Merry Christmas!

From our Christmas letter this year...

Greetings!  Minnesota has turned white this year, we’re worked through another political recount (for Governor of Minnesota), and Christmas and the holidays are quickly approaching.  Our fondest thoughts and wishes go out to each of you as we prepare for 2011.

For fun and entertainment – or those something elses – this past year, we got to a Minnesota Twins game at the new Target Field, attended a much-praised production of Macbeth at the Guthrie Theater, saw the Benjamin Franklin exhibit at the History Center (and Wes continues to go to history forums there), joined thousands to view the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Minnesota Science Museum, and took a short train trip in the St. Croix Valley, out of Osceola, Wisconsin.  Wes had his front tooth (the crown was deteriorating) repaired by actually having both front teeth replaced in January.  Both of us (mostly) survived nasty colds this year around the end of the Boston trip, and again following Thanksgiving.  Morning aches and pains and the increasing gray around Wes’s temples remind us of that which we try to avoid noticing.  J     Keeping us as young as we can be is our little Sasha, of course.  Although she had a few trips to the vet this year for some blood and digestive disorders, taking care of her and enjoying her snuggles is a joy.

At work, much remains the same in 2010 – Cheryl continues as the Lead Worker in the Business Office of Ramsey County’s Mental Health Center.  Working with a new manager, changes in the staff, and new billing systems have made this an interesting – and at times – challenging year for Cheryl.   Wes is still with the Staff Development – training – Unit in Hennepin County’s Human Services & Public Health Department.  HSPHD has continued its integration of ROWE (Results Only Work Environment) as it looks at de-centralizing to regional locations between 2011 and 2015 and at changes in its administrative structure again (about the 4^th time in Wes’s 20 years with the County).  ROWE has allowed Wes to work from home on a regular basis – he reports to County offices for training classes, meetings and other activity or event days, but can also determine days he works from home, instead of commuting to the Minneapolis office.  ROWE suggests that the where and when work is done, is less important than getting the work done – and done timely and accurately.

In 2010, Wes acted on a childhood dream – he ran for office; he filed for Andover City Council in mid-August, and he and Cheryl conducted a campaign for the first time – which resulted in his finishing 7^th of 8 contenders, with 1400 votes.  L  Together, we visited every part of our large city, posting about 95 lawn signs (and only getting @50 back), placing our campaign literature in nearly every newspaper box – or attached to mailbox posts.  Wes walked the streets of several neighborhoods, doing the in-person, door-to-door campaigning, too.  We designed ads that ran in two local shoppers and the Anoka County Union, as well as the October issue of a labor newspaper. Wes completed voter guide questions, attended three screenings for endorsements, and participated in a candidate forum on local Cable TV.  But all was for naught – in conservative, Republican Andover, Wes’s views, even in a non-partisan, multi-candidate race, did not prevail.   Wes has been attending Andover City Council meetings regularly since August, and having lost the Council race, has applied for city commission vacancies on Park & Recreation and Planning & Zoning for 2011. 

On the other hand, within AFSCME, this was an exciting year for Wes.  He got chosen to participate in a two-year Union Leadership Program that the University of Minnesota’s Labor Education Service conducts; we meet quarterly to discuss economic issues, unionism, and the impact of other issues on labor.

In late-June, Wes, Cheryl and Lillian flew to Boston, where Wes represented Local 34 at the national AFSCME convention that chose a new #2 for the Union (his third national convention).  After trips together to Plymouth Rock, Cape Cod and Providence, Rhode Island, and to Lexington and Concord, as well as taking in a Boston Red Sox game at historic Fenway Park, Cheryl and Lillian got to visit much more of Boston and the New England coast. Then, after Lillian flew home early, Wes and Cheryl stayed on to see more of Massachusetts (including Salem), New Hampshire (America’s Stonehenge) and the Boston area (Bunker Hill, harbor cruise, Paul Revere and Boston’s patriotic walking trail).  We spent this Fourth of July watching the Boston Pops concert live on the Charles River and visiting the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the Presidents John and John Quincy Adams’ family historic sites in Quincy.

In the fall, at the state’s AFSCME Council 5 Convention in Bloomington, Wes ran as a candidate for the Council’s Executive Board, to replace a long-time Local 34 leader at the Council who was retiring from AFSCME and Hennepin County.  Wes was successful, and in October and November attended his first meetings in a two-year term of office.  He continues as Vice President of Local 34, continues on the County’s Health Insurance Labor-Management Committee, chaired monthly meetings of the Labor-Management Meet & Confer in the Human Services Department, and prepared for next year’s likely-difficult contract negotiations.  He still writes for and edits the Local 34 monthly newsletter, which you can read at the AFSCME Local 34 web site –  http://afscmelocal34.org/newsletter_on_line.htm.

Merry Christmas and Best wishes for 2011!

On Remaining Involved in City of Andover Affairs

Having lost my bid for the Andover City Council, I'm still interested in participating in the affairs of the City.

The most recent city newsletter identified potential openings on various City Commissions - Planning and Zoning, Park & Recreation, Andover Community Center Advisory and Open Spaces. 

Last night, I attended the November meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.  Their main order of business was to discuss the current zoning ordinances for Neighborhood Business, Shopping Center and General Business zoned areas of the city where current liquor zoning may restrict new business opportunities, such as the now-closed Serendipity restaurant location.  Current zoning created space around churches and schools in which liquor could not be sold - 400 feet for churches, 1000 feet for schools.

Although Chair Dean Danniger made a good case for 400 and 400 foot spaces, I was pleased the Commission reached consensus on removing the limits altogether and moving to a case-by-case basis while recommending the Council adopt language similar to Ham Lake that discusses reasonability of locating principally on-sale of liquor.

The Serendipity site itself may prove difficult however to reopen as a liquor-serving restaurant without hour limitations and neighborhood protection.  A Rose St. resident spoke of how even Serendipity caused problems with overflow cars on their street and noisy truck deliveries.  Imagine late-night band music or restaurant hours until 11PM or later.  Imagine a Tanners-like restaurant there - not so nice for those neighbors!  And, frankly there is hardly any parking at that location - definitely an issue for any purchaser coming in.


The Commission has three seats coming up this January - Chair Dean Danninger, Val Holtus and Michael Casey.  I'm impressed at first glance by Danninger, even though I suspect we're opposites politically.  Holtus, like me, a former losing candidate for City Council, is sharp and engaged - and engaging - in her way of getting to points.  Casey made no impression on me, and along with Dennis Cleveland, had virtually to say throughout the evening.  Whether any or all will re-apply, I don't know, but I think this is a well-run commission and one engaged in issues of interest to me.

