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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993 June12 'Adopt -a -Park' flourishes in city Cleaner, better and more beautiful parks are the result of a new citizen - participation program that helps the Cottage Grove parks system and all residents who use the parks. "Adopt -A- Park" gives interested citizen groups a chance to remove litter, plant trees and flowers and assist with other improvements in an assigned park. The program started after the city put out a call for volunteers last year. THANK YOU to the following community clubs, organizations, and businesses for their generous participation in this program: Gil. .. . O East Cottage Grove 3 Community Club ..................Happy Hornets 4 -H Grey Cloud Boat Launch ........... C.G. Parks Commission Hamlet Park .... ............................Cub Scout Pack 55 Hamlet Park Trails ...................... C.G. Fire Auxiliary Hearthside Park .........................City Cousins 4 -H Highlands Park ...........................Cub Scout Pack 644 Kingston Park ... .........................Cottage Grove Lions Lamar Fields ..... ..........................Teens in Action Oakwood Park ............................ Burnet Realty Pine Coulee Park ... ....................Countrywood Neighbors Pine Tree Pond Park ..................National Honor Society Pine Tree Valley Park ................. Welcome Wagon Stadium Park .. ............................Cub Scout Pack 246 Woodridge Park .........................Target 10 17 � 4.0 printed on recycled paper POSTAL PATRON Carrier Route Presort Bulk Rate U.S. Postage PAID PERMIT NO. 1 Cottage Grove, MN 55016 LOCAL POSTAL PATRON STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE EVENT _ TIME LOCATION THURSDAY - SUNDAY, JUNE 3 -6 CARNIVAL Noon -10 Thurs -Sat; After the Gold Rush Noon -5 Sunday Rides and games run by G Sta Exhibitio sponsored by CG Jaycees SATURDAY, JUNE 5 CLASSIC CAR SHOW 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Behind DeMori's Cars from 1974 and earlier, organized by the 3M Rod and Custom Club ICE CREAM SUNDAES Noon -3 p.m. Taki's Restaurant $.50 each; only $.25 with coupon from Festival button PARADE 1 P.M. Park H.S. to Grove Plaza Center Theme: Honoring Cottage Grove's 150th birthday STREET DANCE 8 p.m.- Midnight Behind Cottage Square Mall Live music by the Pearl Brothers SUNDAYJJUNE6 BIKE TOUR 1 p.m. Assemble at City Hall parking lot See article, Page 6 GOLF TOURNAMENT Noon River Oaks Golf Course 4 -Man Scr Sign up at DeMori's • Mayor's Column ..........2 CO PP ............................ 3 Sesquicentennial ........ 3 Firefighters .................... 4 Volunteer Firefighters .5 'Ride Into History ' ........6 Economic Dev. ........... 6 Cable TV Schedule ..... 7 Starring Library Kids ..... 7 RSVP .............................7 TDD Numbers ..............7 Preservationist of Year 8 Sesquicentennial ........8 Pet Licenses .................9 Compost Site Hours ....9 Household Hazardous Waste Collection. 10 City Memo Board ..... 11 Adopt -a -Park ... ......... 12 T Fo rce rec City •• • refe No by Kevin Frazeii City Administrator Over the past year, a 15- member citizens' task force has been studying the city's need for new or upgraded capital facilities (buildings and equipment). In February the task force issued its report, finding that due to aging of our existing buildings and other facilities, as well as significant growth in the community, there is a definite need for improvements to the Public Works Maintenance Building, Police Department, Fire Station No. 1 at Grange and Hadley, and Fire Station No. 3 in East Cottage Grove. The task force also considered the need for expan- sion of the parks system and possibilities for a fourth fire station in the southern portion of the city. The Mayor and City Council have accepted the task Continued on Page 3 A carnival, car show, parade, street dance, bicycle tour, and golf tournament will highlight the 11th annual Cottage Grove Strawberry Festival, set for this Thursday, June 3, to Sunday, June 6. The Strawberry Festival parade will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 5, at Park High School and go down 80th Street to the Grove Plaza Center. Other Saturday events will include an ice cream sundae sale, a custom and classic car show with more than 200 cars, and a street dance. Sunday's events will include a bicycle tour of Old Cottage Grove (see article, Page 6) and a golf tournament at River Oaks Golf Course. The annual Carnival of rides and games, spon- sored by the Cottage Grove Jaycees, will be held this year at a new location — the After the Gold Rush parking lot — from Thursday through Sunday. A complete schedule of events appears at left. Festival buttons (attached to a card of cou- pons) can be purchased for $1 each at many businesses in Cottage Grove. I !