Issue 52 - Heights Highlights Fall 2000PAGE I
IWOTUESDAY,
NOVEMBER VETE
Thee State General and City Election will be held on Tuesday,
November,7. Polling places will be open for voting from 7:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.mX
The five precinct polling places are: Somerset Elementary School
north gymnasium (Precinct 1), located at 1355 Dodd Road; Mendota
Heights City Hall Council Chambers (Precinct 2), 1101 Victoria
Curve; Mendota Elementary School (Precinct 3), 1979 Summit Lane;
St. Paul's United Methodist Church (Precinct 4), 700 Wesley Lane;
and the Visitation School Fine Arts Center (Precinct 5) 2455 Visita-
tion Drive. If you are not sure which precinct you reside in, please
call City Hall at 452-1850 for assistance.
When you arrive at the polls, an election judge will ask your name
Cnd address. The judge will then look for your name on the polling
.ice registration list, which is provided by the state. If your name is
not on the list, because you are not registered or are at the wrong
polling place, the judge will direct you to the correct polling place or
will ask you to complete a voter registration form. If your name is on
the list, the judge will give you a voter's receipt. You will be directed
to the next judge, who will offer you a demonstration on how to
properly mark a vote for an office. Although you have probably
received a similar demonstration in past elections, please listen
carefully to the judge's instructions. Many ballots are rejected by the
optical scan vote readers in every election because they are not
properly marked. When the demonstration has been completed, you
will be directed to the ballot judge. The judge will ask for your voter's
receipt and will give you a ballot, ballot pen and ballot sleeve.
When you receive your ballot, take it to the first available voting
booth. Through an agreement with Dakota County, new ballot
tabulators have been purchased and will be used in the General
Election. Every election jurisdiction in the county will use the same
tabulating equipment and the same ballot format. Instead of complet-
ing an "arrow" on your ballot, you must fill in an oval to mark your
choice of candidate.
After you have finished voting, take a moment to look at your
ballot. If you find that you have made a mistake in any way, you may
return it to the ballot judge who will give you another. If you find no
errors, place your ballot in the ballot sleeve, take your voted ballot to
the optical scan machine and insert it in the slot at the front of the
machine. Your votes will immediately be recorded within the internal
memory of the machine. If your ballot has been improperly marked,
will be rejected by the machine. A message will be printed on a
d -out screen. You should read the message to see why your ballot
was rejected, and then return to the ballot judge and ask for a new
ballot.
Election Day Registration
Residents who are not currently registered to vote in Mendota
Heights can register at their precinct polling places on election day.
You must provide proper proof of residency. This proof can be a valid
Minnesota Driver's License, Learner's Permit, or Minnesota Identi-
fication Card, showing your current address, or a receipt for any of
these types of identification. If the Minnesota ID or license has a
former address, you may bring a recent utility bill to use with your
license or ID card. The utility bill must have your name and current
address and be due within 30 days of the election. Utility bills may
be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone or cable tv.
You can also use a "Notice of Late Registration" postcard mailed to
you by the County Auditor or a U.S. Passport or military photo ID
card with a utility bill. Students can use a student ID card plus a dorm
list with present address (certified by the school) or a student fee
statement with an address in the precinct plus a photo ID. If you do
not have the proper identification, a person who knows you and is a
registered voter in your precinct may vouch for your residency.
Precinct election judges may not, under penalty prescribed by state
law, accept any other proof of residency. The responsibility to
provide the required proof is yours. If you are a new resident, why
not take the time between now and November 7 to change your
driver's license or Minnesota ID card. Bringing the proper identifi-
cation to the polling place will save you and the election judges time
and frustration on election day.
Absentee Ballots
If you know that you will be unable to vote in person on election
day because of illness, disability, religious discipline or because you
will be out of town, you may apply for an absentee ballot. You can
request an application form by mail, phone, or in person at City Hall
during office hours. If you are unable to visit City Hall during regular
office hours, the City Offices will be open for absentee voting on
Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Monday,
November 6, from 8:00 a.m, to 5:00 p.m.
More Questions? Please Call
The foregoing information is provided to make the election process
easier for you. You are encouraged to contact City Clerk Kathleen
Swanson at 452-1850, if you have any additional election questions.
