City guilty again !!!!

From Council meeting 9-15-14.  The City of Little Falls has done few if ANY rental inspections since 2009. 

THIS IS SHOCKING AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, and possibly violates state rental housing law.  Rental inspections are done for the safety of renters.  It seems to me that the city could care less about making sure that slum landlords are held accountable for providing safe housing to our residents.

Here is the background:  The City has had a housing inspection program in place since 2002 at which time a license fee was established for rental housing units.  This fee is set at 10$ per unit and is now generating revenue of nearly $14,000.00 per year. In reviewing the past history of the program, it was noted that while the City continues to collect the fee, little has occurred in the area of inspections for the past number of years for a variety of reasons.  The suspension of activity likely occurred due to the desire to update the current housing code and to develop an administrative fine process, both of which were authorized in 2009 and are not yet completed.  staff has had a number of conversations about the program and we feel that it needs to be reenergized. This will include restarting the regular inspection of rental housing units, a review of the City Code pertaining to housing maintenance(owner-occupied and rentals) and the ability to issue administrative fines for violations.  Additionally, I have had a conversation with the Police Chief to have the Housing Inspector work closely with the Police Department to help address blight conditions in the community. 

Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem stated that the police have discovered 4 meth labs during their inspections for blight recently.  Is this legal?   Use blight to get onto property and into homes, and then arrest for drug use?

It is important to note that this was occurring under the direction of the former co-city administrators Jerry Lochner and Lori Kasella.   They obviously didn't do their jobs correctly or this would never have happened.  

your council

At last nights Little Falls Council meeting your elected representatives voted to give $1,500.00 of your tax dollars to a lobbying firm; Flaherty and Hood (lobbyist Elizabeth Wefel at easefel@flaherty-hood.com for more info) that is fighting a legal battle to undermine the Minnesota Pollution Control Agencys new regulatory requirements pertaining to wastewater discharges into Lake Pepin watershed.

The Clean Water Act is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States. The statute employs a variety of regulatory and non-regulatory tools to sharply reduce direct pollutant discharges into waterways, finance municipal wastewater treatment facilities, and manage polluted runoff. 


Lake Pepin is at the downstream endpoint of the most polluted reach of the Mississippi River in the state.  It is no accident that this reach begins at the confluence with the Minnesota River.  The Minnesota supplies most of the sediment that makes the Mississippi constantly muddied, and threatens to fill Upper Lake Pepin with mud before the present century is past. Suspended solids from the Minnesota River make the Mississippi incapable of supporting the rich rooted vegetation that once made the river and Lake Pepin a haven for ducks and swans.  Nuisance algae blooms during hot, dry summers are another threat to water quality in Lake Pepin. Phosphorus concentrations are so high in the Mississippi, at 150 to 200 parts per billion, that a warm, calm dry spell in any summer could quickly trigger unsightly algae bloom.  While the MPCA has regulatory authority over wastewater discharge, agriculture-the source of much phosphorus and sediment in the Minnesota River-is largely unregulated. 


 The following is from a page from last night's council meeting:  These new regulatory requirements are likely to require costly upgrades at the wastewater plant.   Minnesota Environmental Science and Economic Review Board is appealing to the Minnesota Court of Appeals for river nutrient standards.  City staff (probably Greg Kimman) agrees with MESERB that  the new standards are not based on sound engineering science. (I bet he is a climate change denier also).  These new regulatory standards go into effect once the operating permit for the wastewater permit needs to be renewed.  In our case, our permit was scheduled for renewal in 2013, but has been delayed until the conclusion of the court proceedings. 

It is shocking that the City voted to authorize payment to a lobbying firm to undermine the MPCAs effort to stop further pollution from completely ruining Lake Pepin. 

The only council person to vote no was Alderman Crowder. 

Dear Mary Ellen Barnes....

I read your letter to the editor titled "Garage sales still having issues" in the Morrison County Record. 

I agree that billboards on cars for garage sales or anything else is not the best way to display signs.   Signs are best suited for yards or on private property, but since off premise signs are not allowed, there isn't much choice. 

I suggest you recruit some of your friends and start a petition to get rid of the sign ordinance or revise it to allow off premise signs, as the Bloomington, Mn. sign ordinance.  Bloomington has some of the highest property values in the state, and they allow limited off premise signs for garage sales and boutiques.  

I am glad you acknowledge that the city is partially to blame.  Actually the city is to be blamed completely.  

The city council passed a very restrictive, unconstitutional sign ordinance more than 40 years ago, and off premise garage sale signs have been illegal since then. 

I came to Little Falls in 1994 and have never been on the Council. 

I sued the city because they violated my right to free speech. 

I am running for Mayor to ensure that laws are followed and ordinances that are too cumbersome are deleted.  My conscience and civic duty compel me to run for office. 

I can't be bought.

attention Dillon Wuellner, Josh Stumpf, Jenny Allen-Fitek, Alicia Zigan and the public....

Today I received an email from:   craigfor@Hotmail.com      

I do not know this person.  He did not have enough courage to sign his name. 

The email reads as follows: "you have got to be the most delusional person in town. do you really think anyone wants to hear what you have to say? or would even think of voting for you as mayor? you should hear what most people think of you.  they say you need to see a shrink, but I doubt one would see you for fear of being sued.  you need to stop being such a c**t      get rid of all that s**t in your yard and on the street in front of your house.  no one gives a f**k about you.   the whole town would rejoice if you moved away"


Does anyone in town approve of this sort of  'debate'(whether you approve of me or not)?

Does anyone know who this person is?

My email address is      henselrl56345@yahoo.com        

Feel free to contact me directly.

Dear Alicia Zigan

I noticed awhile back that all of the hate comments, and veiled incitement of mob violence towards me, have disappeared from your  public Facebook page.   Why is that?  

I wonder if you and your circle of friends that includes Dillon Wuellner and Josh Stumpf, to mention just a few, will be spewing the same hate speech comments at Brook Mallak (attorney at law) in Little Falls, because she sued the City in 2013 over illegal data lookups by the Little Falls Police Department."(and other law enforcement agencies).  

Bet not.

Case number: 0:2013cv02119   Mallak v. Aitkin County et al

Brainerd Dispatch article by Jessie Perrine April 18, 2014 "Lawsuit alleging illegal information access by local government bodies can proceed"  

Dear Rick Witte.....( with reference to Brooke Mallak data lookups lawsuit against City of Little Falls)

Your comment that follows my recent letter to the editor "Invitation for Little Falls Mayoral Debate" is puzzling at best.   Your comment reads;" You mean "your" issues don't you Robin?  I am sure that the planned events will cover the issues important to the City, as a whole, quite satisfactorily.  While good government may be an issue it is not, from my opinion, the overarching issue with the Community."    

What is the "overarching issue" Rick?

Without good government, we have nothing. 

 I wonder why your focus isn't on "good government." 

My issues are the "peoples issues."  

Why isn't an open debate a great idea for Little Falls, especially since one active lawsuit against the City is still not resolved. (the Brooke Mallak lawsuit, Brooke IS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY IN LITTLE FALLS.)  She is suing because of excessive data lookups BY THE LITTLE FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

Ironic that the same Judge that mediated my lawsuit settlement,  is mediating this case. (Judge Leo Brisbois)

Interesting to note that I have had FAR MORE LOOKUPS THAT HER, DURING A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME.  

NO WONDER WHY.    I believe many of my lookups were done illegally also.  

Now will the good people of Little Falls be threatening her?  And will the good folks of Little Falls be hating her and spewing hate speech at her, everywhere she goes, because she sued? 

Probably not. 

Candidate challenge/forum

I just sent an email (9-7-14)to the other 2 Little Falls Mn mayoral candidates (incumbent Cathy VanRisseghem and Greg Zylka).   I suggested we debate all public concerns and take audience questions.  I believe ALL candidates should participate so the public can observe our interactions and listen to solutions.

