NewsNight Minnesota; 4129; NewsNight Minnesota Episode from 04/14/1997; SD-Base

NEWSNIGHT Minnesota is a production of Katy CA where the stations of Minnesota Public Television. Tonight on NEWSNIGHT crime perception and murder up A-list which is the real problem. Then truly an optimist. A northern Minnesota artist celebrates spring and on the road to nowhere. A couple of negotiators from the Voyagers battle. It's NEWSNIGHT for Monday April 14th tax day one is one and counting. Tonight's broadcast of NEWSNIGHT Minnesotans presented in part by Norwest banks contributing to the growth of the Twin Cities to support community service and by Cargill supporting Minnesota's tradition of community service. Good evening and welcome to NEWSNIGHT Minnesota. I'm Kathy words there. We'll go right to Ken Stone for the headline summary. Thanks Kathy. The worst is over for folks along the Mississippi but the red is back on the rise that is the word from thema and state flood officials. The Mississippi in downtown St. Paul crested yesterday but high water will last for a long time today for a road that runs

along the river was still marked only by a line of street lights and the St. Paul Pioneer Press production facility is just another island in the stream. But the barges are back in business. Meanwhile in Hastings the crest is moving through town right now but the scene was pretty peaceful and there was still plenty of room under the bridge though and not as much under the train tracks. In Prescott Wisconsin the picnic wasn't rained out it was flooded out and an example of what flood emergency personnel say not to do that's get out on the river and see the flooding firsthand. Currents are too fast and too difficult to judge officials are reminding everyone to stay off the rivers. Meanwhile in savage where the Minnesota River crested today at seventeen and a half feet over flood stage once again it seemed more a time for celebration and vacation than emergency procedures. Such is not the case for Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. We're watching the Mississippi and the water go down so that that appears to be stabilizing itself and we're. Pretty confident that major problems of flooding on the Mississippi will be minimized.

The Red River is not expected to crest near Grand Forks for another week yet and then it could go as high as 21 feet over flood stage. Let's get to the point in the legislative session where committees finish up business and lawmakers start to spend their time in Florida of eight hours of it every day. He is standing by live at the Capitol with an update. Mike can you know Mothers Against Drunk Driving has been pushing for a major change in state DWI laws since the beginning of the legislative session. They want to lower the legal blood alcohol limit from the current point one or two point or wait. Well they suffered a big setback today on the Senate floor as opponents argued that the lower level should only apply on the second DWI. And I think we're going in the wrong direction here and I think we're going to be doing is getting a lot of innocent people into trouble. We all know of friends we know of acquaintances and we know of relatives that have been killed or maimed. On our highways due to drunk

driving. This is the time where we need to change. This is the time when we know that our attitudes in the past are inadequate for our present. And this is the time when we need to act. And so can that tougher DWI measure was softened a bit on the Senate floor today. It was a busy day in the Senate they also passed a higher education bill and a transportation bill. Talk about the blood alcohol level of their national worried about moderate drinkers there's some money at stake here isn't there. Well the liquor industry the whole of the retailers and the bar. The group has been very negative about this sort of change. They say that it will keep people from going out and having just a few drinks because people don't understand what that point 1 0 and what point overweight really means. And so they've been putting up a pretty good opposition to it. Some people on the Senate floor though said that the problem is there's no really good proof either way whether point or weight would reduce DWI or not and they also say that the real problem seems to be coming from the repeat drunk drivers. And that's what they're

trying to get at with this change on the Senate floor today. OK last week of course there was that bus accident with the kids. And whenever that happens there's always talk about a seat belt law for school buses is that going anywhere do you sense. Well it sure is I think it's really gotten some new life here today. It passed the House Education Committee this morning the Senate Education Committee was talking about it just as I came up here tonight. And of course that tragic accident in Monticello last week has really given it some new life and there are some questions there too as to whether seatbelts on buses would really be any safer than not having seatbelts and about how much the whole thing would cost the state. But at least for now it's really looks like it's on the fast track. Give me a little bit on the reaction to the news about Representative Jeff Bertram former representative Bertram made a plea agreement today to four counts of campaign contribution laws he violated them and one was a felony. What's the reaction. Well you know that ethics issue just dominated the session last year and the Republican leader of the House Steve Swayam said that this just shows that Bertram should have been expelled last

