BAXTER — Ample evidence that hometown folks are paying attention to what state lawmakers are doing in St. Paul was apparent to motorists on Highway 371 Thursday afternoon as supporters and detractors of Sen. Paul Gazelka spoke out on state issues.
The rally apparently started as a gathering at Gazelka’s insurance agency office in Baxter by union members and supporters. When supporters of Gazelka got wind of the event they organized their own counter-rally, supporting the first-term Republican senator.
Deb Breneman, who works in faculty support at Central Lakes College and is a member of American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, said before the rally she and others object to Gazelka’s legislative efforts to freeze state employee wages and his opposition to increasing any taxes, including those who are among the top 2 percent earners in the state. She said Gazelka’s legislative positions on the budget may lead to a state shutdown.
“What will the Brainerd lakes area be like in July with no parks open and a government shutdown?” she asked at the rally.
She said state employees’ wages have been frozen and those issues have always been negotiated rather than legislated.
“His stances are whatever the party tells him to do,” Breneman said.
Michael Hopps, a Central Lakes College instructor, said Gazelka was out to change his hard-fought union benefits and to take away the rights of his friends to marry the person they choose. He said Gazelka’s efforts to obtain a statewide vote on the definition of marriage and Republican bills for a Voter ID bill were “smelly red herrings” designed to distract attention from more serious budget issues.
“I just oppose everything Paul Gazelka is in favor of,” Hopps said.
When supporters of Gazelka learned of the planned protest, Doug Kern, chair of the Crow Wing County Republican Party, urged supporters of the rural Brainerd lawmaker to show up with their own signs.
Kern objected that Breneman used a CLC email distribution list to spread word about the Gazelka protest and the targeting of his business office.
“It’s wrong to be protesting at a private business,” he said.
Earlier, in an email Kern sent to Breneman, Kern said that protesting at the business site amounted to bullying.
Among the messages Kern and his group shared on their signs was one that read “Government live on a budget.”
Breneman said she was in error when she used the state computer system to invite people to a protest at the office and said she apologized to the college.
Tom Grogg of Brainerd, a financial coordinator with Financial Peace University, said Gazelka has been leading in the right direction. He said he’s had to cut back spending in the current economy.
“If we don’t come to grips with how we spend our money ... we’re not going to be successful,” Grogg said.
The two groups co-existed peacefully near Gazelka’s office during the first hour of what was planned as a two-hour rally. Protesters on both sides lined the highway for awhile, trying to attract the attention of motorists. The union members brought a grill and prepared hot dogs and brats for the event.
Employees inside Gazelka’s office said business was being conducted as usual despite the people who were congregated outside.
Absent from the rally was Sen. Gazelka, who was working at the state Capitol. Contacted by phone shortly before the rally he said he thought the primary motivation of the protest was his authoring of legislation for a state worker pay freeze, that was rolled into S.F.1047, a large state government omnibus bill. What state workers have experienced recently, he said, was not a true wage freeze. Gazelka called for no step increases, lane changes or cost of living adjustments.
“Government is growing at a pace we cannot keep up with,” he said. “We’re trying to limit it to a $4 billion increase rather than a $9 billion increase,” Gazelka said.
He said he had visited with AFSCME representatives three times in his office and attended one of their meetings at their invitation. He said those meetings were more appropriate than a protest at a private business.
“That is very frustrating,” he said. “It feels like I’m being bullied.”
He also said the promotion of the protest through government email was inappropriate.
In an email forwarded to the Brainerd Dispatch by Kern, Michael Amick, dean of academic and technolgy services at CLC, told Kern that he contacted the employee and informed her this was a violation of acceptable use of state technology/email MnSCU Board Policy.
MIKE O’ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
Comments (54)
Add commentHow much of that 20% is in
How much of that 20% is in defense under the Homeland Security umbrella? That's a major source of federal government employment that doesn't get much press for some reason.
Insiders are complaining that has gotten so big with so many employees that its' out of control and bordering on useless.
Out of touch society
People are really out of touch when it comes to the services provided by public service employees as well as out of touch with the pay and benefits earned. So, what a lot of people are saying is just because they are public employees they do not deserve to negotiate their wages or benefits...But, when saying such they are also the same people that scream bloody murder when they have to stand in long lines or cannot receive the services they deserve because they "pay taxes". Public employees are not your slaves...public employees also pay taxes and know their jobs. Many of the jobs held by public employees pay more in the private sector, yet...these people stay in these jobs because they enjoy the service they provide and the people they work with. THE MAJORITY OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES DO NOT GET RICH...and do not expect to get rich...they get by paycheck to paycheck just like many in the private sector!!
