The Democratic-led Legislature voted to tax-the-rich, smokers, close corporate loopholes in raising about $2 billion in new taxes in its omnibus tax bill.

The Senate took its vote shortly before the Legislature adjourned until next year.

The tax bill closes the $627 million state budget deficit, fuels education funding and provides tax relief for homeowners and renters.

It creates a fourth-tier income tax rate at 9.85 percent — a change snagging about $1 billion — applicable to joint married filers earning more than $250,000 in taxable income, single-filers with taxable income of more than $150,000.

The income tax increase embraces the top two percent of taxpayers.

Republicans are not pleased.

“Thank goodness the increase in the candy tax and snack tax went away,” Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, quipped.

“This bill hurts every Minnesotans,” he said.

The tax on a pack of cigarettes is increased by $1.60 per pack under the tax bill.

The increase is about more than raising money, Democrats argue.

House Tax Committee Chairwoman Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, presents her tax bill to the House. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

“I view it as a public health imperative,” House Tax Committee Chairwoman Ann Lenczewski, DFL-Bloomington, said.

Senate Tax Committee Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, a former smoker, said he had never voted for a cigarette tax increase before.

“This is one of the hardest issues for me,” he said.

But Skoe found the health argument compelling.

All told, changes to tobacco taxes garner $430 million.

In addition to closing perceived corporate loopholes — a closure capturing $400 million — a 10 percent gift tax is imposed.

For the gift tax, a lifetime credit of $100,000 is provided, and a taxpayer can give up to $13,000 a year without counting towards their $1 million exemption.

The tax bill does not include the sweeping sales tax reforms originally proposed by Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, but it does expand the sales tax to non-consumer warehousing and storage, repair and maintenance of electronic equipment and commercial and industrial machinery,

The storage of boats, cars, and recreational vehicles not eligible to be deducted as business expenses are exempt from the warehouse sales tax expansion.

Further, the storage of farm products and refrigerated storage are also exempt.

But the expansion of the sales tax to the repair and maintenance of industrial machinery includes farm machinery.

And the warehousing provision, which will go into effect in 2014, applies to some farm storage.

The tax bill contains an Internet “Amazon Tax” online sale tax provision for out-of-state retailers with affiliates in Minnesota selling on their behalf.

That captures $10 million.

In terms of tax relief, the bill exempts cities and counties from paying the sales tax for most purchases, a $172 million savings to local government.

Under the bill, some 300,000 homeowners will see their property tax refund increase, and another 100,000 additional homeowners will receive a refund, Democrats say.

One provision Republicans focused during floor debate dealt with the Vikings stadium.

A one-time flush of money into the stadium reserve account is achieved through a cigarette tax on floor stock. To further stabilize the state stadium funding, left shaky by feeble electronic pull-tab revenues, corporate tax loophole closures dollars could be channeled towards paying off the stadium.

Some Republicans were flabbergasted.

“Can you smoke in the new stadium?” Rep. Tom Hackbarth, R-Cedar, asked Lenczewski.

“Because smokers are going to be paying for it,” he said. The tax bill contains no alcohol tax increases.

A Mayo Destination Medical Center provision is included in the tax bill.

It anticipates the state investing a maximum of $327 million over 27 years after the clinic, City of Rochester, and Olmstead County make sufficient investments.

A Rochester Democrat choked up on the House floor while thanking Lenczewski for the language.

The tax bill extends Mall of America TIF districts to spur Phase Two mall expansion.

It provides a sales tax exemption for the proposed Baxter Biopharmaceutical facility in Brooklyn Park.

About 54,400 Minnesota resident tax returns, or about 2.1 percent of filers, will fall under the fourth-tier income tax rate.

Senate Tax Committee Chairman Rod Skoe, DFL-Clearbrook, talks to a Senate colleague on the Senate floor. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Ninety-eight percent of Minnesota taxpayers will see no income tax increase, according to the Governor’s Office.

A married couple with a taxable income of $617,000 would pay about $8,400 more in taxes under the fourth-tier.

A single filer with a taxable income of $428,000, under the fourth-tier, would pay an additional $5,500.

Minnesota’s 9.85 percent tax rate would be fifth highest in the country.

Republicans were critical of the bill not only for what was in it, but what wasn’t.

“What’s unfortunate, we did not make our veterans a priority in the bill,” Rep. Anna Wills, R-Apple Valley, said.

Wills had pursued a veterans tax hiring credit.

“It’s not necessary, and not needed,” Rep. Joe McDonald, R-Delano, said of the tax increases.

The tax bill passed the House on a party line 71-58 vote; it passed the Senate on a 36-30 vote.

Democratic senators Terri Bonoff of Minnetonka, Melisa Franzen of Edina, and Susan Kent of Woodbury voted with Republicans.

Debate in the Senate also had Republicans standing on the floor condemning the tax bill.

“These taxes are really about envy,” Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, said of tax-the-rich.

“This bill will make us a high tax island,” Sen. Julianne Ortman, R-Chanhassen, said.

Sen. Dan Hall, R-Burnsville, described the Democratic taxing philosophy predatory.

“If they got a need — let’s tax them!” Hall said.

Sen. Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge, called the tobacco tax increase as Democrats taking “politically correct” money.

Tim Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler stopped by the corporate offices of ECM Publishers in Coon Rapids last week to say he was delighted with components of the Minnesota Legislature’s biennial budget for the University.

Kaler, meeting with the ECM Editorial Board, applauded last week’s Higher Education Conference Committee actions, which included a recommendation of a tuition freeze over two years.

University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler provided some what he
called “high-touch” points when visiting with the ECM Editorial Board
recently. State funding for the University was a major part of the
discussion. Editorial Board member Tom West of the Morrison County
Record is at left. (Photo by Howard Lestrud)

The conference committee’s recommendation was approved by both houses of the Legislature last weekend, just two days prior to adjournment.

Kaler took over the reins of the University
in July of 2011. He said the approval of the higher education funding bill marks the U’s first funding increase in eight years.