The Morning After - Disappointment - And Thank You

Well, the voters spoke yesterday, and despite our best efforts to come away with victory, we came up short - really short.  I finished in 7th place out of 8 candidates:

Unofficial Final Results from Andover:

2010 General Election Results
10 of 10 precincts counted

DON JACOBSON - 4293  *
TONY HOWARD - 2319
BRIAN HAUGEN - 2372
JEFF SHOEMAKER - 2315
ERIC KOHNKE - 746
JULIE TRUDE - 5477  *
SHANNEN SCHMIEG - 1429
WES VOLKENANT - 1400
WRITE-IN - 88

So, first the most humongous thank you of all has to go to Cheryl, who isn't into politics, but threw herself into this with all the energy she could muster, and provided the creative spark needed to try lots of different ways to get our message out there.  I'm posting two pictures of her "Vote Volkenant" pumpkin from Sunday below.  And Cheryl came up with the great idea of taping our literature into the newspaper boxes and on the mailbox posts on most of Andover.  I don't know if we will miss the driving around the entirety of Andover, but we had a great time doing it.

For those friends, family members, neighbors - and complete strangers - who did cast your votes for me - thank you!  Thank you very much!  It was very humbling to realize that people were casting votes for me, and putting their trust and faith in me. 

Obviously not as many people did trust my leadership, as I would have liked, but it simply means that I'm not the type of individual that voters in Andover are looking to for city leadership.  I'm a county employee, a union person.  It was pretty easy to discern that I'm a Democrat.  I favor government and solutions that call for the city to provide services to the people.

I congratulate Julie Trude and Don Jacobson on their re-election to the City Council.  I hope you both have a successful four years of city stewardship ahead.  And congratulations to Mayor Mike Gamache on his re-election, winning with about 80% of the vote.

Best wishes to my other opponents, Brian, Tony, Jeff, Shannen and Eric - I hope each of you is taking away something from the whole experience this morning, as I am.  Most of you fared better than I in this election.  The voters in Andover resonated with fiscally conservative messages that most of you preached - smaller government, lower taxes, etc.  

I found that message deeply troubling and concerning, but I'm in a minority in this regard.  And clearly last night, as the statewide results rolled in, and Anoka County voters sent many DFLers down to defeat, and statewide the Legislature went Republican, it's apparent that a lot of voters have a very different idea of what direction we should be going in as a state.  I'm sad and disappointed today - and worried for my state and country.  Too many wrong-headed people were elected yesterday.  I was disappointed for myself last night, and would have liked to have run better in the city election, but whether or not Mark Dayton is Governor the next four years, there is going to be a stronger anti-government, anti-social services, anti-tax revenue mood in charge for at least the next two years.  Government by stalemate - in St. Paul and in Washington - is a very real possibility.

Once again, I had the pleasure of meeting many of you, of getting to know my city much better, and I thank all of you who came here for participating in this process with Cheryl and I.

Working to Get Elected Andover City Councilmember

With only one more weekend before the November 2nd election, Cheryl and I dodged raindrops throughout the weekend in our effort to cover the city either by door-knocking (and dropping off literature) or by driving around the city putting our literature in newspaper boxes or mailbox posts.  Cheryl developed a technique of taping our cards on with blue - then green (our campaign color) painter's tape.  At the Candidate Forum and our door-knocking, we've received positive feedback on getting our card.  Cheryl also has a technique of keeping my head poking out of the box at you (I have photos on the same end of the card).  So, if you're tired of seeing my face around, grab our card out, read it over - and vote for me, OK?

Sometimes you get unexpected pleasures.  Off of Co. Rd. 158 today, the map listed a street named Jivarro.  We drove down this dirt road to "nowhere" and came out in front of a farmhouse - but no mailbox (we missed it back on 158).  But the farmer was an old acquaintance from the United Methodist Chuch of Anoka - Jeff Luedtke - who also formerly served on the city's Planning Commission and his was the first family to donate land to the Open Spaces project.  Nice chat - thanks for taking a few minutes with me, Jeff!

I color in our map at home as we finish visiting neighborhoods.  Most of my map is green.  Next weekend, we need to finish literature drops in SE and SW Andover - in the neighborhood just west and south of Round Lake on the west side of Round Lake Blvd, then the water tower neighborhood between Coon Creek and Round Lake Blvd., then the SE square east of the rail line to the city border, and between Andover and Bunker Lake Blvds.

I still have a bunch of door-knocking to do this week - about 650 houses - about 8-10 hours of neighborhood interaction.  I'll be in the 5th Precinct on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoons, early Sunday - before we get serious about the Halloween trick-or-treaters visiting our house Sunday night - and finally, on Monday, if necessary. 

I'm going to be on Raven and Uplander between 141st and 143rd - off of South Coon Creek Dr., then I'll be on 141st Ln, 142nd Ave. and 142nd Ln.- as well as Osage & Partridge that intersect.  I've still got to visit Quinn between 139th Ave and 140th Ln, as well as Nightingale, Partidge and Osage in that section.  After getting to the 13700 and 13800 blocks of Swallow and Raven, I'm going to spend time at the houses NW of North Woods West Park - Ivywood, 141st Ln, 142nd Ave and 142nd Ln. And I've got houses on Crosstown Dr. between 139th & 140th Aves, as well as the neighborhood south of the North Woods Parks - Crocus, Northwood Dr., 137th Ln, 138th Ave, 138th Ln, 140th Ave and 140th Ln.

League of Women Voter's Profile - Wes Volkenant

Each candidate was invited this fall to submit our profile and answers to their questions by October 24th.  I managed to get mine completed on Saturday, so hopefully by the time you read this, you can find my profile and others on line.  Tonight, only the Schmeig, Shoemaker and Trude replies were available, however.

So, I'm posting my reply here, and you can read it for more understanding of my positionsd heading into the election in eight days.

LWV Voting Guide Answers

Name:	Wes Volkenant	Please email headshot to webmaster@lwvmn.org
Election Date:	11/2/2010
Jurisdiction:	Andover
Office:	City Council - 2 seats, 4 year terms
Contact Information:
Address:	1482 - 158th Lane NW
	Andover, MN  55304
Phone:	(763) 434-1551
Cell:
Email:	cwvolkenant@msn.com
Website:
Is the information above complete and accurate?  If not, Email corrections.

Occupation:      Staff Development Trainer - Hennepin County Human Services & Public Health Department

Education:        Graduate of Anoka High School; Graduate of St. Cloud State University - Education Degree in Social Studies with History Emphasis; post-graduate Special Education certifications - LD, EMH, E/BD

What issues will the city face in the next few years?
Most would characterize these as difficult times and local government has faced the difficulty of reducing services due to loss revenue from the state and feds and property taxes due to declining home values and changes in commercial property assessments.  Andover has core services it needs to provide.  It operates a very lean budget with only about 50 city employees.  The City must generate revenue to pay for its services and expenses.  If it fails to attract businesses to the City, it will have to consider modest tax levy increases in future years to meet its infrastructure needs.  Parks need upkeep.  Snowplowing, potholes, road resurfacing and reconstruction, weed-cutting - all these things must be dealt with and paid for. 

