pressures. Berge said that only at this annual event can all 3 classes be seen at the same time. (PHOTO CAPTION - PHOTO IN PRINT EDITION ONLY) Olaf Berge's Roper Caloric hot air engine, above, photographed while operating, is one of only three known in existence, and is the only running model. The other two are in Texas and England. (PHOTO CAPTION - PHOTO IN PRINT EDITION ONLY) Above, Olaf Berge stands beside one of his restored and operating hot air engines of a type that was used to power ships. He said that even today, there are at least six submarines, worldwide, that are powered by Sterling cycle heat engines. Contemporary heat engines, he said, use helium rather than air, due to greater power output. Berge's collection of working engines can normally be seen at his business, Berge's Stoves, of Cass Lake. (PHOTO CAPTION - PHOTO IN PRINT EDITION ONLY) At left, Bruce Walworth, Chelsea, Mich. exhibits a contemporary hot air engine he built, which runs on body heat. The engine cycles as it rests on Walworth's hand. (ILLUSTRATION CAPTION - SECTIONAL ILLUSTRATION IN PRINT EDITION ONLY) This engine was produced by the Rider-Ericsson Engine Company about 1900. Antique Engine rebuilder and exhibitor, Olaf Berge explained, "These were widely used in the 1890s by railroad companies for pumping water" into their steam boilers at refilling stops. Contrary to popular belief, the hot air engine was used concurrently with, rather than preceding, steam technology. Although producing less force than steam, the hot air engines were safer than the early boilers. It was this factor that led Rev. Sterling to develop and patent his first hot air engine in 1816. HOW IT WORKS 1. Compression piston (C) first compresses cold air in the lower part of the compression cylinder (A) into about one third of it's normal volume. 2. The upward motion of power piston (D), together with completion of the down-stroke of compression piston (C) transfers the air, without appreciable change in it's volume, through the regenerator (H) and into the heater (F), where the heat causes expansion and a great deal of pressure impelling the power piston (D) up to the end of it's stroke. 3. The pressure still remaining in the power cylinder and reacting on the compression piston (C) forces it upward until it reaches the top of it's stroke. 4. By the cooling of the charge of air, the pressure falls to it's minimum. The power piston descends and compression begins again. 5. In the meantime, the heated air, in passing through the regenerator, has left the greater portion of its heat in the regenerator plates, to be picked up and reutilized on the return of the air toward the heater. The 10 inch cylinder Rider engine is capable of generating enough speed and power to pump 3,500 gallons of water, to a height of 50 feet, per hour. It is capable of pumping water to a recommended maximum height of 350 feet. Information presented here courtesy of Olaf Berge, Berges Stoves, Cass Lake, Minnesota. Some of the information is sourced in The Improved Rider and Ericsson Hot Air Pumping Engines first made available by Rider-Ericsson Engine Company (1906) and reprinted, from the original catalogue with permission of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, by The Robert B. Huxtable Co., Box No. 1104, Lansing, MI 48904. -------------------------------------------------------- BEMIDJI TO SHIP RUBBISH TO SAUK CENTRE Juvenile Convicted in Alleged Rottwieler Hammering Incident BEMIDJI -- Yep, we usually send our solid waste to Fosston, but this time, we'll be shipping about 100 pounds of it to the juvenile facility at Sauk Centre. Richard Mix, Jr., 17, of Nymore, was charged in an incident in which he allegedly seized and kept, for several days, a Rottwieler belonging to Olen and Ernest Watts before giving the dog to his neighbor Jeremy Olson, who then allegedly hit the dog on the head with a hammer and shot it. Mix later showed Watts where the dog was buried in Olson's yard. He was found guilty in a hearing, August 20th, in which members of Mix's family, and a friend, testified on his behalf. Mix had maintained that he was just trying to find the dog's owner. But, over the several days he had the dog, he never contacted the Police Department or animal control to ascertain if the dog had been reported missing. The dog, running off-leash, wasn't lost until Mix took it. When it didn't come home, the owners had promptly notified authorities. In the course of the hearing, per unofficial sources, Mix's mother, testifying for Mix, was asked when she first saw her son with the dog. She responded that it was on a Thursday at 1 am. Prosecutor Sheri Schluchter retorted that, in other words, he'd broken his curfew from probation from Sauk Centre (on a previous matter) by being out at that time. Because of the admission that he'd broken his conditions of probation, Schluchter recommended that he be immediately taken into custody to be returned to Sauk Centre. Accordingly, he was immediately incarcerated following the trial. This may be an end to one prime source of juvenile crime in the Nymore-Bemidji area. Although juvenile records are confidential, unofficial sources have spoken of Mix having a massive juvenile offense record, and said that he was scheduled to appear in court on two other unrelated matters, disorderly conduct and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the same day as for the Rottwieler incident. Olson fails to appear. Charged with mistreating an animal, under M.S. 343.21, Jeremy Olson, 21, failed to make his first scheduled appearance August 20th before Judge Benshoof, who then ordered a warrant for Olson's arrest. Olson was arrested on August 25th, and posted bail of $500. His next appearance is scheduled for September 5th. In an unrelated matter, Olson is currently pending sentencing on a charge of robbery stemming from a 1996 incident. He pled guilty August 19, 1997. ---------------------------------------------------- TAX GUY By our Editor, who is an Enrolled Agent (authorized to practice before the IRS). Information given here is of a general nature, and is not intended to be used for the preparation of any specific return. If you think the information presented applies to your tax situation, you should discuss it with your accountant or barber. FOR EMPLOYERS ONLY If you're in business, you probably don't particularly look forward to April 15th. For businessmen, it usually means writing a check, or getting a small refund of what you've overpaid through quarterlies during the year. Imagine, for a moment, having a $5,000 or so credit balance in your IRS account. Not having to pay a cent, and even having some left over to cover future years' taxes. If you're an employer, this is within your reach, with virtually no effort, with the Work Opportunity Credit. But there are some things you have to do precisely to get it; the most important is being sure your employee is certified as eligible by the appropriate agency (usually your local Minnesota Job Service or CEP office) before you hire him/her/it. Put simply, the Work Opportunity Credit allows you to take a direct, dollar-for-dollar tax reduction (not merely a deduction from income) for 35% of the first $6,000 of first year wages you pay to an agency-certified employee from one of certain targeted groups. Even at minimum wage, this will get you a tax credit of $2,100 per employee within the first full year. And you can carryover the part of the credit that you can't use immediately. The groups include qualified AFDC recipients, qualified veterans, qualified ex-felons, high risk youths, vocational rehabilitation referrals, qualified summer youth employees and qualified food stamp recipients. Employees who qualify for the credit are not hard to find. You can find your own, or your local Job Service will generally refer qualified applicants if you ask. The most common error, though, is not getting the written certification before hiring. If you don't do this, you don't get the credit even though the employee is qualified. Although it will probably be extended by Congress (it has been, in some form, every year since before 1980), the Work Opportunity Credit currently applies to employees hired before October 1, 1997. ------------------------------------------------- TAXES ADJUSTED FOR 6 OF 7 APPEALING BELTRAMI RESIDENTS BEMIDJI --Going before the County Board, sitting June 17th as the Board of Equalization, paid off for six property owners as their assessed valuations were reduced when County Assessor Duane Ebbighausen subsequently personally inspected the properties. Ebbighausen explained, "We measure the building, then we'll get into the house ...for condition ...and make the adjustment accordingly. The following persons who appealed to the Board saw the following reductions in assessed property value: Roger Janssen, from $27,160 to $23,600 due to demonstration of lower tillable acreage; Kenneth and Patricia Johanneson, from $175,200 to $166,400; Richard and Sandra Mason, from $98,900 to $95,200 due to observed condition; Steven W. Hill, from $697,500 to $543,900; Darwin D, and Debra K. Wiebolt, from $380,200 to $298,100 based on actual purchase and construction costs; and Jimmy L. and Celine M. Graham, from $111,500 to $100,500 based upon income yield of the eight-unit apartment building in question. The only property not adjusted by the Board was that of former Commissioner Lowell Bjella. His 864 sq. ft. home, on a dead end dirt street at 621 16th St. NW, Bemidji, had been assessed at $36,200, and prior to the Equalization hearing, the County had agreed to reduce it to $33,100. But Bjella believed it was only worth about $31,920. Bill Snebold, Bemidji City Assessor said, "If Lowell were to sell his house today, it would be between $57,000 and $60,000." Bjella countered that to sell it, he'd have to install city water and sewer. "I'd be better off with a piece of pasture," he said, and charged that the sales prices of other properties, used as a basis for the appraisal, was inaccurate because those other properties [which had water and sewer] didn't look like his "at all," he said. "They have an up-to-date street going by all three of these [other comparison] properties," said Bjella, "I don't even know if I'm going to be able to buy fire insurance; I'm a block away from the nearest fire hydrant. There's no street lights, there's nothing that you have, in the City of Bemidji, by my house. Ebbighausen explained that where improvements would be necessary to sell a property, the current fair market value would be computed at what the property would sell for, less the cost of the needed improvements. But a