On Sept. 21 the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office was informed that a group of men had hung banners over the walking bridge at Rice Street and Interstate 694 in Shoreview near the border of Vadnais Heights.
According to eyewitnesses, the banners displayed messages associated with white supremacy. After being informed by deputies that hanging banners from the bridge/overpass is illegal, the group removed them and left.
Vadnais Heights and Shoreview area legislators have condemned the demonstration. Sen. Heather Gustafson , Sen. Tou Xiong, Sen. John Marty, Rep. Brion Curran, Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn, Rep. Peter Fischer, and Rep. Kelly Moller issued the following statement:
“This display of racism and xenophobia does not represent our community, and we will not tolerate any group promoting such violence and bigotry. We denounce any ideology or group that seeks to dehumanize people based on their race, ethnicity, religion or any other identity. We stand together against hatred in any form and are committed to building a community where everyone feels safe and valued.”
Shoreview City Manager Brad Martens added that the individuals involved are not from the Shoreview area. “There is no tolerance in Shoreview for individuals who spread racist messages,” said Martens.
Local food shelves face difficulty with financial donations
BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
A growing concern is building among the White Bear Lake, Hugo and Centennial food shelves. Financial donations aren’t keeping up with demand, which creates a challenge as they strive to meet the needs of those in the community who are experiencing food insecurity. Now, they are looking to their communities to help turn things around.
At the White Bear Area Food Shelf, Executive Director Perry Petersen said the most significant challenges they faced have risen due to the increased need that followed
the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our donations have kept pretty steady for us,” said Petersen. “However, the growth of donations and support has not been able to fill the gap due to the big increase in need. It’s a considerable amount between where we were as an organization to where we’re at now.”
Petersen said the food shelf has seen steady growth in both the number of people visiting the food shelf as well as financial donations for several years. This has led to plans by the organization to open a second location to address the increased need for
WHITE BEAR AREA FOOD SHELF BY THE NUMBERS
• 54,130 visits this year, reaching 177,715 individuals
• 51% increase in people served in 2024 over 2023
• July was the biggest month on record with 6,495 visitors – a 68% increase over July 2023
• The new Community Market averages 165
visitors a day
• The Curbside Market averages 120 visitors a day
• A 24% increase in donations is needed to meet the need for the coming year
• For every $1 donated, the food shelf can purchase $6 worth of food
We Do the Heavy Lifting for You!
Fall fun, spooky trails and pumpkin patches
As the air becomes cooler and the days become shorter, it can only mean that fall is upon us. We have accumulated a list of local orchards, pumpkin patches, and fall activities and event that offer a variety of fall fun for you, your family and friends to enjoy this season.
PINE
TREE APPLE ORCHARD
Where: 450 Apple Orchard
Road., White Bear Lake
Details: Throughout October, the orchard offers wagon rides, a corn maze, pick your own pumpkins, live entertainment, a large variety of apples, homemade bakery products, fresh cider, gifts and more.
Contact: 651-429-7202
PUNKINMANIA
When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Two outdoor locations in Mahtomedi include Veterans Memorial Park (formerly Triangle Park) and the grounds of the Mahtomedi District Education Center.
Details: Community event sponsored by the Wildwood Lions Club and American Legion Post 507 includes
pumpkins and painted pumpkins available for purchase, pumpkin crafts, kids games, fire trucks and food.
STILLWATER HARVEST FEST
When: Oct. 12-13
Where: Downtown Stillwater
Details: Highlight of the annual community festival is the Giant Pumpkin Weighoff and pumpkin drop from a 100’ crane. Also live music, beer and wine garden, vendor market, kids activities and pumpkin regatta. Contact: harvestfeststillwater. com
PINEHAVEN FARM AND DEAD END HAYRIDE
Where: 28186 Kettle River Blvd., Wyoming
Details: Stay busy with over 30 activities and adventures like picking pumpkin, blasting apples, swimming through a massive corn pit, zooming down a zipline and more. The Great Pumpkin Trail is a family-friendly half-mile trail featuring over 10,00 intricately carved and glowing pumpkins creating a fall adventure and sights. Wander through a pumpkin tunnel and explore themed
areas. Dead End Hayride is a haunted hayride experience. Tickets can be purchased online at Pinehaven Farm. Contact: pinehavenfarm.com and pumpkintrail.com
JOYER ADVENTURE FARM
Where: Waldoch Farm, 8174 Lake Dr., Lino Lakes
Details: Open through the end of October, the farm offers pick your own pumpkins, a corn maze, hayrides through the pumpkin patch and more. Contact: 651-780-1207
RIVERTOWN ART FESTIVAL
When: Saturday Oct. 5Sunday Oct. 6
Where: Lowell Park, 201 Water St., Stillwater
Details: Hosted by the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. Over 160 artisans showcased. The event also offers a beer and wine tent, food, live music and entertainment. Contact: 651-439-4001
SCARECROW TRAIL
When: Thursday, Oct. 24Friday, Nov. 1
Where: Community Park, 641 East County Road F., Vadnais Heights
Details: Local businesses, organizations and residents will install scarecrow creations along the trail. Stop out any time to view the entries, then come back here to vote for your favorite. The trail is free and open to the public during park hours.
Contact: 651-204-6000
HALLOWEEN PARTY
When: 5- 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25
Meet
pictured Lion Pat Johnson, Lion Kea Knox Behnke, Lion Noreen Shepard and Lion Rick Goplen.
This is a fun group of Lions and if you see them around town be sure to say hi and ask them about the Lions. We are here to serve.
Where: Community Park, 641 East County Road F., Vadnais Heights
Details: Put on your favorite costume and join the community for a party under the lights. Costume parade through the scarecrow trail, free games and treat bags will be provided. Contact: 651-204-6000
We ensure that homeowners can achieve their dreams through exceptional renovations, built with the highest quality and timeless design.
CONTRIBUTED
See some of the region’s biggest pumpkins at Stillwater’s Harvest Fest.
Bethel University lowers tuition for undergraduate students
Bethel University, in Arden Hills, will lower its tuition beginning in the 2025-26 academic year for new and returning undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences. Tuition will decrease from $44,050 to $25,990. Financial aid packages for current students will be adjusted
to reflect the new cost. They can expect to pay around the same that they would have paid without tuition repositioning. This change is part of Bethel’s ongoing work to provide an academically attainable education.
OPINION
Another school year on the horizon
How is summer already over? It feels like two weeks ago I was turning in my last final for the school year and excited to enjoy another Minnesota summer. I hope everyone had a great break. Mine was eventful.
I took quite a few trips this summer. Two were “weekend getaways” and one was a week-long trip to Breckenridge, Colorado with my family. One of my weekend getaways was to my aunt’s house in Alexandria. I got to catch up with my cousins who live out of state and enjoy the lake life for a bit. The second weekend getaway was for the 4th of July. My family and I drove up to Duluth for the holiday weekend.
We got there the morning of the fourth and wandered around the town till it was time to watch the fireworks from the hotel roof. The night of the Fourth, we stopped at an ice cream shop called Love Creamery in Canal Park. It was recommended to us by a local shop owner. She raved about how good the ice cream was, specifically the Goat Cheese Honeycomb flavor. I was not brave enough to try it, but the rest of my family had nothing but praise for it.
Colorado was an adventure. We stayed at a rental house in the mountains. My family and I tried to spend as much time as possible outside. We went hiking, white-water rafting and explored the town of Breckenridge. It was nice to slow down for a bit. I made a goal to stay off social media as much as possible during the trip too. The last year has been a bit hectic, and I think everyone in my family needed the much-needed R and R.
This fall, I will be going into my second year of graduate school at the University of St. Thomas. Surprisingly, I am ready to go back. I am excited to see my classmates and catch up with them about how their summers went. The program is a close group. Professors are understanding, knowledgeable and are genuine people that makes class enjoyable.
What I am most excited for this year is beginning my master’s project. My project consists of a 40-to50-page creative writing portfolio. My project must focus on one genre of writing and revolve around a central idea. Once my project is completed, my advisor and two other professors from the program will read through my work and provide feedback during a mini conference. There are three outcomes: pass with little revision, pass with heavy revision and fail.
For my project, I am leaning towards writing a collection in creative nonfiction, which is stories based on real life or personal experiences but with fictional characters or elements. Ever since I began writing my freshman year of college, I have gravitated towards creative nonfiction. I just have not decided on the general focus of the collection yet. There are so many possibilities, it is hard to narrow it down to just a single idea.
Not only am I excited to complete my last full year of graduate school, but I am also excited for hockey season to start. My family has invested in two pairs of season tickets this year. One set is for the University of Minnesota men’s team and the second set is for the University of St. Thomas men’s team. Once October rolls around, most of my weekends will be spent at the rink, and I cannot even begin to express how excited I am.
Madeline Dolby is an editor of the Shoreview Press. She can be reached at 651-431-1226 or shoreviewnews@presspubs.com.
Talking college courses for high school students
High school students across the state are getting back to full schedules. But did you know that many high schoolers are simultaneously enrolled in college-level courses through the University of Minnesota?
The U of M has multiple programs that allow Minnesota students to earn college credit while in high school, including College in the Schools (CIS) and Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO).
Q: Who are these opportunities for?
Hanson: In Minnesota, PSEO and CIS are designed for high school juniors and seniors. If you’re considering going to a twoor four-year college, even if you’re unsure, taking college classes in high school lets you experience the pace and challenge of a college course and
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see if it is for you. Students who take courses through CIS are diverse and academically curious. They meet course-specific prerequisites. PSEO students join on-campus or online courses, so it is best suited for students who have an independent learning style, good time management skills and are prepared to seek help when it’s needed.
Q: How can high school students take college courses through the U of M?
Hanson: CIS Classes are taught at your high school by your teachers. Because these classes are already part of your school curriculum, you can register like any other class if you meet the prerequisites. There are a wide variety of CIS courses on subjects like college-level math, creative problem solving, animal science and more.
PSEO students can take college courses taught by college faculty alongside U of M students in person or online.
Q: What are the developmental benefits of taking college courses while in high school?
Hanson: There are so many benefits for high school students — studies show that students who take college courses while still in high school are more likely to finish high school, enroll in college and stay in school longer.
Q: Are there any other benefits?
Hanson: Established in 1985 through Minnesota legislation, certain costs, like tuition, books and other resources, are covered for students and have been for nearly forty years. In both PSEO and CIS, you begin earning credits that show up on your U of M transcript. Even if you don’t plan to attend the U of M, the credits are valuable because they are highly transferable. That doesn’t just save money; it also saves time.
Emily Hanson is a program director in the College of Continuing & Professional Studies at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
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Madeline’s Mail
Madeline Dolby
Movers & Shakers
Help with cemetery upkeep
Dear Community: Please help us pay tribute and respect to our Civil War veterans, loved ones and the Native Americans buried at Union Cemetery. As I visit my mother and brother, the cemetery is unkept and overgrown. There’s been a branch down for the entire summer that needs attention. Please help us be respectful of our departed loved ones.
Charlotte Zerwas
White Bear Lake
Enduring tribute
It is with appreciation that I announce a new sign located at the corner of Dellwood Avenue and Peninsula Road in Dellwood to honor George St. Germain. He was a dedicated volunteer on the White Bear Lake Conservation District (WBLCD) Board for 40 years. In recognition of his volunteer service, the WBLCD has placed a sign naming the White Bear Lake bay south of Peninsula Road after him. This will be an enduring tribute to his impact on the lake community, lake safety and lake quality. The bay has been called St. Germain Bay for years, as the St. Germain family has lived in the area for over 150 years and previously operated a boat livery in the bay for 70 years.
The WBLCD is incredibly grateful to the city of Dellwood for its partnership in completing this project. On behalf of the WBLCD, we extend our thanks to the city of Dellwood for its support to ensure George St. Germain will be remembered for generations to come.
Meredith Walburg Vice Chair, White Bear Lake Conservation District
Editors Note: Read more about the official naming of St. Germain’s Bay in the fall edition of The Laker, online presspubs.com/laker
More about dogs
Please give us more of The Real Dogs of White Bear Lake by Ricka McNaughton. Her descriptions of each dog’s unique personality and their owners are so colorful and funny. Ricka even throws in some original expressive words, like “floofiness” and “nose-boop” to flavor the writing. This is a gem of a feature, and I look forward to meeting some more real dogs via your paper.
Katharine Churchill White Bear Lake
Council should apply same standards to itself
During the Sept. 16 City Council workshop, the Vadnais Heights City Council held its final discussion before the truth in taxation public hearing is held on Dec. 3, 2024. Since the city is almost fully developed, I question the need for another full-time position dedicated to code enforcement against residents. Instead, I urge the council to use the proposed increase that is currently being allocated for a new code enforcement position to instead create a Resident Board of Ethics and Accountability.
This will show residents that this City Council understands that code enforcement should not just be applied to residents, while the city itself subverts its own codes time and time again.
This can be seen in many instances.
COMMUNITY BRIEF
But the most visible example for residents is the Garceau/Market Corner where the city appeared to spend over a million dollars of TIF funds purchasing the properties with the promise to clean them up. But that promise was not kept by the city, and TIF money does not appear to have been repaid.
Now a popular local business could hypothetically be subject to new code enforcement actions for the Market building when the city itself did nothing to bring this building into code compliance.
I feel the right thing to do would be for the city to start cleaning its own house first and show residents that the city is going to start setting an example for residents to follow, instead of going by the old saying of “Do as I say, not as I do.”
Another option would be to use the large tax increase to stop the transfer of the sum total of millions and millions of dollars of infrastructure funds that have been transferred out of the business type enterprise funds (utilities) and into the levy funds year after year.
These funds are desperately needed to fix the city’s aging infrastructure.
After I sent my concerns to the City Council, I asked them to provide me with any documentation that directly contradicts what I am saying. So far, I have not received any.
Troy Kunze Vadnais Heights
PAID LETTER
Support school board candidates
I recently met Dan Skaar, candidate for the White Bear Lake School Board. He is a great candidate.
Dan is determined to make certain every child has a great education. He has the right experience. He has worked with school districts across the country and knows what works. He has a finance and business background, which is sorely needed by the current board as we deal with declines in enrollment and budget pressures. He is independent-minded, and he has the courage to tackle tough issues. Most importantly, he understands the aspirations of parents and grandparents for their children … a great education.
Our district needs new, independent board members who are not teachers and who are not beholden to the teacher’s union. Our district needs Dan. Please vote for Dan Skaar, R. Scott Smith and Tim Klecker for school board.
Scott Nintzel White Bear Township
PAID LETTER Endorsement for Ramsey County Judge
When early voting begins and come Election Day, there’s a lot at stake for Ramsey County residents concerned about the mental health crisis gripping our communities. Ramsey County District Court Judge Timothy Mulrooney is seeking reelection, and we cannot afford to lose his mental health expertise on the bench.
Attorneys, fellow judges and mental health advocates alike acknowledge that few judges in Minnesota have the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience that Judge Mulrooney brings to this complex set of issues. He is a recognized leader who is
working to improve the system in the courtroom and in communities throughout Ramsey County for people struggling with severe mental illness and chemical dependency.
Currently assigned to the court’s Behavioral Health Unit, Judge Mulrooney presides over treatment courts, civil commitments and criminal competency proceedings. As chair of the Second Judicial District’s Mental Health Gap Work Group, he is working with other experts in the field to identify chronic problems and build stronger and more coordinated working relationships between the courts, county case managers and mental health care providers, so that everyone involved can be more efficient and effective in connecting people with mental illnesses to the treatment and ongoing support they need. Ultimately, those efforts will improve public safety and provide a more just response to behavior caused by mental illness.
That kind of leadership and collaboration is irreplaceable at a time when mental health care workers are in short supply and courts, jails, counties, community hospitals and mental health service providers are all straining to meet the needs. Judge Mulrooney recognizes that shared problems require shared solutions.
Judge Mulrooney also has presided over criminal, civil, juvenile family, child protection and civil commitment matters. In his eight years on the bench, he has built a rock-solid reputation for fairness, integrity and legal scholarship.
Judge Mulrooney has earned the respect of legal peers and community leaders. He deserves reelection. And voters in Ramsey County deserve to have such a dedicated public servant working on their behalf.
Don’t forget to flip your ballot and
vote for Judge Timothy Mulrooney. Christopher Sprung North Oaks
No room for hate
Saturday, Sept. 21 began as a beautiful fall day, but it took a dark turn when a group of protesters hung hateful white supremacist signs over a bypass near the Interstate 694 interchange in Vadnais Heights. The messages on these signs, including “Mass Deport Now,” “Defend White Culture,” and “Restore White Lands,” are nothing short of disgusting. I commend our elected officials and other local leaders for their swift condemnation of this racism. Such messages have no place in our community and must not be tolerated. As a mother of two biracial children, I am deeply concerned that protesters like these may escalate their actions. This incident underscores the long road ahead in ensuring the safety and value of people of color in our community. If these individuals are bold enough to display such signs, I fear they may also feel emboldened to commit violent acts against marginalized groups. Their behavior seeks to instill intimidation and fear, directly attacking the very characteristics we must protect. Additionally, their claim that the land we inhabit is “white” land is simply false.
Hate groups and their actions undermine the democratic values we cherish as a nation. What happened yesterday is not just offensive; it is unlawful and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent as a hate crime. We must stand united against hate and work towards a community where everyone feels safe and valued.
Amy Varner Vadnais Heights
COPS&COURTS
WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office report Dellwood, Grant, Mahtomedi and Willernie:
Dellwood
• Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies took a theft from locker report Aug. 19 from the Dellwood Country Club.
• Deputies assisted the Lino Lakes Police Department at 12:17 a.m. Aug. 24 in locating a runaway juvenile near Troon Court. Grant
• Following a phone crash notification Aug. 19 near Manning Avenue N. and 62nd Street N., deputies located parties retrieving a cell from the roadway, after it had fallen off a car.
• The driver of a minivan was cited Aug. 21 on southbound Manning Avenue and 60th Street for failure to insure his vehicle, after he ran a red light and struck an SUV crossing Manning Avenue N. on the green light.
Mahtomedi
• Two suspicious females reported at the Marathon station on Wildwood Road at 7:18 a.m. Aug. 18 for suspicion of sleeping off a drunken stupor in the vehicle turned out to be two responsible woman waiting for the gas station to open and losing track of time when watching movies on their phones.
• Deputies on Aug. 18 assisted a male on Stillwater Road who had gotten lost while riding his bicycle to St. Paul. But when the subject entered the back seat of the squad, a needle fell out of his pocket. After the male admitted to using meth earlier in the day, deputies changed the route plan and dropped him off at Regions Hospital to continue his bike ride home.
• A unwanted male was reported for not leaving a Stillwater Road apartment at 12:40 a.m. Aug. 19. When deputies arrived on scene, the male was uncooperative, but later exited the apartment to speak with them. Although deputies advised the male more
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than 10 times to leave, the male flatly refused and was ultimately arrested.
• A Minnesota motorist was cited Aug. 19 on eastbound Wildwood Road at Ridge Way for expired registration and failure to provide proof of insurance, after deputies on patrol noticed tabs that expired in May 2022. The driver said he hadn’t left his residence for three years due to health issues and that his insurance expired six months earlier.
• A report of an intruder breaking into a residence in the 1000 block of Echo Lake Court at 4:44 a.m. Aug. 23 turned out to be happening in the dream the complainant was dreaming at the time.
• A road hazard reported Aug. 21 on Hilton Trail and 69th Street N.
turned out to be a dresser well off to the side of the road. On Aug. 23, deputies took a report of a trailer hitch in the middle of the road on Stillwater Road, after a driver ran over it.
• A wrong way driver was arrested at 1:27 a.m. Aug. 24 on Mahtomedi Avenue and Kale Street, after deputies found him to be impaired. He was arrested with a .24 blood alcohol content.
Willernie
• At the request of the bar owner, a male was trespassed from a Stillwater Road watering hole Aug. 21, after deputies received a report of a male trying to fight others at the bar.
RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF’S REPORTS
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office reported the following selected incidents in Vadnais Heights and White Bear Township:
Vadnais Heights
• Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office deputies left a citation for the owner of a vehicle parked too close to a fire hydrant in the 800 block of County Road F on Aug. 18.
• A Vadnais Heights man, 30, was arrested for second degree DUI Aug. 18, after deputies responded to the report of a drunk driver near the intersection of Centerville Road and County Road F.
A Roseville man, 23, was arrested at 3:27 a.m. Aug. 20 in the 900 block of County Road D, after he assaulted a woman, 23.
• A resident in the 3700 block of McMenemy Street on Aug. 20 reported that someone had fraudulently and illegally transferred his digital Minnesota Vikings tickets out of his NFL app. The tickets were valued at $1,536.
• A handbag was reported found Aug. 21 by a water treatment technician at the intersection of Edgerton Street and Vadnais Blvd. and turned in.
• A St. Paul youth on Aug. 21 reported his bike stolen from the 800 block of County Road E.
• A Vadnais Heights man, 18, was arrested for assault Aug. 21, after he attacked a man, 24, and a woman, 20, during an argument in the 500 block of Spring Hill Road.
• A Keep Our Police Safe (KOPS) alert was issued for a male and his vehicle Aug. 22, after he walked into a Holiday gas station in the 1000 block of County Road E and threatened to “shoot the place up”.
• A youth reported his computer
stolen from a vehicle Aug. 22 while it was parked in a hotel lot in the 1100 block of County Road E, where his family was staying after their house burned down.
A St. Paul woman, 33, was cited for theft Aug. 22, after she left a beauty salon in the 900 block of County Road E without paying for her waxing services.
• A Richmond man, 28, was arrested at 1:20 a.m. Aug. 23 in the 1100 block of County Road E, after he became disorderly and damaged a vehicle outside the restaurant.
White Bear Township
A White Bear Township man, 18, was arrested Aug. 19 in the 2400 block of South Shore Blvd., after he assaulted a juvenile female during an argument.
• A North Oaks youth received a citation for theft Aug. 20, after he was caught shoplifting from the Cub Foods store in the 1000 block of Meadowlands Drive. Deputies responded to another shoplifting report from the Cub Foods store on Aug. 23. A White Bear Township woman, 79, was also cited for shoplifting and issued a trespass notice Aug. 23, after she was positively identified.
• Representatives from an education center in the 2500 block of County Road F on Aug. 21 reported that someone had broken five windows on the organization’s building.
• Several residents in the 1200 block of Pond View Lane reported mail stolen from their mailboxes overnight Aug. 21-22.
A resident in the 5300 block of Northwest Avenue reported finding BB pellet holes in her home’s siding on Aug. 25.