•- - - -• • •• • T ' • • •• by Jack Denzer Mayor of Cottage Grove Ultimately it is up to you, the citizens of Cottage Grove. You will get to vote Yes or No. Here is some information I hope will help to make your decision easier. There was a Capital Improvements Project committee formed with 15 volunteer citizens of Cottage Grove to see what the needs of Cottage Grove really are. This committee came up with five projects they felt need attention. They are the Police Station, Fire Station #1, East Cottage Grove Fire Station, the Public Works Garage and an athletic complex, includ- ing park improvements. The original Village of Cottage Grove is now called Old Cottage Grove and was founded in 1843. Langdon was founded in 1871. Cottage Grove was a township until July 13, 1965, when it became a village with a Mayor and City Council government. In 1974, it became a city. Cottage Grove as we now know it started out with eight houses on Belden Blvd., in a devel- opment known as Pano- rama City in the year 1956. This is where I bought my first home. In 1958 Orrin Thompson started building houses, and in 1970 we had a population of 13,419. Today our population is approximately 25,000 and growing. And back in 1956, 1 thought I was moving to the country! Our first City Hail was the Pump House on Grange Boulevard, and then it was moved to an office behind the Park Grove Bank on 99 Belden Blvd. In 1968 our present City Hall /Police Station was built on 80th Street. In 1973 it was expanded and the Library was built beside City Hall. The City Hail and Library were connected in 1985, and the Police Station was also remod- eled that year. The City Council Chambers and the basic city office space have not been changed or remodeled since 1973. In 1960 our first fire station was built on Grange Boulevard. Today we can't get some of the fire trucks into this ga- rage. In 1972, Fire Station #2 was built at 8641 80th St., and in 1985 it was expanded to its present size. Our first Public Works Garage was an old building in Langdon and our present Garage was built in 1970. It was remodeled in 1976. As you can see by these dates, we have not done any major building or remodeling since 1985. 1 don't like tax increases any more than you do, but we as a community have to take PRIDE in our city and its buildings and parks. Our city is growing and so are the needs and demands for service by our citizens: for Fire and Police protection, for snow plowing and for other services. We need a place to put the equip- ment and people it takes to run these departments in order to provide the services that we have come to expect. The city will be having an Open House of all the buildings that are to be redone, and I urge you to come and look them over and see for yourself. Please Vote Nov. 2! Happenings in Cottage Grove We are celebrating the Sesquicentennial Year of Cottage Grove, that is 150 years old. There will be bike rides, tours of historic homes and many more things going on all year. For more informa- tion, please call Bob Vogel at 698 -8224. The Country Club and Cub buildings are really getting to look nice. What an improvement to our city! School District 833 will be occupying these buildings by late summer. Welcome to all of their employees to our city. The Cottages, if all goes well, will be done by fall. We have some excited people just wafting for their new homes. Congratulations to Brian M. Hensel and Daniel Boche, who both received their Eagle Scout Award. Also, congratula- tions to Elizabeth Gard- ner, Christine Kafnz and Laura Manis for achiev- ing the WO HE LO award for the Camp Fire Boys and Girls, and to Jenny Son nee who recently received the Girl Scout Gold Award. Have a great summer, and drive carefully as school will be out soon. •• - A new Structure Maintenance Code details standards for interior and exterior structure mainte- nance of all residential dwellings in Cottage Grove. This new code, adopted in January 1993, includes requirements for annual registration and licensing of all rental dwellings. Registration docu- ments and copies of the Structure Maintenance Code are available at City Hail. Questions regarding this code will be ad- dressed through the Building Division at 458- 2805. &ZE31ig With spring here, garage sale signs, along with a number of postings and notices can be seen throughout the city. As much as the Public Works Department wishes you success in your sale, please