disagreement arose as to the projected cost of the improvements, plus any additional City hook-up fees which would likely be charged. Ebbighausen agreed to inspect the property, and it was suggested that Bjella obtain an independent appraisal at his expense; but he later said that it was difficult to get it appraised because there were no "similar properties" recently sold upon which a fair comparison could be based. Ebbighausen's inspection failed to produce a valuation change. The Counties must submit preliminary 1998 budgets and levies by September 15th. Ebbighausen said that under this year's state legislated property tax reform apartments, commercial buildings and public utilities, which historically have been more highly taxed, and not private homes, would see the largest reduction, and added later, in interview, that the Beltrami County tax base is up by about 5.8% over last year. This would result in that much more county tax revenue, even at present rates of tax, due to higher assessed property values. --------------------------------------------------- ATTY GENERAL CANDIDATE TO BE IN WALKER ST. PAUL -- Former Crow Wing County Prosecutor, author and 1998 Attorney General Candidate John Remington Graham will be appearing at a rally and $64 a plate ($50 refundable) fundraiser at Jimmy's Restaurant in Walker, Minn. on Thursday, Sept. 18th. The event, entitled "An Evening with Jack Graham" is scheduled from 6 pm on, with dinner at 7. As County Attorney, Graham is said to have sent more criminals to prison than any prior prosecutor. Graham is a strong supporter of families and a proponent of Constitutional law. He has said that the way OFPs are now used in this state to throw men out of their homes without due cause violates the Constitution and he has pledged opposition to this judicial practice. Graham fared well in his run against incumbent Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson last year, garnering 39% of the vote. Dinner reservations may be had by calling 612-454-4537. ---------------------------------------- (PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISEMENT) IF YOU LIKE TO SMOKE KNOW WHERE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS GO. In 1995, the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY gave $6,000 in tax-deductible contributions to the "Minnesota Coalition for a Smoke-Free Society - 2000", a lobbying group that's trying to make it harder for you to smoke by increasing tobacco taxes and governmental restrictions. The American Heart Association also gave $6,000, and American Lung Association gave $500. Source: Minnesota Coalition for a Smoke-Free Society 2000 A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE PROVIDED BY THIS NEWSPAPER (ADVERTISEMENT) REACH YOUR FULL MARKET SHARE IN GREATER MINNESOTA For as little as $4 per column/inch! YOUR DISPLAY AD IN NORTHERN HERALD REACHES MINNESOTANS FROM GRAND RAPIDS TO BAGLEY, FROM RED LAKE TO PINE RIVER! TO PLACE YOUR AD, CALL 759-1162 WE MEAN BUSINESS EDITORIALS - OPINION QUALITY HAS TO COME FIRST Look Closely at School Bond & Tax Ballot Questions Only 36% of Bemidji Students Tested Got "C" Equivalent in Reading Would you reward your kid for a report card showing Ds and Fs? Well, that's essentially what Bemidji Public Schools (Dist. 31) are asking you to do for the educators in November. Their report card doesn’t look good at all. Last year, statewide testing of eighth grade students made news due to the low scores. But this year's tests haven't even been spoken of much until now. The testing. In 1996, eighth grade school kids were tested for basic standards in reading and math. They'd have to meet these standards by the time of graduation. Statewide public school results were not impressive: 37% could not pass the reading part, and 29% for math. Bemidji's numbers pretty much mirrored the state average with a 34% failure rate in reading, 29% in math. The 1997 testing of kids in grades 9-12 was generally a retest of those children who had not passed in the previous year. (Note 1) Accordingly, the passage percentages of grades 9-12 statewide, were lower than in the earlier year eighth grade tests. Some districts, however, did well in the retest. The nearby Nevis district (which is on the low end of per pupil spending at $4,440), for instance, had brought 54% of the retesting kids up to par in reading, and 60% in math. (Nevis also gave a pilot writing test in April of 1997. 98% of the kids passed.) Conversely, only 36% of the District 31 (Bemidji) students retested on reading scored at least 70%, the equivalent of a "C" grade. 64% scored below this. Only 16% of the students scored 80% or better, a "B" equivalent. Math scores were similar: 41% got a "C" equivalent or better, with 16% having a "B" equivalent or better. 59% scored below the "C" equivalent. (table insert - may be distorted in web edition due to browser tabs - the four percentages which follow each group, in order, are 70% or better reading, 70% or better math, 80% or better reading, 80% or better math.) 1997 TEST RESULTS - GRADES 9-12 District & avg. Students scoring Students scoring amt. spent at least 70% at least 80% per pupil ("C" equivalent) ("B" equivalent) READING MATH READING MATH Statewide private schools 81% 81% 64% 62% Statewide public schools 54% 56% 31% 32% Nevis ($4,440) 54% 60% 46% 20% Walker ($5,260) 44% 60% 21% 27% Deer River ($5,411) 55% 51% 31% 31% Park Rapids ($4,611) 50% 51% 18% 10% Bemidji ($4,996) 36% 41% 16% 16% Source: Minn. Dept. of Children, Families and Learning. This is not the report card of only the students, but is also an effective measure of the efficiency of the local learning system. Some of the score variation from the state average, and other districts, of course, may be due to local genetics, inbreeding and home environment (Beltrami County has a 44% illegitimacy rate). But the discrepancy is large enough that one also has to look to the educators. Other District 31 controversy. Problems within the district have not been limited to academic performance. In the past, the School Board has been unresponsive to parents' concerns over some subjects (such as sex education) taught in the school, and the manner of teaching. We agree with those concerns; with performance this low on the three "R"s, it's hard to justify time and money spent on the "S." Besides teen pregnancy, other problems such as teen crime, including widespread drinking, theft, vandalism and sometimes violence continue to plague the Bemidji community, more so, seemingly, than in other nearby areas. It has been our experience in investigating sporadic reports that, although a behaviour policy on school grounds is in effect, in specific instances of teen crime, it has been the standpoint of school administrators to try to "wash their hands" of the problem, avoiding having to take disciplinary action, even where it has involved Bemidji High students on school grounds or in transit to or from the school. In addition to controversial classes, the school has been used as a point of indoctrination of students on matters outside of the academic realm, and which was, frankly, erroneous. Bemidji has a way of targeting certain individuals, some of whom meet with disfavor of certain officials or influential townspeople, and some who just "fall into it" through no action of their own. One of the latter examples was Roy Martin, in 1994. An effort is made to make it as difficult and unpleasant as possible for these "targeted" individuals to live here. This is often done through the promotion of inaccurate, slanderous and malicious "grapevine" communication; it becomes of public concern when this promotion is by official sources using tax-paid property and time, and particularly when the schools are used to spread this malicious misinformation. Martin, who was partially disabled, and his wife, both quiet, traditional native Americans, by happenstance, lived next door to your editor who can attest, without reservation, that they were two of the gentlest and most harmless people that he has known. In June, 1994, Ida Stein Hightshoe, an employee of MeritCare Clinic, Bemidji, who lived two houses away from the Martins, was allegedly assaulted in her home. The investigation was done by Sgt. Gerry Johnson, Bemidji Police Department. Immediately following the incident, Hightshoe described the intruder as a white male, with characteristics which in no way corresponded to Martins' description. Per Martin's wife, he was home sleeping when the assault occurred. The composite drawing provided by Hightshoe did not look like Martin at all. His disability would have prevented him from using the getaway route that police thought was used from the alleged crime scene. Between the alleged assault and Martin’s arrest, Hightshoe saw him at a local drive-in and did not recognize him. Nonetheless, and for reasons which still are not fully clear, Martin was arrested for this crime as he came from his classes at BSU one July day. In what was called by a nearby television station, "the most bizarre trial in the history of Beltrami County," a jury, hearing the evidence, fully acquitted Roy Martin, after he'd spent almost 7 months in the Beltrami County Jail, in February of 1995. But the community was not through with Roy Martin. Almost immediately following the trial, Sgt. Johnson went into the Bemidji High School and addressed a class, emphasizing that just because the jury found Martin not guilty, that did not mean he was innocent. The implication was that Martin might still be dangerous. The effect (and intent) of this and other efforts were to "poison" the town against the Martins. Subsequently, the Martins were denied medical treatment at MeritCare, Bemidji's only major clinic, their landlord refused to renew their lease and they found it impossible to obtain another apartment from Bemidji's landlords. They left in spring of 1995 for Martin's native Tennessee where he reentered college and at last report was an exceptional student. Although the school played a small part in the defamation of Roy Martin, our point is that this use of tax-paid facilities and time (as well as Sgt. Johnson's time) was inappropriate. And we have reason to believe that Martin’s case was not an isolated example of the public schools being used to inspire fear, hatred and prejudice, against certain upstanding members of the community, in the minds of impressionable children who will soon be Bemidji’s young adults. These teachings perpetuate malice in a community which, itself, lives in a glass house. A serious question exists as to whether the school, and the teachings within it, may be one of the indirect sources