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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2017 VOL. 33 NO. 44 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
LOG HOUSE LANDING: Council to hold public hearing in April. PAGE 2
In May, longtime supervisor faces challenger BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
On March 14, May Township voters will choose between incumbent board supervisor John Adams and his challenger, Mitchell Otterson. Adams is a 21-year veteran of the township’s board. Otterson is a relative newcomer who has quickly gotten involved in township government, sitting on the planning commission and acting as an election judge.
John Adams Adams grew up in White Bear Lake (class of ’71) but traveled to May Township often, visiting a friend who lived on Square Lake. He and his wife moved to May in 1992, after building a house on 10 acres they’d purchased a couple years before. “Our two boys, grown now, loved playing in the woods,” he said. “Like most other people, we find May Township beautiful for its rural character and wildlife. Taking a walk along a gravel road under the canopy of the trees is a great way to enjoy those things.” What abilities and experiences make you the best candidate to represent the citizens of May Township? I have a 35-year long business
Adams
Otterson
background, which helps me to analyze carefully how we as a township spend money. Cost control can be a hard thing to accomplish in business or government. I have been successful in finding savings in our budgets and using them to keep the annual levy down. I also have 21 years of experience on the town board. I have excellent working relationships with my fellow supervisors, the clerk, and the treasurer. The fact
that there are no major issues facing the town is, I believe, a result of our teamwork and I am very proud of it. What are one or two of the most pressing issues for the township right now and, if re-elected, how will you work to handle them? The township is running very well, and has been for many years. Our taxes are among the lowest of any local government unit in the SEE CANDIDATES, PAGE 2
Meister's to raise funds for Rob BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
Every once in awhile, someone who’s helped others without expecting anything in return needs a little help themself. So is the case with Rob Taylor, owner of R&B Auto in Scandia, who has started generators in the middle of the night, done a bit of auto work pro bono if he knows someone needs it, and helped a stranded reporter change a stuck tire, among other good deeds. “Anyone who knows Rob will agree that he is the first one to help someone in need, regardless of whether they ask or not,” Scot Taylor, owner of Meister’s Bar and Grill, said of the mechanic. He added: “I could call him at midnight and say
Rob Taylor, owner of R&B Auto, was injured in a car crash.
the power’s out — I live in Stillwater — and he’ll get up and start the generator. He never asks for anything in return.” About a month ago, Rob was injured in a car crash. Driving on a gravel road in Scandia, he swerved to avoid a NEWS 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
deer and rolled his car. “He and his wife were in the car,” said Scot. “He broke his back. But he’s your typical male, I guess, who doesn’t go to the doctor or complain about pain. He towed his car out and eventually, after a couple of days, ADVERTISING 651-433-3845 sales@osceolasun.com
went to see someone. … They described his back as an eggshell.” There’s no surgery that can fix it, the doctor told Rob. Just time and rest. The prescription, four months off, is easier said than done. “Rob’s just not in a financial position to do that,” said Scot. “And when you own your own business, you have to keep the door open. If you start going MIA people will think you’re closed.” So when Meister’s general manager Amy Kotzmacher suggested organizing a fundraiser, Scot threw the full weight of the restaurant behind her. “I thought it was a great idea,” he said, “and we’ve been going crazy since then.” They’ve planned an SEE TAYLOR, PAGE 12
PUBLIC NOTICES 651-433-3845 editor@countrymessenger.com
SUZANNE LINDGREN | COUNTRY MESSENGER
Scandia students learn what it takes to be Master Gardeners
Scandia second graders learned from a University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension Master Gardener volunteer, Kathy Luoma, on Feb. 23. during their Winter Gardening activity. Luoma, a former elementary school teacher in the Stillwater school district, and other UMN Extension Master Gardeners, demonstrated how to plant various pollinator plant seeds such as milkweed, blazing star, ironweed, joe pye weed, anise hyssop and others into milk jugs. The activity helped students gain an understanding and knowledge of how food is grown while also enhancing the school’s IB program and plant unit where students learn about seeds, plants and the adaptations of plants. SUBSCRIPTIONS 651-433-3845 office@osceolasun.com
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