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Document - Other - Various newspaper articles on the Eagan Fire Department, Eagan Fire Chiefs, and Eagan Fire calls - 1/1/1979Patch T/ Transfer Patch 711 1 1 ' i ry 1. rJ 1 I —i ■ 1I I II II T1�i.i�:.� Ci .2t i,Ii 4 I III If�•, IL,; i, , Ii- �•= • '�.�..':•IIIICI , 'Jr ift s'Qllr�l� _ •I1T�1ti' Y 'I =� 14 � 1 s v7 a. I ' s A : - ..}III,"1I 71 ', f r yn y ILn • IN 1 y.. E•L.�^'. 1. • r. r I •}} II6.I iL• ••_E iy l _ • ne' a '. '1_ pler 1 ! i j ?4, �d P. a° I m'. l II.ji �I` Em u �1 oI — � �. lilt ,— - - A 1wi3ly. =y�ya- 0 s. ... - s �r1 :- ni Ikti. %�' :"� I r:r-4 rI 1• _ _ • 'f 4.14 .4 . = I 1■ -ti 1 I • We received a thank you card from Phil and Linda Gorath (below). Phil is the brother of Greg Gorath who was the victim in the house fire on January 22nd on Lexington Ave. • On Wednesday Fire was dispatched to a smoke alarm at Cedar School at Diffley and Nichols Road. Kind of a common call, smoke alarm at a school. Battalion Chief Dave Diloia closed up his shoe shop like he has done thousands of times since becoming a Chief Officer in the 1980's and responded to the call. Upon arrival he sees good smoke coming out of the school. The maintenance staff was trying to warm a water pipe in the ceiling of a restroom with a heating gun. They left the heat gun in the suspended ceiling and checked on it occasionally. Unfortunately the heat gun fell into a void in the wall that was created when the restroom was remodeled. The void was created for water pipes for a sink. Crews did a great job fishing out the heat gun, but the smoke continued. Fire crews took apart the sink and removed from the wall, they also had to take a portion of the wall out. They discovered a fairly good size smoldering fire behind the sink. Great job by the crews with continuing to dig deeper into the source of the smoke and using great care on removal of an expensive sink. The school staff was very impressed that we didn't destroy the sink and that we even cleaned up after ourselves. www.SunThisweek.com Jan. 19, 2018 `Unbelievable' there was no explosion in Eagan gas leak City tabulating expenses for reimbursement by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE The first concern for Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott following a report of a gas leak in southwestern Eagan was an explosion. "When you have a river of gasoline coming down a parking lot and coming down a street, you don't want an ignition source," Scott said. A 12-inch gas pipeline owned by Magellan Mid- stream Partners released. an estimated 21,000 gal- lons of gasoline into the surrounding area Jan. 8 near 1565 Thomas Center Drive in Eagan. Officials evacuated area businesses and closed roads quickly while the pipe was shut off. Photo by Andy Rogers Officials clean up the storm pond near the gasoline spill Jan. 10 near Lifetime Fitness in Eagan. "We didn't have an ex- the street." Scott said. plosion, which was unbe- Public Works Direc- lievable with that amount of gasoline going down See LEAK, 18A VI wo13')IV31 ?'a c"O ° r. p er _ row-, ,-'.`, o t., : ^ % °c`'D': 0O°rnroyp°4r OD.-y g°AD �s(�oRD'T B'o. o '8 .00 • co ",ago w 0 Cc°o C a 0 w p p =.° p E.a J y O y „c rag be o d' .< �o a fD d= BYO '" v co�v' ",� 0 �,O CD - � • Q, n. w A. n. — 0 �'�9� -. �. to • , �' d0 �. r. ��. et) n o AD6 w(� °'oav•O C7 g o fD .t ro m C: — co roro coo.s'°ro0.sv� oro�' road07�6rov,o•ao,o",� roo ►..-I,t. c� f ° n.� i:, ... In�.a »' cp rn - a��oofrro o��:�u�° i• ov'°v"-fo�°ro�-J�Q.^ • 7 C12 12 in. '16 . • : ; : A- -- or' R'7 Li .5 -11': o' .' c7 'IC o a . .c ,- ..n-- n. . O o G^Cen a -0 AAD c Cr o q c ^, r < rio = co (�D - rn' O X (�D www,SunThisweek.com _Jan. 12, 2018 1 Volume 38 I Numt Cleanup follows Eagan gas leak Punctured pipeline near Lifetime Fitness spilled hundreds of gallons by Andy Rogers SUN THISWIIK D.AKOIA COUNTY TRIBUNI Cleanup is underway in southwestern Eagan fol- lowing a gasoline leak that spilled 300-500 barrels of gasoline earlier this week. A statement from Ma- gellan Midstream Part- ners, the company that owns the pipeline, reports that an unaffiliated con- tractor using mechanized drilling equipment struck Magellan's pipeline at about 12:20 p.m. Jan. 8 near the parking lot of the Eagan Lifetime Fitness. Officer Aaron Machtemes. Eagan Police Department public infor- mation officer, said a 12- inch gasoline pipe west of the fitness club was struck releasing 300-500 barrels of gasoline into roadway areas. Parts of Thomas Lake Photo h And\ Roger, Officials were still cleaning up as of Wednesday morning after a gas leak spilled between 300-500 barrels of gaso- line near Lifetime Fitness in Eagan on Monday. Road and Thomas Center business. were evacuated. Drive were closed during There were no injuries cleanup. Lifetime Fitness, as well as a neighboring See LEAK, 12A LEAK, from 1A and there continues to be no known risk to the pub- lic, according to a state- ment from Eagan police. Lifetime Fitness along with roads nearby opened Tuesday evening. As of Wednesday morning, officials were still on site near the area of initial drilling as well as the storm water pond east of Lifetime Fitness. There were more than 100 personnel includ- ing representatives from Magellan, emergency re- sponders and environmen- tal specialists on site for cleanup. Police took to social media to keep residents updated on progress. Dr. Christopher Kuhl- man, project toxicologist at the Center for Toxicol- ogy and Environmental Health, said the center has been monitoring the air quality around the clock in the neighborhood. As of Tuesday, it had conducted more than 400 readings. "We are not seeing any- thing that indicates there's a health concern in the community," Kuhlman said. Tom Byers, manager of government and me- dia affairs at Magellan Midstream Partners. said some of the gas did get into the storm water sys- tem. but the company has had trucks picking up the product. "Because there was product on parking lots we immediately put sand to act as an absorbent," Byers said. He also said contami- nated soil is being dug up near the site of the spill, put into containers and taken to an approved dis- posal facility. "(The cleanup) is going to take as long as it needs to," Byers said. "We're going to be out here con- ducting the cleanup until everything has been done to the satisfaction of the city of Eagan, the (En- vironmental Protection Agency), the state and all of the other agencies that have responsibilities." Darrin Bramwell, Eagan fire marshal, said there's no risk of fire at this point, but "we'd like to err on the side of caution with public safety while this is being mitigated. "Below ground there's always a risk of the hazard of the fumes that are of the explosive limit level," Bramwell said. "That's why we've had the roads shut down." Magellan does not an- ticipate any interruptions in supply to Minnesota - area facilities. Contact Andy Rogers at andy; rogers@ecm-inc. corn. Volunteer Firemen At New Eagan Fire Hall .i<� a xy.., .Rr... .."v'??�^°'si: +`'�;:!x?;..tc sS•' '..F .. � ... . >.... :. ,., .:..R.,« ,:xw. >•,�«.,..:z ,... � ..... .. ,� , >.<,,,...�,.:,�,:.< x -' 3�s' ..:�>. , .. 4;' � <��r::�' ,gib %''3: i>; ..:. rws..,. <,y. .: .. « .. �. ..: ''�'�tC .. z<zk:.rG•L#'.. Sc•<n� .<�w>�' R" ;��xV;. .r+'�.C{q<�c•���`'; <o�•ss;.; <s .,....<,a, ...:: ...,''?.•%.."''.:. ..ate ...:as ra'a. cy ,,•...34" w:.ue"..x . .........:. fts EAGAN VOLUNTEER firemen pose in front of their new building. The new fire hall, and equipment will be shown at an open house March 21 and 22 from noon until 5 p.m. The town recently acquired a new water tanker, shown far right. The new fire station is located several blocks off Cedar on Rahn Road. From left, kneeling are: D. Van Engen; C. Hanso_ai• J. Schomaker; T. Ringberg. From left second row: J. Berthe; R. Buker; M; Carll; D. Dahlen; D. Hamling; A Horrocks; D. Jensen. From left third row: C. Larson; R. Lorinser; R. Macho; C. Meyer; T. Myers; D. Narverson; R. Ojala. From left, fourth row: D. Person; G. Rosenquist; W. Rudolph; S. Brue; D. Smith; B. Vallancourt; E. Otterness and W. Potter. Not, shown are: B. Radebach; J. Adam; R. Anderson; R. Childers; E. Engelhard; J. Godin; S. Holt; R. Klatt; R. Keinow; F. Lamberger; L. Lubben; J. Malaske; W. Schultz; R. Seymour; H. Sherrow; and R. Slater. 6v-71;ei,+/- St406.efiei# kid 9/4/9,‘ Craig Jensen, Eagan's fire chief, stands outside Fire Department headquar- ters at Wescott Road and Pilot Knob Road. (Jan Abbott/Staff Photographer) Signalpre-emptiongets approval for intersections Officials predict quicker emergency response times By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer During an emergency, every second counts toward saving lives or personal property. Eagan emergency personnel hope to cut two minutes off their response time when they install an Emergency Vehicle Pre-emption (EVP) system next year. The City Council recently approved the EVP installation. The project now must be advertised for bids. After it is installed, Dakota County will maintain the system during regular traffic signal maintenance sched- ules. EVP is a traffic control system de- signed to regulate the flow of traffic at in- tersections. Most would recognize the system as those little white lights they see flashing on traffic signal arms in ad- jacent cities. Eagan and Inver Grove Heights are the two remaining communities in Dako- ta County without signal pre-emption ca- pabilities, said Craig Jensen, Eagan's fire The reason it has taken so long for Eagan to approve the system is because no department wanted to apply all its capital funding toward purchasing the apparatus, Jensen said. City Council members have identified three sources of possible funding — the community investment fund, major street fund and the city's 1997 general fund. Safety officials don't want to put it off any longer, Jensen said. Increased traffic in the city and devel- opment of the new Eagan Promenade re- tail/commercial/residential development warrant installation as soon as possible, say city officials. "With the additional traffic on Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads, it's now become very important for us to maneu- ver through the city," Jensen said. During the first week of August, for example, Eagan Police estimate they would have used signal pre-emption on 231 occasions when officers responded to violent domestic calls, alarms and med- ical emergencies. chief. Emergency vehicles gain control of an intersection through the use of infra -red emitters that change or hold traffic sig- nals green until the emergency vehicle passes through the intersection. A white light flashes a warning to cross -traffic motorists or stays on to warn oncoming motorists or those traveling in the same direction. Jensen said he hopes the system will cut down on the number of near -misses motorists have with emergency vehicles in Eagan. Last year, the city received 35,000 re- quests for 911 assistance. "We average 14 vehicles per call (in the Fire Department)," Jensen said. "And we get an average of 2.2 calls per day." The estimated cost of the signal sys- tem is $465,200. That includes detectors for 53 intersections, 58 emitters for emer- gency vehicles, design and installation costs and signal upgrades and retrofits. There are two side benefits of having EVP capabilities, Jensen said. One would be the expectation that the Volunteer Fire Department's insurance rating (I.S.O.) would improve. The other is that Eagan may be able to put off building an additional fire sta- tion because emergency response times would decrease with the EVP system. Cities have a limited right to control who activates the system. Some commu- nities have refused EVP authority for private ambulance companies, Jensen said. One reason might be due to the possi- bility that a private service could pre- empt a city vehicle when both are re- sponding to emergencies. "It's become politicized," Jensen said. Eagan has agreed to let private com- panies become a paying partner in the system and allow them pre-empt if nec- essary. Details have yet to be worked out between Eagan and HealthEast. oirU+ffeffiL 08-- 27- 2+001 Sale of other buildings could cover part of station's cost Eagan may sell two fire buildings to help pay for new safety campus GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS The city of Eagan may soon be host- ing a fire sale. Plans are rolling for a new fire safety campus after the City Council approved the $450,000 purchase of four acres on the old Carriage Hills Golf Course near the intersection of Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands last month. Administrators with the city are esti- mating the new building — which could include a fire station, dormitories for firefighters, police evidence storage space and fire administration headquar- ters - could cost up to $8 million. Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott said some of that cost could be recouped by selling two existing fire buildings. Those buildings are Fire Station 2, which will be replaced by the new campus, and the Fire Administration building. Fire Station 2 was built in 1971 at 2980 Lone Oak Circle and now has the worst response time of the city's five stations. After it was built, the industrial area around the station grew and stoplights went in. FIRE CAMPUS: TO PAGE 17 ✓ ° �w �c�a .a30�o� 5 oaoa)o�.0c a"i33• s" "tea) N C9 .▪ ` a▪ 7) U o U a a y 0 c) el g �. '� z E 0 a v, ' p. ° aa) on o co) w ON a) ^" I:4 C1.� 0 a) CD c) u .a`ch ec .� may o m �� c77° o as -a E a) [fir cl " 0 0 u) +0, Z c n •a.� s. mv)o 3 aoa acdw c° ca.. m. �mcn 0 o a)o �0▪ '"� o>, baa)O .2v).27 a)E .cy m 7 O�vrs+ �.�a)aa, �a �� e '� ao�oo r��onas ai''aoa) Fd .y-$Eoo�0a)cn.o ca wcrs ,4 +, ,.. >, a) 3 c) ›, 0 O b4 g as t. go O doM��++��O cd O a) �y ; U CA' a t i m a) o -l° y � °•' ° � a) F., . �i o +, a) y8 co ¢ 0 cst4- a)w s o, s. .emu, m°p+ `n�� _�3 aisg aScu • o,o • z o ew w ca .� 0 O a) O 773 +,a) d a) ca = O as s„ cry 'an co cosue„ •cam.) ar. �.�E" 0 ra,O+, a)� cu > Ow� al ›' ct 3a)ms 006. v' E-� �-• o tu).= z oys„ifs.- mu) v���°:gaot,-4a^ cn E ca it - FROM PAGE 1 Submitted graphic A rendering of Eagan's planned fire safety center, which will incorporate a fire station and fire administration operations. Building will incorporate lots of green features by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Now that it has purchased the land, city officials are wasting no time mov- ing forward on Eagan's new fire safety center. The project will consolidate a re- placement fire station and fire ad- ministration operations into one 38,000-square-foot building, to be lo- cated on four acres of the former Car- riage Hills golf course. The city will begin seeking bids next nonth, with construction starting as oon as the weather allows this spring. The projected cost of the center is $8 million, but officials are hoping it will come in under budget given the fa- vorable bidding climate. "We're hearing about other projects coming in at less than anticipated," said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. "We're hoping to take advantage of a good bidding opportunity." The fire administration building was just built in 1998, but the city said it will actually save money on costs in the long run by combining the two operations and selling both the fire ad- ministration building and Fire Station No. 2. Fire Station No. 2, built in 1971, is one of the city's oldest buildings. A study done in 1993 identified it as be- ing in a poor location for a fire station and, although it received nearly half of all fire calls last year, it has struggled for years with slow response times. Scott said it has the poorest response times of any station in the city, taking an average of 12 minutes per call, ver- sus seven minutes by other stations. Locatisng the new station in an area where more volunteer firefighters live — eliminate one whole building, which will lower operating costs," he said. The new building will include space for police evidence storage and a small field office where officers working in that part of Eagan can make phone calls and fill out reports. It will also include a training classroom that will double as a larger emergency opera- tions center and include state-of-the- art technology. Additional bays will house specialty vehicles for the police and fire depart- ments, including the city's emergency command vehicle. The building will incorporate . sev- eral green features, and officials are looking to get the project certified by Green Globes, an independent assessor of sustainable construction. Geothermal energy will be used to heat and cool the building, cutting costs in half, Scott said. Lots of win- dows will save on lighting during the day, and LED lighting will be installed in the parking lot. Floors and counters will be made from recycled materials, there will be vegetation on portions of the roof, and the landscaping will fea- ture all -natural prairie grass. Trees removed during construction will be milled and used in the building,. Scott said. The project will lie located on the southeast corner of Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands, east of Lexington Avenue. A new street will be constructed off of Wescott Woodlands as part of the project, providing separation between the fire station and any future develop - there are already 17 within less than ment on the rest of the Carriage Hills two miles — will vastly improve re- site. sponse times, he said. "We feel we're going to improve our Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ response times and at the same time ecm-inc. com. On r — — — — iiu:13WAk 0 1 - 20 io 19;:s 1■�I /50 Vol. 35, No. 1 In the Community, With the Community, For the Community 01-01—ZoiO www.mnSun.com Eagan's purchase of fire station land complete • Purchase closing avoids use of eminent domain GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS After months of pushing back a dos- ing date, the city of Eagan has its land for a new fire safety campus. The city closed on the purchase Dec. 28 for the original purchase agreement price of $450,000 for the four acres that was reached in August. Possible foreclosure proceedings involving the Rahn Family, who own the property, which sits on the former Carriage Hills Golf Course, pushed back the closing date several times. The City Council authorized the use of eminent domain to acquire the property earlier this month in the event the sale was delayed further. Both Eagan and representatives for the Rahn Family expressed the desire to avoid the proceedings, with Eagan offi- cials contending it was a last resort. "We are pleased to see the fire station move forward as a result of successful negotiations," said Eagan City Administrator Tom Hedges. "That was our intent all along to allow this project and the road connections around it to proceed without delay." According to city officials, the prospect of eminent domain may have accelerated the closing. Earlier this month, Rahn Family Attorney Richard FIRE STATION: TO PAGE 13 SUBMITTED PHOTO Frosty's tall! The Christmas snowstorm brought an opportunity to create a giant sculpture. This 14.6-foot- tall snowman was created Christmas Day by Mara Plifka, Dane Plifka, and Michael Gates. The giant snowman's home is at 1125 Parkview Lane, Eagan. Eagan set to kick off 150-year celebration Sesquicentennial of township declaration will be marked in 2010 GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Eagan turns 150 this year and a chal- lenge is being thrown out to residents as part of the celebration: donate 1,000 times the city's age in pounds of food to local food shelves. While the year will ,hold:,its share of `special `:' events, one of the goals of the committee plan- ning the celebra- tion is to collect 150,000 pounds of food. Considering the Community Action Council, which oversees local food shelves, collects about 200,000 annually it's a tall task. But it's one that Scott Swenson, the committee's chair, believes can be accomplished, especially in Eagan. By SESQUICENTENNIAL: TO PAGE 13 1-800-Get-Windows „q, License#20356847 0 ,0eii 1 alx edit \11-14717 j89. uuindOW ****** ELECT MITCH SCOTT DAKOTA COUNTY rizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz? STARRING February 20th GOME�Y WILD BILL BAUER 8pm Showtime M BRENDA ELSAGHER Royal Cliff Banquet Facility M ROX TARRANT 2280 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN N NIGHT TTPRT'Te $9p _ TA DTTDPvJCV PRIT T maw w.wwww nn Sesquicentennial FROM PAGE 1 his calculation, it breaks down to a little less than three pounds per person. "Eagan has such a great history of volunteering and giving," he said. Collections will begin at the kickoff event for the sesquicentennial celebra- tion, a birthday party to celebrate the city being recognized as a township in 1860. The event is 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway. Guests at the celebration will be greeted with food, including a birthday cake provided by Kowalski's Market. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Fedora's, an Eagan quartet, who will cover the city's history in song. Children will have the chance to jump around in an inflatable play structure and each attendee will receive a birth- day bag, with one lucky guest receiving a $150 prize to commemorate the sesqui- centennial. Different organizations will also have booths at the event,. with a few spaces open at press time for free booths. Those who would like to get involved may visit S4, JI.*JEint 0 % —01 - 7013L a toward residents and businesses for help and more ideas on how to celebrate. For example, Swenson said he's encouraged businesses to offer specials that reflect the number 150, similar to the goal to collect 150,000 pounds of food. "We're continuing to look for ways to support this," he said. "Our goal is to pro- mote Eagan in the city and externally" Part of the project has also been con- structing interactive features on the cel- ebration's website. Residents can submit their favorite thing about Eagan that will be compiled into a list of the Top 150 Favorite Things About Eagan. Submissions could be a favorite memory, park, restaurant or anything else. "It's really a great city," said Swenson, who's lived in Eagan for 24 years. "It's such a great place to be. You have super schools and great parks." The committee is also working on a his- torical presentation to bring into the local schools. Volunteers are also needed to help collect food for the food drive. Once the food drive gets going, residents will be able to follow its progress on the website. While there will likely be a banquet at the end of the year to cap the celebra- tion, most events will coincide with existing events in the city, such as the January events for Eagan's Sesquicentennial Celebration Kickoff Birthday Party Where: Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway When: 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 Cost: free 150th Family Skating Event Where: Clearwater Park, north side of Cliff Road east of Pilot Knob Road When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 Cost: free 150th Family Tubing Event Where: Trapp Farm Park, 841 Wilderness Run Road When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 Cost special anniversary rate of $1.50 per person wwweagan150.com to learn more. With no money from the city for the celebration, the committee is looking Fire station FROM PAGE 1 Gabriel told the council the family had an agreement in place to sell the rest of the land -116 acres — to a developer. Eagan voters turned down a referen- dum to purchase the entire parcel in November 2008 for $10 million after a protracted battle over whether develop- ment would be allowed on the land. As part of the purchase agreement, the city will be able to connect Duckwood Drive to Wescott Woodlands through the golf course, allowing an additional route for fire trucks leaving the station. There will also be a trail constructed along Wescott Woodlands on the east side of the property. "That will be a nice new amenity for residents," said Garrison. The city facility will contain a fire station, office space for fire administra- tion, dormitories for firefighters and training space. The city has had a long identified need for a fire station in the area to improve response times. The next step for the city is to go out for bids for the new building, which has been estimated around $8 million. Garrison said the city is hoping to accomplish that as soon as possible. "This is a very favorable building cli- mate, which should allow us to capture some efficiencies," said Garrison, as both material costs and interest rates are at recent lows. Prior to the delay of acquisition, the city had planned to begin construction in the spring and open the station before winter 2010. Garrison said construction would likely be pushed back into sum- mer, with ground preparations that were to be conducted last fall taking place during the spring. City officials have estimated the new station would open in spring 2011. July 4th Funfest and the city's weekly Market Fest in the summer. "We don't want to compete with or detract from what's already going on," said Swenson. Eagan Communications Director Tom Garrison said the city is planning the mayor's state of the city address to commemorate the date of the original township declaration in March. The presentation will touch heavily on his- torical events in the city, he said. A complete list of events that are scheduled so far is available at www.eagan150.com. Visit mnsun.com every Monday -Friday for "Sun -Current Today" from our team of experts: Grant Boelter, Katie Mintz & Joseph Palmersheim All your favorite advertising circulars, coupons, deals, travel specials an more ...online, anytime! Introth whirl It's simple, choose your zip code or city and access all your favorite advertising circulars, coupons, loor deals, travel specials and more - online! _�yZt 2 save.com Loa ON and you could WIN A TRIP FOR 2! GRAND PRIZE is 3 Nights at the Mirage Las Vegas with Delta Airlines. Vint www.vp2savecom for full contest details. 07/O7/2OO8 P,/ PrOr1.--orl\s'r)ick /0)-1 7Q PCIA Q oa� i L'- -20II Eagan/from 1A the state prior to July 1 that should limit the likelihood the money will be unallo- cated by a budget deal. The city was told it can contin- ue to do the grant -funded work in the Cedar Grove area during the shutdown. The City Council also passed an emergency ordi- nance July 5 to allow it to contract with private elec- trical inspectors, since state inspectors will not be avail- able during the shutdown. Electrical inspections are needed by residents and businesses completing prop- erty improvement projects, as well as for new construc- tion. When the state is back in business, the city will go back to using state inspec- tors, officials said. The city can still approve liquor licenses, but they must also be approved by the state before an establish- ment can sell alcohol, which could affect new businesses. Existing liquor licenses won't expire until Decem- ber, Hedges said. Perhaps the biggest potential snafu is the Duckwood Drive overpass, which is currently under construction. Workers were set to begin placing beams across I-35E ' next week, but the road's right-of-way belongs to the state, includ- ing the air above it. So even though the city is financing the project, it cannot do work across I-35E during the shutdown. That's fine in the short term, Hedges said, because the focus can shift to work on both sides of the high- way at Duckwood and Fed- eral drives. But if the shutdown lasts a long time, the city could end up paying more for the project. It's currently esti- mated to be completed in October. "If it lingers on, that's going to cause some prob- lems," Hedges said. Some non -city entities may see more of an effect from the shutdown. Lewis House, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, temporarily closed its Hastings facility July 1. Families housed there have been moved to the larger Eagan facility. 360 Communities con- solidated its facilities and laid off nine of its 15 em- ployees last week to save money while awaiting grant payment from the state (see related story in this issue). The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority said it will continue to operate lo- cal buses using its reserve fund balance in the short term, but that would not be sustainable in the long term. MVTA officials said they are anticipating the Metro- politan Council will shut down most of its express and local service, but would probably retain its Metro Mobility and Dial A Ride services. Those traveling to downtown Minneapo- lis and St. Paul on MVTA buses would see little or no change. Those making con- nections to a Metro Transit route would be affected, of- ficials said. Updates can be found on MVTA's website, www. mvta.com or by calling (952) 882-7500. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc. com. lel• n Bloom 7t0 to Nily 31st — 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (weather permitting) * O'1'tr 250 varieties of Daylilie5:for sale * Many Colors One mile east of Lansdale on Hw}. 19, 1/2 mile south on Garfield Ave. Garfield Gardens _ Garfield Ave., L"onsdale, MN 55046 — (612) 756-1462 er online at www.alldaylilies.com 7/1•285725011.BF Pa • 'Former Eagan fire chief dies Bob Childers, charter member of Eagan Fire Department, was well-known and respected throughout community by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Bob Childers was a true public servant who donated a great part of his life to making sure others were safe in Eagan, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. "He was probably one of the most respected people in the (fire) department," he said. Childers, a former fire chief and charter member of the Eagan Fire Depart- ment, died July 4 at the age of 77. Childers suffered a stroke in May and was hos- pitalized with complica- tions until his death. "This was probably the first Fourth of July Bob missed since the start of the parades in Eagan," Scott said. "Bob would always be with some of his other fel- low retired fire department members riding their favor- ite truck in the parade." This year, a white fire Bob Childers chief's helmet was strapped to the side of Jenny, the fire department's first truck, to honor Childers during the Funfest parade. Independence Day was important to Childers, said his son, Dave. "The happiest day of every year for him was the Fourth of July," he said. See Childers, 14A NB& ui. Vale has about 40 students, lost of whom had previously tended sites run by lnterme- iate School District 917 as art of its regional program for .udents with low -incidence andicaps. "Now our school district is irge enough and our EBD umbers are great enough that ie really had the critical mass make it feasible," said Sue ;rissom, District 191's director See School, p.10A) Skiing, Schultz -style A LONE skier takes advantage of some freshly -fallen snow and warmer temperatures Jan. 14 at the cross country ski trails by Schultz Lake. Photo by Rick Orndorf Zwiefel said during a recent interview that the additional classrooms are also needed due to the funding the district has received to limit class sizes. State funding pays for 54 additional teachers for the dis- trict, which has helped to re- duce the student -to -teacher ra- tio to 19:1 in kindergarten, 20:1 in first grade and 23:1 in second grade. Zwiefel said the additional classrooms would also help prevent movement of special `art, (L LI- (- t`) cri moved out of the portable classrooms. Eventually, district programs currently , housed at leased sites would be moved into any empty classrooms. Zwiefel said he doesn't expect this to happen for at least an- other 20 years. Zwiefel is recommending the $4.1 million project be fi- nanced with a third -party, lease -purchase agreement. The lease payment,' estimated at (See Classrooms, p.25A) Area historian reveals myths about Dakota County's past By LORI HALL David Schreier can't let go of the past. In fact, his obsession with the past sometimes upsets people. For the last 12 years, Schreier has studied the history of the city of Farmington and has uncovered some little known facts and discovered of the questionable stories of some of Farmington'" neigh - some things that were believed the county'" past. borhoods. During these walks, to be true for the last 100 years Schreier grew up in the city Schreier noticed the nice are indeed myths. of Lakeville until his parents neighborhoods and the classy As the president of the purchased some property in homes, but thought the rest of, Farmington Historical Society, Farmington when he was in the the town looked older. Schreier will be presenting an loth grade. "I thought, 'What happened educational program for . the Since he lived a couple in Farmington's past?' " said public at the Dakota County miles from town, Schreier Schreier. Historical Society about some would often walk home through To answer his own question, he started researching Farmington's history while he was still in high school. He' started working for the "Dakota County Tribune" and found the newspaper's library of old is- sues. He found the "old, orange (See History, p.6A) New Eagan Fire Administration building ablaze with activity By SARA THOMALLA-BLOOD The new Eagan Fire Admini- stration building is ablaze with activity as construction crews finish up last-minute details and department staff haul in office equipment and personal belongings. The building, located across from the city's Municipal Cen- ter building on Wescott and Pilot Knob roads, is expected to be open by the end of the month. Fire Chief Craig Jensen said the new administration build- ing has been an ongoing proj- ect for the last three years. Fire Administration staff was for- merly housed in the old City Hall building, which is now the site of the new administration building. "We had office space before, but the training space was not adequate," said Jensen. "And when the staff increased in volume, we started getting in each other's way pretty quickly." 