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2008-04-11 Friday NewsApril 11, 2008 OSHA Training OSHA mandates that all employees receive certain required training annually. Mary Hapka arranged for the training to be conducted this Wednesday morning. New to the training this year were the Par 3 Golf Course club house employees. It was a great chance for them to get into the flow at City Hall. The Par 3 employees all had to stay on longer because they sell alcohol (beer) and there is special alcohol compliance training required for that They were also briefed on the Par 3 employee manual. The 2 -hour training teaches employees how to deal with hazardous materials, bomb threats, fires, tornados, how to work safely etc. Bomb Scare F An anonymous bomb threat was discovered on the answering system at Henry Sibley High R School before school started Wednesday morning. Since the safety of students and staff is always first priority, the school district decided to take no chances and canceled classes at Henry Sibley. The building was immediately evacuated, email and phone alerts were sent I to let parents and students know that school was canceled, and bus drivers on their routes were notified so students could be returned home instead of being brought to school. DThe Police Department responded at once, and bomb -sniffing dogs from the airport thor- oughly searched the building. By mid-morning the school had been declared safe and was officially re -opened at 2:30 p.m. for students to attend games or practices in the afternoon. ASchool was resumed on schedule Thursday morning. An aggressive police investigation is currently underway. The Police Department is offer- ing a $500 reward for infonnation leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible. Mock Crash On Thursday, April 24, 2008 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Dakota County Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road, West Saint Paul, Henry Sibley, South St. Paul and St. Thomas N Academy Schools will be all putting on a presentation of the dangers of distractions while driving. Fj Sgt. Brian Convery has been part of the planning for this event and Mendota Heights will have several Police Officers thru the day of the event along with the Fire Department S Dates to Remember in April City Council Meeting 4/15/08 7:30 MAC Full Commission Meeting 4/21/08 1:00 Planning Commission Meeting 4/22/08 7:30 Attachments Just the Facts, Pipeline, City Council Agenda, TwinCities.com Articles `Bomb threat closes Henry Sibley High School in Mendota Heights", "St. Thomas Academy field in Mendota Heights to receive synthetic turf', "Cadets are honored (Fritz Waldvogel—Councilmember Mary Jean Schneeman's grandson), Dakota County Board votes to enact transit sales tax", "Villager Articles "Keep Lilydale bluff open space", "Lilydale Council expected to rezone riverbluff lot for single-family home", Article on Tom Swain from Law & Politics, Great River Greening April News 2008 from Guy Kullander. Five-day forecast Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Apr 12 Apr 13 Apr 14 Apr 15 Apr 16 Flurries Flurries Fair Partly Cloudy Sprinkles Hi 37Hi 46 Hi 52 Hi 60 Hi 57 Lo 27 Lo 28 Lo 36 Lo 41 Lo 39 JfavE a 9,tEat wF_F_ F_&d !! Page FRIDAY NEWS : APRIL 11, 2008 T6xe latestr,tewf/'ro,/ c t`, -e Ne)ct,(ota �fei9lits�alice�eyasttner�i J 4/10/2008 Mendota Heights Committee Criminal Apprehension Fund ++Bomb Threat Henry Sibley High School Reward $1000 ++ 't School Resource Officer Jennifer Fordham and Investigator Mario Reyes are looking for information to help solve the bomb 07 threat on 04-09-2008 at the high school. On Wednesday the 9th school was cancelled after a threat was made. School officials worked with officers to search the building. After the initial security sweep bomb detection dogs from the Airport Police Department thoroughly checked the entire building. Officers and school officials continue to look into leads in this case. The Mendota Heights Police TIP LINE is active. Anonymous tips can be left 24/7 on the tip line by calling 651-255-1170. S 911 Hang up 04-02-08 1830 hours t,,,. Sergeant Brian Convery responded to a 911 hang up call. Upon arrival he met with an 88 YOA female who did not recall using the phone. After some questioning she recalled trying to call her dad to come and help her move some stuff out of the house. During the conversation Sgt Convery learned a son lived nearby. He was contacted and immediately responded to the home. The son advised his mother has in home care daily and he checks in with dher daily. Mom is on a waiting list to get into an assisted living residence but is more than capable of caring for her self despite the onset of dementia. Dakota County social services were notified and they advised they will look into the situation. Found Property 04-03-08 1256 hours Officer Eric Petersen met with a MNDOT supervisor who found a suspicious package on 494. Officer Petersen took custody of a good size bag of marijuana and placed it into the evidence room. - I wonder if anyone will try to claim their lost property. Theft from Vehicle 04-04-08 0730 hours Homeowner reported walking out to find a window smashed out their car in the driveway. Taken was a wallet containing all of the usual items. 0858 hours Another homeowner reported having a window smashed out of his vehicle and was missing sunglasses and an MP3 player. REMEMBER as the weather gets nice, thieves are prowling about at night. NEVER leave anything of value in your car whether it is locked or unlocked. -I- 4/10/2008 Theft 04-04-08 1304 hours Officer Todd Rosse responded to a local residence about a missing snow blower. The homeowner reportedly started the snow blower the day before and let it run at the side of the driveway. When he thought about it again the next day, the snow blower was gone. Fraud 04-04-08 1545 hours A resident came to MHPD to report $3000 worth of fraudulent activity on her VISA account. Initially she had worked with the bank and had the charges removed and then received notice that the charge was reinstated. Officer Eric Petersen contacted the fraud department at the bank and learned that the charge would be cleared but i would occur through VISA as they were working on an international fraud cas involving purchases and re -shipping. They advised most of the time the re -shipper have no idea that they have been scammed as they have been lured in through on- line conversations and believe they are helping someone in a third world country. *i it seems too good to be true it is! DAR / No Insurance 04-05-08 0045 hours While on patrol Officer Denise Urmann spotted a car that appeared to be making a serious effort to stay behind her marked squad car. When she slowed down the trailing car slowed, if she slowed further the car did again. She pulled her squad to the shoulder and stopped allowing the car to pass in front of her. In making contact with the driver it was learned he had no license and no insurance. The driver was cited and released the car was towed to Southeast towing. DUI / Refusal 04-05-08 0227 hours Officer Peyton Fleming stopped a car for blowing through a stop sign without stopping. The driver had been drinking. When asked where she was coming from she pointed in the direction she was headed. Confused by her response, Officer Fleming re -asked the question and she informed him she was not from around here and was confused. The driver very reluctantly agreed to SFST's. She also provided a preliminary breath sample revealing a BAC of .193. At MHPD she was read the MN Implied Consent and agreed to and test then changed her mind. She was booked into the County jail. Verbal Domestic / Social Service Referral 04-05-08 1434 hours Officers Eric Petersen and Steve Meyer responded to a domestic in progress call. Upon arrival they received a very similar story from both sides of the argument. The unfortunate part of the story is both of the arguers seemed to miss the primary problem. They had left a 4 YOA and 7 YOA home alone for hours. The domestic was resolved and the family was referred to social services. DUI 04-06-08 0156 hours Officer Mike Shepard stopped an SUV after is drove through a stop sign and stopped in the middle of the street. The vehicle then continued down the wrong side of the street towards the squad car head on. Officer Shepard drove over the curb and half way onto the lawn to allow the SUV to pass. The car continued down the wrong side of the street. Officer Shepard caught up with the car as it pulled into the driveway of it's home. The driver was extremely intoxicated and apologized immediately for nearly hitting the squad head on. Driver failed all SFST's including the PBT with a result of .201 at MHPD the MN Implied Consent was read. The suspect provide urine sample and was released pending test results. Theft by Swindle Investigator Scott Patrick, Officer Steve Meyer and Investigator Mario Reyes have all worked for the past two weeks on preparing the information to charge the_fglLowing case: See attached press release. //,?