contributed photo
Kyle Christensen
by Dennis Dalman
news@thenewsleaders.com
Kyle Christensen, the City of Sartell’s chief building official, was recently sentenced to a term in jail.
He was convicted on one count of “Having a Big Heart.”
Christensen will surrender himself Oct. 4 at the MDA Jail in St. Cloud. He will spend an indeterminate jail sentence unless and until he raises $1,600 in bail money to secure his freedom.
Fortunately, the MDA Jail is not a “real” jail, and Christensen is not a “real” lawbreaker. The jail is an enclosed space at the Green Mill Restaurant in St. Cloud where Christensen will have access to a phone to call friends, family and well-wishers for “bail” money.
The bail money is, in fact, contributions for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Christensen, who lives in Kimball, was called and asked if he would play jailbird as part of the MDA fundraising event. He didn’t hesitate; he said “yes” immediately. That is partly because Christensen has a soft spot for people suffering from diseases. His brother-in-law’s brother, Brian Kruchten of St. Cloud, died of multiple sclerosis when he was only 47. Christensen’s brother, Wayne, was born with cerebral palsy and has had to use a wheelchair his entire life.
It’s possible Christensen won’t have to spend any time at all in the local pokey. If he raises his goal of $1,600 by Oct. 4, he won’t have to do any jail time.
To donate for the cause of Christensen’s freedom – not to mention the good cause of fighting muscular dystrophy – go to the MDA Lock-Up website at: www.mdalockup.org/2012stcloud. At the website, click on “Find a Jailbird,” then type in “Kyle Christensen.” When his name comes up, click on that, and his donation page will pop up.