Outstate

Chaska makes Money magazine's Best Places to Live

Filed under: Outstate

This year, Money magazine's annual America's Best Places to Live feature focused on smaller cities, between 7,500 and 50,000 in population. Middleton, Wisconsin, (pop. 17,400) earned the top spot with the lone Minnesota entry in the Top 10, Chaska, (pop. 22,500) coming in at No. 8. The magazine cites the exurb's technology and biotech firms, as well as its small-town charm, including a city square gazebo where concerts take place every Friday night. Apple Valley came in at No. 28 and Vadnais Heights ranked 36th. Read the profile on Chaska here, and review the rest of the Top 10 here.

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 16, 2007 9:14 AM | Comments (1)

 

Willmar raid nets lawsuit

Filed under: Outstate

More than twenty residents of Willmar and forty John and Jane Does are plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed yesterday against Immigration and Customs Enforcement over the four-day raid there that netted 49 arrests. According to the AP, the lawsuit called the raid, which was carried out between April 10 and April 13, an act "of terror and intimidation."

The suit claims that ICE agents unfairly and illegally targeted Latinos and that agents entered homes without warrants. It also alleges that those arrested were not told of their rights and had no access to attorneys. ICE Spokesman Tim Counts said in a statement that "All ICE enforcement actions conducted in Willmar last week were fully within the law. These are widely accepted law enforcement procedures that have been affirmed repeatedly by the courts."

In a press release before the lawsuit was filed, ICE maintained that "Operation Cross Check," as it dubbed the mission, was a "localized, targeted enforcement initiative."

"ICE will continue to fulfill our Congressional mandate to apprehend and deport those who entered our country illegally, especially those who have committed criminal acts," Scott Baniecke, an ICE field office director was quoted as saying in that release. "Our job is to help protect the public from those who commit crimes, and to protect the integrity of the nation's legal immigration system."

Of the 49 who were arrested, ICE says that 18 had criminal records, six were in violation of an immigration judge’s order to leave the country, and the remaining 25 were just plain old here illegally.

Judging by the press release, here are the arrests ICE was most proud of:

* Williams Ruben Ramos-Castillo, 21, a citizen of Honduras, was arrested by ICE officers April 10. He was convicted March 27 of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct; the victim was 15 years old. Ramos-Castillo also has convictions for aggravated forgery, tampering with a vehicle, driving while impaired, and providing a false name to a police officer. A fingerprint check revealed that the U.S. Border Patrol had removed him to Mexico in 2005 under a different identity.

* Fabiola Cisneros-Carreno, 31, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested at a residence April 10. Cisneros-Carreno was convicted of public assistance theft in Kandiyohi County District Court in December. She was ordered to repay more than $22,000.

* Maria Morales-Torrez, 41, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested at a residence April 10. Morales Torrez was convicted of wrongfully obtaining more than $10,600 in public assistance in Kandiyohi County District Court.

* Odelin Camacho-Bernal, 39, a citizen of Mexico, was arrested in Litchfield, Minn., on April 13. Camacho-Bernal was convicted of domestic abuse in December 2006. He was also convicted of disorderly conduct in September 2006 and was sentenced to 90 days in jail; he later served an additional 60 days for a related probation violation.

* Jorge David Bazaldua-Moreno, 22, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular injury in September of 2005. He was also convicted of property damage and sentenced to a year in jail in July 2003.

Posted by Jonathan Kaminsky at April 20, 2007 11:57 AM | Comments (5)

 

Homestead beautiful Minnesota. Shop our plentiful malls! Bask in our temperate climate!

Filed under: Outstate

By Eliot Brown

As the population of the U.S. climbs toward 300 million, a mark it is set to surpass in October, Minnesota has seen its own big growth. The state topped 5 million in 2002, according to estimates, and projections have Minnesota adding another half a million people each decade for the next 30 years. Unrivaled by any state in the Midwest (see chart after the jump), Minnesota has the fastest growth rate in the region. Between 2000 and 2005, Minnesota's population increased by 4.3 percent, compared to Wisconsin's 3.2 percent, Iowa's 1.4 percent and North Dakota's -0.9 percent, according to estimates released last month by the U.S. Census Bureau.

This feat, however, is little to brag about, as Minnesota is just the leader of laggards. The country's growth rate is 5.3 percent, putting every state in the region below the national average.

The plight of the rusting Midwest--with its stagnant manufacturing and rented-out farms--is barely news. "Some areas of the upper Midwest have experienced very long-term out-migration of young people," said Tom Gillaspy, the state demographer for Minnesota. "There are some counties in the Midwest where a quarter of the population is over 65."

With this uneven age distribution in mind, states have tried to take action, though options are limited. A year ago, the Iowa Legislature considered eliminating income tax for anyone under 30, a plan that received much press but fizzled out.

Between 2000 and 2005, Iowa had a net "internal migration" of -41,000 people--a figure representing all the people who moved to Iowa (from within the U.S.) minus all of those who moved away.

