Friday, October 31, 2014

celery update

Planted it now, because the outside stalks were getting mushy...so I peeled them off and threw them out and planted the rest.   This is 3 celery stalk bottoms.   I will let them grow in my south window and use the leaves when they get fairly big and they will sprout new from within the stalk.....at least my outside ones did this summer. 

HENSEL WILL BE FAIR IN GOVERNANCE

 

THANKS HERB DAVIS

Dillon Wuellner, Josh Stumpf, and all other TAXPAYERS....LISTEN UP******

 
 
 
just in time for Halloween trick or treat....your council wants your money
listen as they completely botch the vote.  They have no idea what they are doing, and neither does the current parttime city administrator Dan Vogt or Lori Kasella (former co-city admin for more than two years and is current financial officer).   No wonder they have earned the GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH TITLE.  They are some of the biggest clowns I have ever known.

NEW PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE****MY ENDORSEMENT***CHECK IT OUT

I am proud to announce that I have been endorsed by the NEW PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE.  CLICK ON THE LINK TO READ MY BIO ON FIREDOGLAKE, an internationally known organization.  http://my.firedoglake.com/blog/2014/10/26/hensel-doesnt-get-mad-might-get-even/#.VFOu4BYbl-1.email

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Cathy VanRisseghems HOWLLOWEEN TRICKS***** BLOWBACK backfire BABY****

The following comments from Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem, are from a Youth Task Force meeting(with kids present) on January 29, 2013 at the Alliance Church in Little Falls, Minnesota
CLICK ON THE TWO VIDEOS TO HEAR her grand profession that Little Falls Community is "poor in spirit, poor in thought, and poor in action" (which by the way has SPOOOKY SPIRITUAL OVERTONES) 
THEN LISTEN TO HER WHOPPER OF A LIE, BLAMING THE STATEMENT ON ALDERMAN BRIAN CROWDER.   SHE IS SO FULL OF HORSIE DOO DOO.   NOW MAYBE THE LITTLE FALLS COMMUNITY WILL SEE HER FOR WHO SHE REALLY IS.  
BUT HOLD ON FOLKS....THIS THE REAL BOMBSHELL HASN'T EVEN BEEN RELEASED FOR PUBLIC VIEWING YET. 
Today 10-30-14 during the KTLF radio mayoral forum, I exposed that the mayor had made the comment that the community was "Poor in spirit, poor in thought and poor in action" and SHE ACTUALLY DENIED SAYING THAT,  AND BLAMED IT ON ALDERMAN BRIAN CROWDER, and said it was a statement that Mr. Crowder had made. I love it when I can let these JOKERS words damn themselves.    
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Councilor FRANK GOSIAKS' sister Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem

MAKE SURE TO NOT MISS THE TWO COMMENTS THAT FOLLOW THIS ARTICLE.

http://mcrecord.com/2014/10/24/vanrisseghem-is-little-falls-advocate/


Two  CLOWNS FOR SURE.

Mine is one of them.   I expose just exactly how INTOLERANT AND UNFAIR HIS SISTER IS.  Both Frank and his sister, have been very biased towards anything Theresa, Jody, myself and a number of others have had to say or "SING'' at city council meetings, or work sessions.

SPOOOOOKY ! ! !

HALLOWEEN  SPOOOOKY
It's almost Halloween and it's getting really CREEEEEPYYYYY. 
THE FOLLOWING POST SHOWED UP on the MCRecord article titled "House candidates for District 9B and District 15B" which read:  Good old krooked Kresha" by a character named "Hensel Isanidiot"  

I called Terry Lehrke to ask the question why this was allowed to be posted.  I asked her why she allowed this post, since she is one of the moderators for the paper. She said she would speak with Tom West about it immediately, and she must have because within a very short time after our conversation ended, the post was deleted.   It is not on the website anymore.

 I wonder who this coward is?   I suggested that Morrison County Record should really consider eliminating comments if they are going to allow this type of post to appear.  I asked her what kind of newspaper are they running?

 I wonder if I did something similar under a fake disqus name like "Zylka LITTLE FALLsWelfareKING" if they would post a comment like "good old Greg Zylka HANDS OUT free city lots and MORE to Gekko Boat Company"..... if they would post that?

  I left a voicemail message alerting Ron Kresha about this, so he knows this occurred.

TWO BLATANT ILLEGAL OFF PREMISE SIGNS

These two CLEARLY ILLEGAL OFF PREMISE signs were COMPLAINED about to Ben Oleson, Little Falls Zoning Administrator months ago, on July 10th.   He continues to allow them up, even after a formal complaint was lodged.  This is an outrage, and should concern everyone in this city.  The two pictures below were taken just yesterday(10-27-14).   If this troubles you, please call city hall at 320-616-5500 and let them know you are concerned about this.   It's your money folks.  If the city continues their escapade with selective enforcement of ordinances, they are begging for another lawsuit. 
 NOW JUST SO THERE IS NO CONFUSION....I DON'T OBJECT TO LITTLE FALLS ALLOWING THESE TYPE OF SIGNS OR ANY OTHER OFF PREMISE, BUT THEY ARE ILLEGAL UNDER THE CURRENT SIGN ORDINANCE THAT WAS ENACTED 7-2-12 and are a violation of the law. We either MUST eliminate the sign ordinance, or follow it fairly. Right????     Even though I have written a number of emails to Ben Oleson, he continues to ignore my question, as to why he is allowing this. 
 
Now Mr. Ben Oleson says in a recent email, that after he consulted with the city attorney(Toni  Wetzel) he has determined that these signs of the pop can collection vins do not meet the DEFINITION OF OFF-PREMISE SIGNS.  He states that they do, however need permits and will be verifying whether they are properly permitted.  I asked him in a return email, why he didn't look into this matter when there was a complaint lodged on July 10th, 2014 (4 months ago) and that these signs certainly DO NOT FIT THE DEFINITION OF AN ON PREMISE SIGN EITHER.   I am convinced the city is hell-bent on getting city sued again, and reminded him, that whatever he allows for some, I might utilize, also. 
 
