Gold’n Plump awards workers in settlement

Gold’n Plump awards workers in settlement
By Britt Johnsen • bljohnsen@stcloudtimes.com • November 11, 2008

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Buzz up! A group of up to 100 Muslim people will receive $365,000 after discrimination cases involving Gold’n Plump were settled earlier this fall.


Attorneys representing employees of Gold’n Plump Poultry Inc. released a statement late Monday explaining details in two cases involving Muslim employees who worked in plants in Cold Spring and Arcadia, Wis.

Gold’n Plump could not be reached for comment Monday evening.

When the federally mediated settlement was announced in September, the poultry processor had agreed to allow Muslim workers to take short prayer breaks and to refuse to handle pork. The agreement also requires employers to accommodate the Islamic prayer schedule and the belief that the Quran prohibits touching and eating pork products.

The plants will add a paid break during the second half of each shift to accommodate prayer. Timing of the added break can now fluctuate during the year so it can coordinate with Muslim prayer schedules. During Ramadan, for example, prayer times vary.

A group of 40-80 people who made religious discrimination claims against Gold’n Plump will share $215,000, said Nick Pladson, trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The suit was brought in 2006 on behalf of nine people who worked at Gold’n Plump plants in Cold Spring and Arcadia, Wis.

The suit also alleged that a group called the Work Connection based in St. Paul required Muslim applicants to sign a form saying they could not refuse to handle pork — and that Muslim workers who didn’t sign the document weren’t hired. The group hired workers for Gold’n Plump plants.

A group of 26 employees will share $150,000 regarding those complaints, Pladson said. Those workers will be offered a job at Gold’n Plump if they were previously turned away because they didn’t sign the form. The agency also won’t use the form, according to the statement released Monday.

The Work Connection could not be reached for comment late Monday. But earlier this fall, Jeff Wold, vice president of the Work Connection, said his company “categorically denied all the allegations of discrimination” and was “happy to say that this case has been resolved.”

Leave religion out of workplace

Times Writers Group: Leave religion out of workplace
By Vicki Ikeogu • November 6, 2008

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Buzz up! The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission founded under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The EEOC also states an employer must make reasonable accommodations for an employee’s religious practices, provided they do not make any hardships for the conduct of business.


But what may be considered accommodations to some seem like religious preferential treatment to me. Case in point, the Gold’n Plump Poultry plant in Cold Spring.

Gold’n Plump has been the hot topic of the EEOC recently. According to a St. Cloud Times report “Prayer leads to disputes in workplaces nationwide,” some workers at the plant, mainly Somali immigrants, argue that they aren’t allowed time to pray, a fundamental part of their religious beliefs. Some have gone as far as to file a lawsuit against the company, saying that the plant is violating their religious civil rights clearly defined under the EEOC.

In an attempt to reach a settlement, Gold’n Plump decided to alter its break schedules. Instead of workers given the usual 15-minute break, the company has chosen to give their employees two 10-minute breaks to better accommodate Muslim prayer.

While this may be seen as “reasonable” in an attempt to address religious intolerance, other employees of different religions seem to be overlooked.

The EEOC was developed to protect the civil rights of all employees and to prevent employers from judging a worker based on the individual’s race, sex, or religion. It was designed to give all employees equal treatment and protection from discrimination in the workplace.

In the case of Gold’n Plump, it seems to have done just the opposite.

While the intent may have been to protect Muslims from religious intolerance, the adjustment caused religious preferential treatment. By being forced into a situation where it has to change around breaks for everyone, the company is accommodating one religious group. And the EEOC overlooked a big part of what it stands for — justice for all employees.

According to EEOC policy: “Nothing … shall be interpreted to require any employer … to grant preferential treatment to any individual or to any group because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin of such individual or group on account of an imbalance which may exist with respect to the total number … employed …”

Other employees’ faiths have been overlooked in the case of Gold’n Plump. While it may be that the Muslim faith dictates prayer five times a day, other beliefs have their worship time, too.

People of different religions have to work on days reserved for worship, like Saturdays for Jews and Sundays for Christians. Places like Gold’n Plump, which operate on Sunday nights, couldn’t possibly allow accommodations for the Christians who work there to start at midnight.

Granted, this may seem unreasonable but when you enter the workplace, religion should not be an issue. You come to work to do what is expected of you in your job. When given an interview at a company, you are told what is to be expected of you. You are given a pay scale, job duties and told about break times. If you have problems with any of these conditions, you can turn down the job and look for another one.

Once you’re hired you know what you are getting yourself into. If you are required to remain at the production line until given permission to go on break, then you better stay there.

When you leave your job, you not only hurt the company, but your peers are left picking up your slack. Does that seem fair?

Certainly, the workplace should remain unbiased toward any religion.

In the case of Gold’n Plump, having breaks coincide with religious prayer time gives one group preferential treatment over others.

Unless they are willing to accommodate every employee’s beliefs, there should be no place for religion in the workplace.

This is the opinion of Vicki Ikeogu, whose column is published the first Thursday of the month.

4 treated at hospital after car collision

4 treated at hospital after car collision
Four motorists were taken to St. Cloud Hospital on Saturday after the car they were in was struck at an intersection in St. Cloud.


An Oldsmobile Alero driven by Rahmo Aden, 18, Waite Park, was westbound on University Drive. A Ford Taurus driven by Leila Hoium, 83, St. Cloud, turned left onto Cooper Avenue in front of the Alero.

Hoium was cited for failure to yield. The accident happened at 2:45 p.m.