Some clues as to WHY THE "ONLINE" THREAT INVESTIGATION ENDED....

In May 2012 my lawyer Larry Frost wrote to Little Falls Police Chief Greg Schirmers about his concern over the online threats I had previously received.  Attorney Frost is a retired Army Lt. Colonel, Intelligence officer.



" I am attorney for Robin Hensel.

 I am writing to you because I am concerned for my client.  Several people have made credible threats against her safety.

She lives within your jurisdiction and some of the threats would be executed within your jurisdiction.

Because I'm operating through a second party until now, I want to review the facts upon which the rest of the letter is based.

  My client explained to me that she  reported the threats to you. Specifically, all the internet postings attached to this letter were reported to you.

 In one case you told Ms. Hensel there was not significant threat because the threats were made on a website out of Georgia.  I agree that geographic distance is a valid threat analysis factor, but as you know, the geographic location of a web hosting company is no indicator at all of the physical location of a poster on that website.  Your comment that the posting individual is not likely to hop in his car and drive from Georgia to beat Ms. Hensel with his "Louis Ville Slugger" might be correct if the poster was, in fact, in Georgia--which we don't know.  Your analysis also ignores the fact that another poster, on a different website, uses the same rather odd phrasing "Louis Ville Slugger".  Reading the phrasing, cadence and language of the second post I'm sure led your intelligence officer to suspect they were the same person.  Repetition is an indicator for threat.

 There are multiple posts, some possibly indicate local origin.

 Your office took weeks to even file the action with the prosecutor.

Your office misfiled the action at least once internally, and possibly once with the prosecutor.

 There had been at least one incident where protesters were accosted, and one or more assaulted, by an individual during demonstrations("demonstration assault").  This had been reported to you.

  The following assumes these facts are substantially correct.  Since you indicate finding the Georgia poster's name is a long process, please estimate how long that process will take.  It has now been about four months since the threats occurred.  Also please advise specifically what date you subpoenaed the web host for the identity of this individual, whether or not the web host has moved to quash your subpoena sua sponte on behalf of the poster, and if so, when.

 Please be advised Ms. Hensel will file criminal complaints against internet threat posters shortly.  Please also be advised a civil lawsuit over this issue is possible.

Please advise all actions taken to date against all other persons lease adivse where the complaint about the demonstration assault stands.   As you know, allowing assaults in a situation like Ms. Hensel's can encourage others to do the same.

I am concerned for the safety of my client.  we are asking that you take the reasonable, timely steps for her safety for which your department exists."

Larry A. Frost

THERE WILL BE A THIRD PART OF THIS SERIES, INCLUDING ACTUAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS AND SUBPOENAS.  STAY TUNED. 

Don Klinker Fascist and Brian Crowder reads Bloomington sign ordinance garage sale allowance

 

Listen particularly starting at 2.20 minutes where Brian Crowder reads about the much less RESTRICTIVE BLOOMINGTON MN GARAGE SALE OFF PREMISE SIGN ALLOWANCES....some of Minnesota's highest property values and the city where Paul Reuvers(atty for the League of Minnesota Insurance Trust who represented Little Falls in my free speech lawsuit).   At end of meeting Theresa Skorseth properly identifies Don Klinker's behavior as FASCIST.   LISTEN CLOSELY.  She went through the council proper procedure to get on the agenda, by requesting a week in advance and yet is not allowed to speak.   IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER HERE......THERESA AND I HAD BEEN REPORTING THE ILLEGAL USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS for almost a year and a half and it was falling on DEAF EARS of yourLAWLESS COUNCIL.   THIS MEETING TOOK PLACE ON June 17, 2013.   There are 3 infamous dates....June 3, 2013 abrupt mtg when council would not tolerate my signs and colorful attire.....June 7, 2013 my illegal arrest for being unwilling to sit in the BACK OF THE BUS, and June 17, 2014 when they disallowed Theresa to speak about the illegal use of public funds....Little Falls council has been giving 3k of public funds to host and entertain French foreign residents.  There is no PUBLIC PURPOSE AND THEREFORE THIS HAS BEEN MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR MANY MANY YEARS.  How will the city of Little Falls pay it's residents back this public money that they misused and who will be issued a misdemeanor for this, since the Sister City ORDINANCE #2.30 has penalties for violations.   I want to KNOW.!!!!   Are taxpayer lawsuits on the horizon....I THINK SO.

1st Annual Central Minnesota Peace and Diversity Festival June 22, 2012

winter 2013 signs in my yard

Video speaks for itself.

To all ANONYMOUS POSTERS....be advised....

I will not answer ANY POSTS if the person posting them, hides like a coward behind a fake name.  Have you no courage????  

Madame Mayor ! ! !

To the mayor (Cathy VanRisseghem) and her brother (Frank Gosiak).....

Aren't you worried  YOUR CAMPAIGN BILLBOARDS displayed IN PRIME REAL ESTATE AND HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS will create traffic hazards, potentially causing traffic accidents and devalue property values?? (as you and all of the council, except Alderman Crowder, emphasized during your depositions for my free speech lawsuit).... Let me guess....YOUR SIGNS are somehow different and don't distract drivers or devalue neighboring property, right???   Please feel free to respond.

Greg Schirmers...your POLICE CHIEF.....

The following information was all gleaned from his deposition taken February 25, 2013.  Larry Frost is the attorney asking the questions.

Frost: "How many years police--total police experience as a licensed officer do you have?"

Schirmers :
"I started with the Morrison County sheriff's office in 1992.  I worked there, I believe, until 1997.   I was a police officer in Royalton from 1994 until 1996.   And I've been a police officer with the City of Little Falls from 1996 until present."

Frost: "what do you remember about those threats?"

Schirmers: "which threats?"

Frost: "Well, the threats in general.  Tell us in general."

Schirmers: "Threats to Ms. Hensel?"

Frost: "To Ms. Hensel, yes."

Schirmers: "It's my understanding that she reported she had received some threats on the Internet."

Frost: "And you wouldn't have handled this investigation directly, of course, as Chief?"

Schirmers: "No, no. I believe Officer Nagorski handled it."

Frost: "A decision was made at someoint to stop the investigation. Is it safe--would it be correct to say that the evaluation--because the evaluation was that there was no serious threat to Ms. Hensel as a result of these Internet postings?"

Schirmers: "I'm not--No, I wouldn't say that.  You said there was no serious threat.  A threat was made, but I believe we came to the point in the investigation where it was not reasonable to pursue it any further.  We went to great lengths to try to identify this individual or individuals and make contact with them to find out what their intent was."

Frost: "Who would have made the decision that the end point in that investigation had been reached, the investigating officer or you?"

Schirmers: " The county attorney and myself." 

Frost: "So you, in conjunction with the county attorney, reached that conclusion?"

Schirmers: "Correct."

Frost: "And based on the evidence you gathered, you concludeed that Ms. Hensel's safety was not seriously at risk or not reasonably considered to be at risk, whichever.  You tell me what word we should use."

Schirmers: " I wouldn't use either.  I think the investigation itself came to an end point where we could not pursue it any further."

Frost: "Has officer Nagorski received any training in threat assessment?"

Schirmers: "I believe that's part of just basic law enforcement training.  I think we deal with that pretty much every day, threat assessment.  Formal training?  Through use of force, we do ongoing use of force training, firearms training, taser training, all those things.  That's all motivated by threat so...

Frost: "Let me be more specific.  Threat assessment training, as I'm using--threat assessment, as I am using the term, is the process of taking a person who has allegedly made a threat or taken actions that might pose a threat and assessing the likelihood that they're going to take serious action." 

Schirmers: "Formal training in that type of scenario, I don't believe so, no." 

Frost: "And do you don't have a policy, then, that that's required training for anyone in the department to take?"

Schirmers: "No."

Frost: "And how do you define threat assessment as an officer?"