- apoar ~4,rw/14 OFFICE OF DAKOTA COUNTY ATTORNEY JAMES C. BACKSTROM COUNTY ATTORNEY ' Dakota County Judicial Center Telephone 1560 Highway 55 (651) 438-4438 Hastings, Minnesota 55033-2392 FAX: (651) 438-4479 (Civil Division) Phillip D. Prokopowicz, Chief Deputy FAX: (651) 438-4500 (Criminal Division) Karen A. Schaffer, First Assistant FAX: (651) 438-4499 (Juvenile/Admin Division) Monica Jensen, Community Relations Director E-mail: attorney@co.dakotamn.us April 10, 2008 NEWS RELEASE MINNEAPOLIS WOMAN AND MAN CHARGED IN $200,000 EMBEZZLEMENT Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that his office filed criminal charges* today against Kelly Jean Dillon -Love, age 45 of Minneapolis, and Grady Jackson Jr., age 35, who lists a Minneapolis address, in connection with an embezzlement of over $200,000 from Sun Country Airlines. Backstrom said that the investigation by the Mendota Heights Police Department began with a report from a vice-president of Sun Country Airlines that an employee had been embezzling money from the company. He stated that an employee by the name of Kelly Jean Dillon -Love had been fraudulently issuing checks to an individual identified as Grady Jackson, but Jackson had never been an employee of the company, and was not a vendor. The vice-president provided the Mendota Heights Police with three canceled checks from 2007 and 2008 issued by Sun Country Airlines that had been endorsed and cashed by Grady Jackson. The checks were in the amounts of $2,346.85, $1,154.82 and $850. On March 31, 2008 the Mendota Heights Police met with the controller of Sun Country Airline who provided a spreadsheet of their audit showing checks written to Grady Jackson which had been coded in the company's computerized records as being paid for various services such as lodging and food service. He reported there was no history of Grady Jackson employed by or providing any services to Sun Country Airlines. The controller documented 108 checks being written to Grady Jackson beginning in April, 2006 as well as 5 other checks payable to other names but endorsed by Sun Country employee Kelly Dillon -Love. The airline calculated that the loss caused by this embezzlement as $213,955.37. On April 8, 2008, the Mendota Heights Police Department with the assistance of the Minneapolis Police Department conducted a search warrant at the home of Kelly Dillon -Love in Minneapolis. Love was also arrested. In a subsequent statement to police, Dillon -Love confirmed that she had been employed by Sun Country, since 1998 and that she managed the payroll as well as the accounts payable. She admitted that for the past years she had been taking funds from the company by fraudulently issuing checks to a Grady Jackson. She identified Grady Jackson as an on and off again boyfriend since 2001 who had run up significant bills on her credit cards. Dillon -Love told the police that she would issue payroll and vendor checks to Jackson and attempted to cover it up in the records by changing the name of the payee on the checks to the names of legitimate or fictitious vendors. She stated that she usually gave Jackson checks two times a month. Dillon -Love said that Jackson would go to casinos with the money, and on occasion she would go with him. She said there were no major purchases made with the money, and that several of the checks were endorsed over to her by Jackson. She stated that there was no money left from the embezzled funds. She said she never kept track of the total amount that was taken. Dillon-Love/Jackson News Release April 10, 2008 Page 2 Officers subsequently arrested Jackson on April 9, 2008. After a Miranda warning, Jackson agreed to speak with the police. Jackson admitted that Dillon -Love had issued checks from Sun Country Airlines which he had cashed, and that he was not entitled to the money. He said that he was not employed by Sun Country nor any of its vendors. Jackson reported that he and Dillon -Love would often go to casinos to spend the money and that he would get a split of the checks. He said that he did not receive any additional benefit. Jackson said that Dillon -Love used the money for trips and for purchases for her home but that he did not receive any of those items. fie admitted that neither he nor Dillon -Love was entitled to the money. Backstrom commented, "It is always disturbing when someone abuses the trust of his or her employer and embezzles from them. All too often these large thefts are related to the defendant's gambling." Backstrom said that Dillon -Love made her first appearance in court today. Bail was set in the amount of $150,000 without conditions, and $75,000 with conditions. Her next court appearance will be on May 5, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings. Jackson made his first appearance in court today. Bail was set in the amount of $200,000 without conditions, and $100,000 with conditions. His next court appearance will be on May 5, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings. For a copy of the criminal complaint, go to http://services.eo.dakota.mn.us/ComplaintSearch. A mug shot may be viewed at ht!p://seryices.co.dakota.mn.ustlnmateSearch while in custody. If you have questions, contact Phil Prokopowicz at 651-438-4438. *Criminal charges are not evidence ofguilt. A defendant/suspect is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty e� N E W S The PipeViine� g®® f� L E T T E R yT V1. Public Works Engineering Code Enforcement Public Works ®� app p1 April 11, 2008 The Parks Crew hauled supplies out to Mendakota and Kensington Parks for spring and summer use. The water meters were hooked up to the outbuildings and bathrooms cleaned out at Mendakota and Kensington Parks. Burned out light bulbs around buildings and in the parking lots were replaced at Mendakota, Kensington and Rogers Lake Parks. A snow plot hit and broke a manhole lid and casting on Highway 13 (MnDOT). The sanitary sewer line was jetted clean by Rich and the casting lid was replaced with George's help. A curb stop water shut off (cover and box) was replaced at 1320 Medora Court that a snow plot hit. There was a possible sewer blockage at 1288 Dodd Road. The City's line was checked by Rich and found to be ok. Blockage is in the homeowner's service line. Rich did service checks on the lift stations at Veronica and St. Thomas. Both looked good. The Street Crew filled pot holes and fixed mailboxes that were damaged from snow plows. Engineering Guy and Sue met with Dakota County Park Planners to discuss the County's proposed greenway corridor map. The Engineering Department met with Paster Enterprises and RLK Engineering to review the latest Mendota Plaza submittal. Park Construction completed mandrel testing for the storm sewer installed with last year's Ivy Falls street reconstruction project. Ryan, Sue, and Sam held a neighborhood meeting for this year's street rehabilitation project on Wednesday, April Stn CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA April 15, 2008 — 7:30 P.M. 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call Pledge of Allegiance 4. Agenda Adoption 5. Approval of the April 1, 2008, City Council Minutes. 