The tuition freeze was a high priority, Kaler said. The approved legislation provides the requested $14.2 million annually to freeze tuition for Minnesota resident undergraduates for two years (the 2014-15 biennium). The University’s tuition is currently $13,309 on the Twin Cities campus.

Kaler calls the University of Minnesota a jewel in the State of Minnesota. “We are very pleased the governor and the state have given us this support,” he said.

State legislators also voted to  invest $18 million annually to fund the Minnesota Discover, Research and InnoVation Economy (MnDRIVE) program, which is designed to  advance scientific research in four critical fields.

The four areas identified at the intersection of need are: 1) food; 2) water; 3) robotics and 4) neuromodulation. The last represents a growing area in the medical device industry that addresses brain disorders from Alzheimer’s disease to addiction.

Kaler is especially proud of the investment made for robotics. Minnesota has the highest per capital rate of participation in robotics for high school and pre-high school, Kaler said.

In order to receive 5 percent of its state budget allocation, the University under this new legislation must meet certain performance metrics. Those metrics focus on graduation rates, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degrees, administrative costs and invention disclosures.

Kaler, who received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota, said he is very proud of the school’s standing. He said the U receives 42,000 applicants and enrolls 5,600 of that total. The average ACT by a U applicant is 27.7, he said. The University’s honors college counts 400-plus and these students can go to any university in the nation.

“We are keeping students and their talents in Minnesota,” Kaler said. Sixty-two percent of first year students are from Minnesota, he said.

The University has recently been criticized for its overload in administration and for its efficiency. He said the U’s efficiency is improving in the areas of teaching, research and service.

Kaler commented on the student debt load upon graduation at an average of $27,000. Three-fourths of the University’s graduates will have debt, he said. By freezing tuition, 10 percent of the debt is reduced, Kaler said. He said the University is the lowest four-year net cost institution  at $75,000.

The University’s administrative and professional staff represents the 22nd largest in the nation, Kalersaid. The U recently grew by 9,000 students. A campus was recently opened in Rochester. “I run a $3.5 billion enterprise,” he pointed out.

Kaler said cuts have been made. For example, he said,  the University once had 71 call centers for Information Technology and has trimmed it to 18 and soon to be one.

“Operation costs are funded at the University from efficiencies,” Kaler said. He referred to a steam power plant in the Twin Cities that saves the U $58 million.

University research staffs are often funded by sponsored dollars, Kaler said. “We need our research mission to find facts in an unfiltered and unbiased way,” he said. The control is a peer-to-peer evaluation, he said.

Kaler was asked if online education has had an effect on the University’s education system. “Most of our students were born with a smart phone in their hands,” Kaler said but he believes brick and mortar institutions will be around for some time. “I don’t think we will go out of business,” he said.

The brand of the University is centered on medical first and athletics second, Kaler said. He emphasized the importance of doing well on both fronts. “We need to be more competitive,” he said. The U has an athletic budget of $80 million.

The University is proud of its partnership with the Mayo Clinic and with Fairview, Kaler said. Fairview plans include building a new ambulatory care center.

Howard Lestrud can be reached at howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com

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Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, emotionally spoke against the unionization legislation. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

In a stormy climax, the Democratic-led House passed child care and personal care attendant unionization legislation on Monday, May 20.

The 68-66 vote brought cheers from union activists in the House gallery and catcalls from Republicans on the floor.

“Let them applaud,” a Republican shouted at House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, as the Thissen gaveled for quiet. “They own the place,” the Republican yelled.

The vote could set in motion a process by which union activists, supplied with lists from the state, would collect signatures from child care providers and personal care attendants receiving state subsides. An election, by mail ballot, would take place if at least 30 percent of providers eligible to vote indicated a wish to join a union.

Darleen Henry of Rosemount, a personal care provider since her mother suffered a stroke about two years ago, was outside the House chamber with other activists after the vote.

“I feel like I have someone who’s there for me, someone behind my back,” Henry said of a union. “I know we don’t have a union yet, but I feel it’s at least a possibility now.”

Henry views the union as a means of getting additional training.

Another activist outside the House chamber was Becky Swanson, a Lakeville child care provider. Swanson spoke of filing suit in federal court to stop the vote.

“We’ll fight this for eight years,” Swanson said.

One of the plaintiffs in the successful suit against Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton, when the governor attempted to call an unionization election by executive order, Swanson isn’t surprised a unionization effort is taking place in Minnesota.

“Minnesota is union-friendly state,” she said. She has nothing against unions, Swanson said, but child care providers are private businesses.

Debate on the House floor was emotional. Rep. Peggy Scott, R-Andover, said she and her husband have owned rental property and have rented to people receiving government assistance.

“Are we next?” Scott asked of possible unionization. “Are landlords next?”

Rep. Sarah Anderson, R-Plymouth, dismissed the idea the legislation was about bettering the lives of providers and improving the quality of child care.

“It’s money. It’s all about money,” Anderson said of unions collecting dues.

House Deputy Minority Leader Jenifer Loon, R-Eden Prairie, appealed to Democrats to take a tough vote and vote “no.”

“Search your heart and your conscious,” said Loon, who recently voted to pass same-sex marriage legislation. “Be courageous,” she urged.

A handful of House Democrats, including Rep. Tim Faust, DFL-Hinckley, voted with Republicans against the bill. But it wasn’t enough.

Rep. Michael Nelson, DFL-Brooklyn Park, House bill author, said the legislation does not tell parents or providers how to raise children, nor does it form a union. It’s about getting right to vote, Nelson said.

“This bill is about ensuring the basic rights of undervalued workers to choose for themselves if they want to collectively bargain for better wages,” Nelson said in a prepared statement. “These workers, who are predominately women, now have an opportunity to bargain for improvements in their lives and the lives of the children, seniors and people with disabilities they serve,” Nelson said.

The unionization legislation passed the Democratic-led Senate on a 35-32 vote after an epic 17-hour, all-night floor session.

Area Democratic Sens. Terri Bonoff of Minnetonka, Greg Clausen of Apple Valley, Melisa Franzen of Edina and Bev Scalze of Little Canada sided with Republicans in voting against the bill.

