Dodge County Blotter

05/09/2012 9:27 Animal Comp/neglect Claremont Cleared complaint that dogs at location are being neglected. Dog chained at back of house starved, very thin, other dogs same starved condition, two outside others inside the home. Requesting deputy resp to the home and advise city hall of findings, dog owner also in violation of city ord/pet licensing not on file

05/09/2012 17:54 Noise Complaint Kasson Cleared complaint of a silver Neon playing booming music and rattling windows in the neighborhood, is happening right now and he usually does it between 1900-2000 hrs. at night.

05/09/2012 18:05 Miscellaneous Kasson Unfounded Caller reporting he believes his vehicle has been stolen

05/09/2012 19:52 Lost Animals Mantorville Cleared missing 2 German Short Hair Pointers w/ blaze orange collars, 1 white and 1 brown

05/09/2012 20:16 Attempted Suicide Mantorville Cleared received suicide message from subject in Mantorville mn

05/10/2012 17:30 Other Driving Complai Hayfield Cleared female in a red pickup driving in reverse is chasing kids on bikes and yelling at them.

05/10/2012 18:14 Civil West Concord Cleared complaint of neighbor throwing rocks with lawn mower, would like them to put a guard on the mower.

05/10/2012 19:11 Juvenile Complaint Dodge Center Cleared complaint stated that minor child who is not supposed to be near his res is in the area now would like a deputy to respond so it does not cause an issue

05/11/2012 10:03 Assaults Dodge Center Cleared Landlord gave 3 day notice of walkthrough, notice to vacate, tenant assaulted him.


05/11/2012 13:48 Vandalism Kasson Cleared caller and friends observed veh drive by location, person in a black Ford 500 passenger car hit a mail box with a bat (?) mail box "taken out" plate info not avail

05/11/2012 13:49 Allow Dog To Run Claremont Cleared Deputy flagged down by individual complaint regarding neighbor’s dogs

05/11/2012 19:06 Burg/res/unk/f Dodge Center Cleared Complainant wanting to report her husband's leaf blower being stolen out of their garage

05/11/2012 20:02 Miscellaneous Dodge Center Cleared RP states she saw a male matching description of a person who assaulted her cousin

05/11/2012 22:29 Animal Comp Dodge Center Cleared 911 hang up caller would like a stray cat picked up

05/11/2012 23:55 Disturbance Kasson Cleared disturbance behind the bar

05/12/2012 2:18 Minor Poss/consuming Mantorville Cleared alcohol party with juveniles Citations #20-520 20-521 0118, 1089, 1090, 1092 Issued for Minor Consumption Citation #00119 Issued for Contributing to Deliquency of a Minor Citation #20-890 Fleeing, other than Motor vehicle Citation #20-889 Minor Consumption Court Date for all: 06/27/2012

05/12/2012 3:20 Mv/ran Off Road Kasson Cleared mv off road across from the fairgrounds KCC responded for tow 4th degree DWI

05/12/2012 6:10 Found Animals Hayfield Pending/Investi starving stray dog found in ditch at location white/golden color male not neutered old collar on/ camo color possible a Lab mix tall/very skinny/young dog ok to give out caller info if anyone inquires about this found dog

05/12/2012 16:55 Burglary West Concord Cleared burglary in progress reported yellow house right behind Cardinal Realtors’ building on east side of state st....house is not occupied, city is maintaining the yard, white van/male and female, male entered house by opening side window to the west, entered house, came out unlocked door, both inside. see notes. WCPD not available to respond. DCSO responding....subjects located at scene Out of County warrant on male / arrested at scene Male subject posted the cash bail and given Goodhue County court date of June 28th at 0830 hours

05/12/2012 21:27 Civil Dodge Center Cleared RP stated neighbor was screaming at him and stuck a flashlight in his face

05/12/2012 21:50 Fireworks Complaints Kasson Cleared Complainant saying that fireworks from neighboring street are scaring her dogs and keeping her awake

05/13/2012 21:01 Disturbance Dodge Center Cleared Juvenile and father fighting-not physical, mediated

05/14/2012 20:14 Domestic Brownsdale Transferred juvenile caller stated parents were fighting, address given was in Brownsdale, mn. transfered call to Mower County.

05/15/2012 12:54 Animal Bites Dodge Center Cleared Yellow Lab and a Springer Spaniel running loose in the area. RP was bit in the hand on way to lunch

05/15/2012 21:23 Other Driving Complai Dodge Center Cleared ex girlfriend is reported to be driving intoxicated and has son in the car

05/16/2012 14:33 Other Driving Complai Dodge Center Pending/Investi blue grain hauler semi, blue cab, tailgating at approx 80 mph, dangerous passing, swerving between lanes at the 4 lane, cut off caller and other vehs. on the two lane, swerving over lanes, dangerous excess speeds in the 55 zone west bound us hwy 14/ state hwy 56 S, to WB to Claremont DCSO responding/ MNSPR not avail in area

05/16/2012 15:07 Animal Comp Kasson Unfounded Third party report of a dog caught on a fence. Dog is some where on the high school grounds. Caller was unsure where.

