Why is "Stretch" Mark Olson Stretching Out the Inevitable?

One answer... from the comments:

It is obvious why MarkO won't resign.

He is just sucking on the public dollar
worse than a "welfare cheat." He must be
unable to make a real living and has
to hang on with his fingernails to the
public paycheck.

It looks like the Legislature will have to remove "Stretch" Mark... what a total waste of time and taxpayers' money... but, "Stretch" Mark has been wasting our time and money for years.

New crop of Sherburne County Citizen LTE's... like this one:

To The Editor,

A letter to the editor last week made a number of false charges. The writer and others issuing similar editorials containing exactly the same phrases in other area newspapers accuse Rep. Olson’s former opponent Jim Huhtala and the DFL of organizing the effort calling for his stepping down. This is a lie.

Mr. Huhtala and the Democratic Party have refused to take any part in calling for Rep. Olson’s resignation until the courts decide on his guilt or innocence. The people who are turning this into a political issue are some supporters of Rep. Olson. The people who are calling for Olson’s resignation are the leaders of the Republican Party. Former speaker Sviggum, minority leader Seifert and even the Governor have called for Olson to step down.

The chairperson of the Sherburne County GOP and former Olson campaign manager said “no comment” when asked if he still supported Rep. Olson. The House Republican caucus unamimously voted to remove Rep. Olson from their caucus. Republican House members have taken away Olson’s staff, a say in their leadership, appointment to committees and any influence he may have had. It is up to the representatives of the Republican Party and Rep. Olson to decide if he should stay in the office. These writers should have aimed their criticism at Republicans, not Jim Huhtala, the DFL or citizens who took the time to express themselves in letters to the editor.

Mark Olson is not the victim here and the writers, the DFL and its candidates are not his prosecutors.

On the issue of privacy. Like everyone else, an elected state representative gives up his right to privacy when he is arrested and charged with two counts of fifth degree assault and spends two nights in jail and is prohibited for visiting his family. Those of us who are asked to vote for him have a right to know and the papers have a duty to tell us.

Tom Beckfeld

Former campaign manager for Jim Huhtala

Big Lake, MN

...another letter...

To The Editor,

I am very troubled since hearing the charges brought against Mark Olson by his wife, Heidi. Spousal abuse is a very serious crime. It often occurs but is seldom reported because of the stigma with it by often tearing the family apart.

From the news reports, Mr. Olson had problems with abuse previously with a staff member in his legislative office and was ordered into treatment by House Speaker Steve Swiggum. Mr. Olson is reported to have started anger management classes but only attended two sessions.

What a shame that no one followed up to see that he completed these classes. In the matter before us now, he claims he is not guilty but by his own admission, he states that he actually did commit what he is charged with.

This time around, Mr. Olson needs to be held accountable for his actions and abide to what the judge will sentence if found guilty in the case. I don’t know if just probation and classes are enough but certainly, no skipping classes this time around.

Mr. Olson needs to resign from his post in the legislature as we cannot allow to have people who abuse, make the laws that protect families. I certainly hope that Heidi and her children can get counseling and will be able to put this behind them. She and her family deserve better and I hope she can rest assured that the community is behind her and will support her in any way we can.

Mavis Holter

Foreston, MN