Before you vote - know the facts - not the story.

Fact 1: Connie Bernardy "resigned" from office in 2006 - she did not "retire".  She resigned from office to become a fulltime lobbyist for Education Minnesota.  

Also, her children were mostly grown and were preparing for college.  Her fulltime mom claim is blatently false.  What Connie did leave to do was to become a fulltime lobbyist.

Fact 2: Connie Bernardy did not found "Save our Schools" as she has claimed on her website.  Save Our Schools is a national program with chapters in nearly every state.  Save Our Schools existed before Connie Bernardy came on the political scene.  

Fact 3: Wetland Restoration has been going on in America and Minnesota for decades.  The Springbrook Nature Center Wetland project was not unique.  Connie has been deceptive with her phrase "1st of it's kind in America".

Sorry, it wasn't. But then again - if I use the phrase "1st of it's kind" I can claim anything (and technically) it's true - sort of.

What is true - is that Connie was involved in obtaining funds - along with others for the project - but beyond that her claims are false and very misleading. 

Fact 4: Connie Bernardy does not have a record of working together and reaching across the aisle as she claims in her literature.

This is quickly verified when you review Connie's voting record which is extremely partisan. Further, Connie was the Minority Whip in the house.  This is a very partisan position given only to the most loyal within the party.

The Minority Whip has the responsibility for ensuring that her caucus is present to vote and that they know "How" to vote.

I find it extremely ironic that Connie speaks against polorization and gridlock at the capital when that was exactly her record during her time there. 

Fact 5: Connie Bernardy is maxed out on special interest money.  For many voters this is an issue and for good reason.  Any candidate who accepts special interest money will have "obligations" to those special interests when they go to the capital.

These obligations get in the way of serving you.  I do not accept special interest money as a matter of integrity.  If elected, the only one and obligation going with me to the capital is you.

Fact 6: The truth behind Connie Bernardy is the Teacher's Union - Education Minnesota.  That is the real story - not the one Connie has "spun" for you.  

Connie helped the Teacher's Union secure the funding they were looking for in 1999.  As a reward, the Teacher's Union backed Connie's run for office in 2000.  

Over the next three elections Education Minnesota and Connie Bernardy enjoyed a "mutually benefitial relationship" where Connie served as their political champion and they backed here runs for office through endorsements and funding.

This relationship grew so strong that Connie resigned from office in 2006 - leaving her obligations to you behind - in trade for a more "beneficial" opportunity with Education Minnesota.

In short, Connie Bernardy is a political opportunist and a career politician.  Once again Education Minnesota is backing her "run for office" and another chance at the "mutually beneficial relationship" they enjoyed before. 

Connie of course realizes that most voters would disapprove of this and that is why she lied about her resignation in the first place. 

But now you are armed with the truth and can make an informed decision at the polls.  It is important for you to know that I have confronted Connie Bernardy on all these facts during the three debates we had across the campaign season.

Debate One: North Metro TV
Debate Two: North Metro Mayors (New Brighton)
Debate Three: League of Women Voters (New Brighton)

Connie never refuted them because they were true!

I invite you to watch these debates and see the truth for yourself.  To watch the first debate you can go to my website at this link: 

http://www.helmforhouse.com/media.html

I have also attached the video of the question I asked about her resignation so you can see it here.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aNYmND75T40?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Now you know the facts and can make an informed choice this November.  To learn more, please visit my website at www.HelmForHouse.com

Dale Helm                                                           Candidate for MN House                                             District 41A