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CROSS COUNTRY: Centennial boys seventh at state PAGE 8

Veteran remembers Iraq

BY SARA MARIE MOORE STAFF WRITER

Aaron Hoska never imagined going to Iraq when he enlisted in the Army as a senior at Centennial High School in 1997.

“It was an opportunity to travel, gain work and life experience and get money for school,” said Hoska. He had two grandfathers who had served, one in the Air Force and one who was a World War II veteran. An uncle also inspired him, serving more than 20 years in the Army.

Hoska started his active duty working as a prison guard in the Department of Defense’s only maximum-security prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He eventually became supervisor of the inmate barber shop.

And then Hoska’s view of his military service

Circle Pines mayor excited to serve another term

was redefined.

“Then 9/11 happened,” he said. “Then for me it turned more into service for my country.”

Hoska took an Army recruiting position and headed to Germany to work in a regional confinement facility until 2004. He was there during the opening days of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

As his six years of active duty in the Army drew to a close, Hoska decided to keep going. He could have gotten out and avoided the possibility of heading to Iraq. But instead, he joined the National Guard.

“My contract, my term was over,” he said. “I was ready to move on with parts of my personal life: going to college, starting a family. But I wasn’t ready to hang up the uniform.”

BY SARA MARIE MOORE STAFF WRITER

CIRCLE PINES — Incumbent Mayor Dave Bartholomay was pleased at retaining the vote of his community at about 65 percent.

“I was thrilled to get re-elected,” said Bartholomay. “I was really pleasantly surprised at the large margin.” The race was tougher for 10-year mayor Bartholomay this time around as City Council member Richard Runbeck ran opposed. Runbeck took about 32 percent of the votes.

Bartholomay enjoys being mayor because it gives him the opportunity to build relationships. “I just love connecting with people and hearing and seeing what their concerns are,” he said. “You can make a difference by going and talking to people and listening to them.”

SEE CIRCLE PINES MAYOR, PAGE 10

Lino Lakes mayor looks forward to doing more good

SUBMITTED

Hoska started basic training in 1998 when this picture was taken.

SEE VETERAN, PAGE 3

Gracewood Senior Living opens

BY SARA MARIE MOORE STAFF WRITER

BY SARA MARIE MOORE STAFF WRITER

LINO LAKES — New senior living has graced Lino Lakes.

Gracewood Senior Living celebrated its grand opening on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The residence has been open since Sept. 1 and six residents currently live in the building, which has a 38-resident capacity.

The assisted-living home is set up to resemble a real home: the community area is set up as a living room and equipped with a fireplace and big screen TV. A dining room with homey wooden tables is nearby.

The residence offers the full range of assisted living services, and the average age of residents is 85.

“We generally take residents that need a lot of care, who may have ended up in a nursing home otherwise,” said Rufino Lorenzo, director of marketing and sales for Gracewood, White Pine and Comforts of Home senior living residences. “We are able to do it at an affordable cost.”

The company operates 12 senior living residences within Minnesota suburbs and seven throughout Wisconsin.

What makes Gracewood unique is the focus on convenience and accessibility for adult children, and uncomKAYLEE SEIDENKRANZ

Closer 651.415.3273 kaylees@hometitle.net

JEN LUTGEN

SARA MARIE MOORE| QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

Gracewood Senior Living boasts a homey feel; a fireplace and big screen TV are surrounded by couches in the facility’s community area.

plicated floor plans.

The new Lino Lakes location is right behind Target on Market Place Drive. Running out to get anything a

LINO LAKES — Jeff Reinert was glad to be re-elected as mayor and will be working with two new city council members.

Reinert has served as mayor for six years and has lived in Lino Lakes for 40 years. He thinks the Lino Lakes area is one of the best around and he has been able to see its “gem” neighborhoods since he became involved in politics 16 years ago.

“I always thought this community had such great potential with the lakes and nature,” he said. “It’s just a great place to grow up and live.”

Reinert’s goal as mayor is to “be a part of keeping that going.” He also aims to keep taxes low and has a track record of doing that — he said taxes are still 6.5 percent lower than when he first became mayor.

“I think people like the way we run the city very fiscally and conservatively,” he said. “I’ve been elected seven times.”

SEE GRACEWOOD, PAGE 2

SEE LINO LAKES MAYOR, PAGE 10

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NOVEMBER 10, 2015 www.presspubs.com

Dandy Linos 4H hosts memorial show

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The Dandy Linos 4H Club hosted a memorial Horse Fun Show at the Anoka County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 17. It was in memory of Anne Nicholson, a 26-year-old 4H Dandy Linos alumni and horse enthusiast, who passed away on June 7 of this year. The club worked hard to bring this event together, volunteering their time and energy in the arena and providing potluck food and beverages.

Taylor Nelson-Miller sang the National Anthem while Aaron Goldade patriotically presented the flag on horseback. Stephanie Falkers was the show announcer and read a poem in honor of Anne. A club member and dear family friend, Jenna James, rode Anne's beloved pony, Rosie.

More than 50 horse and rider combinations rode hard and fast in a fun-filled day. Anne's dad, Bruce Nicholson, competed in the adult classes and the family plans to donate the proceeds of over $700 back to the Anoka County 4H Horse Project. The Dandy Lions

and Anne's family were thankful to everyone who came out to join in doing what Anne loved to do best.

For more information about Anoka County 4H call 763-755-1280.

Press Release

GRACEWOOD: Ribbon cutting Spend $50 at participating stores & enter to win great prizes FROM PAGE 1

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH - FROM 4-9PM Store hours may vary.

www.DowntownWhiteBearLake.com

Over 200 Shops & Businesses

SARA MARIE MOORE | QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

Members of the Quad Chamber of Commerce and Gracewood Senior Living celebrate the grand opening of a new assisted living facility in Lino Lakes Nov. 3. Left to right: Paul Raymond, Chamber board member; Mike Ericson, Centerville city administrator; Melinda McElwain, Gracewood house manager; Rufino Lorenzo, Gracewood marketing director; Nate Michalowski, Chamber events coordinator; Barb White, Chamber vice president; Kelly Olesen, Chamber ambassador chair; Faamati Winey, Chamber president; William Schmidt, Chamber member; Shelly Myrland, Chamber treasurer; Tawnee Pietrzak, Gracewood regional director; Katy Hoven, Gracewood house nurse;

parent may need becomes very easy.

“It makes it really convenient for adult children to visit,” said Lorenzo. “We try to make a conscious effort to put them in a good location.”

Lorenzo also noted that Gracewood has a simple floor plan to make it easy for visitors and residents to get around.

Lorenzo noted that senior living residences have typically felt like large mazes, but that Gracewood seeks to redefine that stereotype.

“The building itself is a small, simple floor plan,” said Lorenzo. The community space where meals are served is at the center of the building. Lorenzo noted that it was intentional to put the meal area in the center of the building to resemble how a kitchen is the center of a home. In this central location, residents are also able to easily socialize.

All meals are included in the monthly rent and are served restaurant-style.

Housekeeping and personal care are also included. Caregivers are on staff 24/7.

Assisted-living care can include elements such as feeding tubes or treatment for diabetes. Usual nursing care, including checkups, is part of the package. Transfers from wheelchairs are given. Showers are located outside of rooms for safety.

There is also a bath which residents who use wheelchairs can use, equipped with aromatherapy beads.

The services provided may remind clients of a nursing home, but the interior design of the facility would more likely

remind clients of home.

“Our name is really deceiving as assisted living,” said Melinda McElwain, house manager at the Lino Lakes facility.

Residents can choose between a private suite or companion suite. Private suites range from $4,800 to $5,300 per month and companion suites range from $4,000 to $4,500 per month. Memory care costs just slightly more. Hospice care is available. Gracewood takes state assistance for private suites after two years and for companion suites right off the bat, but only after it reaches six months from its opening date.

Nurses are on call on evening and weekends, but are on the premises during business hours. Doctors can come in and have appointments with residents, bringing in equipment as advanced as portable x-ray machines.

In addition, social activities are offered and a beauty shop is available on site.

A library area is equipped with a computer for visitors. There is also a private dining room where families could hold a Thanksgiving dinner.

The residence has “everything you need from A to Z,” said Lorenzo. “It’s almost like a cruise ship that doesn’t move.”

“Really, everything under the sun is included for them,” said McElwain.

For more information contact McElwain at 651-202-3456 or visit www.wpseniorliving.com.

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS www.presspubs.com

3

VETERAN: Remembering Iraq FROM PAGE 1

He served as a military policeman until he was deployed to Iraq in 2009 with his unit, the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division.

