St. Paul Voice November 2022

The St. Paul

SCLA soccer teams win conference

STA graduate, war hero memorialized in documentary Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

In early July, St. Thomas Acad emy creative director and fine arts teacher Tyler Maddaus visited the Normandy American Cemetery in France to film the burial ceremony of STA graduate William McGowan. It was a much belated service. Mc Gowan had died 78 years earlier in a combat mission during World War II. His remains were not discovered until 2018, and not verified by the U.S. Department of Defense until January 2020. McGowan’s inter ment was scheduled for that July but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Department of Defense, Second Lieutenant Mc Gowan served with the U.S. Air Force in the 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group. On June 6, 1944, he was shot down while piloting a P47D Thunderbolt on a bombing mis sion over Saint-Lo, France, in support of the Allied invasion of Normandy. His plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, went into a spin at low altitude, and crashed into a field, exploding on impact. McGowan’s remains were not recovered at the time. In 1947, American Graves Registration Ser vice personnel located the crash site and searched unsuccessfully for Mc Gowan’s remains. The site had been marked by a propeller that local resi dents placed in the ground. In 2018, a team from St. Mary’s University Fo rensic Aviation Archaeological Field

General election is November 8

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

The time to exercise our right to vote is upon us. Our voter’s guide covers the state, county and municipal candi dates that represent voters in the St. Paul Voice distribution area. Also included on the Nov. 8 ballot are candidates for U.S. Representative District 4, governor, secretary of state, attorney general and other county offices. Candidates without information were given multiple oppor tunities to respond.

Due to redistricting, Minnesota Senate District 65 and House District 65B now include the northern portion of West St.

Paul, in addition to the West Side, down town and other parts of St. Paul. Some polling locations may be different than last year. To find your polling location, visit pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.

To vote in Minnesota, residents must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old on elec tion day, and a resident of Minnesota for 20 days. Register to vote in advance to save time at your polling location. To register online, visit mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us. For more information on elections and voter registration, call the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office at 651-215-1440 or visit www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

Candidates / Page 2

Sample St. Paul

Elyse Wood keeps watchful eye over ISD 197 students

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

Students at ISD 197 schools may have noticed a new face patrol ling the hallways this fall. That per son is Elyse Wood, an 11-year veter an and former investigator with the West St. Paul Police Department. Wood is the new student resource officer (SRO) for the district. She spends most of her time at Two Riv ers High School but also visits other schools in the district.

Mentoring students and serving as a liaison between the schools and police department is a large part of being an SRO, but the primary task is to keep district schools – and all the people within them – safe. Typi cal duties include patrolling the hall ways and grounds, working highly at tended school events, helping school staff maintain emergency protocols, giving safety presentations to vari ous school groups and providing re sources for social services.

“Our department is big on com munity outreach and building on the great trust we already have, and this is just another method to get that trust with our department and students in our community,” said West St. Paul Police Chief Brian Sturgeon. “The communication between her [Wood] and the students is absolutely huge. That’s what is going to help us build a relationship with the youth in our community, which is just so impor tant. She’s had a number of them

New owners of Wabasha Street Caves dredge up St. Paul’s sordid past

Jake Spitzack Staff Writer

After nearly two years of being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the renowned Wabasha Street Caves has risen from the ashes and is once again of fering tours that highlight shady stories of St. Paul’s history.

Minnesota native Faith Pon and husband Raymond purchased the property in

September 2021 from Steve and Donna Bremer and have been working hard to get the business back on track. The Bremers operated the popu lar tour company, event center and dance hall for 30 years. The Pons rehired most of the Bremers’ dozen staff members.

“They [the Bremers] took it as a sign from God,” said Faith. “COVID shut them down, then they got every thing back up and COVID

shut them down again, and they decided it was time to retire…. We were looking to invest in our own busi ness and it just hit every thing we were looking for – from a café to a bar to a leasing venue, as well as the public tours.” Previously, Faith worked in real estate and property management for more than ten years and Raymond was an engineer.

The caves are perhaps best known for the variety of sea

sonal and year-round tours. Some are walking tours within the caves and others travel around St. Paul in a motorcoach or bus. A few others are offered exclusively to private groups.

The Historic Caves Tour is the most popular, and the Gangster Tour comes in at a close second. They also offer the Ghost and Graves tour, Lost Souls tour, and the kid-friendly Troll Tales tour. Each uses historical

facts and lore. However, they have taken liberties with the script for the new “Spirits and Shady Ladies” tour, a year-round mile-long walk ing tour that sheds light on the brothels of St. Paul’s for mer “sin district.” As of press time, this tour had sold out for 12 weekends in a row.

“All of our tours are done in character,” said Faith. “We have professional actors that work with us. The only time you get a non-character tour

is with the Historic Cave Tour.”

The venue has a 12,000-square-foot space that can be reserved for weddings, birthday parties and other private events. It includes a fireplace, bar, stage and dancefloor, and enough room to comfortably seat 230. The Caves’ popu lar swing dance nights have returned as well on Thurs days. Each dance includes a

Candidates

Minnesota Senate District 65

Sandy Pappas

Occupation: Nonprofit executive director for For ward Global Women

Political party: Demo cratic Farmer Labor

Political experience: Cur

rent member of the State Senate, past member of the State House of Representa tives

Top priorities: Invest ing in infrastructure such as roads and affordable hous ing, securing paid sick and safe time for all workers, and creating a pension plan for low-wage workers.

Candidate statement: “I’m optimistic that with a Minnesota Senate becoming Democrat-controlled along with the House and Gover nor, that the progressive is sues I’ve been working on for years will be seriously con sidered. This includes more state support for affordable housing and childcare, legis lative funding of our schools that includes the cross subsi dy for special education and English language learning,

real criminal justice reform, and seriously addressing cli mate change. I’m also pre pared to rigorously defend reproductive rights in our state. I have the experience, passion and success record to make significant progress for all of us.”

Website: sandypappas.com

Paul Holmgren

Political party: Republi can; did not respond

Minnesota House District 65B

María Isa PérezHedges

Occupation: Director of mentorship for the Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project

Political party: Demo cratic Farmer Labor

Political experience: A member of the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board Public Engagement

Advisory Task Force, People of Color and Indigenous Caucus lead for the Min nesota #Insulin4all chapter, and alumna of the Wilder Foundation Community Equity Program.

Top priorities: Healthcare access, education equity, af fordable housing, creative and regenerative economics and environmental justice.

Candidate statement: “I am running because the time

Candidates /

ask

vote on Nov.

MH resident µ Fire Chief for 32 years µ Civil Engineer

Candidates

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is here and now for commu nity-centered leadership. It shouldn’t be so hard to live in District 65B, yet we contin ue to face skyrocketing hous ing costs, the price gouging of prescription drugs, a col lapse of small businesses core to our neighborhoods, and an inequitable and defunded education system. We need leaders grounded in our community to expand on a future-focused vision for the next generation, and those are the voices our team is bringing with us to the Capitol.”

Website: www.peoplefor mariaisa.org

Kevin Fjelsted

Political party: Republi can; did not respond

Minnesota Senate District 52

Stephen Lowell Occupation: AutoCAD drafter

Political party: Republi can

Political experience: Republican State/Congres sional District 2/Precinct delegate

Top priorities: Shrink the size and scope of the state

government; lower taxes; improve education; reduce inflation; seek every avenue to put crime in check. Big on the First Amendment, Second Amendment and liberty for all.

