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Newsleader Sartell
Friday, April 26, 2013 Volume 18, Issue 17 Est. 1995
Town Crier Sartell-St. Stephen makeup day is May 31
Due to school being cancelled April 19, the make-up day for all Sartell-St. Stephen students and staff will be Friday, May 31.
Lemonade, Laughter hosts author V.J. Smith
Author V.J. Smith will speak during the fifth annual Lemonade and Laughter, sponsored by the Sartell Senior Connection, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 in the Gathering Place in St. Francis Xavier Church, Sartell. Smith is the author of “The Richest Man in Town,” which is based on the life of “Marty,” a memorable man who ran a cash register at Walmart. He was considered rich because he was loved and respected. Audience members will go on an emotional roller coaster ride when they hear about Marty’s philosophies. Tickets will be sold at the door for a nominal fee. Come early to enjoy refreshments and visit the Regifting and Local Authors’ Tables. For more information, call Sartell-St. Stephen Community Education at 320-253-4036. The event is co-hosted by community education and the Waterford.
Bike Rodeo set for May 4
The annual “Bike Rodeo” will take place at the parking lot of Sartell City Hall from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, May 4. All young people and their parents are welcome to bring their bikes and learn about a variety of biking-safety tips, under the direction of Sartell Police Officer Dan Whitson. There will be drawings for prizes, including bicycle helmets. No registration is required. Young people of any age can just show up.
U of M seeks teens for driving study
Sartell has been selected as a recruitment location for a teendriver study being conducted by the University of Minnesota. The purpose of the project is to understand teen-driver safety and behaviors as well as parental involvement with teens during the learning phase of driving. For more information, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
For additional criers, visit www.thenewsleaders.com and click on Criers.
Postal Patron
After post-race exhilaration, terror explodes by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com
Quite exhausted, Jereme Fimrite of Sartell was in his Boston hotel room when he thought it felt like something hit the building, but he couldn’t tell what it was. About an hour earlier, he had crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon. He was tired; he was sweaty. He stepped into the shower. When he stepped out, he was puzzled when he noticed a slew of phone calls on his cell phone. He quickly gave a “what’s up?” call to his father in St. Cloud. There was an uncustomary silence after his father answered. “I’m just glad to hear your voice,” his father said after a long pause. “What?” Fimrite asked, puzzled. His father asked him, “Don’t you know?” And that is when Fimrite contributed photos At the finish line, Jereme Fimrite and his wife are jubilant after he finishes the Boston Marathon. learned about the bombs that Little did they know at the time that an hour later, a bloody horror would erupt when bombings rocked Copely Square during killed three and injured almost 200 other people at the event. Inset: Jereme sails along at Mile the Boston Marathon, which he Fimrite • page 8 22 of the Boston Marathon, with about four miles to go to the finish line.
Community center moves to design process by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com
By the end of 2014, there might be a community-resources center attached to the north end of Sartell City Hall. But, whoa, first things first. That is, at least, the hope of the members of the Sartell Community-Resource Facility Task Force. At the April 8 council meeting, one of the task force members, architect Dan Tideman, presented
Tykes enjoy Earth Day Fun
the plan to council members and city staff. After checking a number of potential sites in Sartell, the task force strongly agreed on one point: the center should be built on city-hall property, preferably attached to the current city hall. They prefer that site for a number of reasons: central location, visibility, convenience and utilities hook-ups present. The task force is recommendCenter • page 5
D.K. says AA is city’s ‘best-kept secret’ by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com
“D.K.,” a recovering alcoholic who lives in Sartell, keeps hoping more people will come to the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in Sartell. Many people, he presumes, do not even know there is an AA meeting place in Sartell and so attend meetings in other cities or do not attend meetings at all. Every Thursday, at 6:30 p.m., recovering alcoholics meet in the base-
ment of “The Gathering Place,” the building on the east of the St. Francis Xavier Church grounds. Anywhere from eight to 15 people, whom D.K. calls the “regulars,” meet there. Some nights, other people, new ones, drop in for a meeting or two, but usually it’s the same people, which is fine, D.K. said, although it would be nice to have more people come, he added. “We’re not a clique,” he said. “We welcome anybody with open Secret • page 4
contributed photo
On April 22, Allison Marker and her Little Tykes Daycare children had a fun morning outside checking out the nature around and creating a fun chalk drawing to celebrate Earth Day 2013. The children learned about recycling and caring for our Earth. Little Tykes is a small local in-home daycare in Sartell. Children in the photo (left to right) are Keagan Voigt, Benjamin Hiltner, Emma Voigt and Laila Marker, all from Sartell.
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Students earn top scores at SCSU Math Contest
contributed photos
Bryn Rogers, first-place winner of the entire SCSU Math Contest.
