Quad Community Press by Press Publications

Your best source for community information.

Complete Truck & Automotive Repair

Open Mon-Fri: 7:00 - 5:30

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 9 CIRCLE PINES, MN

• Heavy and Medium Duty Truck Service • Fleet Repair • Commercial DOT Inspections • Propane Truck Service • Tires & Alignment • Trailer Repair • RV Repair

651-780-5298 7702 Lake Dr. Lino Lakes

Blaine • Circle Pines • Lexington • Lino Lakes

VOLUME 33 NUMBER 29

At a

Glance

TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2015

www.quadcommunitypress.com

Historical figures

Plant on Lino Lakes has community garden plots available for rent for $30/season. More info: www.ci.lino-lakes.mn.us or 651-982-2440.

The Centennial Education Association has named Julie Cross of the Centennial Alternative Learning Center Teacher of the Year.

Photos needed The city of Lino Lakes seeks scenic photos of city sites to use on its newly designed website. Please send them to lisa.hogstad@ci.linolakes.mn.us. The submitter of the photo chosen for the banner wins a $75 gift card.

Communication aid A new system called YourGOV in Lino Lakes allows community members to easily report non-emergency issues and service requests using the web or a smartphone. Info: www. ci.lino-lakes.mn.us.

Well grants To protect its community drinking water, Blaine, Circle Pines, Lexington and Lino Lakes are making cost-share grants available to property owners to seal unused (abandoned) wells near city wells. Info: 763-784-5898

Weather Tidbits

– Photo courtesy Forest Lake Area Schools

Anton Wickenheiser portrayed Abraham Lincoln in the recent living wax museum at Lino Lakes Elementary School. Seventy third-graders researched, dressed up and presented scripts on historical figures who made an impact in the areas of childhood, work and preparation, help and obstacles, main accomplishments and adulthood. Visitors who attended the event were able to push a button and watch as the students brought to life their chosen historical figure and relayed his or her contributions to world history.

$1.00

Lino Police Dept. stirs public emotions with heartfelt Facebook post By Louise Ernewein Contributing Writer

Cross honored

Press Publications 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

THOMAS THOMAS MOTORS MOTORS

LINO LAKES — The city's police department caused a social media stir when it posted a heartfelt statement reflecting on police deaths and officerinvolved shootings. Within 24 hours, the post on the Lino Lakes Police Department Facebook page — which marked the start of National Police Week — had garnered more than 1,100 likes, 145 shares and dozens of comments from members of the public. The Facebook post started out by apologizing for getting serious on social media and went on: "On the eve of National Police Week, our hearts are broken," referencing both fallen officers and those whose lives had been taken by police personnel. It then touched on the theme "that so many have lost their lives for nothing more than being born a person of color," apparently referring to the recent nationally publicized events such as those in Ferguson, Missouri; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Baltimore, Maryland, among others. Many people — the majority — commented in support of the police department's stance, leaving remarks such as: "Thank you for your frank words and difficult work," "How very thoughtful and from

a genuinely respectful police department," "Beautifully written," "Well put! Thank you for all you do. It's not an easy job, but you keep us safe." Others took exception to the wording of the statement, saying it was "irresponsible" and wrong to make a "political statement" on Facebook during National Police Week, with some questioning whether it was even posted by a member of the police department. Commander Kelly McCarthy, deputy public safety director for Lino Lakes, wrote the post and later published her office and cell phone number on the Facebook page, inviting those who wished to debate it further to contact her personally. "Of course, no one did," she said in an interview a couple of days after the initial post. "I received one text from someone thanking me. Who would have thought, with all the silly stuff that we post, that acknowledging racism exists would be controversial?" The social media furor came less than 48 hours after a Lino Lakes police officer-involved fatal shooting on I-694 in Fridley on May 8. According to reports, Sgt. William Owens was dragged along the roadway by suspected drunk driver Sam Matthew Holmes before he shot Holmes, who died at the scene.

Lino Lakes/see page 3

Week of May 20 - 26, 2015 Weather tidbit: We’re running about 2.5° warmer than normal as of Sunday, May 17. We’re on track to nish near our monthly rainfall normal of 3.87 inches. I’ve totaled 3.15 inches as of Sunday, May 17. Year Ago this week: Temperatures heat up with 80’s May 24-26. Another major rain with 1.61 inches on May 27. Brings monthly total to 5.21 inches.

Weekly Averages High Low %Sun PCP 71° 50° 61% 0.99” (More weather on sports page)

Look Inside Sports ............................7 Classifieds ..............10-13 Public Notices ................8

Go Online www.presspubs.com

Circulation ........... 651-407-1234 ppcirc@presspubs.com

Classifieds ........... 651-407-1250 classified@presspubs.com

Local author recounts North Shore cabin project by Michelle Miron Editor STILLWATER — The fifth book by local author, carpenter and TV personality Spike Carlsen is a personal, and often humorous memoir. "Cabin Lessons: A Nail by Nail Tale: Building Our Dream Cottage From 2 x 4s, Blisters and Love" draws parallels between the knitting together of his combined family and the three years they spent building their Grand Marais cabin. At the time (about a decade ago), Carlsen and his wife Kat were trying to meld their five kids from two previous marriages into a workable family. Though their 1850s Greek Revival home was and still is a continual work in progress (it's probably the oldest home in Stillwater) they pursued a lifelong dream by finding a somewhat overlooked property on the shore of Lake Superior and figuring out how to build on it. Following challenges both technical and personal — many comically related in the book — the result was a 600-square-foot dwelling built for less than $40,000. Salvaged materials were used when possible, and the family completed 80 to 90 percent of the work save the electricity and plumbing. "I'm glad people think it's funny," noted Carlsen, 62. "To me some parts are funny … but some were not funny at the time." The greatest challenge of the project was working with a lot which had been rejected by others because of its odd shape and steep angle.

— Submitted photo

The cabin the Carlson family built in Grand Marais "We had to kind wrassle that the whole time," he remembered. "It was hard getting the driveway in, hard building on it, we had erosion problems. We had maybe 50 tons of rock brought in to try to stabilize different parts of the land. But I think we've got at least 50 years of solidity here." Carlsen had no intention of writing about the project at first, but halfway through

began jotting notes for a book. The rough draft sat on an editor's desk for years until she recently found and encouraged him to publish it. He cleared the personal anecdotes with his kids and Kat before publishing, and unlike his other books worried a bit about readers' reactions.

Carlsen/see page 2

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 2 QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

