JANUARY 2, 2019
WHITE BEAR/VADNAIS HEIGHTS PRESS www.presspubs.com
5A
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Too much salt on sidewalks My two dogs and I love that White Bear Lake is such a walkable community and we greatly appreciate our mixed-use neighborhood, but we notice that in the winter most of the local businesses are quite heavy handed when salting their sidewalks. So much so, that the salt lasts for weeks on dry sidewalks. It has burned our dogs' paws, causing them to limp and even lie down from pain in the middle of our walk. Over-salting also damages our lakes. As noted on the Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization website, "… one teaspoon of rock salt is enough to pollute 5 gallons of water ... Once salt is introduced into our lakes and wetlands, it’s stuck in that water as it moves along to larger rivers and lakes. This changes the aquatic environment and harms our water resources over time." I am asking area business owners and organizations to respect our community members (even the four-legged ones) and our water. They can shovel
more often, use much less salt or, better yet, use an alternative such as sand. Karol Durdle White Bear Lake
Maintain passion on Rush Line Thank you, Greg Lees, for your letter regarding the Rush Line proposed for downtown White Bear Lake (Dec. 26, 2018). I agree with your statements about “proponents counting on the public’s passion to wane.” I think (and hope) that our White Bear Lake residents will prove them wrong. Our passion on this topic will not/cannot wane. The proponents think the Rush Line is a great opportunity to provide mass transit options for those in the northeast metro. That may be for some of the communities that already have the infrastructure to add an additional transit option (Rush Line). But for White Bear Lake, it is not logical to consider a dedicated lane/line for the buses, which I assume would be on Hwy 61. That road is already busy
with rush hour traffic and is confined between Goose Lake, the railroad and established downtown businesses and homes. It is also not conducive with the actual downtown area that has beautifully blended local, unique, boutique businesses and restaurants with homes, churches and our library. I believe having a Rush Line stop in downtown would have a dramatically negative impact on our downtown community. It is far more logical to identify a location that fits more with the intent of the service … convenience and access. As Greg stated in his letter, I-35E and County Road E [or similar area] is a more acceptable and logical location for the Rush Line to consider. This isn’t nor should it be about lawmakers doing “what they think is best” for a community when there is a large opposition to the plan. “You can’t please everyone” is a true statement but is a cop-out, in my opinion. You can make the best logical decision by actually hearing and listening to those in the community who love it and want
to preserve it for years to come. I plan on taking time off work to be at the Jan. 31 meeting to ensure my voice is heard on behalf of my White Bear Lake community. Who will join me? Cindie Bloom White Bear Lake
No tear gas at border Like Jennifer Lengyel (“Is it humane?” Dec. 19 Letters), I believe that border patrol agents should not be forced to use tear gas. When confronted by violent, rock-throwing thugs, they should emulate the actions of their much more civilized brethren in Western Europe and use bean bag rounds, rubber bullets and that old favorite, the high-pressure water cannon. Nobody has a right to attack our border patrol officers or enter the country illegally. There is a formal procedure to apply for asylum. If you choose to try and bypass that procedure, do so at your own risk. Leonard Lorence White Bear Lake
PUBLIC SAFETY BRIEF
SCHOOL BRIEFS
Outgoing sheriff given Vision of Peace statue
Alum wins master’s scholarship
The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners awarded Sheriff Jack Serier the Vision of Peace statue this month. This prestigious statue is awarded by the commissioners to individuals or entities to recognize distinguished or exemplary leadership and service to Ramsey County. It is the commissioners’ highest level of recognition. The commissioners thanked Serier for his service with this statement: “During Sheriff Serier’s tenure, the Sheriff’s Office has become a trusted and professional leader in public safety by providing safety through community policing, domestic violence reduction, mental health service improvements, and improving service through the usage of technology. Sheriff Serier has taken the initiative by collaborating with community and justice partners, encouraging diversity to reflect the community and connecting with youth to build a better future for themselves.” Serier was appointed by the commissioners in 2017 after then-Sheriff Matt Bostrom announced he would join the law faculty at Oxford University. Former sheriff Bob Fletcher beat Serier in the November election.