Schirmers: "Um, as a police officer, it's something that is ongoing.  It's constant from the time that you put your uniform  on and go to work, you're constantly monitoring people.  You're looking for eye contact.  You're watching body language.  You even, I mean, as someone would approach you, you look for posture.  You look for those type of things to see what their intent is before they even initially make contact with you in many cases because you don't know what the individuals' intentions are."

Frost: "What about on a call for service? Are you doing threat assessment?"

Schirmers: "Constantly.  From the initial placement of the call, the dispatchers will relay information such as the nature of the call, whether weapons were mentioned, the mental status of the caller, if there are other people at the residence, other concerns that --maybe past history that we've had with an individual.  Maybe they're an individual we've had contact with many times, and -- you know--we just, because of the contact and because maybe you have a personal relationship with that individual, your threat assessment will be -- you know-- at a lower status because you know or you suspect that it's just going to be a casual interaction.  In other cases where you've had a previous contact with an individual and maybe you've had a physical altercation with that individual or they've been assaultive in  the past, obviously, you're going to respond to that differently."

Frost: "And so it's fair to say that threat assessment is just a constant in a law enforcement officer's job?"

Schirmers: "Every day."

Frost: "And that is not just for you; that's for all officers?"

Schirmers: " Correct."

Frost: "You said that you got trained in threat at Alexandria Tech, I think?"

Schirmers;"Yeah, threat assessment."

Frost: "Can you describe briefly what that training--"

Schirmers: "Use of force, use with different types of weapons.  I took some psychology and sociology as part of the course.  So I think, you know, all of those, you know, that was part of all of that."

Frost: "Did any of that involve how to construct or how to use a psychological profile of a potential threatener?"

Schirmers: "When we talk about threat assessment I think there is many parts of that.  I think, when I talk about threat assessment, I'm talking about--you know--we're talking about officer safety.  We're talking about day-to-day safety issues, not only for the officer but for the community and the public.  There are many factors that you had to play into that.  If you're talking about like a profiling, like F.B.I. profiling or those types of things, more advanced education, that's not in the normal course of police training.  There are advanced courses that you can take in that.  larger agencies probably do a lot of that type of thing.  But normally, for a small agency, the advanced profiling type courses are not generally normal training."

Frost: "If you had that kind of training, that is the  sort of training that--profiling, for example--is that the sort of thing you would apply to something like a threat?"

Schirmers:  "I would assume.  I would have go to the training to know how it applied."

Frost:  "But my question is, if you had it--profiling as a specific example--is that the sort of thing you would apply, if you had it, to something threats?"

Schirmers: "If it applied specifically to that.  That's what you take training for, to apply it to scenarios where they apply." 

stay tuned for more.....the next post will highlight why all this is important....and the REAL REASON THE INVESTIGATION OF MY THREATS ENDED.

Setting the story straight.....( my letter to the editor of MCRecord refused on 7-21-13 )

I was told by Terry Lehrke of the Morrison County Record, that they wouldn't be printing the letter  to the editor(below), as it contained too much information that I had not written myself.  I know the REAL REASON WAS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO GET THIS INFORMATION,  (bear in mind I was illegally arrested on  June 7, 2013, for legally exercising my right to free speech within the council chambers).   A comment was posted on the commentary thread of the Morrison County Record article about my illegal arrest, that read "Why not just pull a Gordie and shoot her, worked last time" by Darwin J. Allord.....(this was in reference to the police shooting of Gordon Wheeler in the Morrison County Courthouse.)  The following letter from my attorneys, was in response to all of that.

SETTING THE STORY STRAIGHT.....

I believe it is the right time to share this letter with your readers.  This is part of what my attorneys wrote to the leaders of Little Falls, on June 27, 2013.  They write in their personal capacity, not as my attorneys.

"We sincerely believe that violence against Robin is possible, and that the City Councils failure to openly and forcefully reject the intimidation and threats, even actions in front of them in their own chamber, are partly responsible for the atmosphere.  Speaking in my private capacity-I have more than a little experience with mobs and mob mentality.  I see that beginning in Little Falls."

"To the Mayor and City Council of Little Falls, Minnesota: 

We are writing to you as citizens of the United States and human beings.
 
The subject is the spirit of civil discourse and, Robin Hensel.  By resort to non-violent speech and action, Ms. Hensel is challenging Little Falls encrusted orthodoxies and prejudices.  Ms. Hensel's political views represent a minority in Little Falls, and probably nationwide.  They may well remain so forever.  Nor do we necessarily agree with Ms. Hensel.  But as Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes taught, time has upset many fighting faiths- and experience teaches us that the best test of truth is the ability to persuade in a free marketplace of ideas.

Fear of danger alone cannot justify suppression of free speech.  At one time, men feared witches, and burned women.  Justice Louis D. Brandeis observed the paramount purpose of speech is to free men and women from the bondage of irrational or imagined fears.   Robin Hensel has acted and continues to act in the highest traditions of citizenship in a Republic, spurred by the knowledge that a people of sheep will beget a government of wolves.  She has championed what she believes are enlightened policies, and oppose those she believes are ill-conceived.   she has refrained from name-calling despite the lack of reciprocal courtesy of her opponents.  She has scrupulously honored the right of others to advocate opposing views.  She should have a "Citizen of the Year" award from Little Falls.  But instead, members of your own council have belittled Robin with names like 'retard' in Council Chambers.  Little Falls citizens then stooped to juvenile name-calling in lieu of civilized debate.  You've allowed representatives of the city to grab Ms. Hensels' sign in your Council chambers without consequences.  Ms. Hensel has received a death threat.

When you were elected, we believe you assumed a moral obligation to instruct other citizens to honor the law and express disagreement with civility by your example.  Government is the potent and omnipresent teacher.  But you have  fueled the vandalism, death threats against, and ostracism of Ms. Hensel by your behavior.  You are reaping what you have sown. 

In a Republic, the people censure the government, the government does not censure the people. 

Tyranny by the majority is still tyranny.

You should all be ashamed.

We respectfully request that you convene a public meeting to respond to this letter.  We would be eager to attend and participate."

Sincerely,  

Bruce Fein and Larry Frost LTC, Intelligence Corps, US Army (retired)

Needless to say the council never responded. 

HOW WILL THE TAXPAYERS OF LITTLE FALLS BE REIMBURSED THIS MONEY THAT WAS MISUSED???

The following information is from the minutes of the Sister City Committee that I think are problematic and VERY SUSPICIOUS OF BENDING THE LAW IF NOT VIOLATING THE LAW.


IMPORTANT TO NOTE AS YOU READ THE FOLLOWING THAT BY MAKING THIS ISSUE (and a variety of other important public concerns) PUBLIC, by presenting MY CITIZEN APPEALS, PETITIONS, PUBLIC FORUM COMMENTS, AND AGENDA ITEMS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS, IS WHAT LED UP TO MY ILLEGAL ARREST ON June 7, 2013 for exercising my RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

What is really astounding to me is that ANY CITY ATTORNEY and city administrator would have been so inept to have allowed this committee to be set up this way.  Inquiring minds might want to research who was the city attorney and who was the city administrator when this committee/law was enacted.  It would have been 1989 and possibly Rich Carlson city administrator and Peter Vogel city attorney. 



THEY REALLY DON'T LIKE ME BLOWING THE WHISTLE ON THEM. That is precisely why it is so important for me to do so.

From the SISTER CITY minutes.....

January 30, 2001    WINE TASTING EVENT...We agreed that future profits from the Wine Tasting event be placed directly on account with Tom Peterson at Falls Ballroom so they will be there when we need them.  This procedure will avoid the city's usage law. (present at this meeting Denis Dolan, Rhonda Schmidt, Sue Benson, Richard Carlson(former city administrator) There was no quorum.