'Eagan boasts one of the larg- est volunteer fire departments in the state — second only to Bloomington. The department currently has 97 volunteers, with 12 additional volunteers expected to be trained in at th' next session. Ambulance staff is contracted through Health - East Transportation. Construction on the new building began last April, be- ginning with the demolition of the former City Hall — the old, white City Hall is across the street from the administra- tion building. Jensen said he is "quite pleased" with the new building. At 15,773 square feet, the project cost 51.935 million, but Jensen expects it to come in under budget. The administration building has two floors and a basement. The basement is reserved for storage. The first floor contains office space and a reception area. It also houses living quar- ters for the ambulance staff, including a bathroom, a fully- equippedkitchen with an at- tached living room, and two bedrooms. "It's basically an efficiency apartment," said Jensen. A large, two -bay garage is adjacent to the living quarters, which will house an ambu- lance and seasonal fire vehi- cles. The second floor holds a large conference room with a 100-inch rear -projection video screen and room to seat 125 people theater -style. . Jensen said the room will be (See Fite, p.8A) poolfl �'Ilewuy� wes'q o;oyd •alriis-as;pay; aldoad SZT o; do ;pas uea leg; wooa Sulutea;/aauaaaiuoa a si Suiplmq not;ea;siuiwpy an3 inau ay; Io s;ySilySiy ay} 3O 3NO -ellewoyi, ems Aq oloyd •&i1 naga3 ui Suipltnq aqi ;e Suivado pupas a ploy II!'' 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Cook c Retired Ford iii Employee - Age 69 of Eagan died Feb. 19, 2012 after a 11111101MIONyigog courageous battle with mul- tiple myeloma. Preceded in death by father, Ray. Survived by sons, Mike (Julie) Cook & Jeff (Patricia) Cook; grandchildren, Parker, Jenna, Evan & Emma; mother, Ruth; sister, Mary (Ned) Tilton; nieces, Jennifer & Ally - son; and many dear friends. Larry was a member of the Osman Shrine Temple & a retired 20 yr. member of the Eagan Fire Dept. Funeral Service 11AM Friday, Feb. 24th at ADVENT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 3945 Lexington Ave. So., Eagan. Visitation 4-8PM Thursday at J.S. KLECATSKY & SONS, 1580 Century Pt. (Yankee Doodle @ Coachman), Eagan & also 1 hr. prior to the Service at church. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. J.S. KLECATSKY & SONS 651-454-9488 www.klecatskys.com Like father, like daughter Firefighting's in the Mueller bloodline By ERIN HEMME FROSLIE When the fire alarms at Ea- gan's Fire Station 5 go off, J.R. and Anja Mueller race each other out of the house. "The first one with shoes on gets to drive," explains 20- year-old Anja. Does that make a difference? "Yeah," she says with a smile creeping across her face. "He drives slower than I do." Recently, Anja.was one of 12 firefighters awarded a silver badge after 18 months of train- ing. Volunteering on the Eagan Fire Department, Anja is also the fourth generation in her family to fight fires. "I guess it became a part of my life," Anja said. "I know what (my dad's) gone through. The good and the bad." J.R., the daytime captain at Fire Station 5, has volunteered on the department for 18 years. His father, Robert Earl Muel- ler, was a firefighter for the" city of Minneapolis. His fa- f ther's father, Robert Brun Mueller, hand -pumped water t fight fires in Young America, Minn. "And that's about as far back as I can trace it," J.R. said. "Although there are rumors that some of my family were firemen in Germany." Ca11 it genetics or call it con- tagious, but the Mueller family has been badly bitten by the firefighting bug. In addition to Anja and J.R., Anja's 18-year- old sister, Bri, is in the process of applying to become a fire- fighter. "We're trying to talk my wife into volunteering," J.R. said. "Then we can fill up a truck and put a big `M' on it." J.R. grew up hanging around (See Firefighters, p.13A) Three generations of Muellers, (from left) Jim, Robert Earl and Anja, were on hand for the in- stallation of a new class of Eagan volunteer firefighters, in- cluding Anja, who is the fourth generation to carry on the fami- ly tradition. Robert Bruno Mueller (right), Anja Mueller's great-grandfather, became a vol- unteer firefighter when he set- tled in Young America, Minn., after emigrating from Germany. (Submitted Photo) Torch passes to new female firefighter Fourth generation Mueller earns her badge By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Eagan Fire Capt. Jim Mueller has fond mem- ories of sliding down the two-story pole in a Minneapolis fire station, where his fa- ther, Robert E. Mueller, was a professional fire- fighter. When the "smoke -eaters" returned from a fire, they'd cough into their white handkerchiefs and turn them black. It was a contest to see who inhaled the most smoke, Mueller said. Robert E. Mueller was only following in his fa- ther's footsteps, Robert B. Mueller, who immigrated to Young America from Germany. He, too, was a vol- unteer firefighter. Three generations of Muellers have been firemen. Because Jim Mueller and his wife, Mary, have two daughters, Jim assumed the family tradition would stop with him. Not a chance. Anja Mueller, 21, moved from apprentice fire- fighter status to full-fledged duty with the Eagan Fire Department Aug. 5. Her dad is her supervisor. Anja's 18-year-old sister, Bri, recently finished the Explorer program and plans to fill out an application to join the department, as well. MUELLERS: To Page 9A 12--)(di 1 Muellers: Training not easy From Page 1A Anja and Jim share a special dad - daughter bond because of their shared interests. "I was never pressured to join. I al- ways had a choice," Anja said. Joining the department means staying in Eagan. "I've never really wanted to move out of Eagan. I love this city. My friends have accepted it," she said. This fall, she plans to begin training as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) which could in- crease her chances of being hired onto a full-time department in another city. As co -instructors, Jim and Anja lead the Firefighters Explorer Post at Station 5 on Galaxie Avenue. Before a room full of youth Jim Mueller demon- strates the ABC's — Airway, Breath- ing and Circulation — using Fred, the plastic head. Anja helps out, but next year she'll take the lead and dad will become her assistant. When Anja was a student at Eagan High School, she would get out of class to give talks to youth during Fire Pre- vention Week. After school, she devot- ed time to her other life interest, quar- ter horses, but she soon decided that she wanted to become a full-time fire- fighter instead. Training with her male classmates wasn't always easy. "I've gotten mad because they're al- ways trying to help me. I want to go and prove myself and sometimes they won't let me," Anja said. One thing she wants to make clear is that she doesn't expect special treatment because her dad is her su- pervisor. "I carry my own weight. I don't get any special treatment. I won't allow it," she said. The six other female firefighters in the department support what she is doing. The department is like having an extended family, said Anja. "It's the best. I know they care." Being young, single and a female firefighter has its challenges when dating. Recently while Jim, Mary, Anja and her date were eating at J Doolit- tle's Cafe in Eagan, the pager's sound- ed the alarm. Anja and her dad left Mary and Anja's date at the restau- rant while they answered the call. "I just told him if he's not comfort- able with that, too bad, because that's my life." Dinner table conversations are fre- quently about what's going on with the fire trucks and Explorer training. When the pagers go off, whoever gets their boots on first gets to drive to the station. "We're probably the only two fire- fighters who carpool to the station," Jim said. There's been inconvenient times when the pager has sounded, such as the Christmas Eve when Jim re- sponded to an apartment fire from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. Christmas morning. But no one at the Mueller house com- plains. "I know that was his job. My whole family understands that. He's out there making a difference in someone else's life," Anja said. Now, fortunately for the residents of Eagan, so is a fourth generation of Muellers. SOUTH SUBURBAN Gas explosion le PIONEER PRESS Sales agent injured critically in Eagan TODD NELSON and TIM CAREY STAFF WRITERS Anatural gas explosion leveled a model home Monday night in Eagan, critically injuring a woman and forcing authorities to evacuate neighboring houses until they could stop a large gas leak. No one was living in the home in the Oakbrooke subdivision, at Dif- fley and Johnny Cake Ridge roads, when it exploded just before 8 p.m. The injured woman was identified as Joy Alsides, 37, of Woodbury, a sales agent for Mendota Heights - based Pulte Homes, company presi- dent Thomas Standke said. "The main thing is, I hope Joy's OK," Standke said. "We can rebuild the house." Alsides was leaving the model home at the time of the blast, and emergency crews found her in the yard just outside the house. Alsides suffered burns and was taken to Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Alsides, working in the sales office in one of three adjacent model homes, checked on the home that exploded moments before it erupted, neighbors said. Some said a small fire already was burning inside the house when Alsides checked, and she was attempting to flee and call for help on a cell phone when the gas ignited. The blast reduced the house to rubble, touching off a fire and BLAST CONTINUED ON 2B TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2000 0 S .17414 RICHARD MARSHALL/PIONEER PRESS Flames leap from the wreckage of a model house that exploded Monday night. Pulte Homes saleswoman Joy Alsides was found Injured In the yard; she had been leaving the house In the Oakbrooke development, Diffley and Johnny Cake Ridge roads, when It blew up. • Firefighters (Continued from front page)' pride doesn't stand in the way the fire station. One of his of fatherly concern. After all, childhood memories is walking firefighting is the second most in front of a parked fire truck hazardous profession after and having the driver honk the coal -mining. horn — a story that still makes "Yeah, I'm a tittle con - him laugh. Responding to fire cerned. I'm always looking alarms is so inherent that once over her," he said. "But every - one looks the same in the a firefighter himself, he re- black gear, and sometimes I'm members jumping out of bed too buswatching over every - and arriving to an empty fire y station. "It was my alarm one else." d. Anja edoesn't think she re- Li clock," sfAnja spentceives any special favors for Lkeehe r father, many hours of her childhood at being the captain's daughter. the Eagan fire station. During "People say I get my way eas- severe storms, J.R. often ier, but I don't. I just know brought his family to the sta- what's practical to ask." tion, so if he had to leave on a Sometimes working together call, he knew they'd be safe. has revealed an unrecognized Once while he was gone, Anja side to their relationship. Once and her sister started fooling J.R. was driving the fire truck, around with the station's radio and Anja was sitting in the and opened up the microphone. back. When J.R. asked every - "The police dispatcher called one to put their seatbelts on, me and asked if I knew the sta- Anja replied, "Yes, sir!" tion's radio was on," he said. "I wish I could get that kind "I said it must be my kids." of respect at home," he says "I remember that," Anja ad- jokingly. mits. "You do," Anja says. "Just Although Anja's dream now without the 'yes, sir!' " is to become a career fire- Neither Mueller can put a fighter, it wasn't always. An finger on why they love being avid horse lover, she wanted to a firefighter, but agree teach - become a veterinarian. Then ing fire prevention is more im- she joined the Explorer post. portant than fighting a fire. The Explorer program is for "Yeah, it's kind of fun turning anyone ages 14 to 21 who are on the sirens," J.R. said, "but interested in firefighting. we don't want to." Members have their own gear, Both also acknowledge that use airpacks and learn basic firefighting strains the family firefighting skills. Anja was life."Being on hooked. ment is like A self-proclaimed tomboy, J.R. said. who trains horses in her spare "I have a hard time getting time, Anja was up to the fire- dates," Anja said. "Guys have fighting challenge. Even wear- a hard time dating someone ing the gear, which weighs as they think could beat them much as the second graders to whom she teaches fire preven- tion, doesn't phase her. She just shrugs her shoulders. J.R. is proud as he glances at the young woman with shoul- many firefighters get to carpool der -length metallic red hair to the station? and eyes that match her robin- _ egg blue uniform shirt. But the fire depart - being married," up„ But when it's time to turn those sirens on, the chase is on at the Mueller household. Be- cause, as J.R. points out, how Jan.29. 2001 10:58AM THE WALLACE GROUP Model home explodes m Eagan<BR> No.3518 P. 3/4 http://www.thisweek-onlinacom12000)0etober/27explodahtm News Sports Classifieds i i Business Diirecto Monday, October 30, 2000 Model home explodes in Eagan Posted 10/27/00 by Dan Gearino Staff Writer A natural gas explosion destroyed a model home Monday night in Eagan, Links injuring a woman who remains hospitalized. Our Compond The home, owned by Mendota Heights -based builder Pulte Homes, is located at Johnny Cake Ridge and Diffley roads in the Oakbrooke neighborhood. Contact Us Police evacuated neighboring homes after the blast. The injured woman, Joy Alsides, 37, of Woodbury, is a sales representative for Pulte Homes. Alsides was admitted to Regions Hospital in St. Paul in serious condition, suffering from burns. Her condition has since been upgraded to "fair," hospital officials said. "Doctors are saying she'll be just fine," said Pulte President Thomas S tandke. Dale Wegleitner, Eagan fire marshal, has concluded his investigation into the explosion and determined that there was a crack in a natural gas line near the house. "How (the crack) got there, I don't know," Wegleitner said. Natural gas migrated through the ground and into the house, Wegleitner said. He doesn't know how long the crack existed. Wegleitner said that the explosion was triggered when Alsides activated the house's security system, creating an electrical charge that ignited the gas. In interviews with fire investigators, Alsides said she saw a blue flame jump from the security system's control box; then she was propelled by the explosion out into the front yard, Wegleitner said. Natural gas is odorless, so an odorant is added to make it easier to detect leaks. In this case, the odorant — which smells like rotten eggs — had been filtered out as the gas seeped through the ground, Wegleitner said. The gas line is maintained by Peoples Natural Gas, which has 21,000 Eagan customers. Peoples Natural Gas spokesman George Minter said the manner in which the gas migrated through the ground and lost its odorant is highly 1 of 2 10/30/00 9:43 AM 6514523504 -> CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL-6516814612 10/30'00 10:47 Jan,29, 2001 10:58AM THE WALLACE GROUP 1\1o,3518 P. 4/4 Model home explodes in Eagan<BR> http:i; www, thisweek-on]ine. com)2000; 0ctoberi27explode,htm unusual. "When (the odorant is lost), obviously you have a very dangerous situation,' Minter said. Wegleitner's investigation determined that gas had also leaked into two neighboring model homes, but none of the occupied homes nearby. Other gas lines in the neighborhood have been tested and no other leaks were detected, Wegleitner said. Wegleitner's office has received numerous calls from concerned homeowners who live near the destroyed home. He said his investigation has determined that they are not in danger. Minter said Peoples Natural Gas is continuing to investigate what caused the leak. ©Thisweek New papers 2 of 2 10i30'00 9:43 AM 6514523504 => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL6516814612 10/30'00 10:47 Aug. 3. 2001 12:35PM THE WALLACE GROUP No.7600 P. 2/2 Channel 4000 - Gas Explosion Rocks Eagan Neighborhood wysiwyg://7lhttp://www.channe14000...es,mews-90323020010803-080853.html 0.0nn .Uoo � _ 0 3 � r CAREER CENTER AUTOMOTIVE TRAVEL L EGAI CENTER DEALS LOCAL SERVICES WCCO�..1 NEWS e1e4r4.10 4 1yN10✓11 • trS Nt ,.�'•. WIAIIItI{ (-.f OAT`: 1.1(I'•JFY '. TECHI1OLOGY IA II NIAIIJN'11111 HI -AI IN LIVE (:Art. WC(*() TV TOWN TALK LLAJe;Af (i)IJ FO(jrr, ETC you IV VIsi3 1 click! Pui aortal/lie Yeur Forecast My -Cast eliek here r e E-MAIL STORY TO A FfaitNO: Gas Explosion Rocks Eagan Neighborhood Four People In House Escape Unharmed EAGAN, Minn,, 9:13 a.m. CDT August 3, 2001 -- A house explosion rocked an Eagan neighborhood early today. Four people escaped unharmed when a suspected natural gas explosion occurred at an Eagan home at about 2:30 a.m. _ p!IIM1.MR—� i(•• • �_r f " The explosion happened at a home on Fox Ridge Road, just north of the intersection of Cliff Road and Interstate 35E. Itwx Emergency crews arrived and found no one was 147 : Gas crews continued to comb the house Friday morning in an effort to discover the source of the explosion. Copyright 2001 by Channel 4000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Upda Bow asd tiYs �u enter SI ` ` 4t. hurt. 1 of 2 6514523504 8/3/01 12:54 PM _> CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 08/03'01 13:22 Aug. 8. 2001 1 :57PM THE WALLACE GROU,4 r> v� -'too �o.7655 MNSUN -News U(i http://mnsun.com/story.asp'?city=Eagan&story=72328 arinG , b /r . 1 of 2 7J • rSefect a Town LuYi Local News Community Education Calendar Opinion ;Public Safety.' Seniors Obituaries Legals Election News Sports News Sports Briefs Events/Scores Home Page:. Archive Business News Classifieds Finance Calc Horoscope Market Place t Net Directory Nutrition Calc Weather Contact Us How to Advertise Jobs At Sun Sun Slots Serilor Focus" Education Excellent Duk Duk Daze Whiz Bang Days Raspberry Festival NET DIRECTory (ninirld PrIn?oq-irm( %7 i.u.ai ti mmtinUy tilawa.+arm Local Forecastyyednesday, Aug, 8, 2001 Click Here gageugagyyr&ot? Gas explosion in Eagan home leaves occupants unscathed By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers (Created 8/8/01 9:21:50..AM) A gas explosion that damaged an Eagan home in the early morning hours Aug. 3 left the residents in the house without major injuries, according to the Eagan Police Department. At 2:22 a.m. Aug. 3, Eagan Police officers responded to a report of a possible burglary at 4320 Fox Ridge Road north of the intersection of Interstate 35S. and Cliff Road. A nearby resident had reported the home had shattered windows. Upon police arrival, officers smelled an odor of natural gas and began evacuating neighboring homes, said Officer Jennifer Ruby. The officers also observed that there were a number of windows around the home that had been shattered and the walls on the south and east side of the home were bulged outward. When the officers entered the house to look for occupants, they found two children, ages 6 and 4, asleep in a bedroom. The children were removed and had no visible signs of injuries. They were taken to St. Paul Children's Hospital for an evaluation and released shortly afterward. While emergency personnel were on the scene, the parents arrived. The officers learned the parents had left the home approximately one hour prior to the explosion, Ruby said. After speaking with the parents, investigators believe the smell of natural gas caused nausea and weakness, which motivated the parents to leave the home to look for medication. At the time they left the home, the parents were not certain the gas smell was causing their aliments. The house was "substantially" damaged and investigators believe the explosion occurred In the basement level of the home. At this time, the existence of the gas in the home is under investigation by the Department of Pipeline Safety, the Eagan Fire Department, and Energy One. rc 1-(e dy / 112,9-- Ysa��:rs� ndtl.s.eo rr. P.trt td the Neiwrak 08/08/2001 9:55 AM 6514523504 _> CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 08/08'01 14:44 28 S WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17,2001 SOUTH SUBURBAN BRIEFING INVER GROVE HEIGHTS Teachers ratify new 'pay, benefits contract 'Leachers in the Inver Grove Heights school district have a new contract, giving them a 1.1 percent salary increase in the first year of the deal and a 2,1 percent increase in the second year, The school board ratified the contract by a 7-0 vote at a Mon- day night meeting, which fol- lowed a 162-49 vote of approval by teachers last week. The total package increase, including salary and benefits, amounts to 8.6 percent over the two-year term of the contract. "It's nice to be done early," said Kelly O'Donnell, president of the 240-member teachers union. "The amount of money available was very low." As for the teachers who voted against the settlement, he said, "I assume they were not pleased with the money," The union knew what the dis- trict could offer, he said, and that it had to stay within the "struc- tural balance" requirement the Legislature recently put into law. That requires school districta to certify that contract settlements won't commit them to spending more money than they have, leading to likely program and job cuts. The school district Is asking voters to approve a $1.8 million per year increase in Its excess levy on Nov 6. — John Weibes t _ EAGAN_ Apartment building emptied because of fire A 24-unit apartment building at Fox Ridge Estates on Coach- man Road near Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan was evacuated Monday night because of a fire in one unit at about 1118 p.m. A woman apparently had fallen asleep after lighting can- dies near a couch. When she awoke the couch was on fire, said fire inspector. Chris Grubb. The woman suffered slight hand burns after she tried to move the couch. Two of her cats died in the fire. The apartment was gutted "'�-�Iwl��arw�m�u��IN�..Are,.u�m,�b9wtHrc��M�woMrcu=i.��19�iT� Come lose Yo r; elf ExperieneWhe U1ti>mit>eraniMeze ititroifir- AFTON APPLE ORCHARD Located at 14421 South 90th St • 2 Mlles south of Afton Alps `.,,,,,,,.00 www.a tonapple,cvm 65I.436.83 5 'Y+11111a+tllIONMn1lCew1alA1111e9lUlarw011MwMM ea= 1 1011•lln $6,00 13 and up $4.00 2 to 12 $ I.00 Off with coupon Frt4p.m -10p.m. Sat, 10 am.- 10 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m.. f p,m 714802 pp I Have Your Venison Sausage Made Here (it's not too early to start placing holiday orders) Mike's Butcher Shop 1104 South Robert St. West St. Paul (651) 457/14821 Oct.17. 2001 9:19AM THE WALLACE GROUP No.8563 P. 2/2 LOCAL NEWS and a handful of other apart- ments had either water or smoke damage. Apartments with water damage could take up to three months to be repaired, said Dale Wegleitner, flre marshal. One evacuated family spent the night at a hotel while the remainder of the tenants stayed with friends. The majority of the tenants are expected to be back in their apartments today. • — Amy Sherman SOUTH ST. PAUL Free talk on census research tools set Genealogist Mary Bakeman will discuss census research tools at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Dakota County History Muse- um, 130 Third Ave. N., South St. Paul. Bakeman also will discuss the Soundex system, a database - searching tool that can look for words that sound similar. The discussion is free, For more information call the Dakota County Genealogical Society at (651) 451.6260. — Staff reports ROSEMOUNT Meeting on downtown open to public A meeting about the future of downtown Rosemount at 7 p.m. Oct. 251s open to the pub- lic. The Rosemount Port Authority will hold the meeting at Rosemount Middle School. A consultant will present ntor- mation and gather perspectives about downtown redevelop- ment. Another meeting will be held at 7 p.m, Nov. 19 at a loca- tion to be announced. A final open house will be held on Dec. 8 at the Community Center. The Port Authority expects to review the downtown plan in December or January. For more information call the eity's Community Development Director Jim Parsons at (651) 322.2020. — Amy Sherman DAKOTA COUNTY 1 i School grot Space crunch enrollment c BY JOHN WELBES Pioneer Press With each new house that goes up around Farmington, the landscape continues its swift change from farmland to residential subdivisions. School board candidates this fall agree that the school dis- trict's job of trying to keep up probably won't get any easier. "Our biggest issue is han- dling the growth," said Craig Davis, a board candidate. "That goes without saying. We've got some overcrowding issues pretty much across the spec- trum." The district's student enroIl- ment, near 5,000 this year, was close to 4,000 just three years ago. The district's Growth Planning Task Force — which put together a list of construc- tion recommendations early in 2000 — has been called back for more planning work this fall. At a candidates' forum this week at the 2-year-old Farm- ington Middle School East, can- didates acknowledged that "keeping up" depends largely on residents being willing to approve future bond referen- dums to pay for new construc- tion. A $25 million bond refer- endum for a new elementary school and an accompanying $800,000 increase in operating cash to help open the building won voter approval last year, The measures each passed Reside buildii Judge wins award vet ivv r „ATr.,.,,A„4h A4 ,,OetflArJr;„IA Channel 4000 - Overnight Fire Strikes Eagan Apartment Buildingysiwyg://8/http://www.channe14000...s/news-101722420011016-051035.html 0 L@9!!B �lNTlR ALIT ONGUY T AVPl- i!_r_ei CRNTre )2161.11 WILIIIE-A MOM! yeLLOW PAGES FURNACE REPAIR rf . t WCCO(G� NEWS -I 1J1.it., .4L1 !. °an f`irI�%v., verrg Apartment Building t ire tri es agan Woman Falling Asleep With Candles Lit Is Suspected Cause Posted: 5:56 a.m. CDT October 16, 2001 EAGAN, Minn. -- An overnight fire at an apartment building in this southern suburb forced more than 40 people from their homes overnight. Fire crews found flames shooting out of a third -floor apartment upon their arrival, WCCO 4 News reported. They battled to contain the fire while some of the residents stood outside in the early -morning cold and watched. In all, 41 people in 24 apartments were told to find somewhere else to sleep last night. A woman in the third -floor apartment where the fire began told firefighters that she had fallen asleep with candles burning. She suffered minor injuries when she awoke and attempted to put out the fire. No other injuries were reported. Copyright 2001 by Channel 4000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. provided pdate T law 9.347.62 0 NasdagT5931-3T 0 NYSE Sb1.S2 0 Quick Quotes Go, :A IhNUAI t) a Pt )( )It Go enter name or symbol FREE PHONE! FKt-E Shipping 1'I us A1ui Q, ror 'th Jntest liMna eaMy corin ini- vc;f r/df- Oar f - 10/16/2001 8:44 AM tr/ti 'd LC 8'°N dries 30V11VM 3HI WV69:8 100Z '91'00 S Ot4- 2A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, April 24, 2002 www.mnSun.com Eagan grass fire blazes through 300 acres at aver bottoms Two firefighters treated for heat exhaustion, one for first -degree burns By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers Strong winds and record tempera- tures helped spur on a grass fire that burned through more than 300 acres at the Minnesota River bottoms in north- west Eagan April 15. Crews from the Eagan Fire Depart- ment, three other fire' departments and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) worked to first put out and then contain the fire throughout the afternoon, said George Meadows, DNR spokesperson. Besides Eagan, the Mendota Heights, Inver Grove Heights and Apple Valley fire departments assisted. No businesses or homes were dam- aged and most of the vegetation in the area avoided major damage, Meadows said. The fire started in area of the river bottoms west of the Seneca Wastewater Treatment Plant near Yankee Doodle Road and Highway 13. "With the weather out there and the flame getting up to about 30 feet in some areas, it had all the requirements needed to do some damage," Meadows said. "It just happened to be in area where it couldn't do much damage." By 5:30 p.m. the fire was under con- trol. At that time crews were just work- ing to contain the fire while it burned out. Eagan firefighters were sent to 3750 Plant Road at 2:39 p.m., according to the Eagan Fire Department. By 4:30 p.m., the firefighters were asking for fresh help to attack smaller fires that were starting up near the railroad tracks. A DNR helicopter with a special buck- et used in fighting forest and grass fires was brought in to assist crews. The heli- copter scooped water from nearby Gun Club Lake before leaving the area around sunset. "It was such a warm day, and the wind helped whip the fire around," Eagan Fire Chief Craig Jensen said. "When you get temperatures like that, heat is not a fire- fighter's friend." • Winds ripped through the river bot- toms the river bot- toms and temperatures, which reached a record -setting 91 degrees that day, not only helped the fire keep going, but also made the task of fighting the fire harder for the firefighters. Two firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion and another suffered first -de- gree burns, but no one was seriously in- jured in the blaze. DNR crews stayed at the fire scene throughout the night of April 15 and on into April 16 to keep an eye on the fire, Meadows said. DNR officials were still investigating the cause of the fire at the end of last week. xdox FIRE: To Page 29A ?wyu 0U( -24-10,042 Fire From Page 2A Meadows, who working out of an of- fice at the Carlos Avery Wildlife Manage- ment Area in Anoka and Chisago coun- ties for the next month, said that April and May are the months when most wild- fires in the state occur. Although the danger of fire was rising in the metro area because of the weather, it could likely drop in the coming weeks. "We knew when the wind picked up that day we were likely to have some problems with wildfires, we just didn't know where," Meadows said. Heavy snow in March helped add moisture to the soil, lessening the chance of wildfires. Although that helped the sit- uation, it would help even more if tem- peratures remain warm and the w area gets rain. That would mean grass d grow more quickly and the region could be out of the fire season in a couple weeks. "It's looking like that might be the. case," Meadows said. "That would make a fire Ike the one in Eagan less likely to happen again this season." 1kowee- o -2,5 -Zoo, Celebration leads to gas leak at Eagan school Faithful Shepherd students were safely evacuated by Erin, Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS dangerous situation when erybody and accounting for berFest, which draws more stakes from a pavilion tent everybody," he said. Billed by organizers as penetrated an underground The company that set up This year's event featured than 1,000 people. Party in the 'Burbs," Sep- places. right thing "Biggest Rock the Flock natural gas line in several the tents did theg a weekend of food, drinks, and located the uti lines ival ames and music y rn temberFest is an annual The tent had been set up before driving inthlet stakes, caincluding a headline per - outdoor music festival that in the school's parking lot Scott said.