6. Consent Calendar a. Acknowledgement of Mendota Heights Fire Department March 2008 Monthly Report. b. Acknowledgement of Minutes from the March 12, 2008 Airport Relations Commission c. Acknowledgement of the Minutes from the April 8, 2008 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting. d. Acceptance of Workers Compensation Insurance Renewal. e. Authorization for Mayor to Sign Contract for GASB 34 Implementation Assistance. f. Approval of Hiring Process/Job Description for Accounting Clerk. g. Approval of Altered ARC Meetings Dates. h. Approval for Sign Permit for 2360 Pilot Knob Rd, Suite #300, Workflow Ones' i. Adoption of Resolution No. 08-21: "A RESOLUTION RENEWING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO LINDER'S GREENHOUSES TO OPERATE A TEMPORARY SEASONAL GARDEN CENTER IN THE PARKING LOT OF MENDOTA PLAZA UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS". j. Adoption of Resolution No. 08-22 "RESOLUTION FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE RECEIPT OF $402.47 TO THE CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS". k. Adoption of Resolution No. 08-23: "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING BIDS AND AWARDING CONTRACT FOR 2008 STREET RECONSTRUCTION (PROJECT NO. 200802). 1. Approval of the List of Contractor Licenses. m. Approval of the List of Claims. 7. Public Comments Presentation Medal of Honor 9. Public Heariny, 2008 Street Rehabilitation Project — Somerset Park/Evergreen Knoll Resolution No. 08-24: "RESOLUTION ORDERING OF IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR STREET REHABILITATION IMPROVEMENTS TO SOMERSET PARK/EVERGREEN KNOLL". 10. Unfinished and New Business a. Discussion of the Par 3 Annual Report for 2007. b. Discussion of City Council Meeting Time 11. Council Comments 12. Adiourn Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available upon request at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids, however, this may not be possible on short notice. Please contact City Administration at 452-1850 with requests. This meeting is being taped by NDC4 (651-450-9891) and will replay on Friday at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the NDC4 Government Channel 18 TwinCitiesecom Bomb threat Sibley High School in Mendota Rot Heights �^ t► s� ♦ s Article Last Updated: 0410012008 11:15:13 PM CDT Mendota Heights police are offering a $500 reward in their investigation of an anonymous bomb threat that canceled classes Wednesday at Henry Sibley High School. No bomb was found, and police declared the building safe by mid-morning, Superintendent Jay Haugen said. Classes are scheduled to resume as normal today, and the building reopened in the afternoon so students could attend games and practices. "We took all precautions," Haugen. said. "You want to be as careful and thorough as you can." School officials retrieved a voice mail early Wednesday morning containing the bomb threat and quickly decided to cancel classes and evacuate all staff members. E-mails and phone alerts also were sent to parents and students. Most of the 1,500 students were on buses or driving to school at the time, Haugen said, so administrators directed students off campus, and bus drivers dropped students back home. Police officers scanned classrooms and hallways for evidence, and dogs roamed the grounds sniffing for bombs for several hours. Advertisement Haugen said school officials said it's been eight years or more since a District 197 school canceled classes because of a threat. Mendota Heights Police Chief Michael Aschenbrener said anyone with information should call the department at 651-452-1366 or leave an anonymous message on the department's tip line at 651-255-1170. Bao Ong can be reached at 651-228-5435. Tw"InCibesecom 'i3 wk introductory offer of 33%'p discount for new subscribers. (800) 678-7737 'ririt fIo,,,,ere d B v Print Page t St. Thomas Academy field in Mendota Heights to receive synthetic turf BY MEGAN ANDERSON - SUN NEWSPAPERS (Created: Wednesday, April 9, 2008 9:2.7 PM CM) Tackled opponents will soon eat turf, instead of grass, on St. Thomas Academy's football field. The private school in Mendota Heights plans to replace the field's grass with synthetic turf this summer. The existing athletic track will also be resurfaced. But the new turf could create more water run-off, calling for a larger storm water pond on the campus. The Mendota Heights City Council approved a wetlands permit to adjust the storm water pond April 1. The council also granted a conditional use permit to allow 400 cubic yards of material to be moved during the project. St. Thomas plans to make the storm water pond larger, which requires a wetlands permit. Limiting the run-off's effect on nearby Rogers Lake was a concern, but Jake Sedlacek, assistant to the city administrator, said that there wouldn't be much of an issue. "Staff felt that it does not increase impact upon that wetland area," he said. St. Thomas has room for future expansion of its campus, creating more run-off, Councilmember Sandra Krebsbach said. "There is still room on the site to expand more than we are," said Paul Solmon, director of facilities at St. Thomas. He said that they would look into different ways to handle run-off in future projects. "St. Thomas came through with a beautiful facility," Krebsbach said. "I don't think there've been any problems there." Construction will begin in May. In other council news: - The council approved $13,000 to have City Hall air ducts cleaned to improve air quality. Councilmember Jack Vitelli said the ducts haven't been cleaned in 30 years. "That really, really should be done," he said. The proposal also recommended installing ultra -violet emitters to control air quality for $4,500. But Vitelli said they should hold off on the UV emitters until the ducts are cleaned. "I think that might take care of it," he said. "Thirty years of dust and dirt, we've probably got some mold in there." - The 17th annual Celebrate Mendota Heights Parks is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7. The council approved $1,500 to cover expenses, which would be paid back with donations. (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.corn and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.) This site and its contents Copyright @ 2007. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 suninfo@acnpapers.com - S_ . tille""Pers MNOSUN 44 community avw.,pcpv�-� Print Page (Please e-mail West St. Paul, South St. Paul, Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights sports shorts releases to gklevenacnpapers.com or fax to sports editor Greg Kleven at 952-392-6868. Deadline for releases is noon Thursday for publication in next week's Sun -Current.) (Created: `vVedriesday, April 9, 2008 9:37 PM CDT) Cadets are honored /'/Vl �5Cn&x d4� St. Thomas Academy seniors Fritz Waldvoael and James Stodolka, both of Mendota Heights, will represent the Metro football team in the Minnesota annual high school all-star game June 28 at St. Cloud State University. STA's Dave Ziebarth was also selected to coach the Metro All -Stars. Waldvogel holds four school football records: longest punt return for a touchdown (95 yards), longest kick-off return for a touchdown (97 yards), most career receptions and most receptions in a season. Stodolka anchored the offensive line at center during his junior and senior seasons. During those two years, St. Thomas Academy's offense averaged more than 35 points per game. Wegman aids Huskies Alicia Wegman, a resident of Inver Grove Heights and graduate of Simley High School, is a sophomore member of the St. Cloud State University women's tennis team. Wegman owns a 5-0 record in singles play and a 12-4 mark in doubles competition. As a team, the Huskies are 13-4 overall and ranked among the region's top 10 NCAA Division II teams this year. Hansen a qualifier Gustavus Adolphus College junior gymnast Laura Hansen qualified for the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association meet. Hansen of Inver Grove Heights placed seventh on balance beam at the NCGA West Region Meet with a score of 9.4. Hansen's two previous national meet appearances were on uneven bars. SSP baseball sign up South St. Paul's VFW and American Legion baseball