Letter To the Editor:

As a parent, a member of this community, and a Kasson-Mantorville high school graduate, I am very concerned about the recent tragic event that occurred here. It seems that the main reason for the death of one of this community’s children was the result of the effects of bullying – that is the second tragedy.
Ever since the spotlight has been on this community I have been hearing so many stories about bullying within the walls of this community’s schools and on the buses. The stories have shocked me; instances where children as young as kindergarten are being harassed, spit on, and physically hurt – by other children. The parents have reported these events to school officials and/or teachers and little is being done to stop this. I do not know the complete story about how long it took the school to remove derogatory remarks from a locker, but if what I have read is accurate I am appalled. School is where our children spend the better part of their day and where most of these instances start. The school’s mission is to provide education for our children in a safe learning environment. Why is bullying tolerated? From what I have heard, the ‘solution’ by some school officials has been to isolate the child being bullied – rather than dealing with the children who are doing the bullying. Bullying needs to be treated the same as drugs and weapons in our schools – ZERO TOLERANCE. If our current school officials cannot deal with the issue, perhaps it is time for them to leave.

Bus drivers need to know what to watch for; HOWEVER, they cannot act as monitors and also be expected to have their full attention on driving. One solution might be to have an authoritative figure on the bus to assist the bus driver with possible issues of bullying. If funding is needed, maybe it should be pulled from the community. This community had no problem with approving funds for a new aquatic center – our children’s safety should be more important.

The popularity of social media has certainly added to the issue of bullying. One child walking from one classroom to the next can be the focus of any number of texts and tweets about them – how they look today, what they said in one class, how they walked. If cell phones are allowed in schools that policy needs to be changed.

Parents must also bear part of the responsibility. Our children need PARENTS as role models – not as their friends. Parents must take an active role in their children’s lives. Know what your children are doing, what they are saying on their Facebook pages, what they are texting, and to whom. When contacted by the school that an incident has occurred, parents need to respond – not be in denial or point fingers.

Bullying is a school district AND community issue. To start, a public forum should be held immediately so we can hear from our school officials and teachers about how bullying is dealt with and their suggestions for making changes so that we don’t have to hear about another young person’s death or possible Columbine event. Concerned parents and community members could also be invited to offer input. Ongoing forums that include input from school officials, teachers, parents, and concerned community members need to follow. Our children need to know the meaning of respect and tolerance and that words DO hurt. This is not a problem that has a quick fix and we should ALL be part of the solution. Our community is being watched to see how we turn things around. If anything positive can come of this, now is the time to act. I would like to be proud of my community once again.

Kelly Heaser

Letter to the Editor: Heiserman

Letter to the Editor:

I just finished reading a beautiful story, A Walk to Remember, by Nicholas Sparks. It’s about Jamie, a teenage student who was tormented by words from her schoolmates. Seventy years ago I was tormented by words from classmates in an urban junior high school. The taunts were directed at my Christian beliefs and at my being a “farm kid.” My escape came with my transferring to the U of M School of Agriculture, St. Paul, where my faith and farm were part of academia.

Allegedly, bullying led to the death of a K-M student, Rachel. As hurtful as written notes and harsh remarks in the hallway were seventy years ago, electronic messages are much more intense and ever-present. We share in the grief that our community (parents, siblings, grand-parents, students, school faculty and staff, and friends) is experiencing this morning as amidst the purple ribbons throughout our town, there will be the funeral for beautiful Rachel.
           
            Dusty Heiserman
            Kasson, MN

Editorial: Flo and Joe

Over the last several months the DCI has not been following policy. The DCI refuses to print unsigned Letters to the Editor and anonymous comments posted to the web site are removed. If people call the office anonymously and will not identify themselves the call is not taken.

The Flo and Joe column is more of a guest editorial commentary than a Letter to the Editor. Either way, the comments warrant the signatures and names of the writers. A phone number, which is listed at the bottom of each Flo and Joe does not qualify as a signature.

I should have held my ground and made this decision when the column first started running. At the bottom of the articles is the statement, "Sponsored by KARE (Kasson Alliance for Restoration)". I am not sure what that means because we do not charge for the articles.

Kasson city councilman Matt Nelson wrote a letter last week questioning some of the comments made by Flo and Joe. There was also criticism as to why this newspaper would print information without author(s) being named.

It is important to protect our reputation as a newspaper and try to be fair with everyone and that includes letters, guest editorials and, yes, Flo and Joe. Like the old saying goes, "Better late than never". I have never been a fan of "anonymous". If an opinion is important enough to be expressed then a signature should not be an issue.

Letter to the editor: Nelson

Letter To the Editor:

For several months now, the Dodge County Independent has published an editorial column from two fictional characters named Flo and Jo.  The amazing thing about the column is the DCI has never published the actual author’s name and they don’t really let the reader know this is an editorial piece.  The column has been used to attack the Kasson City Council on several occasions.  Typically, when a newspaper publishes something like this, they will include the author’s name.  Last week, at least, the column appeared on the editorial page.  It might be more fitting if the DCI had a “fiction” page and it appeared there.  Which leads me to the other amazing thing about the column, rarely does it contain factual data. 

