Three Cheers For Mark Osland

Three Cheers for Mark Osland
70% of Voters Want Change in Sheriff’s Department
Taxpayers Win Big in Sheriff’s Race
Sheriff Rivard’s Popularity and Karl Schreck’s

Campaign Sink like a Lead Balloon!
Commissioner Mike Robinson’s Power

declines downward into a Spiral of Death
Rick Duncan Clear Choice to be Next Sheriff
Opinion and Political Commentary by Jonathan P. Glassel

Karl Schreck was campaigning before Chisago County Sheriff Todd Rivard announced his decision to retire in March.

Rick Duncan, the winner of the Primary with 46% of the vote and the clear choice to be our next Sheriff announced his decision in May.

Mark Osland did not enter the race until June, leaving just a few weeks to campaign before an early Primary.

Mark Osland’s hard work and determination yielded an amazing 17% of the votes cast.

Anyone who thinks 1,000 votes in a Primary Election is a small feat, needs to try it sometime.

In the General Election, any candidate will get “luck of the draw” votes cast by those who are uninformed as to the merits of any particular candidate. However, Primary voters are a tough sell. These 21% of registered voters go the extra mile to vote in a Primary and are well informed about every candidate on the ballot.

Mark Osland is a “Class Act,” with no shortage of the “C Words,” Character, Compassion, Courage and Common Sense.

Many Duncan supporters, myself included were concerned that Mark would split the “Good Guy” vote, leaving Schreck to actually appear as though he is a viable candidate.

Yet, Karl Schreck failed to take his lagging campaign beyond a small but vocal group of supporters in his horse club and a very few Chisago County Deputies.

Sheriff Todd Rivard’s backing of Schreck yielded small results. Commissioner Robinson’s rabid support of “the Garbage Cop,” in Rush City provided a mere 10 net votes for Schreck over Osland and Duncan, further indication that Robinson is on his way out, hopefully replaced in 2012 by a “C Word” candidate.

Though Mark ran a totally positive campaign, Osland’s supporters are not likely to vote for Schreck in November because Schreck’s character, or lack thereof, has preceded him.

Schreck and his cronies in the Sheriff’s Department have campaigned on the taxpayer’s “dime,” something that does not sit well with most voters. They have openly intimidated business persons supporting other candidates.

Clearly Schreck and his staff had expected a convincing win, however Karl failed to grasp the fact that he and his goons cannot go into the voting booth with every voter.

Despite fear of retaliation and reprisals from the Sheriff’s department, voters said “no” to the “Mafia-like” tactics of Karl Schreck and Commissioner Mike Robinson.

Karl Schreck has a completely legitimate side business of trimming horse’s hooves. Stories of Sheriff Rivard “busting” Schreck back to Private for persistently sleeping away his night shift in a donut shop leads to conjecture that Schreck was probably sleeping during his night shift to conserve energy for his day job.

Apparently, Schreck’s Stripes have never been returned, though he still calls himself Sergeant.

These stories are just the tip of the iceberg for Schreck, Rivard and Robinson. Other stories and rumors of abuses by a small group of Chisago County Sheriff’s Department employees, leaves many people wondering why Rivard would support anyone like Schreck; as such support defies the common sense and logic of most voters.

People are beginning to speculate that, perhaps Todd is not the brightest bulb on the Rivard Family Tree.

Taylors Fall is patrolled by three full time Chisago County deputies at a net financial loss to the taxpayers of Chisago County, yet these three cops issue fewer citations per capita than any other area of the County. This lends credence to the rumor that Sheriff Rivard has a very long “no stop list” for Taylors Falls family, friends and supporters. Yet, the many alleged benefactors of this list, did not deliver a clear win for Schreck in that precinct.

In retrospect, despite my earlier reservations, Mark Osland’s entry and effort, devoting his time, treasure and talent to the Sheriff’s race yielded positive results for the taxpayers of Chisago County. An early debate among voters about the qualifications of the candidates clarified our need and our desire for leadership from outside the Sheriff’s Department as we head toward the fall general elections.

For this, we owe Mark Osland, his family and his supporters a sincere debt of gratitude.

