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WHITE BEAR PRESS
FEBRUARY 10, 2016
www.presspubs.com
LAWSUIT: Airport safety zones at risk FROM PAGE 1A
purchased by the Stoddards with the safety zones in place. Modifying them, he said, would create a significant safety risk to the public and users of Benson Airport. "The proposal will put a virtual wall of homes in the direct path of the runway creating a safety risk to the public and the pilots," Prudhon stated. In the Stoddard's complaint, attorney Tamara O'Neill Moreland called the township's denial of the major subdivision "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable." The plaintiffs contend that the safety zone is modeled after a Minnesota Department of Transportation Department of Aeronautics' zoning ordinance for paved public runways, noting that Benson Airport is not public and is a turf runway. "The proposed amendment," wrote the attorney, "would have no impact on the use of the airport." Benson airport was gifted to the township in 1996 in the will of its owner/founder John Benson, on the condition the land continue to be operated as an airport for at least 40 years. The Stoddards feel the safety zone constitutes an unconstitutional taking of their property to benefit the airport's private gain without "just compensation." "Denial of the application to amend the zoning ordinance leaves no reasonable use that can be made of the property," wrote O'Neill Moreland, claiming that township actions have cost the Stoddards in excess of $ 50,000. A large portion of the 22-acre parcel is designated wetland, leaving just over seven acres available for building. Because that land currently falls within an area designated as an airport safety zone — the approach to the runway at Benson Airport — additional restrictions apply to the property, limiting the development to one home per three-acre lot. Eliminating the safety zones, implemented in 1984, would allow the developer to construct three homes per acre. In the "prayer for relief," the attorney requests that the township "cease and desist from enforcement of the safety zone, commence eminent domain proceedings and award damages for violation of the Stoddard's due process rights and for just compensation for the taking of their property rights." They are also asking for award of all fees, costs and disbursements incurred in the prosecution of their claims. Was the township surprised at the lawsuit? "No," Short replied. "We were pleasantly surprised that they picked an experienced firm." The town clerk added that the Stoddards, who moved to Lakeville, do not appear willing to reduce the project or submit alternatives. The township is being defended by its firm, Kelly & Lemmons, PA, and an attorney provided by the League of Minnesota Cities.
DYSLEXIA: Legislation proposes more training, tax credit FROM PAGE 1A
Berger knew something was amiss when her son was 2. "He didn't speak a lot," she recalled. "It reminded me of a radio that wasn't quite tuned in. We were lucky. We caught it early but I didn't know what I was catching." Berger and her husband paid $3,000 out of pocket to get a diagnosis: Their son was dyslexic. "I thought it would open doors. Little did I know that was only the beginning of significant outof-pocket expenses for us," she said. The average family pays $6,000 to $8,000 per year for tutoring to keep their children moving forward. "A few of us parents have the ability to pay for remediation. But what about the parents who don't have the resources?" Berger asked. "This is a fundamental right of our education. These kids have a right to learn. The catch is, we're just not there yet." With help from District 38 Sen. Roger Chamberlain (R-Lino Lakes), the advocacy group has several goals this year: • A reading tax credit of $3,000 for parents who have to pay for proper reading instruction outside the school. Chamberlain said the plan is to ask for $20 million through 2019. • Hire specialists at the state Department of Education and the six regional Centers of Excellence who are highly
with dyslexia are neuro-diverse trained in dyslexia and related learners. Once it's recognized disorders regarding screening, and supported, they can flourinterventions and professional ish." development for teachers. Many famous people were • Conduct a survey through dyslexic, she added, including Education Minnesota going to Albert Einstein. teachers, including the White Her background in early Bear school district, to deterchildhood education gives mine what they'd like for profesHaselmann confidence to sional development on dyslexia. provide proper tutoring. In Chamberlain said the women fact, she has started a coaching approached him to help champiservice called "The 20% Club." on the issue. He has no personal Her objective is to "empower the experience with dyslexia and 20 percent who struggle with didn't know much about it, but dyslexia." People who would like considers his help as service to more information on her pracconstituents. "It's how a legislatice can visit www.the20percentture should work. The issue is club.com. real, it's tangible and it can be "Dyslexia is an equal-opportufi xed," noted the senator, who nity disability. It doesn't have to added the interest is bipartisan. be a damning diagnosis," said White Bear Lake Area School Berger, whose father was recentDistrict leaders have heard their concerns, Haselmann said. ly diagnosed. "What matters to us is that kids who need help, "Our district strives for excellence so I think they have a keen get it." For more on the group, go to interest in figuring out how they www.decodingdyslexiamn.org. can better serve this population," added Berger. "It's just no one is trained to do it." Haselmann, whose son was BY THE NUMBERS: DYSLEXIA diagnosed in fi rst grade, wants peo35 Percent of entrepreneurs ple to know those affected with dyslexia have at least 1 in 5 Students affected an average IQ. 135,000 School-age children in "In the 1800s, it was called 'word Minnesota affected blindness,'" she said. "There is a 41 Percent of state students did preconceived nonot meet reading standards in tion that they're dumb. But people 2015
County proceeds with interchange design
ST. PAUL — Ramsey County and city officials hope investing their own funds to design a new Rice Street and I-694 interchange will improve the odds that the state will finally bankroll the construction. The Ramsey County Board last week hired SEH to analyze the improvements needed for the corridor, prepare design options and recommend a best design. SEH engineers are working fast in an effort to get their needs analysis in the hands of lawmakers before they vote on a bonding bill. The Vadnais Heights engineering firm expects to have that ready by the end of March. Preliminary designs will be completed in the fall. Ramsey County wants to rebuild the interchange in 2018, according to Beth Engum, the county's project manager. That, of course, is dependent on receipt of state funds to help fund construction. The county has requested a $20.3 million appropriation from the bonding bill. That's the cost estimate from a previous partial cloverleaf design proposal. SEH will be looking at alternate options that would use less land, according to Engum.
SEH will be paid up to $1.07 million for its work. Ramsey County will pay approximately three-fourths of the construction tab and the cities of Shoreview, Little Canada and Vadnais Heights will fund the remainder. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is planning to add additional lanes to I-694 in the region, with construction set to begin this spring. But the Rice Street bridge and on and off ramps were left out of the project because MnDOT found there was sufficient space for additional lanes under the existing bridge. SEH will be looking for ways to improve the accesses to and from the freeway, alleviate the bottleneck on Rice Street, accommodate anticipated new developments near the interchange and make the corridor more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly. It's not yet clear whether expanding the bridge will be necessary, Engum said. The design process will include invitations for public input, the project manager advised. Opportunities will be posted at www.sehinc.com/online/rice694. Kristine Goodrich
Top 5 at PressPubs.com: Week of Jan. 31 – Feb. 6
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1. Blaine tattoo shop does ink differently. Quad Community Press > News 2. Former NHL players flock to Stillwater festival. Lowdown (SCV) > News 3. A different kind of fitness. White Bear Press > News 4. North to Alaska: Teacher using salvaged driftwood to build wilderness lodge. White Bear Press > News
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5. Kowalski’s opening in Shoreview – hopefully before Thanksgiving (UPDATE). Shoreview Press > News
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