 

Friday, October 24, 2014

your DUE PROCESS was possibly violated by the City of Little Falls

If you are one of hundreds of Littlefallsians that have ever had your weeds/lawn mowed or your sidewalk shoveled by the city without your permission, your rights of due process have likely been violated.

You see until recently the City of Little Falls had absolutely NO HEARING PROCESS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH A FAIR HEARING. 

I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL CONTACT THE CITY AND ASK WHAT THE CITY WILL DO ABOUT HAVING VIOLATED THEIR DUE PROCESS.

I WONDER HOW MANY LAWSUITS WILL BE FORTHCOMING BY RESIDENTS WHO HAVE INDEED HAD THEIR DUE PROCESS VIOLATED?????

CLOSED ETHOS MUST CHANGE

http://www.brookings.edu/research/articles/2002/12/winter-technology-florida

HOPEFULLY THIS CLEARS THINGS UP FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE STILL DOUBTERS THAT I KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT.

Nathan Ness confronts Jason Metsa about Polymet mine and negative consequences

 
Listen as Nathan Ness questions Jason Metsa on the negative consequences ALL MINING creates.   There are still taconite tailing ponds in Northern Minnesota that are leaching toxins into the lakes and streams.   I don't believe there has ever been any type of mining done that doesn't create environmental devastation.   The taxpayers always get stuck with the bill....not the for- profit corporations that suck all the wealth and then leave.  This is just not acceptable.

***** W A R *****

Chris Hedges is one of my favorite authors. This piece titled "Kneeling in Fenway Park to the Gods of War" knocks it OUT OF THE PARK ! ! !http://www.commondreams.org/views/2014/07/08/kneeling-fenway-park-gods-war

"War is not a sport. It is about killing. It is dirty, mess and deeply demoralizing.  It brings with it trauma, lifelong wounds, loss and feelings of shame and guilt.  It leaves bleeding or dead bodies on its fields. The pay is lousy.  The working conditions are horrific.  And those who come back from war are USUALLY DISCARDED.''

taxpayer $$$$$$ going right out the window....attention Jenny Allen, Dillon Wuellner, and Josh Stumpf

Listen to the 3 minute entire clip of my most recent public forum, imploring the city council to STOP GIVING ANY MORE $$$$ public revenues to the Sister City Committee, as they have been illegally spending public funds for a non public purpose in violation of the State Auditors' policy. 

Hey Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem****

What actions will you be taking in response to Jody Scott Olson's public forum questions she posed about the inadequate performance of the Little Falls Police Department, by not providing any evidence whatsoever, against Brian Crowder. Inquiring minds want to know.

Pierz City Administrator, waaay ahead of Dan Vogt

How come our overpaid part-time city administrator Dan Vogt didn't think of this?  Probably because he doesn't care enough, since he is not even a resident of Little Falls.  (He lives in Brainerd and commutes here.)

HOW COME THE LITTLE FALLS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIDN'T SUGGEST THE LITTLE FALLS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE OVER THEIR CANDIDATE FORUM this year, since they were too lazy to host it and instead hosted a "milktoast" MEET AND GREET"instead?  

 Is it because they really DIDN'T WANT me to have a chance to present SOUND IDEAS to move this city forward?  Is it because they didn't want me showcasing the extensive knowledge of the many issues confronting Little Falls?  Is it that they didn't want anyone in attendance to see my thoughtfulness and genuine concern for the well-being of ALL residents?  Is it possible my opponents lack of new creative ideas would have made them look unprepared or unqualified for office?

What do you think?

Without the Chamber candidate forum, the Little Falls Establishment can distort  my message and dismiss my campaign.


 http://mcrecord.com/2014/10/24/pierz-students-get-hands-on-civics-lesson  ANOTHER MUST READ....PIERZ OUTSHINES LITTLE FALLS ONCE AGAIN.

WHY HAVE WE FORGOTTEN

Recently I spent considerable time digging through the past minutes of city council minutes from the past and discovered some NOTABLE EVENTS THAT THIS CITY HAS COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN ABOUT. 

My question is why don't we continue to celebrate the GIANTS that made Little Falls their home?

Some of these celebrations would certainly draw tourists to our city for very little cost.

1. Every year on September we should celebrate Gordon Rosenmeier day, week, or month, as done by resolution on Sept. 19th, 1974 by the Little Falls City Council, and also by former Governor Wendell Anderson.  More than 800 people attended festivities in Little Falls.

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/content/little-giant-little-falls 

Rosenmeier was the CHIEF SPONSOR OF THE BILL CREATING THE MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY IN 1967, and helped create the Brainerd State Hospital, and Brainerd Community College.  He had a hand in creating regional development commissions, the State Planning Agency, the county court system, ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AGENCIES, AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS!!!!   He also authored bills such as the creation of the FAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES COMMISSION, the reorganization of the Department of Natural Resources,  and provided for watershed districts (Watershed Act) Open Meeting Law of 1957.  He has been described by some as the ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL FIGURES IN MINNESOTA LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.

2.  SENIOR CITIZEN DAY, as declared by resolution under Mayor Joseph Sauer in 1980, and should be celebrated every year.   Local merchants could give our elderly extra discounts that day and seniors could be asked to share their talents with all ages of school students.

3. Arbor Day, as declared by Mayor Joseph Sauer in 1981, and should be celebrated every year.

4. Energy Week, as declared by Mayor Joseph Sauer by resolution in 1982, and should be celebrated every year.

THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES WE COULD AND SHOULD BE CELEBRATING.

Laura Jane Musser was passionate about connecting with the Ojibwe Tribe.  Why is Little Falls not connecting our youth with theirs and using Laura Jane Musser youth grant monies to educate and promote tolerance?  I would, if I were your mayor.

Why haven't we focused our efforts in tourism and celebrations on the fact that we are a MISSISSIPPI RIVER TOWN.  

I suggested a huge driftwood sculpture somewhere in town, that would cost little or nothing to create with local artist collaboration.

Why not develop a community satirical play called "WE GOT TROUBLE, TROUBLE, TROUBLE....RIGHT HERE IN RIVER CITY." Highlight our sign issue debacle and title our city "the sign capital of Minnesignta."

There is no "Christmas all year long" city in Minnesota.  Why not here?  