Chisago County Commissioner Rick Greene

Chisago County Commissioner Rick Greene
Common Sense Leadership
Opinion and Political Commentary by Jonathan P. Glassel

The Tea Party Movement is about Common Sense. Since few people will knowingly vote for a candidate lacking common sense, it can be said that we are all “Tea Partyists.” We all want, and profit from good government. It’s just common sense.

In Chisago County, we are fortunate to have Rick Greene’s courage, common sense and country wisdom working for us on the County Board of Commissioners. In the depths of the current recession, Rick reduced government spending to bring about the first ever zero percent property tax increase in memorable history for the taxpayers of Chisago County.

When former Commissioner Lynn Schultz and the Prison Industrial Complex tried to saddle us with a lavish, overbuilt and unwarranted 40 million dollar jail, Rick’s country wisdom was immortalized by the following simple and eloquent statement. “The walls will crumble before it (the jail) will ever be filled.”

In retaliation, “Good Old Boy” Commissioners Robinson, Schultz and Gustafson cut all highway funding to Rick’s District. Many of us would have “caved” to the Prison Industrial Complex, watching our constituents endure hazardous road conditions while Commissioner Robinson was paving roads to his favorite bars and pubs with District Two Highway Dollars.

Rick stayed his ground and along with fellow Commissioner Montzka “held the fort” until the cavalry, in the form of newly elected Commissioners Lora Walker and George McMahon, arrived. The proposed jail was voted down, an unbiased County Highway Engineer was chosen and the new board set about to correct the wrongs perpetuated by Lynn Schultz and the Prison Industrial Complex against the citizens of District Two.

Fairness is common sense. This new board is about fairness. There is no desire to retaliate against the citizens of Mike Robinson’s District by denying county highway dollars. However, the “neglected” District Two roads need repair, now.

As the “Good Old Boys” have spent our highway funds for years to come, bonding is a necessity. Commissioner Robinson’s roads were bonded. Former Commissioner Schultz readily bonded roads for her district when she was in power.

Now, it seems Rick Greene’s opponent in the Chisago County District Two Commissioners race, Katherine Johnson, says we should not bond District Two roads, which means the citizens of District Two should continue to “suck hind teat” until all of Robinson and Schultz’s bonds are repaid.

Coming from Katherine Johnson, comments like these are not totally unexpected.

Katherine Johnson is a pawn of Mike Robinson, Lynn Schultz and the Prison Industrial Complex.
Robinson is an intimidating man. There is no way Katherine Johnson has the fortitude to stand down Commissioner Mike Robinson. If Robinson wants District Two Road funds, Katherine will be obliged to hand them over.

For Commissioner Robinson and former Commissioner Schultz, it’s not about public service; it’s about regaining lost power. With County Attorney Janet Reiter firmly under their control and a Katherine Johnson victory over Commissioner Greene coupled with an unlikely but possible win by Karl Schreck in the Sheriff’s race, Lynn Schultz could return the Good Old Boys to complete dominance in 2012.

As “Tea Partyists of Common Sense,” we must maintain vigilance, we must be involved, and we must determine and support the candidates of integrity and common sense.

The records of both candidates are clear. Rick Greene has proven his ability to lead, while Katherine Johnson clearly “sucks hind teat” in the arena of common sense.

Rick Duncan Tough on Crime, Smart About Crime

Rick Duncan
Tough on Crime, Smart About Crime
Common Sense for Chisago County Sheriff
Opinion and Political Commentary by Jonathan P. Glassel

Rick Duncan is the most widely respected Peace Officer in Chisago County. Rick’s reputation stems from two sources, being tough on crime and smart about crime. Rick knows prevention of crime is cost effective. Incarceration is not. Jails are expensive to build, costly to maintain and benefit only a select few.

Chisago County has never been a haven for hardened criminals, yet we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year housing non violent inmates at jails in Polk, Isanti and Washington County simply because the Prison Industrial Complex seeks to force the construction of a never ending system of prisons throughout this country.

Duncan understands that only very small fractions of the citizenry are habitual criminals.
These are often youthful offenders requiring guidance, perhaps a redirecting of their moral compass.

