Washington County briefs: Cottage Grove panel planning new community center

Cottage Grove residents may be asked to vote in the November election on a referendum question related to a potential new Cottage Grove Community Center in partnership with the YMCA of Greater St. Paul/Metropolitan Minneapolis.

A task force being organized to plan for the referendum is now being formed and volunteers are being sought.

Anyone interested in helping educate residents on the possible referendum question and why it's important to vote is asked to sign up by contacting John McCool, the city's senior planner, at 651-458-2874 or at jmccool@cottage-grove.org.

The next task force meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 80th St. S.

The City Council earlier this year approved a report recommending the city and the YMCA team up to run the Community Center, which would be located in the East Ravine Regional Park near the site of the new Public Safety/City Hall Building.

A committee that has spent two years studying the issue, drawing on both an independent marketing study and one done by the YMCA, found a need for the center, along with strong community support for it.

The panel also concluded the city and the Y should build the center together, and that the nonprofit agency should operate it.

Erin Daninger, 19, Forest Lake, represents Washington County, and is the daughter of Pat and Sharlene Daninger.

The Princess Kay title is awarded each year to a woman who comes from a dairy farm background. Princess Kay serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the state's dairy farmers and will make appearances throughout the 12 days of the fair and at events throughout the year. The winner will be crowned the night before the opening of the 2011 Minnesota State Fair, but all finalists will have their image carved in a block of butter.

Butter sculpting at the fair originally began to highlight Minnesota's claim as the "butter capital of the nation."

Various butter sculptures were featured from 1898 to 1927, and in 1965, the American Dairy Association of Minnesota began its tradition of having the likenesses of dairy princesses sculpted in butter. That was also the year the original booth was constructed.

City chief candidate withdraws her nameMelinda Coleman, city administrator in North Oaks who was offered a similar job in Forest Lake, has withdrawn her name from consideration.

Coughlin had replaced Chip Robinson, who held that job for 33 years. Coughlin, hired in November, lasted about six months.

The City Council meets on Monday and will likely decide the next step.

Fun fundraiser also has serious purposeLaw Enforcement United's "Kids and Family Funfest," a fundraiser that combines fun activities and assisting families of police officers killed in the line of duty, is set for Aug. 20. It will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Colby Lake Park, 9715 Valley Creek Road.

Activities include a Kids Fun Run starting at 9:15 a.m.; "5K for the Fallen" Memorial Walk/Run at 9:45, and moment of silence observance at 12:15 p.m. The 5K run course will be lined with tributes to those killed.

There will also be police canine demonstrations, inflatable toys, a "dunk-a-cop" tank, magician, a display of police squad cars, fire trucks, ambulance, helicopter and food sales.

Many of the activities and demonstrations are free. A donation of $10 per adult and a $5 donation per child or a family donation provides a wristband good for unlimited use of the inflatable toys and a memorial COPS ribbon.

JIM ANDERSON

Albertson family donates historic itemsKirsta Benson-Sanchez, the Washington County Historical Society's Historic Site manager, stands in front of the portraits of Adam and Augusta Marty and holds a Grand Army of the Republic ceremonial sword owned by Adam Marty. These items, among others, were recently donated to the Historical Society from the family of the late Judge Howard Albertson.

Adam Marty was a member of Company B, First Minnesota Regiment and fought in such battles as Bull Run and Gettysburg. Marty later served eight years as Washington County sheriff and became a state and national delegate for the Grand Army of the Republic.

The items are on display at the Warden's House Museum in Stillwater. The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.