Charles William Hunter IV, Mahtomedi Public Schools 2005 graduate and paraprofessional at Mahtomedi Middle School and High School from 2015-2018, is the 2019 recipient of the Bruce F. Vento Science Educator Scholarship. Hunter is pursuing his master’s degree and licensure as a secondary school science teacher Charles William Hunter IV through the University of Wisconsin-River Falls’ STEMteach graduate program. “I want to be a mentor for struggling students, as the teachers and professors I had growing up were for me,” Hunter said. “I want to encourage students to take the initiative. I would like them to be responsible and take pride in the creation of their own knowledge. Being there to support the students in whichever way they need, I want to create an environment where life skills are learned and STEM practices are preached.”
SUBMITTED
Ramsey County Sheriff Jack Serier was recognized for his service by the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners with a Vision of Peace statue.
Student coffee and donut drive-thru for global water crisis
OBITUARY NOTICES
Bette Jo Sobota
Arlene A. Kimker
Bette Jo Sobota, 87, of White Bear Lake, passed away on December 24, 2018. Bette Jo was born on August 3, 1931 to Charles and Eloise (Miner) Buswell in Winona. Bette Jo is preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Eugene, as well as her parents, and her son-in-law: Mark Frank. She is survived by her children: Karen (Michael) Reilly, Charles Sobota, Diane Hermanson, Alice Frank, Philip (Rachel) Sobota, and Andrew (Tracy) Sobota; grandchildren: Crystal, Jennifer, Jason, Amanda, Patrick, Matthew, Mark, Alan, Natasha, Ashley, Jack, and Sarah; 11 great-grandchildren, and her brother Donald Davies. A private family service in Bette Jo’s honor has already taken place.
Arlene A. Kimker, age 91, of White Bear Lake. Arlene was a strong woman and she lived a long and full life. She had seven children and when the youngest was 4 she went back to school for her teaching degree. She then taught in the White Bear Lake public schools for 25 years. She walked to and from school for most of those years. She was also a world traveler and she visited more than 25 countries. Preceded in death by her husband Irving; daughter Barbara; and sisters Floss Kissling, Anna Nemitz and Evie Meyer. Survived by her children Nanci (Alan Weisbond), James, Gina, Tom (Julie), Terri, and Beth (Jim Wanless); grandchildren Bridget, Molly and Rob Kimker, Jonah Weisbond, Andrew and Jennifer Zimmer, and Zach Wanless; nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Saturday, December 29, 2018 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Honsa Family Funeral Home, 2460 East County Road E, White Bear Lake. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Church of St. Pius X, 3878 Highland Ave., White Bear Lake. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. The family would like to thank Lakeview Hospice and the staff at The Waters for their care. Memorials preferred to Rein in Sarcoma or Doctors Without Borders.
DEATH NOTICE
Jerry “JP” Profant Jerry “JP” Profant, 72, passed away November 8, 2018. Celebration of Life will be 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 at the New Brighton Community Center, 400 10th St. NW, New Brighton, Room A.
OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS Death notices of up to 50 words are published free of charge and include name, age, city of residence, former city of residence (if applicable), date of death and service information. Both death notices and obituaries may be submitted with contact information (including a phone number), by email to obits@presspubs.com, by fax to 651-429-1242 or by calling 651-407-1230. Obituaries are subject to minor editing for style. For billing questions, call Lisa at 651-407-1205.
Otter Lake Elementary fi fth-grade students are raising money to provide clean water in Haiti by hosting the H2O for Hope event. The students will hold a coffee and donut drive-thru from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Otter Lake Elementary. The students learned about the global water crisis during their persuasive writing unit and wrote persuasive letters to businesses in the community asking for donations of coffee and donuts. The funds raised will be used to fi ll water trucks in Haiti to provide water for the people of Cité Soleil.
Free kindergarten experience Magnuson Christian School will hold a free kindergarten experience from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 17. Parents and preschoolers can see what kindergarten is like, tour the school and discuss kindergarten readiness. Register at www.magnusonschool.org.
Nominate a teacher Nominations are now being accepted for the White Bear Lake Teachers’ Association’s Teacher of the Year. The winner, announced in the spring, will compete in the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program. Nominate a teacher at http:// ow.ly/coXO30n09SF.
Career mentors needed Mahtomedi High School is looking for potential career mentors in any field for Mahtomedi High School students. Fill out the form at https://t. co/KuNrHlrOqv if you are interested in helping students explore their career options.