WWW.PRESSPUBS.COM

Stillwater historians, MnDOT spar over bridge book editing Initial authors release own book on St. Croix River Crossing ment, he said. "MnDOT has provided comments to WCHS on their description of historic STILLWATER — The author of a local events (railroads and tribal issues), the book on the $668 million St. Croix River alternatives studied, and the selected Crossing says MnDOT is wrongly cen- Preferred Alternative Package as part of the St. Croix Crossing Project," he soring a government-funded project. MnDOT representatives contend the wrote " MnDOT comments have yet to Washington County Historical Society be incorporated into the book.” Now another version of the book is and the authors it hired for the project are contractually obligated to allow Mn- slated for completion by Peterson and Goodman this December so the WCHS DOT to edit the copy to its standards. Either way, longtime Stillwater his- can retain the funding. Peterson said torian Donald Empson and co-author the WCHS is contractual publisher, Kathleen Vadnais have published their but MnDOT maintains it has editorial own version of the book and turned rights for the book to be titled "The over the entirety of the $50,000 Mn- Stillwater Lift Bridge: The Ups & DOT project to the WCHS. The Still- Downs of a Community Icon." MnDOT water couple's version of the book has already rejected a first draft, acentitled "Crossing the St. Croix: The cording to Peterson. "MnDOT has removed items histori45-year Struggle to Build a New Stillcally correct because they feel it hurts water Bridge and Save the Historic Lift Bridge" is now available directly from the image of MnDOT," he stated. "At every point in our discussions … MnEmpson (see sidebar). "They (MnDOT) are basically using DOT has threatened termination of the contract if we do not submit to their $50,000 of taxpaychanges of the maner money to buruscript." nish their image About the book Clarkowski reusing the names Empson and Vadnais' 70-page sponded that Mnof respectable book was self-published via DOT's comments on historians and Bayport Press and is available the latest version of the WCHS," Empfor sale for $25 plus $5 postage the text remain unson said. "Two of via https://sites.google.com/ addressed. their historians site/empsonsite. Email Empson "We have not yet have said in meetat pastwriter at gmail.com. agreed on the curings with us their rent version," he job is to make wrote. "MnDOT is MnDot look good, awaiting WCHS to incorporate Mnand that's what they're trying to do.” The story started last year when Mn- DOT comments." As for Empson and Vadnais' book, DOT contracted for the book with the Clarkowski has asked that neither he WCHS. The WCHS then arranged for nor MnDOT be among those credited Empson and Vadnais to write part of the content free of charge (the other for reviewing its content. “It gives the false impression that Mnpart was to be written by WCHS ExecuDOT is supportive of your book, when tive Director Brent Peterson and local historian Nancy Goodman) with the we have not read it or provided you any understanding the $50,000 for the fin- comments or indicated any level of supished product would go to the society port,” he told Empson in an email. Professional historian Empson, 73, itself. Payment was to come from the millions of dollars in mitigation fund- has lived in Stillwater since 1993. He ing set aside by MnDOT to compensate started writing about local history in 1975, most recently publishing “The for effects from the crossing project. Empson said he realized the state Street Where You Live; A Guide to the agency planned to omit or heavily edit Place Names of St. Paul” (2006, Univercontent after he submitted segments sity of Minnesota Press). Prior to that of his rough draft to check facts. He he was an instructor at the University called the significant content changes of Iowa Library School and a librarian that ensued a misinterpretation of the at the Minnesota Historical Society. contract, which lists the WCHS as pub- Vadnais, his wife, is a journalist who's written for a number of newspapers lisher with final content approval. Empson produced emails discussing and edited a national magazine. Empson, who said he has mixed feelinformation the government agency wished to omit. That information in- ings about the River Crossing itself, clude references to three local archi- became interested in the story of the tects who devised an original crossing crossing as a member of River Town Resdesign; costs of cultural resource stud- toration, a group dedicated to preserving ies related to the crossing; the specific Stillwater history. He also incorporated lift expectancy of the Lift Bridge and the non-profit Stillwater Lift Bridge Asthe fact the Lift Bridge was once slated sociation and was part of a 2002-2006 to be removed from MnDOT jurisdic- crossing stakeholders group which intion and funding once the new crossing cluded representatives from 28 governwas built. On the grounds it couldn't be ment and environmental agencies. "I think (the crossing) is the most sigsubstantiated, MnDOT also objected to an anecdote about a former bridge ten- nificant event in Stillwater’s history," he explained. "When else has the name of der who was allegedly drunk. MnDOT St. Croix Crossing Project Stillwater been used by two presidents Coordinator Todd Clarkowski said the (Clinton and Obama), at least six cabisociety and its authors are simply not net secretaries, a dozen or more confollowing the original agreement. He gressmen from both parties and several said they're contractually obligated state governors? This was a dispute to "work interactively and iteratively played out at the national level." He said he collected related research with MnDOT and the Minnesota State Historical Preservation Office, all in a for longer than a decade and started transparent process." The contract dic- writing his book about 18 months ago. "Too often historians wait 100 years tates the society and MnDOT must both be satisfied with the content before pay- before they consider an event 'histori-

by Michelle Miron Editor

– Submitted photo

Professional historian Don Empson was previously an instructor in Library Science at the University of Minnesota

If you go Book signing: 'Crossing the St. Croix' When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 Where: Stillwater Public Library, 224 Third St. N., Stillwater Details: Self-published book recounting by Stillwater authors Donald Empson and Kathleen Vadnais about the 45 years of negotiations for the St. Croix River Crossing. cal,' and by then much of the information has been lost," he noted. "I considered it a writing challenge to try and take this very complicated process over 45 years and make it readable and interesting to the general public." His finished product, he said, was read by "several stakeholders from MnDOT, Sierra Club, NPS, FWHA and others" to offer a balanced perspective. He and Vadnais spent $1,800 of their own money on the printing. The biggest surprise during his research, he said, was "How convoluted the whole process was, and how dedicated MnDOT seemed to be in wanting to build the new bridge." The most intriguing element? "In the end, it was the Coalition for St. Croix River Crossing along with Senator Klobuchar who pushed the bridge through Congress. One coalition board member, Louanne Berg of J. & L Steel, got a $63 million dollar contract out of the bridge project. It's not illegal, anybody can lobby … but I think that's the way things work."

OUR MEMBERS KNOW BEST.

Other than disagreements with MnDOT, Empson said his greatest challenge was adding color to the text. "I used a lot of colorful quotes, and what I thought were humorous illustrations," he explained. "But it is not like writing about George Washington where you have hundreds and hundreds of other sources to consult. The other challenge was finding good documents. I filed a couple of Freedom of Information requests from federal agencies and have received nothing to date. I also filed data privacy requests from the state, but got very little. Fortunately, former Oak Park Heights Mayor David Beaudet had accumulated a number of documents which he shared with me." Empson said he remains "extremely frustrated" about the issue with MnDOT but will continue to work on other writing projects, though none are immediately pending. "I am 73," he said. "I don't even buy green bananas anymore, much less have a five-year plan."

Did you know your Press Publications newspaper contains up to 25% post consumer fiber & we use soy based ink?

For overall customer satisfaction, we are the top electric utility in the country.

Thank you for ranking us #1.

Research conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, 1st quarter 2015.

connexusenergy.com

READ REUSE RECYCLE

651-407-1200

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 3 WWW.PRESSPUBS.COM

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

Lino Lakes Continued from page 1 The Police Week Facebook post â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the subsequent public response, both positive and negative â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was the subject of some discussion at the following night's City Council meeting on May 11. "There is freedom of political speech but it seems to be heading in the wrong direction, and not necessarily in the direction the city would like," said Councilman Dave Roeser. But Mayor Jeff Reinert gave his unequivocal backing to the police department â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and its social media foray. "When you get pulled over by a police officer, it's, 'Yes, sir / Yes, ma'am;

How can I help you?'" he said. "It has always served me well â&#x20AC;&#x201D; not that I get pulled over a lot." Following the formal proclamation of May 10-16 as National Police Week in Lino Lakes, Reinert commented on the Facebook post. "There is some sensitivity to it, and the comments that were made by our Public Safety Department were in the vein of 'Equal treatment for all,'" he told those present. "That should be it. It's unfortunate that ... sometimes people read more into it."

In other action May 11, the Lino Lakes City Council: â&#x20AC;˘ Approved the hiring of paid-oncall firefighter Aaron Jennissen to the fire division of the Lino Lakes Public Safety Department. â&#x20AC;˘ Canceled the existing paid-on-call fire recruitment incentive program, after hearing from public safety director John Swenson that the hiring of firefighters had proven so successful the department was likely to be fully staffed with trained fire personnel by December. In a subsequent agenda item, the City Council established a training compensation program, which offers bonuses of $1,200 to applicants completing the Minnesota Firefighter I certification and $1,400 to applicants after completion of the Firefighter II certification. â&#x20AC;˘ Accepted the donation of an AED (automated external defibrillator) from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux community. The AED will be added in to the rotation of devices fitted in police and fire department vehicles. â&#x20AC;˘ Heard that the city had been suc-

cessful in its grant application to Anoka County for reimbursement of the medical and psychological screening of its firefighter applicants, totaling $11,814. â&#x20AC;˘ Approved amendments to the conditional use permit for Turnberry Crossing development, which lies east of Lake Drive and north of Aqua Lane. Under the amendments, eight twin homes which had been planned as two-story properties will now be constructed as single-story houses, while another three which were designed as attached homes will now be detached. The council heard that the property market was commanding more for single-story homes to accommodate baby boomers moving into retirement, leading to the developer's request for the amendment. â&#x20AC;˘ Approved the submission of a grant application to fund a study into developing integrated water management plans for Lino Lakes in conjunction with Hugo and Rose-

The full Facebook post from the Lino Lakes Police Department: We try to stay away from getting too serious on our social media, but please allow us this exception. On the eve of National Police Week, our hearts are broken. Broken for all the families of ofďŹ cers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Broken for all the children who will never know their parents, broken for all the parents who were so proud of their children for answering their calling, only to have them taken way too soon. Broken for all the ofďŹ cers who legally had to take another life in the line of duty. Broken for those ofďŹ cers who had to make the hardest decision of their lives and who are still haunted by it. Our hearts are also broken for all those who lives police ofďŹ cers took. Lives that are so much more than the one choice that ended it. They are not â&#x20AC;&#x153;thugsâ&#x20AC;? not â&#x20AC;&#x153;bad guysâ&#x20AC;? but brothers and sisters and sons and daughters who, for a myriad of reasons, found themselves on the wrong side of the law. We would be remiss not to acknowledge the racial disparity in our country, the fact that so many have lost their lives for nothing more than being born a person of color. This cannot continue. This Police Week, let us all work towards justice and peace, no matter what your profession, race, or gender. Our hearts are broken, but by working together and respecting one another, we will do better. mount. If successful, the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources grant would make funds of between $150,000 and $190,000 available to each city in 2016 to investigate how stormwater reuse and irrigation systems might be developed as part of the metro region's efforts to better manage groundwater and surface water resources. â&#x20AC;˘ Postponed a vote on a request for funding for a feasibility study to investigate the possibility of developing such a stormwater reuse/irrigation system at the future Mattamy Homes development in northeast Lino Lakes. The city will reconsider the request after the Environmental Board has reviewed the proposal. â&#x20AC;˘ Approved plans and specifica-

tions for the city's 2015 Mill and Overlay Street Project, which will see various improvements to Bald Eagle Boulevard West, Foxtail Court, Foxtail Drive, Woodchuck Court, Woodchuck Circle and Partridge Court, with a few alternates depending on quotes from contractors. Bids for the $850,000 project will be opened on June 10 and the contract awarded at the city's June 22 meeting. â&#x20AC;˘ Accepted a donation of land worth $22,000 from the estate of George Reiling. The three acres of land sits adjacent to Rice Lake and Hodgson Road and comprises mainly wetlands. The city agreed to pick up the tab for the 2015 taxes totaling $868. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Louise Ernewein