Inside "Heights Highlites"
City Election Candidate Profiles
Precinct 2 Polling Place Change
Annual Halloween Bonfire
For Great Fall/Winter Fun, Check out the
Parks and Recreation Information
on Pages 4 through 7
PAGE 3 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES
Fall Lawn Care
Clean Storm Drains, Cleaner Water
Lawn owners can help local water quality this fall by using low phosphorus fertilizer,
keeping leaves and grass clippings off driveways and streets, and keeping your nearby
storm drains cleaned out.
Fertilizing lawns in the fall helps make healthier turf going into winter and improves
green -up in the spring. Depending on the type of grass, most established lawns benefit
from fertilization in September to mid-October. Since most established lawns in Dakota
County have more than enough phosphorus, choose fertilizer with the middle number
(meaning phosphorus) of three or less. Many nurseries and lawn care companies sell zero
phosphorus fertilizer. Newly established lawns may still need additional phosphorus in
fertilizer. Before fertilizing, residents are encouraged to test their soils to see what nutrients
their soils need. For more information on soil tests and fertilizing, contact the University
of Minnesota Extension Service, Dakota County at (651) 480-7734. Basic soil tests cost
$7. The University of Minnesota INFO -U provides recorded messages on lawn care topics
too. Call (612) 624-2200 for a catalog list of topics.
Phosphorus is the nutrient that can degrade water quality in local ponds and lakes. It can
cause significant algae blooms and promotes excess weed growth. One common source
of phosphorus in ponds and lakes is runoff entering city storm sewer systems. It is
important to keep fertilizer, leaves, and grass clippings off driveways and streets so that
they will not be carried through storm drains. Water entering storm drains is not treated
and drains directly to local water bodies. Help protect water quality in local ponds, lakes,
and wetlands by removing any grass and twigs, along with trash, from the storm drains
on your street.
(Heights Highlights thanks Charlotte Shover, Dakota County Environmental Education
Program Coordinator for the above information.)
Fire Safe Businesses
Recognized
Nine years ago, the city initiated a Fire
Safety Awards Program. The program rec-
ognizes local firms that consistently and con-
scientiously emphasize the importance of
fire safety in the workplace. This year's
award recipients were recognized by the City
Council on October 3. They are:
A.R.R.T.
Center for Diagnostic Imaging
Ecolab
General Pump
L.C.S. Metal Stamping
Mendakota Country Club
Minnesota Knitting Mills
Patterson Dental Supply
Somerset Country Club
Specialty Equipment
Tempco Manufacturing
Each of these businesses received com-
mendations in 1999 and prior years. Con-
gratulations to all of the recipients for their
continued commitment to fire safety.
MIND YOUR DOGS,
PLEASE!
In many past issues of the "Heights High-
lites" we have included articles intended to
inform pet owners of their responsibilities.
We continue to receive complaints from resi-
dents about dog droppings left on city trails
and in the parks. We also receive many com-
plaints that dogs are allowed to wander un-
leashed with their owners on the trails and in
parks.
City ordinances not only require all dogs
to be licensed. They also require that dogs be
kept on leashes at all times and that owners
clean up after their pets. If you take your dog
to a city park or for a walk on the trails, you
must bring a device to pick up its excrement
and a receptacle to contain it. There are sig-
nificant penalties for violating the ordi-
nances. More importantly, the requirements
were adopted in order to enhance the safety
and well being of everyone in the commu-
nity. Please, mind your dogs and enhance the
environment for your neighbors and your-
selves.
October, 2000
JOIN YOUR NEIGHBORS
Want to have a monstrously good time on
Halloween? Join your friends and neighbors
at the annual city -sponsored Halloween
Bonfire. It will be held on October 31, from
7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The location is the
same as in prior years - in an undeveloped
portion ofthe Mendota Plaza Shopping Cen-
ter property, behind the shopping center
building. All the goblins and gremlins, dino-
saurs and ballerinas are guaranteed to have a
great time.
