|
Chanhassen * 952-934-5659 |
|
Leuthner Well Company Victoria * 952-443-2582 |
|
Laser and Electrolysis Chanhassen 952-474-7474 |
|
Dine in Downtown Victoria * 952-443-2858 |
|
MACKENTHUN’S Gourmet Meats Victoria * 952-443-1841 |
|
St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1338 |
|
Holy Family Catholic High School Victoria * 952-443-4659 |
|
Island View Dining Waconia. 952-442-2956 |
|
Buying or Selling Victoria? Call Nan Emmer. 612-702-2020 |
|
Headlines and bylines |
|
Front Page Feature Story |
|
From the Editor |
|
Addie’s Drawing |
|
Letters to the Editor |
|
Victoria Moments |
|
Hook Line & Sinker |
|
Calendar of Events |
|
Click here to Advertise |
|
the Gazette |
|
Return to Home Page |
|
Order paper Gazette |
|
Notes and Quotes |
|
The Scoop at City Hall |
|
Home Page |
|
The Victoria GAZETTE |
|
VICTORIA RECEIVES ‘09 FIRE REPORT MEMBERSHIP OF FIRE DEPT AT CAPACITY Victoria Fire Chief Tim Walsh presented the 2009 annual report of the Victoria Fire Department to city councimembers on June 14th. The report indicated that the department has a membership of 35, its capacity number, and also a waiting list for the first time ever. Longest serving member is Tom Walsh at 35+ years. Most recent members are Erik Kemppainen and Laura Wood at less than one year. Total number of calls in 2009 was 194 after a high of 255 in 2007. Total number of man-hours worked in 2009 was 2,062 after a high of 2,427 hours in 2007. Total budget of the Victoria Fire Department in 2009 was $312,833 after a high of $323,524 in 2006. Anticipated budget for 2010 is $364,605. Total equipment fund balance -- which is funded by $75,000 each year from the city coffers -- is projected to be $529,500 for 2010. The report showed that there will be a deficit of $405,500 in that fund in 2015 if a purchase of $852,000 is made that year to replace a 1985 engine. Operating budgets in 2009 for the following cities were included in the report: Carver $250,035; Chanhassen $675,000; Excelsior $767,832; Victoria $237,833; Waconia, $287,478. The Victoria Fire Department was awarded three grants in 2009 totalling $6,500 with two grants still pending. There were two retirements in 2009: Doug Jurek at 23 years of service and Doug Schmieg with 27 years of service. Service pins went to Bruce Osborn (10 years), Gary Sohns (25 years) and Tom Walsh (35 years). The annual report lists several initiatives for 2010 including utilization of the Scott County Regional Training Facility, research and preparation of bid packages for the replacement of the 1978 Step Van for a 2011 bid date, continuing to improve response times, and updating of standard operating guidelines that promote firefighter safety.
A BODY OF FIVE, NOT OF ONE AND ALWAYS A SECOND SIDE TO THE STORY Just as a motion was being made to adjourn the June 14th city council meeting, Councilmember Tim Amundsen said he had a prepared statement to read. It included some pages and several paragraphs and was related to the recent “messiness” at Victoria council meetings and Councilmember Kim Roden’s column in the June issue of the Gazette which was entitled, “Whose Town is This Anyway?” “It’s my personal opinion that it’s everyone’s town,” he said. “I have visited the site [where the regional sewer was installed under the channel between Lake Virginia and Lake Minnetonka]. The council acted. We listened when the homeowner came before the council. Numerous times the homeowner verbally abused our staff. It didn’t need to get to this place. “This is a body of five people, not of one. According to the League of Minnesota Cities, the mayor is the presiding officer. She has let people speak. I believe we act with the best of intent. This incident might include a violation of ethics. We need to talk with each other and not at each other. We do not need to stifle each other. We possibly need a closed session to clear the air and set the stage for the future.” Councilmember Roden replied that she received letters of support regarding her position and actions at the May 10th city council meeting. She read some of the letters and stated, “I’m always interested in looking at process and procedure for the future.” Then Mayor Mary Thun spoke, extemporaneously. “It’s time that some of the other side of the story is told here. I am not excited about defending the Metropolitan Council but I am very much aware of all they have done for Victoria and the seven-county metropolitan area. “I also want to defend four city councilmembers who work so very hard on so many issues. All five of us have liaison responsibilities. All five of us work very hard here. I know we’ve sent things back and forth to the Metropolitan Council several times and that includes to homeowners. Phase Two [of the Met Council sewer project in Victoria] has gone quite well. “The Metropolitan Council has offered to repair driveways from the crane falling. That offer was rejected by the affected party. The affected party has two attorneys. At least twice the affected party did not respond to the Metropolitan Council and so there could be no follow-up. “There have been some delays. The affected party chose another law firm and that delayed things two to three months.
|
|
Sue’s Album A symphony of photos and fewer than a thousand words at www.VictoriaGazette.com |
|
July 2010 |
|
City Scoop Continued |