year. Bertram was not expelled last year they censured him on the House floor but the House speaker Philip Carruthers the DFL or he says that they didn't know that Bertram was looking at these kind of penalties last year and so there was no way they could have expelled him then. Of course if someone is convicted of a felony or pleads guilty to a felony that makes them ineligible to serve in the legislature. OK let's talk about security at the Capitol being beefed up but why is that. Well the state the state patrol put out a message today saying that because April 19th is coming up that's the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing also the anniversary of the siege in Waco. That that they want to be a little more careful also the Timothy McVeigh trial getting underway in Colorado. And so they're just going to be they're going to be a little more careful crackdown on packages than the bags that are left behind and and they said if if people see suspicious people around the Capitol they should let them know. And I think you know we have seen in the past few years really ever since the Gulf War there has been sort of a tightening of security around the Capitol and haven't actually seen it much this year but I guess today's This

memo today means that they will be a little tougher around here. OK about a half a minute ago a Defense of Marriage Act. What's happening with that. Well the Republican leader Steve Coogan tried to bring it up on the House floor today as an amendment to another bill. The author of that bill pulled the bill as soon as it came up. And it's interesting because they already have that Defense of Marriage Act which would mean the state couldn't recognize a gay marriage if someone moved in from out state. They already have that attached to another bigger bill that will come up on the House floor later probably next week. And so I guess their strategy is to just portrait to try to put in as many places as possible to ensure that it does pass in some form. OK Mike thanks a lot Mike Mulcahey reporting live at the state capitol. Courtney James was in court today. Not the kind of court that he is used to. The star go for a basketball player one of the starters on the team that made it to the Final Four last month was arrested for domestic assault on Saturday night. Today he pleaded innocent to fifth degree domestic assault that is a misdemeanor and he has been suspended from the team and told the case is settled. Flags were flying sun was

shining and the hundreds of people are on hand all to celebrate this metal beast. The Excelsior Henderson motorcycle. It was a groundbreaking day in Belle Plaine the city that stands to gain 500 manufacturing jobs if the cycle takes off as well as the company expects. Everybody here can help witness not only witness the rebirth of excelsior HENDERSON But frankly everybody that's here you're part of the rebirth of it. The groundbreaking was supposed to close with skydivers but they missed the mark by quite a bit they were too far away to be seen and the fireworks even set off a small grass fire. Ouch. The first motorcycles going to roll off the new 50 million dollar factory next year. Northwest Airlines will not get a public apology from Japan. In March the Japanese government complained to U.S. airline officials saying that poor maintenance by Northwest caused equipment failure on 21 jets last year. Northwest says that those complaints tarnished its reputation in Asia and some companies have stopped using the airline. A spokesman for the Ministry of Transportation in

Japan says the statements were based on fact and they will not be retracted. And Kathy those are the headlines over to you. Nora thank you again. Well it's the largest drop in the rate of violent crimes since the Justice Department began keeping figures 20 years ago. Twelve point four percent decrease in 1995. But that's a national stat. It was that same year 1995 when it seemed like it couldn't turn on the TV without seeing another story about a murder in Minneapolis. But violent crime and murder rates were dropping across the country. Minneapolis set a 1 year record for homicides 96. Now business leaders say the city's reputation needs a major make over because it's too hard to recruit high powered people to the city the media has dubbed murder appal us business leaders the police and city officials have joined forces for an aggressive new anti crime prone neighborhood program. What makes them think it'll work. Well Robert Olson is chief of police from Minneapolis and he joins us tonight Welcome Chief. Let me get you begin by asking Does it seem odd to you that CEOs and businesspeople would be the ones spearheading this.