Candidate statement: “After the last couple years it’s clear we have very few representatives and lots of professional politicians. That must change. I did not plan to run for office but was so moved by the outspoken support and in terest of Senate District 52. I hope to open the door to my constituents for regular communication and bring back true representation as a middle class working Min nesotan.”

Website: stephen4senate. com

Jim Carlson

Political party: Demo cratic Farmer Labor; did not respond

Minnesota House District 52B

Cynthia Lonnquist Occupation: Business owner

Political party: Republican Political experience: None

Top priorities: Economy, education and communities; permanent Minnesota tax reduction; school choice for all families; support for law enforcement

Candidate statement: “As a native and lifelong Minne sotan I don’t like to see resi dents and businesses fleeing our state due to high taxes, high crime and poor edu cational outcomes. Policies of those in charge of run ning our state have caused this decline. I want to be a part of leading a change to make Minnesota a destina tion state by offering school choice for all families, lower taxes and support for men and women in uniform.”

Website: www.cynthi a4mnhouse.com

Ruth Richardson

Occupation: CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States

Political party: Demo cratic Farmer Labor

Political experience: State Representative for dis trict 52B (2019 to present). Chair of the House Edu cation Policy Committee.

Member of the Transporta tion Finance and Policy, Ed ucation Finance, and Com merce Finance and Policy Committees.

Top priorities: Safe, healthy communities; qual ity education for all; eco nomic growth; women’s rights and choice; affordable healthcare; accountability and transparency.

Candidate statement: “I

am honored to be your state representative for district 52B, and I have enjoyed meeting many of you during my first two terms. I’ve dis covered how much I have in common with my neighbors. Your worries are mine – from access to quality and afford able health care, to soaring college debt, to strong and safe communities. During my first two terms have had over 30 provisions that I chief authored passed into law. I am seeking reelection because I care about our district and will continue to be a leader who is acces sible and accountable, and who will not shy away from difficult problems or diverse perspectives. I love working for our district. I know that ordinary people can make a difference, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help strengthen our community.”

Website: www.ruthfor house.com

Minnesota Senate District 53

Matt Klein

Occupation: Physician at the Mayo Clinic Political party: Demo cratic Farmer Labor Political experience: ISD 197 school board member from 2013 to 2016; Min nesota state senate member since 2017.

Top priorities: Affordable health care, lower drug pric es, property tax relief, public safety and green energy.

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Big Lake – Autumn Winds, 763-228-2562

Brainerd – Mississippi Terrace, 218-829-0274

Cold Spring – Cottage Court, 320-685-3888

Fergus Falls – Kaddatz, 218-205-0644

Glenwood – Glenview, 320-634-3188

Hawley – Northside Terrace, 218-483-4524

Hutchinson – Clinton House, 320-587-5458

Mankato – Dublin Road, 507-345-3351

Minneapolis – Holmes Park, 612-378-8817

Morris – Crystal Lake, 320-589-3662

Onamia – Oakwood, 320-532-4321

Onamia – Onamia Shores, 320-532-4321

Pierz – Kamnic Lane, 320-468-2581

Rice – Benton Place, 320-333-3390

Richmond – Rich Haven, 320-258-6000

Rochester – Georgetown Homes, 507-226-8123

Rochester – Homestead Village Twn, 507-289-4446

Stillwater – Curve Crest, 651-430-3105

Twin Valley – Valley Pines, 218-483-4524

Virginia – Alice Nettell, 218-741-3650

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Candidate statement: “Minnesota is a great place to live and now we need to build on that. We have the capacity to ensure that people can access health care and pay for their medicines; that they can afford to re main in their homes, and they are safe in their com munities. We must preserve our treasured lakes and for ests, and transition to a nocarbon state.”

Website: www.mattklein. org

Chris Rausch

Occupation: Vendor rela tions lead

Political party: Republi can

Political experience: None

Top priorities: To tackle economic, educational and public safety challenges.

Candidate state ment:  “Are we better off now than we were a few years ago? The answer is no. We’re heading in the wrong direction and we know it. The problems are clear. We don’t need politics, we need leadership. I believe our best days are ahead of us. We just won’t get there by this current direction or policies that are hurting us. I’m run ning for office because we deserve better.”

Website:  RauschForMN. com

Minnesota House District 53A

Mary Frances Clardy

Occupation: Teacher Political party: Demo

cratic Farmer Labor Political experience: Member of the Inver Grove Heights School Board

Top priorities: Protec tion of women’s reproductive rights; making communities safe by supporting initiatives that reduce violence; provid ing economic opportunities for small businesses; sup porting workers’ rights and working conditions.

Candidate statement: “I’m a 25-year veteran teach er, school board and union member, and disability ad vocate. I’m running because we need a changemaker with the leadership and lived ex perience to build a Minneso ta where everyone can thrive. As a teacher I’ve learned schools mirror the com munity. Schools show our educational policy failures and a lot more. When kids arrive sick, it demonstrates failures in our healthcare sys tem. When they don’t have a lunch, it’s indicative of tough economic times and a failed safety net. When kids stop attending– it’s often because of housing insecurity. I will work to make the change we need.”

Website: clardyforhouse. com

Todd Kruse

Occupation: Made in America consultant

Political party: Republi can

Political experience: Member of the Minnesota Broadband Advisory Task Force, Friends of Mississip pi River advisory board and Environmental Commission of Inver Grove Heights

Top priorities: Lower and simpler tax system; innova tion of our K-16 systems; ex pansion of the government spending transparency web site to include local govern ment entities.

Candidate statement: “I want to serve in the Min nesota House as an exten sion of my community vol unteerism and due to my 20-plus years of working in and around public policy is sues. Voters should know I will have an open door for communications and will at tend every speaking engage ment in the district as the legislative calendar allows.”

Website:  www.votekruse. com

Brent Jacobson

Occupation:  Security guard

Political party: Legal Marijuana Now

Political experience: None

Top priorities: More per sonal freedom; restore liber ties to the people.

Candidate statement:  “I believe that our constitu tional rights are being greatly diminished by both parties and I am running to help restore those rights.”

Website:  www.face book.com/profile. php?id=100081945302668

Ramsey County Commissioner District 5

Bill Hosko

Occupation: Owner of Hosko Gallery & Framing (2 downtown locations), Music Forest Café, and The Homestead center for ages 55 and older.

Political experience: past board member of the Capi tolRiver Council and the West Side Community Or ganization; co-chair of Arts, Culture and Entertainment Committee and Bylaw Re view Committee member for CapitolRiver Council

Candidate statement: “Over many years, my inter est and opinions on so many issues covered the Farm ers Market, Union Depot, West Publishing, Pedro Park, to my warning what bring ing ‘honor system’ LRT to downtown would do. Year after year, crime and antisocial behavior rises, prop erty taxes are increased, and our commissioners keep awarding themselves pay raises. Now 100K yearly for part-time jobs? Good grief. At nearly 60 years old, I’ve had a wonderful life and have much gratitude. I’ve been self-employed 32 years and I still look forward to

each day. I remain 100% independent/non-partisan and will be your best public servant.”

Website: billhosko.com

Rafael E. Ortega Occupation: Ramsey County Commissioner

Political experience: Ramsey County Board for 27 years; chair of the Board or Chair of the Regional Rail Authority for most of those years.

Top priorities: To protect the most vulnerable in our community, including peo ple who are without food or housing, and to address the underlying issues that cause these problems. To improve our transit so everyone can get to where they need to go safely and reliably. To continue to improve our economic infrastructure so Ramsey County can attract and retain our best busi nesses and our best work ers and we can reduce the tax burden on homeowners and businesses. I’m particu larly focused on RiversEdge downtown and Rice Creek Commons in Arden Hills.