Aden and three passengers were treated and released Saturday at the hospital. The passengers were Zeinab Mohamed, 53, Waite Park; Aziza Mohamed, 24; no address given; and Dool Mohamed, 39, Waite Park.

Preparing for polls: St. Cloud Somali population advised on voting process

By TaLeiza Calloway • tcalloway@stcloudtimes.com • November 3, 2008



Volunteer Jama Omar wants the Somali community in St. Cloud to have a voice in Tuesday’s general election.


He met Sunday with several area Somali residents to educate them on the voting process.

“I’m doing this to say to them, ‘Let the community know you’re here,’” Omar said. “I want to help them.”

During the meeting, Omar walked through Minnesota’s general election ballot, outlining who the candidates are, the meaning of the issues and what residents would be voting for on Tuesday.

“My aim is to show them the person running and who they’re running against,” Omar said. “We don’t care who they vote for. It’s important that they vote.”

Dahir Elmi was excited to participate in Sunday’s meeting. Tuesday will be his first time voting.

Many citizens who live here have never voted because they do not know how, Omar said.

The meeting Sunday was in the Somali Elders Council office in downtown St. Cloud. Ismail Ali, chairman of the Somali Elders Council, said Omar has been working on the voting initiative for the last six months, conducting meetings in different areas of the community.

“For many of them, this is their first time voting,” Ali said.

Ali also works for the St. Cloud school district as a student and family advocate at Roosevelt Education Center. The district is asking voters to approve a school levy. It’s an important issue for Ali.

While he will not be voting Tuesday, he is an advocate for educating others about the process. He projects that more than 500 Somali residents will participate this year.

Hassan Kodah of St. Cloud showed residents where to report for voting on Election Day. Using the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Web site, Kodah looked up polling stations based on residents’ addresses.

“It’s important to educate (about) how to vote,” Kodah said. “We organized on our own to help our community — to build a stronger community,” Kodah said.

In addition to introducing the voting process, Omar also explained that voter registration can be done on Election Day. Volunteers will be at the polls to assist residents, he said.

“It’s important to note that if you are in line at 8 p.m. when polling places close, you still have the right to vote,” Omar told the group. On Tuesday, he will be a volunteer with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to drive residents to the polls, he said.

Some of the questions raised in the meeting included who state candidates were, judges and the meaning of party affiliations.

He was also asked “Which one is better?” about the candidates, and he would tell them he can’t say because that was their decision—a decision they do not have in their country, he said.

The feedback was positive and some asked if they could call him later so that he could help others who could not attend the meeting.

“I’m really happy to see them voting,” Omar said.“It’s really important to me. It’s important to them. Their vote matters.”

Forum tackles taboo topics

By Kari Petrie • kpetrie@stcloudtimes.com • October 29, 2008

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Buzz up! Is Sen. Barack Obama black or multiracial? How much does it matter?


Why is Sen. Hillary Clinton described as too ambitious and Gov. Sarah Palin as too traditional? How much does that matter?

The issue of race and gender in the 2008 presidential election was the topic of a panel discussion Tuesday night at St. Cloud State University.

There has been an obsession with Obama's race and Clinton's gender since the race to the primary election began in early 2007, said panelist Enid Lynette Logan, who teaches at the University of Minnesota. She's also doing election research with students.

Panelists considered how race and gender have played out during the election season and what it means from a historical perspective.

Having a black man as a presidential candidate created the perfect case study in American race relations, Logan said.

Obama's candidacy has brought the taboo subject of racism into public discussion, said fellow panelist Yolanda Denson Lehman, who teaches at St. Cloud State University.

The presence of a female candidate in the race has also highlighted the strides women have made in society, panelist Michelle Kukoleca Hammes said. She also teaches at the university.

Few people have questioned how Palin will take care of her children while campaigning and if elected, Hammes said. Just 10 years ago, that question would have been asked by many.

Many women identify with Palin because she is a woman who is trying to do it all by having children and holding office, Hammes said.

Logan's research asks undergraduates at the University of Minnesota a variety of questions about race and the election, including how they identify Obama's race and if Obama is elected, what effect that will have on race relations.

Overall, students did not think race relations would improve if Obama were elected, said Ayianna Kennerly, Logan's research assistant.

"(A student) said it would take a lot more than a president to make that change," she said.

Lehman said the question of who needs to solve the problem of racism has come up in her classes as part of the discussions.

Many students feel those with the privilege should solve the problem, she said, but for her it will take a little more than that.

"It will change when all of us decide to confront it," she said.

Students attending the panel said they liked learning about Logan's research and what other young people think about the issues.

St. Cloud State student Sara Czech said she thought it was interesting that respondents said they couldn't describe Obama using stereotypes of what is a black man, but then would answer other questions by describing him within those stereotypes.

Panelists also raised the question of what would be more historical: electing a female president or a black male president.

That question is hard to answer, Czech said, because both groups have worked so hard.

Hammes also spoke about discussions that have emerged regarding who is a real American.

A perception has developed that traditional roles make someone an American, Hammes said.

"It's hard to come up with the definition of American," she said.

Rural African Summit scheduled

Times staff report • October 21, 2008

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Buzz up! The state’s first Rural African Summit opens Sunday night at the Radisson Suite Hotel in St. Cloud.


Organized by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy based in Minneapolis, the summit will offer a series of sessions on education, human rights, economic development, health, employment and housing.

