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To the Editor:

It has come to our attention that the subject of the demolition of city-owned buildings in downtown Victoria is on the city council’s agenda. Those of us who support the cleanup of these properties encourage all who feel the same to contact the City of Victoria.

The priority in sending this message to you is that demolition of these buildings will make the downtown look more prosperous and the sites more pleasing to future buyers. The demolition of these sites at the same time the Creamery comes down is more cost effective in many ways, including using the same dirt from the Creamery’s underground parking area as fill for the basements of the city-owned properties.

Practically speaking, and we are wearing our Volksfest co-chair hats here, with the construction impact on downtown Victoria this summer, having the vacant lots available for use with the Volksfest would be a major benefit for the event.

There are issues regarding this, and there will be opposition to the idea of losing Tax Increment Financing funding in the future. Does that outweigh the unsightly and discouraging view of our downtown for however many years we will have to look at it in that condition? If we are attempting to re-energize Victoria’s Central Business District, how can we do that while staring at boarded up buildings?

Please contact city officials with your thoughts on this issue. The more input the better.

Linda McNulty, Mary Erickson,

Lois Plocher, Volksfest Chairs

To the Editor:

A Waconia Town Hall Forum, entitled “Teens, Technology, and Trouble: With Overview Discussion of Student Survey Data,” will be held on Tuesday, April 29th, at 7 p.m. at the Waconia High School. The Forum will address those issues and provide insight from local law enforcement officials.

Are you concerned about how young people are using technology and the internet, such as My Space and Facebook, in high risk activities? Are you interested in learning how you can talk to your children about their internet use and the consequences of their choics?

Please join me, along with Carver County Attorney Jim Keeler, Richard Scott of the Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative, Maureen Farrell from the Carver County Health Partnership, Detectives Bill Hughes, John Bramwell, and School Resource Deputy Ben Karnes of the Sheriff’s Office, as they present information and facilitate discussion.

The purpose of the Forum will be to increase awareness and understanding of the links and risks associated with technology use among teens and with underage drinking and other high risk activities. The meeting will include an overview and discussion of the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey data for Carver County.

The goal of this Town Hall Forum is to promote healthy and safe neighborhoods and communities, both online and offline, by helping parents, community partners, and professionals work together to guide youth toward positive life choices.

This Forum is sponsored by the Youth Development Action Team of the Carver County Health Partnership. Funding is provided in part through a Drug Free Communities Grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Sheriff Bud Olson

Carver County, Minnesota

To the Editor:

There are five finalists for the 2008 School District 112 Foundation Teacher of the Year Award sponsored by Casualty Assurance and KleinBank. They are Amy Bill, Sue Gilbert, Michelle Swenson, Arlene Borner, and Denise Waletzko.

On Wednesday, May 7th, the public is invited to a reception from 3:30 to 6 p.m. in the Chaska High School Media Center. On Thursday, May 15th, the finalists will introduced at a dinner at the Hazeltine National Golf club. Admission is $50/adult and $20/children under ten. Mayors of Carver, Chanhassen, Chaska, and Victoria will make the introductions.

The recipient will receive a $3,000 grant and represent District 112 in the MN Teacher of the Year competition. The other finalists each receive a $500 grant. Grant money is contributed by KleinBank and Casualty Assurance.

Rick Ford

Chaska, Minnesota