Candidate statement: “Since COVID hit, I have focused on three areas. I led the Food Security Commit tee and helped appoint our first Food Security Coor

dinator. We opened three shelters in my district. We created the HRA levy to pro vide new money for housing every year, and with the city, we will provide $74 million for housing this year. To address violent crime, we have hired 40 county staff, including specialists in the 911 call center and social workers. I will continue to provide steady leadership in these areas. I will also con tinue to advocate for better transit, jobs and develop ment in the East Metro and make sure all residents have access to our services.

Website: www.ramsey county.us/your-government/ leadership/board-commis sioners/rafael-e-ortega-dis trict-5

Dakota County Commissioner District 2

Joe Atkins

Occupation: Small busi ness owner and attorney Political experi ence: Current Dakota County Commissioner;

Metropolitan Emergency Services chair and executive board member; Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission board member; former state legislator and former mayor of Inver Grove Heights.

Top priorities: Public safety and health, parks, providing outstanding con stituent service and keeping Dakota County debt-free.

Candidate statement: “Since I was first elected county commissioner in 2016, Dakota County has paid off all county debt, making us one of the only debt-free counties in the nation. During this period, we have also been named the best county in the country for public safety and public health, beating out 3,000 counties nationwide, while also safely maintaining 424 miles of roads, 83 bridges, nine award-winning libraries and 5,000 acres of popular parks and natural areas. Re maining debt free, providing outstanding service, and as sisting constituents remain my top priorities.”

Website: JoeAtkins.net

Jimmy Francis

Occupation: Employee benefits advisor with Assured Partners

Political experience: Current mayor of South St. Paul; South Metro Fire Board President; member of South St. Paul Futures and member of the Dakota County Broadband Board.

Top priorities: Listening to residents of the district, mental health and public safety.

Candidate statement: “What I will bring to the county is energy with a focus on action. Energy behind mental wellness, currently our county provides funds enough for a safety net or crisis intervention. We need to invest in people and pro vide robust and impactful tailored services for people experiencing mental health emergencies and provide for mental health wellness. Action behind this would look out 25 years and bring in experts to help draft the plan that would include reaching out to hospital sys tems around the world and use the [county’s] debt-free

Serving Pre-K-12th graders in St. Paul Metro

Candidates

status to leverage investment from private systems into Dakota County. The work I will do for District 2 will be leveraged for the entire county and would make it an even better place to live.”

Website: Forwardwith Francis.com

District 3

Janine Hudson

Occupation: Human ser vice representative senior Political experience: AST board member; treasurer of the MN Family Based Ser vice Providers; Union Stew ard for AFSCME Council 5 Local 34; and member of the Member Action Committee.

Top priorities: Bring coun ty services back to the coun ty. Clients should not have to wait in line for over a year to receive mental services. The union busting outsourcing needs to stop. The county needs to provide services that prevent hospitalization.

Candidate statement: “I am running for office to en sure social services are meet ing the needs of clients. I am the only candidate with any social service experience.  I support responsible gun owners.  I support helping law enforcement. I support choice up to viability. I sup port using paper ballots as they can always be manually counted. The county needs to make sure our veterans have housing and services, and that our parks and wild life stay wild.

Website: voteJanineHud son.com.

Laurie Halverson

Occupation:  Dakota County Commissioner

Political experience: Dakota County Board of Commissioners; Minnesota House of Representatives; Wayside Recovery Services board of directors; The Link

advisory board; Eagan Foun dation board of directors; Eagan Parks and Recreation Commission.

Top priorities:  Bike and pedestrian safety; improving transportation infrastructure and transit opportunities; improving mental health ac cess and outcomes; creating a county-wide climate action plan; and increasing options for affordable housing.

Candidate state ment:  “County govern ment plays a significant role in people’s lives on a daily basis, and I want to ensure the priorities of our commu nities are reflected in county policy-making. People are connected to the county through amenities like our public libraries, county roads and regional parks. I am ded icated to ensuring that these services continue to provide high quality services. I am also working to create solu tions to issues facing families in our communities, includ ing increasing access to af fordable housing, ensuring safe drinking water, protect ing our environment, serv ing public health needs and providing innovative mental health improvements.”

Website: lauriehalverson.org

West St. Paul Mayor

Incumbent Dave Napier is running unopposed

West St. Paul City Council Ward 1 Pat Armon

Occupation: Community development professional for the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development

Political experience: For mer member of the West St. Paul City Council; for mer member of the South Metro Fire Board; present member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Com

“Ours is a Service of Sincerity”

mittee; past member of the Charter Commission and a city economic development advisory group.

Top priorities: Justice re form; housing; sanitation;, internet availability; reduce taxes; renewable energy; and economic development.

Candidate statement: “For a community to remain strong its residents must feel and remain safe. We must ensure safety as a base for success. Inner-ring suburbs such as ours are an attractive place for people to live and do business and we need to capitalize on that reality. I want to assist in this capi talization by bringing my career tools and experience back to City Hall to help us take full advantage of what we have going for us and al low us to adapt in the best ways to improve where im provement is needed.”

Contact information: ar monpat@gmail.com.

Kimetha KaeJae Johnson Did not respond

Ward 2

Incumbent John Justen is running unopposed Ward 3

Wendy Berry

Occupation: Nonprofit human resources manager

Political experience: West St. Paul City Coun cil, member of the South Metro Fire Board; West St. Paul Public Safety Com mittee; West St. Paul Public Works Committee; League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors; League of Min nesota Cities Liaison to State of Minnesota’s Active Trans portation Infrastructure Ad visory Committee; League of Minnesota Cities HR & Data Practices Policy Com mittee; and current West St. Paul Economic Develop ment Authority Commis sioner and West St. Paul Park & Rec Advisory Committee Liaison.

Top priorities: Inclusion and equity, safety, infrastruc ture, economic advocacy, community engagement.

want to make sure we stay there while exploring ways to further enhance our quality of life and keeping our city affordable for new residents and folks that have spent their lives here.”

Website: www.wendyfor wsp.com

Jake Nelson

Did not respond

Mendota Heights Mayor

Stephanie Levine Occupation: Mayor of Mendota Heights

Political experience: Mayor of Mendota Heights (2020-present); eight years on the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Com mission (two as chair); for mer vice-chair and treasurer for the ISD 197 School Board (7 years of service); chair of the Association of Metropolitan School Dis tricts; Legislative Delegate for the Minnesota School Boards Association; Men dota Heights Fire Relief As sociation Trustee; member of Dakota County Broadband Board, Regional Council of Mayors, and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Hwy 149 and Dodd Over lay.

Top priorities: Continue building on the many ac complishments of the past two years, including effective and efficient city services, increased communication, responsible budgeting, envi ronmental stewardship, and future planning.

both a large and small cities in leadership roles working with policy makers assisting in developing and imple menting policy. This in cludes 32 years as fire chief of Mendota Heights and 33 years in the City of St. Paul, 12 years as city engineer.

Top priorities: Preserv ing the character of Men dota Heights as a safe and welcoming community with an emphasis on open and natural areas; building au thentic public engagement to increase citizen partici pation; enhancing partner ships with county and state agencies to deal with traffic issues; maintaining essential public services in a sustain able cost-effective manner.

Candidate statement: “Mendota Heights has de veloped in a measured way as a welcoming community that values family, safety and strong financial management focusing on needs, partner ships and preserving our natural environment. Recent decisions appear to favor de velopers over residents. I be lieve that some of our elected representatives have forgot ten that they represent the citizens who elected them. I understand the importance of actively listening to all parties, understanding their concerns, and working to ward a solution that all can accept to bring the commu nity together.”

