South St. Paul
Bourg named middle school principal Page 4
90 Women of South St. Paul series honors Virginia Lanegran Page 8
Volume 17 | Number 10
Community Learning Center relocates Tim Spitzack Editor
The Community Learning Center (CLC), an alternative high school program of South St. Paul Public Schools, has moved to the former River Heights Professional Building at 710 19th Ave. N. The District bought the building in September 2019 for $1.6 million and renovated it for the school, which serves 100 students in grades 10-12. The building, which opened in late August as the South St. Paul Education Center, will also be used for adult learning programs and office space for Community Education. CLC occupies the second and third floors and has significantly more space than its former home at Woog Arena—18,000 square feet compared to 5,500 square feet. The interior of the former office building was demolished, and new plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems, classrooms, office space and more have been added. The second floor has four classrooms, a multipurpose learning space, book room and the school office. The third floor has a kitchen, cafeteria, five classrooms and a multipurpose learning space. CLC was established in 1990 and has been housed in various locations. It had rented space at Woog Arena since 1997. The center offers a school day program, an after-school program for students who need to make up credits, and an online program. Students began the school year with three weeks of distance learning and will return to the classroom part-time the week of Sept. 28.
Your Community News & Information Source
October 2020
City hires consultant to study pedestrian bridge options at Kaposia Landing
Tim Spitzack Editor
T
he once-called “bridge to nowhere” may be getting a facelift in the future to make it safer for pedestrians to enter Kaposia Landing at the southern end of the park. The City of South St. Paul has hired SRF Consulting Group to explore two options: creating a new pedestrian bridge at the southern end of the park or adding a pedestrian lane to the existing Bryant Avenue Bridge. That bridge dates to 2003 and meets MnDOT standards but doesn’t provide a separate pedestrian lane. After it was built, it was dubbed the bridge
to nowhere because it literally went nowhere until a road was created to support redevelopment of the former Port Crosby Landfill, which the City has since cleaned up and turned into a city park with ballfields, concessions, a dog park and access to the 27-mile Mississippi river trail and the River to River Greenway trail system. Pedestrians and bikers can reach the 87acre park at the River to River Greenway pedestrian bridge, which spans Concord Street and the Union Pacific Railroad (UP), and at the new Mississippi River Greenway bridge over UP tracks, scheduled to open Kaposia Bridge / Page 2
On the Road Again canceled; popular duck race will go on Tim Spitzack Editor
On the Road Again is the latest in a long line of community events that have been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sorry folks, that means you won’t be able to get your booya fix in October, pucker up to a prized pickle, or celebrate the many other traditions associated with South St. Paul’s annual fall festival. The event was first organized in 1990 as a way for business owners to say thank you to the community for supporting them throughout a 2-year construction project on Southview Boulevard. It is typically held the first weekend in October, featuring a booya contest, car show, arts, craft and flea market, pickle contest, petting zoo and live music. Neighbors, Inc., a nonprofit that serves people in northern Dakota County, also hosts its Great Neighbors’ Duck Pond during the event. That popular fundraiser will still take place but with few spectators. It will be broadcast live on Facebook at noon, Saturday, Oct. 3. Those who purchase one or more ducks will have the chance to win a grand prize of $500. Ducks are $5 each and can be purchased at Neighbors, Inc., 222 Grand Ave. W., South St. Paul, local businesses, and at www.neighborsmn.org. Proceeds support Neighbors Inc.’s emergency and supportive programs. For more information, call 651-306-2154.
SSP High School to pay new $4,500 COVID-19 fee to MSHSL John Ahlstrom Staff Writer
W
ith the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect nearly every sport and activity sponsored by the high school (not to mention every student, parent, teacher and school administrator), Chad Sexauer often finds himself in the middle of the storm. Sexauer is in his 17th season as
the head coach of the South St. Paul High School football team and in his tenth year as the school’s activities director. The subject of money is an ongoing dilemma. With no state high school tournaments scheduled during the 2020-21 school year the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) stands to lose about 75 percent of its annual revenue.
