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Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty baffled by decision to hire outside counsel from a Washington, D.C., law firm to prosecute Ryan Londregan case (“D.C. Law Firm Prosecutes State Trooper,” May 4 Day). It is hard to believe that the state's largest prosecutor's office could not prioritize its workload to handle this case in-house. If not, then out of respect for the taxpayers, wouldn't your first action be to request mutual aid from another public law firm in Minnesota?
During my career, I have worked with many skilled and ethical public defenders in the Minneapolis City Attorney's Office, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, and the University of Minnesota General Counsel's Office. Many of these attorneys have become state and federal judges, including the Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
It is clear that Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is conflicted about taking over this case. However, there are several counties in Minnesota with first-tier cities that have experienced prosecutors who can provide mutual aid, including Ramsey, St. Louis, and Olmsted.
This seems to me similar to the relationship former President Donald Trump sought with the U.S. attorney general. He wanted the AG to be “his” lawyer and not a public lawyer. Apparently, many, if not most, of the Hennepin County Attorney's veteran assistants do not believe that the Rondregan case rises to the level of probable cause, much less that there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. I don't think so. Therefore, the professional ethics of experienced Hennepin County prosecutors preclude them from participating. Either way, our county attorney wants “her” lawyers to move forward with the case, so she's going to hire them.
Gregory Hestness, Minneapolis
The author is a former chief of the University of Minnesota Police Department and a former deputy chief of the Minneapolis Police Department.
teacher pension
We cannot leave this issue unresolved.
Regarding the letter that says, “I've done it with the Democrats. It's RFK” (Readers' Right, April 27), I ask: Joe at the polls this November (in what will almost certainly be a close election). What kind of vote would punishing Biden actually be? For peace and for the betterment of our country? A vote for RFK Jr. in 2024 confirms the victory of Donald Trump, the only candidate who has publicly said he may not protect NATO countries and has repeatedly praised warmonger Vladimir Putin. .
Ann Ritterspach, Bloomington
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Media outlets are competing over who can spend the most time reporting on President Trump's hush money trial. Whatever the outcome of the current scene, the real story that he is likely to retake the White House is being lost in the process.
Trump tried to overturn the election. He has a political philosophy built on conspiracy theories. His speech is a rambling, frustrated rant. But he is ahead of Biden in almost every poll.
Recent interviews and rallies featuring Trump reveal a dark and authoritarian view of the country's future, one that is becoming even more unstable than we are accustomed to. What is clear is that whether President Trump wins or loses in the fall, we are likely to see violence the likes of which this country has not seen in generations.
If he wins, he could try to invoke the Insurrection Act against protesters or use the military to round up the millions of illegal immigrants who live and work in our communities, creating chaos. may cause. If he loses, he will again seek to mobilize his supporters with conspiracy theories about a “stolen election,” with the support of many Republican officials.
For Trump's supporters, it's a positive thing that he “walks the talk.” Therefore, we should believe what he says. And the media needs to make sure all Americans can hear it. That's the only story that matters right now.
Ted Sherman, St. Paul
teacher pension
We cannot leave this issue unresolved.
I was happy to see an article about teacher pensions in Minnesota (“Teachers call for review of pension funds,” April 28). That's right, Minnesota educators hired Edward Seidle in less than three weeks when he raised $78,000. Mr. Seidl is one of the nation's leading experts in forensic investigations of asset managers and pensions, focusing on excessive and hidden investment fees and risks, conflicts of interest, and fraud.
The amount of money raised in a short period of time is an indication of the level of distrust and dissatisfaction Minnesota educators feel with the Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) and the two-tier pension system. Tier I refers to educators hired before July 1, 1989, and Tier II refers to educators hired after July 1, 1989. Pension benefits for these tiers vary widely, with Tier II benefits being significantly inferior.
TRA lacks transparency and is unresponsive even to its own members. TRA holds meetings during the day when members are working and unable to attend. Requests and feedback to change meeting times or record meetings have been denied. In light of this, a reporter writes, “In a statement on Friday, the pension association said it values feedback from members and stakeholders,” but this is not the experience of second-tier educators. This is because when these members give feedback, no reaction or change occurs. and make a request.
As reported in the article, the president of the Rhode Island AFSCME Council was thrilled with Seidle's work and said, “This is probably the best thing the union has ever done.” In Minnesota, funding to hire Seidle was raised solely through private donations.
An unstable pension system will only exacerbate the growing teacher crisis. Minnesota's retirement system must be competitive, and the pension system must be flexible to recruit and retain educators.
Vicki Pennick, Otsego
The author is a teacher.
train
chicago is calling
Did I die and go to heaven? Second daily Amtrak train between St. Paul and Chicago! (“Amtrak unveils Borealis route from St. Paul,” May 2.) Most importantly, this train will operate between these two cities, unlike the existing Empire Builder, which originates on the West Coast and goes to Chicago. Thing. This would cause him an additional delay of nearly 1,500 miles before the train reached St. Paul. Is it any wonder that severe delays occur so often?
There is no doubt that reliable rail service to and from Chicago will significantly increase ridership. Granted, it's not high-speed rail, but the money spent to upgrade the freight rail tracks will definitely eliminate many delays in Amtrak's passenger service. Thankfully, the addition of this service circumvented traditional Republican objections.
We are also pleased that the Minnesota Department of Transportation is studying current rail service to St. Cloud. Northstar's original proposal was to run trains from the Twin Cities to St. Cloud. This was supported by the governor at the time. Jesse Ventura. But under Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the project was cut in half and the line ended in Big Lake. Passengers bound for St. Cloud had to change buses after Big Lake. My guess is that stopping short of the original destination has reduced ridership to the point where Republicans say passenger rail is not cost-effective.
William Steinbicker, Minnetonka
minnesota pride
At least Dubliners understand.
My wife and I arrived in Dublin early on a Sunday morning, holidaying with another couple. When the taxi driver asked me where I was from, I answered, “Minnesota,” and he cheerfully shouted, “Prince! Bob Dylan!” Then they started singing “Purple Rain” and “Blowin' in the Wind.” An hour later at breakfast, when our server learned we were from Minnesota, she excitedly told us, “Your team, the Wolves, won last night. We beat Denver. And it was great.”
America's coastal elites may ignore us. But across the Atlantic, Minnesota has a very strong reputation.
Mark Daly, Hopkins