Councilman Helgen Near Fisticuffs
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posted by Bob at Monday, July 23, 2007
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From City Hall Scoop. You can also find a link to City Hall Scoop on the front page below the image of Saint Paul.
Ward 5: Ready to rumble?
Think it’s hot now? You should have been at last week’s District 10 - Como Community Council meeting at the Como Park streetcar museum.
If you don’t think the Ward 5 race between Lee Helgen and David Haas is going to be the one to watch, well then, pull up your chair and listen to a story -- because just hours after the City Council elections filing period closed last week, we darned near had ourselves some fisticuffs.
On Tuesday’s agenda was the MGM Liquor Warehouse store on the corner of Larpenteur and Lexington. The location doubles as the company’s headquarters, and there is talk that the Upper Midwest’s biggest liquor store chain might want to expand to better train employees and do all the other things that corporate headquarters are supposed to do.
MGM owns two residential homes on the southern part of the block, leading to speculation that expansion into the quiet neighborhood north of Como Park is imminent -- something many neighbors oppose.
But the meeting really got interesting when Billy Dinkel, a District 10 board member and exec at the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that MGM honchos were pouring money into Helgen’s reelection campaign.
(This is a picture of the two of them we took in January, 2006, at the Chris Coleman inaugural dinner. We actually asked them to stand together, because we figured sooner or later there'd be something going on with these two.)
Anyway, we did a little research on the MGM matter and found three people connected to the company who gave five donations totaling $425 to the Helgen campaign, according to January’s campaign finance reports, the most recent available (new reports are due in August).
That businesses or developers grease the skids shouldn’t surprise anyone. Then why is this significant? Because Dinkel is married to Nancy Haas, David’s sister and campaign manager.
We weren’t there, but we talked to both men about the incident and a confrontation that took place outside after the meeting.
Helgen said he thought Dinkel was out of line bringing politics into the MGM discussion, and decided to tell him so after it was over.
“I took a step to him and said, ‘That’s not right. This is a community meeting,’” Helgen said.
Dinkel said the campaign donations were relevant to the discussion, and defended the move. “It was a legitimate issue. It gives the illusion. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong, but it gives the illusion,” Dinkel said.
Exactly how heated it got is conjecture, but by all accounts the two men were nose-to-nose. At one point, Dinkel told Helgen “Go ahead and do it,” or something along those lines.
That’s when David Haas stepped between the two men. But if they really wanted a piece of each other, the 5’11” Hass couldn’t have stopped them -- Helgen stands 6’4” and weighs 250, while Dinkel checks in at 6’2” and 225.
Helgen said he felt like Dinkel disrespected him by raising the issue.
“I don’t mind having heated political discussions with people, but as an elected official I’m entitled to some respect,” Helgen said.
(Incidentally, Councilmember Jay Benanav also told us he felt disrespected by Dinkel at a recent District 10 meeting. Then again, St. Paulites have never really put their politicians on a throne.)
Dinkel, however, said he feels like the victim.
“I did not do one thing to instigate that,” Dinkel said. “It frustrates me to no end that he did this thing to me.”
As for the supposed MGM expansion, Helgen said it’s off the table.
“That’s not going to be allowed. The neighbors were clear that they didn’t want that,” Helgen said.
It could be a long, hot election season in the North End.
Posted by cityhallscoop on July 23, 2007 at 02:19 PM | Permalink
5:16 PM
Hi All,
I think Mr. Dinkel's statement is important. In fact I think it is very INTERESTING!
I also find it interesting these City Council members feel disrespected because a citizen ask them a difficult question in public.
The difficult or controversial questions should be answered in the public arena, PERIOD! A MAN, A LEADER doesn't evade or fear the difficult issues. I and the citizens of Saint Paul deserve accountability from our leadership.
I will be out with my camera before the election. I am not a tall guy although I am a thick guy and I haven't met many big men who were stronger than I am, so Helgen doesn't scare me.
I hope he is respectful of me "the citizen" when I ask him questions he doesn't want to discuss in public.
RESPECT IS EARNED!