WHITE BEAR LAKE POLICE REPORTS
The White Bear Lake Police Department reported on the following incidents:
• A missing person was reported in the 1800 block of Birch Street Sept. 11.
• Extra patrol was requested Sept. 12 in the 2600 block of County Road D due to reports of a suspicious male.
• A person attempted to cash a stolen check in the 4600 block of White Bear Pkwy. Sept. 12.
• Officers responded to a noise complaint in the 2300 block of Dorothy Avenue Sept. 13. A man was arrested in the same area Sept. 16 for outstanding warrants and misdemeanor obstruction. It is unknown if the incidents are related.
• Officers responded to a report of assault in the 4600 block of Bald Eagle Avenue Sept. 14.
• A Stacy man was arrested for 5th degree possession of illegal narcotics and 3rd degree DWI after officers found him unconscious behind the wheel in the 4500 block of Centerville Road Sept. 14.
• A driver was arrested for an unknown offense Sept. 14 following a single car accident at Interstate 35E and Highway 96.
• A White Bear Lake man was arrested Sept. 15 in the 4000 block of Bellaire Avenue on probable cause for domestic violence. He was turned over to Cottage Grove Police.
• Harassment was reported in the 2000 block of Cedar Avenue Sept. 15.
• Theft was reported in the 2000 block of Fifth Street Sept. 15.
• Officers responded to a report of a disorderly man in the 1200 block of Gun Club Road Sept. 15.
Century College to host legislative listening session
Minnesota State leaders are preparing for the 2025 legislative session by touring the state and listening to the priorities, concerns and thoughts of key constituents. The insights shared during these sessions will inform the fiscal year 2026 – 2027 biennial budget request that the Board of Trustees will submit to the state in November 2024.
Local stakeholders have an opportunity to voice their perspectives at an upcoming session at Century College. Community members are encouraged to participate in the session from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the East Campus, Lincoln Mall to ensure the needs and priorities of Century College and the surrounding community are represented. For more information, visit century. edu.
RATE INCREASE NOTICE
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CENTERPOINT ENERGY MINNESOTA CUSTOMERS
CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas has requested approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to increase natural gas distribution service rates in 2024 and 2025. The requested increase is approximately 6.5% or $84.6 million for 2024 and approximately 3.7% or $51.8 million for 2025. The requested increase will add about $5.91 to a standard monthly bill of a residential customer in 2024 and an additional $2.58 to a standard monthly bill of a residential customer in 2025.
CenterPoint is requesting this rate change to accommodate the increased expense to operate, maintain and deliver natural gas through our distribution system. CenterPoint continues to make meaningful investments to support the advancement of low and zero-carbon technologies and maintain the safety and integrity of its natural gas distribution system that benefits our customers and communities. These investments include infrastructure projects to replace or upgrade existing pipelines, provide safe and reliable service and comply with federal pipeline regulations. The MPUC may either approve or deny the requested changes or may approve a lesser or greater increase than was requested for any customer class or classes of service. The MPUC will likely decide on the requested rate increase by early 2025. If final rates are higher than interim rates, customers will not be charged for the difference during the time the customer is billed for the interim rate. The customer may be charged for the difference between a lower interim rate and a final higher rate beginning on the date that final rates are ordered by the MPUC.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Administrative Law Judge Ann O’Reilly will hold four in-person public hearings and two virtual public hearings so that customers have an opportunity to comment on the company’s request. Any CenterPoint customer or other person may attend or provide comments at the hearings. You are invited to comment on the adequacy and quality of CenterPoint’s service, the level of rates or other related matters. You do not need to be represented by an attorney. The hearings will begin at their scheduled time and end after everyone present has had an opportunity to comment or ask questions.
Public hearings schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 16, 20246 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 17, 20246 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 21, 20246 p.m.
Hennepin Technical College 9000 Brooklyn, Blvd, Room 193/195 Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Blue Earth County Historical Society 424 Warren St., Room A Mankato, MN 56001
University of Minnesota Urban Research and OutreachEngagagement Center (UROC) 2001 Plymouth Ave. N., Room 105 Minneapolis, MN 55411
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 20246 p.m. Central Lakes College 501 W. College Drive, Room C236 Brainerd, MN 56401
Friday, Oct. 18, 20241 p.m. Virtual Webex
Thursday, Oct. 24, 20246 p.m. Virtual Webex
Bad weather? Find out if a hearing is canceled – call (toll free) 855-731-6208 or 651-201-2213 or visit mn.gov/puc.
Virtual Public Hearings
Public hearings have been scheduled as follows to be held via video conference. Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at 6 p.m
Attend by Internet Connection (Audio and Video)
To join the virtual hearing using a computer, tablet or smart phone, where you will have audio and video capability, go to: https://minnesota.webex.com. In the gray box where it says,“Enter Meeting Information,” type the Event Number below for the public hearing date you are attending:
CPE# (2730 when dialing from a
Directions for Commenting Through Webex
• Log on 5-to-15 minutes before the hearing begins. You will be asked to join the hearing through a Webex application or through a plug-in for your web browser.
• Enter the Event Number shown in the box above.
• Then, enter your name, email address and an event password (if required). Click “Join Now” to be granted access to the virtual hearing.
• When you enter the hearing, your microphone will be muted. If you would like to ask a question or comment during the meeting, use the chat function to send a message to the meeting moderator. You will be placed in the queue to comment. When it is your turn to comment, your name will be called and your line will be unmuted. You will be able to ask questions or comment on the proposal.
Attend by Telephone (Audio Only)
You do not need internet access to join the hearing by telephone. However, you will only be able to hear (not see) the speakers. You will still be able to comment and ask questions. Use the information in the box below to call into the hearing. You will be asked to enter the access code for the hearing:
Salvation Army kicks off coat drive
The Salvation Army has launched its annual “Coats for Kids” campaign to collect warm weather gear for local children in need. The public can help by donating new or gently used coats for children and youth of all ages—as well as winter accessories like hats, mittens, gloves, boots and snow pants. The Coats for running through Saturday, Oct. 5. Coats and winter gear can be
dropped off at Salvation Army Division Headquarters, 2445 Prior Avenue N., Roseville, or at any of their service center locations, including the Maplewood Salvation Army, located at 2080 Woodlynn Avenue, or at any Livea Weight Control Center in the Twin Cities. For more information or to make a cash donation, go to GiveCoats.org
If you would like to ask a question or comment during the hearing, press *3 on your telephone. You will be placed into the queue to comment. When it is your turn to speak, the last few digits of your telephone number will be announced by the moderator and your line will be unmuted, allowing you to be heard by all participants.
Public Hearing and Process Information
Administrative Law Judge Ann O’Reilly will preside over the public hearings and will provide the Commission with findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations after the conclusion of the evidentiary hearing.
The purpose of the public hearings is to receive public input on the proposed rate increase. At the public hearings, interested persons have the opportunity to: (1) ask questions of the utility and agency staff; and (2) offer verbal and written comments on the merits of the proposed rate increase. Members of the public may participate without needing to intervene as a party. Representation by legal counsel is permitted but not required.
Please note that the public hearings will end when all attendees present have had the opportunity to comment and all other business has been concluded. You are encouraged to join the meeting at the scheduled start time to be placed in the queue to comment. Commenters will be called in the order they enter the queue. Therefore, it is best to arrive at the beginning of the hearing.
Written comments may be submitted during the comment period beforeand after the public hearings. Follow the instructions below to provide written comment.
Contact Ashley Marcus at 651-201-2192 or ashley.marcus@state.mn.us if you have questions on how to participate or have trouble accessing the public hearing remotely.
WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
You can still submit comments even if you do not attend a public hearing. Comments will be accepted through Dec. 20, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
• Comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the close date.
• Comments received after the comment period closes may not be considered.
How to Submit a Written Comment
Written comments can be submitted via: (1) the Commission’s eComments website; (2) electronic mail; (3) U.S. Mail; or (4) facsimile. To learn how to submit a written comment, visit mn.gov/puc/, select “Get Involved” from the dropdown menu at the top of the page and then select “Public Comments and How to Participate.” This will take you to the Commenting in a PUC Docket page, where you will find a list of ways to comment. Be sure to reference PUC Docket Number 23-173 in the subject line of your comment.
If you do not have access to the internet, you may send or deliver your comment to: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 121 7th Place East, Ste. 350 St. Paul, MN 55101
For assistance in submitting comments, or if you have questions, contact the Commission’s Consumer Affairs Office at:
Phone: 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782
Email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us
Be sure to reference Docket Number 23-173
Important: Comments can be reviewed by the public on the MPUC’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The MPUC does not edit or delete personally identifying information or any other information from comments received.
EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS
The purpose of the evidentiary hearings is to allow CenterPoint, the Minnesota Department of Commerce, the Minnesota Office of Attorney General – Residential Utilities Division and parties who have formally joined the contested case, to present testimony and to cross-examine each other’s witnesses on the proposed rate increase.
Formal evidentiary hearings on CenterPoint’s proposal will be held on Dec. 18, 19, and 20, starting at 9:30 a.m. each day. The evidentiary hearings will be held in Public Utilities Commission Small Hearing Room, 121 7th Place, St. Paul, Minnesota. The parties may stipulate to some witnesses appearing via Microsoft Teams.
The parties shall arrange with Commission staff to obtain a video conference link. Members of the public who wish to attend the hearing may do so in person. If they would like to attend virtually through Teams, they may request an electronic invitation by contacting Judge O’Reilly’s legal assistant at michelle.severson@state.mn.us. If you wish to formally intervene in this case, as a party to the litigation, you must serve and file a Petition to Intervene, pursuant to MN Rules. 1400.6200.
TO LEARN MORE
Current and proposed rate schedules for CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas are available at:
CenterPoint Energy 505 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Phone: 612-372-4727 or 800-245-2377
Web: CenterPointEnergy.com/RateCase
Minnesota Department of Commerce 85 7th Place East, Suite 500
Select 23 in the year field, type 173 in the number field, select Search and the list of documents will appear on the next page.
The MPUC is asking customers to comment on CenterPoint Energy’s request for a rate increase. Send comments to the MPUC’s Consumer Affairs Office (CAO) or contact the CAO for assistance with submitting comments:
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission
121 7th Place East, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782
Email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us
Persons with hearing or speech disabilities may call through their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service.
BY DEBRA NEUTKENS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Dog beach fence sets precedent
A removable fence that delineates the popular dog beach from a public swimming area is keeping canines and people separate, as intended. Rising lake levels, however, have put part of the structure over water, which requires the city to get approval from the body that governs the lake, the conservation district.
District Chair Bryan DeSmet, White Bear Township, thanked the city for going to the trouble of asking for a permit and moved that it be approved with fees waived since the fence is a “public benefit.”
Board Member Chris Churchill, Mahtomedi, had a few questions before the vote, asking why a fence was needed and whether the city has received feedback.
“The fence was installed a couple years ago above the ordinary high-
We finally spotted Eloise in flight. The adult Loons have moved on from WBL Chicks and fromjuveniles other lakes are starting to gather and will stay until the lake freezes. So many changes.
water mark (on land) to designate dog versus public beach,” explained Public Works Director Paul Kauppi, who was in attendance at the Sept. 17 meeting. “The city always had buoys to delineate that and to keep dogs from crossing the line. The buoys worked well when the water level was up but as it went down, the buoys were sitting on the shoreline and dogs walked over them. So the city put in a removable fence to the water’s edge to keep dogs from crossing.”
As for feedback, Kauppi said there has been none regarding the fence itself. “It has generally been positive to keep the two separated and the removable fence works much better. Most feedback about the dog beach is extremely positive and supported by the community,” he added.
Director Mike Parenteau, White Bear Lake, said he walks by the Lake Avenue beach often. “Dogs are still not leashed,” he observed. “It’s very
fenceposts in the water.
necessary to separate them from the public beach.”
Churchill said he worries that neighbors having a dispute will put up fences that go into the lake to separate property lines. “We have to be rigid about it,” he noted.
DeSmet thanked Kauppi for submitting the permit, noting the district now has a precedent for assessing future cases involving fences and the lake. Directors approved the city’s application.
Loon Chronicles IX: Airborne at last!
So much has happened in the last three weeks! First, we are happy to report that we finally spotted Eloise in the air, and it has been well worth the wait. Last week, we found Eloise mixing it up with three, nearly identical, chicks. After several minutes of synchronized diving, hoots, and wing flaps, Eloise took off on her own. Heading straight into the wind, with both feet running across the water, Eloise willed herself into the air. Her determination was palpable. We also watched her execute a perfect landing, not far from the water dance of chicks. Now that Eloise can fly, finding her takes more time, although she
tends to favor Ordway Bay and the slot. Yesterday, we spotted Eloise fishing and diving with the same group of chicks. A very energetic quartet. We have not seen any adult Loons, including the grandparents and old warriors, during the last few weeks. We suspect that they are enroute or have landed on Lake Michigan and are feasting on ciscoes before completing their migration south. We have spotted four juvenile Loons, alone and sometimes together. They stand out with their gray heads and plumage; distinctive white scalloped feathers on their backs; slightly darker bills; and an emerging red hue in
their eyes. During the next few weeks, the chicks and juveniles will start to gather and raft as one group at sunset. A double treat to take in while in the boat. The ever skittish Coots are returning and can be found roaming the lake in expanding covers, trying to stay clear of the Eagles. We anticipate the arrival of a variety of migratory fowl in the next few weeks, along with huge flocks of gulls. The A Boats were out today and put on quite a show in back-to-back races. Finally, some decent wind, sans thunder and lightning.
Ellen Maas ELLEN MAAS | SUBMITTED
CARTER JOHNSON | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
A city-installed fence separating the dog beach from a public swim area cantilevers over the water. There are no
WHAT’S HAPPENING
FALL FRIENDZY
When: Sept. 26-28
Where: Downtown White Bear Lake
Details: Celebrate the harvest season beginning with Ladies Night Out event 5-8 p.m. Thursday; and family-friendly scarecrow stroll, followed by pumpkin painting and dance party at Polka & Pumpkins in the Park from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Also weekend-long shopping and dining specials at local businesses.
Contact: downtownwhitebearlake.com
‘BARNS OF THE ST. CROIX VALLEY’
When: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
Where: Stillwater Event Center, 1910 Greeley St. S.
Details: Washington County Historical Society fall membership dinner features program by Jim Lammers on his book, “Barns of the St. Croix Valley: An Architect’s Sketchbook.” Open to the public, ticket information online.
Contact: 651-439-2298 or wchsmn.org/event/fall24
POW/MIA RECOGNITION DAY VIGIL WALK
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26
Where: Haukland VFW Post, 2483 7th Ave. E., North St. Paul
Details: A .4 mile vigil walk front the VFW to North St. Paul Veterans Park concludes with a Prisoners of War/Missing in Action remembrance ceremony,
wreath-laying, and choir music.
Contact: 612-202-1378
12TH ANNUAL GLORIA’S SHORTEST MARATHON
When: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28
Where: Corner of Bald Eagle Ave. & 3rd St., White Bear Lake
Details: Fundraiser for the White Bear Area Food Shelf begins with a White Castle card feed followed by a oneblock run/walk/roll. See registration information online.
Contact: whitebearfoodshelf. org
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
When: 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where: Mahtomedi Middle School, 8100 75th St. N.
Details: One-day event for collection of household hazardous waste and electronics. Document shredding also available. Contact: co.washington.
mn.us/1942/One-DayCollection-Events
17TH ANNUAL HAY LAKE BEER TASTING
When: 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5
Where: Hay Lake School & Museum, 14020 195th St. N., Marine on St. Croix
Details: Oktoberfest-themed beer tasting fundraiser and silent auction benefits the Washington County Historical Society. Ticket information online. Contact: 651-433-4014 or wchsmn.org
LAKE WOBEGON BRASS BAND
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6
Where; St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi
Details: Fall concert program features a variety of works composed and arranged for a traditional British brass ensemble. New conductor Dr. Matthew George. Free; goodwill offering. Contact: lwbb.org
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
PUBLIC NOTICES
10A WHITE BEAR PRESS www.presspubs.com
CITY OF MAHTOMEDI
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
CITY OF MAHTOMEDI
Notice is hereby given that on October 9, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road, the Mahtomedi Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to solicit public response to a request from Anthony Brown at 113X Summit Ave., PID: 20.030.21.31.0067, for two variances, from the minimum lot area and lot depth requirements within the R1-E District to facilitate the construction of a new single-family home on the undeveloped parcel. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation regarding the proposed request to the City Council, for their meeting to be held on October 15, 2024, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Those persons having an interest in said meetings are encouraged to attend.
If you have questions about this notice or if you would like further information regarding the project described above, please contact Hannah Rybak, Mahtomedi City Planner, at 612-269-3684. Written comments may be submitted to City Hall, or via email at hrybak@wsbeng.com.
Scott Neilson, City Administrator
Published one time in the White Bear Press on September 25, 2024.
1. Notice is hereby given that the City Council of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, to consider, pass upon, adopt and levy the proposed special assessments for improvements as follows. At the hearing, the City Council may adopt the proposed assessments
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS 2024 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
CITY OF MAHTOMEDI WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
Notice is hereby given that the City Council of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, to consider, pass upon, adopt and levy the proposed special assessments for improvements as follows. At the hearing, the City Council may adopt the proposed assessments
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
2024 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
2024 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
Notice is hereby given that the City Council of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, to consider, pass upon, adopt and levy the proposed special assessments for improvements as follows. At the hearing, the City Council may adopt the proposed assessments
GENERAL NATURE OF IMPROVEMENTS:
2024 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
GENERAL NATURE OF IMPROVEMENTS:
This project includes roadway rehabilitation, roadway reconstruction and miscellaneous storm sewer and utility improvements to the following streets:
This project includes roadway rehabilitation, roadway reconstruction and miscellaneous storm sewer and utility improvements to the following streets:
Recommended Street
Notice is hereby given that the City Council of Mahtomedi, Minnesota, will hold a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, to consider, pass upon, adopt and levy the proposed special assessments for improvements as follows. At the hearing, the City Council may adopt the proposed assessments
This project includes roadway rehabilitation, roadway reconstruction and miscellaneous storm sewer and utility improvements to Stillwater Road (CSAH 12) from west of Hallam Avenue to Ideal Avenue.
This project includes roadway rehabilitation, roadway reconstruction and miscellaneous storm sewer and utility improvements to Stillwater Road (CSAH 12) from west of Hallam Avenue to Ideal Avenue.
AREA PROPOSED TO BE ASSESSED:
The area proposed to be specially assessed is generally described as properties abutting or with direct access to streets within the project area. Said area proposed to be assessed includes the property tax parcels listed below in the following proposed assessment roll:
The area proposed to be specially assessed is generally described as properties abutting or with direct access to streets within the project area. Said area proposed to be assessed includes the property tax parcels listed below in the following proposed assessment roll:
The
TOTAL AMOUNT OF PROPOSED ASSESSMENT:
The project costs for Stillwater Road (CSAH 12) Phase 2 Improvement Project are estimated to be $7,287,987. The total amount of the proposed assessments is approximately 2.66% thereof, namely, the sum of $193,958. The proposed assessments of $193,958 are proposed to be levied on the buildable tax parcels either abutting or served by the improvements. Each buildable tax parcel abutting or served by the improvements is proposed to be assessed an amount as calculated pursuant to the City’s assessment policy, as established pursuant to the City’s fee schedule, and/or pursuant to a municipal improvement benefit study performed by a professional appraisal consultant engaged by the City.
ASSESSMENT ROLL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION:
The proposed Assessment Roll is now on file with the City Clerk and is open for public inspection at City Hall located at 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, Minnesota. The proposed Assessment Roll is being mailed to all the above identified record owners of the parcels proposed to be assessed. The proposed Assessment Roll will also be available for examination at the hearing.
OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS:
Written and oral objections will be considered at the hearing. Minnesota Statutes § 429.061 states that no appeal may be taken as to the amount of the assessment unless a written objection, signed by the affected property owner, is filed with the municipal clerk prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. An owner may appeal an assessment to the District Court pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, § 429.081, by serving notice of appeal upon the Mayor or the City Clerk of the City within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court within ten (10) days after service upon the Mayor or the City Clerk.
SENIOR CITIZENS DEFERMENT:
Under Minnesota Statutes, § 435.193 to § 435.195, the Mahtomedi City Council may, in its discretion, defer the payment of these special assessments for any homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older for whom it would be a hardship to make the payments. When deferment of the special assessments has been granted and is terminated for any reason provided by law, all amounts accumulated, plus applicable interest, become due. Any assessed property owner meeting the requirements of this law may apply to the City Clerk on the prescribed form for such deferral or payments of these special assessments. If you qualify and wish a deferment, contact the City Clerk.
AUTHORITY TO SPECIALLY ASSESS:
The proposed assessments are to be levied pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 429. The improvements are proposed to be assessed against the buildable tax parcels abutting or served by the improvements. The areas, parcels, lots and pieces or property, as specifically described herein, are subject to said assessments. The amounts set forth in this Notice are the proposed assessments. The City Council may levy and adopt special assessments that are the same or different than the proposed amounts.
PAYMENT OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS:
Once the special assessments are levied and adopted, the special assessments will be certified to the Washington County Auditor to be extended on the property tax lists for collection with real estate taxes. Prior to this certification, however, the property owner may prepay the entire amount of the assessments without any interest thereon provided the prepayment is received by November 15, 2024. If the property owner wishes to prepay the special assessments without any interest, then such payment must be made to the City of Mahtomedi at the Mahtomedi City Hall at 600 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, Minnesota, 55115. Partial pre-payment of the special assessment is not presently allowed under the City Ordinances; the prepayment, without interest, must be for the entire amount of the special assessments. If prepayment is not received by November 15th, 2024, then:
a.) The total principal amount of the special assessments will be divided into an equal number of annual installments. The proposed number of annual installments is ten (10), the number of annual installments will be decided by the City Council when the special assessments are levied.
b.) The principal amount of the special assessments shall bear interest at the rate determined by the City Council when the special assessments are levied. The proposed interest rate is three and thirty-two-hundredths percent (3.32%).
c.) Interest begins to accrue from and after October 15, 2024.
d.) The annual principal installments, together with interest accrued on the unpaid balance, are due and payable together with real estate taxes.
e.) Interest on the entire special assessments, from October 15, 2024, to December 31st of the year in which the first installment is payable, is added to the first principal installment. The first installment will be due and payable in 2025.
f.) If in the future the property owner wishes to pay off the remaining balance of the assessments, then Minnesota Statutes, § 429.061, Subd. 3, provides that such payment be made to the City Treasurer (in Mahtomedi, the City Treasurer is the City Administrator), together with interest accrued to December 31st of the year in which payment is made as long as payment is made prior to November 15th, if the payoff occurs after November 15th, then interest for the next year is also added. If the adopted special assessments differ from the proposed assessments as to any particular lot, piece or parcel of land, then the City will mail to the owner a notice stating the amount of the adopted assessments. Owners will also be notified, by mail, if the City Council adopts any changes in the interest rate or prepayment requirements from those contained in this NOTICE OF HEARING.