Eighth-grade SCSU math contestestants scoring in the top 5-percent included Bryn Rogers, Morgan Gugger, Joshua MaricleRoberts, Paige Daniels, Ricarda Salk, Seth Jungels, Samuel Neuman and Rory Spanier. Scoring in the top 10 percent were Isaac Schneider, Tayler Kalthoff, William McCabe and Lindsey Hoeschen. Pictured are (front row, left to right): Nueman, Schneider, Jungels, McCabe, Spanier and Maricle-Roberts; (back row) Kalthoff, Salk, Hoeschen, Rogers, Gugger and Daniels.
The first-place eighth-grade team from Sartell Middle School are (left to right) Josh Maricle-Roberts, Bryn Rogers and Morgan Grugger.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Students present state science fair April 8-9
contributed photo
The following seventh- and eighth-graders who presented projects at the April 8-9 Minnesota State Science Fair in Bloomington are (front row, left to right) Kali Killmer, Monte Belmont, Maddie Thieschafer and Becca Kucala; (back row) Rameen Dogar, Sydney Thieschafer, Rory Spanier and Eric Schatz. Thieschafer and Kucala also won special awards for their projects: the Broadcom masters award, the Wolfram Research Award, Silver Grand Award and best use of the scientific method. Congratulations to all for attaining this high level of competition.
Obituary
People
Chester “Chet” R. Borger, 82 San Diego, formerly of Sartell March 30, 1931-April 16, 2013
Seventh-grade scoring in the top 5 percent were Nick Juntunen, Cindy Zhang, David Anderson. Scoring in the top 10 percent were Ben Grant, Maddie Thieschafer, Brandan Carlson, Andrew Flores, The first-place seventh-grade Gavin Kreutzer, Sam Fleischhacker and Riley Hartwig. Pictured are team from SMS are (left to (front row, left to right) Carlson, Hartwig, Anderson and Theischaright) David Anderson, Nick fer; and (back row) Fleischhacker, Juntunen, Flores, Kreutzer and Zhang. Juntunen and Cindy Zhang. Sartell Middle School had 107 seventh- and eighth-graders participate in the St. Cloud State University Math Contest. There were about 818 eighthgraders from 36 schools in total participation at the contest; 56 students from SMS. There were four students from SMS in the top 10 percent and eight stu-
dents in the top 5 percent in eighth grade. Bryn Rogers was first-place winner overall for eighth grade at the contest. The team of Rogers, Josh MaricleRoberts and Morgan Grugger earned first place out of the 36 schools for the contest. There were 596 seventhgrade students from 31 school
districts in total participation; 50 seventh-graders and one sixth-grader from SMS. There were three in the top 10 percent and seven in the top 5 percent (a sixth-grader being one of them). The team of David Anderson, Cindy Zhang and Nick Juntunen earned first place overall.
Correction
A story in the April 19 Newsleader on page 2 entitled “Four Sartell artists win top awards”
stated incorrectly that Claire Miller attends Sartell High School. She attends Cathedral High School.
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Chester “Chet” R. Borger Sr., 82, died April 16, 2013. A funeral was held April 24 at San Rafael Catholic Church, San Diego; burial was in the Mission San Luis Rey Cemetery. He was born in East Detroit, Mich. on March 30, 1931 to Russel and Genevieve Borger. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Margaret; four children, Michele (Troy) Pelky of Temecula, Calif., Chet Jr. (Lisa) Borger of Elk River, Minn., Renee (Darick) Rhodes of Bloomington, Minn., John (Sherri) Borger of Owatonna, Minn.; and eight grandchildren. Borger worked for the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department from 1965-1971, and worked for the Sartell Police Department from 1971-1989 before relocating to San Diego. Memorials may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, c/o San Rafael Catholic Church, 17252 Bernardo Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92128.
Bender
Schaper
St. John’s Prep names NHS members
The following Sartell-area St. John’s Prep students were recently named new members of the National Honor Society, Virgil Michel Chapter. Andrew Bender, sophomore, son of Dorothy Soukup-Bender of Sartell and Dan Bender of St. Cloud; and Nicholas Schaper, sophomore, son of Jacqueline Provo of Sartell and Rand Schaper of Rice.
March of Dimes raises $125,000+ at walk
Blowing snow and cold could not stop more than 600 people for walking together for stronger, healthier babies at the St. Cloud March for Babies Saturday, April 13 at St. Cloud State University’s Halenbeck Hall Fieldhouse. Walkers raised more than $125,000 to help babies be born healthy.
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Friday, April 26, 2013
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Sartell takes sixth at state Knowledge Bowl meet The Sartell High School Knowledge Bowl team placed fifth in Division AA at the annual Knowledge Bowl meet last week at Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd. Coached by teacher Luke Walker, the Sartell team is comprised of Bailey Evenson, Curt Koopmeiners, Gopi Ramanathan, Quinn Skoog and Larua Somppi. Walker said the team’s fifth-place win is the best a Sartell Knowledge Bowl team has ever done in state competition. In the past two years, the team placed ninth.
