Attending the hearing was the complainant, Rachael Martin, director of the Fairlawn Mansion and Museum in Superior, Wisconsin. Representing the Duluth News-Tribunewere Craig Gemoules, managing editor; Steve Aggergaard, city editor; Chuck Frederick, reporter; and Jim Heffernan, editorial page editor.
Attending the hearing was the complainant, Minneapolis Police Lieutenant Mike Sauro. The Star Tribune declined to attend, saying it did not contest the validity of the complaint.
Attending the hearing were the complainants, Patty and Randy Brandt, dairy farmers from Marshall, MN. WCCO-TV declined to attend.
Attending the hearing was the complainant, Joe Rudberg, Becker City Administrator, and Dave Hinnenkamp, Becker City Auditor with the firm of Kern, DeWenter, Viere. Representing the Sherburne County Citizen was Jake Jacobson, editor and publisher. Also attending, at the News Council’s request, was Jerry Mahoney, a municipal bond specialist recently retired from the law firm of Dorsey Whitney.
Robert Herickhoff complained that The Free Press’s coverage of the issue misled the public and unfairly impugned the reputation of school board members. He charged thatThe Free Press did not check the veracity of the allegation of voting illegality before publishing the accusation and that, given the uncertainty of the legal status of the vote, the paper should not have published a front-page story. He said that, contrary to the editorial’s assertion, the study session was well advertised, well attended and did not involve “secrecy and behind-the-scenes arm twisting.” Finally, he complained that the follow-up article again suggested that the board may have acted illegally.