Jerene Rogers, City Clerk Published one time in the White Bear Press on September 25, 2024.
Kyle R. Orloske
Age 34 of White Bear Lake, passed away unexpectedly on August 31, 2024.
Beloved son of Julie (Billingsley) Orloske and Dennis Orloske. Big brother to Kristopher (Karley), Zachery and Matthew. Also survived by a nephew and niece. Kyle’s Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on October 4, 2024 at Honsa Family Funeral Home, 2460 East County Road E, White Bear Lake. Arrangements, Honsa Family Funeral Home, 651-429-617
Wayne Russell Peckham
Age 80, died very peacefully on 09/17/2024. He was a gentle giant — his hands big and strong from pulling miles of wire through conduit as an electrician — with a heart so warm and kind he could melt an iceberg. He will be dearly missed.
Wayne was born in South Dakota where he and his two brothers and two sisters were raised by their mom on the family farm. They never had much, but they always had enough. He met Marlene Johnson at Dell Rapids High School. They later married and moved to Minnesota to start a new life together. They were married 60 years before Marlene’s passing last summer.
Wayne was the quintessential family man who worked tirelessly to provide for his family, always with an eye toward giving his children a better life. He more than succeeded.
Wayne is survived by his two kids, Janelle Brisco (Dave) and Steve Peckham (Katie); brothers, Don Peckham and Rex Peckham; his grandchildren, Julia Cullom (Josh), Justin Brisco (Abby), Danae Smith (Ryan), Sam Peckham and Elliott Peckham; and his great grandchildren, Ethan, Jana, Kallie and Grace; and lots of loving cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Wayne was a voracious reader who was fascinated with the past and the future (American history and space exploration), which was interesting because he was the epitome of a person who lived in the present with both feet firmly planted on the ground. Though he suffered mightily from Alzheimer’s late in his life, he gave us this gem last Spring while being driven (perhaps too hastily) to an appointment: “Why is everyone in such a damn hurry anyway? We’re all going to get where we need to go. Why not just enjoy the ride?”
Point taken, Dad. Nothing but smooth road and blue sky as far as the eye can see. Go ahead, roll the windows down, turn on the radio and take it all in. In lieu of flowers, anyone interested can make a donation to the Hope of the Ozarks: Donate - Hope of the Ozarks.
Ruth Marie (Bohn) West
A long-time resident of White Bear Lake, died September 1 at the age of 96. Born in St. Paul in 1928, Ruth was a graduate of Johnson High School in St. Paul and attended Hamline University, where she met her husband of nearly 75 years, Richard West.
Ruth was a secretary at Mariner High School and White Bear High School South Campus from 1974 to 1986, and at Golfview Elementary until her retirement in 1991. She loved to read, travel and entertain, enjoyed performances at Lakeshore and Park Square Theatre, and was an incredible speller and typist.
The greatest joys in Ruth’s life were her husband and the family they built together. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, and is survived by three daughters, Susan (Thomas) Bracken, Barbara (Eldon) Marier, and Katherine (Clinton) Waller; a son, John (Debra); 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Heidi Jeanne Loots
Age 60, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2024, at her lake home in Menahga, Minnesota, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Heidi was born on November 5, 1963, and was the loving daughter of Barbara (nee Beckstrom) and Raymond “Bud” Lundell.
Heidi was preceded in death by her father Raymond Lundell, as well as several aunts and uncles. She was survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Daniel Loots, and their children, Lisa and Brian Loots; mother, Barbara Lundell; brother Bruce Lundell (Barbie); sister, Tracy Lach (Mike), nephews: Erik Lundell (Christine), and Dan Lundell (Courtney); nieces: Megan and Molly Lach; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, grand-nieces and nephews, and friends
Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday October 3, 2024 in the sanctuary of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, MN 55115. Visitation will be at 10am, service at 11am, with a luncheon immediately following.
The family requests that memorial gifts be made in memory of Heidi Loots, to Mayo Clinic for Pancreatic Cancer research. Donations can be made by phone, online or by mail.
James Allen Nelson
80, of Maplewood, MN passed away on September 15th, 2024, after complications from a fall and a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jim was preceded in death by his father, Harlan Nelson Sr., mother, Herma Nelson, and brother, Harlan “Tuppy” Nelson, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patti Nelson of Maplewood, Mn, his daughters Katie (Mike) Zupan (North St. Paul, MN), Shellie (Tom) Manke (St. Paul, MN), and Jen Matuska (Dave Zupan) (White Bear Lake, MN), grandchildren, Sam, Jordyn, James, Logan, Matt, Mitch, Sydney, and great grandson Walter James. A celebration of his life will be held from 4 – 7 PM on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 AM on Friday, October 4, 2024 at the Church St. Pius X, 3878 Highland Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, with a visitation from 10 AM until the time of Mass. Interment at a later date. Mueller Memorial, www.muellermemorial.com, 651-429-4944
Marvin Wayne Reed
Born on September 29, 1951 in Covington, Kentucky, passed away on September 15,2024, in Walton, Kentucky, surrounded by his beloved family.
A proud graduate of Madeira High School in Ohio, Marvin furthered his education at Ohio University. He built a distinguished career as a branch manager for wholesale distribution, a piping designer, and a project manager for international customers, showcasing his talent and commitment to excellence. His work ethic and leadership were evident throughout his career, earning him the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike.
Marvin’s community involvement was extensive, demonstrating his commitment to serving others. He held several leadership roles, including past Master Councilor of the Columbia Chapter of the Order of DeMolay, past Chair of the City of White Bear Lake Planning Commission, and volunteered his time as an instructor with AARP driver safety, as well as with the White Bear Area Food Shelf and the White Bear Senior Chore program. His tireless efforts in these roles left a positive impact on many lives.
Marvin was known for his humor and love for his family. He was a proud father to Jodi (George) Disselkamp and Hank (Amy) Reed, a devoted stepfather to Scott Howe and Rachel (Derek) Cooper, a loving father-in-law to Tracy Howe, and an adoring grandfather to Landon Reed, Jazmine Fowler, Trent Disselkamp, Eva Jane Disselkamp, Connor Reed, Carson Reed, Austin Parker, Drew Parker, Caitie (Jason) Peltier, Dana Howe, Grace Howe, Doran Cooper, and Josie Cooper. He also cherished the role of great-grandfather to Lainey Peltier. Marvin is also survived by his brother, William H. (Rita) Reed, Jr., and his former spouse and mother of Jodi, Jill Fowler.
He was preceded in death by his father, William H. Reed, Sr., his mother, Phyllis A. Reed (nee Granger), his wife, Margaret “Lee” Reed (nee Lawrence), brothers Steve and Bob Reed, granddaughter Zorayda Reed, and his former spouse and mother of Hank, Lee Reed.
An avid golfer, Marvin found joy in the game and in the outdoors, which provided him moments of peace and relaxation. His vibrant personality and love for life will be remembered fondly by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Visitation will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home, Northern Kentucky, located at 4350 Dixie Hwy, Erlanger, KY 41018 on September 27, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life at 5:00 PM Marvin will be deeply missed, but his legacy of love, kindness, and service will endure in the hearts of his family and friends. Marvin’s service will be live streamed at the scheduled time. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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We are based in Mahtomedi & Stillwater
Paragon Pools handles projects of any size. The owner is on-site for every job to help supervise and make sure everything is going according to plan. When you're thinking of installing a pool on your property, contact us, and we'll meet for a home consultation to discuss your needs and ideas.
Cleaning & Maintenance
We also provide weekly cleaning and maintenance including testing the water, balancing the chemicals and adjusting the salt count. Paragon Pools will also install spas inside or outside so you can stay warm throughout the year.
We install new pool replacement liners & replacement auto covers.
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WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP DAY
WBLAS COMMUNITY SERVICES & RECREATION
ADULT & SENIOR CLASSES AT THE WB SENIOR CENTER REGISTRATION REQUIRED - 651-653-3121
55+ Driver Safety*: $35 / In person: Oct 10, 9am-1pm Online | Oct 22, 1:30-53:0pm online | Nov 15, 9am-1pm, Sr Center *As of July all driver safety classes are four hours
Emotional Ups & Downs for Decluttering: Oct 4, 1-2:30pm, $10, Sr Center
Paint & Learn: Impressionist, Degas Ballerina: Oct 4, 10am-12pm, $40, Sr Center
Harmony Adventure for Women Choir: 10/712/2, 7-9pm, $35, Stillwater
All About Cruises: Oct 7, 6-8:30pm, $25, Sr Center
Nordic Pole Walking: Oct 8, 5:30-6:45pm, $35, WBL High School
Let’s Talk About Medicare: Oct 10, 9-7:30pm, $30 Sr Center
History w/Kathy Simmer: Ben Franklin: Oct 11, 10am-12pm, $18, Sr Center
Woman’s World: Women Artists in Russia: Oct 18, 10:30am-12pm, $15, Sr, Center
Learn to Play Mah Jongg: 10/23-11/20, 1011:30a,, $60 Sr Center
Try Meals on Wheels Lunch! Oct 25, 11:45am or 12:30pm, $5, Sr Center
Meals on Wheels: Hot or Frozen meals delivered Monday-Friday. If you are interested, know of someone who may need meals, or have questions, please call 651-653-3123.
Living Well with Chronic Conditions: This virtual class teaches strategies for living well, even with health difficulties. Participants will make weekly action plans, share experiences, and help one another solve issues that may arise as they carry out their plans. Class meets on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:30 PM for 6 weeks (October 2-November 6). To register, contact Lyngblomsten Community Services at (651) 6325330 or communityservices@lyngblomsten.org. Connecting Voices: This unique choral experience is for people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. During weekly rehearsals, we join in singing old and new songs, learning vocal technique and ensemble skills, sharing musical memories together, and supporting each other in life’s journey. Our culminating concert allows us to display our musical accomplishments and demonstrate how we defy dementia together through music. No vocal experience is required, just a love of singing! Thursdays (October 3-January 16) from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Lyngblomsten at Lino Lakes (6070 Blanchard Rd.). For more information, visit MacPhail Center for Music at www.macphail.org/connectingvoices-chorus/.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: This class will give you the tools you need to take better care of yourself while caring for others and help you increase your self-confidence in coping with the demands of caregiving. Class meets virtually on Thursdays, October 14 – November 18, 3:30 –5:00 PM. Free, but contributions are appreciated. For more information, contact Lisa Brown at (651) 632-5320 or caregiving@lyngblomsten.org. Registration deadline is October 4.
MAHTOMEDI COMMUNITY EDUCATION ADULT ACTIVITIES AT THE MAHTOMEDI DISTRICT EDUCATION CENTER (DEC) 1520 MAHTOMEDI AVE. ALL ACTIVITIES ARE HELD AT THE DEC UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
MONDAYS: Stitchers - FREE 1:00-3:00 PM, 2nd/4th Monday of Month
TUESDAYS: Cribbage - FREE 1:00-3:00 PM
WEDNESDAYS: Bridge - FREE 1:00-4:00 PM
THURSDAYS: 500 Cards - FREE 12:30-3:00 PM
FRIDAYS: Games - FREE 12:30-3:00 PM; Bridge - FREE 1:00-3:00 PM; Book Club - FREE 2nd Friday, 10:00-11:30 AM Bingo - FREE. Monday Oct. 28, 1:30-3:00 PM Mahtomedi Evening Star Quilters - FREE. Meeting: Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30-8:00 PM The following requires registration: mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com
Landmark Tours Travel Presentation - FREE. Wednesday Oct. 2, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM How to Use Venmo Safely -$25. Thursday Oct. 3, 12:00-1:00 PM. Online (Zoom).
Write Your Own Will - $60. Monday Oct. 7, 6:008:30 PM
Foundation for Retirement - $49. Tuesday Oct. 8 and 15, 6:00-8:00 PM
History with Kathy Simmer - From Banknotes to Bitcoin: History of US Money - $18. Wednesday Oct. 9, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Tuesday Oct. 8, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Social Security: Timing is Everything - FREE. Thursday, Oct. 10; 12:00-1:00 PM. Online (Zoom). Community Lunch - $12. Monday, Oct. 14, 12:001:00 PM.
Dormant Seeding - $30. Monday Oct. 14, 6:308:00 PM. White Bear Lake Senior Center. Day Trip: Minneapolis Cemetery Tour with Doug Ohman - $90. Tuesday, Oct. 15; 9:00 AM -4:30 PM.
Sips ‘n Scripts - $49. Tuesday, Oct.15 and 22; 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. 55+ Defensive Driving Class - $35. Wednesday Oct 16, 1:00-5:00 PM. Virtual Spanish: Adult Conversational Spanish$125. Online (Zoom).
Wednesdays Oct. 16-Nov. 20, 6:00-7:00 PM
Therapy services at Cerenity White Bear Lake help you return to what you do best. Our combination of highly trained compassionate staff and the most innovative care in the area make our community your best choice for professional therapy services. • Aquatic Therapy • Occupational Therapy
Register at mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com. If you have any questions, please call 651-407-2024.
CLASSIFIEDS
GET A BREAK ON YOUR TAXES! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impa ired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 844.220.9501 today!
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EQUAL HOUSING
LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for an yone who struggles on the stairs is co ncerned about a fall or wa nts to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide toda y! 866.852.5506
I BUY OLD MUSIC and concert po sters, movie posters lobby card s and photos, and pre-1970 comic books. 213/944-9601 streetsof2024@gmail.com Wanted to Bu y WANTED: ALL 1970S MOTORCYCLES
Running or not Titled or not Will pick up. Cash in exchange. Sell now before prices fall. Call Dan at 612.72 0.2142
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Recent laws to be discussed at Chamber event
The White Bear Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a free seminar and social event for local business leaders from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the White Bear Country Inn.
Guest speakers Bruce Nustad and Will Hagen from the Minnesota Retailer’s Association will discuss laws that passed in 2024 affecting businesses, including sick and safe time, paid family leave, and tax issues.
To register, go to whitebearchamber.com/ events/calendar.
SCCTV celebrates new space with open house
SCCTV will be hosting an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at the SCC/Commission Office at 2460 County Road F East, White Bear Lake. They will be celebrating their new space with several keynote speakers and a ribboncutting. For more information go to www.scctv. org.
OPPORTUNITY, all real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Ho using Act which makes it illegal to advertise “any preferen ce limitation or discriminat ion based on race co lo r, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or nationa l origin, or an intention, to make any such preferen ce, limitation or discrimination.” Familial status includes children under the age of 18 livin g with parents or legal custod ians; pregnant women and peop le securing custody of children under 18. This newspaper will not kn owingly accept any ad vertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers ar e hereby informed that all dw ellings advertised in this newsp ap er are available on an equal oppor tunity basis To complain of discrimination call HUD toll free: 1-800-669-9777. The
PUBLIC NOTICES
DONATIONS: Greater financial support needed to keep up with demand
services. The food shelf’s Community Market, located next to Normandy Park Education Center, opened earlier this year.
However, the food shelf’s increased capacity to serve people has also come at a time when inflation has driven up food prices and the cost of living, which Petersen said has made it harder for people to donate finacially to the food shelf. “The gap for us has not necessarily been food donations, but monetary ones that we need for funding and to buy healthy food for our clients,” said Petersen. “We want to encourage people to have access to fresh foods, such as frozen meats, dairy and fresh produce.” The cost of food has likewise created a sizeable gap in the organization’s budget. Peterson reports that a 24% increase in financial support is needed to help the White Bear Area Food Shelf meet the need for the coming year. “The price of (purchasing) food has shot up more than we anticipated. Our donations have grown incrementally, but not at the rate of the need or the cost of food,” he said.
Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf
At the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf, Building Director Chris Dufresne also noted a steep drop in donations over the past two years. “Our financial donations are down 53% compared to how they were in 2022,” said Dufresne. “Food donations for us are also down
Weekly Outlook
we’ve increased to about four to five part-timers.”
34%.” Dufresne noted that, unlike the White Bear Area Food Shelf, the Hugo organization saw decreased need for food due to the financial assistance residents received from the government during the pandemic.
Dufresne also highlighted inflation and the rising cost of food and building expenses as contributing factors to the food shelf’s budget challenges. “What people need to understand is what it takes for a food shelf to operate these days because of the expense of the building,” said Dufresne. “We have electric and utility gas bills, just like everyone else. We’re also finding that because food donations are down, we have to purchase more food.” Dufresne also noted that the food shelf also has had to account for an increase in the cost of labor. “When we started prior to the pandemic, we were at two part-time employees,” said Dufresne. “Since then,
Dufresne said he wants to let people know that despite the shortage in donations, the food shelf is here for those who need help. “I want to encourage people to come to us if they need our services,” said Dufresne. “We would like the community’s help during these challenging times. While financial donations are the best way to get the biggest bang for the buck, we still welcome fresh food from those who can donate to us.”
Centennial Food Shelf
Centennial Food Shelf Director Sheri Hanson said their food shelf is experiencing similar difficulties, and highlighted the increase in food prices as the reason for decreased financial donations. “I think a good part of it is how expensive all of our basic needs of groceries have gone up,” said Hanson. “That includes (donors) having to feed their own families, which means they have less to share with charities.”
Like White Bear, the Centennial Food Shelf received an incredibly high number of donations during the height of the pandemic before donations decreased in 2022. “We were amazed at how much money was coming in and how many food donations were coming in,” said Hanson. “In 2022, we saw a drop in financial donations and clientele.”
One reason visits to the Centennial Food Shelf may have dropped is that
it is no longer serving as many people outside of the community. Hanson stated that during the pandemic, the food shelf was giving bags of government surplus-type food to those outside their service area in order to tackle food insecurity. “We would give them a basic package, but we wouldn’t give them all of our nonperishable items because we could not keep up with our inventory,” said Hanson. She said the food shelf has returned to focusing efforts in its own service area. “We give them the basics and tell them where they can go in their own area, and keep the items available for those in our community.”
Despite the drop in financial donations, Hanson said that the Centennial community has been very generous with food donations. “Our community is wonderful,” said Hanson. “They come through with donations, food drives and local churches, all of which help bring them in.”
Those interested in making a financial donation to the White Bear Area Food Shelf can go to whitebearfoodshelf.org. Donations to the Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf can be made online at hugofoodshelf. org/give/ or by mail to Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf, P.O. Box 373, Hugo, MN 55038. Financial donations to the Centennial Food Shelf can be sent online at givemn.org/organization/ Centennial-Community-Food-Shelf, or by mail to Centennial Food Shelf, P.O. Box 8, Circle Pines, MN 55014.
Frank Watson
HUGO GOOD NEIGHBORS FOOD SHELF | CONTRIBUTED
Hugo Good Neighbors Food Shelf Director Chris Dufresne said that they have seen a drop in both food and financial donations since 2022.
Vineyards & Breweries
Stillwater River Siren Brewing Co.
COMMUNITY BRIEF
Hydrant flushing, street sweeping to begin soon
Hydrant flushing will begin throughout Mahtomedi in the next few weeks. Due to the flushing, turbulence may occur in the city’s water mains, and discoloration could take place. In the event that residents see that their water is discolored, the city recommends running water at an outside faucet until it is clean; this process may take up to 10 to 15 minutes. Additionally, weather permitting,
street sweeping will begin in early October and may take several weeks to complete. Because of this, the city is recommending that residents avoid parking on streets between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
1. They Should Listen to You
Your needs and concerns are VERY important to us. Treatment plans should be well explained, include several options and costs should be clear.
2. Gentle, Comfortable Care
Dental Care can be surprisingly comfortable with Nitrous Oxide (gas), headphones and more. You will be amazed at how easy dental care can be!
3. Reasonable and Fair Cost
We know how valuable your time and money are to you. That is why we specialize in on-time appointments and no-pressure financing. Our goal is “Complete Family Dentistry that is Easy, Comfortable and Affordable.”
LET’S DO MEDICARE TOGETHER
Get the Medicare answers you need and learn about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota plans that can help fill gaps in coverage at a free, no obligation workshop. Reserve your spot today. For additional workshop dates and locations, visit bluecrossmn.com/2024Worshops
Boatworks Commons Community Room 4495 Lave Avenue S, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Friday, October 18, 10 a.m.
White Bear Country InnRudy’s Redeye Grill 4940 Hwy 61 N White Bear Lake, MN 55110 Tuesday, October 29, 10 a.m and 1 p.m.
Blue Cross offers PPO, Cost and PDP plans with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in these
call (651) 395-4888, TTY 711.
Ellen Swift, DDS & Paul Anderson, DDS
MAHTOMEDI CITY COUNCIL NOTES
• Mahtomedi Mayor Richard Brainerd did not present retiring Fire Chief Terry Fischer with a plaque in his honor at the Sept. 17 City Council meeting: instead, the entire City Council stepped forward to do the honors. “You have been wonderful to work with,” both Fischer and the council said to each other. Brainerd said Fischer did a tremendous job building a department. “The city went from one full-time firefighter to seven paid, on-call firefighters. We have new trucks, new facilities and a first-class fire service,” he said. Fischer, in turn, said he had no complaints. “It was a dream job. I love serving my community and love Mahtomedi.”
• Following a public hearing, during which no one commented, council approved a resolution ordering certification of unpaid utility charges for collection with payable 2025 property taxes. On Sept. 10, letters were sent to 166 property owners whose utility accounts were delinquent. The total amount due the city at the time of certification was $178,714.87. Property owners still have until Nov. 15 to step up and pay their bills in full or make arrangements for payment. Every year city sends the notices to property owners who have delinquent utility bills that, if left unpaid, will be certified to Washington County for collection as part of their property taxes the following year. City Administrator Scott Neilson said the numbers were similar to those of last year and in recent years.
• The Friends of Long Lake will receive financial support from council to treat milfoil and other weeds in their lake and in the pond in Katherine Abbott Park, after council approved a request
from the organization. The city will pay $2,500 directly to the weed treatment contractor, in keeping with the practice it has undertaken in recent years.