Sandra Cordie of Sartell was elated that all five teams from central Minnesota (Region 7) medaled at the state meet. That is the first time that has ever happened. Cordie of Resource Training and Solutions, is the Region 7 Knowledge Bowl coordinator. The five teams that medaled, she noted, are St. John’s Prep School, second place in Division A; Albany, fifth place in Division A; Buffalo, second place in Division AA; Sartell; and St. Cloud Tech, sixth in Division AA. The winner of Division A is
Glencoe Silver Lake, followed by St. John’s Prep, Bagley, Crookston, Albany and Pelican Rapids. Division AA winner is Spring Lake Park, followed by Chaska, Buffalo, Chanhassen, Sartell and St. Cloud Tech. In the past few months, there were more than 800 Knowledge Bowl teams competing in the state. Of those, the top 44 teams competed at Cragun’s Resort last week. At the meet, there was one written test and five oral rounds for a total of 285 questions.
If any readers have tips concerning crimes, they should call the Sartell Police Department at 320-251-8186 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at 320-255-1301 or access its tip site at www.tricountycrimestoppers.org. Crime Stoppers offers rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for crimes.
Avenue N. A complaint was made that an unknown male was attempting to enter a house. Officer arrived and found a highly intoxicated male standing at the front door. He could not give a reason why he was there or where he was. He was unable to stand or care for himself. The male continued to fight with officers and he was placed under arrest and transported to Stearns County Jail.
him to be intoxicated. He was placed under arrest and transported to Stearns County Jail.
April 4 12:27 a.m. Loud music. 2nd Street N. A complaint was made regarding loud music coming from a residence. A citation was issued. 5:28 p.m. Suspicious vehicle. 7th Avenue S. A report was made regarding a suspicious vehicle that had been parked on the road running for some time. An officer spoke with the driver who stated she was there for an appointment at a residence and had just arrived too early. 10:19 p.m. Traffic stop. 6th Street S. A vehicle was witnessed traveling 63 mph in a posted 45-mph zone. The driver stated she was not aware of her speed. She was issued a citation and released. April 5 11:29 a.m. Traffic stop. Sartell Bridge. A vehicle was witnessed traveling 45 mph in a posted 30-mph zone. The driver was issued a citation and released. 5:32 p.m. Traffic stop. Highway 15. A driver was witnessed driving without a seatbelt. The driver admitted to not wearing the seatbelt and could not provide any proof of insurance. She was issued a citation for both violations and released. 6:55 p.m. Theft. Walmart. Two adults, a male and a female, were witnessed attempting to leave the store with unpaid merchandise. They both admitted to the thefts. They were issued citations and released. April 6 7:05 p.m. Theft. Walmart. Two adults, a male and a female, were witnessed attempting to leave the store with unpaid merchandise. They both admitted to the thefts. They were issued citations and released. 11:10 p.m. Disorderly conduct. 13th
Blotter
April 7 7:21 p.m. Theft. Walmart. A female was witnessed attempting to leave the store with unpaid merchandise. She admitted to the theft. She was issued a citation and released to her father. 9:24 p.m. DWI. 2nd Street S. A report was made regarding a vehicle crash. Upon officers’ arrival, they found one driver was intoxicated. He was placed under arrest and taken to Stearns County Jail. April 8 10:02 a.m. Traffic stop. Riverside Avenue. A vehicle was witnessed traveling 48 mph in a posted 30-mph zone. The driver was aware of her speed. She was issued a citation and released. 9:28 p.m. Loud music. Pinecone Road. A complaint was made regarding loud music coming from a parked vehicle. An officer was able to make contact with the driver, who agreed to turn down the music and apologized. April 10 11:50 a.m. Suspicious activity. Knottingham Drive. A report was made regarding a foreclosed home that had the garage door open and a trailer parked in it. An officer spoke with an employee who was there to remove sheet rock and repair mold damage. 2:27 p.m. Warrant arrest. 10th Street S. An arrest warrant was issued for a male regarding a past incident. The male was located at a residence and placed under arrest without incident. 5:18 p.m. DWI. 35th Street NW. A complaint was made regarding a male driver hitting a curb and a sign. Officers were able to locate the driver and found
April 11 12:13 a.m. Verbal argument. 5th Ave E. A complaint was made regarding a verbal argument between a male and a female. The female was intoxicated and refusing to leave their shared residence. Officers were able to diffuse the situation and no further action was required. 1:55 p.m. Warrant arrest. 14th Street N. An arrest warrant was issued for a female and an anonymous person called and informed officers of her location. Officers arrived and placed the female under arrest without incident. 10:20 p.m. Verbal argument. 2nd Street N. A complaint was made regarding loud arguing coming from a neighboring apartment. They heard a loud bang and then no more yelling. Officers arrived and found it was a verbal telephone argument and no other person was in the home. April 12 10:11 p.m. Domestic assault. An emergency call was placed regarding an assault that had just occurred between a male and female. The female reported the male had begun fighting with her and she was attempting to defend herself against him. Physical damage was done to her and items in the home. The male was placed under arrest and transported to the jail. April 13 1:52 p.m. Theft. Walmart. Two juvenile females were witnessed attempting to leave the store with unpaid merchandise. They admitted to the theft and their parents were called. They were issued citations and released to a parent. 7:44 p.m. Verbal argument. Twin Rivers Court. A report was made stating two employees were arguing and threatening to hit each other. Officers arrived and spoke to all employees and the manager who all stated there was no argument. April 14 7:52 p.m. Traffic stop. C.R. 120. After
Blotter • page 7
contributed photo
The Sartell High School Knowledge Bowl team gather for a photo outside of Cragun’s Resort near Brainerd. The Sartell team members are (left to right) Gopi Ramanathan, Quinn Skoog, Bailey Evenson, Laura Somppi and Curt Koopmeiners.