The stand that should be taken
I will discuss two topics here. The majority of the government employees that negotiate their wages and benefits are still below the poverty line. These people have negotiated to not take pay raises many years as well as agreed to pay higher fees in their medical and dental. Meanwhile, the politicians and many administrators continue to take their higher pay and benefits with a grin on their face because they seem to be the untouchables. Some interesting facts...the pay and benefits many of these people receive continue well after their time of employment at a much better rate than the workers that negotiate and take the pay freezes and increases on insurance...so, who is the real wolf in sheep clothing?! Go after the right people when you scream government employees have it so rich and lavish. Many live paycheck to paycheck and face layoffs just as those in the private sector!!
As for the gay marriage issue...I believe it is right to put it to a vote of the majority citizens. It's about time this is brought to the table rather than having a handful of politicians make the decision. When the vote is taken...then it is truly the majority speaking and if people don't like the outcome...then move someplace where they have the law you agree with.
Addressing some comments
Large corporations also use "your tax dollars" to pay for the politician they want in office. The way they do so is push for an elected official that will allow them to "win" the contract. They take these huge contracts...pay their employees low wages and minimal benefits while pocketing a large portion of the profit and then donate the remainder of "your tax dollar" raped from the contract to push for the politician that will get them the next big contract. That public employee that people are so bent about fighting for higher wages...takes that paycheck to paycheck living and pumps the money right back into the Minnesota economy paying taxes on the goods/services provided at time of purchase...AND when income tax is due.
Public Employees Supply Our Economy In Many Ways (taxes paid, services provided and local spending) Just Like Every Other Working Person!
@ Sleepr
Private corporations pay for the politician of their choice that will allow them to extort big contracts paid for from "your tax dollar" only to pay their employees minimal wages and if any benefits...then take "your tax dollar" to pay for the politician that will allow them to once again rape for another big contract....thus increasing your taxes to once again be extorted. All the while the owner of the corp gets richer and the politician as well.
Change the election process and get politicians that will help bring up the wages of ALL WORKERS to fight the cost of inflation
agenda
we already know the liberal agenda! welfare for all,the problem making others pay for your bloated agenda is that true workers are running out of money. the legacy tax has proved to be a boondoogle,the gay/les thing is a smoke screen to promote no moral values for all,the gunion thing is only to buy politicans to promote more welfare. 51% of our fine citizens are getting a handout check which leaves 49% to pay for it!
I just came from Gazelka's
I just came from Gazelka's town hall meeting. It was disappointing to see so few people. The few that did show up seemed to be mostly his cheerleaders.
First I asked him if the state would have access to EVERY EIS prepared by a company during the permitting process. At first he said yes but later said he would need to look into it.
I then asked him why he supports allowing ATVs to driven on the highway at night while drinking alcohol (SF 1106) and he couldn't tell me. You'd think a chief author of a bill would know why he wrote a bill and why he supports it.
He just went on and on about how it was an industry bill. Then he asked me to email my questions about the bill so he could research it. I've already done that on 4/19 and he's never answered.
I asked him if any other constitutional amendments discriminated against a group of citizens. He couldn't answer that one either.
Actually it was about what I expected.
Prairie Bay Town Hall Meeting was packed
with Democrats.
Only a few GOP's to defend him. One guy asked why rich people were picked on. Someone asked that guy if he really though the middle class was 'doing all that well.' No answer.
The Nisswa Legion = attracts a different crowd.
Lots of hard questions about many issues, and very few answers, just the same worn out religious stuff. YAWN.
Like a libbie meeting: Lots
Like a libbie meeting:
Lots of hard questions about many issues, and very few answers, just the same worn out self entitlement stuff. YAWN.
what will you all do without a middle class?
Jobs lost, wages cut, health care costs up, gas up....
the middle class is slipping, and not because they are lazy.
There is hard data to show more money moving to the top, but less to the middle and that they are losing ground.
Why have capitalism if the workers cannot afford to buy products and services?
Henry Ford thought paying his workers well - workers that actually made the cars that would assure that they could BUY the merchandise they made.
Sounds like a good business plan to me.
That is a deliberate action
That is a deliberate action on the part of the party that worships wealth. And still they claim to be the party of family values. LOL!
