Loading...
Issue 18 - Heights Highlights Fall 1990OCTOBER, 1990 ISSUE 18 ENJOY YOUR PARKS AND TRAILS As the days grow shorter and the 1990 construction season winds down, we are happy to report that much of the work approved in the 1989 Parks Referendum has been completed. The improvements offer something for everyone, from a leisurely walk through nature's splendor in Valley Park to pick-up basketball in any of the neighborhood parks. Most of the neighborhood park work scheduled for 1990 has been done. In some cases, how- ever, finish grading and seeding may not be totally completed until spring. The fol- lowing summary of work accomplished on the parks project in 1990 is offered to help you know and enjoy your park system. NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS Iew play structures have been installed . all of the neighborhood parks. The newly graded and re -seeded ballfields now also sport backstops and players benches. Basketball hardcourts, landscaping and signage has been added in all the parks. In addition, volleyball courts were con- structed at Rogers Lake Park, Friendly Hills Park, Wentworth Park, Marie Park and Ivy Hills Park. A horseshoe pit was installed at Rogers Lake Park. The neigh- borhood parks are now linked to the City's bicycle/pedestrian trail system and asphalt trails meander through many of the parks. TRAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS Eight miles of paved trails were con- structed in 1990 along roadways and through our various parks. The highlight of the trails system is the new section in Valley Park that provides a north/south connec- tion from Highway 13 to Dodd Road. 4 - ; The Marie Park play equipment, shown above, along with the park's ballfaeld, basketba14 volleyball and tennis courts, offer fun for all ages. The section of Valley Park trail pictured above, begins just southwest of the Valley Park tennis court and wanders from under Marie Avenue all the way to the intersection of Highway 110 and Dodd Road. Other major sections of the trail are along Delaware Avenue, Lexington Avenue, Wachtler/Wentworth Avenues, Victoria Road and Marie Avenue. NEW NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS Two new neighborhood parks, Hagstrom-King and Victoria Highlands, were constructed this summer. They fea- ture youth ballfields, hardcourts, play structures, parking lots and landscaping. SIBLEY ATHLETIC COMPLEX Sibley Park, located adjacent to the Sibley High School campus, was con- structed this summer. The complex in- cludes four full sized, regulation athletic fields - one for baseball, two for softball and one for soccer. A comfort station with storage, bathrooms and concessions oc- cupies the center of the new park. Installa- tion of a play structure is planned for 1991. The construction of Sibley Park was the result of a cooperative effort between the City and School District #197. The Parks and Recreation Commission is busy designing improvements for the 1991 construction season. The Commis- sion meets the second Tuesday evening of each month. Over the coming months, it will be considering final touches to the neighborhood parks, new sections of paved trailways and searches for ballfield sites and future land purchases. Why not plan a visit to a neighborhood park soon? The parks and trails belong to you. You might be surprised at how much you will enjoy them. EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS On November 6th, the General and City Election will be held. Much of the space in this edition of Heights Highlites is dedicated to providing election -related information. The ballot will be lengthy. It will include a U.S. Senate seat, state, county and local offices. It might be easy to overlook or forget the local offices given the media coverage the federal and state races receive. Don't overlook the local elections. City government is important, as it is the level of government closest to the citizen. This year, you will be entitled to elect a Mayor for a two-year term. You will also be entitled to vote for two candidates for four-year terms as Councilmember. This is the only portion of the ballot where you may vote for more than one candidate. Profiles of the City Election candidates are located on page 3. PAGE 2 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES OCTOBER, 1990 VOTE 4�� NOVEMBER 6TH ===* VOTE The polls will be open for voting on Elec- tion Day, November 6th, from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. The six polling places, and the precincts they serve are shown on the fol- lowing map. If you are unsure where to vote, please contact City Hall. When you arrive at your polling place, an election judge will find your name on a precinct registration list provided by the state. The judge will ask you to read the election oath and sign the form. Another judge will then give you a ballot, a special marking pen and a ballot sleeve. You will be instructed to take the ballot to the voting booth and draw a line connecting two ends of an arrow to indicate your vote for each office and question (see sample ballot). A judge will be available to offer a demonstration on how to properly mark a vote for an office. The judge will also show you how to make a write-in vote. It is likely that you have received similar instruction at past elections, but please listen carefully to the judge. Many ballots were rejected by the optical scan equipment at the Primary Election because they were not properly marked. The optical scan reader is very sensitive. In order for your vote to be MENDOTA HEIGHTS VOTING PRECINCTS POLLING LOCATIONS ��� , ✓� . �'�` \� 71 aJdj recorded as you intended