Speaking after the House floor session, Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, said bill opponents were carefully monitoring the legislative debate for possible inclusion into a lawsuit.

Mack felt they would have a good case. Mack, who has a young son and is pregnant, spoke on the House floor about her family’s concerns with day care. Her heart breaks, she said, for the mothers receiving Child Care Assistance Program funding, a state subsidy.

Like other Republicans, Mack believes day care providers, in attempting to escape the union, will simply refuse to accept children receiving state subsides.

“They (CCAP mothers) will be rejected time after time after time,” she said.

All told, Minnesota had 351,000 wage and salary workers in unions in 2012 with another 17,000 represented by a union on their main job or covered by an employee association or contract, though not union members themselves, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Union membership is heavily skewed towards the public sector. Nationally about 36 percent of public sector employees belonged to unions, against only about 6.6 percent of workers in the private sector, according to the Bureau.

About 57 percent of Minnesota public sector jobs were unionized in 2012, according to unionstats.com, an Internet data resource providing private and public sector labor union membership and density estimates. Only about 8 percent of Minnesota private sector jobs were unionized, according to the site.

The union legislation now goes to the governor’s desk.

Tim Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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Patrick William Benton

An Anoka County District Court jury May 10 found Patrick William Benton, 55, guilty of first-degree murder while committing domestic abuse. The bloody body of Susan Courteau, 44, was found in her Coon Rapids apartment in the 10300 block of Hanson Boulevard the evening of Oct. 13, 2011 by her sister.

Benton will be sentenced May 29.

The trial started April 15; the jury returned its verdict May 13.

According to the criminal complaint, the apartment manager had been called police the morning of Oct. 13, 2011 because Courteau said Benton was drinking again and scaring her. A Coon Rapids police officer removed Benton from the apartment, cited him for trespassing, drove him to his sister’s home in Coon Rapids, told him not to return to Courteau’s apartment and watched him enter the home.

Benton and Courteau were apparently on the phone later that day because Benton wanted to get personal items from the apartment and he went back there around 2 p.m.

Benton was seen on surveillance videos at Rainbow Foods and then Target at Riverdale. He was seen 6:36 p.m. withdrawing $2,000 in cash from a cash machine inside Rainbow Foods and then 6:54 p.m. purchasing shoes and clothes from Target.

Police determined he was back at his sister’s home, about a mile or two from the Target store, around 7:30 p.m. A relative said Benton was acting oddly and changing clothes under a pine tree and was in possession of a Target bag.

The Anoka County SWAT Team and Coon Rapids Police executed a search warrant at the residence of Benton’s sister shortly after 5 a.m. Oct. 14, 2011. Police found a Target bag next to trash bins and inside the bags was a pair of jeans and a shirt. The Anoka County Forensic Lab found the presence of human blood. The clothes matched the clothes police and surveillance cameras saw Benton wearing the day before.

“This is another tragic case of domestic violence, where the defendant’s anger led him to murder an innocent woman,” said Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo. “I express my deepest condolences to Susan Courteau’s family, and I hope the legal process brings some closure for the family.”

Benton’s defense attorney William Ward could not be reached for comment.

Eric Hagen is at eric.hagen@ecm-inc.com

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The event, offering an opportunity to learn more about and to experience the innovative education taking place throughout the district, will be held Thursday, May 23.

Stop by the schools to see staff and students in action, sharing learning experiences aided by the 2012-13 digital learning initiative to improve students engagement. The initiative also personalizes learning and provides equal access of technology to students.

Nearly 5,000 learning devices, primarily iPads, have been distributed to students in grades two-12. Early childhood students and grade one students have access to iPods.

This is an opportunity for community members to have an up close and personal look at a variety of learning experiences – from tours to student and staff panels.

District 16 serves students from Spring Lake Park and parts of Blaine and Fridley.

For more scheduled times and more information, visit District 16’s website at www.springlakeparkschools.org.

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Blaine resident and former long-time Fridley resident Stan Kowalski was sworn in by Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart as an honorary deputy sheriff May 13, which happened to be Kowalski’s 87th birthday. This was the first time since becoming sheriff in 2011 that Stuart bestowed this honor on someone, which recognizes Kowalski’s long history of service to his nation and community. Photo by Eric Hagen

On May 13, Stuart swore Kowalski in as an honorary deputy sheriff for all the work the long-time Anoka County resident has done for veterans and countless others. Kowalski has lived in Blaine the past seven years and was a long-time Fridley resident before that.

This was the first time that Stuart has bestowed this honor on someone since becoming sheriff in 2011. Stuart said the sheriff’s office believes that true service does not just come from a work shift, but from the heart of a person who understands what the value of service is throughout the day.

“He already embraces our mission statement through his lifestyle. This is going to be an easy transition for you to assume this role,” Stuart said to Kowalski.

When Kowalski was the state’s VFW Commander in 2008-09, he became the last World War II generation statewide commander in the entire United States. He served as a gunner’s mate on three different submarines and was in the U.S. Navy from October 1943 to April 1946.

Kowalski became known as “Killer” and “Krusher” when he became a professional wrestler for 26 years after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, but he also became well known for his charitable work off the mat.

Watching veterans’ backs is an extremely important mission for Kowalski. It angers him when politicians — many who never served in the military — cut or reduce programs that help veterans because he was trained to not leave fallen comrades behind.

“Talk to your elected officials and tell them this is uncalled for and we as American citizens won’t stand for allowing a veteran to have to live under a bridge or in a cardboard box. These are our comrades and we have to pick them up,” Kowalski said.

A couple of his friends got in such a rough patch that they had to sleep under a bridge. Kowalski has been an advocate for homeless veterans. He has communicated with Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak’s office to try to find shelter for these veterans.

Anoka County Commissioner Jim Kordiak said Kowalski was an advocate for Stepping Stone’s move to the former Anoka State Hospital campus. Although the shelter serves all adults, Stepping Stone chief operating officer Lonni McCauley had said there would be an emphasis on homeless vets.