Events Sunday begin with a 6 p.m. reception that includes speakers, performances and refreshments. On Monday, the conference will run from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

The summit was organized to provide a forum for community members, leaders, officials, providers, religious leaders, educators, students and businesspeople to learn from each other about the economic and social benefits and challenges of rural life for the more than 20,000 African immigrants that live in rural areas of Minnesota.

There is no fee for either day of the conference, but registration is required by visiting

Man arrested in break-in investigation

Times staff report • October 26, 2008

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Buzz up! A St. Cloud man is in the Stearns County Jail after he was arrested early today in the 700 block of Ninth Avenue North.


A 39-year-old St. Cloud woman identified Mohamed Said Mohamed, 25, as the person who had tried to crawl through her screened window and had been at the home earlier checking the door, which was locked, according to a police report on the incident.

Nothing was taken from inside the residence.

Mohamed was arrested about 3:30 a.m. about two blocks from the incident.

He faces possible first-degree burglary and damage to property charges.

Clark King speaks at Civic Center

By Kirsti Marohn • kmarohn@stcloudtimes.com • October 24, 2008


Buzz up! Had Reatha Clark King tried to give the same speech she gave in St. Cloud on Thursday in her segregated rural Georgia hometown during the first two decades of her life, it probably would have ended badly.


Someone would have reported the gathering to the authorities, the 70-year-old Clark King told the audience at the Civic Center.

“We would all be suspects then, or troublemakers, and perhaps the steering committee would have been taken to jail because they were the instigators of the trouble,” Clark King said. “We all would have been accused of breaking the law.”

The former General Mills Foundation president said she was encouraged to be speaking to the racially diverse audience as part of Create CommUNITY’s third annual “Continuing Conversations on Race.” This year’s forum focused on economic opportunities.

Clark King is senior adviser of the Council of Foundations and a board member of Lenox Group Inc. and Exxon Mobil Corp. She was president of Metropolitan State University in St. Paul for 11 years and has a doctorate in thermochemistry.

Clark King urged the community to consider how people will be affected by the housing and financial crisis, whose ripple effects aren’t yet known.

“We are having some jolts, and we’re going to have some more jolts, but we need a plan to deal with the aftermath of these jolts as soon as possible,” she said.

The economic issues are global and national, but also affect people locally, Clark King said.

“We must understand that we must prepare for changing times, and ask the question — ‘Which communities can weather the storm?’ ” she said.

The answer is those with “the right culture, standards and discipline,” she said, and cited Create CommUNITY’s anti-racism efforts as “the right initiative for the right time.”

It’s impossible for companies, universities, churches and other organizations to isolate themselves from issues in the community, Clark King said, because those organizations get their people from community, she said.

“The issues that people experience in the community, whether it’s racism or prejudice, they’re prone to bring those issues into the organization ... so economies, employees and their people are intertwined,” Clark King said.

Corporations, churches, schools and other organizations should continue diversity programs and work to eliminate racism even in tough economic times, Clark King said. She urged the audience not to accept the excuse that “we can’t make progress on eliminating racism and prejudice because we don’t have the money in our budgets.

“There are a lot of things we can do that don’t require lots of money,” Clark King said.

Literacy for Families program lets parents, children learn together

By Jane Laskey • jlaskey@stcloudtimes.com • October 24, 2008

SAUK RAPIDS — A graduation cap and gown often are the first step to good jobs, financial stability and independence. But 27 percent of Minnesota’s Class of 2007 did not graduate on time.


Almost 5,000 were listed as dropouts, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.

That’s a big problem.

High school dropouts are “much more likely than their peers who graduate to be unemployed, living in poverty, receiving public assistance, in prison, on death row, unhealthy, divorced and single parents with children who drop out from high school themselves” according to the 2006 report “The Silent Epidemic.”

While adult G.E.D. and diploma programs offer dropouts a chance to get back on track, that traditional approach often doesn’t work for adult learners with children.

That’s where the Sauk Rapids-Rice Family Literacy Program comes in. The unique program — a collaboration between Reach Up Inc., Sauk Rapids-Rice Adult Basic Education and Sauk Rapids-Rice Early Childhood Family Education — focuses on the entire family.

“It’s not just an adult education program to get a diploma. It looks at the needs of every person in that family,” Early Childhood Director Deb Campbell said. “They’re all in the same building, learning together.”

In 2008, 21 participants graduated from the program with a high school diploma.

Clearing a path

Life gets in the way for many dropouts who want to complete their degree. Providing food, shelter, clothes and diapers can consume a family’s resources. Affordable child care is hard to find. Transportation is not always available.

Katie Pattison, 29, of Sauk Rapids dropped out of high school when she became pregnant in 10th grade.

“I tried four or five times to go back — it didn’t ever last,” Pattison said.

The Family Literacy program eliminates the obstacles.

No car? No problem. Transportation is provided.

No sitter? No worries. Child care and school readiness classes are included so kids can come along with mom or dad.

No food in the fridge? Reduced or free lunches are served each day.

Best of all, the program itself is free.

For Pattison, the family component of the program made the difference. She and her two youngest children enrolled in 2007. She is scheduled to graduate in May.

“My children love it here. They have a lot of fun and learn so much,” Pattison said. “When they love to come here — they’re so excited — it makes you feel confident so you can sit back and learn.”

Katy Faith, 20, of St. Cloud had a similar experience.

“I like the fact that I can bring my kids with me to school,” Faith said. “I can go check on them if I need to.”

Faith, too, is scheduled to graduate in the spring. When she does, she will be one of more than 125 graduates of the program that started offering diplomas in 1999. Others have used the skills they acquired to test for their G.E.D.

