Republican operatives seize on Fricke photo

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Mike Longaecker

Most folks familiar with contemporary pop culture – or who have checked out the poster section at just about any head shop – can envision the iconic shot of Johnny Cash flippin’ the bird.

Apparently it’s familiar to political candidates as well.

Republican operatives have seized on a photo taken of SD 28 Democratic candidate Joe Fricke  imitating Cash’s iconic gesture. The photo, according to MinnesotaDemocratsExposed.com, was culled from Facebook.

Fricke, reached Wednesday by phone, called the MDE post “a non-issue,” saying  it was an impromptu re-enactment of the Cash photo. He added that he never made the photo public.

“I think it’s in poor taste,” he said of attempts to use the photo against him.

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Invisible hand or enlightened intervention?

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Eric Ludy

A discussion over a small levy increase turned into a larger debate over the interplay between government and markets at Tuesday’s Goodhue County Board meeting.

Speaking out against a proposed 0.77 percent levy increase for the Southeastern Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Commissioner Ted Seifert argued that the organization and others like it don’t do anything that the invisible hand of the market wouldn’t do on its own.

The organization, which is partly funded  by a Goodhue County property tax levy, rents affordable apartments to low-income and elderly people in southeastern Minnesota.

“Government doesn’t create anything,” said Seifert. “Government just takes money from someplace and moves it someplace else.”

Commissioner Dan Rechtzigel jumped on that remark, arguing that programs like SEMMCHRA provide important services  that wouldn’t exist without government intervention. He pointed to its role in the renovation of the Mill Street Tavern in Cannon Falls as one example.

“Sometimes there are things that a housing authority is willing to do that the private market — and I don’t blame them — isn’t willing to do,” he said.

The increase eventually passed, with Rechtzigel and Commissioners Jim Bryant and Richard Samuelson voting in favor. Seifert and Commissioner Ron Allen voted in opposition.

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Substance absent at candidate forum

Posted on August 31, 2010 by eagle-eye

Political observers hoping to come away with substantive information from Monday’s candidate forum in Cannon Falls likely left the event feeling unfulfilled.

The Goodhue County United Veterans Organization program’s format called for each candidate to give a three-minute introduction to be followed by a question-and-answer period. But when intros were finished, the program’s timetable only allowed for two (!) questions: one for DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton, the other for the two Senate District 28 candidates.

After those two questions, organizer Bob Davis pulled the plug on the event at 9 p.m., telling attendees he would be sure he got answers for those who had submitted written questions for the candidates.

Reporters weren’t able to get much more than cursory information — mostly “why I’m running” stuff — from the candidates during the program. That, and photos. Here are a few.

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Cannon Falls will have candidates aplenty … but no Emmer or Horner

Posted on August 30, 2010 by eagle-eye

When candidates for 14 seats arrive tonight in Cannon Falls, they will be without a full slate of gubernatorial challengers.

Only Democratic-Farmer-Laborite Mark Dayton will be in attendance at the Goodhue County United Veterans Organization candidate forum, according to Goodhue County Veterans Service Officer Bob Davis. Reached Monday morning, Davis said Independence Party candidate Tom Horner will be sending running mate James Mulder in his stead. No one from Republican Tom Emmer’s camp will be in attendance, Davis said.

The event will be 7:30 p.m. at the Cannon Falls American Legion Post No. 142.

Other notables who will not be in attendance include U.S. Rep. John Kline.

Most other races will be represented with at least two candidates. They are:

– Secretary of state

– Senate District 28

– Senate District 36

– House District 28A

– House District 28B

– County Commissioner District 2

– County Commissioner District 4

– County sheriff

– County attorney

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Nuclear drill details trickle in

Posted on August 24, 2010 by eagle-eye

We now know a little more about details behind today’s full-scale emergency drill at Prairie Island nuclear plant: The fictional scenario involves a “toxic release” somewhere inside the plant. The public is not in danger — yet, at least — though school children are being evacuated to Hastings.

The information was released through a series of press release mock-ups sent as part of the drill. What’s more, the drill apparently includes reaction to would-be media reports that terrorists were behind the emergency. The state emphatically denies the allegations in another release.

Interested in seeing more? The press releases are posted below. (At least we think so. We’re just beginning to use the blog’s new WordPress format, which is a little different. Bear with us … )

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Raccoon remains leave a funk in city squad’s trunk

Posted on August 4, 2010 by eagle-eye

The canine distemper problem continues to linger in Red Wing, with no signs of a slowdown.