Well. Not at all and we see spearheading I think what what the Minnesota business partnership has done here is they came to mysel Bill Finney Don Davis last December and they said what can we do. Apparently they had voted about wanting to do something about crime not just in Minneapolis but statewide. And so beginning last December we started brainstorming about what they could do to help us with many of the existing programs we have going now and some new addition tubes that we could get going targeting this summer to kick them off to try and make this a safe summer not just in Minneapolis and St. Paul but. The whole Twin Cities area to send a message to the rank and file the Chief that you guys didn't do the job. I don't think I said No I don't think so because most of these programs are frankly things that we had already gotten going our Safe Streets program or zero tolerance our drug court that's been in effect and the bill you beefed up many apples police officers we've got 90 people in training right

at this moment and they're going to be hitting the streets beginning this summer. So what about the role of police in this. I mean what will you be doing under this program. Well this program has got police as two or three of the items that the group is taking a look at as far as enforcement is concerned and what the partnership has done as hired the Police Executive Research Forum to work with us I've assigned inspector Sharon Lubinsky newly promoted. Sharon's been working with him for the last three months along with a counterpart from Bill Finney shop in St. Paul and we've been collecting data and not just for research sake but taking a look at the bigger picture of things and then brainstorming with all federal agencies our agencies and even the private sector and probation county attorneys city attorneys working up on current strategies and new ones that we're going to be unleashing here in the next month or two to really make a difference. You follow this closely clearly how much of this is about programs and policy versus demographics. Simply having too many young kids running around at an age where they might get

themselves into trouble. Well I think it's all of that and you're right on target America frankly is experiencing the echo boom. Beginning last year and this group of the high crime age prone teenagers is bulging right now and it's not going to stop its bulge until 2010 so we really got to get going and if you look at some of the proposals are not so much enforcement issues as they are issues to deal with youth to get laws passed to help with programs in diverting young people from getting caught up in a life of crime in the first place. I got to ask you course a lot of concerns about maybe unfairly targeting African-American communities and African-American men specifically how do you avoid that. Well we're we're very concerned about that even though there are certainly a lot of challenges particularly in our neighborhoods of color and the strategies that we've been putting together are not just targeted for that we're trying to target specific criminal individuals criminal groups and some of the areas where these specific groups work out

of the suburbs white people. Absolutely. One of the things the initiatives that will be doing with this as we go into the summer is we're going to be taking a look at the demand side of a lot of these things that have been going on and I think you're going to see a pretty well balanced enforcement effort as I said this isn't just a Minneapolis thing this is a regional state of Minnesota thing. So why do you think this is going to work versus any other many of the other programs that you see out there. Well I can tell you one thing we're not going to sit back and do nothing. And this is something that has a lot of promise. We're looking at some things that were very successful in other major cities such as Boston and New York. And we're going to see if some of those things can work here. You know me I think the glass is half full not half empty. And we're really going to give it a good shot this summer. What do you what do you see in Boston that really says to you this could work here. Well I think that some of the collaboration is with probation which we started some time ago and are now even enhancing where we just did a thing for example we had a tragedy here where a 13 year

old was shot and killed. Well those would involve a certain gang or two and probation has been paired up with our people and all since last week we've been tapping on the shoulders of some of these folks to see that make sure that we can stop any retaliatory actions that might occur and let them know that we are watching and are aware of what's going on up there. First is the plane coming out in May is that correct. We hope to get some things rolling by May and that's our target time so we'll be geared up and ready for summer. Well we most definitely will check in with you. Thank you very much Chief I appreciate it. Well next spring as seen by a Northwoods artist. But. What's. The point. Right. Now. You'd be looking at white. All the time. I just probably wouldn't. For College. It takes guts to be an optimist in Minnesota at least in April. The tease of nice weather lasting just long enough to make you hopeful when the snow flurries hit and the temperatures plunge again. But we are a hardy stock

here and none of us more optimistic the Northwoods artist Liz sieverts in the granary artista recently won acclaim for her work in North Country spring a children's book by Reba Lindbergh and yes Reeve is the grandchild of that famous Minnesotan Charles Lindbergh sieverts and who has their own galleries and Duluth grammar a talk with reporter Jim Newman. See no. Trees back lit by the sunset. It's kind of swampy trees. I love trees with Bruce bloodworm that I've got into it. They're kind of look like Dr. Seuss trees because they have a little. Bitten chunks off of them. You look a little bit more humorous. Than up. A perfectly groomed tree.