The majority of participants are young, single mothers.

“We’ve seen a lot of parents come here as their last chance,” Campbell said. “They’re succeeding. They’re going on to employment and their children are getting a great start to school.”

A flexible approach

The program follows a standard curriculum, but tries to create flexible learning plans to meet each student’s needs. As long as they progress, students may stay as long to complete their diploma work.

“You do it at your own pace,” Elizabeth Haugen said. “Whatever level you’re on is what level they will work with you at. So you don’t get overwhelmed.”

Haugen is 28 and has a 2-year-old daughter in the program. She dropped out of Apollo High School when she was in 10th grade.

“I got into trouble and have been putting it off until now,” Haugen said. “I found this program, and it was a great opportunity for me to get my diploma — and I can be with my daughter.”

Haugen is working hard to pull her life back together. She hopes that completing her high school degree will open the door to new opportunities, including college.

“I want to try to be a police officer or counselor, something where I can help people,” Haugen said. “If I can help someone to get through what I went through, I’ll be happy.”

Hands-on

The program succeeds by focusing on each student’s unique situation and needs.

“Everyone has their own story,” Laurie Whitaker said. Whitaker is the literacy coordinator for Reach Up Inc.

Like most of the program’s staff, Whitaker wears a lot of hats. She drives families to school, serves food in the cafeteria or lends a hand in the children’s room. She also connects parents with food shelves and other resources.

Classroom instruction is designed to keep learning personal and hands-on.

For instructor Karen Musielewicz-Wiebolt, that means keeping lessons relevant.

“If you can apply it to your real life, it sticks with you. I use a standard curriculum. But if we’re learning how to get the best buy shopping, we’ll talk about diapers and formula and rice cereal,” she said.

With an increase in recent immigrants in the program, Musielewicz-Wiebolt has seen her students’ interactions evolve into history and social studies lessons.

“ESL students add a wonderful diversity to our program. We have a Somali family in class this year. I love the questions that have gone back and forth between them and our American-born students,” Musielewicz-Wiebolt said. “The next thing you know, we’re taking down the map and saying: ‘Where is Somalia? Why did you come here?’ It’s phenomenal learning that happens between cultures and it happens naturally.”

As students make a connection between their lessons and everyday life, learning becomes more than a hurdle they have to jump over. It becomes a tool that can bring them independence, happiness and success.

“You have to teach people that learning things is an important and exciting part of life.” said Sandee Jones, who coordinates the ABE program. “I tell each student I have two goals for them: one, this is the last place they will have to come to get their diploma; two, that they will learn they can learn without a teacher at their elbow.”

Next generation

Perhaps the program’s biggest accomplishment is breaking the cycle of illiteracy. In some families, generation after generation has dropped out of school.

“Many of the families that come here, their own family doesn’t value education that much,” Jones said. “They’ve had some bad experience in previous schools so they have a bad taste for education.”

But Family Literacy program graduates will not be passing on that legacy.

“They want their children to be successful in school,” Jones said. “They want to be able to help their children with homework and go to parent-teacher conferences. Many come from a background where they didn’t have that.”

Participants work on parenting skills for three and a half hours each week. They observe their children at play and work with ECFE staff to develop new ways of interacting with their children.

“We see a lot of parents changing their interactions with their kids,” Campbell said.

Preschool teachers focus on making learning fun and preparing children for success in kindergarten.

For many of the children in the program, the child care room and preschool classes are their first opportunity to interact with peers and teachers. They learn social skills and gain confidence.

“We’re showing our kids how important it is to go to school,” Pattison said.

Three times a year, the program hosts Family Fun Nights to encourage families to play together. The evening includes a meal and family-friendly games and activities.

The whole family — parents, kids, grandparents, aunts and uncles — are encouraged to attend. “Sometimes we have 120 people here,” Jones said. “It helps them get used to having fun with their kids.”

Although the program does not track participants’ progress after graduation, some graduates stay in touch.

“They are getting jobs and more and more are going on to higher education,” Jones said. “I just had a wonderful phone call from a woman that graduated a couple of years ago. She’s getting straight As at technical college. It makes you realize you are making a difference.”

District aims to rally support for tax referendum

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Buzz up! If it passes, the money raised by approval of the first question on the St. Cloud school district's property tax referendum would change little within the district.


It would provide about $5.9 million a year for the next six years to maintain programs and services. Class sizes would stay the same. The money would cover growing operations costs such as fuel and energy. One clear change would be that secondary students who lost the option to ride the bus to school because they live too close to school would get that opportunity back. Money also would sustain junior and senior high school activities.

If question one fails, supporters and school officials say the effects would be devastating.

"It's absolutely key. If we don't get question one, it's nasty," said Barclay Carriar, a St. Cloud financial adviser who is one of three people leading the campaign to pass the tax increase.

While supporters aren't playing favorites as they seek community support for a three-question, $10.25 million property tax increase, they are clear that if question one goes down it will change the outlook of St. Cloud schools, possibly for years.

"How many ways can I say essential? I don't know how strongly I can word it. It is a crisis in order to not have to make devastating cuts in our programs," board Chairwoman Deb Lalley said.

Board member Jerry Von Korff, who spent last week explaining the proposals to St. Cloud City Council and Stearns County County Board members, is equally as dire in his descriptions.

"We will be in the worst financial position the district has ever been in," Von Korff said.

The district, which has a $88 million budget to support 9,500 students and 1,500 employees, has made more than $20 million in reductions since 2002, according to district records.

