I have a vision for downtown Winsted

From: Winsted Mayor, Steve Stotko
Imagine what Winsted would feel like if the downtown embodied the collective vision of the community’s citizens. Can we picture a downtown that is built around the shared economic, social, cultural, and environmental vision of the community? Is it reasonable to expect our downtown to once again be a focal point for community? To be a place we want to live, work and play? To be a place of pride?
These questions form the basis of the work of the Downtown Vibrancy Task Force. But before we can answer those questions, we need to know where we want to go. We need a vision of what we want from our downtown.
Vision is the important first step on the way to reaching our goals. A vision is a dream with a plan. It is the ability to look into the future, to envision the possibilities, but also to understand the challenges and responsibilities along the way. A vision allows us to maintain a common focus as we work together to make the dream reality.
What is the ultimate goal? What do residents expect from their downtown? What will be required to get us from here to there? What actions do we need to take? What role does each of us need to play? What resources will be required?
It is important to acknowledge the magnitude of the work that will be involved. What is required is a long-term, community-wide commitment to creating the vision, doing the hard work that will be required to make it a reality, and sufficiently resourcing the initiatives with clear lines of communication and accountability. Patience and perseverance will be required, and expectations will need to be managed.
Coordinated, consistent political and administrative will is required to put a strategy in place, to resource it, and to follow through with its implementation over the long term. In order to do so, the process must have a leadership model that is a political, cross-sectoral, and accountable. City hall can provide formal leadership in guiding the process. But a task such as this one will require leadership and involvement from all parts of the community, from senior levels of government, and from a host of individuals, organizations, and businesses. Resources needed to achieve goals must be identified, secured, and allocated appropriately.
Most importantly, the community must believe in the achievability of the vision, and easily understand and see the way forward. The community must take ownership of the vision and contribute to its implementation.
Together, we can do this. Together, we will do this. We are Winsted; that’s what we do.

Spaghetti dinner at St. Paul’s Sun.

The youth group at St. Paul Lutheran Church will host a spaghetti dinner Sunday, Feb. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Tickets are $7; children age 5 and under are free. Proceeds will benefit the youth mission trip to Sawyer Air Force Base in Gwinn, MI.

Open house at Zion Lutheran, Mayer

Zion Lutheran School, Mayer will host an open house Monday, Feb. 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. for prospective families. More information is available by calling (952) 657-2339.

It’s time to finish the job

From: Hutchinson Mayor, Steve Cook; Winsted Mayor, Steve Stotko; Silver Lake Mayor Bruce Bebo, and McLeod County Commissioner Bev Wangerin
As the next session of the State Legislature gets underway, the traditional even-year bonding bill will receive significant discussion as investments in statewide and regional projects are weighed and considered.  State owned parks and trail projects, including the Luce Line State Trail, will be a part of those discussions, and the possible use of Legacy funds as an alternative funding source will likely be discussed, as well.
However, it is important to remember that the constitutional amendment creating the Legacy program specifically included language that states that Legacy funds “must supplement traditional funding sources for these purposes and may not be used as a substitute.”
This language was included to help ensure that new and expanded improvements to water quality, the environment and natural resources, arts and culture, parks and trails, and outdoor heritage are provided for, rather than just replacing existing and traditional funding and thus simply maintaining the status quo.
Discussion and analysis has already taken place by legislative analysts on how to interpret the supplement/not substitute and traditional funding source language. Since “traditional funding sources” is not defined, it is assumed that all funding types consistently used in the past would be included, including bonding. Plus, it is clear that the language applies to legislative appropriations, which also include state bonding. In addition, the development of state parks and state trails has traditionally been funded with state bonds.
Taken together it is clear that trying to shift state parks and trails development to Legacy funds would be contrary to the constitutional language. This is recognized by the fact that state park and state trail projects, such as paving the Luce Line, are prohibited from applying for Legacy grants (a point that has been confirmed).
State parks and state trails are state assets, just like other state facilities. Besides providing valuable recreational and healthy lifestyle opportunities to residents and visitors, state parks and trails also provide significant economic benefits to nearby cities, the surrounding region, and the state. While Legacy funds can help, state bonding is the appropriate funding source for developing those types of projects, including paving the Luce Line State Trail.
As such, the Luce Line and other state trails deserve to be part of the bonding discussion and seriously considered during the upcoming legislative session. For the Luce Line from Winsted to Cedar Mills, after 34 years and all the prep work, it’s time to finish it so more people can enjoy the trail and its vision, and untapped potential can finally become a reality.

From: Aaron Kubasch
Winsted
Citizens of Westgate Drive, Westgate Terrace, and Westgate Circle should be aware that Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Winsted City Council could go ahead with a project that could raise your taxes over $4,900 for street improvements in our neighborhood. Please attend this meeting if you are in favor of this project or if you are opposed to this project. It is very important that you make your feelings known to the council. The meeting is Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Winsted City Hall.

Appreciation noted for Montrose resident

From: Sheila Salonek
Montrose
In last week’s paper, the list of wages for Montrose city employees and city council members was published.
What wasn’t mentioned, was that council member Scott Czanstkowsi’s pay was donated back to different city committees and organizations.  Some went to the Montrose Days Royalty Committee, some towards the Montrose Days car show.  A portion also went to a fundraiser for a former Montrose fireman’s family.
It should also be noted that council member Czanstkowski was responsible for reducing the pay each council member (and mayor) receives per meeting.
I appreciate his generousity to the city of Montrose and its citizens.

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