Website: www.Maczko formayor.com

am an experienced leader with a proven track record of success working in our community. My experience on the Planning Commis sion and Airports Relation Commission brings with it the kind of in-depth infor mation needed in council deliberations. Committed to maintaining the special character of our community and quality of life, I believe in strategically planning for our city’s future. I will work to build trust in city govern ment while ensuring difficult discussions are held, con cerns are heard, and com munity needs are compre hensively addressed. I pledge to be your voice on the city council.”

Website: www.sally forcouncil.com

John R. Mazzitello

Occupation:   Deputy Director of Public WorksRamsey County Political experience: Mendota Heights City Council (2 years); past vicechair Mendota Heights Planning Commission (4 years); Mendota Heights Public Works director/city engineer (8 years).

Top priorities: Maintain and improve high quality city services; keep tax rates low; local planning based on needs of the community.

Johnson-Peterson

Candidate statement: “I want to make sure all residents continue to have a voice in what happens in West St. Paul. We have worked to build a strong and resilient community while celebrating diversity, increasing accessibility, and being smart with taxpayer money, so people continue to be proud to live, work, go to school, and visit West St. Paul. Our city is in a com fortable spot financially. I

Candidate statement: “It is a joy and honor to serve as mayor. My hus band, Jimmy, and I raised our three children here and we have proudly supported this community for 30 years through work, volunteerism and community service.  My background as an actuary brings a unique perspective to the city council, especially in the area of budgeting and strategic planning. Residents appreciate that I am available and accessible. I am a proven leader who is ethical, trans parent, hardworking and ca pable. I hope to build on the work of the past two years, preserving the character and future vitality of Mendota Heights.

Website: stephanie4may or.com

John P. Maczko

Johnson-Peterson Casa

Occupation: Registered Professional Civil/Traffic Engineer (semi-retired)

Political experience: I have more than 30 years of experience working for

Mendota Heights City Council (elect 2)

Sally Lorberbaum

Occupation: Project manager

Political experience: Past chair and current vice chair for the Mendota Heights Planning Commission (8 years of service); past cochair and past vice chair for the Mendota Heights Airport Relations Com mission (8 years of service); National vice president for FBI National Citizens Acad emy Alumni Association (3 years); chair of the Dakota County Special Board of Equalization & Tax Appeal (8 years)

Top priorities: Safety and security of aging infrastruc ture; fiscal responsibility and preserving low taxes; economic development and life-cycle housing options; traffic planning; maintain parks; reduce airplane noise; keep city government acces sible and responsive.

Candidate statement: “I

Candidate statement: “I am running because in the past two years the city has embarked on a number of new initiatives that are defined in our 2020-2040 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. While many of these have started, many still need to be completed. It is impor tant to the city that our Nat ural Resource Management Plan, Long-Range Strategic Plan for our parks and trails, and other goals and policies contained in the Comp Plan be brought forward. I am running for City Council to help the city move toward a thriving and prosperous fu ture logically, pragmatically and sensibly.”

Website:  www.mazz4mh. net

Jeff Nath

Occupation: Attorney Political experience: None

Top priorities: Transpar ent and responsive local gov ernment that listens to citi zens and respects their desires

Candidate statement: “I am running to preserve the essential character of Men dota Heights and keep us as a city others would wish to emulate.”

Website: www.nathform hcouncil.com

“Lo nuestro es un servicio de sinceridad”

[students] who have already come up to her that just wanted somebody to talk to, not necessarily about a criminal matter but just be ing somebody to look up to and communicate with about whatever issues that they are facing.”

Violence in the schools is rare, said Sturgeon. The most common instance that SROs experience is breaking up fights between students. He also noted that SROs

don’t enforce school poli cies and only intervene in scenarios when someone’s safety is at risk.

“She [Wood] will cer tainly be working with the investigators from either our department or Men dota Heights to address any major criminal events that may happen, such as allega tions of child abuse or sex ual assault,” Sturgeon said.

He credited the Mendota Heights Police Department with providing background and ideas for the program, adding that the department

“continues to be a great asset in this endeavor.”

ISD 197 has had an SRO since the early 2000s. The West St. Paul Police De partment provided the of ficer until it became shortstaffed in 2004. At that time, the Mendota Heights Police Department took on the responsibility. This year, the district transferred the agreement back to the West St. Paul Police Department because its jurisdiction cov ers a larger portion of the school district and the cost is lower than its contract with

Mendota Heights. The dis trict had considered partner ing with the Dakota County Sheriff’s Department, but that department didn’t have an officer to spare.

The position is jointly funded by the district and police department. When school is on summer break or any other prolonged break, Wood will be reas signed as a patrol or investi gation officer. The West St. Paul Police Department ex pects to hire another officer this fall to pick up the slack due to Wood’s reassignment.

Caves

from page 1

big band playing 1930s-era music. The lineup for No vember includes: Westwind Swing Band, Nov. 3; MN Jazz Orchestra, Nov. 10;

Bend in the River Big Band, Nov. 17; and Swing Beat Big Band, Nov. 25.

The caves themselves are the result of silica mining that occurred in the mid1800s. Since then, they have been used for a large brewery, a mushroom farm,

and the notorious gangster nightclub, Castle Royal. Some believe the caves are haunted due to the strange and out-of-the ordinary oc currences that happen there.

Faith said she is proud they’ve been able keep alive the unique venue that holds

a special place in St. Paul history.

The caves are located at 215 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul. For more information or to book a tour, visit wabasha caves.com or call 651-2241191.

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History Center

345 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-259-3000

mnhs.org

Our Home: Native Min nesota is the featured ex hibit. It includes historic and contemporary photo graphs, maps and artifacts. Learn how Minnesota’s na tive communities have main tained cultural practices, teachings and values.

Sherlock Holmes: The Exhibition is featured through April 2, 2023. Learn about areas of forensic science and engage in inter active crime-solving exer cises. Original manuscripts, period artifacts, and investi gative tools influenced and used by Sherlock Holmes will be on view.

Other exhibits include “Minnesota’s Greatest Gen eration,” “Then Now Wow,” “Grainland” and “Weather

Permitting.” The Center is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thurs.Sun. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students, and $8 for children ages five to 17.

History Theatre

30 E. 10th St. St. Paul 651-292-4323

Historytheatre.com

“Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story” is presented on select dates through Oc tober 30. Set in 1959, young musician Buddy Holly rises to the top of the music in dustry in just four years. It’s part bio-musical, part rock ’n’ roll concert. Guests will learn about the late star and hear some of his biggest hits. Tickets start at $48, with discounts for seniors, those under age 30 and students.

“A Servants’ Christmas” is presented on select dates Nov. 19-Dec. 18. Set in

1899, a young immigrant woman is hired to serve as a “a second girl” following the death of Mr. Warner’s wife. The young woman fears that she may be dismissed from the job if Mr. Warner – a strict Christian – learns about her Jewish heritage. The play is a humor- and joy-filled musical. Tickets start at $48, with discounts for seniors, those under age 30 and students.

Landmark Center

75 5th St. W. St. Paul 651-292-3225 landmarkcenter.org

Great Pumpkin Hallow een Festival, 1-3 p.m., Sun day, Oct. 30, in the Musser Cortile. Enjoy Halloween festivities including live en tertainment, crafts, treats and a costume parade. Free.

Once Upon a Time Gala, 5:30-9:30 p.m., Friday, Nov.