— draws crowds to Faithful for the event, held Sept. 18- "But when you get the lo- f followed— by a Sun ay outance by Jonny g- Shepherd Catholic School 20. cations of the (utility) line, it door mass. The entire event in Eagan. The Eagan Police and doesn't mean that's exactly is held on school grounds This year, the celebra- Fire departments respond- where the line is. There are under an open-air pavilion 1 tion led to a potentially ed to a report of a gas leak some variations," he said. tent. at the school Monday, Sept. "They usually tell you not Now in its sixth year, 21, as crews were disman- to dig within so many feet the celebration required the tling the site. of that line." Three of the two -foot Gopher State One Call duet to a change in the city's tento be relocated this year stakes used for the large recommends allowing a 24- noise ordinance. Crews had tent had penetrated the inch buffer on either side of to face the tent toward the gas line and then acted as the marked location. a plug, so nogas was re- industrial park and away After the leak was lo- from residential areas, so leased until the stakes were cated, crews had to crimp the stakes were placed in a removed Monday morn- the pipe to stop the leak new location. ing, Eagan Fire Chief Mike and then replace the line. Faithful Shepherd is lo- Scott said. The school was able to open cated at 3355 Columbia The school immediately again by 6 p.m. that eve- Drive, east of I-35E on Yan- evacuated all 530 students ning. safely. Scott said it was fortu- "The kee Doodle Road. school did a mar- Hate that the leak didn't Erin Johnson is at eagan. velous job evacuating ev- occur until after Septem- thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Eagan fire caused by aquarium light Homeowners' ca by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS An Oct. 9 fire that destroyed an Eagan apartment unit was caused by an aquarium heat light that ignited a sofa, the Eagan Fire Department said. Firefighters from all six Eagan stations responded to the fire at 3410 Surrey Heights Drive at 11:50 a.m. First arriving police officers reported heavy smoke on the ground floor of the apartment building and began evacuating residents from the building. They also reported visible flames in the living room of the unit where the fire began. Crews were able to contain the blaze before it spread to other units. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes. The two adult occupants were not home at the time of t dies, two bearded the fire. Firefighters were able to rescue the residents' two pet bearded dragons, but their cat died from smoke inhalation. There were no other inju- ries as a result of the fire. One occupant told fire- fighters that one of his three bearded dragons had died the night before, and he had taken off the aquarium lid to remove the pet's body. He set the lid, which has a heat light with a timer, on the sofa and forgot about it. Af- ter he left for school the next morning, the timer activated the heat light, which set the sofa on fire, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. Bearded dragons resemble iguanas and grow between 16 and 22 inches long. Firefighters noticed the aquariums with the reptiles in them after they cleared the dragons survive smoke from the room. The dragons were removed from the smoky apartment and placed. in a warm van, Scott said. The apartment unit sus- tained about $30,000 worth of damage, and there was smoke damage throughout the lower level of the building. This fire marked the first time the city used the county's new Code Red alert system, which calls each unit in the apartment building with a prerecorded message to evac- uate the building due to fire. "This is a great tool, espe- cially for apartment buildings where false alarms can make people complacent," Scott said. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc. corn. Submitted photo An aquarium lid with a heat light that was left sitting on a sofa is being blamed for starting an apartment fire in Eagan. The heat light was on a timer that went off when the occupants were gone. `Rent' at Burnsville High School Council want‘ wind tr.... 1,. .+ Gog2.-1\-01 i 1 UJ 03--01- temoraril - Eaganbans temporarily indoorpyrotechnic displays City takes precautionary step in light of recent Rhode Island nightclub tragedy sent letters to bars and restau- needed. rants, "anything large enough "Codes are written in to have a stage and have even response to tragedies," the potential for using Schoeppner said. "I don't pyrotechnics," he said. know in these other situations Eagan's three school dis- if they met minimum code or tricts were also gent letters, he not, but we need to take a look said. at what we have, what's exist - "Every now and then the ing and if we can improve on school districts have had dif- things, that's our goal." ferent types of events that have Current regulations require them ... shows and plays and business owners or pyrotech- that type of thing. So we have nic operators to be licensed seen them in the schools," he through the state of Minnesota said. and have the proper paperwork The temporary ban will filed with the State Fire allow officials to research cur- Marshal's Office. rent regulations and identify But an individual city per - any changes that might be See Ban, 8A by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS A nightclub fire that killed 97 people in Rhode Island and a recent fire in a Minneapolis club have prompted Eagan officials to temporarily ban all indoor pyrotechnic displays. Officials recently sent a let- ter to schools and businesses informing them of the ban. "We're trying to essentially I make a preemptive strike here 1 to try to prevent anything in light of what happened," said Dale Schoeppner, Eagan's chief building official. Schoeppner said the city .an/from 1A is not currently required, said Eagan Fire Inspector Chris Grubb. "We do not have a permit system through the city of Eagan," he said. "That's something that has to be changed, and it's something that will be enacted shortly." The permit will require 15 days notice to the city for the use of pyrotechnics. Grubb said the recent nightclub incidents have made it clear that regulations need to be examined. "We don't know exactly what's out there. We know we have places that we're kind of worried about in the city," he said. "Our question is, why did a building burn down in three minutes in Rhode Island?" Officials should be able to evaluate the situation within the next three months, Schoeppner said. For more information about the ban on indoor pyrotech- nics, call the Fire Marshal's Office at (651) 675-5681 or (651) 675-5682 . Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ecm- inc.com. cJ W.. T€.(t4 v ? - z - 2.ao ef In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Eagan firefighters help woman,. dogs escape from house fire GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS An Eagan woman and her dogs were able to escape from a fire via her deck Wednesday, June 24, with the help of firefighters and police. Firefighters responded to a call at 670 Atlantic Hills drive at 4:30 p.m. from a woman who said a lower level bedroom was on fire. The woman was on her deck because heavy smoke was blocking the front door, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. Scott said when police arrived they found a ladder nearby allowing the woman to climb down. Firefighters arrived shortly after and attacked the fire before removing the two dogs from the deck. "It was more of an assist than a res- cue," said Scott. "But it was pretty dra- PUBLIC SAFETY Eagan Police report These are some of the selected calls from the Eagan police log June 18-24: d iPod were stolen June from a car thheft: A GPS device at was broken into on the 1600 block of Ashbury Place. A caretaker reported $160 worth of plants were stolen June 23 at a housing complex on the 800 block of Arbor Court. A resident reported June 24 that he caught two juveniles who were breaking into vehicles in a neighborhood on the 4300 block of Sandstone Drive. Damage to Property: A rock was thrown through the window of a car June 18 on the 1900 block of Safari Trail. The back window of a car was shat- matic as far as she was concerned." Firefto control the blaze in aboutghters rablee an r houScott said the home would likely still be habitable once smoke and water damage is taken care of, as the fire was contained to the down- stairs bedroom and a bathroom. The Eagan Fire Marshal was able to determine the cause of the fire was like- ly an unattended candle in the basement room. Scott said the candle probably burnt its way through its container and lit a table on fire, which led to a hanging quilt catching fire. Firefighters from all six Eagan sta- tions responded to the fire. "We ended up getting them in and out as quickly as we could," said Scott, as temperatures were near 90 degrees. No firefighters were injured while fighting the fire. tered June 19 on the 1300 block of Town Centre Drive. Eagan fire report A summary of the activity of the Eagan Fire Department June 15-21: One fire or other, one dumpster or out- side trash receptacle fire, three medical assists, two hazardous conditions or other, one shorted electrical equipment, one good intent call, three dispatched and cancelled en route, seven false alarm or false calls, one malicious or mischievous false call, one smoke detector activation due to malfunction and one carbon monoxide detector activation where no carbon monoxide was present. Lightning starts two fires in one night Separate Eagan fires were within two blocks of each other by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Two structure fires in the same Eagan neighborhood that began within an hour of each other were likely started by lightning, officials said. The Eagan Fire Department said lightning during last week- end's heavy storms struck the roof of Shannon Glen condo- miniums around 1:25 a.m. and caused a fire in one of the unit's laundry rooms. The lightning strike also dis- abled the fire alarm and the el- evators in the building, located at 1887 Silver Bell Road. All six Eagan fire stations re- sponded to the fire. Police officers were first on the scene and entered the build- ing, battling heavy smoke while going door to door to evacuate all of the units, Fire Chief Mike Scott said. "It's amazing the job they did without having fire equip- ment," he said. Arriving firefighters evacu- ated residents to the party room of a different building as the heavy rain and lightning con- tinued. Fighting fires during a heavy rain can actually hinder prog- ress, Scott said. "It hinders us getting there and it hinders us setting up," he said. "And the fire was inside the building; so the rain wasn't having any effect." The fire was contained to one unit on the second floor. That unit suffered heavy fire damage, and one other unit sustained heavy water damage. Those two units are uninhabitable, but the other residents were able to re- turn to their homes that morn- ing. Firefighters were still bat- tling that fire when a call came in reporting another fire at a fourplex across the street from Shannon Glen condominiums. Crews from the Apple Val- ley Fire Department, who were on standby to cover Eagan dur- ing the first fire, responded to the second fire at 3811 Laurel Court. Eagan crews provided assis- tance for the Laurel Court fire, which was reported' about 2:20 a.m. • Officials believe lightning struck the chimney of one of the .building's units; setting its exterior on fire. The unit's resident told firefighters that she smelled smoke but assumed it was the fire across the,street, which she could see from her house. She even began taking the batteries out of her fire alarm, which she assumed was sounding because of the other fire. "That's when she noticed the outside of her house was on fire," Scott said. The unit sustained some smoke damage to the interior and fire damage to the exte- rior, but all of the fourplex's residents were able to return to their homes after the flames were extinguished. Three firefighters had to be treated at the scene for heat ex- haustion, but none were taken to the hospital, Scott said. "That's not uncommon with the weather and humidity we had over the weekend," he said. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. rrirA MAE•A WI Tlv.o W ei. k l L - Z' - 2009 House fire not caused by an 'indoor' barbecue, officials say Homeowners were not grilling in their garage as initially reported by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS A fire that destroyed an Eagan home was not caused by a barbecue in the garage as initial reports indicated,. fire officials said. According to the Eagan Fire Department, a lan- guage barrier between authorities and the home- owners led to the misunder- standing about the circum- stances of the fire. Firefighters responded to the garage fire at 2097 Cliffview Drive on Nov..20. The homeowner told authorities he was taking the trash out to the garage when his wife looked out the window and spotted flames coming from the back of the house. The four -alarm fire brought crews from all six Eagan fire stations and one' crew from the Apple Valley Fire Department. Arriving units found heavy flames in the two -car attached garage and the in- terior rear of the home. Pro- .r:e..a..,tocoaon tttt Submitted photo The home at 2097 Cliffview Drive is likely a total loss after it was destroyed by flames Nov. 20. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. EAGAN pane tanks stored under the rear deck exploded from the fire, which spread to the ga- rage and the interior of the house. The home's three occu- pants were able to make it safely outside. There were no injuries reported. Firefighters were on scene until early the next morning. The home is likely a total loss, according to the Eagan Fire Department. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. r. City considers condemnation of Carriage Hills land parcel Sale of 4-acre parcel to city for new fire station has been delayed -as former golf course faces foreclosure by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The city of Eagan cotild initiate condemna- tion proceedings to secure four acres of the former Carriage Hills golf course, which is currently facing foreclosure. The City. Council will decide Dec. 1 whether to authorize the city attorney to begin the process of emi- nent domain on a portion of the property. The city has been in ne- gotiations for months with Carriage Hills owner Ray Rahn to purchase four of the property's 120 acres for a new fire station. As talks stalled over the division of costs for a new road for the project, the former golf course fell into foreclosure proceedings, ac- cording to the city. Rahn owes money to Vermillion State Bank after taking out mortgages origi- nally totaling about $4.6 million on the Carriage Hills property and his other golf course in Rosemount, according to Dakota Coun- ty records. The Carriage Hills prop- erty is currently scheduled for a sheriff's , tit tion-Dec. 8. A previous sheriff's auc- tion scheduled in Novem- ber was postponed. The city was aware there was some delinquency on the property, said City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges, and it has been in talks with the bank about acquiring the. land. "Our hope is the bank will see its way to sell the property to the city of Eagan," he said. Beginning condemna- tion proceedings is not the preferred option, he said. But uncertainty about the fate of tile land if it goes up for auction makes it a nec- essary consideration. "On behalf of the com- munity, we feel the need to secure that site, and this is another tool we can use," Hedges said, adding that negotiations for the prop- erty will continue. A spokesperson for Vermillion State Bank declined to disclose how much Rahn currently owes on the property, but said he doesn't think the land will ultimately be foreclosed upon. "My understanding is we're going to be paid off soon on it," he said. "There's no need for a sher- iff's sale if it gets paid off. See Parcel, 2A In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Two duplex fires displace 13 people SUE WEBBER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Two unrelated duplex fires in Eagan late Saturday night and early Sunday morning displaced a total of 13 people from their homes. • The first blaze, on the 4400 block of Cinnamon Ridge, was reported at 10:45 p.m. Saturday. "The smoking-related," fire Eagann itely wasFire Chief Mike Scott said. "Cigarettes were improperly disposed of in the garage." Five people were displaced from the two units and received housing assis- tance from the Red Cross, Scott said. Four of Eagan's six fire stations responded to the fire and were on the scene until 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning. Damage to one unit of the duplex is esti- mated at $100,000. The units will be rebuilt, Scott said. The second fire was reported at 4 a.m. Sunday on the 1200 block of Dunberry Lane; where eight people were displaced from two duplex units. "That fire also started in the garage," Scott said. All six of Eagan's fire stations responded to the blaze and were on the scene until 10:30 a.m. Both units were damaged beyond repair and are "total tear -downs," Scott said. The Red Cross assisted the displaced residents in finding housing, he said. The cause of that blaze is still under investigation. No injuries were reported at either fire scene. In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Eagan firefighter who burned portable toilet sentenced to community service GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS A former Eagan firefighter who helped set on fire a portable toilet in an Inver Grove Heights park will be able to avoid felony charges upon completing community service requirements. Michael Vruno, 21, of Eagan was sen- tenced to completion of a diversion pro- gram Jan. 25 for adult property offend- ers after being charged with two counts of felony arson after the September 2009 incident. Through the program, Vruno will have to complete 40 hours of community I MARK J. HAGLUND, CPA, LLC 952.646.2444 service for each charge and pay restitu- tion for the destroyed toilet. He will also have to pay a monthly fee to participate in the program. The charges will be dropped upon completion of the program. If he doesn't - complete the program, he will have to be re -sentenced. Vruno was arrested along with three other people after police discovered that a portable toilet had been set on fire at Rich Valley Park. He was immediately suspended from the fire department after being charged. Rosemount residents Charles Akervik, 21, and Lucas Kropelnicki, 20, and Inver Grove Heights resident Thomas John Schmidt, 20, are awaiting charges. N.mI I' 0_ A -- — - funding will decrease by about 5 this year, along with about $30 Fires destroy two homes in one night Separate duplex fires displaced four families by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Thirteen people were displaced after two separate fires in one night destroyed their Eagan homes. No injuries were reported as a result of the fires. Eagan firefighters first respond- ed to a duplex fire at 4461 Cinna- mon Ridge Circle around 10:45 p.m, on Jan. 30. Arriving crews saw flames com- ing from the garage and discovered the fire had spread to the house, ul- timately causing $150,000 in dam- age. It took nearly three hours to put the fire out, which officials said be- gan in a •metal can being used as. an ashtray in the garage. The hom- eowner had been smoking a ciga- rette in the garage just before the fire started, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. The other unit in the duplex received smoke damage, causing ,a total of five residents to be dis- placed. Just hours after finishing up at Cinnamon Ridge, firefighters were called to another duplex fire at 1251 Dunberry Lane at 4 a.m. The fire was so intense firefight- ers could see it well before they ar- rived, Scott said. "The first responding units could see the glow in the sky as they were leaving the station a mile See Fire, 5A I LW UY E C, o 2— 0 6 2 I scenarios, all of which included upping the current ratio of one year as superintendent, said it has variable levels of state funding. teacher for every 27 elementary See District 196, 5A Separate duplex fires that began within hours of each other on Dunberry Lane, above, and Cinnamon Ridge Phoio by Rick Orndorf Circle displaced about 13 people. Both fires originated in the garage. \Firelfrom lA and a half away," he said. Arriving crews found the roof line of both units heav- lily engulfed in flames, and i ,firefighters spent the next ,8 seven hours on scene dous- id ling flames and remaining hotspots. j The Dunberry fire also originated in the garage, but the exact cause is still under investigation. Officials sus- pect it originated either with an overloaded outlet or an ashtray. The duplex sustained about $300,000 worth of damage. "Both units are a total loss," Scott said. Two families — a total of eight people — have been displaced as a result of the Dunberry fire. Friends and neighbors have set up a fund for each family at their respective banks. To donate to the Lynn Kahiapo fam- ily, call Bluestone Credit Il ujee,1c 02-05-tDI� THISWEEK February 5, 2010 5A Union, 1252 Yankee Doo- dle Road, at (651) 452-3131 and specify account number 15194. To donate to the Gladys Micks family, contact TCF Bank, 1940 Cliff Road, at 1-800-TCF-BANK 'and specify account number 9852607814. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. ,SPRING SWIMMING 3/22 - 6/10 CLOSED 5/31/10 'r cdde* 940e. say.4etLaee Sf¢c& De ie 4. cent • Ages 10-14 Boys or Girls • One -to -One Basketball Instruction 6 Sessions • Skill Development .dele* ,N* • Former Division Basketball Player & High School Coach • Over 15 Years Experience in Youth Sports & Program Development with YMCAs in Minneapolis, Milwaukee & Boston 952-457-0356 (cell) carter.dougjcomcast.net g A fire at the Cherokee Sirloin Room in Eagan caused severe damage to the exterior of the barn -like structure. Cherokee Sirloin Room to reopen, owner says Improperly discarded cigarettes to blame for blaze by Jessica Harper and Tad Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The owners of Cherokee Sirloin Room say they plan to rebuild after a fire severely damaged the Eagan restaurant early Sunday morning. "We hope to be open in four to six weeks," said co-owner Rick Casper. "It may be the restaurant that opens first with the bar to follow." The barn -like structure on 4625 Nicols Road became engulfed by flames Oct. 9 after an improperly discarded cigarette started a fire on the deck. A passerby called 911 at about 5:45 a.m. to report the fire, which se- verely burned the building's exterior, according to a release by the Eagan Fire Department. Though the interior was mostly damaged by smoke and water, the fire melted several televisions and charred much of the building's woodwork. Casper said it's too soon to put a dollar figure on the damage. "The insurance adjuster is out there now," he said on Monday. No injuries were reported as the business was not occupied at the time of the fire. It was reported that Cherokee bar A firs damagtd the oderior or the ('harokee Sirloin Hoorn in the earl nwr g hour% of tiunda. ()et. 9. employees said they used two pitch- ers of water to extinguish a fire that had started in a wood barrel flower pot on the second -floor deck before the end of their shift. It is believed that the fire contin- ued to smolder after the staff left early Sunday morning, and the fire eventually started the wood barrel on fire and spread to the deck. It was reported that there were three wooden barrel flower pots on See Fire, 4A Opinion/5A Public Notices/6A & 7A Senior Spotlight/8A A fire at the Cherokee Sirloin Room in Eagan caused severe damage to the exterior of the barn -like structure. Cherokee Sirloin Room to reopen, owner says Improperly discarded cigarettes to blame for blaze by Jessica Harper and Tad Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The owners of Cherokee Sirloin Room say they plan to rebuild after a fire severely damaged the Eagan restaurant early Sunday morning. "We hope to be open in four to six weeks," said co-owner Rick Casper. "It may be the restaurant that opens first with the bar to follow." The barn -like structure on 4625 Nicols Road became engulfed by flames Oct. 9 after an improperly discarded cigarette started a fire on the deck. A passerby called 911 at about 5:45 a.m. to report the fire, which se- verely burned the building's exterior, according to a release by the Eagan Fire Department. Though the interior was mostly damaged by smoke and water, the fire melted several televisions and charred much of the building's woodwork. Casper said it's too soon to put a dollar figure on the damage. "The insurance adjuster is out there now," he said on Monday. No injuries were reported as the business was not occupied at the time of the fire. It was reported that Cherokee bar A lire damaged the exterior of the Cherokee Sirloin Room in the early morning hours of Sunday, Oct. 9. employees said they used two pitch- ers of water to extinguish a fire that had started in a wood barrel flower pot on the second -floor deck before the end of their shift. It is believed that the fire contin- ued to smolder after the staff left early Sunday morning, and the fire eventually started the wood barrel on fire and spread to the deck. It was reported that there were three wooden barrel flower pots on See Fire, 4A echo aver Dist sanc by John THISWEEK Vista Vie. School in B face a top-to- turing next straight years "adequate yea] der the federa Behind law. Vista View i in Burnsvil District 191 to For Minnesota Et at Diamondh4 Burnsville an' event were or the event was throughout th Fire/from IA newman LONG i Long Term Art fntur4,ree'trg(t We Dol. fire stations and one from Burnsville were able to con - the deck and all of them tain the fire to the exterior had discarded cigarette despite finding that a two - butts in them. story deck was engulfed Crews from Eagan's when they arrived. Living.a long life is a probability. Preparing far it is a necessity. Are you ready? Planning for Lon>s Term C .are Learn the facts. Join us for one of our upcoming educational sessions. Tuesday, October 18, 2011 2:00-4:00 PM Ebenezer Ridge Point Apartments 13800 Community Drive, Burnsville Thursday, November 10, 2011 7:00-9:00 PM Ebenezer Ridges Care Center 13820 Community Drive, Burnsville Seating is limited, reservations are required. Refreshments will be served. RSVP online at W Ww.aewr milit& . i ....r--` si N or by calling 611.454-4400. Sponsored by: e EBENEZER "The Eagan and Burns- ville fire departments did an outstanding job," Casper said., "We're very thankful for that." The Cherokee Sirloin Room has been a part of the community for more than four decades. The restaurant's roots sprawl to West St. Paul where the first Cherokee Sirloin Room stands. The establishment — called Cherokee Tavern at he time — was purchased n 1970 by Rick's parents, ob and Dorothy Casper. The couple renamed it asper's Cherokee Sirloin oom and turned it into small neighborhood bar nd grill. The couple sold the res- urant in 1987 to Rick and s brother, Jim. In 1991, a second restau- ant was opened in Eagan. ssica is at jessica. harper@ cm-inc. com. Tad Johnson is editor thisweek@ecm-inc com. e t C R a a to hi r J e at VV011U2 JI. 10 - - 2 00 0 ttack Tamed fatal -old MINNEAPOLIS Station location opposed The City Council voted against moving a controversial light -rail station in the Cedar -Riverside neighborhood. PAGE 4B INSIDE Obituaries 3B Briefings 4B Weather 4B t some y itself. Many say Bonestroo, one, Anderlik & Associates - ultants who have worked with pity on its storm drainage plan le past — shouldn't have been 1 to look at what went wrong. t that kind of like investigating iselves?" resident Connie Bau- asked at a recent meeting. nestroo designed a portion of torm sewer system and estab-, I guidelines that developers use building the systems, said Colbert, public works director. consultants are now evaluating ;her the system in several ed areas met those standards. l'ompany was chosen because it s the system best and could do FLOOD CONTINUED ON 2B ► SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2000 Gas odor reported prior to explosion 911 call made weeks before home blew up AMY SHERMAN STAFF WRITER An Eagan resident said Friday that he had reported the odor of gas this summer in the neighborhood where a model home exploded Monday, seriously injuring one woman. Greg Skog said in an interview that he was biking in the area when he noticed a strong gas smell at Diffley and Johnny Cake Ridge roads. Skog said he also could smell the gas about a block away on Oakbrooke, where the explosion later occurred. He went to a home on Oakbrooke and asked the resident, Joseph Barthel, to call 911. Barthel said in an inter- view that he did not notice a smell but was inside his home. A police report shows that Barthel called 911 on Aug. 31 to report the smell at Diffley and Johnny Cake Ridge. A police officer responded to the scene, and Peoples Natural Gas was notified. George Minter, a spokesman for Peoples, said the intersection was checked and no evidence of a leak was found. A third -party contractor, Northern Pipeline Construction Co., installed the gas main that exploded, Minter said. Two portions of a plas- tic pipe were not fused together properly, he said. That caused the leak, which migrated to a nearby model home and caused the explo- sion. Northern Pipeline did not return phone calls Friday. The state Office of Pipeline Safety can't comment on details of a case while an investi- gation is ongoing, said Ron Wiest, chief engi- neer. Peoples has checked the area for other leaks and found none. It alsn win ,.►,o, y �-- other mains in the ara^ EAGAN SII�rJ J�� �1J� INDEX Opinion Page 4A Let It Be Known...Page 19A Worship Directory..Page 20A Calendar Page 21 A Sports Page 22A Classifieds Page 1 B Blaze rips through Eagan apartments Fire spread quickly by high winds, burns through top floor of 33-unit building By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers In the wake of an Oct. 19 fire that displaced the residents of a 33-unit Eagan apartment build- ing, Red Cross volunteers re- mained on site helping resi- dents piece their lives back to- gether. "Through the end of the first day we had opened 13 Red Cross assistance cases, meaning we had 13 individuals come to us for help," said Don Reeder, spokesperson for the American Red Cross of the St. Paul Area. "We've opened more cases since then and we will keep providing assistance as long as it is need- ed." The Red Cross opened a fam- ily service center in the Royal Oaks apartment complex's com- munity room after arriving on the scene and are distributing hygiene kits, clothing and food to victims of the fire. Pat Hench of Equity Resi- dential Properties, the owner of the apartment complex, was working with the Red Cross to provide housing for displaced residents immediately after the fire. "We're just going to work with the authorities now and take care of our residents as best as we can," Hench said. High winds on Thursday, Oct. 19, pushed the blaze through the top floor of the apartment building at 3517 Federal Drive, bill alkofer/Sun Newspapers A fire at the Royal Oaks Apartments complex destroyed 11 apart- ments and damaged most of the others in the 33-unit building. leaving the building with major from serious injury. damage but sparing residents First reports of the fire came into the Eagan Police Depart- ment's dispatch center at 2:10 p.m. Firefighters from Eagan, Rosemount, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights and Burnsville responded to the scene. Winds up to 28 mph met fire- fighters as they arrived on the scene. The winds caused the fire to spread, said Battalion Chief Dave Diioia. "It's common in these situa- tions for the fire to cause a win- dow to break," Diioia said. "Once that outside window breaks, the wind will push through the apartment, spreading the fire quickly." Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen said when he ar- rived, the smoke was so thick it was impossible to see across the apartment complex's parking lot. "There was smoke across everywhere and the fire spread very rapidly," he said. "I've never seen a fire move that quickly in a structure." One firefighter was treated at the scene for smoke inhala- tion. Once the fire was under con- trol Thursday night, firefighters followed up on their previous search, this time making a more thorough sweep through the building. Pets found, and un- claimed, during the search were given to the Minnesota Valley Humane Society in Burnsville, where their owners can retrieve them. Although a cause for the fire has not yet been determined, the state fire marshal will assist in the investigation, Hedges said. FIRE: To Page 20A 20A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun.Current/Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2000 Fire From Page 1A Therkelsen said the origin point of the fire and its cause were still under investi- gation and that nothing had been ruled out. However, residents believe the fire may have started in a third -floor apart- ment. Mark Wolf, who lives on the third floor of the apartment building, said he first smelled smoke when he stopped home to pick up some keys. When he stepped out into the third -floor hallway, the smell was stronger and he followed it to an apart- ment door in the southwest corner of the building. "I heard some noises coming from be- hind the door, and at first I,thought some- one was in there, then I realized it was the crackling from the fire," Wolf said. Wolfs girlfriend, Keri Raiber, called 911 as Wolf kicked in the door to the apartment and sprayed a fire extinguish- er into the •snioke-filled apartment. "All I saw was black smoke," Wolf said. "I could see the fire flickering on the car- pet, but I didn't feel like it was that big of a fire. I didn't really worry to much he cause it looked like a small fire that the Fire Department could handle quickly." Wolf and Raiber then concentrated on alerting their fellow residents to the fire, knocking on each door on the third floor before heading back to their apartment to grab some belongings. The two then ran from the building to safety. www.mnSun.com Mark Wolf, who lives on the third floor of the apartment building, said he first smelled smoke when he stopped home to pick up some keys. When he stepped out into the third floor hallway, the smell was stronger and he followed it to an apartment door in the southwest corner of the building. Diioia said all the units on the third floor of the building were destroyed in the blaze. In addition, the first two floors sus- tained extensive smoke and water dam- age, he said. Wolf estimated firefighters arrived on the scene at least a halfhour after he first discovered the fire. Therkelsen said the first call to 911 came -in at2:10 p.m. and was dispatched immediately. Police offi- cers arrived on the scene four minutes later, with firefighters arriving about six minutes later. The first fire engine arrived at the building at 2:19 p.m., Therkelsen said. "When the firefighters arrive on scene, their first response is going through the building," said City Administrator Tom Hedges. "The„mainthing they concentrate on is searching all the apartments and evacuating people. Then they turn their attention to the outside of the building and limiting damage." Diioia said the closest fire station to the apartment complex is three to four miles away and that the Fire Depart- ment's, displayed its standard response time in arriving at the fire. He said he thought the concerns over the response time were most likely a case of miscom- munication. "We are trying to follow up on that right now," Diioia said. "As we have been interviewing -different people we have been hearing conflicting stories as to whether calls were made to 911 or to the building management and when the call was made." Eagan resident Curtis Urban was dri- ving home oi< Interstate 35E from his job at the Coca-Cola bottling plant when he saw the smoke around 2:30 p.m. "It didn't appear to be too intense at that time, but by the time I got to the Pilot Knob exit, smoke was pouring from the building," Urban said. "Flames were going 10 to 20 feet up in the air and smoke was billowing from the building. It was like something out of a movie." When he pulled off the highway, the smoke from the fire was so thick that it was like driving through "a dust bowl" Urban said. J.W. Lausch, who lives in a first -floor apartment in the complex, stood watching firefighters as he wore everything he managed to take from his home. "What I am wearing is just what I have," he said. "I heard an alarm that would have awakened the dead of Hal- loween and I asked myself what do I need to get out of here. So I grabbed my ciga- rettes and my wallet, pulled on my britch- es and ran out of the apartment." Lausch joined other building residents who were knocking on apartment doors to ensure everybody got safely out of the building. "We have some younger people and some middle age people in the building, but we also have some older residents and I wanted to make sure they were all right," he said. "We're a community and we were just trying best as we could to get our neighbors out of the building." Lausch, who has renters insurance, said he would just like to know what shape his apartment is in. In addition, Lausch said he and many other residents had cars parked'in the parking garage un- derneath the building. "We'll just have to see what happens when they let us in the building so we can do an assessment of the damage," Lausch said. "We're kind of on hold for the mo- ment and all we can do is go along with For Wolf, who moved to Eagan from St. Cloud five months ago, the main reaction to the fire was disbelief. oz,r'C I IbwNn.Q. ID - , o o 0 10- � Cause of Eagan fire still undetermined 33-unit apartment complex badly damaged in blaze By Darlene Pfister Star Tribune Staff Writer If the wind hadn't been so strong, or if it had been blowing from a different direction, dozens of Eagan residents might be back in their homes today. Instead, whipped by 40-mile-per-hour gusts, a fire on Thursday heavily damaged their 33-unit apartment building in the Royal Oaks Apartments complex. The residents are staying with friends or family or in hotels. State and local fire officials say it will be several days before they know the cause of the blaze, which apparently began in the southwest comer of the building's third floor. Firefighters from Eagan, Rosemount, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights and Burnsville worked into the evening to contain the blaze, which was reported at 2:10 p.m. The third floor of the building is destroyed; the rest of the building suffered extensive water damage. Resident Keri Raiber called 911 shortly after smelling smoke from a neighboring third -floor apartment. Her partner, Mark Wolf, kicked in the apartment door and aimed a fire extinguisher at what appeared to be a minor blaze. Confident that the situation was minor, Raiber left the building without taking anything with her. FIRE continues on B3: —A map of the site. 1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 cn ❑ CU O `n .0 o 0 O YO d' .O 0. 7) 1.4 N t �A i o 0 '" 0 'N' ^O : 1)� v cc) >"0a'ya' c ) "o "jOP.f�cd0 us. oa,0 Taa).8 apcofooio W> U cOvd G avi O °r.° O v, _, 0 0 �w a, c 0 *I o 'In) u a,3�� "iII p"C�0Ig-t y ,O,oO •'-' o o .c 0a� � cd O. o 0 0 i.o.. C� c� Ccn.1 o�«, 3 4. 0 �; a� o >;= V 0 0 ,., V O G a e6 .O•al tr- •O U G i Zt : 3 3 � _; ,V. 0-1 •o O0o0c�0=-o0, . r►.1 -0 ed a) N .d o co cz o E. V°'°onobI CI ao ap .-' ti 1113 p h13 `� � .o o �i - Pi,' 0 W „ . N O •mil Ml� O W �4+i E V O\ o V W O ig 1) O ri O y v V blP - 0,6-2_14-?SOD Fire destroys shelter near Holland Lake in Lebanon Hills Regional Park Fire destroyed a park shelter at Holland Lake in Lebanon Hills Regional Park early in the morning June 12. Eagan Fire Marshal Dale Wegleitner said that the fire started in a trash can, possibly ignited by a cigarette. He said there is no evidence that the fire was set deliberately. Fire/Continued Wegleitner said the shelter, valued at $150,000, is not sal- vageable. Much of the structure remains intact, including the concrete pillars that support the roof, the brick walls of two bathrooms and the green metal doors of the bathrooms. Most of the damage is to the of the shelter, so it may be wiser to build a new shelter. The trash can where the fire Valid June 23 1 thru I July 5, 2000 '- Celebrating 15 Years of heavy timber roof. Wegleitner said that it doesn't present a short-term safety risk, but still the area has been fenced off. When asked if the facility could be repaired by simply replacing the roof, Wegleitner said that the roof is the largest, and likely the most costly, part See Fire, 14A started was made of recycled plastic. Wegleitner said that this material contributed to the spread and severity of the fire. "This (recycled plastic) is W PLAY SyST p osio SL4 Bring The h�dSwe, SEWN I LET THE ADVENTRE \\ av� PUT A RAINBOW OPEN 7 DAYS! VISIT US TODAY! I Building Childhood Memories! IN YOUR BACKYARD! 1 on a Monkey Bar OR a Penthouse with Play System Purchase xl'd. v My5 2ck Telescope with Play System Purchase Volga aim hale 5 2000 'Not Valid with other coupons or on Prior Purchases, Good on Play System Purchase Only' Steering Wheel with Play System Purchase ✓aic my 5. 2000 Delivery & Installation with Play System Purchase Valid IMv Ally 5. 2000 1 Fine Residential Bigger & Better Than Ever! T Play Equipment!_ Over 60 Models to Choose Froml Where Quality Comes into Play! CLOSED JULY 4TH PLAY SYSTEMS MIDWEST 1-800-RAINBOW 1�11 RAINBOW 900 West 80th Street 494 to Lyndalo So. turn right on 79th St. 1 block on left. - Bloomington just like gasoline when it gets hot enough," he said. "It's petro- leum based." The Holland Lake shelter seated approximately 50 people and was one of two shelters in the park. The other, located near Jensen Lake, seats approximate- ly 200. Beth Landahl of the Dakota County Parks Department said that the Holland shelter was less popular than the Jensen shelter. While the Jensen shelter is booked nearly every weekend this summer, the Holland shelter was only booked for 12 to 15 days, she said. The Jensen shelter was van- dalized in June 1999 when a fire was started in the bathroom waste basket. A subsequent investigation yielded no arrests, Wegleitner said. The county Parks Department and County Board will determine whether to replace the Holland Lake shel- ter. — Dan Gearino PAGE B2 • STAR TRIBUNE * Metro/State 1 hurt in Eagan home explosion Star Tribune photo by Bruce Bisping An apparent natural gas explosion at a model home in an Eagan development left a woman in critical condition Monday night. The woman, a sales representative for Pulte Homes, was thrown from the house and found by firefighters in the front yard of the two-story home at 1645 Oakbrooke Dr. about 8 p.m., said Eagan Fire Chief Craig Jensen. The unoccupied home was in flames when firefighters arrived, but the explosion leveled the structure. Model homes on either side were also damaged. Jensen said he thinks a natural gas leak caused the explosion. The homes are near Diffley and Johnny Cake Ridge Rds. Minneapolis City Council news Panel declines to rebuke Scouts By Rochelle Olson Star Tribune Staff Writer A Minneapolis City Council panel Monday resoundingly re- jected a resolution barring the Boy Scouts of America from using city facilities because of the group's ban on gay leaders. r1. ............:1'c AAI.,,.c a nrt Panc Scouts' policy, many were con- cerned about the potential for impinging on the Scouts' rights to free speech and assembly. Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton's chief of staff, Colleen Moriarty, said McDonald would not be able to craft a resolution that would withstand a legal challenge. The resolution also would Loren Piller, a city resident who is not active in scouting, threatened legal action because of what he considered an attempt to infringe on First Amendment rights. "If you attempt to pass this thing, you will not get away with it," he said. Council Member Barret Lane said, "The remedy in America is RUNBEC Her c some "Gene D football cc enough to but dumb important rum of 19 s empty blu Technical r Her reft bush has c the well -cc newcomer Hour with to the In' College a ported m lower-inc She said middle-cl tional four of the gov "She d thing, she and I lik Moses, 3( beroftl- governm night as 1 paralegal Lois V1 ecutive a state Arts beck higl did cand: "She's she gets not a per said Duf publican berger. " servative of a inde ideologu for knee - can find problem For e: most for ment in trust in care of t $1 trillic ing the r Eagan Fire in Eagan demonstrates Doorbell wire shorting reportedly woke mother who by Tad Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS An Eagan woman, her two children and the fam- ily dog escaped a house fire in the early morning hours Thursday, Sept. 22, at 1314 Wilderness Run, despite the home not having working smoke alarms. While the home received significant damage, Eagan Fire Department officials are finding a teaching mo- ment from the blaze. The home did not have working smoke alarms since it was undergoing a renova- tion project that started in May and was expected to be completed in two weeks. While the home's hard- wired system had to be shut down because of the reno- vation work, fire officials re- mind people that temporary battery -operated smoke detectors should be used in such instances. The woman told fire of- ficials that she woke shortly after midnight after she heard a noise that sounded like a doorbell, according to a fire department press re- lease. When she went upstairs she found the kitchen heav- ily involved with fire. It is suspected that the doorbell rang when the wire shorted during the fire. The woman and her children, who were stay- ing in the basement due to I the' project, attempted to! go back to the main level to exit the home, but the fire had spread through the main level. They escaped through a basement patio door and went to a neigh- bor's house to call 911. First arriving units re- ported heavy fire coming out of the windows of the home on all four sides. The cause of the fire µ'ws r tb me:LRA Oil-s0040 Photo submitted Eagan Fire Department firefighters battled a blaze in the early morning hours of Sept. 22 at 1314 Wilderness Run. rags that combusted left behind spontaneously after they were in a cardboard box following a woodwork staining project, according to the Eagan Fire Depart- need for smoke alarms escaped with her two children and family dog fire officials believe their daily. menL. Fire officials reported presence contributed to the that as the oil oxidized, heat fire's quick spread. was released. Since the heat Fire officials urge people was not dissipated, it built to use special waste cans up and ignited the rags. for oil -soaked rags. These The contractor had containers allow air to flow just finished sealing sev- around the rags and dissi- eral wooden doors on pate heat. The waste cans Wednday hrougSouttthe home,hatwere tting shoand ers a d should d not havebeastic lin- emptied ha week@ecm inc..comd Johnson is at ditor. All five Eagan fire sta- tions along with one truck from Apple Valley battled the blaze. The last fire truck cleared the scene at about 7 a.m. There were no injuries during the fire. May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, And the rain fall soft upon your fields And until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of his hand. Old Irish Verse IN LOVING MEMORY OF DENIS G. CRAVEN BORN October 15, 1939 Minneapolis, Minnesota DIED July 26, 2013 at the age of 73 years MEMORIAL MASS St. John th Baptist Church 4625 West 125thStreet Savage, Minnesota Tuesday. July 30, 2013 at 6:30 P.M. CELEBRANT Father Michael Tix SURVIVED BY Wife, Donna Children, Linda (John) Mossman, Ron Craven, Tracy (John) Grover and Mike (Lisa) Craven Twelve Grandchildren Many Friends INTERMENT St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Parish Cemetery Savage, Minnesota Greeting The church is the place where Christian life begins in Baptism, is nourished in the Eucharist, and where we gather as a community to commend Denis to the Father. Through the use of the Baptismal symbols of holy water, the pall and the cross, we show reverence to the body and ask for a share in the heavenly banquet promised to all who have washed in the waters of rebirth and who are marked with the cross of faith. Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit. Sprinkling with Holy Water Opening Hymn Gather #586 Amazing Grace Opening Prayer Liturgy of the Word The reading of the Word of God is an essential element of the celebration of the funeral liturgy. The readings proclaim the paschal mystery, teach remembrance of the dead and convey our hope of being gathered together in God's kingdom and encourage the witness of Christian life. Reading I Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 Responsorial Psalm Gather #23 Psalm 23: Shepherd Me, 0 God Reading II Revelations 21:1-5a, 6b-7 Gospel Acclamation: Celtic Alleluia Gather #266 Gospel Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit. Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John People: Glory to you, 0 Lord. After the Gospel reading: Priest: The gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. Homily Prayer of the Faithful John 2:1-11 Fr. Mike Tix LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Preparation of the Gifts Gather #772 Ave Maria Invitation to Prayer: Priest: Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Preface Dialogue Priest: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just. People: Priest: People: Priest: People: Holy, Holy 46,,,4 1J J m J G Ho-ly, Ho-ly, Ho - ly Lord God of • r .1) hosts. Heav-en and earth are full of your glo - ry. v,„ $J 6br comes in 6 J o r J • J 0 J J • 0 J Ho - san - na in the high-est. Bless-ed is he who • J J • e• the name of the Lord. high-est. • r J J� r J • I r Ho - san - na in the • Ho - san - na in the high est. ®. Memorial Acclamation bbn�r r Amen J When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we pro - • claim your Death, O r. J r J • CS Lord, un - til you come a - gain. Lord's Prayer and Sign of Peace Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always. People: And with your spirit. Lamb of God Invitation to Communion Priest: Behold the Lamb of God...called to the supper of the Lamb. People: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Communion Song: Taste and See Gather #827 Final Commendation and Farewell The final commendation is a final farewell by the members of the community and an act of respect for one of our own, whom we entrust to the tender and merciful embrace of God. The incensing signifies respect for the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and the smoke is a sign of the prayers of the community ascending to Heaven. Song of Farewell pit J Re - ceive God. pre - sent • her/his J this rr J rr soul and pre - sent her/him J • J soul to God — most Recessional Song: How Great Thou Art high. to Gather #496 All compositions not in the public domain are held in copyright and are used with permission, OneLicense number A-709252 and LicenSingOnline#U8601. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Savage, Minnesota 1952.890.69465 I www.stjohns-savage.org CLLLBi�ATION OF LIrt DENIS G. CR,_AVLN Obituaries INMENN Richard Lorinser Richard Otto "Dick" Lorinser, Age 76, died suddenly on January 18, 2010. Born in Mpls., Aug. 9, 1933 and raised in Willmar, MN. Preceded in death by Phyllis, his beloved wife of 53 years; parents, Otto and Hilda Lorinser; 7 brothers and sisters. Survived by daughters, Pam (Rick) Murphy, Teea (Ken) Omer, Missey (Ray) Tomlin, Nancy (Keith) Vonnahme, Jenny (Mau- rice Llona) Lorinser; pre- cious grandchildren, Tara (Ruth Birkholz) Murphy, Kristi (Willie) Dorniden, Brianna and Derek Von- nahme, Amanda Bunnell, Taylor Llona; sister, Mary (Reuel) Nygaard; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial Mass was Saturday, January 23rd, 12noon, at Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road, Burnsville with visi- tation one hour prior. Private interment was at Resurrection Cemetery. Richard served in the US Navy; was a proud, charter member of the Eagan Fire Department for 21 years; retired from Met Council Environmen- tal Services. Special thanks to the Eagan Police and Fire Departments. Forever in our hearts -until we meet again. Love you; Dad! Cremation Society of Minnesota 612-825-2435 PRESS RELEASE The City Council is recognizing two (2) new full time positions. Barbara Schmidt was appointed Park Director and will receive a salary of $1,300 per month. Ms. Schmidt has been acting in the capacity of part time Park Director. Mr. Douglas Reid, a CETA employee, was appointed to the position of full time Fire Marshal -Civil Defense Director and Assistant Building Inspector to be effective during the early part of 1978. His salary will be $1,300 per month. A Zoning Aid position (funding by CETA) was approved during 1977. Mr. Dale Runkle was hired to fill that position at a monthly salary of $1,100, to be effective January 1, 1978. ########## New Eagan fire chief takes office The city of Eagan swore in a new fire chief at the City Council meeting Dec. 5. Craig Jensen, who ran unopposed in the recent Fire Depart- ment election, assumed the position of fire chief of the Eagan volunteer department Dec. 1. Dale Nelson, who has served as fire chief for the last three years, opted not to run for re- election, though he will continue as a volunteer firefighter out of Fire Station 5. Nelson said he plans to spend more time with his family. Jensen has been a part of the Eagan Fire Department for 15 years. Nelson also attended the council meeting and congratulated Jensen. He also thanked city staff and the council for their help during his tenure as chief. "They really are caring people," he said. — Brenda Haugen �a-lo-q5 6. 1 0690-k. DICK SCHINDELDECKER (left) received a 20-year recognition plaque from Mayor Tom Egan at the recent Eagan Fire Department awards banquet. Firefighters recognized with several service awards Service awards were presented recently at the Eagan Fire Department's annual banquet. Ken Southorn, chief of the Woodbury Fire Department, was honored for six years as Eagan fire chief and 22 years of service upon his retirement this year. Dick Schindeldecker received recognition for 20 years of ser- vice. Other earning service awards included: • 15-year service awards — Mark Adam, Ed Burlingame, Dan Deike, Pat Dioia, Jim Mueller, Dick Rosenberg and Dale Wegleitner. • 10-year service awards — Jeff Allen, Dirk Bjornson, Dave Childers, Ron Meyers, Bill Schmidt, Jerry Schomaker, Mark Sportelli and Maynard Tour- tillott. • Five-year service awards — Jeff Bahrke, John Bahrke, Chris Gurbb, Rob Landgrebe, Mark Pearson and Tom Schellinger. Members of the Eagan Fire Auxiliary presented $500 toward the effort to raise funds for the purchase of a "smoke house" safety trailer to be used for educating children and adults in fire prevention and escape exer- cises. Firefighter responds to critical letter To the editor: I cannot let the letter from Robert Bar- bour of Eagan regarding the Eagan Fire De- partment go unanswered. I have been a member of this community for 21 years and a member of Eagan Fire Department for over 17 years. Perhaps Mr. Barbour should do some research and check his facts before firing off a letter in response to publicized and unsubstantiated claims by one resident of a tragic fire. My heart goes out to the people who lost their belongings in the fire at Royal Oak apartments, however, let's not overreact to their tragedy with callous disregard for logic. The Eagan Fire Department has an out- standing reputation amount its peers in the state of Minnesota. Our response times are second to none. Where the 20-minute figure LETTERS TO THE EDITOR to r' 4OU 020X) is coming from, I do not know. All fire de- partments in the country are rated by an in- dependent company called ISO which sets the rates from your fire insurance. In our last review by the ISO, we proudly went from a 5 to a 3. There is no fire departments in the state, to the best of my knowledge, with a rating of 1 or 2. The rating is based on a plethora of items, not the least of which is response times. Our standard response time from the time of the call is having a pumper on the scene is way less that 10 minutes, often as quickly as four minutes. Changing to a paid department would not increase those times by any more than one to two minutes, as most firefighters in Eagan live with in one to two minutes of the five fire stations. Secondly, changing to or adding a paid force here would reduce the coverage avail- able as no citizen would be willing to pay the taxes necessary to maintain staff at five sta- tions, so logically there would be two to three stations manned, thereby increasing re- sponse times to a certain area of the city rather than decreasing. Thirdly, how many citizens would be willing to pony up the ad- ditional $3 million to $4 million needed just to add the full-time staff you suggest? Think also of the logistics of 45 or 46 firefighters re- sponding to your neighborhood in their per- sonal vehicles as well as the required vehi- cles. I think that if there are that many people concerned with the Fire Department, we welcome them to sign up to join us as vol- unteers and really do some community ser- vice. I don't recall seeing Mr. Barbour's name on the list of incoming recruits. We have an excellent Fire Department here in Eagan, one in which all the citizens can take pride. There is not a higher rated department in the whole state, and we work very hard to earn and maintain that rating and the trust of our neighbors. Scott Wood Eagan '97 budget includes construction of Fire Administration Building By Sue Hegarty -F ► dce Staff Writer Residents who have questions regard- ing their proposed tax statements will have the chance to query city officials tonight, Dec. 4, beginning at 7 p.m. The Truth in Taxation hearing will be in the City Council chambers at Eagan's Municipal Center, 3830 Pilot Knob Road. If the council deems it necessary to continue the hearing beyond this evening, Dec. 11 has been scheduled as the second hearing night. Then on Dec. 16, the council is sched- uled to finalize the 1997 city budget and to certify the tax levy and capital im- provement plan. All meetings are open to the public. Council members have been meeting for the past several weeks to discuss the budget and to prioritize a list of capital improvements for the city. Among the projects scheduled to begin in 1997 is construction of a new fire ad- ministration building. The project would be funded through the Community Investment Fund. This fund typically has been used to pay for improvements that have city-wide bene- fits. Examples of Community Investment spending include the new and renovated Police Facility and City Hall projects and the Eagan Civic Arena. According to the plan, the current fire administration building (which is the for- I Su a) Cu r^ r-�► ,, f ;POb What's next What: City Council will adopt 1997 city budget/tax levy and approve Cap- ital Improvement Plan. When: 6:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Where: Municipal Center, 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan. Information: 681-4600. i mer municipal center) would be demol- ished and a new, $1.6 million building will be constructed. As of Nov. 1, the Com- munity Investment Fund had a balance of $7.4 million. The new building would not be used as a fire station. However, it would house two or more ambulances and offer ac- commodations for their drivers. The pro- CIP: To Page 15A CIP: City Council scheduled to finalize budget at Dec. 16 meeting From Page 1A l^, /,`. f,,, Li ! G 7/ posed two-story building will be 11,400 square feet. The 63-space parking lot will accommodate the more than 100 volun- teer firefighters who would use the facil- ity for classroom training and meetings. It also will provide work stations and clerical space for officers of the Fire De- partment. "A lot of volunteers have to work out of their houses and keep records at home," said City Administrator Tom Hedges. The second part of the Capital Im- provement Plan provides $500,000 in funds for purchasing new or replacing city vehicles. It includes vehicles used by employees of the Police, Fire, In- spections, Streets, Engineering and Parks and Recreation departments. The proposed expenditures exceed the allocations. Staff is asking the council to provide direction for a revised fund- ing plan. The third capital improvement in- volves funding for park improvements. A September bond referendum failed which would have raised taxes to fund land acquisition for parks. Currently, the city has reserved $2 million in the Park Site Fund. That is money obtained through cash donations -in lieu of dedi- cated park land by developers. For now, the council is asking the Parks and Recreation Commission to place priorities on park improvement projects and to assume they have only $2 million for 1997 park improvements, Hedges said. It's a "pay as you go" method of financing, he added. Heater suspected cause in Eagan fire, destroiiig-tpwnhome By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers A fire most likely ignited by a space heater at an Eagan townhome complex Dec. 16 destroyed one home and left 37 res- idents out of their homes overnight. At 10:40 p.m. the Eagan Fire Depart- ment received a call reporting a fire on the outside of one of the townhomes at Prome- nade Oaks Townhomes, 1110 Northwood Drive, said Eagan Fire Chief Craig Jensen. When firefighters arrived on the scene, they found a liquid propane tank and the side of a townhome on fire. Crews had the fire extinguished by 11:35 p.m., Jensen said. Although no one was injured in the fire, one of the townhomes was damaged to the point where it was unlivable, said Jensen. The residents who lived in that unit were moved to another townhome on site, Jensen said. An additional 37 residents of the com- plex were moved to a hotel overnight be- cause the fire protection system was inop- erable. Those residents returned to their homes the following day. A few of the units had minor water damage. Although the official cause of the fire re- mains under investigation, Jensen said fire was most likely started by a heating system that was being used for concrete work near the unit where the fire started. Si - Pail flCOv1.0eVMy 11 )(gaff What's going in there? Yankee Doodle Rd. Eagan Fire Administration Building PIONEER PRESS' A new Eagan Fire Administration building Is under construction at the northwest comer of Pilot Knob Road and Wescott Ave. The city demolished the former fire building this summer and is replacing it with a two- story 15,773-square-foot facility. The project cost Is estimated at $1.9 million. The building will be finished in November. ` / �A6A 3 THIS e .Ver< � �e3, / / V CG -t k I-c Twenty-three years of change under chief's tenure by Amy O'Marro After 23 years, things just won't be the same without him. Eagan Fire Chief Bob Childers is retiring. When Childers, 52, presented hiS resignation to the Eagan City Council Tuesday, it was easy to see he would be missed. "It was a consensus that no one wanted to accept the resignation," City Administrator Tom Hedges said with a smile. The council asked Childers to wait two more weeks before his retirement so they may give him a proper send off. "After 23 years, we are not going to let you walk out that easily," Mayor Bea Blomquist said. Eagan's Fire Department began to develop in the early 1960s and Childers was there. The township had relied on the Mendota Heights and Rose- mount departments, he said, but response time to fires and disasters "were not great." "It was after two houses were damaged by fire that a group of citizens got together and started talking about forming their own department. In 1963 the town began its own department to cover the Cedar Grove area. That is the northwestern part of the city, the biggest part, but we still relied on Mendota Heights and Rosemount," he said. That early department had 142 members. The department brought a 1942 chevy pumper from the University of Minnesota in 1964. Robert Childers "Lots of times we had to push the old pumper to start it. Originally it was an old Army truck. You can still see where it was painted Army colors. We af- fectionately called it Old Jeanie. At that time most of Eagan's roads, such as Rahn Road and County Road 7, were dirt roads. It got so bad at times that we had to park the truck at Fire Chief Don Van Eagen's home," he said. The old pumper has been restored and is currently used as a parade vehicle. The department steadily grew. "We became a full- fledged city and we had to grow with it, all from one truck. We bought a 1955 Ford pure oil tanker because there was no water supply in Eagan. Just