They do that because if they don't beat their own drum no one else will say they are the party of family values.
Now they don't care if
Now they don't care if American workers starve because they will just sell their goods overseas. Pretty soon we'll be working for minimum wage until the GOP decides that's too much and reduces it. True Patriots!
They'll have to wrap themselves in two flags.
wow
fish you invalid. i want links with facts basing Gazelka with allowing drunk ATV driving. I know people get it for DUI when they get off golf course property when driving a golf cart. So what the heck makes you think that law enforcement will EVER allow drunk atv driving EVER.
What a clueless liberal. Making nothing out of NOTHING yet again, lmao, lmao, lmao, lmao
If the bill passes we can
If the bill passes we can expect to have to deal with the blinding headlights of ATVs at night as they speed along the highway at 30 mph.
It seems wrong that an industry can just tell a legislator or an entire caucus 'this is what we want now write a bill or let us write it and then you will carry it through the process'. That seems to be what is happening with Gazelka's bill since he couldn't answer why he thought his bill was a good idea.
Maybe this is why so much "free speech" is secretly purchased from the caucus'es.
What will be the cost to Crow Wing County taxpayers for the increase in emergency costs to deal with ATV crashes? Even the manufacturers say their machines are unstable on hard surfaces. Statistics bear it out in numbers of deaths and injuries. Each one of those crashes cost taxpayers even if the rider has insurance. If they don't there's a good chance the bill will be handed to taxpayers or put on our insurance premiums.
Fiscally responsible? Not a chance.
Business as usual in MN? You bet it is.
I disagree with dems
I didn't say it allowed drunk driving. I said that riders could drink alcohol while riding. It's a family sport they tell us.
They can already drink up to below .08 while riding that thanks to the MN legislature.
They can already ride on highways in some circumstances thanks to the MN legislature.
What Gazelka's bill changes is that they can now do both at night.
He couldn't answer why he thought his own bill was a good idea and said it was an "industry bill".
Riding an unstable ATV on a highway is unsafe.
Riding an unstable ATV on a highway while drinking alcohol is really unsafe.
Riding an unstable ATV on a highway while drinking alcohol at night is the poster child of poor legislation.
Crow Wing County taxpayers will pay for this poor legislation and so will the rest of the state taxpayers.
If you want to read the bill search for SF 1106 on the senate website.
Fish
Talk about getting off-track (no pun intended). There is more pressing things going on than the ATV's. If you are going to ask all the rich people to pay more lets start with the Walmarts, the Targets, and the Fleetfarms of Brainerd. They pay under $8.00 per hour and most are kept part-time with no benefits. Your hired for approx. 32 hrs. per week then when Jan., Feb., Mar., and Apr. rolls around your hours are cut to about 12 hrs. per week. Hows that for a working wage, all the while we are paying our share of the taxes while the cost of goods keep climbing. Gas is out of control, groceries going up, etc. Brainerd's employment rate is around 15 - 16%. Whats your answer.???
" Whats your
" Whats your answer.???"
Fish's answer is communism.
where did you go fish?
You crack me up man! You can not even remember what you said.
Grab ankle, pull hard. That may get your foot out of your mouth, lmao
RE: It amazes me
All your state news in one spot: under 'News' in the main menu go to 'MN News'.
http://ap.brainerddispatch.com/pstories/state/mn/20110508/826303663.shtml
Re: But Denton
barnet69, I'll check and see if Mike has any plans for a local version.
Gazelka is a hero
I say, Gazelka is a hero. We cannot have no diaglog about the economy until our social house is in order. get it right on gays (no way), voting (NO DEMOCRAT VOTERS who tend to be homeless and no real ID and poor, let's get them out of there!). And keep our guns safe from cofsinscation and ammunition the same way. and keep the gays out of the schools and the democrat party and they're agenda.
Get the social house in order, then we can move to the second phase, dismantling unions (ugh) and the social welfare state.
COme to thing of it, when the gazelka bill is past, then EVEN OBUMMER HIMSELF can't vote, cause he won't have good valid identification becuase his birth certification is a FORGERY and he is not even an american!
I thing it is important to make voting as hard and difficult as possible and lots of identification, maybe just property owners with valid birth certificates. That will stop the poor trailor trash from voting and the democrat party rif-raff and it's agenda. And we can have the permananet republican majority thanks god that God and Jesus himself want for America.
God Bless America!
DNTMG
Aitkin