Of his many achievements in Minneapolis Law Enforcement, Duncan’s work with kids has had outstanding results. 70% of youthful offenders participating in Duncan’s Police Athletic League stayed out of trouble and never returned to the system, saving incalculable tax dollars used to reduce violent crime and crimes against property by a whopping 17% and 27% respectively.

Duncan’s two fold strategy on crime has served Minneapolis well.

A Minneapolis Police Sergeant, a county resident, puts it this way. “Rick Duncan is the best Commanding Officer I have ever had the privilege of serving. We are gonna miss Rick. He will make a great Sheriff. We know he won’t be back; the good ones never come back. Some guys leave the Department and return, but the best never come back.”

As a county resident, the Sergeant wants Rick as Sheriff even though the Minneapolis Police Department will suffer. Minneapolis’s loss is our gain. Vote for Duncan!

Vote for Rick Duncan August 10th

Jon's Small Engine in Forest Lake

Jon’s Small Engine
½ Mile west of the Sears Store on Hwy 8 in Forest Lake

Buy Sell Trade
Repair Replace Recycle

Cash paid for Running or Repairable Garden Tractors, Lawn Tractors, Riding Lawnmowers, Snowblowers
Walk behind Mowers and Engine Cores

Used Push Mowers…………………………………......$50 & Up
Used Self Propelled Mowers……………………….... $100 & Up
Used Snowblowers (in season)……………………......$150 & Up
Used Riding Mowers……………………………….....$300 & Up
Used Garden Tractors……………………………...…$500 & Up

Service Specials
We Rebuild & Repair Four Cycle Engines including:
Briggs, Kohler, Kawasaki, Tecumseh & Onan

Walk Behind Mower Tune-up…………………….…$50 & Up
Riding Lawnmower Tune-up…………………….....$150 & Up

We repair all brands including John Deere, Cub Cadet, MTD, Craftsman, Simplicity, Allis, Scotts, Sabre, Murray, Wheel Horse and Toro to name a few!

Pick Up & Delivery Available….Riders $75, Walk Behind $25

651-334-1300

A Message to Young Voters

A Message to Young Voters
The Prison Industrial Complex Wants You! In Jail!
Opinion and Political Commentary by Jonathan P. Glassel

Throughout history, unscrupulous business persons have profited from the misery of others. For centuries, European traders amassed great fortunes in the slave trade.

When the British finally abolished slavery in 1840, these traders turned to the lucrative Opium Trade.

Britain and America actually went to war with China to insure wealthy Opium traders could profit from the addiction of millions of Chinese.

This Anglo American induced drug epidemic did not end until the Communist Revolution a hundred years later when the drug addicts were simply executed, taken out and shot.

In today’s world, The Prison Industrial Complex profits from the misery and forced incarceration of millions non violent Americans.

The Criminal Justice System is big business, not only in this country, but right here in Chisago County.

Many young people, old enough to vote, but not for drinking are jailed for underage consumption of alcohol, an offense that does not require jail time in Washington and other metropolitan counties.

The local Prison Industrial Complex places the young offender in a jail full of addicts, introducing them to drugs at an early age.

Through probation and other means, the young “offender,” is often returned to jail for further “indoctrination.”

The Prison Industrial Complex knows, if they can get you young, they will have a return customer for life.

If you don’t vote, you don’t count!

Sad, but true.

Many Politicians pander to the people who vote, often leaving young voters, ages 18 to 30 with little clout in local government. This same age group will pay for the excesses of the Prison Industrial Complex, either in prison as a “customer,” or as a taxpayer.

If you vote, you will be noticed at the polls. Local politicians will take notice of this trend and you will get the political clout you deserve.

For the first time in decades, we have an opportunity to break the stranglehold of the Prison Industrial Complex in Chisago County.

The choice is clear. Karl Schreck is a pawn of the Prison Industrial Complex while Rick Duncan does not want to see you in jail.

Rick’s character is strong, his moral fiber is high. Rick has no desire to fill quotas or to make criminals out of ordinary citizens to keep the jails full.