Right on Bobby: help IRV Instant run off voting http://sharon4council.blogspot.com
Hamline law school tomorrow.
Helgen is much involved with Nancy 's 14 E. Jessamine near the Winnepig Projects
I was at a meeting on the East Side when Helgen tried to have someone ejected because he didn't like what the guy was saying. Seems Helgen thinks he's entitled to respect, but he doesn't want to do anything to earn it!
As far as politics goes, Helgen wouldn't even be there if it wasn't political, so where does he get off saying this ghy Dinkle is bringing politics into the deal?
Helgen expects to recieve respect while at the same time he doesn't feel it is necessary for him to give respect to others. Thats not the way it works in this world. You get the respect you deserve!
Billy Dinkel is an honorable individual.
Lee Helgen, what he asked you was very appropriate. As a public official you need to answer these questions. You can not hide behind Jay Bennanav's apron strings for long.
you guys are a laugh riot. i bet ya mr. dinkel made no attempt to tell the audience his relation to mr. helgen's opponent. Was he speaking as a D10 board member, or as the brother in law of helgen's opponent?
yeah, 11:25 pm, seems that mr dinkel is VERY honorable! Shows you how Mr. Haas is planning to run his campaign huh?
Furthermore, $425 is pouring money into a campaign? And Helgen made it clear he was backing the neighbors with what they wanted.
I just drove around the Ward 5 area and what I saw with signs reflected a much higher support for Haas. Say goodbye to Helgen!
Retrieved July 25, 2007, from SAINTPAULICY.COM Web site: http://saintpaulicy.com/2007/07/19/on-flower-pots-and-liqour.aspx
WARD 5 Pay-Per-View
This entry was posted on 7/19/2007 12:50 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
SPicy got a tip(sy) from a Ward 5 voter yesterday about some goings-on at and apparently after the District 10 Community Council meeting on Tuesday night. After contemplating the events over a malt beverage, SPicy is now wondering if the district council will try to create Saint Paul's first pay-per-view city council candidate debate. Could be a fun way to raise some money and interest in what will be a low-turnout election. But SPicy is getting a bit a head of things.
The party starts with an idea to expand a liquor store (which SPicy thinks is great) but has now come close to a slugfest. It seems that Mr. Billy Dinkle, manager of the David Haas campaign and member of the district council's board, asked a number of questions about the liquor store expansion plans at the meeting. The council had heard rumors about the expansion and asked MGM to fill the community in on the plan.
With Helgen and David Haas (Lee's opponent) in attendance, one of questions apparently focused on the number of campaign set-ups (contributions) that Lee has received by from representatives of the MGM liquor store franchise. No votes were taken – and the meeting ended like most parties - without incident. As people were leaving, the after party began with Helgen apparently approaching Dinkle and another conversation ensued. This one was more focused and heated and after a few minutes of nose-to-nose exchanges over "shaken or stirred," David Haas ended up playing the role of bartender/bouncer and separated the two.
It has been long rumored that MGM may be seeking a zoning change at the corner of Lexington and Larpenteur. District 10 has apparently not been invited to happy hour yet with MGM. Mr. Helgen has - in the form of several campaign contributions. Add to the mixed drink the fact the Metropolitan Airports Commission Chair, Jack Lanners apparently owns the store and suddenly SPicy starts to think:
1 shot of Lee voting for the floodwall
1 shot of Lee appearing to vote against the floodwall
2 ounces of support for the store for MGM
1 Cup of MGM bringing in juice for the campaign
A squeeze of concern for constituents
And you get a full-glass of political opportunistic punch – served on the rocks with lots of twists. It's easy to make when no one is watching what is going into the glass. It's easy to drink when no one keeps an eye on the politician's real motivation.
SPicy make no accusations but this really starts going together like nice, tall Tanqueray and tonic on a hot day.
Does Lee know that according to campaignmoney.com, John "Jack" Lanners, from Woodbury MN and CEO of MGM / FTL Corporation (MAC website) gave over $20,000 dollars to the Republican Party of Minnesota between 2001 and 2006?
Does Whitney Clark and the Friends of the Mississippi like the taste of lemons, he must based on what's being served by a candidate they have supported because of his commitment to their community – who apparently may not show the same commitment to the immediate community he represents?