it, you must use the pen given to you by the judges and you must draw a line connecting the two ends of the arrow which appears next to the candidate of your choice. After you have voted your ballot, take a moment to look it over. If you find that you have made a mis- take in any way, you may return it to the ballot judge, who will give you another. After you have completed voting, insert your ballot into the slot at the front of the optical scan machine. Your votes will be automatically recorded within the internal memory of the machine. A judge will be stationed near the unit. If the ballot has been improperly marked, it willbe rejected by the machine and a message will be printed on a tape located towards the rear of the machine. The judge will read the message for you and explain why your bal- lot was rejected. You will be instructed to return it to the ballot judge, who will give you another. Election Day Registration If you are not currently registered to vote, you may register at the polls on election day. You must, however, provide the Polling Place Locations: Precinct 1, Somerset Elementary Schoo4 1355 Dodd Road; Precinct 2, Mendota Heights Fire Station, 2121 Dodd Road; Precicnt 3, Mendota Elementary School, 1979 Summit Lane; Precinct 4, Henry Sibley Senior High Schoo4 1897 Delaware, Avenue, Room A-241; Precinct 5, Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1960 South Lexington Avenue (across from City Hall); Precinct 6, City Hall, 1101 Victoria Curve. proper proof of residency. This proof n.-., be a valid Minnesota Driver's License, Learner's Permit, or Minnesota Identifica- tion Card, or a receipt for any of those types of identification which shows your current address within the precinct. If you do not have one of these types of identification, a person you know, who is a registered voter in your precinct, may vouch for your residency. The judges may not, ,under penalty prescribed by state law, accept any other proof of residency. The respon- sibility to provide the required proof of residency is yours. If you are a new resident, why not take the time now to change your driver's license or Minnesota I.D. card. To maintain a valid driver's license, you must apply for a new one within 90 days of changing your address. By doing so before election day, you will save yourself and the election judges time and frustration on election day. Unless you provide the re- quired proof of residency, the judges will not allow you to vote. JUDICIAL OFFICES ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SUPREME COURT KEITH SEAT) (VOTE FOR ONE) A. M. (SANDY) KEITH ncumbent« ■( 4M K ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SUPREME COURT SEAT) (NWAHL OTE FOR ONE) ROSALIE E. WAHL incumbent4m NC 40 K ASSOCIATE JUSTICE SUPREME COURT (COYNE SEAT) NOTE FOR ONE) M. JEANNE COYNE Incumbent♦ K 4E K Absentee Voting Should you 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 may request an application form by phone or mail, or you may stop in at City Hall during regular office hours, complete the application and immediately receive your ballot. More Questions, Please Call The foregoing information is provide make the election process easier for yuu and the judges. You are invited and en- couraged to contact City Clerk Kathleen Swanson, at 452-1850, if you have election related questions left unanswered. [ike to, please invite them to con- contractor you have retained) to plow snow from your driveway onto a public street. .y Hall at 452-1850. Please be considerate and abide by the parking ;rules. Time spent tagging or plowing around illegally parked vehicles could be better spent cleaning other city streets. PAGE 6 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES OCTOBER, 1990 PROTECT YOUR PRECIOUS ONES No Halloween seems to be complete to a child unless trick -or -treating is included in the day's events. Although the activity may be great fun for children, it can be a source of concern for parents. To help make Halloween safer for your precious youngsters, we offer the following safety tips. • Accompany your children, or make sure they walk in pairs or a group. Make sure they have a pre -determined location and time to meet you or their group if they become separated. • Be sure they carry identification which includes name, address and phone num- ber. • Tell the children to trick -or -treat only in their own neighborhood or in neigh- borhoods they are familiar with. • Tell them to trick -or -treat only at homes that are lit up and that they should stay on the front steps or porch. Instruct your children that they should never go into a stranger's home. • Consider make-up as a safe alternative to a mask. • If your child plans to wear a mask, be sure the child can see clearly and breathe easily. • To avoid the potential for tripping, be sure costumes are not too long or loose. • Be sure your child's costume is fireproof. • Bright, reflective clothing should be worn along with a costume, and children should carry flashlights so that drivers can see them when it gets dark. • Remind children that if they must cross the street, they should only cross at an intersection, making sure to watch for traffic before crossing. • Before your children eat any of their treats, check their candy for tampering. Make sure that all candy is in its origin; CITY DIRECTORY Council Members: Charles Mertensotto, Mayor 454-3394 Janet Blesener 454-1811 Carl Cummins, II1 454-6262 John Hartmann 688-7462 Burt Anderson 854-6376 Staff Members Tom Lawell, Administrator 452-1850 Kathleen Swanson, City Clerk 452-1850 James Danielson, 452-1086 Public Works Director Dennis Delmont, Police Chief 