Carlsen Continued from page 1 "Sometimes it stirred up emotions â&#x20AC;Ś the sense of things going on when I was growing up and my first marriage. But if you just sugarcoat everything, no one gets anything out of it, so I guess I just felt like being open about certain things." As for the building itself, he can think of little he'd do differently except maybe setting it back from the shore another 15 feet. The small structure has been named "Oma Tupa, Oma Lupa" which means "One's cabin, one's freedom" in Finnish. "We were able to take time and not feel hurried and scurried about it," he noted. "One theme that runs through the book is building a cabin and building a family. For us it kind of happened at the same time, and we learned compromise. It was easy to make mistakes and we learned how to fix them, starting with a good foundation and working from there." These days his family uses Oma Tupa every few weeks in the summertime and a little less frequently in the winter. "There have been a bunch of honeymoons there, birthday celebrations. It's a getaway and a recuperative kind of thing," he said. "We love it when people go up and come back feeling refreshed. "One nice thing about a cabin is, it if looks really different from your house it has different triggers. At home you have to do the wash and the lawn, but at the cabin there's this different set of triggers that say to relax rather than work." Parts of the book are a sort-of homage to the North Shore; readers will recognize many landmarks. The author also plays mentions several Stillwater icons. His best advice for other would-be cabin builders? "Have some skin in the game" by completing at least part yourself. And try to have fun along the way. "Some people think you either have to have it built or do

it yourself, but there's this whole spectrum from zero to 100 percent," he noted. "You can look at the beams and remember the day you did that, or the decking, the way that went down â&#x20AC;Ś and I think you feel a little more invested, maybe, emotionally."

Splintered history Carlsen's professional history with wood goes back nearly four decades. After graduating from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1975, but spent 15 years as a carpenter. After that he started freelance writing and found a regular gig as executive editor with Reader's Digest magazine Family Handyman. The work enabled him to travel overseas on an expense account. He became a full-time writer in 2007 and has since written and published multiple magazine articles in addition to his five books "A Splintered History of Wood" (2009); "Ridiculously Simple Furniture Projects" (2011); "Woodworking FAQ" (2012); and "The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects" (2014). "It's a little exhausting," he admitted. "Maybe there will be a two-year gap between this book and the next one. But I just enjoy what I'm doing so much. I always carry a scrap of paper with me, and I'm eternally writing." In between all that, he's made several TV appearances resulting from his reputation as a carpenter and writer. He was once the renovator of an ugly kitchen on CBS' "The Early Show" and he appeared on "Modern Marvels" five years ago in an episode touting the amazing properties of wood. He also frequently presents woodworking projects on Kare 11. Depending on how "Cabin Lessons" is received, he said he

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Submitted photo

Spike and Kat Carlsen with their children. may pursue two or three similar books in the coming years. In his spare time he and Kat like to spend time with their five grandkids and traverse local trails on their tandem bike (which he calls "a marriage counselor on wheels.") He also collects and tinkers with vintage radios. On top of that, he's helped his five kids with their home building projects. Not that it's always been easy. "Carpentry, up until you're about 40, helps build your body up and keep you fit," he said. "After 40 it starts beating you up. But I'm a pretty happy guy. I have five grandkids now, and I'm in another phase of life."

Another reason to look forward to Tuesdays!

YOUR DREAM IS OUT THERE. GO GET IT. WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL PROTECT IT. Auto, Home, Business, and Life.

+IM "ENNETT !GENCY )NC KIMBENNETTAGENCY COM FB COM KIMBENNETTAGENCY KBENNET AMFAM COM

American Family Mutual Insurance Company, American Standard Insurance Company of Wisconsin, American Family Life Insurance Company 6000 American Parkway, Madison WI 53783 ÂŠ2012 006441 - 9/12

To Sell or Buy a Home . . .

Coming Soon!

Kale Hassan

Home on Centerville Lake. 3+ BR, Bonus Room

651-486-4860 www.KALEHASSAN.com

LINO LAKES Live on the lake! Great yard leads to sandy beach. 5BR,3BA w/spac entertaining areas. See it today! In time for summer fun. Visual tour available at IKnowThisArea.com

Lino Lakes 3 BR, 2 BA, 4 car On 1 Acre Your real estate expert

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 4 QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

WWW.PRESSPUBS.COM

Opinion Reducing hunger worldwide WHILE IN FLORIDA ABOUT THE this winter, Kathy and TOWN I received a call from Doug and Linda Carlson of Stillwater who were also enjoying Florida. The invitation was to meet them in the morning for breakfast at Cracker Barrel and go GENE JOHNSON on to a tour of ECHO (Education Center for Hunger). We were eager for the visit and to hear the story of how this non-profit organization is reducing hunger and improving lives worldwide. Also joining us that morning were long-time friends Jim and Judy Grubs from White Bear Lake. We have been exposed to numerous organizations in our world travel as guests of governments in developing countries, as well as being close to various mission programs, but ECHO impressed us beyond our wildest imagination. For 34 years ECHO has trained interns who go to different parts of the world to give options, not solutions, to hunger and water sanitation. ECHO began on five acres in North Fort Myers, Florida and has increased its acreage to 50 acres. The fields include plants raised for seeds for the global farm. The ECHO seed bank grows 350 varieties of seeds and sends an average of 2,500 seed packets around the world. Eight interns train for 14 months in Aqua ponics, seed bank, urban gardens, bee keeping, sloping agricultural land techniques (SALT), dry composting toilets, bio gas, nutritional gardens, the natural farming Pig System and small farm resources. ECHO has trained 220 interns, ﬁve from Minnesota, who are serving in various countries throughout the world. The Peace Corps has asked ECHO to assist in training their people before they go to their assigned countries. Over 18 different Peace Corps projects using Moringa seeds can be traced to a packet of 10 ECHO seeds that produced eight Moringa trees, which produced over 2,000 Moringa seeds in one year. Moringa is an amazing plant that can purify water, is high in protein, vitamins, minerals and considered one of the most nutritious vegetables in the world. It is an important nutrient source for everyone, including nursing mothers and developing children. ECHO prefers to work with small scale farmers who can see the results on their own farms and then share the new techniques, seeds, etc. with other farmers in the area. The premise is, “Use what you have to change the future.” Over 135 countries access ECHO’s resources on average every month. There is a strong Minnesota connection to ECHO. The chairman of the board is Ron Tschetter, formerly of White Bear Lake, Dr. Douglas Carlson of Stillwater and Rollie Anderson of St. Cloud complete the Minnesota connection. I would encourage our readers to learn more about ECHO. The web site is www.ECHOcommunity.org. This growing organization is making a difference in the world by helping people raise practical food crops that are sustainable, teaching them how to purify water, raise ﬁsh and how to increase crop production. To say the least, our minds and hearts were expanded during our visit. — Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications

Top 5 at PressPubs.com: Week of May 10 – 16 Editor’s note: Visit www.presspubs.com to read the full versions of these most-visited stories

1. Memorial Day 2015: Bayport’s Utecht brothers celebrate service, hometown roots - Brothers will be honored as grand marshals of Bayport’s Memorial Day Parade. Lowdown (SCV) > News + Mobile 2. Some more Sommer: Stillwater party-goers mingle with ‘Mad Men’ star - Stillwater Library Foundation fundraising dinner recap. Lowdown (SCV) > News + Mobile 3. Five FLAHS alumni named to Hall of Fame Five new members will be inducted June 1 into the Forest Lake Area High School Arts & Athletics Hall of Fame. Lowdown (FL) > News + Mobile 4. Gym prescriptions encourage families to get active - The HealthPartners White Bear Lake Clinic is prescribing reduced family YMCA memberships. White Bear Press > News + Mobile 5. No injuries in Vadnais Heights house re - A mail carrier alerted the occupants of a Vadnais Heights residence that their house was on re Tuesday afternoon. Vadnais Press > News + Mobil See Press Publications’ website www.presspubs.com for stories from the White Bear Press, The Citizen, Vadnais Heights Press, Shoreview Press, Quad Community Press, The Lowdown-Forest Lake Area and The Lowdown- St. Croix Valley Area.

