COUNTRY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2017
Serving Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, May Township
VOL. 34 NO. 35 www.countrymessenger.com $.75
MAY TOWN BOARD: Candidate filing period opens soon PAGE 2
‘Alive and Kicking’ — inside the culture of swing The Marine Community Library and Marine Film Society last week announced the Jan. 4 documentary series screening of “Alive and Kicking,” a feature-length documentary that takes an inside look into the culture of swing dancing and the characters who make it special. In the film, director Susan Glatzer explores the culture surrounding swing dance, from the emergence of the Lindy Hop to the modern day international phenomenon. The film follows the growth of swing from its purely American roots as an art form to countries all over the world. “Alive and Kicking” looks at the lives of the swing dancers themselves to find their personal stories and why this dance fills them with joy. Glatzer’s track record of productions and acquisitions has garnered seven Academy Awards, 19 Academy Award nominations and numerous awards at the Cannes, Sundance, and Venice film festivals. Serving as senior vice president for the Motion Picture Group at Paramount Pictures, Susan concentrated on co-productions and worldwide acquisitions. Among the projects Susan has been involved with are “Traffic,” “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Secrets & Lies,” “Narc,” “Breaking the Waves,” and “High Art.” Glatzer has worked with
BY KYLE WEAVER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
A show poster for “Alive and Kicking,” the next film in the Marine Documentary Series.
‘Alive and Kicking’ directors Robert Altman, Albert Brooks, Diane Keaton, Mike Leigh, David Lynch, Emir Kusturica, Joe Carnahan, and Lisa Cholodenko. She has been swing dancing for 18 years.
When: Thursday, January 4, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Where: Marine Village Hall (121 Judd Street) Details: Presentation is free, hosted by the Marine Community Library and Marine Film Society
Veteran asks snowmobilers to steer clear of memorial BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@COUNTRYMESSENGER.COM
Air Force veteran Randall Simonson, who helped raise funds for and build the Scandia Veterans Memorial, hopes snowmobilers will give the new memorial a wide berth and stay off the surrounding grounds. “It hasn’t taken long for (some) snowmobilers SEE MEMORIAL, PAGE 2
Small-scale solar, sketch reviews on docket for ‘18 The Scandia Planning Commission will be holding public hearings on two ordinances in early January that could potentially assist land developers and benefit home owners wishing to add solar energy collectors on their property. The first ordinance would allow for the city to conduct a concept review or “sketch review” of potential land subdivisions. The optional concept review would be conducted by city staff for lesser fee to help potential developers identify the land issues they may be facing—before they invest in a full-price conditional use permit review from the planning commission. The second ordinance would allow smaller-scale solar energy systems that would be accessories to single homes or businesses. The solar panels would be limited to rooftop-mounted or 800 square feet for ground-mounted systems, according to the proposal. The city repealed its community solar garden ordinance in September after concerns were raised about the viewshed impacts of some of the systems that have been installed since the ordinance was adopted. Public hearings for the two ordinances are scheduled for Jan. 2 at 7 p.m.
Building permits In terms of development and building permit fees, Scandia indeed had a good year. City Administrator Neil Soltis noted in his report to the Scandia City Council last week that the city issued 712 permits for a combined value of $27,283,646 with a month still remaining in 2017. That compares to 222 permits and $8.6 million in value in 2016. A major hail storm last summer that damaged multiple roofs, 21 new homes and three new community solar gardens with a combined value of $10,359,000 contributed most of the development value. The city has netted $253,323 worth of income from the permit fees.
Other business:
SUBMITTED
After seeing tracks in the snow near the Scandia Veterans Memorial, Air Force veteran Randall Simonson requested that snowmobilers steer clear of the memorial grounds, which have been landscaped.
• The council approved its final budget for 2018, collecting a $2,257,872 tax levy, a zero percent increase over 2017. The planned budget should lower Scandia residents’ property tax bills in 2018, at least for the city’s portion. • The council approved a set of sewer rate changes for the Uptown and Bliss/Anderson-Erickson SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2
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