Briefs: Stillwater seeks fireworks vendor for July 4th display

Six fireworks companies that want to bid on Stillwater's big July 4th show have until Friday to submit proposals, said City Administrator Larry Hansen.

The city decided recently to circumvent St. Croix Events, the Stillwater promotions company that had handled fireworks, because of a police investigation into financial practices of the company and owner David Eckberg. He hasn't been charged with a crime.

The winning vendor will be paid up to $30,000 for a 20- to 30-minute show.

"The council made it clear to me that they didn't want a second-rate show, that we had been accustomed to pretty spectacular displays and they want to keep it that way," Hansen said.

The city's park board will review the proposals on Jan. 30. Hansen will present the results to the City Council on Jan. 31.

Hansen said timing is critical because big fireworks vendors lock up their summer shows in January and February.

A final city decision will depend on what County Attorney Pete Orput decides to do with the St. Croix Events case, Hansen said. The city remains under contract with Eckberg's company but voted recently to suspend that contract pending Orput's decision.

Nonprofit will show off new digsEast Suburban Resources opened an 8,600-square-foot center in an Oakdale in December, and on Tuesday the nonprofit is inviting the public to take a look.

Tours of the facility in a suite at 7800 N. 4th St., along with information about the center's programs, will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m.

The agency partners with more than 200 businesses and civic organizations in the east- metro area to find employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs in Washington, Ramsey and other east-metro counties.

Board approves $50,000 for 4-HWashington County commissioners have voted to spend $50,000 from a contingency fund on staffing and services for 4-H programs in Washington County in 2012.

The largest portion, $30,000, will provide partial support for a full-time University of Minnesota Extension county program coordinator -- an employee of the university -- to coordinate 4-H activities countywide. The other $20,000 will pay for a half-time position for the 4-H Youth Teaching Youth program.

Bonds refinancing saves millionsCounty commissioners approved a plan last week to refinance a series of the county's general obligation capital improvement plan bonds worth $23.6 million. The plan will reduce the amount of interest that the county will pay over the life of the bonds, which fund building and road projects.

The county's financial advisor, Springsted Inc., reviewed the county's bond portfolio and proposed refinancing the bonds, which will be paid off in 2024. With the refinancing, the interest rate will fall from 4.52 percent to 2.46 percent, reducing the annual debt payments between $272,000 and $276,000 in the 10 years from 2014 to 2024.

It is expected that the new bond sale will be negotiated Feb. 13.

Seven honored for aiding seniorsLutheran Social Service of Minnesota has honored White Bear Lake residents Joan Gens, Judy Jungheim and Rosemarie Frucci for their involvement in the agency's Senior Companions and Foster Grandparent programs. The agency also recognized Alice Kraby of Cottage Grove and Alyce Turgeon of Woodbury, along with Mary Brown of Marine on St. Croix and Judy Jordan of Stillwater.

Through Senior Companions, volunteers provide companionship, grocery shopping assistance and transportation to medical appointments for people 55 and older. Foster Grandparents provide tutoring for children in schools, Head Start programs and shelters.