Montrose Mayor elected to League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors

St. PAUL, MN – Mayor Andy Kauffman of Montrose has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the League of Minnesota Cities

Elections for new Board members and new officers were held last week at the League’s Annual Conference in St. Paul

League Board officers for 2009-10 are:

· President—Ardell F. Brede, mayor, Rocheste

· First Vice President—Richard Brainerd, councilmember, Mahtomedi
· Second Vice President—H. Dan Ness, mayor, Alexandria

Other new members elected to the Board are

Lee Helgen, councilmember, St. Paul

Sue Larson, councilmember, Isant

Molly Park, mayor, Sunfish Lake

Officials continuing to serve on the Board are Doug Anderson, mayor, Dayton; Jeff Bertram, councilmember, Paynesville; Tim Breza, councilmember, Winona; John Chattin, city manager, Bemidji; Matt Fulton, city manager, Coon Rapids; Betsy Hodges, councilmember, Minneapolis; Ron Johnson, city administrator, Lake City; and Mark Karnowski, city administrator, Princeton

Serving as ex-officio members are League Past President Mary Hamann-Roland, mayor, Apple Valley; Metro Cities President Dave Osberg, city administrator, Hastings; Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities representative Wayne Wolden, mayor, Wadena; and Minnesota Association of Small Cities representative Joel Young, city clerk, Chatfield

The League of Minnesota Cities is a nonprofit, membership organization dedicated to helping cities throughout Minnesota build quality communities through effective advocacy, expert analysis, trusted guidance, and collective action. The League serves its more than 830 members through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management, and other services. For more information, visit www.lmc.org.

Extra DWI enforcement planned for July 4 weekend

ST. PAUL , MN — Following one of the deadliest Memorial Day holiday weekends ever, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reinforcing the need for motorists to drive belted, safe and sober during the Independence Day weekend. Last year alcohol-related crashes accounted for five of the eight motorists killed surrounding the holiday. Another 1,819 motorists were arrested for DWI

To combat impaired driving, Operation NightCAP (nighttime concentrated alcohol patrol) enhanced DWI enforcement efforts will be conducted during the 4th of July weekend. DWI patrols will ramp up in Anoka, Blue Earth, Crow Wing, Dakota, Hennepin, Itasca, Ramsey, Rice, St. Louis, Sherburne, Stearns, Washington and Wright counties

In June, NightCAP enforcement campaigns resulted in 2,862 vehicle stops, 183 DWI arrests and 138 seat belt citations. At mid-year, the state has recorded 183 deaths, compared to 188 at this time last year

“Unfortunately, every holiday weekend has the potential to be a tragic one on Minnesota roads,” says State Patrol Lt. Matt Langer. “Understanding the importance of driving safe, smart and sober is the simple answer to stopping these preventable deaths and injuries.

DPS reminds motorists to follow these safe driving tips

Buckle up — Seat belts are the best defense in case of a crash and on roads plagued with speeding, distracted and impaired drivers. The state’s primary seat belt law is in effect, meaning every driver and all passengers — even in the back — must be belted. Law enforcement can stop a vehicle if anyone in a vehicle is not belted

Pay attention — Stay focused on driving, especially as more vehicles will be on the road. Delegate control of music, air conditioning and phones to passengers

Drive at safe speeds — Determine enough travel time in advance to avoid the urge to speed.
Use a designated driver — If you plan on drinking, plan on a safe and sober ride

Drive well-rested — Use rest-stops, rotate drivers and be patient

Fireworks, legal or illegal, transported in a vehicle are potentially hazardous in the case of a crash or if accidentally ignited.
Move over for emergency responders and reduce speeds in work zones.

McLeod Co. farmers markets offer fresh produce

McLEOD COUNTY, MN – In McLeod County, Winsted, Glencoe, Hutchinson, and Silver Lake have farmers markets, the Hutchinson Leader reported.

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Plenty of action at the Lester Prairie pool

LESTER PRAIRIE, MN – There’s plenty of action at the outdoor pool in Lester Prairie, with pool hours being from 1 to 7 p.m. open everyday. To get in is $4 per person over 5 years, or $1 for under 5.

United Way of McLeod County distributes $77,000 in grants

McLEOD COUNTY, MN – United Way of McLeod County Board President Kathy Silvernale announced that the organization distributed $77,000 in checks to 42 partner agency/programs during the month of June. The monies represent second-half community investment grant allocations for 2009 United Way funding. An initial round of checks was delivered to agencies in January. The UWMC distributed $153,000 to partner agencies in 2009.

“On behalf of our partner agencies, the United Way of McLeod County wishes to thank all those who contributed to the 2008-09 campaign,” said Silvernale. ”Those dollars are being used to fund worthy programs that are making a difference in so many lives in our area at this time. We are continually amazed by the generosity of the individual donors, small businesses and corporations throughout McLeod County that enable us to make these community investment grants.”

The UWMC will kick-off its Fall Campaign 2009-10 in August with a variety of events, including a booth at the McLeod County Fair (August 19-23). The UWMC supports programs in the areas of: emergency and basic needs, health and human services, child development and community development. In 2010 the UWMC is funding 42 agencies/programs that support the organization’s mission of impacting the needs of McLeod County by building stronger, healthier communities.

Donations to help fund partner agencies and programs supporting area residents can be sent to the United Way of McLeod County located at 218 Main Street South, Suite 124, PO Box 504, Hutchinson, MN 55350. To make an on-line donation, please visit www.unitedwaymcleodcounty.org.

Benefit for Waverly man at Hollywood Sports Complex

WAVERLY, MN – A benefit for Steve Herda, a life long resident of Waverly, will take place at the Hollywood Sports Complex Saturday, July 11. A silent auction will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Herda was diagnosed with leukemia in April of this year. Since his diagnosis, he has been hospitalized at the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital undergoing treatment and many tests. The same day as the benefit, there will be a fast pitch softball tournament at the sports complex. The timing is perfect, since Herda was instrumental in starting fast pitch softball in Waverly many years ago. By having the benefit on the same day and place as the softball tournament, it will allow many people who know Herda, because of the many years he has dedicated to the sport, to be a part of the benefit while also participating in the tournament.

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