last year we laid the tanker to rest. During its 35 years it served its purpose," Childers said. Dedication was what drew Childers into the department, he said. "It is doing something for the community. In a fire depart- ment, you run into the finest and most dedicated people. They have to sacrifice their personal time in a profession which is considered to be the most dangerous." The number of volunteers has dropped and stabilized at 70, Childers said, because of the stress and per- sonal dedication required. In 1973 Childers became chief of the department. "The hardest thing to deal with is the personal losses of people, especially if there is a personal injury. But the most gratifying part of the job is to be able to help people, to keep their house from burning down, or to save a life. We were able to rescue two boys from Eagan Green Apartments several years ago. Two little kids were left alone and the apartment became totally engulfed. Two of our guys got national recognition for rescuing those two. "Can you imagine a stormy night and at the height of the storm you get a call that a house was struck by lighting? The next thing you know, you are on top of a two-story house trying to ex- tinguish the fire. It is at those times a person disregards his own personal feelings. And it isn't until later that you think, 'What am I doing here?' " he said. Pat, Childers' wife, said she feels good about her husband's retirement and that he won't 3A have to go running out of the house at all hours of the night. "But we will still have the beeper around. My son is a fireman, I still have to worry about him," she said. The Childers have six children, four boys and two girls, and three grandchildren. There wasn't any one reason for his retirement, Childers said. "It is a pretty fast game for a tired old man like me. I stopped and assessed myself. I'm on high blood pressure medication now. I think maybe it is time to slow down and let a younger man take over. There are new tax laws coming in. I want to build a retirement," he said. Childers hopes to see con- tinued growth in the depart- ment. He hopes Eagan can have more fire stations and improved vehicles. He is anxious to see the completion of the department's new command vehicle. The vehicle was a 72-passenger school bus that the department renovated into a disaster com- munication center. Dick Schindeldecker will step in as chief when Childers retires in July. A new fire chief will be elected in December. But Childers says he will always live in Eagan and will have a hand in department affairs. "I plan to get involved in the retirees club. And there are always things to be done around here. The more you do, the more you should have done," he said. e hits 50 to 60 apartments in Eagan By Mark Brunswick Staff Writer f, LE - Firefighters from at least six Twin Cities departments battled a blaze Sunday night that quickly engulfed part of a 140-unit apartment complex in Eagan, burning stubbornly for sev- eral hours before it was under con- trol. Gusting winds were blamed for fan- ning the blaze that Eagan Fire Chief Ken Southorn said was nearly extin- guished at least three times before it flared again. Fifty to 60 of the units might have been destroyed by the fire, which sent smoke several hun- dred feet into the air. About 150 residents were left home- less. No injuries were reported, al- though as many as 12 firefighters were overcome from heat and ex- haustion and ambulances continued to arrive to treat them well after the fire was under control. The fire, which was reported at 6:25 p.m., was brought under control about 10 p.m. "The winds certainly didn't help," Southorn said. "We tried to fight it from the interior and go out but we'd get to it and it would just flare up again." Residents of the Woodridge Apart - Fire continued on page 1 1 A FireContinued from page IA ments, 3253 Coachman Rd., watched as their apartments burned. Although several residents reported the fire may have started on a second -floor barbecue grill on a porch, authorities emphasized that a cause had not been determined last night. "There were firefighters in my apart- ment 30 minutes ago and I thought everything was OK," said one resi- dent. "Now everything is gone." A strong wind blowing southward apparently contributed to the diffi- culty in fighting the fire. One resident said the fire spread quickly from unit to unit. "I just got home from work and looked out the window and there was this little fire. I got a bucket of water and tried to wet the apartment be- low," said Shawn Hollis, a resident of the building. "It quickly got out of control. We went around knocking on doors, tell- ing people to get out and then we had to leave." Minneapolis Star and Tribune/ Monday/June 15/1987 Hegg Property Management, which runs the apartment complex, provid- ed housing for displaced residents at a local Days Inn motel, and apart- ment complexes near the damaged building also offered housing. Resi- dents with questions about lodging were told to call the management company at 926-2626. Southorn said the fire engulfed the second and third floor of part of the building minutes after it was report- ed. The high winds may have al- lowed the blaze to skip over fire stops in the attic area, he said. Elaine Swenson, a representative of the management company, said the com- plex was built in 1984. Southorn said he believed the building met fire codes. Although several neighboring com- munities have bans on using barbe- cues on porches, Southorn said Ea- gan has no such ban. Firefighters from Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, Rose- mount, Richfield, and Bloomington assisted Eagan. Opening the (fire) doors NEIGHBORHOODS WELCOMED two new fire stations at open houses on Sunday, July 9. Although the buildings have been operational since last fall, city officials finally got together to do the official ribbon cutting. At 4:30 p.m., they were at No. 4, on the corner of Dodd and Diffley Roads. Present were: Doug Lange, Rick McIntyre, Lantz Wagner, Judy Smith-Thill, County Commissioner Don Chapdelaine (in back), Council Member Tom Egan, Bruce Kaufenberg, Mayor Vic Ellison, Leonard Perron, Fire Chief Ken Southorn, Mark Delebo, City Administrator Tom Hedges, project architect for the two fire stations Mary Hustad, and Gary Henrichs. There are 19 firefighters assigned to station 4, and 22 at station 5. Station 5, off Galaxie Road, had its ribbon cutting late that afternoon. One of the treats for visitors was checking out the equip- ment, as fire engine enthusiast Aaron Hedges,- 6, did that afternoon. Eagan roads open during a brief itaA,,s construction respite It's road construction season, but for a week or two, Eagan motorists can travel on just about any road they want. Work on Pilot Knob and Cliff roads has progres- sed to the point where the roads are open. Cliff opened to traffic about July 5, according to David Robley, a Dakota County trans- portation engineer. Work remaining on Cliff in- cludes seeding and sodding, in- stalling trails, finishing, and the final layer of blacktop. Only one lane of traffic needs to be closed at a time for the last layer. Cliff — County Rd. 32 — is now four lanes -divided from east of I-35W to east of Pilot Knob. Pilot Knob was torn up in June from the southbound I-35E exit to Duckwood Drive, to complete work from last summer. A traffic light is in place at Duckwood and Pilot Knob and should be operat- ing in a couple weeks, as will the lights at Cliff and Pilot Knob. The next projects on Eagan roads will be on Lexington Avenue and Diffley Road (Co. Rds. 43 and 30). The Lexington project is behind schedule be- cause of work on Pilot Knob, get- ting right of way and other plans, Robley said. The transportation department hopes to let bids in August, so the only work that may be done this summer would be on utilities. Next summer would contain the majority of the road work, which will include widen- ing to four lanes, plus a center turn lane, from Yankee Doodle to just north of Diffley. Other im- provements will include cutting hills and filling valleys to smooth the road. Intersections at Wescott are planned for this time, but provisions for future lights will be included in this project at those two intersections. Work on Diffley Road is to begin in the coming week. On Thursday, July 20, the road will be closed from I-35E to Pilot Knob Road. Enebeck Construction is the general contractor on the project. The improvements will be to widen the road to four lanes (divided) in that area, connecting with last summer's work on the road. Detours from Diffley will be on Blackhawk, Cliff and Pilot Knob roads, opposite of the de- tour off Cliff, Robley said. The closing is expected to last the duration of the construction season, about November, Robley said. Detours of Lexington would be onto Pilot Knob. In other county projects, Cedar Avenue by the Apple Valley - Lakeville boundaries, is in its first stage, with additional clos- ings coming soon. Widening of County Road 42 from County Road 5 to Portland Avenue will be done next sum- mer. The bids are to be let in Au- gust or September. Those plans call for a six -lane divided road- way in front of the Burnsville Center area. Also by Burnsville Center, the Crystal Lake Road project, over- seen by the Minnesota Depart- ment of Transportation, still is closed to traffic. In the northern part of the county, County Road 14 (South - view Boulevard) in South St. Paul is also closed between 13th and 19th avenues for a city sewer se- Burnsville, Eag&P'ian, Mutual Aid Agreement A request from Burnsville for a mutual aid agreement with Eagan's volunteer fire department was approved by the Eagan town board last week on recommendation of chief Bill Schultz. Approval was granted sub- ject to review of the agreement by Luther Stalland, Eagan at- torney, and with the recom- mendation that Burnsville be encouraged to join the Wakota association. Burnsville's department dif- fers from most of the member departments, it was pointed out, in that the firefighters are paid employees of the village, not volunteers. The Wakota association con- sists of almost every fire de- partment in Washington and Dakota counties, with a plan of action for mutual aid and cov- erage in case of disaster. Plans are reportedly being made to divide the group into two distinct county groups, since membership has become so large. Chief Schultz also announced that his department has initiat- ed plans for writing a standard operations procedure manual to be used in refresher training for veteran firefighters and in- structing recruits. Eagan Township Fire Coverage PICTURED IS a map showing fire protection areas in Eagan township. The township deportment covers all land between the Minnesota River and County Road 31, with Mendota Heights and Rosemount departments covering the remainder. As a public service, the following telephone numbers are listed: Eagan fire department, 454-3700; Mendota Heights fire de- partment, 454-3322; Rosemount fire department, 423-2424. Other important numbers are, Eagan police, 222-3822; Dakota county sheriff, 222-3822; Eagan town hall, 454-5242; dog catcher, 454-5617. Architect chosen for new fire administration building By BRENDA HAUGEN Boarman, Kroos, Pfister, Vogel and Associates (BKPV) will provide architectural serv- ices for the city of Eagan's new fire administration, train- ing and ambulance facility. According to City Adminis- trator Tom Hedges, the new facility will be across the street from City Hall where the" present fire administration building is found. "(The present structure) no longer meets their needs," Hedges said. The City Council unani- mously approved the selection of BKPV at its March 4 meet- ing. Last spring, the council de- cided to demolish the existing fire administration building to construct a new, two -level fa- cility that will house office, training and ambulance service space. An interview team, which included council mem- bers Pat Awada and Ted Wachter, Hedges and members of the Eagan Fire Department, reviewed six proposals from architects and narrowed the interview process to four — BKPV, Thorbeck Architects, Arthur Dickey Architects and Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik and Associates (BRAA). According to Hedges, the reasons the committee recom- mended going with BKPV in- cluded the fact the firm has a change order percentage of .05 percent over the last 10 years; it has designed five fire sta- tions, all built under budget; and it offered one of the lowest bids. The bids from the four groups interviewed were $108,000 from BKPV; $122,000 from Arthur Dickey Architects, Inc.; $115,000 from Thorbeck Architects; and $114,000 from BRAA, said Gene VanOverbeke, city fi- nance director. BKPV also, had "done their homework," considering design elements to complement the Municipal Center building and surrounding residences, Hedges said. BKPV also was sensitive to energy and offered sugges- tions for use of existing mate- rials and methods to salvage items at the existing fire ad- ministration building, he said. According to VanOverbeke, $1.5 million has been set aside in the capital improvement program for construction of the new facility. Harek /�o, / 997 us Fire leaves Eagan family with no home c-- t v- 6wi- - By Ellen Tomson Staff Writer Forty volunteer firefighters from Eagan and Apple Valley battled a blaze Tuesday morning that heavily damaged a house in Eagan and left its seven occupants homeless. The fire, at the home of William and Doris Goins, 4010 Mica Trail, resulted in "close to $100,000" in damage to the house and its contents, said Eagan District Fire Chief Dave Diloia. "I would say it is a total loss," Di- Ioia said. No injuries were reported. QQ i The occupants of the house were outside when firefighters arrived, Di- Ioia said. They included the Goins; their daughter, Rose Engel; her hus- band, William Engel; the Engels' chil- dren, Michael, 6, and Christina, 4; and a family friend, Ann Johnson. Nine puppies were rescued one by one by firefighters who carried them from the basement. The Red Cross provided food and shelter for the Goins, according to Jon Siess, spokesman for the St. Paul Red Cross. Other members of the house- hold are staying with friends, he said. Eagan firefighters received the call on the fire about 10:15 a.m. while they were participating in a training ses- sion. Because the 30 volunteers al- ready were gathered together, they were able to arrive at the fire scene within three minutes, Diloia said. However, the basement of the house already was fully engulfed when they arrived, he said. Shortly after fire- fighters entered the basement, they were forced to withdraw when the liv- ing room above suddenly ignited, he said. Diloia said Eagan and state fire in- vestigators are trying to determine the cause of the blaze. "We are investigating the fire be- cause of the fact it was such an in- tense fire and going so well when we got there," Diloia said. "The home- owner claims some greasy rags were the cause of the fire, and the investi- gators will follow up to see if that was the cause." It took firefighters more than three hours to control the fire, Diloia said. It was extinguished by 2:30 p.m. Ten Apple Valley firefighters arrived about 11:40 a.m. to provide assistance. Making way for No. 5 CG h►rus OFFICIAL GROUND- BREAKING of the fifth Eagan fire station was Thursday afternoon on its site near Galaxie Avenue and Berkshire Drive. Work is expected to begin soon. Eagan's fourth fire station, on the corner of Diffley and Dodd roads, is nearly completed. The latest fire stations are mirror images of each other. On hand for Thursday's groundbreaking were Mike Gresser and Jay Feider, both of Eagan Construction; City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges; Mayor Vic Ellison; Lydia Schindeldecker, former owner of the property; Fire Chief Ken Southorn; firefighter Dick Schin- deldecker and Art Dick- ey, architect for the fire stations Nos. 4 and 5. Fire station.left to.voters Eagan voters will decide May 1 whether or not to approve a proposed $382,000 bond issue to build a new fire station, re- ports Fire Chief Robert Childers. The proposal also includes ex- panding an ex- isting station and buying more fire- fighting equip- ment. Childers Besides the bond cost, the amount of interest to be paid back over 15 years is about $225,000 on an estimated 5.75 percent interest rate, re- cords show. A HOMEOWNER with an as- sessed valuation of $40.000 Eagan would pay 28 cents per month over 15 years, notes City Clerk Alyce Bolke. On the high side, one with an $80,000 home would pay some 56 cents a month, according to cal- culations. If approved, the issue would allow construction of a third fire station in the southeast part of town at Pilot Knob and Wilder- ness Run Roads, says Chief Childers. An expansion also would take place at the city's west side fire station, 3940 Rahn Road. A pumper truck, rescue truck and pager radios for the volunteer fire-fighters also would be acquired. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. POLLING LOCATIONS are; Precinct 1, Fire Hall No. 2, Lone Oak Circle; Precinct 2, Pilot Knob Elementary School, 1436 Lone Oak Road; P. 3, Highsite Manor Recreation Building. Highsite Drive; P. 4, Cedar Ele- mentary School, 2140 County Road 30; P. 5, Fire Hall No. 1, 3940 Rahn Road; P. 6, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, County Road 30 and Rahn Road; P. 7. City Hall, 3795 Pilot Knob Road: P. 8 Northview School, 965 Coun ty Road 30; P. 9, Rahn Elemen- tary School, 4424 Sandstone Drive; P. 10, Christ Lutheran Church, 1930 County Road 30: and P. 11, Easter Lutheran Church, Pilot Knob Road and County Road 30. 1 Fire station bid, new truck purchase OK'd A $479,850 contract for Eagan Fire Station number four was awarded to Del's Construction Company Inc. Tuesday, Oct. 6. The construction bid accepted was the lowest of nine the city re- ceived. The bid also promises a 180-day completion date. The council also approved the purchase of four new fire pumper trucks for Eagan's Volunteer Fire Department. The trucks will cost an estimated $154,000 each for a total purchase of $616,000. Snow removal service contract awarded The council awarded a snow removal contract to Bituminous Roadways for one cul-de-sac route and one main line route in south- western Eagan. The company was hired on an hourly basis for snow removal ser- vices. The hourly rates are: $59 for grader service; $67 for loader service; and $45 for dump truck use. These reports were compiled from the Oct. 6 Eagan City Council meeting by RoxAnne Kruger. DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE SECTION B DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE SEPTEMBER 23,1982 Eagan honors retiring fire fighters EAGAN •- Retiring members of the Eagan Fire Depart- ment were honored recently for their long service. Bea Blomquist, right, mayor, presents certificates of com- mendation. From left are James (Bud) Malaska, Mer- vin (Mac) Carll, Duane Gaudette, Jay Berthe and Donn Smith. Dean Jensen was absent. Malaska, Carll, Smith and Berthe each served 19 years; Jensen served 18 years and Gaudette served 15 ye.;7. Eagan officials to explain effect of fire station Eagan Fire Chief Ken Southorn and Administrator Tom Hedges will meet with neighbors of the yet -to -be -built Fire Station 5 today at 8 p.m. to discuss the impact the project will have on their neighbor- hood. The meeting will be at Fire Sta- tion 3, at Pilot Knob Road and Wil- derness Run Drive. The new station, to be at Galaxy Road south of Cliff Road, will be built next year, Southorn said. In the meantime, the Fire Depart- ment will use a house 'on the prop- erty for training. At first, that will mean training involving fake smoke -the depart- ment will produce for drills, Southorn said. Later, recruits will fight real fires set in the structure, but smoke from the fires should be minimal. acC 0 co 0. 0 0. a) 0 a) a) cn a) c 0 ca a) as 0 y G ceS O O c� y O p i C cz 6) ti k ' O Z• eSS K p� C C� >.,.., p p 'C U U 2 U U C U Fs 33 . v, `° . 3 'ate• a o `ate 3 a3 o ,0 ^C cC 0 'O c0 p C O "O i en 3 .� cC G ,7 Hd co p 8 �� o�'�'03� ��aioae � 41 °' i!HIh'�c".a c°c..v aa>ian5`�u�nc°'.ra • 4+e�c". tv. >, m >, = g = co. o n i, >,� o . o . 3 x �, >> ., cc m • y a m x1aat `�c., �A.�3ezu)S� .5E32 E` cz az �� �'a3iy o z °.4 vs .� o ,Q '° >. 4 1iI ID o G U 5 r_ w p > '[ W = am W w U 3 'D V C �l'i CL •l� tl1 C y w .� V. gr.' =3 ci as Ui 3 .d EAGAN Sun'Current IN This ISSUE► SeParate Car &Ty uck section • House & Home news & adding Cl fed pages 3 Sections November 25, 1992 Vol. 13, No. 49 Black hatter turns white Volunteer firefighters elect new chief By Terrance Mencel Firefighters always enjoy giv- ing a good ribbing to their com- rades in black. Dale Nelson proves no excep- tion. Sure, Nelson will gain more hours as Eagan's new fire chief elect but he won't get the nozzle, they are quick to remark. More of Nelson's time will be spent scrawling with a pen than drag- ging a hose. The Eagan City Council is ex- pected to ratify Nelson's elec- tion as fire chief Dec. 1. He will Carbon monoxide poisons family Furnace blamed By Terrance Mencel Judy O'Regan's groggy walks to check on the children stirring restlessly in their sleep proved a life saver. The Eagan family of five and two nieces came perilously close to death after being overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning as they slept Nov. 15. A malfunc- tioning furnace turned out to be the culprit. A week later, the O'Regans have little trouble sleeping although they said they will never forget the night that could have been their last. The sequence of that night's events remain somewhat cloudy as the O'Regans recalled their stumbling exit. Judy and her husband, Jack, spent the previous day at home washing clothes. They started a fire in their fireplace mid- afternoon and were later joined by their three children: Tim, a ninth -grader at Eagan High; and twins, Katy and Mary, who are fifth -graders at Deerwood Elementary. The O'Regans also were to babysit their 2- and 8-year-old nieces. Judy woke up at 3:30 a.m. to tend to her crying 2-year-old niece, but did not notice any il- lness. By 5 p.m. the cries reoc- curred at the same time as Judy heard coughing and vomiting sounds coming from the girls' room. "I was groggy by that time," said Judy, who checked on the girls. Feeling nauseous, Judy went into the bathroom where she passed out. She remembers waking up on the floor and crawling back into bed where she told Jack of her illness. "But for some reason I never mentioned I had passed out," she said. O'REGANS: To Page 23A become the seventh chief for the 29-year-old volunteer Fire Department. Fellow firefighters elected Nelson, 39, over current Chief Ken Southorn and three other candidates Nov. 17. Southorn, a 20-year member of the depart- ment, served six years as the city's fire chief and five years as district chief before that. "It's not a good year for in- cumbents," Southorn said. "A lot may have to do with the demographics of the department." With a number of retirements in the past year, the 106-member department has become a younger volunteer force. Firefighters elect their new chief every three years. Unlike the other five city department heads, the fire chief remains a volunteer position. The council has tabled a proposal to make the position full time because of budget reasons and recognition that volunteers still can perform the required tasks. (See related NELSON: To next page Full-time position looms By Terrance Mencel Are the years numbered for a volunteer fire chief in Eagan, a city expected to reach 70,000 people? The answer depends on whether a person asks a volunteer firefighter or city official — both serve as the fire chief's boss. "I truly believe it is in the long-term plans to have a full-time chief," said Mayor Tom Egan. The city continues to grow as do the demands on the Fire Department. For two years, 1990 and 19991, the City Council proprosed hiring a full-time chief. However, resistance from the depart- ment and budget constraints eventually tabled the issue. Forcing the issue of a full- time chief on the department already operating "extreme- ly well" would not have made sense, said City Ad- ministrator Tom Hedges. "They'd like to keep it that way and so far it has done in - CHIEF: To Page 3A . jis.G.g .fw Land formation These Canada geese didn't seem to mind the newly formed ice covering much of Cedar Pond in Eagan last week. They'll linger throughout the winter as long as open water exists somewhere in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. (Photo by Bill Jones) Police uncover computer theft ring in area By Terrance Mencel Law enforcement officials are unraveling a computer theft ring expected to become the largest case of monetary value ever prosecuted in Dakota County. When all told, officials expect the fencing operation will have involved nearly $1 million in stolen computers and computer software from businesses throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Those com- puters were then sold through the classified section in newspapers to unsuspecting buyers. "I'm not too sure there aren't any communities they haven't touched," said an Eagan police investigator, regarding three Seek return of stolen items men who face criminal charges in connection with the thefts. Richarge Eugene Heg- gemeyer, 54, of Eagan, and Ronald Dale Wright, 50, of Burnsville, face two felony charges of retaining stolen pro- perty. Lester Ray Wiley, 28. of Minneapolis, faces burglary charges in Hennepin and Dakota counties. According to the criminal complaints, Heggemeyer sold the stolen computers from his business, First National Realty in Eagan. Wright, a technical assistant, help Heggemeyer with the computers obtained from Wiley. Wright said in the complaint that he and Heggemeyer divided the money from selling the stolen equipment. Wiley is alleg- ed to have received a commis- sion for stealing the computers from businesses, the Eagan police investigator said. "They created utter chaos for businesses throughout the metropolitan area," he said. from Plymouth and New Hope to Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids. And as these cases unfold, Eagan police are seeking help from people who may have pur- chased equipment from Heg- gemeyer, Wright or through First National Realty. People should call the Eagan Police Department at 6814700 if they purchased equipment from these individuals in the past two years. Numerous people have already called the department regarding the computers. the in- vestigator said. He urged people to turn over suspected equip- ment to the police. Those items with no traceable theft record would be returned. Financial reimbursement may be possible. A warning goes out to people who do not turn over the suspected equipment for fear of losing money. Not turning in the equipment perpetuates the crime, he said. Pn_ssession of stolen equipment is a felony. COMPUTERS: To Page 3A 2A—Eagan Sun•Current—Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1992 PHOTOGRAPHIC COLOR ARTISTRY Gladys L. Teig colo photographer Specialized Portraits Color Photography • Copy & Restore Old Photos Photo Decor CALL 431-6711 For an appointment 193 Gardenvlew Dr.. Apple Valley Preseason Sale Heil 90 Plus Gas Furnaces Minnegasco Rebate Minnegasco Customers SAVE $200 Preseason Sale SAVE $100 • ji INSTALL AN N i` Wl- HOUSE HUMJDIFIERS The Best Cure For Dryness. End Cost as Low as $155000 Installed Aprilaire 550 On Sale 1239" Installed // DAN WOHLERS) •SDUTH IDE E sl7630 W. 145th St. Alop Valley Fimreeales � 431 7(�99 MEAT..l uR (pNGn,aNRr Of APPLE VALLEY NC A Synagogue/Organization Fair for Jewish Families in the Southern Suburbs Come learn about what the Jewish Community has to offer you. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6,1-3 p.m. Program held at Yankee Square Inn in Eagan (Pilot Knob & 35E) Refreshments Available Exciting activities for children will also be available For More Information, Please Call Scott At 698-0751 C Free Admission CC JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE GREATER ST. PAUL AREA Nelson: Becomes seventh chief From previous page boxed story.) Nelson said he looks forward to the 20-hour weeks he will spend as chief. The four-year member of the department has bypassed the "usual" route to becoming chief. He will go from being a "black hat" to a "white hat" without ever holding higher rank than firefighter. Being elected fire chief is the ultimate challenge for a firefighter, he said. However, he will serve as "acting" chief until he completes his fifth year as a firefighter, according tb the department's bylaws. "Now it's a time of challenge to prove myself to the city and to my brother and sister firefighters that I'm capable of doing the job. "Going into this, they've seen me as a firefighter and they know my concern and dedica- tion to the community," Nelson said. To that end, Nelson credits much of his success in the department to Southorn and other firefighters who served as his mentors. Nelson is quick to credit his wife, Karen, for her support. "Your spouse really does need to understand and give you moral support in this effort," he said. "There are emotional highs that are great and there are emotional lows that can really pull on your heart strings." Being a volunteer firefighter can interrupt family activities at the most inopportune times, he said. Karen is expecting their third child in January. Their other children are Joshua, 4, and Amanda, 11/2. Nelson grew up around volunteer firefighters living in Bloomington. He took a job as an ambulance driver in Bloom- ington after graduating from Lincoln High School in 1971. Eagan volunteer firefighter Dale Nelson looks forward to the challenges he will encounter in the next three years as new fire chief. The City Council is expected to ratify his election Dec. 1. (Photo by Bill Jones) Fresh out of high school, Nelson and his father, Ray- mond, had their interest piqued when they visited a fire station during an open house. His father joined the force and later became a captain. Nelson drove the ambulance from 1972-'76 and worked on Bloomington's rescue squad for another six years. After marrying Karen, Nelson moved to Eagan in 1982 where he took time off from firefighting until September 1988. Southorn had knocked on the Nelson's door while canvass- 2000 RINGS IN STOCK BALL DISCOUNTED FOR CHRISTMAS Alp 14810 Granada Avenue (Across From Greenstreets & Apple Valley Post Office) Apple Valley Jewelers Across From Greenstreets & Apple Valley Post Office 1/2 PRICE ALL CITIZEN WATCH ES Valid until 12/24/92 TW Apple Valley Jewelers Across From Greenstreets & Apple Valley Post Office 75%OFF Listed Price ALL 14K GOLD ITALIAN CHAINS Valid until 12/24/92 TW We Purchase Gold & Diamonds Dakota County's W Spec,alizinq "Only Discount Jeweler" In Diamonds APPLE VALLEY JEWELERS 432-7777 Apple Valley Jewelers Across From Greenstreets & Apple Valley Post Office ;Aos REGISTER TO WIN A Krds� " FREE y '?Mrr STUFFED ANIMAL Name Over 50 to be given away No purchase necessary. Drawing to be held 12/29/92 ` Need not be present bentd win. One of agey per person J Must be under 18 yrs of TW Apple Valley Jeweler Across From Greenstreets & Apple Valley Post Office REGISTER TO WIN A FREE ,r, 3 CT DIAMOND RING Name IPhone No purchase necessary. Drawing to be held 12/29/92 Need not be present to win. One entry per person Must be 18 yrs. or older. Apple Valley Jewelers Across From Greenstreets & Apple Valley Post Office 25% OFF BLACK HILLS GOLD nandstrom's ORIGINAL BLACK HILLS GOLD CREATIONS Valid until 12/24/92 ing their Thomas Lake neighborhood seeking support to build fire stations 4 and 5. Although Nelson wasn't home at the time, Karen mentioned his firefighting experience. With Ron Meyers as his rookie supervisor, Nelson became in- volved with fire prevention. That's when he really "crank- ed" up his enthusiasm. The department's approach to fire prevention is hands-on, fun lear- ning, he said. Public education is the key to a safe community. "I like to think the programs we put together through the cooperative effort of Ken Southorn and other chiefs and captains resulted in the reduc- tion in dollar loss to fires for the community," Nelson said. As assistant fire prevention of- ficer, Nelson helped organize what has become an annual childrens safety camp with the Eagan Police and Parks and Recreation departments. One of his goals as chief will be to uphold the department's safety record of never losing a person to a fire. It's the department's training that keeps this record intact. "We've got 106 of the absolute best men and women," Nelson said. "They don't preach com- munity service, they live it." To that end, Nelson's night captain Tim Denman said, "I think a lot of Dale Nelson. He's only been with the department four years, but what he has ac- complished for the department has been real good." Nelson also is the adviser for the department's Fire Ex- plorers group. Explorers is an extension of the Boy Scouts that exposes teenagers to career op- portunities such as firefighting. "There's something about firefighting that people don't understand unless they become a firefighter — the sense of brotherhood be it male or female," Nelson said. "It's a challenge you don't face alone. It's a team effort." And Nelson doesn't expect to face the tasks ahead of him alone. But, he added, "I've already been told to hang onto my seat.' • Eagan Sun•Current—Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1992-3A Chief: Future status as volunteer position uncertain From Page IA credibly well for the city of Eagan," Egan said. "The department is second to none in the Minneapolis, St. Paul suburbs." Therein lies a problem, Egan said. For the firefighters, they'd prefer to keep the department's autonomy with a volunteer fire chief. However, it's the only one of the six city departments without a full-time director. "We do not have very much control over the Volunteer Fire Department," Egan said. The department recruits and trains its firefighters, schedules and promotes. The city main- tains budget control, although the fire chief drafts the depart- ment's budget proposal. Fire chief -elect Dale Nelson said the department has a com- mitment from the city that it will not install a full-time fire chief without the firefighters' blessing. There's no reason to make that position full time as long as volunteers can ac- complish the required tasks, Nelson said. Keeing the position volunteer also saves the city money. Volunteer Fire Chief Ken Southorn earns $7,560 a year as chief. A full-time chief would cost the city about $60,000 in salary and benefits, said Hedges. Southorn estimated he spends up to 25 hours each week in his role as chief. City officials speculate that time commit- ment will grow. Egan agrees a volunteer chief saves the city money. But he said the support for a full-time chief does not mean the city will abandon the volunteer firefighters. "With six fire stations, we have adopted permanently a Volunteer Fire Department," he said. The council expects to build another fire station in 1994. For the past nine months, Nelson has chaired a committee that investigated the merits of a full-time chief. It concluded a full-time chief would still not be needed when the department in- creases to 150 members. All the city has to do is look at Bloomington, he said. The city of 88,000 people has a volunteer fire department managed by a volunteer fire chief. Full-time chiefs in volunteer fire departments are not unique. Plymouth, Minnetonka and Woodbury have full-time chiefs who direct volunteer firefighters. Plymouth has had a full-time chief for eight years overseeing 65 paid on- call/volunteer firefighters. Plymouth's fire chief reports to a public safety director for police and fire. "(Volunteer firefighters) are unique because they actually have two masters," Egan said. "It can create some tension as a result ... But it's a healthy ten- sion and it does not exist anywhere else in the city's organizational chart." Computers: Theft could be largest value prosecuted in county From Page IA So far, more than 100 pieces of equipment have been con- fiscated and turned over — enough to cover the floor of a parking bay in the Eagan Police Department. Most of the equip- ment is Macintosh with others being IBM and Hewlett Packard. Items range from keyboards to large display com- puter screens and hard disk drives to laser printers and fax machines. But more important, among that equipment is software that has cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace. A computer search will be con- ducted to match serial numbers with reported stolen equipment. Such a search led police to un- cover the computer theft ring. Eagan police were investigating an Oct. 30 burglary of more than $30,000 in computers from Macromedia Technologies when Heggemeyer's name first appeared. T1,*iF7- owF/-ivoe77- 9N47-0/es7--NAc" • Buy Your Dog a Beginning Obedience Course • Gift Certificates Available • Drop in and Visit or Call For Business Hours SOLID GOLD OBEDIENCE ACADEMY ALL BREED DOG TRAINING 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINING START YOUR PUPPY AT 3 Mom OLD 11975 PORTLAND AVE. So. t314C•6/111 C Hoolrrs BUSINESS CENTER BURNS -VILE, MN 55337 <. 