File under: “To say the least.” In the PiPress, John Shipley writes, “Members of the University of Minnesota search committee that helped find disgraced former athletics director Norwood Teague said in a statement Monday they are ‘shocked and dismayed’ by his ‘unacceptable behavior.’”
Also in TeagueWorld. Stribber Brandon Stahl says, “The University of Minnesota said Monday that former athletic director Norwood Teague failed to disclose that he was facing a gender discrimination complaint at the time he was being recruited and then after he was hired. … The U said as part of [Atlanta-based firm Parker Executive Search] background check the firm asked candidates to ‘to disclose in writing any potential issues of controversy or concern that the University of Minnesota should be aware of’ and that Teague ‘signed a statement indicating no such issues exist.’” So for $112,000, their exhaustive research was a accepting written statement from the candidate? Got to get me a gig like that.
Most Democrats would be delighted with this match-up. in the PiPress, David Montgomery writes, “When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker brings his presidential campaign to Minnesota on Tuesday, he’ll be stepping into friendly territory. A list of prominent Minnesota Republicans and wealthy donors have signed up with the presidential hopeful, more elite support here than for any other GOP presidential candidate. … Minnesota’s presidential caucus isn’t until March, but high-profile leaders in both major parties are lining up to support the more than 20 candidates seeking the nation’s highest office. Of these candidates, Walker and Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton have the most support in Minnesota.”
In the Strib, Patrick Condon tells us: “State Sen. Dave Thompson, former House Republican leaders Kurt Zellers and Marty Seifert, and Republican National Committeeman Chris Tiedeman will all help lead Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s presidential campaign in Minnesota. Walker’s campaign planned to release the list of campaign co-chairs on Monday. A day later, Walker is scheduled for a Brooklyn Center campaign stop where he’ll detail an alternative to Obamacare. He will also appear at a Tuesday evening fundraiser at O’Gara’s Bar and Grill in St. Paul.” I’m not sure I’d take any of those guys to Canterbury with me.
Possibly a Scott Walker fan. In a commentary for the St. Cloud Times, contractor/builder Robert Heise writes, “While Minnesota’s Legislature seems to be as gridlocked as the federal government, Wisconsin has been moving forward on ways to improve government efficiency in public construction. The ‘prevailing wage’ system sets a super-minimum wage for government buildings and roads, essentially set at the highest inflated wage rate. This system was originally designed to keep out lower wage minority workers, and still works to keep out the emerging companies. First, Wisconsin repealed the unfunded prevailing wage mandate on local government projects. This means that local governments can actually bid the work to any qualified local contractor. In rural areas, this is especially important, as the inflated prevailing wage rates take away the local advantage on labor costs, and allow metro companies to take the work.” He gets points for out-front self interest.
A special Walker-in-Minnesota Walker Watch: Trip Gabriel for the New York Times writes, “They sported Wisconsin cheese hats, but the impression that Gov. Scott Walker had brought a home-state cheering section was demolished when catcalls began as soon as he started speaking Monday morning. “‘Fifty kids in a classroom!’’ shouted Jonathan Hannah, a cheesehead from Milwaukee, responding to Mr. Walker’s criticism of the Common Core education standards at the Iowa State Fair. Speaking on the outdoor Soapbox, a perch that has drawn presidential candidates of both parties since the fair opened last week, Mr. Walker was the first to face a significant chorus of opponents. … At least some Iowans also booed the governor. Cathy Glasson, a nurse from Coralville, Iowa, gave him two thumbs down as he spoke. ‘I try to be open-minded about candidates, but this one in particular I can’t be,’ she said.” What will it say if the crowd at O’Gara’s goes easier on him?
So general, why are you against protecting the troops? Mark Brunswick of the Strib reports, “A group of Minnesota legislators has proposed relaxing rules on permits for carrying personal weapons for National Guard soldiers. The general in charge of the National Guard says there are more pressing needs to protect his soldiers. And arming personnel is a bad idea for a number of other reasons, he says. Major Gen. Rick Nash testified in front of the House State Government Finance Committee in July. Among the more pressing concerns, he testified, are untreated chemical dependency for National Guard members; the repercussions of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and accidents; the negative consequences of untreated post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems; sexual assault; and the fact that suicide still claims the lives of more than 20 veterans and service members every day.” Did I hear a good reason in there for why they shouldn’t always be carrying loaded guns?
Today is announcement day. The AP reminds folks, “Gov. Mark Dayton is scheduled to name a new Supreme Court justice Tuesday afternoon. It’s his third pick overall for the top court and will fill the vacancy being left by Justice Alan Page’s retirement. Dayton interviewed at least three finalists forwarded to him by a special screening panel. All of them are women. Appeals Court Judges Margaret Chutich and Natalie Hudson as well as Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal were in the running.”
Wasn’t Lynyrd Skynyrd available? The St. Cloud Times reports, “California pop-rock band R5 is replacing Meghan Trainor at the Minnesota State Fair. … Trainor had to cancel her tour because of vocal chord issues.” Keith Moon never used that excuse.
A bow and arrow? Tom Cherveny of the Forum News Service says, “District Judge Randall Slieter concurred with a prosecutor’s request and set bail at $1 million for the man accused of using a bow and arrow to kill his girlfriend before attempting to take his own life. Dwayne Alan Case, 29, of Morgan, made his first court appearance Monday on a charge of intentional second-degree murder in the slaying of Elizabeth Michelle Gregg, 45, of Morgan. … Case arrived at Monday’s court appearance in shackles and wearing an orange jail suit. He had a patch over his right eye and a walking boot on his right foot.”
Better mug, nearly as creepy a perp. The AP says, “A Princeton man who admitted to torturing and killing his girlfriend’s dog has been sentenced to a year in jail but could go free sooner. Twenty-four-year-old Anthony Sather pleaded guilty to felony animal cruelty and other charges in June. He admitted beating, kicking and shooting his then-girlfriend’s husky mix named Draco back in January — and recording it on video.” Whatever happened to 12 months of cleaning up at the Humane Society? Or didn’t they want him?