programs will have a registration meeting 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at the Croation Hall at 445 Second Ave. S. in South St. Paul. Players interested in VFW or Legion baseball must attend the meeting. Registration fee is $350. Late fee of $50 will be assessed if a completed registration form with the fee is not received by May 1. Information: George (612-873-6042). All-star hockey picks St. Thomas Academy seniors James Saintey (Rosemount), Jon Schreiner (Lakeville) and Rob Vannelli (Mendota Heights) were chosen to compete in the 27th annual Ted Brill Minnesota Great 8 High School All-Star Hockey Festival last weekend at Wakota Arena in South St. Paul. St. Thomas Academy's Greg Vannelli was also chosen one of the all-star series coaches. This program showcases elite high school seniors in Minnesota. The Festival helps identify those Minnesota athletes who have potential for future participation in USA Hockey regional, national or international training and competition. The all-star series also displays the athletes' talents to college and Junior A coaches. The program is run in partnership with the Minnesota State Boys High School Coaches Association, Minnesota Hockey and USA Hockey. Glewwe Golf Classic Registrations are being taken for the Forrest Glewwe Golf Classic that is scheduled Monday, June 23, at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. A lunch will precede the 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Social hour, silent auction, dinner and entertainment will follow that night. This golf tourney is a fundraiser for Inver Hills Community College. Information: 651-554-3714. DARTS charity golf event The 20th annual DARTS Golf Classic will be Monday, June 2, at Southview Country Club in West St. Paul. This tournament is a fundraising event for DARTS, an organization that supports older adults and families experiencing life transitions. The tourney is a best -ball scramble event with a 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Lunch will precede golf. Golf tourney dinner is 6 p.m. Registrations must be in by May 15. Information: 651-234-2225. This site and its contents Copyright @ 2007. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-8290797 suninfo@acnpapers.com xaa��tc=sem MNrSUN I Print Page Dakota County Board votes to enact transit sales tax BY GRANT BOELTER - SUN NEWSPAPERS ,C, ated: Vvednesday, April 9, 2008 9;28 PM MY Starting in July, people buying taxable goods in Dakota County will also be contributing money to lay down tracks and open bus lanes. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday, April 1, to approve a joint -powers agreement and join a metro -transit taxing district. Beginning July 1, the county will adopt a quarter -cent sales -tax increase. On every purchase of taxable goods worth $100, the buyer would pay 25 cents in increased sales tax. Also included in the new tax will be a $20 excise tax on each vehicle sold by automobile dealers. The new tax, part of the transportation bill passed by the Legislature this year, is expected to bring in more than $100 million per year that will be allocated to projects on areas identified by the Metropolitan Council as major transitways. Over 10 years, the tax is projected to bring in $1.2 billion to transit projects. The money can be used on both capital and operating costs for those transitways. It cannot be used for operating costs on other existing transit routes. The amount that comes in will depend on which of the seven metro counties vote to adopt the tax. Dakota County became the third county to approve the tax, followingd pWashington RamSe' anu Anoka counties. Hennepin counties also approved the tax April 1. Carver and Scott counties, the least populated and farthest away from current transit options will not immediately join the district, but can do so at any time. Voting against the Dakota County resolution were Commissioners Joseph Harris and Kathleen Gaylord. "It makes it very hard for me to support the resolution for the simple fact that we have a lot of needs in transportation," said Harris, who represents Farmington and Hastings. In his area, Harris said, road projects need as much attention as transit projects. "I still have some very strong and deep concerns about the joint -powers agreement," said Gaylord, who represents West St. Paul, South St. Paul and part of Inver Grove Heights. Under the agreement, the joint -powers board will decide how tax revenues are apportioned through a grant - appropriation process. The board will then vote on grants and other resolutions. The number of votes each county gets will be established through a formula that's based half on a county's population and half on the percent of sales tax a county generates. It is expected that Dakota County will receive 13 votes out of the 100 available. For a resolution to be passed, 63 votes are needed, along with approval by a majority of the counties. For larger projects involving the issuance of long-term bonds, 75 votes are needed, along with approval by a majority of the counties. While Hennepin (47 votes) and Ramsey (18) counties hold more than 63 votes, another county would need to support a resolution or grant appropriation to move it forward. Although the joint -powers board will make decisions on what projects will be served by the extra revenue, projects to be considered must be identified by the Met Council - which also holds five votes on the board - as falling within the scope of major transitways. Major transitways in Dakota County include Cedar Avenue and Interstate 35W. The Red Rock Corridor which runs along Highway 61 to Hastings, and the Robert Street Corridor along Highway 3, have also been identified as areas that could receive funding for future projects. At a work session the day before the vote, Dakota County Transportation Director Mark Krebsbach expressed confidence that the agreement would bring money to move along bus rapid transit on Cedar Avenue and bus lanes and other transit improvements on Interstate 35W. "I think that they'll do quite well," he said. "That's just my speculation. There are no guarantees with this. Krebsbach said a reasonable expectation would be that the county would see $100 million for those projects and other county projects during the 10 -year period the tax is in effect. "I think what you can say is if we don't participate, any projects in Dakota County are going to come out of your property taxes," said County Board Chair Nancy Schouweiler, who represents parts of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights. "I would say that one way or another, you're going to end up paying. There aren't any guarantees of the positives, but there are guarantees of the negatives of not joining." Today, the county levies $1 million per year for transit needs. Officials wouldn't go as far as saying that amount would come off the tax rolls, but were hopeful that relief would come to the county's property taxpayers as part of the agreement. "To me, we're getting people that are using the system and causing some of the problems to pay for it," said Commissioner Michael Turner, who represents Burnsville, as he mentioned that many people from outside the county shop at places such as the Burnsville Center. "This is really about mobility from my standpoint," said Inver Grove Heights resident Gerald Kahlert, who spoke in favor of the tax at the meeting. "I think I speak for all senior citizens who are hoping to get rid of one or both of our cars in retirement," he said. Farmington resident Tim Burke said the agreement only pushed more of a burden onto taxpayers and was the Legislature's way of getting out of their own budget problems. "I think it's making the counties complicit in the mismanagement of the state," he said. According to county estimates, a resident who buys an average number of goods and buys 100 percent of them in the county would pay $20 more per year with the new tax. (You are invited to comment about this story on our website at www.mnsun.com and/or write a letter to the editor at suncurrentsouth@acnpapers.com.) This site and its contents Copyright @ 2007. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 suninfo@acnpapers.com - VI WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2008 Keep Lilydale bluff open space To the editor: On April 14, the Lilydale City Council will decide whether to rezone and sell a small piece of city -owned bluff land for single-family housing. The land is perched above the Mississippi River. It was donated to the city in the 1970s as open space. Because of the circumstances under which it was acquired, there are serious questions about whether its sale can be justified. This beautiful tree -filled plot is one of the few remaining undeveloped parcels on the upper bluff along Sibley Memorial Highway. It has clear value to the city as permanently protected open space, contributing both to habitat and the overall character of Lilydale. Further, the location of the property on a steep slope will pose serious challenges in managing runoff and erosion if the site is developed. The city's plan to sell off an important asset to finance a short-term operating deficit is profoundly short-sighted and contrary to sound fiscal management. For these reasons, we join with more than 100 residents and neighboring Mendota Heights in asking the city of Lilydale not to rezone and sell the land for development. Instead, we ask the city to work with neighboring cities on a coordinated effort to protect the remaining undeveloped portions of the upper bluff. Through wise planning and stewardship, we can protect the important public assets of the Mississippi River Valley for future generations. Bob Spaulding Friends of the Mississippi River WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2008 VILLAGER BY DAVE PAGE espite concerns about stormwater runoff and a citizen petition to keep the 0.85 acre of riverbluff property as open space, the Lilydale Planning Commis- sion voted 5-0 on March 24 to recommend that the city -owned parcel on Highway 13 near Lexington Avenue be rezoned for single- family housing. The Lilydale City Council is expected to vote on the rezoning at its meeting on April 14. Lilydale Mayor Tom Swain and a majority of the City Council have supported the sale of the bluff property in the past as a way to pay down the city's debt. Last fall the Lilydale City Council voted 4-1 to amend the city's comprehensive plan to rezone the property from passive open space to multifamily residential. Though the Community Development Committee of the Metropolitan Council voted unanimously in January to support the rezoning, the full Met Council concluded that rimultifamily use did not conform to Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area provisions, in part becauseof the potential for stormwater runoff problems on the steeply sloped parcel. Rebecca Wooden, the Minnesota Depart- ment of Natural Resources land -use supervi- sor assigned to review the project, said that though new housing is allowed on property protected by the Critical Area, multifam- ily housing is "out of the question' How- ever, DNR approval of single-family housing on the site is by no means assured, Wooden added. Besides having to go through another round of hearings with the Met Council, the rezoning must also be consistent with the city's building code. Wooden was referring to a Lilydale city or- dinance that prohibits construction of "per- manent structures" on slopes of more than 18 percent. Since the only portion of the property with a slope of less than 18 percent is near the center, any driveway from Highway 13 would have to be built on a slope greater than 18 per- cent. However, the city could grant a variance for the driveway, a move that the DNR could not block except in the courts. Most of the half-dozen people who spoke at a March 24 public hearing raised the issue of stormwater runoff. Kay Frye, who has lived in Lilydale for 30 years, said that in heavy rains, water runs across Highway 13 from the steep driveways on the south side of the road. "The city needs to fix what's already there before it allows more development, she said. According to Jeff Weiss of Barr Engineer- ing, a storm sewer constructed along High- way 13 in 1995 collects runoff and directs it under the` highway to the Mississippi River. The sewer was built to address the worst that nature could offer in 100 years, Weiss said, and though he has heard reports of stormwa- ter runoff problems in the area, he said he has never seen any evidence of them. Weiss told the Planning Commission that measures could be taken to minimize storm - water runoff from the parcel in question, but at a price. Constructing a home on the prop- erty is already considered a costly proposition, according to Diehl. The property has been for sale since July and, though the listing price has dropped from $300,000 to $279,000, no offers have been received. The parcel was donated to the city of Lily - dale in 1974 by the late John' and June Thomp- son and Lloyd and Katherine McNulty to help resolve a dispute about the construction of the nearby Lexington Court condominiums. Former Lilydale City Council member Lu- cille Collins said that she and her husband were good friends of the Thompsons and she remembers Thompson saying he wanted the land kept as a bird sanctuary. However, Diehl said, there are no restrictive covenants on the deed to the land. According to Collins, a survey on the re- zoning of the bluff site was distributed by mail to 400 Lilydale residents. Of the 167 respons- es, she said, 156 wanted the site kept as open space. "This is a key piece of bluff land, said Bob Spaulding of the Friends of the Mississippi River, who argued for the bluff remaining open space. "We dont know if one more construction project (on the river bluff) will chase away the eagles and the barn owls;' said Lilydale resi- dent Nancy Middleton. Diehl and fellow planning commissioners Anita Pampusch and Jim Maher questioned whether the survey was a true reflection of the sentiments of Lilydale residents. Howev= er, they did recommend to the City Council that any development address concerns about stormwater runoff and the loss of trees. MR gn imn w� Fil�w l .. . ... ... e °' t is perhaps the most quiet of ironies that longtime Minnesota businessman and civic leader Tom Swain was born on the 4th of July. Swain's birth almost nine decades ago was notable enough that amid the stories of patriotic fried -chicken dinners, the Minneapolis Tribune wrote about his fortunately timed arrival, which won his parents a baby carriage in a local contest. Swain's mother, the former Lucille Halliday, had been a teacher, accomplished singer and local civic leader who moved from Crookston to Minneapolis to help welcome troops back from World War I with organized musical entertainment. (She met Swain's father after he returned from the war.) Known to the return- ing soldiers as "Miss Pep," she helped organize the first local American Legion, which held its inaugural national convention in Minneapolis on Nov 11, 1919. Perhaps Swain's auspicious birthday helped form a man who has an ingrained sense of duty, and almost a compulsion to give back to his community. Or perhaps it was his mother's early commitment to giving something back that became ingrained in him. Swain, who will turn 86 this year among the blasts of Minnesota fireworks, has traveled an unusual road as a private man through public life. He has moved from the intimate back rooms of. Minnesota politics to the most public of causes. He's been called out of "retirement" several times, always to serve as the staid, calm- ing center in contentious debates, and he was elected mayor of Lilydale, a small town nestled on the edge of the river, at age 85. "Youth movement," Swain booms with a smile. "The retiring mayor was 90." Although Swain's illustrious professional and public service career reads like a manual on how to be quietly influential, his most public brush with notoriety came almost 50 years ago. In 1960, Swain served as chief of staff to Republican Gov. Elmer Andersen during his tumultuous one -term tenure. The end of that term came abruptly after a viciously fought, hard -lost election battle that dragged on four months after the last