Andy Delisi is the owner of the Big Bear Lodge, w-a-a-y-y “Up Nort” in Minnesota, north of Grand Marais, MN, on the Gunflint Trail. Almost Canada, on the edge of the beautiful BWCAW. It’s lovely up there. It’s also blindingly white. It’s also where white people like to vacation.
In the aftermath of the George Floyd murder, Andy thought this was an important enough time in Minnesota history to display a Black Lives Matter sign. That drew the attention — and ire — of some very disapproving people (i.e. racists).
The first attackers were a pair Mary Kay Kommandos led by Linda Bergerson. We can debate the stupidity of committing a vandalism crime while driving one the most iconic and recognizable vehicles in America — a pink Mary Kay Cadillac. Andy had ‘trail cam’ posted to keep watch on his sign, and thanks to video, it was fairly easy for sheriff’s deputies to ID and find the culprits. They were given a stern talking-to. That was good enough for Andy.
In good karma news, Mary Kay has reportedly terminated relations with Linda.
The couple were caught on camera, and later interviewed by a Cook County Sheriff's Department deputy. Tom and Linda got off with a warning; she explained their act to the deputy by saying they'd wanted to "send a message."
Message received! As of yesterday, Linda Bergerson is no longer a Mary Kay saleswoman, according to a statement from a company spokesperson.
The Golden Rule, respect, and making others feel important are founding values here at Mary Kay and are expected from every independent beauty consultant that represents our brand. After looking into this situation, we will be severing our relationship with this individual.
You’d think with news of this getting around that’d be the end of it. You’d be wrong. This is northern Minnesota (I’m from there) and you’d be wrong.
The second attack happened two weeks later on July 31st. A white pickup slows to a stop, passenger gets out, re-thinks and steps back in as another car rolls by, then gets out to toss the sign in the ditch.
Out! Out! Accursed sign!
(tried to embed video, but it would not work for me :|)
This time Andy was pissed and had had enough, and was demanding prosecution. Despite some pretty clear video of the attack, there wasn’t enough identifying information from the video, so this perp got away with his dastardly action this time.
The THIRD attack happened less than a week later, on August 5th. A Dodge pickup swerved and clipped the sign. But by this time Andy had re-positioned the camera to get clearer shots of license plates.
I AM DIP (shit).
Andy was able to get a lookup done on the license plate to determine vehicle’s owner (don’t ask me how) and it turns out it was a former deputy from Sibley County.
UPDATE 8/6/20 This vehicle belongs to Mike Kieser who resides in Belle Plaine, Mn - Mike is a retired Deputy Sheriff for Sibley County, Mn. Mike does not like my Black Lives Matter sign and wanted to dismantle it with his Blue Dodge Truck.
8/6/2020 10:46 am I was contacted by the Sheriff's office and was informed that a Deputy from Cook County made contact with the vehicle driver (Mike Kieser). He showed the pictures I sent to him and Mr. Kieser said he did not realize he had hit the sign. He said he was busy "gawking" at the scenery and it was the first time he had driven his truck with the camper on in some time.
The Deputy said he did not have enough to take this further since basically there is not enough proof to show intentional cause.
I told the Deputy it was what I had feared and that I do understand their position because that is reality - however I also told the Deputy I did not believe Mr. Kieser and feel very strongly that was indeed his intent to try to deliberately destroy my sign with his truck.
I asked the Deputy what his name was and he said he could not tell me until the report was filed and then I could request the name from the Sheriff's Office.
I told him I think I already know his name and told him his name is Mike Kieser.
The Deputy paused for a moment and did not confirm or deny it.
In the aftermath of the assault on the BLM sign, the former deputy hurriedly scrubbed his FB page of racist memes and altered his privacy and security settings. Enough people had captured screen grabs of his previous life, though.
This is what Deputy Mike Kieser belives.
Then he changed his name:
Mike Sampson?
...and is back posting more racist crap. Will he learn? Maybe his former employer can be shamed into teaching him some lessons.
They must be so proud of him.
Apparently they’ve taken this congratulatory post down. You may be inclined to report “Mike Sampson” to FB as a fake account. You’re not allowed to use a fake name on an account.
You can follow along to all the monkeyshines, tomfoolery and shenanigans regarding this sign on Andy Delisi’s Facebook Page.
Andy’s getting some pub now, local papers and TV picking up the story (finally).
And what do these racists think happens to the BLM movement when the sign is put out of sight? The movement stops? That the lack of signage will make it go away?
