2006-02-17 Friday NewsThe Friday News
February 17, 2006
FIRE DEPARTMENT BANQUET
This past Saturday, the Fire Department held its annual awards banquet at Mendakota Country
Club. I was unable to attend, but from all accounts it was a very fun and successful event.
Congratulations go out to Fire Fighter Rick Griep who joined the department in September 2002,
and received the “George Lowe Firefighter of the Year Award”. Among Rick’s achievements
and accomplishments were that he made the highest percentage of calls last year (333 total hours,
which were on top of working his full time job and being a very involved family man). He is
also a member of the Fire Prevention and SCBA Committees. Chief Maczko tells me that Rick
has a never give up – stick to it attitude, and does whatever is needed to help out, not just fight
the fires and train, but also do public relations and fire prevention.
Four out-going retires were also honored at the banquet, Aaron Coates retired after 18 years,
Mark Kaufman after 15 years, Jim Perron after 18 years and Tim Oster for 16 years. All of the
retiring firefighters will be missed and we wish to thank them for all of their time and
commitment while serving on the Department.
Wi Fi
Wi Fi means wireless fidelity. Wi Fi allows data communications over radio waves, the ability
to access the internet wireless. Fiber Optic or “Fiber” is not only something that some of us
older generation needs to eat plenty of, but it is something that transmits data using light through
very fine, flexible glass or plastic fibers. Availability of both of these technologies to city’s
residents and businesses is becoming over increasingly important. Because of the importance of
these technologies, Dakota County held a workshop on Monday of this week for city and school
district administrators to educate them and brainstorm ideas about what everyone thought the
local government roles should be is trying to provide these technologies county wide. After
listening to the presentations, it was everyone’s feeling that we needed to be proactive in Dakota
County and move forward with a group effort to try and provide these technologies. We all
thought that maybe through the HiPP process, that was just used to get cooperation for County-
wide dispatch, would be the best format. More to follow.
VETERAN’S DAY
Monday is Veteran’s Day and City offices will be closed.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Danielson
Attachments: Pipeline, Just the Facts, City Council Meeting Agenda, Pre-Application Meeting
Synopsis, Pioneer Press Article “City gets voice on airport panel”, MNSun Article “Lilydale
tennis club closing after 34 years”,Star Tribune.com Article “Live, from Mendota Heights, it’s
the ’06 Winter Olympics!” Fox 9 News “Disaster Plans” and the AMM News.