“I was the sergeant in charge of detention operations,” he said. “In 2009 the focus was on helping the Iraqis clean up and build their own jail and prison system.”

Hoska and his unit coached southern Iraqi officials in Basra on release processes and repatriation of low-level offenders. “It was a Westernized take on parole and being held accountable,” he said. But his unit encouraged local customs in the process.

When low-level offenders were released, they would be flown back to their villages in a helicopter and a release ceremony would be held in their community with village elders and local police.

Hoska’s unit saw deplorable prison conditions which they aimed to assist in changing. One prison housed 68 men in one room, with two windows and two ceiling fans. The room could have safely held 30 people.

“The ‘medical facility’ was a poorly stocked firstaid kit,” he said.

Iraqi prison officials had varying reactions to the assistance from Hoska’s unit. One facility would not let them in, as they were considered

“guests in the country.”

Others were appreciative of their feedback and made them chai tea, a gesture of hospitality in the country.

Hoska appreciated “being a part of world and U.S. history on a personal level.” He is clearly aware that not all Americans are supportive of the U.S. entering Iraq: “To this day, people wonder if we should have been there,” he said.

But being able to meet local Iraqis and make a difference in their lives was meaningful for him.

“It’s such a big conflict ... They are worried about their literal day-to-day survival,” he said. “The regular everyday people were caught in the middle.”

Hoska did see that his unit made positive impact in prison reform and in other areas as well.

One member from his unit had a background in agriculture and spent time showing locals how to keep bees. Female soldiers went out and donated wheelchairs.

“Our unit did make a difference in our piece of the world,” said Hoska.

“I can look fondly back upon it and see we actually did something.”

As a member of the unit, Hoska also personally learned about teamwork.

“They are your family for that time,” he said.

He remembers the heat, dust, sand and swamps

of southern Iraq as a new experience. A bazaar with approved local Iraqi vendors was also opened on the base so that the unit could experience local culture. Local vendors made khubz bread (or flatbread) by slapping circles of dough on the side of clay ovens. One day, camels were let into the compound for camel rides.

There is another day Hoska remembers vividly, but with grief. A rocket attack on the compound led to the loss of three soldiers in his unit and the wounding of another. Rockets launched off of primitive rails on timers and aimed at their base were not an abnormality. But the rockets rarely caused injury, much less death. He still wears a metal bracelet in their memory, with their names engraved.

Hoska came home in 2010 and in 2011 transitioned over into working as a paralegal for the Minnesota National Guard. He now works in the 34th Infantry Division headquarters, in the trial defense services for soldiers.

Deployment is still always a possibility. His unit was almost deployed to Liberia to fight Ebola this year, but the crisis died down in time.

In 2014, he got married and finished his bachelor’s degree in criminal

justice. Hoska has 13 service medals, eight ribbons and two badges.

He is active in the Lino Lakes American Legion as an officer and is proud of being able to connect other vets with county resources. He is the co-chair of the Lino Lakes Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program, which connects service members with community support, resources and services.

“With the military it has been an opportunity to serve,” said Hoska, a sergeant first class. “It has really expanded my horizons and my worldview.”

When Hoska was considering joining the National Guard after his Army service, he told himself that when it stopped being fun he would move on from military life. Seventeen years after signing up as a 17-year-old, he is still at it.

SUBMITTED

Top: A scene of an Iraqi village on Hoska’s deployment.

Middle: Hoska, left, and his comrades use an interpreter to speak to detainees inside an Iraqi police detention facility.

Above: Hoska flies over the southern Iraqi countryside to inspect detention facilities.

Lino Lakes promotes recycling contest Winners will be published in Quad Community Press

BY SARA MARIE MOORE STAFF WRITER

The city of Lino Lakes is calling for recycled art and essays on recycling from area youth.

The art and essay contest for youth is in honor of America Recycles Day on Nov. 15.

Winners in each age category will have their artwork displayed at the Lino Lakes City Hall and photographed and published in the Quad Community Press in February. Winning essays will also be displayed at City Hall and published in the Quad.

Prizes for age categories are as follows: Grades 3-5: Free passes to Bunker Beach Water Park Grades: 6-8: Free passes to Zero Gravity Trampoline Park Grades 9-12: $100 scholarship Students in the Centennial School District and Lino

Lakes Elementary may submit one art project and one essay. Submissions will be judged based on creativity, presentation and following requirements.

Students in grades 3-5 may submit a REUSE art project with materials which may have otherwise been thrown away or recycled, with a maximum 200-word description of the materials used. They may also submit an America Recycles essay of one page or less answering the prompt, “What do you recycle and why?”

Students in grades 6-8 may submit a REUSE art project with materials which may have otherwise been thrown away or recycled, with a maximum 200word description of the materials used. They may also submit an America Recycles essay of 500-1,500 words answering the prompt, “How does recycling impact your community and your planet?”

Students in grades 6-8 may submit a REUSE art project with materials which may have otherwise

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been thrown away or recycled, with a maximum 200-word description of the materials used. They may also submit an America Recycles essay of 1,000 to 2,000 words answering the prompt, “What can we do as individuals to reduce waste and how can reducing waste make a difference for our planet?”

Submissions will be accepted until Dec. 18 and must be submitted with an entry form found at www. ci.lino-lakes.mn.us. Submissions should be mailed or delivered to Lino Lakes City Hall at 600 Town Center Parkway. Winners will be announced at the end of January.

Sponsors of the event include Bunker Beach, Zero Gravity Trampoline Park, ACE Solid Waste, Republic Services and the Quad Community Press.

For more information contact Lino Lakes recycling intern Aubrey Fonfara at 651-982-2423.

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POWER OF CENTENNIAL MEETING When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 Where: 6959 Black Duck Dr., Lino Lakes Details: Twice a year, women in the area get together and pool resources to collectively make significant financial gifts to educational programs or organizations in the community. See website for more information.

Contact: caefoundation.org

CONFIDENT SITTER

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Community Ed conference room, 4707 North Rd., Circle Pines Details: Learn the skills to be a confident babysitter, including basic first aid, overview of choking, managing challenging behaviors, preparing meals and snacks, diaper-changing and bottle feeding.

Pre-register; $65 Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/community-education

FAMILY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY

When: 2-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Centennial Library Details: Get started with researching family history. Class covers basic forms, software options, and where to find information.

Contact: 763-717-3294 or anoka.lib.mn.us

CHILI FEST

When: 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 Where: Gethsemane United Methodist Church, 7330 Lake Dr., Lino Lakes Details: Worship at 10:30 a.m. followed by a chili lunch. Free will offering supports United Methodist Women’s Group and their ministries.

Contact: 651-784-7667

www.presspubs.com

or gumcll.org

‘TE DEUM-WE PRAISE THEE O GOD’

When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 Where: Centennial Middle School, 399 Elm St., Lino Lakes Details: Free concert by the Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra features songs of praise. Freewill offering benefits the Centennial School’s and Centennial Community Food Shelf’s Powerpack program, a weekend food program for students who do not have adequate access to food on weekends and holidays.

Contact: 612-760-8100

INCOME TAXES AND RETIREMENT

When: 11:30-12:30 a.m.

Monday, Nov. 16 Where: SMW Credit Union, 700 Apollo Drive, Lino Lakes Details: Learn about retirement considerations such as tax diversification, taxation of capital gains and Social Security, health care subsidies and the financial impact of the first death in retirement. Lunch provided; $5.

Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/community-education

IPAD- BACK TO BASICS

When: 6-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19 Where: Centennial High School East, room 102 Details: Learn the basics and walk away with a better understanding of the hardware, lock screen, home screen, keyboard skills and how to back up to iCloud.

Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/community-education

QUILTER’S NIGHT OUT

When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 Where: Centennial High School East, room 112

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

Details: Work on quilting projects away from distractions, and participate in show and tell, fabric/pattern swap. $6 registration (preferred, not required); return Saturday for Quilter’s Day in at a reduced rate.

Contact: 763-792-6100 or isd12.org/community-education

HARD WATER ICE FISHING EXPO

When: 2-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21; 10 a.m.4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 Where: Schwan Sport Expo Center, 1700 105th Ave. NE, Blaine Details: Instructional seminars, product demonstrations, kids fishing pond, celebrity anglers.

Contact: www.nscsports.org

LINO LAKES RECYCLING SATURDAY

When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21 Where: Lino Park, 7850 Lake Dr., Lino Lakes Details: Residents of Lino Lakes can recycle appliances and electronics.

