Briefs: Washington County staff recognizes outgoing Commissioner Myra Peterson

After 17 years and five successful elections, Washington County Commissioner Myra Peterson has left the county board.

She represented District 4, which includes the cities of Cottage Grove, Newport and St. Paul Park, and the townships of Denmark and Grey Cloud Island.

Peterson lost her seat to challenger Autumn Lehrke in the November election. Lehrke will join the board on Tuesday.

Peterson's four fellow commissioners lauded her at their Dec. 14 meeting as a public servant who always did her homework, who showed compassion for less fortunate residents, who led the charge for public transit, and who represented the county with distinction.

"You were a true independent," said Gary Kriesel, who butted heads with Peterson occasionally on various issues. "You never counted votes."

Jim Schug, the county's administrator, said Peterson had a demanding work ethic.

"One of the things I will miss is walking into my dark office in the morning and the phone rings and it's Myra wanting to do business," he told board members.

New city administrator starts work on Monday Any of the five finalists to replace longtime Forest Lake administrator Chip Robinson could have done the job, but Dan Coughlin's background in economic development and watersheds led to his hiring, said Mayor Stev Stegner.

"We took some time to pick the right person and I'm glad we did," Stegner said.

Coughlin, 43, has been city administrator in the Stearns County city of Richmond. He starts the Forest Lake job, for which he will earn $99,500 annually, on Monday.

The City Council voted 5-0 during a special meeting Nov. 17 to hire Coughlin. Members spent two days interviewing the field of candidates, which included Anne Hurlburt, city administrator in Scandia.

"Truly, any of the five would have fit Forest Lake well," Stegner said.

The network helps connect schools, local governments, law enforcement, social services, churches, civic and volunteer organizations to help military families during deployments. Hundreds of Washington County residents remain on deployment, many to Afghanistan.

Anyone with questions can contact Hugo City Council member Chuck Haas at 651-247-0354.

Long-time instructor earns national honor Edward Haddon, who has taught at Century College for 35 years, will receive the Outstanding Educator award at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists' annual meeting March 16-19 in Orlando.

Haddon has devoted his life to the Orthotics and Prosthetics program at Century, the only college in the country that offers training in both fields from the technician to the practitioner level, according to a news release.

"I have been really, really fortunate," said Haddon, a longtime Vadnais Heights resident. "I am associated with a profession that transforms people's lives. At the end of every day when I go home, I feel God's pleasure. And I think that's true of most people in O and P."

The meeting is from 6-8 p.m. at HOPE Adoption & Family Services, 5850 Omaha Av. N., Oak Park Heights. HOPE is a nonprofit adoption agency serving Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. To register, call 651-439-2446 or visit www.hopeadoptionservices.org.

Foreclosure concerns? Free help is available Anyone who is behind on a mortgage or wants to know more about foreclosures can attend a free workshop to learn about prevention and meet one-on-one with a counselor.

Pre-registration is not required, but participants are encouraged to bring any communications received from lenders or loan servicers, proof of income such as a recent pay stub, and a copy of a mortgage statement.

Workshops will be:

•1-2 p.m. Thursday, Park Grove Library, Cottage Grove.

•1-2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, Oakdale Library.

•6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, Hardwood Creek Library, Forest Lake.

For more information, call the Washington County HRA's foreclosure intake line at 651-458-0936, ext. 542, or go to www.wchra.com

Veterans plan benefits fair and blood drive The Washington County Veterans Service Office will sponsor a benefits resource fair and blood drive Jan. 14 at Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, 355 W. Broadway.

The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the resource fair will be from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Robby Robinson at the county veterans office at 651-430-6895 or Dale Cotch at 651-430-6578.