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Friday, April 26, 2013
Strack hired as construction manager for Watab shelter
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by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com
Watab Park will probably get a new shelter building sometime this summer. The Sartell City Council at its April 8 meeting authorized a contract for Bob Strack of Strack Buildings to marshal forces for the project. Strack’s job will be to guide a design team, come up with cost estimates, help select an architect and en-
gineering firm, and oversee the construction. Sartell hired Strack as construction manager several years ago for the construction of the public-works maintenance building. The council approved a contract for Strack, not to exceed $35,000. The new facility will include a building and an outdoor patio area. It will be as close as 50 feet to the Sauk River, which runs through Watab Park. Mayor Joe Perske said there
are many attractive shelter designs available to consider. Sartell residents, Perske said, want a new shelter because the current one is aged and quite dated. The shelter will cost between $75,000 and $80,000, including the contract cost for Strack’s services, said Mike Nielson, Sartell city engineer. Sartell Financial Director Mary Degiovanni said the shelter will be paid for by half-cent regional sales-tax revenue.
Sartell woman wants to organize volleyball teams
by Dennis Dalman news@thenewsleaders.com
A Sartell woman is inviting guys and gals over the age of 30 to join a “just for fun” volleyball team. Julie Jacobs has played volleyball for a couple of years. Her husband, Jeff, is also a member of her team, along with four others – a couple from Rice and
Secret from front page arms.” D.K. has lived in Sartell for 40 years. “Back then, there were maybe only 800 or so people here,” he said. “Now, with a population of more than 15,000, I’m sure there are lots of people who could benefit from our AA meetings, people who are struggling.” D.K. joined the Sartell AA five years ago. “Each Thursday, a different member is given the key to get the room ready,” he said. “The person makes coffee, and
a couple from Sauk Rapids. Jacobs’ team used to play in various cities throughout the area, but she recently decided it would be fun to compete closer to home, right in Sartell’s Watab Park. “It’s hard to play against 21-year-olds,” she said, laughing. “Let’s play right here. For fun. And exercise.” Jacobs is hoping enough
people will be interested so that several teams can be formed. If interested, call Julie at 320259-4838. It’s best to call her as soon as possible as she would like to form the teams by May 10. Games are Thursday nights, and the first one is slated for June 6. The times will be determined later. The ideal number of players, Jacobs said, is 30.
that person can also pick a topic we discuss. We have a lot of good discussions on so many topics.” D.K., who is in his early 60s, is also a facilitator for the “Recovery Plus Senior” program in St. Cloud, a treatment-and-support group for people 50 or older. He said about 95 percent of people who suffer relapses into drinking or drug addictions backslide because they either never went to AA-type meetings or they quit going to them. D.K. also said as soon as someone thinks they can successfully quit on their own, that right there is a sign of trouble on the way, of “falling off the wagon.” AA groups, he said, give the
kind of encouragement, support and camaraderie recovering alcoholics (or drug abusers) so badly need. Some of the members in the Sartell group are out-of-towners. “But that’s just fine,” D.K. said. “We welcome anybody. There are also four women who are regulars in our group. The youngest member of our group is a gal in her 30s. The oldest is a guy in his 70s.” D.K. invites anybody who would like to come to the group, or give it a try, to just show up at 6:30 p.m. on any Thursday. “We’ll definitely make them feel welcome,” he said.
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Friday, April 26, 2013
Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
5
Pinecone Road to be tested, repaired
The Sartell City Council at its April 8 meeting has authorized the engineering firm of WSB Engineering to take core samples on Pinecone Road from 2nd Street S. to 2nd Street N.