of many community problems, from low academics, to juvenile crime, to teachings which conflict with family values, to defamation of individuals within the community. In the upcoming election, Bemidji Schools will be asking taxpayers to approve this with a massive $48 million bond issue, and also, an unrelated "excess levy" that will enable the district to, in future years, impose taxes for salaries and operating expenses over and above the current state-mandated property tax limit. Per Rollie Morud, District 31 Superintendent, the bond issue alone is expected to raise taxes on a $70,000 home by about $117 a year for 20 years. It is not yet known how much higher the average homeowner's taxes might go under the additional excess levy measure. The stated purpose of the bond issue is principally to replace the current functional, stately and adequate high school at 15th & Bemidji Ave. ($40+ million), and also to replace Lincoln Elementary school ($7+ million). There is a severe question as to whether a new high school is even needed. And a question why this district needs to spend more for day-to-day expenses and salaries than statewide tax ceilings allow (see districts' costs comparison in table). But the much larger question is whether Bemidji taxpayers should support low quality education, a Board that is deaf to the parents, and even malice and community damage, by continuing to feed a sick educational system and now approving this tax double-whammy. More money will not cure the ills that plague the Bemidji Schools and the Bemidji community. It is, perhaps, time that the taxpayers demanded excellence before throwing their money at the problem. If more money is needed, we know of several administrators, and possibly a few teachers who could be "let go," thus saving revenue without any noticeable diminution in the school's function, and likely an enhancement. A cure has to be found to ensure the competent education of our young people. A growing number of parents have exerted the effort necessary for home schooling just to keep their kids out of what they perceive to be a sick system. Not all parents can do this; Charter Schools, with newfound legislative support, may provide future options for many of them. The Governor's voucher proposal, which failed in the last legislative session, if renewed, would spur the creation of new community-oriented, cost-effective and not necessarily sectarian private schools by making the school of their choice available to low to middle-income families without additional public cost. But the current well-paid school district administrators and teachers are a closely aligned and a more powerful voting (and political-contributing) block than you may think, and they lose money and jobs when kids go elsewhere (particularly when their job performance isn't up to where a private school would hire them), so don't hold your breath on this good idea. (Note 2) Many now believe that here in Bemidji, as well as in certain other communities, the time of the existent school hierarchy is passed and it's time for some new ideas; to build anew rather than try to apply band-aids to a system that is functionally crippled, possibly destructive, and what with more and higher paid administrators and threatened teachers' strikes, is costing more and more each year. It's time to stop giving more money every time they ask. We don't need to build a new building, we need to build a new learning facility and system; one that will employ teachers and administrators who will instill the raw material for academic performance and success; one which will encourage creativity; teaching children to question and how to learn; one that will work with and be responsive to parents in the community; one that will not bow to the wishes of certain groups to use its facilities for extraneous and inappropriate purposes; one that will actively encourage young people to become upstanding citizens, and take responsibility when the kids fall down a little in this; and finally, one which we may well find to be financially less burdensome than the present. It will be awhile before new school alternatives are feasible here, in the meantime, the existing schools will have to be used. Continuing operations will have to be funded, in the short-term at current levels, as new alternatives are found. But before approving the long-term measures that the schools now want, there has to be a showing of improved quality. In lieu of this, we should be looking in other directions, rather than making long-term building commitments to the existing school district and agreeing to higher long-term taxes to pay off bonds and for higher-cost normal operations and salaries. By objective standards, they haven’t earned the raise. It's hard to vote to withhold money from education, but District 31 taxpayers are already paying a lot (look at your itemized tax statement). As to the school's own "report card," well, if we reward Ds and Fs, we'll surely get more Ds and Fs. Instead, it may be time to, for now, maintain the status quo, and insist on a tangible showing of higher quality before more investment. A new building and paying higher salaries and expenses isn’t going to change the quality of the work. Look at what other districts have done, with less spending. There has to be worthwhile performance, with what we've got, before building an expensive new edifice, in which to house it, might become justifiable. And perhaps, at the same time, we should explore a long-term commitment in other options to ensure the future quality of education of Bemidji’s young people. It's their future that's at stake. ENDNOTES: 1 The 1997 tests were given, statewide, in January 1997 by the Minnesota Dept. of Children, Families and Learning (formerly Dept. of Education) to public and private school students. Although most students have been tested (usually in eighth grade), per a spokeswoman at DCFL, school districts had some discretion over which students took the test. In Bemidji, 61 ninth - twelfth grade students took the reading portion and 64 took the math. This testing is now mandatory for all students statewide, which will reduce the possibility of future sampling error. Further information on the test and state and district summary results may be found at DCFL's Internet site: http://children.state.mn.us 2 As case in point, on the political side of education, your editor has had the experience, while a legislative candidate, of being invited to speak at forums before the public school educators and administrators. Prior to each forum, materials were given by the educators' group, to the candidates, for their information if elected. Your editor would have thought that they would have wanted to tell us what they'd accomplished in the last two years. But none of the materials dealt with academic or other school performance or teaching. The voluminous sheaves we were given dealt only with funding, and it was very obvious where the educators' priorities lay. ---------------------------------------------------- BAREFOOT AND PREGNANT Contemporary Ladies' Perspective, Advice and Tips by Wanda Yoemans DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR ACCIDENT? Two recent events have made me more aware of a mythology that exists concerning domestic violence, namely that the woman is the victim and the man is guilty until (and maybe even after) proven otherwise. The first is rather personal. Several weeks ago my husband and I were watering our garden. I had a hose that I was using to fill buckets so that hubby could carry them to an area that the hose wouldn't reach. True to the nature of husbands, he made some smart remark that earned him a soaking with the hose. A water fight ensued. (This, by the way, is a long standing tradition in our family.) During the ruckus, I tripped over a lawn chair that was lying folded up on the ground. When I fell I landed in a pile of rocks that we were using to line the flower beds. Hubby felt just awful about the whole affair and after making sure I wasn't seriously hurt we changed clothes and went to a nearby town to pick up some groceries. While in town I noticed that people kept giving me funny looks. After the first two stops I looked in the mirror and saw that I had a black eye. After that when people looked at me strangely, I explained about my fall at home. That brought even stranger looks, like they didn't believe me. I'm quite sure that everyone thought that hubby had hit me. The second event is the accident that Whitney Houston had while she and her husband, Bobby Brown, were on vacation in the Mediterranean. Miss Houston's official statement via her publicist, Lois Smith, of Epic Records, is "They were having lunch, and she slipped in the dining room. She thinks she cut herself on a dinner plate that broke when she was trying to break her fall." Miss Houston states that Bobby was in no way to blame for her injury. Miss Houston received two stitches at the Capilup Hospital in nearby Capri. Of course the media had a hay day with the story and insisted that Bobby Brown was to blame even after Miss Houston stated otherwise. Headlines like "Whitney Slashed! Her face was ripped open in violent fight with Bobby - say witnesses" (August 12, Globe) were common fare. So what does all this have to do with you and I? Domestic violence is a serious problem. When people jump to false conclusions before getting the facts it does not help the problem. Media sideshows like the Whitney Houston story only make matters worse. It is like the child who cried wolf, eventually nobody listens because it is never true, only sometimes it is. Domestic abuse happens everyday. The victims are not just women and children. My personal experience shows that sometimes the victims are men or the parents. Domestic violence is an equal opportunity activity for both victims and perpetrators. I have known three different women who were the victims of their husband's abuse. One had her front teeth knocked out, an eye that was swollen shut and received stitches to multiple lacerations on her face. Another had broken ribs and her face pulverized. I spent a full day washing blood off the walls and crib in the bedroom where the beating had taken place. The third was punched in the stomach and shoved through a window. None of these cases could have been mistaken for an accident. I was able to help two of these women get out of their situations. The one with her teeth knocked out disappeared with her husband one night and I never saw her again. I often wonder if she is okay. A few years back I knew a man whose wife beat on him on a regular basis. She would become quite