The Volunteer Fire Department has of-
fered to carry on the bonfire tradition and
will again coordinate and run this year's
event. The bonfire is conducted to provide a
safe and enjoyable family alternative to trick
or treating. Costumes are not necessary. Hot
dogs, soda and other goodies are free and a
ghostly good time is guaranteed.
Bonfire Site to Open
Beginning on October 20 at 8:00 a.m.,
Mendota Heights residents only will be al-
lowed to dispose of their clean burning brush
such as tree branches, limbs and trunks not
over six inches in diameter at the Halloween
Bonfire site. Disposal will begin at 8:00 a.m.
on October 20 and will be restricted to the
hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Brush will no
longer be accepted after 4:00 p.m. on Octo-
ber 29, 2000. Disposal by commercial lawn
and tree service companies is not pennitted.
Once the area is filled, it will be fenced. No
further dumping will be allowed and a "No
Dumping" sign will then be posted.
Leaves, grass clippings, refuse, paper,
trade waste, rubbish, tree limbs or tree trunks
over six inches in diameter and any items that
will pollute or contaminate the air are PRO-
HIBITED FROM THE BONFIRE.
Heights Highlites is a government news-
letter distributed to inform residents on
events and activities that affect Mendota
Heights. If you know any residents who
are not receiving the Heights Highlites,
please invite them to contact City Hall,
452-1850, to be placed on the newsletter
mailing list.
PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES October, 2000
MENDOTA HEIGHTS PARKS AND
RECREATION
Fall/Winter Recreation Programs
Join us on your school days off.The trips listed below are the perfect opportunity for kids and their friends, brothers and sisters to participate
in FUN activities. The day trips are sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Departments of Mendota Heights, West St. Paul, South St. Paul
and Inver Grove Heights. All trips depart from West St. Paul City Hall, 1616 Humboldt Ave., and also return there. To register, either
come to Mendota Heights City Hall or mail in the registration form from this issue of "Heights Highlights" and payment to "City of
Mendota Heights" (1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights, MN 55118). Registrations received after the deadlines are subject to a $2.00
late fee per participant. Anyone interested in chaperoning youth trips or ski trips should contact Mary at 651-452-1850.
Drkula's Bowl & Shoreview Community Center —
Wednesday, December 27
Have a "bowling" good time at Drkula's Bowl. Then, off to
Shoreview Community Center for swimming & open gym.
Tons of fun!!! Kids should bring money to purchase
snacks/lunch.
Date: Wednesday, December 27
Time: Pickup 9:30 AM/Return 3:30 PM
Depart/Return location: West St. Paul City Hall,
1616 Humboldt Ave., WSP
Ages: 7-12 years of age
Fee: $13.00
Registration Deadline: Wednesday, December 20
OFFICE INFORMATION:
Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m
Mendota Heights City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve
Phone: (651)452-1850
Park Maintenance Phone: (651)454-4059
PARKS AND RECREATION STAFF:
Mary Hapka, Recreation Programmer
Terry Blum, Parks Leadperson
John Boland, Parks Crew
Mike Maczko, Parks Crew
PARKS AND RECREATION INFORMATION LINES:
Park and Ballfield Reservations (651)255-1172
Ice Rink/Warming House Hotline (651)255-1173
Available Recreation Programs (651)255-1175
Green Acres & Lava Links —Thursday, December 28
Join us for a terrific day of tubing and towing! A pizza and pop
lunch, 4 game tokens and mini golf at Lava Links will follow
hours of tubing fun. Children should bring extra money for
additional tokens or food. Remember to dress warm.
Date: Thursday, December 28
Time: Pickup 9:30 AM/Return 3:45
Depart/Return location: West St. Paul City Hall,
1616 Humboldt Ave., WSP
Ages: 7-12 years of age
Fee: $20.00
Registration Deadline: Thursday, December 21
Maple Grove Community Center — Friday, December 29
Swim/Gym/Maple Maze/Ice Skating
Begin the day with gym games
and the Maple Maze (you must
wear socks). Afterwards, open ice
skating, 11:30am-1:00pm. Bring r,
your ice skates or $1.50 to rent a'
pair. And finally, 2 hours of poolP:�?
time which includes a 130 ft.
waterslide, water sprays, geysers,
and a rope swing. Bring your swimsuit and towel and a bag lunch
and/or money for concessions. A daylong adventure filled with
activity awaits you. Don't miss out!