remember that your notices should not be taped, hung, stapled, nailed or in any other way connected to city street signs, light posts or sign posts. Some suggestions for advertising your sale may be an A -frame type structure, a box of some sort, or use of a wood post or lath placed two to four inches into the ground. Please use caution when driving anything into the ground. Also, please remove your advertising when your sale is over. Thank you for your cooperation. Good Luck! Residents are re- minded that with approxi- mately 500 acres of parkland in the City of Cottage Grove adjacent to residential properties, cooperation is necessary to maintain the integrity of the parkland for the benefit of all residents. Regardless if the land is fully developed and mowed on a regular basis, or if it is a natural area with no routine maintenance, all adjacent homeowners are asked to use consideration when making any modifications to their yards. If land- scaping plans impact the parkland or en- croach on the parkland, authorization must be given by the city. City park ordinances clearly state that no one can alter parkland without prior city approval. This includes cutting trees and vegetation and adding trees or other permanent structures. The city may allow trees to be planted or other landscaping to be done by an adjacent homeowner if the beautifi- cation is a benefit to the community and does not become a maintenance or liability concern. Residents living next the convenience of nearby recreational activities for their children. Likewise, residents living next to park conservancy areas enjoy the natural beauty and splendor of the vegetation and wildlife. But to assure that the best interests of all residents are kept in mind — and before any types of alterations are made — piease call the Parks and Recreation office at 458- The City of Cottage Grove will soon be replacing your present water meter with a remote meter that can be read from outside your home. We no longer will have to gain access to your home once a year for a reading, but will do so with an automatic reading device that will enter the informa- tion into a computerized billing system. (If you already have an outside disk on your house, you will not be receiving a new meter.) The replacement meters will be installed in June, July and August by a private contractor specializing in meter installations. In addition to the new meter, a wire will be installed which will connect your present meter to the outside reading device. The contractor will go over the entire procedure (location of the meter, wire, disk, etc.) with an adult member of your household prior to instal- lation. Every effort will be made to make this procedure as convenient for you and your family as possible. This project involves installing more than 4,000 water meters in three months. The contractor will be getting in touch with you to set up a date and time for installation. Thank you for your cooperation! 10 Friday, June 18, and Saturday, June 19, will be the dates for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection, to be held at the Cottage Grove Public Works Garage, 8635 W. Pt. Douglas Rd. (frontage road south of Highway 61 and east of Jamaica). Hours will be 1 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The Cottage Grove collection will be one of five sponsored this year by the Washington County Public Health Department. It allows county residents to dispose safely of house- hold hazardous wastes — common household products which contain many of the same chemicals as industrial hazardous wastes. "When disposed of improperly — in the trash, down the drain or in the ground — these household chemicals can contribute to the contamination of groundwater, lakes and streams," according to the County Public Health Department. RE -USE TABLE Many products that are brought into the collection will be perfectly good, but are no longer needed by the buyer. Products that are in good condition and are currently sold over the counter will be available FREE at the re -use table. HOW TO PACKAGE AND TRANSPORT Wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles. DO NOT SMOKE. Do not wear contact lenses if handling solvents. Do not expose yourself to toxic chemicals if pregnant. Work in a well - ventilated area. Avoid breathing fumes. Keep children and pets away. Bring materials in original containers. If original container is not available, clearly mark on your container its present contents. Do not mix different or unknown waste products in the same container! • Pack carefully. Place containers in a cardboard box lined with plastic. Pack them in an