Why not host a contest and give substantial prizes for the best ideas for tourist attraction and JOB GROWTH? 






ANOTHER idea I would implement once elected as YOUR MAYOR.

http://www.startribune.com/local/south/249090111.html  A MUST READ.

City Hall Volunteering is strong and expanding. 

Another great idea waiting to be implemented once I am elected.   I would develop this to include a modest stipend for our willing seniors or unemployed to incentivize.   A discount on their water bill might be a great way to get more folks to help with tasks that are currently not being performed. 

If this can work in metro cities, why not Little Falls?  

ATTENTION JENNY ALLEN and friends...YOUR TAXES ARE GOING UP!!!! Does that matter???

Here is a short list of all of the ways your taxes WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE SKYROCKETING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

1.  The school district just announced a facilities analysis of all Little Falls district buildings and sites.  This would include everything up to a referendum, and the construction.http://mcrecord.com/2014/10/23/tsp-architects-chosen-to-analyze-lf-facilities/ 

SAFE SCHOOL BUILDINGS ARE NECESSARY SPENDING. 

2.  Wastewater treatment MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL ASSOCIATION  required upgrades.  Soon our wastewater treatment plant will likely need a major overhaul, costing MILLIONS OF DOLLARS to taxpayers.....protecting our rivers, streams and watersheds is CRITICAL.  Your city council and current mayor just authorized spending $1,500.00 of your taxpayer dollars to undermine the MPCA standards to protect the Mississippi river and Lake Pepin from ecological disaster.  City of Little Falls Council voted to authorize giving this money to a LOBBYING FIRM, to sue the MPCA.   http://www.startribune.com/local/east/277974851.html

Alderman Brian Crowder was the ONLY one to vote against giving your tax dollars to a LOBBYING FIRM UNDERMINING the protection of Minnesota watersheds.

3. If the proposed sales tax referendum for the Little Falls Recreational Complex passes, you will be paying more in local sales taxes for the next 12+ years for an 8 MILLION DOLLAR FACILITY that is a want not a NEED.

There are countless examples that could be used to illustrate how this might be the worst idea to date for one of the POOREST COUNTIES IN ALL OF MINNESOTA. This is one of the better ones.  http://www.myfoxtimestwincities.com/23089517/credit-rating-tumbles-for-vadnais-heights-after-cutting-rink

 The recreational complex is being touted by the mayor,  my other opponent Councilor Greg Zylka, and others,  as a potential tourist draw and the gateway to our city.

 At a time when there are still weekly local home foreclosures happening, can this city really afford another boondoggle, like the city subsidized golf course, which sole purpose is to provide cheap golf for the RICH. 

4.  Your city wells are being depleted of groundwater.  The city has already paid a firm to drill for potential water out by the airport and when they get the well or wells dug, the city will have huge costs to pipe the water all the way from the airport to the water treatment facility.  Our taxes will surely rise from this....watch and see. 

5. Jake Wiherski just suggested something else....will the taxes on the bills we pay for on cable, heat, electric, etc. all go up as well, if the proposed sales tax referendum for the sports complex passes?  http://mcrecord.com/2014/10/24/vote-no-on-12-percent-tax 

6.  The city tax levy is based upon your home not going up in value.  If your home value goes up, you will indeed be paying more in taxes. 

Why is the city banking on your home value remaining the same or going down?  Think about it.  Could they possibly be figuring the economy is not strong enough yet for home values to increase or don't they care if you and I are taxed more? 

7. How much business welfare do you think you can afford Little Falls? The Economic Development Association, headed up by my opponent Councilor Greg Zylka, continues to pass out thousands upon thousands of our taxpayer funds every year to dozens of local businesses.  I do not believe in business welfare....PERIOD.

BUT ONE OF THE MOST UNFAIR things the EDA and city have done, IS failed to  INFORM EVERYONE ABOUT THESE HANDOUTS, SINCE THEY ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DOLE THEM OUT.

ASK YOUR mayor and my other opponent, Councilor and President of EDA Greg Zylka, WHY THEY HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO INFORM EVERY HOUSEHOLD ABOUT THIS WELFARE HANDOUT.

 Is anybody out there, naïve enough to believe their tax dollars aren't being used to help prop up new or existing businesses?  Why should city residents pay city revenues(taxpayer money) to finance ANY BUSINESS????  If business people can't make a go of it financially, without asking for a public hand out, they should work for somebody else who can.  Or else, tough it out on their own.  I did.

DON'T GET ME WRONG, I AM NOT AGAINST TAXATION.   I JUST OBJECT BEING TAXED FOR LUXURIES WHEN PEOPLE ARE STILL LOSING THEIR HOMES, AND are struggling with poverty (non livable) wages, or on a fixed income.

****Heads up LITTLE FALLS ROTARIANS ****

http://mcblowback.com/2014/10/24/kris-mas-vonberge-and-the-divine-right-of-un-enlightment/  

CHECKOUT THIS NEW TALE OF "KRISTMAS IN "WOBEGON" SISTER CITY -LITTLE FALLS" 

Just so you GET IT Little Falls, there is a potential legal issue with Kris's salary (paid out of CITY COLLECTED lodging and restaurant TAXES, and utilizing her services to help organize a religious event. See the potential problem with connecting church and state?  Not wise in my opinion.

Why on earth would Kris tout this as a tourist draw? Is that the best idea the Town 101 group could come up with, out of their stack of 7-8 ideas, or do they like it because it is the most CONTROVERSIAL???

 This should be organized and funded by a collection of the local churches.  That makes sense.  Doesn't it Rotarians?

****My two cents.****


SOME WILL BE "BLUE" if their attempt at cramming "CHRISTIANITY" down the throats of everyone in "THEIR" city doesn't become their next best effort at encouraging tourism to this city.

WILL THE CELEBRATIONS OF OTHER RELIGIONS BE SIMILARLY CITY FUNDED/ organized AND  LOCATED ON CITY PROPERTY FOR ALL THE JEWS, MUSLIMS, BUDDHISTS, AND THE MULTITUDE OF OTHER RELIGIONs of residents???  

 And then just so we don't get sued again, let's not leave behind the ATHEISTS!!!

