Posted: 8/16/05
By MaryHelen Swanson
The sky was sunny, the smell from the grill enticing and the red, white and blue balloons floating in the air were signaling that the first ever joint Chisago and Isanti county DFL barbecue was underway at Central Park in North Branch last Saturday.
A quick head count noted about 100 had come for an afternoon of food, fellowship and politicing. After a lunch of burgers and lemonade, many perched on straw bales to listen to current political leaders and would-be leaders speak.
Emceeing the speeches were local DFL leaders April Boxeth and Jeremy Kalin who brandished a roll of duct tape to help in keeping the speeches brief.
U.S. Senate candidate Patty Wetterling paid a visit and joined with a number of other candidates to fire up the crowd for what theyíre hoping is a victory for the DFL party in upcoming elections.
Wetterling talked about the children, how itís all about the children, but she also noted that it is important for the DFL party to come together as she feels the current administration is pulling the people apart.
Others on hand for the event included Minnesotaís highest ranking DFLer Attorney General Mike Hatch, who teased the crowd when pushed about an announcement for a run for governor. ìIëll get back to you in October,î he said. Hatch told the crowd that the next election will define where weíre going as a state.
Still others included Tim Faust and Sen. Becky Lourey, who talked excitedly about how much fun it was last session to fight for MinnesotaCare.
Also on stage were Christian Sande, running for Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, running for Secretary of State and Rebecca Otto, running for State Auditor.
Greetings came from Rep. James Oberstar via his North Branch office staff and former North Branch resident Richard Carlbom, now mayor of St. Joseph, and the youngest mayor in the state, was on hand for the event also.
Donna Cassutt, associate chairman of the state DFL, stirred the crowd by saying she feels next year is going to be a big year for the Democrats.
As part of the dayís activities, people were encouraged to bring food for the North Branch Food Pantry. They obliged by bringing over 3,200 pounds which were packed in a truck and delivered that day.
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