Quickly - other issues:  safer right-turn exits into neighborhoods;  fair redistricting of precincts in 2011; looking at bringing MTC or other transit options into Andover; continuing the Open Spaces program, balancing rural and suburban neighborhood needs - as in the 2010 exemptions for December bowhunting in a neighborhood in eastern Andover.


What are your ideas to increase city revenues and/or decrease city expenses?
As noted above, I am inclined not to reduce or cut city expenses any further.  We're already lean without resorting to proposals such as Furlough Fridays which would cause suffering for our employees and their families - 20% pay cuts.  Voluntary furlough options work for those of us who can afford to furlough hours, while recognizing others living paycheck to paycheck can not.  I like the work City Administrator Dickinson has done in monitoring every piece of city equipment and gleaning extra years of service out of well-functioning pieces.

Modest property tax increases may be necessary by 2012 again (no change in the levy was approved for 2011) if revenues state and federal resources continue to be limited in our economic downturn.  By 2014 we may see the City benefitting by earlier foresight re: the Community Center and having rid the city of its junkyards.  The City should also look anew at economic development along the rail line passing through the city.  Bringing a rail-based company to the Andover Blvd. vicinity might provide some new revenue sources for Andover.


How would you balance the short- and long-term goals of the community?
This City can be tugged between many different factions; needs of rural, farm-based Andover vs. suburban commuter Andover; needs of local, family-owned small businesses vs. the desire for "big-box" retailers and chain restaurants; and the need for improved transit and transportation into-and-out of Andover vs. the costs of maintaining the infrastructure and the need to partner with Anoka county on every major arterial road passing through the City.

Andover revisits and resets its goals every year.  Its five-year plans are re-adopted after careful reconsideration.  Nothing is static - changes in planning are common. 

What won't change or go away is Andover's Vision:  "Andover, a safe, growing community in which to live and work which enhances the quality of its citizens' lives through recreational opportunity, quiet neighborhoods, civic involvement, fiscal and environmental stewardship."

My twin themes are "A New Voice" and "Embrace Andover's Future."  I hope you give me an opportunity to show you what they can mean in the next four years.

Council Discusses Homelessness, Crime, Street Reconstruction/ Assessments and Capital Improvement Plan

Both the Street Reconstruction/Assessment Roll 2010 and 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Plans were adopted Tuesday night without public comment.  Key highlights:  the 2010 reconstruction project took place in the south half of Woodland Meadows (east of Verdin, approximately between 172nd Ave. and 174th Cir.)  Due to a very favorable bid climate, the individual homeowner assessments came in at $4686.57 vs the estimated $6440.00.  City Engineer Berkowitz showed several dramatic pictures of the excellent results from the City crews - on Uplander Circle, at 174th Circle, and at the intersection of 172nd & Uplander.  He showed repairs needed for alligator cracking in some e roads and streets where crews regularly had to patch potholes - but now look excellent.  Customer service is very important in these projects and he acknowledged fine efforts by Jason Law and Al Kester.  The City also put up new signage to conform to state regulations, including new 35 MPH signs where the state allows lower limits in rural residential areas (from 55 MPH).

Thec 2011-2015 CIP calls for State Aid to be used in improving the intersection of Crosstown Dr. & Crosstown Blvd. next year.  Crosstown Dr. is on the reconstruction list, as is South Coon Creek Dr. in 2012.  The CIP helps the City maintain a AA+ bond rating.  It includes $31 million over the next five years, which is for both construction projects and equipment replacement/purchases.  48.8% of departmental expenditures goes to streets and highways (out of an estimated $3,988,000 in 2011).  Water treatment is the number two expense (@ 25%), while Parks, which generates more taslk than most other items is a comparatively minor budget item at 4%.


Sgt. Erickson from the Sheriff's Office reported that in September, Andover had 9 DUI arrests and 5 In-Custody, Domestic Assault arrests.  He described specific arrests made in September, including one that SWAT was called in for on 141st Ave.  That gentleman remains in custody, his home has been foreclosed upon, and he will not be returning to that neighborhood.


The Mayor signed a proclamation declaring November to be Homeless Awareness Month.  Karrie Schaaf, a  state expert on homeless youth, from Emma B. Howe YMCA of Coon Rapids, spoke, along with a youth assistant, Abby.  On January 27, 2010 (night of the annual homeless count) there were 1301 homeless people in Anoka County, about 155 of whom were youth, aged 16-21. There are not enough beds for the homeless in Minnesota.  Some sleep in parks, some in porta-potties.  There are no shelters in Anoka County and Hennepin County fills up.  Programs like Family Promise are in place, and Sleep Outs to raise funds for the homeless have been successful.  Andover HS did its first last year, and besides raising money, the school has started a food shelf.
Here's a link to a 2010 StarTribune article on homeless youth in Anoka County:  http://www.startribune.com/local/north/91566694.html?page=1&c=y.

City Administrator Dickinson passed out Anoka County Annual Homeless Count statistics.  The 1301 were an increase of 297 or 30% over the 2009 count.  There were 212 more homeless households in 2010. 

Sixty were living on the streets in January.  Homeless shelters accounted for 76, while 29 were at motels.  There were 403 homeless couch hopping or doubling up with others.  Two were places unfit for habitation, while 87 were located in the Transitional Housing Program.  Another 29 were in homes they would be evicted from in less than a month, and 61 others were on shelter waiting lists, in the hospital or in jail.

Fifty-four of the Anoka County homeless suffered from Severe Mental Illness (SMI).  Nineteen were fighting Chronic Substance Abuse (CSA) sand 39 had both CSA and an SMI.  Another three had basic mental health or mental illness issues and two cope with Learning Disabilities.


This is a very troubling concern for every community, not just the urban centers of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Impressions: Andover "Meet the Candidates" Forum, October 18, 2010

First, I'd be remiss not to thank the League of Women Voters, our moderator Geri Nelson, and Marge Perry for providing the opportunity to the candidates to address the voters last night!  Thank you!

There was no Mayoral debate/forum last night.  Although Mayor Mike Gamache arrived early, his opponent Richard Kulkey did not respond to the League, nor did he appear, so the LWV moved on to a candidate forum for the Council candidates.

Only seven of us participated.  Mr. Eric Kohnke, who chose not to participate two years ago when he ran for Mayor, also failed to join us last evening.  Instead, it was a genuine pleasure to meet several of the candidates for the first time, including Brian Haugen, Shannen Schmeig and Jeff Shoemaker.  I had previously met Tony Howard, and of course both incumbents, Julie Trude and Don Jacobson.