vote was cast. Amid charges of a last-minute highway construc- tion scandal manufactured by the DFL, and after a first-ever hand -tabulated ballot recount, Andersen lost the election by 91 votes to his Democratic lieutenant governor, Karl Rolvaag. Going against the advice of some other of Andersen's advisers, Swain advised Andersen to concede. Andersen agreed. THE CHIEF On July 19, 2004, shortly before his death at age 95, Gov. Andersen told the Star Tribune of Swain, "He is relatively unknown to the gen- eral public, but it is doubtful there is another person in the state involved in as many social service, educational, cultural and government agencies as he. He is ... dedicated to making the American dream come true for everyone through private and public operations of the highest ethical standards." This from the man that Swain believes today would have gone on to remain a great governor of Minnesota, if only Swain himself hadn't talked him out of a fight to challenge the election. Swain, who was born in south Minneapolis and attended Washburn High School and the University of Minnesota, came to realize his life's ambitions circuitously. "I started out [studying] engineering, and I tell you, I've been trying to counsel my grand- children, all of whom were in college last year, `You've got to figure out what in the world you're best suited for,"' says Swain, who at his age remains slim and vigorous, and who today wears dress slacks, a white shirt and the maroon and gold tie of the University of Minnesota. , "For the life of me, I had no idea why I ever went into engineering. At the end of my second quarter, somebody counseled me into taking an interest and aptitude test, and they told me at best, I'd be a passable engineer. They said, `Your future seems to be a lot more promising in business or public service."' Convinced, Swain switched his major to business and completed an accounting degree. He worked a variety of jobs at the university, from athletic scholarship adviser to administra- tive assistant at the department of aeronautics to ticket manager in the athletic department. By 1956, Swain was also serving as the director of the volunteer Minnesota Statehood Centennial Commission, which was responsible for planning Minnesota's 100th birthday party in 1958. (It's a testament to Swain's far-reaching public-service roots that today, as Minnesota begins planning its 150th birthday celebration, he mentions that this year's director has just called to check in with him.) It was during the centennial commission that Swain became acquainted with Elmer Andersen, the CEO of H.B. Fuller and a self- proclaimed liberal Republican. Andersen spent his public career championing social justice issues such as mental health care and fair hous- ing practices. Swain's extraordinary lifelong friendship and collaboration with Andersen began as the two men got to know each other and developed a mutual respect. Swain became part of a nascent Elmer Andersen for Governor Committee, and was a key factor in Andersen's winning the 1960 election against three -time incumbent Orville 20 April/May 2008 • LAW & POLITICS reeman. Andersen wrote effusively in his 2000 utobiography A Man's Reach that Swain had. he best -organized mind he'd ever encountered. Swain demurs when asked about this, saying imply, "He was very gracious.") Swain became Andersen's executive secre- ary, a position known today as chief of staff. Cogether, the two men began implementing .heir shared business and social justice initia- tives. But at that time, a governor's term lasted )nly two years (it changed to four after the 1962 election), which meant both Swain and Andersen were forced to keep one eye on the upcoming re-election campaign. Certain unpopular decisions such as closing local highway garages in small towns had rubbed people the wrong way, but by and large, it seemed that Andersen—and Swain—had a good chance at continuing as a winning political team. That is, of course, until the dirt swept up from a DFL -fanned tempest alleging corrup- tion and fraud around U.S. Highway 35 arose and coated them both. Forty years before "hanging Chad" became part of the popular parlance, the election battle between Gov. Elmer Andersen and Lt. Gov. Karl Rolvaag foreshadowed the bitter struggles that have now infused even presidential elections. Leading up to the Nov. 9, 1962, vote, the polls seesawed between the two candidates. Andersen was on the stump, with Swain in the background. Polls suggested that Andersen had seized the upper hand and that his momentum was growing. Meanwhile, a low-level highway worker named Bob O'Donnell Jr., who had family ties within the DFL campaign machine, was engag- ing in a series of routine tests to measure the quality of aggregate used in the construction of what would become Highway 35. On Sept. 19,1962, O'Donnell conducted his "gravel in a bucket" tests and noticed what he saw as a failure of the aggregate to meet pro- scribed weights required for the project. At this point a flurry of finger pointing and eye -jabbing began. A slender 85 -page book called Ingenious Deceit, apparently self -published in 1964 by Thomas F. Roeser, press secretary to Gov. Andersen, presents a fuming, point -by -point rebuttal of what its cover calls "The Story of Scandal That Never Existed." The bright -red cover of Roeser's 1964 boo features an artist's drawing of a road sign that reads U.S. 35 Hinckley. Andersen had been a pro ponent of the Highway 35 project, and had ruffle political feathers by pushing for the interstate t take precedence over work on trunk highways Politics has always been a game of shay elbows, and now, with the election at risk, Bo O'Donnell's wisp -of -smoke report was blow into flame within the DFL hierarchy. Andersen wrote in his autobiography that by late October, "the campaign for governor was taking a nasty turn. U.S. Sen. Hubert Humphrey, the DFL Party's undisputed leader, had come home from Washington to stir things up for the DFL. Working with a number of DFL operatives ... Humphrey inflated a highway worker's alle- gations that there had been faulty construction on Interstate Highway 35 near Hinckley." The reason? Humphrey said that Andersen was try- ing to hasten construction of the road so that he could cut the ribbon on the finished construction right before the election. The last-minute DFL allegations of fraud and cover-up were enough to muddy the politi- cal waters. Voters were suspicious, and like dominos, votes that might have once fallen on Andersen's side of the fence toppled to Rolvaag. After polls closed, less than a hundred votes separated the two men. The New York Times began a series of breathless articles chronicling the back -and - forth race. First Rolvaag and then Andersen surged into the lead. By Feb. 26,1963, during a court-ordered hand recount of ballots, a Times headline read "Only 12 Votes Separate Rivals for Minnesota Governorship." After four months, Rolvaag led by a slim 74 votes. A three-judge recount tribunal was scheduled to rule on 40 more challenged bat - lots. The Times reported that "[Andersen's] recount director, Tom Swain, clung to the hope the Governor could still win." Swain supervised the recount process,_ and kept ballot counters at the task, even on Christmas Day—although he let them have the morning off. As it turns out, the hope of finding the elu- sive winning votes would prove false. "I directed the recount," Swain says qui- etly today. "I made him an ex -governor; I couldn't find enough votes for him, which is pretty sardonic." Ultimately, the "Highway 35 scandal" would be discredited after extensive investi- gation. Minor discrepancies were found and remedied by the contractor for $996.24. The well-mannered Swain shrugs off the question when asked if he is bitter. He does, however, offer a story about Donald Segretti, the attorney and noted "dirty tricks" opera- tive for Richard Nixon in the 1970s who later smeared Humphrey with an unsavory letter k campaign. According to Swain, Segretti eventual- ly apologized to Humphrey for his actions. d When he heard that, Swain wrote Humphrey o a note saying that if even Segretti