Just to be clear, I am a follower of Christ.   My faith compels me to respect the rights of others and requires fair and consistent enforcement and obedience of our laws.

SHOULDN'T EVERYONE'S?    MIGHT WANNA READ THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE THAT PROVES IF WE DON'T MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO CHANGE THE "closed ethos" in this city and community, our city will continue to lead the race to the bottom.

http://www.brookings.edu/research/articles/2002/12/winter-technology-florida

Thursday, October 23, 2014

******now here's a novel idea******

Turns out it is cheaper to give the homeless homes, than to put them up in temporary emergency shelters.  Read all about it.    Heads up Littlefallsians!!

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/22/home-free

TAXPAYER $$$LossData request ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION $$$$

For all to know.  As part of my campaign for mayor discussions and debates, I made a data request on AUGUST 18,2014 to get the total $$$ amount LOSS OF TAXPAYER FUNDS due to failed loans or grants given out to local businesses.  Taxpayers have a right to know this information that the current mayor or city staff would NEVER VOLUNTEER.  Neither would my other mayoral candidate challenger Councilor and president of the EDA board, Greg Zylka.

When these BUSINESS WELFARE GRANTS/LOANS ARE MADE  and then go belly up....YOU AND I PAY out of our TAXPAYER $$$.

I bet you can figure out why the city is once again WITHHOLDING PUBLIC INFORMATION FROM ME. They know I will publish the info so YOU can know it! ! !

The request reads: I request to inspect ALL financial data/loans/grants/etc from the Economic Development Commission from 2000- 2014-present.

This request is more than 60 days old.  That is not likely considered a reasonable time to access public data.  Usually a one month period is considered reasonable.

For the last 3 years the city has been lax if not BELLIGERENT in retrieving data requests for me which have stifled my efforts to get this info out to the public.(you)

This is just plain unacceptable.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Chamber "Meet and Greet" COMPLETE FARCE

So the stats on this evenings Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Candidate "Meet and Greet" are as follows:

14 people showed(besides the candidates)

First candidate left event at 5:30 p.m. and all candidates left by 5:40 p.m. even though the event did not end until 6 p.m.

Only bottled water was provided....not even a hot cup of coffee on a chilly night.

No reporter from the Morrison County WRECKORD bothered showing up.

A number of candidates stated they preferred the forum rather than the Meet and Greet.  A number of candidates thanked us for boycotting.

As one of my signs said "No public debate=POLITICAL TRUANCY.  Little Falls Minnesota truly is a "graveyard of democracy" ! ! !

We will boycott the next city candidates"Meet and Greet" on Wednesday Oct. 29th between 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

200 First St. Northwest
Little Falls Chamber of Commerce(old depot)

See you there.

BOYCOTT MEET AND GREET

There will be a public boycott outside the Depot today(Little Falls Chamber of Commerce 200 First Street Northwest) of the Candidate "Meet and Greet" between 4-6 P.M.   A group of people will be letting the public know this is just one more demonstration of this communitys "closed ethos" and lack of transparency.  This is outright POLITICAL TRUANCY!!! It is not acceptable that the only thing even close to a debate was changed to this MILKTOAST EVENT.  Join us.  The question I hope the press gets an answer to is "WHY the Chamber board and staff changed the format only 2 weeks PRIOR to the typical City Hall forum that has occured for more than 2 decades?"

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Chamber Cancels Only Public Debate


Title: Chamber Cancels Only Public Debate

 

I’m aware that I’ve been marginalized to “persona non grata” by many in my community, but that was crystalized when I realized the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel long-standing candidate debates. Why did they do this?  Well, in his 8/6/14 column, Morrison County Record Editor, and former Little Falls Chamber officer, Tom West, beseeched the community to “ignore me.”  Did the Chamber take his plea literally, pleasing many who hold the reigns of power in town?  Maybe.

While I realize I’m not always a candidate for Miss Congeniality, I am a serious candidate for Mayor of Little Falls, where I have lived in for 20 years.  I’m creative and pragmatic, I’ve done my homework on the myriad issues facing Little Falls, and I have a valid, fully fleshed-out mayoral platform.   If Mayor VanRisseghem and Councilman Zylka are proud of their positions on the issues, as I am, I ask them to appeal to the Chamber to change this format back to a debate.  “Meet and Greet” formalities were 3 months ago; now is the time to debate our differences in a respectful manner.

Robin Hensel

807 First St. S.E.

Little Falls, Mn. 56345

320-360-3931

Title: Chamber Cancels Only Public Debate

 

I’m aware that I’ve been marginalized to “persona non grata” by many in my community, but that was crystalized when I realized the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel long-standing candidate debates. Why did they do this?  Well, in his 8/6/14 column, Morrison County Record Editor, and former Little Falls Chamber officer, Tom West, beseeched the community to “ignore me.”  Did the Chamber take his plea literally, pleasing many who hold the reigns of power in town?  Maybe.

While I realize I’m not always a candidate for Miss Congeniality, I am a serious candidate for Mayor of Little Falls, where I have lived in for 20 years.  I’m creative and pragmatic, I’ve done my homework on the myriad issues facing Little Falls, and I have a valid, fully fleshed-out mayoral platform.   If Mayor VanRisseghem and Councilman Zylka are proud of their positions on the issues, as I am, I ask them to appeal to the Chamber to change this format back to a debate.  “Meet and Greet” formalities were 3 months ago; now is the time to debate our differences in a respectful manner.

Robin Hensel

807 First St. S.E.

Little Falls, Mn. 56345

320-360-3931

Title: Chamber Cancels Only Public Debate

 

I’m aware that I’ve been marginalized to “persona non grata” by many in my community, but that was crystalized when I realized the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel long-standing candidate debates. Why did they do this?  Well, in his 8/6/14 column, Morrison County Record Editor, and former Little Falls Chamber officer, Tom West, beseeched the community to “ignore me.”  Did the Chamber take his plea literally, pleasing many who hold the reigns of power in town?  Maybe.