In response, the league has trimmed its annual budget from $9 million to $5 million. Despite that move, the league is in dire need of resources and has targeted its member schools to come to its financial rescue. Last February, before the pandemic, the MSHSL Board of Directors authorized raising the annual league membership fee from $120 to $160 for the 2020-
21 school year. In addition, the $120 fee that member schools pay per activity was increased to $160. The Board also approved a $1 per student enrolled fee, adjusted for free-and-reducedlunch numbers. With 28 sponsored activities, South St. Paul High School paid a total of $3,480 during the 2019-20 school year. With the new increases, the 2020-21 assessment is
$5,040. But the kicker that has drawn the ire of numerous activities directors is a new COVID-19 installment fee that varies by enrollment. The largest schools will pay as much as $11,000 per year and the smallest as little as $1,000. Add South St. Paul’s COVID-19 fee of $4,500 and the school’s overall bill to the MSHSL balloons to $9,540. While Sexauer is not enamored by the $6,260 in-
crease, he understands and respects the dilemma facing the MSHSL. “The Minnesota State High School League is an honorable and reputable organization,” he said. “They have been forced into making some very difficult decisions along the way and the financial dilemma they face is really the fault of no one.
MSHSL fee / Page 3
E conomic Development
Your community news and information source
City approves Concord Street contract Tim Spitzack Editor
The $32 million project to reconstruct Concord Street now has an official management team. The South St. Paul City Council approved a professional services agreement with engineering firm Kimley Horn at its Aug. 17 meeting for the construction phase of the Concord Street improvement program. The $1.6 million contract covers overseeing all construction
services, including inspections, surveying, issuing contracts and conducting public meetings. The City is already under contract with Kimley Horn for design services. That $2.5 million contract was awarded in March 2019. An amendment for another $538,189 was approved in July to cover additional work that was identified during the design process. According to Sue Polka, city engineer, half the cost of the design contract is paid through
an agreement with MnDOT. The project includes reconstruction of 3.5 miles of Concord Street from I-494 to Annapolis Street and other improvements, including new sidewalks and trails, retaining wall improvements, and storm sewer and public utility replacement. The city’s goal is to provide better connectivity, increase traffic safety and efficiency, replace old infrastructure, and spur economic growth in the corridor. The work
will continue past the city’s northern border. MnDOT and the City of St. Paul will make improvements to Concord Street from Annapolis Street to Hwy. 52. The final design is expected to be completed in November, with construction beginning in the spring of 2021. The portion from I-494 to Hardman will be completed next year and the rest will take place in 2022. For project updates, visit www.concordstreetssp.com.
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Kaposia Bridge
from page 1 later this year. Both are located at the north end. The only vehicular access is the Bryant Avenue Bridge at the south end. It spans UP tracks and the Mississippi River Greenway. In early July, the City sent a request for proposals to seven vendors for a feasibility analysis of the Bryant Avenue Bridge. It received three proposals, ranging from $27,000 to $35,100. The review committee selected SRF due to its low bid, as well as its successful track record on other projects in the city. The City Council unanimously approved hiring SRF at its Aug. 17 meeting. Chris Esser, Parks and Recreation director, told the council, “They’ve worked with us and have done a very good job with community engagement when we worked on the Wakota boat launch and trailhead facility.” He added that the Parks Commission has named this a priority project and that the study will be funded with a $26,000 Statewide Health Improvement Partnership grant administered by Dakota County. Because the bids came back higher than the grant amount, the City asked the County for an additional $874 and was awarded the funds. The only portion of the SRF fee that the City will pay is $205 for reimbursable expenses. The study is now underway and will be completed by February 2021. The SRF team will develop design concepts that meet federal and state standards, lead a public engagement process that includes public meetings to clearly convey the project’s intent and gather public input, and provide construction costs. The City intends to seek federal funds for construction costs.