It’s evidenced almost daily in police reports, usually under the heading Animal Dispatched. That means another distemper-ridden raccoon was shot by a cop and carted off to the city’s incinerator, where they have been disposing of the diseased critters.

But not every instance has ended so smoothly. Police said that after a raccoon was dispatched over the weekend, an officer placed the dead beast in his trunk before heading to the incinerator. Problem was, the officer never made it to the incinerator and apparently forgot the decaying remains were in the squad’s trunk.

When the squad was taken out the next day, police discovered what had been forgotten. The incident, which resulted in what police described was an overwhelming smell, required the squad’s trunk to be professionally cleaned.

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Free lunch, er… breakfast, for public officials

Posted on June 16, 2010 by eagle-eye

UPDATE: Goodhue County attorney Steve Betcher said that the county pays Xcel ahead of time in accordance with state statutes and to avoid "any impression that the county is beholden to Xcel." Eagle Eye maintains that the near empty basket at a function filled with public officials is an amusing image (see below).

Organizers of Xcel Energy’s annual Red Wing Area Appreciation breakfast were courteous enough to leave a voluntary gift basket near the entrance of the Treasure Island Casino convention hall Wednesday morning — aware, apparently, of state statutes prohibiting public officials from accepting meals and other gifts without payment.

Apparently, local public officials didn’t get the memo.

A total of $14 was in the basket upon the end of the breakfast despite dozens of county and city government officials in attendance. The event is held annually to encourage dialogue between Xcel and local government bodies.

Xcel’s suggested donation for a buffet breakfast and one energy efficient compact flourescent lightbulb: $7.

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Howe first out of the gate

Posted on May 18, 2010 by eagle-eye

Red Wing Mayor John Howe and his supporters couldn’t wait to let Eagle Eye know that he was the first Senate candidate in the state to file.

Howe called the R-E Tuesday morning to let us know. Meanwhile, supporter Tim Droogsma sent us an e-mail – with photo – making the same announcement.

You don’t get any extra votes for being the first to file, but it does make one thing certain: Howe is extremely serious about winning the Senate District 28 race.

The SD28 race has gained statewide attention after Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, announced in January that he would be retiring after this year.

We’ll be watching even closer to see if any Democrats emerge to challenge incumbent House Republicans Tim Kelly in District 28A or Steve Drazkowski in District 28B. So far, there has been hardly a whisper about interest in either seat among Democrats, though Goodhue DFL Chairwoman Arlene Roth said a 28A candidate could emerge.

Also on the Eye’s radar will be Democratic activity in the Senate District 28 race. Red Wing resident Joe Fricke recently announced his candidacy, but rumors have circulated that a few local DFLers are quietly seeking out a candidate with more experience.

We’ll keep you posted.

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Law school student mulling SD 28 run

Posted on April 7, 2010 by eagle-eye

Senate District 28 Democrats could have a candidate within a week.

Joe Fricke, a University of St. Thomas law school student, said he’s giving it some thought.

“I should have this figured out in the next week or so,” Fricke, a Red Wing native, said Monday.

The 2000 Red Wing High School graduate said he has been in talks with state and local party leaders about running for the open seat.

Sen. Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, announced in January that this will be his final term in office. Until now, no Democrats have signaled interest in the seat.

Republican delegates in March anointed Red Wing Mayor John Howe to be their candidate for SD 28.

Fricke said he will be graduating from law school this spring. He received his bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, where he double-majored in classics – which he said covered Greek and Latin languages – and religion.

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Long winded

Posted on March 18, 2010 by eagle-eye

Goodhue County Commissioner Dan Rechtzigel was right.

This week’s Planning Advisory Commission meeting was a doozy. The board finally adjourned just after midnight and the crowd — many of whom stood the entire five-hour meeting — finally dispersed.

Dozens of people spoke about wind energy at Monday’s meeting.

Not many people left during the course of the heated discussion about wind. No one seemed deterred by long periods of time in a cramped room with nowhere to sit.

"I can’t tell you how good it is to see democracy in action," Rechtzigel said the next morning at the County Board meeting. The Kenyon-area commissioner said he was able to sneak in about four hours sleep before he had to be back in Red Wing.

The meeting was long. People got emotional. But residents who showed up — many of whom no longer speak to each other because they have different views on wind energy — were pretty respectful. 

Geronimo Wind and AWA Goodhue officials weren’t booed or heckled (too much). And everyone listened to what everyone else had to say.

"It’s a heated issue on both sides but people are very respectful to each other, something I never saw in Afghanistan," said Commissioner Ron Allen, a retired Army colonel.

In the end, everyone had a little too much to say. Commissioners decided they needed to let the information sink in before making any decisions.
 

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