Contact: 651-982-2423 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

RED CROSS BLOOD DONATION

When and Where: noon-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23 at E.G. Rud and Sons, 6776 Lake Drive NE, Lino Lakes; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25 at North Lakes Academy, 308 15th St. SW, Forest Lake Details: All blood types needed, especially Types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB. Donors get a mixing spoon and celebrity chef recipe set.

Contact: 800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood. org

FIRSTNAME LATENAME | PAPER NAME

Centennial Community Band Concert WHEN:

7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20

WHERE:

Centennial Performing Arts Center, 4707 North Rd., Circle Pines

ONGOING

FAMILY STORYTIME

When: 10:15 -10:45 a.m. or 11-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, through Nov. 19 Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines Details: Stories, songs and fingerplays for children of all ages and a caregiver.

Contact: 763-717-3294 or anoka.lib.mn.us

DETAILS:

Group of over 40 musicians from the community play a repertoire of varied styles.

Free admission.

BABY STORYTIME

When: 10:15-10:45 Tuesdays Where: Centennial Library, 100 Civic Heights Cir., Circle Pines Details: Stories, songs and fingerplays for children birth-24 months and a caregiver.

Contact: 763-717-3294 or anoka.lib.mn.us

QUILTING CLUB

When: 9:30 a.m. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays Where: Lino Lakes Se-

CONTACT:

centennialcommunityband.org

nior Center, 1189 Main St. Details: Seniors can work on quilting projects.

Contact: 651-982-2440 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

BRIDGE AND CRIBBAGE

When: 12:30 p.m.

Thursdays Where: Lino Lakes Senior Center, 1189 Main St. Details: Seniors can play bridge and cribbage.

Contact: 651-982-2440 or ci.lino-lakes.mn.us

NEIGHBORHOODS NEARBY SHOW US THE MONEY: TRANSPARENCY IN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

When: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10 Where: Guardian Angels Church, 8260 Fourth St. N., Oakdale Details: Entertaining and interactive debate about campaign finance reform sponsored by the League of Women Voters White Bear Lake Area and The Izaak Walton League Minnesota Division.

Contact: 651-493-0686

WHITE BEAR LAKE VETERAN’S DAY SERVICE

When: 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11 Where: St. John in the Wilderness, 2175 1st St., White Bear Lake Details: Ecumenical celebration of Veteran’s Day. Contact: stjohnwilderness.org

HOW TO USE PINTEREST AND INSTAGRAM

When: 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N Details: Learn the basics of navigating pinterest and Instagram. Media devices recommended. A social media guide will also be given to each participant.

Contact: shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

THANKSGIVING IN AMERICA

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12 Where: Geise Memorial Library, 26855 Forest Blvd., Wyoming Details: Trace the history of Thanksgiving with speaker Dale Blanshan, from it’s modest start in 1924 through today. Free; geared to adult audiences.

Contact: (651) 462-9001 or ecrl.lib.mn.us/Wyoming

Details: Vendors sell arts and crafts in time for the holiday season.

GUIDED BIRD HIKES

CHRIST THE SERVANT LUTHERAN CHURCH BOUTIQUE

When: 8:30-9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Big Marine Park Reserve, 17495 Manning Trail N, Marine on St.Croix Details: Learn to identify the birds that call the St. Croix Valley home and contribute to citizen science data collection by completing bird count surveys with a guide. Free with a Washington County parks permit.

Contact: 651-430-8370 or parks@co.washington. mn.us

CRAFT SHOW AND SALE

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Hugo American Legion, 5383 140th Street N.

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 3676 Centerville Rd., Vadnais Heights Details: Browse and shop for unique items and home-baked goodies.

Lunch available.

Contact: 651-204-6000 or cityvadnaisheights.com Lego Mania When: 1:30-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake Details: Lego build-athon for kids ages 6 and up.

No registration required.

Contact: 651-275-7300

JAYNE JONES AUTHOR VISIT

When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Good Things, 2184 4th St., White Bear Lake Details: Meet the author of a new children’s book, ‘Drop the Puck, Shoot for the Cup’, a story set during the state hockey tournament whose main character is based on Jack Jablonski, a high school hockey player who was paralyzed in the 2011 state tournament.

SANTA PAWS

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 and Sunday, Nov. 15 Where: Forest Lake Senior Center, 767 SW 4th St., Forest Lake Details: Fundraiser for the Northwoods Humane Society features photo packages for families and

their pets, starting at $12.

Also refreshments, cookies, bake sale and holiday gift baskets. No appointment necessary.

Contact: 651-982-0240 or northwoodshs.org

AREA ARTISTS AND FRIENDS 35TH ANNUAL CELEBRATION

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15 Where: Taylors Falls Memorial Community Center, 312 Government St., Taylors Falls Details: Local artists gather to sell their wares, including items by weavers, woodworkers, a basket maker, potter, glass blower, painter/illustrator, art stitchery artist, and silver and gold jewelry. Live Irish music on Sat., acoustic folk music on Sun. Contact: 715-294-2868

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

www.presspubs.com

Bazaar: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21 and 11a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 Where: Washington County Historic Courthouse, 101 W. Pine St., Stillwater Details: Gala fundraiser includes food and beverages donated by local caterers, live music, 1900s jail tours, vault exhibit and vendor displays. Bazaar is a free, family-friendly holiday experience including over 35 local vendors with handcrafted goods on display, live music, photos with Santa, jail tours, vault exhibit, and tea room. Tickets required.

Contact: 651-2757075 or historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us

ST. CROIX RIVER VALLEY VINTAGE CRAWL

FIRSTNAME LATENAME | PAPER NAME

Holiday Open House – White Bear Lake WHEN:

4-9 p.m.

Nov. 12

Thursday,

WHERE:

Downtown Bear Lake

DETAILS:

Shop early at local retailers; check website for details.

CONTACT::

w w w. d o w n t o w n whitebearlake.com

White

SURVIVING THE HOLIDAYS

When: 3-4:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 15 Where: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3770 Bellaire Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Event provides individuals with help to cope and deal with the holidays after the loss of a loved one.

Video instruction and group discussion; participants receive ‘Holiday Survival Guide’.

RSVP requested.

Contact: 651-4295411

SHOREVIEW LAKES – HISTORY AND NATURE

When: 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16 Where: Shoreview Library, 4570 N. Victoria St. Details: Shoreview photographer Jim Radford will present images of Shoreview’s larger lakes, including their f lora and fauna.

Radford's work has been featured in books and DVD, and it's been displayed at local cafe Taste of Scandinavia in North Oaks. Sponsored by the Shoreview Area Historical Society.

Contact: 651-4862220

SHOREVIEW INDOOR FARMER’S MARKET

When: 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N Details: Features vendors who produce farmstead products such as cheese, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, baked goods, canned goods, honey, maple syrup and preserves.

Contact: shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

PUMPKIN PIE AND BINGO

When: 1:30-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N Details: Adults can enjoy pumpkin pie, play bingo and win prizes. Register by Nov. 13.

Contact: shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

ST. PAUL PRAYER BREAKFAST

When: 7-8:30 a.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19 Where: Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront, 11 Kellogg Blvd.

E., St. Paul Details: Keynote speaker is Anoka County Sheriff Jim Stuart. Tickets available online Contact: saintpaulprayer.org

GAMMELGARDEN MEATBALL AND LUTFISK DINNER

When: Seatings at 11:30 am, 1 pm, 2:30 pm, 4 pm & 5:30 pm, Thurs., Nov. 19 Where Elim Lutheran Church, 20971 Olinda Tr., Scandia Details: Traditional Swedish meal and sale at the Gammelgarden butik.

Contact: 651-4335053 or www.gammelgardenmuseum.org

VADNAIS HEIGHTS ROTARY TURKEY BINGO

When: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 Where: Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 E. County Rd. F Details: Family-friendly event. $.50 per card or three for $1.00, except for the final coverall game.

Winners receive prizes including turkeys, grocery store certificates, dining gift certificates or cash.

The coverall game has a $100.00 cash prize.

Sponsored by Vadnais Heights Rotary; bring items to donate to the Lions food shelf.

Contact: vhrotary. org

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT THE COURTHOUSE GALA AND BAZAAR When: Gala: 6:30-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20;

When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22 Where: 8 Vintage shops from Stillwater to Afton, including My Sister’s Cottage, Reclaiming Beautiful, LeGarage Girls, Mam’s Happy, Apron Chics and Reincarnations in Stillwater, and 3:17 Vintage and Eye Candy ReFind in Afton Details: Pick up a passport at any of the vintage shops, and be entered for a prize by getting stamps at all eight.