Proposal foundation

The whole proposal hinges on that first ballot question. St. Cloud schools would be looking at more than $4.3 million in reductions if it fails. In addition, all the new or expanded programs offered in questions two and three that might attract voters with children or relatives interested in those programs, would sink with it. If question one fails, questions two and three will also go down regardless of their vote totals.

School officials are less concerned about losing the new proposals than losing millions for programs that are already in place if the vote goes down in question one.

Superintendent Steve Jordahl last month completed a proposal that shows what would be lost if question one goes down. That list includes 35 to 55 teachers. Up to two schools could close, junior high school activities would be eliminated and layoffs in administration and support services are expected.

"If it fails, there are going to be a lot of changes that are not going to be good for children," said Jordahl, who arrived in St. Cloud July 1 after three years as superintendent in Barnesville. "(Question) one is one we must have passed."

One person who said she understands the gravity of the situation is Jean Haley, a retired nurse. She was eating lunch at Whitney Senior Center while Jordahl and school volunteers handed out fliers promoting the tax increase.

"I'll support it because I always support good education in Minnesota," Haley said.

St. Cloud school district will almost certainly return to the voters in 2009 for a third straight try at getting a tax increase passed, Jordahl said. In 2007, voters rejected a plan that would have renewed a tax approved in 2003. The district made $1.5 million in reductions and used reserves to close a $4 million shortfall.

The proposals in question one are similar to what voters approved in 2003. Voters approved that tax increase in four questions.

This time, wrapped in one question is money to maintain the current class size ratios and money to maintain present levels of activities.

The district dropped bus routes and pushed the boundary to two miles for secondary students to ride the bus to school for free as part of the 2008-2009 budget reductions.

An approved question one would restore the boundary to one mile. About $500,000 will be dedicated to the district's fund balance, a reserve account that provides cash flow and a financial safety net.

Breaking it down

The most expensive part of question one is $2.7 million that will be used for what the district calls operations. It includes money for energy, supplies, safety and security and general operating expenses.

The energy is fuel oil to heat the schools and the electricity for the lights. Supplies are the classroom materials and office supplies.

The safety and security dollars would be used to add more cameras in classrooms and provide paid monitors at all entrances at schools, Jordahl said.

One proposal in question one that would be noticeable is transportation. The plan calls for adding $317,000 to the budget to restore reductions to the bus program last year.

The district eliminated six bus routes and more than 300 students were no longer eligible to ride for free. About 60 are paying one of the district's contractors to ride the bus. The rest have had to find their own way to school.

If the vote passes, any student who lives outside a mile from school would get to ride the bus. If not, the one mile boundary for elementary students and two mile boundary for secondary students will remain.

About $1.8 million is proposed to retain the present level of teachers. Without the money from the property tax increase, up to 55 teachers would laid off. The district said that would increase the student-to teacher ratio by four students.

In 2003, the voter-approved tax increase allowed the district to pay for 35 additional teachers, reducing class sizes that had grown through previous budget reductions.

When the effort to renew that money last year failed, the district used reserve dollars to keep the teachers in place. That won't be an option next year, school officials say.

The reserves are anticipated to be spent down to about $2 million at the end of year. The district plans to spend $2.2 million from reserves in 2008-2009 to help balance the budget.

In an $88 million budget, $2 million is a small reserve and the district has to borrow money and pay interest to cover its monthly bills while it waits for state dollars to arrive. School finance experts suggest having 5 percent to 8 percent in reserves.

The district needs $4.4 million to reach 5 percent. The question 1 proposal calls for adding $500,000 a year to the fund balance to restore financial stability.

6 Somali men shot to death since December

6 Somali men shot to death since December
Abdishakur Adan Hassan, killed Monday as he went to the Village Market Mall in Minneapolis for a haircut, was the sixth Twin Cities Somali man slain since December.

By DAVID CHANEN, Star Tribune

Last update: September 30, 2008 - 8:45 PM

Coon Rapids woman found guilty of killing her newborn in tub in 2005
Since December, six Somali men from the Twin Cities, all under 40, have been shot to death. It's a disturbing trend that has police and local Somali leaders working together to find solutions to stop the violence.

The most recent victim was Abdishakur Adan Hassan, 21, of Minneapolis. On Monday, the eve of a major religious holiday in the Somali Muslim community, he went to get a haircut at a crowded mall in south Minneapolis. He was shot in the chest in a back parking lot of the Village Market Mall about 9 p.m.

"We are not just looking at this case, but more broadly at the violence in the Somali community to see if there are any connections or patterns," Capt. Amelia Huffman Tuesday.

It was too early to know why Hassan was killed, she said, but witnesses have come forward with information. Hassan had been kicked out the mall earlier in the day, police said, but it's unclear if that played a role in his death.

Hassan's death doesn't appear to be related to the shooting death of 20-year-old Augsburg College student Ahmednur Ali or a shooting in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood this weekend. A 16-year-old has been arrested in Ali's death.

The increasing violence has parents scared and their children wondering who might be next, said Shukri Omar, Hassan's cousin.

"To be honest, I don't know what's going on with my people," she said. "We came to the United States because of the fighting in Somalia, to get a great education, to live a better life."