Education That Suits Your Student SCHOOL CHOICE DIRECTORY
Reelect Joe Forester SSP City Council Lifelong resident of South St. Paul Plant Engineering Supervisor for 3M
SOUTH ST. PAUL CONCERNS
• Library remodel or rebuild decision • Rental property code enforcement • Concord Street rebuild project • Infrastructure improvements • Providing Fire and Police services • Hardman Triangle redevelopment Prepared and paid or by Joe Forester, 1321 9th Ave. S. South St. Paul MN 55075
Page 2 - South St. Paul Voice - October 2020
Visit www.stpaulpublishing.com/schoolchoice to explore these schools and for tips on how to choose a school that best fits your student's and family's needs.
CHARTER
Academia Cesar Chavez 1801 Lacrosse Ave., St. Paul 651-778-2940 www.cesarchavezschool.com Achieve Language Academy 2169 Stillwater Ave. E. St. Paul 651-738-4875 www.achievemn.org St. Paul City School PreK-12 260 Edmund Ave., St. Paul 651-225-9177 www.stpaulcityschool.org
COLLEGES / UNIVERSITIES St. Paul College 235 Marshall Ave., St. Paul 651-846-1600 https://saintpaul.edu
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St. Croix Lutheran Academy 1200 Oakdale Ave., West St. Paul 651-455-1521 www.stcroixlutheran.org
E conomic Development MSHSL fee
Your community news and information source
from page 1
We have been a loyal partner and we will do our part.” When asked about the six sports—boy and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, girls tennis and girls swimming and diving—that received the go ahead from
the MSHSL to compete this fall, Sexauer is enthusiastic about the manner in which his Packer athletes have performed. “There is nothing normal about competing in the midst of a pandemic,” he
said. “The kids must practice in smaller pods and adhere to social distancing, wear their masks and play limited schedules. But in exchange, they get the joy of interaction with their teammates and the adrenalin associated with competition.” In addition to his respect for how the coaches and athletes have responded this fall,
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practice field for Sexauer and his squad on Sept. 14. The MSHSL has authorized a 12-day fall football practice regimen for its member schools. The Packers will conduct afternoon practices on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for three consecutive weeks and gather for film sessions on Saturday mornings. As of press time,
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the MSHSL was also considering allowing games to resume this fall. So, Coach Sexauer, how have you personally adjusted to a fall without football? “It hasn’t been easy,” he said. “I really don’t know what to do with myself between 3:00 and 6:00 during the week and I’m totally lost on Friday nights.”
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he is thankful for the support he has received from the parents and the community. “We continue to have the full cooperation of our parents as we work our way through this difficult time,” said Sexauer. “They have always been big part of what we do here.” As for the Packer football team, it was back to the
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The South St. Paul Voice is published monthly and distributed to 8,500 homes and high traffic businesses in South St. Paul. Publisher & Editor: Tim Spitzack Copy Editor: Leslie Martin Staff Writers: John E. Ahlstrom, John Molene, Amy Johnson
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South St. Paul Voice - October 2020 - Page 3
N ews Briefs Student notes Kyla Ledger was named to the dean’s list at The College of St. Scholastica in Duluth.
Library offers express services The library is now open for express services. Patrons may pick up items, browse materials, check out items and use the library’s computers or copier, but are asked to limit their stay to 15 minutes or less. Librarians are available at 651-554-3240 to answer reference questions, make book suggestions and provide more details about library services.
Your community news and information source Storytime - Enjoy a 20-minute storytime featuring songs, rhymes, movement and stories each Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook. Visit www.facebook.com/ssplibrary. Make and Take station – Visit the children’s area for free, pre-packed project kits to complete at home.
Chamber hosts clay shoot The River Heights Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Fourth annual clay shoot event Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the South St. Paul Rod and Gun Club. In addition to
the traditional eight-station course, the event includes two popular games. Players can vie for the title of Annie Oakley in the popular last-shooter-standing contest, and teams of two can compete in the Duck Flurry, shooting from a tower that throws clays in multiple directions. Prizes will be awarded to teams with the top course scores and the contest winners. Beginners are welcome. Guns are available for those who don’t own one. Shells, protective eyewear and earplugs are provided. To register, visit www.riverheights.com/clayshoot2020.