Liz spends a fair amount of time painting the flora and fauna that live in her own backyard. And after a long hard North Country winter she's always on the alert for any sign of spring. I was lucky enough. This spring right as I finished the last paintings for a north country spring. I looked out here and just right out of the woods came a bear full of pickers and looked like he had been beat up. From. You know the winters where on an animal. So that was really great because I had a couple of. Last minute things to do like the cover of the book and so that was kind of really handy that he showed up. Then. Kind of like the Muses sent to him. I like to believe that. This book is Liz's first try at the illustrating end of the business of art but she has an artistic pedigree. She's the daughter of well-known North

Shore artist Howard sieverts it and Liz herself has been painting for years developing a distinctive style that's attracting the attention and admiration of her peers and that in the nature of things led to the book. I live in such a rich community. One of my neighbors and a friend. And writer also happens to be an editor for a children's book. Company Houghton Mifflin in Boston and so she's able to live in lots and and work here. And she knew of my work and so she lined me up with three of Limburg and. I was able to sell. Me to the publisher. And so that's kind of. You know. Well comes down to who do you know who live is illustrating a book backed by a major publisher and written by noted children's author Rivlin bird the daughter of Charles and more Goldenberg was a great opportunity but

it also made her nervous. I know that when I first got the manuscript I. Just wanted to fill the pages of that book with some image just totally get it so that something was down and it was in this blank void that I had you know keep coming back to are mine finished them unfinished I can't decide I can't decide so I try to. Boldly just first thing that came to my mind I put it down. The animals to me are sort of like. The comedians that break up you know current kind of a severe environment. You look out here now and it's all gray and white. That's all you see. Seems like nothing's happening for a really long time and then the comic relief is that animals that make you know pop out of the woodwork and give you a little glimpse of the real life drama that's going on out there.

You can see an extended version of that interview in the venture north program produced by our sister station w DSC in the Lutheran airs at different times throughout Minnesota. So check your local listings. Next up kind of a northern theme developing here on NEWSNIGHT the debate over the future of Voyager's National Park. One of the busiest parks in Minnesota in the country even. But how as well as how much it should be used is exactly the question for which people just can't agree on an answer as yet. The panel that's supposed to come up with a compromise on the future of Voyager's National Park was reported to be on the verge of an agreement that would keep the decision out of the hands of Washington politicians. But over the winter the good feelings turned cold. Word is that the compromise was compromised. Right you saw is on the Voyagers

Citizens Council. Ryan O'Neal is an attorney both sit on the mediation panel. Well Brian I'm start with you just a couple weeks ago we had John talk about both panels just so folks understand that. Yes I like you as a matter of fact. Now I would trade that opportunity with a lot of people. Well to be doubly see a tux obviously or difficult how difficult are these talks and where do we stand at this present. These talks are qualitatively different than the Boundary Waters talks and the effort of the negotiators all of the negotiators on the Voyagers talks is focused I think on the well-being of the park and and and also on the business needs of resorts and and those around the park. So this is a much more practical discussion as and it has been a much more practical discussion for the last seven months than arguing about the wilderness philosophies which is what you see in the Boundary Waters debate.

Now Ron I remember a few couple months ago reading and talking about this this potential compromise inflation. Well what exactly happened to that. Well there seemed to be from the perspective of our. Representative who really isn't me it's you from up in International Falls that we were moving quickly a little too quickly and that she wanted some some time to think over I think it was even over the evening to think over what was being concluded at that point. And so she wanted to take a bit of a time out as it were to to consider some of the things that were beginning to come to closure. It seemed that there was momentum building and that was good momentum but that there was opportunity to you know not only indorse the consensus of the mediation process but really to enable people to embrace it. And that's a that's a real serious matter for the people that have been impassioned over these many years on this issue and all the issues related to the park.

