White Bear Press

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VOL. 120 NO. 49 www.presspubs.com $1.00

SPORTS CENTER: Hockey association to fund study PAGE 9A

Flat tax levy thing of past

Grass roots initiative

Below: Susan Rose Ward, Marla Ordway and Vicki Ford wear hats decorated with real, growing grass as they pose with “Lady Bear,” an animated polar bear puppet created by Kimberly Ford, during the Grassroots Celebration at the future site of the Lakeshore Players Theatre on Long Avenue in White Bear Lake Saturday, Sept. 17. At right: In recognition of the grassroots theme of the event, Marla Ordway mingles with visitors while wearing one of the three original hats created by Vicki and Kimberly Ford. It took 12 days to cultivate and grow the turf on the hats. The benefit event also featured guided tours, bluegrass music, games and treats.

BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR

WHITE BEAR LAKE — Contrary to past years, the city is looking to raise the 2016 tax levy by 5 percent — the biggest increase in more than a decade. Blame it on the feds and poor interest earnings. As explained by Finance Director Don Rambow, the city's ability to generate interest earnings directly corresponds to the Federal Reserve's discount rate. Since the Reserve has maintained a low interest rate policy over the past 10 years, the city's interest earnings have dropped significantly. The city has three major revenue sources, according to Rambow: property taxes, local government aid and interest earnings. In 2007, interest earnings totaled $2.6 million. A decade later, that number is less than $190,000. It's how the city paid for capital improvements like streets and other infrastructure. "It will make street improvements and assessments very challenging," he pointed out. The preliminary tax levy proposed to City Council Sept. 13 is $5.2 million. Last year it was $4.9 million, the same amount levied in 2007. That 2016 levy figure sets the course for the 2017 city budget, as property taxes pay 20 percent of the budget and 50 percent of the general fund. To keep the levy flat in previous years, the city drew down certain fund balances that could

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

SEE TAX LEVY, PAGE 9A

Sub shop gets claim to fame after benefit sets record BY DEBRA NEUTKENS WHITE BEAR PRESS EDITOR

Knowing the sandwich makers would be swamped, the Jimmy John's in Vadnais Heights called in the cavalry Sept. 12 in anticipation of a benefit for one of its own. The extra staff was a good idea, as the franchise on County Road E ended up being the busiest Jimmy John's in the country that day. Employees from as far as St. Cloud clocked in for the "Great Cause, Great Food" fundraiser for Kayla Jones, the White Bear Lake teen who suffered a serious brain injury July 30. Jones, the daughter of Sallie and Dan Jones, is an employee at the restaurant. General Manager Mandy Edgeberg reported the store made a record 1,633 sandwiches. On a normal day, they would make less than a quarter of that number. The day started busy with a lot of people and big

orders, Edgeberg said. "It trickled down for about 45 minutes, which gave us a chance to regroup and then we got hit hard with orders all night. People even called from North Carolina to donate to the family. It was awesome. I feel blessed to be part of it." Proceeds from the highly profitable day are earmarked for Kayla's hospital bills. Edgeberg and store owner Bryan Skowronek teamed up to plan the event. Skowronek owns six Jimmy John's in Minnesota and 16 in Oregon and Washington. They added a raffle for gift cards, a flat-screen TV, beer pong table and other items. Dan Jones, a White Bear Lake city councilman, drew the winning tickets that night. On her KaylaStrong Caring Bridge site, dad Dan wrote that Kayla will wear the helmet another two weeks with surgery expected around Oct. 1 to replace the skull piece. He noted that Kayla is frustrated with short-term memory loss but there is progress. SEE KAYLA STRONG, PAGE 8A

SUBMITTED

Shown with Kayla Jones, right, are Jimmy John’s co-workers Adam Egemo, Sarah Dotte and Jessica Shifsky.

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