Bourg named middle school principal Tim Spitzack Editor
S
ince South St. Paul Schools began the year with distance learning, most middle school students have not had the chance to meet their new principal, Leah Bourg. That will change on Sept. 28 when students return to the classroom under the District’s hybrid model. Under this approach, students will be divided into two groups and attend inperson classes part-time to limit the number of
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Entertainment venues reopening Tim Spitzack Editor
S
lowly but surely, downtown entertainment venues are beginning to reopen. The Science Museum of Minnesota and the Children’s Museum of Minnesota are once again welcoming visitors, and the American Association of Woodturners Gallery of Wood Art in the Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W., has reopened with a new exhibit. The gallery is open by appointment. To reserve a time, call 651-292-3225. RiverCentre will host the Twin Cities Bridal Show on Sept. 27, and the Minnesota History Center will reopen Oct. 1, featuring its special exhibits “First Avenue: Stories of Minnesota’s Main-
room,” and “Prince: Before the Rain.” Both have been extended to Jan. 3, 2021. Entry will be limited and advanced tickets are recommended. Hours are 10 a.m.4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Other venues continue to offer streaming options. The Minnesota Historical Society is hosting “Votes for Women,” a free online exhibit that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment through the stories of Minnesota women; and “History at Home,” which has videos and other resources about Minnesota history. The History Theatre will stream the following shows in October: • “Sweet Land, the
musical,” October 9-22. Inge Altenberg journeys to America to marry a bachelor farmer, sight unseen. But in the wake of WWI, Inge’s German heritage turns her neighbors against the match. Tickets from $15. • “Wilson’s Girl,” streaming Oct. 2-8. An emotionally charged recounting of the turmoil in Albert Lea during the 1959 Wilson’s meatpacking strike as seen through the eyes of a teenager. Tickets from $15. • “The Boy Wonder: Stassen Musical,” streaming Oct. 30-Nov. 5. In 1938, Harold Stassen was dubbed the Boy Wonder and the future of the Republican Party after being elected the governor of Minnesota at age 31. By 1992, Stassen’s political career ended as a perennial
The History Theatre is presenting “Sweet Land, the musical” Oct. 9-22. candidate who sought, and lost, his bid for the Republican presidential nomination a record nine times. This is a story of a man who routinely fought to redefine a party that was not ready for change, defying those he needed most to make it to the White House. Tickets from $15. The Mysterious Old Radio Listening Society will present two original stories at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 19 that were inspired
by Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.” Each will be performed in the style of a classic radio series, including commercials, music and sound effects. “Long Live Frankenstein” follows Captain Walton and his expedition through deadly arctic waters to capture the legendary creature, and “Inglorious Monsters” is about a World War II scientist who seeks to reanimate the dead to create the perfect soldier. Tickets
are $15 and can be ordered at www.parksquaretheatre. org. Park Square Theatre will present “Theatre of the Macabre” Oct. 29-31. This three-night variety series will feature ghost stories told by local storytellers, actors and singers, and an array of readings, songs, folkloric tales and poems. Tickets are $15 per night or $30 for all three nights and can be ordered at www.parksquaretheatre.org.
