Briefs: Reception planned for retiring Scandia mayor

Retiring Scandia Mayor Dennis Seefeldt and his wife, Carol, will be honored at a reception from 2-4 p.m. next Sunday at the Scandia Community Center, 14727 209th St. N.

Seefeldt was elected as the first mayor of Scandia and was unopposed in his re-election to a second term. He served from the date of Scandia's incorporation in 2007 through 2010. He also was the last town board chairman for the former New Scandia Township and served on that board for 10 years.

Seefeldt's public service also has included working throughout Washington County as the University Extension Service agent, and he served a term as president of the Scandia-Marine Lions Club.

The reception will be hosted and sponsored by the Scandia-Marine Lions Club. For more information, contact Mike Harnetty of the club at 651-433-4883 or Anne Hurlburt, city administrator, at 651 433-2274.

Wisconsin groups support new bridgeSt. Croix County, Wis., has reaffirmed its support for a new bridge across the St. Croix River.

The county's supervising board approved a resolution on Jan. 4, followed by the St. Croix Economic Development Corp. (EDC). They threw their weight behind a coalition of business and government interests on both sides of the river seeking to exempt a new bridge from the federal law that protects the scenic and recreational qualities of the St. Croix.

The National Park Service, which has administrative responsibility for federal governance of the St. Croix, ruled in October that the proposed bridge would harm the river. Supporters say the only way to build a new bridge is to amend federal law, but the effort has yet to gain traction in Congress.

St. Paul chamber backs Gateway Corridor planA third major business group has joined the drive for public transit along Interstate 94.

The St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce now has aligned with the Woodbury Chamber and the Oakdale Business and Professional Association in support of job growth they say would result from new east-metro transit lines.

The feasibility of I-94 transit from St. Paul to Eau Claire, Wis., remains under study. Several routes for buses or trains are being considered, as well as estimated costs.

Transit leaders in Washington and Ramsey counties formed the Gateway Corridor Commission last summer to campaign for public transit on one of the busiest freeways in the metro. Much of the heaviest traffic passes Woodbury, Lake Elmo and Oakdale.

For more information about the commission and upcoming open houses to review proposals, see www.thegatewaycorridor.com.

Since its founding in 2001, the Pajama Program has provided pajamas and books to more than 913,000 children nationwide.

Along with helping the less fortunate, the project is part of Troop 50174's efforts to earn the Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve.

The public can drop off donations in Woodbury at St. Ambrose Catholic School, 4125 Woodbury Drive; Woodbury Lutheran Church, 7380 Afton Road; Woodbury/Peaceful Grove United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Road; New Life Academy, 6758 Bailey Road; R.H. Stafford Library, 8595 Central Park Place; Trendi Salon, 1705 Weir Drive; Woodlane Family Cosmetic Dentistry, 2185 Woodland Drive; and Woodbury Dance Center, 380 Rivertown Drive.

Other drop points include St. Peter Lutheran Church, 880 Neal Av. S., Afton; and Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemmingway Av. S., Cottage Grove.

Meeting set on new environmental rulesA public meeting to discuss changes to Woodbury's environmental ordinance has been set for 7 p.m. Feb. 3 at City Hall, 8301 Valley Creek Road.

The meeting will begin with a short presentation, followed by an opportunity for the public to submit comments, orally and in writing. The current ordinance, along with the proposed changes, is available for public viewing on the city's website at www.ci.woodbury.mn.us.

Any questions before the meeting can be directed to Steve Kernik, environmental planner, at 651-714-3536 or skernik@ci.woodbury.mn.us, or Sharon Doucette, environmental resources coordinator, at 651-714-3538 or sdoucette@ci.woodbury.mn.us.