Victoria MN Newspaper-City Scoop

To the Editor

We're sorry that you weren't able to join us on Sunday. Although you couldn't be here, we thought you might want to know how it went. We are thrilled with the turnout and support for the Blessing House's first fundraiser. Thanks to the generosity of those who joined us, we are about one-third of the way to having the funds to put in our parking lot and driveway. More importantly, we celebrated the blessings that we have already received and all that the Blessing House has to offer with many old and new friends.

Gail Berger, The Blessing House

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor

Thanks to all of you who voted for Barrel Butter! We just heard that our son in law's new business, Barrel Butter, which is available in the meat department at Fresh Seasons, has moved on to the second round of a National New Business Contest. If you've not heard, this little business is based out of southeast Minneapolis, run out of a home and a rented commercial kitchen, and is growing in favor.

What's at stake? The final winner of this contest will have a professionally made commercial/advertisement of their product that will run during the Super Bowl.

I ask you to try the product on your vegetables, meats, fish, and seafoods. You don't cook with it. You add it just before you serve the dish. Once you've tried it, please help out a Small Minnesota Business make it big with your votes. Remember, once a day on every electronic device you have until the second round ends.

The place to vote is located at https://www.smallbusinessbiggame.com/MN/Barrel-Butter-LLC/376843/390086.

Chuck Freiberg

Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board of Managers set the District's levy and budget for 2014. At its meeting on September 12th, the Board approved a $7,897,095 levy for 2014. This is a 2% increase from 2013, but a significant reduction from the preliminary 4.78% levy increase that had been under consideration. This is the first time the District has increased its levy since 2009.

The District has been able to manage its levy by leveraging partnerships with member communities and the private sector. By working together on water quality improvement projects, we've been able to provide taxpayers the best value for their dollar.

The District's $13,019,231 budget for 2014 is a 2.56% increase from the previous year. The bulk of the budget increase is attributed to the District's capital projects planned in 2014, which include ongoing efforts to clean up Long Lake Creek, which drains to Lake Minnetonka's Tanager Bay, and stormwater management in Hopkins and St. Louis Park where the District has been working with these cities to clean up one of the most highly polluted stretches of Minnehaha Creek.

The Board understands the residents of the District are faced with an increased cost of living and is striving to maintain the high quality public service its constituents expect and deserve. We'll continue to look for ways to protect our natural resources in a cost-efficient manner.

The MCWD's portion of property taxes on a $250,000 home in the District is approximately $3/month of $36/year. The budge summary is available at minnehahacreek.org.

Telly Mamayek, MCWD

Communications Director