upright position with newspaper separating each container. Tighten all lids before transporting. If container is leaking, pack in a larger leak -free container, and soak up leakage with kitty litter. • Transport. Place boxes in car trunk. if you must transport inside the car, keep the car venti- lated, and place combustibles out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. Important: Do not put any household wastes into a septic tank. If you have a septic system, call the Washington County Public Health Department (430 -6655) for disposal information. e• be . e •- Pesticides, garden chemicals Paint thinner, solvents, gasoline Paints, stains, varnishes Full or partially full aerosol containers Acids, bases Fluorescent lights Insecticides Any other household products that are poisonous, flammable or corrosive. WastothatWill NOT N ollected s - Tires, auto batteries, anti - freeze, used motor oil Appliances Radioactive material or explosives Propane tanks or compressed gas Empty containers Household batteries industrial /commercial waste Unidentified waste Other non - hazardous waste Call Washington County at 430 -6655 for informa- tion on how to properly recycle or dispose of these materials . If you need assistance due to disability or language barrier, please call 430 -6655 (TDD 439 - 3220). 3 Public Safety Dept, wins major award for COPP program The Community Oriented Policing Pro- gram (COPP) within the Parkside housing complex in Cottage Grove is celebrating its first anni- versary this month with receipt of a prestigious award — the Association of Minnesota Municipali- ties' Innovative City Award for 1993. "The judges com- mented that this program demonstrates the positive results of police and community working together to look for solutions to crime prob- lems that affect all cities today," said Dave Childs, AMM Vice President and chair of the Awards Committee. 'This en- deavor helps to foster the sense of community among residents by giving them a true voice in establishing police priorities and by empow- ering them to become more involved to improve the quality of their neigh- borhoods and, ultimately, the community." relationship with law - abiding citizens of the community, allowing citizens a greater voice in the establishment of local police priorities and through shared empower- ment involving them in efforts to improve the overall quality of life in their neighborhoods," Cusick added. Cornerstone of the COPP program is the "Parkside Resident Council" which includes resident members elected by the Parkside commu- nity, COPP police officers, and representatives of other organizations including the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Family Violence Network. In addition, the Public Safety Department established a 16 -hour- per -day Community Based Policing Operation out of an apartment within the complex, provides cultural diversity training Continued on Page 6 tour June 6 (see article, page 6), a televised symposium of 'The Future of Saving the Past" (tentatively scheduled for mid -July) and an exhibit about Grey Cloud Island in the City Hall foyer (opens last week in August). The Sesquicentennial provides a rare and historic opportunity for increasing public aware- by Robert Vogel City Historic Preserva- tion Officer During 1993, Cottage Grove is celebrating the 150th anniversary, or ses- quicentennial, of its founding by James Sullivan Norris in 1843. Since January, a number of events spon- sored by the Cottage Grove Sesquicentennial Committee have brought local history to the public. There have been school visits and field trips led by City Historic Preservation Officer Robert Vogel, issuance of a Cottage Grove Sesqui- centennial commemmora- live pin, a special edition of the "First Tuesday" local cable television talk show and an essay contest for junior high students. A number of Sesqui- centennial events will take place this summer, including the first annual "Ride into History" bicycle The program repre- sents an effort by the Police Department and members of the Parkside community to provide more communication and interaction so that "crime, the fear of crime, social and physical disorder and neighborhood decay" will be reduced, according to Dennis Cusick, Director of Public Safety. "Achieving these goals requires that the police develop a new ness of the community's rich heritage. For more information, write to Cottage Grove Sesqui- centennial Committee, 7516 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016; or call Historic Preservation Officer Robert Vogel, 698- 8224. For more information on Sesquicentennial activi- ties, please see