Alicia LaBeau, Paynesville City Council

03/23/2018

It's a heart breaking day for our community. My thoughts and prayers go out to family, friends and all of those affected by this tragedy.

BREAKING NEWS
Scheels Found Dead in Kandiyohi County
Willie, 93, and Gloria, 80, Scheel were found dead in their 2011 Toyota Prius on a rural road in Kandiyohi County at 5:10 p.m. on Thursday, March 22.
Their adult grandson, Gregory Scheel, who lived with the couple, was taken into custody at 9:09 p.m. by the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office, south of where the Prius was located. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office is conducting this part of the investigation.
Law enforcement is not looking for any other individuals, and there is no present threat to the public, according to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Department, which assisted with the search for the Scheels on Thursday.
Willie and Gloria were last seen at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 21, at Teal’s Market in Paynesville. Relatives reported them missing later on Wednesday, March 21, after they missed a dinner date and couldn’t be located.
Gregory Scheel, 33, has a long rap sheet, including multiple convictions for burglary and theft, domestic violence, order for protection violations, and DWI.
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03/22/2018

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Scheel family in this difficult time. If you have any information about their whereabouts, please contact the police department.

Wilbert (Willie) Scheel, 93, and his wife Gloria Scheel, 80, were last seen on around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Teal's Market in Paynesville.

12/06/2017

Let's talk backyard chickens within city limits. Paynesville Planning Commission is looking at a draft of a proposed ordinance that would allow people to keep chickens in their backyards for the purpose of gathering eggs. I would love to hear some input from my fellow towns people on whether you think this is a good idea or not. And your reasoning. Please also share ways we should or shouldn't regulate this issue (the proposal allows for up to 6 chickens, no roosters, must apply for a permit, etc.)

11/16/2017

Good luck to our Paynesville Bulldogs football team as they head off to their game today. You have already made us proud!

07/10/2017

There is a public hearing tonight at 6:30 at City Hall to hear comments on the cities downtown parking ordinance. There has been a request to modify the current ordinance. We value your input. Please come out and share your thoughts and ideas.

03/16/2017

At a meeting on January 24th, 2017, the Paynesville Public Safety Committee voted to send a prospective city ordinance through to the City Council for approval. The essence of this ordinance would put a limit on level 2 and level 3 predatory offenders in that they will not be able to take up residence within 2,000 feet of any school, public park or licensed day care facility. Currently, Paynesville does not have any level 2 or level 3 predatory offenders residing within our city. When you map out the schools, parks and day care facilities, this ordinance would eliminate pretty much all possibility of level 2 or level 3 offenders being able to reside within city limits.
According to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s website, offenders who are assigned a risk level of 2 are deemed moderately likely to reoffend and those with a risk level 3 are deemed highly likely to reoffend. These risk levels are assigned by the Department of Corrections when an offender is near the completion of their sentence. Also, according to their website, approximately 75% of offenders who are required to register in Minnesota have never been assigned a risk level for a variety of reasons.
This ordinance would have no effect on offenders who have not been assigned a risk level or those who have been assigned a risk level of one which means they are believed to be least likely to reoffend.
As a mom and as a victim of sexual assault myself, I totally understand the desire to want to protect our families and our community from people who have already been identified by the Department of Corrections as having a higher likelihood to commit some form of criminal assault. I can understand the impact Danny Heinrich and others like him have left on this community, the hurt, fear, disappointment, anger, grief, regret and myriad of other emotions that come in the wake of such senseless tragedy.
But as an American, a veteran, one who has family members that have made mistakes and whose lives have been impacted by offender registration requirements, and as a Council Member who stands at the beginning of each council meeting and recites the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag, I cannot help but feel the weight of discrimination in this type of ordinance. In our Pledge of Allegiance, we declare liberty and justice for all. Our city logo declares Paynesville to be “A lifetime Opportunity”. How can we put these limitations in place on people who have already been punished for their crime, completed their sentences and have now been released to attempt to rebuild a life for themselves? Are these merely words that we say, or are they truths that we live by?
I am writing this letter because this ordinance will be coming before the City Council for a vote soon. I have been looking for a way to get input from people in our community before I have to cast a vote. So far I have heard mixed reactions from citizens I have talked with. Some believe that it is a personal responsibility to be involved with and monitor the people interacting with their children or family members. While others feel like this ordinance is a good idea and that it is right for our city to make it known that we want to minimize that type of risk in our community.
I know that this is a difficult and emotional topic and one that may be very black and white for most people. As I said, I can really understand both sides of this issue and I am hoping that we as a community can have a respectful discussion on it. I would also like to encourage you to contact all of the city council members and let them know how you feel on this subject. I believe all of us are serving in this capacity because we want to do what is best for our community. The council members contact information can be found on the city’s website under the city government tab.

11/09/2016

Thank you to all who supported me and voted for me in the Paynesville City Council election today. I'm looking forward to serving our community!

11/09/2016

We are anxiously awaiting the election results here in Paynesville. I want to thank my family, friends and neighbors for all of your support and encouragement during my campaign. We will be sure to post as soon as we here the results.

11/07/2016

Tomorrow is the big day! Minnesota residents, did you know we will be voting on an amendment to our state constitution which, if passed, will remove state lawmakers power to set their own salaries. You can find out more by clicking the link bellow. You can also view a sample ballot so you are prepared when you go to the poles on Tuesday. http://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/whats-on-my-ballot

Office of the State Of Minnesota Secretary of State

11/02/2016

My campaign marketing director is helping me print inserts for the weekend paper distribution. I couldn't do it with out their support.

10/30/2016

Me and my "campaign manager" were out door knocking this afternoon. I couldn't do it without their support!