Center from front page
ing a 10,000 square-foot center be built. It should include a 2,000 square-foot all-purpose room, a senior-center, community meeting rooms, storage and (historical) display space and a serving kitchen. The large all-purpose room could be used as a library perhaps, sometime in the future – though probably not as a branch library of the area’s Great River Regional Library System. The next step, Tideman said, is for the task force to come up with a conceptual design that would include how every amenity would fit inside the building and what the building would look like. The task force – and council members – totally agree any new building should match the unique red-brick architectural style of city hall. The conceptual plan could be presented to the council as early as June. The actual designing
Portions of that stretch of roadway are badly deteriorated, and core samples will indicate which portions can be overlaid and which will require resurfacing, said Sartell City Engineer
Mike Nielson. Core samples will also be taken from 4th Avenue as far as Grizzly Lane. The worst areas of Pinecone Road, Nielson said, are on the west side of the street from the
gutter to about six feet into that side of the road. The council unanimously authorized the core-sampling work for a cost not to exceed $2,900.
of the building and the bidding could happen in January 2014, and construction could begin early next spring, Tideman noted. Mayor Joe Perske said “the time is ripe” because of low interest rates and currently reasonable construction costs. Sartell Financial Director Mary Degiovanni told the council that, although there is not enough cash flow to finance the center currently, the council could finance the project with a bond, which would be paid back by revenue from the half-cent sales tax. That has always been the intention of both the council and the public – to pay for a community center with sales-tax revenue. Indeed, that is a major reason voters gave for approving the half-cent regional sales tax to begin with about 12 years ago. Sartell Administrator Patti Gartland cautioned the task force and council it should figure out how much a center would need as far as ongoing operating costs. Council member Amy Braig-
Lindstrom said plans should include plenty of storage space because city hall even now has a problem storing things. Council member Steve Hennes asked Tideman if the building, as planned now, will be big enough. That question, Tideman said, is an ongoing concern of the task force. Council member Sarah Jane Nicoll, who is a member of the task force, said the building plan should include consideration for extra city-hall office space, if need be. Tideman agreed and said, depending on future growth, there is even the possibility many years down the road when the center and the attached city hall could become all of one or another: a city hall or a community center,
in which case a new center or city hall could be constructed elsewhere. The council agreed city staff should do a careful review of the spaces and needs within city hall. That way, planners and designers could be sure to coordinate the project for the mutual benefits of both and the possibility of sharing to save money. Braig-Lindstrom suggested designers look into the possibility of creating the building with passive solar energy (windows) and actual solar panels for environmental reasons. The council members unanimously approved the task force’s recommendation and gave a goahead for the force to proceed with conceptual designs for the center.
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Our View
At long last, community center starts to take shape in city At long last, a Sartell Community Center is taking shape. The idea, which began as a shimmering dream, is now almost visible. If all goes as planned, the 10,000 square-foot center will be built probably on the north end of Sartell City Hall and be attached to the city-hall building. It’s a perfect location – centrally located with great visibility from busy Pinecone Road. According to planners, it will contain a 2,000 square-foot all-purpose room (which might someday serve as a library), a senior center, public meeting rooms, a serving kitchen, storage and display spaces, most likely for historical artifacts. All Sartell residents should be excited about the center finally becoming a reality. When they voted for a half-cent regional sales tax 12 years ago, a community center and/or library were uppermost in voters’ minds. Thanks to sales-tax revenue, the center can now be built. The city will have to use a bond to finance it, at first, but the bond can be paid back with revenue from the sales tax as that revenue becomes available each year. Unfortunately, the Sartell Community Center won’t have everything every heart desires: no swimming pool, no youth center, no fullfledged library, no historical center. However, even without those longed-for amenities, the center will still be an exciting and vibrant place for meetings, for learning and for fun. There’s no end to the special events that could take place there. It’s much easier to support a project once we get a good idea of its shape, its location, its very probability. Thanks to the CommunityResource Facilities Task Force, that is what has happened. Honing in on a place for a center (city-hall site) was in itself a big step toward the center-as-reality. The task force deserves enormous credit for all the good work its members have done. Next is the design concept, in which more precise details will become known. Those details will include how the building will look, where exactly it will be placed and how its functions can perhaps dovetail with the needs of city hall. One foreseeable need is using the huge room in the center for city-hall meetings that will require more space for audience members. Hats off to the task force, to city staff and to the Sartell City Council, most notably Mayor Joe Perske and council member Steve Hennes, who kept the community-center concept vividly, urgently alive for so many long years. The center, it should be noted, is not yet a done deal, but it is well on its way to becoming a solid reality.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Opinion Boston wins; terrorists lose – again What does Chechnya have to do with runners and spectators in the Boston Marathon? For that matter, what does Chechnya have to do with the United States or anything else other than Russia? The Boston bombings typify, once again, the insanely twisted thinking of terrorists. Everybody is wondering what was the motive of the two brothers who set off their bombs? I don’t like the word “motive,” especially when it comes to terrorist attacks, because it almost implies a motive can somehow explain away or minimize the appalling effects of mass violence. Still, I can’t help but wonder: Why did those two killers take out their rage on good fellow human beings – spectators and runners? Were they trying to exact revenge for what happened in their home country of Chechnya? Talk about misplaced rage! The sheer viciousness of killing and maiming people for any reason on that beautiful Boston day is beyond comprehension. Perhaps the brothers’ motive had less to do with Chechnya and more to do with extremist interpretations of Islam. In that case, they might have considered anybody non-Muslim (runners and their loved ones, as they stupidly assumed) to be the infidel, the “other,” the enemy to be destroyed. It’s the same demented line of reasoning used by al Qaeda, the Taliban and so many other “religious” sects that seem to worship violence, not peace. “Jihad,” an Islamic term
Dennis Dalman Editor for “struggle” (which can mean “spiritual struggle”), is often interpreted by violent extremists to mean “holy war.” Don’t these so-called religious adherents understand “holy war” is – or ought to be – an oxymoron? No, of course they don’t. Crusading Christians and Muslims in the Medieval Era didn’t understand that, either. Another possible “motive” is this: The brothers’ attacks had nothing to do with Chechnya or political/religious extremism. Maybe – who knows? – they set off their bombs for the rotten spite of it, for the “kick” of killing people for no particular reason. That seems to be a widespread “motive” these days, in what might as well be called the “Age of Random Hatred.” Investigators will spend a lot of time with the surviving terrorist. I’m glad he survived, only because experts may possibly discover more information, connecting more dots, so future attacks might be prevented. They might even uncover a motive, but rest assured any motive will be utterly criminal, with no basis whatsoever in the realm of reason.