violent, punching and kicking him as hard as she could. He tolerated her abuse because he was afraid that if he didn't she would start in on their children. There was no help for him. No shelter to go to with his children. Nobody would take his problem seriously, because, after all he was a man and men don't get beat up by their wives, or do they? There was one couple that were mutually abusive. He beat on her and she beat on him. Eventually they went their separate ways. He found a new woman to beat that didn't beat back and wound up in jail. I don't know about her situation at this time. I have known parents who were investigated for abuse do to normal cuts and scratches from bicycle riding or tree climbing. Their lives were turned upside down with social service investigations instigated by people who jumped to the wrong conclusion. The children that I have known who were abused by their parents, in most cases, didn't have any visible bruises or cuts. Their parents were very careful to make sure that such evidence was covered up with clothing. Fear and intimidation kept these kids from speaking to anyone about their problem. I have also witnessed children abusing their parents. When a child throws a kicking, punching, biting tantrum when not allowed to have their way it is abuse. The parents of such children feel intimidated by the child's behavior. So what do we do? First, not every bruise, cut, or scratch is the result of abuse, accidents do happen. Time and resources should not be wasted on pointless witch hunts. It is when someone is in the habit of having "accidents" that we should be concerned. In such cases, the investigation needs to be thorough and protection needs to offered to the alleged victims who are often afraid to make a statement for fear of retaliation. Women and men need to quit thinking of each other as the enemy. Victim's shelters should be available to all victims of abuse regardless of gender. Domestic violence is a crime and should be treated like any other type of assault without regard to the perpetrator's age or gender. -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters to the Editor WHAT RIGHTS HAVE FATHERS? ... I am an area father who resides in Cass County. This previous winter I became introduced to your newspaper and I have been an avid and devoted reader since. I feel that you and your staff deserve to be commended for representing the viewpoints of fathers everywhere. Being a father myself, I feel you may find my situation good reading and informative as to just how little fathers have rights. Let me be one to tell you that, as a father, I feel that the welfare system and Social Services does not pertain to fathers, except when the issue of child support comes around. Otherwise, we as fathers are grossly underrepresented not only in the Social Services "circle" but also in regards to our rights. As you could probably perceive, I am not the custodial parent of my three-and-a-half year old. In fact, the mother of my daughter never mentioned me at all on the birth certificate. Since the birth of my daughter, I have hired an attorney to: 1) Order a paternity test; 2) File a motion for visitation rights and joint legal custody; and 3) File a [charge of deprivation of parental rights], which by Minnesota statute is regarded as a prosecutable offense. I have taken my daughter to the doctor on numerous occasions for not only obvious medical needs, but also for suspicion of abuse and neglect. Each time, the doctor who examined my daughter filed a report with child protection for abuse and neglect. There have been three times that a report was filed. On one occasion the doctor showed me where the hand print was, of the hand that bruised my daughter. These instances infuriated me, although when my weekend visitation was over I always returned my daughter at our agreed upon time. Last Thanksgiving (which was MY holiday) I went through two months of visitation deprivation. On one occasion, the mother of my daughter left her yard and promptly sped off as I pulled in. On other occasions [when writer was to pick up his daughter] she was conveniently not around. I have court ordered visitation, so I assumed a short trip to the County Courthouse would resolve the matter. Silly me... I have since lost complete faith in our system. The police (this all happened in Crow Wing County) said they could do nothing without a judge's order. I was told that I would have to file, [get] a court date and have a hearing on the matter. I felt this was very wrong, so the night of Thanksgiving I placed a call to my local representative Tony Kinkel. His office told me Tony was out for the remainder of the week.... Well, within two hours of my being told this my phone rang and I was greeted by ... Tony Kinkel. I feel that this is very commendable that Mr. Kinkel, on a holiday evening, returned my call within two hours.... Upon hearing my full story, which he listened to with genuine concern, he advised me [of] several avenues to explore... and also to keep him informed if no action was taken to assist me. ... I have spent several thousand dollars on attorneys' fees merely to go to court to stress that I have rights and that those rights have been violated. This whole time, my daughter's mother, who had been investigated three times by child protection, got legal aid and therefore free counsel. I might add that in each and every incident which Child Neglection, or, excuse me, Child Protection investigated, my follow-up phone calls were met with this reply: "I'm sorry, but the outcome of our investigation is a matter of confidentiality, and we cannot tell you anything, Mr. Weaver." WHAT???? What about MY rights? In this age of father bashing by women's groups, the rights of a father, guys, are minimal and not upheld with the respect and legal process that they deserve. I ...took it upon myself to contact Child Support several times to set up a monthly payment plan. I was told, "I'm sorry, but you'll have to wait until your case comes up, Mr. Weaver" [I asked,] "When will that be?" I was told that my case was a full year away from being heard. So I asked if I could pay voluntarily in the meantime. [The agency responded,] "Yes, but we will put it into a non-interest yielding account until your hearing date." Also I was told that [the agency responsible for collecting] child support would have the ability to go two years into my past to ascertain my unpaid support. So I had to wait a year for them to catch up to me. Then I was told, of course, that I would have to pay interest on my share of the past medical bills and my monthly payments that they distinctly told me that I could not pay until my hearing date. How convenient that their two year reach into my past coincided with the year wait for my hearing. I hope you can realize what happened: No matter how much I pressed the issue, I was going to be declared a deadbeat on my hearing date. Keep in mind that I have no problem whatsoever with paying support; but why [did] ...I have to wait to pay, and then be declared a "deadbeat" merely because [the] Child Support and Collections [agency] is two years behind? As you can see, they "got" me. So here it is August and ...once again, after sending a certified letter to explain, as per our visitation agreement, when I would pick up our daughter, I am once again unaware of my daughter's whereabouts or her physical condition. So once again, I have to go in debt to MY attorney to declare a deprivation of visitation in court, while this "responsible" mother will once again get free legal representation to defend herself. And she is the one who is continuously disregarding our legal agreement because she knows her "sisters" at Social Services will not only represent her, but also give her moral support. THIS IS WRONG... Why? Well on a side issue, I am Native American, as my daughter is also. According to the Indian Child Welfare Reform Act, there is supposed to be financial assistance or legal representation to help me. No, no, no ... the office in Cass Lake told me Crow Wing County was out of their jurisdiction. Upon calling Crow Wing, I was told to inquire at ... Legal Aid. Unfortunately, they also represent my daughter's mother, so I was told they couldn't help me because of "conflict of interest"; also, I was told that since I am a good citizen and have a steady job, that I make too much money to qualify for legal assistance. Well, with several thousand in BACK child support, and several thousand... [in] attorney's fees, my financial situation quickly has become grim indeed. Yet I shall fight on; I shall fight to see my daughter, in a court of law; and I shall forever commit myself to making other fathers aware of the "sisterhood" mentality that exists in our social services system. And believe me, if you, as a father, go to Social Services for assistance, beware, for you shall never subject yourself to so many vile looks and [so much vile] treatment. "How dare he try and stand up for his rights," they tell me with their eyes.... Reform time? I do believe it is time. Imagine, if you will, what would happen to me if I disappeared with my daughter when I was supposed to return her to her mother; I'd be writing you this letter from jail. ... I have very [few] ...real rights in regard to my daughter. It’s all a facade, as any father who has been in my situation will tell you. But miss a support payment and, whoa, Social Services has a letter in the mail ASAP. Miss two payments and, whoa, there goes my driver's license, or worse yet, my occupational license. ... If I'm behind on my payments and they suspend my license, just how do they expect me to get to work? Or to my visitation? It's really asinine. ...She can withhold visitation, be brought up on abuse and neglect charges by doctors, and withstand sexual abuse allegations [about incidents] that my daughter has told me [are] ...happening, and yet when I finally get my day in court in the near future, she gets free legal representation, and Social Services on her side. Isn't Social Services' main concern supposed to be the children? Yeah - Right. Just keep those checks coming, Mr. Weaver or we will see that you are punished by law. Thank you for letting me voice my dilemma. Mark Weaver, Backus, Minn. ALL IN A NIGHT'S WORK A Northern Herald Special Feature CITIZEN-OFFICERS MAKE BEMIDJI STREETS, NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER (Route map and narrative shown only in print edition) Bemidji has long been affected by a high crime rate. Controlling crime here would normally mean more police officers, but that would also mean higher taxes, something many in this