Much ado

Star Tribune Tue, 06 May 2008 04:14:01 GMT
Ham Lake mayor apologizes for recent remark

The comment invoked a racial comparison; the mayor's backers say the real issue is a political divide on the council. Ham Lake Mayor Paul Meunier apologized Monday night for a comment some city officials called a racial slur. But his supporters say he's not the one who should be apologizing. Before urging his political foes at Monday's City Council meeting to "stop the politics of personal attacks and focus on the issues at hand," Meunier apologized for a comment his supporters say triggered a "smear campaign" against him by longtime city officials. ... Mel Aanerud, chairman of Ham Lake's Park and Tree Commission, did not attend the April 16 meeting, but said he was appalled -- not by Meunier's comment, but by the reaction to it. Don Wilson, who manages the city's VFW, sent e-mails to key officials, saying he was offended by Meunier's remarks, even though Wilson did not hear them. Council Members Kirkeide, Julie Braastad and Joey Erikson publicly decried Meunier's remarks.

[[keywords: Officials;Metro;]]