What a lunatic irony these sly-but-stupid killers never learn the catastrophic errors of their ways. We should be happy most killers are so stupid. After all the terrorist attacks since 9/11 (and even before), you’d think they’d learn their acts are not only absurdly futile but ultimately self-destructive, no matter what their motives, no matter what their causes. Their baseless violence makes victims stronger, not weaker. It’s almost symbolic that during their shoot-out with police, the younger brother, in his cowardly get-away attempt, slammed the accelerator of a hijacked vehicle to the floor and ran over his brother. It’s a symbol of how violence rebounds on killers and even destroys one’s own brothers. That’s a lesson al Qaeda is still not learning. Maybe some day, they will truly become enlightened through an “inner jihad” and learn how to love and respect all their brothers and sisters – worldwide. In the meantime, until that sadly distant day arrives, the Boston bombers, like their al Qaeda “brethren,” have won nothing and have proven nothing – well, that is, except for one thing: What rock-bottom losers they are. Just seconds after the Boston explosions, so many people on the scene demonstrated tremendous courage and a thirdwind strength to help the wounded. Good people like that are the winners, and they will always be winners, no matter how many times stupid bloodthirsty spoilers throw their murderous tantrums.
Letters to editor
Heroes in Boston are definition of true courage (Editor’s note: These reflections on the Boston Marathon bombings and the aftermath were submitted to the Sartell Newsleader by Shane Johnson, one of four Sartell residents who ran in the Boston Marathon.) Shane Johnson, Sartell There are moments in life, and then there are moments: Those spellbinding times when the world seems to stand still as an experience imprints itself on your memory. Sometimes these images can haunt you, and sometimes they can inspire you. Then there are the ever more rare moments that manage to do both. These are the images that live brighter and longer in our minds than any snapshot could ever hope to. My journey into one of these moments began just over 20 months ago with a dream of qualifying for and completing the Boston Marathon. Speed bumps and route changes would present themselves along the way that was going to make that moment all the more satisfying. I realized that dream on April 15, 2013 and had but a moment to selfishly reflect on my own struggles and successes. That moment was over in an instant when countless innocents were affected by the actions of cowards. Quickly mine ( and I’m sure your)
thoughts turn to why. However, that is not a question that can be answered as putting a rational explanation to an irrational behavior or individual will never give the closure that is sought. My heart became so heavy with sorrow for the victims and their families. All of you came out to make mine and thousands of others experience a wonderful one by cheering and extending your hands to say that we inspire you. Now some of those cheering voices are gone, and some of those extended hands are missing. You now begin a long journey of recovery; I now want to extend my hand or cheering voice to let you know you are now my inspiration. I have had loved ones taken by the actions of cowards. However, I know I cannot feel the pain you are feeling as this is truly an act of terror that we will never make sense of. Most people will never know the pain or loss any of the victims or their families will feel, but all feel for you, as well as all those who lost something that day. Though something has been taken from everyone there that day and definitely some lost far more than others can imagine, we all have to look to the future and all become stronger from this. We all need to unite and show support for the victims, families, the city and the first responders. Donate your time or money, donate blood or make the trip to the fantastic city of Boston and let
those responsible for the bombings know they will not win! Times like these are reminders of those who go toward the danger with complete disregard for their own safety. Some of the real heroes of our society are the first responders. You can see the immediate reaction of the police, fire, medical personnel and the military. These men and women define courage when without thought they run toward the danger and victims without hesitation or concern for their own safety. We hear or read all the time where athletes are referred to as “heroes,” and this societal overuse diminishes the real value of actual heroes. I for one am truly in awe and in eternal debt of all my heroes in Boston. They are too numerous to name and all too humble to step up and ask for the recognition they all deserve. Because of you, my heroes, I will strive every day to have a fraction of the courage and character you have. Thank you all for taking time out of your lives to read this. This was my own personal therapy, and I am very appreciative you took the time. Next time you find yourself reaching for your phone or a camera, take a second to pause and savor what you’re recording. Notice each nuance – the sounds, scents, the feelings and get lost in the moment.