4. Kick back with staff and community members at this 1990s-themed celebration. $150.

Ballet Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Musser Cortile. Dancers from Ballet Co.Laboratory will perform excerpts from the company repertoire. Free.

Landmark Live: Turn Turn Turn, 8-10 p.m., Fri day, Nov. 18, in the F.K.

Weyerhaeuser Auditorium. Enjoy a concert from this Americana band, mainstays of the Minnesota music scene. Cocktail hour begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 in advance, or $25 at the door.

Walker | West student concert, 1-3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20, in the Musser Cor tile. The students of Walker | West Music Academy will perform music in a variety of

styles from their repertoire. Free.

MN Children’s Museum

10 7th St. W. St. Paul 651-225-6000 mcm.org

The Amazing Castle, is the featured exhibit through Jan. 8, 2023. Travel back in time to a magical place where medieval storybook

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Original Broadway cast, photo by Andrew Eccles “Six” is presented through Nov. 6 at the Ordway Center.

Robert St. S. St. Paul

Robert St. S. West St. Paul

S ample St. Paul

characters come to life. Ex plore eight themed areas and get to know the characters that make the castle a com munity.

Imaginopolis: Nature

Remix is a new exhibit. Visi tors are transported into a se cret forest where everything is recognizable, but with a whimsical twist. Pretend to bake sweet treats in a squir rel’s house, create a home from oversized leaves and fish scales, and more.

Halloween Spooktacu lar, 6-9 p.m., Oct. 29-30. Trick or treat and enjoy other activities at this “ohso-fun, not-so-scary” event. Visitors are encouraged to wear costumes.

Other exhibits and activi ties include The Scramble, The Studio, Creativity Jam, Sprouts, Backyard, Our World, Forces at Play, Su per Awesome Adventures, Imaginopolis and the Tip Top Terrace.

The museum is open 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tues.-Sun. Tickets are $14.95. Admis sion is free the first Sunday of each month; reservations are required. The next free date is Nov. 6.

Arts, this exhibit celebrates art-making as a form of re search, improvisation and play.

Off the Deep End, a digi tal mural printed on vinyl, is on display in the Jackson Street skyway bridge be tween 4th and 5th Streets through March 15, 2023. The artwork was created by 19 students from the St. Paul Conservatory for Perform ing Artists and explores the theme of metaphorical rising sea level.

Ordway Center

345 Washington St. St. Paul 651-224-4222

ordway.org

“Six” is presented on se lect dates Oct. 25-Nov. 6. Tickets start at $55.50.

“Songs of the Universal” is presented 7:30 p.m., Fri day, Oct. 29. Tickets start at $25.

“Beauty and the Beast” is presented 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 30. Tick ets start at $41.

Park Square Theatre

20 W. 7th Place St. Paul

is on the case in this savvy detective caper. Tickets start at $27.

RiverCentre

175 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651- 265-4800 rivercentre.org

Minnesota Roller Derby, 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 12. Tickets start at $12.50.

Schubert Club

302 Landmark Center 75 W. 5th St. St. Paul 651-292-3268

schubert.org

Courtroom concerts at the Landmark center take place noon-1 p.m. Perfor mances include pianist Lau ra Caviani and saxophonist David Milne, Thursday, Oct. 27 and Lumina Women’s Ensemble, Thursday, Nov. 10. Free.

Anne Sofie von Otter and Kristian Bezuiden hout will perform at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 1, and 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Ordway Center. Tickets start at $28.

“Enigma: a 360 degree video experience” is pre sented by Spektral Quartet

at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 11. Tickets are $10.

“Our Song, Our Story —The New Generation of Black Voices” is presented at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18, at the Ordway Center. Tickets start at $13.

KidsJam: Journey through Afro-Brazilian Music with Ticket to Bra zil is held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 29-30, at the Schubert Club Music Museum in the Landmark Center. Tickets start at $5.

Science Museum of Minnesota

120 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-221-9444

smm.org

Nature All Around Us is presented through Jan. 22, 2023. Discover the hidden worlds and rich ecosystems within familiar places and explore the natural world’s interconnected engineering solutions: how trees cool neighborhoods, how streams carry storm water away from homes and how spending time in nature keeps people healthy.

Cardboard City is a tem porary exhibit on display

through Nov. 13. Visitors may build with cardboard.

Omnitheater films“Backyard Wilderness” is presented through Jan. 31, 2023. Peek inside dens, nests and ponds to meet the crea tures that live there.

“Dream Big” is presented through Dec. 31. Explore engineering marvels from around the world and learn how engineers push the limits of innovation in un expected ways.

“Stellar Tours Digital Telescope Show” is pre sented at 2 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, through Nov. 20. Guests can choose their own space tour and glimpse the farthest reaches of the universe.

Omnitheater tickets are $9.95. Free for children age 3 and under.

Sensory Friendly Sunday is hosted the first Sunday of the month. Visitors can ex perience a lights-up, sounddown Omnitheater show at 10 a.m. The program was created in consultation with the Autism Society of Min nesota. Admission is free for personal care attendants when visiting with a client.  Museum tickets range

from $9.95-$34.90, with discounts available for those with limited incomes.

Union Depot

214 4th St. E. St. Paul

651-202-2700 uniondepot.org

“Boonion Depot” is held 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30. Visitors can create pumpkin crafts, dance to a DJ’s tunes, trick-or-treat and more. The first 500 kids under age 12 will receive a tote for candy. Visitors are encouraged to dress in cos tumes.

Other events include Yoga Sculpt, Virtual Noon Yoga, Free Wednesday Night Yoga, Saturday Morning Yoga, Games Galore, Trivia Night at Station 81 and Riffs, Rails and Cocktails.

Xcel Center

199 W. Kellogg Blvd. St. Paul 651-726-8240 xcelenergycenter.com

Smashing Pumpkins , 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 4. Tickets start at $45.

Keith Urban, 7 p.m., Sat urday, Nov. 5. Tickets start at $45.50.

Your

Crusader soccer enjoys historic season on the pitch

John E. Ahlstrom Staff Writer

The St. Croix Lutheran Academy boys soccer team enjoyed some success last year while compiling a 11-5 record. The girls team, on the other hand, finished its season at 15-2 and came within a game of advanc ing to the state tournament. The 2022 season has evolved into an historic run for both teams, not only in terms of wins and losses but also in dividual achievement.

When the boys team re ported for its first practice on August 15, Chris Maki and Jon Huebner, the co-head coaches, were optimistic about the coming season.

“It was about halfway into the 2021 season that I felt we were on course to make a significant run in 2022,” Maki recalled. “We lost just two players to graduation and we toughened up our schedule as well. We have suffered losses to St. Paul Academy and St. Anthony, but we could have won both games.”

The Crusader offense is

led by senior captain Griffen Paulsen and senior Angel Viesca. A native of Spain, Viesca is one of five interna tional players on the roster. Paulsen leads the team in scoring with nine goals and five assists, and Viesca has chipped in four goals and two assists.

“Griffen is an All-State hurdler and his calling card is speed and physicality,” said Maki. “Angel is clever and creative with the ball and is also our lone natural left footer.”

The midfielders include senior Colin McGill and senior captain Silas Gam risch. Both have lit up the score book. McGill has reg istered nine goals and two as sists while Gamrisch has five goals and assisted on ten oth ers. McGill was named the Skyline Conference Player of the Year and is a candi date for Mr. Soccer, the first Crusader to be so honored.

“Colin and Silas know each other very well and play a key role in our defensive zone and, together, they are creative transitioning the ball from midfield into our

offensive zone,” said Hueb ner. “They are lightning fast and can thread the needle with their passes.”