already highly taxed area just can't afford. But they can't afford crime either. So several citizens have volunteered to fight crime with sweat equity, rather than more money. With the cooperation of and training provided by the Bemidji Police Department, they're now on the streets every night (or day) in the newly formed Citizens' Patrol. Citizens' Patrol officer Brian McKenna, whose civilian job is at the Red Lake Hospital, explained, "You look for things as you're driving along, like broken windows in cars; a lot of times that signifies it's been stolen and they're just out driving around in it." "In our training, they fill us in on what to look for, it's hard to say, 'well, we look for this or we look for that,' it kind of comes back when you see it," he said. When patrolmen and women find a crime in progress or suspicious activity, they call LEC on the phones with which each car is equipped. "They don't want us to chase people down... that's why they gave us a cell phone," McKenna said, adding, "You just kind of observe it [until a BPD officer arrives]," McKenna said of the patrol officers who sometimes patrol alone, sometimes in pairs. McKenna said that one of the advantages of the Citizens Patrol is that the cars, which are cellular phone and scanner equipped, are marked only on the sides - they have no light bar and so are less likely to "tip off" perpetrators of vandalism and other criminal activity on the street. Also, McKenna pointed out, the patrolmen always have their phones with them, even when off-duty and in cars which are totally unmarked. "Anytime anybody's out just driving around town or going to the grocery store, they're effectively on patrol," he said. ALL IN A NIGHT' WORK It was a routine August Friday night - not even a hot summer's night. The following chronicles an average night's work for the men and women of the Bemidji Police Department. Also reported is a particularly noteworthy incident that night involving the Beltrami County Sheriff's Dept. and Minnesota State Patrol. Reporting herein covers a the six hour period from 10 pm August 22nd, until 4 the next morning. Northern Herald monitored and followed calls continuously during that period. We are pleased to report that in all cases, the police response time to the calls for service was virtually instant- aneous. We left immediately for the location upon hearing each call. In all cases, police officers were at the scene before we arrived; in one, they had completed their work by the time we got there. The following does not necessarily reflect all police work during the stated period. There may have been some incidents, particularly traffic stops, which were undetected. (PHOTO CAPTION - PHOTO IN PRINT EDITION ONLY) 10:45 pm. BPD Sgt. Jon Sorensen makes a traffic stop of a grey Ford, license 961 FBZ, at 4th & Minnesota just outside Bottums Up tavern. Officer Tom Charboneau assists. The car contained 3 juveniles, including the driver, who appeared intoxicated. After conferring, on his cellular phone, regarding the subject's record, Sorensen, at right, and Charboneau, below right, check the car for stolen property. Below, with the subject seated in back, Officer Sorensen carefully inspects a ring which appears similar to one which had been reported missing. (PHOTO CAPTION - PHOTO IN PRINT EDITION ONLY) 12:55 am Officer Charboneau observes a driver "blasting through" a yield sign. Officer Solheim, also present, concurred that he was "certainly going more than 30" mph when he passed the sign. Upon stopping the vehicle, Officer Charboneau found the driver in an unstable and uncooperative state. His speech was slurred and he appeared intoxicated. At far left, Officer Charboneau offers the driver, Rolf Gotaas, a bretholyzer test, which he refused. Charboneau then offered two other field sobriety tests, (center) but the driver just said, "You do it! If you do it, I'll do it too." What was particularly noteworthy, in this difficult situation, was the professionalism of the officers involved. Despite the subject's attitude, the officers never used undue force, were neither provoking in what they said, nor were they provoked by the subject. Charboneau just again insisted that the driver take the test, and after giving him every chance to clear himself, met with repeated refusals to cooperate, finally was left with no choice but to make the arrest (right). POLICE LOG August 22, 1997 10:23 pm Bar check at Hard Times Saloon 10:31 pm Bar check at Keg & Cork 10:43 pm Officers answer a call to remove a person from the Paul Bunyan Playhouse 10:45 pm - A car containing 3 juveniles is stopped by Sgt. Sorensen at 4th & Minnesota. Officer Charboneau, assisting, administers breatholyzer tests. After conferring on his cellular phone, Officers Sorensen and Charboneau performed a through search of the vehicle, apparently for stolen property. Sorensen looked with particular care around the driver's area of the car, including the door, and drivers jacket. He checked under the front seat and in the glove box, then returned to his squad car and closely examined a ring that had been recovered, similar to one earlier reported stolen. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and transported by Sorensen. As the vehicle was being impounded, Officer Charboneau gave the passengers rides to their destinations from the scene. Officer Solheim arrives to supervise the towing. The officers were on the scene for 55 minutes from Sgt. Sorensen’s first report until Southside towing arrived to impound the vehicle. As of August 29th, no charges had yet been filed. The stolen property matter was currently under investigation, and police were waiting for blood alcohol test results for possible DWI charge. 10:47 pm Officers check for a prowler near 10th & Mississippi Ave. 11:23 pm Officers are dispatched to Skyline Village where a burglary is reported. 11:32 pm Officers respond to a call to remove a person from Paul Bunyan Playhouse. 12:20 am A verbal warning for speed is given at 15th & Bemidji Ave. 12:47 am Another call is received regarding a possible prowler at 10th & Mississippi; officers Charboneau and Solheim respond, but find nothing. As Charboneau was getting back in his squad car, he observed a vehicle that had, as Charboneau put it, "blasted through" a yield sign on 10th street. He turned on his lights and pursued the vehicle into an alley where the vehicle, apparently, backed into his squad car. Solheim arrived shortly on the scene. The Officers attempted to administer a breatholyzer test which was refused. The driver, Rolf Gotaas also refused to participate in a field sobriety test. Accordingly, he was arrested for refusal to test. 1:02 am Officers are dispatched to a drunk complaint on Gemmel Ave. 1:03 am Loud party complaint at 27th & Minnesota Ave. 1:06 am A theft is reported - officers are dispatched to the Hard Times Saloon parking lot to take the complaint. 1:44 am Police check out a barking dog complaint at 4620 NE Sherman Ave. 2:46 am A 911 call comes in from 2516 NE Calihan Ave., (911 equipment can usually identify the caller's location and phone) but the connection is lost before the caller can provide information. Officers Charboneau and Otness are dispatched to the location. The house is dark. They inspect the property outside the house with flashlights, but all appears to be quiet and no potential problem is discovered. This may have been a prank call. 3:38 am Police check out a loud party complaint North of Gordon Falls Park EVENTIDE Arts & Literature Although known primarily for his novels, some of Twain's best work was nonfiction. In ROUGHING IT, whence this excerpt is drawn, he describes his adventures traveling, prospecting and reporting in America's mid-nineteenth century West. Chapters of ROUGHING IT are not necessarily presented here in the order in which they occur in the bound volume; each, generally, is enjoyable on its own merits. The complete published volume is available from finer booksellers and libraries. The American Civil War, known as the war that pit brother against brother, was raging. Twain fought briefly for the South, until it became apparent to him that his brief service likely posed a far greater danger to the Southern Cause, to say nothing of his own safety, than to Lincoln's armies. Meanwhile, in 1861, Mark Twain's brother, Orion, a Unionist, had been appointed Secretary of the Territory of Nevada, where gold and silver had recently been discovered. Mark was invited to serve, without pay, as the Secretary's private secretary, and the two of them headed West, from Missouri, by overland stage. In time they reached Carson City . . . ROUGHING IT by Mark Twain CHAPTER XXV Originally, Nevada was a part of Utah and was called Carson County; and a pretty large county it was too. Certain of its valleys produced no end of hay, and this attracted small colonies of Mormon stock raisers and farmers to them. A few orthodox Americans straggled in from California, but no love was lost between the two classes of colonists. There was little or no friendly intercourse; each party stayed to itself. The Mormons were largely in the majority, and had the additional advantage of being peculiarly under the protection of the Mormon government of the territory. Therefore they could afford to be distant and even peremptory toward their neighbors. One of the traditions of Carson Valley illustrates the condition of things that prevailed at the time I speak of. The hired girl of one of the American families was Irish, and a Catholic; yet it was noted with surprise that she was the only person outside the Mormon ring who could get favors from the Mormons. She asked kindnesses of them often, and always got them. It was a mystery to everybody. But one day as she was passing out at the door, a large bowie knife dropped from under her apron, and when her mistress asked for an explanation she observed that she was going out to "borry a washtub from the Mormons!" In 1858 silver lodes were discovered in "Carson County," and then the aspect of things changed. Californians began to flock in, and the American element was soon in the majority. Allegiance to Brigham Young and Utah was renounced, and a temporary territorial government for "Washoe" was instituted by the citizens. Governor Roop was the first and only chief magistrate of it. In due course of time Congress passed a bill to organize "Nevada Territory," and President Lincoln sent out Governor Nye to supplant Roop. At this time the population of the territory was about twelve or fifteen thousand, and rapidly increasing. Silver mines were being vigorously developed and silver mills erected. Business of all kinds