While I realize I’m not always a candidate for Miss Congeniality, I am a serious candidate for Mayor of Little Falls, where I have lived in for 20 years.  I’m creative and pragmatic, I’ve done my homework on the myriad issues facing Little Falls, and I have a valid, fully fleshed-out mayoral platform.   If Mayor VanRisseghem and Councilman Zylka are proud of their positions on the issues, as I am, I ask them to appeal to the Chamber to change this format back to a debate.  “Meet and Greet” formalities were 3 months ago; now is the time to debate our differences in a respectful manner.

Robin Hensel

807 First St. S.E.

Little Falls, Mn. 56345

320-360-3931

Title: Chamber Cancels Only Public Debate

 

I’m aware that I’ve been marginalized to “persona non grata” by many in my community, but that was crystalized when I realized the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel long-standing candidate debates. Why did they do this?  Well, in his 8/6/14 column, Morrison County Record Editor, and former Little Falls Chamber officer, Tom West, beseeched the community to “ignore me.”  Did the Chamber take his plea literally, pleasing many who hold the reigns of power in town?  Maybe.

While I realize I’m not always a candidate for Miss Congeniality, I am a serious candidate for Mayor of Little Falls, where I have lived in for 20 years.  I’m creative and pragmatic, I’ve done my homework on the myriad issues facing Little Falls, and I have a valid, fully fleshed-out mayoral platform.   If Mayor VanRisseghem and Councilman Zylka are proud of their positions on the issues, as I am, I ask them to appeal to the Chamber to change this format back to a debate.  “Meet and Greet” formalities were 3 months ago; now is the time to debate our differences in a respectful manner.

Robin Hensel

807 First St. S.E.

Little Falls, Mn. 56345

320-360-3931

Monday, October 20, 2014

SAVE THE FROGS

 
In fall of 2013 I attended the social responsibility conference that was held at St. Cloud State University and filmed several of the events.  There is a global amphibian crisis that has been occurring for some years now.  Listen as this presenter tells us about this crisis and what can be done to help. 

***Hey Dillon Wuellner and Josh Stumpf***

Because you are both so passionate about your city not wasting any of your public revenues, you might want to attend the work session and council meeting tonight.  The work session begins at 6:30 P.M. and allows for 3 minutes of public forum time to anyone who wishes to speak.  

The Sister City Committee is once again asking for ALL OF THE CITY FUNDING (non  public purpose and violates the state auditors rules for public purpose.)

You and all other city residents have been RIPPED OFF BIG TIME FOR DECADES, by city government allowing public funds to be spent on VISITORS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY.

This ought to really tick you and everyone else off, unless of course you think it's ok for your council and city staff to violate Minnesota Supreme Court rulings and the State Auditors rules on public expenditure. 

My public forum will be about the Sister City Committee and misuse of public funds.

Hope you both come, and hope you use your 3 minutes of free speech.

Your city council and city staff are the folks you might wanna run out of town.

Urban Ortremba

In Urbans recent advertisement in the MCRecord on page 4 of the A Section, he states; "Public officials are open for criticism, however our volunteers are also getting criticized for their work from the radicals around town.  They put in countless hours and are never recognized for their efforts." 

I wonder who Urban thinks are the "racicals around town."   Does he mean the tiny group of folks of which I am a part, who object to laws being broken by the committee members on some of the official city committees?   Is he referring to the Golf Advisory Board for violating their own rules that require them to meet MONTHLY?  Is he referring to the Sister City Committee members for bending their own rules to suit their own inclusive click that gets a posh travel perks package once they arrive in France, due to the illegal expenditure of public funds to host the French when they visit here?  

In Urbans public campaign announcement in the Record, he says "the council needs to be more orderly in their running of the meetings since it has been brought on by a few arrogant people who do nothing but disrupt the meetings.  They certainly have no agenda."  How can the Little Falls city council be more orderly, when they don't understand or follow their own rules? 

Under question number 4 of his answers he states "Little Falls has become the laughing city of Central Minnesota, brought on by not allowing most of the Council to operate under normal conditions.  I'm not even elected yet and a few of the radicals are trying to get the best of me."

It was by Urban who urged the city councilors to follow his lead to vote against allowing my  advertising bench  in one of 3 potential places on city hall property.

 I won that part of the lawsuit, because the city definitely violated my right to free speech.  Judge Kyle ruled I was entitled to a jury trial to establish damages.  Then as part of the settlement conferences, I got the right to rent that bench, which is now on the west side of city hall property and advertises this blog and MCBlowback and my twitter account which is FIELDSFOREVER58. 

I think what Urban refers to as "radical" might actually mean "differing viewpoints" or "people that insist on the laws be uniform for everyone." 

I think Urban is hugely responsible for the continuation of a "closed ethos" and an "intolerant citizenry" which stifles economic growth and eliminates any chance of social justice.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

History of protest in Minnesota, Rhoda Gilman 5-30-13

Listen as Rhoda Gilman, one of the greatest activists of our time, tells of Minnesota's great history of protest in her book Standup. 



Friday, October 17, 2014

Park Rec, and TREE board mtg. July 2012

Listen at 58 minutes where I ask about the illegal campfire that was completely overlooked by LFPD and everyone that attended the Dam Festival, even though campfires are ILLEGAL IN CITY PARKS.  Now, if our peace groups had done the same thing we would have been arrested immediately.  City now has a porta potty by Maple Island Park, but it took my urging, and about two months,  to get one closeby the park.  They had been locking up the bathroom facility at 6:15 in the middle of summer, and they wondered why people were peeing in the bushes. 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

never throw your celery stalks out

If you place the bottom of your celery stalks in  water, they grow and you can plant them in dirt eventually in a pot to grow nice green usable leaves or just cut them off and use for soups, etc. and watch them grow more. I planted some outside this summer, and they produce a lot of nice foliage that is deep green and delicious in whatever you use them in.

LFPD THREATS NOT IDENTIFIED....AND NEVER WERE

Listen as I point out some important information.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

WARNING LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY.  VERY INTERESTING.  

