Bicyclist struck by car

After four months in the hospital following an accident where she was struck by a car, Marsha Taylor is looking forward to getting back to riding.

The 37 year old McDonalds manager says she had put at least 3,500 miles on her bike in the previous year alone. “In the spring I rode in the Governors Bicycle Tour, which goes across the state. And in the fall I rode in a tour across the United States.” Taylor said, “If I could, I'd be out there right now.”

But Taylor can't ride her bicycle right now because she is still on crutches, after an accident that could have taken her life.

Taylor had just returned from the U.S. Tour and had taken her bike out for a short ride. She had planned to be out for about an hour when she was struck from behind by a car as she neared the intersection of 72^nd Street and Southland Boulevard. She was sent flying off of her bike to the ground and remembers nothing after the initial impact until she awoke in the hospital.

The diagnosis was a laundry list of injuries. She had broken her neck, six ribs, her pelvis, her arm and sustained a mild concussion as well. She was initially scheduled to finish her rehabilitation in about two months, but her recovery wasn't going as planned and further testing revealed numerous internal injuries which prolonged her rehabilitation for months. Her doctors were initially concerned because of the extent and number of her injuries. One of them had even told her it was a miracle that she hadn't been paralyzed. She still has rehabilitation sessions three times a week, but is on her way to recovery.

When asked if her attitude about cycling has changed her response was a firm no. When speaking of what kind of precautions that a bicyclist should take she said, “Well, the main thing is protective clothing, especially the helmet. I never ride unless I have my helmet. It probably saved my life.”

Obituary

Bolan, Thomas P.

Age 33

Taken from us Jul. 6, 2011

Survived by wife of 6 years Cori Bolan; daughters Zoe, Anja and Zeta; parents Carol Logan and Donald Bolan; sisters Crystal Bolan and Jennifer Bolan; many other relatives, friends and members of The League RC. Tom grew up in Blaine and traveled extensively across the country on his motorcycle finally settling in Cambridge MN to realize his dream of attending college by enrolling at Anoka Ramsey Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Minnesota. He was deeply committed to making a difference in his community, eventually leading him to found and become the president of a not for profit motorcycle riding club that was heavily involved in community service work. He had plans to move into public service by running for office later this year and was gaining experience in the political field by interning in the offices of state legislators and lobbyists. He lost his life doing what he loved most when his motorcycle was struck by a car while riding on a charity poker run. Tom has asked that instead of a funeral his ashes be spread out in the black hills and any money saved be donated to Habitat For Humanity or other charitable organization.

Sheriffs department feeling the pinch of budget cuts

   A 5-2 vote by the county commissioners at a meeting Thursday afternoon denied a substantial funding request by the Isanti County sheriffs department. Sheriff Gus DiCesari said the money would've been used to replace an aging fleet of cruisers as well as to put more officers on the street and that if something isn't done to remedy the situation he fears something bad is going to happen.

   DiCesari feels the sheriffs department is being “shortchanged” by the Isanti County commissioners office. He voiced this opinion at a Thursday afternoon meeting, and said he believes the budget cuts are a serious threat to public safety. “You're putting the lives of the people of this county in jeopardy,” DiCesary said when referring to the lack of funding for the Isanti County sheriffs department to purchase new cruisers and hire new officers. “It is getting too costly to maintain the older vehicles,” he said, citing that eight of the departments cruisers have over 150,000 miles on them and they are oftentimes unavailable for use because they are being repaired. He brought to the attention of the commissioners that in his 27 years as sheriff, this is the first time the county hasn't allocated funds to the department for the purchase of new equipment.

   Commission members Anita Shenuski and Raymond Laybourne supported DiCesary in his request for more funding. Shenuski and Laybourne said during the meeting that county funds would be better spent on the sheriffs department than on programs assisting migrant workers, approximately 5,000 families total, who come to the county in search of work. “We never had problems until we began letting migrants come to this county and work. They are a problem for our law enforcement, our schools and our healthcare system. They take away jobs from decent people and work for next to nothing, and if something gets stolen, you can bet it is one of them that's taken it. We need to protect local residents from them.” Shenuski said during a heated argument with commission president Anne Chen.

   Chen stated that increasing fuel prices along with rising healthcare costs for county employees are to blame for the budget shortcomings, not immigrant workers. “Those people who come to work here are decent, hardworking people being employed at jobs that local residents don't want to do. They add a great deal to the local economy and they pay taxes.” She then stated that it would be hypocritical to blame migrant workers for the financial problems of the county, a sentiment supported by commissioner Jose Gardez who stated that many of the migrant workers become permanent members of the community, opening businesses and eventually earning citizenship.

   Of the counties $127 million budget, $30 million was allocated to the building of a new prison facility to alleviate overcrowding. Chenn said the department would have to make do this year without the requested $580,000 that would've been used to replace eight cruisers and hire five new officers. She suggested the practice of letting officers drive the cruisers home should be stopped, thus preserving mileage on county vehicles as well as making more cars available for official use. DiCesari responded by stating that the marked cruisers in their neighborhoods was a strong deterrent for crime.