Hula Hooping with Wookie Foot at The Cabooze in Minneapolis - 11/2/14

It doesn't often get too dull around here

My Raggedy Wife

Bump's Getting Bigger!

Bob Helland for Minnesota Secretary of State

I took the following information directly from Bob's Facebook page - see for yourself HERE

WEEKEND CHALLENGE: I believe that if every eligible voter read this over the weekend I would win the election on November 4th. Read the transcript of my unscripted response to the question of the proper role of the secretary of state and how it "appears" to be highly politicized by past elections. See my full response and my opponents' take on what I say. If it makes sense why this is so important, tell your friends!

Full transcript: http://theuptake.org/2014/10/20/video-replay-transcript-mn-secretary-of-state-candidates-forum-at-university-of-minnesota/

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DC: Thank you. Next question is for Bob Helland. Ah Bob you talk about how ah the legislature has a primary role in elections, in election law. And how the primary role of the secretary of state is to administer elections in the state. But ah as we’ve seen here in Minnesota, with really the two previous secretaries, as well as other secretaries around the country, the job also has a pretty strong policy component, I think just like the attorney general in many states who has a role in ah legal debates, the secretary of state appears to have a policy role in these debates. Ah how do you square that with your view of the proper role of the secretary and how would you carry out that policy role, if at all, if elected secretary?

BH: Okay, certainly. Well, I don’t know where that policy role exists in the Constitution. My foundation for making those claims, acting and choosing priorities of what I’d do as secretary of state, is based on the constitutional authority of the secretary of state. Article III, Section I, the Division of Powers, clearly says that no person belonging to or comprising one branch will basically do the duties of the other branch. So, obviously the secretary of state does work with the legislature, and they do need to identify those problems and come up with solutions and address them, or provide input, provide data from the election system.

So – ah you said the role appears to have that. And we have seen the politicization of the role of the secretary of state in Minnesota, and that is something that I would like to get away from. I think I can show a new type of candidate, a new type of constitutional officer, that really clearly addresses the constitutional role, works well with the other branches of government, but in in terms of my priorities, I’ve chosen business services because that’s where my five years of experience with the Department of Revenue was, was as a business registration expert downstream from the office of secretary of state. And there is a breakdown in communication between those agencies, and it was basically a trap for small businesses trying to get started in the state.

So it’s not that I completely oppose the secretary of state, providing input or analysis into the election law, it’s that I don’t want to stand on a bully pulpit. That’s a word that I really think we should really try to remove from our constitutional offices. Because it really it stepping outside of the constitutional role into the legislative role to – and and that would take a lot of effort, I’m sure, after seven years, you found that passing legislation takes a lot of effort. So, I’m gonna use my time to the best effect for Minnesota, and in my opinion that’s focusing on what’s roughly two-thirds of the office of the business services division. Thanks.

Simon: "... It’s true, that the secretary of state doesn’t have a vote, and shouldn’t have a vote. And if I’m secretary of state, I will no longer have a vote at the legislature. I won’t have a seat at that table..."

Severson: "And there are separation of powers, as Bob said. And part of that process is really about how do you execute the office that you are constitutionally sworn to uphold..."

Ichabod Speed Shop

Handmade

BSA's and Chevy's - good things happening at Ichabod Speed Shop

Sunday Evening

Pumpkin carving in the yard

$5 bicycle

1980 CB750C

Bob Helland for Minnesota Secretary of State

I'd like to ask all of you lucky Minnesota residents to take some time to educate yourself on this incredibly important position that YOU get to vote for in just a couple of weeks. More importantly, take some time to educate yourself on why Bob Helland is the right choice for the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Photo by Zool'n Productions

I don't like politics and I don't like politicians, however I fully support everything about Bob's campaign. He is smarter than most people (myself included) could ever even begin to understand. He also has a passion for maintaining the highest level of ethics possible, something that doesn't exist in today's political arena.

If anyone can make the Secretary of State position exciting it's Bob. 

Swap Meet

Made off like a bandit today at the swap meet. Boat seats and a hat that was obviously made for me.

16 1/2 Weeks

Tried and True Tips From Me To You

Manish

1980 Honda CB750 Windjammer, Vetter hard bags and tour pack For Sale

Includes brackets for the bags and tour pack and the headlight for the fairing. Does not include the key for the bags or the bracket to mount the fairing. The fairing and windshield have the normal wear but the bags and tour pack are in really good shape.

Call, text or email me if you're interested. 

320-339-6177

jghelm@hotmail.com 

1949 Chevrolet 3600 - 1980 Honda CB750

I stopped by Ichabod today to check out Jake's latest find, this 1949 Chevrolet 3600. He literally pulled it out of a barn last week. Then Jake accompanied me to Robinsdale to pick up my new 1980 CB750. What you don't see in the picture is the Vetter saddlebags, trunk and fairing that came with it. 

Adam's Gift - Barn Windows and Magnets

As many of you know, I really like to find new uses for old things. Naturally, my buddy Adam's birthday gift was no exception. 

Adam really likes magnets, Adam's fridge isn't magnetic, the alphabet is important. All of these things were rolling around in my head when it came time to come up with a gift idea. I got an old window frame from the barn at Pops' place that he and Handsome Troy are restoring, took the glass out, repainted it and added a sheet of thin galvanized; problem solved. 

Adam digs it and I got to make something out of old stuff. That's a win in my book.