Thursday, May 16, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton on Tuesday signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota.
Kudos to both of Woodbury's state representatives for voting yes for marriage equality. Andrea Kieffer deserves much credit for having the courage to place principles over partisanship. Recognition should also be given to JoAnn Ward for doing the right thing. —Anthony Tedesco, Woodbury Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter
Monday, May 13, 2013
The Minnesota Senate was set to vote on the bill Monday.
We want to thank state Rep. Andrea Kieffer for supporting all families by voting "yes" on HF1054 this past Thursday. The vote was a truly historic moment for our state and her decision to support civil marriage equality will help ensure that Minnesota is a better place for all families to live and thrive. We recognize that this vote may not be politically popular for a Republican representative, so we are especially proud and grateful to be represented by someone who chose to stand up for freedom and fairness for all Minnesotans. —Denise and Tamara Peterson, Woodbury Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
"I want to see our businesses grow, not our government."
As a long-time resident of Minnesota, I would like to voice my concern about the budget proposal that recently passed the House and Senate. The tax package includes new taxes that were intended to target high-income Minnesotans, but will actually impact small businesses. Small businesses drive our economy; they create local jobs for local people. Taxes that stunt small business growth will stunt the growth of our entire economy. Before our legislators implement taxes that will hurt our small businesses and threaten our economic growth, they should review the budget and eliminate wasteful spending. Too often it seems that new taxes are the answer to everything. I think our elected officials should work a little harder to draft a budget …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
"The education finance bill took significant steps to reducing property taxes, in addition to making the reforms and funding increase necessary to maintain our world-class education system," according to Kent, a first-term DFLer from Woodbury.
For the past 10 years, property taxes on Minnesotans have gone up almost 90 percent and are approaching an unsustainable level. Middle-class families and small businesses are being hammered by an ever-growing property tax burden. The Senate has passed legislation to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in needed relief to our local communities. Every single Minnesotan has felt the increase. It is a problem that was neglected for far too long. The education finance bill took significant steps to reducing property taxes, in addition to making the reforms and funding increase necessary to maintain our world-class education system. The education finance bill buys back $150 million in school levies. Local governments are able to remove …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
The Republican outlines her thoughts on the Crosswinds school issue, bills she has authored this session and other matters facing the Legislature.
We’re nearing the end of the 2013 legislative session in St. Paul, but we still face some tough decisions on spending over the next month. I would like to provide you with a general overview from the legislature as well as some specific issues I have been working on for you this year. I am first and foremost concerned that proposals this year to raise taxes and fees by nearly $3 billion, coupled with the bonding proposals that increase our debt, create a deadly combination that will jeopardize our economic progress. Therefore, you will not find me voting in support of most of the omnibus bills that come to the House floor this session. I continue working with the Department of Labor and Industry regarding workers' compensation advisory …
Monday, April 29, 2013
An offensive encounter at Woodbury City Hall.
Two volunteers for the Woodbury Heritage Society had very different experiences upon entering City Hall the morning of April 27, 2013. The day started as it did for most Minnesotans—a great day to be alive, healthy, and living in a gorgeous Midwestern town that was rated as one of the best cities in the nation, according to various publications. So why wouldn’t these two persons rejoice in being Woodbury citizens and volunteers, too? The first volunteer to arrive at City Hall found a group of people waiting outside who appeared to be associated with a local civic organization. There appeared to be a pageant court setting and there were children as well as adults present. As the volunteer approached the entrance, she was asked if she had …
Thursday, April 25, 2013
"Before taking another dime from our hardworking taxpayers, shouldn’t we go line-by-line through our budget and cut the waste?" says Woodbury resident Kelly Fenton.
On Wednesday evening, April 24, 2013, while you were tucking your children into bed, the Minnesota House Democrats passed a $2.6 billion tax increase. This breaks down to $547 for every man, woman, and child. This is the largest tax increase for Minnesota in over 30 years. In short, the Democrats raised taxes on each and every hardworking Minnesota taxpayer. Everyone will pay more for alcohol, tobacco, sports memorabilia, car rentals and more. Despite promising during last fall’s campaign to “tax the rich,” Democrats have proven themselves unable to say no to any and all special interests who want to grow the size of government. What’s worse, this tax bill raises income taxes on over 30 percent of Minnesotans. You read that correctly: …
Friday, April 19, 2013
Woodbury resident Ann Cowan used to live in Florida.
Kris, there should be a huge “shout-out” for the people of this state who plow the highways, often all night, so that the rest of us can drive to work safely in the mornings. As a Florida transplant, I am eternally grateful to them when I drive to work each morning! —Ann Cowan, Woodbury Like Patch on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter | Sign up for our free newsletter
Friday, April 5, 2013
“There needs to be the necessary due diligence to attract the best vendor and offer the widest variety of amenities possible,” says Woodbury resident Laura Lee.
A January article in Woodbury Patch reported that the City Council was considering asking citizens, in February, about serving alcohol at the Bielenberg Sports Center as part of the expansion project. Patch later reported that the city decided against including a question on the community survey about whether alcohol should be served at the new restaurant, as it would take too much time to discuss on the telephone survey. Now, according to a city official, the decision as to whether to allow alcohol service is up to the City Council and has not yet been made as a result of a lack of consensus on the council. Apparently, some of the council members feel the entire facility should offer a “family” environment, since many of the patrons …
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Bielenberg Sports Center
4125 Radio Dr, Woodbury, MN
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Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Woodbury City Council member outlines her support for a splash pad, which is under consideration as part of the Bielenberg Sports Center expansion project.
I have included various thoughts and statements below in regard to my opinion that we should include a splash pad. In my mind there are so many reasons why we should… My question is why wouldn't we? We have the funds available and they need to be used for a project like this… why wouldn't we. “In North America, Splash pads have been at the top of the list for planned additions at facilities of all kinds for several years running.” (Recreation Management 2011) It is no surprise that many have been constructed, as there are significant benefits associated including: the ability to support a healthy lifestyle, the ability to enhance “family well-being,” the ability to provide safe and sustainable play environments, and the ability to …
Beth-Ann Bloom
12:56 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2013
Support of the measure shown by Representative Ward and Sen Kent both at the moment of the vote and throughout the discussion were invaluable. more ›