The GOP Acknowledges Olson Endorsement, But Will Not Give Olson Money

Lloydletta has the scoop:

I got a tip that the Republican Executive Committee voted to acknowledge the endorsement of Mark Olson, but also not spend resources on the race. I confirmed this with a member of the Executive Committee.

The executive committee member told me that the motion clearly was a negative statement about the Endorsement, since normally the Party Executive Committee does not do motions about spending on specific legislative races. This is normally the perogative of the Party Chair.




Dan Severson is Rep. Mark Olson's New PRT Pod Partner

Lawrence Schumacher reports in today's SC Times:

"[Rep. Dan] Severson and Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, called for new approaches to funding and for studying transportation alternatives, such as a system of elevated rails on which small pods travel a fixed route, known as Personal Rapid Transit."

Rep. Dan Severson R-Sauk Rapids is on the Transportation and Transit Policy Subcommittee and the Transportation Finance Division. I look forward to seeing what kind of legislation Severson cooks up with Rep. Mark Olson.

Inmate # 12696-041's Blog Mentions Personal Rapid Transit

Zimmermann mentions Personal Rapid Transit on his prison blog.

More about Rep. Mark Olson's old PRT pal at Minneapolis Confidential.

I posted a link to the convicted felon's blog at Mn Speak.



Ken Avidor writes about Personal Rapid Transit and how corrupt politicians used it to stop real transit.

Another Delay in Rep. Mark Olson's Trial?

UPDATE: I just called the Sherburne County Court and confirmed that Olson's rescheduled for July.

A DMO reader sent me the following tip:

The trial has now been rescheduled from June 11th to July 9th.

What are all these delays costing Sherburne County?

Keep in mind that Olson is charged with two gross misdemeanor counts. Olson demanded a jury trial on a misdemeanor!!!

When Olson notified the court that he fired his attorney on Friday, the court administrator probably had to work over the weekend contacting jurors and witnesses.

After the trial, I hope we learn what Olson's antics cost the taxpayers of Sherburne County.


Ken Avidor asks; "What has Mark Olson's Personal Rapid Transit scam cost Minnesota taxpayers?"

Rep. Mark Olson Trial Scheduled for June 11

SC Times:

ELK RIVER — State Rep. Mark Olson will be back in court June 11 to face domestic assault charges.

Olson, a Republican, asked for a continuance today in his trial on charges that he assaulted his wife in November in their Big Lake Township home.

Judge Alan Pendleton granted the continuance and rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. June 11. Olson said he asked for the continuance because he is changing attorneys.

Ken Avidor blogs about Personal Rapid Transit

Mark Swanson Admits He Edited Olson's Wikipedia Page

GOP 6 CD Chair Mark Swanson defends himself in the comments at MN Publius:

"What I changed is actually the unbiased truth and more accurate as required by the neutrality rules that are well established on Wikipedia."

Mark Swanson seems to be unaware that other folks have been caught trying to whitewash their favorite politician's Wikipedia page... for instance the staff of Norm Coleman in January of 2006 :

Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia's founder, criticized the changes made by Coleman's staff. 



"It appears to be a major rewrite of the article to make it more favorable," Wales said. "If they're trying to edit in such a way to change the public record, that's a problem."

Olson goes on trial Monday, June 4th at the Sherburne County Government Center.


Ken Avidor blogs about supporters of Personal Rapid Transit in the 6th CD.

Correction: Rep. Mark Olson's Trial is Monday, June 4th

A DO reader wrote to inform me that Olson's trial is this Monday, June 4th.

It's a jury trial.

8:30 AM at the Sherburne County Courthouse.


Ken Avidor blogs about the trials of politicians who promote Personal Rapid Transit.