Last week’s column from Flo/Jo was a prime example of how KARE tries to distort the facts or just not even bother with facts.  Yes, several years ago the City of Kasson had to take down the old limestone fireplace in North Park. It had not aged well and was becoming quite dangerous.  The City brought in a professional stone layer to look at it.  The cost to repair was extremely high.  And, it is true that someone from KARE offered the services of a stone layer friend of hers.  However, it was quickly determined this stone layer was not licensed, was not certified, and was not insured.  Unfortunately, upon learning this, the City could not legally use his services.  Regarding the old limestone wall, though, what Flo/Jo wrote is completely false.  The City has never talked about taking down this wall.  I also found it interesting at the recent Dodge County Expo KARE had a picture of the stone wall with the word “Endangered” written across it.  Where does this come from?  Why are they spreading this type of disinformation?

Two weeks ago Kenton Spading wrote a letter to the editor that implied our current City Council does not have good people serving on it.  I was literally shocked and a little hurt by that.  And then, I had to wonder on what does he base his opinion? He hasn’t lived in Kasson since the late 1970’s.  He has been to one Council meeting in the last 8 or 9 years.  Why does he, and his group called KARE, want to spread vitriol and anger in an apparent attempt to divide Kasson?  After reading Kenton’s letter and the last two Flo/Jo columns, I think I now know who the author of Flo/Jo is. 
KARE has asked the City of Kasson for numerous requests over the last few years and the City has been pretty agreeable.  I would now like to ask KARE for something.  Starting immediately, KARE should print the actual author’s name with the Flo/Jo column.  They also need to spell out in their column where the information they are printing comes from.  I have never seen a group given the ability to publish disinformation, innuendo, and fiction in an editorial and then not even be required to include their name.  It baffles me.

The Mayor of Kasson and the City Council has been very respectful and accommodating during the ongoing saga of the Old School building.  It is unfortunate KARE has not always returned that favor.

Sincerely,
Matt Nelson

 

PLEASE REMEMBER COMMENTS WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED ON THE BLOG UNLESS A NAME IS PROVIDED WITH THE COMMENT BEING PROVIDED.

Thousands of dollars in copper stolen from former Kasson school

City administrator Randy Lenth opened up the former Kasson school Wednesday morning so representatives from Sherman Associates, including a construction manager, could take another look at the building. What he found is individuals had entered the locked building through a side door and stolen thousands of dollars worth of copper piping from the building.  Lenth notified the Kasson police and they took several photos.

Copper piping from the basement to the top floor was removed from the building over a period of time that was believed to be more than one day.

They had an elaborate system for removing the pipe. From the basement to the main level  ramps were set up to cart the pipe up the stairs. The larger copper pipe was in the basement. At the top of the stairs on the main level a  long bench was built so  they could cut the pipe. In the former lunch room a large black tarp covered a window so nobody could look in.

Police Chief Ken Schuck said they determined the theft took place over a period of several hours and days some time between December and last week when the break-in was discovered.
The police chief and city administrator said it was unusual that no one called. Typically if anything suspicious is going on a neighbor will call police or city hall.

They believe the thieves entered the building through a northwest door which enters a hallway at the north end of the building. It is evident the lock was broke and there was forced entry. Looking at all of the pipe wrap strewn from room to room it's obvious the thieves knew what they were doing.
Counselor Realtor Kathy O'Malley had the building opened so staff from Sherman Associates Inc. of Minneapolis cold go through the building. Sherman Associates signed a purchase agreement in February to buy the building. They were given 270 days to secure Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing. Kathy 'O'Malley said she was "sick" when she saw the mess the thieves made when they stole the pipe.

Police Chief Schuck said, in cooperation with the Dodge County Sheriff's Department, they are working with a network that can track locations  where the copper might have been sold. Other than that they are asking for assistance from public. Anyone who might have seen a vehicle or someone around the building or on the playground between December and now should contact the Kasson police at 634-3881.

Letter to the editor: Spading

Letter to the Editor:

I read with interest the Letters to the Editor in the March 7 DCI regarding the City of Kasson’s questionable reorganization of the Kasson Fire Department.  Thank you to former Kasson Mayor Jeff Stevenson and Georgiann Musolf for writing those letters which outlined the city’s adventurous actions.  Approximately one year ago similar letters to the editor appeared.  Thank you also to those letter writers.  It is not easy to stand up and be counted by expressing your opinions publicly.

Three (3) city council positions are up for election in November 2012 to include the Mayor.  The filing deadline to run for any of those three positions is July 31, 2012.  Yes, that is correct, you have to file your intent to run and be on the ballot three months prior to the election.  Filing forms can be obtained from City Hall by calling 507-634-7071 or by emailing: CityHall@CityOfKasson.com

The only thing standing between the status quo and change within City Hall is good citizens refusing to take action.  Who is going to stand up and be counted?  If you don't have the courage of your convictions, you'll never reach your goals.

Best Regards,
Kenton Spading, KM Class of 1973