Len Gudmunson, the 7th District VFW Commander, said five abandoned military buildings at Fort Snelling will be able to house 57 veterans.

Gudmunson added that Kowalski is one of only 125 VFW members in the world to earn the Triple Crown Award for his post, district and state earning All-American VFW honors when he was its leader. He served two terms as post commander for the Fridley VFW Post 363 and was the 7th District VFW Commander and the state VFW commander.

“He deserves it,” Gudmunson said about Kowalski being named an honorary Anoka County Sheriff’s Office deputy. “He’s given his heart to the veterans and the community. We at the VFW love him.”

Since 1961, Kowalski has given more than 15,000 speeches and raised millions of dollars for the Greater Twin Cities United Way. Tara Uppman, manager of campaign services for Greater Twin Cities United Way, said Stan is dearly loved and organizations often request him to speak at their company United Way fundraising events. Kowalski said he regularly did over 200 speeches a year, except for the first couple of years and this last year due to some health issues.

“I’m 87, but I don’t feel that old,” he said. He 87th birthday was actually May 13, so his friends sang “Happy Birthday” at the end of the ceremony.

There is now the Stan Kowalski Lifetime Achievement Award for those who have volunteered for 10 or more years for the United Way and the Stan Kowalski Orator of the Year award presented to the most productive fundraising volunteer speaker.

Kowalski advocated for children for 18 years as a member of the Spring Lake Park School District 16 Board and was selected in 1992 as the Outstanding State School Board Member. He also was a member of the state school board association and Minnesota State High School League.

In response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Kowalski since 2002 has organized the Honor the Heroes event at halftime of one Spring Lake Park High School home football game each year.

Kowalski has also served on the national committee for the POW-MIA Foundation and on the Big Brothers-Big Sisters Board. He was elected to the city of Fridley Hall of Fame and elected to the University of Minnesota Wall of Fame for outstanding service by an alumni.

As an honorary deputy, Kowalski received a challenge coin that each deputy receives and a plaque with his badge on it.

“I feel very humble, and to see my close, personal friends here I feel even more elated,” Kowalski said.

Eric Hagen is at eric.hagen@ecm-inc.com

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The 230-unit luxury apartment and townhome complex opened its leasing office May 15 and Property Manger Jessica Fimon is taking applications.

Each of The Residence’s luxury apartments have a private balony. Photo by Tammy Sakry

Construction is 15 percent done with 52 units of the 230 units finished, said Michael Collins, Flaherty and Collins regional property manager.

The Residence office has received a lot of calls, said Fimon.

The majority of the interest has been in the studio and one-bedroom apartments with the two-bedrooms apartments and the three-bedroom townhomes coming second, she said.

“Interest has picked up pretty drastically lately over the last few weeks,” Collins said.

Although the apartments are ready for tenants, the common spaces are still under construction.

“We hope to have the amenity spaces open by mid-June,” Collins said.

Opening this summer will be the resident lounge, club room and fitness center.

The club room will feature a commercial grade coffee machine, a large fireplace with high top tables, Collins said.

Free wifi will be offered in all the common areas.

As The Residence population grows, they will be surveying residents to see what types of social activities they would like to have offered, Fimon said.

Once they know what residents want to participate in, there will be activities planned all year around, she said.

For residents that like to keep fit, The Residence fitness center will offer weight lifting machines, stationary bikes, treadmills and a yoga/pilates studio.

“It is a full service gym,” Collins said.

The apartment management plans to reach out to area pilates instructors to come in and allow residents to sign up with them, Fimon said.

As the weather warms up, work will start on The Residence’s courtyard.

laherty and Collins Regional Property Manager Michael Collins points out where the courtyard kitchenette and cabanas will be placed around The Residence’s heated saltwater pool. Photo by Tammy Sakry

The heated saltwater pool should be done by mid to late July, said Collins.

The courtyard will feature a kitchenette with two refrigerators, two grills and a television, he said.

The courtyard will also have cabanas and a large gas fireplace.

For the avid bicyclist, The Residence offers a special bike workshop to allow residents to keep their bicycles in good working order.

The work shop features a work bench, tools and two standing bike work stations, Collins said.

People can also rent storage space for their bikes and fill their water bottles from a special water dispenser, he said.

In the winter, the work shop will have television and stands to make regular bikes into spinning bikes.

“There will be four spinning (stands) for people to exercise in the winter,” he said.

Apartments

The Residence offers studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as three-bedroom townhomes.

Each apartments features 10-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, granite counter tops, wood style flooring, carpeted bedrooms, stainless steel applicants, wine rack, 42-inch cabinets, a Roman-style bath tub and full size washers and dryers, Collin said.

Rents for the studio apartments, which range from 546 to 642 square feet, are $899 to $1,000 a month, said Fimon.

The one-bedroom rents range from $1,025 to $1,240.

The one-bedroom apartments have five different floor plans and range from 644 square feet up to 859 square feet.

The Residence Property Manager Jessica Fimon and Flaherty and Collins Regional Property Manager Michael Collins check out the view from the large kitchen space in one of the two-bedroom apartments. Photo by Tammy Sakry

People can rent one of the six styles of two-bedroom apartments from $1,500-$2,250 a month.

The size of the two-bedroom apartments range from 976 up to 1,236 square feet.

Although the three townhouse layout styles offered at The Residence all offer 1,598 square feet, nine offer two bedrooms and two townhomes are three bedrooms.

The three bedroom townhouse will be rented for $2,350 a month, according to Fimon.

Apartment and townhome residents will also be responsible for all utilities, including usage-based water and sewer.

“People must meet certain qualifications to live here,” Collins said.

In addition to the credit check, prospective residents must also make a gross salary that is three times higher than the monthly rent and have no evictions on their credit report, he said.

Because of its proximity with the Northstar Commuter Rail line, each floor plan offered at The Residence bears the names of a train line that traveled through Minneapolis or greater Minnesota in the last 100 years.

“We are connected directly to the transit station and consider it the largest amenity that people can get on the train, go to work and never go outside,” Collins said.