I'm not going to "score" the debate/forum here - truly only the voters can do so.  I felt positive about my opening and closing statements, thought I did reasonably well answering questions, spoke well and clearly, and overall walked away with my dignity in place.  My wife was very positive - she doesn't often see me in these types of situations - and said I did a good job, and she was proud of me.

Based on their statements and replies to the questions, I would categorize my opponents in this manner:  fiscal and economic conservatives - Brian Haugen and Don Jacobson;  anti-government and economic and social conservatives - Shannen Schmeig and Jeff Shoemaker;  practical-minded moderates - Tony Howard and Julie Trude.  Me - I'd put myself down as a pro-government, moderate liberal.

From my notes during the meeting, these were the questions thrown at us in the 75-minute forum:
1.  List three projects you would like to see dealt with in the next four years;
2.  List strategies and incentives you would use to attract new businesses to Andover;
3.  What would we cut or eliminate from the budget?
4.  Should we continue the non-partisan election of Council members?
5.  With all of us running, should we continue to elect At-Large/Citywide, or move to a ward/district system?
6.  What are our feelings about saving money by doing less weed-cutting and by adding native plants?
7.  Are water gardens a good idea, as they are used in other communities?


I believe that QCTV is scheduling the Forum to appear on our local government channel(s) soon.  The schedule may be updated as soon as tonight.  I'm looking forward to watching and seeing how I did, and how it comes across to the viewers.  I hope you get a chance to tune in, too.


Here are my Opening and Closing Statements from the Forum:

Thank you League of Women Voters for hosting this candidates’ forum tonight.  I’d also like to thank each of you here – both in this room and watching at home for taking time to better make your voting choices on November 2^nd.  And thank to my wife Cheryl, who gave me the initial inspiration to run. 

My name is Wes Volkenant, and I’ve been a resident of Andover for 10 years.  I’ve worked 20 years for Hennepin County, where I do training for new workers.  I am a former high school social studies and special education teacher.

I’m focusing on three key areas in this election – transit and roads, economic development and Andover’s image.  Many of our key roads in the northern Andover are deteriorating and we need to partner with Anoka County to address this. We have too few marked right-turn lanes on our main roads, and it is not safe to exit into neighborhoods like mine, or Jeff and Brian’s off of Hanson Boulevard.  And I’d like to see MTC routes or other transit options for better access to our community and fewer rush-hour jams.

Every one of us will tell you we need economic development in Andover.  We are a city of 30,000 that lacks retailers, gas stations and the flexibility to encourage more restaurants.  And I believe we need to better utilize the rail line that passes through Andover.

Our future may not include the major home-building of the past decade.  So, as we balance our traditional rural areas with our suburban commuter neighborhoods, let’s build that Clocktower and improve the image Hanson Boulevard presents, and let’s keep Andover residents here at home to eat, shop and fill their tanks.

Thank you again, for this opportunity to participate tonight.  It has taken an election for me to truly explore and learn to appreciate the many aspects of Andover, its beauty, its wide-range of neighborhoods, and yes, some things I would like to see us address in the next four years.  I’ve discovered this city has streets named Genie and Enchanted Drive, and as a cat-owner, I’ve come to learn how critical a dog park is needed in Andover. 

But this is not an election about my cat, or my political views and philosophy.   You can read that at my blog page – wesvolkopinion.blogspot.com.   For many of you, this election is about making a change and voting for a candidate with new perspectives.   My campaign themes are “A New Voice” and “Embrace Andover’s Future.” 

This election is not about the past ten or twelve years, it’s about the next four years.  Please vote for me on November 2^nd.  Thank you!

Economic Development Authority - Meets to Discuss Dog Park Today, Andover New Business Update

Tonight's dog park discussion should be very straightforward.  City Engineer Todd Haas notes in his letter to the EDA that at a recent meeting of the Park Commission and City Council, the Council recommended putting in a dog park at the Andover Station North Ball Field Facility site.  Since the ASN Ball Field Facility site is owned by the EDA, the dog park needs EDA approval.  Donations are expected to fund improvements, such as picnic tables, signing restoration and fencing.  For more on the dog park efforts, visit http://andoverdogpark.com/.

I appreciated reading the list of 15 new businesses located in Andover the past year.  I've seen many of these in my travels around the City, but others were news to me, too.

1.  Kelly Casey's Computer Whatever (612-221-8221) which specializes in corporate and residential computer support.
2.  Thrive for Wellness - LeAnn Beebe, owner (763-434-6077) which provides weight loss and nutitional products, one-on-one coaching, and weekly weight loss classes.
3.  Dr. Tony Lawther's Essentials of Life Chiropractic, at Clocktower Commons, 15190 Crosstown Blvd. (763-413-6934), which specializes in exercise, chiropractic care, stress relief and nutrition classes.
4.  New restaurants at Clocktower Commons, 15190 Crosstown Blvd:  China Bistro (763-413-9988) and Beef O'Brady's (763-434-2700).
5.  $5 Pizza which replaces Big Bite Pizza at 13656 Crosstown Blvd. (763-754-9999).
6.  Living Water Tree Service, owned by Walt and Suzie Witzke, which specializes in tree pruning, removal and stump grinding and brush removal. (763-360-4855)
7.  Owner Michele Asmussen's BluSkye (612-702-9523), a marketing and special events firm.
8.  Glass Slipper Bridal Salon - Pat Ferguson, owner (763-427-5600) at 13783 Ibis Street, next door to "Dancin' Feet." They specialize in plus-size bridal gowns.
9.  A new pizza place in the old Quizno's location - Mama Vallenti's Pizzaria - at 2244 Bunker Lake Blvd.  It's owned by Cory DeLuca and can be reached at (763-862-2500).
10.  Pappy's Cafe, which features old-fashioned home cooking, went in where Tasty Pizza was located at 13827 Round Lake Blvd. (763-427-4840).
11.  Nearby at 14025 Round Lake Blvd. you'll find Brian Barker's Pal's Sports Cards (763-427-4505), specializing in new and vintage sports cards and memorabilia.
12.  Mobile-Link Wireless, a T-Mobile dealer, is located at 2248 Bunker Lake Blvd. (612-483-0900).
13.  Good Life Fitness serves as the prime anchor in the "Downtown Shopping Center."  They are located at 13735 Round Lake Blvd. (763-437-5566).

Coming soon:
14.  John Dallum is filling a long-vacant space next to Marathon Gas at 15246 Bluebird Street - across from the Community Center/YMCA - with Energy Boost.
15. Kwik Trip is nearing completed construction at the SE corner of Bunker Lake Blvd. and Jay Street - near Andover Theater.  They are scheduled to open in December.