Pages 6 and 8. Continued from Page I force's recommendations. Four subcommittees, one each dealing with public works police, fire stations and parks, are working on the details of improvements. The subcommittees, made up of Counciimembers, city staff and citizen represen- tatives, are responsible for recommending a specific package of improvements that meet demonstrated community needs in the most cost - effective manner. The subcommittees' final reports will go to the City Council in late summer; the Council will then finalize a package of improvements to be submitted to the voters in a bond referendum on Tuesday, Nov. 2. Projected size of the referendum is in the range of $6 million to $8 million. Current estimates are that the average Cottage Grove homestead ($100,000 market value) would see a tax increase of $30 to $60 per year, depending on the final size of the referendum and how the debt repay- ment is structured. Citizens will be receiving more extensive information about the proposed improvements and tax impacts during the fall. 4 by Dave Dally Deputy Fire Chief On April 23 -25, the State Fire Center held its annual Fire School in Bloomington, MN. Twenty -five Cottage Grove Firefighters attended the school, participating in such classes as Firefighter Safety, Fire Pump Operations, Auto Extrication, and Search and Rescue. Two Cottage Grove Firefighters participated as instructors at the school: Dick Ottman in "Flammable Liquids and Firefighting Foams," and Dave Dally in "Commanding the Initial Fire Response." Dick Ottman was one of only seven Minnesota firefighters nomi- nated for Firefighter of the Year, for his work as co -host of the cable television show YOUR PUBLIC SAFETY. Congratulations, Dick! Cottage Grove Fire was also recognized recently by the Minnesota Fire Center for its innovation in rural firefighting. The department devel- oped an adapter which allows firefighters to use area irrigation wells in place of fire hydrants as water sources. Pet licenses FOR RENEWAL LICENSES ONLY: 1993 Pet Licenses were due Jan. 1, 1993! The late fee for the month of June is $4 per animal. In July it will be $5 per animal, and the fee will continue to increase $1 per animal each month. Sometime in the third quarter a letter will be sent to every pet owner who has not renewed a license. This letter will allow 10 days from the postmarked date of the letter for the owner to come in and renew the pet license(s). After 10 days, a citation may be issued for anyone who has not purchased their 1993 licenses. FOR NEW PUPPIES OR KITTENS, OR NEWLY ACQUIRED ANIMALS: Pet Ordinance #4 -13 says all new animals must be licensed between three and four months of age as soon as they receive their first rabies vaccination. In addition, owners must obtain a pet license immediately for any newly acquired pet. Proof of current rabies shots and spaying /neutering must accompany the purchase of the license. Because all pet licenses are due on Jan. 1 of each year, fees for new /newly acquired pets are prorated, unless the pet was owned and had a rabies vaccination prior to Jan. 1. 6 101*1 • • # # . •' Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. - 5 P.M. Dumping yard waste at times other than the above schedule is illegal. Local law enforcement officers will issue citations to violators. MATERIALS RECEIVED: Leaves, grass, garden waste, sod strippings, prunings up to 6" diameter. NO CONCRETE, SAND, ROCKS, LARGE STUMPS, OR OTHER NON -YARD WASTE MATERIALS. FEES FOR COTTAGE GROVE RESIDENTS: Loose (or emptied) yardwaste: 25 cents per bag (30 -gal.) or $2.00 per cubic yard (Minimum charge $1.00 per delivery) Separated Brush (or Prunings) $3.40 per cubic yard PRODUCTS AVAILABLE: Wood Chips (cost varies according to the quality of chips chosen). Yardwaste Compost ($1.50 per 30 gallons, or $8 per cubic yard). For volumes greater than 10 cubic yards, lower prices are available. Ask at the gate for dett FOR MORE INFORMATION: R.D. Pecar & Co., Inc. at 460 -8332 -or- Cottage Grove Yardwaste Compost Program, 8635 W. Pt. Douglas Rd. Cottage Grove, MN 55016, (612) 458 -2808 — APPLICATION FOR ANIMAL LICENSE A copy of the following certificates must accompany your application: t) Current Certificate of Rabies Vaccination 2) Certificate of Neutering /Spaying Owner's Name Home Phone Address __.. _ Work Phone Check one in each column: Dog Female Spayed/Neutered Cat _ Male Unspayed/Unneutered— Other (Type of animal: ) Animal Name FEES: (Check appropriate lines) -- Unspayed /unneutered $20 Color _ Age —__— Spayed /neutered $15 Sr. citizen discount Breed _._ (65 /older) $10 . Late fee ($1 /month CHECK PAYABLE TO: City of Cottage Grove beginning March 1) MAIL TO: Cottage Grove Fire Dept, TOTAL: 8641 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016 0 (Please call 458 -2809 if you need further information, and to verify price changes, if any.) I-------------------------- - - - --� Firefighters learn, teach, vein In a recent training drill, firefighters (above) scaled the wall of Fire Station #1; and (below) practiced carrying a "victim" down a ladder. (Belowright), the "victim" is placed on a stretcher. 