Contact: 651-3512030

ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 Where: First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, 6201 Osgood Ave. Details: Shop for fair-trade handicrafts, foods, gifts of donations to non-profit organizations, eco-friendly fabric gift bags. Soup lunch on Sat., homemade treats both days.

Contact: fpcstillwateragm.wordpress.com

CHEESE & CHOCOLATE WEEKEND

When: Noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22 Where: Samples at five area wineries including Northern Vineyards and St. Croix Vineyards in Stillwater Details: $ 5. By Three Rivers Wine Trail.

Contact: 651-4301032

CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES & CRAFT SALE

When: Black Tie Affair: 6-11 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 21; Eve-

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

ning Dazzle Tour: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov.21;10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22; & noon-4 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23; Craft Sale and Marketplace, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at Hudson House Grand Hotel, 1616 Crest View Drive, Hudson, WI Details: Black tie affair includes a bus tour of four privately-owned homes and the Octagon House decorated for the holidays, followed by a reception at Troy Burne Golf Club.

Evening Dazzle Tour is a self-guided or free shuttle tour of homes, tickets $20. Craft Sale and Marketplace includes over 30 vendor and crafter booths with gift items for sale.

Contact: 715-3868411 or hudsonwi.org

DIVE IN MOVIE

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N Details: Guests can f loat with water noodles, lounge on poolside chairs and enjoy the movie, ‘The Little Mermaid’. Event held in conjunction with the Community Center’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Contact: shoreviewcommunitycenter.com

YELLOW RIBBON NETWORK HAMBURGER NIGHT

When: 5-8 pm, Nov. 25 and every fourth Wednesday of each month Where: Hugo American Legion, 5383 140th Street N. Details: Proceeds from hamburger sales benefit military families. All are welcome.

Contact: 651-2470354 or www.ci.hugo. mn.us

MUSIC CENTURY COLLEGE FALL CONCERT

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20 Where: Century College West Campus Theater, 3300 Century Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Concert Band’s performance includes ‘American Salute’, ‘Four French Sonds’, ‘Toccata’, ‘Overture to “Candide”’ and more. Free and open to the public.

Contact: century. edu/events

THEATER ‘YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN’

When: Through Nov. 15. Shows are Thurs-

7

day, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of his legendary film version of the Mary Shelley classic story.

Contact: 651-4295674 or www.lakeshoreplayers.com

NUTCRACKER SUITE BALLET

When: 2 and 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 27 and Saturday, Nov. 28; 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29 Where: Stillwater Area High School Auditorium, 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N. Details: 25th annual performance of the family-friendly version of the classic Christmas ballet featuring students and professional dancers from St. Croix Ballet.

Reserved tickets, $15.

Contact: 651-4392820 or www.stcroixballet.com

ARTS SMALL ART-BIG HEARTS

When: 6-8:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 13 Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave. Details: One-night only premier event features 1,000 small (5’x7”) original pieces of artwork. Deadline for artists to donate artwork is Oct. 30; ages 18+.

Contact: 651-407-0597 or whitebeararts.org

WHAT’S HAPPENING GUIDELINES • Thank you for sending us news of your upcoming event. The calendar is reserved for community events that are likely to appeal to readers throughout our coverage area, which includes: White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Mahtomedi, Hugo, Grant, Birchwood, Dellwood, Willernie, Gem Lake, Pine Springs, Forest Lake, Wyoming, Wyoming Township, Columbus Township, Centerville, Circle Pines, Lexington, Lino Lakes, Stillwater, Lake Elmo, Oak Park Heights, Stillwater Township, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and North Oaks.

• Deadline for event submissions is the Wednesday prior to the following week’s publication.

• Due to space limitations, there is NO GUARANTEE whether, when, or for how long submissions will be published.

SEND SUBMISSIONS: E-MAIL: calendar@presspubs.com Press Publications, Inc. 4779 Bloom Ave. White Bear Lake, MN 55110 FAX: 651-429-1242 Questions: 651-407-1226

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SPORTS AND OUTDOORS

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

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NOVEMBER 10, 2015

Cougar CC teams end season run in style

BY MARK AGUIRRE CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The season-long chase to the cross country state meet is preceded by countless hours and innumerable steps of training and preparing.

Following section tests, sixteen teams each from Class A and Class AA unite with the scores of additional runners that qualified individually.

It annually makes for quite a competitive field at St. Olaf College in Northfield, as well as an anxious morning for the thousands of spectators on hand.

The runners line up at the starting area. Many paw the ground or shake their arms and legs while they wait nervously for the starting gun to fire.

The gun goes off with a resounding "bang" and the runners sprint away from the line, jockeying for position.

The Centennial boys' crew earned a spot in the state showdown with a section title. They closed out a great fall run by placing seventh with a team of underclassmen on Saturday with 198 points, just a half-dozen points out of fifth.

Hopkins dominated the event with 34 points, followed by Minneapolis Washburn (67 points), Stillwater (87), Bemidji (155), Rochester Century (192), Willmar (196), Centennial (198), Prior Lake (237), Mounds View (253), Lakeville North (255), White Bear Lake (255), Elk River

(273), Rosemount (280), Chanhassen (316), Duluth East (318), and Shakopee (334).

Reed Kurak closed out another noteworthy campaign by claiming eighth among team runners, and 15th overall.

He toured the testy 5K layout at St. Olaf in 15:57.4.

Jacob Namyst capped a season of great improvement by finishing 26th among runners in the team portion of the meet. He crossed in 16:37.9. Ben Benson (31st in 16:46.1) was third for Centennial, followed by Dylan Johnson (62nd in 17:15.9), Nick Foreman (71st in 17:22.8), Jonathan Sweeney (77th in 17:28.0), and Luke Ahrends (111th in 18:18.5). All are juniors except sophomore Ahrends.

Freshman Grace Johnson and senior Emily Danzl also closed out their seasons at the state meet. Johnson placed 85th in 19:43.4 over the same 5K layout that the boys ran, while Danzl crossed 115th in 20:12.8.

Edina (68 points) edged Marshall (76 points) for top Class AA teams honors.

Bethany Hasz (17:32.2) was the girls' medalist, with Wayzata's Jaret Carpenter (15:26.5) the first boy finisher.

"Reed was all-state and the boys beat Chanhassen, Duluth East, Lakeville North. Prior Lake, White Bear Lake, and Elk River," said Cougar head coach Neil Kruse. "Those teams all beat them earlier this season. I thought both Grace and Emily did a great job. We

JON NAMYST| SUBMITTED

Top: The Centennial cross country team capped their season at the state meet. Front row (left to right): Jonathan Sweeney, Zach Eicher, Dylan Johnson, Blane Utter, and Luke Arends. Back row: Emily Danzl, Nick Foreman, Jake Johnson, Jacob Namyst, Reed Kurak, Ben Benson, and Grace Johnson.

Right: Reed Kurak (front) motors down a hill at the state Class AA meet last Saturday at St. Olaf College in Northfield.

had an emotional ending at our senior farewell and appreciation party, and reminded all the seniors what an impact they had on the rest of the team."

Centennial JV swim champs COON RAPIDS – Despite many great finishes a repeat victory was not in the cards for Centennial girls swim and dive as the JV swimmers took third place at the NWSC JV championships Oct. 31 at Northdale Middle School. The Cougars, with a score of 531, were edged by Anoka (548) and Blaine (538), but finished ahead of Osseo (270), Irondale (249), Coon Rapids (92) and Park Center (57).

Cougar finishers in the top eight included: Macy Wang, first in the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard freestyle; Sarah Spaulding, first in the 100 yard breaststroke and second in the 200 yard individual medley; Kimberly Hareland, first in the 100 yard backstroke and second in the 100 yard freestyle; Mandy Granquist, second in the 100 yard breaststroke; Nikki Sauter, third in the 200 yard individual medley and third in the 500 yard freestyle; Jennifer Seppala, third in the 100 yard backstroke and fourth in the 200 yard freestyle; Bailey Hoff, fifth in the 100 yard breaststroke;

Abby Nelson, seventh in the 100 yard backstroke and eighth in the 200 yard individual medley; Sami Melde, seventh in the 200 yard individual medley; Amanda Pacholl, seventh in the 100 yard breaststroke; and Janessa Sandvold, eighth in the 100 yard breaststroke.

In team relays the foursome of Wang, Spaulding, Hareland and Hoff finished first in the 200 yard medley relay. Seppala, Pacholl, Jasmine Quinlan and Brenna Lindblad were fourth, followed by Nelson, Granquist, Sarah Korth and Katelyn Smith in sixth. The 200 freestyle relay team of Lindblad, Granquist, Sauter and Hoff finished fifth. In the 400 freestyle relay Wang, Hareland, Sauter and Spaulding touched first to win the final event of the day. Rachel Steinberg, Kayla Kosak, Melde and Seppala came in seventh.

