Our view: Kasper still owes Duluth an explanation
October 4, 2012 at 7:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
Details of a city of Duluth investigation into allegations against Tom Kasper won’t be made public. That became reality when Kasper resigned from his position as building and grounds supervisor before disciplinary action could be completed. No details can be divulged until the discipline is done, state law states. The resignation guaranteed discipline would never be done.
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He should explain his side of the story. If he does not wish to talk then he should resign from the school board.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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If he worked for a private company we’d know all about it.
These “Protect Public Employees from Embarrassment At All Cost” laws need to be repealed.
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How do you figure that if he worked for a private company, you would have heard ANYTHING about it?
Do private companies normally publicize when someone in the company is suspected of doing something that doesn’t reach the level of crime? If they do, I must be missing out on that.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Torn on this one. Usually I do agree that the public needs to know, but I don’t necessarily agree on this one. Tom is a great guy. Does so much for others – I highly doubt whatever the charge that it isn’t something that puts him in the same light as Gauthier etc. – chances are that he simply resigned because he doesn’t like the conflict. Interesting to see how the DNT Editor uses his “friend” status with Tom to share what Tom says on his FACEBOOK page. Some “friend”. I believe that unless the suspension was for something illegal (which knowing Tom’s character, I truly doubt), then really, do we need to know? On the other hand, someone pointed out recently, – who walks away from the City’s pension plan? Isn’t that one of the biggest perks of the job?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I agree that Tom does a lot for people. And I could really care less about reading about another scandal in the newspaper. And to be fair…I’m in no way saying this is a scandal. But ….he is the vice-chair of the school board. This at a time when we really need strong leadership for our schools. And no….you do not just walk away from city unless it was something major. It wasn’t over leaving a sprinkler running. If he was a person who wasn’t elected to public office then end of story and he could be quiet.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Quit rubber necking. Pick a People until the next minor scandal hits and the DNT will do their best to milk it to the hilt to sell papers.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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My understanding of the two previous reprimands Mr. Kasper received is that they were not for something he did, but for protecting two of his staff members… I am not surprised that he had the best interests of others in mind. As for the reason for the investigation and suspension, it is clearly not criminal or the matter would not be dropped…
Under Tom’s direction the Rose Garden, planters along Superior Street and Canal Park the Civic Center are sources of pride for the City.
I hope he finds work which is fulfilling and contributory as well.
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I don’t know Tom personally, but I am a fan of “Great Gardening”, and I marvel at the beauty of his creations at the Rose Garden and all over our city. He was elected to the school board because of his well-known good character. He does not fit the mold of the other elected officials that have recently made very poor decisions. I’m going to give Tom the “benefit of the doubt” in this situation, because he deserves it. Bravo, Tom, on all that you have accomplished for our great city. Losing you is a huge loss for all of us.
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Steve, the tree situation is extremely unfortunate, but Tom can only take minimal blame for a tree cutting company getting overzealous looking for more bucks.
I know Tom to be a great guy with great character and I can only imagine this is stemming out of him sticking up for someone who he thinks should be stuck up for. Unfortunately, it puts him in a bad light, so I’m more hopeful the truth comes out so we can move on.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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City is going to pot and all you think about is trees, stick the the stumps in a dark spot will you..
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I heard the whole staff had been adding a natural form of nitrogen to the compost piles and the EPA took them out because it was interfering with the chemical balance of the aluminum barium control mixture that they’ve been spraying down on us for years. Seriously, has anyone used that sheetz that they sell there? Talk about your miracle grow!
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Richard: I’m SURE if we all dug deep enough, on everyone commenting here, me included, we’d find some hidden skeletons on all of us! On this subject, I tow the line, 50/50…I can certainly understand the idea, from the citizens, that we, the people who put him in that position, have a right to know, yet on the other side of of the token, I believe in “butting” out of other peoples business, unless THEY invite me in….
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Hillary forgave Bill…!
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Bob, the picture on our site says it all, and you’re correct, Hillary forgave Bill
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Most accept that working for a public organization (state, county, city) has an upside and a downside.
And most would cite strong health insurance, great benefits, exceptional retirement and pension plans, and generous vacation allotments as parts of the upside (this may be somewhat diminished today but years ago, when Mr. Kasper joined the staff of City of Duluth, public employees looked forward to what are now unimaginable retirement packages).
One of the most widely-accepted negatives associated with public sector work would be the increased level of scrutiny one may face, especially if they someday reached a high-level management position where they would have control over others.
Mr. Kasper willingly pursued such a position and cashed a paycheck funded by the taxpayer every two weeks for decades in exchange for his work.
Mr. Kasper also sought public office, and enthusiastically participated in the most controversial program in the history of Duluth, spending $100s of millions of dollars we don’t have, saddling our community with insurmountable debt, and risking our future in the process. How ironic that someone who lives off of taxpayer money spends it so freely.
