Rob Crowe
I’m Rob Crowe.
Among other things, I am chair of the Aitkin County Republicans.
Since I always like to know who I am talking to, I’ll tell you a little about myself.
I’ve just recently passed the half-century mark with all the accompanying signs – failing sight, increasing weight and fading memory.
I do remember I have a wife, Dawn, a son, Travis, and five daughters – Heidi, Erin, Alyssa, Katelyn and Valeri.
The ages of the kids range from 24 years to 3 years old.
My native state is California, but I’ve lived 48 years of my half century in Minnesota.
My likes run to old tractors, race cars and beautiful houses.
I reside with my family on an 80-acre farm just west of Hill City where I raise kids and cows.
For those Garage Logicians out there, my Cylinder Index is over 100.
I am an Evangelical Christian.
I’m not perfect, just a sinner saved by grace.
My wife and I attend the Living Hope Fellowship, a Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Grand Rapids.
My daughter, Heidi, recently graduated from Crown College with a degree in elementary education, my son, Travis, recently returned from a tour of duty in Bosnia and now is attending Crown College pursuing a business degree.
My daughter, Erin, is enrolled in the engineering program at the University of North Dakota.
Alyssa and Katelyn attend the Hill City School and Valeri entertains Mom at home.
I’ve never served in the Armed Forces.
I registered with Selective Service, got a draft card, but was never called.
I have a great respect for anyone who honorably serves and honors that service.
I graduated from Grand Rapids Senior High, class of ’72.
Eventually, I attended the Itasca Community college and then UMD, graduating with a degree in industrial engineering in ’94.
With my wife, I own and operate Elmo Crowe & Sons Inc., a small construction company headquartered in Hill City.
We employ up to 10 people to build houses, garages and also remodel homes.
I’ve gotten the building thing down, but am still working on the making-a-profit part of being a businessman.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
I am clerk/treasurer for Hill Lake Township.
I believe it is a great opportunity to be a part of and observe government at the most basic level.
In 1999, I was elected chair of the Aitkin County Republican Party and have been re-elected twice since then.
It is in this position that I write this column.
The publisher of this paper, Dick Norlander, has been gracious enough to ask me to contribute to the editorial page on a regular basis.
I hope to fulfill his trust and clearly, honestly and respectfully state my opinions on the issues this community, state and nation face in this election and for the foreseeable future.
Candidate quandary
As a party officer, I am responsible for the candidate selection and endorsement process for local offices.
Since the redistricting of 2000 united Aitkin County into one district, we now compose about half of Minnesota House District 3B.
Aitkin County now has much more political clout and the district is pretty evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.
The local 2004 election should be very good for Republicans.
The state has been targeted by the Bush Campaign, and there are several people in this district who could run strong campaigns against the incumbent Democrat in Minnesota Legislative District 3B.
Due to circumstances, those individuals were not able to run for the office, and I was pleased, for a while anyway, to have Reggie Lee call me and express an interest to run.
Reggie presents himself well, speaks easily and is knowledgeable on the issues.
Under the right circumstances, he would be a great candidate.
I set up a meeting with the county executive committee, and Reggie made a trip to St.
Paul and filed with the Secretary of State’s office to run for the position.
Reggie was interviewed by the committee and approved.
I contacted Republican leadership from Itasca County and we agreed to set up an endorsing convention for Reggie.
The Convention was set up for Thu., July 22.
Reggie was scheduled to meet with the Itasca leadership on Fri., July 16.
Unfortunately, Reggie missed this meeting and did not contact anyone to cancel.
I was at the Riverboat Days Parade on July 17 when I was told Reggie had been picked up for a DWI early that morning.
We were able to confirm this and the severity of the offense, but were unable to communicate directly with Reggie.
Filing for office closed at 5 p.m.
on July 20.
Given the uncertainty of the situation, Reggie’s lack of communication and his careless treatment of the Itasca Leadership, a new candidate search began.
Doug Aitken, an individual from Cohasset who had previously expressed an interest in running for office, volunteered to file and left at noon Tuesday for St.
Paul.
He made the deadline so plans continued for the endorsement convention.
I had a meeting Tuesday evening so was not at home when Reggie left a message for me to say he was still running.
The endorsing convention was held on July 22 as planned, but no one appeared to represent or support Reggie at the convention.
Doug Aitken was endorsed by acclamation.
In the meantime, Tommy Rukavina, an Iron Range legislator, was picked up for a DWI.
Shortly thereafter, I was able to speak with Reggie.
I was glad to hear that he was in treatment for alcoholism, but recommended that he not continue his run for representative.
It appeared to me that the Rukavina situation was influencing his decision on whether to continue running and I later learned that he had continued his campaign.
Which brings us to the present.
I believe that respect is something that is earned – it is not to be given lightly.
Reggie has damaged the good will of the people he represents, and also endangered them with his actions.
He may be a candidate to support in the future, but I think he has much to do to re-earn the respect of those people that trusted him to represent them.
I am glad he has sought treatment, but this in no way qualifies him, in my opinion, to deserve my support or vote in the primary.
I wish him well as he recovers from this addiction and hope he handles his duties as a county commissioner in a forthright and responsible manner.
If he does, he has a good future as a politician.
I look forward to sharing my views with you on a regular basis.
Rob Crowe chairs the Aitkin County Republicans and raises kids and cows on a farm near Hill City.
|