SIGN ENFORCEMENT DISCUSSION

7-16-12 WORK SESSION LITTLE FALLS CITY COUNCIL MEETS TO DISCUSS BEGINNING enforcement of the sign ordinance that was passed 7-2-12.  Listen at 48 minutes in where Chief Schirmers offers his officers pick up illegal signs in the road rights of way.  Then listen to Urban Ortremba(past council president and present candidate for Alderman at Large) at  46 minutes say he wants a moratorium on the We Support the Troops banner so it can stay erected, even though City Attorney Toni Wetzel tells him that's what you fought for(fair laws for all). The council never adopted the draft policies that have been used for the past two years, on sending warning letters and picking up the illegal off premise signs as well as illegal signs in the roads right of way.   Why didn't the council formally adopt those suggested draft policies, as recommended by the city attorney?  They sure do a poor job of governance.  

sign crackdown

Interesting find amongst the stacks of data on my lawsuit.  Nice of this person to share this.

SIGN MAYHEM

This revision of the sign ordinance, regarding private property signs during election years, followed an email from Jason Kuboushek (League of Mn. Cities atty for my lawsuit) stating that he had made some revisions in order to limit the ''SIGN MAYHEM'' that he knew would occur every election year.  He eliminated the part that informs the public that unlimited signs may be posted with non commercial messages every election year.   Now does anyone out there really believe our state legislators would have allowed this 'SIGN MAYHEM' if it really would create potential traffic accidents or devalue anybody's property?

The original SUPPORT THE TROOPS BANNER presented to city council

I thought some of you might find this interesting.  I just found this yesterday while researching those four large stacks of data on my lawsuit.  I can't for the life of me understand why the Historic Preservation Committee did not receive a permit request for the banner from the Little Falls City Council, since the banners were donated to the City.  Was it really as Randy Fossum(former planning and zoning commission member) commented at one of the planning meetings in 2012, that "the City should not have felt it had exclusion from their own rules?"

TOWN CRIER reports data practice violations

Listen at 35 minutes in to my citizen appeal, exposing data practice violations and more.  For almost 3 years now I have been diligent in meeting attendance, monitoring their governance, and then getting that information out to the public.  I have encountered a lot of "under the table dealings" by the city council and staff.  This is just plain unacceptable.  Listen and judge for yourself.  Rest assured, I have evidence to back up what I say. 
 Take a look at this.  THE CITY WAS INSTRUCTED BY THE LEAGUE OF MINNESOTA ATTORNEYS TO ADMIT GUILT, THAT THEY HAD OVERCHARGED ME FOR DATA REQUESTS.   LORI KASELLA AND MAYOR VANRISSEGHEM THOUGHT THEY COULD JUST CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANTED.   Under the Mn. Data Practice Act, copies can only be 25cents, not $1.00 each like they charged me.  The Historic Preservation Committee also discussed the illegal neon lighted sign in a historic building(the Gordon Rosenmeier home that is city owned, and occupied by the Little Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau.   This is just one example of how the city was breaking their own law, the sign ordinance.  

THESE ARE THE STACKS OF DATA I SORTED THROUGH YESTERDAY Oct. 13, 2014 AT CITY HALL, INVOLVING MY LAWSUIT.  I am trying to find out how much the city paid for attorney Toni Wetzels bills were on the lawsuit, the revisions to the sign ordinance, amendments, and more.   I will be sharing much more that I gleaned yesterday, very soon on this blog. 

****LAWLESS COUNCIL AND DON KLINKER****

 
April 21,2014.....listen as Don Klinkers own speech DAMNS HIMSELF.  I am reading from the questions my attorney Larry Frost asked him, during the my lawsuit depositions of the mayor and the entire council in 2013.

Watch at 17 minutes into the video to see how Klinker demonstrates how to violate their own rules.   He is a master at this.  He is the "ringleader" of the "GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH" circus at Little Falls City Hall, twice per month.

There is a reason my attorneys, Bruce Fein and Larry Frost, have called Little Falls the graveyard of democracy and the council a 'LAWLESS COUNCIL''  and this area a ''CONSTITUTION FREE ZONE."   Because it's true. 

These scoundrels are a JOKE, and every resident of Little Falls should be troubled that their government continues to operate this way.  

If they can do this to some, they will do it to others.  Their 3 year track history proves it.   I have witnessed others experiencing what Theresa and I have experienced.  

As my signs out front state; VOTE THE BUMS OUT!!!! Vote out the LAWLESS COUNCIL!!!  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!


Monday, October 13, 2014

United Way, EFSC, Chaplaincy Greg Valentine+BRAD HIRCOCK + Greg Zylka

Candidate for the Alderman at Large seat, Brad Hircocks' association with Morrison County Chaplaincy program, should be called into question.

 The Morrison County Chaplaincy program, who fundraises as a non-profit, is not listed(as far as I can tell), as a registered non-profit with the Attorney Generals Office. 

The City of Little Falls donates 12K or more each year to this program. 

In 2007 and 2008 the Morrison County Chaplaincy failed to submit receipts related to expenses pertaining to the Emergency Food and Shelter Program(EFSC),(according to documents filed with the Mn Attorney Generals Office), which was I believe associated with Morrison County United Way.  I believe Brad Hircock was an acting board member on the Chaplaincy program, and I believe Greg Zylka was on the United Way Board at the time. Both Zylka and Hircock should have been aware of what was going on within the organization.  Otherwise the only conclusion to be drawn, is that they chose to turn a blind eye.

Just plain unacceptable.
























Dr. Mark Seeley University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate

 
Fascinating videos from the November 2013 Social Responsibility Conference I attended at St. Cloud State University.
 
 
 

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Don Klinker and the FAILED JOBZ miserably failed program of former Governor Tim Pawlenty

Funny that Don Klinker mentions a COSTLY FAILED JOBZ program that cost the taxpayers of Little Falls and throughout the state ALOT OF MONEY.  Then he talks about debt reduction as being the greatest challenge facing Little Falls.   Funny too, because he thinks NOTHING of voting in favor of giving $12,000.00(from Little Falls public revenues) every four years to visitors from LeBourget, France, for booze, parties, transportation, food and even gifts!!!   The funds used for this frivolous NON PUBLIC PURPOSE,  could and should be used for much needed infrastructure or some other true public purpose.   http://mcrecord.com/2014/10/10/lf-council-candidates-answer-questions/

Notice he says he has experience with JOBZ and tax increment financing (TIF) for businesses.  These are two forms of corporate welfare folks.  He says he will use this experience and insight to assist new businesses and residents the residents they will employ.  In other words, he has NO NEW IDEAS HOW TO BRING NEW JOBS TO THIS AREA OTHER THAN MORE BUSINESS SUBSIDIES(business welfare). 