March 5, 2001...DEPOSITS...Because city funds cannot be used to purchase liquor, we need to FIND SOME PLACE TO DEPOSIT OUR PROFITS FROM FUNDRAISERS.  Tom Peterson from the Ballroom has agreed to HELP US IN THIS MATTER.  We will ask PETER VOGEL(former city attorney) to attend our next meeting to STUDY THIS MORE. (present at this meeting Denis Dolan, Janelle Peters, Joanie Bellig, Richard Carlson)

June 7, 2001....Old Business....Discussion of location of SEPERATE FUNDS: Dennis will talk to Peter Ginder Vogel and get his advice.  Apparently if we do not sell liquor we should not be LIABLE. (Present: Denis, Sue, Joanie, Rhonda, Dale, Rich)



I have to tell you this does not sit well with me....I smell rats in the woodpile. This is APPEARS TO BE a prime example of a LAWLESS COMMITTEE, CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND CITY ATTORNEY.  This city has believed they could get by with all this poofy party favoritism and violating their own ordinances and nobody would ever tell on them. 

In a letter dated Wed. Dec. 4, 2013 Toni Wetzel(City of Little Falls attorney) writes to Irene Kao(League of Minnesota Cities attorney,

"Hi Irene, I have a meeting with our sister city group tomorrow and they had a few questions that I wanted to run by you.  Even though our sister city is a city committee, they had an account at the bank held under one of the director's social security numbers.  they put the money that the city allocated to the committee in it and then also put their fundraising funds into it (they have been told that they can no longer fundraise).  They are considering forming a non-city related group on their own so that they can fundraise.  But, they want to know what to do with the funds that are currently sitting in that account.   Can they keep it and use it for the new entity or does all or part need to go back to the city?  If you can let me know your thoughts, I would appreciate it."

From a letter dated December 4, 2013 addressed to Toni Wetzel from Irene Kao(League of Minnesota Cities attorney) ....



"Toni,  Sounds like you have a lot going on here. Here are my thoughts.  I have concerns that there is a bank account that (appears to be) not with the city, but with a private individual.  The funds that the city has allocated to the Sister City committee and the fundraising funds(which presumably were given because it was thought to go to the city, even if for the Sister City program) need to be in a city account.  THE MONEY IS CITY MONEY, AND IT BEING IN A PRIVATE ACCOUNT COULD LEAD TO POTENTIAL MISUSE OF CITY FUNDS.


Regarding the sister city committee wanting to form a non-city related group(which I assume would be a non-profit), I want to be clear that it would not be the city creating the group, but private individuals doing so.  With that being the case, this group could be created to fundraise and donate money to the city for the sister city program(similar to the Chamber of Commerce that might donate to a sister city program).  However, the reverse is not true.  City funds couldn't be given/donated to the group, unless there is a public purpose.  Based on the  Attorney General previous opinions, this does not appear to be a VALID PUBLIC PURPOSE.   Based on The Attorney General previous opinions, this does not appear to be a valid public purpose.  The Attorney
General had found that donations to the Boy Scouts and the Red Cross are improper public expenditures.  For more on this, see the League's Public Purpose Expenditure Memo, specifically on page 7 (click on the blue ink.)  Therefore, the money would need to stay with the city if a separate "group"/nonprofit were created."

In a letter written to Dan Vogt(Little Falls City Administrator) from Toni Wetzel(City Attorney) dated January 9, 2014.....

"They don't seem to be able to answer anything specifically on point.  It is all "it is likely" or "it appears" etc.....That is exactly why I would prefer it if the city had minimal if NO INVOLVEMENT IN THIS ANYMORE. Since we can't get firm answers, it is hard to know that what we are doing is right, wrong or somewhere in between.  Most cities link their sister city to economic development....I just don't see how we could really prove that there is an economic benefit or even potential economic benefit that over rides the cost.  We could say cultural enrichment for the community, but the community's involvement appears to be SEVERELY LIMITED TO A VERY SMALL GROUP(when the community has been invited, nobody showed up except the ones already involved).  Other cities run exchange students back and forth ....but we have never done that either.  I think if it really comes down to it, we will have a DIFFICULT TIME SHOWING HOW THIS PROGRAM ACTUALLY PROVIDES A PUBLIC BENEFIT TO THE CITIZENS OF LITTLE FALLS AS A WHOLE."

In a letter dated April 6, 2014 from Dan Vogt to Department Head and Committee Chairs....titled FUNDRAISING/SOLICITING DONATIONS.....

"In October-November of 2013 discussion was held with the League of Minnesota Cities(League) and the City Attorney regarding the ability of the City or City Committees to fundraise and/or solicit donations.  The City has been advised by the League and the City Attorney that there is no provision in State Statute that allows fundraising by Local units of government including the City itself or City committees.  This does not prevent individuals or businesses from making donations to the City, it just prevents EMPLOYEES OR CITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS FROM ACTIVELY SOLICITING DONATIONS/ OR HOLDING FUNDRAISING EVENTS. 
Committees or groups of individuals can form on their own if they choose, and hold fundraising events or solicit donations, however they cannot infer the City is involved in the event in ANYWAY.  The city would not provide legal or tax advice in this situation."





City of Little Falls Policy number 15 Use of Arts and Craft License Fee, (Sister City Committee/Parking Lot Fund) 

Background....The City of Little Falls has established a license fee for the Arts and Crafts Fair.  The purpose of this fee is to offset cost to the City and it's residents for the inconvenience many experience during the Arts and Crafts Fair.  Based on this premise, the City Council hereby designates moneys from the revenues of the Arts and Crafts License Merchant and Food/Beverage Licenses for the benefit of the downtown community and our Sister City relationship with Le Bourget, France. 

Policy Statement.... 1. $3,000.00 of Arts and Crafts License fees, collected annually, shall be deposited in the Sister City Committee Fund.  These funds are to be used for visits of residents from Le Bourget, France to Little Falls, Minnesota.  Funds in this account cannot be used to fund exchanges of Little Falls residents to Le Bourget.

2. The balance of all Arts and Crafts License fees, not designated for the Sister City Committee's Fund, shall be placed in the Parking Lot Fund. 






ORDINANCE NO. 61 SIXTH SERIES (in part)  REVISIONS BEING MADE FOR COUNCIL TO ACCEPT ON SEPT. 2, 2014 COUNCIL AGENDA.

The City of Little Falls Ordains:

Section 1. Little Falls City Code, Chapter 2, entitled "Administration and General Government"; Section 2.30, entitled "Sister City Committee", is hereby deleted in it's entirety. 

Section 2. Little Falls City Code Chapter 1, entitled "General Provisions and definitions applicable to the Entire City Code, Including Penalty for Violation", and Little Falls City Code Chapter 1, Section 1.99 entitled "Penalties for Violations", and little Falls City Code, Chapter 2, Section 2.99, entitled "Violation a Misdemeanor"; are hereby adopted in their entirely by the reference as though repeated vertatim herein. 

Section 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect seven[7] days after its passage and with it publication. 


So the question I will pose during the public forum comment time on Sept. 2, 2014 in part will be HOW WILL THE TAXPAYERS OF LITTLE FALLS BE PAID BACK FOR THIS MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS?     AND WHAT PENALTIES WILL BE PAID AND BY WHOM?    It would appear as though the city is pulling what seems to be a "fast one" again....in other words....changing the LAW TO SUIT THEIR OWN PURPOSE OR AVOID ANY PUBLIC EMBARRASSMENT OR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING THEIR OWN ORDINANCE. 

Doesn't it to you?

hey Morrison County WRECKORD disqus moderator...

In response to the following article in the MCRecord titled "Morrison County waives another after-the-fact permit fee"  I tried to post this comment but it was REMOVED BY THE MODERATOR, who is usually Terry Lehrke....it read "Why have rules at all, if you aren't going to enforce them fairly?  Obviously, the good ol' boys club at Morrison County Courthouse has not learned anything fro local recent lawsuits.  What part of "fair" don't they understand?  Makes one really wonder if they are qualified to hold the elected positions they hold.  Just sayin."

See how the local newspaper disallows any comments that question the practices of local government?    The MCRecord has a long history of this practice and it is now being challenged by MCBLOWBACK, AND THIS BLOG. 