88143449 825-1 127 435-5230 ass 3380 HWY.149 SO. (NE CORNER OFYANKEE DOODLE RD. & 149) Winter Headquarters For Cold Weather Clothing NOBODY BEATS OUR PRICES!! GUARANTEED!! 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Hen- nepin County Sheriff's officers found Heggemeyer's telephone number and business card on Wiley and in a safe during a search of Wiley's home Nov. 5. Wiley already faces third- degree burglary charges in Dakota County for an attempted burglary at Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Eagan Sept. 7. He was out on $35,000 bail from the Hen- nepin County Jail for another burglary charge at the time. In connecting Heggemeyer to Wiley, police searched Heg- gemeyer's home in Eagan were they recovered numerous com- puter components and stolen weapons, according to the com- plaint. A search of Wright's home in Burnsville netted similar results. Police also confiscated a 1991 Chevrolet Suburban and a 1993 40th Anniversary Edition Cor- vette from Wright's residence. The Suburban is the vehicle that allegedly transported the stolen equipment, said James Backstrom, Dakota County At- torney. Backstrom said Wright purchased the $40,000 Corvette from the alleged sales of the stolen computers. LOOK WHO'S VISITING BURNSVILLE CENTER OVER THE HOLIDAYS! CATCH A GLIMPSE OF SANTA CLAUS... UP CLOSE! Santa Is finally here for all to see! Not Just a glimpse of him creeping up the chimney! Not Just a shadow of his Jolly form! It's really Santa! Live in person at Burnsville Center. Visit Santa at his home for the holidays in Dayton's Court. Then bring a photo home with you to share the moment with family and friends. The tradition of photos with Santa is one you will cherish for years! BURNSVILLE BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE SUPREME DRINKS! Buy any Julius Supreme (any size) and get a drink of equal or lesser value FREE. Offer expires December 16, 1992. L ORANGE JULIUS .1 MEET YOUR FAVORITE MINNESOTA AUTHORS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 1-5PM AT B. DALTON Minnesota is home to many nationally published authors! If you or someone on your holiday gift list is a book enthusiast, you'll want to add B. Dalton to your calendar on Saturday, December 51 From 1 PM to 5PM, ten authors will appear at B. Dalton of Burnsville Center to autograph copies of their books for holiday gift -giving. Their published works cover everything from cooking to camping, job - hunting to vacationing - making a perfect gift for almost anyone on your list! BURNSVILLE CENTER IS CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY. HAVE A NICE HOUDAY! CENTER FOO 66 A HOT DEAL! Chicken Fillet Sandwich and Medium Curly Fries Only S2.79 Good at Arby's in Burnsville Center. Not valid with any other coupon or special offer. Offer expires 12/16/92. ARBY'S LIVE PERFORMANCES AT THE STAGE OF SPLENDOR... MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 Apple Valley High School Choir, 7PM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1 Susan Young Plano Duets, 2PM Dakota Community Singers, 7PM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Dakota Winds Flute Ensemble, 7PM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5 Kara Swanson's Flute Choir, 2PM The Stage of Splendor is located in Sears Court, Performances continue through December 23. Future schedules in next week's ad. D COUPONS "BABY MUGS" A&W Root Beer 'BABY MUGS' .99 cents with any Combo Meal. $1.99 without purchase. Offer Expires: December 31. 1992. HOT DOGS & MORE Burnsville Center I CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY. CALL (612) 435-8181 FOR EXTENDED HOLIDAY HOURS. 4A—Eagan Sun•Current—Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1992 LETTERS OPINION Libraries have street names To the editor: On the Opinion Page last week Mr. Emery of Mendota Heights had some fun with the name of the Galaxie Library and sug- gested that the county had some plan to confuse residents about where libraries are located. The Library Board, not the county commissioners as Mr. Emery suggested, chose to name the libraries after the name of the street on which they are located to assist patrons in finding them. Many com- munities in Dakota County are geographically quite large; Ap- ple Valley, where the Galaxie Library is located, is over 17 square miles and Eagan, where the Wescott Library is located, is 36 square miles. We felt that naming libraries after the street on which they were located would be much more helpful in finding them than merely using the name of a city. I hope Mr. Emery and all your readers have an opportunity to visit our newest library on Went- worth just east of Robert Street. It's called the Wentworth Library. Gary Paget, trustee Dakota County Library Board Duggan has no hidden agenda To the editor: As a District 196 school board director, I would like to respond to several articles that have been distributed to teachers in our schools linking the conser- vative members of the board with an organization called CEE and its founder Bob Simonds. Although my name was specifically mentioned in the ar- ticle in "Teacher" magazine, I was never interviewed by the author nor am I a member or supporter of the organization. I do not agree with this group's practice of polarizing and stereotyping people and creating an "us" versus "them" situation. I am a Christian believer and not ashamed of the fact. Yet I would like to go on record to say that I do not advocate the teaching of religion in our public schools. I do want to promote ex- cellence in academics for all of our students so they will be able to compete globally and enter the college of their choice. During my campaign, I was not backed by any underground organization nor do I have a hid- den agenda. The reason I ran for the school board was to use my educational experience and knowledge to serve the community. Sue Duggan Rosemount Stay out of airport corridor To the editor: What do you mean by "Eagan's worst airplane noise nightmare has a likelihood of coming true?" I encourage Eagan residents to attend the meetings held by MAC or write to tell the people who are com- plaining about noise to just shut - up! I live right off Yankee Doo- dle and Pilot Knob Road where your article said the noise would spread to. A great majority of Northwest Airline and airport employees live in Eagan. Because of the conveniences in Eagan, I spend all my money here — gas, food, restaurants. I Severance pay To the editor: I too object to the amount of money given to Superintendent R. J. Rehwaldt. Sadly, this kind of thing happens all the time. Doesn't anyone remember when Frank Brennan resigned as director of CAC? One article in our local paper said Frank would be a paid consultant after his resignation. A Star Tribune article reported the board as saying they could not work with Frank. Sounds to me like paying someone for nothing. CAC, like the school district, constantly asks for more money. The deci- District owes To the editor: The letters to the editor in regard to the severance pay package for Mr. Rehwaldt are very thought -provoking. There should be more of them. I realize we elect a school board to make school district decisions but there should cer- am a single mother of two children on absolutely no public assistance. I have bought a house here in Eagan. My father, brother, two cousins and an aunt work at NWA. How would the noise complainers feel if their taxes paid for my welfare check, food stamps, and sub- sidized housing etc.? All because I have a job at NWA. If people think airplane noise is an inconvenience, they shouldn't be buying houses within an airport perimeter. Donna Childers Eagan wrong sion to make a contribution or not, to a non-profit agency, is my own. I doubt very much that I will contribute to an agency that puts more money into where they work and continues to pay an executive they say they can- not work with. I have no choice when it comes to paying taxes, but I will not forget the priorities of the school district when the next levy referendum comes around. Isn't it sad what boards allow to happen?. Donna Futhey Eagan explanation tainly be some input from the taxpayers in a case like this. I believe either the school board should rescind this deci- sion or publicize in detail what prompted them to arrive at this give-away. We are entitled. June Ketcham Eagan Education conference profiles children Earlier this fall, concerned citizens attended the first Dakota County children and families conference, "Growing up in Dakota County Healthy and Whole," sponsored by Dakota County Community Ser- vices. The one -day gathering was an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about the makeup and needs of their community. The focus of the conference was the presentation of the Com- munity Report Card: A Profile of Children in Dakota County. The report included data on the status of Dakota County children in five major areas — health, basic needs, nurturance, education and risk. Briefly, the data shows: • In Health — The infant mor- tality rate, percent of low birth weight infants and immuniza- tion levels are already very close to the goals set by the Min- nesota Department of Health for the year 2000. • In Basic Needs — The number of children on AFDC (aid to families with dependent children) rose by 32 percent dur- ing the 1980s and the number of students qualified for free or reduced school lunch grew by 33 percent. • In Nurturance — The number of children in foster care, group homes, residential treatment and other substitute care increased at a rate com- parable to the population growth. Since 1986, physical abuse of children rose 49 percent and child neglect increased 85 percent, while sexual and emo- tional abuse declined. • In Education — In terms of per -pupil expenditures, pupil - staff ratio, percentage of students going on to higher education and college entrance exam scores, the county meets or exceeds the state averages. The county also mirrors the 7,1 R.J. Rehwaldt 't MIN state in the variable enrollment density between school districts, increasing numbers of elemen- tary students, increasing racial and ethnic diversity, more students from families on welfare, and expanded com- munity education and service programs. • In Risk — The teen pregnan- cy rate declined in the 1980s. School dropout figures increas- ed slightly, but are still less than those for the state as a whole. The number of juveniles ar- rested for criminal activities in- creased by 50 percent in the 1980s, while the population of 14-17 year olds actually decreased. The report did not, nor was it intended to, provide solutions or simple answers to questions about how to increase positive trends or reverse negative ones. The 55 participants responded to two questions. The first was: What are the critical unmet needs of children and families in Dakota County for which we should be collaborating? Four major categories emerged: 1. Family (lack of extended families for support, discon- nectedness, drug and physical abuse, absence of positive role models, low self-worth, children in stress or distress, feelings of isolation) . 2. Individual/Peer (disparity of wealth, lack of healthy places for children to go, no place for youth to talk about sexuality issues) . 3. School ( basic nutrition, clothing and shelter; chemical dependency; mental health pro- blems; school readiness; language barriers; expectation for schools to meet increasing social needs) . 4. Community (changing demographics; lack of affor- dable housing; homelessness; lack of public transportation; lack of affordable, quality child care; crime; hunger; isolation and disconnectedness of com- munity services) . Then the group discussed ways in which the schools, com- munity agencies and the county can collaborate to meet these needs. The answers focused in six key areas: 1. Having vision and common goals (establish priorities, set high expectations, emphasize prevention) 2. Improving service ac- cessibility (awareness, transportation, sharing of resources between different agencies) 3. Increasing service availability (making services available where the people who need them are located) 4. Developing resource centers (youth centers, career/training centers) 5. Building relationship (net- working, advocacy, good com- munications, supportive) 6. Addressing data practice issues (current data privacy laws prevent a log of information -sharing between agencies which is actually need- ed to provide better services). Our task now, as a communi- ty, is to determine what we can do to make sure that the Com- munity Report Card shared at the 1993 conference will show higher "grades" than the 1992 report card. Editor's note: R. J. Rehwaldt is the superintendent of schools for District 196. LETTERS Don't allow severance to dominate view To the editor: I must admit that I, like many others in School District 196, was distressed at first to learn of the nature and size of the retirement pay package recently granted to Superintendent Rehwaldt. After some time for thought and reflection, I still feel that the overall size of the pay package is inappropriate, but that the situation must be considered in its entirety and that such con- sideration at least provides some context which shows the decisions of our school board members to be perhaps an error in judgment as to the final size of the retirement pay but certainly not evidence of financial ir- responsibility or negligence on their collective part. Dr. Rehwaldt has provided several years of strong and con- tinuous leadership after a period prior to his association with our district during which we had three superintendent changes in less than five years. In review- ing the tremendous growth of our district, its high reputation for excellence, and its sound fiscal management, I believe any fair-minded person would say that Dr. Rehwaldt deserves some consideration upon his retirement for a "job well done." It is also important to note that as the CEO (which is what his position would be in private industry) of an organization with several hundred employees and an annual operating budget exceeding $80 million, his cur- rent compensation package of approximately $100,000 annually would place him at the very bot- ton in any comparisons with his fellow chief executives of similar -sized private businesses. It is my hope that the residents of District 196 will not allow their overall evaluation of district performance and management to be dominated by one incident that may be used by some to inflame or manipulate opinion against the long-term interests of our schools and young people. It is perfectly acceptable to disagree with one decision as an error in judgment on an overly generous retirement package, but please temper emotionalism with the recognition that District 196 board members and ad- ministrators have a proven track record of produced quality educational achievements while adhering to prudent and conser- vative financial management practices. Russ DeFauw Apple Valley EAGAN Sun'Current 1992. Minnemxa Sun Publu.auon. Burnwdle, Apple Valley/R Remount/L.akc, Ile. Fagan Sun•Current Newspapers, 1209 E. Cliff Rd., Burnsville, MN 55337 890-4456 YVONNE KLINNERT Managing Editor 890-4456 TERRANCE MENCEL News Editor 890-4456 DEAN CAMPBELL Sports Editor 890-4456 Published Weekly By MINNESOTA SUN PUBLICATIONS Sun -Current Sun -Post Sun -Sailor 7831 East Bush Lake Rd.. Bloomington. MN 55439 896-4700 DONALD THURLOW LEE CANNING Publisher Vice President Display Advertising Classified Advertising 896-4769/896-4700 831-1202 Circulation 896-4800 Referendum for WO fire stations may have 2 questions By CHRISTY CLAPP Two questions may appear on a bond referendum this spring for more fire stations in Eagan. The original question is whether the city should purchase land for two more fire stations in the city and build and equip the first of those two. The second question would consider developing and equipp- ing the other station. Eagan Fire Chief Ken Southorn made a presentation to the city council at a special meeting March 31. Southorn stressed the immediate need for both a fourth and a fifth station due to the com- munity's rapid growth. Fire Station No. 4 would be located in southeast Eagan. Negotiations are under way for a parcel of land at the southeast corner of Dodd and Diffley roads. Fire Station No. 5 would be located in the vicinity of Galaxie Avenue and Interstate 35E. Ideally, a pumper truck should be within 1.5 miles of any location in a city. In the vicinity of propos- ed Fire Station No. 5, it would take a truck 6.5 minutes to get there under the best conditions and it "could easily" be up to 10 minutes before arrival at the scene, Southorn said. Southorn was asked why he didn't propose building two sta- KEN SOUTHORN tions when the bond issue was first discussed last fall. "We were so concerned with staying under a million (dollars) and assuring the passage of a bond (for the fourth station)," he said. Cost estimates for the first question would be about $950,000. That price tag includes land for the two stations, building the fourth station, the station's fur- nishings, equipment furnishings and three pumper trucks with equipment. (Two of those Fire stations See p.15A Fire stations.............. (continued from front) pumpers would be for the pro- posed station and the third would be a replacement for an existing station.) The second question would raise the total referendum to about $1.7 million. The second question would include the building, furnishings, vehicles and equipment. Even if both questions were ap- proved by voters, the fifth building wouldn't be operational until 1988. "We would want to have enough equipment and the training done," Southorn said. Fire Station No. 4 would be con- structed this year. About 40 addi- tional volunteers from the com- munity would be needed to staff both stations. Council members said that in presenting information: to the public they wanted to stress that even if voters don't live in an area where the new stations are pro- posed, the two stations would benefit them as well. It's not beneficial "if we have to take away service from one area to serve another," Council Member Vic Ellison said. A date for the referendum has not been set yet. The council discussed a Tuesday, May 26 vote. A vote set any later would run into people's summer vaca- tions, and, if the referendum passed, construction should start as soon as possible. The council will be discussing the date and whether the referendum should include two questions at the April 7 meeting. Sharing 28 years of memories Retiree John Flood reflects on years as an Eagan firefighter By HEATHER HENDERSON other.1*k$ &WE 6 This unusual experie❑hem rep - In 1970, when Eagan Fire resents only one of many Department Station 2 was be- memories Eagan resident John ing constructed, the firefighters Flood has of the time he spent shared warehouse space with a as a volunteer with the Eagan casket company in north Ea- Fire Department. gan. This meant that, when John, 58, recently retired members would respond to a from the department with four fire call, in order to get to their other firefighters: Bob Gast - fire trucks they had to weave field, Bob Treichel, Dick their way through a dimly lit Schindeldecker, and Rick warehouse and 100 feet of cas- kets stacked one on top of the (See Flood, p.8A) giesolArTilts tALreK dispatcher at City Hall. With more expedient means of alerting firefighters to fires, more firefighters, and more sta- tions, John said he hopes re- sponse has improved. "It is hard to tell, though, be - ,cause you need a before and after to compare, and the after is different than before. There is more traffic; there are more stoplights, so there is no fair comparison. It's not making it worse, though." Overall, John said he thinks the department works well. He said he anticipates that the de- partment will continue to ex- pand with new stations and that it will remain a volunteer organization. About 90 percent of departments in Minnesota are volunteer, and John said he believes it works because there are people who have an inter- est in volunteering for their communities. His desire to volunteer hasn't ended with his retirement. "Now we're (the retirees) going to move our monthly meetings from the bar and go to different stations to work on various projects for the de- partment," he said. "But we'll still probably meet at the bar sometimes." g Gs *)1Irs tAWEK. Flood (Continued from front page) Murphy. All of them had served as firefighters for the city for 20 years or more, but John's 28 years marked the longest service ever. His re- tirement, he said, is one which has generated mixed emotions. "I will miss current friends there, but there are about 20 to 40 retirees and we meet once a month, have a few drinks ... and talk about old times," John said. • The friendships John has made and connections he will maintain represent one of the most positive aspects of the years of experience he gained with the department. He also gained, he and his wife, Karen, agreed, a sense of having done something good for their community. Karen has been involved with the de- partment as long as John was. "I joined the (Fire Depart- ment) Auxiliary right away and we have always shared friends in the department," Karen said. "Being involved with the de- partment with him has been great in our lives, a source of friendship and sense of doing good for our community." John's interest in community involvement was what not only prompted his joining the de- partment but resulted in his, over the years, spending time as a member of six commit- tees, serving as an administra- tion officer, a fire prevention officer, a lieutenant, an assis- tant computer officer, treas- urer, and president of the relief association. At times, he said, he could spend about 30 hours a week on Fire Department activities, at others, less than 10. The time commitment varies by individual and involvement with department committees, he said. • But sometimes his level of commitment took him away from his family which, in addi- tion to things like having to go to work after a night of no sleep and having to brave the cold at 3 a.m., were the down- falls of the job. "There are the obvious things you miss, being away from your family ... but really, it is no different than an executive working 60 hours a week, and that was only my experience. I can't speak for the other fami- lies of firefighters," he said. Karen didn't sense his ab- sence as being a negative thing, despite the fact the cou- ple was raising two children and, over the course of about 10 years, caring for more than a dozen foster children. "I looked on his experience as a positive thing for the fam- ily," she said. "The children saw him doing things for others and took pride in his skills.... They knew more about his fire- fighting than his other job." Karen said these thoughts are what also kept her from fearing for his safety when John was responding to calls. John said fear was not a ma- 1 for concern run , . Flood (Continued) "Today, you are a rookie for 18 months. There are 18 weeks of fire training, followed by about eight to 10 weeks of EMS training, followed by five to seven weeks of truck driving and learning to operate the hose panel," he said. This training is in addition to having to undergo physical and psy- chological screening, prelimi- nary approval by the Fire De- partment Executive Board, and final approval from the Eagan City Council. John said he has also seen many changes in terms of technology. He has been in- strumental in introducing a number of these changes, due to his background and current career as a computer pro- grammer for Lockheed Martin Corporation. "I was involved in writing lots of software for administra- tion and firefighting," he ex- plained. "Each station is com- puterized and has a PC that prints out a sheet of directions to a fire call." With a program he wrote, John said, a firefighter is able to type in an address and spe- cific directions to that location are printed out by the time the trucks leave the station. "In 99 percent of the cases, we do know how to get there, but there are always new streets being constructed in Eagan.... We don't leave any- thing to chance," he said. John said the overall intent of the technology is to increase response time to calls. Things like this and an improved fire- fighter call system aid the fire- fighters in performing their jobs. John remembers when there were only seven "fire phones" in seven firefighters' residences, one of them his. With this system, he ex- plained, one family had the responsibility of being near the phone at all times to take calls. When a call came, the respondent called three other firefighters, who called three more, and so on until all were alerted. Now, every firefighter has a pager connected to the "There is no time to have that (fear)," he said. "The adrenaline flows and you just don't think about it. "The only time when I was afraid was when I was in a po- sition of command, as a lieu- tenant or captain. Then I had the fear for others, wondering, will I make a mistake that will result in the injury of others?" A certain amount of fear or caution is natural and neces- sary though, he said. If a fire- fighter doesn't have that, there is something wrong. The cau- tious fear keeps people from making mistakes. Having this quality is proba- bly something that contributed to the fact that Eagan has never lost a firefighter in a call. "There have been many inju- ries ... but that is part of the job, and you know that going into it," John said. • While participating in vari- ous areas of the department, John noted many changes over the years. When he joined in 1968, the department consisted of 41 members, had one fire station, one used fire truck, and training consisted of one afternoon of riding in the truck and squirting a hose. To be- come a member, he inter- viewed with the fire chief and was voted in by the member- ship at a monthly business meeting. Today things are much dif- ferent. The department has 93 male firefighters; 4 female firefight- ers; five fire stations; a fire administration building; ap- proximately 25 vehicles, in- cluding pumpers, grass rigs, rescue rigs, a tanker, and an aerial truck; and becoming a member is much more in- volved. John said the change in training requirements is one of the biggest changes. (See Flood, p.11A) Fire department asks residents to clear snow The Eagan Fire Department is ask- ing residents to help the Fire Depart- ment with clearing snow away from fire hydrants. Fire Prevention Officer Chris Grubb estimates that 90 percent of the city's fire hydrants are buried by snow — an alarming number considering there are 3,900 hydrants throughout the city. Fire trucks carry 500 to 700 gallons of water with them. Once that supply is de- pleted, a fire hydrant is the only addi- tional source with which firefighters can draw water from. If the department has a house fire, firefighters will need to connect a hose to a hydrant before be- ginning extinguishing operations. If the hydrant is buried by snow, it will take firefighters additional time to clear the hydrant. The minutes wasted clearing the snow can mean the difference be- tween life and death along with exces- sive dollar loss. As a suggestion, consider throwing a block party where you and your neigh- bors work together to clear snow from hy- drants throughout your neighborhood and make a path to the street. The ideal amount of space to clear is three feet in circumference. y 3(. ,M. New volunteers join Eagan Fire Department Four new firefighters have joined the Eagan Volunteer Fire Department. < Receiving their badges at the July 16 council meeting were Jeff Auge, Rick McLay, Kevin Post and Nick Taylor. a a a) • eons a 0 .y ci. W a a N V d o 940 V 0 C C C C • 071 '0 d d C 4- v °' cU d N L. •0ds o C +. d E C 2 N NQ � as 7 E ° o. N d x4. vy �N, V C �= o Es cn t �a d ds ` E 0 0 H d6 a la- Z 3H Qo2 W El7 MRS. STEVEN ESPIE breathes a sigh of relief as firemen finally extinguished the flames after the erupting gas main was shut off. She was reading when the explosion shook the house and her son Scott, also shown, was watching TV. Both escaped through the back door of the dwelling. (More photos on Page 6A). By PHYLLIS CUMMINGS Staff Writer EAGAN -- Miraculously no one was killed when a gas explosion on Cedar Ave. Thursday morn- ing, July 13, destroyed one house, five vehicles and damaged a second house. The gas leak occurred about 9:36 a.m. at a construction site on Cedar Ave. in Eagan. An eyewitness stated flames shot 100 feet into the air and con- tinued to burn for about one hour as fire departments from Eagan and surrounding areas battled the blaze and attempted to save nearby structures. A house owned by Marilyn Espie, 4063 Cedar Ave., was gutted, a garage, car and boat destroyed; a pickup owned by Bernie Huenecke destroyed, and four other vehicles burned. Three firemen received second degree burns and one workman received a blister on his neck. The firemen were Keith Mollinhauer, Rick Murphy and Bud Malaske. They were treated at Cedarvale Clinic for minor in- juries. The workman, a welder, Les Campbell, received a blister on his neck. Earl Gardner, district manager for Northern Natural Gas, said a coupling blew out of the ground on the east side of Cedar Ave. This struck and set fire to the gas which was erupting from a 16-inch line under a pressure of 300 PSIG (per square inch gauage). Flames shot into the air like a geyser. The pipe where the leak oc- curred was about to be welded to another pipe being installed and was being moved by a tractor at a point about 30 feet away from where it leaked. Don Willoughby, public real- tions representative for Northern Natural Gas, said the fire pro- bably started when the escaping gas caused the powerline directly above the site to vibrate. Two lines touched and set off a spark that ignited the gas, he added. Natural Pipeline, a Lakeville construction firm, was doing the (See Explosion, Page 6A) Scenes At Eagan Gas Blast IT APPEARS to be a bomb crater in front of the half -burned dwelling of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Espie of Cedar Grove in Eagan last Thursday morning. However, it was a hole in the ground made when a coupling blew out of a 16-inch pipe un- der 300 pounds of pressure. (Story, front). LOOKING SOUTHEAST across Cedar Ave., this picture shows the general blast scene after the flames died down. Practically every lawn was burned. Arrow points to the hole where the flames erupted, red by a 16-inch gas main. At ex- treme left is the Espie dwelling which was mostly destroyed, and at right is the Huenecke and Smith residences. 