Another Endorsement – Education Minnesota PAC Supports David Bly
Aug 31, 2008 News
The David Bly Campaign announced today that Education Minnesota has accepted the recommendation of its political action committee to support David Bly’s candidacy for reelection in House district 25B. According to a letter from Tom Dooher, President of Education Minnesota, the decision was based on Bly’s past support and work on issues that have impact on Minnesota’s public schools. Bly’s legislative record shows that he has worked to benefit, not only Minnesota’s schools, but Education Minnesota’s members and the students they serve.
Education Minnesota is the largest advocate for Minnesota public schools in our state, with approximately 70,000 members who work at all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten through college. More information about the organization can be found on its website at www.educationminnesota.org.
During Rep. Bly’s 2006 campaign for the House seat, he promised to prioritize education and, as a result, he has worked with House leaders to restore education funding to the K-12 and to reduce cuts to college programs. He looks forward to continuing his work advocating for Minnesota education programs and working with education leaders to help all students reach their highest education potential through the development of nation-leading schools.
2008 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest
Aug 29, 2008 News
The Midwest Region of the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) was chosen to host the 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest during the week of October 12. Hosting this event in Minnesota is a privilege and a “once in a lifetime” opportunity.
The 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest will be held at the Bloomington Center for the Arts in Minnesota, an excellent venue for the challenging logistics of the competition. There is a weeklong series of events designed to target an unprecedented level of public outreach and viewing, and the Center’s location near the Mall of America accommodates that purpose.
The Duck Stamp Program is one of the most successful conservation initiatives in U.S. history. Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $700 million to acquire and preserve more than 5.2 million acres of migratory bird habitat.
One of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s top priorities is connecting people with their natural world. The 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest and its associated events will emphasize how citizens can make a difference in conserving natural resources by buying Duck Stamps.
The 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest will take place Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, at the Bloomington Center for the Arts in Bloomington, Minnesota, with additional public viewing and related events throughout the earlier parts of that week. There are expected to be large crowds and several members of the media in attendance.
For more information and the final version of events click on Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, or call Jim Leach, the Duck Stamp Planning Committee Chairman, at 612-713-5406.
Lawn Sign Season Opens
Aug 27, 2008 News
Every two years, the season for lawn signs opens. This year, new signs have been ordered and we are ready for placement. A new twist has been added this year in the City of Northfield however. All signs are now required to be no closer than 12 feet to the curb within the City limits. So measure accordingly when you are placing your sign because the City of Northfield has been enforcing this new policy.
If you are interested in requesting placement of a sign for my reelection please feel free to call Meagan at 612-875-0686. Hurry though, only a limited number of signs are available.
International Union of Operating Engineers Endorsement Received
Aug 24, 2008 News
I am pleased to have received an endorsement from the political action committee representing the Local 49 Chapter of the International Union of Operating Engineers. The IUOE, established in 1927, represents Operating Engineers which work as heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and surveyors in the construction industry as well as Stationary Engineers who work in operations and maintenance in building and industrial complexes, and in the service industries. Glen D. Johnson, Business Manager for the IUOE, said in his letter endorsing me that the Union recognizes that by passing a substantial bonding bill and overriding the governor on the transportation bill, we have accomplished much in rebuilding our state and revitalizing our state’s economy. For more on the IUOE, see their website, and their March 2008 newsletter.
Webster Harvest Days
Aug 22, 2008 News
The quiet little town of Webster, MN will be celebrating Harvest Days on August 23 and 24, 2008. For those interested in attending there will be numerous events happening both Saturday and Sunday, most notable the Grand Parade on Sunday, the 24th starting at 12:00 noon.We will be walking the parade route which should take about an hour. Our line-up number is 26 and participants are asked to be there around 11:30 AM. Parade line-up begins at Dalton Avenue & Cty Road 3 and goes back to the east so you shouldn’t have much difficulty in finding us.
This should be a terrific time for families to get together. It is relatively close, just about 5 miles north of Willingers Golf Course west of Northfield. Go west on Hwy 19 , about 2 miles west of Hwy 19 and I35, then turn N to Webster. Follow the signs.
Events occurring on these two days include Helicopter Rides, The Grand Parade, a Farmers Market, Cake Walk, and a raffle drawing. Incidentally, this is one of the few parades that actually has a Flyover. For more details click on the website.
We hope to see you there and if you would like to join David Bly and his reelection committee in the walk just show up. You can also call Meagan at 612-875-0686 and let her know you would like to participate.
Either way, enjoy your time at the Webster Harvest Days.
Union Meeting
Aug 21, 2008 Event
Building Trade Union of Southern Minnesota at the Faribault VFW. Call for Mark Caron at 507-339-1745 for details.
Legislative Town Hall Meeting with Region 10 Quality Assurance
Aug 19, 2008 News
I participated in the Region 10 Legislative Town Hall Meeting about Public Policy Issues that Impact People with Disabilities early this month along with Sen. Kevin Dahle who wrote a nice blog entry about it. So rather than repeat what he said, I will just commend the participants who spoke with courage and dignity about their lives and needs and offer this link to Kevin’s site. It was good to see friends from EPIC and Laura Baker at the Buckham Library in Faribault and talk with them and organizers Karen Larson and JoAnn Lawler
afterwards. Karen and JoAnne did a great job. To learn more about their work you might also want to check out the MN Voice website as well as the Southeast ARC website for more information about their many projects.
District Six MN DOT Report
Aug 19, 2008 News, Transportation
I attended a presentation by the new Commissioner of Transportation, Thomas K. Sorel 
and District 6 staff of the transportation plans for coming years. They explained that the moneys allocated by the legislature would primarily be used for bridge repair and that although their would be some forward movement on pending projects it would be difficult to move many of them up. I have heard from many constituents that they are concerned about many of the roads in my district and although they are pleased to see bridges addressed along the 
highway 3 corridor they want improvements to highway 19, 246 and 21 to go forward. I have received word form MnDOT that they do have a plan for resurfacing and striping on highway 19 which should address some of the safety concerns and that things are in negotiation with the contractor on highway 21 but things should move forward soon.
Minnesota Solar Rebate Programs
Aug 18, 2008 News
The State of Minnesota through the Department of Commerce is offering both a Solar Water Rebate Program as well as a Solar Electric Rebate Program. For more information on these two programs you can click here for guidelines and applications.
In addition the Department of Commerce maintains a list of more than 40 renewable energy installers throughout the state. For a list of solar contractors serving Minnesota click on “Hiring” a renewable energy contractor. The list and those included on it is not an endorsement by the MN Dept of Commerce or Metro CERTS.