It is laughable that he states in the last answer #5. "A council member MUST LISTEN TO CONSTITUENTS AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND TO ALL VIEWPOINTS."  Who is he kidding?   Watch the film below  Theresa Skorseth 6-17-2013 and then decide for yourself if he listens to constituents. 

Shame on Don Klinker. 

****TRICK OR TREAT *****JONATHAN GARLOCK, ALICIA ZIGAN, MARY FIETEK, JENNY FIETEK-ALLEN, STEPHANIE DOLNEY, JOSH STUMPF

These are some of the posts on the public Facebook pages of Josh Stumpf and Alicia Zigan to show the incitement of mob violence and more.
 

From Josh Stumpf public Facebook page August 12, 2014 
Josh Stumpf; "I do have to say that I am disappointed as a citizen, parent, business owner, and supporter of our brother and sisters in arms that have fought and died for our freedom"  then he posts RobinHensel.BlogSpot.com 
Alicia Zigan;"and...this is why the world is going to shit"
Dillon Wuellner;"Go check out her blog."
Alicia Zigan;"I read it.  Shes a little cray cray." "Annette Brown..."
Zeno Casavan;"There is no possible way this nut job gets voted in."
Tina Louise Oldakowski;"Some people and their stupid kids...The biggest mistake in life is that they (the parents) made with them, is letting them out in the public....
Shawn Ropp;"She is an embarrassment to this town."
Stephanie Dolney;"Love your response to her blog D!!"
Teresa Enstad;"nut job she is"
Josh Stumpf;"Your neighbors are going to lose their house to foreclosure.  They have had it listed for 6  months and not even one person has come to an open house.  This is not an idea of reform.  These good people are losing their home....also the complaints about the hospital helicopter.  I tell you what I don't care if there is a little once or twice a week, the helicopter is designed to save lives, you cannot put a price on that.  The complaints about law enforcement signage, these signs are there for a reason, they prevent traffic jams, prevent people from getting hurt when there is maintenance going on.  You want to have some big food party thing, I'm pretty sure you would need them to post these signs for you to control the event.  Also the sign rules.  Small businesses need their signage to draw customers, I have watched too many small businesses fold up in this town."
Cory Vukelich;"Maybe the kids that like to vandalize things around town need to pay her house a visit once or twice a week because ignoring it doesn't seem to be working."
Lynn Brau;"She is insane if she thinks she will be the next mayor.  Anyone that also votes for her is also insane.  Robin is nothing but a psychopath and she needs to take her signs with her and get the heck out of our town."
BreeAnn Rakow;"Vote Greg Zylka for mayor!  Signs are coming soon ! Message me your address if you want one!"
Jennifer Pekula;"If for some crazy reason this ever happened, we would have to move.  She can talk about freedom of speech and her rights all day long.  Where did those freedoms come from?  Yet, she can hang a flag upside down on the front of her house in a community that is a huge supporter of the military, and she wants votes for mayor? I was actually deployed when I found out the We Support Our Troops banner was taken down.  It quite honestly broke my heart and made me questions for a minute what I was fighting for.  Maybe she should be uing her blog to ask for help for her mental issues.  This woman absolutely disgusts me."
Jolaineah Waltman;"Well said. Jennifer Pekula!"
Jonathan Garlock;"Is there not a way we could vote her out of town?"
Alicia Zigan;"Torches and pitchforks worked back in the day Jonathan Garlock"
Jonathan Garlock;"I think we should gather outside her house and take pictures and protest.  Give her a taste of how F'ed up all this really is."
Jim Dumas;"Having lived in LF(5 years) and worked at Pete and Joy's Bakery and Larson Boats, I got a feel for the town.  And it ain't good.  I know people like Josh, and his crew, that go out of their way to help those that live there.  I have a real bad gut feeling, that business like his would be a target for a woman like this. I believe that everyone has a right to their opinion, but hers is no more important than yours or mine.  Use to be a thing about civic pride, she has shown me that she does have it, just AS LONG as it's something that SHE wants.  As far as the kids in town, yeah, somebody needs to get in there and convince City Council that unless you give them some place to go, and get rid of their energy, they WILL find other outlets.  Not always good.  Now speaking as a Vet...I paid my dues, just like tens of thousands of others.  You may not like the banner ''WE SUPPORT OUR TROOPS'' but it doesn't give anyone else the right to decide for the majority.  All I can say is, IF she's voted in..."
Carolyn Cantwell;"Shitstorm"
Josh Stumpf;"I agree with Jim.  Go ahead and target my business.  We have a licensed trade, we work hard and pay our dues.  We have raised close to $15,000.00 in cancer donations since 2007.  She has done nothing but cost our city money.  Where is that money going to come from?  Bet our property taxes will go up again. Small businesses are scared to speak out for fear of being targeted.  I say bring it on.  WE WILL BE WAITING!
Russ Thompson;"We are right behind you Josh.  I'm a small business owner also I'm not in town but screw that nut job."
Jeff Graham;"She is a joke..does not even deserve comments."
***********************************************************************************

The following comments have disappeared from Alicia Zigan's public Facebook page.  The comments were posted between August 13 and August 15 and followed my blog about their incitement of mob violence against me.   Decide for yourself. 