The last line of defense in front of the goalkeeper is in the capable hands of senior captain Nick Scott and sophomore Federico Pedersoli, a student-athlete from Italy.

“Nick plays bigger than he is, but he is not a rah, rah type leader. He’s as solid as a brick wall and prefers to let his vociferous play on the pitch dictate his leader ship,” said Maki. “Federico is confident and aggressive and is clever and smart with the ball.”

The goalkeeper is senior captain Maxwell Kutz. Kutz earned first team All-State recognition as a junior in 2021 and was named the 2022 Skyline Conference Goalkeeper of the Year. He played in all 15 games in the regular season and recorded 11 shutouts. His goalsagainst-average was a stingy 1.20 per game.

“What stands out the most for me is Maxwell’s energy and smarts,” said

Maki. “He is extremely vo cal on the field, and from his position it is he who directs the flow of the game.”

The Crusader boys team finished the regular season with an 11-3-1 record and, although they were the #4 seed in the Section 3A tour nament, both coaches were optimistic as the team en tered the post-season.

Girls soccer

The girls soccer team opened their 2022 season on a positive note. And why not? Coming off the 2021 season in which they lost just one regular season game (3-1 to Southwest Christian) and reached the Section 3A title game before succumbing to eventual state champion Minnehaha Academy, the

Crusaders were hungry to get back to it.

Quite ironically, co-head coaches also lead the girls soccer team: Dave Huebner (Jon Huebner’s father) and Jill Kock (Jon’s sister). Let’s face it – coaching soccer at SCLA is a family affair, but it is also safe to say that they know their craft.

After compiling a 17-2

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The girls soccer team was undefeated in the Skyline conference.

ports

record in 2021, the Crusad ers completed their 2022 regular season with a 12-21 record. The losses were to St. Paul Academy (0-1) and Bloomington Kennedy (1-2) and they fought to a 0-0 tie with Southwest Christian.

Unlike the boys roster which is senior laden, the girls team features numerous underclassmen who play key roles. Ninth grader Izzy Ka panke and junior captain Av ery Sames key an offense that is nothing short of prolific.

The Crusaders outscored their opponents 61-5 during the 15-game regular season. Kapanke scored a team lead ing 17 goals while assisting on 10 others and Sames registered 15 goals and 15 assists to lead the team in points (30).

“One runs out of superla tives when discussing what those two young ladies bring to the table,” said Kock. “Izzy’s soccer IQ is off the charts as are her speed, ball skills and an ability to shape shots on goal. Avery, on the other hand, attacks from ev ery angle on the field. She is aggressive and fearless from start to finish.”

Senior captain Ari Sebi

on-Calvesio is a centerback and, according to Kock, is the team’s coach on the field. Not to be outdone by Colin McGill on the boys team, Calvesio was also named the Skyline Conference Player of the Year and is a candidate for Miss Soccer in Minne sota.

“Ari’s soccer sense and will to win is so evident in the manner in which she com petes,” said Kock. “Her do main is the entire pitch and she will dribble the ball the full length of the field if her instincts demand it. She is also very adept at blocking shots and making steals.”

Sophomore Maddie Leet, senior captain Maria Rei mann and her sister, Tina, are mid-fielders and the three of them control the transition between offense and defense.

“Maddie is smart beyond her years. She’s creative dis tributing the ball with preci sion and makes creative runs away from the ball to get in position to receive a pass,” said Kock. “Maria made great strides in her game over the summer months, and Tina, a sprinter on the track team, ranked third

on the team in points with seven goals and ten assists.”

Senior Allyse Schletty re turned as the starting goal keeper and was off to a great start allowing just one goal in the first five games. On September 12 against St. Croix Prep, she incurred a serious shoulder injury that has shelved her for the rest of the season.

Sophomore Stella Sell to the rescue. An elite softball and basketball player, she had been recruited by team mates to try out in August. She was in the net for the last ten games of the season and her goals against average was a miniscule .43 per game.

“She barely knew the rules of the game when she showed up,” said Kock. “But it didn’t take long for her to showcase her athleticism and her strong and supple hands. She seemed to get better with every game.”

Both teams opened postseason play with victories. The boys team defeated St. Agnes 6-1 in the Section 3A boys quarterfinals and the girls team defeated St. Paul Humboldt 4-1 in the Section 3A girls quarterfinals. As fate would have it, both teams

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faced perennial power St. Paul Academy in the semifi nals. The boys were outscored 4-0 and the girls 2-0.

None of that can dilute

the fact that both teams were undefeated in confer ence play for the first time in school history. The boys finished the season 12-4-1

and the girls 13-3-1. Those numbers make it crystal clear that the SCLA soccer program is thriving and in good stead.

Garlough students help create new mural

The Charlton Street underpass is now adorned with colorful de pictions of outdoor settings painted by Garlough Environmental Magnet Elementary School students and educational artists. The tunnel, located along the River to River Greenway, connects the school with Dodge Nature Center. Artists Meg Erke and Megan Moore assisted the students with the project. The tunnel is a 95-foot-long bow arch-style underpass that provides safe passage for students’ frequent visits to Dodge Nature Center.

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St. Paul Voice

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Documentary

School excavated the site and recovered human remains, later identified as McGowan. McGowan was posthumous ly awarded an air medal and a Purple Heart, and his name was carved into the Wall of the Missing memorial in the Normandy American Cem etery, the first American Cemetery on European soil in WWII.

McGowan was buried July 9 with full military honors. Present were more than 50 family members, the mayor of his hometown (Benson, Minn.), STA headmaster Kelby Woodard and mem bers of the 391st Fighter Squadron. More than

10,000 soldiers are buried or honored at the Norman dy American Cemetery, lo cated in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

STA’s Maddaus and oth ers are now carefully clipping reel and editing content to create a 20- to 30-minute documentary on McGowan. A trailer will be presented at STA’s Veterans Day ceremo ny, held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11. The full film will be completed by the end of the school year.

“They said it was most likely the last burial to ever happen at Normandy be cause at this point most bod ies [from WWII] have been

found or identified,” said Maddaus. “The biggest chal lenge, especially when you’re doing [filming] an event like a ceremony or burial, is that everything is a one-and-done shot. You have to get the right angle, you have to get the right footage, and you only get one chance.”

Maddaus had to compete with 15 other videocamera operators from French news agencies to film the cer emony.

“They had this one part where they put a Rosetta stone on the Wall of the Missing, which is where his name was,” he said. “When you put the Rosetta stone on there, it signifies that that person is now found. Once again, that’s a once-in-a-life time thing. You can’t stage

them screwing it back into the wall.”

While overseas, Maddaus interviewed other veterans and several of McGowan’s family members. STA also has footage from the 1930s when McGowan was a stu dent there. He graduated in 1935.

The team working on the documentary includes his tory teachers Dean Simmons and Doug Hoverson, and senior Hunter Mawn, who has been in Maddaus’ vid eo editing course for three years and is currently in the honors course. Once com pleted, the documentary will be submitted to a national history day competition this spring. It will also be used in AP history classes at STA in the future.

Veterans Day Walk

American Legion Post 8 is hosting a Veterans Day walk at 1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 11 to honor all veterans. The walk begins at the Veteran’s Service Building at the State Capitol, 20 W. 12th St., and

travels to and from down town St. Paul. Walkers are encouraged to carry a U.S. flag.