Date: Friday, December 29
Time: Pickup 8:30 AM/ Return 4:15
Depart/Return location: West St. Paul City Hall,
1616 Humboldt Ave., WSP
Ages: 7-12 years of age
Fee: $13.50 (plus $1.50 for skate rental)
Registration Deadline: Friday, December 22
PAGE 5 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES February, 2000
AFTER SCHOOL
YOUTH SKI TRIPS
To Welch Village Ski Area
NOTE: Buses for the after school field trips will pickup at 3:30
PM at the West St. Paul City Hall. Buses will return to the West
St. Paul City Hall at 10:00 PM: Parents please pick up your
children promptly at 10:00 PM at West St. Paul City Hall (1616
Humboldt Ave., WSP)
Ski Trips are scheduled after
school until 10:00 PM. After a
long week of studies, catch our
bus at West St. Paul City Hall
These ski trips are for all abili-
ties from Beginners to Ad-
vanced. Prices include: lift tick-
ets, bus transportation,Adult
Chaperones, and equipment
rental (if needed). Bring money
for dinner/snacks or bring a bag
dinner. Students are dropped off
at West St. Paul City Hall at
10:00 PM; please pick up your
children on time! Anyone inter-
ested in chaperoning should
contact Mary at 651-452-1850. Chaperones will be paid and will
also have their lift ticket and equipment rental paid for.
Registration deadline for all ski trips: Monday before each trip.
LOCATION: Welch Village Ski Area
DAY/DATES: Fridays, January 5, 19; February 9
FEES: With equipment rental: $31.00 per trip
Without equipment rental: $18.00 per trip
Ski lessons: Add $5.00 per trip (fee must be paid at
time of registration).
AGES: Grades 3-8
PICKUP-TIMES:..330 PM West St. Paul City Hall
RETURN:.. 10:00 PM (WSP City Hall)
SOUTH REGION "STARS"
The Area 12 Special Olympics "Stars" are "in training" and
participating in a wide variety of Fall/Winter sports and activities.
The activities include bowling, floor hockey, swimming and basket-
ball. New athletes can be registered at any time during the year. Call
Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation 651-450-2588 for more
programs, dates and times.
KCE RINK WARMING
HOUSE SCHEDULE
Weather permitting, the City's ice rinks and warming houses
will open on Friday, December 15.
Rink rules will be posted at each warming house. A rink
attendant will be on duty at each of the warming houses during
the regular warming house hours (listed below).
The Outdoor rinks and warming houses will be CLOSED and
outdoor programs will be canceled when the air temperature is
-5 degrees or lower. Please keep children home on these days.
For more information concerning ice rinks, please call 651-
452-1850.
WARMING HOUSE LOCATIONS
Friendly Hills Park
South of Decorah Lane on Pueblo Drive
Marie Park
West of Victoria on Marie Avenue
Wentworth Park
Between Dodd Road and Wachtler Avenue.
WARMING HOUSE HOURS:
Weekdays ......................4:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturdays ......................11:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Sundays ........................12:00 (noon) to 6:00 p.m.
School Vacation Days
(as staff is available 12:00 (noon) to 8:30 p.m. Otherwise
note regular hours.)
Christmas /New Year's Eve.... 12:00 (noon) to 4:00 p.m.
Christmas /New Year's Day.............................CLOSED
Positions Available
Warming House Attendant
This is a part-time position and is ideal for students, adults or
seniors. Rink Attendant experience is not a requirement to apply.
Outdoor Skating Director/Instructor
Instructor with experience is needed to instruct outdoor skating
classes to a variety of ages and abilities.
Applications and job descriptions are available at Mendota Heights
City Hall. City Hall is located at 1101 Victoria Curve and is open
Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For additional
information contact Mary at 651-452-1850.
55 + CARD CLUB
A room is available at the Mendota Heights City Hall (I 101 Victoria Curve) for any individuals 55 years of age or older who are interested
in starting a card club. Group members will be responsible to organize a play schedule and choice of game(s). Any individuals interested
organizing a card club should contact the Parks & Recreation Dept. at 651-452-1850 for assistance and additional information.