Minnesota lost residents to internal migration as well (a net loss of 16,000 people in the same time period), though its effects were not as dear as in many other states in the region. North Dakota netted a loss of an estimated 18,000 people; Michigan lost 165,000; and Illinois bled an estimated 391,000 residents.

The other big factor for Minnesota's relative success is its "natural increase", or births minus deaths. With what is widely considered to be a relatively healthy population, Minnesota saw a low death rate. Matched with an average birth rate, the state had an estimated 1.8 births to every death between 2000 and 2005, the best ratio in the region. (The highest in the country was in Utah, with 3.7 births to every death.)

These trends have lead to a rapidly expanding Twin Cities metro, where exurban developments constantly spring up, replacing fields of soy and corn with cul-de-sacs and SuperTargets.

Scott County, southwest of the Cities, serves as the epicenter for this explosion: Since 1990, it has nearly doubled in population, from 57,846 to an estimated 112,623 people in 2004.

Dakota County, south of St. Paul, has added more than 100,000 people since 1990, going from 275,000 residents to an estimated 383,000 in 2004.

These suburbs and exurbs have a demographic makeup that might make Iowa legislators' mouths water: By far the most populous age group in Scott County 2000 was 35 to 39-year-olds.

Percent change in population: 2000-2005

Minnesota  4.3
Missouri     3.6
Wisconsin  3.2
Kentucky   3.2
Indiana      3.1
Illinois        2.8
Nebraska    2.8
So. Dakota 2.8
Kansas       2.1
Michigan     1.8
Iowa          1.4
Ohio           1.0
No. Dakota -0.9

Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates

Posted by Corey Anderson at January 18, 2006 3:56 PM | Comments (0)

 

Parting shot: Going off message at the DNR

Filed under: Outstate

On October 5, the aptly named Gordy Forester retired from his position as an assistant regional wildlife supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Forester, who earned a degree in wildlife management from the University of Minnesota, had worked at the agency for three decades. For most of that time, Forester says, he found it rewarding. But over the last few years, he became increasingly irritated by what he perceived as the overt politicization of the agency. After the election of Tim Pawlenty as governor, Forester complains, the DNR workplace culture seemed to shift dramatically.

Management decisions once based on science increasingly became matters of public relations. Appeasing the politically powerful hook-and-bullet crowd and ATV riders often supplanted responsible decision making. Eventually, Forester says, a "Kafka-esque" edict came down requiring that all communication with media be approved in advance from central offices in St. Paul. So, after some agonizing, Forester decided to take retirement two years early. Before cleaning out his office, he fired off an email to some 300 colleagues, which outlines--in damning detail--his myriad complaints about the agency he served so long.

To: Fish, Wildlife and Ecological Services Staff

I wanted to say farewell to all of my fellow Fisheries, Wildlife and Eco personnel who have been my friends and co-workers for 30 plus years. It's been a long time, but time catches up with all of us in the end.

When my contemporaries and I started in the early to mid 70's we had a passion, not just for hunting and fishing but for all of the environment. We knew/know all too well the interconnectedness of the Land, Air, Water and the creatures that depend on them. We've tried our best over the years to manage these resources for the benefit of all the people of the state. But narrowly focused interest groups now wish to dictate all that we do. Whether its good science is less important than if it is good politics. I made an effort a year ago to let our Director know that the professionalism and integrity of staff were being undermined by the politicization of DNR. I was cut off and instructed to write a letter of apology, doesn't everyone know that wildlifers just can't compromise or work well with other groups? I don't believe the situation has demonstratively improved since my little outburst last year.

The thing that has been most disconcerting to me is that there is nothing on paper detailing the kind of actions that St. Paul clearly expects. When a regional or area team comes up with a proposed action or position that everyone locally agrees on across discipline lines, it certainly seems that if the Commissioners office doesn't agree then it is tabled or sent back until the answer wanted is eventually recommended. At other times field staff, in contravention of their best judgment, make a recommendation because they are told to do so, e.g. Turkey releases in Northwestern Minnesota or increasing stocking rates of Walleye. I suspect there are others.

We have been told to "don't worry about taking notes [at meetings], we only have to document action items". To me it seems obvious that the politicians in Central Office don't want the public to know very much of what goes on or to have their fingerprints on the decisions that are made but rather point the finger at field staff and say as did the Director that it was field staff that came up with the proposal for increasing the stocking rates for Walleye.

We all know that by its very nature DNR decisions are political but in previous administrations politics was mostly a St. Paul office exercise and field staff and biologist were free to make their opinions known at least in house. No more, it has been made abundantly clear to me that I am an executive branch employee and work for the Governor not the resource, not the sportsmen not the people of the state. It seems pretty Kafkaesque to report to St. Paul every time you have a media contact, or get approval for the simplest news release. If you keep abreast of what is happening in other states and at the Federal level you will see that these kind of tactics are pervasive and to me very chilling. What this tells me is that my professional judgments are not trusted. I hope you all can keep making the point that we should be doing the right thing not the politically expedient. I leave you with the hope that you can all rise in the morning and live with the face that stares back at you from the bathroom mirror for the recommendation that you make.

Posted by Mike Mosedale at October 6, 2005 5:30 PM | Comments (0)

 

What will happen in Olivia?