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Now most everyone is busy blam- ing someone else. Burnsville ordered the fire rig from the American Fire Apparatus Co. of Battle Creek, Mich., almost two years ago. The specifications said it would be 44 feet long and 11 feet 6 inches high. The architects of the building designed doors 12 feet tall. The fire truck, it turns out, is 12 feet 1 inch. Councilwoman Mary M o d j e s k i started getting word several months ago that it wouldn't fit. She asked Public Safety Director Michael Du - Moulin several times to check out the problem. "We did everything possible to check the specs and make appropri- ate calls to the architect and manu- facturer," DuMoulin said Thurs- day. "We did everything but fly to Truck continued on page 12A I volume 1V, no. iu Fire damages three units in p Eagan apartment complex By ERIN HEMME FROSLIE A deck fire that forced the evacuation of more than 100 residents from an Eagan apartment complex contin- ues to baffle fire investiga- tors. According to Eagan Fire Marshal Dale Wegleitner, the cause of the blaze that burned three apartments at Woodridge Apartments, 3255 Coachman Road, will be listed as undetermined. The case will remain open, he said, in case new infor- mation is uncovered. A grill and electrical malfunctions have been ruled out. "Everyone thought it was a grill right away," said Lee Scully, Woodridge property manager. "Fortunately, it wasn't, but unfortunately, we don't know what started it." According to Wegleitner, the fire, which began on a second -floor deck, was re- ported around 4:40 p.m. Monday. Kevin Harris, who less than a week ago moved into the apartment across the hall from where the fire be- gan, was home at the time. "I was working on my computer when I heard the fire trucks going by," he said. "Then I realized no, they're here." (See Fire, p.10A) THREE UNITS at Woodridge Apartments, 3255 Coachman Road, sustained extensive damage in a July 7 fire. Photo by Rick Orndorf Fire (Continued from front page) As he evacuated via a back stairway, Harris was greeted by flames coming out near the back doorway. "It was rip-roarin' big time," he said. The fire was brought under control quickly, but resi- dents weren't allowed to return to the building until 8:15 p.m. Three apartments, 129, 229 and 329, were damaged by the blaze. According to Scully, fire reached only a few feet into each apart- ment, but smoke and heat damage was extensive. "A phone on the other side of the apartment was just melted to the wall," he said. "A microwave was melted to a blob of plastic." The roof also received ex- tensive heat and water damage. Property loss esti- mates were not available at press time. According to Scully, the apartments will be uninhab- itable for another three to four months. Outside of the three apartments, there was some smoke damage, but it was relatively minor. No injuries were reported. "Every part of our fire safety system worked prop- erly," Scully said. "Nobody was hurt and the fire was controlled to a small area." Scully also expressed thanks to the Fire Depart- ment for its fine job, and to staff at Aldon Pond Town - homes, across the street, who offered Woodridge residents snacks and coffee. Deja vu When the call first came in July 7, Wegleitner's thought was "Oh, no." "It sounded like the same scenario," he said. On June 14, 1987, a deck fire damaged 60 Woodridge units and left nearly 70 resi- dents homeless. That fire started in apartment number 230, across the hall from the more recent fire. The 1997 fire didn't cause nearly as much damage. "I think we learned a few things from the first fire," Wegleitner said. "We had a better head start this time, plus it was a little wetter." The 1987 fire was started by spontaneous combustion of charcoal briquettes. Wegleitner said the cause of the more recent fire is still undetermined, but he has eliminated charcoal or a grill as possible sources. Hymie Corson and his wife, Pearl, were residents in 1987 and still live in the complex today. When the alarm went off Monday af- ternoon, Hymie thought it was a false alarm. "I just stood on my bal- cony until people told me it was a real fire," he said. Before evacuating his apartment, Hymie grabbed some valuables and put on his cap and jacket. In 1987, their apartment sustained extensive water damage and they had to replace most of their belongings. "We couldn't return to our apartment for four days," he said. "Then we had to move out until that next spring." While the similarities are there, Scully said he doesn't want people to make com- parisons between the two fires. "I guess you could just call it bad luck that two fires started in the same wing 10 years apart," Scully said. ire un Donations for the victims of the Woodridge Apart- ments fire are being ac- cepted at the Woodridge Apartments rental office, 3255 Coachman Road, and the Eagan Norwest Bank at the intersection of Pilot Knob Road and Yankee Doodle Road. Flames destroy three apartments By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer During a rainy Monday fol- lowing the Fourth of July week- end, fireworks of another sort lit up the sky over west central Eagan. Flames broke out on a sec- ond story deck July 7 at Woodridge Apartments, 3255 Coachman Road, according to fire officials. Cause of the blaze is under investigation. Alarms led to the evacuation of tenants in the 140-unit com- plex. Many arrived home from work a short time after the fire began at 4:45 p.m. The most se- vere damage was contained to three apartments, Units 129, 229 and 329. Susan Florman lives in apart- ment 229 where the fire began outside on the deck. Florman de- clined comment but Eagan Fire Marshal Dale Wegleitner said she apparently left the apart- ment at 7 a.m. that morning and was not home when the fire was reported. Mike Vall who lives in apartment 329, above Florman, reported seeing flames shoot up through the slats of his deck, We- gleitner said. Florman's living room furni- ture was destroyed and there was considerable heat and smoke damage to the apart- ment. The telephone across the room dripped down the wall. Glass in picture frames broke from the intensity of the heat and lay in pieces on the burned carpet. A quilt hanging on the How to help A Woodridge Apartment Fire Fund has been estab- lished to aid victims of the July 7 fire that destroyed three apartments and caused roof damage to a fourth. Donations will be accepted through July 27 at the Woodridge Apartment Office, 3255 Coachman Road in Eagan. Checks may also be sent to the Woodridge Apart- ment Fire Fund, c/o Norwest Bank, 3390 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55121. wall was blackened. A line of soot from the smoke began about three feet from the floor moving upward toward the ceiling. "It's easy to see why they al- ways tell you to crawl out of a fire," said Lee Scully, Woodridge manager. About 50 volunteer firefight- ers responded to the call which came during a shift change. Though the building does not contain a sprinkling system, it is equipped with an alarm system, which was operational during the emergency, Scully said. The building has seven exits and ap- proximately 300 tenants. Because it was raining, resi- dents gathered in a community room in an adjacent building. The manager of the nearby Alden Pond lbwnhomes also provided shelter and supplied fresh baked Eagan Fire Prevention Officer Chris Grubb (left) and Fire Marshal Dale Wegleitner sift through debris at the Woodridge Apartments July 8 in search of clues as to what caused the July 7 fire that destroyed three units. (Sue Hegarty/Staff Photographer) cookies, beverages and pizza do- nated by Carbones, Scully said. Several community members remembered a fire in the same apartment complex June 14, 1987, caused by a barbecue grill. In that fire, several apartments were damaged when flames from a third floor balcony spread through the roof and attic of the building. Wegleitner said the most recent fire was not caused by a grill, though one was found in the rubble. The investigation includes checks on the weather for a possible lightning strike. Bruegger's hosts fund-raiser for Fire Department Bruegger's Bagels will host a fund-raiser for the Eagan Vol- unteer Fire Department April 5 at the Eagan store located on Cliff and Nicols roads. A portion of the purchase of bagels will go to help the Fire Department purchase five Cairns Iris Thermal Imaging Systems. These specially equipped helmets cost $25,000 each and allow firefighters to "see" in the dark and smoke of a fire and find people trapped in a building, Ee91241. L ct,v-re,r7t; ,teeC, 97 Golf tourney to raise funds for fire helmets Eagan's Volunteer Fire Department is sponsoring a golf tournament to raise funds for the purchase of Cairns IRIS helmets. The helmet is specially designed to allow firefighters to see through smoke or in the dark using infrared technology. Each helmet costs $25,000. Due to bud- get constraints, the Fire Department is seeking donations and scheduling com- munity fund raisers in the hopes of pur- chasing up to five helmets. The golf tournament will be played Friday, July 11, at River Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove. The tourna- ment begins at 1 p.m. and will be played as a four -person scramble. Team prizes include $300 for first place; $200, second place; and $100, third place. Prizes also will be given for the longest drives and farthest putts (for men and women). Raf- fle drawings also will be available. Cost is $60-per person which includes a cart, green fees, food and beverages. Businesses and individuals are invited to sponsor a hole for $50. All proceeds will benefit the Cairns IRIS fund. Deadline to register is July 1. To regis- ter, make checks payable to the Eagan Fire Department and mail to Kevin Sorensen at 3795 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122. Include the names, addresses and phone numbers of the four team members. Information: 681-4 7 7 7 . Eagan firefighters respond to fatal accident on Interstate 494 A Wisconsin man died March 11 in Mendota Heights when the tanker truck he was driving rolled off Inter- state 494. Robert Knapp, 41, of Stevens Point was exiting I-494 onto southbound I-35E around 2:30 p.m. when his 1988 Interna- tional semi -tractor left the road. He skidded across the median, struck' a sign and flipped before he came to a halt in the middle of the exit ramp. Knapp was thrown from the cab and AV,R),-)f7 scm cee,-r4,? Ward 19) /997 died on the scene. No one else was in- jured, according to a Minnesota State Pa- trol dispatcher. • Although the tanker began to leak diesel fuel, it didn't burn, according to an Eagan Fire Department official. Firefighters from Mendota Heights, Eagan and West St. Paul as well as of- ficials from the state Division of Emer- gency Services and Department of Transportation closed the exit for sev- eral hours. • seeing through the r.1 II The Cairns -Iris; a type of heat-visio technology, is said to let firefighters see in smoke -clogged environments, resulting in savings of life and property. But the $25,000 price tag creates a challenge. By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Imagine yourself blind, crawling around in unfa- miliar surroundings.You can't stand up — a burning ceiling of intense heat and black smoke keep you pinned down. As you inch forward on all fours, you fumble around in the hope of stumbling across the body reportedly trapped in- side the building. Retreating, you pull the person to safety as debris falls all around you and flames lick at your heels. For firefighters, this dark dreadful scene is an all -too fa- miliar experience when re- sponding to fire calls. "Search and rescue at- tempts are made by slowly crawling throughout the house on their hands and knees, feel- ing around with their hands," said Chris Grubb, Eagan's fire prevention officer. But what if firefighters could Apple Valley Firefighter Michele Rasmussen is hidden from view in a dark storage closet, but is easily spotted by a firefighter wearing a Cairns -Iris helmet during a demonstra- tion last November. (Jan Abbott/Staff Photographer) Apple Valley Fire Capt. Janet Schatzlein, wearing the Cairns -Iris helmet, checks the cof- fee level from outside the cup belonging to Apple Valley Firefighter Denny Hunsinger (left). During a demonstration last November, the helmet made the infrared spectrum vis- ible. Dave Dreelan (right) is a captain with the Mendota Heights Fire Department and a Cairns -Iris representative. (Jan Abbott/Staff Photographer) see through the thick black smoke and be able to find victims before it's too late? The technolo- gy exists. It's called the Cairns - Iris Infrared helmet, a device that detects heat, whether the source is a human being, a pet or the fire itself. It allows the fire- fighter to find fires inside the walls, which can save time and money. Without the infrared hel- met, firefighters have to tear down walls until they find the source, resulting often in sub- stantial property loss for the home or business owner. Though improved technolo- gy can help save lives and prop- erty, few fire departments pos- sess it. The Cairns -Iris carries a hefty price tag — $25,000. When preparing a budget for a volunteer Fire Department such as Eagan, the helmet takes a back seat to other needs, such as fire trucks, traffic signal pre- emption lights, and other basic equipment, said Eagan Fire Chief Craig Jensen. Yet, Eagan residents have called, inquiring about when and if Eagan plans to purchase the expensive helmets. "We were asked to keep the budget to a zero percent in- crease. We couldn't add (the Cairns -Iris) to the capital ex- penses, so we opted to hit the public up," Jensen said. A fund-raising drive is un- SMOKE: To Page 11A 64zyt" ljet.,11 SAietb7 .4n7 Smoke: Demonstration set From Page 1A derway to raise enough money to purchase five Cairns -Iris hel- mets, one for each fire station. Sponsors are needed. Bruegger's Bagels at the cor- ner of Cliff and Nicols roads was the first business to step for- ward. Bruegger's is finalizing plans for several fund-raising events, including a coupon drive. In-store coupons are available for the purchase of cream cheese. For each coupon redeemed, Bruegger's will make a donation toward the purchase of a Cairns - Iris for the Eagan Fire Depart- ment. General Manager Mike Taylor said he's excited to con- tribute to the fundraiser. "This is something that could touch anyone and everyone in the community, but hopefully won't have to," said Taylor, an Eagan resident. Though he's not a volunteer firefighter, Taylor said, "I just think this is a really good cause." Mendota Heights and Apple Valley, Eagan's neighbors to the north and south, have ordered a Cairns -Iris. While mutual aid between departments is possi- ble, Jensen said response times are usually slower than those in the affected city. "We could call for mutual aid, but by the time it would arrive (possibly 20 to 30 minutes), it would be too late," Jensen said. Eagan has had only one fire -re- lated fatality in its 33-year histo- ry. last August, 3-year-old Gun- nar Erickson died in a third -floor apartment at Glenpond Estates. His mother, Tammy Joe Moeller, and baby sister, Chyanne, were Cairns -Iris Fund Send donations to: Eagan Fire Department Cairns -Iris Fund 3795 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN 55122 Information: 681-4377. overcome with smoke but sur- vived. With so much carbon monoxide poisoning in his small body, the Cairns -Iris probably would not have helped save Gun- nar, Jensen said, but it may be able to help someone in the future. Eagan volunteer firefighters will be shown a demonstration of the Cairns -Iris at 9 a.m. Sat- urday, Jan. 18, at the Fire Ad- ministration Building, 3795 Pilot Knob Road. The public is invited. A second demonstration will be scheduled next month for the business community. AI 10A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Cui Fire engulfs house on Trenton Trail A fire that destroyed a house at 4280 Trenton Trail June 25 apparently began outside but caused an estimated $100,000 damage to the home, said Eagan Fire Marshal Dale Wegleitner. Flames and smoke were reported to police about 6:30 p.m. No one was home at the time. Firefighters from Rose- mount were called to assist the Eagan firefighters. One firefighter was taken to a hospital after the ceiling fell on him. Wegleitner said the cause of the fire is under investigation but it appears to be accidental. Three -year -old dies of injuries from Eagan fire Three -year -old Gunnar Erickson died as a result of injuries he suffered in an Eagan apartment fire Aug. 21. His mother, Tammy Jo Moeller, and 11-month-old sister, Chyanne Foth, were hospitalized overnight. The Eagan Fire Department received a report of an apart- ment fire at 1385 High Site Drive just before 11 p.m., accord- ing to Fire Chief Craig Jensen. During the 911 call, the tele- phone went dead, Jensen said. When firefighters arrived on the scene, there was heavy, black smoke on the third floor, according to Jensen. The cause of the fire appeared to be a young child who was playing with a lighter. All fire alarms and smoke detectors in the building were operational, Jensen said. The Rosemount National Bank has established a memorial fund for Gunnar Erickson's family. Donations may be sent to: Gunnar Erickson Memorial Fund, Rosemount National Bank, 15055 Chippendale Ave. S., Rosemount, 55068. For more in- formation on donating, call the bank at 423-5000. Eagan 3-year-old becomes city's first fire fatality Fundraiser scheduled for Sept. 8 Sun &ter p f ttiff°G By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Three -year -old Gunnar Er- ickson of Eagan has become the first fire -related fatality in the city's 33-year history. Eagan volunteer firefighters were called to a third -floor apartment fire at Glenpond Es- tates, 1385 High Site Drive, at 10:47 p.m. Aug. 21. After fire of- ficials broke through the apart- ment door, they discovered that the caller, Tammy Joe Moeller, 19, and her two children, Gun- nar and 11-month-old Chyanne Foth were overcome with smoke. State fire marshal investi- gators and Eagan officials said the fire started near the couch and was caused by a young child playing with a cigarette lighter. Nicole Moeller, Tammy Jo's sister-in-law, said Gunnar woke his mother, who then dialed 911. Before finishing the call, the line went dead. "He basically saved his mom's life," said Nicole. About 55 Eagan firefighters responded to the call. Judy Smith-Thill, an Eagan emer- gency medical technician and volunteer firefighter, helped re- suscitate Gunnar's sister, Chyanne. "She didn't have any respira- tion and we couldn't find a pulse. OU CAN HELP Rosemount National Bank has established a Gunnar Er- ickson Memorial Fund. Dona- tions should be sent to the Gun- nar Erickson Fund, Rosemount National Bank, 15055 Chippen- dale Ave. S., Rosemount, MN 55068. For more information, call the bank at 423-5000. A fundraiser for the family also is planned for Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Valley Lounge, Highway 13 and Yankee Doo- dle Road in Eagan. For infor- mation on the time, call the lounge at 454-2760. I started mouth to mouth and she started coughing and re- sponding," Smith-Thill said. By the time the ambulance arrived at St. Paul Children's Hospital, Chyanfie was fighting with the oxygen mask and squeezing Smith-Thill's finger. "The fact that she was fight- ing was a good sign," she said. Two other Eagan medics tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate Gunnar. He was taken by sepa- rate ambulance to the same hos- pital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m. "If everyone had survived, we'd all be celebrating. I feel sad for the firefighters who worked with him," Smith-Thill said. "It's not that I did anything different or better than anyone else. I was just in the right place at the right time." The children's mother was taken to United Hospital. Later, she and Chyanne were trans- ferred to Hennepin County Med- ical Center and treated for smoke inhalation. They were re- leased from the hospital the fol- FIRE: To Page 13A ›\ Fire: 'He basically saved his mom's life' From Page 1A lowing morning. Family members remember Gunnar as a blond -haired little boy who loved his baby sister and pet cats very much, Nicole said. The cats perished with him in the fire. He recently had learned to ride a tri- cycle and to swim. He would jump off a diving board without hesitation, she said. "He wasn't afraid of anything," Nicole said. Gunnar had been enrolled at New Horizon Child Care in Eagan while his mother worked at Perkins in Eagan's Town Centre. Teachers at New Horizon told the children about his death on Thursday and encouraged parents to talk to their children at home, said Lisa Piller, the center's director. Tammy Jo and Chyanne are tem- porarily staying with relatives in Rose- mount. A memorial fund was established to help pay for Gunnar's funeral and "to help Tammy get back on her feet," Nicole said. A live music fundraiser for the family is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 8, at the Valley Lounge, Highway 13 and Yankee Doodle Road in Eagan. Funeral services included visitation Sunday at White Funeral Home in Lakeville and a Mass of Christian Burial Monday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rosemount. Besides his mother and sister, Gun- nar is survived by his father, Philip and wife Brenda Clausen -Erickson; step- sister, Marissa Clausen; grandparents, Judy Hjelter of Lakeville, Robert Moeller of Montgomery, Dan and Pat Erickson of Prior Lake; great-grand- parents Monica Paulsen of Cannon Three -year -old Gunnar Erickson died during a fire Wednesday night at this Eagan apartment. His mother, Tammy Jo Moeller, and his sister, Chyanne Foth, escaped. (Jan Ab- bott/Staff Photographer) Falls, Edwin Moeller of Rosemount and Chuck and Hollis Dague of Burnsville; great -great-grandmother Josephine Dague of Wadena; aunts, Sara and Heidi Erickson and Molly Hjelter; and uncles. J vdmiguvolt-taisilme- uest column Ems» i c ► f►:1�7 Cairns -Iris system could save lives and money for Eagan residents Chris Grubb Fire Prevention officer You and your family are asleep. Suddenly, you are awakened by the unmistakable sound of your smoke detector. You scramble out of bed but smoke and heat are every- where. You crawl to gather your family. After a desperate attempt to escape the smoke and heat, you and your family are driven back into a bedroom where you dial 911 and tell the dispatcher that you are trapped inside your burning house. Minutes seem like hours but finally you hear sirens outside. While gasping for air you cry out for help. You are blinded by the thick black smoke and are completely helpless. You know the firefighters are com- ing but because you cannot see anything you are in a state of panic. Does this sound real? Well, it is. Have you ever been in a house fire? Have you ever seen how black the smoke is and how dark it is because of the smoke? How do you suppose the firefighters can see through the smoke to find where you are trapped inside the burning house? Well, they can't. Firefighters are as blinded by the smoke as you are. Search -and -rescue at- tempts are made by firefighters slowly crawling throughout the house on their hands and knees and feeling around with their hands. Does this take a lot of precious time? Yes, it does. But what if firefighters could see through the black smoke and be able to find the trapped victim right away? What if? Technology is here today to protect your tomorrow. The new Cairns -Iris infrared helmet is your and our chance to al- low firefighters to see through blinding black smoke by de- tecting heat (including a vic- tim's body heat). In addition, the helmet allows firefighters to locate fire through doors, walls, etc. by detecting the source of heat. Py enabling firefighters to find the source of the fire in the walls, time and money are saved by quickly locating the source of heat. Without the infrared helmet, firefighters have to tear down walls until they find the source of the fire (which takes time, allows the fire to burn longer, and causes a higher dollar loss to the homeowner). The Eagan Fire Department has begun fund-raising efforts to purchase five Cairns -Iris in- frared helmets. The helmets come with a price tag of $25,000 each. We need your help and support to obtain these invaluable pieces of equipment. A lot of sponsors are needed to help make this purchase a reality. In the short time that we have discussed purchasing these helmets, we have already landed our first sponsor. Bruegger's Bagels of Eagan is donating 50 cents for every purchase of cream cheese they sell. If you are interested in learn- ing more about the Cairns -Iris infrared helmet, an informa- tional meeting is scheduled for Jan. 18 at 9 a.m. at the Fire Administration Building, lo- cated at 3795 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. The helmet's capa- bilities and the infrared system will be demonstrated. Come and see what will help us see through blinding black smoke. If you would like to make a donation — in any dollar amount — please send it to the Eagan Fire Department Cairns - Iris Fund, 3795 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, 55122. If you have any questions, an infor- mational voice mail number (681-4377) has been estab- lished to assist us in answering your questions. sK,u1Carr.•r4 Out 024e9, AqL Fire Department plans prevention activities Volunteers of the Eagan Fire Depart- ment have planned several prevention programs and activities for Fire Preven- tion Week Oct. 6-12. This year's theme is "Let's hear it for fire safety — check your smoke detec- tors." An open house is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 8-10 at each station. The fire safety house will make an ap- pearance on Thursday, Oct. 10, at Fire Station 1, 3940 Rahn Road. Other stations are at 2980 Lone Oak Circle, 4390 Pilot Knob Road, 4200 Dodd Road and 4701 Galaxie Ave. In the wake of the Aug. 21 Glen Pond Apartment fire that killed a 3- year-old Eagan boy, firefighters are looking forward to talking with par- ents and children about fire safety, said Chris Grubb, fire prevention offi- cer. "It is important that all family mem- bers learn techniques together as a group to really get the full message. I hope to never respond to another fatal fire and hopefully by getting more infor- mation to the public we can prevent this from ever happening again," Grubb said. Firefighters also will visit elemen- tary schools to talk to students. For more information on prevention activities, call 681-4770. lae 17, No. 27 77 Eagan considers raising firefighters' pension By SARA PETERSON Would an increase in pension help attract and retain fire- fighters? A majority of Eagan's volunteer firefighters think it probably wouldn't hurt. The Eagan Fire Relief Asso- ciation Pension Committee discussed the issue during a special meeting Aug. 26 with the Eagan City Council. "Of all the work that is in- volved in firefighting, continu- ing education and training, hopefully if firefighters saw more at the end of the tunnel they'd find the time in their lives to stay on," Pension Committee Chair Mark Sportelli explained. The Eagan Fire Department (EFD), which serves the grow- ing community of 57,000, has (See Pension, p.13A) Eagan Explor- er Scout Gar- rett Anderson and the rest of the ladder team compete at the 1995 Cadet Fire- fighter Chal- lenge Satur- day at the St. Paul Fire Training Facil- ity. (Bill Jones/ Staff Photog- rapher) Teens fired up for Explorers Program allows youth to try on career opportunities By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer Racing up a three-story ladder, searching for a life-size dummy in a smoke -filled building and charging up stairs with a fire hose were just some of the events at the third annual cadet fire- fighter challenge Aug. 5. About a dozen Eagan youths ages 14- 21 trained for the competition for the past eight months as members of Ex- plorer Post 572. "We actually train our Explorers as apprentice level firefighters," said Dale Nelson, Eagan Fire chief. Jim Mueller, a 17-year veteran with the Eagan Fire Department and the Post's adviser, said the program is a way to attract interest in the Eagan volun- teer department. It's also a great oppor- tunity for youth to explore a career, as well as learn responsibility for them- selves, he said. Mueller's daughters, Onya and Brie, are in the program. They competed at Saturday's event in St. Paul against other posts from Falcon Heights, Cot- tage Grove, Hastings and White Bear Lake. "It is a challenge, physically and men- tally," Onya, 19, said. FIRE: To Page 12A Fire: Youth e explore career From Front Page She's received a lot of support from women firefighters in the Eagan Fire Department. This week, she's awaiting whether she's been accepted to the next Eagan firefighter class. Her father, grandfather and great-grandfather, tracing back to Europe, have been firefight- ers. "I'm proud to have it in my heritage and hope to carry on the Mueller name in fire fighting," Onya said. Explorers Occasionally, the are allowed to serve as ground support at fire calls. "Just knowing that you're going to an emergency scene gets the adrenaline going. It's a rush to help people," Onya said. Explorers train at the Galax- ie Avenue fire station and prac- tice a live burn at the training tower in Burnsville. "It's a real great program. You learn everything a regular fire- fighter learns, including being certified in CPR," said Garrett Anderson, 17. This is Garrett's second year in the Post. Next year, when he reaches the minimum age of 18, he wants to apply to become a volunteer firefighter with the Eagan Fire Department. Eagan resident Nick Taylor was one of the original Explorers when the Post started five years ago. In January, he became the first former Explorer to join the Eagan Fire Department. Explorer clubs are sanctioned through Boy Scouts of America. Similar posts exist for other ca- reers, including police work. For more information, call the BSA Indianhead Council at 224-1891. New Eagan fire chief takes office The city of Eagan swore in a new fire chief at the City Council meeting Dec. 5. Craig Jensen, who ran unopposed in the recent Fire Depart- ment election, assumed the position of fire chief hafsthe sery d as volunteer department Dec. 1. Dale Nelson,pted not to run for as e- . fire chief for the last three years, election, though he will continue as a volunteer firefighter out of Fire Station 5. Nelson said he plans to spend more time with his family. of the Eagan Fire Department for 15 Jensen has been a part yew. ratulated Nelson also attended the council then oung cl forgheir help Jensen. He also thanked city during his tenure as chief. he said. "They really are caring people," — Brenda Haugen tN P' C 5 tl a 1� .. ox ox.oxoo ti ti w d c: 0�0 q >,c a� rn aa) ▪ 0 O 'O O C'. a1 ~�+ O L. U +, y, F 1.w ti O %," •Q a a c y g O c0 O O cO 0.4 ��cr CO I, ❑O w a"., 0 F O 3 F Co F 0 as CU q 3 as O o m 0) .0 rn . a' >, yw�VI °.,'ayca ay ▪ v o C a b `�° 0 O �2 ace ', 0. y •mcZ u gi 5"3°ov°'& 0 ;_, y g �^ ay o ,� q d dbD yr CI)c X a`�'i -C //dam� "O -- cn b0. O a) a) . a) a .O a) 4., x t` ay o o 0 a•Z° ° fi x L. Q o yo, a 13 ro Z. o cT o .