John Ferling's "The Ascent of George Washington"

The Ascent of George Washington

The Hidden Political Genius of an American Icon

by John Ferling

The Ascent of George Washington

For two centuries our image of the father of our country has been almost too good to be true. Alone among our Founding Fathers, George Washington has been seen as a selfless leader who wielded power without ambition and who stood above the fray of partisan politics. Asked by his countrymen to take the reins of power, he answered the call of duty and led our nation as its first president with a disinterested impartiality. Yet in The Ascent of George Washington, historian John Ferling takes issue with this portrayal, instead revealing Washington as an ambitious, skilled and often partisan politician.

Ferling examines the nearly 20 years Washington served in the Virginia Assembly, describing how the future president honed his political skills while building a stout phalanx of supporters and protectors who would serve him well in the struggles to come. Ferling also scrutinizes Washington’s military service in both the French and Indian War, where he led Virginia’s army, and as commander of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, observing that Washington not only committed “dreadful blunders” in both wars, but in each war actually opposed the strategy that led to ultimate success. Yet Ferling shows how the general’s talent for damage control and his deft handling both of Congress and of local authorities allowed him to emerge from his military career as a hero. Furthermore, Ferling argues that despite Washington’s limitations as a tactician and strategist, his diplomatic and political skills—as well as his sterling character—made him the proper choice to be commander of the Continental Army.

As a war hero, Washington would preside over the Constitutional Convention of 1787 before serving two terms as America’s first president beginning in 1789. Yet Ferling argues that despite Washington’s reputation as being devoid of any partisan agenda, he had decidedly Federalist leanings, consistently supporting Alexander Hamilton’s aspirations for a strong centralized federal government. And by the time Washington was using force to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, Thomas Jefferson was lamenting that the man who had once been “the head of a nation” had become instead “the head of a party,” the Federalists, who for their part had come to idolize Washington and were hoping he might seek a third term.

The Ascent of George Washington is not a biography; it eschews personal matters in favor of political activities. The result is a clear-eyed analysis of the career of a man who “alone of all of America’s public officials in the past two centuries succeeded in convincing others that he was not a politician.” It’s this very fact that makes him, in Ferling’s view, one of the very best politicians in American history.

http://www.historybookclub.com/pages/product/productDetail.jsp?skuId=1045171051

Excerpt

Like Terry Malloy, the pug in the movie On the Waterfront who wanted to be somebody, young George Washington wanted to go places ,to be known, to win acclaim. At his birth in 1732,George’s prospects were poor. He was a product of his father’s second marriage. The sons from the first marriage, George’s half-brothers, had been provided a formal education, including study abroad. They also received a bountiful inheritance when their father, Augustine Washington, died in 1743. But Augustine’s demise appeared to stop George’s ascent before it began. There was no money for continuing George’s formal education, much less for sending him to England to complete his schooling, and his inheritance was meager. George received ten slaves and Ferry Farm, a worn-out tract across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg,Virginia. With that bequest he might become an important figure in King George County, though no one in the broader world would know him. But from an early age, George Washington wanted more. He wanted to stand apart from others. He wanted to be seen as a man of substance. George said almost nothing about his father, mentioning him in only three passing references in thousands of pages of correspondence. Augustine had accumulated a small fortune as a tobacco planter, land speculator, and proprietor of an iron forge, and he was a prominent figure in northern Virginia, where he held several local offices. Ambitious young males usually aspire to surpass the accomplishments of their fathers, and that appears to have been true of George. Yet it was not Augustine who was George’s role model. It was Lawrence Washington, an older brother from their father’s first marriage. Fourteen years older than George, Lawrence had studied in England. After returning home, he enlisted as an officer in a colonial army raised to fight alongside British regulars in a war with Spain, the oddly named War of JenkinsÕ Ear that erupted in 1739. Lawrence was sent to the Caribbean, then to South America, where he experienced combat. The war was a bloodbath for the American troops, and Lawrence was fortunate to survive and return home. Worldly, educated, well-to-do, dashing in his resplendent uniform, and deferred to as a hero by the most influential men and captivating women in Virginia, Lawrence cut an impressive figure. His stature increased when he was appointed adjutant general of Virginia, a post that made him the foremost soldier in the province. Soon, he was elected to the House of Burgesses, Virginia’s assembly, a feat never realized by Augustine. The crowning touch came in 1743. Lawrence married into the Fairfax family, which claimed title to six million acres in Virginia and, needless to say, was the most prominent clan in the Northern Neck, the area around the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers. Lawrence and his bride took up residence on a lush green rolling estate overlooking the Potomac River. - from THE ASCENT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON © 2009 John Ferling

Author Interview

 

Your book paints a different portrait of George Washington – our first president as a politician. Why do you think this aspect of his personality has been lost in histories over the years?

It’s often said that Washington didn’t want to be our first president after the American Revolution, that he was pushed into the top job – how accurate is this? Was he hiding his ambition?

Washington was genuinely conflicted about taking the presidency in 1789. He was fifty-seven years and came from a family in which males seldom lived long lives. He was convinced that he probably had only four or five years left and he longed to spend them in the comfort of Mount Vernon. In addition, when Washington resigned his commission and left the Continental army in 1783, he had pledged never again to hold public office. He feared that he would be seen as a hypocrite if he broke that pledge by accepting the presidency. Finally, Washington feared that he might fail as president. He had never held such a lofty political office as the presidency and he wasn’t sure that he possessed the political skills to cope with the challenges he would face. One thing he knew for certain was that the first president would face myriad challenges, none greater than solving the economic crisis that plagued the nation and somehow holding together the nascent American Union. If he failed, the enormous reputation that he had won in eight long years of commanding the Continental army might be destroyed. But having said all of that, Washington liked to be at the center of action and he knew that this was a watershed moment in the history of the American people. What is more, if he declined the presidency and someone else assumed the office and succeeded, their reputation would overshadow his. George Washington did not like to be overshadowed!

Can you tell us about some examples from Washington’s early life that hinted at what was to come?

Most of Washington’s contemporaries saw him as above politics, an impression he worked hard to create. First impressions often have a lasting impact. Furthermore, most nineteenth century historians were extreme nationalists who were less interested in getting at the truth than in creating and perpetuating fables that helped bind the nation together. Twentieth century historians wrote much better history, but many appeared to be reluctant to look too closely at Washington as a politician. He was such an American icon that they may have shied away from the criticism that would almost certain result should they say anything negative about Washington.

