Some further thoughts on Chief Bemidji

I was very young when my grandmother walked out of a sandwich shop in the Twin Cities. Grandma Abe (Abraham, maiden name Flammini) was visiting from Chicago when she and my mother decided to get some lunch. She was absolutely appalled when she saw on the menu a sign for a Dago sandwich, which was the given term for an Italian-style sub of some sort. And she walked out. Quickly. But not before telling the shop's owner how she felt.

I'm white, Caucasian, whatever you want to call it. I'm a mix of Italian, Norwegian and German heritage (I think). So to say that I completely understand the issues surrounding the Chief Bemidji statue would be false. I don't. But I believe I could, probably fairly, lump it with other issues surrounding cultural insensitivities (i.e. my grandmother's Dago issue, ongoing sports team name debates, etc., etc.).

In today's Pioneer, I ran two articles on the Chief Bemidji committee that is looking into the future of the statue and whether it could, or should, be replaced with something perhaps more respectful of the man's legacy. Typically, I would have combined the two stories into one longer report, but I didn't feel the mission and goals of the committee tied in too well with the council discussion from Monday's meeting. (Committee story is online at http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100016960/: council story is online at http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100016962/).

I also posted online just this morning a a story that Molly wrote in 2004, 100 years after Chief Bemidji, or Shaynowishkung, died. The article and accompanying photos can be found at http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100016970/.

In the few conversations I've had and the opinions I've read, I don't think anyone is trying to diminish the work that went into the current statue, which was done by retired Lumberjack Eric Boe in 1952. But, rather, some feel the current statue is, perhaps, "cartoonish" and could be replaced with a new statue that would more accurately represent life and legacy of Shaynowishkung, who became known as Chief Bemidji.

I "stole" these two images from the Chief Bemidji committee's blog (chiefbemidji.blogspot.com). The first is an 1890-era photograph of Shaynowishkung. The second is the current statue.

The committee is hoping to secure grant dollars that would fund a new statue, possibly a life-sized bronzed likeness of Shaynowishkung.

"This new representation would depict him in a dignified and respectful way, honoring the man and his legacy," the committee wrote in an explanation of the project.

A few months ago, my husband said, "If someone would have told me 10 years ago that Brett Farve would be playing for the Vikings and we'd have a black president, I'd have laughed at him."

Times change.

The question now becomes is it time for a new Chief Bemidji statue?

*** Note: After talking a bit with my editor, Molly shared with me that Sleepy Eye, Minn., previously went through a similar project. In July 1994, the town became the first in the nation to have a full-sized bronze statue of an American Indian in true likeness. The 8-foot-tall "Chief Sleepy Eye" (Ish-Tak-Ha-Ba) sculpture was done by JoAnne Bird, a member of the Wahpeton-Sisseton band of Dakota Native Americans, which is the same band as Ish-Tak-Ha-Ba.

This is the portrait the sculpture was based on:

This is the finished sculpture:

OK, that's all I've got on this for now.

Your turn: Is it time for a new Chief Bemidji statue? Or do you like the one that is there now?

- Bethany

Posted by: bjwesley on 3/17/2010 at 8:38 AM | Comments (4) | Permalink

Tags: art, bemidji, chief bemidji, local, news

More on parking from the JPB meeting

Here's a little bit more on the driveway discussion from last night's Greater Bemidji Area Joint Planning Board meeting. The JPB decided to recommend some changes to a section of its ordinance that would have required paved driveways for most residential parcels if a major improvement was made to the building or lot or if the residence was converted to a rental. The changes would not have applied to lots with more than 1 acre of land.

I didn't want to spend too much time in the article that ran today (http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100016756/) on the pros and cons of paved driveways since it sounded like JPB members wanted to add some flexibility into that requirement.

But there was definitely some good discussion.

Parking issues have long been discussed in Bemidji, from what I understand. I know in my 2 1/2 years here, I've heard those concerns come up several times at council meetings and various committee groups. And, like Mel Milender said last night, most of the residential parking issues seem to be directed at rental properties.

But, as Milender also noted, parking issues are not all confined to rental properties.

"The other main (area of concern) was when new homes are built and don't have paved surfaces, the deterioration around the neighborhood is much quicker," Milender said.

JPB members recognized that there are problems with parking throughout the JPB's coverage area, but said there had to be some flexibility for homeowners.

Specifically, JPB members asked if gravel could be included as an option in addition to "bituminous, concrete, pavers" surfaces required for driveways.

But Milender said that would be a return to the current parking requirements.

He agreed that gravel can certainly be aesthetically pleasing, but said the current parking requirements are not resulting in nicely maintained - or defined - parking areas.

JPB member Clark Chambers said he had a paved driveway along a gravel road, which resulted in problems. Due to weather and street maintenance, the gravel would be pushed onto the driveway and then end up in the lawn, which resulted in the deterioration of the lawn.