was active and prosperous and growing more so day by day. The people were glad to have a legitimately constituted government, but did not particularly enjoy having strangers from distant states put in authority over them -- a sentiment that was natural enough. They though the officials should have been chosen from among themselves -- from among prominent citizens who had earned a right to such promotion, and who would be in sympathy with the populace and likewise thoroughly acquainted with the needs of the territory. They were right in viewing the matter thus, without doubt. The new officers were "emigrants," and that was no title to anybody's affection or admiration either. The new government was received with considerable coolness. It was not only a foreign intruder, but a poor one. It was not even worth plucking -- except by the smallest of small fry office seekers and such. Everybody knew that Congress had appropriated only twenty thousand dollars a year in greenbacks for its support -- about money enough to run a quartz mill a month. And everybody knew, also, that the first year's money was still in Washington, and that the getting hold of it would be a tedious and difficult process. Carson City was too wary and too wise to open up a credit account with the imported bantling with anything like indecent haste. There is something solemnly funny about the struggles of a newborn territorial government to get a start in this world. Ours had a trying time of it. The Organic Act and the "instructions" from the State Department commanded that a legislature should be elected at such-and-such a time, and its sittings inaugurated at such-and-such a date. It was easy to get legislators, even at three dollars a day, although board was four dollars and fifty cents, for distinction has its charm in Nevada as well as elsewhere, and there were plenty of patriotic souls out of employment; but to get a legislative hall for them to meet in was another matter altogether. Carson blandly declined to give a room rent-free, or let one to the government on credit. But when Curry heard of the difficulty, he came forward, solitary and alone, and shouldered the Ship of State over the bar and got her afloat again. I refer to "Curry - Old Curry - Old Abe Curry." But for him the legislature would have been obliged to sit in the desert. He offered his large stone building just outside the capitol limits, rent-free, and it was gladly accepted. Then he built a horse railroad from town to the capitol, and carried the legislators gratis. He also furnished pine benches and chairs for the legislature, and covered the floors with clean sawdust by way of carpet and spittoon combined. But for Curry the government would have died in its tender infancy. A canvas partition to separate the Senate from the House of Representatives was put up by the Secretary, at a cost of three dollars and forty cents, but the United States declined to pay for it. Upon being reminded that the instructions permitted the payment of a liberal rent for a legislative hall, and that that money was saved to the country by Mr. Curry's generosity, the United States said that did not alter the matter, and three dollars and forty cents would be subtracted from the Secretary's eighteen-hundred-dollar salary -- and it was! The matter of printing was from the beginning an interesting feature of the new government's difficulties. The Secretary was sworn to obey his volume of written "instructions," and these commanded him to do two certain things without fail, viz.: 1. Get the House and Senate journals printed; and, 2. For this work, pay one dollar and fifty cents per "thousand" for composition, and one dollar and fifty cents per "token" for presswork, in greenbacks. It was easy to swear to do these two things, but it was entirely impossible to do more than one of them. When greenbacks had gone down to forty cents on the dollar, the prices charged everybody by printing establishments were one dollar and fifty cents per "thousand" and one dollar and fifty cents per "token," in gold. The "instructions" commanded that the Secretary regard a paper dollar issued by the government as equal to any other dollar issued by the government. Hence the printing of the journals was discontinued. Then the United States sternly rebuked the Secretary for disregarding the "instructions," and warned him to correct his ways. Wherefore he got some printing done, forwarded the bill to Washington with full exhibits of the high prices of things in the territory, and called attention to a printed market report wherein it would be observed that even hay was two hundred fifty dollars a ton. The United States responded by subtracting the printing bill from the Secretary's suffering salary -- and moreover remarked with dense gravity that he would find nothing in his "instructions" requiring him to purchase hay! Nothing in this world is palled in such impenetrable obscurity as a U.S. Treasury Comptroller's understanding. The very fires of the hereafter could get up nothing more than a fitful glimmer in it. In the days I speak of he never could be made to comprehend why it was that twenty thousand dollars would not go as far in Nevada, where all commodities ranged at an enormous figure, as it would in the other territories, where exceeding cheapness was the rule. He was an officer who looked out for the little expenses all the time. The Secretary of the territory kept his office in his bedroom, ... and he charged the United States no rent, although his "instructions" provided for that item and he could have justly taken advantage of it (a thing which I would have done with more than lightning promptness if I had been secretary myself). But the United States never applauded this devotion. Indeed, I think my country was ashamed to have so improvident a person in its employ. Those "instructions" (we used to read a chapter from them every morning, as intellectual gymnastics, and a couple of chapters in Sunday school every Sabbath, for they treated of all subjects under the sun and had much valuable religious matter in them along with the other statistics) those "instructions" commanded that penknives, envelopes, pens, and writing paper be furnished the members of the legislature. So the Secretary made the purchase and distribution. The knives cost three dollars apiece. There was one too many, and the Secretary gave it to the clerk of the House of Representatives. The United States said the clerk of the House was not a "member" of the legislature, and took that three dollars out of the Secretary's salary, as usual. White men charged three or four dollars a "load" for sawing up stovewood. The Secretary was sagacious enough to know that the United States would never pay any such price as that; so he got an Indian to saw up a load of office wood at one dollar and a half. He made out the usual voucher, but signed no name to it -- simply appended a note that an Indian had done the work, and had done it in a very capable and satisfactory way, but could not sign the voucher owing to lack of ability in the necessary direction. The Secretary had to pay that dollar and a half. He thought the United States would admire both his economy and his honesty in getting the work done at half price and not putting a pretended Indian's signature to the voucher, but the United States did no see it in that light. The United States was too much accustomed to employing dollar-and-a-half thieves in all manner of official capacities to regard his explanation of the voucher as having any foundation in fact. But the next time the Indian sawed wood for us I taught him to make a cross at the bottom of the voucher -- it looked like a cross that had been drunk for a year - and the I "witnessed" it and it went through all right. The United States never said a word. I was sorry I had not made the voucher for a thousand loads of wood instead of one. The government of my country snubs honest simplicity but fondles artistic villainy, and I think I might have developed into a very capable pickpocket if I had remained in the public service a year or two. That was a fine collection of sovereigns, that first Nevada legislature. They levied taxes to the amount of thirty or forty thousand dollars a year and ordered expenditures to the extent of about a million. Yet they had their little periodical explosions of economy like all other bodies of the kind. A member proposed to save three dollars a day to the nation by dispensing with the chaplain. And yet that shortsighted man needed the chaplain more than any other member, perhaps, for he generally sat with his feet on his desk, eating raw turnips, during the morning prayer. The legislature sat sixty days, and passed private toll road franchises all the time. When they adjourned it was estimated that every citizen owned about three franchises, and it was believed that unless Congress gave the territory another degree of longitude there would not be room enough to accommodate the toll roads. The ends of them were hanging over the boundary line everywhere like a fringe. The fact is, the freighting business had grown to such important proportions that there was nearly as much excitement over suddenly acquired toll-road fortunes as over the wonderful silver mines. -------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ISSUE OF 08/11/97 - VOLUME 2 NO. 19 --------------------------------------------- CASS COUNTY CHIEF SHERIFF'S DISPATCHER CHARGED, RESIGNS Joyce Malone Charged with Insurance Swindle, Husband Drives Truck for County Despite DWIs WALKER -- Joyce Duwayne Malone, of Hackensack, tendered her resignation as Cass County Chief Dispatcher Tuesday, August 5th after being charged with one count of felony Insurance Fraud and one count of Theft by Swindle relating to the same incident. Per the complaint filed in case no. K1-97-732, signed July 31st by Rick P. Loewen, Special Agent, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Malones reported a theft from their boat which theft allegedly occurred May 16/17, 1997. Among the items listed in the loss report with the Sheriff's Office and the Malones' insurance carrier, American Family Insurance Company, were an Impulse fish locator, serial no. 848709, valued at $1,039; and a Minn-Kota trolling motor, serial no. MKJF0040119, valued at $700. Per the complaint, Deputy Robert Stein became suspicious when shortly after the theft, he noticed the Malones using a bow mounted trolling motor with their boat at the Walker landing. Although the Malones represented that the motor was borrowed from a local sporting goods store, Stein though it was unusual for the store to loan a bow