Alicia Zigan;"Apparently my new hobby is inciting mob violence.  I'll place that on my resume. People are ignorant."
Annette Brown;"Yes they are."
Marki Kurkowski;"Haha, so what did that lady do?"
Alicia Zigan;"Pissed off a whole town.  Through a series of events."
Stephanie Dolney;"Haha! Mine too!! Maybe we can start a gang?"
Kari Murrell;"What?"
Alicia Zigan;"Haha. Be careful now you're insinuating mob violence."   then Alicia posts my Inciting Mob Violence blog on RobinHensel.BlogSpot.com and tells Kari "see link above"
Cassie Holtz;"Stupid fucking ignorant bitch...Can't we just banish her like in the old days.  Seriously this shit is getting ridiculous. So annoyed by this bitch."
Mary Fietek;"I'm so having flashbacks of my ex reading this woman's bullshit!  Alicia Zigan you know what I mean...god she's such a self centered spoiled brat. I wish she'd pack her shit and move...or maybe we could have a witch trial?"
Cassie Holtz;"I'm almost tempted to tape a bunch of poster board to my car saying this bitch be crazy and she needs a padded room and a straight jacket and park in front of her house."
Mary Fietek;"Lmao Cassie that's the best idea I've heard of yet! Much funnier than a witch trial...more realistic too...someone should do that."
Cassie Holtz;"Believe me if I didn't have to work tomorrow my happy ass would be breaking out the glitter paint and color crayons."
Jenny Allen-Fietek;"I am just wonder why the hell she thinks witches are part of the mob???  Clearly she has never encountered the mob...or a witch for that matter."
Kelsey Holtz;"Cassie Holtz let's go together:) fuck that dumb bitch!!!!"
Stephanie Dolney;"Who wants to be she will have a write up in the paper this week with all our names in it too?"
Alicia Zigan;"I'm I'd say there's a good chance.  That's her right to be able to do such a thing!"
Jono Randy Nelson;"*Inciting"
Mary Fietek;"I hope she does use her rights and quote us all it'll just prove I'm right that she's self centered.  She wants everyone to think she wants world peace and all that shit but it's really just a ploy for attention on her.  She cares about no one but herself."
********************************************************************************************************
Then Josh Stumpf posted the post I made titled "Dear Alicia Zigan" on his Facebook page and the following comments followed on September 14, 2014.

Alicia DesRosier;" She's a disgrace to society."
Alicia Zigan;" Also I didn't delete any comments from my FB page in regards to ms. Hensels blog post.  Apparently she doesn't know how to click past posts."
Jennilee Blonigen;"I absolutely love your responses on her blog....makes her look even more stupid..keep it up."
Jim Dumas;"Ok, I couldn't find what Alicia wrote (and I'll admit, not the sharpest when it comes to computers).  But that being said. WHERE is all this hate and crap you are SUPPOSED  to have thrown at her. I mean, first, a lie is a lie.  The lawyer either went pro bono or she paid.  IF she mad a mistake, why not admit it.  As far as "mob violence" she better hope and pray she never sees it.  After msack talking the police department, they would show up...just how quick would be anyone's guess.  Josh, keep it up dude!"
Alicia Zigan;"Jim as Josh said I just made a historical reference as to how torches and pitchforks worked back in the day.  The whole thing is I didn't say anything to insigte mob anything.  It's something she made up to make herself feel important apparently. And you would have to click to see past posts a whole crap ton to even get to the original post. LOL"
Jim Dumas;" Ok, so I guess I shouldn't get started."
Alicia Zigan;"Live it up I have nothing to hide lol"
Buster Wuellner;"I vote for signs allowed and this complete joke to leave our town."
Anna Hausken;" It is so sad to see that comments on friend's walls, personal status updates, jokes and other smartass remarks are taken completely out of context by many narcissistic, over zealous, hypocrites.  Mr. Josh Stumpf are you running for office this term or next?"
Stephanie Dolney;"Very nicely written. Josh Stumpf!!  Good job continually challenging her and her misinformed, inappropriate blogs.  You have been very professional with your responses to her.  I quit responding because I was having a hard time being professional about it, and too after being accused of job violence. I don't want to risk what she may or may not continue to make up about me and threaten my license or my job.  Kudos to you friend, thanks for standing up for our community!"
Anna Raiter Hand;"Whatever! She is crazy!(Robin)"
Annette Brown;"In my personal opinion,if she wants to be a public figure, like mayor of Little Falls then she needs to act like a public figure.  She needs to get her story straight and she needs to focus on her mayoral run. Not what people who live over 2 hours away and have nothing to do with this town have to say."
Susie Tormanen-Fietek;"She must be bored lol! No one has been commenting on her blog...."
Dillon Wuellner;"Check it out again I thru a little in too."
Kevin Brown;'' I have a million nasty things to say about Robin, but not enough money to fight off the ACLU and her "Pro Bono lawyers."  In my opinion though, she is just another ignorant sheep pissing on the graves of the hundreds of thousands who have died for the freedoms she abuses without actually defending them  herself (other than with her lawyers of course). If she would like I would be happy to provide her with a copy of the U.S. Constitution she hides behind and accuses you (Josh) of not believing in, she would just have to meet me out at the MN Veteran Cemetery out at Camp Ripley to get it."
Jim Dumas;" Well after doing some reading here...I don't live in LF anymore, but I do business there, mostly Josh at Skyline, WalMart and the like.  but I will say this, I've seen a lot of Hensels all over this country.  Most are a blight on their communities, some just a pain in the butt.  Her reaction to the military tells me one thing.  She has no idea what she's talking about.  the military does what it's told to do....nothing more...nothing less.  but they are the ones who catch it from the Hensels of the world.  I've lost more friends than I care to admit, to the military machine.  All died way before their time, all doing what they believed in. To Kevin brown...the only I would disagree with you on, I would not disgrace the memory of those at the Veteran's Cemetery by bringing her there.  Josh, you stand up for what you think is right, I'm proud of that.  The Hensels of the world are always going to talk smack talk, and then play the bleeding heart, just a fact of life."

After Josh posts my BlogSpot article these people liked it on his Facebook page;

Kevin Brown, Missy Van Scoik, Leigha Sanow, Kelcea Howard, Brad Gunderson, Anna Sobania, Baily Winscher, Danielle Vilinski, Chantell Marie Friel, Karen M. James, Beth Morgan, Jennifer Schneider, Eric K Ainali, Lance pillard, Tina Schroeder-Rybaski, Breanna Hamack, Danielle Tretter, and Alicia Lea DesRosier.

Now you know ....
"The rest of the story".  You decide what all of this sounds like.  It most certainly is not civil dialogue, so sorely needed in Little Falls.