452-1366 John Maczko, Fire Chief 454-3266 Code Enforcement Officers: Paul Berg & Dick Gill 452-1850 From: City Of Mendota Heights 1101 Victoria Curve Mendota Heights, Mn. 55118 TRICK OR TREAT ..... ........NOT ME! Our underweight Halloween friend plans on filling up on hot dogs and soda instead. Why not join him? The annual Halloween Bonfire will be held on October 31st, starting at 7:00 P r, It will again be located in an undevelk portion of the Mendota Plaza property, behind and east of the shopping center building, across from the Dakota County State Bank. All the little ghosts, goblins and every -age ninja turtles who attend are guaranteed to have fun. The bonfire is conducted to provide a safe and enjoyable family alternative to trick or treating. It is also a nice way to warm up those little toes and bones (and moms and dads) grown cold and weary from "booing" the early evening away. Costumes are not necessary. The food and beverages are free. Good spirits are sure to prevail! POSTAL PATRON MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN 55118 AND 55120 Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID PermitNo. 6166 SI. Paul, Mn. 55118 CARRIER ROUTF PRESORT PAGE 4 HEIGHTS HIGHLITES OCTOBER 1990 The 3 R's of Recycling Recycling is an easy method for all of us to help reduce the waste stream in our efforts to address environmental concerns. What is important to remember is that there are other important methods - reduc- ing, reusing and reacting. Waste reduction and reuse are often con- sidered the first priorities among waste managment options. This is because these two options have no negative effect on the environment, they help to conserve resour- ces, they do not require facilities to handle our waste, and can provide cost savings. Reducing You can reduce your waste by being a smart shopper. Here's how: Buy only what you need. » Buy in bulk when possible. It saves money and reduces packaging. Avoid wasteful packaging such as prepackaged screws, individually wrapped candies, and single -serving WASTE MATTERS containers. Packaging accounts for 1/3 of municipal waste and is often not reusable, refillable, recyclable or degradable. Look for alternatives to disposable items such as razors, lighters, pens and eating utensils. • Buy food and beverages in glass or metal containers that can be returned, refilled or recycled. » Buy durable products of good quality that will last. Reduce your junk mail by up to 75%. Write to the Direct Marketing Association, 6 East 43rd St., New York, NY 10017, and request a con- sumer application for removing your name from its mailing list: Encourage your workplace to be- come involved in reducing, reusing and recycling. Reusing It is possible to reuse many items without WEEKLY CURBSIDE RECYCLING Mendota Heights' Curbside Recycling Program is available to every resident in the City. Recycling service is provided by your garbage hauler and occurs on the same day as your garbage service. Visit City Hall to sign up for Weekly Curbside Recycling. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. While at City Hall you can collect your free recycling container and pick up information on the program so that you can begin participating. Recyclable materials to be collected include aluminum and steel beverage cans (pop and beer), bi-metal cans commonly referred to as "tin cans" such as soup, coffee and vegetable cans, glass bottles and jars and newspapers. Almost 70% of all households in the City are currently participating. Everyone is encouraged to participate and become part of the solution! In 1989 the City of Mendota Heights recycled approximately 750 tons of municipal solid waste. This amount was equal to about 18% of the residential waste stream for our community. In 1990 we are on track to recycle over 900 tons of municipal solid waste. Residents can be proud of their efforts and know that as recycling becomes a habit, that we are all taking part in preserving our environment. throwing them out. Give discarded household items to Goodwill, the Salvation Army, neighborhood yard sales, or charity drives. Donate magazines to nursing homes, schools, prisons, hospitals or any place with a waiting room. When you mow your yard, don't bag your grass clippings. Your lawn can use the mulch. Collect your leaves and other yard waste in a compost pile. This makes an excellent soil conditioner for your garden. Reacting Encourage stores to offer paper bags and to introduce a bulk buying section. Write to manufacturers to. express approval for environmentally beneficial packaging or products. Write to manufacturers to com- plain about overpackaging, nonrecyclable packaging, environmentally harmful products and poor quality products. .... make it second nature. Recycling Directory Dakota County has completed a new Recycling Directory that lists all the infor- mation, resources, outlets, dropoffs and curbside programs in every community in Dakota County. The City of Mendota Heights, through its Landfill Abatement program, is providing every household with the new Recycling Directory. The Recycling Directory should help answer all the questions you may have about recycling. It describes the curbside program, as well as identifying all the out- lets for those hard to get rid of items such as appliances, batteries, tires, plastics, etc. In addtition, the Recycling Directory in- cludes helpful tips on how to reuse many items, become a smart shopper and reduce the amount of solid waste that you generate. The directory should be ready for dis- tribution to your household in Noveml so watch the mailbox for your copy of , Dakota County Recycling Directory.