"It's extremely difficult to deal with a paved driveway on a gravel road," he said.

Milender said the JPB should also consider what its goals are for the future of the community. He noted that city residents who live along dirt roads object to having to pay assessments for paving their roads, but having paved driveways make it easier to rationalize the improvements.

"It's the chicken and the egg theory," he said.

JPB member Richard Lehmann suggested that the parking standards should define a difference between a parking lot and a driveway and handle their standards differently. He noted that he has different driveway surfaces for different garages at his home.

"We need to have some flexibility in there," he said.

What do you think?

- Bethany

Posted by: bjwesley on 3/11/2010 at 9:34 AM | Comments (1) | Permalink

Tags: bemidji, government, jpb, local, news, parking, qni, rentals

Bemidji to get new mayor

Bemidji is poised to have a new mayor in 2011.

As you've probably heard by now, Bemidji Mayor Richard Lehmann announced this past weekend that he is going to run against Rep. John Persell, DFL-Bemidji, for the Minnesota House 4A seat. (If this is news to you and you want to learn more, you can read Political Editor Brad Swenson's article on the announcement at www.bemidjipioneer.com/event/article/id/100016614)

The city's mayoral position is a two-year term, which means that if Lehmann wanted to hold onto his seat, he would have had to run for re-election this year. A candidate cannot file for multiple seats at once (i.e. you can't run for Bemidji mayor and state House simultaneously); thus, Lehmann will step down as mayor at the end of this year whether he wins the 4A seat or not. (Although he could always run again for mayor in a later year, if he were to choose to do so...)

There are three other council seats (four-year terms) up for election this year: Ward 2, currently represented by Councilor Roger Hellquist; Ward 4, currently represented by Councilor Jerry Downs; and the city's at-large council position, currently represented by Councilor Barb Meuers. While those three would be unable to file for both re-election and the mayoral position, any of them could choose to run for the mayoral position and just give up their current council seat.

Current city councilors whose seats are not up for re-election also could choose to run for mayor (Ron Johnson, Greg Negard and Kevin Waldhausen). But, if any of those three men were to run and win the mayoral election, he would have to resign from his councilmember seat.

Of course, we won't know for several months yet who actually files for City Council. Council filing is later this year.

But the council will change, we know that for sure now following Lehmann's announcement.

That makes this election season, perhaps, even more interesting. Will we have a completely new mayor? Someone not now on the council? Will a sitting city councilor be "promoted" to mayor? Will former Ward 5 Councilor Nancy Erickson, who lost to Lehmann in the 2008 elections, try again?

I certainly don't know. Sure, I've heard a rumor or two in the last few months, but I don't know anything officially.

Do any of you readers out there have any thoughts?

- Bethany

Reporter's note: Apparently my info is old. I thought filing was July 6-20, but that has changed. Read comments for more info. on filing dates.

Posted by: bjwesle on 3/08/2010 at 2:30 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink

Tags: 2010 elections, bemidji, elections, government, local, news

a sad few weeks

I had a blog entry all scripted in my head when I came to work today: I was going to write about annexation and all the meetings about that issue in recent weeks.

But first, I checked my blog sites and sadly learned that Bemidji State University student Erik Ludwinski, a Park Rapids native, passed away last night. (Web site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/erikludwinski) I just keep picturing the energetic young man who sat across from me just over a year ago, talking about his faith.

Erik's passing follows last week's loss of Ayven Shepard, the infant who was allegedly injured by his daytime care provider(s). Ayven's Web site, too, was updated this morning as his mother, Krysten, wrote that the famly is coping and preparing for a funeral: "We are holding up the best we can right now. Still feels like we're in a nightmare waiting to wake up and have our baby boy back. but we know we cant and he's in good hands." (Web site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/ayvenshepard)

And there also was the unexpected death of Coleen Jennings, who died Jan. 30 of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.

It's been a sad few weeks here in the editorial department. Even if it's our "job" to cover some of these things, that doesn't make it any easier.

- Bethany

Posted by: bjwesley on 2/10/2010 at 9:27 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: bemidji, local, news

Vote now for Bemidji Skate Park

Fundraising for the Bemidji Skate Park, to be located in the renovated Bemidji City Park, is continuing.

Nate Dorr, a volunteer who is working with the Bemidji Skate & Bike Association to raise funds for the skate park, sent me a link this morning asking for votes that could earn Bemidji a $25,000 grant through Pepsi.

From Nate: Please take the time to sign up and vote for our project. We can get $25,000 if we win this month from Pepsi. http://www.refresheverything.com/BemidjiSkatePark

Skate park supporters have raised $315,000, but need another $135,000 to complete it. Once complete, the skate will be the first public custom concrete skate park in Minnesota.

Posted by: bjwesley on 2/01/2010 at 2:36 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink

Tags: bemidji, grant, local, news, skate park