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White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Mahtomedi, Hugo, Birchwood, Dellwood, Willernie, Gem Lake, Pine Springs & Grant VOLUME 119 115 NUMBER 37 26
WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY JULY 15,26, 2015 2011
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Old Town Hall lives to see another day
At a
Glance
Billboard revenue proves saving grace for restoration of the hall built in 1885
News inside
by Louise Ernewein Contributing Writer
See inside for the following news stories: Mahtomedi might allow backyard beekeeping and has four new fire department members, Grant council majority orders councilman to obtain conditional use permit and Washington County sheriff deputies chip in for a birthday surprise.
WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP — It was touch and go for a while, but ultimately it was a fairy tale ending for the story of the old Town Hall at the most recent township meeting. About 10 people addressed the Town Board in support of relocating the 1885 building, designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert who later went on to design the Minnesota state Capitol and the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. Although no real action was taken at the July 6 meeting, the Town Board did direct staff to draw up an "implementation plan" for the moving of the Town Hall, currently situated on Hoffman Road, to a new location in Polar Lakes Park. A Town Hall Committee group has selected a spot within a grove of trees on the west side of the park's upper parking lot.
Upcoming events See inside for details on the following upcoming events: Ramsey County Fair, a juggler at the White Bear library, White Bear Lake Superstore remodeling celebration, Phil Nusbaum and Steve Howard perform in Birchwood and an “act happy” workshop at Lakeshore Players.
"We do live in a very historical community and what we can do to preserve its history and enlighten future generations as to what its history has been is a very valid reason for making this restoration possible," said David Gehrenbeck in comments to the board supervisors. He noted he had lived in the Bald Eagle neighborhood of the township "off and on" for 72 years. The old Town Hall has not been used for public meetings since 2011. After hearing that it would cost at least $145,000 to move and repair the building and prepare its new location in Polar Lakes Park, some concern had been expressed about the idea of using taxpayer money to fund the move and renovations. "I have no interest in spending a nickel on this," said Supervisor Ed Prudhon. "If there's a way to do this without jumping into property taxes, then I'm more inclined to go along with this.
Town Hall/see page 7A
– Photo by Louise Ernewein
The old Town Hall can be seen reflected in a pool of standing water just a few minutes after the Town Board decision opened a new chapter in the building’s 130-year life.
Water conservation measures adopted
Marketfest The theme for the July 16 Marketfest is healthy living; look for balloons marking booths that fit the theme. Music lineup is Inside Straight Blues Band on the gazebo stage and Tim and the Pickups on the Third Street stage.
by Kristine Goodrich Editor
Public notices See pages 9A-10A for public notices, including White Bear Lake Planning Commission hearings on proposals to expand the Flips Gymnastics facility and construct a new senior housing facility on Centerville Road.
Weather Tidbits
Week of July 15-21, 2015 Weather tidbit: On average, this is the warmest and sunniest week of the year. Year Ago this week: A relatively cool period with highs in the low to mid 70’s from July 15-18. July 21 is the hottest day of the summer, as high hits 92° at the airport but only 88° at my station.
MAHTOMEDI — Homeowner incentive rebates and a higher rate for high consumers are among the measures the city is taking to promote water conservation. The Environmental Commission also recommended formation of a committee to educate top water users and that future city irrigation systems utilize stormwater. The City Council unanimously adopted the recommendations last week. The commission had been discussing the ideas for months. The commission and council members met last month to discuss the options. Next year the city will set aside $5,000 to give out $50 rebates to residents who replace their washing machine or a toilet. The rebates are limited to one per household and will be awarded first-come, first-served until the funds run out. Residents will need to bring a receipt to City Hall and purchases prior to now will not be eligible. For the toilets, there are two criteria: the new toilet must use 1.3 gallons of water per flush (look for a WaterSense label) and it must replace a toilet manufactured prior to 1980 (which use 5-7 gallons per flush). It was not noted how or if the city will require residents to prove they've met these criteria. Funding for the rebates will come out of the city water fund. Depending on response, the council will decide next year whether to continue the program into 2017. City Administrator Scott Neilson noted that at least two other metro communities have rebate programs.
- Photo by Paul Dols
Star-Spangled cupcakes Grandma’s Bakery owner John Lupo adds star-shaped cookies to the rendition of the American flag he and his staff created in downtown White Bear Lake in recognition of the 25th anniversary of Marketfest Thursday, July 9. After it was completed, volunteers gave away the 3,338 red, white and blue cupcakes used to create the flag. Find more photos online at presspubs.com.
Conservation/see page 7A
Weekly Averages High Low %Sun PCP 83° 64° 72% 0.96” (More weather on sports page)
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“Meet the Bear”
A year in South Africa readies high-school senior for career in international relations by Kristine Goodrich Editor In fourth grade, Juliette Schroeder asked her mother, “Who is the president of the world?” The soon-to-be high school senior still remembers her mom explaining that the world has no president and telling her about the United Nations. She remembers immediately logging onto the Web to learn more about the international intergovernmental organization. Ever since that day she has wanted to work for the U.N. as a diplomat or a humanitarian. The White Bear Lake
– Submitted photo
Rotary exchange students take a selfie with school children while volunteering at a school outside of Nelspruit. Juliette Schroeder is wearing a white hat. teenager will have international and leadership experiences to list on her U.N.
application. Schroeder recently returned home from a year
in South Africa as part of a Rotary exchange program. Now she is attending a youth leadership conference. She speaks Spanish and is learning Arabic. As she's researching prospective colleges, only colleges that offer an international relations major and study abroad programs are being considered, as are a few colleges outside of the U.S. Given her longstanding interest in international affairs, her family and friends weren't surprised when she decided she wanted to spend her junior year in another country. Her mother, Jill, is a White Bear Lake Rotary Club member and suggested the Rotary International Youth
Exchange, in which Rotary clubs across the world host exchange students of high school age. The Schroeders who remained in White Bear Lake opened their home to a Rotary exchange student from Italy for a couple of months. Schroeder said she chose South Africa because, out of the available options, it was the country she guessed she'd be the least likely to have an opportunity to visit in the future. She lived in the city of Benoni, which is near Johannesburg. She arrived last July and came home in late June.
Exchange Student/ see page 9A
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