New residents in the complex will receive $50 gift card to the Northstar Commuter train as a homecoming gift, Fimon said.

Tammy Sakry is at tammy.sakry@ecm-inc.com

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A handful of retirements over the past six months led to the need for the new hires.

Among the new principals, four currently work for Anoka-Hennepin schools in leadership roles. The other comes from the Elk River School District.

Brian Mann has been selected as the principal for Champlin Brooklyn Park Academy. Mann is currently the interim principal at Monroe Elementary School in Brooklyn Park and was previously an assistant principal at Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy and Sandburg Middle School. Mann’s teaching experience includes 17 years as a secondary social studies teacher.

Sam Anderson has been selected as principal for Crooked Lake Elementary School in Andover. Anderson is currently an assistant principal at Ramsey Elementary School and has also been an administrative intern at Andover Elementary School. Anderson’s teaching experience includes teaching first and third grades.

Brian Erlandson has been selected as the principal for Franklin Elementary School in Anoka. Erlandson is currently an assistant principal at Evergreen Park Elementary School in Brooklyn Park, and was an administrative intern and TOSA (Teacher on Special Assignment) at McKinley Elementary School in Ham Lake. Erlandson’s experience includes teaching sixth grade.

Amy Oliver has been selected as the principal for Monroe Elementary School in Brooklyn Park. Oliver is currently an interim assistant principal at Andover Elementary School, and her previous positions include administrative intern at Riverview Elementary School in Brooklyn Park before it was repurposed and curriculum integrator at University Avenue Elementary School in Blaine. Oliver also taught in grades one, two, four and six.

Scott Lempka has been selected as the principal for Lincoln Elementary School in Anoka. Lempka is currently an assistant principal at Hassan and Twin Lakes elementary schools in the Elk River School District. Lempka has previously worked for the Spokane, Wash., public school district as a principal assistant and literacy instructional coach. Lempka’s experience includes teaching grades four through six and he has also been a special education EBD teacher.

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Jeffrey Verdi Quittum, 47, was arraigned in court May 7 on a felony reckless discharge of a firearm within a municipality charge as well as a misdemeanor domestic assault count. He is due back in court June 6.

Bail was set at $50,000 or Quittum would be released on his own recognizance if he surrendered all his guns to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, which he did.

Conditions of his release include suspension of his gun permit, no use or possession of firearms, no use of mood-altering chemicals or alcohol and random urinalysis and breath testing.

The early evening of May 5, Coon Rapids responded to a home on 123rd Avenue on a domestic call and was advised that the woman caller had left the residence, but the male suspect, identified as Quittum, and two other adults, ages 20 and 21, were still inside, according to the complaint.

The woman met police at Sand Creek Elementary School and when officers arrived at the residence, they were able to make contact with those inside and both adults and Quittum exited the home.

The woman alleged that when she came home from being at an urgent care and went into the bedroom to lie down, Quittum, who was drunk, started yelling and ranting, then began hitting the walls and throwing things.

As she was reaching for her keys and purse to leave the residence, the woman alleged that Quittum pushed her to the floor, but she was able to run past him, get into the car and drive out of the garage.

Arriving at Sand Creek Elementary School, the woman was about to call 911 when one of the other adults in the house called her screaming and telling her not to come back because Quittum had allegedly taken a gun from the safe.

The other adult in the house allegedly corroborated the woman’s account of what happened before she left.

Then he alleged Quittum began yelling at him, pacing back and forth and hitting a door in the den, then came out of the den with a pistol in his hand and put it up to his head.

According to the complaint, the male started yelling at Quittum to get the gun away from his head, then Quittum went back into the den and he heard the gun discharge.

The other adult in the house allegedly gave a similar account, stating she saw Quittum in the foyer area of the house with a gun in his hand, then heard it go off after he had gone into the den and closed the door.

In a post-Miranda statement, Quittum allegedly admitted firing the gun while he was in the den, stating he shot at the floor.

He took a preliminary breath test, which allegedly showed a blood-alcohol count of .16.

A 357 Magnum revolver was found by police under the seat cushion of the couch in the den; it had one spent round in the chamber and five live rounds left.

Peter Bodley is at peter.bodley@ecm-inc.com

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Cody Scott Pech, 18, 12816 Coral Sea Street N.E., was arraigned April 18. His next court appearance is May 18.

According to the criminal complaint, a Blaine Police officer stopped Pech’s vehicle 6:49 p.m. April 16 near the intersection of Town Square Drive and 109th Avenue for speeding and having an object hanging from his rearview mirror that obstructed his view.

While speaking to Pech, the officer allegedly saw some alcohol bottles and a soft rifle case on the floor behind his seat.

Pech allegedly did not respond when the officer asked if he had a gun in the vehicle.

According to the complaint, Pech and his passenger admitted they should not have had alcohol in the car because they are under the age of 21.

The officer searched the vehicle and allegedly found a short-barreled shotgun inside the rifle case. Police measured the gun and found it had a barrel length of 12 inches and an overall length of 20 inches.

Pech allegedly told police in a post-Miranda statement that the gun was his, that he bought it a short while ago and cut the barrel to a shorter length to use it for protection.

Eric Hagen is at eric.hagen@ecm-inc.com

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Nicki Magaard

In those two years at the school, Magaard has developed a slew of new support groups, a new orientation program for students and families new to the school, reinstituted the school’s student mentoring program and helped a group of students create an anti-bullying group, which she now advises.

All of her hard work has led Magaard to be named one of the Anoka-Hennepin School District’s 2012-2013 Above & Beyond Award winners.

Magaard is one of 10 recipients of the annual award that recognizes teachers, administrative assistants, cooks, custodians and other employees who work extra-hard to make sure students are successful.

“This award is such an honor,” she said. “I am lucky to assist students and families in navigating the education process, finding their strengths and solving problems to find their success.”

Driscoll is impressed with Magaard’s ability to tackle complex issues, saying she “works hard to find solutions to situations that do not have an easy answer.”

But for Magaard, a self-professed student “cheerleader,” it’s all part of the territory.