Diver Ella Schuebel finished seventh with 150.35 points, her highest of the season; and Mia

PATTI SPAULDING | SUBMITTED

A row of Cougars dominated the final heat of the 100 yard breaststroke, swimming in five of the eight lanes at the NWSC JV championships Oct. 31 at Northdale Middle School.

Wang finished 10th with 145.05. Also swimming their last meet of the 2015 season were: Angela Madeux, Allie Norder, Courtney Wedll, Hannah Dahl, Eddie Erickson, Lucia Scarengella, Grace Ackley, Madison Holt, Amanda Dahl, Analise Schleifer, Kiana Stilley, Emily Melde, Emily Sabby, Maggie Stotzman, Ariana Fjeld, Cassidy Jensrud, Ruby Johnson, McKenna Keen, Emily Kells, Kayley Magnuson, Elise Michealson, Grace Peterson,

Erika Richtsmeier, Abbi Williams and Elle Williams.

Next up for varsity is the section 7AA meet Nov. 12-14 at Northdale. The Cougars, currently ranked fifth in the state, are hopeful for a section win and the opportunity to advance as many girls as possible to the state competition Nov. 18-20 at the U of M Aquatic Center.

-Janet Lindblad

Elks outlast Cougars in opener

BY ERIC WORWA CONTRIBUTING WRITER

CIRCLE PINES— What started out as a promising season-opener here last Saturday afternoon, abruptly turned sour as the Centennial girls' hockey team saw their lead disappear in the third period of a 5-3 Northwest Suburban Conference setback.

The furious final period began with a shot by Elk River forward Reilly Springman that snuck between the legs of the Centennial goaltender Anne Juergens and when all was said and done, Centennial may be lamenting the one that got away.

The Cougars came out of the gate strong with a few good first-period scoring chances that were thwarted by Elk River goalie Mikey Gould.

Elk River did themselves no favors by turning over the puck in their own end on multiple occasions but managed keep Centennial at bay until Anneke Linser gave the Cougars a 1-0 edge.

Gabbie Hughes sliced between a pair of Elk defenders and controlled the puck before sliding over to Linser. Hughes fin-

ished with a pair of assists.

Elk River managed to tie the game with 1:32 remaining in the period on a Reilly Springman power-play goal.

Linser gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead at 5:31 of the middle period, and Amber LeClaire pushed it to 3-1 at the 9:21 mark with a goal. Anna Taschner and Sarah Jennrich assisted on the play.

Sophomore defenseman Madison Bizal brought Elk River back to 3-2 with an even strength goal with only 1:30 remaining in the middle period.

It was all Elk River in the final 17:00.

They controlled play and outscored Centennial 3-0. Springman picked up her second goal, and Raelyn Korinek and Breanna Simon added goals for the Elks.

Simon's slick backhander was the prettiest goal on of the game, and sealed the deal for Elk River.

Centennial visited North Metro for a NSC game on Tuesday (after press time), and will entertain non-conference foe Breck at 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS www.presspubs.com

9

COMMUNITY BRIEFS Anoka County volunteer drivers recognized The contribution of 54 volunteer drivers for Anoka County’s MedLink Transportation Program was recognized recently at a luncheon held in their honor in Andover. Volunteer drivers provide transportation for more than 1,500 passengers, most of whom are seniors and veterans.

Volunteer drivers logged more than 122,000 miles during 5,902 trips in the past year. Most of the trips were to veterans’ medical facilities in Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Ramsey and Maplewood, as well as other clinics and medical facilities.

Several drivers were specially honored for their long years of volunteer service with the MedLink Transportation Program: among them was Ronald Bernard of Blaine (15 years). In addition, several volunteers were recognized for driving the most miles in the last year: Laura Louis of Lino Lakes logged over 7,000 miles.

Those in need of driving services or who are interested in joining the corps of volunteer drivers may call 763-422-7087.

Free ‘Y’ entrance to military members on Veterans Day The YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities (YGTC) will offer veterans, active military members, and their families free use of any YMCA facility in the Greater Twin Cities area on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

The YMCA supports military families throughout the year with programs and initiatives that improve their well-being and provide opportunities to connect with their communities.

To learn more about opportunities for veterans and military families at the Y on Veterans Day and throughout the year, visit ymcatwincities. org.

Clothing drive for senior citizens Granny’s Closet will collect clothing and household donations for Anoka County senior citizens at the Circle Pines, Lexington and Lino Lakes city halls from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Items needed include new clothing of all sizes and colors, toiletries, paper products, laundry detergent, bedding and towels. Granny’s Closet is also looking

for volunteers to “adopt” a senior citizen and fulfill a specific gift request by being a “Christmas Angel.” Granny’s Closet hopes to fulfill 400-500 gift requests this holiday season. Gifts typically cost around $25 and are collected at the Anoka Armory on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. For more information or to become a “Christmas Angel,” visit grannyscloset.org or contact Jennifer Stern at 763-639-0321.

Donate food, toys at license and passport centers The Anoka County license and passport centers are conducting a nonperishable food drive and toy collection to kick off the holiday season.

Food will be distributed to food shelves located in the communities in which the license and passport centers are located. Toys will be collected as part of the Toys for Tots program. The food drive runs Nov. 1-24 at all county license and passport centers. The Blaine License Center and the Blaine Passport Center are located at 10995 Club West Pkwy, Suite 700A and 700B; food donations will benefit Community Emergency

Assistance. Toy donations will be accepted Nov. 1-Dec. 18 and will be distributed via the Toys for Tots network.

For more information contact Martha Weaver, public information manager, at 763-323-5744 or email martha.weaver@ co.anoka.mn.us.

with Santa, have an opportunity to decorate gingerbread cookies, and make holiday crafts.

Advance registration is a must; find a registration form online at www. ci.lino-lakes.mn.us or in person at City Hall, 600 Town Center Parkway.

Space is limited to 100.

Secret Holiday Shop The Lino Lakes Secret Holiday Shop is back.

Mark your calendars: Dec. 2 and 3, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. your children can “shop” for small, inexpensive holiday gifts with the assistance of volunteers at Lino Lakes City Hall. They’ll get help gift-wrapping, too. But can they keep a secret?

Bring them and find out.

More information on this event is available from the Lino Lakes Parks and Recreation Department, 651-982-2440.

Compost site open Anoka County’s Rice Creek Lino Lakes compost site at 7701 Main Street accepts leaves, grass and tree waste for a minimal fee through November, weather permitting. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 10

Breakfast with Santa A fun-filled morning with Santa will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Lino Lakes Senior Center (1189 Main Street). Cost is $8 per person for a continental breakfast.

Children 18 months to 10 years of age will have their pictures taken

a.m. to sunset, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Allow 15 minutes for unloading prior to sunset, as the site is not equipped with lights.

Keep yard waste (leaves and grass) and tree waste separate. Containers, including bags, must be hauled away. Proof of Anoka County residency is required; cash or checks are accepted. For more information on fees, call 651-429-3723 or visit www.anokacounty. us/359/compost-sites.

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SCHOOL BRIEFS Centennial C t i l School S h l District Di t i t passes only l one prong of levy

The Centennial School District will host the Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra, which will present a free concert to help raise funds for the Powerpack weekend food program.

The concert will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Centennial Middle School Auditorium.

The performance will feature songs of praise in a variety of settings.

The Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra is an all-volunteer group dedicated to helping food shelves through free-will offerings taken at their concerts. In partnership with the Centennial Community Food Shelf, the Powerpack program serves nearly 250 students in need per week by providing food items to help get them through the weekends or holidays. For more information, contact Jenn Gramse, Powerpack director, at 612-760-8100 or jenngramse@yahoo.com.

Centennial girls cross country

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Emily’s great run at the section meet for Centennial girl’s cross country team gained her a berth in the Class AA state meet. The Cougar senior was eighth overall in 19.27.6 over the 5000-meter course at Anoka Senior High.

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Community members voted against an additional $3.22 million in operating revenue for the school district and $1.8 million per year for upgraded technology.

These were the second and third prongs of a threepronged levy presented to community members Nov. 3. The first prong gained 3524 votes, or 60.5 percent.

The first question, and unlike the other two, was actually an extension of the levy already in place.

That levy costs the homeowner of a median-valued home ($250,000) $95.57 annually. The school district expects to use the levy extension to maintain staffing and class sizes. This existing levy also generates $1.1 million in operating revenue.