I hope you will check out http://www.duncanforsheriff.com/. and http://www.schreckforsheriff.com/.

It’s pretty clear; Rick Duncan is the most qualified candidate.

I hope you will urge your friends to vote. Never think your vote doesn’t count. In a small community one vote can make a huge difference, for all of us.

Thanks for reading, thanks for getting involved, Jon

Free Heavy Metal Recycling
Free Towing of Junk Cars!

651-334-1300

Free Gas Grill Recycling!

Early Voting Now Open!

Early Voting Now Open!

Vote Absentee
The Following is copied directly from the Chisago County Website. Please note; the misspellings are not mine!

You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote in person on Election Day because you are:

Absent from the precinct
Ill or disabled
An election judge serving in another precinct
Unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or beliefs

Absentee ballots are available 45 days prior to the State Primary and the State General Election. You may pick up an application for an absentee ballot in person, or request one from the Chisago County Auditors Office, Chisago County Governmnet Center, Room 271, 313 North Main Sttreet, Center City, MN 55012, (651) 213-8500 (651) 213-8500.

In person: You may vote in person at the Chisago County Auditors Office during the following times for the Primary and General Elections:

During normal office hours beginning 45 days before the election
On the Saturday before the election from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or
On the Monday before the election until 5 p.m.

Jon’s Small Engine
Proudly Supports

Rick Duncan for Sheriff

www.duncanforsheriff.com

Chisago County Deputies Shun Karl Schreck, Support Rick Duncan for Sheriff

Deputies Support Rick Duncan, Shun Karl Schreck for Chisago County Sheriff

Karl Schreck, the “Garbage Cop” is an Odd
Candidate for Chisago County Sheriff

Karl Schreck Lacks Intellect, Mental Stability
To be an Effective as Chisago County Sheriff
Opinion and Political Commentary by Jonathan P. Glassel

Sheriff Rivard’s decision to retire is the best news the taxpayers of Chisago County have had since the elections of Lora Walker and George McMahon to the County Board in 2008. With leadership from Commissioners Rick Greene and Ben Montzka, this board adopted the first ever 0% levy increase in memory.

That means your property taxes in Chisago County increased by zip, zero, nada thanks to “common sense leadership.” Leadership with the guts to cut government spending and stand down the “Prison Industrial Complex,” led by local “Good Old Boy” politicians Mike Robinson, Bob Gustafson and Lynn Schultz.

Rivard had become known to the Board as the “Million Dollar Man.” Every week or so, Rivard was demanding another million or so to fund his department. A million here and a million there, pretty soon, you’re talking big money.

With the County Attorney’s Office firmly in their grip, the “Good Old Boys” need to maintain control of the Sheriff’s Department to retain any hopes of reviving the unwarranted Forty Million Dollar Jail Project.

Other than a few close friends in Karl’s horse club, no one really believes Karl Schreck has what it takes to be effective as Chisago County Sheriff. To the “Good Old Boys,” Karl Schreck’s ineptitude is a plus. Karl Schreck makes a good patsy for Chisago County Sheriff.

The “Good Old Boys” didn’t fare so well in the last election, with only Robinson retaining his seat on the County Board. Lynn Schultz’s vow to return led to speculation that the “Good Old Broad” would move about a mile into Rick Greene’s District and attempt a comeback during this election cycle.

Instead, former County Attorney Katherine Johnson was tapped to run against Rick Greene.

Chisago County Commissioner Rick Greene saved Chisago County from bankruptcy by standing down the local "Prison Industrial Complex," led by Commissioners Mike Robinson of Rush City, former Commissioners Lynn Schultz and Bob Gustafson.

In retaliation, the "Good Old Boys" withheld highway funding from Greene's District, but Commissioners Greene and Montzka "held the fort" until the "calvary" arrived in form of newly elected Commissioners Lora Walker and George McMahon.

An unlikely, but possible win over a very popular Rick Greene would set the stage for Lynn Schultz’s rematch against Commissioner Lora Walker in 2012.

Commissioner Walker is also incredibly popular in her District and a loss to Shultz is, again unlikely, but possible.