• Following a discussion initiated at the public forum on vehicles speeding along the southern portion of Warner Avenue, council directed city staff to prepare a proposal for action at an upcoming meeting that would install a temporary stop sign on Warner Avenue. It’s that time of year when the headaches of detouring around construction sites is nearing an end, and the new headache of paying for it begins. The 2024 Street Improvement Project is finished, save for a few punch list items. Council passed a resolution declaring costs to be assessed and ordering preparation of proposed project assessments. The total cost of the project is $1.6 million, and the amount to be specially assessed is $919,427, or 55.7% of the total amount. The remaining $731,773, or 44.3%, will be financed through the general tax levy, city utility funds and available city reserves, as determined by council.
The assessment hearing will
be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 15. Notice of the assessment hearing will be published at least once in the official newspaper at least two weeks prior to the hearing, and notice will be mailed to the owners of each parcel described in the assessment roll.
• Perhaps more impactful for everyone was the Stillwater Road (CSAH 12) Improvement Project. The city isn’t footing the entire bill for that project, but carries enough financial obligation to require special assessments of adjacent property owners.
The total cost of the project is $7.2 million. The amount to be specially assessed to Mahtomedi property owners is $193,987, or 2.66% of the total. The the remaining $7 million, or 97.34% of the total, will be financed by county funds, city general tax levy, city utility funds and available city reserves, as determined by the council.
The assessment hearing for the CSAH 12 project will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 15. Notice of the assessment hearing will be published at least once in the official newspaper at least two weeks prior to the hearing, and notice will be mailed to the owners of each parcel described in the assessment roll.
And what is the progress of the CSAH 12 project? In his report, City Engineer John Sachi said that the target date to end one-way traffic once and for all was moved back from the end of September to midOctober. It will take another month of one-way flow before traffic gets moving once again, he said. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will continue to post deputies at school and church entrances to direct traffic.
• Quinny’s Sports Bar is planning an anniversary celebration during the weekend of Sept. 27-28 at its facility at 3140 Century Avenue N. Council passed a resolution granting the business a temporary expansion of licensed premises for an on-sale liquor license holder to allow the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages in an adjacent, outdoor tent.
• It is now time for Mahtomedi to revisit its wellhead protection plan, Sachi said. Each municipality, in conjunction with entities such as the Department of Natural Resources and Rice Creek Watershed District, must amend its Wellhead Protection Plan every few years. It is a plan that the Minnesota Department of Health requires of municipalities with wells entering the aquifer to ensure they have a safe water drinking zone. The plan must identify underground tanks, open piles of gravel or anything that could run off and leak into groundwater. The plan must also describe safety measures and precautions taken.
The council next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, at City Hall, 600 Stillwater Road.
Loretta Harding
PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES • PUBLIC NOTICES
CITY OF BIRCHWOOD VILLAGE
WASHINGTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
REGARDING APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION
OCTOBER 8, 2024
NOTICE is hereby given that the City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:45pm on Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, to take testimony from the public and any interested parties to inform the public record on the following appeal of an administrative decision: Case No. 24-01-AP: An appeal by Rachael and David Drew of the administrative decision to issue the building permit for 160 Cedar Street. Comments concerning this appeal may be presented at the public hearing or filed with City Hall (651-426-3403) until 12:00 p.m. the day before the hearing. A copy of the written appeal is available at City Hall.
Published one time in the White Bear Press on September 25, 2024.
US STORAGE CENTERS – WHITE BEAR
NOTICE OF SELF STORAGE SALE
Please take notice US Storage Centers – White Bear located at 1828 Buerkle Road White Bear, MN 55110 intends to hold an auction of storage units in default of payment. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storagetreasures.com on 10/16/2024 at 10:00AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods, furnishings and garage essentials. Jonathan Luna; Kelly Brunner; Amy Dudeck; David L Anderson; Kevin Moore; Stacey Ruona; Jennifer D Huback; Amber Russo. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. Published two times in the White Bear Press on September 25 and October 2, 2024.
WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP
NOTICE OF HEARING ON ASSESSMENTS FOR MALLARD PONDS IMPROVEMENT 2023-2
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Town Board of the Town of White Bear, Minnesota, will meet at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, in the Town of White Bear, Minnesota, at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21, 2024, to hear and pass upon objections, if any, to the proposed assessment in respect of Mallard Ponds Improvement 2023-2. A reasonable estimate of the impact of the assessments will be available at the hearing. The proposed assessment roll is now on file and open to public inspection by all interested persons in the office of the Town Clerk. Each of these assessments will be payable, unless prepaid, in ten equal, annual consecutive installments, the first such installment will be payable with the general taxes payable in the year 2025, collectable with such taxes during the year 2025. The first installment will be payable with interest at the rate of 6.00% per annum on the entire assessment from October 21, 2024 to December 31, 2024, and each subsequent installment will be payable with one year’s interest at said rate on all unpaid installments. The general nature of the improvement is set forth as follows: construction of construction of bituminous paving, concrete curb and gutter, storm drainage and other appurtenances thereto within the following area of the Township including: Polar Bear Drive, Bayberry Drive, Red Pine Boulevard, Norway Pine Drive, Norway Pine Court, Blue Bill Circle, Mallard Ponds Drive, Mallard Ponds Boulevard, Pintail Lane, and Sandterra Circle, Ramsey County, Minnesota. The proposed area to be assessed for such improvement is every lot, piece or parcel of land benefitted within the area of the improvement, to-wit: Polar
Bear Drive, Bayberry Drive, Red Pine Boulevard, Norway Pine Drive, Norway Pine Court, Blue Bill Circle, Mallard Ponds Drive, Mallard Ponds Boulevard, Pintail Lane, and Sandterra Circle, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
The total amount to be assessed is $1,912,000.
An owner may appeal an assessment to the District Court pursuant to Section 429.081 of Minnesota Statutes, by serving Notice of the appeal upon the Chair of the Town Board or the Clerk of the Town within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such Notice with the Clerk of the District Court within ten (10) days after service upon the Town Board Chair or Town Clerk providing a written objection signed by the affected property owner is filed with the municipal clerk prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. Sections 435.193 to 435.195 provide that a Town making a special assessment may, at its discretion, defer the payment of that special assessment for any homestead property owner by a person 65 years of age or older from whom it would be a hardship to make the payments.
The Town of White Bear has elected to defer some special assessments and has adopted Ordinance No. 53 establishing the standards and guidelines.
Dated: September 16, 2024.
BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PATRICK CHRISTOPHERSON, Clerk-Treasurer
Published two times in the White Bear Press on September 25 and October 9, 2024.
WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP
NOTICE OF HEARING ON ASSESSMENTS FOR PARKVIEW COURT IMPROVEMENT 2023-3
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the Town Board of the Town of White Bear, Minnesota, will meet at Heritage Hall, 4200 Otter Lake Road, in the Town of White Bear, Minnesota, at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21, 2024, to hear and pass upon objections, if any, to the proposed assessment in respect of Parkview Court Improvement 2023-3. A reasonable estimate of the impact of the assessments will be available at the hearing.
The proposed assessment roll is now on file and open to public inspection by all interested persons in the office of the Town Clerk. Each of these assessments will be payable, unless prepaid, in ten equal, annual consecutive installments, the first such installment will be payable with the general taxes payable in the year 2025, collectable with such taxes during the year 2025. The first installment will be payable with interest at the rate of 6.00% per annum on the entire assessment from October 21, 2024 to December 31, 2024, and each subsequent installment will be payable with one year’s interest at said rate on all unpaid installments.
The general nature of the improvement is set forth as follows: construction of construction of bituminous paving, concrete curb and gutter, storm drainage and other appurtenances thereto within the following area of the Township including: Parkview Court, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
The proposed area to be assessed for such improvement is every lot, piece or parcel of land benefitted within the area of the improvement, to-wit: Parkview Court, Ramsey County, Minnesota.
The total amount to be assessed is $220,000.
An owner may appeal an assessment to the District Court pursuant to Section 429.081 of Minnesota Statutes, by serving Notice of the appeal upon the Chair of the Town Board or the Clerk of the Town within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such Notice with the Clerk of the District Court within ten (10) days after service upon the Town Board Chair or Town Clerk providing a written objection signed by the affected property owner is filed with the municipal clerk prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. Sections 435.193 to 435.195 provide that
a Town making a special assessment may, at its discretion, defer the payment of that special assessment for any homestead property owner by a person 65 years of age or older from whom it would be a hardship to make the payments. The Town of White Bear has elected to defer some special assessments and has adopted Ordinance No. 53 establishing the standards and guidelines. Dated: September 16, 2024. BY ORDER OF THE TOWN BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
PATRICK CHRISTOPHERSON, Clerk-Treasurer Published two times in the White Bear Press on September 25 and October 9, 2024.
STATE OF MINNESOTA CLEMENCY REVIEW COMMITTEE LEGAL NOTICE
The following individuals who were convicted of crimes in Ramsey County have applied for relief from the Clemency Review Commission. The applications will be considered at the meeting scheduled for Nov. 1, 2024, commencing at 8:30 a.m. at 1450 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul, MN: Paj Tshiab Lo 2nd Degree Burglary Convicted: 5/27/2004 Daniel William Denno Jr Interference with a 911 call Convicted: 2/26/2008 Vong Vang 2nd Degree Assault Convicted: 8/8/2012 Carlos Orlandos Smith Aid/Abet 1st Degree Murder; Aid/Abet 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Robbery Convicted: 5/24/1994 Larry Dewayne Davis Jr Murder/ Attempt Murder 1st and 2nd Degrees Convicted: 4/6/1998
Victims of these individuals’ crimes have a right to submit an oral or written statement at this meeting summarizing the harm suffered as a result of the crime and make a recommendation as to whether Clemency should be granted or denied. To submit an oral or written statement, or to obtain additional information, email the Clemency Review Commission at clemency.review. commission@state.mn.us or call 651-539-2610
Published one time in the White Bear Press on September 25, 2024. OFFICE OF THE MINNESOTA
CONTRIBUTED
Mayor Richard Brainerd, flanked by city council members, presented retiring Fire Chief Terry Fischer with a plaque in honor of his long-term service.
Above: Alice Lavold, 4, shows no hesitation
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Patti Anderson (R)
Age: 58 City of residence: Dellwood
Occupation: I currently serve as the State Representative for District 33A. The district is in Washington County and stretches from Willernie on the south to Forest Lake on the north.
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: I am a businessperson who has served in a variety of elected and appointed roles throughout my career including as a commissioner under Governor Pawlenty and as the Minnesota State Auditor.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. Minnesota is on an unsustainable path. Under the DFL
Jake Ross (DFL)
Age: 22
City of residence: Forest Lake
Occupation: Accountant
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles: • Member of Minnesota Department of Education’s School Safety Technical Assistance Council
• Board Member and Treasurer of Jeremiah’s Hope for Kindness (a small nonprofit organization that does bullying prevention work)
• Economics Tutor and Peer Advisor at Gustavus Adolphus College
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. My first priority is lowering the cost of living, which is out of control. With my background in economics and accounting, I’ll do everything I can to make our state more affordable. I’ll work to cap more prescription drug prices, make health
Janelle Calhoun (DFL)
Age: 48 City of residence: Lino Lakes
Occupation: Former Nonprofit director
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
•Executive Director at Rein in Sarcoma
•Local community volunteer
•Active in church (Living Waters)
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. Robust education for every child.
Funding Centennial School District more fairly, bringing the funds our district receives into parity with other similar-sized districts. Supporting teachers and administrators so they have the tools they need to be successful.
Quality healthcare that doesn’t leave anyone bankrupt. As the daughter of two pharmacists, I am acutely aware how important accessibility and affordability of healthcare is.
Elliott Engen (R)
Age: 25
City of residence: Lino Lakes
Occupation: State Representative, formerly Prosecution Assistant and NGO coordinator.
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
•State Legislator
•Special Olympics Minnesota
•School safety policy leader
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. Having just completed my first term serving you in the MN house, I can say with sincerity and certainty, that under full Democrat control, the state government existed to serve itself and the political class instead of you- the voters we are elected to serve.
When I’m out at the doors, I’m hearing from our neighbors that their top concerns are lowering the costs that are pushing
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 33A
tri-fecta, the state budget grew 40% with our $17 billion surplus spent and taxes raised by $10 billion dollars. The cost of living has risen significantly, and Minnesotans are struggling to pay their own bills. We must reduce spending and repeal at least the new taxes foisted on our residents by the DFL.
Last year there was a DFL bill to make Minnesota a sanctuary state. That bill didn’t pass because there were a handful of Democrats who were opposed but there is already an effort to try again. I will work tirelessly to make sure a Sanctuary State bill doesn’t pass here in Minnesota.
Finally, we need to support our police and public safety officers. It’s been clear the progressive push to defund our police has been an abysmal failure. Minnesotans must be safe from violent crime.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Communication is important, especially during these difficult times. My door has always been open and I send out weekly email updates during the legislative session to district
insurance more affordable, and make sure that Minnesota’s passed ban on junk fees is effectively implemented and enforced.
My second priority is cracking down on fiscal irresponsibility. I’m not afraid of numbers, I know how to scrutinize details and spot problems. I’ll fight to make our state government more efficient. I’m endorsed by Julie Blaha, our State Auditor - she’s working hard to catch abuse of taxpayer dollars, and she knows that I will too as a state legislator.
My final priority is focusing our spending on what really matters. I’ll work to make sure that core priorities like education, infrastructure, and public safety receive strong and consistent investment.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Listening to what constituents have to say and then acting on those concerns is the most important job state legislators have. Right now, I’m out knocking on hundreds of doors in our district each week to introduce myself to people and ask what they want from our state legislature. If I’m elected, I will continue to be out in the communities that make up District 33A as much as I possibly can. I’ll also be willing to meet with
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 36A
Our system is failing Minnesotans every day. We have the responsibility to make sure everyone gets the care they need without devastating financial consequences.
A clean, resilient environment, for the next generation. The natural beauties of our district are public treasures. The time is now to invest in smart, sustainable infrastructure to keep our community prepared for the future. The deployment of new, advanced green technologies would be a priority of mine should I be elected. We also need to get serious about protecting and preserving our water.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Good communication, and listening is a priority of mine. Our diverse communities deserve a leader who listens, one that gets into the community and talks directly to our neighbors. I show up, and I will show up as your Representative– board meetings, community cookouts, church events, and public forums. I am a people person, one of my favorite things on this campaign has been getting to know our community and the people who are integral to it. I want to be a leader that is not only reachable, but is proactive to engage our neighbors in
family budgets to the brink, restoring educational excellence, and restoring public safety, including school safety.
That’s why I introduced legislation to directly address these issues in my first term like the SHIELD Act to ensure that our schools are the safest in the nation and other bills that eliminate sales taxes on infant care items and back to school supplies, fully and finally end the state taxes collected on Social Security income for our seniors, and hold criminals accountable.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. As your State Representative, my door is always open to constituents, especially if and when their perspective differs from mine. This is key to the legislative process - I made a point to collaborate with legislators on both sides of the aisle in my first term in order to best represent the interests of our district, and I will continue to do that if given the privilege to continue representing you in a second term this November.
I also prioritize talking directly with voters so I can learn about what matters to them. I will have held nearly 20 town halls and local meet & greet events by November because of how critical it is to hear directly from our neighbors on
To vote in Minnesota you must be:
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residents. If re-elected, I will continue to hold town halls across the district to seek input on policy decisions from the citizens I represent.
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. As I stated above, we must repeal the new delivery, sales and gas taxes passed by the DFL last session along with getting the state budget back to a reasonable level. Minnesotans can’t afford to keep sending their hard earned money to the government.
We also must continue to focus on K-12 education and get our children back on track. Between the school shutdowns during covid and the DFL focus on non-classroom spending and politicizing our schools, our children have greatly suffered. Minnesota went from one of the best K-12 systems in the nation to average at best these past six years. This is not acceptable.
anyone from our district who wants to talk to me. I especially want to hear from people who disagree with me about particular issues. Feel free to email me at JakeRoss4MN@gmail. com if you have anything you’d like to talk about!
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. If I’m elected, I plan to support legislation to reduce the cost of living and invest in our core priorities: education, infrastructure, and public safety. I’ll support legislation to cap more prescription drug prices, encourage more housing supply so that we can reduce rents and allow more people to buy homes, and make sure that every family can afford child care. I’ll also be a strong supporter of continuing to address our current underinvestment in education - the legislature has made some progress on this over the last couple years, but inflation-adjusted education funding is still on an overall downward trend over the past couple decades. We need to fix this problem if we want to get student achievement back to where it should be. Finally, I’ll work hard to finally get an infrastructure bonding bill passed, and to make sure that the state continues to invest in local first responders.
important decisions. I love this community, my neighbors, and all the voices that make our district so special.
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. Minnesota is in a strong position to become a leader in green technology and manufacturing. We have an internationally-renowned research university, a strong community of organized skilled tradespeople, and millions in Federal grant dollars earmarked for state investment in clean technology and infrastructure. It will be a priority of mine to support this industry, create new, family-supporting jobs in this field, and deploy emerging green tech to public buildings like schools, police and fire stations, that will be not only better for our environment and our future, but will also save us energy costs.
Another priority of mine will be to see that the state infrastructure bill is passed. This historically bipartisan bill includes urgently needed investments in wastewater treatment facilities, bridges, trails, fire departments and other local government needs. I was disappointed that my opponent did not support it and the legislature failed to pass it this year.
key policy issues. One other tool I use to hear directly from constituents is the Priorities Survey that is available on my website.
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. If given the opportunity to continue serving you in St. Paul, I will continue to ignore the political noise and introduce legislation that directly addresses the issues that matter most. For example, I will re-introduce the SHIELD Act to make our schools the safest in the nation. I will also author legislation that helps our local schools prioritize student achievement and focus on fixing our reading proficiency rates which are currently leaving 50% of kids unable to read at grade level. I’ll also support a package of bills authored by my Republican colleagues in the House that will help clamp down on the rampant fraud we’ve seen in the state government over the past few years. There are too many bills and important issues to mention in this answer, so I encourage you to read about what I accomplished in my first term on my website, ElliottEngen. com.
• Not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.
• Not under a court order that revokes your right to vote.
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Patty Bradway (R)
Age: 61
City of residence: Vadnais Hieghts
Occupation: Registered Nurse
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
Election Judge, SD 36 Caucus
Coordinator, SD 36 Vice-Chair
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. 1. Rebuild our public-school education system to the gold standard it once was. Less than half of our students are proficient in Reading, Math and Science. Focus must be on teaching academics and a return to standard teaching methods like
Brion Curran (DFL)
Age: 39 City of residence: White Bear Lake
Occupation: Legislator
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
•Board Member of Northeast Youth & Family Services
•Political Director on Board of Queer
Equity Institute
•Reserve Sergeant at White Bear Lake
Police Department
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. 1.Public Safety for All - Many voters are still concerned with public safety in our community, and I support comprehensive solutions to safety. I will continue to advocate for mental health resources for first responders and safe gun ownership and accountability.
Wayne Johnson (R)
Age: 59 City of residence: Cottage Grove
Occupation: Owner of Furnace Doctors and Dust Doctors
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Cottage Grove City Council
Washington County Board of Commissioners
Cottage Grove Planning Commission
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. My priorities are to lower taxes for Minnesotans and stop the out-of-control spending passed in the last budget, stop
Lucia Wroblewski
(DFL)
Age: 62
City of residence: Afton
Occupation: Retired St Paul Police
Officer
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles: St Paul Police Officer
Afton Planning Commissioner
Afton City Council Member
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. 1. Water quality and environmental protection. Preserving this beautiful district and state is fundamental to our quality of life. I purchased and restored 25 acres of old farmland to a thriving woodland and prairie over the last 32 years.
2. Public safety. Recruiting, hiring, training, compensating and retaining police officers. I am uniquely qualified to address
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 36B
phonics for reading.
2. Re-establish safety in our Homes, Schools and Communities, by fully funding our law enforcement agencies. Many of the crimes are being committed by our youth. Parents need to be involved to help solve this crisis. We need to change some of the laws that were passed last session that were soft on crime and unjust for victims.
3. Relieve individuals and families from the unaffordability of daily living expenses by putting money back into their bank accounts. Lowering taxes, cutting government spending, and actually remove the Social Security tax my opponent promised to do. We support small businesses, by lowering their tax rates and burdensome regulations.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I’m not slave to my social media accounts but would make a best effort to check FB messenger. I prefer to talk to people
2.Equitable Services for our Neighbors with Disabilities and Mental Health Challenges - The costs that families pay for disability and mental health services are untenable. I am prioritizing affordability for neighbors in need of these services and working with advocacy groups and the state’s Department of Human Services to improve our system of service provision.
3.Preserving our Rights - As the Vice Chair of the Queer Caucus, I look forward to advancing further protections to ensure bodily autonomy and ensuring our entire Queer community is protected from discrimination. Many neighbors are concerned that the progress we have made will be eroded by the Supreme Court or a flip in state government.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I plan to continue holding space for community events and meetings around the most critical issues at the Legislature. I have made tremendous progress these last two years in establishing relationships with advocacy groups, those working in State Government Departments, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on a number of issues including disability services, public safety, and climate change legislation. My town
STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 41A
funding the rampant fraud that has come to light over the last few years, and allow more flexibility for teachers and job creators to do their jobs effectively and strengthen our state by removing burdensome unfunded mandates on schools and local small businesses.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Throughout my time in public service, I’ve made a point to listen to constituents about their priorities and values. As State Representative, that won’t change. I look forward to hearing from any constituent with thoughts or concerns about the issues coming before the legislature, and my door will always
issues of gun violence. We can do a lot more to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. I want to help make our communities and schools safer.
3. Affordability. I am fiscally responsible in my own life and at the City Council. I will work to reduce the cost of living, invest wisely and prevent wasteful spending. Government can’t set prices, but it can promote better competition and a more level playing field instead of giving so many breaks to those who don’t need them.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I am well known for my constituent service and citizen involvement in Afton. I never ask what party my constituent belongs to. I was inspired to run for city council by a woman who complained that nobody in city government was listening to her. I provide people with information and respond promptly. While door knocking, I have met experts on issues related to affordable housing, taxes, water quality, education and health care, etc. On the city council, I have always done extensive homework and relied on community involvement
directly. The best way to contact me is by phone calling or text messaging. The legislative email account is available, and I’ll make sure my constituents can reply to that email. Once elected I will set up forums in the community space to reach more people at one time.
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. I will support an education bill that lets local schools control their education policies and removes mandates on funds sent to the schools, which has led to many schools coming up with deficits which resulted in school positions being cut. I will support bills that support our law enforcement agencies and allow them to perform their duties to the best of their abilities. I will support bills that cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations on small businesses to help our job creators and work to improve the affordability of daily living expenses of individuals and families.
halls have been a great opportunity to engage with the public, and I plan to continue their success. I also love meeting with constituents during the Legislative Session, please come and visit us in Saint Paul!