“The best part about my job is when a student recognizes something good about him (or) herself that they were not able to see before,” she said. “They sit up a little taller and I know they are leaving my office with a bit more confidence than they came in with—and who knows where that confidence might take them.”

Magaard doesn’t just think inside the box, either.

In nominating her for the award, her colleagues at Roosevelt said she once had a hairstylist come in to talk to some of her female students. Knowing the importance of self-confidence, she had the professional talk to the girls about personal grooming and each student left with a new hairstyle and improved self-image.

“I believe all students should feel important, understand what their strengths are and have the opportunity to use them,” Magaard said.

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The program will take place at the Coon Rapids Senior Center Thursday, May 23, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The “ABC” senior centers are partnering with Comfort Keepers and Epiphany Senior Housing to present the ABCs of fitness.

There will be three presentations.

• Activity – “Learn Small Ways to Make Big Changes” presented by Cheryl Kringle, YMCA.

• Brain fitness – “Food for Thought to Make Your Memory Strong” presented by Kelly Lindell, Comfort Keepers and Active Aging.

• Cooking – “Cook Once, Eat Multiple Times” presented by Ani Loizzo, culinary director, Whole Foods, Minneapolis.

Doors will open at 10 a.m. and the cost is $5 which includes lunch. Payment deadline is Monday, May 20.

The Coon Rapids Senior Center is located in the Coon Rapids City Center at 11155 Robinson Drive N.W.

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Law enforcement agencies in Anoka County will be among nearly 400 agencies in Minnesota increasing patrols to encourage people to wear seat belts.

In the last three years on Minnesota roads (2010-2012), there were 864 traffic deaths, of which 352 (41 percent) were not buckled up, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. Of those 352 killed, 41 percent were motorists ages 16-29.

“Statistics show that teens and young adults continue to represent a large percentage of unbelted traffic deaths, which indicates there is still a major issue with seat belt usage among that age group,” said Sgt. Jeff Warner, who coordinates the state’s Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) campaign in Anoka County.

“For whatever reason – be it comfort, restriction or philosophy – some motorists and passengers still refuse to wear their seat belts.

“We ask them to remember that their minor inconvenience could turn out to be a major life saver.”

In Minnesota, drivers and passengers in all seating positions, including in the back seat, are required to be buckled up or seated in the correct child restraint.

Officers will stop and ticket unbelted motorists or passengers.

The Anoka County TZD program group stresses the importance of promoting the seat belt enforcement to encourage belt use.

“The last thing we care to do is write seat belt tickets,” Warner said.

“We are encouraging motorists to be the true enforcers of the law and speak up to remind others to belt up.”

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The Democratic-led Legislature approved its omnibus E-12 education finance and policy bill Sunday (May 19) that slates an additional $485 million to education.

“This is a very bold and ambitious plan,” House Education Finance Committee Chairman Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, said.

House Education Finance Committee Chairman Paul Marquart, DFL-Dilworth, styled the education finance bill as creating the world’s greatest workforce in Minnesota. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Included in the $15.6 billion bill is funding for voluntary all-day, every-day kindergarten and $40 million in early learning scholarships.

These scholarships could provide up to $5,000 per year for needy families to send youngsters to top notch early learning or child care facilities.

The bill provides $234 million for a three percent basic funding formula increase over two years, and slates $38 million in extra special education funding.

The House proposal for a temporary income tax surcharge on the wealthy to immediately pay back the school shift was scuttled.

Under the banner of creating the world’s best workforce, the bill requires school districts to develop plans to meet readiness goals — third-grade literacy for all students, for instance — and allows the education commissioner to use up to two percent of funding to craft remedial plans for school districts failing to show adequate progress.

“Powerful accountability,” House Education Policy Committee Carlos Mariani, DFL-St. Paul, said.

The bill provides $2 million tocreate additional Regional Centers of Excellence.

It scraps the GRAD tests students currently must passto earn a high school diploma, turning instead to an alternative assessment model including the use of college placement tests.

The so-called “high-stakes” GRAD test was called antiquated and punitive by a recent assessment work group and by education officials in committee testimony.

Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, expressed grave doubts about the direction of the Democratic E-12 finance bill. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Republicans argue Democrats are dumbing down high school diplomas.

“I will continue to have grave concerns about this new direction,” Rep. Sondra Erickson, R-Princeton, said.

“I just think that’s shameful that Minnesota is moving in that direction,” she said.

But Rep. Kathy Brynaert, DFL-Mankato, lauded the proposed change.

“It’s a much higher standard, and a much higher level of accountability,” Brynaert said.

“You will not see social promotions under this assessment systems,” she said.

One of the sharpest critics of the omnibus E-12 bill wasn’t a Republican but a Democrat.

Rep, Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, said the early learning scholarship provision was “deeply flawed.”

Winkler blamed Department of Education officials for insisting on certain scholarship language.

“Unfortunately, the bureaucrats won,” he said.

Other features of the bill includes the allocation of $1 million to the Department of Education to implement anti-bullying policies.

The bill allows school districts officials to increase their safe school levy by $4 per student and expand its usage to buying laminated glassand hiring mental health professionals who aren’t school district employees.

The bill increases the compulsory school attendance age from 16 to 17 years old.

It prohibits school boards from firing coaches based solely on parental complaints.

Sen. Branden Petersen, R-Andover, calledthe “world’s best workforce” theme as “largely a set of platitudes.”

He criticized the bill for lacking accountability, lacking courage in addressing the learning gap.

Tim Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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Minnesota’s gubernatorial election of 2014 is 18 months away but already, some Republicans are flexing their muscles as announced candidates or as potential candidates for the GOP nomination. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has already indicated he will seek re-election.

Two Republican candidates have already emerged. Wayzata businessman Scott Honour was the first to announce three weeks ago. Current Hennepin County Commissioner and former state legislator Jeff Johnson made his grand announcement before family and friends May 12 at the Hamel Community Hall, near his residence in Plymouth.

With the Minnesota Legislature still in session, several potential candidates for governor are waiting until their lawmaking business is finished for this session.