Tying down loose ends late in the session The old saying is that deadlines have a way of producing results. That means the time between now, when this column is being written, and midnight Monday, May 18, will be interesting. With mere hours remaining in the legislative session, budget negotiations between Gov. Mark Dayton, the House and the Senate are coming down to the wire. Big concessions have been made. The Democrat Senate gave up its proposed 16- to 26-cent gas-tax increase – and the Republican House gave up its proposed $1.9 billion in tax cuts. That paved the way for closure on the education budget, the jobs and energy budget, the higher education budget and more. Here are the bottom-line numbers: The Governor and the Senate proposed a General Fund budget of $43 billion, $3 billion more than the House proposed. The total of the agreement lands in the middle: $41.5 billion. For perspective, it was only four years ago that Republicans demanded the state budget stay within $34 billion. The Governor insisted on $35 bil-

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

LINDA RUNBECK lion. Yet, in four short years, with full Democrat control for two of them, our state budget is poised to increase by 20 percent. Family budgets have not grown at this rate, so why is government? Things just seem backward. In negotiations, nobody gets all they wanted. For example, the agreement denies a provision House Republicans passed to phase out Minnesota’s practice of taxing Social Security beneﬁts. This would have provided tax relief in the range of $280 to $600 per person to more than 366,500 Minnesotans. Minnesota is one of only six states to fully tax Social Security beneﬁts, and it is time we join the vast majority

of other states in how we treat our elderly. Their budgets are often very tight, and not taxing their Social Security beneﬁts would be a huge help. One of the last remaining items to resolve is whether the governor would carry through with threats to veto the K-12 education bill. Will he veto the transportation bill or other bills? The big sticking point on education is the issue of education for 4-yearolds. Many experts say its results in improving learning aren’t lasting. Many school districts oppose universal pre-K for fear it’s an unfunded mandate or a sheer lack of space. As one superintendent put it, “We don’t have a spare broom closet to put these kids in. What are we running, a day care?” I am pleased a gas-tax increase is off the table. Also off the table is a transit sales tax, a wheelage tax and increased vehicle registration fees. If passed, the sales tax in the metro would have risen to 7.85 percent. In addition, a House plan that would dedicate the sales tax already being paid on auto parts to roads and bridges – a package providing

Get moving in May, national physical fitness and sports month School will soon be out for summer and we’ll all be looking for ways to enjoy the warmer months. The time you spend keeping your body moving will reward you in many ways including extra energy, productivity and good health. It was in 1983, that these facts led the President’s Council on Fitness to designate the month of May as National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. In fact, it was way before that, as early as 1956, when President Eisenhower created the President’s Council on Youth Fitness, renamed in the early 1960s by President Kennedy as the President’s Council on Physical Fitness to include people of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control, only one in five U.S. adults get enough physical activity to gain substantial health benefits which include controlled weight as well as a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Physical activity also helps strengthen bones and muscles, and improve mental health. Some ways you may get physical activity include walking, running, gardening, hiking, biking swimming, dancing, playing basketball, baseball, soccer, resistance exercises, etc. Deciding to become active is an important first step. But, before you dive into a new sport or exercise routine, make sure you take necessary steps to avoid injury. Here are some great tips: Talk to an expert (physician, personal trainer or coach) If you don’t know how to start an exercise program safely, your doctor, a personal trainer or coach can help. They can give you safety tips and

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

KURT BELK progressions to either get you started or accomplish your goal without getting injured. Warm up It is never a good idea to workout muscles that are cold. Make sure you are warming up your body to increase your body’s core temperature and blood ﬂow to the working muscles. Warming up is an important and necessary way to prevent injuries. Cross Train Your body will thank you when you change up your routine by engaging in different activities. This will not only help you avoid hitting a plateau with your workouts, it will give your muscles a much needed break from the same routine day in and day out as well as the potential for injury. Not only will your body beneﬁt from diversifying your exercise routine, but so will your metabolism. Studies show that switching up your daily exercises can rev up your fat-burning. Also, be sure not to do too much too soon. If you could exercise 30 minutes at a time 20 years ago, don’t expect your body to do the same today. Wear the right gear If your running shoes are from before you had kids or when you were in college, do not wear them. If you have to think about how long ago you

purchased shoes, then it’s time for a new pair. Going to a specialty store for expert advice on what shoes you should be wearing is the ﬁrst step because they can gauge what shoe ﬁts best with your arch, gait and body weight. So many injuries come from wearing worn out shoes without any support. Hydrate and Apply Sunscreen… Repeat When it is hot out, your body needs constant hydration. Always have plenty of water you’re your when you work out. Here are guidelines on how much to drink: One to two hours before your workout, drink 15 to 20 ounces of water 15 minutes before you begin, drink between 8 and 10 ounces of water During your workout, drink another 8 ounces every 15 minutes. Use the same careful consideration with sunscreen. Apply a waterproof/sweat proof sunscreen well in advance of your work out and reapply every couple hours. Severe sunburns while working out are common and easily preventable. Listen to your body with rest and recovery Your body will tell you when it’s time to back off. If your knee hurts even 24 to 48 hours after your workout, or you are just plain tired, then it is time to look over your exercise routine. Are you overdoing it? Rest and recovery might be what your body is looking for. Make sure you take those rest days as your body is making actual gains during this time. — Kurt Belk is a physician with the Urgency Room in Vadnais Heights

$7 billion over the next decade – was denied by the Senate and the governor. The session bore bipartisan fruit: a partial tuition freeze for state colleges and universities, teacher licensure for out-of-state teachers, the ABLE Act, sex-trafﬁcking prevention grants, crime victims services grants, funding for Alzheimer’s research, denial of funding of Southwest Light Rail Transit, limiting to 10 hours/school year the taking of locally adopted testing – to name a few measures. Bills I chief-authored that passed the House include a bill on dyslexia that expands services available in our schools, a bill giving municipalities more voice in Met Council’s water planning, a reverse referendum option for citizens who disagree with their city’s development using lease revenue bonds, and a requirement that Met Council receive legislative approval for light rail lines before making expenditures. — Linda Runbeck represents District 38A in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Distributed weekly to 6,700 homes in:

• Blaine • Circle Pines • Lexington • Lino Lakes Carter C. Johnson .............Publisher cjohnson@presspubs.com Gene Johnson ..... Publisher Emeritus ppinfo@presspubs.com Wade Weber ......................... CEO wweber@moraminn.com Debra Neutkens ....... Regional Editor citizen@presspubs.com Patty Steele DIrector of Sales & Marketing marketing@presspubs.com Neil West ......... Production Manager ppcomp@presspubs.com Greg Workman .. Circulation Manager ppcirc@presspubs.com COPYRIGHT© 2015 BY PRESS PUBLICATIONS, INC. Material may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form whatsoever.

News .........................651-407-1235 Advertising ................651-407-1216 Circulation .................651-407-1234 Classiﬁed ..................651-407-1250 Production ................651-407-1239 FAX ...........................651-429-1242 Published Tuesdays by Press Publications, Inc. 4779 Bloom Avenue White Bear Lake, MN 55110 www.presspubs.com Ofﬁce Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday Mailed Subscription Rate: $52.00 per year.