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C ommunity
Your community news and information source
Neighbors, Inc. Charlie Thompson President & CEO
Community events (like everything else) have experienced major disruption this year. As I write this, the Great Minnesota Get Together should be entering its final weekend. Instead, if you wanted anything on a stick this year it meant going to a drive-thru and using extended arms to remain six feet apart. This month, ghosts and goblins will have to
stay home and scare themselves. Even the granddaddy of them all for Neighbors—The Great Neighbors’ Duck Race fundraiser—has had to change its format. The pandemic is highlighting the very reason why we do not normally stay six feet apart: we need community. We need Friday night lights. We need crisp fall festivals. We need hayrides and apple picking, together, with groups of people. We need the events that bring us together because we are, by nature, social creatures. At this time, we also need to follow the guidelines that keep us safe. Doing so will ensure that more of us will enjoy the State Fair next year or attend more football games, festivals or apple picking. It will keep us healthy and able to enjoy a full life together. So how do we make the most of this challenging time? We can accept what we cannot change and embrace the current circumstances. For instance, at Neighbors, we are unable to have our traditional duck races. Instead, the 13th annual running of the ducks (I am not superstitious, but come on, 13 is a pretty ironic anniversary to celebrate this year, in
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PEOPLE Before Politics!
Hello, I am Keith Franke and I would like to be your Minnesota State Representative in District 54A. I was raised in South St. Paul and Cottage Grove. I now reside in St. Paul Park. I am a small business owner, a father, a grandfather and a community activist. The thing I think would help our friends, family and neighbors across our distrist is creating safer more connected and inclusive communities. We need to use our tax money responsibly to ensure all kids have access to quality education and the tools needed to bridge opportunity gaps. We also need to have the state eliminate taxing social security income. In times like these, it's more important than ever to have accessible and affordable healthcare at every income level.
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Page 6 - South St. Paul Voice - October 2020
October no less) will take place in our very own “pond.” It will be broadcast on Facebook for all to see and we will no doubt have our share of duck jokes and puns to share with everyone. The important thing is that we are adapting to our circumstances and making the most of a difficult situation. I have seen and heard of cities, organizations and others adapting events so they can have some sort of celebration. In fact, I believe one of the major lessons we will all learn from the pandemic is that creativity has currency. The more creative you are, the more likely you are to come out on the other side of this if not better, certainly no worse that you were when we entered the pandemic. As we enter the final quarter of 2020, community events will continue to look different. Our celebrations will be different. It will not be easy. We can make the most of it by accepting what we cannot change and being creative in new and inventive ways with how we interact. The pandemic has changed how we gather as community. It has not changed why. Stay safe and stay healthy.
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Reading to Lori I’ve been reading to Lori. Lori is my husband Peter’s older sister. She has had cancer for a while now. She uses oxygen, and catching the coronavirus would be terrible for her so Peter and I are extra careful, in large part because I’d like to keep reading to Lori. I’ve been writing a novel. It’s the first time I’ve written fiction so I honestly don’t know what I’m doing. It’s the sort of thing a person learns by doing, and so I’ve been doing it, pretty much alone, since the end of
While we were hopeful that COVID-19 would not affect the Halloween events offered by the City of South St. Paul, unfortunately it does. Here’s a rundown of “witch” events will and will not happen this year. The South St. Paul Hallow-Green Costume Exchange will be held 10:30
January. Some time in there I started reading it to Lori. Peter has been cooking, and he’s an excellent cook. I strongly recommend, if you
are a writer and it’s not too late, that you marry someone who cooks because sometimes I get so wrapped up in my imaginary little world that I forget about cooking meals. When I come downstairs, Peter always has a pot of something on the stove. He’s good about things like that, and since about the first of the year Peter has been bringing food to Lori. Unlike me, Lori has a good excuse not to be cooking. She’s not always hungry, her diet is restricted, and sometimes she doesn’t have the energy to think about making food. When Peter brings over food, I read. As the pandemic has stretched on, these days of reading have become more