 About the time Washington entered adolescence, his father died. All hopes that young George would, like his older brothers, receive a lengthy formal education – including studies in England – vanished. So too did his hope for receiving a considerable inheritance. If young Washington wished to rise in this world, becoming prominent and powerful, there were only two options. He could become a surveyor, which held the promise of slowly accumulating wealth and status. Or, he could become a soldier, which could rapidly lead to renown and respect if one did something heroic and survived the experience. Young Washington chose both. At age sixteen, through self-study, he became a surveyor. At age twenty-three, when war broke out, he became a soldier. All signs suggest that Washington as a teen-ager and young adult was eager to gain attention and respect, and to rise to the pinnacle of Virginia society. He worked extremely hard to attain his wishes, even risking his life for five years during the French and Indian War to gain his ends. During the period between 1754 and 1775, when the War of Independence began, Washington displayed qualities that would serve him well in later years. As the twenty-something commander of the Virginia Regiment in the French and Indian War, Washington displayed incredible leadership abilities. He commanded many older and experienced officers. They remained loyal to him and at war’s end sang his praises. He achieved his success through the study of military manuals, close observation of successful British officers, considerable self-scrutiny, and relentless industry. He returned to Mount Vernon following the war and succeeded as a planter-businessman. He was bold and daring in his investments and agrarian practices, succeeding at a time when most Virginia planters were struggling to survive.

 

You’ve written several books about the Founding Fathers, most recently Almost a Miracle: The American Victory in the War of Independence. It’s also your second book on George Washington, following The First of Men: A Life of George Washington. What led you to take another look? What draws you to Washington?

 I wanted to write this book for two reasons. One was that when I wrote A LEAP IN THE DARK: THE STRUGGLE TO CREATE THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC (2003), which was a political history of the era of the American Revolution, I became convinced that Washington was more political than was commonly assumed. I wanted to explore that matter to see if I was correct and, if so, to share my conclusions with others. When I wrote ALMOST A MIRACLE: THE AMERICAN VICTORY IN THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE (2007), I reached the conclusion that Washington’s generalship in the Revolutionary War was profoundly flawed. In fact, I concluded that he had been extremely fortunate to have emerged from the war with such an iconic reputation. I wanted to probe in some detail both his generalship and how, and why, he came out of the war as such a colossal military hero. Every Founder was ambitious and eager to make a lasting name for himself. Washington was more successful than any other. I keep coming back to him in an effort to understand why he succeeded. I find all of them – John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, and a host of lesser lights – to be endlessly fascinating. But I find Washington the least transparent of them all and, consequently, the most difficult to get a handle on.

 

President Barack Obama is also considered a political genius, though his rise couldn’t be more different from Washington’s. Nevertheless, during his campaign and early in his administration, have you seen similarities in their political styles as trail blazers – leaders during a moment of crisis?

 The great similarity that I see between President Obama and President Washington is that both came to the presidency confronted by a perilous economic crisis. If today’s crisis is not solved, there will be profound ramifications for the American people and the United States. In Washington’s day, the existence of the American Union conceivably hung in the balance if the huge indebtedness brought on by the Revolutionary War – a debt that literally paralyzed the ability of the national government to act – was not satisfactorily addressed. One thing I find interesting is both Obama and Washington began addressing their respective problems in a similar fashion. Obama turned to an insider in New York financial circles (Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner), as did Washington, who of course asked Alexander Hamilton to be his Secretary of the Treasury. I’m not sure how much Obama knows about financial matters, but there is nothing in his background to suggest an expertise in that area. Washington frankly admitted that he knew little about financial matters (on the eve of his presidency he was asking for help in understanding the precise nature of public securities). Of the two, Washington appears to have chosen the more daring approach toward solving the economic crisis. President Obama is seeking to solve today’s crisis through a stimulus package that, like the New Deal in the 1930s, draws on Keynesian economic theory, and through a bailout program similar to that used in the S&L crisis in the 1980s, the Japanese financial collapse in the 1990s, and the choices employed in the final weeks of George W. Bush’s presidency. President Washington – or, to be more accurate, Hamilton – was blazing new territory in his attempts to cope with the massive debt problems left by the Revolutionary War. Obama has drawn fire, just as did Washington, for running up a huge national debt and for introducing change that would alter the shape of America. In Washington’s case, much of the criticism came from Jefferson and his followers who thought all debt a bad thing and who feared the urbanization and industrialization that seemed likely to result from Hamilton’s program. By his third year in the presidency, Washington saw signs that Hamilton’s plan was working, and he stuck by his Treasury Secretary.

On Recognition and Three Weekends to Go...

I must share a public thank you to a gentleman named Eric Zaetsch (someone else from the far end of the alphabet) from Ramsey, who kindly alerted me that he had posted about this blog page on his blog, "Developers are Crabgrass."  I appreciate the feedback on my blogsite, Eric, and best wishes to you as a blogger - I've added your blog as one I'm planning to follow regularly. 

One bit of pleasant news this week - I was officially endorsed by my union for the Andover City Council.  AFSCME Council 5 has endorsed me (for a list of their endorsements, check the AFSCME Council 5 site at http://www.afscmemn.org/).  For partisan races, the lists includes both Democrats and Republicans (though fewer, certainly).  This next week, I'll be attending my first Council 5 Executive Board meeting in South St. Paul.

Cheryl and I took Friday off from work to do some driving lit drops in Andover.  We've covered most of the 1st precinct in northwest Andover - following Julie Trude last weekend - and finding much of her literature remaining in the boxes out there - and Tony Howard, who's out with his own campaign literature throughout the city.  Many of Tony's brochures, as well as those of Commissioner candidate Matt Look, are landing on the street and yards, unfortunately, after another couple of breezy days.  Matt Look's group should be alerted that the Post Office does not want these brochures pinned by the red flags on the box - quite a few of Matt's were, in the Tulip St./7th Ave. areas of town.

I've finished door-knocking in my own neighborhood.  I started last Sunday, and over four evenings this week - about an hour or so at supper time each night - finished walking my own neighborhood.  Besides my own short block on 158th Ln, I walked Drake from 156th Ln to 159th Ave, then up to 160th.  Off of 160th, I met neighbors living on Eagle St., including the original owners of the entire parcel, who I discussed the changes in the past five-or-so years, and the need for work on Hanson Boulevard - including a suggestion to expand the four lanes to City Hall for better traffic flow in the rush hours. I visited the Avocet St. circle off of 156th Ln, and Avocet St. where Oak View Park is located.  I talked to neighbors on Crane St. from south of my block up to County Road 20, then crossed over into the newer development north of 161st Ave. And I talked to folks living on 156th Ln. to where it intersects with Yellow Pine St. and 159th Ave. between Hanson Blvd. and Crane St.

I never realized how many dogs were in my neighborhood - well over half the homes have dogs; big dogs, little dogs, dogs with big barks, dogs with little yips.  I have a brand new appreciation of the need for a dog park in our community.  And a brand new appreciation for the need for a pet store - like a Petco or Pet Smart - in this vicinity.  Wow!