Don't ever think you are getting the complete news from the local paper, because that simply isn't true.  You are getting A FILTERED CLOUDED VISION OF WHAT REALLY HAPPENED...NO MATTER THE SUBJECT MATTER. 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...ROBIN HENSEL FOR MAYOR

http://www.lptv.org/little-falls-surprise-mayoral-candidate/     I thought you might like to see this interview.  There ARE RAMPANT LOCAL INJUSTICES...AND THIS WILL END WHEN I TAKE OFFICE.

BODY CAMERAS FOR ALL LITTLE FALLS POLICE OFFICERS

When I asked the question, do the Little Falls Police Officers wear body cameras, Chief Schirmers said I would need to make a data request to get the answer to that question.  I said I was just asking a simple question, because these cameras protect the officer and the citizens.  I asked him if he would consider getting them for his officers, his response was that it was an administrative decision.  He said there were budget constraints. 

Certainly, having these cameras would make economic sense, in that there is little doubt of police or citizen behaviors once they are captured on camera.  They would undoubtedly lessen the likelihood of doubt.

 I certainly hope he makes the request for the council to cover this expenditure. Don't you?  If you agree, give him a call and urge him to do so.  320-616-5570.

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

After the Morrison County Records article titled "City attorney says calls of 'conflict of interest' against LF mayor over banking depository unfounded, I made a comment on the disqus comment forum and it WAS REMOVED BY THE MORRISON COUNTY RECORD MODERATOR.   Here is my comment...."The blog source, MCBLOWBACK, referred to by Dan Vogt and Morrison County Record as "social media" is not identified and is COPYRIGHTED.  The source needs to be cited.  THIS IS A COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT!!"

I just want everyone to know.

BRUCE FEIN constitutional scholar (with permission)

Some time ago, my attorney Bruce Fein gave me permission to use anything he has said in any way I want so here goes......

On Sept. 9, 2012 he spoke about  the current state of the Republic.

"Reminded of the observation of how the Roman Republic degenerated into the Roman Empire, Tacitus chronicled "the worst crimes were DARED BY FEW, WILLED BY MORE, TOLERATED BY ALL."    The purpose of government is to enable every individual the opportunity to pursue wisdom and virtue, not to create a greater dominion for self arbitrated big brother wishing to control the world. 

We have also degenerated into an empire, where the worst crimes against the Constitution, are "DARED BY FEW, WILLED BY MORE, AND TOLERATED BY ALL."  The purpose of our government as articulated in the Declaration of Independence, our forefathers explained, we are all born with unalienable rights, just because we are born.  Freedom and liberty is the rule.  Coercion and government controls the exception. 

The purpose of government is to secure these rights...period!!!   And that when government becomes destructive of that purpose, there is a right of REVOLUTION.  Not only a right, but a duty, a DUTY!!  In other words, it's not a moral option to sit as spectator, but it's critical in order to restore our political vitality.  That means, in general, when we think about government, we think about law.  That every time that there is coercion and encroachment on your freedom to choose, which also includes as a corollary, your accountability for your own destiny, that the government must satisfy very exacting standards of urgency.  otherwise, the default position is your freedom to decide how you want to pursue your happiness and wisdom.  It's not governments to tellyou or ordain.  It's not only because it's immoral, it also creates a culture of weakness and dependency.  It's only through struggle , it's only through challenge, that our character is developed.  That are our "metal is tested."  Ultimately, our destiny and our greatness as a nation turns on the culture of values of our people. 

Virtue is the goal of any nation. Not dominion, coercion and domination.  The fear of war is the destroyer of republics.  The founding fathers understood.  But perhaps the greatest danger to the retention of the Republic WAS WAR.  The fear of war is the destroyer of republics, was not based upon some academic theory, it was based upon all history of mankind that James Madison and others had chronicled the readings and writings, that show it was the executive branch that craved concoctions of fear of war.

Because during wartime all power goes to the executor.  Taxing, spending, appointments, patriotism, jingoism, leaving your footprints in the sands of time, you're going to get transformation present.  That's what all history shows.  The consensus was unanimous in 1787, that no single individual, no group of individuals, should ever be permitted to take the country across the Rubicon, from a state of peace to a state of war. 

War makes what is customarily homicide or murder, LEGAL!!

War always destroys the rule of law.  The only institution we can trust with a judgment that is not poisoned by a CONFLICT OF INTEREST, IS THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES!

Chief Justice Huges has written....

"It is only through free debate and free exchange of ideas the government remains responsive to the will of the people and peaceful changes affected.  The right to speak freely and to promote diversity of ideas and programs is therefore one of the chief distinctions that sets us apart from totalitarian regimes.  accordingly, a function of free speech under our system of government is to invite dispute.  It may indeed best serve it's high purpose when it induces a condition of unrest, grace to satisfaction with conditions as they are, and even stirs people to anger.  Speech is often provocative and challenging.  It may strike at prejudices and preconceptions and have profound unsettling effects as a presence for acceptance of an idea.  That is why freedom of speech, though not absolute, is nevertheless protected against censorship or punishment, unless shown likely to produce a clear and present danger of serious substantive evil that rises far above public inconvenience, annoyance or unrest.  There is no room under a Constitution for more restrictive view.  For the alternative would lead to standardization of ideas, either by legislatures, courts, or dominant political or community groups."

RUSTIC SALOON.....DINA WUELLNER AND TIM WITUCKI sign status update.....

Yesterday(8-23-14) I took photos of the new signs on the back and front of the Rustic Saloon, and it looks to me like they are finally COMPLIANT WITH THE SIGN ORDINANCE.  I wonder if Tim will still park his vehicles with the 10" oak tree in front and back of the bar to advertise?  That would really be noteworthy.  Frankly, I hope he does.

FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY

The following are part of my public forum at the work session on 7-21-14...

The police department and fire hall have no sign permit for the letters on their buildings.  The police Department is responsible for issuing tickets for sign violations and is in violation of that same sign ordinance.  What an outrage!

Before any Sister City funds that have been held in a private bank account are moved, an outside the area CPA must audit that account, thoroughly.  This is a fiduciary responsibility of the City of Little Falls.  How will the city pay it's residents back all of the money, that it misused by funding the Sister City Committee for more than a decade?   The residents deserve an answer.  It is, after all, a City Councils fundamental job to determine valid public purposes, and to act in their service.  And if an invalid public expenditure is made, the city could find itself dealing with taxpayer lawsuits.  If the taxpayer is successful the expenditure might be found to be ILLEGAL.  Personal liability for the expenditure might also fall upon the individual Council members, in some situations, since they have a fiduciary responsibility to spend the public's money for a PUBLIC PURPOSE.  The city could also be found in noncompliance by the State Auditor.  The state auditor could find that the city has made an unauthorized expenditure of public funds and could result in future special audits and embarrassment for the city.  The Council could lose the trust of the people in the community.  SHAME on this Council for authorizing $3,000.00 per year, on an entertainment subsidy for non-U.S. citizens and not the taxpayers of Little Falls.  SHAME on this Council for not listening to Theresa and I.  SHAME on your city administrator for not advising this Council to defund the Sister City program at the end of 2013, as he stated he would do in a meeting with Melissa Peterson and I in March 2013, as he could identify NO PUBLIC PURPOSE. Your city attorney should have advised you differently years ago. 

Are taxpayer LAWSUITS ON THE HORIZON?  I THINK SO.

I request that golf course scholarships for interested lower income residents of Little Falls be issued immediately, to provide a public purpose, and not just cheap golf for the rich.  Councilman Hanfler, who is on the golf committee, has state publicly that the committee does not meet monthly, as required by your own Charter.  I believe I heard him state that they hadn't met in over a year.  

NUF SAID.

DID YOU KNOW????

Your current City Finance officer (formerly co-city administrator) is in charge of audio recording work session meetings.  There are 3 missing work session tapes that the city has no explanation as to their disappearance.   The missing dates are September 5, 2011...November 21, 2011, December 5, 2011. 