SPicy is all for candidates getting money from various sources to fund a campaign. But here's a word of caution to the those who are stepping up to the bar: better hedge your bets or you might end up on the rocks with only club soda in your half-empty glass.
To the fine folks at MGM - whatever you plan, SPicy loves your store. Hopefully you'll get an 18-pack where the 12 pack is now! If Saint Paul won't let you, isn't Roseville right across the street?
SPicy, along with old-timers Mr. and Mrs. T will watch this one closely, Bartles and Jaymes in hand.
While a member of District 5 Council I found Mr. Helgen to be passionate, but not a very good people person.
I found that his "direct" style would often alienate people and he had a tendancy to be somewhat quick and harsh in his responses.
His record reflects a concern for the initiatives he felt were important, I'm just not convinced his constituents felt his agenda was shared with them.
Martin Owings - Just some thoughts.
Helgen is a wimp.
He thought he would be sheltered hiding behind Lantry's apron strings.
His infamous E. Jessamine comment was to gain the support of the slease faction in City Hall. Only there is no honor among thieves.
Helgen is due for a rude awakening. It won't be pretty as he slithers away with his tail between his legs.
I remember very fondly how Helgen has compassion foe people. I've seen it first hand! Why there was one city council meeting where Helgen was cry babying because a code inspector had lifted the condemnation on a home because the owner had repaired the "shortcomings" on it. According to Helgen this property had some sort issues with the occupants, and Lee being the compassionate guy that he is was upset because he wanted the house to stay condemned so they could help the family in addressing these "issues." Now tell me where one could find that kind of compassion?
9:24, I am one of the two guys councilman Helgen demanded we leave the meeting.
We didn't leave when he demanded did we!
I wasn't rude or disrespectful to him. He had no right to ask me to leave a public meeting he invited me to. He posted the invitation at A Democracy.
I think 9:24 hit on something. Helgen feels entitled.
Everyone else has to work together, show respect and appreciation.
The demanding and jerk nature of helgen and others whose names are all to familiar, and this entitlement attitude, are destroying the city.
Hey Bob,
I looked over at the "other" site, SPIF and they have very little on this subject while you site is loaded. I really think Tim Erickson is soon to be in charge of a nothing blog.
Nice job Bob!
9:53, they have "RULES" about dialog like this over there.
At SPIF it isn't respectable to talk about a politicians short comings or indiscretions.
If you don't acknowledge something isn't good or right,life can be a bowl of cherries.
The minute you acknowledge we have problems,big problems,our city doesn't look so Saintly anymore and you see the gnats and maggots on the cherries.
As far as I am concerned, they can keep on eating that bowl of maggots and cherries.
We will dine on "substance" here.
During the Bruce Vento incident in February, where Mr. Helgen tried to throw out Mr. Johnson and another man, you have to ask several questions. Was Mr. Helgen acting like a public official should when he confronted Mr. Johnson and the person he was with at Bruce Vento School?
Was Mr. Helgen displaying poor anger control when he was yelling at Mr. Johnson? Did Mr. Helgen overstep his authority in handling the situation at Bruce Vento School? Was Mr. Helgen trying to be a bully?
Now flash forward five months to the MGM District 10 situation and the MGM expansion issue last week. Mr. Helgen went after Mr. Dinkel for bringing up a conflict of interest issue concerning Mr. Helgen and his campaign contributers from MGM during the meeting to discuss MGM’s expansion. Mr. Helgen then went after Mr. Dinkel after the meeting, shouting at him, going nose-to-nose. Is this appropriate behavior for a city council member?
I am very concerned with Mr. Helgen’s inability to control his temper? I have been reading this blog for a while and if Mr. Helgen acts this way in public, how does he act towards his family in private? Where am I going with this is should Ramsey County Social Services become involved or Ramsey County Child Protection? If Mr. Helgen acts this way in public, I feel very sorry for his family.
I sure would not like to be Mr. Helgen’s family when he gets upset.
Just something to consider when you are electing a new city council member in Ward 5.
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