And I have a new appreciation for my own neighborhood.  It goes beyond people being pleasant when I pointed out I'm a neighbor - or someone living nearby.  I was genuinely wished well in this venture of running for the Council.  I was asked good questions - informed questions.  One neighbor asked for the environmental implications of my candidacy.  Where do I stand on our use of the Elk River site for trash and refuse?  I've got a new topic to read and learn more about.  It was a great questuion, and my neighbor knows a lot more about it than I do, and I now have a new source to go and discuss this with, when I want to know more about the topic.

So, this weekend, I need to finish my League of Women Voter's guide answers, prepare opening and closing remarks for Monday night's candidate forum at City Hall, and get out to do some more door-knocking and lit-dropping.  I'm coloring in my map to represent where we've been - over a 1/3 is filled in; by the end of the weekend, it has to be over half-filled.   We're getting there!

We also bought pumpkins today and candy last weekend.  Halloween approaches (and I have seen some great decorations, already - including the early prep that my neighbors Shawn and Rochelle have started - they have the "Halloween house" on our block every year!), so we got a giant pumpkin and some others this year, and Cheryl and I have to make time for some important carving work, too.


Finally, I'm a history buff!  Not only did I teach history once upon a time, but I buy history books and biographies by the boatload, and for the last several years, I've been an annual subsciber to the Minnesota Historical Society's History Forum series hosted by Danielle Dart.  Well, tomorrow I call a campaign timeout in the afternoon.  Professor John Ferling, author of "The Ascent of George Washington" will be speaking about the first President, Saturday at the Minnesota History Center, at 2:00.  Dr. Ferling has also written two other books I own, "Almost a Miracle" (Revolutionary War) and "A Leap in the Dark" (the early years of the new American Republic).  I'm looking forward to hearing his lecture on Washington - after a morning (and later an evening) of campaign activity.  An early start is necessary on Saturday!

The Anoka County Union Candidate Questionnaire

Here's a preview of my answers for the voter's guide that will be appearing in the October 22nd issue.  Eric Hagen, of the Union, who covers Andover news and Council and Commission meetings is coordinating the responses from the Andover candidates.

1.             Biographical Information:

Name:  Wes Volkenant                      

Age:  54

Years Lived in Andover:  10

Family:  Wife – Cheryl Volkenant

Education:  Graduate – Anoka High School; St. Cloud State University (B.S. – Secondary Education – Social Studies Major); post-graduate work in Special Education (St. Cloud State and Mankato State Universities)

Occupation and Civic Involvement:  Training Specialist in the Human Services & Public Health Department of Hennepin County; former member of City of Anoka Charter Commission; Vice President and Newsletter Editor of AFSCME Local 34 (Hennepin County Social Services); member of the statewide AFSCME Council 5 Executive Board; former Vice President of the Jackson, MN Education Association; former Finance Committee Chair of United Methodist Church of Anoka

2.             What are two of my biggest issues?

First, as Andover continues to work with issues that balance both its traditional rural roots and its more recent identity as a suburban commuter community, transit and road concerns have become very apparent.  Key arterial roads in the city – north of Bunker Lake Blvd. – such as parts of Crosstown and Hanson Boulevards and 161^st and 181^st Avenues have deteriorated and become dangerously worn.  Many of our neighborhoods need safer, marked right-turn lanes to exit off those higher-speed main roads.  Despite the potential financial costs to the City, Andover’s 30,000+ residents would benefit from a transit line or extended MTC routes from Anoka or Coon Rapids along Bunker Lake and Hanson Boulevards.

Second, Andover continues to face economic development struggles, and the City should reduce barriers that have limited restaurant and retail opportunities in the city.  Driving the large square that most city businesses exist along, Andover needs to upgrade the image it presents visitors and residents headed to City Hall/Community Center along Hanson Boulevard.  Andover needs to consider industrial opportunities along its north-south rail line and in Station North, and it needs to address the lack of any businesses in the northwest portion of the city.

3.            What ideas do I have to further reduce the city budget or are there services you feel have been reduced too much?

As a public employee, I strongly value government services, and I appreciate and value our City of Andover employees.  This city operates a very lean budget, as it has regularly limited property taxes and reduced city services.  This summer, residents were now responsible for disposing of storm-damaged trees.  Last winter, snowplowing was only done during heavier snowfalls.  City employees regularly cover for each other at City Hall, and sometimes no one is available to help.  The first priority in the 2011 budget, if added funds are found, is to restore one Public Works position that was laid off.  What services are limited without that position being filled?  I wouldn’t favor further involuntary furloughs and lay-offs.

My first choice isn’t to raise taxes, but it isn’t to pronounce “no more taxes” either.  Instead of a maximum levy of 0% this September, a more responsible choice would have been 1 - 2%. This would have provided a safety net for unexpected budget expenses, such as the October request to offset the hockey warming house shortfall, instead of massaging the 2010-2011 Park & Rec. Commission budget. City Administrator Dickinson could still have submitted a lean 0% levy-based budget in December.

4.                Should the city council be granting exemptions to the hunting ordinance?   What is my opinion about the city’s hunting ordinance and the prohibitive and restricted zone map?

This question stems from the Council’s decision to permit two weekends of deer bow hunting in December, within the Restricted Zone South.  I agree with the Council’s summertime vote, which placed definitive time and location restrictions on the activity, and which was both sought – and agreed to – by the residents affected by the decision.

In some parts of Andover, residents awaken to the sound of a gunshot this fall, just as others will enjoy the sounds of nature and the occasional sight of pheasants and deer in our neighborhoods.  Those are not common sights and sounds everywhere in the metro area, but often are in Andover.  Parts of our community remain rural. We still have dirt roads in Andover, such as Ward Lake Drive, 167^th Ave. and Butternut south of Andover Blvd. 

Restricted hunting is permitted north of County Road 20, as well as in two large, relatively open spaces south of 20.  I’m not a hunter, but I believe those residents provided appropriate evidence for receiving their exemption.  I’ve read Ordinance 394.  It defines our city’s hunting rules very well.  We should not neglect the traditional areas of Andover, or change them forever through the encroachment of suburban commuter neighborhoods.

Calls from Voters

I've had a couple of calls from voters who've received my campaign literature the past week or so.  Mark from the Rum River Elementary area does not plan to vote for me - Mark does not seem to want any government services, and especially does not want to pay for any of the things that help make this a better world - particularly if they're intended to help what he perceives as other parts of town.  I understand that Mark took a strong stance against the assessments his neighborhood received for the road improvements the City did in his area.  The result of that work however, speaks for itself.  That neighborhood has got a fine road system in place, now - and the neighborhood looks clean and attractive.

