Nick and the Mayor

"Nick did not see it the same way the St. Paul Mayor saw it. Nick thinks those charges should end up right where they belong - with the protesters."

The police finally went in and took care of the drifters who were illegally shutting down Summit Avenue. The ones involved in this never ending protest. I have been quite frankly amazed on how long this illegal protest has been allowed to continue. But now it is over, and the next one is already planned. But the overtime from the St. Paul police for the month of July has just been tallied. It is a whopping $1.5 million dollars!

When I first heard that, my heart went out to the citizens of St. Paul. In these days of tight budgets, why should they have to pick up this most unnecessary expense? Then the Lefty Mayor of St. Paul was asked about this expense. His response? He would try and get either the state or maybe even the feds to pick up this expense. Huh? But why not - after all, most Democrats think that money which resides in the state or the fed is "free money" to be used for "whatever".

Well guess what? Elk River has a House Representative up in 30 A who does not see it that way. And that would be Republican Nick Zerwas. Nick thinks those charges should end up right where they belong - with the protesters. So he is authoring a bill to address this issue. When I heard about Nick's bill (after listening to the Mayor), this simple thought came to mind. What a clear example of how different Democrats and Republicans think.

In other words, many of us were raised by parents who taught us that actions have consequences. And that is the way that Nick thinks. How do I know that? Because Nick is a family friend and I know him well. The Mayor, whom I do not know, let the cat out of the bag when all he wanted to was just shift those costs. Like most Democrats, the Mayor must believe in the land of "free money". Just ask the Democrats and statists on the Met Council. They are also very familiar with the land of "free money". They are always trying to figure out how to get Washington to pay for more of their choo-choo trains.

It will be interesting to see where Nick's bill ends up. I think it will pass out of the House. The Senate, not so sure. And our goofy Governor? No chance. Remember - our mumbling Governor has sided with the protesters and against the police since the get go. So even though Nick is on the side of the angels on this issue, I am afraid the Senate and Governor will bury this fine effort.

Thank you Representative Zerwas, for being brave enough to bring this to light. Elk River, as well as Minnesota, are lucky to have you in St. Paul.