8 Looking Back Steve Thomas Marko named `Preservationist of the Year' Sign -maker Steve Thomas Marko, who created four signs marking historic sites in Cottage Grove, has been awarded the 1992 Preservationist of the Year Award by the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation. The award is given each year during National Historic Preservation Week (May 9 -15, 1993) to a person or group that has made an outstanding contribution to the preservation, protection or use of Cottage Grove's historic resources. Marko, owner of the F.A. Marko Sign Co. of Newport, received the award in recognition of his skill as the designer and builder of four historical markers purchased by the city in 1991 and 1992. The wooden markers were installed at the intersec- tion of 70th and Lamar in Old Cottage Grove, at Granada Park in the former Panorama City subdivision, along the Grey Cloud Slough in front of the Grey Cloud Lime Kiln and at the Historic Town Hail in Langdon. "These markers represent the work of a master sign painter," said Historic Preservation Officer Robert Vogel when he announced the committee's decision to present the award to Marko. "They contribute significantly to the public's knowledge and appreciation of our community's heritage." Marko will receive a plaque and certificate of recogni- tion at a City Council meeting in June. "The Future of Saving the Past" As part of its obser- vance of the Cottage Grove Sesquicentennial (1843- 1993), the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation will present a July symposium on 'The Future of Saving the Past." The Symposium will examine various aspects of the impact and conse- quences of historic preservation on cities of the 21 st century. It will feature participants from the historic preservation movement in Minnesota and Wisconsin. "The Future of Saving the Past" will be cablecast on community cable television. For more information, contact City Historic Preservation Officer Robert Vogel (698- 8224). Pin for sale! The Cottage Grove Sesquicentennial Commit- tee has produced a pin commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of Cottage Grove. The antique silver pin, created by Gary Golusky, shows an 1874 lithograph of the historic John P. Furber House in Old Cottage Grove. Pins may be purchased for $2 each at City Hall. Local history kit available for Classes, libraries A "Cottage Grove History Sources" kit has been developed by the Historic Preservation Division of the city's Community Development Department for use by local teachers and school librarians. The kit contains copies of publications dealing with Cottage Grove history, and reproductions of historic maps and photographs. It you are a teacher or librarian and wish to make local history materials available to your students or patrons, please contact City Historic Preservation Officer Robert Vogel at City Hall, or call him at 698 -8224. I Firefighting is a tough job. Currently, it is the most dangerous occupa- tion in the United States. Firefighting is hard, stressful, dirty work and demands immediate response all hours of the day and night. However, few other occupations provide the challenge and satisfaction allowed by the one dedicated to Public Safety Services. When you apply for membership in the Cottage Grove Fire De- partment, you will be applying for membership in one of the finest firefighting organizations in Minnesota. The Cot- tage Grove Fire Depart- ment is comprised of full - and part-time firefighters and maintains two fire stations, which are located at: 1. 8183 Grange Blvd. S. 458 -2809 2. 