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VOL. 42 NO. 21 www.quadcommunitypress.com $1.00
Daylight Savings March 10
SECTION CHAMPIONS: Cougar skaters earn trip to state. PAGE 11
Efforts for reformation of Met Council end without plan ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
Students find joyful dance grooves Students demonstrate some of their uninhibited dance moves during a recent Centennial High School Special Needs Prom in the Great Hall at St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lino Lakes. The event, featuring dance music provided by a DJ, lunch, dessert, beverages, game rooms and a photo portrait area, was made possible with the combined efforts of high school student peer leaders, faculty and adult volunteers. Find more photos at presspubs.com.
Attempts by a special task force to find a new type of governing model for the Metropolitan Council have yet to end as some have hoped. Widespread disagreement and an inability to find common ground among task force members left no unanimous decision on how the reform should proceed, leaving members feeling disheartened that no action was being taken. “This is completely frustrating,” said Washington County Commissioner and task force member Karla Bigham. “People have a right to know what standards the council should be held towards and are being better represented by those we elect.” The task force, consisting of 17 appointed council members, was formed during the 2023 legislative session to reform the current governor-appointment-based model, which members like Bigham have argued puts forth a perception that elected members are brought on only to serve in the interest of Gov. Tim Walz and not as independent representatives of their districts/regions. SEE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL, PAGE 16
Late police officer dedicated life to helping others in profession The law enforcement community has had to undergo some significant losses lately. Two police officers and a paramedic were shot and killed in Burnsville a couple of weeks ago while responding to a call about a man who had barricaded himself inside a home with family. James (Jim) Crawford, who was dedicated to helping officers and their families who face those exact situations, recently passed away. The 89-year-old Lino Lakes resident was born Sept. 30,
1934, in San Bernardino, California. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years and then met the love of his life, Mary. They married in 1957. He became a passionate career policeman starting in Edina (1956), rising through the ranks from officer to sergeant. He served as the chief of police in North St. Paul (1967) and Golden Valley (1975) and then moved on to work for the Department of Corrections as an investigator. He had both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration and taught corrections at Metro State University.
Fa i rwaY
In 1974, Crawford founded the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA), a volunteer organization that supports the survivors of fallen officers. Since 1974, LEMA has given over 100 Minnesota fallen officers a full law enforcement honors funeral. Before his death, Crawford remained on the organization’s board of directors. LEMA Board President Brian Hubbard said Crawford is the “definition of a legacy for law enforcement.”
SEE COMMUNITY LEADER, PAGE 7
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Lino Lakes resident James (Jim) Crawford will always be a legacy to the law enforcement community.
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