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. I am running for re-election because I see the progress we made the last two years is not done, and we have a lot more work to do to ensure our communities are safe, our environment is clean and protected, and our families’ day-today lives are more affordable. We need to expand tax relief for middle-class families, and we can do that by holding corporations accountable for the price gouging they are executing on our prices as well as ensuring workers are earning their fair share for the record-breaking profits these companies are returning to their shareholders. These affordability concerns are happening across nearly every area of the economy, from family farms to our Main Street to our grocery stores.
be open to the people of District 41A. The people who know our district best are the ones who live and work here every day, and I plan to keep their voices front and center as I vote on bills during the legislative session.
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. Family budgets are stretched thin by inflation, rising prices at the pump and the grocery store, and increased taxes from the last two years. I plan to support legislation that makes life less expensive for Minnesotans, including lower taxes, fewer burdensome mandates, and smarter budgeting that favors better results over higher spending.
and expert input to more fully understand issues to make the best decisions. I will ensure public concerns are considered throughout decision making processes. My door has and will always be open to my community.
Q. If elected, what legislation do you plan to support during your term and why?
A. So many new laws and opportunities for people were passed in the last two years and I’ll want to make sure they are working as they are supposed to work. I support common sense measures to prevent gun violence, such as reporting a lost or stolen gun. People in 41A tell me they thought that was already the law. Of course, I will support bills for cleaner water and to move towards a clean energy economy. I’ll oppose any Republican effort to reduce every woman’s freedom to choose what is best for her own healthcare. I want to build on the work started to make prescription drugs and access to quality healthcare more affordable. I’m the product of excellent public schools and I support keeping public funds dedicated to public schools.
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Kelly Reagan
Age: 51
City of residence: Mahtomedi
Occupation: Apple K12 Leadership Executive
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
-Mahtomedi School Board Vice Chair and Clerk
-Mahtomedi Area Education Foundation School Board Representative
-Mahtomedi First Down Foundation
Stacey Stout
Age: 51 City of residence: Mahtomedi
Occupation: AVP, Government Relations, APEI
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
1) Mahtomedi School Board – Elected in 2016, Board Chair 2022-2024
2) Mahtomedi School Board Finance Committee
3) Mahtomedi City Finance Commission
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. 1.Sustain our district’s high-quality education opportunities:
Provide instructional rigor where students discover interests, explore careers and develop lifelong skills. The strategic plan
Drew Whitson
Age: 44
City of residence: Mahtomedi
Occupation: Professor of Finance at Bethel University and Principle at Endurus Capital, a real estate investment firm
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
1. Board of Trustees for our local church for 11 years
2. Board of Directors for a faith-based camp for 3 years
3. Assistant and head coach more times than I can count for my four kids Mahtomedi soccer and basketball teams
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. My top three priorities are maintaining the district’s
MAHTOMEDI SCHOOL BOARD: ELECT 3
Member and Captain Parent
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. The top three priorities that I see for the school district are:preparing our students for the world they will live and work in, establishing a budget that meets the needs of today and is mindful of future needs while being good stewards of community and tax payer dollars, and to create academic and extracurricular facilities that meet the growing needs of the school district.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. Mahtomedi Public Schools along with schools all across Minnesota have the obligation to meet diverse student needs
lays out the goal for students to learn without barriers and to pursue their passions as agents of their own learning. We must ensure that these goals are attainable and that our students are developing lifelong skills.
2.Continue strong student engagement: Meet students’ individual needs to ensure that Mahtomedi graduates are prepared for post-secondary success. The district needs to provide individualized support to address challenges to assist students in reaching their full potential.
3.Maintain a proactive operating and capital budget process: Continue efficient use of school funding in the midst of challenging economic times to address the District’s strategic plan and priorities. We must continue to secure state funding, while applying fiscal discipline to ensure that excellent academic programs and opportunities continue.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. The challenge ahead for the Board is to ensure that the district stays the course on efficient use of school funding while
high academic standards, addressing budgetary challenges, and expanding student opportunities. First, I will work to preserve the academic excellence Mahtomedi is known for, ensuring every student receives a well-rounded education. Second, I will focus on finding innovative funding solutions to address financial constraints without compromising essential programs, including STEM, arts, and athletics. Lastly, I will advocate for expanding opportunities for high-performing students through more advanced classes and enrichment programs, ensuring every student has the resources to reach their full potential.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. The major issues facing Mahtomedi Public Schools include adapting to changing educational standards and technology, managing tight budgets, and ensuring equity for all students. We must balance the district’s tradition of academic excellence with the need to evolve and equip students
with budgets that aren’t adequately funded by the state. This creates situations where schools such as Mahtomedi have to rely more heavily on tax payer dollars to adequately fund programs, technology, and facility needs.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. The school district’s proposed budget highlights that the school district is in good financial shape in order to meet the basic operating needs of the school district but as stated above with more and more diverse student needs and with an aging infrastructure across the district the school district budget is not adequate to meet future academic and athletic and activity needs for all students and families.
addressing key operational priorities with a long-term focus. The Board has oversight of finance and facilities operations and must navigate challenging economic times to ensure that the excellent opportunities in academics, activities, arts and athletics continue.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. The Board has demonstrated a strong commitment in its fiduciary duty to taxpayers with a balanced operations budget. The school district has received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting for 5 years in a row which recognizes the highest standards for financial reporting and transparency. The Board must take a strategic long-term approach to addressing key priorities for financial and facilities operations. As we navigate evolving economic conditions, it is essential to anticipate future challenges and make proactive decisions to ensure that the district remains financially stable while continuing to invest in the infrastructure and resources needed for student success.
with future-ready skills. Addressing budget constraints while maintaining our high standards across academics, athletics, and extracurriculars is a constant challenge. Additionally, we need to ensure that students at all levels, including highperformers and those needing more support, are given equal opportunities to thrive.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. The current and proposed budgets reflect the difficult balancing act between maintaining excellence in our programs and managing financial limitations. I believe the district must be proactive in finding innovative funding solutions and using resources efficiently to protect key programs like STEM, arts, and athletics. While the budget is always a challenge, it’s critical that we continue to invest in areas that equip students for future success, including partnerships with colleges and vocational training. As a School Board candidate, I am committed to ensuring fiscal responsibility while prioritizing student success.
White Bear Lake Area Church Directory
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Scott Arcand
Age: 60
City of residence: White Bear Township
Occupation: Teaching and Learning Specialist
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
• Ramsey County League of Local Governments - Past President
• White Bear Lake Area Schools - School Board, Clerk
• White Bear Lake Area SchoolsSystems Accountability Committee Member
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. My top priority is to create safe and supportive schools where every student has the opportunity to excel academically. High levels of stress can greatly impede a student’s ability to
Brian Cern
Age: 50 City of residence: Hugo
Occupation: Broker - Employee Benefits
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
• President & Co-Founder: North Star Elementary PTA
• Vice-President Hugo/Oneka PTA
• Teaching Artist with Children’s Performing Arts and Blue Water Theatre
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. My top three priorities for the school district are: To improve access for all students, regardless of socio/
Tim Klecker
Age: 40 City of residence: White Bear Lake
Occupation: Certified Financial Goals
Coach
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
I have helped out at a local Marketfest booth for the last number of years and helped to increase awareness around the state of our school system. For the last couple of years, I have regularly attended the local school board meetings and have provided a fair analysis of where we are headed. My children are on the archery team at WBL, and we participate in fundraising and volunteer work at local business establishments.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. 1. The education, development, growth and overall wellness of our students must be our first priority, and yet our proficiencies are in decline. As a board member, my focus will
Dan Skaar
Age: 64
City of residence: Hugo
Occupation: Semi-retired, consultant
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Much of my volunteer time has been pro-bono work with a nonprofit that is dedicated to helping parents, children and K-12 schools address the adverse impacts of social media on child development. I have done pro-bono work helping small businesses including my daughter’s business. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus and volunteer through the organization.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. First, we need to focus on education in our strategic plan to improve academic proficiency and reverse the trend of students leaving our district. While the board sought community outreach for the plan, the board did not go far enough. Today, with a mission statement of over 50 words, 12
WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOL BOARD: ELECT 3
learn, so it’s essential that we support both our students and teachers. Another key focus is expanding our career pathways. Given the increasing costs of post-secondary education, it’s vital for students to have a clear plan for their future after high school. Lastly, I aim to strengthen our connections with the community, as a strong partnership between schools and the community is crucial for achieving success.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. Creating safe and supportive school environments that enable every student to excel academically is crucial. However, funding and budget constraints are ongoing challenges, as current financial support is not keeping up with inflation and special education requirements are not fully funded. Additionally, recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers and staff, particularly from underrepresented communities, remains a significant issue. We must also work to address the disparities in academic performance among different student groups.
economic background.
To continue the development and implementation of training programs for students who are not pursuing college post-high school.
To maintain a safe and secure learning environment so that all students are provided opportunities to explore career options and ensure those opportunities are given equally and without prejudice for the exchange of ideas, and development of a strong character.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. A major issue facing the school district is access. Let’s use food insecurity as an example. The number of families that would have otherwise qualified for free and reduced lunches but for breakfast and lunch are now provided at no cost to students and families is staggering. Providing equal access to meals eliminates one of the many areas of uncertainty
be on implementing better practices to increase these scores and promote an open and collaborative relationships between teachers and parents.
2. Mental health has also become an increased issue withing the school-age environments. While I believe in the overall wellness and care of our students, we need to make sure they’re being provided with the proper guidance and practices to address issues of mental health and strengthen resilience in the face of adversity.
3. Safety continues to be a primary issue for parents and students. With the presence of SROs and the moral guidance of our teachers, we need to focus on providing safe learning physical, mental, and emotional environments for our students.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. There is very little transparency with what is happening behind closed doors. School board meetings often share very little with the public as far as where we are with our district goals … and that’s because we don’t really have goals, at least not ones that are well-formulated with measurable action plans. Without this—without a clearly defined trajectory—how can the board, the superintendent, the principles, the teachers,
beliefs, over 50 learning attributes – the strategic plan is too cluttered, too complex to be an effective tool – simplify the plan around education. Second, bring back transparency, truth and trust between the community and the school district. Policies around public comments need to change to be more welcoming for parents and the community. Third, safe and peaceful schools. One of the biggest concerns of parents and teachers is disruptive behaviors in schools. It’s impacting teacher job satisfaction and student satisfaction. We need to balance effective discipline with the rights of all to have an education in a safe, peaceful environment.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. Enrollment and academics. With better academics and more focus on education, we can retain our students and parents in our district. Enrollment and funding go hand in hand, with less enrollment, our district gets less funding from the state creating more pressure to increase property taxes. Over the last six years, we have lost over 800 students (91 more in 2024) to open enrollment and more to nonpublic school alternatives. Our academic proficiency declined again in 2024 according to the MDE Report Card. With our new facilities, especially high school, we must improve academic performance
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. I have strong confidence in both the current and proposed budgets. The White Bear Lake School District has been very prudent in managing its finances. Since 2003, the district has faced rising costs without corresponding funding to keep up with inflation. Currently, our per-pupil funding is $7,251. If funding had been adjusted for inflation, it would now be $8,637. This shortfall translates to $11,206,315 less in funding available for running our schools. The School District is facing a projected $1,750,000 budget adjustment for the 2025-26 school year. As we address this challenge, my top priority is to safeguard the classroom environment and ensure that cuts do not affect instruction or special education services. I advocate for a thorough review of all programs and services to determine which ones most effectively enhance student outcomes. Additionally, Engaging stakeholders to develop innovative solutions and build support is crucial.
that permeates our student’s lives. But access is bigger than that, the school district needs to provide a safe and supportive environment in which all students are respected regardless of demographics and background.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. These are tight purse-string times for everyone. The district has an obligation to the taxpayers to continue to be transparent in how funds are being invested. Through open houses, public meetings, direct mail, and other communication with district residents and families, it is imperative to continue to share not only budget changes but also performance metrics and successes. Alternatively, it may be beneficial for the school district to explore seeking grant or endowment funding streams to support specific budgetary line items such as programs, curricula, training, or materials.
and ultimately the students have any hope of taking part in a successful educational experience that equips them for future opportunities? Adult agendas should never be put above student outcomes.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. Budgets often come down to one key thing: priorities. And those priorities are made clear by the overall vision and mission the school system chooses to adopt. While WBL residents voted 57% in favor of a $326 million bond to renovate the new high school in 2019, our proficiency scores have dropped an average of 15% in that same timeframe, bringing us down to just above the Minnesota average (by less than half a percent). We seem to be more focused on putting our money towards creating a community center rather than a community of learning. Declining scores often lead to lower student morale as well as a decline in enrollment, which ultimately leads to less funding. Financial decisions should be focused on needs over wants. As a member of the school board, I promise to always approach budgeting decisions in this way, placing student outcomes above adult agendas.
and address the trend of declining enrollment to secure future state funding. We need better returns for our tax investments – better academics and keeping our students in our district. As a former CEO, collaborating with schools across the USA, I understand how to get better returns on our money and make WBL Schools a beacon of excellence.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. With declining enrollment trends and the debt service costs on the recent $326 million bond, our current and proposed budgets will need to be sharply focused on 1) the effectiveness of academic programs and 2) the efficiency of the costs to deliver the academic results. Declining enrollment means less money for our schools, now and into the near-term until we reverse the trend. In these situations, as a former CEO, I have found that zero-based budgeting is a useful method to justify every budget dollar in the context of our core mission - education. Additionally, it provides clarity to the board and public where the tax dollars are being spent and why they are being spent. With sound leadership, we can work through tough budget matters as a team – we can improve academics and be more efficient with our budget dollars.
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
R. Scott Smith
Age: 60
City of residence: White Bear Township
Occupation: Marketing Manager
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
• Manitou Days Parade Marshall
• Weekly volunteer at Union Gospel Mission
• Director of Volunteers at Eagle Brook Church
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. Return to academic excellence; safety, order & respect; transparency in leadership. First, academic excellence. Gradelevel proficiencies have declined for years beginning well before 2020. I am running to ensure the district is focused on improving student academic outcomes in alignment with the values of the community. Second, safety in the classroom. I will prioritize funding to support front-line educators. I will advocate for the consistent application of consequences with fair implementation to help restore order and respect for staff
Angela Thompson
Age: 50
City of residence: Hugo
Occupation: ICWA Guardian ad Litem (4th District)
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
• Current school board member who is a liaison to Willow Elementary & the Area Learning Center. Committee member on the AIPAC (American Indian Parent Advisory Committee), Policy Committee, and the Systems Accountability Committee.
• NASW Social Work Advocacy Week - Student Advocate
• Hugo/Oneka Lake Elementary PTA Vice President & President
Q. What are your top three priorities for the school district?
A. Ensuring that we provide the best education for all students in the state, protecting our environment by fighting for good green jobs and clean energy, and creating access to
WHITE BEAR LAKE AREA SCHOOL BOARD: ELECT 3
and school facilities. I will support policies that will provide resources for our teachers that will allow them to focus on what they do best. Third, transparency – every program should have clear and measurable student-based outcomes reported consistently and reviewed frequently to allow for corrections over the measured time period. I will be a liaison between residents and the administration to ensure that the communities concerns are heard and addressed.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. The district has a strong foundation and a history of being able to provide an excellent education, however recent academic performance trends are a major issue. The continuing decline in reported academic proficiencies in reading, math and science are concerning and indicate that the district is struggling to perform in the primary task of educating our students and preparing them for post-secondary success. There are many factors involved here and we need to be realistic in the approach to correcting this trajectory as quickly as possible. These results lead to the second major issue facing the district – declining enrollment projected over the next three years. We need to understand the reason that parents are making other choices for their students – opting for open enrollment, private/
housing for all including seniors aging in place, first time home buyers, and those who struggle to afford a safe place to live.
Q. What do you see as the major issue(s) facing your school district?
A. Funding issues are a significant concern in our district and public school districts across the state and country. Federal tax dollars comprise roughly 2% of our district’s budgeted revenues. If our state-funded per pupil rate had kept pace with inflation since the ‘02/’03 school year, we would have an additional 11 million dollars in our general funds. We can and must do better, which means advocating for changes at the state and federal levels. Increasing property taxes is not the only way to fully fund public education systems.
Addressing the academic loss that has occurred, strengthening the resources our schools need to help our students overcome this learning loss, and addressing their mental health needs. Our district leaders and experts in education have been actively working to address these needs since the COVID pandemic changed our world. Ensuring they can continue the hard work they have already implemented and are currently collecting data on is crucial in ensuring
Kelly Miller
Age: 36 City of residence: Maplewood
Occupation: Nonprofit Management List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
1) Voting 2) Volunteering as a board member for Tiwahe Foundation, Ain Dah Yung Center, Montessori American Indian Childcare, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Housing Board, and 3) Running for office and seeking a major party endorsement and participating in the White Bear Lake League of Women Voter’s candidate forum.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. My priorities if elected are:
1. Strengthening Social Services: By enhancing service delivery, we can better support vulnerable populations. By increasing affordable housing options, we can prevent homelessness, and support programs that help residents stay
Age: 30
City of residence: North Saint Paul
Occupation: Academic Coordinator, TRIO
Upward Bound
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
• AmeriCorps with the National Civilian Community Corps and Public Allies
• Former organizer in the MNDFL’s Coordinated Field Team: Get Out The Vote
• Campaign Manager for Saint Paul City Council member Nelsie Yang
Q. What are your top three priorities for the state?
A. Housing Stability and Affordable Housing Access: My top priority is ensuring housing stability, a key factor in community well-being. I will focus on expanding affordable housing, preventing homelessness, supporting unhoused populations with social services, and creating homeownership
in their homes, and initiatives that work for all residents at any stage of life.
2. Environmental Sustainability: I believe in planning seven generations ahead and protecting our environment is not just a moral obligation but an urgent necessity. I will advocate for bold, forward-thinking policies aligned with the county’s Climate Equity Action Plan.
3. Community Prosperity: I will work to attract and retain business, support local entrepreneurs, and invest in workforce development. By fostering a strong, diverse economy, we can create jobs, support local businesses, and improve the quality of life for all residents.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. My approach will be centered on collaboration and making sure the decisions we make reflect the needs and aspirations of the people I serve. If elected as a Ramsey County Commissioner, I will actively involve the public in major decisions by ensuring transparency and accessibility. I can do this by hosting regular town halls and community forums across the district, providing residents with opportunities to share their views and ask questions directly. I’ll also utilize surveys, online platforms, an open door policy, and social media to reach a broader audience, making it easier for everyone to
pathways. Housing investments drive economic growth and social equity. With the recent state budget surplus, we must prioritize these investments.
Climate Justice: I aim to reduce Ramsey County’s carbon footprint, increase waste mitigation, and address environmental justice. I’ll seek partnerships with state and federal agencies and prioritize protecting vulnerable communities.
Elder Support: Reducing isolation among elders is vital. I’ll expand senior programs, transportation, and tech training to keep them engaged and connected.
Q. If elected, how will you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I refer to my leadership style as “by the people, for the people.” I emphasize transparency, accessibility, and active community engagement in my decision-making. Once elected, I plan to hold regular office hours where District 7 residents can discuss their concerns, ask questions, or provide input on the county’s priorities and direction. Leadership should always be collaborative, especially for elected officials. Community members have both the right and responsibility to actively contribute to the work of all County Commissioners.
charter or home school. Finally, disrespect of authority, lack of meaningful consequences and cultural distractions in the classroom are detrimental to the overall teaching and learning experience.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. The preliminary budget for 2024-25 is projected to be a 2.6% increase over the previous reporting period and is planned to be over operating expenses by $800,000. This is reflective of responsible financial planning and is showing improvement from prior reporting periods. The district is also planning to meet the 8% Unassigned Fund Balance as required in School Board Policy #714 to ensure financial stability. The concern I have is the projected enrollment numbers from 2025 and beyond. Currently, the district is forecasting a 3.6% decline in enrollment from the 2023-24 to 2026-27 school years. This continued decline if not corrected could have serious future financial implications. The school board should be proactive in conducting an intensive review of existing programs and expenditures to determine their effectiveness and understand how to increase their productivity to ensure they are adding value in the pursuit of positively contributing to student academic outcomes.
our district moves forward in education rather than going backward.
Q. What are your thoughts on the current and the proposed budget for your school district?
A. General education fund revenues have remained stagnant for over two decades, not keeping pace with inflation since the 2002 - 2003 school year. This gap in funding significantly impacts our ability to provide the necessary resources for our classrooms, staff, and student programs.
In addition to this shortfall, our district also faces substantial cross-subsidy shortfalls. These mandated programs, such as special education, require us to divert general fund dollars from other essential areas to make up the difference for these crucial academic services. As a result, many of the district’s programs and initiatives face insufficient funding, putting additional pressure on our students and staff.
The time is now to increase advocacy at the legislative level. We must fight for equitable and sustainable funding models that ensure every student can access a high-quality education.
participate somehow, regardless of their schedule.
Q. What can the county board do in the next five years to help the county prosper?
A. The Ramsey County Board can drive prosperity by focusing on several key initiatives. Investing in affordable housing is essential; for example, developing mixed-income housing and offering incentives to build affordable units will help address homelessness and housing insecurity. Strengthening workforce development is another priority, with a focus on creating job training programs in partnership with local businesses, unions, and schools, particularly in highdemand sectors like healthcare and technology. Promoting environmental sustainability is crucial; the Board can lead projects such as expanding renewable energy initiatives and improving public transit to reduce carbon emissions and create green jobs. Enhancing public health services by expanding access to mental health and substance abuse treatment will improve community well-being. Finally, supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurs through grants, lowinterest loans, and streamlined regulations will spur economic growth, especially for minority- and women-owned businesses. These steps will ensure broad, inclusive prosperity across the county.
Q. What can the county board do in the next five years to help the county prosper?
A. To help Ramsey County prosper over the next five years, I believe the County Commissioner Board should focus on developing more publicly subsidized multifamily housing and rehabilitating vacant structures into housing. These efforts will address the growing need for affordable homes while revitalizing underutilized spaces. We must also invest in critical infrastructure, such as moving forward with the Purple Line, to improve transit, reduce congestion, and connect residents to jobs and services, supporting long-term economic growth. Additionally, I would advocate for expanding social services aimed at reducing isolation among elders, such as increasing senior centers and outreach programs. This will improve the quality of life for our aging population. We must also continue to strengthen worker protections, particularly by upholding prevailing wage laws and enhancing job safety, ensuring that all new development benefits local workers. Together, these initiatives will build a more inclusive, sustainable, and economically prosperous Ramsey County.
RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 7
Sarah Yang
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Jennifer Arsenault
Age: 57 City of residence: Birchwood Village
Occupation: Retired Educator
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
• City of Birchwood Village Parks and Natural Resources Committee
• Participating in a MN State Representative’s campaign
• Volunteering at Feed My Starving Children
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. My top three priorities would be maintenance of our parks and easements, continued road maintenance and repair,
Mary Wingfield
Volunteer, Numerous Birchwood Parks and Community programs
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. City taxes have gone up 25% in the last two years. Ten years ago, the city adopted a Budget Handbook addressing the challenges and opportunities for fiscal responsibility. As a result, we were able to keep our tax levy below the 2013 level of $400,000 for the next six years while continuing to maintain our services. We need to get back to those fundamentals. The city just adopted a 10-year, piecemeal repaving program that omits 1/3 of our roads, but is paid for by all. By
Ryan Eisele
Age: 41
City of residence: Birchwood Village
Occupation: Federal Civilian Employee
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:• Not Answered
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. My priorities are to modernize Birchwood Village’s website and systems to make it easier for residents to access services, pay bills, and stay updated. I will work to streamline the permitting process, making it more transparent and accessible for residents, ensuring they can easily navigate requirements without unnecessary delays or confusion. Additionally, I will focus on fostering community connections by supporting events
Peter Holstad
BIRCHWOOD
VILLAGE MAYOR: ELECT 1
and creating a process to ease the difficulty of navigating the building permitting process. In speaking to residents, these three issues have consistently been highlighted. As part of a responsive city government, a deliberate effort should be made to continue prioritizing and evaluating the success with which these issues are being addressed.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I would encourage residents to attend council meetings and give their feedback on decisions during the open forum times or send an email if attendance is not possible. The use of public forums is also valuable.While on the parks committee, public forums have been held and were extremely useful in soliciting ideas and feedback from residents. I would encourage the use of these forums when any major decision is up for consideration.
implementing a one-time, comprehensive “mill and overlay”, we can fix ALL our roads for less money than proposed and benefit the entire community at the same time.
Infrastructure: We need to get our lift station rebuilt with the $500,000 federal grant I secured two years ago. And protecting our parks from invasive species is an ongoing issue.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. We have a wonderfully diverse and talented group of residents who continue to lend their expertise in many different areas. The most important tool is to engage volunteers to help collect and analyze the facts and underlying the issues so we can discuss the matters in an unbiased manner. This takes considerable time and energy, and their preparation gives us a better result.
Having public forums, community newsletters, and notices in print and social media have been used in the past. I would encourage the council to send out MailChimp surveys so that more residents have an opportunity to immediately weigh in rather than assume they read the small print legal notices and hope they respond.
It is always better to be over inclusive and slower in the
BIRCHWOOD VILLAGE CITY COUNCIL: ELECT 2
and programs that bring neighbors together. Creating more opportunities for us to gather, whether through community events or shared spaces, will strengthen the bonds that make our village special. I believe in preserving our small-town feel while also embracing positive change. By addressing these priorities, I aim to make government services more userfriendly, ensure processes are clear and straightforward, and help build a strong, connected community where everyone feels they belong.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I will prioritize attending all city council meetings and as many committee meetings as my schedule allows. Additionally, I will advocate for quarterly town halls, giving all residents an opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas. By staying actively involved and accessible, I will ensure that every community member feels heard, represented, and included in the decision-making process.
Bridget Sperl
City of residence: Birchwood Village
Occupation: Volunteer
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
• Board Member, White Bear Lake Area Foundation
• Volunteer, Kids in Need Foundation
• Board Chair, Ministries Foundation
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. • Maintain and enhance our infrastructure (roads, lift station)
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1.Completion of the Wildwood Lift Station repair.
2.Implementation of a more comprehensive infrastructure plan.
3.More community outreach and input on important projects
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. The city needs more public outreach. Whether its email surveys, door knocking with a clipboard or holding public forums at more convenient times, we need to be more flexible to meet residents where they are to ensure everyone has input.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The city can help by maintaining its assets, public spaces
• Preserve our natural resources
• Support and encourage our small-town, good neighbor culture
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. 1. Continue the strong communication practices already in place: the Birchwood website, Facebook page, email updates, quarterly newsletter, and the City Hall bulletin board, so residents are always up to date on issues that impact them.
2. Continue supporting the Birchwood committees that assess and make recommendations on important matters such as parks, roads, and docks.
3. Encourage public forums and open discussions to gather input before major decisions are made.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The city council can be proactive in identifying potential issues that may arise and plan for their resolution. An example of this might be to identify trees such as the birch, that might be susceptible to pests and to develop a plan on how to address treatment or removal of infected trees. The city council can also be responsive to changes and improvements that the residents would like to see and develop a timeline and funding proposal to address them. Lastly, the city council can be intentional about community building. Developing strategies to engage residents in city government and creating opportunities for residents to positively interact with one another could strengthen the community and create an even better living environment.
process to avoid unnecessary, negative pushback.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. In the last ten years, we have been proactive in funding projects through federal, state and local grants. These monies have allowed us to upgrade our water meters and make the system automatic; replace our failing primary lift station; remove diseased ash trees and replant open spaces; and upgrade our tennis courts to include pickleball courts. Continuing to seek grant monies is important to help us protect and improve our infrastructure.
We moved our sanitary sewer system into the twentyfirst century by installing wireless monitoring systems and consolidating services with White Bear Township. This synergy has saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars and created a strong relationship with our neighbors. As a small town, that is a big deal as we cannot provide every service on our own. Building community bonds is critical to our existence.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. In the next five years, the City Council can help Birchwood Village prosper by modernizing its website and city services, making them more accessible and user-friendly for residents. By transitioning to a more streamlined digital platform, we can provide residents with 24/7 access to important information, easy online bill payments, permit applications, and service requests. This shift will reduce the administrative burden on staff while improving the overall experience for residents. By embracing these changes, we can boost efficiency, improve transparency, and foster better engagement between the city and its residents. This modernization will ensure that we keep pace with technological advancements, ultimately making Birchwood Village a more connected, efficient, and responsive community.
and by taking a closer look at the budget. The city needs to be asking itself: Is this what’s best for Birchwood? All of Birchwood? And if the answer is no, then the decision needs to be reevaluated. I would love to see more efforts regarding community outreach. Sometimes as people we tend to get comfortable in our own little pockets of our community, however Birchwood is much larger than that what it appears to be from our backyard windows. Just having a little perspective while keeping in the mind the number of people that do make our community will give you a better understanding of what’s needed. Lastly, the city needs to be more proactive about addressing issues before they become issues. And again, this can be answered through one simple question: How can I help? Because Afterall that is what good neighbors do!
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The City Council can:
1. Help protect the town’s character and heritage by setting an example of neighbors working together. This includes preserving and enhancing parks and beaches, continuing to support cherished community events, and fostering cooperation for the good of the town.
2. Build strong relationships and communication channels with our service providers to ensure the city receives the services it needs.
3. Maintain and enhance our infrastructure.
4. Encourage community involvement and volunteerism.
Zephyrs leading Metro East in 4 sports
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
Mahtomedi has first-place teams in the Metro East Conference in volleyball, swimming, tennis and girls soccer after another solid week by Zephyr teams.
The Zephyr volleyball squad, 11-0 overall and 2-0 in the MEC, posted sweeps of South St. Paul (15-4) and Hastings (58). The Zephyrs scuttled SSP at home 25-17, 25-18, 25-10, led by Silvie Graetzer with 14 kills and six blocks, Kaili Malvey with 14 kills, and Claire Crothers with nine digs and 14 serve-receives. They won at Hastings 25-21, 25-16, 25-15 with Graetzer logging 17 kills, Ashley Moeller 88 assists, Crothers 17 digs and Louisa Tarnowski two aces.
The swimmers are 4-0 after
edging top conference rival Hastings 96-88, keyed by a sweep of the relays -- by Sidney Leciejewski, Adalyn Miller, Aria Armstrong and Abigail Wright (400 free); Riley Parizek, Audrey Carlson, Wright and Delaney Dummermuth (medley); and Maddie Ruppel, Dummermuth, Janeea Chlebeck and Miller (200 free). “Huge win for the Mahtomedi swim team,” said coach Mike Goldman. Individual winners were Wright (200 free), Dummermuth (50 free) and Carlson (breaststroke).
Soccer highlights include Faith Peper scoring twice on headers, both on corner kicks, as Zephyr girls soccer beat Hastings 2-1 to grab sole possession of first place at 4-0. Peper struck in the 63rd minute, off Olivia Thiele’s corner kick, and in the 73rd minute,
off a recycled ball, breaking a 1-1 tie, Jacque Worden stopped four of five Hastings shots. The No. 3 ranked Zephyrs (9-1-1) then thumped No. 4 BenildeSt. Margaret’s 4-0 with Thiele delivering a goal and two assists, Elise Aflakpi two goals, Emily Muetzel one goal, and Harlow Berger eight saves. BSM was state champion last year.
The tennis squad, 10-7 overall, is 3-0 in the MEC after defeating Two Rivers 7-0 and Stillwater (non-conference) 4-3. Against Two Rivers, Alayna Bartylla and Ellis Krause each won tie-breakers 10-8 and Mallory Langer/Katherine Smith won one 10-4. They swept doubles against Stillwater with Smith/ Langer, Greta Munson/Berkley Blaisdell, and Amber Schaefer/ Annika Winke, while Lily Carlson won 2-singles.
Bear boys soccer tough to beat in 2024
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
White Bear Lake’s unbeaten girls are not the only White Bear Lake soccer team enjoying a strong season.
The Bear boys, under new coach Taelynn Gittins, the first female to coach a White Bear Lake boys team, are 11 games into the season with just one loss. The Bears are 6-1-4 overall, an encouraging jump from 1-7-5 last season and just two winning seasons in the last 14 years.
Last week, the Bears tied East Ridge 2-2 with Ben Watson knocking in both goals, assisted by Colby Peterson and
Gavin Huot, then edged Park 2-1, on goals by Watson and Grayson Anderson, and an assist by Noah Watson. Defense continues to be a strong suit for the Bears, permitting a minimal number of shots on goal, with Thomas Orsello in the net. They have yielded 11 goals in 11 games while scoring 20, led
by Ben Watson, senior midfielder, with 10. In the Suburban East, Cretin-Derham Hall is 4-1, the Bears 3-0-2, Woodbury 3-0-1 and Stillwater 2-1-1 for the top four spots. The Bears have Woodbury, Forest Lake, Stillwater and CDH left on the conference schedule.
This Week In SPORTS
ZEPHYRS SCOREBOARD
CROSS COUNTRY
• Results last week:
Zephyr boys 3rd of 11 teams at Chisago Lakes
Zephyr boys 4th of 13 teams at Osceola (WI)
Zephyr girls 3rd of 8 teams at Chisago Lakes
Zephyr girls 6th of 11 teams at Osceola (WI)
• Coming up: Thursday: At the Farmington Invitational FOOTBALL
BY BRUCE STRAND SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR
In a back-and-forth game highlighted by long touchdown plays for both teams, Forest Lake had three 14-point leads and held off White Bear Lake 28-21.
Rithy Sain scored twice on passes for the Bears (0-4), catching eight for 188 yards, including a 69-yard touchdown from Tomi Animasaun and a 29-yarder on a halfback pass from Easton Miles. The Bears had 243 yards passing but gave up three interceptions. Animasaun was 13-for30 for 214 yards.
The Bears also had a 44-yard touchdown run by Brian White with 6:33 left that closed the gap to 28-21, the last of four
TD’s in the final quarter, two by each team. The Bears netted just 81 yards rushing against a Ranger defense anchored by 6-foot-4, 260-pound tackle Howie Johnson, one of the state’s top prospects. Forest Lake (2-2) broke two long TD runs, 87 yards by Kevin Ndirangu and 80 by Mack Jurkovich. Connor Johnson was 9-for-11 passing for 135 yards with touchdowns of seven and 39 yards to Jacob Rehfeld. Ernest Goodwin booted three conversions for the Bears. Defensively, Malik Duombia made two tackles behind the line for 21 yards in losses and Charlie Woodcock had a sack for 14 yards.
• Results last week: St. Thomas Academy 52, Zephyrs 7 Record: 1-2 overall, 0-2 conference
• Coming up: Friday: at Tartan, 7 p.m.
SOCCER, BOYS
• Results last week: Hastings 4, Zephyrs 1 Zephyrs 3, St. Thomas Academy 2 Zephyrs 3, Benilde-St. Margaret’s 0
• Record:
9-2 overall, 4-1 conference
• Coming up: Thursday: North St. Paul, 5 p.m.
Saturday: Mounds View, noon Thursday, Oct. 3: at Two Rivers, 5 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
• Results last week: Zephyrs 2, Hastings 1
Zephyrs 4, Benilde-St. Margaret’s 0
• Record: 9-1-1 overall, 4-0 conference
• Coming up: Thursday: North St. Paul, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Mounds View, 2 p.m.
SWIMMING
Results last week: Zephyrs 96, Hastings 88 Record: 4-0 overall, 4-0 conference Coming up: Thursday: at North St. Paul, 6 p.m.
TENNIS
Results last week: Zephyrs 7, Two Rivers 0 Zephyrs 4, Stillwater 3
• Record: 10-7 overall, 5-0 conference
• Coming up: Thursday: South St. Paul, 3:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 30: Section 4AA opener, TBA
VOLLEYBALL
Results last week:
Zephyrs def South St. Paul 25-17, 25-18, 25-10
Zephyrs def. Hastings 25-21, 25-16, 25-15
Record: 11-0 overall, 3-0 conference
• Coming up: Thursday: Two Rivers, 7 p.m.
BEARS SCOREBOARD
CROSS COUNTRY
• Results this week: Bear girls 3rd of 34 teams, Maroon division, Roy Griak Invitational Bear boys 27h of 44 teams, Championship division, Roy Griak Invitational
FOOTBALL Results last week: Forest Lake 28, Bears 21 Record: 0-4 overall, 0-3 conference
• Coming up: Friday: at East Ridge, 7 p.m.
SOCCER, BOYS
• Results last week: Bears 2, East Ridge 2 Bears 2, Park 1 Vs. Woodbury (Tuesday)
• Record: 6-1-4 overall, 3-0-2 conference
• Coming up: Thursday: at Forest Lake, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1: Stillwater, 5 p.m.
SOCCER, GIRLS
• Results last week: Bears 2, East Ridge 0 Bears 5, Park 1
• Record: 10-0-1 overall, 5-0 conference
• Coming up: Thursday: at Forest Lake, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 1: Stillwater, 7 p.m.
SWIMMING
• Results last week: Woodbury 92, Bears 85 Record: 0-3 overall, 0-3 conference Coming up: Thursday: Forest Lake, 6 p.m. Saturday: University of Minnesota Invitational, 11 a.m.
TENNIS
• Results last week: Bears 7, Mounds Park Academy 0 Bears 7, Irondale 0
• Record: 10-3 overall, 4-2 conference
• Coming up: Tuesday: at Stillwater, 4 p.m.
Thursday: Cretin-Derham Hall, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, Sept. 30: Section 4AA opener, TBA
VOLLEYBALL
• Results last week: Bears def. 25-21, 17-25, 2325, 28-26, 15-5 Park def. Bears 25-17, 18-25, 22-25, 17-25 Record: 8-4 overall, 0-2 conference Coming up: Wednesday: at Roseville Area, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1: at Mounds View, 7 p.m.
BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED
Kaili Malvey soared for one of her 14 kills in Mahtomedi’s 3-0 win over South St. Paul.
BRUCE STRAND | CONTRIBUTED
Ben Watson is the Bears top scorer with half of their 20 goals.
BEARS SPORTS BRIEFS ZEPHYRS SPORTS BRIEFS
GIRLS SOCCER
Top-ranked White Bear Lake (10-0-1) tripped No 3 East Ridge 2-0 in a duel of unbeatens, taking sole leadership of the Suburban East, with Jenna Maloy and Becca Smith delivering goals while goalie Chloe Tocko made 13 saves. “Our defense and goalkeeping have really been exceptional this year,” said John Dierkhising, co-coach, citing midfielders Abby O’Brien and Elise Oelker and defenders Marin Peterson, Maddie Thompson, Alyssa Hamlin and Navaya McCorkle for controling the field. The Bears added a 5-1 win over Park with goals by Maloy (two), Smith (two) and Hazel Dufresne. The Bears are 5-0 in the SEC to lead a conference with four of the top six ranked teams.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
White Bear Lake placed 27th of 44 teams in the Championship division, highest of three, in the U of M’s multi-state Roy Griak Invitational. “All the top teams in the state and the nation are in this race,” noted Bear coach Dan Kovacich. The Bears were missing No. 2 Isaac Kolstad, who was ill. Vaughn Larson,
Bear senior, placed 52nd of 442 runners in 17:07.9. Graham Newlander was 274th, Cooper Hoel 295th, Joe Rogers and Alex Cantwell 342nd. The top five teams were all out-of-state, headed by Dowling Catholic of Iowa. Roseville’s Robert Mechura
led all runners in 15:35.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
White Bear Lake placed third of 34 teams in the Maroon Division, the lowest of three, in the U of M’s Roy Griak Invitational. Top five teams were Menomonie (Wisconsin) with 106, St. Paul Central 222, the Bears 223, Blue Valley West (Kansas) 228 and Winona Cotter/Hope Lutheran 269. Logan Bailey, freshman, led the Bears placing 15th in 21:01, followed by Clara Kolstad in 35th (21:52), Amelia Nachtscheim 42nd (22:10), Erika Milhofer 60th (22:32) and Isla Bloomquist 74th (22:44) among 290 runners.
TENNIS
White Bear Lake extended its win streak to eight with 7-0 victories over Mounds Park Academy and Irondale. A meet with Roseville was postponed due to rain. The Bears are 11-3. Ellia Groneberg and Tally Domschot won at 1-2 singles against MPA and at 1-doubles against Irondale. Martina Chocarro won her 1-singles debut against Irondale. Elara Kruse won at 4- and 2-singles. Bruce Strand
FOOTBALL
St. Thomas Academy crushed the Zephyrs 52-7 in Mendota Heights. The Zephyrs (1-3) were down 52-0 before getting on the board with a 16-yard run by Gavin Kruse. Connor Finn was 4-for-15 passing for 34 yards, all of them to Joey Pipes. Kruse gained 60 yards in 11 carries. The Zephyrs had 129 yards rushing.
CROSS COUNTRY
The Mahtomedi boys placed third of 11 teams at Chisago Lakes, led by Daniel Gibbens placing fifth, Evan Carion seventh and Matthew Studenski eighth, then placed fourth of 13 teams at Osceola, led by Matthew Johnson in 14th place, Carion in 17th, and Gibbens 31st. The Mahtomedi girls were third at Chisago Lakes, with Sylvie Lavigne
in 16th place, Norah Jansen 20th, Vanessa Rogosheske 23rd, Claire Tofte 26th and Julia Clayton 27th. They were sixth at Osceola led by Rogosheske in 15th place and Norah Jansen in 24th.
BOYS SOCCER
Mahtomedi was handed its first conference loss by Hastings, 4-1. The Zephyrs (9-2) bounced back to deal St. Thomas Academy their first conference loss 3-2, then beat Benilde-St. Margaret’s 3-0. Mason Kipp tallied all three goals against STA and Finn Hemenway made seven saves. In the congested MEC race, Two Rivers is 4-0, Mahtomedi 4-1, Simley 3-0-1, STA 3-1-1 and Hastings 3-2.
Bruce Strand
A-boats return to race mode
Winter sports sale supports ski team
It’s been hit or miss all summer when it comes to wind conditions but the A boats were back in race mode in September for the fall series. Taking first in the 6 p.m. race was W-88’s
crew skippered by Louis Hill. In second was W25, skippered by Lee Alnes and in third was W7 skippered by Steve Johnson. Eight scows competed.
Score deals on gently used winter gear while supporting the boys and girls Alpine ski team at White Bear Lake High School. Items such downhill and cross country skis, boots, snowboards, ice skates, and winter apparel will be available for purchase.
The Winter Sports Sale & Swap will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Auxiliary Gym at White Bear Area High School, 5045 Division Avenue. Purchases must be made by cash or check.
Another option to support the team is to sell unwanted gear. Drop off items to sell on Sept. 27 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.. There is a $5 seller fee, plus 15% commission on sales. Payment for sold items will be mailed out within two weeks of the event.
For more information about the Winter Sports Sale & Swap, visit White Bear Lake Area High School Alpine Team on Facebook.
Amy Johnson
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Becca Smith
White Bear Lake Soccer
Becca Smith, 5-foot-9 senior attacking midfielder, has been an assist machine and a scoring threat through a four-year career for White Bear Lake soccer. The University of Kansas recruit has logged 41 career assists, by far the most of any Bear in the last two decades, along with 30 goals. There’s nobody in the state, assessed co-coach John Dierkhising, better at dribbling on the run and threading the ball past the defense to a teammate for a one-on-one against the goalie. “She doesn’t give the ball up under pressure,” he added. “She doesn’t panic when surrounded by defenders.” Smith has six goals and nine assists this year for the top-ranked, unbeaten Bears.
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Brol Scherman
Centennial Lacrosse
Brol Scherman, Centennial junior lacrosse standout, has netted 22 goals and provided seven assists for the Cougars (4-2) while notching 17 ground balls (a change of possession statistic). Scherman was all-conference as a sophomore with 36 goals and 28 assists. The recruiting website ILMCA said of him: “Endto-end playmaking machine with striking confidence both on and off the field. Versatile offensive threat with
Becca Smith
RON ENGH CONTRIBUTED
Vaughn Larson led the Bears at the U of M’s Griak meet.