MNA AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 6 QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

WWW.PRESSPUBS.COM

What’s

Happening in... Centennial Community Band Concert

quad communities

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 20

WHERE: ‘WHERE’S THE JUSTICE?’ When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 & 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21 Where: Lifetree Café, One Shepherd Ct., Circle Pines Details: Program exploring what to do when life is unfair includes a lmed interview with Jasmine Lima-Martin, whose husband served 10 years in prison for robbery. Snacks and beverages available. Contact: 612-751-5707 or lifetreecafecpmn@gmail.com

‘CAN I AFFORD SENIOR LIVING?’ When: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21 Where: Centennial High School Details: Learn strategies to nance long-term care needs. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/community-education

UNDERSTANDING ESTATE PLANNING AND TRUSTS

When: 10 a.m.-noon Wednesday, May 20 Where: Lino Lakes YMCA, 7690 Village Drive Details: Activities for seniors include vendors, door prizes, speakers, balance assessments, food, giveaways and more. Outdoor games, weather permitting. Contact: 651-795-9622

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 Where: Centennial High School Details: Learn how trusts can manage assets for irresponsible family members, avoid probate, reduce estate taxes and protect assets from creditors. Class explains revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, support trusts for children or grandchildren, and supplemental special needs trusts. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/community-education

NEW NEIGHBOR’S COFFEE HOUR

SOCIAL SECURITY: STRATEGIZE TO MAXIMIZE

When: 10 a.m. Thursday, May 21 Where: Member’s home on Lino Lakes Details: New Neighbor’s offers friendship and activities to women in the north suburbs. All prospective members welcome. Contact: Brenda, hostess, 651-426-1183

When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28 Where: Centennial High School Details: Get guidance and learn how to sort through all the options with regard to getting Social Security. Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/community-education

YMCA SENIOR HEALTH & FITNESS DAY

neighborhoods nearby BEAR BOATING INFORMATIONAL MEETING When: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20 Where: White Bear Lake Library Details: Meeting is open to anyone interested in volunteering for Bear Boating of White Bear Lake, a non-profit that provides free boat rides and fishing trips for seniors, veterans, and handicapped adults. Meeting satisfies the dry land training requirement for volunteers. Contact: 651429-2892 or bearboating.org

WALTER MONDALE/ST. CROIX RIVER EVENT When: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 21 Where: Water Street Inn, 101 Water St. S., Stillwater Details: Free presentation, Q and A regarding future of Wild & Scenic St. Croix with

Calendar • Thank you for sending us news of your upcoming event. The calendar is reserved for secular-themed community events that are likely to appeal to readers throughout our coverage area, which includes: White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Mahtomedi, Hugo, Grant, Birchwood, Dellwood, Willernie, Gem Lake, Pine Springs, Forest Lake, Wyoming, Wyoming Township, Columbus Township, Centerville, Circle Pines, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Oak Park Heights, Stillwater Township, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and North Oaks. • Deadline for event submissions is the Wednesday prior to the following weeks publication. • Due to space limitations, there is NO GUARANTEE whether, when, or for how long submissions will be published.

Send submissions: Press Publications, Inc. 4779 Bloom Ave. White Bear Lake, MN 55110 FAX: 651-429-1242 E-MAIL: calendar@presspubs.com

Post your own Go to www.presspubs.com and click on “Calendar.“ Follow the “Submit an Event“ link. Postings are subject to approval and do not constitute submittal for print editions.

Mondale and reps from National Park Service, DNR, State Legislature. By Friends of Washington County, Friends of St. Croix Boom Site. Contact: www.friendsof washingtoncounty.com

SCC ORIENTATION SESSION When: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 21 Where: Suburban Community Channels, 2460 East County Road F Details: Free class tells about public access and how you can be involved as a viewer, volunteer or producer. Contact: 651-747-3830 or rwcable.com

FROGS AND POLLIWOGS SPRING SERIES When: 9:15-10:30 a.m. Friday, May 22 Where: Tamarack Nature Center, 5287 Otter Lake Road Details: Program for children ages 2-5 and adult partner read stories and explore nature. Register for 4 sessions, $39/ adult and child. Contact: parks. co.ramsey.mn.us/ tamarack

LUNCH AND TABLE GAMES When: Noon, Wednesday, May 27 Where: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 3676 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights Details: Seniors bring a bag lunch and play games with friends. Coffee and dessert provided Contact: 651-204-6000 or cityvadnaisheights.com

‘NORTHEAST RESIDENCE GOES HOLLYWOOD’ ANNUAL DINNER When: 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 29 Where: Lake Elmo Inn Event Center, 3712 Layton Ave. N., Lake Elmo Details: Support the Little Canada-based non-proﬁt that serves children and adults with developmental disabilities. Silent and live auctions, photo

Centennial High School Performing Arts Center

DETAILS: Centennial Community Band performs in joint concert with Star of the North Band. Donations accepted.

CONTACT: centennialcommunity band.org

RALLY FOR ALLIE When: 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Where: Pinehaven Farm, Wyoming Details: $10 admission includes a meal, petting zoo, jumping pillow, silent auction, raf e, bake sale, root beer oats or sundae in support of Allison Wolfbauer, who is battling a rare form of cancer Contact:

KITE DAY When: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6 Where: Rice Lake Elementaryeast side elds Details: Kick off summer with a morning of kite- ying.

booth, wine pull, and full dinner with dessert. Contact: 651-303-7982 or nerinc.org

FOREST LAKE LAKEFEST KICK-OFF When: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 29 Where: Lakeside Park, Forest Lake Details: Free Rockin’ Hollywoods entertain at gazebo. Movie “Planes: Firest & Rescue” shows at dusk. Contact: http://ﬂlakefest.com/schedule

FOREST LAKE LAKEFEST When: Saturday, May 30. Activities begin 8 a.m. Where: Lakeside Park and Forest Lake Legion Details: 5K, breakfast, arts show, free kids’ games, Build-a-Boat Challenge, dunk tank, talent show, Lil’ Dancers, car show, waterski show. Contact: http://ﬂlakefest.com/schedule

RIVERTOWN ART FESTIVAL When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 30; 11 a.m.to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Where: North Lowell Park, downtown Stillwater Details: Juried event features works of more than 100 artists from around country, local concessions. Contact: 651-430-2306 or www.stillwaterrivertownartfestival.com

WHITE BEAR RAILROAD STATION When: 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 Where: White Bear Lake Library Details: Bill Schrankler, author of ‘Shadows of Time… Minnesota’s Surviving Depots” will bring to life the history of the White Bear Train Depot. Contact: rclreads.org

‘CRUISIN’ ON THE CROIX’ HOT ROD & VINTAGE CAR SHOW When: 4 to 9 p.m Wednesdays June 3-Sept. 9 Where: Lowell Park, Stillwater Details: Free. Vintage and hot rod collectible cars gather. Live music, giveaways. Contact: 651-494-8657 or

Attendees will receive a free kite, distributed from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Contact: 651-982-2440 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

CHILDRENS’ PLAY When: 1-2 p.m. Mondays Where: Centennial Early Childhood Center, 575 Birch Street, Lino Lakes Details: Meet a friend and their family for fun activity. Cost is $3 per child or $5 per family. Contact: 763-792-6101

FAMILY STORY TIME When: 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. Thursdays Where: Centennial Library, Circle Pines

www.ilovestillwater.com

TASTE OF VADNAIS When: 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, June 4 Where: Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 E. County Road F Details: Kick off the summer with an evening of food from local eateries, music by acoustic guitarist Lonnie Knight, and more. Family entertainment includes a puppet show at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., face painting and balloon animals. Contact: 651-204-6000 or cityvadnaisheights.com

WASHINGTON COUNTY EXPLORE YOUR PARKS DAY When: Saturday, June 6 Where: Various activities at all Washington County Parks, including Big Marine Park Reserve, Hardwood Creek Regional Trail, Lake Elmo Park Reserve and Nordic Center, Square Lake Park, and the Washington County Courthouse Details: Bike, hike, ﬁsh, run, geocache, view wildlife, visit playgrounds and do much more. The vehicle fee is waived this day in all Washington County Parks. Free outdoor recreation demonstrations and nature programming will be offered at park locations county-wide. See website for details. Contact: 651-430-8370 or co.washington.mn.us/ parks

HUGO GOOD NEIGHBOR DAYS When: Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7 Where: Lions Park, Hugo Details: 39th Annual Lions Club festival features carnival rides, parade, food, live music, rafﬂes, demos, craft fair and much more.

BALD EAGLE SPORTSMEN’S OPEN HOUSE When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 6 Where: Bald Eagle Sportsmen’s Association, 6557 N. 125th St., Hugo Details: Annual family-friendly public open house is free and

Details: Stories, songs and nger plays for children and their caregivers. Contact: 763-717-3294

BRIDGE AND CRIBBAGE When: 12:30 p.m. Thursdays Where: Lino Lakes Senior Center, 1189 Main St. Details: Seniors play games with friends. Contact: 651-982-2440

“500” CARDS When: 6:30 p.m. Mondays Where: Lino Lakes Senior Center, 1189 Main St. Details: Play “500” with friends. Contact: 651-982-2440

open to the public. Demonstrations, historic displays, free burgers, hot dogs. Sporting clays and cowboy action shooting.

LANDSCAPE REVIVAL – NATIVE PLANT EXPO AND MARKET When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 6 Where: Cub Foods Community Pavilion, 1201 Larpenteur Ave., Roseville Details: Shop for Minnesota native plants from 12 local growers in one location. Area conservation organizations will be available to answer questions. Sponsored by Saint Paul Audubon, Capitol Region Watershed District, Blue Thumb and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District. Contact: saintpaulaudubon.org/ events

MERRICK, INC. ANNUAL GOLF SCHMABLE When: 12:30 p.m. shotgun start Monday, June 8 Where: Troy Burne Golf Club, Hudson, Wis. Details: Support the Vadnais Heights-based non-proﬁt that provides vocational and social opportunities to adults with disabilities. Event includes games on the course, silent auction, and rafﬂe for a trip to Myrtle Beach. Contact: merrickinc. org

MUSIC LADYSLIPPER ENSEMBLE When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3 Where: White Bear Lake Library Details: Free concert features rarely heard chamber music and soulful themes and melosies. Contact: rclreads.org

THEATER THE LOONEY LUTHERANS When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 2 Where: Maplewood Library, 3025 Southlawn Dr.