They are the true ‘gutless wonders’ Phil Ringstrom, Sartell
Fairness and ethics
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This isn’t a game! As I sit and watch the courage of the victims and families of Sandy Hook and the firefighters and first responders of West Texas and the populace of the Boston area, I see true grit and patriotism. None of the civilian base responded with assault weapons or armed themselves to prevent these tragedies. I grew up in a military family. I own 10 guns. I am not fearful of the government taking away my guns or of the recent
legislation as a measure to begin that process. I grew up during the Vietnam War and served during that era and the era of the current war. I believe in the purpose, worth and dignity of our country. I believe in democracy and freedom of speech. But I am concerned when a large lobbying group such as the National Rifle Association can intimidate politicians for the sole purpose of supporting the free flow of guns and their commerce. I worry when politicians are polarized by the fear of losing their seats if they support legislation that 90 percent of the population supports. The current political process appalls me.
In 1969, our coach called my football team “gutless wonders” during halftime when we were behind to our greatest rival. I knew better. We were all soon to be drafteligible and at that time having one brother who served in Vietnam and anther one still serving there, I knew my generation wasn’t “gutless.” I lost motivation for that game. Now, when some families of Sandy Hook have referred to legislators who didn’t have the courage to support the bipartisan gun protection bill, nor offer alternative amendments, as “cowards,” I agree with them. It is those legislators who truly are the “gutless wonders.”
Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
Friday, April 26, 2013
Blotter from page 3 checking a vehicle’s registration, it was found the registered owner had a suspended license. The driver stated he was not aware he was suspended. He was issued a citation and the vehicle was towed.
10:47 p.m. Traffic stop. C.R. 120. A vehicle was witnessed displaying an expired registration. The driver stated he was not aware the tabs expired. He was also unable to provide proof of insurance. He was issued citations for both violations and released. April 15 11:39 a.m. Theft. Walmart. A male and a female were witnessed attempting to
leave the store with unpaid merchandise. LEgal notICE The female was detained while the male NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING left on foot. Officers were able to locate the ON A PROPOSAL FOR THE ISSUANCE male and neither party would admit to the OF REVENUE BONDS TO FINANCE theft. The male was found to have multiple A SENIOR HOUSING PROJECT warrants and was transported to the Stearns (COUNTRY MANOR CAMPUS LLC PROJECT) County Jail. The female was in possession of different types of drugs and drug Notice is hereby given the City erated by the Borrower. paraphernalia; she was also transported to Council of the City of Sartell, The maximum aggregate estiStearns County Jail. Minn. (the “City”), will meet in mated principal amount of bonds
Community Calendar
Friday, April 26 Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. Cloud 1-800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org.
Saturday, April 27 Rose Education Day, 8:15-11:45 a.m., Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320-2556169. Stearns County auction, surplus and seized property, 10 a.m., Stearns County Highway Department, 455 28th Ave., Waite Park. www. co.stearns.mn.us. Spring Fling, sponsored by Beginning Experience, 6:30-8:30 p.m. silent auction, 8 p.m.-midnight dance, Moose Lodge, 1300 3rd St. N, Waite Park.
Sunday, April 28 Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast, sponsored by the Metro Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, noon, K-9 demonstration at 11 a.m. Moose Lodge, 1300 3rd St. N, Waite Park. 320-291-5303. Traumatic Brain Injury inaugural fundraiser, live and silent auction, spaghetti dinner, 2:30-6 p.m., VFW Granite Post 428, 9 18th Ave. N., St. Cloud. For tickets call 320-253-4321. Bingo, 1 p.m., St. Francis Xavier
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Monday, April 29 Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. Cloud. 1-800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org. Wills and Probate seminar, sponsored by Volunteer Attorney Program for Central Minnesota Legal Services, 1:30-3 p.m. Great River Regional Library, 1300 W. St. Germain St., St. Cloud. Tuesday, April 30 Broadway: The American Musical documentary film, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Whitney Senior Center 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320- 2557245. Blood drive, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain St. Cloud 1-800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org. Blood drive, 2-8 p.m., St. Mary’s Help of Christians Parish, 24588 C.R. 7, St. Cloud. 1-800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org. Wednesday, May 1 Civil War Quilting Program, 6:15-8 p.m., Great River Regional Library, 253 N. 5th Ave., Waite Park, 320-253-9359. St. Stephen City Council, 7 p.m.,
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City Hall. 251-0964. Thursday, May 2 Coffee and Conversation, a senior discussion group, 9 a.m., Country Manor, Sartell. “A Local Treasure: Pioneer Place on Fifth,” 9:30-11:30 a.m.,Whitney Senior Center 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320- 255-7245. Golden Tones Chorus of Golden Valley Lunch Serenade, 11:15-11:45 a.m., Whitney Senior Center 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320-2557245. Blood drive, noon-6 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain, St. Cloud. 1-800RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org. Friday, May 3 Cinco de Mayo in Central Minnesota, 10 a.m., Whitney Senior Center 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. 320- 255-7245. Blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Cloud Blood Donation Center, 1301 W. St. Germain, St. Cloud. 1-800RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org.