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Mike McGill
Age: 66
City of residence: Dellwood
Occupation: Mayor / Businessman
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
Mayor last 6 years, City Council member prior to becoming mayor, City Treasurer prior to becoming Council member
Rylan Juran
Age: 43
City of residence: Dellwood
Occupation: Aviation Planner
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: I have had the opportunity to serve as the mayor’s appointee representing Dellwood on both the White Bear Lake Conservation District and the Dellwood Planning Commission. This has given me great insight into the workings of the city and the issues
Catherine Nicholson
Age: Not Provided
City of residence: Dellwood
Occupation: Volunteer
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Community Volunteer and Dellwood resident for over 30 years
Past Member of White Bear Lake Conservation District represented Dellwood for 6 years
Member of St. Paul Garden Club for over 30 years and served in many Leadership roles including President Serve as Honorary Council to Minnesota from Costa Rica
Melissa Peltier
Age: 48 City of residence: Dellwood
Occupation: Mother of 4, Volunteer List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: President Elect, St. Paul Academy Parent Association , Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, Alzheimer’s Association Fundraiser and Advocate
Karen Quaday
Age: 65 City of residence: Dellwood
Occupation: Emergency Physician
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
Although I currently work full-time as a Level 1 Trauma Center emergency physician, I believe in giving back to our community and have done volunteer work for the White Bear Food Shelf and Regions Hospital Foundation in the last few years. I recently started teaching at the University of Minnesota Medical School to support the growth and education of our future healthcare providers. I will semi-retire in January 2025 and would like to be more involved in service through our local government.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
DELLWOOD MAYOR (UNOPPOSED)
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. To manage the city affairs in an efficient and cost-effective manner. To be responsive to residents’ concerns and needs. To explore options for a walking and biking trail within the city.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Dellwood’s city council has always welcomed public input via email and participation in the monthly City Council meetings.
DELLWOOD CITY COUNCIL: ELECT 2
it faces. I have also worked with many municipalities as an airport planner and understand the needs of cities large and small.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. I think the city needs to communicate better with the residents it serves. I have lived in the city for over eight years and never has the city asked me for feedback on any issue. The recently installed license plate readers are a great example. Whether you are for or against, I think most people were surprised when they were installed. Expecting residents to check city council minutes is unrealistic when we have more efficient means like email and social media.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. • Transparency and openness in City Council operations. Visible agenda at meetings and council members have visible name identification.
Protect Dellwood’s financial integrity. Protect the beauty and safety in Dellwood and its natural amenities while meeting the challenges facing its future.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Survey residents. Hold an open house regarding the issue. Solicit opinions. Having an annual open house discussing current issues facing the city and also include access to housekeeping issues the city is responsible for like dog Liscencing, healthy shoreline practices, rain gardens to protect our waters, identify invasive plants.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1. Solving constituent needs to advance the Lake Links Trail Project 2. Stewardship of the lake and wetlands within Dellwood and surrounding areas 3. Increasing transparency and minimizing the “friction” of homeownership in Dellwood
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. As a year round Dellwood resident I look forward to engaging with members of the community, whether at council meetings, the local grocery store or the neighborhood restaurants to listen to their priorities and understand how we
A. Safety, fiscal responsibility and transparency. The role of the city council should be to focus on the safety of our residents including everything from road maintenance and property security to personal safety. The council should also ensure financial stability to build a better future for all. There is complexity to government work, but our neighbors have the right to understand how the city council is working for them. These mandates require city council members to be fair, honest, and transparent. I am committed to listening to those I represent and collaborate to problem solve as issues arise. My experience working in a Level 1 Trauma Center emergency department has provided many opportunities to lead a team through challenging situations. I routinely work to build strong relationships and find common ground to resolve conflict. Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Whenever possible, soliciting input before finalizing a major decision should be standard practice for any city council. Currently the city of Dellwood allows citizens to express their opinion (through meetings and published email contact info),
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Continue to manage the City in a thoughtful and costeffective manner.
1. Early voting by mail (Sept. 20-Nov. 4, 2024)
To vote by mail, apply to have an absentee ballot mailed to you. You do not need to be registered to apply. To request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you, go to sos.state.mn.us/ elections-voting/other-ways-to-vote/ vote-early-by-mail.
To complete the ballot you will need: 1. To provide idenification, including a Minnesota driver’s license or
major decisions?
A. This should be a priority. Issues like the lake links trail, the city comp plan, and any new infrastructure like license plate readers should have thoughtful public involvement efforts. The city should maintain an opt-in email list of residents who would like to be informed and more involved in the decision making process.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The city should communicate better and continue to do the things that make Dellwood a great place to live and grow a family. Keep taxes low, property values high, and find more ways to let owners do what they want on their property.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The Council can work with the citizens of Dellwood to determine their ideas and opinions about the safe and financially logical routes for the proposed bike route. Also work with the stakeholders, MNDOT, Washington County, the participating cities, the watershed, city engineer, and others engaged in this process, while protecting the integrity of the city for its residents and protecting the trail concept. Protect the human and ecological resources of the community: safety, road salt use, lake level issues, etc.
can continue to enhance our city both today and for the next generation.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The City Council has a meaningful role to play in creating a sense of community amongst the residents of Dellwood and providing services and amenities that enhance home values and livability within the City. Our family has resided in Dellwood for the last 25 years and has every intention of residing in Dellwood for another 25. I look forward to seeing the City prosper and thrive.
but we should seek ways to increase individual engagement. The city council must continue to be transparent about decisions especially regarding those that impact the residents’ financial responsibility and assessments. So, as a city council member, I want to hear from you.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Dellwood can be proud of its reputation and record. We can continue to find ways to partner with neighboring districts, encourage environmentally sound practices and invest in our future infrastructure. This includes the bike trail, diseased ash trees, compost options, road maintenance and other common interests. As an example, the bike trail going through Dellwood requires a significant financial commitment and safety concern that impacts all residents and therefore, the city council must engage everyone in the process. The current city council has done an incredible job to put us in a strong financial position for the future. I want to build on this excellent work.
NOTE: CANDIDATE MILA COOPER DID NOT RESPOND
How to vote
ID card, or last four digits of your Social Security number.
2. To provide an e-mail address.
3. A witness when you vote and complete your ballot. The witness can be either a registered Minnesota voter or a notary.
4. To return the ballot 8 p.m. on Election Day.
You can confirm that your ballot was received and counted by going to mnvotes.sos.mn.gov/abstatus/index.
2. Early voting in person (Sept. 20-Nov. 4, 2024)
All voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person with an absentee ballot. Depending on where you live, there may be additional locations. Go to sos.state. mn.us/elections-voting/find-countyelection-office for a list of locations.
For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during their normal business hours starting 46
days before the election .
3. Voting on Election Day (Nov. 5, 2024) Vote at your assigned polling place. Find it at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us
Compiled with information from the ‘2024 Voter’s Guide’, League of Women Voters of White Bear Lake Area
Gretchen ArtigSwomley
Age: 66 City Residence: Gem Lake
Occupation: Retired CEO of a technology company, now Mayor of Gem Lake
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
1.Mayor since 2020
2.City Council Member from 2006-2020
Ben Johnson
Age: 44
City of residence: Gem Lake
Occupation: Deputy Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
GEM LAKE MAYOR (UNOPPOSED)
3.City Newsletter Editor
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1.Foster development in our business district, utilizing ideas generated during the County Road E Corridor Project, which was conducted in 2023 as a joint project between the cities of White Bear Lake, Gem Lake and Vadnais Heights.
2.Continue to seek federal and state funding sources for a municipal water system for our city.
3.Build the next generation of city leaders by fostering volunteerism in our community
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Encourage attendance at every city council meeting.
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Member of the Gem Lake City Council since 2021 & previously Chair of the Planning Commission for the City of Gem Lake from 2014 - 2020. Lead the Programs Services division for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Programs supported include VA Claims and Outreach, State Benefits, Veterans Education & Employment programs, and operations at four (4) State Veterans Cemeteries.
Working with neighboring cities and Ramsey County on community building activities and enhancing partnerships to support residential and commercial activities along County Road E.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1. Meet our obligation to be good stewards of community assets, including our shared natural spaces, privacy and low-
GEM LAKE CITY COUNCIL: ELECT 2
density neighborhoods, while also identifying opportunities to conserve taxpayer funds and enhance the quality of life through cooperation, partnership and where possible, formal agreements with neighboring cities and regional partners.
2. Expand outreach opportunities to citizens & the business community, offering clear communications and support on the development of city ordinances, guidelines, processes, and procedures.
3. Broaden the city’s efforts to foster quality investments in the Gateway Zone - the city’s primary commercial district – by supporting improvements from our existing local businesses and promoting commercial opportunities to attract new enterprises through coordination with neighboring communities and regional partners. The City Council should work to identify and encourage these investments through broader public participation and targeted engagement with the citizens.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. The City of Gem Lake has the benefit of being geographically compact, with relatively well-defined neighborhoods and numerous homeowner associations representing a broad cross section of our approximately 500 residents. As demonstrated frequently to me over the past ten years, we also enjoy the advantage being a home to people who seemingly want what’s in the best interests of both themselves
Report extensively and often in our newsletter and on our facebook page about city news, including projects and ideas that are under consideration. Conduct town halls for big issues, such as municipal water operations, before any major decisions are made. The most impactful way to involve the public is simply to listen.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Create a business friendly environment and be open to new ideas, including possible mixed use development in our business district.
Tom Carr
Age: 65
City Residence: Grant
Occupation: Realtor
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles: Councilman City of Grant
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. Keeping the City a place people
Jeff Geifer
Age: 57 City Residence: Grant
Occupation: Retired IT Professional
and their neighbors and community.
The city’s online presence, email communication and newsletter are effective and useful in sharing routine correspondence. If reelected, I would use my existing relationships with the community and my counterparts on the council to connect with these neighbors and neighborhoods. I would continue to work with these thoughtful & committed individuals to circulate news and information as well as requests for input and active participation from the community on matters of importance.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The City Council must continue to improve the day-to-day business operations of the city, looking for opportunities to invest in infrastructure that benefit the community, while also prioritizing preservation of the the private, natural character of our neighborhoods. The Council should actively participate in local, regional and state planning and development efforts in order to represent the residents and businesses who call Gem Lake home. From improvements to city streets, county roads and Highway 61, to investments in local infrastructure, and potential commercial, retail and residential projects both within the city and nearby, the Council needs to proactively seek out opportunities to partner and advocate for the best interests of the community.
NOTE: GEM LAKE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE JOSHUA PATRICK DID NOT RESPOND
3. Various veterans’ causes
as Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, Mission Continues, Fisher House Foundation, Operation Gratitude, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1. Preserving Our Rural Character by Opposing HighDensity Development - I will stand firm against any zoning changes that could increase housing density and undermine the character of our community. My opponent, a realtor, is advocating for zoning changes that would allow development on smaller 1-acre lots, setting a dangerous precedent for future
CITY OF GRANT MAYOR: ELECT 1
want to come home to and enjoy Grants peaceful rural lifestyle. Keeping our finances in good order. Having a road maintenance plan that gives the roads the work they need to last as long as possible.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I think maintaining and improving the communication between residents, staff and Council is probably the most important thing we can do. More access to communicate at the City Council meetings also could encourage more attendance
high-density development (for the facts, please see the “News” page of my website: giefer4grant.com).
2. Maintaining a Conservative, Balanced Budget - I will work closely with council members and city staff to ensure our city’s budget remains balanced, with a strong focus on keeping taxes low while still providing quality services.
3. Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Government - Our residents have the right to full transparency in all government decisions. I will welcome public input and work to ensure that there are no hidden agendas or backroom deals that could compromise the trust of our community.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I will continue to meet with residents to listen to their concerns and ensure their voices are heard in city government. Community engagement is essential to making decisions that reflect the values of our community. I will make it a priority to regularly connect with residents, actively listening to their feedback, and incorporating their input into council decisions. I am committed to making sure that local government remains responsive to the needs and concerns of the people it serves.
I will also encourage residents to stay engaged in the decision-making process by attending city meetings, watching meeting recordings, and reaching out to elected officials.
and be a good way to start.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Keep our fiscal house in order. Maintain the roads. Protect the land rights of residents. And when things come up that are/could be an issue with these things, be proactive to remedy them. Follow our Ordinances and development density. Stop spreading rumors about our land ordinances that anyone on the Council or running for Council wants to change them. That kind of negativity is why I am running for Mayor.
Proactive involvement is key to preserving the rural character and traditions of Grant. An informed and engaged public is vital to ensure our community remains rooted in its rural traditions so they can hold their leaders accountable and to make sound choices at the ballot box.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. For most residents of Grant, prosperity means the ability to live peacefully and independently, free from unnecessary government interference. What I hear most from the community is that people simply want to enjoy their homes and their rural way of life without worrying about constant complaints or overreach from city government. In Grant, we have the space, mutual respect among neighbors, and zoning codes that preserve this way of life.
The City Council’s priority must be to maintain our current zoning standards, which allow for low residential density and respect for personal property rights. By adhering to these principles, we can protect Grant from becoming overdeveloped, like nearby cities such as Lake Elmo, where high-density growth has eroded their rural character. Our zoning codes serve as a safeguard against this, ensuring that our community remains a place where people can enjoy their independence and live in harmony with their surroundings.
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Benjamin Cornett
Age: 39
City of residence: Grant
Occupation: Starting a small business
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Currently, I am serving on the Grant City Council volunteering after a seat was vacated.
I am a veteran of the United States Army.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
Lindsay Cremona
Age: 38
City of residence: Grant
Occupation: Attorney
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Den Leader for Cub Scouts from 2022-present; Rutherford PTA President from 2021 to 2023; Committee Member of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Hard Hat & Black Tie Gala from 2011-present.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. I would ensure that Grant remains a rural residential community. I will protect and preserve Grant as a diverse community of homesteads, small businesses, farms, and scenic views that define Grant. Grant isn’t a cookie-cutter city, and I want to keep it that way for generations to come. I would like to connect our community. Grant is filled with talented people. We could explore having a community event where residents can come together. This allows for an
Tina Lobin
Age: 56 City of residence: Grant
Occupation: Owner/operator of Happy Dogs Grooming Salon
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: I have a been a volunteer leader for 24 years on the Bald Eagle Water Ski Team. I’ve held multiple board positions for the team. It is a non profit
Randilynn Christensen
Age: 41 City of residence: Pine Springs
Occupation: Research and Development Management
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:Board President of Foci: Minnesota Center for Glass Arts Iowa State University: Materials Science and Engineering Department Advisory Board
What are your top three priorities for the city?
Julie Lapos-Kuchar
City of residence: Pine Springs
Occupation: Patent agent
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: I volunteer when I can at my church and through my children’s activities.
GRANT
CITY COUNCIL: ELECT 2
A. 1. Maintain the rural landscape of Grant, upholding the current zoning ordinances and thus keeping taxes as low as possible for the citizens while providing necessary services.
2. Ensure the public safety of Grant ensuring access to the necessities of life (Police, Fire etc.)
3. Ensure the city has contracts in place to maintain the transportation means of the city.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I would enhance public engagement at city council meetings, encouraging more interaction between citizens and council members. This would broaden everyone’s understanding of community issues. Additionally, I’d use
opportunity for our community to support local should they desire. Of course, no tax dollars should be used to promote private interests and I would ensure as such.
It is also important that we have an open, transparent government that encourages citizen participation and input. The City Council is here to serve its residents, and I would prioritize listening to our residents and opening a platform for our residents to be heard.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I prioritize open, transparent governance. I want residents to be aware of what decisions are before the Council and would encourage involvement. I would welcome residents to attend City Council meetings and provide input so we can work together. This can be achieved by updating our city website so that information regarding the upcoming meetings and agenda items are more easily accessible. We can also share meeting information through online apps, as I have started to do with NextDoor, to provide more exposure of matters before Council to our residents. I would also propose re-engaging the planning commission.
When major decisions are before the Council, I would encourage our Council to knock on doors to poll our residents
organization of which I spend countless hours teaching people of all ages and am a safety certified coordinator. I served my city as a council member for one term and was appointed emergency preparedness coordinator where I worked to install two emergency sirens and was also the animal contact.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. Create an open and transparent city council. Get more citizen involvement by reinstating the planning commission and making public input welcoming. Keep and maintain our lot density for generations to come.
PINE SPRINGS MAYOR (UNOPPOSED)
A. Pine Springs is a residential city that has very independent and friendly homeowners. For many years we kept taxes low by relying on volunteer labor to maintain streets and right of ways, building permits, and city administration. Planning for how these services will be delivered and funded over the next decade is my top priority.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Residents are encouraged to attend our monthly city council meetings to chat directly with the city council. We also host Public Hearings for large decisions. The dates and times of City Council regular meeting, Workshops, and Public Hearings can be found at the cityofpinesprings.org. Citizens
PINE SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL: ELECT 2
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I am running for the Pine Springs city council because I enjoy my small community. I want to keep an active city council, where we can make decisions in response to the particular needs of the Pine Springs community.
CANDIDATE CONRAD ADAMS DID NOT RESPOND
digital platforms to keep the public informed about current town events.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Currently, the expansion of our fiber optic networks through the city can allow for better access to the internet for the community for both business and educational purposes. Although we want to maintain a rural city allowing for small businesses to reach more customers is always imperative to growth. Another ongoing issue is to make sure we allow for future development sustainably maintaining our rural character always keeping our zoning ordinances and our comprehensive plan in mind as we expand our community.
and talk about the issues face to face with residents. We shouldn’t solely rely on residents coming to a meeting to voice concerns and instead we should meet people where they are.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. City Council can maintain its commitment to preserving the rural nature of our community by keeping the current ordinances in place that set the lot size and density requirements. Overall, our community does not want smaller lot sizes, and I would vote to protect that.
The Council should encourage community input. Afterall, City Council is here to serve our residents. Easy access to information, re-engaging the planning commission, and opening comments to the public during meetings allows our residents to voice concerns and ideas in a productive and effective manner. It also opens avenues for new leadership for our city.
Additionally, Grant has a road policy that dictates how and when roads will be maintained. Keeping the Council educated in ways we can be proactive with road maintenance and find cost-effective methods to repair our roads will allow us to have safe, well-maintained roads without exorbitant costs to our residents.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I would bring back the Planning Commission and make it a larger group than in the past to get more participation from our community members. I would also open public input to those who want to come forward to discuss or alert the city as to what they feel is important to know.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Keep taxes low and no wasteful spending. Maintain our density lot requirements. Road maintenance and road policy.
can reach me directly by phone or e-mail if they have any issue they wish to discuss. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The City Council has been strategically planning how additional revenue streams could be added to the city budget to offset increasing costs around infrastructure maintenance and city administration. Careful planning to maximize tax revenue while protecting the peaceful neighborhood feel of our community has the City Council considering changes to the City Zoning Code to allow limited industrial zoning in the southwest corner of the city. I encourage our citizens to weigh in on these discussions in the coming months!
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. I plan to continue to keep this community a safe and welcoming place to live, whether you are enjoying retirement, raising a family, or just living your best life.
How college students can register to vote
College students can register to vote using the address they currently consider home. It can be their parent’s house or where they live at school. Students who pay out-of-state tuition can register to vote in the state they
attend school. Students who want to vote in the state of their permanent residence can request an absentee ballot. For more information, visit sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/ register-to-vote/im-a-college-student.
Mike Krachmer
Age: 65
City Residence: Vadnais Heights
Occupation: Retired
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Board Member, Heading Home Ramsey (responsible for planning and implementing the homeless response system in Ramsey County), Housing Advocate (multiple organizations), Volunteer and Supporter for multiple organizations
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1. Sustainable, reliable, equitable city services – The first role of local government is to meet the needs of our residents as it applies to critical services. Public Safety, infrastructure (roads, sewers, water, etc.), and the planning and budgeting
VADNAIS HEIGHTS MAYOR (UNOPPOSED)
process that provides those services now and into the future.
2. Housing and Development – Responding to the needs of our residents in the face of a housing crisis that is making home ownership and rent too costly. The lack of workforce housing also significantly limits the available workforce for our businesses.
3.Community Engagement – I plan to expand opportunities that involve our constituents in decisions that impact their lives. The decisions made by local government need to consider the consequences for our neighbors. We can reform our systems to include more voices. We can have more civil community conversations that allow us to move forward together.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. We are already changing our processes as a council to discuss those issues under consideration during council meetings. This will allow those who follow the issues before the council to weigh in earlier in the process. I will also propose that the council hold quarterly Town Hall Meetings to discuss
issues in conversation with our constituents. We must work together to meet the complexity of our challenges. There are very few simple answers to our most perplexing concerns and it takes all of us to find common good solutions.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The City Council will continue to lead, in conjunction with the City Staff, Residents, and subject experts to address the issues before us. Over the last two years we have begun to reform our planning and budgeting processes to make them more equitable, sustainable and strategically focused. We have addressed deferred repair and maintenance of our infrastructure to improve reliability of our systems. And we will take action to improve city planning, code enforcement, parks and trails, based on the recently completed Housing Study and the ongoing Master Parks and Trails Plan. Finally, we will continue to make our city more resilient as we deepen our commitment to sustainability as a Green Step City.
Erik Goebel
Age: 40 City of residence: Vadnais Heights
Occupation: Entrepreneur and Scientist
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Not Provided
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. My top priorities are to continue the work I started 4 years ago. These priorities include strategic budgeting to ensure we can maintain the infrastructure in place and appropriately budget for future needs. Vadnais Heights is a great city to live, work, and play. I will continue to prioritize livability by
Jerry Moynagh
Age: 63 City of residence: Vadnais Heights
Occupation: Business Banker
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles: 1) 6 years VH Planning Commission – currently Vice Chairman (2018-current)
2) 6 years Past Chairman of the VH Area Community Foundation (20142020)
3) 5 years VH Lions Club member (2019-current)
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1) Maximize services while using tax dollars wisely
investing in parks and trails, trees and natural spaces.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. The public is the reason we make these decisions, and the voice of the people is paramount. In the past four years as a Council Member, I have learned that public engagement takes effort. As a council, we are working to increase transparency. Recently, we moved “future council requests” to the council meeting rather than the workshop for more visibility of what topics may be on the horizon. We are doing extensive outreach for our Parks Master Plan so that it will serve everyone in the community. I strive to make myself available to any member of
through evaluation of effectiveness/functionality vs value add to city in major budget categories.
2) Enhance property values with strong neighborhoods and responsible development utilizing multiple factfinding research methods and subject matter experts.
3) Advocate for Public Safety and First Responders through enhanced collaboration with state, county and city leadership.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. 1) I would continue to attend as many community events as possible
2) Be proactive in soliciting feedback from citizens and taxpayers within the community through email, phone access, and individual or group meetings.
3) Make sure I listen to the feedback having an open mind, seek out feedback and discussion from resident subject matter experts.