Police have been meeting with community members to enlist their help to hand out crime prevention information and identify problems before they get out of control, said Third Precinct police Inspector Lucy Gerold. There has been some lower level crime around the mall, but "it's not constantly on our radar as a source of problems," she said.

comment about the prayers

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sharpsshooter wrote:

Replying to Rowen:

It is unfortunate that others do not have religious freedoms that Americans enjoy. My whole point is just that everyone has the freedom to practice their own religion -or no religion for that matter-in America. Let's not change that.
But, we should all make sure that our belief systems do not disrespect or infringe on other people.
We should not favor any religion over another.
I am a citizen of this country too. I should be allowed the same freedoms as my Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, Jewish, Buddist, ect... neighbor. The problem is..... only one of the above maybe two, has actual freedoms without criticizm in our country (that incidently brags about freedom of religion).

While some of the others just SUE to get their way!
9/19/2008 1:27:50 AM

Replying to Rowen:

It is unfortunate that others do not have religious freedoms that Americans enjoy. My whole point is just that everyone has the freedom to practice their own religion -or no religion for that matter-in America. Let's not change that.
But, we should all make sure that our belief systems do not disrespect or infringe on other people.
We should not favor any religion over another.
I am a citizen of this country too. I should be allowed the same freedoms as my Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, Jewish, Buddist, ect... neighbor. The problem is..... only one of the above maybe two, has actual freedoms without criticizm in our country (that incidently brags about freedom of religion).

While some of the others just SUE to get their way! sharpsshooter
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Rowen wrote:

It is unfortunate that others do not have religious freedoms that Americans enjoy. My whole point is just that everyone has the freedom to practice their own religion -or no religion for that matter-in America. Let's not change that.
But, we should all make sure that our belief systems do not disrespect or infringe on other people.
We should not favor any religion over another.
I am a citizen of this country too. I should be allowed the same freedoms as my Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, Jewish, Buddist, ect... neighbor. The problem is..... only one of the above maybe two, has actual freedoms without criticizm in our country (that incidently brags about freedom of religion).
9/18/2008 10:20:19 PM It is unfortunate that others do not have religious freedoms that Americans enjoy. My whole point is just that everyone has the freedom to practice their own religion -or no religion for that matter-in America. Let's not change that.
But, we should all make sure that our belief systems do not disrespect or infringe on other people.
We should not favor any religion over another.
I am a citizen of this country too. I should be allowed the same freedoms as my Christian, Muslim, Wiccan, Jewish, Buddist, ect... neighbor. The problem is..... only one of the above maybe two, has actual freedoms without criticizm in our country (that incidently brags about freedom of religion). Rowen
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legallybrunette wrote:

Replying to Rowen:

If a Christian family migrated to Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Iran, or Nigeria, etc... would schools or businesses in those countries put up a Christmas Tree or allow people to be absent from school/work for an unknown/uncelebrated holiday.... in order to make the Christian children (who are now the minority) at home and comforted?

I have only travelled to Nigeria (of the above countries) and I did not experience any type of religious confrontation... so I don't know.

Does anyone else know?


By the way- I do totally agree with this statement- IF public schools did not include Christian elements. which it is unfortunate that they do. Private schools are available and should be used if available and your beliefs warrant it. It wouldn't bother us if a random winter break was established. it is just the fact that Christians get their holidays in public school and the rest of the religions don't that seems/is unfair when trying to explain to kids when they ask why.


9/18/2008 10:04:12 PM

Replying to Rowen:

If a Christian family migrated to Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Iran, or Nigeria, etc... would schools or businesses in those countries put up a Christmas Tree or allow people to be absent from school/work for an unknown/uncelebrated holiday.... in order to make the Christian children (who are now the minority) at home and comforted?

I have only travelled to Nigeria (of the above countries) and I did not experience any type of religious confrontation... so I don't know.

Does anyone else know?

By the way- I do totally agree with this statement- IF public schools did not include Christian elements. which it is unfortunate that they do. Private schools are available and should be used if available and your beliefs warrant it. It wouldn't bother us if a random winter break was established. it is just the fact that Christians get their holidays in public school and the rest of the religions don't that seems/is unfair when trying to explain to kids when they ask why.

legallybrunette
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Rowen wrote:

Replying to LakesnLife:

If the existing situation is unsatisfactory... Home school, or get the Muslim community to start a private school.

By the way- I do totally agree with this statement- IF public schools did not include Christian elements. which it is unfortunate that they do. Private schools are available and should be used if available and your beliefs warrant it. It wouldn't bother us if a random winter break was established. it is just the fact that Christians get their holidays in public school and the rest of the religions don't that seems/is unfair when trying to explain to kids when they ask why.
9/18/2008 9:46:13 PM

Replying to LakesnLife:

If the existing situation is unsatisfactory... Home school, or get the Muslim community to start a private school.

By the way- I do totally agree with this statement- IF public schools did not include Christian elements. which it is unfortunate that they do. Private schools are available and should be used if available and your beliefs warrant it. It wouldn't bother us if a random winter break was established. it is just the fact that Christians get their holidays in public school and the rest of the religions don't that seems/is unfair when trying to explain to kids when they ask why. Rowen
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legallybrunette wrote:

HAHAHA! Nice... I like the way you think, freethinker. You remind me a college friend... he is now an agnostic neuroscientist and I'm a bloody bored barrister.
afreethinker wrote:


"I pledge allegiance..."
9/18/2008 9:39:46 PM
"I pledge allegiance..." afreethinker
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legallybrunette wrote:

You may feel fine... but you don't look fine. Maybe you feel the need to "tear others down" because you're a bloody fat cow.

[QUOTEbr />
By the way, I feel fine.

Thanks for your concern.[/QUOTE]

9/18/2008 9:30:35 PM You may feel fine... but you don't look fine. Maybe you feel the need to "tear others down" because you're a bloody fat cow.