The second prong had 2411 votes, or 41.5 percent.

Question two built on to the extension proposed in question one for an additional $3.22 million in operating revenue to address programming needs. With this money the school board would have aimed to incorporate more STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curriculum while maintaining class sizes and staffing levels.

The third prong had 2267 votes, or 39.1 percent.

Question three proposed $1.8 million a year through a capital levy for upgraded technology and technology

devices such as tablets and Chromebooks as well as upgrades to existing technology and Internet access.

If both questions two and three had passed, a median-valued $250,000 homeowner would have seen an additional $500 or so annually in property taxes.

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QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

NOVEMBER 10, 2015 www.presspubs.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR CONTINUED Thank you for the privilege

2062 or mpercy@comcast.net. Thank you!

It has been my privilege to serve as your councilmember for two terms. I cherish the new long-term friendships with residents and some staff members I met since taking office.

To me, serving as an elected official meant doing the right thing for all the residents of Lino Lakes, not just special interest groups. The decision to move from the antiquated CFD contract to a new dynamic Lino Lakes Public Safety Department is the best thing for Lino Lakes. That decision may have cost my re-election, but I’m not a career politician who was ever worried about being re-elected. I worked for the greater good of all residents, and I would take the same stance today on the CFD contract.

Like the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” I had a glimpse at the positive effect one person could do for a city. I thank you all for the opportunity and wish all the best to Lino Lakes.

Dave Roeser Lino Lakes City Council

Thank you for your votes I’d like to thank the people of Circle Pines for all of your support on Tuesday.

This year I met so many of you in person and shared both your concerns and hopes for our city. Please keep connecting with me about your issues and ideas and together we will continue to keep our city strong. I am available at 763-784-

LINO LAKES MAYOR: Fire Station FROM PAGE 1

Mayor Reinert Reinert is looking forward to the “reinvigoration of developments” in the city and working out his ideas on how to increase returns on the city’s fund reserves. “Even one half percent would bring the city $175,000,” he said.

Reinert’s goal is to avoid taxing Lino Lakes residents more.

As mayor, Reinert reorganized City Hall to establish more efficient operations. He also worked with the council to incorporate the city’s fire service and police service into one department, the Lino Lakes Department of Public Safety. The model is based on similar models in Woodbury, New Brighton, Burnsville and Plymouth.

The move was controversial in the community as the creation of the department’s fire division meant the city’s separation from the Centennial Fire District.

Lino Lakes is putting the finishing touches on a new fire station, which will be ready in December — right before the split becomes official in 2016.

The new station cost $3.6 million, but will be economic in the long run, Reinert noted. It has an attached training center where its 42 firefighters can receive 11 of their 12 certifications, saving money on outside training. At the training facility law enforce-

Matt Percy Circle Pines City Counci

Thank you for your votes I want to extend a sincere thank you to the citizens of Lino Lakes for electing me to your City Council. I was so excited and proud over the voter turnout that we had! It was a contentious election and my opponents are worthy candidates.

Dale Stoesz and Dave Roeser gave years of service to the council and deserve our gratitude and best wishes for their new endeavors. It will be a new council working with the mayor this coming year. As a new council member, I look forward to working with the more experienced council members as well as the mayor, who has years of invaluable experience. We have a wonderful staff at City Hall that I am excited to get to know. It will be an adjustment for everyone, but I am confident that all of us will work together effectively for the good of Lino Lakes. Thank you again to the citizens and to the awesome team I had behind me. I would not be here but for any of you and I will do my best to do right by you.

Melissa Maher Lino Lakes City Council

CIRCLE PINES MAYOR: Roads FROM PAGE 1

ment personnel will be trained as firefighters.

Reinert noted that the cops will be as well trained as volunteer firefighters have been, who typically work in occupations other than public safety.

“These [people] who are cops, they live and breathe public safety,” said Reinert.

Out of Lino Lakes’ emergency calls, 4 percent are for fires, and most of those are false alarms. Since law enforcement personnel are typically the first ones on the scene, Lino Lakes decided to cross-train 20 police officers and equip their vehicles with some firefighting equipment.

In the case of an actual fire, the entire volunteer firefighting team would be deployed. Enough officers would be on site to serve as law enforcement as well. At the last fire in Lino Lakes, seven fire departments showed up under the city’s mutual aid agreements.

Reinert believes the new public safety program is a forward-thinking model which will yield improved service and a reduced fire budget.

Reinert also aims to continue to build up Lino Lakes as a Yellow Ribbon Network City in partnership with the network, which provides support to military families. A kick-off event was held in early October. He also wants garner donations to build a Lino Lakes Veterans War Memorial. A 97-year-old WWII vet and architect will be designing the memorial.

“It was nice to get re-elected,” he said.

“Now I have a shot to do these other good things.”

Reinert, the co-founder of a biotech company, MNPHARM, gained just over half of Lino Lakes’

mayoral votes on his way to re-election. He received 2,088 votes, or 54.2 percent.

Michael Mooney received 1,752 votes, or 45.5 percent. There were 13 write-ins.

Reinert will be working with two new council members this term.

Incumbent council members Dave Roeser and Dale Stoesz were out-polled by Melissa S. Maher and Michael Manthey. Maher gained 1,997 votes, or 29.2 percent. Manthey logged 1,629 votes, or 23.8 percent.

Maher, an attorney, is pushing for city government transparency and bringing reasonable commercial development to the city. She is looking forward to working with the council and the mayor and doesn’t think differing viewpoints will be a problem.

“Regardless of whether we agree on things, they have so much experience I will get to learn from,” said Maher.

“I’m just really excited to work as a team to improve the life of everybody who lives here.”

Manthey is a production manager at a medical device company and has served as a captain in the Centennial Fire District for 11 years.

His priorities as a City Council member are to focus on business development, a road maintenance program and building relationships with public safety officers.

Roeser received 1,498 votes, or 21.9 percent; Stoesz polled 1,386 votes, or 20.2 percent. Also running was Byron J. Roland, who received 308 votes, 4.5 percent.

There were 30 write-ins for council.

Bartholomay cites the playground at Golden Lake Park as an example. Before decisions were made on what playground equipment to put in, the city consulted Mayor Golden Lake Barthholomay Elementary students. Bartholomay was surprised when the students picked a plastic climbing rock as their top choice. But the city listened, and now it is a town hit.

“The kids are crawling all over it,” he said. “If you are going to do something for the kids why don’t you ask them?”

Bartholomay attends about 125 meetings or events a year to connect with the community. Only 30 of those are required council meetings. His salary as mayor is $4,000 a year.

“For me it is all about serving,” he said. “It has been great. I’ve had a lucky life, I’ve been very blessed.”

Bartholomay is looking to the future as the city is in the middle of a 15-20 year street construction plan, begun in 2007.

“We are going to continue doing road projects,” he said.

At the same time, the city is looking at its parks and trails. The goal is to maintain and improve them. “We believe we have more per capita than any area in the metro,” he said.

Bartholomay also plans to continue its partnership with the Centennial School District. “Schools are the number one reason why people look to a community,” he said. Last summer the city and school district partnered to stage “Music in the Park” at Golden Lake Park. Three concerts were held, and the plan is to continue next summer. Bartholomay encourages residents to use their open spaces and parks.

“You are paying for them,” he said. “Use them.”

He also noted that Circle Pines was rated the third-most perfect suburb by CNBC in 2011. Of city residents he noted, “All the things we do to make this town special, they like it.”

As for Bartholomay’s political future, he is content being mayor.

“I have no secret agenda of rising up the ladder,” he said. “I love being mayor.”

Bartholomay said that someday he may say yes to further political positions. Right now, all he is worried about is to “put a positive face on our community and make us proud.”

For his day job, he is the executive director of Mediation Services, a nonprofit confl ict resolution service.

Bartholomay took 743 votes, 64.7 percent of the total from the city’s two precincts.

Councilman Richard J. Runbeck received 362 votes, 31.5 percent.

Rick Miller Jr. received 40 votes, or 3.5 percent. There were four write-in votes.

Bartholomay will be working with incumbent City Councilman Matt Percy, who was re-elected with 759 votes, or 41.3 percent of the votes cast.

Percy’s goals are to maintain an outstanding police and fi re force and continue with the street reconstruction program, while keeping the program well funded.

He also aims to make sure citizens are aware of what is happening in their city. “I want to make sure it is a partnership between us and the people of the city,” he said.

