Minneapolis

Thissen warns of aid cuts for metro under the GOP

The top DFLer in the Minnesota House said Minneapolis should brace for possible cuts to state aid following the Republican takeover of the House on Election Day.

Rep. Paul Thissen, who will soon transition from being speaker to minority leader, told a neighborhood meeting Monday that he anticipates attempts to divert Minneapolis and St. Paul's local government aid to outstate Minnesota cities or other budget priorities.

Minneapolis' $76 million local government aid allocation comprises about 17 percent of its discretionary general fund budget. It is the third-largest source of the city's general fund revenue, after property taxes and local sales taxes.

"That's going to be a big fight," Thissen told the Calhoun Area Residents Action Group, an Uptown-area neighborhood. "The reality is the Democratic leadership in the Senate is all from greater Minnesota as well. So their instinct would be to support a move like that."

He added, however, that DFL Gov. Mark Dayton's support will be important to maintain "equity" across the state.

Eric Roper

BLOOMINGTON

Three finalists named for city manager position

Three finalists have been named for the city manager job. The incumbent, Mark Bernhardson, is retiring at year's end after 23 years. The finalists are Jay Stroebel, deputy city coordinator in Minneapolis; Jamie Verbrugge, city manager in Brooklyn Park; and Heather Worthington, deputy county manager in Ramsey County.

The city manager oversees a staff of 650 full- and part-time employees and a budget of $188 million in Minnesota's fifth-largest city. The City Council is expected to make a hiring decision in mid-December.

JOHN REINAN

ST. PAUL

Part of street to be named for late bluesman Ray

A legendary but little-known St. Paul blues singer and guitarist who influenced Bob Dylan and the Beatles will have part of a city street named in his honor Monday.

A three-block stretch of Franklin Avenue, between Berry and Eustis Streets, will be officially named "Dave Ray Street" at a ceremony starting at 1 p.m. at the corner of Franklin and Berry.

Ray, who died of cancer in 2002 at age 59, was born and raised in St. Paul. He played guitar in a local acoustic trio with "Spider" John Koerner and Tony Glover that won international acclaim for their take on the blues and other roots classics.

An anthology of Ray's recordings from the 1960s to the 1990s was recently released by Red House Records of St. Paul.

The location, in the South St. Anthony Park neighborhood just west of Hwy. 280, was chosen because Ray for years had an insurance office on Franklin Avenue.

Kevin Duchschere

Scott County

Historical Society plans holiday celebrations

The Scott County Historical Society is greeting the arrival of the holidays with two events on Dec. 5 and 6.

An open house Dec. 5 offers free admission to the museum and historic Stans house from 6-8 p.m., with holiday crafts, activities for kids, hot chocolate and treats.

At the same time, Shakopee kicks off the holidays with its tree lighting, Santa and a velodazzle parade (holiday-lighted bicycles).

Then, on Dec. 6, the society invites families to create warm holiday memories at its Gingerbread House Workshop.

From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., visitors can learn about the tradition of gingerbread houses and can make one of their own to take home.

A fee of $10 per family covers workshop supplies. There's limited space, so reservations are required.

Register through Shakopee Community Education at www.shakopee.k12.mn.us/Page/162

To learn more, call 952-445-0378 or e-mail sherrick@scottcountyhistory.org.

The society is at 235 Fuller St. S., Shakopee, three blocks south of the intersection of County Road 101 and Fuller Street.

Staff report