So, with Commissioner Robinson’s patsy, Chisago County Attorney Janet Reiter, filling the jail with dog license violators and Karl Schreck arresting code violators coupled with the improbable elections of Katherine Johnson and Lynn Schultz, we could see the “Prison Industrial Complex” breaking ground in 2013.

The Chisago County Sheriff’s Department has several cops better suited to be Sheriff than Schreck. Problem is, they are not “Good Old Boy” politicians and have the strength of character needed to run an independent Sheriff’s Department and are not willing to be anyone’s puppet.

The rank and file members of the Chisago County Sheriff’s Department are professional, dedicated cops. Most live and pay taxes in Chisago County. They can no more afford to pay for a 40 million dollar jail than you or I.

These guys joined the force to catch bad guys and drug dealers, not to fill the jails with petty criminals at the behest of Lynn Schultz and the “Prison Industrial Complex.” These guys joined the force to provide Public Safety, not to make criminals out of average citizens. They have no desire to be Mike Robinson’s Secret Police.

Professional cops want professional and experienced leadership.

That is why most Chisago County Deputies support Rick Duncan for Chisago County Sheriff despite fear of retribution at the hands of Karl Schreck and the Sheriff’s Department.

To quote Rick Duncan, candidate for Chisago County Sheriff, “Retaliation is not a word in my professional career. Law Enforcement should never be about retaliation but should be fair and impartial enforcement.”

Recently, a “paper hanger” (writer of hot checks) served six years in the Wisconsin State Penitentiary. Released on parole, he moved in with family in Chisago County. After a time, he wore out his welcome and was asked to leave. Unfortunately, he was broke with nowhere else to go.

So his family accused him of making a terroristic threat. He was arrested. Unable to make bail, he had been in jail for over 90 days when I met him and had another 30 days to go until his first hearing before the Judge.

When Randy Schwegman was Sheriff, Deputy Karl Schreck threatened to shoot his boss. A terroristic threat. Naturally, Schwegman wanted him fired, but others intervened and Karl Schreck kept his job and is today, running for Chisago County Sheriff.

“Fair and Impartial Enforcement” or

“Good Old Boy” Politics?

Rick Duncan or Karl Schreck?

It’s not hard to see why Chisago County

Sheriff’s Deputies Support Rick Duncan.

Rick Duncan for Chisago County Sheriff

Karl Schreck for Chisago County Sheriff

Mark Osland for Chisago County Sheriff

Mark Oslund for Chisago County Sheriff

Rick Duncan Common Sense for County Sheriff

Rick Duncan
Common Sense for County Sheriff
Opinion and Political Commentary by Jonathan P. Glassel

Rick Duncan, a Minneapolis Police Lieutenant, is the most widely respected Peace Officer in Chisago County. A lifelong resident, Rick graduated from Chisago Lakes High School and served on the Chisago City Police Department for several years before joining the Minneapolis Police.

Rick’s career has been upwardly mobile ever since, rising through the ranks from Patrol Officer to Lieutenant, currently serving as Patrol Sector Commander, taking direct responsibility for nearly 40 Officers, Sergeants and Crime Prevention Specialists.

Rick’s phone started ringing when Todd Rivard announced his retirement.

When Karl Schreck, aka “The Garbage Cop” announced his Karl Schreck for Chisago County Sheriff Campaign, Duncan’s phone rang “off the hook.”

Indeed, the specter of Karl Schreck (Shrek) as Chisago County Sheriff alarmed many in the community.

Chisago County is changing. “Good Old Boy” Politics is dying and a new breed of Public Servant is emerging. Political common sense is making a comeback in Chisago County, a place where its citizens take pride in their “country wisdom.” People move to Chisago County just to be near folks with common sense. With all our common sense, in the past, we have made some horrific choices by electing way too many “Good Old Boy” politicians to powerful positions in local government.

However, when we elected George McMahon and Lora Walker to the County Board, they joined sitting Commissioners Rick Greene and Ben Montzka to give “Common Sense” a “Super Majority” on the County Board, something thought to be impossible.