WSCO annual meeting

The West Side Commu nity Organization (WSCO)

is hosting its annual meet ing 4-7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6, at Harriet Island’s Wig ington Pavilion. The theme is “Stories of our Past, Vi sions of our Future.” The free event will feature food, music, presentations, board elections, and an oral his tory project and photo ex

hibit highlighting stories of people who were displaced from the West Side Flats. In the 1960s, the St. Paul Port Authority demolished that neighborhood along the Mississippi River because it was prone to constant flood ing. Later a flood wall was added to support an indus

McGowan served with the U.S. Air Force in the 391st Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group.

trial park. For more informa tion, visit wsco.org.

WSP resident receives Spirit Award

Gloria Romo of West St. Paul recently received a 2022 Spirit Award from Lutheran

Social Service of Minnesota (LSS). The award honors employees who demonstrate outstanding commitment and dedication to the vision and mission of the organi zation. Romo, an executive assistant for LSS, was nomi nated by her supervisor.

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Neighbors, Inc.

Charlie Thompson President & CEO

In September, Neighbors hosted a 50th anniversary community celebration. One of the highlights was the unveiling of our time line mural designed by local artist Jaclee Slaba. The mu ral captures the history of Neighbors like never before, beginning with our found ing in 1972 and continuing all the way to the pandemic

years of 2020-22. There is even room to highlight fu ture years. As we near the end of our 50th anniver sary year and celebrate the timeline mural, I thought I would provide some high lights from our 50 years of service.

On January 13, 1972, volunteers from six local churches came together to

P ostscript

On the sidewalk

I met Betty sitting outside on the sidewalk.

Betty spends a lot of time there. She lives in the build ing next door, a place for older folks who need a lot of help and don’t have a lot of money. At some point, Betty lost both legs below the knee. She wears a curly wig pulled down low on her head, and is usually smoking a cigarette, accompanied by a few other residents from her building. I walk by Bet ty’s building a lot.

“How are you doing to day?” I always ask the resi dents as I pass.

Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com

The building is made of brick, in a pattern that looks like weaving. This has led my husband, Peter, and me to privately call it the “basket building,” and its occupants

form what would become Neighbors, Inc. They did so in response to the closing of the meat packing plants in South St. Paul and the economic crisis it created. The first year was a busy one. Volunteers installed phone lines in their homes. St. John Vianney hosted our first food shelf. The Clothes Closet opened on Marie Av enue. Neighbors also provid ed transportation to those in need and started the Holiday Gift program.

In the following years, Neighbors expanded and developed its brand. The Neighbors “N” was created and is still used today. Two more food shelves opened and the Clothes Closet ex panded. Bob Adams became our first executive director,

and by the end of the first decade we had offices in Nan McKay. Our programs con tinued to evolve as the needs of the community changed.

In the 1980s, all of Neigh bors’ activities were located under one roof for the first time. Globe Publishing first hosted Neighbors, then we relocated to 13th Avenue in South St. Paul. Minnesota Foodshare and a Walk for the Hungry took place in the early ’80s. These events are still happening today.

With the ’90s came much change. New generations of leaders and staff served Neighbors. Community gar dens provided fresh produce for our food shelf. Thanks to a generous gift from one of our founders, we created an endowment fund.

In the 2000s, we entered the digital age with our first website and social media.

Duck Races were held for the first time in 2008. In the same year, the Great Reces sion began and Neighbors experienced increased need for its services. Our com munity responded by giv ing generously of its time and treasure.

As our 40th anniversary approached, Neighbors mounted a capital campaign to purchase its current build ing at 222 Grand Ave. The purchase and relocation allowed Neighbors to con tinue to grow and meet the needs of the community.

In 2020, we all faced a new challenge with the pan demic. In the face of chal lenge, Neighbors stepped up

and improved its programs and services to meet new expectations brought on by a fast-changing world. Legacy programs changed overnight. The food shelf added curbside pickup and delivery options. The Clothes Closet focused on essential needs. We added a financial empowerment program. We also refreshed our building by redesigning our food shelf, converting our lobby into the Financial Empowerment Center, and investing in a new roof and other capital improvements.

If you are interested in see ing a visual representation of our history, visit us 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. We will be happy to show you our timeline mural and pro vide a tour of our building.

the “basket cases.” I know it’s not nice but it’s what we do.

“Doing great! How are you?” Betty and most of her companions reply. There’s usually a gathering of resi dents, most of them in wheelchairs, and they always say they are “doing great!” as they smoke their cigarettes, speaking of things I will never know about.

One day, Betty was alone.

“I don’t actually know your name,” I confessed.

“I’m Betty.”

“I’m Carrie.”

“Nice to meet you, Car rie.”

Then, yesterday, I was on my way to the drugstore, and there was Betty, sev eral blocks from the basket building, with her wheel chair parked and facing the

street.

“Hello, Betty!”

“Oh, hello!”

“It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” I said.

“Oh, it is!” she agreed.

“What’re you looking at?”

Betty gestured across the street, toward the small park with trees, and taller build ings in the background. There were flowers in the foreground and a brick walk way in the park.

“It’s beautiful, don’t you think?” she asked. “The whole thing. It’s a beautiful picture.”

I was in no hurry to get to the drugstore, I realized, gazing across the street. It was late afternoon, the sun shining through the trees, the bricks were shiny and the flowers were in full bloom.

Betty was right. It was beautiful, and I would have walked right past it without a glance.

“I sometimes sit here and just look at it,” Betty told me. “One day, they had a wedding here.”

“Oh, that would be a great place for a wedding,” I said.

“Uh-huh,” Betty agreed.

“What was your name again?” she asked.

“Carrie. Like the Stephen King novel.”

“Oh, yeah!”

I stood there in silence for a long moment, taking in the scene.

“Well, I’ll see you around, Betty,” I finally said. Betty smiled at me.

As I headed down the sidewalk, I took one last look back at her. She was sitting

in a patch of warm autumn sunshine, her eyes focused on the scene across the street. She had a smile on her face and a peacefulness about her that I only manage for mo ments in a day – if I’m lucky.

I don’t know a thing about Betty, and when I see her on the sidewalk in her wheel chair, smoking her cigarettes, I’ve been pretty quick to as sume that hers is not a happy life.

I had to wonder if, in her place, I would have wheeled myself three blocks just for a sight that pleased me, just to sit in the sun, just to take in the beauty. I hope so. Till next time.

of St.

Stephanie Levine for Mendota Heights mayor

My in-laws came in 1963. My husband, Steve, went to Somerset, Grass, and was in the last class in the ‘red building’ in 1971. We built our family home in “Mr. Weinzettl’s cow pasture” in 1989. Our kids went to Mendota, Grass/Friendly Hills, and the high school formerly known as Sibley. Our family has been around for lots of mayors. Stephanie Levine is a standout.

Mayor Levine is practical, forthright, and unafraid to take on tough issues. She

negotiated a much more ac ceptable plan for higher den sity housing, which avoided a potential costly lawsuit. Under her administration, our taxes remain low while city services are stellar. Her transparency in government has served this community well. Ask her a question... get a thoughtful, honest an swer. She actively encourages citizen participation and, perhaps more importantly, will absolutely investigate a viable idea from a constitu ent.

She is a true steward of our land. Her commitment to parks, trails and greens

pace is demonstrated by her unflagging support. The ad dition of the composting dumpster is a huge step to ward increasing sustainabil ity. City-wide tree planting, active encouragement of rain and pollinator gardens, and a new Natural Resources Commission are steps to a greener city.

After I lost Steve to cancer, I decided to stay. Here. In Mendota Heights. Some how, this New Yorker man aged to sink a few roots into this city.

Re-electing Stephanie Levine is a vote for the pro tection, growth and prosper ity of our city.