mount motor. The complaint alleges that Stein contacted the store and ascertained that no motor had been loaned to the Malones. He then contacted Interlachen Electric Trolling Motor Repair to ascertain if the number the Malones had reported was a valid serial number. He was informed that Mr. Malone had brought a motor in for repair on May 23, 1997, and the serial number of that motor was MKJF0040118, which matched the serial number on Malone's theft report except for the last digit. Further investigation by Stein revealed that the Malones had received payment from their insurance carrier in the amount of $574.30 for the locator and motor, per the filed complaint. The complaint further alleges that, notified of the possibility of insurance fraud, Agent Loewen spoke to Joyce Malone on July 14th, when she denied having made any false claims. But when Loewen and Stein executed a search warrant at Malone's residence about 40 minutes later, finding and seizing one Minn-Kota trolling motor, serial no. MKJF0040118, and an Impulse fish locator, serial no. 848704, "Defendant admitted she did make a fraudulent insurance claim.... Defendant altered the serial numbers by one digit and gave the incorrect serial numbers to the investigating officer and the insurance companies. Defendant stated she did this because the last time she was burglarized, she did not receive the money to cover what was stolen." Contacted on the matter, Joyce Malone refused comment. DWI. Meanwhile, Joyce's husband, Dennis Malone, awaits sentencing on a charge of 2nd DWI within 5 years. He was found guilty of the charge, stemming from a May 1st, 1996 incident, on May 20th, 1997. Dennis Malone is a truck driver for the Cass County Highway Department. Per the record, prior to being stopped, Malone had deliberately violated three school bus stoparms on three different busses on Highway 371 between Walker and Hackensack. The filed complaint recites, regarding the second incident, "Mr. King [the driver of the school bus] saw a blue Chevrolet pickup truck coming up behind his bus. At that time, there was a van and several cars stopped behind him. He was stopping to let off children and had activated his lights and stoparm. The pickup swerved to pass on the right, but, since the bus was parked too far over for the pickup to get by, it swerved back to the left and into the left-hand lane on Highway 371. The school bus was just getting underway, having discharged some of its students, when the pick-up truck sped by on the left and into the path of an oncoming car. The car was forced into the ditch...." Joyce Malone has been summoned for arraignment on the insurance charges at 1 pm August 18th, 1997 in the District Court at Walker. The matter is prosecuted by Special Asst. Cass Co. Atty. Bradley C. Rhodes, of Aitkin. Mr. Malone will appear for sentencing on the DWI at 9 am, also on August 18th. Chief Deputy Randy Fisher expressed dismay over the situation regarding the former dispatcher, "She's entitled to the due process of the criminal system.... She's been accused of two felonies.... It's very unfortunate," he said. Asked about the possibility of rehire, Fisher said that because it's a Civil Service position, Malone might be entitled to be re-examined, but a felony conviction would bar hiring. It appears that if the charge were reduced, however, to a misdemeanor, as by way of a plea bargain, she might be eligible for rehire. More fun with numbers. In an unrelated matter, but also dealing, apparently, with altered serial numbers, Cass County Deputy Robert Karbowski, believed to have been attempting to justify a search of van driven by Paula Wilson in Cass Lake, appears to have done so by calling in the VIN number which he had altered by one letter. (See "Ruby Harassment Continues," NH of 06/30/97) The purportedly altered VIN came back, of course, as "not on file" and Karbowski then searched the van, allegedly macing a passenger, Renee Judkins, in the process. Judkins also claims to have been hit with a flashlight. The van, belonging to Mindy Ruby (Judkins' sister), of Hinesville, Georgia, was then impounded. The altered VIN was shown on the tow report. Investigation has disclosed that the van was properly and currently registered at the time, although the tabs displayed on its Georgia plates were expired as the new tabs had not yet arrived by mail. Wilson had been driving the van with Ruby's permission. COUNTY CLAMS UP. A special meeting of the Cass County Board was scheduled to have been held at 9 am, July 8th to examine claims, by Wilson and Judkins, of excessive force by Karbowski, but that meeting was cancelled on advice to the Board by the office of the Cass County Attorney. Robert H. Yochum, County Administrator, who gave notice of the cancellation, refused any comment on the matter, as did Greg Bloomstrom of the County Attorney's office. ----------------------------------------------------- MISCOMMUNICATION LEADS TO INJURY AT BELTRAMI JAIL Note: The injured party has asked that his name be withheld. Because that information is not relevant to the story, we do so; he'll just be called "John Tipsy." BEMIDJI -- John Tipsy, a 35 year old Bemidji resident, was allegedly a little tipsy when he got behind the wheel at about 2 am, Sunday, June 1st. So he was accommodated by law enforcement officers who gave him a ride to the jail. Trouble was, that John was the only John in his cell. There were no sanitary facilities in the cell in which he'd be spending the next six hours or so. This can pose a problem for someone who, purportedly, had been drinking some liquids shortly before he was brought in. Apparently, business had been brisk and there had been a high customer demand for lodging at the jail that weekend. Deputy David Fallis, who came on duty at the jail at about 6 am that day, explained that Tipsy had been placed in the "suicide watch" cell as the only space available. This is a special cell designed to protect inmates who are believed at temporary risk of self-inflicted injury. The inmate can be observed through a window. There is a narrow food port in the door, a concrete slab and a mattress. There is also a floor drain, with grate over it. The drain is actually flushable by authorities outside the cell, but would not be readily identified by an inmate as a commode. Mr. Tipsy stated that he made several requests to be taken to a toilet, but he said that these were, by jail staff, ignored. By the time Deputy Fallis came on duty, Tipsy was much in need of a bathroom and a misunderstanding apparently ensued. Fallis stated that Tipsy never mentioned his need of facilities to the new shift. Tipsy was in possession of a milk carton, which may have been furnished with breakfast, slid through the food port. Per the filed complaint, charging Tipsy with 4th degree assault against Deputy Fallis, Tipsy had requested a blanket. Fallis said he returned with one, as well as the box of other necessary items inmates are given for their stay. The filed complaint recites that Tipsy held a milk carton of urine through the food port, and threatened to throw it on Fallis. Fallis pushed Tipsy's arms back through the port and closed it. Tipsy's finger was not completely out of the way, however, and became jammed in the port door. Tipsy sustained a deep cut of about 1 1/2" in length, diagonally across and around the middle section of the right fifth (small) finger as well as fracture of the underlying bone. Fallis later stated in interview that the port door is such that, if it had been slammed, it could sever a finger that was caught in it. A few days after the incident, a deep gash could be seen in the finger, where it appeared to have been cut to, or almost to, the bone. Upon the injury, Fallis entered the cell to inspect Tipsy's finger. The complaint alleges that Tipsy tried to escape his cell, and that when Fallis and Corrections Officer Brian Downing re-entered the cell, Tipsy punched Fallis in the face, requiring two butterfly stitches to Fallis's nose. In interview, however, Tipsy denied that he had punched Fallis - he said that Fallis "rushed him" and that he had put up his hands to protect himself. He also denied that he threatened to throw urine on Fallis, or that the carton contained same. Tipsy stated that, needing a restroom, he told Fallis that if he wasn't taken to a cell with a commode, he would use the carton, and hand it to Fallis for disposal. Tipsy's state at the time may not have been fully coherent which would explain how a misunderstanding may have occurred. Interviews with both Tipsy and Fallis tend to corroborate Tipsy's contention in that, although the filed complaint speaks of Tipsy holding a milk carton of urine and threatening to throw it, both Tipsy and Fallis acknowledge that there was never urine in the carton. Fallis said that when he retrieved it, it had only a little milk left in it. Tipsy was taken, within a few minutes, to North Country Regional Hospital where he was received at the emergency room. The finger was X-rayed, and a splint and dressing applied. No stitches were applied, although per a competent medical source, stitches would generally be used to close a wound of this size. It is not known why stitches were not employed in this case. When observed by our reporter a few weeks later, the wound appeared to have healed, leaving a scar on the finger. At interview, Tipsy brought up the matter of medical attention at the jail, stating that inmates, many of whom are without funds and some of whom may qualify for medical assistance, are charged, except in emergencies, five dollars per visit to see the jail nurse. Asked about this, Sheriff Rognstad said that the charge applies only if the inmate needs to go to the hospital, and said, "they're not denied medical treatment if they can't pay for it." Editor's Note: The jobs of the Sheriffs' deputies, particularly at the jail, are not easy ones. People are brought in, in various states of mind and sobriety, and these deputies have the job of trying to corral and protect these people until justice can act on their cases. It's a little like being given custody of a mess of wild animals, say, bears and wolverines, different ones every night, with instructions to confine and take care of them for a few days. Except that here, we're not even dealing with these sorts of higher animals - we're dealing with humans. The personnel involved must be cognizant that this circumstance is particularly prone to mishap. They must also remember that the purpose of, say, a live bear trap, is to avoid injury to the bear. Murphy's Law applies here, though, as well as the principle that when you're up to your rear in