For the first time in memorable history, Chisago County has four commissioners that are “in it for the people,” not for their own personal gain. Commissioners who are willing to “bust butt” for the people of Chisago County rather than the pursuit of their own selfish, “Good Old Boy” interests.

Chisago County has two main sources of revenue. The property taxes paid to the County and LGA or Local Government Aid from the State. Basically, LGA is a rebate from income and sales taxes collected by the State, paid to the County to cover the cost of “unfunded mandates.”

Whenever Governor Pawlenty needs to balance the budget, he simply cuts LGA, without changing any of laws to relieve the County of the financial burden of these “unfunded mandates,” leaving the “Common Sense Super Majority” scrambling to cover the shortfall.

The County takes advantage of federal reimbursements for staff mostly in health and human services department and applies for every grant available from both the State and Federal Government.

However, it is their independence from the “Good Old Boy” network and the creativity of Commissioners Montzka, Greene, Walker and McMahon that has allowed this board to navigate in these “troubled waters.”

As Sheriff, Rick Duncan will maintain an independent department, free of “Good Old Boy” politics. All of Rick’s energy, integrity, intelligence, skill and experience will be needed to tackle the challenges that face us all, right here in Chisago County.

Rick is a “great fit” with the “Common Sense Super Majority” of Greene, Montzka, McMahon and Walker. All value their independence and respect the independence of the others. We’re not out of the economic woods, yet. It’s gonna take a lot of brain power and creativity to get us through the next several years.

Rick Duncan is the right man, at the right place, at the right time to provide public safety without bankrupting Chisago County.

www.duncanforsheriff.com

Jon’s Small Engine
½ Mile west of the Sears Store on Hwy 8 in Forest Lake

Free Heavy Metal Recycling

Outdoor Power Equipment Appliances Misc Junk
Lawnmowers Washing Machines Scrap Aluminum
Riding Lawnmowers Dryers Electric Motors
Snow Blowers Microwave Ovens Sheet Metal
Weed Whips Water Heaters Scrap Copper
Chain Saws Stoves Power Tools
Outboard Motors Small Appliances Scrap Metal
Small Engines Bicycles Farm Equipment
Snowmobiles Exercise Equipment Metal Car Parts
Motorcycles Batteries Brake Rotors

Free Towing of Junk Cars
651-334-1300

If you support common sense for Chisago County and can spare a buck or two, please visit

http://www.duncanforsheriff.com/

Early Voting Is Open!

Primary Election
Please Vote!
August 10, 2010

Yes, the Minnesota Primary is in August this year, rather than its usual September, after school starts, date. And yes this sucks, but you can:

Vote Absentee!

The Following is copied from the Chisago County Website. Please note; the misspellings are not mine!

You can vote by absentee ballot if you are unable to vote in person on Election Day because you are:

Absent from the precinct
Ill or disabled
An election judge serving in another precinct
Unable to go to the polling place due to a religious holiday or beliefs

Absentee ballots are available 45 days prior to the State Primary and the State General Election. You may pick up an application for an absentee ballot in person, or request one from the Chisago County Auditors Office, Chisago County Governmnet Center, Room 271, 313 North Main Sttreet, Center City, MN 55012, (651) 213-8500 (651) 213-8500.
In person: You may vote in person at the Chisago County Auditors Office during the following times for the Primary and General Elections:

During normal office hours beginning 45 days before the election
On the Saturday before the election from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or
On the Monday before the election until 5 p.m.

Vote Rick Duncan for Sheriff

Jon’s Small Engine
½ Mile west of the Sears Store on Hwy 8 in Forest Lake

Buy Sell Trade
Repair Replace Recycle

Cash paid for Running or Repairable Garden Tractors, Lawn Tractors, Riding Lawnmowers, Snowblowers
Walk behind Mowers and Engine Cores

Used Push Mowers…………………………………...$50 & Up
Used Self Propelled Mowers………………………. $100 & Up
Used Snowblowers (in season)……………………...$150 & Up
Used Riding Mowers………………………………..$300 & Up

Service Specials

We Rebuild & Repair Four Cycle Engines including:Briggs, Kohler, Kawasaki, Tecumseh & Onan