8641 80th St. S. 458 -2811 Although you will be a part-time, volunteer member of the Cottage Grove Fire Department, you will be trained as a professional and work with the most modern techniques and equip- ment available. Profes- sionalism is not deter- mined by the compensa- tion one receives by performing a job. In addition to your firefighting duties, you will be trained and work with one of the most respected Public Safety Paramedic Programs anywhere. The Fire Department assists in providing 24 -hour Ad- vanced Life Support Services to the City of Cottage Grove. REQUIREMENTS In order to become a Cottage Grove firefighter, you must be at least 18 years of age and be able to pass a written entrance exam and physical examination. You must live or work within the area served by the Cottage Grove Fire Department or be able to respond to either station within five minutes. As a probationary firefighter, you will spend one year under the watchful direction of your officers and fellow fire- fighters. You will be required to attend an average number of the department's calls and training sessions exclu- sive of work hours if you are responding from home. You will also be eligible for sick leave, vacation and leaves of absence. You will be required to complete training in Emergency Medical Service, and approxi- mately 72 hours of basic Firefighter Training, which will be included in your response average as described above. At the end of your year as a probationary firefighter, department officers will evaluate you on the dependability and quality of your perform- ance, making recommen- dation to the City Council on your acceptance as a regular member. BENEFITS Firefighters of the Cottags Grove Fire Department receive a per - call reimbursement based on the number of calls and training sessions attended. This is paid on a semi - annual basis. The department furnishes all of the personal protective clothing and equipment you will use, such as helmet, coat, boots, uniforms and an alert/ monitor pager. As a Cottage Grove firefighter, you are eligible for Minnesota Workers' Compensation, life and other related disability insurance benefits in the event of injury. Through your membership in the department, you will become part of the Cottage Grove Firefight- ers' Relief Association, and you will be eligible for a 10 -, 20- or 30 -year pension benefit upon reaching 50 years of age. HOW TO APPLY If firefighting sounds like the kind of work you would like and you feel you can meet the chal- lenge, then the Cottage Grove Fire Department is the place to do it. Cottage Grove is currently seeking applicants who will be available to respond during daytime hours. After completing the form below and mailing it to Deputy Fire Chief Dave Dally at the Cottage Grove Fire Department, you will be contacted by a member of the depart- ment and provided with an application and orientation session. We hope you will seriously consider this challenge. The citizens of Cottage Grove and the Cottage Grove Fire Department depend on it. Dennis S. Cusick — — — — — — — — — Director of Public Safety I Request for Information: Cottage Grove Volunteer Firefighting Please send me an application form and information on joining the Cottage Grove Fire Department. NAME — I I ADDRESS:_ I I PHONE: (H) (W)_ ---- - HOURS OF AVAILABILITY MAIL TO: Deputy Fire Chief Dave Dally, Cottage Grove Fire Department, 8183 Grange Blvd. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016 I j---------------- - - - --1 7 In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Cottage Grove by James Sullivan Norris in 1843, the Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation will host a bicycle tour of local historic sites and landmarks on Sunday afternoon, June 6. Participants in the first annual "Ride into History" should assemble in the City Hall parking lot at 1 p.m. The approximately 10 -mile route will take about two hours to complete, moving at a comfortable pace. The tour will focus on the historic sites in the northeastern part of the city, including Old Cottage Grove Village and the historic farmsteads along 70th Street. Local histori- ans and preservationists will serve as guides. The "Ride into History" is an official Strawberry Festival event and is free and open to the public. For further information, contact Keith Kleinsasser (459 -1707) or Robert Vogel (698- 8224). New 'Enterprise Fund' to help Cottage Grove businesses by Kirstin Barsness Economic Development Director, City of Cottage Grove The Economic Development Department is structured \ ` I I like most businesses. There are: BUSINESS a your customers (the private businesses looking for a new location or a site for expansion); your competitors (other communities in the state, across the country and around the world); your suppliers of raw materials (the beneficial aspects of your community, such as available land and a quality work force); and finally, your creditors (the residents of Cottage Grove, whose tax dollars are utilized for economic development efforts). As a business, Cottage Grove Economic Development is blessed with strong suppli- ers, good creditors and a growing number of customers. However, in order to succeed