2004-08-27 Friday News
The Friday News
August 27, 2004
Candidate Filings
Candidate filings opened on Tuesday, August 24. The following individuals have filed for office:
John Huber - Mayor
Sandra Krebsbach - Council member
Sally Lorberbaum - Council member
Joan Olin – Council member
Election Judge training
40 residents were trained to serve as election judges in three two-hour sessions on Tuesday afternoon and
Wednesday afternoon and evening. An additional one-hour training session will be conducted for the
precinct chair people during the week before each election. Recent upgrades made to the Council
Chambers audio/video systems allowed the election staff to train the judges using a PowerPoint
presentation. Thanks to emergency assistance from Dennis Raftery from NDC4, the new laptop computer
and two TV/monitors performed well for their inaugural use.
Minnesota River – Boat Cruise
On Thursday afternoon of this week the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District conducted a cruise
down the Minnesota River. The Watershed District had invited City Council Members, Planning
Commissioners, City Administrators and their guests from all of the City’s located in their District.
Council members Schneeman, Vitelli, along with Pat Hollister and I went on the cruise, which started at
1:00 p.m. in Savage and ended at 3:30 at Harriett Island in St. Paul. Although rain was forecast, the
weather was perfect. The District had invited a host of river experts on the cruise that narrated the trip
and answered questions along the way. They had experts from the US Fish and Wildlife, the Corps of
Engineers, Rich Brasch, Naturalist from Bonestroo Rosene and Anderlik, Larry Samsted, District
Engineer since 1960, a MnDOT representative, a Ft. Smelling Naturalist and several more that I have
already forgotten. All of these experts made excellent presentations along the trip and answered other
river questions. It was also good to be able to network with other Council members and Congress
members who were on the trip.
Mississippi River
Coincidentally, I received the attached article, which was in the “Friends of the Mississippi River”
Summer 2004 Newsletter. The article addresses the status of the Critical River Ordinances. (This
ordinance was mandated by the Feds for protecting the Mississippi River). I think the article provides a
good update on the reason for and the status of how effective this law is at protecting the Mississippi. I
feel that Mendota Heights does a superb job of protecting our segment of river – other Cities not so good.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jim Danielson
City Administrator
Attachments:, Pipeline, Just the Facts, Planning Application Synopsis, SouthWest Review Articles “MH
tackles landscaping, signage for Town Center”, “Dist. 197 brings referendum to voters Sept. 14”,
Villager Article “Long-awaited Village takes shape in Mendota Heights”, Sun Current Articles, “Park and
rec commission asks for more funding to improve parks in MH”, “Sibley showing wear, tear from 34
years”, “District 197 seeks to improve classroom technology”, Article from “Friends of the Mississippi
River” , News Release from PD and AMM News.