could apologize, perhaps Humphrey could now p apologize to Swain. b "That was the only [letter to Humphrey] n that I never got an answer to," he says with a tight smile. After leaving public life, Swain spent his next 23 years serving as executive vice president for The St. Paul Companies, while laboring tirelessly on public service com- mittees and task forces. His resume shows an extraordinary range of interest in public policy, falling primarily in two main areas: education and health care. He served as president of the U of M's alumni association from 1976 to 1977, and was called back out of his first retirement to serve the university as acting vice president of institutional relations. He came at the behest of President Nils Hasselmo, and stayed into the first year of President Mark Yudofs term. Swain says the university was consumed with infighting over issues such as tenure, and that "the student experience hadn't been as warm and friendly" as it could have been. "You manage a university," Swain says, "but more importantly, you nurture it. I listened, made some suggestions, and mostly people 3ecided `this guy is all right:" In another high-profile public policy posi- tion, Swain also served as the chair of a 25- nember Minnesota Health Care Commission Yom 1992 to 1995. Swain wrangled a disparate ;roup of stakeholders, all of whom had decid= ;dly different agendas. "I believe you have to leave your hatchets it the door," Swain says about working within a ;roup to accomplish a goal. "There are certain )rinciples that guide you, and you hold them nviolate. Dealing with issues means compro- mise is always necessary." The result of the commission was MinnesotaCare, which received national rec- ognition for its focus on preventive care and expanded health care coverage. (In 1997, the Minnesota Medical Association presented Swain with its James H. Sova award for extraordinary work done to advance medi- cine and health care.) Swain's honors continue. For his 80th birthday, friends established the Thomas H. Swain Fellowship in Public Leadership at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. The scholarship supports students in the Master of Public Affairs program who study civic and public leadership. He was also recognized by the National Governor's Association for his public service work. Swain laments that collegiality tends to fall by the wayside in politics today. "Now not only must you win, but you must make sure that the other party knows they have lost," he says. It's perhaps unfair to assume that the politi- cal views held by Andersen, documented exten- sively in his autobiography, apply equally to his friend Swain, but Swain has called Andersen Minnesota's greatest citizen. (Swain also says today that the proudest day in his life was when Andersen told him that he was his best friend.) Read Swain a wide selection of quotes from the book, and he'll agree with all of them. Consider this: "I was a strong believer, then and now, that political service should be an avocation, not a career. I think elected offi- cials need connections outside of government THE CHIEF to give them a more balanced perspective on the issues they confront." Swain nods. Or how about Andersen's contention that proper taxes were necessary to ensure good government? "I'd be willing to pay more taxes," Swain says, nodding slowly. "I don't want to, but I'm willing." Later in his autobiography, Andersen writes, "[W]hen I see a problem, I want a solution, and I want to be part of that solution. I cannot stand to be anywhere where there is something obvi- ously needing to be done, and not respond." Swain smiles in agreement. "I don't like to be dismissed as irrelevant," he adds. In the last Minnesota gubernatorial election, he stepped outside his party and endorsed and served as a co-chair for Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson, who ran on an aggressive platform of reforming health care. In a 2003 interview, Andersen told the Pioneer Press, "I remind people that I want to be known as a liberal Republican. If that's a dirty word, so be it." Swain describes one of the public service meetings he attended recently. After intro- ductions, the convening speaker spent a few moments chatting with attendees. He asked Swain, "Say, Tom, you're still a Republican, aren't you?" and was greeted by laughter from the group. "Yes," Swain says he replied, "but just barely." L&P Other Chief Aides Worth Remembering By Gene Lahammer Minnesota governors, like chief executives of other large, corn plex organizations, have a top assistant. The aide's duties, responsibilities and titles vary, depending on the governor. orae governors are hands-on managers, and some, like Gov. Jesse lentura, are content to delegate much of their power to their staff nd cabinet. The one constant; at least in state government, is that they ave the trust and ear of their boss. For many years, the governor's top aide, like Tom Swain, held the title. f executive secretary. Then it was chief of staff. Whatever the title, the overnor's No. 1 aide is generally responsible for the day-to-day opera - on of state government. That's because governors often have heavy ;hedules of travel, speeches and meetings. The last gubernatorial aide to hold the title of executive secretary 'as David Durenberger, under GOP Gov. Harold LeVander, who served ne term from 1967 to 1971. Durenberger was a'young (32 when hired), right, soft-spoken attorney from LeVander's South St. Paul law firm. Che same firm, which is now known as LeVander, Gillen & Miller, ear- ar produced Harold Stassen, the nation'syoungest governor, who was my 31 when elected to the first of his three terms in 1938.) Durenberger ould go on to serve 16 years in the U.S. Senate. The first person to hold the title of chief of staff was the late Tom elm,' who held the position for all six years of DFL Gov. Wendell .nderson's tenure in the 1970s. Kelm was easily the most visible and controversial; partly because of his style and appearance, but mostly because of his power. Some regarded him as the deputy governor. Florid -faced and chronically overweight, Kelm had his GOP critics, who saw him as heavy-handed and abrasive and sometimes referred to him as "Boss Kelm," a reference to Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago. Much of the political flak was sparked by Kelm himself. He was point man for Anderson's ambitious legislative agenda, which included the much -heralded "Minnesota Miracle." The latter helped propel the photo- genic Anderson onto the cover of Time magazine. Another factor in the Kelm static was that DFLers, for the first time in state history, controlled the governor's office and both legislative chambers. Many Republicans were chafing because of their fall from power. Jean LeVander King, daughter of the state's 32nd governor and his speechwriter, was the first woman to hold the position of chief of staff. She held that post under GOP Gov. Al Quie, who was elected in 1978. Matt Kramer, appointed last December, is the current and fourth chief of staff to Gov. Tim Pawlenty in five years. Pawlenty's first chief of staff was Charlie Weaver, a law school chum who also served several years in the House of Representatives with Pawlenty. Weaver's influence continues as a member of Pawlenty'S "Kitchen Cabinet," an inner circle of strategists and advisers. Gene Lahammer is a St. Louis Park freelance writer who covered state government during much of his 34 -year career with the Associated Press. LAW & POLITICS • April/May 2008 21 Guy Kullander From: greening [greening@greatrivergreening.org] Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 3:05 PM Subject: April 2008 Greening E -postcard R E T Fs E E 'k� GR [ C N{ N c contact us events publications services contribute News - April 2008 Reconnect with the Land with Second Annual A Million Shades of Green Celebration Renowned Forest Ecologist to speak about Global Warrning's Impact on Minnesota Forests April 9, 2008 To Partners and Friends of Great River Greening: Professor Lee Frelich warns that Minnesota's premier north woods wilderness --the most visited wilderness area in the country -- is heading for a "perfect storm" of events so catastrophic that both pines and moose could vanish within two generations. Learn from him and others in a week of activities for adults and children related to the preservation, restoration, and beautification of natural areas and open spaces. Highlights include a children's book workshop on the story of oaks, an art show at Anchor Bank, workshop by author Carrot Henderson on landscaping for wildlife, and evening gala honoring corporate and other stewards. Dates: April 18 - 27 Celebration Activities Sunken Garden Spring Flower Show is an annual delight and sure sign that spring is blossoming. Held in the Sunken Garden of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory the show is produced by the staff of the Conservatory and runs concurrently with A Million Shades of Green. Greening Rain Garden, produced by Great River Greening, located on Donor Plaza at the Como Zoo and Conservatory demonstrates how attractive native plants effectively help water infiltrate into the ground instead of carrying nutrients and other pollutants into streams and lakes. A Million Acorns for Kids located at the Picnic Rental Space in Como Park Zoo and conducted by Wiley Buck, Great River Greening Restoration Ecologist, instructs children in the development of oak seedlings in a hands-on workshop and features The Great Sebastian and His Million Acorns, a children's book by Tom Frank. Date: Saturday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Party for the Planet, produced by Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in collaboration with other AZA -accredited zoos, is a nation-wide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level. Guests will be able to learn more on recycling, water gardens and how to lower energy consumption. Party for the Planet also celebrates the opening of the new Children's Gallery at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Dates: Saturday, April 19 — Earth Day, April 22, 10:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. Wishes for the Sky, Promises to the Earth, produced by Public Art Saint Paul in partnership with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, is an interactive experience inviting children and adult participants to write wishes for the earth on bird -shaped kites and fly them during an activity filled Earth Day afternoon on Harriet Island, Saint Paul. Date: Sunday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. �� .•,, News - April 2008 Reconnect with the Land with Second Annual A Million Shades of Green Celebration Renowned Forest Ecologist to speak about Global Warrning's Impact on Minnesota Forests April 9, 2008 To Partners and Friends of Great River Greening: Professor Lee Frelich warns that Minnesota's premier north woods wilderness --the most visited wilderness area in the country -- is heading for a "perfect storm" of events so catastrophic that both pines and moose could vanish within two generations. Learn from him and others in a week of activities for adults and children related to the preservation, restoration, and beautification of natural areas and open spaces. Highlights include a children's book workshop on the story of oaks, an art show at Anchor Bank, workshop by author Carrot Henderson on landscaping for wildlife, and evening gala honoring corporate and other stewards. Dates: April 18 - 27 Celebration Activities Sunken Garden Spring Flower Show is an annual delight and sure sign that spring is blossoming. Held in the Sunken Garden of the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory the show is produced by the staff of the Conservatory and runs concurrently with A Million Shades of Green. Greening Rain Garden, produced by Great River Greening, located on Donor Plaza at the Como Zoo and Conservatory demonstrates how attractive native plants effectively help water infiltrate into the ground instead of carrying nutrients and other pollutants into streams and lakes. A Million Acorns for Kids located at the Picnic Rental Space in Como Park Zoo and conducted by Wiley Buck, Great River Greening Restoration Ecologist, instructs children in the development of oak seedlings in a hands-on workshop and features The Great Sebastian and His Million Acorns, a children's book by Tom Frank. Date: Saturday, April 19, 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Party for the Planet, produced by Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in collaboration with other AZA -accredited zoos, is a nation-wide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level. Guests will be able to learn more on recycling, water gardens and how to lower energy consumption. Party for the Planet also celebrates the opening of the new Children's Gallery at Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. Dates: Saturday, April 19 — Earth Day, April 22, 10:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. Wishes for the Sky, Promises to the Earth, produced by Public Art Saint Paul in partnership with Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, is an interactive experience inviting children and adult participants to write wishes for the earth on bird -shaped kites and fly them during an activity filled Earth Day afternoon on Harriet Island, Saint Paul. Date: Sunday, April 20, 11:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. A Million Shades Landscape Art and Photography Exhibit located in the lobby of Anchor Bank, Saint Paul, skyway level at 332 Minnesota Street, showcases the work of Kinji Akagawa, 2007 McKnight Distinguished Artist and internationally renowned landscape and wildlife photographer Layne Kennedy. Dates: Monday, April 21 — Friday, April 25, 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. Planting with Natives, located in the Visitor Center at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, is a demonstration workshop and lecture conducted by Carrol Henderson, well known Minnesota author and Supervisor of the Nongame Program of the Minnesota DNR. Mr. Henderson highlights best practices when landscaping with native plants. Date: Wednesday, April 23, 3:30 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. Global Warming — Its Impact on Minnesota Forests, located in the Visitor Center at the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, is a one hour presentation on the current and future effects of global warming on Minnesota forests conducted by Lee Frelich, Research Associate and Director, University of Minnesota Center for Hardwood Ecology. Dr. Frelich highlights the dramatic changes that are occurring and will continue to occur in the Minnesota landscape if global warming trends are not stopped. Date: Thursday, April 24, 4:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. A Million Shades of Green Gala honors: Target Corporation - Corporate Environmental Steward of the Year Minnesota Landscape Arboretum - Non-profit Environmental Steward of the Year Aggregate Industries - Environmental Business of the Year Minnesota DNR — Division of Ecological Resources - Environmental Community Partner of the Year Matt Mollet - Individual Environmental Steward of the Year Kinji Akagawa - Landscape Artist of the Year Layne Kennedy - Landscape Photographer of the Year Joe Kingman - Founders' Award Date: Friday, April 25, 2008, Arbor Day, 6:30 PM — 10:30 PM $125 per person; tables of ten available New to Great River Greening Staff We are all excited to welcome Mark Turbak (M.A. forthcoming) as our new volunteer manager. Mark's career developed within American Red Cross, where he quickly moved up the ladder, holding jobs in volunteer resources, individual giving, and training. As the State/National Disaster Volunteer and Training Coordinator he trained and deployed hundreds of volunteers in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Great River Greening's e-mail postcard offers periodic updates on Greening news and events. For more information about Great River Greening, visit our website tot w.greatri.ver•areen .ng._orp. If you would like to be removed from our E -Postcard list just reply to the sender with the word "remove" in the subject line.