Susan S. Siegfried Mendota Heights

John Maczko for Mendota Heights mayor

My wife Jean and I are proud to strongly endorse John Maczko for Mayor of Mendota Heights. We have known John and his family for 40 years and we cannot think of anyone better quali fied to be our mayor. I had the pleasure as our mayor and councilmember to work with John for 16 years. I can attest to his qualities of lead ership and a profound dedi cation to our community. At the City of St. Paul he

rose through ever increas ing roles of responsibility to become their city engineer and was named Minnesota City Engineer of the Year by the state engineer association in 2015. He concurrently spent decades as a Mendota Heights firefighter and was our fire chief for 32 years. Under his training and ded ication to our community he led a team of brave men and women to ultimately be named Minnesota Fire Department of the Year not just once, but twice. Please join Jean and I in voting for John Maczko for mayor of Mendota Heights.   John Huber Mendota Heights

As a former Mendota Heights City Council mem ber, I am disturbed by the development policies pur sued by the current mayor and council. City policy has always been focused on careful planning and placing the interests of our residents first. Development propos als were subjected to strict scrutiny and those propos als that didn’t meet the city’s standards and serve the in terests of residents were ei ther changed or not allowed to proceed. The mayor and the current city council have abandoned that careful ap proach to planning; ignored the recommendations of their experienced planning commission and testimony of city residents; and al lowed two new apartment complexes to be wedged into Mendota Plaza at the busy intersection of Dodd Road and the Crosstown. No plan ning was done to take into consideration the significant increase in traffic in the area, creating a hazardous condi tion for those attempting to access the new apartments and the shopping plaza, as well as those driving through the area.

Fortunately, the residents of Mendota Heights have an excellent alternative for mayor. John Maczko was an outstanding chief of the city’s volunteer fire depart ment for many years and also served as city engineer for the City of St. Paul. He is a listener who will put the wishes of the residents before the extravagant plans of de velopers. He is exactly what Mendota Heights needs to restore responsible gover nance to the city. I urge the voters to elect John Maczko as their next mayor.

Carl “Buzz” Cummins Mendota Heights

John Mazzitello for Mendota Heights City Council

In this fall’s election for Mendota Heights City Council, residents have an opportunity of electing John Mazzitello. I would urge res idents to cast a vote for this highly qualified individual. John has been a resident of Mendota Heights for over 14 years. Over this entire time, he has served our city as the Public Works director/ city engineer, a member of the Planning Commission and the City Council. John has demonstrated an appre ciation for and an uncanny knowledge of the city’s needs. He brings a thought ful vision and balance to the city. Mendota Heights needs to continue to grow in a logi cal, well-planned manner, providing opportunities for existing and new residents.

The proof is in what these developments have brought to the city in the way of new energy and vitality, housing and business opportunities.

John has been an expressive voice in support of moving the city forward without sac rificing the overall character of our city. Others do not hold a similar perspective.

The status quo is not an op tion. Appropriate and logical growth is vital to maintain ing and growing the city’s tax base, opening new housing opportunities for existing and future residents. John has also been a voice on the City Council supporting the long-range planning for parks and public natural re sources.

It is for these reasons I be lieve John would continue to be a strong representative on the City Council and is someone who deserves your vote this fall.

J. Michael Noonan Mendota Heights

Support for MH mayoral and city council candidates

John Maczko, lifelong resident of Mendota Heights, is a recognized certified professional traf fic operations engineer and was Mendota Heights Fire Chief for 32 years. These two items alone ideally position Mr. Maczko to be the next mayor of Mendota Heights, to deal with the fallout re sulting from two misplaced approvals by the present mayor and City Council that

approved two massive apart ment complexes now under construction. The entrance to these apartments is with in 200 feet of the Mendota Heights Fire Department and EMT dispatch center and within 150 yards of the intersection of Highways 149 and 62. This intersec tion has been assigned, by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, a fail ing traffic grade of D/F for many years. This action was unconscionable, and steadier hands should be elected as both the mayor and the two open City Council seats for Mendota Heights.For City Council my recommenda tions are Sally Lorberbaum and Jeff Nath. I have spo ken with both, and their thoughts are in close align ment with Mr. Maczko. Vote for John Maczko for Mayor of Mendota Heights, and Sally Lorberbaum and Jeff Nath for City Council.

Edward Hanton Mendota Heights

Marines aren’t trained for govern ment. Angie Craig is.

I respect Tyler Kistner’s service as a Marine. How ever, I, as a former combat Marine, father, grandfather, and involved citizen, dis agree when he boasts how that experience makes him exceptionally qualified to serve in Congress. Our Ma rine Corps training did not include honing the skills needed to deal with climate change, massive income and wealth inequality coupled with corporate greed, cen turies of racial injustice, and Republican authoritarianism and threats to restrict voting, reproductive rights, and free doms, to name a few.

We already have a de fender in Congress: Rep. Angie Craig. She has de fended Minnesotan’s access to affordable health care and supported bills to recover from the pandemic, reduce income inequality, rebuild our crumbling infrastruc ture, and address climate change. In this time of crisis when Americans are more divided than ever, we need to send in the peacemakers and the consensus builders. That is why this Marine will be voting to reelect Rep. An gie Craig.

Michael Orange West St. Paul

Your

Augustana Lutheran 1400 Robert St. S. West St. Paul 651-457-3373 augustana.com

B eth Jacob Congregation

1 179 Victoria C u rve M endota Heights 651-452-2226 beth-jacob.org

Cherokee Park United 3 71 Baker St W St. Paul 651-227-4275 c herokeepark u nited.org

Community Christ the Redeemer

1 10 Crusader Ave W West St Paul 651-451-6123 c credeemer.org

Crown of Life Lutheran Church & School

115 Crusader Avenue W. West St. Paul 651-451-3832 colwsp.org

Faith United Methodist 1530 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-5686 faithumcmn.com

Holy Family Maronite 1960 Lexington Ave. S. Mendota Heights 651-291-1116 HolyFamilyEvents.org

La Puerta Abierta UMC 690 Livingston Ave. St. Paul 651-558-1896

M izpah River Ministries 1 955 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 6 51 399-5783

O ur Lady of Guadalupe 4 01 Concord St St. Paul 6 51 228-0506 w ww.olg catholic.org

Riverview Baptist 14 Moreland Ave. E. West St. Paul 651-457-3831

www.riverviewbaptist.net

Salem Lutheran 1 1 Bernard St West St Paul 6 51 457-6661 w ww.salemluth.org

S pirit of Hope Catholic Community 2 035 Charlton Road S unfish Lake 6 51-760-8353 w ww.spiritofhopemn.org

S t. A nne’s Episcopal 2 035 Charlton R d. S unfish Lake 6 51 455-9449 www.s aintannesmn.org

St. Elizabeth Orthodox 125 Congress St E St. Paul 651 424-0814 seocc.org

St. George Antiochian Orthodox 1250 Oakdale Ave. West St. Paul 651-457-0854 www.saintgeorgechurch.org

S t. Matthew Catholic 4 90 Hall Avenue St. Paul 6 51 224-9793 w ww.st-matts.org

S t. Paul’s United M ethodist 700 Wesley Lane Mendota Heights 651-452-5683 stpaulsmn. org

St. James Lutheran 460 Annapolis St. W. West St. Paul 651-457-9232

www.saintjameslutheran. com

St. Joseph’s Catholic 1 154 Seminole Ave . West St Paul 6 51-457-2781 w ww.churchofstjoseph.org

St. Stephen’s Lutheran 1575 Charlton St. West St. Paul 651-457-6541 w ww.ststephenswsp.org

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