Now isn't it interesting that this is all around the EXACT TIME I PUT MY SIGNS UP AND THE CITY BEGAN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY COULD GET ME TO TAKE DOWN MY SIGNS, BUT NOT ALL THE OTHER SIGNS(INCLUDING MANY OF THEIR OWN) THAT WERE ILLEGAL UNDER THE OLD UNCONSTITUTIONAL SIGN ORDINANCE.

Golf Course Air.....GONE TO THEIR HEADS????

Remember I mentioned some troubling things that I had discovered in the minutes of the Golf Advisory Board?  The following items are directly from the minutes...here goes.....

First in Dec. 2001....a letter was sent to service clubs on donations toward the proposed Golf Course improvements, with the city giving $25,000.00 from the Dewey Trust Fund.  (remember city committees cannot fundraise or solicit donations according to the State Auditors office)....we will end the year approximately $25,000.00 in the red!!

January 2002...Letter to members asking for donations for sprinkler system(so far they had already received 7,500.00)

February 2007...Bruce Sargent introduces idea of developing a 501c3 non profit status...City Council want them to proceed with this, and the council will be reviewing the status of the organization. 

March 2008 Golf Extravaganza mentioned and income from Little Falls Lions meetings average weekly meetings $250.00 (2,000.00 cash collected to date) 501c3 donations through FAB and gaming events through gaming license of Little Falls Lions Club. 

May 2011 City Finance Officer Lori Kasella present at meeting. Randy Pankonen(manager of golf course) and Lori Kasella reported on recent meetings with the Small Business Administration in Brainerd. We have had two meetings with Julie Anderholm at Brainerd Community College.  She has reviewed the golf course operations and financial information. Suggested we look at menu changes and pricing.  Also looked at advertising costs and set goals for cost of goods sold for liquor and food.  Randy has already addressed the menu items.  wE will continue to work on this project.  Staff proposed to meet with Ms. Anderholm in July.

Oct. 2011 (Mayor VanRisseghem and Jeremy Hanfler present(Jeremy is vice president)....AED need to have a donation box in the clubhouse for money to go towards an AED(I believe may be a defibrillator)  Finances-The board also reviewed the yearly comparisons from 2009, 2010 and 2011.  It was pointed out that as of the end of September, the Golf Course (as a whole), is behind 2010 for total revenues by almost $15,000.00, yet we are ahead in net profit because total expenditures are less than 2010 by approximately $25,750.00.

The last meeting they held was on November, 15, 2012.....there was no quorum...agendas were sent to members....Those present Tom Miller, Men's league representative, Jeremy Hanfler, Randy Pankonen, and Jerry Lochner(co-city administrator).  The group reviewed having members who are available for meeting and potential members were discussed and they will be given to Mayor Van
Risseghem to contact.  The next board meeting will be determined once a full board has been appointed by the City Council. 

How come the mayor did not seek out or evidently locate any volunteers for the Golf Advisory Board since she was present at the last meeting in 2012???   Why didn't she recruit volunteers for this board? 


Now here is where I have a problem with how this is all working.  For years and years....since the very first year this advisory board was established and made an ordinance, by the City Council this board NEVER EVER FOLLOWED THE RULES THAT REQUIRE MONTHLY MEETINGS.  PLUS THE GOLF COURSE OPERATED IN THE RED SOME YEARS.  WELL NO WONDER...THERE WAS NO OVERSIGHT. 

Advisory board was established in 1989 and ....

AS EARLY AS MARCH 6, 1990 UNDER COMMUNICATIONS CHARITABLE GAMBLILNG ISSUE WAS DISCUSSED. 

March 12, 1991  Sue Paulson attended the meeting to comment on the proposed long range goals committee that was advertised in the newsletter.  Sue would like to see the committee advertised for again in the upcoming newsletter.  she also feels that if volunteers do not come forward that people should be nominated by their respective leagues or called and asked to serve.  Doug (Villette) expressed his concern at having this committee formed in such a manner, as it was presented to the City Council as a committee that would be formed to give people who presently do not or cannot be represented by the board a chance to express their opinions.

Over the years the publicly owned golf course has provided CHEAP GOLF FOR THE RICH AND PROVIDED NO REAL PUBLIC BENEFIT.  IF THAT WERE TRUE, DISADVANTAGED AND LOW INCOME CITIZENS WOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GOLF FOR FREE.  NOW THAT WOULD BE A REAL PUBLIC BENEFIT. 

IN MY PUBLIC FORUM COMMENT ON JULY 21, 2014 I ASKED THE COUNCIL TO CONSIDER IMMEDIATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE POOR OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY PUBLIC BENEFIT THAT IS REQUIRED ACCORDING TO THE STATE AUDITORS OFFICE, ANYTIME A PUBLIC EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS IS SPENT BY GOVERNMENT. 

These are your taxpayer dollars being spent to subsidize the well heeled elitists in Little Falls.  The "poofy party" as I call them.  

DEMAND BETTER GOVERNANCE FROM YOUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL....NOW!!!

Tmac and Rick Witte ....

Two days ago, I posted this comment on the disqus commentary thread of the MCRecord article titled "Little Falls Sister City committee may disband"..... "Tmac and Rick Witte...this should sink both your ships...councilors CAN BE SUED personally/individually for MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS, say nothing of taxpayer lawsuits against the City itself.  Check it out for yourselves HOTSHOTS!!!  League of Minnesota informational memo...or make a data request for the letter that Dan Vogt gave to all councilors explaining this. Won't you both be just a LITTLE BIT EMBARRASSED if you have DEFENDED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY?"

In today's MCRecord there is an article written by Terry Lehrke, titled "Two committees to be deleted from city code; another amended", that reads in part(in reference to the Little Falls Sister City Committee):  "However, when it was learned that it is illegal for a city or its committees to raise funds, the Sister City Committee began to crumble, with its members not knowing what their responsibilities were or how to move forward."

Now just so there's no confusion....I want to reiterate what Theresa and I have been stating quite vocally at a number of work sessions or council meetings.... that the Sister City Committee provided absolutely NO PUBLIC PURPOSE, WHICH IS A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE RULES OF THE STATE AUDITORS OFFICE, ANYTIME PUBLIC FUNDS ARE SPENT BY GOVERNMENTAL BODIES.

This is a prime example folks of a LAWLESS COUNCIL.  They knew, because we told them.  They simply will not listen to reason or follow the laws. 

I sure hope the City eventually tells the public just exactly how they found out that they were not following the State Auditors rules.  If they don't...I will.  Cough it up Dan Vogt, or better yet Mayor VanRisseghem.... how did you find out you were not supposed to fund raise or solicit donations?  They are hiding plenty from you, the citizenry. 

TIME TO WRITE ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE TROUBLING ISSUES I MENTIONED BEFORE....LOOK FOR THAT INFO IN THE NEXT BLOG.

MAYOR SAYS LITTLE FALLS IS "POOR IN SPIRIT, POOR IN THOUGHT, AND POOR IN ACTION''

I have wondered for awhile now, just why Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem said that?   I recorded her saying that at a Youth Task Force meeting (an official City of Little Falls committee that had been meeting at the Alliance Church).  In my opinion, it was tacky for the mayor to say that about the town she is head of.

 On the Morrison County Record disqus commentary thread recently, one of the anonymous posters (Tmac) questioned me by asking "if you are elected mayor and you take offense at what someone says to you are going to use the same vocabulary you use on many of your posts?  I sure hope not as it would be totally unprofessional and quite frankly, tacky."

   My reply to him (which is awaiting moderation by the MC Record moderator, who at least some of the time is  Terry Lehrke) "tmac.....what is REALLY TACKY is elected officials that do not follow their own rules, policies or the U.S. Constitution.  Tacky is SELECTIVE  ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, and HUMAN RIGHTS INJUSTICES that are RAMPANT in Little Falls and MORRISON COUNTY.  The LAST THING YOU AND EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT would be my vocabulary, relating to endless war that is bankrupting our nation, savage inhumane torture(U.S. government authorized under Dubya) and now illegal drone assassinations that are a violation of INTERNATIONAL LAW....just to name a few outrages.