The field of candidates was narrowed several weeks ago with the announcement by three potential candidates choosing not to seek the governor’s chair. Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, 2010 unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer and U.S. Rep. John Kline, Second District, each has announced an intent not to run for governor in 2014. Third District Congressman Erik Paulsen recently announced that he would not be seeking the governor’s chair or a seat in the U.S. Senate currently held by Al Franken.

Former Speaker of the House, Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said he is “not ruling anything out” when asked about whether he is considering a run for governor in 2014. “I’m focusing on the session right now and will start thinking about future plans when the session is over,” he explained.

Senate Minority Leader David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, answered the question of whether he will run for governor with three words: “Thinking about it.”

Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, carried the Minnesota Vikings stadium legislation during the 2012 session. She has been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor. “I’m trying to get through the session but it’s out there and I will do something, yes or no,” Rosen said.

Often outspoken Sen. David Thompson, R-Lakeville, says he is considering a run for governor and hopes to announce his decision the first few days after the session ends. He said he owes it to his constituents and to “the good folks of Minnesota” to declare his intentions soon after the session is completed.

Thompson sounds like a candidate when he attacks the record of Gov. Mark Dayton. “He is taking us in the wrong direction,” Thompson said. Many states are doing what Dayton is doing, increasing taxes and increasing the cost of government, Thompson said. He used the states of Illinois and California as examples.

Speculating on major issues to come into focus during the 2014 campaign, Thompson said education is always an issue and should be an issue. “There is a gap between the higher performing districts and those not getting the job done for students,” Thompson said. A healthy economy and providing jobs and opportunity must also be addressed in the campaign for governor, Thompson said.

Thompson said he was “shocked” at the degree DFLers are going after low income and middle income folks with more taxes. He said the governor and the DFL Party talk about targeting the rich but instead, “they are taxing everybody.”

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, a former legislator, has also been mentioned as a possible GOP gubernatorial candidate.

Scott Honour

Candidate Honour, 44, is a native of Fridley. He and his wife Jamie and their three children currently reside in Wayzata.

His father was a pilot for Braniff and lost his job due to the company bankruptcy. Honour later worked for his father, who started a boatlift company. “I learned about hard work, overcoming obstacles, and persevering when things aren’t going well,” Honour is quoted as saying on his campaign website. Honour earned degrees in business and economics and pursued a career in the private sector. He helped grow a firm that focused on fixing troubled businesses.

Honour has been involved in starting many small businesses, one with his brother in the operation of natural gas filling stations. Honour said he drives a natural gas pickup truck that runs 90 percent lower emissions than gas at the refill pump. “We think there is a great opportunity to expand natural gas as a vehicle fuel source,” he said.

Job creation is a priority for Honour. He said he has created a lot of jobs and understands what it takes to create jobs. That’s why he wishes to bring the equation to the governor’s office, he said. Honour once bought a shutdown pulp mill in Cosmopolis, WA and built the business by adding 200 jobs.

Concerned about the direction of the state, Honour said an economic foundation is at the center of his priority lists. “I think we have to make some major changes to get ourselves back on track,” Honour said. He believes he has the leadership abilities to affect change and to create value.

Honour said the fact he is not a career politician resonates well with many state residents. “I’ve had experience in a combination of skills and can figure out what the problems are and then come up with a plan to solve the problems. That’s what I’ve been doing in business for 20-plus years.”

The fact that the state has the lowest minority graduation rates in the country worries Honour. He is also concerned about seeing jobs and taxpayers leave the state. “Our minority employment rates are also the highest in the country,” he said.

Honour said Minnesota does have many great incentives to attract businesses to the state. “They are not choosing Minnesota and that’s the game we want to get in,” he said.

Honour is buoyed by the leadership of the Republican Party, now chaired by Keith Downey. He also has added former party chairman Pat Shortridge to his consulting staff. “I’m really focusing on aligning the party on a message of how we create economic opportunity for everyone in the state, how we have a positive growth if we make the right choices and how we help improve education,” Honour said.

Honour said he wants to be a leader who listens and will be inclusive on the issues. “We have a big opportunity as Republicans to really drive forth the economic message of opportunity and we will see Republicans winning the next election,” Honour predicted.

Jeff Johnson

Candidate Johnson, 46, is a veteran of seven years in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is a native of Detroit Lakes and currently resides in Plymouth with his wife Sondi and two sons.  Last fall, Johnson was elected to a second term as Hennepin County commissioner. He was unopposed.

Johnson, a graduate of Georgetown University Law School, is owner of Midwest Employment Resources of Plymouth. Employment law is his specialty.

During his years in the House, Johnson was in the Republican majority serving with a DFL Senate. “This opportunity helped me learn to work with people who don’t always agree with you,” Johnson said. As a House member, he said he was pleased to have recorded accomplishments in eminent domain, meth legislation, tort reform and identity theft prevention.

Johnson said it is still possible to get things done in politics even though there are disagreements. “I have been able to take conservative and free market principles and turn them into law,” he said.

Johnson promised his wife he would only serve six years in the Minnesota Legislature. He unsuccessfully sought the Minnesota attorney general’s office in 2006. “I knew it was a longshot but it was a great experience,” Johnson said.

Political challenges still appealed to Johnson and he decided to run for Hennepin County commissioner in 2008. “My objective is to help make county government more acceptable and more results based,” he said.

A run for governor even crossed Johnson’s mind when he was in the Legislature. He said the time is right now and his family is on board with his decision. Raising money for his campaign is an immediate goal. Johnson said he has faith in the strong Republican leadership led by chairman Downey.

Johnson said he cannot win the election with only Republican votes. “We need votes from independent voters and fiscal conservative Democrats,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he believes he is the best Republican candidate fitting the role of a fiscal conservative who can excite the base and get other people involved in government. He said he has a strong electoral base in Hennepin County.

Fiscal responsibility and education are two issues to be addressed during the gubernatorial campaign in 2014, He will focus on making sure government is spending money wisely and responsibly and in ways that produce results. Growing the economy is of utmost concern for Johnson. More jobs are needed in the private sector, he said.