in our business we must be able to compete on a level playing field with our competitors. The City Council and Economic Development Authority have recognized the impor- tance of a level field. In an effort to compete with our neighbors, they have approved a loan program for business called the Enterprise Fund. The main goals of the Enterprise Fund are to create jobs which offer a livable wage, and to increase the city's tax base. This program is a revolving loan fund which means that any loans made to a business are paid back to the city to be loaned to another business. Guidelines have been established for the program. It is geared toward the service - manufacturing based business, and can be used for a variety of business expenditures from land and equipment acquisition to loans for working capital. The intent of the program is to be flexible in order to meet the needs of all businesses regardless of size. Economic Development is a community effort. If you own a business or know of someone who does and are interested in learning more about this program, please contact City Hall at 458 -2883. COPP ... (Continued from Page 3) for all personnel, provides training and information on crime prevention, and participates in youth education. Cottage Grove Public Safety Department members involved in the program include Sgt. John Mickelson, Officer Tho- mas Ueland, Manage- ment Assistant Niki Get - schel and FIND Program Coordinator Amy Edder. On -site programs which have been suc- cessfully implemented at the Parkside Apartments include social services, probation services, job placement, resident child day care, bakery and food shelf, furniture shelf, counseling services for youth and families, and a Resident Review Board. Community enrich- ment programs outside the Parkside complex have involved adults and youth of the Parkside community and all mem- bers of the Police Depart- ment. And the result? "The Parkside Com- munity Oriented Policing Program in its first year of life has proven to be an innovative, efficient poli- cing model," Cusick said. "The Parkside community has experienced a 50 percent reduction in crime. The relation between the residents of the Parkside community and the police is one of mutual respect, support and cooperation, working together towards a safer Cottage Grove." City Council, Planning Commission, Parks Commission, Public Safety and Cable Commission meetings are cablecast live on Channel 12. These meetings are also re cablecast at the times listed below: City Council Planning Commission Parks Commission Public Safety Commission Cable Commission Live Cablecast Re- cablecast 1st, 3rd Wednesdays, Noon, 7:30 p.m. next day 7:30 p.m. 4th Monday, 7 p.m. 1 st Monday, 7 p.m. 2nd Tuesday, 7 p.m. 4th Thursday, 7 p.m. Noon, 7 p.m. next day Noon, 7 p.m, next day Noon, 7 p.m. next day Noon, 7 p.m. next day For further cablecast times, tune to Channel 12 for playback schedule. If you experience difficulty with sound or picture when watching a cablecast, please call Kathleen at the Cable Commission Office the following working day at 458 -9241. Library to 'Star Library Kids' "Starring Library Kids" will be the theme of this summer's library pro- grams. Free events scheduled at the Park Grove Library, 7900 Hem - ingway Ave. S., include: *Parent and Child Storytime (Tuesdays, June 1 -29, 10:30 a.m.) *Sean Brown Storyteller (Thursday, June 17, 7 p.m.) Sean Brown cele- brates the humor, wisdom and diversity of human experiences. *Nomalanga (Thurs- day, July 15, 7 p.m. Regina LaRoche 's program has an Afro -Car- ibbean flavor and uses music, theater move- ments and audience participation to encourage the use of imagination. *Kids in Plays (Thursday, Aug. 5, at 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 10:30 a.m.) Youth from commu- nity playgrounds will perform a variety of fun, creative skits and plays. * Babar (Thursday, Aug. 19, 7 p.m.) A musical and visual narration of The Story of Babar comes to life, as performed by Layton James of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra and Bob Mitchell of Bob Mitchell's Fly Shop. 0 R.S.V.P. answers needs The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) helps persons aged 60 and over explore volunteer positions in more than 200 non - profit educational, cultural and human service organiza- tions in Cottage Grove and surrounding areas. RSVP is a national program founded in 1971. Local sponsorship is provided by St. Paul - Ramsey Medical Center. Limited travel and meal reimbursement, recogni- tion, and free supplemen- tal insurance are available. For information, call Carol Thompson at 221- 2820. TDD TELEPHONE