Election Day!

Today is the day for a special election to determine who will replace the former President Lech Kaczynski, who was one of 96 victims in an April plane crash. Things are a bit different here, since there were at least ten candidates from various parties on the ballot. But the real race is between two men, acting prez, Bronislaw Komorowski and the late President's twin brother, Jaroslaw. He is the former prime minister and had achieved meager levels of popularity when he was voted out in 2007.

He represents the far-right, anti-Euro nationalist movement and has campaigned under the imaginative slogan: "Poland is most important". SuTprisingly, he has gained in the polls thanks to the country being in a time of crisis. Due to the undending torrents of rainfall in the countryside, the Vistula river has overflowed its banks and left many small villages underwater. The current interim government has provided about $1800 per citizen displaced by the floods, yet Kaczynski has played armchair crisis manager in calling for the payments to be doubled.

Pundits predict that "Bronek" (Komorowski) will fail to win the 50% majority for outright victory today. That means the inevitable run-off between the two leading vote-getters on July 4th. Definitely some historic moments going on here in Poland.

Goodbye Dad . . .

James Gaspersich, age 69, passed away at home in Hibbing on May 13, surrounded by family. He is finally at peace after a 7 1/2 year battle with chondrosarcoma that never extinguished his dynamic spirit and zest for life.

He was born February 27, 1941, in Virginia, MN to Frank and Angela Gaspersich and graduated from Mt. Iron High School in 1959. After a short-lived career as a plumber, he attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Milwaukee and graduated as a registered nurse in 1965. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he served in the Army nurse corp at Letterman General Hospital in San Francisco. After his discharge from the service, he returned to the Iron Range in 1968 and continued his education at Hibbing School of Anesthesia, becoming a certified nurse anesthetist.

From there, he commenced a career in anesthesia, beginning at Hibbing General Hospital, becoming chief of the department at Mesabi Regional Medical Center, and retiring from Fairview Range Regional Health Services in 2002 due to his illness. Along the way, he found his true calling, easing the pain of others. He cherished the friendships he made with his colleagues, and was truly blessed to work in such a compassionate environment.

While employed at Hibbing General Hospital, he met his true love, Janet Nelson, on May 25, 1968. They were united in marriage two years later, on June 6th, devoting a lifetime to raising their three sons and pursuing a passion for gardening and holiday yard decorations. He was also an active part of St. Leo's parish, serving for many years on the board of trustees, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Throughout his retirement, he cultivated his love of woodworking, constructing countless treasures for friends and family, but still found time to enjoy the peaceful solitude of yard work or plowing the driveways of Highway 37.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Angela Gaspersich. He is survived by his wife Janet; three sisters, Angela Bauer of Milwaukee, WI, Vivian (Herb) Schur of Rochester, MN, and Dolores (Ted) Huska of Hibbing; son Paul, daughter-in-law Jennifer and their two children Griffin and Lauren, of Blaine, MN; son Mark of Warsaw, Poland; and son David of Isanti, MN; and mother-in-law Edith Nelson, of Pengilly; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.