Filed under: Outstate

A reporter's notes

Sometime-CP contributor Brett Stursa reported for the Olivia Times-Journal from 2002-2003. Indications are that roughly 80 of the Katrina evacuees will end up seeking shelter in the quintessential Minnesota small town.

Stursa offers some insight on what may happen if--and apparently that's a big "if"--any hurricane victims end up in Olivia. Her e-mail to Blotter recalls dynamics that have happened when the state has welcomed refugees en masse before, and foreshadows what could likely happen again:

"After reporting for the community newspaper in Olivia for more than a year, I learned the people of Olivia are good people and I'm sure they'll embrace Katrina refugees with all that is Minnesota Nice initially.

"The farming town of 2,500 is nestled about 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. Public transportation doesn't come its way and the local economy has been dwindling for years. If the Katrina refugees stay for any amount of time, they'll be stuck in a town with little to do, with nowhere to go--and if they're black, they will be the only ones in town.

"It's not hard to imagine how a warm-fuzzy embrace could get tense rather quickly. Racism and the fear many small-town dwellers have of outsiders can stay dormant for only so long.

"I'm sure the community will help Katrina victims as best they can. But if the situation lasts for any amount of time, it'll be an interesting one to watch unfold."

Posted by G.R. Anderson Jr. at September 8, 2005 9:22 AM | Comments (0)

 

North Shore: R.I.P.

Filed under: Outstate

In my recent jeremiad about the suburbanization of the north woods, I focused on the north central part of the state. I picked that area--Crow Wing and Cass Counties, mainly--because it is famaliar to me. But truth is, the trends I bemoaned in the piece are prevalent across much of northern Minnesota.

A friend just tipped me to this story from the Duluth News Tribune, which examines the current land rush along the North Shore. Staff reporter Jane Brissett doesn't deliver on the snarky promise of the headline, "Invasion of the Rich;" frankly, the story reads like a bit like a real estate ad. Still, she does supply some appalling nuggets about the boom in luxury developments. For instance:

Last Thursday , the first residents of Burlington Bay Lakehomes at Superior Shores Resort moved into the first building of a seven-building, 10-year, $80 million project on 22 acres of lakeshore. It will include a 35,000-square-foot water park, six condominium buildings, retail shops and a 70-unit lodge.

A 35,000-square foot water park on the shores of the world's largest freshwater lake? If Sigurd Olson was still alive, he'd be eyeballing the roofbeam for a spot to tie the noose.

Posted by Mike Mosedale at August 9, 2005 2:43 PM | Comments (0)

 

Red Lake: Two grim takes

Filed under: Outstate

After a fallow period, the troubles of the Red Lake Indian Reservation are making headlines again.

On Sunday, the Strib finally took notice of the teen suicide epidemic at Red Lake. Reporter Paul Levy begins by recounting the story of a 16-year-old straight arrow named TeAnn Lyons who hung herself without warning a year ago. Levy then delves into sociology and ugly stats behind the phenomenon. (There were 69 reported teen suicide attempts on the reservation last year, three of which were successful). The money quote comes from Dr. Craig Vanderwagen, chief medical officer of Indian Health Service in Rockville, Maryland:

Is there something different about depression with Indian people? Look at the risk factors: You have the trauma of generations of parents dealing with depression and self-medicating with food or alcohol. Add to the mix isolation, poverty and racism. That's an explosive combination. And then these kids are exposed to the Internet and TV and see a world that doesn't reflect the reality of the life they're living.".

Then today, Salon.com published yet another profile of the now-notorious school shooter, Jeff Weise. Kimberley Sevcik's Reservation for Death was originally intended for Rolling Stone, but evidently was deemed too bleak for that publication.

Describing Red Lake as "a ghetto in the country, camouflaged by towering evergreens and shimmering lakes," Sevcik covers a lot of familiar territory. She also bungles a few facts regarding Red Lake's peculiar legal status. But those interested in Indian country will still find it worthwhile to sit through a Salon day pass commercial, if only for Sevcik's telling description of an encounter with a friend of Weise's, a troubled teen named Jace Hixon:

He had the slouchy, unhurried gait of a kid with an image to uphold. Hixon has two felony counts against him, one for assault with a weapon, the other for concealing stolen goods. He's not scared of getting locked up, though -- his cousin has been in prison and he says it's a cakewalk if you're an Indian. "Natives run the prison, so everyone is scared of us," he says. "We got a reputation for being crazy."

Hixon is in some kind of gang, though he wouldn't divulge his affiliation. He doesn't really want be a gangster, but he feels he doesn't have much choice. It's a family thing -- his cousins, his uncles, they're gangsters, too. "When you grow up with it, man,... " he says, his voice trailing off. The drugs, too, are hard to avoid. Where Hixon lives now, a neighborhood called the West End, is crack central. "Sometimes I feel endangered, living there," he says. "All kinds of people going in and out of there. Shootings. I'm scared for my life sometimes, you know?"

Read the rest here.

Posted by Mike Mosedale at August 8, 2005 4:00 PM | Comments (0)