Well for folks listening it may seem odd that one person might hold up this whole thing. Well it's not one person I think that it's a matter of trying to get a broad base of support. And it's it was coming quickly to closure and she wanted to get a sense from other folks that she was talking to and she also to get a sense from the council that you represent biggest sticking point Brian in your eyes. I don't think there is a sticking point right now. And I find Ron's words hopeful because even though he isn't the mediator he is he is a leader of the constituency with regard to this. It's my hope that all we have now is sort of a minor league version of buyer's remorse that as we get closer and closer to the deal people are a little bit uncomfortable about giving up a subject matter or a fight or a concern that's been so much a part of their lives for the last 20 years and so it's my hope that by May 16th when we meet again. Ron's

counsel will love Matt. The snowmobilers will of Matt and that. What we've hammered out in excruciating detail in writing is the. Is the solution that everybody's looking for. And I don't think this is so much of a. Compromise solution. I think this is. A situation in which an awful lot of people have given their best thoughts to ways to make the park better. And at the same time take care businesses that use the park. So I think we've got a pretty good product here. And I hope that the negotiations don't fall apart and the Citizens Council which run heads and Jan who is their negotiator need to meet and sort of flush the thing out and then hopefully we've got a deal. What are you concerned about. Well we're not concerned. We've been continuing to meet over the winter. We have had the first draft in the second draft and we've

had continuing reviews of them. What we've found on the Citizen's Council that we have divergent views on that council represented there obviously are made up of citizens from across the state of Minnesota. There are people from Kuching County from St. Louis County and from greater Minnesota and they all have their own views and they bring them to the table and we discuss them. The consensus of the group is that we don't want to constrain the process that we don't in fact want to in any way so constrain our representative that she can only do certain things and must come to us with specifics and there are deal breaker breakers in the compromise package. What she's really looking and has been charged with the responsibility for is to do the best job for the people of the state of Minnesota and that's all the people listed. And that means that if there's any one specific item that's not a deal breaker but really looking at the total package of what it is that they're discussing in mediation and coming out with a good outcome for all the citizens of

the state of Minnesota in the management process of the party. What if this actually goes to Washington. If there is no agreement what would happen in Washington with this. You were fearful of that happening then if ing else. I frankly I frankly I'm not privy to the process I do know that that in in the past that the. Delegation Minnesota delegation in the forms of some of our congressmen have taken obviously legislative steps that it has been stalled at various places in the in the in Washington in the administration with changes of administration with varying appointments of the secretary of the interior and with new presidents and that's where those things get stopped. What happens if we don't get something done here I think it's unfortunate we really in the council see the mediation process is one really big step forward because it's the first time that we're having good healthy dialogue respectful dignified dialogue between and among people with different views. And this is what the

council really was charged with as a responsibility at its initiation and has really now come more strongly to that to that perspective as a result of this process. Now your head yes or no. Are you more optimistic about the Voyagers than it was. Oh yes I'm much more optimistic about Voyager's and beat up. And people are right right right right Ron care of the governor and have a right to have the Council support. Thank you very much gentlemen appreciate it. Remember that story a segment or two ago about spring in Minnesota and how cruel this month can be. Well guess what snow in the forecast for tomorrow at least in the northeast where highs will be in the boat over the mid 30s or so not much better for the rest of Minnesota either. No snow but windy and cloudy highs will make it through into the upper 40s in the southeast. And that is all according to the National Weather Service and this is all that's been for Newsnight Minnesota for

tonight. Thanks for watching. NEWSNIGHT. Minnesota is made possible by the contributors to the power of two campaigns program fund with major grants from the Blendon Foundation and the McKnight foundation. Tonight's broadcast of NEWSNIGHT Minnesota has presented in part by Norwest banks contributing to the growth of the Twin Cities to support the community service and by Cargill supporting Minnesota's tradition of community service.