Johnson is against any additional taxes and says he has never voted to raise any tax. Asked about signing a tax pledge, he said he has quit signing pledges.

Johnson has been closely watching the Legislature this session. Looking at the issues, Johnson does not support any of the proposed budgets; he does not favor restricting rights of gun owners; he believes traditional marriage should be law and he does not support an increase in the minimum wage.

Gov. Dayton has not shown much leadership, Johnson said. “He had a golden opportunity to fundamentally reform the tax code this past year with an all-DFL Legislature but he did not do it,” Johnson observed.

Johnson said he has talked to all potential Republican candidates and said one of the main objectives of any of the candidates will be to gain name recognition. “None of us are well known,” he said.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said the party’s internal polling shows Dayton with good marks. A KSTP poll recently showed him with a 45 percent approval rating, significantly higher than that of the Legislature.

The two announced Republican candidates represent the extremes in Minnesota politics, Martin said. He called Johnson a quintessential politician. “We don’t begrudge ambition but when you have blind ambition as he does, there’s something that’s wrong there,” Martin said. “Then, you have another guy, Scott Honour, a wealthy businessman who has done very well for himself but the reality is that it’s tough for guy who drives a Bentley and goes around Lake Minnetonka in his yacht, to relate to ordinary Minnesotans,” Martin said.

Martin believes Dayton is in a good position for re-election but since the election is a year and a half away, he said anything can happen and the DFL Party is not taking anything for granted.

Steven Schier, political science professor at Carleton College, said the 2014 race for governor could be competitive because Gov. Dayton’s polling numbers at this time are far from secure. He said he believes Dayton is potentially beatable with much depending on the state of the Minnesota economy in the fall of 2014.

Public reaction to hikes in taxes and spending likely to be agreed upon by the governor and Legislature will have a big impact on the election, Schirer said. Schirer predicts main issues of the 2014 campaign for governor will be the state economy and the actions of the DFL legislature and governor in 2013-14.  Tax and spending increases, gay marriage, unionization of child care workers and increases in the minimum wage will likely be discussed during the election campaign, Schirer said.

Howard Lestrud can be reached at howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com

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Members of the Coon Rapids American Legion Auxiliary served lunch to some 60 residents of Camilia Rose Care Center May 7. Auxiliary members have served lunch twice a year for more than 20 years. Photo by Kelly Johnson

The lunch, which featured bingo after the meal, included some 60 residents of the care center.

For more than 20 years, members of the auxiliary have served the lunch each spring and fall.

Funding for the lunch comes from community services projects the auxiliary does throughout the year, according to Diane Bohlman.

Kelly Johnson is at kelly.johnson@ecm-inc.com

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Area Wildlife Supervisor Tim Marion May 6 updated the St. Francis City Council on the DNR’s intention to purchase a 40-acre parcel east of the Carl E. Bonnell Wildlife Management Area from a private seller. Marion was at the meeting to gain support from the city council of the upcoming transaction, which Mayor Jerry Tveit voiced on behalf of the council.

Next the DNR will need to gain approval of the sale from the Anoka County Wetlands Committee and then the Anoka County Board. Marion said he expects the sale to close sometime this summer.

The wildlife management area is currently 40 acres in size and is located 4 1/4 miles north and west of St. Francis on County Road 28. It comprises about 50 percent upland forest and 50 percent lowland shrub swamp. Hunting options in the wildlife area include deer, bear, small game, forest game birds, pheasants and turkeys. The pending land acquisition will expand the Carl E. Bonnell Wildlife Management Area to a full 80 acres.

Marion said that motorized vehicles are generally not allowed in wildlife management areas; however, there is an existing snowmobile trail that goes through the Bonnell property that riders may use, but snowmobiles must stay on the trail when crossing the property.

Wildlife management areas were established to protect Minnesota’s lands and waters that have a high potential for wildlife production, public hunting, trapping, fishing and other recreational uses. This system started in 1951 and has the goals of protecting wildlife habitat for future generations, providing citizens with opportunities to hunt, fish and watch wildlife, and to promote wildlife-based tourism in the state

According to the DNR, there are currently more than 1.29 million acres of high-quality habitat in 1,440 wildlife management areas throughout the state.

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Brent David Simonson, 34, 9342 Sixth St. N.E., was arraigned May 3 on a felony charge of intentional discharge of firearm (endangering the safety of another).

According to the criminal complaint, Anoka County dispatch 9:26 p.m. April 30 received a 911 call from Simonson that eight people were robbing his house and that he had a shotgun. The dispatcher allegedly heard two shots before the call abruptly ended.

Blaine Police responded and allegedly heard three additional shots. They then saw Simonson standing outside with a shotgun. More officers arrived and Simonson allegedly tried to run away, but was confronted by more officers. He surrendered his weapon and complied with commands, according to the complaint.

Capt. Kerry Fenner of the Blaine Police Department said this incident could have been much worse if Simonson had not surrendered. He never fired at officers during the incident.

“This could have been a bad outcome for him,” Fenner said. “Thank goodness he complied with officers’ commands.”

An investigation found spent shotgun shells lying in the backyard and saw that pellet shots from a shotgun had impacted a barbecue grill in his backyard and the side of a neighbor’s garage, according to the complaint.

Officers conducting a search warrant of Simonson’s house allegedly found spent shotgun shells and two holes in a window screen in his bedroom along with numerous other firearms and ammunition in the home, according to the complaint.

Fenner said police could not find any evidence of an attempted burglary. A person living with Simonson allegedly told police that Simonson had been drinking a lot that day and at one point told him that people were trying to get in the house, but the roommate did not see anyone trying to break in.

He told Simonson to put the shotgun down, but he later heard Simonson on the phone and shots being fired. Officers allegedly smelled alcohol on Simonson, according to the complaint.

Fenner said this was only the third time in the last six years that Blaine Police have had any interaction with Simonson. He was arrested once for driving while intoxicated in Blaine and police stopped by his home another time because of a noise complaint.

Eric Hagen is at
eric.hagen@ecm-inc.com

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