PACE 6 HEIGHTS HICHLITES October, 2000
LEARN TO SKATE
Join us for some old fashioned outdoor fun. Outdoor ice
skating lessons will be offered at Friendly Hills Park. A variety
of classes will be offered for all ages and abilities. This is a good
opportunity to improve your skating skills and have some
outdoor fun.
Classes are limited to 5-7 participants, so register early. A
waiting list will be made for overflow registrations. Please
watch for flyers that will be distributed to all schools in early -
November.
Smalls and Talls
Parents or other responsible
adults participate with their first
time skaters. Adults will learn tips
on how to help their children skate.
This class is fun for parents and
children!
Ages 3-5 years old
Sundays, Jan 7 - Feb 10
Section 1: 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Beginners
Skaters with no previous experience will have a super time
being introduced to basic skills of skating.
Ages 6 and older
Sundays, Jan 7 - Feb 10
Section I: 12:35 - 1:05 p.m.
Advanced Beginners
Skaters who can skate forward or who have previously been
in the Beginners class
Ages 6 and older
Sundays, Jan 7 - Feb 10
Section I: 1:10 — 1:40 p.m.
Funstyle/Freestyle
This is for intermediate skaters who can do forward and
backward crossovers and turns. Skaters will learn jumps and
spins.
Sundays, Jan 7 - Feb 10
Section : 1:45 — 2:15p.m.
Adults
This class is perfect for adults who want to begin skating for
the first time, improve skating skills or just get outside and
enjoy the fresh air! It's never to late to learn!!!
Ages 17 and older
Sundays, Jan 7 —Feb 10
Section I: 2:20-2:50 p.m.
FISH ROGER'S LAKE
The Department of Natural Resources
recently comleted installation of a fishing
's dock on Roger's Lake. The dock extends
mYa 108 feet into the lake with a thirty foot "T"
`} J at the end. If you like to fish, Roger's Lake
... is definitely worth a cast.
CELEBRATE MENDOTA
HEIGHTS PARKS!
The Parks and Recreation Department, the City Council and
the City of Mendota Heights would like to express our deepest
gratitude to all sponsors of the Ninth Annual Celebrate Mendota
Heights Parks event. As in the past the residents of this commu-
nity were able to enjoy various activities during the celebration
on Saturday, June 3, 2000. This year's donations allowed the
community to enjoy entertainment by the Kit & Kaboodle, Face
painting by ProTec, and the Animal's of Walton's Hollow. We
are extremely appreciative of your generosity as your donation
provided valuable assistance in making this event possible and
an experience for all to enjoy.
2000 CELEBRATE MENDOTA
HEIGHTS PARKS SPONSORS &
PARTICIPANTS
3M Metal Matrix Composites
AIITech Engineering Corp.
Annex Cleaners
Bernard Friel
Bogeys
Boltz's Tae Kwon Do, Inc.
Brown Institute
Children's Country Day School
Convent of the Visitation School
Courtyard by Marriot
Dakota Bank
Donna Schroer
Esslinger & Company
GP Companies, Inc.
Hudson Co., Inc.
J. Liberacki & Associates
Judge Richard Spicer
KEBCO, Inc.
LCS Company
Mayflower Distributing Co., Inc.
Mendakota Animal Hospital
Mendota Heights Amoco
Mendota Heights Athletic Association
Mendota Heights Liquor
Mendota Heights Par 3 Golf Course
Northland Insurance Co.
PROTEC Enviromental Consultants
Ridge South Condominium Assoc.
Sally Lorberbaum
Sibley Area Sting Soccer Club
Somerset Travel
Sun Country Airlines
TAJ Technologies, Inc.
Turner's Gymnastics
Viking Plastic Packaging, Inc.
Ziggy's Deli & Ice Cream
Parent/Guardian Name:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Address:
City: Zip Code:
❑ Please check
for $5.00
Non -Resident Fee
Participant Name
Gender
(Circle)
Birthdate
Activity Name
Start
Date
Time
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