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VOL. 38 NO. 37 www.quadcommunitypress.com $1.00
LINO LAKES: Finance director puts on new hat PAGE 2
CLPD will welcome new chief next month BY SHANNON GRANHOLM LEAD EDITOR
After a decade of serving the community, Centennial Lakes Police Department's (CLPD) Chief James Coan will hand over the reins to a new chief. Twenty-seven people applied for the position. That number was narrowed down to 18, then six, then one. In a special meeting on Thursday, June 25, the police governing board approved a contract with James Mork to take over when Chief Coan retires next month. “Ultimately, all six (finalists) were excellent. We had six quality candidates. Quite honestly, any of the six would be fine in leading our department, but I think Jim will be a very good fit for our department,” said City Administrator Patrick Antonen at the June 23 council meeting. “We like going with the name Jim,” he joked. “We have a great department and I think Jim Mork is going to keep Jim Coan's legacy going.” Coan said he is happy for Mork, as it was a competitive selection process with wellqualified candidates.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
A different kind of Fourth of July With the cancelation or postponement of public fireworks displays and traditional parades in recognition of the 4th of July this year, celebrations and displays are going to take place closer to home. Visit presspubs.com to find consumer fireworks and safety information, including what’s legal and what’s not in Minnesota. Learn more about the holiday’s history on page 7.
SEE NEW CHIEF, PAGE 3
The solar spread in the north metro Solar energy has been around for a while, but the panels in our community sure haven’t. Many residents are now switching to solar energy, and for good reason. In 2018, White Bear Lake held a solar energy information session where representatives from solar and energy organizations spoke about the benefits of solar. The event was purely informational, but those who attended had the opportunity to join other homeowners who wanted to work together to purchase solar and receive a group discount. “From my experience, it’s an item that a lot of people have wanted to do for a long
time,” said Bobby King of Solar United Neighbors, one of the organizations that participated in the session. “There’s interest in being more self-sufficient, and also leaving a smaller carbon footprint.” But the information session wasn’t the only thing that has pushed people to switch to using solar power in recent years. Right now, it’s cheaper to install solar power: After 2020, the federal solar tax credit for doing so will decrease from 26% of the system’s cost to 22%. “The incentives that the state of Minnesota and the federal government are offering are decreasing and going away. Those incentives are on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis. We’re encouraging people to
take advantage of them because they’re available,” said Michael Allen, owner of All Energy Solar, a St. Paul family-owned company celebrating its 10th year in business. Allen believes solar is a better overall product than normal electricity. He said it’s safer and less expensive. “Our current version of electricity is burning gas or coal that omits harmful gases into our environment. That same electricity can be done with zero emissions,” he said. Two homeowners, one in Lino Lakes and one in White Bear Lake, recently made the switch with All Energy Solar and gave glowing reviews.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
An array of solar panels are visible from the back of a home in Lino Lakes.
SEE SOLAR ENERGY, PAGE 6
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