 WAKE UP COMMUNITY. SMALL THE COFFEE.  It's brewing in downtown." 

In the future I will be posting on my blog any comments that the MCRecord does not put through for the public to see.   That way EVERYONE CAN SEE HOW SELECTIVE THEY HAVE BEEN IN PUTTING THROUGH MY COMMENTS.    I have a pile of posts that were not posted from months ago, that I emailed Tom West and Terry Lehrke and probably copied Keith and Marge from ECM publishers in the Twin Cities, and never got an answer from any of them.   The least the local paper could/should do is be polite respond to a legitimate question, right? 

When I have time, I will post some of them just so you can see how they have not wanted my comments to get out to the public....kind of like how the council stopped allowing citizen appeals to be on the televised portion of City Council meetings.   They didn't want Theresa and my ideas to get out to the public because quite frankly, we were always one step ahead of them, and they would be exposed for the less than  forward thinkers they are.   Cities that pride themselves in implementing ideas and programs that are good for everyone, are the communities that are thriving. 

Take for example the wonderful mural that will soon be painted on a Long Prairie building that exemplifies and celebrates the multi-cultural community that Long Prairie has become.  Why are they ahead of us?   Because they welcome and celebrate diverse cultures...that's why.   Little Falls can and should be welcoming and recruiting diversity.  

Under my leadership as Mayor, I certainly will be.

Just my three cents.   

Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem COMMITTEE MEETING NOTIFICATION

At the work session of council on 8-18-14 here are  the mayoral comments, with other councilors and Dan Vogt' s reaction to them. 

Dan Vogt tells the council that a member of the Historic Preservation Commission said they felt that city staff should make contact with all committee members prior to meetings to notify them of the upcoming meeting.

Cathy: "There really isn't any policy out there that um shows these committees how they're supposed to be run, what the staff responsibilities are, and what theirs are and one of the questions I've come up with about HPC is, why doesn't the president send out a notice?  If you have emails from everybody then he could just send out a notice of that meeting, which a lot of them do that.  I know that ah Cathy, here at City Hall does that for the Energy Departmental Committee, ah, it's doing fine, um, the committee that will be meeting, and other boards, the library ah, they basically get it from the president.  She emails that out.  So you know, once again this is a committee that's ah, um. a responsibility of the city, and how do we wanna handle these committees and direct them on what needs to be done so that they're doing it correctly and down the road, they're not being um, pounded or persecuted because they've done something wrong.  I think that if we could get staff to kind of draft something for the responsibilities of these committees, and then when they get new people in that, that particular thing is given to them or handed out to the president, so that they know how to run these meetings legally, and that you know they get the minutes to and get the word out and that type of thing."

LeeAnn Doucette: " Since I've been on that committee we've always gotten our minutes from the secretary and it says right on the minutes when the next meeting is."

Jeremy Hanfler: "If you're gonna take on that responsibility of being on a committee, pay attention when your next meeting is." 

Don Klinker:  "That's the way I feel too."

Hanfler:  "They can go on the city's website and all the notice of meetings are on there too."

Alderman Crowder:  "They can always call the city office if it's cancelled for some reason or postponed."

Cathy: "Well through the years we've had problems. I mean Mr. Crowder mentioned not too long ago is when we keep getting these committee members that are dropping out.  A lot of it is because um some of the issues that have been going on in this city and they just don't wanna put up with it anymore, but I know we had a whole rules and regs, you're not supposed to be doing you know the protocol of meetings or you know if they'd say ah, you know, and all that stuff.  I think it's got to be written down somehow and then handed onto the committee so they can pass that down to see if they're doing that stuff legally.  Or even the drafts that we've had from previous announcements to the committees that they can't do any fundraising, they can't be talking to other committee members more than you know, in violation of the closed meeting law and that type of thing. So that they know what they're doing.  I think a lot of them are just sick of floundering out there and there's no direction."

Dan Vogt: " There's something, and I know I sent it out to all the committees awhile back as to how to run the meetings and all that.  It was pretty comprehensive."

NOTICE THERE IS NO MENTION FROM ANYONE IN THIS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE CITY CHARTER HAS RULES IN PLACE FOR COUNCIL MEETINGS AS WELL AS CITY COMMITTEE MEETINGS.     This is the job of a competent administrator, to point this out.  Rule 2.42 and City Policy # 69, spell out EXACTLY HOW MEETINGS ARE TO BE CONDUCTED.  Robert's Rules apply as well.  Read it for yourself.

CHECK OUT THE CITY CHARTER FOR YOURSELF.  IT DOESN'T TAKE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO FOLLOW RULES.  HOW MANY TIMES, DO THESE MAYORAL APPOINTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE TO HAVE IT EXPLAINED?  

HOW MUCH MORE EVIDENCE DOES ANYONE NEED BEFORE REALIZING THE MAYOR AND THE FOLKS SHE HAS HAND PICKED NEED REPLACEMENT??

RICE CREEK ...INJUSTICE...outrage!!!

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/272282461.html        You might find this article interesting.  Need I say more ever again that we DESPERATELY NEED A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.....LOOKS LIKE A JOINT City of Little Falls and Morrison County one would be best.  

Because Kids Are Worth It !

Have you ever wondered what happens to children who have been removed from their families?  Well, my friend Jake Terpstra from Michigan has written a comprehensive book about that very subject.

A bit about Jake....graduate from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the University of Michigan, where he received a Master's degree in Social Work.  His career of more than a half century, began as a child welfare caseworker in a rural area for the Michigan department of Public Welfare, now the Department of Human Services.  Then he administered the Washtenaw County Juvenile Detention Home and following that, a private residential treatment program for children.  He next went to the Lansing central office of the state agency and administered the program for the licensing child welfare services in Michigan.  After his statewide experience, Mr. Terpstra was appointed by the U.S. Children's Bureau as a national specialist in state licensing of child welfare services.  With government downsizing , he was asked to also serve as the government specialist for group care of children and for family foster care.  These responsibilities included establishing and monitoring federal grants in those specialty areas and monitoring the grants.  His responsibilities also were open ended, responding to child welfare administrators throughout the country, to provide training, consultation or assistance with conference planning.  Sometimes consultation included legislators.  He initiated the National Association of State Foster Care Managers and edited a national newsletter on state licensing.  During this time, he wrote many articles on subjects he believed had not been adequately addressed.  After retirement he served on two agency boards of directors, county and state child welfare committees, a foster care review board and continued to provide consultation.  His experience began as a caseworker, then moved to administrative positions with statewide and national responsibility that included contacts with thousands of people working in child welfare throughout this country and also in other countries.  He recognized that at all levels the core values of child welfare services are basic even though different methods are required.  His writing this book is an attempt to share those experiences and observations with anyone interested in child welfare service, about what it is and what it could be. 

 The title is "Because Kids Are Worth It!"   It is available on Amazon.  It is inexpensive and very informative.

  More children enter the child welfare system annually now than were placed in the 75 years that the orphan trains operated!!! 

In Minnesota a state and federal study was done from 2005-2010 titled the Minnesota Permanency Demonstration Project.  This study had about 1,200 kids in Minnesota foster care homes.  When the kids were placed in permanent homes, half of the kids families received the same financial stipend as the foster care home got.  The other half of the kids permanent family got only half of that amount.  (this is typical in a permanent placement.)   When a person adopts a child in the foster care system, they are given only half the money to raise that child.  Now this just doesn't make sense and actually lessens the chances of that child staying in that home dramatically.  The results of the study that tracked the difference the extra stipend mattered, showed overwhelmingly that the kids with the financial disparity leveled, succeeded in school, community, college jobs, staying out of crime much more than did the kids whose families received only half.   Think about it.  Why on earth, would the system have been set up this way.  If our desire is to get as many children that are considered difficult to place, into permanency, then ending the financial disparities is required.   Urge your legislators to fully fund permanent, "forever homes" for every child.   This is a collective social responsibility, one that should not have to be shouldered by a single individual or couple.  The costs to society will be much less in the long run if we just change this disparity.   