[QUOTEbr />
By the way, I feel fine.

Thanks for your concern.[/QUOTE]
legallybrunette
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Rowen wrote:

Replying to LakesnLife:

If the existing situation is unsatisfactory... Home school, or get the Muslim community to start a private school.

And back to my original posts. If Christianity was not catered to in our PUBLIC, tax funded schools, I would agree that Muslims would not have a right to complain. But, since we have the Christian holidays supported covertly ( winter/spring break), I can see the argument they are making. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If people had the guts to look in their own backyard, they would quit complaining when others raise a valid point.
It is impossible to equally support all 200+ religions in the school. Therefore, we should eliminate ALL religious holidays. Maybe a floating winter break?
It would be best if we all respected other religions and made sure our own belief systems do not impose upon others rights.
9/18/2008 9:25:47 PM

Replying to LakesnLife:

If the existing situation is unsatisfactory... Home school, or get the Muslim community to start a private school.

And back to my original posts. If Christianity was not catered to in our PUBLIC, tax funded schools, I would agree that Muslims would not have a right to complain. But, since we have the Christian holidays supported covertly ( winter/spring break), I can see the argument they are making. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If people had the guts to look in their own backyard, they would quit complaining when others raise a valid point.
It is impossible to equally support all 200+ religions in the school. Therefore, we should eliminate ALL religious holidays. Maybe a floating winter break?
It would be best if we all respected other religions and made sure our own belief systems do not impose upon others rights. Rowen
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afreethinker wrote:

Nerdgirl, shouldn't the Pledge of Allegiance be capitalized?
I'm just sayin'...
being a teacher and all...
har har
9/18/2008 9:20:14 PM Nerdgirl, shouldn't the Pledge of Allegiance be capitalized?
I'm just sayin'...
being a teacher and all...
har har afreethinker
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nerdgirl1968 wrote:

Replying to legallybrunette:

nerdgirl - you only took a portion of what I said and commented on it. You don't have to tear down everyone in the forum to make your point... you have valid points and I do understand your view points. nerdgirl, I think you've probably had a rough day... and taking it out on other people online at sctimes.com makes you feel better. I hope you have a better evening.


I am not sure where you got the idea that I was "tearing down everyone on the forum" but it is interesting that you see it that way. I wonder if you would see it the same if I hadn't made a comment on your misinformation about the pledge of allegiance.

By the way, I feel fine.

Thanks for your concern.

If the existing situation is unsatisfactory... Home school, or get the Muslim community to start a private school.
9/18/2008 8:20:29 PM If the existing situation is unsatisfactory... Home school, or get the Muslim community to start a private school. LakesnLife
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legallybrunette wrote:

nerdgirl - you only took a portion of what I said and commented on it. You don't have to tear down everyone in the forum to make your point... you have valid points and I do understand your view points. nerdgirl, I think you've probably had a rough day... and taking it out on other people online at sctimes.com makes you feel better. I hope you have a better evening.
9/18/2008 8:05:44 PM nerdgirl - you only took a portion of what I said and commented on it. You don't have to tear down everyone in the forum to make your point... you have valid points and I do understand your view points. nerdgirl, I think you've probably had a rough day... and taking it out on other people online at sctimes.com makes you feel better. I hope you have a better evening. legallybrunette
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cablelayer wrote:

Nerdgirl,
Doesn't it depend on what the definition of is ...is...

9/18/2008 7:52:30 PM Nerdgirl,
Doesn't it depend on what the definition of is ...is...
cablelayer
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nerdgirl1968 wrote:

Replying to legallybrunette:

The other part of my mind thinks: Are we crazy? Work and School shoudn't be interrupted for a single group of people. The "under God" portion of the Pledge of Allegiance for schools was removed so people wouldn't be offended. I think we're catering too much - separaration of Church and State was instituted for a reason.


You are right, they are separate. So why does our pledge of allegiance contain the words "under God" when it didn't contain those words as originally written?

By the way, "under God" is still in the pledge so I don't know where you are getting your information.

Also, as I stated before, if a small group of students leaving your class for a few minutes is a HUGE interruption, then you clearly have bigger problems with discipline and focus than are caused by those students.
9/18/2008 7:50:48 PM

Replying to legallybrunette:

The other part of my mind thinks: Are we crazy? Work and School shoudn't be interrupted for a single group of people. The "under God" portion of the Pledge of Allegiance for schools was removed so people wouldn't be offended. I think we're catering too much - separaration of Church and State was instituted for a reason.

You are right, they are separate. So why does our pledge of allegiance contain the words "under God" when it didn't contain those words as originally written?

By the way, "under God" is still in the pledge so I don't know where you are getting your information.

Also, as I stated before, if a small group of students leaving your class for a few minutes is a HUGE interruption, then you clearly have bigger problems with discipline and focus than are caused by those students. nerdgirl1968
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nerdgirl1968 wrote:

Replying to justmehere:

No, I'm not bragging. I'm saying that he couldn't get out of class for a legitmate appointment. Yet, when he DID lie, it was regarding the issue noted in this article, and it seems the St. Cloud schools have a different view that Willmar. If my son couldn't leave class for an appointment, ALL kids should be kept in the classroom unless on a scheduled break.


If the attendance office hadn't contacted your son's teacher yet, perhaps he should have politely asked him/her to call them instead of lie about why he was leaving class. I am sure that he would have been allowed to leave class for the appointment if the teacher knew about it.