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the City Council Chambers at the Sartell City Hall, in the City of Sartell, Minn., at 7 p.m. Monday, May 13, 2013, to consider the proposal of Country Manor Campus, LLC (the “Borrower”), the sole member of which is The Foundation for Health Care Continuums that the City finance the Project hereinafter described, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 462C and Sections 469.152 to 469.1655, as amended, by the issuance of revenue obligations.
The Project consists of financing the (i) design, acquisition, construction and equipping of a 45-unit project providing senior housing with services, including common areas and a resident dining facility, to be located at 520 First St. NE in the City, and (ii) certain renovations and replacement equipment at the Borrower’s existing nursing home, independent senior apartments and senior apartments with services all located on the Country Manor Campus. The Project will be owned and op-
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or other obligations to be issued to finance the Project will be $13,500,000. Said bonds or other obligations, as and when issued, will not constitute a charge, lien or encumbrance upon any property of the City, or its housing and redevelopment authority, except the Project and the revenues to be derived from the Project. Such bonds or obligations will not be a charge against the City’s general credit or taxing powers but are payable from sums to be paid by the Borrower pursuant to a revenue agreement. At the time and place fixed for the public hearing, the City Council of the City will give all persons who appear at the hearing an opportunity to express their views with respect to the proposal for revenue bonds. Written comments will be considered if submitted at the above City office on or before the date of the hearing. Publish: April 26, 2013
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Becca is a beautiful, blue-eyed lynx point Siamese mix and is 3 years old and spayed. She was surrendered to the shelter due to her owner’s change in lifestyle. Becca lived with dogs, cats and kids, and got along well with everyone. She’s not a fan of being picked up and held too long, but likes to watch critters out the window and play with toys. This blue-eyed beauty is looking for a playmate and someone to give her a loving home. Stop by the shelter and see if those blue eyes are only for you! “Helping one animal won’t change the world … but it will change the world for that one animal!” Dogs - 16
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252-0896
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Hours: Monday-Thursday Noon-6 p.m., Friday Noon-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sunday Noon-5 p.m.
Sartell Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com
8
Fimrite from front page had finished just two hours earlier. After talking to his father and others, Fimrite walked out of his room door at “Hotel 140,” which is just a couple miles away from the marathon’s finish line. The hotel hallway was filled with runners, fans and other people who were worried, concerned and utterly perplexed about the dribs and drabs of alarming news they were get-
ting. Rumors ran rampant: Was it just a natural-gas explosion? Was a manhole cover blown out of the street? Could it be true the Boston library was on fire? Were bombs exploding on the marathon route? Was the city under attack? Why was there an order for people to stay put, including hotel guests? Fimrite said so many people in the hotel were frantic, trying to contact loved ones far and wide to tell them they were OK. Some did not have access to cell phones or land phones, and so they were borrowing other
people’s phones to reach loved ones. Many in Hotel 140 were frustrated, stymied because they wanted to venture outdoors to help others, but they were ordered not to leave. “We didn’t know what was going on, and we only found out what was happening – little by little,” Fimrite told the Sartell Newsleader. One of the worst things, he said, was there was no way to find out how fellow runners were doing, including people he just happened to meet at the event.
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Friday, April 26, 2013
Many hours later, Fimrite and his wife, Tammy, had time to reflect about their time in Boston. Both are glad to be home again with their children and loved ones, but both feel sorrow for those who were killed or injured in the bomb blasts. People who know and love Fimrite were so glad to see him back home, including his many students. He is a sixth-grade math teacher at South Junior High School in St. Cloud. “Running in the Boston Marathon was the highlight of my athletic career,” he said. “It was everything I hoped for and
more. It was exhilarating. But then, at that pinnacle of feeling, there was terror when I realized what happened so close to that finish line.” Fimrite and his wife are still trying to process that wonderful but horrible day. “They cannot take away our freedom,” he said. “I’m inspired to want to do this (run in the Boston Marathon) again. That wasn’t my plan, but I will. We’re going to rise above this.” For additional articles on reactions from Sartell Boston Marathon participants, see next week’s Sartell Newsleader.
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