Briefs: Dakota County Board overturns unenforced ordinance that banned some bingo games

At ease, bingo enthusiasts.

The Dakota County Board has eliminated the bingo ordinance established in 1953 to prohibit bingo games in unincorporated areas of the county.

"Apparently they had simply objected to such a game," Commissioner Kathleen Gaylord quipped.

County legal staff had determined that the law, which was little known even to commissioners, conflicted with state gambling governance.

Commissioner Tom Egan noted that there was "quite a bit of snickering up here" on the dais when the ordinance was reviewed and admitted he'd never heard of the bingo law.

"I can't believe I forgot about that bingo ordinance," Board Chair Joe Harris said in jest during a public hearing that was required before the board could repeal the law.

There were no residents at the meeting to comment for or against the action.

The national award recognizes Schlangen's leadership and career achievements as he has made the fleet more efficient, saving the county money and cutting down on fuel usage while still keeping the vehicles in working order. He has been with Dakota County, working in fleet management, for more than 20 years.

Schlangen was nominated for the award by his other fleet managers in Minnesota and neighboring states. In a letter supporting Schlangen's nomination, his supervisor wrote, "To list all of his accomplishments would require more paper than I care to consider."

Among the feats he did highlight: A program to "right-size" the county fleet that eliminated 100 vehicles; a 30 percent increase in vehicle miles per gallon in 2010; a 26 percent decrease in fuel consumption over three years; and reworking schedules to save the county overtime pay while keeping vehicles in excellent condition.

'Book Raid' book fair is this weekThe 50th annual Great Northfield Book Raid will be held Tuesday through Saturday.

The book sale, sponsored by the Northfield Hospital Auxiliary, is scheduled for the Northfield Ice Arena on S. Hwy. 3.

Over the years, the book fair has raised a half a million dollars to support projects at Northfield Hospital & Clinics and other community health initiatives. It also supports the auxiliary's health education scholarship program.

For more information, call 507-646-6262.

Sculpture at library to be dedicatedA sculpture outside the Robert Trail Library will get an official unveiling next month.

"Triskele," created by artist Foster Willey Jr., was erected last fall. Wiley will attend the ceremony and discuss the design, which was inspired by Irish art. The program also will include a presentation on Rosemount's Irish heritage from local historian Maureen Geraghty Bouchard, and there will be a craft activity for kids.

The program is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on May 10. The festivities will begin with a brief dedication outside the library at 14395 S. Robert Trail, and continue down the street at the Steeple Center at 14375 S. Robert Trail.

The city commissioned the $60,000 sculpture, which stands 11 1/2 feet tall and features three cast-bronze spirals atop a tapered black stone base.

Katie Humphrey and jim Adams

Expect slowdowns on Hastings bridgeTraffic on the Hastings bridge will be reduced to a single lane during the bridge's annual safety inspection this week.