Details: Professional actresses, writers, singers and improvisers perform a comedic, family friendly and interactive show. Contact: rclreads.org

11TH ANNUAL 10-MINUTE PLAY FESTIVAL When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays, June 4-14 Where: Century College Details: Ten 10-minute plays presented at every performance; plays written and submitted by novice and professional writers from around the world, with the ten best selected for this world premiere. Tickets $19; $17 seniors; $15 students. Some plays may not be suitable for younger audiences. Contact: lakeshoreplayers.com

ARTS HISTORY OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY When: 10 a.m.-noon, Thursdays, May 14-June 4 Where: Gladstone Community Ed Center, 1945 Manton St., Maplewood Details: Trace the history of the human experience through artistic expression. 4 session series features the Greek and Roman empires. Contact: whitebearregistration.org

NORTHSTAR ARTISTS’ MARKET 13TH ANNUAL ART SHOW AND SALE When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, May 29 & 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Where: Fine Arts Building, Minnesota State Fairgrounds Details: Over 90 artists, including those from the White Bear Lake area, display over 4,500 pieces of original Watermedia paintings, available for sale. Contact: northstarwatermedia.com

Tuesday, May 19, 2015 Page 8 QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

WWW.PRESSPUBS.COM

Voters’ league evaluates meeting law compliance By Kristine Goodrich Documents weren't readily available to the public at a few council meetings, but otherwise area communities are complying with the state open meeting law. That is the conclusion of the first phase of a study conducted by the White Bear Lake Area League of Women Voters. This year and next they are looking at how well the communities in their district, which includes Centerville and Lino Lakes, adhere to the open meeting law. League members learned about the Minnesota law governing government meetings, attended a meeting of 30 northeast metro municipalities and interviewed an official in each municipality. A 10-member committee is leading the study and another 15 members have assisted by observing meetings. The league's four units this month are discussing

the findings to date and deciding if there are topics they'd like to study further and if they should lobby for changes. The league members found that in most instances, area communities are not only meeting the open meeting law requirements, they are going above and beyond. But not having required documents at meetings was noted as an area of concern. The law dictates that governing bodies must have at least one copy of all documents being discussed at the meeting available for members of the audience to view. The league members who visited Afton, Centerville, Dellwood, Grant, North Oaks, St. Mary’s Point, White Bear Lake and White Bear Township did not see a public set of documents available in the meeting room. In most of these communities, public copies of the agenda were available. In Grant and St. Mary’s Point, not even the agenda was seen by league members. In White Bear

Lake and White Bear Township, the visitors asked for and received the documents. League publicity chairwoman Joan Sullivan said she was most surprised to learn that the open meeting law doesn't require government boards to hear public comments during meetings. All of the 30 communities surveyed by the city do, nevertheless, hold a public comment period. Comments are typically accepted at or soon after the start of the meeting so that citizens need not wait long to be heard. Most councils/ boards place a time limit on the speakers. Study committee member Gretchen Davidson said she was surprised to discover that cities and townships do not have to compile meeting minutes. Only a record of the votes taken is required. All of the 30 communities do complete and archive a more comprehensive summary of each meeting. Some communities post the meetings online; all at

least make copies available upon request. Additional observations noted in the White Bear Lake Area League of Women Voters study included: • Meetings of all but two communities — West Lakeland and May Township — are recorded and can be watched online and/or on cable access. There is no requirement that meetings be recorded. • League visitors had difficulty hearing the proceedings at Gem Lake, Mahtomedi, North Oaks and Stillwater Township. Either there was no public address system or some of the council/board members did not speak into their microphones, the observers noted. • According to the survey of city/town administrators, 24 of the municipalities held at least one non-regular meeting (such as a special meeting or a closed meeting) during the preceding 12 months. The city of Shoreview held an emergency meeting, with-

out much advance public notice, to establish a nowake restriction on a lake. • The area League of Women Voters conducts a study of a regional topic every year or two. Most recently they examined the causes and implications of the drop in the level of White Bear Lake. • Study committee chairwoman Mary Santi said the open meeting law study was inspired by a visitor from the Minnesota Department of Administration who spoke about the law at a league meeting a few years ago. With the recent expansion of the league's boundaries, a study about the law also was thought a good way to get introduced to the new communities that they now represent, Santi added. • The goal of the study isn't to catch communities committing infractions, Santi said. Rather, the objectives are to identify weaknesses in the law, recognize communities that are going above and beyond the requirements to engage their

citizens, and share ideas with other communities. • After receiving input from the four units of the White Bear area league this month, the study committee will decide whether to expand its study. The Mahtomedi unit, which met last week, suggested looking at how much training elected officials receive about the open meeting law. • The local league also will be deciding whether it should make recommendations to the area municipal boards about best practices they should implement. The local group also might suggest that the Minnesota League of Women Voters lobby for changes in the open meeting law, such as mandating that minutes be taken and public comments be taken. — Kristine Goodrich is editor of the White Bear Press.

public notices CITY OF LEXINGTON COUNTY OF ANOKA STATE OF MINNESOTA PUBLIC NOTICE TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: Notice is hereby given that the city council of Lexington will meet in the council chambers of the city hall at 7:00 p.m. on June 4, 2015, to consider the making of Improvement called Flowerfield Road, an improvement of Flowerfield Road Between Lexington Avenue; and South Highway Dr; by milling or reclamation of the roadway to include concrete curb and gutter on the Lexington side and repair the curb and gutter as needed on the Blaine side with repair of the storm sewer system, pursuant to Minn. Stat. §§ 429.011 to 429.111. The area proposed to be assessed for such improvement is against the benefited property on the basis of frontage on the street abutting the improvement. The estimated cost of the improvement is $632,000. A reasonable estimate of the impact of the assessment will be available at the hearing. Such persons as desire to be heard with reference to the proposed improvement will be heard at this meeting. Tina Northcutt, Finance Director Published two times in the Quad Community Press on May 19 and 26, 2015.

CITY OF LEXINGTON COUNTY OF ANOKA STATE OF MINNESOTA ORDINANCE # 15-05 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 2; SECTION 2.12 – SALARIES OF MAYOR AND COUNCILPERSONS The City Council of Lexington does hereby ordain as follows: CHAPTER 2, SECTION 2.12 – SALARIES OF MAYOR AND COUNCILPERSONS is hereby amended as follows: SECTION 2.12. SALARIES OF MAYOR AND COUNCILPERSONS. Salaries of the Mayor and Council are hereby ﬁxed as follows, which amounts are deemed reasonable: Subd. 1. Mayor’s Salary. The monthly salary of the Mayor shall be $425.00, effective January 2nd, 2017. Subd. 2. Councilperson’s Salary. The monthly salary of each Councilperson shall be $350.00, effective January 2nd, 2017. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its adoption and publication as required by law. PASSED by the City Council of the City of Lexington this 7th day of May, 2015. Carin Payment, Vice Mayor ATTEST: Bill Patracek, City Administrator Published one time in the Quad Community Press on May 19, 2015.

CITY OF LEXINGTON COUNTY OF ANOKA STATE OF MINNESOTA ORDINANCE # 15-06 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CITY CODE CHAPTER 5 Section 1. The City Council of Lexington does hereby ordain as following changes to Chapter 5.230 the Lexington City Code: SECTION 5.230. CONDITIONS OF LICENSE. Subd. 8. Unlawful Activity. Gambling or games of chance which dictate the price or quantity of a beverage are otherwise barred by law. The sale of a beverage or any promotional activity related to the sex of patron (i.e. “Ladies Night”) is discriminatory; no such activity is allowed at any time. Licensee may not allow unlawful activity to occur at the licensed establishment. Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication of the attached summary according to law. PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 7th day of May, 2015 by the City Council of the City of Lexington. Mark Kurth, Mayor Attest: Bill, Patracek, City Clerk Published one time in the Quad Community Press on May 19, 2015.

CENTENNIAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 12 MINUTES APRIL 6, 2015 (Abbreviated full minutes available at www.isd12.org or call 763-7926010 to request a hard copy) LEGAL NOTICE: School Board, Independent School District #12; 4707 North Road, Circle Pines, Minnesota; April 6, 2015. 1.0 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Wilson called the special meeting of the School Board to order at 5:32 p.m. in the District Office Board Room. 2.0 ROLL CALL The following members were present: Wilson, Lodico, Guthmueller, Timm, Burns, and ex-officio Dietz. The following School Board Members was absent: Culp. 3.0 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chairperson Wilson acknowledged approval of the agenda. 4.0 PUBLIC FORUM: None. 5.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 5.01 Bid Award, Construction - As part of the completion of the Long Range Facilities Plan the district has begun the process of project design and construction. Bid Package #2 for construction at Rice Lake and Blue Heron Elementary was presented to the School Board for approval. In total eleven bids were received. The Executive Director Business Services recommended approval of this bid award package to the apparent low bidders as follows: Morcon Construction for general work, Boiler Services Inc. for mechanical work, Prairie Electric for electrical work and NAC for building automation. Motion by: Lodico, seconded by: Timm, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 5.02 Bid Award, Mechanical Equipment - As part of the completion of the Long Range Facilities Plan the district has begun the process of project design and construction. Bid Package #3, Golden Lake and Middle School Mechanical Equipment was presented to the School Board for approval. In total seven bids were received. The Executive Director of Business Services recommended approval of this bid award package to the apparent low bidders: Mulcahy Company for boilers and accessories, Johnson Controls for air cooled water chillers, SVL for rooftop units. Motion by: Guthmueller, seconded by: Lodico, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 5.03 Bid Award, Pavement Rehabilitation - As part of the completion of the Long Range Facilities Plan the district has begun the process of project design and construction. Bid Package #5 Pavement Rehabilitation was presented to the School Board for approval. In total five bids were received. The Executive Director of Business Services recommended approval of this bid award package to Midwest Asphalt. Motion by: Burns, seconded by: Timm, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 13.0 ADJOURN at 5:44 p.m. Suzanne Guthmueller, School Board Clerk Published one time in the Quad Community Press on May 19, 2015.

CENTENNIAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT 12 MINUTES APRIL 20, 2015 (Abbreviated full minutes available at www.isd12.org or call 763-792-6010 to request a hard copy) LEGAL NOTICE: School Board, Independent School District #12; 4707 North Road, Circle Pines, Minnesota; April 20, 2015. 1.0 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Wilson called the regular meeting of the School Board to order at 6:30 p.m. in the District Ofﬁce Board Room. 2.0

ROLL CALL The following members were present: Wilson, Lodico, Guthmueller, Timm, Burns, and ex-officio Dietz. The following School Board Member was absent: Culp. 3.0 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Chairperson Wilson acknowledged approval of the agenda. 4.0 RECOGNITIONS The following students and coaches were recognized for excellence in athletics: Anthony Bengtson (sophomore) – Floor Hockey All-State Tournament Team; Josh Hamann (freshman) - Floor Hockey All-State Tournament Team; Nick Powers (senior) – Floor Hockey All-State Tournament ndTeam; Andrea Gessner (sophomore) – All-State Gymnastics, Vault place; Tyler Shilson th - 2 (sophomore) - All-State Wrestling, 126 lbs. - 4 place; Jessica Boesflug (senior) – Athena Award Winner; John Bergeland - 5AAA Wrestling Coach of the Year; Steve Peterson - 5AAA Wrestling Assistant Coach of the Year; Ted Cheesebrough - 5AA Boys Hockey Assistant Coach of the Year. Centennial’s production of Legally Blonde was honored with numerous awards by the Hennepin Theatre Trust 2014-2015 Spotlight Musical Theatre Program. The following students received awards: Erin Hartford, a senior, as Elle Woods for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role; Jordan Uecker, a senior, as Emmett Forrest for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role; Emilie Tomas, a senior, as Vivienne Kinsington, for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role; Courtney Klein, a sophomore, as Margo, for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role; Kaitlyn Boyer, a senior, as Pilar, for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role; Tatum DeBlieck, a senior, as Enid, for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role; Nathan Navratil, a junior, as Warner Huntington III, for Honorable Mention Performance in a Supporting Role; Hannah McLevish, a senior, as Brooke Wyndom, for Honorable Mention Performance in a Supporting Role; Chue Chi Kong, a senior, as Grandmaster Chad, Padamadan, and Carlos, for Honorable Mention Performance in a Featured Role; Adam Drabek, a junior, as Professor Callahan, for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role; Maddie Theis, a senior, as Paulette Bonafonte, for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role; Will Rafferty, a junior, as Elle’s dad, Winthrop, Suit Salesman and Niko, for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role. The production also received four group honors: Honorable Mention, Overall Performance; Outstanding Performance in Dance by a Chorus; Outstanding Vocal Performance by a Chorus; Outstanding Acting Performance by a Chorus. Congratulations to speech team members Nicole Johnson, Bernadette Hanson, Emilie Tomas, Tatum DeBlieck, Jordan Parshall, Nathan Navratil, Jordan Uecker, Maddie Theis, Erin Hartford, Izabella Raleigh and Kaitlyn Boyer. Nathan Navratil earned 4th place in Storytelling; Tatum DeBlieck placed 3rd place in Extemporaneous Reading. Centennial speech students earned the second place trophy at the Section 5AA Speech Tournament. Middle School Principal Bob Stevens recognized Technology Education Teacher Paul Wiehe as the recipient of the Teacher Excellence Award from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. CEA President Jeanne Scarr introduced the Centennial Teacher of the Year Award nominees: Holly Augustin, Centennial High School; Lisa Cisewski, Rice Lake Elementary;Julie Cross, Centennial Alternative Learning Center; Kim Davidson, Centennial High School; Lisa Johnson, Centennial High School; Heidi Miller, Centerville Elementary; Dawn Prax, Centerville Elementary; Stacy Pullis, Blue Heron Elementary; Monica Wenzel, Centennial High School; Paul Wiehe, Centennial Middle School; Karina Houle, Centennial High School; Sandy Joselyn, Centerville Elementary; Jennifer Peterson, Blue Heron Elementary; Angela Stodola, Blue Heron Elementary; Colleen Cardinal, Centennial High School; Cheryl Dettmer, Rice Lake Elementary; Karen DeWitt, Golden Lake Elementary; Shannon Hanlon, Rice Lake Elementary; Emily Hjelle, Golden Lake Elementary; Neil Kruse, Centennial Middle School; Amy Lund, Centennial High School; Mark Magnuson, Centennial Elementary; Kara Mundale, Centennial Middle School; Patty Nelson, Rice Lake Elementary; John Paisley, Centennial High School; Teresa Parker, Blue Heron Elementary; Jen Verplaetse, Centennial Elementary; Mary Walker, Golden Lake Elementary; Robin Wong, Rice Lake Elementary; Annamarie Schneider, Rice Lake Elementary; Brad Stamman, Rice Lake Elementary; Becky Weiland, Centennial High School. 5.0 PUBLIC FORUM: None. 6.0 SUPERINTENDENT REPORT: This month Superintendent Dietz is meeting with district PTO/ PTA/Advisory Groups, sharing feedback from our community and parent surveys. During the month of May he will present to staff and also at City Council meetings. Superintendent Dietz attended the graduation ceremony on April 16 for two of our Pines School students. He noted that the ceremony was very meaningful and it was amazing hearing their stories of what these students have gone through to get to this point. Superintendent Dietz congratulated the Teacher of the Year nominees. 7.0 CONSENT ITEMS 7.01 Approval of Minutes: Regular Board Meeting Minutes of March 16, 2015 and Special School Board Meeting Minutes of April 6, 2015. 7.02 Approval of Monthly Bills: $4,297,150.47. 7.03 Payroll Total to be Ratified: $3,669,573.39. 7.04 Personnel: Retirements, Resignations, Employment, Changes in Employment, Unpaid Leaves of Absence. 7.05 Field Trips: High School Arrive Alive students to overnight/processing time April 7-8, 2015 Blaine, Minnesota; High School, Middle School and Rice Lake Future Problem Solving Teams June 11-14, 2015 to FPS International Competition at Iowa State University; High School Speech Team members who qualified for MSHSL state tournament April 17-18, 2015 to Bloomington, Minnesota. 7.06 Bids: None. 7.07 Gifts to the District: $500.00 from Medtronic for Anne Ballard Volunteer Grant to Centennial Elementary; $10.00 from Capella University to Centennial Elementary; $500.00 from Larry and Kimberly Reese to Centennial School District earmarked for high school baseball fields; $40.00 from Brian Olson to Centennial School District earmarked for high school baseball fields; $150.00 from Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gifts Program on behalf of Thomas Reineke to the Middle School; $150.00 from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign on behalf of Thomas Reineke to the Middle School; $18.00 from Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gifts Program on behalf of Melissa A. Specker to the Middle School; $18.00 from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign on behalf of Melissa A. Specker to the Middle School; $63.46 from Wells Fargo Educational Matching Gifts Program on behalf of Kari L. Streit to the Middle School; $63.46 from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign on behalf of Kari L. Streit to the Middle School; $8,000.00 from the Medtronic Foundation earmarked for the High School Robotics Team; $1,904.00 from Ameriprise Financial on behalf of the Drabek Family earmarked for the High School Robotics Team; $2,000.00 from Syngentia Corporation earmarked for the High School Robotics Team; $50.00 from Medtronic Volunteer Grant Program on behalf of Stacy Barber to Golden Lake Elementary; $6,500.00 from the Carol and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation earmarked for Golden Lake Summer Camp Program; $1,000.00 from Labels for Education Grandstand for Schools Sweepstakes to Centerville Elementary; $120.00 from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign on behalf of Lindsay Johnson to Centerville Elementary; $60.00 from Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign on behalf of Barb Leatherman to Centerville Elementary; $500.00 from Travelers CyberGrants, Inc. on behalf of Sharon Anderson to Centerville Elementary; $100.00 from Mueller-Bies Funeral Home to Centennial ISD 12 earmarked for high school baseball fields project; $75.00 from At the Beach Tanning to Centennial ISD 12 earmarked for high school baseball fields project. 7.08 Investments: None. 7.09 Dues and Memberships: None. 7.10 Tax Sheltered Annuities: Employees are provided the opportunity to subscribe to a tax sheltered annuity program. Requests must be submitted by January 1, April 1,st July 1, and October 1. The following new requests were made during the 1 quarter of 2014: Trent Anderson, Michael Macken, Wayne Whitwam. 7.11 Designation of Identified Official with Authority: The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires that school districts designate Identified Officials with Authority to assign job duties and authorize external user access to MDE secure reports for their local education agency (LEA). The Superintendent of Schools recommends the School Board authorize Superintendent Brian Dietz and Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Scott Johnson to act as the Centennial School District Identified Officials with Authority. The Superintendent of Schools recommended the School Board approve the Consent Items as detailed in the enclosure. Motion by: Lodico, seconded by: Timm, Ayes: 5, Nays:

0, motion carried unanimously. 8.0 CURRICULUM 8.01 Indian Education Resolution Adoption - As required by the Federal Office of Indian Education, Centennial School District No. 12’s Indian Education Parent Committee has proposed resolutions to the Centennial School District School Board for the 2015-16 school year. The Superintendent of Schools recommended the School Board approve the Centennial Indian Education Parent Committee’s resolutions and school district responses to those resolutions as detailed in the enclosed memorandum. Motion by: Burns, seconded by: Guthmueller, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 9.0 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 9.01 Budget Revisions for 2014-15, All Funds - Mr. Dan Huffman, Executive Director of Business Services, presented information on mid-year budget revisions for each of the district’s funds. Budgets are revised to update estimates and reflect events that have taken place since the budget was adopted in May. The Superintendent of Schools recommended the School Board approve the budget revisions for 2014-15 - all funds. Motion by: Timm, seconded by: Lodico, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 9.02 Bid Award, Roofing - As part of the completion of the Long Range Facilities Plan the district has begun the process of project design and construction. Bid Package #7 for roofing at Golden Lake and the District Office was presented to the School Board for approval. In total five bids were received. The Executive Director of Business Services recommended approval of this bid award package to Palmer West Construction. Motion by: Lodico, seconded by: Burns, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 9.03 Bid Award, Exterior Wall Repair - As part of the completion of the Long Range Facilities Plan the district has begun the process of project design and construction. Bid Package #8 for exterior wall repair districtwide was presented to the School Board for approval. In total four bids were received. The Executive Director of Business Services recommended approval of this bid award package to the apparent low bidders as follows: Item #1 Blue Heron to Building Restoration; Item #2 Centennial Middle School to Building Restoration; Item #3 Golden Lake to The Caulkers Co.; Item #4 Rice Lake to Building Restoration; Item #5 District Office to Building Restoration. Motion by: Guthmueller, seconded by: Timm, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 9.04 Termination of Probationary Teachers - Member Lodico introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION RELATING TO THE TERMINATION AND NONRENEWAL OF THE TEACHING CONTRACTS OF PROBATIONARY TEACHERS WHEREAS, Megan Rengo, Bonnie Moore, Stephanie Wheeler, Peg Kennedy, Jill Tetrick, Jill Harris, Vicki Peterson, Alison Kelso, Nicole Trinh, Corrine Clifford, Josh Stacy, Shawn Nelson and Amy Lund are probationary teachers in Independent School District No. 12. BE IT RESOLVED, by the School Board of Independent School District No. 12, that pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 122A.40, Subdivision 5, that the teaching contracts of Megan Rengo, Bonnie Moore, Stephanie Wheeler, Peg Kennedy, Jill Tetrick, Jill Harris, Vicki Peterson, Alison Kelso, Nicole Trinh, Corrine Clifford, Josh Stacy, Shawn Nelson and Amy Lund, probationary teachers in Independent School District No. 12, are hereby terminated at the close of the current 2014-15 school year. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that written notice be sent to said teachers regarding termination and non-renewal of their contracts as provided by law, and that said notice shall be in substantially the following form: NOTICE OF TERMINATION AND NON-RENEWAL Mr./Ms. ____________ ___________________ ___________________ Dear Mr./Ms. _________________: You are hereby notified that at a regular meeting of the School Board of Independent School District No. 12 held on April 20, 2015 a resolution was adopted by a majority roll call vote to terminate your contract effective at the end of the current school year and not to renew your contract for the 2015-16 school year. Said action of the board is taken pursuant to M.S. 122A.40, Subd. 5. You may officially request that the school board give its reasons for the non-renewal of your teaching contact. For your information, however, this action is taken because of _____. Yours very truly, SCHOOL BOARD OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 12 ____________________________________ Clerk of the School Board The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Member Burns. And upon vote being taken thereon, the followed voted in favor thereof: Lodico, Wilson, Burns, Timm, Guthmueller. And the following voted against the same: None. Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted. 9.05 Electronic Information Support Specialist - It is recommended that the district add this position to meet the increased needs electronic information. This position will provide internal and external customer support for a wide array of data activities. This position will report to the Director of Technology. This position will be paid for with existing funds and will have no increase to the general budget. The position will be a 12 month position beginning on June 1, 2015. The Director of Human Resources recommended that this position be approved by the School Board. Motion by: Guthmueller, seconded by: Lodico, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 10.0 SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS 10.01 Review of Policies: Second Reading - The attached memorandum outlines the “Second Reading” of the third group of policies of our revised Board Policy Manual. Current policies were reviewed and changes were made to existing policies so that they align with the policies of MSBA. Administration recommended adoption of the policies. Motion by: Timm, seconded by: Guthmueller, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 11.0 COMMUNICATION 11.01 Northeast Metropolitan Intermediate School District #916 11.02 Schools for Equity in Education 11.03 CAEF 12.0 INFORMATION ITEMS Chairperson Wilson called for a motion to set a Special Board Meeting to approve a bid package for Monday, May 4, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. with the Work Study Session to follow. Motion by: Guthmueller, seconded by: Lodico, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0, motion carried unanimously. 12.01 Dates to Note – Upcoming dates and events in the school district: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 – Parent Presentation/Centerville, 6:30 p.m.; Monday, April 27, 2015 – Parent Presentation/Blue Heron, 7:00 p.m.; Monday, May 4, 2015 – Special Board Meeting/Board Work Study Session, 5:30 p.m.; Monday, May 4, 2015 – Parent Advisory Presentation/ West Media, 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, May 7, 2015 – Staff Presentation/Centennial Elementary, 8:15 a.m.; Thursday, May 7, 2015 – Staff Presentation/ CALC, 2:45 p.m.; Thursday, May 7, 2015 – Blaine City Council Presentation, 7:30 p.m.; Monday, May 11, 2015 – Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, May 12, 2015 – Circle Pines City Council Presentation, 7:00 p.m.; Wednesday, May 13, 2015 – Centerville City Council Presentation, 6:30 p.m.; Monday, May 18, 2015 – Scholarship Night/PAC, 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, May 20, 2015 – Employee Recognition Ceremony/CMS, 4:00 p.m.; Thursday, May 21, 2015 – Lexington City Council Presentation, 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, May 26, 2015 – Lino Lakes City Council Presentation, 6:30 p.m.; Monday, June 1, 2015 – Board Work Study Session, 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, June 4, 2015 – CALC Graduation/PAC, 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 6, 2015 – Graduation/Roy Wilkins Auditorium, 1:00 p.m.; Monday, June 15, 2015 – Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. 12.02 Presentations or Items of Business from Staff or Board Members 13.0 ADJOURN at 7:22 p.m. Suzanne Guthmueller, School Board Clerk Published one time in the Quad Community Press on May 19, 2015.