Town briefs

Dorfman recognized for homelessness work Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman last week received a Public Sector Achievement Award from the National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, D.C.

Dorfman, who has been on the county board for nine years, has made homeless issues one of her top priorities. According to the alliance, family homelessness in Hennepin County dropped 43 percent from 2000 to 2004.

New efforts include programs to get people into stable housing and joint programs run by the county and the city of Minneapolis.

Cooney gets GOP backing for board Republican delegates from Hennepin County's Sixth District have endorsed Minnetonka resident John Cooney for the district seat on the county board.

Cooney was campaign manager and political director for U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad during the past three elections and also has worked as Sheriff Rich Stanek's chief of staff. He runs a printing business.

County board incumbent Linda Koblick is not running for reelection. Cities in the Sixth District include Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins and Wayzata.

Callison to hold 'listening sessions' Minnetonka Mayor Jan Callison, who is seeking the Sixth District seat on the Hennepin County Board, will hold listening sessions with residents on Saturday.

Chance to comment on waterfront plans The Excelsior City Council will meet at 7 p.m. today at Excelsior Elementary School, 441 Oak St., Excelsior. The focus of the meeting is the proposal by Jon Monson to recreate a historic pavilion on city park land overlooking Lake Minnetonka. Horse trail closed

The horse trail alongside the Luce Line state trail, which runs from Plymouth west to Winsted, is closed until May 15.

The closure is meant to prevent damage to the trail while the ground is wet. The main part of the Luce Line trail will remain open to bikers and walkers but cannot be traveled by horse.

Signs are posted notifying users of the horse trail closure. For more information, call 952-826-6769.