alligators, it's sometimes hard to remember that the objective was to drain the swamp. So in this mishap-prone environment, particular conscientiousness and professionalism is necessary and is exercised. It's a tough job and unfortunately, as here, some miscommunication and human error is inevitible. It is a worthwhile goal of the Sheriff's office to implement policy which will minimize the opportunity for this type of error to occur. One of the largest problems in knowing what's going on in the Northland is avoiding misinformation which is abundant and spreads like wildfire, sometimes leading to more misunderstanding and adverse consequences. That which "everyone knows" is often lacking in accuracy. A purpose of a newspaper is to try to straighten out this chaos, rather than add to it. This story illustrates this problem in reporting. The hardest part of reporting a story of this nature, with multiple differing accounts, is separating the wheat from the chaff. The inmate's version was, at times, difficult to understand, and embedded in superfluous material. The significant facts had to be plucked out, examined and re-clarified, in light of other information at hand, at second interview. Even official sources were not wholly accurate. Sheriff Rognstad, cooperative in interview, said, for instance, that the cell without facilities did not exist - that all cells had bathrooms (on this basis, the inmate's story made no sense) and offered to allow an inspection of the premises. The Sheriff, however, was in error on this point - the "suicide watch" cell may simply have not come to mind - as well as on certain details, which had to be weeded out, relating to the inmate's medical treatment. The hospital's medical records, themselves, had major conflicting discrepancies which had to be distilled out to arrive at what appears to be the actual correct information. (The carelessness with which these reports are put together is astounding and, if reported verbatim, may affect the accuracy of what you sometimes read.) Eventually, comparisons of interviews with multiple sources, and with pertinent corroborative records led to the cohesive and credible reconstruction of the incident presented here. Travel tip: We also note that a number of persons serving sentences at the jail do so on work-release; they serve their sentences in evenings, or sometimes on weekends. This is positive. Job retention is an aid to deterring future offenses, but this of course produces a greater demand for lodging at the jail on weekends. Persons planning to be guests at the jail can help "beat the rush" and be assured of the best accomodations with a little advance planning. Plan your DWIs during the week. Avoid weekends, and particularly, holiday weekends. (On holiday weekends, like many finer hotels, the jail's accomodations are generally only available for the entire 3-day block, or what remains of it when you check in.) As an extra precaution, before you get behind the wheel, call the jail at 751-2827 to be sure they have space and make a reservation. ----------------------------------------------------------------- KPRM-KDKK CELEBRATES 35TH AT PARK RAPIDS PARK RAPIDS --December 2nd, 1962, KPRM-AM 1240 signed on the air, with 100 watts, providing radio coverage to Park Rapids and the surrounding area. Today, at 870 on the AM dial, it is the 2nd largest area AM broadcasting facility in the state with 25,000 watts of power. Likewise, in 1966 KPRM-FM signed on the air at 103.7 on the dial with 100,000 watts. Today, it is known as KDKK Starstation at 97.5 FM. The business, owned and operated by Ed and Carol DeLaHunt, is one of few in the state still operated by the original owners. KPRM and KDKK provide news, extensive weather, sports and music. It is one of few radio stations that has on-site color doppler radar to keep listeners informed of weather advisories. Their program "Coffeetime" allows community access with an open mike. It allows direct open discussion of projects and issues of interest to the community. Former Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, Collin Peterson and Governor Arne Carlson and many others have used this open door policy. The station has hosted many public service and charitable projects. KDKK and KPRM will be hosting an open house dinner and dance at the American Legion, Park Rapids, Friday August 15th from 5 pm 'til midnight. The public and business community are invited to the event, which will feature dinner of turkey, potatoes, corn on the cob and ice cream, with live entertainment by Denny Russell's Good Vibrations and Chris Hasskamp. Cover is $5 at the door, proceeds to local charities including the All Veteran's Memorial and the Boy Scouts. The 35th anniversary year will be concluded December 2nd, 1997 when the stations will give away a 1962 Cadillac convertible. -------------------------------------------------------------- GRAND RAPIDS DRIVER FACES TOUGHEST RACE. GRAND RAPIDS -- Racing runs in Brett Matzdorf's blood. Back to when his grandfather, Ray and his great-uncle Don used to race stock cars in the late 40s. His other grandfather, Louie Lagerstrom raced at International Falls in car no. 63, a 1944 coupe, while his great-uncle Tom Hardy, former Chief of Police, raced alongside in a 1940 Ford sedan. Brett, at the age of 11, had started a lawn care and snow removal business. At 13, he began racing 4-cylinder mini stocks. After 3 years, he was named "Rookie of the Year" at both Grand Rapids and Hibbing Speedways. In 1996, at 21, Brett joined the Wissota Sanction. Over his career he and his stepdad have built 8 racing cars, including the latest, #3, just built this year. Brett can't race for a while, however; as of July 3rd, he was diagnosed as having Hodgkins Lymphoma, a rare cancer. Doctors plan radiation and chemotherapy to try to control the aggressive disease. The Grand Rapids Speedway hosted a night in Matzdorf's honor on August 1st, and with Brian Carlson at the helm, a raffle and benefit to defray medical expenses will be held at Grand Rapids Eagles Club Sept. 21st from 1 to 5. Anyone wishing to help or donate prizes is asked to call Sharon at 218-327-2765 EDITORIAL-OPINION Myth vs. Fact WHAT MOVES THE MEDIA? Northern Herald Answers Common Questions "I look with commiseration over the great body of my fellow citizens who, reading the newspapers, live and die in the belief they have known something of what has been passing in the world around them." -President Harry S. Truman (footnote 1) "All I know is what I see in the papers" -attributed to Will Rogers Q: Is the press biased? A: Not nearly so much as many people think. We've heard one excellent newspaper referred to by Republicans as a "liberal Democratic" sheet. The same paper has been characterized by Democrats as Republican-biased. So it depends a lot on where you're standing. Generally, any paper or news medium has a certain "flavor" which stems from its management (often as influenced by the readership) and which may be reflected in its editorial posture. But by ethic, the writers and reporters are generally given broad literary license - as regards any specific piece, they won't generally be (and some hold that they cannot be) told by management what to, or not to write. A writer who is constantly at odds with the management, may in some cases, however, become "exfoliated" and replaced. In this way, management can exert a subtle influence on the style of reporting. Q: A reporter misquoted me and left out a lot of what I said. Is he biased? Once again, probably not. A reporter's duty is to write what he sees and hears. Unfortunately reporters are not tape recorders and they miss some things; additionally, like any listener, they may "key in" on certain points, which are different than what the interviewee thought were the most important points. Again, space is limited, so the reporter will write what he perceived to be most important. If the priorities are not completely as the interviewee would have had them, it's usually due to human perception, not the reporter's having a bone to pick. He's just doing his job (usually). Another common complaint occurs where a reporter cites damning material from a source or public document which may or may not be correct. The affected person sometimes charges bias of the press in covering only that side of the story. But that may have been the only information that was available. In actuality, many official statements and filed court and other official documents are inaccurate. But in many of these cases, the complainant, who challenges the accuracy of what was reported, either never contacted the reporter with his side of the story, or in some cases, actually refused to be interviewed or to make a statement. Once again, the reporter is just doing his job - when a deadline is only hours away, he has to write his story using whatever information he's been able to gather and which he has been given no reason to doubt. No one has to talk to the press; much as in a courtroom, anyone has the right to their privacy and to be silent. But one party's choice of silence won't prevent the other party from presenting their case with determinations then made on what has been presented. Q: My letter didn't get printed. Is this because it ran against the paper's position? Probably not. With most any paper, sometimes a story or letter doesn't get used. More often than not, this is not a result of inherent bias - it's a matter of space. With any paper, regular beats are worked, but the best and most pertinent information come from readers. There's only so much page space, though; there's usually not enough to use everything and some decisions have to be made. Sometimes a piece which doesn't appear immediately is just being held until there's space for it. Q: Do advertisers exert an influence? A: Yes. A medium's (i.e. newspaper, TV, etc.) main purpose is to serve its audience, and thereby best serves its advertisers as well. The bulk of revenues, however, are not directly attributable to readership - (the price of a paper often mainly covers circulation expenses) and advertising pays the bulk of the bills and salaries making the medium possible. For this reason, there is an understandable reluctance on the part of any medium to "blow up" one of the advertisers that support it. A medium has to stay in business; some news which would be highly pertinent to the readership may sometimes be suppressed when it adversely reflects upon a large advertiser or advertising sector. A historic example of this type of news suppression was the termination, in the early 90's, of Minneapolis WCCO reporter Silvia Gambardella. As reported by Chr