Mark was also upset that we taped our literature to his mail post, and did not put it in the mailbox.  Mark, we're sorry if our tape took off any paint.  We purposely purchased blue - and green - painter's tape, with the lower "stick'um" to avoid that.  Before we started lit drops, I called the Post Office to understand the rules.  Candidates can not put literature inside a US postal box, nor attach it to the box itself, such as rubber-banded on the red flag.  But the post is considered acceptable.  We've been using the green and black paper boxes wherever possible, and we've attached to wood, where we could.  But sometimes, there's been just metal pipes available, or in Mark's case, a beautifully-lacquered post, which we weren't sure would hold onto the tape well-enough.

We were following Julie Trude throughout the northern part of the City - her cards were in many of the boxes, so she or her friends must have been an hour or two ahead of us.  This weekend, we drove through most of the area that is just east of Verdin, on across Verdin to Round Lake Blvd., and headed west to Tulip St.  I'm surprised by all the dirt roads that remain in that area - 167th Ave.east of Verdin, part of 167th Ln. between Verdin and Round Lake - near opponent Shannen Schmeig's home, and Quay St. off Tulip, to name a few.  But with the fall colors at a peak on this gorgeous weekend past, what a beautiful area to drive in.  I loved the drive down 174th - what a beautiful street in the fall - I felt like I was in the North Woods off Lake Superior while driving in that neighborhood!

We also have done lit drops in the area south of Station Parkway and south of Bunker the last two weekends.  On Saturday, I door-knocked in a couple of those neighborhoods - and on Sunday and this week ahead, I'm door-knocking in my own neighborhood (an odd feeling going to my neighbors' doors yesterday to give them my campaign literature as their candidate, and not just their neighbor...).  From the neighborhood south of Tanner's last Sunday, I got a call from John, who wanted to know my position on guns, hunting, and the StarTribune editorial page.  As to the editorial page, I used to like it, when it reflected my own liberal-leanings.  With new ownership, I find the reporting and editorials much more slanted to the Republicans and conservatives than I'd like to see.  The Pioneer Press already offered a conservative editorial page in town.

As to guns and hunting, in my next post, I'll reprint my answers for the Anoka County Union voter guide - the fourth question covers that very topic.

Dog Park in Andover "Paws" Ahead

Dog Parks

A dog park is a facility set aside for dogs and their owners to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment. Parks vary in setups, but a typically is fenced, has separate, double-gated entry and exit points, a place to get water, and bags to pick up and dispose of waste. Dog parks are a great way to get the exercise your dog needs and to tire them out when you need to get some work done. They are also a great way to meet other dog lovers and hear about upcoming dog events.

For indoor cat owners like Cheryl and I, the house itself, provides enough run for our pets, so the concept of the dog park was previously unknown to me.  But I'm impressed with the community efforts to place a dog park in Andover, and with the Council's and Park & Rec Commission's efforts to identify that location - which will be at Station North, by the ballfields.  Care was taken to find a location that was respectful of the noise to the surrounding neighborhood, and to watch out for areas affected by run-off.  The location choice sounds excellent.

I've learned about nearby parks in Coon Rapids (Trackside) and Ramsey (Alpine), as well as in Blaine.  The City will make a significant commitment to make this park succeed.  I've been meeting many dogs - and their owners - while out campaigning throughout the city this fall, and I suspect this will be a very popular alternative, indeed.

Eric Hagen of the ABC Newspapers wrote of the dog park efforts at last week's City Council Workshop consideration of the dog park proposal, October 1st.

http://abcnewspapers.com/2010/10/01/dog-park-recommended-at-andover-station-north/

 Dog park recommended at Andover Station North

 

Dog park recommended at Andover Station North

by Eric Hagen
Staff writer
If Andover dog owners are able to raise the funds, it looks like a new dog park will be constructed next to the Andover Station North ballfields.
The whole idea of a dog park was started by Andover residents Jen and Rob Frisby, who own four dogs. Instead of bringing their dogs to Trackside Park in southern Coon Rapids, they thought it would be great if dog owners in their own community could have a more convenient location to exercise their animals. In Andover and other communities, it is illegal to let a dog run off its owner’s property without a leash unless it is in a designated dog park area.
The Frisbys have undertaken a major grassroots effort to drum up interest over the last few months. They set up a booth at the Andover Family Fun Fest and got 300 signatures of support, according to Frisby.
Some have signed an online petition and added comments. Debi and Matt Billing of Andover, who own two dogs, commented online that providing a place where dogs can run and play would reduce the number of dogs running off-leash illegally at other parks. Many others wrote they would love to have a dog par closer to home.
Jen Frisby said she is surprised how quickly this has come together. She credited Andover Assistant City Engineer Todd Haas and the parks commission for giving them tips and seriously looking at the proposal and various locations. She thought this would take a year of organization, but noted how many people she talked to wondered why this had not happened sooner.
“A lot of people want to have this,” she said.
The work is far from over though. Ever since the Frisbys came forward at the May 20 parks commission meeting, the commission has said this project would need to be paid for with donations and not from parks funds that are already designated for other future projects such as a new skateboard park at Sunshine Park.
The Frisbys are on-board with having to raise the funds. Rob Frisby said they have not solicited any donations because there was no specific site proposal and no figures on how much this could cost. The city will be preparing a cost estimate for the Frisbys.
“The most successful dog parks around the nation are the ones that citizens are behind,” Jen Frisby said.
The location options
The location the parks commission recommended for the dog park is on the north side of the Andover Station North ballfields. The north fence is already in place and separates the park from the closed landfill site. The ballfield outfield fences would also be utilized. New fencing would be installed outside the ballfield fence areas so that the dogs would not mingle with the ball players and other residents at Andover Station North.
The Andover Parks and Recreation Commission recommends this site because of its central location in the higher traveled portion of the community and because of the parking lot, according to commission chairman Ted Butler.
Fox Meadows Park was another option, but Butler said the proximity of homes made this a less attractive option.
The area of Eveland Fields the parks commission looked at for the dog park is a storm water runoff area that does hold water after large rain events. The area of Andover Station North where the dog park is looking to go is also a storm water area, but it mostly remains dry.
Purple Park, which is a small park between the Andover YMCA/Community Center and Oak View Middle School, has a lot of trees and shrubs that would have been removed if a dog park went there. The city’s public works staff pointed out that this provides good buffer between the homes and the middle school.
Eric Hagen is at eric.hagen@ecm-inc.com

I sat in at that workshop session, conducted jointly with the Park & Rec Commission.  Chairman Ted Butler and his Commission are doing an excellent job representing our city.  Much of the evening's discussion centered on the fund shortage for completing the warming house at the new hockey rinks by city hall.  Tony Howard - an opponent in the Council race, and President of the Andover Youth Hockey Association presented the situation and worked with both groups to find a solution to free up city funds to help move the completion closer.  I continue to be impressed with City Administrator Jim Dickinson, and members of both the Council and the Commission as they think out of the box and seek practical-minded solutions to reach difficult, but attainable goals.