In a February 2012 Minnesota Public Radio piece, County Attorney Tim Scannell is heard expressing concern that Cook County needed a cultural shift to halt a pattern of older men pursuing young girls in the community. In this interview he stated, “I mean I understand that it’s going to be natural for us to focus on the girls, but this behavior is something that has to stop with the adults. And it’s something that the rest of us adults who are responsible and understand the difficulties of going through adolescent development… that we have to speak out about so we can educate the other adults who are causing this negative behavior.”
For the full interview visit this link: download. publicradio.org/podcast/ minnesota/news/programs/daily_ circuit_ 2/2012/12/13/daily_ circuit_ hour_ 2_ 20121213_ 64.mp3.
This same man pursued a relationship with a friend of his teenage sons, a girl 30 years his junior, an innocent young woman at the most crucial stage of development who should be focused on making long-term life plans and dreams come true.
Any adult should know that a socially unacceptable relationship can never be a nurturing one.
The position of county attorney requires good judgment at all times. I am amazed that Tim Scannell can use bad judgment as an excuse for his “breach of trust” while assuring us that he will always have good judgment performing the duties the people of Cook County have entrusted to him. If his judgment has been disabled by the traumatic experience of having been shot in the line of duty, the fact remains that he is not able to perform his duties.
It is now up to the people of Cook County to decide if they want Scannell to continue to represent them. Know that a whole generation of teens is watching, waiting to see if his need for understanding is more important than their need for protection. What is the lesson you would like them to learn?
I encourage Cook County residents who believe that Mr. Scannell should resign to sign the online petition by going to www.change.org and searching “Tim Scannell.” You can sign anonymously or choose to identify yourself as being a community member.
Jennifer Schnobrich
Medina, MN
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