Mr. Kasper was caught doing something he should not have done. He was then suspended from his job. And an investigation was opened in order to determine the severity of his punishment. Mr. Kasper’s response? He quit.
After spending most of his adult life working in this one position, he just walks away? In silence? He leaves everything behind, everything he worked for, rather than face his accusers or accept responsibility for his actions?
Many rumors are floating around regarding this situation, some about trees at Chester Creek and others about bush in the office, and Mr. Kasper has made yet another poor choice; he has decided to ignore his constituents and run for cover.
The character and professionalism of the Duluth School Board has been hotly debated in our community since the onset of the Red Plan. One group in particular, Ann Wasson, Judy Seliga-Whatever and Tom Kasper have been a united front against any and all opposition, and they have smugly manipulated the public with misinformation and deceit.
Mr. Kasper’s actions should not surprise anyone. What should surprise everyone, on the other hand, is that we as a community have allowed people of such questionable ability and low ethical standards to manage our school system.
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CongdonParent said:
“Mr. Kasper was caught doing something he should not have done. ”
Really? What exactly was that?
“an investigation was opened in order to determine the severity of his punishment.”
Isn’t an investigation usually opened in order to determine if there actually was any wrongdoing, rather than moving right to the punishment phase?
“rather than face his accusers or accept responsibility for his actions?”
Your whole scenario is probably the best example of “Guilty until proven innocent” that I’ve ever seen.
LMAO…interesting avatar for someone named CongdonParent.
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It seems as though the deputy city attorney doesn’t agree that the people have a ‘right’ to know.
Interesting phrase “before disciplinary action could be completed.”
Does anyone really know that disciplinary action was actually even on the table?
The way I understood it initially, he was put on leave while some kind of investigation took place. Was the investigation ever even completed?
If not, the notion of any disciplinary action taking place would be purely speculation.
Don’t like the way Kasper handled the situation?….don’t re-elect him.
I can’t see why whatever happened in his job should have any bearing on how he serves on the school board and definitely shouldn’t require a resignation.
Personally, I think the DNT is just miffed cuz they got done out of what they hoped would be another of their National Enquirer type stories.
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I think the newspaper is just doing what it is supposed to do. The school district has been going through some tough times the past few years. The issues range from the red plan to the I V Foster mess. You have funding issues and class sizes that have been going up. It’s safe to say that the district has had a real problem in that the public has lost their trust in them. The taxpayers have a right to be angry with the district. The new superintendent is trying to turn things around as best he can. It seems like the district is trying to become more fiscally responsible. They decided not to go to the taxpayers this fall on a vote to increase the levy. The district is going to try to hold public meetings that will foster a better understanding of where we are and where we need to be. I know Tom Kasper is a great guy and has given much to the community. The question is will he be able to help our students on the board while this “cloud” hangs over him? I believe the newspaper is right in asking for an explanation. He may not have done something illegal…..but if he used really poor judgement with the city then how can we trust him on his judgement with our schools? Our schools are in such a fragile state that I don’t think Kasper should risk doing more damage to the credibility of ISD 709. Either talk or resign.
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I do not think Tom Kasper is an honorable man. I believe the information that is going around the city of Duluth. He had sex with a young female employee during the work day and at a work site. That is not the type of role model needed for the children of Duluth. I feel the citizens of Duluth deserve an apology and his resignation from the school board. I personally would also like for him to leave the city for my own daughters safety.
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Kasper the Friendly
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Sherry S. –I would be careful about spreading gossip around town. ( you “believe the information going around” is considered gossip. Only two peope know the truth. Having said that, this business about being a role model for children…..I didn’t know that your gossip makes him a role model. If two people made a bad decision in their personal lives—why must you destroy them? It doesn’t affect the kids. Only their own families. If something happened at work (with the city–not with the children)—then he has left his position. Why don’t you pounce on the woman? Destroy her and her life while you’re at it? I think what people fail to realize is how easy it is to tear people down…he has already resigned. Do you know for a fact that this is what happened? Does it make you feel superior to spread rumors around? He has resigned—what more do you want?
I do not know the family personally–but they seem like a very nice family. Okay—so who has not made a bad decision in their lifetime that they regret? Maybe you all would like blood?! Come on—let these people alone.
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So Julie, if it turns out it’s true will it matter then? Should a person without morals be on the school board? For what it ‘s worth, I heard the same thing as Sherry.
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Isn’t the big issue here that the Duluth News Tribune put a comment button on such a personal story about an individual? Can’t say I’ve ever seen that before, in fact I can only remember the opposite that I wanted to comment on an individual type story and the comment button wasn’t there. Doesn’t that open them up legally to being a party to slander of character? Anyway I heard he wouldn’t wear any clothing at work while sitting behind his desk and his big joke was to say “Don’t make me get up from here”, he always would anyway that’s what made it so funny…no no I’m kidding..kidding.
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And now you can sell handguns in the DNT classifieds too, what gives with the new policies? Maybe you guys aren’t as liberal as everyone says you are.
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