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PROPERTY PURCHASE: Paves way for bus station PAGE 7A
Water Gremlin draws line at housecleaning, files appeal BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR
ST. PAUL — Water Gremlin is appealing a court order to test and clean the homes of current and former employees for lead dust. In a declaration to Ramsey County District Court last week, Carl Dubois, vice president of international manufacturing, said the decontamination of 1,270 residences will cost millions. District Judge Leonardo Castro ordered Water Gremlin Nov. 22 to take steps regarding cleaning its plant, cleaning vehicles driven to the plant and facilitating blood lead level testing for employees and their families. The order also requires the commissioners of the Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) and Department of Health (MDH) to provide notice of potential residential lead contamination. The notice must go to all Water Gremlin employees and former employees who worked at the plant at any time during the last two years. All notified workers must be given the opportunity of having their homes tested for lead contamination. Owners of homes testing above applicable lead levels at the time of testing have the option of having their homes decontaminated. Water Gremlin must pay for the testing and decontamination. Attorney Thaddeus Lightfoot, who represents Water Gremlin, maintains that the "Residential Testing and Cleaning" order exceeds both the commissioners' and district court's authority. An immediate stay pending appeal was also sought Dec. 10 by Water Gremlin as the appellate court decides the statutory authority question. Lightfoot argued that his client seeks only a halt to enforcement outside the plant at individual persons' homes and is not challenging the other provisions of the order: cleanup of the facility, improvements to layout and design, and vehicle decontamination. The commissioners, plaintiffs in the case and represented by Peter Surdo with the attorney general's office, urged the judge to deny the emergency stay, claiming Water Gremlin seeks to avoid or delay its responsibility to clean up the lead. Surdo told Castro the migration of lead out of the plant is "impacting employees, their families and the community at large." Judge Castro denied the request for an immediate stay and set a hearing for Dec. 23. Water Gremlin started making fishing lures and lead sinkers in 1949 and broadened its scope in the 1970s to include manufacture of industry-leading lead terminals for industrial, commercial and automotive batteries. The Japanese-owned company is the leading supplier of lead battery terminals in North America. According to Dubois, 13% of its
Call it providential, but when Paul Carlson started searching the Worldwide Web for a Santa suit seamstress, he found one in his own backyard. That's pretty remarkable seeing how there are maybe six full-time professional Santa suit makers in the country. Deborah Mumaugh of White Bear Township is one of them. Mumaugh happens to be married to a Santa, too, and accompanies her husband Gary as Mrs. Claus during his many stops. When children ask her age, Mrs. Claus doesn't hesitate: “325,” she replies. Both Mumaugh and Carlson make it clear not just anyone can don the costume and become the jolly old elf, even if they do have a little round belly that shakes like jelly. According to Mumaugh, Santa's large waistline is losing its appeal. "There's a move afloat for Santa to slim down," she said. "It's a health thing." Carlson finds a big belly too restrictive and refuses to wear padding. If a child notices a lack of stomach, he's ready with an explanation. He blames it on Mrs. Claus who put him on a diet and demanded he exercise. “But there’s much more to Santa than looks,” explained Carlson, who is a relative newcomer to the profession. “The mannerisms, the voice. Everyone is on the same backstory. You have to learn how to walk, how to answer questions, how to carry the bag of toys,
SEE APPEAL, PAGE 8A
SEE SEWING FOR SANTA, PAGE 9A
Santa & his seamstress BY DEBRA NEUTKENS EDITOR
PHOTOS BY PAUL DOLS AND DEBRA NEUTKENS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
At top left: Santa Claus, aka Paul “the plumber” Carlson, gets his boot tops adjusted by seamstress Deborah Mumaugh of White Bear Township. Top right: On his way to the Lion’s toy shelf at the Armory. Above: Santa considers switching the ball at the end of his cap to a tassel in Mumaugh’s sewing studio.
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