important to me and, I suspect, to us all. Sometimes I dress up a little. It feels good to put on a sundress for a change. We sit outside on opposite sides of her deck. Lori’s husband, Robert, puts Peter’s food in the fridge, and we find out how Lori’s been feeling and what treatments she’s been on most recently. “Shelley called,” Lori will say. And she’ll tell us about phone calls she’s had from family. Then the conversation sort of winds down because, let’s face it, none of us are doing much these days. That’s when I’ll read a chapter or two. Sometimes the neighbor mows the lawn and I have
and•more will not be offered recommendations Library remodel or rebuild decision from the this year but will return next Centers for Disease Control enforcement year.• Rental property codehave been lifted, community Halloween Skate at Doug skates will be back on track. • Concord Street rebuild project Woog Arena While some Great • Infrastructure improvements Halloween Get activities have started back at Together - Regrettably, this Providing Fireskates and Police the • arena, community eventservices is canceled. It takes have•not yet resumed, so this many merchants, Hardman Triangle redevelopment businesses, event will not happen. Once organizations, sponsors and Prepared and paid or by Joe Forester, 1321 9th Ave. S. the restrictions South based onMN 55075 volunteers to make this event St. Paul
a.m.-noon, Saturday, Oct. 10. During the week leading up to the exchange, kids may bring in old costumes to be exchanged for a certificate for a different one of their choice. Location to be announced. Halloween treats in your neighborhood - Using the same format as the Please
Come to My Neighborhood program that we hosted this summer, we are teaming up with Ashes Fire Truck Rental to visit neighborhoods to hand out Halloween treats. We are looking for 8-10 neighborhoods to visit between 1 and 3 p.m. on Oct. 31. If you would like us to come to your neighborhood, contact Deb Griffith at 651554-3230 or Deb.griffith@ southstpaul.org. Compost Your Pumpkin, the Task Force Way Partnering with the South St. Paul Recycling Program and Wakota Federal Credit Union, task force members will accept pumpkins for composting, 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Nov. 7 at Wakota Federal Credit Union, 1151 Southview Blvd. This is a free service. Fire truck rides will not be offered this year. South St. Paul Pumpkin Patch - This event, hosted by the South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Department and Croatian Hall, with free pumpkins, cookies, cider
Carrie Classon CarrieClasson.com
to speak up. Sometimes we get competition from ravens squawking in the trees. Occasionally, a little rain comes. Lori and Robert sit beneath the patio umbrella and Peter and I sit under the overhang of the house. We let the rain pass and I keep reading. Lori laughs out loud, which makes me happy. She laughs at both the funny and the gruesome parts. When I am finished, she and Robert ask questions. Robert, who is not generally a fiction reader, asks some excellent ones. We leave before it gets too late. I’m going hiking. Lori gets tired. Robert needs to heat up whatever Peter has brought for dinner. And when I get home, I always
feel better than when I left. I’ve come to think of the little gatherings on Lori’s deck as a sort of distillation of everything we need as humans. We need nutritious food. We need to sit together. And we need to share stories. We need to laugh. We need to laugh a lot more than we have been recently. Over the next few days, I write a little more, Peter keeps on cooking, and we keep in touch with Lori via text. Then Peter will ask, “When would you like to read to Lori?” “Anytime,” I say. “Any day that works for her.” Till next time.
Reelect Joe Forester SSP City Council
Lifelong resident of South St. Paul Plant Engineering Supervisor for 3M
SOUTH ST. PAUL CONCERNS
a success. With the current health and economic challenges, it was too difficult to organize this year. We’ll be back stronger next year. Happy Halloween! Wear a mask, wash your hands and keep your distance.
Reelect Joe Forester SSP City Council MY COVID CONCERNS
COVID-19 has changed almost everything of our daily routines, this includes this year’s local election campaigns. Out of respect for your safety and health, I have decided not to do any door to door campaigning this year. I hope and pray that everyone in your household is healthy and remains that way, we will get through this together. Joe Forester SSP City Council Contact me at joe.forester@comcast.net or 651-238-5562 Prepared and paid or by Joe Forester, 1321 9th Ave. S. South St. Paul MN 55075
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South St. Paul Voice - October 2020 - Page 7
B ack in Time
Your community news and information source
Honoring 90 South St. Paul women leaders: Virginia Lanegran Lois Glewwe Contributor
serve. Here, she shares her story for our readers.
Editor’s note: We are featuring this year-long series in recognition of the centennial of a nationally significant event that took place here, when 90 women from South St. Paul became the first women in the country to vote after passage of the 19th Amendment, on Aug. 27, 1920. The series recognizes contributions from South St. Paul women, past and present.