I assume that you punished him for lying to his teacher. Because lying is wrong. And regardless of how you feel about other children leaving class for prayer, we shouldn't teach our children to do wrong.
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justmehere wrote:

No, I'm not bragging. I'm saying that he couldn't get out of class for a legitmate appointment. Yet, when he DID lie, it was regarding the issue noted in this article, and it seems the St. Cloud schools have a different view that Willmar. If my son couldn't leave class for an appointment, ALL kids should be kept in the classroom unless on a scheduled break.
9/18/2008 7:12:14 PM No, I'm not bragging. I'm saying that he couldn't get out of class for a legitmate appointment. Yet, when he DID lie, it was regarding the issue noted in this article, and it seems the St. Cloud schools have a different view that Willmar. If my son couldn't leave class for an appointment, ALL kids should be kept in the classroom unless on a scheduled break. justmehere
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legallybrunette wrote:

Hmm... This is such an interesting subject.

One part of my mind thinks: This is the United States of America - where people can live and be free from religious persecution, free to do as they please. And generally people are more productive if they're able to do things that will alleviate their stress (ie. check the football score at work, pray at the right time during class or work, etc...)

The other part of my mind thinks: Are we crazy? Work and School shoudn't be interrupted for a single group of people. The "under God" portion of the Pledge of Allegiance for schools was removed so people wouldn't be offended. I think we're catering too much - separaration of Church and State was instituted for a reason.

There are Catholic/Christian schools where religion is a focus? Maybe Muslims could form private schools.

Lastly, I don't like the racism and segregation issues arising from this whole ordeal. "Go back to where you came from" is a horrible remark to make.
9/18/2008 7:10:27 PM Hmm... This is such an interesting subject.

One part of my mind thinks: This is the United States of America - where people can live and be free from religious persecution, free to do as they please. And generally people are more productive if they're able to do things that will alleviate their stress (ie. check the football score at work, pray at the right time during class or work, etc...)

The other part of my mind thinks: Are we crazy? Work and School shoudn't be interrupted for a single group of people. The "under God" portion of the Pledge of Allegiance for schools was removed so people wouldn't be offended. I think we're catering too much - separaration of Church and State was instituted for a reason.

There are Catholic/Christian schools where religion is a focus? Maybe Muslims could form private schools.

Lastly, I don't like the racism and segregation issues arising from this whole ordeal. "Go back to where you came from" is a horrible remark to make. legallybrunette
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cablelayer wrote:

GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska — Managers at a Nebraska meatpacking plant have told Muslim employees, most of them Somali, that shift changes made to meet their prayer demands weren't working and would be ended.

Union president Dan Hoppes said Thursday that the workers reacted well to the news, but he didn't know whether they would walk out later in protest as they did Monday.

He and managers at the JBS Swift & Co. plant are still talking about meeting employee needs and maintaining plant production.

Workers were sitting down with managers for discussions before the second shift started Thursday afternoon.

Counterprotests by non-Muslim workers began Wednesday. They said the shift changes penalized them while favoring the Muslim workers.


9/18/2008 7:08:46 PM GRAND ISLAND, Nebraska — Managers at a Nebraska meatpacking plant have told Muslim employees, most of them Somali, that shift changes made to meet their prayer demands weren't working and would be ended.

Union president Dan Hoppes said Thursday that the workers reacted well to the news, but he didn't know whether they would walk out later in protest as they did Monday.

He and managers at the JBS Swift & Co. plant are still talking about meeting employee needs and maintaining plant production.

Workers were sitting down with managers for discussions before the second shift started Thursday afternoon.

Counterprotests by non-Muslim workers began Wednesday. They said the shift changes penalized them while favoring the Muslim workers.

cablelayer
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Rowen wrote:

Replying to heathshara:

Ok , I have no idea why you guys are even talking about christmas or easter this article isn't talking about that they are talking about muslim kids praying . I think that is is crap that the school's are catering to muslim's why don't they go back to where they came from.and everyone would be a little more happy !

The reason we are discussing holidays is because Ramadan is a religious holiday practiced by Muslim people. Ramadan is also mentioned in this article. Prayer times during Ramadan are conflicting with class times which is what started this issue in Wilmar. I made a comparison saying that Muslim holidays AND other religions are just as valid as the religious holidays practiced by Christian people (I.E. Christmas). Thus, all religious holidays should either be respected equally or not at all. I prefer not at all. Our schools respect Christian holidays and when another religion is mentioned, people like you spout off without even knowing who is being catered to.
9/18/2008 6:38:16 PM

Replying to heathshara:

Ok , I have no idea why you guys are even talking about christmas or easter this article isn't talking about that they are talking about muslim kids praying . I think that is is crap that the school's are catering to muslim's why don't they go back to where they came from.and everyone would be a little more happy !

The reason we are discussing holidays is because Ramadan is a religious holiday practiced by Muslim people. Ramadan is also mentioned in this article. Prayer times during Ramadan are conflicting with class times which is what started this issue in Wilmar. I made a comparison saying that Muslim holidays AND other religions are just as valid as the religious holidays practiced by Christian people (I.E. Christmas). Thus, all religious holidays should either be respected equally or not at all. I prefer not at all. Our schools respect Christian holidays and when another religion is mentioned, people like you spout off without even knowing who is being catered to. Rowen
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nerdgirl1968 wrote:

Whether or not Wilmar school is right or wrong, IMHO your class is pretty out of control and easily distracted if allowing a couple of children to leave for a few minutes is THAT much of a problem.

Children leave for all kinds of reasons. When they leave my class, especially if it is prearranged, I am often the only person who even notices.