Clashing on the mat
Out there
Lakers go 4-2 at national duals
Belle Plaine’s two-story outhouse
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PRIOR LAKE
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012
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AMERICAN CITY COUNCIL
Sprinkler code repealed to boost economic development Fire chief, one council member concerned about impacts BY LORI CARLSON editor@plamerican.com
The city of Prior Lake’s attempt to spur economic development now includes repealing a fi re ordinance that required sprinkler systems in new commercial buildings or existing business that expand. Though Fire Chief Doug Hartman had testified at council meetings about sprinklers’ effectiveness in saving lives and reducing the cost of damages in fi res, Prior Lake City Council members on Tuesday repealed state
Several council members believe the cost of installing sprinkler systems impedes economic development, especially for small businesses.
Chapter 1306, an option for cities to require sprinkler systems. The review of the code came about as a result of River Valley Veterinary Services’ proposal to expand its business. In October, council members approved tax-increment fi nancing to help the vet clinic double its current 7,500-square-foot building off Highway 13, including the addition of a dog daycare and boarding facility. The business owners and several council members believe the cost of installing sprinkler systems impedes economic development, especially for
Prior Lake mom gets ‘stuck’ in film
small businesses. Hartman said he did not support repealing Chapter 1306, “as it is the best option in the code to protect the public and our fi refighters.” The fire chief said he appreciates that the council didn’t take the decision lightly. Council members requested additional information, including installation costs vs. insurance paybacks, as well as evidence of sprinklers making fi re scenes safer for fi refighters, before voting on the issue.
Sprinkler code to page 5 ®
“By repealing [Chapter] 1306, we’re still abiding by state law and international building code. We are making economic development here in Prior Lake reasonable.”
“I agree with the fire chief that sprinkler systems are very effective fireprevention technology. You can pay now, or eventually someone’s going to pay if they have a big fire.”
Mike Myser
Richard Keeney
Mayor
Council member
HOT ON THE DANCE FLOOR
BY MERYN FLUKER mfluker@swpub.com
Iowa may have stolen all the attention this week, but Minneapolis is hosting its own caucus, featuring playwrights instead of big-time politicians. Prior Lake mother Sarah McPeck joins six other scribes in the second annual Raucous Caucus, Box Wine Theatre’s politically tinged 10-minute play festival. The event debuted on Thursday and continues on Thursdays and Fridays at Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake St., Minneapolis, throughout the rest of the month. McPeck’s entry, “Stuck in the Middle with You,” perhaps taking a note from popular sitcoms, is set in an office. But instead of a paper company or a local government department, McPeck’s workplace has a different objective: it’s the member services department for white middle America. And that environment is where a lot of the show’s political themes arise.
McPeck to page 5 ®
PHOTO BY MERYN FLUKER
Local mother Sarah McPeck’s play “Stuck in the Middle with You” debuted on Thursday at Bryant Lake Bowl as part of Box Wine Theatre’s second-annual Raucous Caucus, a 10-minute play festival featuring works with political themes. (Reprints available at photos.plamerican.com.)
Vote to fire Shelton fails Wagner falls short in attempt to terminate administrator BY SHANNON FIECKE sfiecke@swpub.com
The gloves came off Tuesday morning at the end of a routine County Board meeting after county Commissioner Joe Wagner offered a motion to terminate Scott County Administrator Gary Shelton and he was seconded by Commissioner Dave Menden of
PHOTOS BY LORI CARLSON/ REPRINTS AT PHOTOS.PLAMERICAN.COM
Shakopee. T he move had been rumored for weeks, with Board Chairman Tom Wolf of Credit River Township seen as Gary the swing vote. Shelton Commissioners Barbara Marschall of Prior Lake and Jon Ulrich of Savage fought back, with Ulrich accusing Menden and Wagner of going after Shelton for personal reasons.
Salsa party animals filled Club Prior on Thursday night for a Latin dance night with music by Salsa del Soul. The band specializes in music from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, including salsa, cha cha and cumbia. Dance instructor Rene Thompson taught enthusiastic learners of all ages how to heat up the dance floor. See a gallery of images at photos. plamerican.com.
Shelton to page 6 ®
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