Mike Schweigert took the open spot on City Council with 594 votes, or 32.3 percent. His goals align with a strong and efficient police and fi re force and supports Circle Pines’ long-term street construction plan. He is the recruitment coordinator for Centennial Fire District and captain of CFD’s Station 1 in Circle Pines.

Schweigert has served as a fi refi ghter for 15 years and is active in the Lions Club.

“This is just another way I can serve my community,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for the other members of the council. I think it will be a great adventure.”

Also running for council was Richard Whitney with 360 votes, 19.6 percent, and Ronald Shull with 114 votes, or 6.2 percent.

There were 11 write-ins.

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS www.presspubs.com

Celebrations

PRESENTING THE FINALISTS: Check to see if you or someone you know is in the running for a FREE iPad Air!

Zachary Eicher Earns Eagle Scout Award Teen Builds Chimney Swift Tower at Tamarack Nature Center Lino Lakes November 5, 2015. Zachary Eicher of Troop 103, chartered to St Joseph’s of the Lakes Catholic Church in Lino Lakes, reached a lifetime goal by earning his Eagle Scout Award. The final step in the process was his Eagle Project, building a 14 foot chimney swift tower and kiosk at Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township.

The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting but also for the young man as he enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. Only about five percent of all Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

A court of honor will take place on November 21st, at 1pm at St. Joseph’s in Lino Lakes, along with 3 of his peers, who also earned the rank of Eagle recently.

In alphabetical order: LANNY ANDERSON NANCY ALEXIS RANDALL BACH ROGER BROZ JAMES CLOUTIER KEN & EMILY COOPER JEFF DURAINE DOROTHY GERSON DAVID & DIANNA GRAFSKY TAMMY HAGEN AL & CYNTHIA HAMMEL

Celebrations Prices White Bear/Vadnais Heights Press, Quad Community Press, Forest Lake Lowdown, St. Croix Valley Lowdown, & bi-weekly in the Citizen and Shoreview Press.

Package A: $10 Text Only - Limited to 50 words.

3.25" x 2.5", entries subject to edit.

Package B: $25 Text + Photo 5" x 3" space

Package C: $37 Text + Photo 5" x 4.5" space

Additional Options: Extra Photo $11* • Extra 50 Words $8 • *All extra photos will be same size or smaller than the rst.

JOHN & JOANNE HELLER MICHAEL HENNESSEY JOANNE HENSLEY GRANT & CHRISTINE JOHNSON BARBARA KLAMMER JOHN & KARNA KOEPKE CHAD LAING CARL & NANCY LOEWECKE MARGARET MARTIN CAMILLE MCARDLE JUNE NESVACIL MIKE & LINDA ORSTED

WENDY PATTERSON JIM & KAREN PORATH DOROTHY RAND JOHN & SHIRLEY REIMAN DALE RICHERT CAL & EILEEN ROLSTAD TRACY SEPPELT MARY ELLEN SMITH PATRICK SMITH STEVEN & SHIRLEY TIGGES NOEL WHITE GARY UNZE

Winner will be announced in the November 24th edition. No purchase necessary.

Press Publications • 4779 Bloom Ave. White Bear Lake, MN 55110 • 651-407-1222 • Fax: 651-429-1242 • Email: classi ed@presspubs.com

RATE INCREASE NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CENTERPOINT ENERGY MINNESOTA CUSTOMERS

EVIDENTIARY HEARINGS

CenterPoint Energy has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to increase its rates for natural gas distribution service.

The requested increase is for $54.1 million, or about 6.4 percent per year. The requested increase would add about $5.15 to a typical residential customer’s monthly bill.

Formal evidentiary hearings on CenterPoint Energy’s proposal start on Jan. 19, 2016, at the MPUC’s offices at 121 7th Place East, St. Paul. The purpose of the evidentiary hearings is to allow CenterPoint Energy, the Minnesota Department of Commerce – Division of Energy Resources, the Minnesota Office of Attorney General – Residential Utilities and Antitrust Division and others to present testimony and to cross-examine each other’s witnesses on the proposed rate increase.

CenterPoint Energy requested the rate changes described in this notice. The MPUC may either grant or deny the requested changes, in whole or in part, and may grant a lesser or greater increase than that requested for any class or classes of service.

The MPUC will likely make its decision on our rate request in the summer of 2016. If final rates are lower than interim rates, we will refund customers the difference with interest. If final rates are higher than interim rates, we will not charge customers the difference.

PUBLIC HEARINGS Administrative Law Judge Eric L. Lipman is holding five public hearings on the company’s proposal. Any CenterPoint Energy customer or other person may attend or provide comments at the hearings. You are invited to comment on the adequacy and quality of CenterPoint Energy’s service, the level of rates or other related matters. You do not need to be represented by an attorney to provide comments during the public hearings.

Bad weather? Find out if a meeting is canceled – call (toll-free) 1-855-731-6208 or 651-201-2213 or visit mn.gov/puc.

Date

Time

Tuesday Dec. 1

1:00 p.m. Civic Center, Mankato Room 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, MN 56001

Tuesday Dec. 1

7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Dec. 2

1:00 p.m. Earle Brown Conference Center Morgan Room – Lower Level 6155 Earle Brown Dr., Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Wednesday Dec. 2

6:00 p.m. Sabathani Community Center, 3rd floor, Room J 310 E. 38th St., Minneapolis, MN 55409

Thursday

7:00 p.m.

SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS Dec. 3 Comment Period Comments accepted through Jan. 22, 2016 at 4:30 p.m.

Comments must be received by 4:30pm on the close date Comments received after comment period closes may not be considered Online U.S. Mail

Locations

Normandale Community College Kopp Student Center – Room K1450 9700 France Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55431

Central Lakes Community College, Room E203 501 W. College Dr., Brainerd, MN 56401

1. The Docket Numbers in the subject line or heading • MPUC Docket Number G-008/GR-15-424 • OAH Docket Number 8-2500-32829

3. The specific issues that concern you

2. Your name and connection to the Docket

6. The reason for your recommendation

4. Any knowledge you have about the issues 5. Your specific recommendation

Questions about the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s review process?

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 121 7th Place East, Suite 350, St. Paul, MN 55101 Phone: 651-296-0406 or 1-800-657-3782 Email: consumer.puc@state.mn.us

Important: Comments will be made available to the public on the MPUC’s website, except in limited circumstances consistent with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The MPUC does not edit or delete personally identifying information from submissions.

The chart below shows the effect of both the interim and proposed rate changes on monthly bills for residential, commercial and industrial customers with average natural gas use:

©2015 CenterPoint Energy 145887

Avg monthly bill: current rates

Avg monthly bill: interim rates

Avg monthly bill: proposed rates

76

$56

$59

$61

64 247 1,254

$52 $161 $756

$55 $170 $799

$61 $172 $756

Small Volume Dual Fuel Sales Service - up to 120,000/year - 120,000 or more/year

3,707 12,675

$1,810 $6,006

$1,912 $6,345

$1,813 $6,019

Large Volume Dual Fuel Sales Service

42,761

$17,570

$18,563

$17,725

Commercial/Industrial - up to 1,500/year - 1,500 to 5,000/year - 5,000 or more/year

*Figures above are rounded (to the nearest whole number)

CenterPoint Energy

85 7th Place East, Suite 500, St. Paul, MN 55101 Phone: 651-539-1534 Web: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/ search.jsp Select 15 in the year field, type 424 in the number field, select Search, and the list of documents will appear on the next page.

Written comments are most effective when the following items are included:

Residential

CenterPoint Energy’s current and proposed rate schedules are available at:

Minnesota Department of Commerce

Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 121 7th Place East, Ste. 350, St. Paul, MN 55101

Avg monthly usage in therms

HOW TO LEARN MORE

505 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis MN 55402 Phone 612-372-4727 or 1-800-245-2377 Web http://www.CenterPointEnergy.com/RateCase

Visit mn.gov/puc, select Speak Up!, find this Docket (15-424), and add your comments to the discussion.

If you wish to include an exhibit or other attachment, please send your comments via U.S. Mail.

Customer type (usage in therms)

If you wish to formally intervene in this case, as a party to the litigation, please contact Administrative Law Judge Eric L. Lipman, P.O. Box 64620, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55164-0620.

Citizens with hearing or speech disabilities may call through their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service.

11

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

www.presspubs.com

Crossword

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

Frank Watson is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station in White Bear Lake. Weather data and observation are from his weather station and trips around the area. Frank can be found on the internet at WeathermanWatson.com.