HENSEL FOR MAYOR updated 2018 election

http://m.startribune.com/state-supreme-court-ruling-reverses-disorderly-conduct-conviction-of-little-falls-woman/444312223/

http://m.startribune.com/supreme-court-invalidates-law-that-bars-meeting-disturbance/444233763/

From my 2014 mayoral campaign....

I’ve been a resident of Little Falls for over 20 years. As a member of this community I’ve been a successful small business owner, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, a mother, a grandmother, a foster parent, a peace activist, a staunch supporter of free speech and the American Constitution

Our community leadership’s longstanding culture of forfeiting what is in the best interest of our city in order to advance the personal and professional interests of a small opportunity-hoarding clique will come to an end with my election to public office. I have entered as the Mayoral candidate to represent the best interest of the whole community, great and small, not a subset of exclusive elites who view themselves as entitled to a taxpayer subsidized vacation.

Under my leadership the city of Little Falls will draft not only an ethics policy but a comprehensive conflict of interest policy. While we cannot right the wrongs of the past we can mandate effective change for the future.

Our governing laws and city policies will no longer exist for the situational, selective and periodic use by elected officials or law enforcement, but rather apply equally to all people all of the time.

My term as Mayor will be fulfilled on the value that government transparency is the cornerstone of an educated electorate which advances and strengthens democracy.

In recent years there have been lists of lawsuits and complaints over issues of civil rights from school districts to government units. Upon election to office, the city of Little Falls will work to form a Human Rights Commission. Its objective will be public education to mitigate and defuse disputes among parties before they rise to the level of costly litigation.

There is little dispute that, as a country, we are living through troubled times. While we can’t begin to solve the enormous problems of the world, I believe that by being diligent and engaged community members and demanding standards of ethic and accountability for elected officials that we can begin to transform and make sense of our own small piece of that universe.

My recommendation

 I encourage reading a recent Washington Post article titled "Police cameras are important, but they're useless with out proper policies to ensure they're used properly."   

Every city, including the City of Little Falls, Minnesota should have policies that include the use and procedure associated with all of the equipment necessary to protect the officers and the citizen's they are sworn to protect.

Morrison County Sheriff candidates

Have you checked the laws that govern campaigning/advertising while in uniform?  I remember reading something about that since uniforms law enforcement officers wear are paid for with tax dollars, campaigning in them may not be legal. 

Statuatory Plan A Cities as opposed to Home Rule Charter Cities

Just to set the story straight, in Little Falls(a home rule charter city) the MAYOR IS THE HEAD OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.  In a Statutory Plan A city, such as Eagan, Mn., a full time city administrator runs day to day operations.  City departments under his  authority include Administration, Communications, Finance, Planning, Public works, Protective Inspections, Parks and Recreation, Police and Fire. 

For a variety of reasons, I believe that the City of Little Falls, may be wise to consider becoming a Statutory Plan A city. 

Chief of Police absent.

Some have wondered, as I have, why the Little Falls Police Chief was not present at the Council meeting of 8-18-14 where his department's annual budget was on the agenda.  The Mayor made no mention about why he was absent.  Since she is the Chief's supervisor, shouldn't she have questioned his absence, or at least explained his absence? 

Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem's deposition

From the deposition taken by my attorney Larry Frost on August 5, 2013

Cathy: I was tourism director in Little Falls and the Main Street director for almost 30 years.  I was the executive director for the little Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Frost: Is the Convention and Visitor's Bureau part of Little Falls government?   How is it related to Little Falls?"

Cathy: It is not.  It is a --It is not a part of Little Falls government.  It is a private, nonprofit organization.  It's a 501(c)(6).   And so it's totally separate from the City of Little Falls. 

Frost:  Does it receive any funding from the City of Little Falls?

Cathy: Yes.  The City of little Falls has a lodging and restaurant tax.  The City of Little Falls collects that tax.  A percentage of that tax then goes to the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the marketing and promotion of the community. 



 I have attended many council meetings that Kris Von Berge, current CEO of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been on the agenda, asking them to approve funding for the informational flyers and pamphlets that she displays at airports, tourist information centers, and other locations.  I believe the CVB IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO CITY GOVERNMENT, OTHERWISE WHY WOULD KRIS HAVE HAD TO GET PERMISSION TO BUY THOSE PAMPHLETS? 

Might....

Recently a brilliantly written guest editorial letter in the Morrison County Record, titled "Might Doesn't Make Right" by Will Hecht, caught my attention.  On the commentary thread that follows a person who calls themself "newpolitiq7" writes "Thank you for taking the time to respond, Mr. Hecht. I'm a little surprised that members of the local ministerial community haven't responded." 

My response to that comment was "They aren't that Christian."  The Morrison County Record moderator has not yet published my comment.  Wonder why not?

Peace is EVERY CITY'S BUSINESS.

I urge all readers to read Mr. Will Hecht's article. Time well spent.

Tim Witucki and Dina Wuellner LITTLE FALLS, MN.... DOWNTOWN BILLBOARDS

It is important for the readers to know that the council chose to violate their own rules once again, at the most recent City Council work session.  The public forum comment time, which is limited to 3 minutes, has been the first item of the  work session agenda for months now. Before the work session closed on 8-18-14, Lori Kasella told the council that Tim Witucki who had arrived too late to give his public forum, would like to give it since he missed his opportunity earlier.   Council President Donald Klinker, stated that since they had extra time, and no councilors objected, they once again made an exception.  Here is some of  what Tim Witucki said: 

"We gotta get over and done with this thing with the signs."   Then he asks: "Can I put a 10 oak tree in the top of my car, park it in front of the bar and do my advertising on that?  Cuz it's on wheels and then can I take another one and park it in the back and put signs on that?  And then look like an idiot.  Is there any limit to the vehicles that I can do?"

Then President Klinker and other councilors explain they have no say in any of that, but he must move his cars on First Street in accordance with the  parking restrictions.

If I am not mistaken that area of the downtown area has a 3 hour time limit for daytime parking, so Tim is going to be busy moving his car from one spot to another.  He asked if he needed only move his vehicles an inch to qualify for the necessary move.  I remember hearing sometime back at one of the meetings about parking in the downtown area, that technically cars had to be moved an entire car length, in order not to be ticketed.

 I wonder how his business neighbors will feel about this.   Basically I think Tim is frustrated that the new sign ordinance does not allow him adequate sign advertising space. I agree!!   I believe an owner of a business should be allowed to decide how much advertising they want.   Why should government be allowed to restrict commercial speech, or free speech for that matter?     

 I can't wait to view and photo the BILLBOARD CARS soon to make their debut on the STREETS OF DOWNTOWN Little Falls. 

18,810 pageviews

Last Monday I had a total of 587 pageviews.  Since I starting blogging every day since then my pageviews had multiplied immensely.  I guess this is what some call the "power of the pen."  I shall keep writing.  Not boasting, just wish for my readers to understand the "reach" of my writings. 

A MUST READ FERGUSON

Heads up......check out MCBLOWBACK's newest article titled "Why Ferguson Matters To Morrison County".   It's SPOT ON.  Jody nailed it AGAIN !!!

Tomorrow's blog....Tim Witucki

Well folks, I am all tuckered out now, so I will have to write the transcribed comments from last meetings of Tim Witucki, Mayor Cathy VanRisseghem, Dan Vogt and a variety of councilors on a variety of subjects.  Wish I could do it tonight but my back hurts and I need rest.  I appreciate the huge readership this blog is getting.   As of today 18,640 pageviews !!!   Whew.....glad you  are out there reading.   Thanks....Robin