The Minnesota Secretary of State website provides information about registering to vote, who is on the ballot, election results, and more. Go to www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL NOTES
• The council approved deer-hunting permits for residents Robert Krey, Jacob Krey, Dominic Danielson and Jordan Kimball. The permits are for Ramsey County’s deer management plan, which is conducted to maintain local deer herd health, reduce car collisions and have less impact on local flora in residential areas and green spaces. As part of the plan, the city code is allowing for archery hunting to be conducted on private land, with the provisions that the parcel size of the land is more than 5 acres, while hunters on a parcel size of less than 10 acres must submit a DNR Bowhunter Education Course certificate. Additionally, hunters must only hunt from elevated stands and cannot be within 200 feet of a house and/or 500 feet of a school parcel boundary. Hunters must also not be within 30 feet of any parcel boundary or on city-owned property. Hunters cannot use attractants during their hunt and must submit a harvest report that the city can submit to Ramsey County Parks and Recreation. These permits are unrelated to the county-run deer hunt at Vadnais-Snail Lakes
Regional Park, which the county is running through Metro Bowhunting Resource Base.
• The council held a public hearing regarding conduit revenue bonds for a proposed 58-unit multifamily housing development for lowand moderate-income families. The Minnesota Department of Management and Budget has allocated bonding authority for $9.8 million to the city to issue conduit revenue bonds. These bonds are to assist Arcade Limited Partnership, a state-limited partnership, in financing the acquisition and construction of the proposed building. The building, to be called “Arcade Apartments,” is to be located on Arcade Street east of Garceau Lane and north of Berwood Avenue W. at a site designated as 3400 Arcade Street. Building construction is currently on hold due to the watershed district’s denial of the partnership’s wetland replacement plan at its Aug. 29 meeting. Currently, the partnership is working to resolve the issues raised by the district before pursuing site development.
the public.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. I believe we are headed in the right direction. We are budgeting strategically with an eye to the future. For more information, I would encourage citizens to read the 2023-2024 Strategic Planning and Goal Setting Report available online. This strategic plan will be updated in 2025 and I encourage everyone to contact the council with recommendations to be included.
4) Being transparent in communication.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. 1) Seek out and implement a structured model to better evaluate and level out city investment of tax dollars into the future.
2) Continue to support First Responders and improve safety of our community.
3) Evaluate and escalate maintenance of city owned and maintained property
4) Responsible and smart consideration of development opportunities.
5) Continued improvement of city government communication, transparency and citizen input.
6) Maintain the city’s unique character and natural resources.
The League of Women Voters of White Bear Lake Area conducts forums with the candidates running local races. Find information about candidate forums at www.lwv-wbla.org/candidate-forums.
• After hearing from Julie Mortenson, a resident of McMenemy Street who is in the process of selling her home, the council is considering making exemptions to its city codes. Mortenson stated that due to financial hardships, she is facing difficulty installing the necessary water and service sewer lines to the city sanitary sewer system. Mortenson contested Chapter 36, Article II, Division 2 of the City Code, which requires mandatory hookup to city water before the transfer or sale of property. Mortenson also contested Chapter 36, Article III, Division 2 - Service Connections, Section 36-272 - Connection Required, which states that any habitable buildings located on property adjacent to a sewer main or in a block through which the system extends shall be connected to the city sanitary sewer system when a connection is available to any such property. While the council stated that they do not have the legal means to make city code exemptions for individuals, they will consider creating an amendment that will apply to all
Vadnais Heights residents, which they will propose to do at a future meeting.
• The council approved dance instructor Tibbe Luell to provide tai chi lessons for Vadnais Heights Parks and Recreation classes. These lessons will allow children in kindergarten through second grade to learn dance techniques in a highly encouraging and fun environment. The city selected Luell based on her experience as the Music Together instructor through the Music Together in the Valley program, which operates in St. Paul and various suburbs throughout the Twin Cities.
• The council approved the sale of various vehicles and equipment at Minnesota Surplus Services in Arden Hills. Those vehicles and equipment include one Ferris zeroturn mower, one 1997 Ford F-450, one 2001 Chevrolet 3500 with dump bed, one 2013 Chevrolet 2500 with plow, two 2016 GMC 2500s with plows, one 1999 Toro utility cart, one set of four Rotary Lifts, one Cat Loader 4 in 1 bucket and council dais chairs.
VADNAIS HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL: ELECT 2
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
Ed Prudhon
Age: 70
City of residence: White Bear Township
Occupation: Township Supervisor/Retired Building Contractor
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Township Supervisor 2011-2024, Liaison White Bear Township Economic Development Advisory Board, VLAWMO Board of Directors Representative for the Township.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
Beth Artner
Age: Not Provided
City of residence: White Bear Township
Occupation: Commercial Construction
Project Manager, small business owner semi retired
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: White Bear Township Planning Commission, White Bear Township Economic Advisory Board, Entira Advisory Board
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. As Township Board Chair, I would like to continue to prioritize rebuilding our infrastructure including our township roads, water and sewer as well as accentuating our greatest asset, our greenspace and park system. In addition to continuing this work, our Board will continue to work with our staff and legal counsel to navigate the impacts of the White Bear Lake Level lawsuit on the Township. And finally, we will continue to highlight White Bear Township as the model of efficiency and function as we serve our residents.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. We have established a process that we feel, though not perfect, has been highly effective in the way we disseminate impactful projects as well as governance. We will continue to support our staff and contracted experts as we navigate our
A. 1. Fiscal responsibility. The Township is nearly all
Ronald Denn
Age: 59 City of residence: White Bear Township
Occupation: IT Project Manager
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles:
• White Bear Township Planning Commission Chair
• Ramsey Washington Suburban Cable Commissioner and Treasurer
• Volunteer with Boy Scouts of America
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. First, I want to see White Bear Township maintain its independence and individuality. I feel the township can offer the members of our community a sense of a small town while navigating the complexities of being a member of a larger
Tom Riedesel
Age: 63 City of residence: White Bear Township
Occupation: Retired Township Planner
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Member of the District 624 community services advisory board, VLAWMO, and Lake Links Trail committee.
built out. We need to maintain the health and vitality of our neighborhoods, make improvements where practical and cost effective. The Town Board has done a great job fiscally; we went from 6th lowest taxes to 3rd. The township maintains strong relationships with residents re input, and commissions.
2. Tree canopy; many trees lost during Dutch Elm and Emerald Ash Borer and never replaced. Aside from natural benefits, they enhance the look, feel and value of a neighborhood. This is a small expense type project, using grants for trees. The only ask of the neighborhood is watering.
3. White Bear Township is fortunate to have 20+ parks. They are well used:, baseball, soccer, pickle ball, tennis courts, play areas for kids, and walking trails. Keeping them in good repair and enhancements to improve enjoyment, and keeping current. Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
urban setting. Second, I want to see the vision of the residents of the Township reflected in the overall decisions. We need to keep our focus on our residents and their needs, wants and desires. Third I want to make sure we keep the township a safe, inviting, and friendly community that is interested in the welfare of our residents. The safety of the township residents needs to be a key focus. I am currently working with the Public Safety Commission, Town Board to get the Portland Ave. speed limit reduced to 30mph.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I would seek new ways to engage and gather the thoughts, views, and feelings of the residents. We could utilize social media and online surveys to get a better feel for what is most important to our residents and how are decisions as community leaders are impacting their daily lives. The interest of the residents is the foremost guiding force behind the way we make decisions about the future of the Township and where we are today. We are here to represent the views and values of our
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. Support a reasonable Town Budget. Support development consistent with the Towns Comprehensive Plan. Continued development and maintenance of Town parks and trails.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. The Town has had a long history of public involvement including the Annual Meeting, the Annual Budget Meeting, neighborhood meetings relating to park development/ redevelopment and road reconstruction, and public hearings
Weekly Outlook
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way towards becoming a premiere full-service Urban Township. Neighborhood meetings, Public Hearings, Township Staff, and elected Official outreach will only serve to benefit all our residents.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. 1) Through responsible and prudent financial management, help keep our tax levy one of the lowest in Ramsey County. 2) Prepare for the eventual re-development phase that will take place in the Township and how that will impact our property taxes. 3) Continue to work with potential commercial, industrial and residential developers in building out the final portions of our Township. And finally, 4) Engage with regional stakeholders in how we approach creating efficiencies between our governance partners.
A. White Bear Township is a very active community; Many residents have communicated via email, calls, dropped by my home, or dog walking with me to discuss issues or pass on information that would be helpful for decision making. Getting to the facts, money impacts, for a beneficial outcome for the Township and residents.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. The township has done a great job in encouraging a strong business community. We have many businesses tucked in and around the area. As we are mostly built out; maintaining and improving housing stock, continuing with the road improvement and infrastructure projects, keeping the town viable and a great place to live. Collaboration with our neighboring communities, active in regional issues i.e. water usage and protection of Township interests.
residents. A perfect example of this would be to get resident engagement on the future of Benson’s Airport and we come towards the end of the agreement with John Benson’s estate. Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Given that White Bear Township is substantially developed it is imperative that we remain good stewards of the resources in our community. We have natural resources we need to respect and cherish. We need to keep a focus on our lakes and development so that our decisions lead to a better future. My focus will be to keep the Township the strong thriving “small town” community that we can all enjoy for not just 5 years but all the years we choose to make it our home. We will get pressure from the Metropolitan Council to increase density as we redevelop as a community. I will fight to keep our community unique with an urban/rural feel. I think we could do well to maintain the airport over increased development.
relating to proposed development. I Support these public input opportunities.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Continue to follow the Towns Comprehensive Plan. Continue to follow a 10 year capital improvement plan. Work with residents and local governments to define the location’s and develop the Vento, Lake Links and other planned trail corridors in the Town. Support public safety keeping crime rates low in the Town. Monitor water use and support conservation.
VOTERS’ GUIDE 2024
WILLERNIE MAYOR (UNOPPOSED)
Diane Baglio
Age: Not Provided
City Residence: Willernie
Occupation: Retired Independent School District 622 PERA Educator
Kristine Cook
Age: 39
City Residence: Willernie
Occupation: Former Attorney, Mom
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Recent civic involvement roles include volunteering at the Mahtomedi schools, volunteering with Mapping Prejudice, and serving as a judge for state high school mock trial.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. My top three priorities, if elected to the Willernie City Council, would be working on ensuring our city continues to attract and retain new residents by keeping its small town
Andrew DeJong
Age: 36 City of residence: Willernie
Occupation: Independent consulting and stay-at-home father
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: It is an honor to serve in my first term as the newest council member for the City of Willernie. Other recent civic involvement includes volunteering for: Washington County civic commissions; various local schools and nonprofits — including coaching boys middle-school basketball at St. Jude of the Lake. Additionally, for a number of years, I worked for the Minnesota State Senate and House in many non-partisan capacities.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1. Keeping Willernie local and hospitable. I will continue Willernie’s progress in striking a unique balance between being
Dean Flaherty
Age: 64
City of residence: Willernie
Occupation: IT Project Manager
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles:
Proud USMC veteran, Kremer Berg American Legion Post 507, football coach, hockey coach
I am an avid dog walker and enjoy meeting the residents of our city.
Patrick Miller
Age: 78
City of residence: Willernie
Occupation: Retired with a part-time job
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Current Commander American Legion Post 507, Chair of Legion Post 507 Scholarship Committee, Ex-Officio Member of MAEF board,.
Donald Regan
Age: 31 City of residence: Willernie
Occupation: Finance
List 3 most recent civic involvement
roles: Volunteer Assistant Youth Baseball Coach, Volunteer Math Tutor, Advisor for my prior condominium’s HOA.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. Simple, efficient, and common
List 3 most recent civic involvement roles: Willernie City Council Member since October 2011
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. Infrastructure of the city due to the age of sewer and water lines plus research grants to install a new lift station. Open dialogue with the residents of Willernie in accordance to what
WILLERNIE CITY COUNCIL: ELECT 2
and natural charm, but also stays affordable for those of us who live here; protecting and improving Willernie’s Lake Washington and other natural areas, including swamps, creek, and park spaces, which are great assets to the community; and continuing the current council’s progress in creating opportunities for residents to get together as neighbors, building on from this year’s well attended National Night Out. Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. If elected, I would strive to involve the public, and namely, Willernie residents, in decision making on the part of the council by promoting in person or video attendance and participation at city council or special meetings, and providing more up to date information to residents and the public on goings-on in the city, or pending city issues, via the city website or newsletters. I would also work with the council to connect with local businesses, and representatives from surrounding cities, and the county, to foster those relationships. And, I
a city that has valuable amenities, services, and development expected from suburban cities, while being locally focused as a wonderfully small community.
2. Safeguard our tax dollars by having fiscal common sense. I am pleased to have spearheaded the cutting of Willernie’s property tax levy, year-over-year. We must continue to find ways to control our expenses and cut taxes whenever possible. The Council’s decisions must be challenged by one straightforward question: “is this a wise use of our taxpayer dollars?”
3. Increased clarity and simplicity in city law. It is my firm belief that a primary duty of a Councilmember is to make good, concise, and clear law. It is vital that we regularly analyze our current ordinances, so that our community is aware and involved. Should my neighbors reelect me, I will continue to diligently fight for the above.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Before being elected to the council in 2020, I found myself regularly attending (simply as an observer) very constructive and cordial council meetings. How wonderful is that in today’s current political climate? I encourage all my neighbors to join our meetings and share their thoughts with us on the
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. Try to control the bad folks from moving in, maintain the city, more transparency and visibilty of between city officials and residents. Improve public safety with lighting and cameras. Try to come up with good ideas to help imrove the quality of life in the City of Willernie.
issues they would like addressed. Continue to be fair-minded in working with the residents to resolve issues in a timely manner. Continue good working relationship with Mahtomedi on our shared water and roads. Pull community together by planning events where neighbors meet and welcome new residents.
Q. What are your top three priorities for the city?
A. 1) Insuring that all citizens are treated with respect, fairness, and equitible justice.
2) Guard against excessive expenditures while working practical budget.
3) Develop a realistic vision for the future.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. Get good news coverage (ie;newspaper, community
sense governance…
- Increase financial and governmental transparency.
- Find a compromise between our current ultra-restrictive rental ordinances and there being no rental ordinances.
- Properly invest our city’s reserves to protect our tax dollars from inflation.
Q. If elected, how would you involve the public in making major decisions?
A. I would improve Willernie’s governmental and financial transparency. The city should make it as easy as reasonably possible for its residents to stay informed on what is happening in their government.
- More promptly post minutes.
- Record council meetings and put them on YouTube.
would make myself readily reachable and available by phone, text, or email for public inquiry or commentary on matters before the council or otherwise impacting the city.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Over the next five years, the Willernie City Council can help the city prosper by continuing to maintain the navigability and safety of the roads; continuing to strive to help local residents and businesses ensure their properties are well maintained, or that they are finding the resources or support they need to continue to live and work in our community; continuing to protect, preserve, and tend to the city’s two parks and other natural areas, which serve as social and recreational spaces; and encouraging residents and local business owners, and city visitors, to share their opinions, criticisms, or wishes, so they know they have a voice, presence, and space in city politics.
issues that matter to them. While we don’t have an outreach department like many larger cities, we have something better: open access to your civic servants — us, your next-door neighbors. I am always a call, text, email, or door-knock away from assisting my neighbors however I can. Just look for the two little red-headed boys, and there you’ll find me.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Willernie has a unique opportunity in that we are not financially dependent on endless development and sprawl. Therefore, it is very important that we continue to promote healthy community-focused redevelopment both in our business district and in our neighborhood. This is something I am proud to say I fought incredibly hard for over the past few years — often against powerful outside forces that do not value what our Willernie community represents.
I hope that through my work I have earned your continued support and vote this election. As always, please contact me with any questions you may have or thoughts you’d like to share. I am always happy to chat with my neighbors about our lovely little city of Willernie. Email me anytime at: info@ DeJongMN.com
television, etc.) Utilize city website, mayor’s newsletter, special postings on community board and other social media as available.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Develop a marketing plan that includes creative avenues to procure funding and grants. Strive to keep costs to a minimum while still meeting the city’s needs.
- Opt-in city updates/alerts via email.
Q. What can the City Council do in the next five years to help the city prosper?
A. Common sense capital allocation.
- Keep managing our city roads, water and sewer networks intelligently and cost-effectively.
- Over the years (decades?), the city has missed out on $100,000s of interest income by keeping essentially all of its reserves (i.e. savings) in a 0% interest checking account instead of properly investing them. CDs and/or T-Bills are basic riskfree ways to make acceptable returns on our city’s reserves.
andArts Culture
EMERGING ARTIST: CYRUS DEGNEAU
IBY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
n the last nine months, 12-yearold Cyrus Degneau has been in five theatrical productions. He’s been a “blues” jay, an Aristocat, a Dr. Seuss creation, and Uncle Fester. Throughout October, he’ll be the title character of “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical.” With such a résumé growth spurt, one may be surprised that Degneau first tried out to conquer his fear.
“And then while I was watching all my friends singing and dancing around the stage, I said to my mom, ‘I can do this.’”
“It was ‘101 Dalmatians.’ I thought about auditioning, but I was too nervous because I couldn’t think of, like, me on stage in front of a bunch of people,” Degneau remembered.
Degneau was nervous for his first audition, but “the cast opened up as, like, a family. I just felt theater was my calling.” Looking back, Degneau felt like the pieces were always there, revealing that he’s loved to sing since he could remember. While he was in his elementary school’s musical this past year, he feels that Children’s Performing Arts has helped him grow in his craft. “If you’re starting out and you’re really nervous, people will help you get through it and teach you about everything, take you under their wing,” Degneau assured. He also
thinks that theater has helped him in other areas of his life. “If you need to memorize something, because you memorize your lines. And also, acting can help social skills. So if you’re kind of shy, theater could help you with that,” he listed.
Going forward, Degneau has his sights set on New York. “I think it’d be really, really fun to be in a Broadway show. I don’t care what the role is. I could be townperson number three in ‘Frozen,’” he revealed. Though, if he could pick any part, it’d be Olaf. After that, Degneau stated that his ultimate dream is “to do so many plays that I lose track.”
Five plays a year might just be the right pace to achieve that goal. CONTRIBUTED
CHILDREN’S PERFORMING ARTS FALL MUSICAL ANYTHING BUT SQUARE(PANTS)
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Kids musicals are rarely described as “apocalyptic,” but the underwater denizens of Bikini Bottom in CPA’s upcoming “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical” find themselves facing off against an erupting volcano. Director Ruby Carlson explained that the worldending danger ironically makes the character of SpongeBob all the more joyful. “It will work out through the sheer power of positive
thinking,” she states. “As long as somebody has that drive, we can do better and we can move forward. You can do crazy things, like stop a volcano from erupting.” 12-year-old lead actor Cyrus Degneau believes that the message carries extra power because SpongeBob is relatable. “He’s very goofy,” Degneau noted. “And, everyone can have their goofy moments.” Degneau also emphasized that he imbues his performance of SpongeBob with his “own sense of wonder. I feel like that’s all I can do.”
Of course, SpongeBob has help from his brainiac friend, Sandy Cheeks, played by 12-year-old Clara Hall. “[Sandy’s] into science,” she described. “I’m super into science, too. She’s just confident, so I want to make her be kind of sure about things.” To climb the volcano, the pair of friends must rely on Patrick the Starfish, played by 13-year-old Tess Campbell. “I feel like Patrick is kind of a little oblivious to his surroundings,” Campbell noted. “But he’s definitely a very good friend.” Campbell
also confirmed that— despite an environmental catastrophe—the show is boatloads of fun, saying, “My face hurts after rehearsals because I smile so much.” Carlson noted that the cast can have fun because they are experienced. “I think it’s a huge testament to [CPA] that these kids keep coming back and that they want to keep coming back,” she said. “I mean, they work with different directors, they work with different production teams. … I think that it makes them really adaptable.” Another
EIGHTIES ATTIRE IS ADMIRED BUT NOT REQUIRED
BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
When Sharon Hanifl-Lee was looking to create a yearly fundraiser for Children’s Performing Arts, she faced a challenge. “We didn’t want it to feel like a stereotypical gala where you had to be in diamonds and pearls,” she stated, “Plus, with CPA, a lot of our patrons are parents … we wanted to make it fun, a reason why they would want to go out.” Hence, every October, CPA hosts a
Masque. This year’s theme is “Back to the 80s,” which CPA Board Chair Liz Andert called a “party for adults with a feel-good, fundraising twist.”
Hanifl-Lee notes that the food doesn’t fit the traditional gala fare, either. Instead of the usual chicken with some sauce, expect a mashed potato and nacho bar. There will also be a dance floor with an 80s DJ. “We watch the kids be on stage all day, let us dress up in costumes and go out and have fun,” Hanifl stated. Andert agreed, “I see the Masque as a way to build
our community, to have some fun with our patrons and to enrich the performing arts in White Bear Lake and surrounding areas.”
Andert stressed that all the fun is for a good cause. CPA relies on donors to fund camp scholarships and Title I School outreach. Hanifl-Lee added that some of the fundraising gala’s proceeds will go to finding or retaining teaching artists, explaining, “We have to be very selective with who we work with … It takes a special voice.”
OCTOBER EVENTS
Explore upcoming Avenue of the Arts events with CPA, LPT and WBCA
‘LIGHT IN DROPLETS’ COMMUNITY RECEPTION
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts
Date: Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30-8:30 PM
Details: With over 350 members, the Minnesota Watercolor Society is one of the largest associations of watercolor artists in the Midwest. “Light in Droplets” is a non-juried show open to all active members.
ALL COMMUNITY DAY
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26, 1:00-3:00 PM
Details: Visit White Bear Center for the Arts to celebrate fall with a day full of art. Compete in a pumpkin carving contest, give several art mediums a try, create make-and-take art projects, hear live music, and more. Costumes are welcome!
party the cast wants to make adaptable is the audience. Said Hall, “I hope they come in thinking, ‘“SpongeBob: The Musical”—Huh?’ And then they exit the show feeling, ‘“SpongeBob: The Musical”— Wow!’”
“SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical” runs at the Hanifl Center for Performing Arts from Friday, Oct. 4— Sunday, Oct. 13. For tickets and more information, visit childrensperformingartsmn. org/tickets/
Those special voices forward CPA’s essential community vision, too. “We like to introduce new kids and new families to theater,” Hanifl-Lee states. Ultimately, the Masque ensures CPA is doing its part to continue “building The Arts District in White Bear as a destination.”
For more information about the Masque (and early access to their silent auction), visit childrensperformingartsmn.org/ support/masque-gala/
‘FIRST PERSON PLURAL’ COMMUNITY RECEPTION
Location: White Bear Center for the Arts
Date: Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:00-8:00 PM
Details: Explore the stories and contributions of immigrants from around the world residing in and around White Bear Lake through Cadex Herrera’s outdoor installation “First Person Plural.” Enjoy an evening of art, community, and conversation with Herrera and project participants during the Community Reception.