“We lived on a farm and I attended a rural school through the eighth grade. In 1942 our family— parents Walt and Lita, sisters and brothers, Patricia, Barbara, Peter, Prudy, David, and me—moved to the 200 block of Fourth Avenue South in South St. Paul. Dad was employed by the W M Campbell Commission Company as a hog salesman, and both he and Mother were active in community organizations. “I attended South St. Paul High School, graduating at age 15 with the class of 1946. Because many veter-
V
irginia Lanegran grew up in a family where volunteering and community involvement were part of life. When opportunities came, she was willing to
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ans were attending college, I was considered too young to start. After working as a secretary for three years, I entered Macalester College in 1949 and graduated with a double major in history and political science in 1953. In 1978 I received a Macalester College Distinguished Citizen Award. “Always interested in policy and why things happened, I had the opportunity in 1954 to become involved in political campaigning and I joined the staff for Hubert Humphrey’s re-election. After the election I moved to Washington, D.C., as a Senate staff member. At that time senators and their staffs were friendly and cooperative. Senator Humphrey’s main issues were civil rights, agriculture, foreign policy, small business and disarmament. I worked on legislation for all of them. “By 1960 Humphrey was a Presidential candidate and I worked my Senate job by day and volunteered in the campaign office in the evenings and weekends. After the Democratic National
Convention in Los Angeles, Cal., I returned to Minnesota for the senator’s reelection campaign, and in January 1961 I moved from the Senate Office Building to the Capitol office of Senator Humphrey as he became the assistant majority leader of the Senate. “I moved back to the Senate Office Building in 1964 when I joined the staff of Minnesota Sen. Eugene McCarthy. That year I was again at the Democratic National Convention, this time in Atlantic City, N.J., when Lyndon Johnson and Hubert Humphrey were nominated for president and vice president. It was an exciting time. I was a part of the festivities for the KennedyJohnson inauguration but the Johnson-Humphrey one was much more personal and meant more. The inaugural balls were great events for celebrity watching. “Wanting a change, I moved back to Minnesota in 1966 to begin teaching history at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and to work on a master’s degree in American studies at the University of Minnesota, which I received in 1968. Teaching history was rewarding because the students were 18, adults and Vietnam veterans. In 1977 I left AnokaRamsey to go to the Community College Board Office to work on legislative issues and curriculum. In 1980 I took a new step to the Minnesota House of Representatives, working in research and committee administration until retiring in 1997. “In the 1970s I also began to be active in South St. Paul city government, beginning with the charter commission followed by an appointment
Virginia Lanegran to the city council in 1976. In 1979 and 1983 I was elected to the city council, serving until 1987. Because of my interest in housing and redevelopment, I was appointed as the first woman to serve on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and served from 1977 to 1979, when I was elected to the council. I was appointed for terms of 1987-1990 and again from 1998-2007. “In May of 1995 I was appointed to the South St. Paul Library board and served until March 2016. My service on other boards or commissions includes the Minnesota Humanities Commission, DARTS, the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, Dakota County Historical Society, and the Macalester Alumni Board. I am also active with the South St. Paul Study Club and P.E.O. I also serve as an election judge. “In addition to my city activities, I was appointed
by Gov. Rudy Perpich to the State Board of Public Defense, and then to the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “Beginning as a volunteer, political activity not only gave me career opportunities but the chance to meet and know people from all over the United States. “For young women of today, more opportunities exist for you and I encourage you to be active—take them. Who knows where they may lead? I didn’t.” More stories have been added to the Facebook page, Honoring 90 South St. Paul women leaders. This month’s additions include: artist Betty Thompson; first woman mayor Katherine Trummer; historian and teacher Katherine McAuliff; citizenship director Mary Williamson; business woman Mary Vavro Mazar; videographer Therese Cosgrove; and community volunteer Myrtle Allen.
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