Weather tidbits Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com SUNRISE / SUNSET

Wed

November 11 7:06 4:47

Thu

November 12 7:07 4:46

Fri

November 13 7:08 4:45

Sat

November 14 7:10 4:44

Sun

November 15 7:11

Mon

November 16 7:12 4:42

Tue

November 17 7:14 4:41

4:43

Sudoku CLUES ACROSS 1. Cronkite’s network 4. Fire insect 7. Gas usage measurement 10. Express pleasure 11. Humbug 12. Every 13. Capital is Valletta 15. Copycat 16. Bound book sheets 19. Steps to an upper floor 22. Local school organizations 23. Old English 24. Atomic #73 25. Cheerless 26. The bill in a restaurant 28. Singer ___ Lo Green 30. Domesticated 33. Mammary gland of a cow 37. Honorable title (Turkish) 38. Alias 39. Emblem of a clan 42. Edouard __, Fr. painter 44. Short-term memory 46. Used to speak to the Queen 47. Vertical spar for sails 50. Expresses surprise 52. Morning 53. A long narrative poem 57. Minor punishment 61. Ice or roller 62. GE founder’s initials 63. Moses’ elder brother 64. Beak 65. A major division of geological time 66. Fuss & bother 67. Young women’s association 68. Feeling sorrow 69. Straggle CLUES DOWN 1. Bog arum lily 2. Thin plain-weave cotton

fabric 3. Thick rough piled carpet 4. A way to lessen 5. Amazon river tributary 6. Larceny 7. Make ale 8. Begged 9. White of egg 13. Road travel guide 14. Aircraft tail 17. Italian monk title 18. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)

20. Goblin 21. A baglike structure in a plant or animal 27. Date 29. I, Portuguese 30. Design on the skin 31. Time before 32. Free from gloss 34. V.P. Quayle 35. Supplement with difficulty 36. Tell on 40. Landed properties 41. Metric ton 42. One thousandth of an ampere 43. Former __ Hess, oil company 45. Siemans conductance unit 46. Woman (French) 47. More (Spanish) 48. Request 49. Group jargon 51. Stakes 52. In advance 54. Yiddish meat pie 55. Equal, prefi x 56. Box (abbr.)

58. Having nine hinged bands of bony plates 59. Scarlett’s home 60. S. branch of the Lower Rhine

WEATHER TIDBIT Crazy weather day of last week was Thursday, November 5 when a series of showers moved through. A 5-minute downpour produced .12” in White Bear, .30” Stillwater. We’re 12° warmer than normal to open the month.

YEAR AGO THIS WEEK Who remembers this? Highs averaged in low 20’s with lows in the single digits from Nov. 14-18. Highs in teens on Nov. 17-18. To top it off 1.5” snow on Nov. 15-16. Brrrr. How quickly we want to forget.

WEEKLY AVERAGES NOV. 11 TO 17, 2015 High Low %Sun PCP 42° 27° 39% 0.51” 4

Fun Fact

Alaska has more caribou than people

Did you notice?

The sight of oranges in all three Godfather films signal that death (or a close call) is about to happen

Top 5 at PressPubs.com: Week of November 1 – 7

Editor’s note: Visit www.presspubs.com to read the full versions of these most-visited stories

1. The WOW factor. White Bear Press > News 2. Grant house destroyed by fire, no one injured.

White Bear Press > News 3. White Bear area election results. White Bear Press > News 4. Mighty Mississippi a ‘reliable’ water source.

White Bear Press > News 5. District 624 School Board primary results. White Bear Press > News See Press Publications’ website www.presspubs.com for stories from the White Bear Press, The Citizen, Vadnais Heights Press, Shoreview Press, Quad Community Press, The Lowdown-Forest Lake Area and The Lowdown- St. Croix Valley Area.

“I’s rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.“ Emma Goldman

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QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS www.presspubs.com

NOVEMBER 10, 2015

Mighty Mississippi a ‘reliable’ water source

BY DEBRA NEUTKENS REGIONAL EDITOR

ARDEN HILLS — St. Paul Regional Water Services has more water than it can use.

A lot more.

During the third annual State of the Waters summit in Ramsey County Oct. 21, Jim Bode, division manager for the St. Paul utility, supplied some usage stats from last year.

The figures might interest proponents of augmentation for White Bear Lake, since the water would come from the river via the St. Paul system.

Permitted to draw 20 billion gallons per year from the Mississippi by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the regional water service pumped slightly more than 8 billion gallons last year, or not even half.

“We have quite a bit of excess capacity if we use last year’s numbers,” Bode said. “We have the capacity to augment White Bear Lake, but it would be expensive.”

River water from the utility’s Fridley pumping station is channeled through two 60-inch pipes to North Oaks’ chain of lakes. It then flows by gravity to Vadnais Lake and on to the McCarron Water Treatment Plant on Rice Street where it’s disinfected and softened for use by 420,000 people in nine municipalities.

Bode offered a little history of the aging system for Ramsey County participants, noting it was built over a century ago.

“City planners went to Lake Phalen first in the early 1900s because they didn’t expect the city to grow so rapidly. By the 1920s, the water utility had to expand further to Vadnais Lake and again north to Pleasant Lake,” Bode said. “In the 19-teens, conduit was also laid from Centerville Lake down to the chain of lakes. Those two conduits from Centerville Lake aren’t used anymore. There isn’t as much water in the Rice Creek watershed, the lake is shallow and believe it or not, the water quality is not as good as river water.”

The Mississippi River has been cleaned up over the last three decades, he noted, mainly due to the limits put on wastewater and sewage discharge. It continues to improve and “thankfully, is a very reliable source of water.”

Water quality is a big deal to Bode, who has been with St. Paul Regional Services for 29 years.

Water from the upper Mississippi River basin is tested for 88 chemicals and bacterial contamination 180 times per month per the Department of Health. They are also tasked with finding new potential contaminates.

The utility samples for

This outfall at Charlie Lake shows the 5-foot diameter pipes that channel river water through the North Oaks chain of lakes. cryptosporidium and giardia, but neither have been found in raw water; a testament, he said, to the watershed and care that has gone into protecting surface waters.

There are also 10 wells that supplement St. Paul’s water supply; six are fairly new.

“After 9-11, the feds came to us and asked how reliable our water supply was,” Bode said.

“It was determined we should increase our groundwater capacity for emergency use so wells were developed within the last decade as part of our vulnerability plan.”

The wells strung along the surface water conduits can provide 45 million gallons per day to the St. Paul plant. The DNR appropriation permit is 16.8 billion gallons per year for groundwater; St. Paul used 2.3 billion gallons last year mostly for cooling surface water in the summer and warming in the winter.

Bode said the utility conducted a test this summer to see how far the aquifer would draw down when all 10 wells were pumping. An existing model that predicts drawdown was compared with the real-time number after two weeks of running the wells at maximum capacity.

“The model drawdown was greater than the observed,”

BY THE NUMBERS - St. Paul Water Services

420,000 20 8.1 11.9 $779 10 45

Customers served Appropriation, billion gallons/year Gallons used, billions Excess capacity, billions Cost per million. gallons No. of groundwater wells Capacity of wells, million gallons/day

SUBMITTED

SUBMITTED

This map from St. Paul Regional Water Services shows the route water takes from the Mississippi River to Lake Vadnais. The augmentation study approved by the Legislature is studying a connection from the Sucker Lake chain of lakes to White Bear Lake.

Bode said, “which is data that will be fed into a new model for our east metro area.

“We are pulling out of the Prairie du Chien and recognize we will have an impact on the aquifer. We’re not out to compete or take that water. It actually costs us a lot more to use well water because we have to remove more mineral, which is expensive. It is there for a backup at least on a temporary basis.”

Consumption has declined for water, which poses a challenge to utilities, Bode continued.

“It’s a national trend.

Drinking water consumption has declined after peaking in

the 1980s. When I started, we were at the mid-50s in million gallons per day. Now we’re down to the low 40s. Last year, we averaged 42 million gallons per day.

“Conservation efforts are taking hold,” he said. “Most fixtures are low flow and big industry has changed. This poses a problem to water utilities. Declining usage means less revenue. Most of our costs are fixed, so we have to adjust rates upward to compensate.”

A U of M professor on the State of the Waters program described St. Paul’s water as “awesome.”

“The drinking water quality is exceptionally high with respect to microbiological quality,” said Timothy LaPara, a microbiologist with the Department of Civil, Environmental and GeoEngineering. “Minneapolis is not quite as good.”

A resident from North St. Paul noted that his city doesn’t use chlorine in its water supply.

“Should we be worried?” he asked LaPara. “Yes,” the professor replied. “Expect a mandate that requires all public water supplies be disinfected.”