�_,.,� 4oa.�Uc3cc2 N ".O-. m C 7 `' O ppO b c.00 00 4."tlz 60 O .0 O c,:, ..O -0 FO. - ai rob kiS q O z tl S et cn ,a '' ,i." '3 c0 y c,. O y O 8 w. O a' a"i bi0 3 d 0 0 0 aa, a 0 4-) y m Q°' �� C3 ai 4). z: �� I. -o y n v o bo ca d q C u �, ro y GL,3asC1 etcna� w54.a equipment c2� ai cu � F, o A. ) 0o 3 Chief: Firefighters elect Jensen From Front Page fire started when flames from a barbecue grill set a third floor deck on fire, according to a June 17 article in the Eagan Chroni- cle, (now the Eagan Sun Cur- rent). "It was over 90 degrees out that day," Jensen said. ' The fire climbed onto the roof of the apartment complex, caus- ing the evacuation of 140 apart- ment units. No lives were lost in the fire. In fact, Jensen is proud that Eagan firefighters have never lost a life due to fire. As chief, Jensen said his goals are to continue that loss record and to improve the department's Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating. Fire departments are rated by the state's ISO, with 1 being the best rating and 4 being the lowest. Eagan has a 4 rating. Ratings are based on several factors, such as amount and type of equipment, training, re- sponse time and location of fire stations. Jensen said he hopes new equipment and additional train- ing will help improve Eagan's rating. The department recently acquired a new heavy rescue air supply vehicle and is expecting delivery of a pumper truck in May. Hazardous materials training for 25 firefighters also may have an impact upon the city's ISO rating, he said. That training could be needed if a fire broke out at a business handling those materials. "Even paint or fertilizers in a resident's garage is considered Ridgeview Pharmacy Help needed to find (hide)rants Staff Report Recent snowfall and plow- ing of streets have resulted in snow-covered fire hydrants, said Christopher Grubb, Ea- gan's fire prevention officer. The Eagan Fire Depart- ment requests that residents help dig out snow from around fire hydrants to make them more accessible. "The time it takes to get the water from the hydrants could be the difference betweena minor and a major loss," Grubb said. The department sponsors an "Adopt a Hydrant" pro- gram. Under the program, neighbors are encouraged to help each other designate who will clear a path to hydrants in their neighborhoods. For more information about the "Adopt a Hydrant" pro- gram, call Grubb at 681-4770, Ext. 553. Leave a name and telephone number on the voice messaging system. hazardous material," Jensen said. As a certified fire investigator for the Bureau for Criminal Ap- prehension (BCA), Jensen an work with the city fire mars zal on arson cases. During his term as ch ef, Jensen said there will be se%er- al issues to consider. There ire five fire stations in the city find two sites the department has earmarked for future station sites. Purchasing land novt is important because of the rapid pace at which the city is grlw- ing, Jensen said. The two land - banking sites suggested are each three -acre sites — along Wescott Road between Glazier and Lexington avenues and in the northwest quadrant near Towerview Road. In addition, his department is preparing a study for the City Council on whether to remodel or replace the existing Fire Ad- ministration building across the street from the Municipal Cen- ter. Other considerations include a joint venture with the Police Department for an 11-acre in- house training facility and dri- ving course west of Highway 13 along the Minnesota River bot- tom. A lofty goal is the purchase of a traffic signal pre-emption sys- tem that would allow police and fire personnel to change red traffic lights to green in emer- gency situations. Several sur- rounding cities already use the systems. The challenge in being chief, .Jensen said, is deciding how to move forward with those propos- als and yet, stay within the de- partment's budget. "It's a tough job. The city is pushing for zero tax increase," Jensen said. "They expect the same quality of service without additional fees or tax increas- es." Add to that, competition be- tween other departments, such as the upcoming conversion to 800 megahurts for police com- munications. Jensen succeeds former Fire Chief Dale Nelson who served one term. "He did an excellent job. I want to thank him and his fami- ly and I look forward to him stay- ing involved in the department," Jensen said. ol. 21 0. V. 'r4- ec ion CHIEF: To Page 8 ra) c. Ur rnco �� a1 5 0 O A U �.5' o 0 -0o 6J GOm 5 3 �o����'no a, a ,� y a� ., cC o- 4 CD up at up fa, a) V1 O O '-' Cd > - c Ax a ` 0 a y a� a)•-o bA .... i. Q� Hwy U GG 4 3 cc.) u0i r w x w ad o o C Cs..0 6G 6 „o " 0E ca•-cC cC c.• •c. o c"'a ' cC C a0i..; m z V 0 0".t) 00 4-1 h o .O cd E4 cC 4, ... cl C m-0 t03„... Qti �� 3 co cu 6) �a a 6 v a) 4 r' y y y m 0ca y .n b0 d m -0 cis ^o p "., +, ,-j bD G c� a, Gz.' 3 ccaaQ cram a.i, W .o..y 1 Chief: Firefighters elect Jensen From Front Page fire started when flames from a barbecue grill set a third floor deck on fire, according to a June 17 article in the Eagan Chroni- cle, (now the Eagan Sun Cur- rent). "It was over 90 degrees out that day," Jensen said. The fire climbed onto the roof of the apartment complex, caus- ing the evacuation of 140 apart- ment units. No lives were lost in the fire. In fact, Jensen is proud that Eagan firefighters have never lost a life due to fire. As chief, Jensen said his goals are to continue that loss record and to improve the department's Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating. Fire departments are rated by the state's ISO, with 1 being the best rating and 4 being the lowest. Eagan has a 4 rating. Ratings are based on several factors, such as amount and type of equipment, training, re- sponse time and location of fire stations. Jensen said he hopes new equipment and additional train- ing will help improve Eagan's rating. The department recently acquired a new heavy rescue air supply vehicle and is expecting delivery of a pumper truck in May. Hazardous materials training for 25 firefighters also may have an impact upon the city's ISO rating, he said. That training could be needed if a fire broke out at a business handling those materials. "Even paint or fertilizers in a resident's garage is considered Ridgeview Pharmacy Help needed to find (hide)rants Staff Report Recent snowfall and plow- ing of streets have resulted in snow-covered fire hydrants, said Christopher Grubb, Ea- gan's fire prevention officer. The Eagan Fire Depart- ment requests that residents help dig out snow from around fire hydrants to make them more accessible. "The time it takes to get the water from the hydrants could be the difference between a minor and a major loss," Grubb said. The department sponsors an "Adopt a Hydrant" pro- gram. Under the program, neighbors are encouraged to help each other designate who will clear a path to hydrants in their neighborhoods. For more information about the "Adopt a Hydrant" pro- gram, call Grubb at 681-4770, Ext. 553. Leave a name and telephone number on the voice messaging system. hazardous material," Jensen said. As a certified fire investigator for the Bureau for Criminal Ap- prehension (BCA), Jensen can work with the city fire marshal on arson cases. During his term as chief, Jensen said there will be sever- al issues to consider. There are five fire stations in the city and two sites the department has earmarked for future station sites. Purchasing land now is important because of the rapid pace at which the city is grow- ing, Jensen said. The two land - banking sites suggested are each three -acre sites — along Wescott Road between Glazier and Lexington avenues and in the northwest quadrant near Towerview Road. In addition, his department is preparing a study for the City Council on whether to remodel or replace the existing Fire Ad- ministration building across the street from the Municipal Cen- ter. Other considerations include a joint venture with the Police Department for an 11-acre in- house training facility and dri- ving course west of Highway 13 along the Minnesota tom. A lofty goal is the purchase of a traffic signal pre-emption sys- tem that would allow police and fire personnel to change red traffic lights to green in emer- gency situations. Several sur- rounding cities already use the systems. The challenge in being chief, Jensen said, is deciding how to move forward with those propos- als and yet, stay within the de- partment's budget. "It's a tough job. The city is pushing for zero tax increase," Jensen said. "They expect the same quality of service without additional fees or tax increas- es." Add to that, competition be- tween other departments, such as the upcoming conversion to 800 megahurts for police com- munications. Jensen succeeds former Fire Chief Dale Nelson who served one term. "He did an excellent job. I want to thank him and his fami- ly and I look forward to him stay- ing involved in the department," Jensen said. River bot- I et F fire department June 16, 1987 city OF aagan 3795 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, Minnesota 55122 PRESS RELEASE The Eagan Fire Department, the Eagan Police Department and the State Fire Marshal's Office have concluded their investigation of the fire at Woodridge Apartments, 3255 Coachman Road, Eagan, MN 55122 occurring on June 14, 1987. The fire originated on a second floor balcony and extended upward into the attic/roof area. The cause of the fire was determined to be from spontaneous combustion in a container of charcoal stored on the balcony surface. THE LONE OAK TREE ... THE SYMBOL OF STRENGTH AND GROWTH IN OUR COMMUNITY Firefighters continued to battle the blaze nearly two hours after they arrived on the scene Thursday afternoon. Photo by Rick Orndorf Fire consumes Eagan apartment building by Dan Gearino Staff Writer Fire engulfed a building in the Royal Oaks Apartments complex Thursday afternoon. The blaze was the largest in the city in years, said fire offi- cials. There were no known injuries to building occu- pants. One Eagan fire fighter was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, Police said. Eagan police and fire fighters were alerted about the fire at 2:10 p.m. Thursday. • The 33-unit building is located at 3517 Federal Drive near the Pilot Knob Road and I-35E. The building was built in 1986. Fire department officials report that the fire appears to have started on the second or third floor of the building. The cause of the fire is not yet determined. There were heavy winds around the time the fire start- ed, a fact which may have helped intensify it. "The wind didn't help at all," said Pam Schiller of the Eagan Fire Department. Eagan fire fighters were assisted by fire fighters from Apple Valley, Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights and Burnsville. The assisting departments helped fight the Royal Oaks firj as well as stood ready to assist on other calls in the cit3'. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are offering emergency services such as temporary housing to those who live in the building. uo‘ Groundbreaking For Eaga Fire Station #3 EAGAN—City officials gather for the ceremonial ground- breaking for fire station number three, Aug. 17. From left is Don Wright, architect, Tom Hedges, city administrator, Ted Wachter, council member, Jim Smith, council member, Mayor Leo Murphy, Tom Egan, council member, Mark Par- ranto, council member, Bob Childres, fire chief, Jerry Adam, district chief, Doug Ried, fire marshal, and Ken Southorn, fire fighter. The new fire station will be near the intersection of Pilot Knob Rd. and Wilderness Run Rd. Eagan Fire Department gets Homeland Security grant Funds will pay for new filter systems on fire trucks by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The Eagan Fire Department will soon have cleaner -running trucks thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The fire department received an $82,253 federal grant to install new diesel exhaust fil- ter systems on its fleet of 12 trucks. "Basically each one of our trucks will get a new filter system, which will filter out harmful components of diesel exhaust," said Eagan firefighter Judy Thill, who wrote the grant application. Diesel exhaust has many un- pleasant side affects, she said, such as polluting the air and soil- ing gear and equipment stored in the department's garages. The new filters, she said, will "leave the station much cleaner, so there's less money on future maintenance" It will also make the garages more presentable to visitors who tour the fire department's facili- ties, she said. The Department of Home- land Security awarded funds to local fire departments for one of three categories: operations and firefighter safety, fire preven- tion, and firefighting vehicles acquisition. • Eagan received the funds for operations and firefighter safety, See Grant, 5A Grant/from lA which includes training, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to fire stations and facilities. Eagan has applied for Home- land Security grants several times in the past, Thill said, but this is the first time it was award- ed funds. In 2005, more than $2.5 bil- lion in Homeland Security grants were requested by 217 fire de- partments across the country. A total of $650 million was ulti- mately I awarded. "It's a very competitive grant process," Thill said: "We're pret- ty excited to get it" Thi11 said the new filters are expected to be installed within the next five months. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. July 4th festivities -rho LtLigk 'ig/Z)> Photo be Rick Omdor/ The Eagan Fire Department's color guard leads the city's July 4th Funfest parade. For more Funfest photos, see Page 18A. full-time fire chief on horizon? Eagan to explore move as part of 2006 budgeting process BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers Wanted: PT fire chief, city of 66,000 pop. 50h/wk. 150-person staff. Oversee $1.25 million bud- get. Experience necessary. If Eagan Fire Chief Bob Kriha had been answering a classified advertisement when he accepted his post in 2003, the 19-year de- partment veteran might have an- swered one just like that. If an Eagan Fire Department committee's recommendation is approved, whoever fills that spot in the future, whether it be Kriha or somebody else, will see one lit- tle, yet really big, change: PT to FT. Eagan is one of a handful of cities in the Twin Cities area that employs a part-time fire chief, but that could soon change. "It's definitely a lot of work," Kriha said. FIRE CHIEF: To Page 20A g J z www.mnSun.com Fire chief From Page 1A "You have to balance everything with your main job. It's tough at times be- cause it's like having two jobs. I'm here at least three nights a week until 10:30." And like Kriha said, that's on top of his other job at Manley Brothers Con- struction Inc., where he is the develop- ment supervisor. He said he often spends more than 50 hours a week overseeing the Fire Department. He often finds himself in situations like he did late last month, when a morn- ing apartment fire found him on the scene by 9 o'clock. When the fire was ex- tinguished that wasn't the end for Kriha. He stayed at the scene for hours, filled out paperwork and then left for his other job. The committee, made up of firefight- ers and city staff, studied the issue for 18 months and came to the recommenda- tion that the position should become full time. Along with that recommendation, the city also received salary suggestions and a job description should the change occur. City officials would not say what the salary range could be. However, similar size cities with full-time chiefs usually pay around $100,000 a year. Those cities include Brooklyn Park, Apple Valley and Lakeville. The City Council won't take up the issue until it works on Eagan's 2006 bud- get this fall, but Mayor Pat Geagan, the city's former police chief, said he sup- ports the change. "It's probably time," Geagan said. "I think the time is right to make the change. I can't say for sure what the council will do, but the Fire Department is behind this and that will play a big part." Geagan said he couldn't imagine doing the police chief job, on a part-time basis. "The Fire Department is a big opera- tion," Geagan said. "Just like the police chief's job, there are a lot of administra- tive duties that come along with the po- sition. That's hard to do on a part-time basis." While the city will consider making the move to a full-time position for the chief, such a move is not on the way for the city's part-time, volunteer firefight- ers. City Administrator Tom Hedges said the city wouldn't likely be joining the likes of South St. Paul and Burnsville and going to a professional firefighter de- partment. Such a move would be too cost- ly for the city to consider, he said. "That hasn't entered the discussion," Hedges said. "That's not what this is about. This is only looking at the chief position." While the firefighters don't receive a salary for their work, they do receive $10 per call, are vested in a pension plan after five years and are eligible for re- tirement benefits after 20 years with the department. Kriha receives a $900 monthly stipend. Hedges said the time is probably right to consider making the change because of the growth in the city. The city has seen its population climb to more than 66,000 residents. The Fire Department has five fire stations scat- tered around the city and has talked about possibly adding a sixth in the fu- ture. "You look at a department of this size and the numbers alone show the diffi- culty of running it part time," Hedges said. "I think most of the former chiefs will tell you it's really more of a full-time job a lot of the time." For his part, Kriha said he would be interested in the new full-time position but that whoever fills it, just having it be full time will be good for the department. "A full-time chief would have much more of a presence and would be able to focus even more time on administrative stuff," he said. "It would be great for the future of this department." A crash course in experience Eagan police, firefighters go through accident drill BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers The cars that had collided re- mained on the hot blacktop, one on fire, one flipped over and an- other with its windshield smashed out. The scene in Eagan Aug. 8 was similar to any other multi -car ac- cident scene, except in this one the "victims" sprawled on the ground had their injuries and symptoms pinned to their chests. And, then there was the fact that the whole thing was repeated, on a smaller scale in the parking lot of the former Red Robin and Eagan Cinema 9, the following day. The "accident" wasn't real, but rather part of a mass casualty drill staged by the Eagan Fire and Police departments and Health East ambulance service. Joshua Nichols/Sun Newspapers An Eagan firefighter checks on a "victim" during a mass casualty drill Aug. 8.The drill also involved the city's Police Department and Health East DRILL: To Page 11A ambulance. www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 11A Photos by Joshua Nichols/Sun Newspapers The mass casualty drill Aug. 8 included a variety of training experi- ences, including treating victims, extrication and extinguishing a car fire. The drill was repeated Aug. 9 on a smaller scale once again in the former Red Robin/Eagan Cinema 9 parking lot for Eagan police and firefighters. Drill From Page IA "Basically our goal was to gain experience with large numbers, basically an over- whelming number, of victims who had different levels of in- juries," said Lt. Judy Thill, a training officer with the Eagan Fire Department. While the police, firefighters and EMS workers get a chance to gain experience with coordi- nating efforts in smaller -scale incidents, they don't get as much experience in larger - scale accidents, said Lt. Greg Johnson of the Eagan Police Department. "We have so many different agencies get involved in a large- scale or critical incident like this," Johnson said. "It's not something that we get to experience very often. But, this helps show that we're not going to fail when it does happen." On the hot and sticky August day, participants in the drill sat around waiting to begin. At their marks they got into the crashed cars or took their posi- tions on the ground. Before too long the first siren could be heard and a police car appeared on the scene. It was followed by fire trucks, more po- lice cars and Health East ambu- lances. A specially rigged car body was set on fire repeatedly so firefighters could take turns ex- tinguishing it, being critiqued by observers in bright yellow and orange vests. More than 80 people partici- pated in the Aug. 8 drill and about 40 people took part the fol- lowing day, Johnson said. The drills also required the cooperation of the Inver Grove Heights and Apple Valley police departments, which covered Eagan while the drills were tak- ing place. It's important for drills like this to be as close as possible to the actual events to truly test the response of emergency per- sonnel, Thill said. "It's important to be able to practice these skills in a lifelike situation," Thill said. "It's as close to a real situation as we can have so we can be sure those involved get the most out of it." This particular drill also gave responders a handful of events to deal with. Besides the injured victims, responders also had the fire to deal with, had to extract a vic- tim from the flipped car, dealt with a mock methamphetamine lab found at the scene, arrest suspects and more. Both Johnson and Thill said they thought the drill went well. Two problems had to do with communication technology: with interoperability between police, fire and EMS workers along with a lot of radio traffic tying up the one Fire Depart- ment radio channel. Those problems will be cleared up when the county completes its switch to an 800- megahertz radio system, which allows for better interoperabili- ty between emergency person- nel. "There are obviously some things we need to improve on, but that's why we do drills like this," Thill said. Communication worked well with all agencies coordi- nating activities together and a police dispatcher was on the scene providing responders with information about the car fire and need for an extrication, just as they would in a real ac- cident. "It went really well," John- son said. "One of our main goals was to ensure that we can respond to the critical elements and haz- ards encountered at any scene. We want to be sure that infor- mation and location can be communicated down the line ef- fectively" Although Eagan has had similar drills in the past, it has been a while since it staged one, Johnson said. He said that he and Thill de- cided it was time for the city to have another one and went about setting it up. He hopes to be able to con- duct another drill in the near fu- ture. He would like to involve Dakota County's SOT team and Eagan's new mobile command vehicle, which will be ready later this year. "It's a great way to practice," he said. "The way we look at it is this was a start and we hope to have more in the future." 12A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Currentlfhursday, Aug. 18, 2005 www.mnSun.com District 197 From Page 5A Hiti said he was drawn to the school because of its "perfect size." The school has fewer than 800 students in grades five through eight. He said he wants to ensure the community is ac- tively involved in the school while he is principal. Prior to serving as the assis- tant principal at Friendly Hills, Hiti taught social studies at the school for five years and social studies at the district's only high school, Henry Sibley. Prior to that he taught social studies in the Roseville School District. Hiti has a bachelor of arts degree in secondary education from the University of Wyoming and a master of arts degree in education as well as his administrative license from St. Mary's University. Hiti lives in Inver Grove Heights along with his wife, Lorrie, and the couple's three children. Besides his work, he says he enjoys "playing with the kids, fishing, and outdoor activ- ities." "I would encourage parents and community members to stop in and walk through the building to see what excellent learning is going on at Her- itage," Hiti said. "Our staff is exceptional, and they are creat- ing wonderful learning envi- ronments for students on a daily basis." Kraft said he was drawn to his new position because he started out teaching middle school social studies and taught at Friendly Hills from 1997 to 2001. "I poured my heart and soul into the activities at Sibley for four years," Kraft said. "It was hard to walk away from that. I will truly miss the day to day in- teractions with students who have a passion for sports, drama, music and the like." No new year would be com- plete without summer con- struction projects wrapping up as school begins. While next year will see some bigger bond referendum projects at elemen- tary buildings stretching into the school year, this year small- er "pullout projects" are in the final stages of wrapping up. Students returning to the district's schools will see some subtle and some not so subtle changes in their schools. Stu- Submitted Photo Moreland Elementary School Principal Carolyn Hartwigsen with some of Susan M. Birkholz's former students.The students led an ef- fort to rename the school's library after the teacher, who died last year. dents aren't likely to notice the roof work on Sibley's high flat- topped roof, but the roof at Her- itage's gym and pool building has a bright new surface. Sibley High School will wel- come students to a new gymna- WIlfr Ili, i !4l.I Ofiegor DRIVEWAYS, INC. FREE ESTIMATES 952-657-1181 OVER 42,000 SATISFIED CUSTOMERS RESIDENTIAL 8 COMMERCIAL ASPIIALTOLOGISTS EXTRAORDINAIRE is proud to introduce... 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And across the district, students will start to see the effects of new technolo- gy upgrades as part of the capi- tal project levy referendum ap- proved by voters in fall 2004. 2005-06 CALENDAR September 1: First day of school for grades K-9, LINK Crew 2: First day of school for grades 10-12 5: Labor Day, no school October 20-21: State teacher con- vention, no school November 4: First quarter ends 7: Staff development day, no school 23: Conferences, no school 24-25: Thanksgiving break December 19-Jan. 2: Winter break January 16: MLK Day, no school 27: Second quarter ends February 20: President's Day, no school March 20-24: Spring break April 7: Third quarter ends 14: Good Friday, no school May 29: Memorial Day June 4: Sibley commencement 9: Last day of school — Early release Do you, your child or other family member have a mental illness? We can help! Mental illnesses are treatable and The National Alliance for the Mentally I11 of Minnesota has free education classes and support groups. Call NAMI at 651-645-2948 or toll free at 1-888-473-0237. nflmi MINNESOTA Natbvd <4:111..f , the Manta., NI WE'RE IN VMS NEIGIMOUHOOD EV SAY, BUT THIS Dm WON'T Lam! MING cows SUMMER aEAN SALE! • Draper ugs • Air Du( r • Tit( and Grout Evening and Weekend Service Available l' Burnsville (952) 894-7820 Savage (952) 944-9433 Mendota Hts ( 651) 452-7059 Eagan (651) 454-0001 -:A140011* (4-7820 tP o , 8-4815 Inver Grove r( .-0001 Apple Valley (952) 953-6223 Rosemount (952) 953-6223 All Metro Locations (952) 944-9433 by Erin Johnson TH SWEEK NEWSPAPERS An Eagan apartment build- ing was seriously damaged by an early morning fire on July 20. Eagan police, fire and Heal- theast Ambulance Service were called to Duckwood Trail Apart- ments, located at 3575 Lexington Ave., at 8:33 a.m. after reports of flames coming from the left side of the building. Fire trucks from all five Eagan fire stations were dispatched to the scene, as well as trucks from Apple Valley, Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights fire de- partments. Six of the 162 apartment units were destroyed and are uninhabit- able. When the fire was reported, the Eagan Police Department used its Emergency Preparedness Network phone system to inform apartment residents to evacuate Beca use the news never stops gan www.thisweek-online.com Fire damages Eagan apartment Six units destroyed, residents displaced the building. This is only the second or third time the network, which was in- stalled in 2003, has been used, said Eagan Police Officer Jenni- fer Ruby. Residents of the building were told not only to evacuate, but they were told on which side of the building to exit to avoid the flames, she said. "In apartment buildings, peo- ple don't always heed fire alarms;" she said. "So we were trying to achieve rapid evacuation and also let them know what direction we wanted them to go in." The emergency phone system was used for the first time Jan. 19 to notify residents of a 15-year-old girl who was missing in Eagan. A resident who had received the message found the girl unharmed 40 minutes later. "This has obviously been a. See Fire, 5A A city worker cleans up the aftermath of a six units in an Eagan apartment building. Photo be Rick Orrulorf fire that destroyed Fire/from lA tool that has been extremely use- ful to us as far as making those notifications," Ruby said. Residents of the six destroyed units are being placed in tem- porary housing by Steven Scott Management Company. Red Cross Disaster Services is assist- ing residents with household do- nations. No injuries were reported, however, two Eagan firefighters were transported by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Cen- ter for heat exhaustion. They were released that afternoon. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. PUBLIC SAFETY Eagan apartment fire damages six units An Eagan fire July 20 gutted six apart- ments in the Duckwood Trails Apart- ments. 3575 Lexington j ve. Reports of the fire came into th Eagan Police Commilnications Center at 8:33 a.m. Eagan firefighters were at the scene within minutes and found flames coming from the west side balconies of the building. The city used its Emergency Pre- paredness Network telephone system. or "reverse 911." at 8:50 a.m. to advise resi- dents in the building to evacuate to the east. The fire was contained to six apart- ment units. All six were declared unin- habitable: The owner of the building. Steven Scott Management Company. is provid- ing temporary housing for the displaced residents. In addition, the Red Cross is assisting residents with household do- nations. Although no one was injured in the fire. Healtheast Ambulance Service transported two Eagan firefighters to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of heat exhaustion. The cause of the fire is unknown and is currently under investigation by the Eagan Fire Marshal. The Eagan Fire Department received mutual aid assistance from the Apple Valley, Mendota Heights and Inver Grove Heights fire departments. ,e Sc cam. �c.1.4-.-x-4-1 74 (9/z/225_ Eagan Fire Department receives two Ford Super Crew Awards The Eagan Fire Department recently received two awards from the Ford F-150 Super Crew contest, which was creat- ed to honor "Super Crews" in the community who performed courageous, caring and respon- sible acts. The Eagan Fire Department was nominated for its response to the floods that devastated Eagan last summer. Although they are paid a small stipend for being firefighters, all members of the Eagan Fire Department are essentially volunteers, hav- ing regular jobs outside their firefighting duties. In February, the department was notified that it was chosen for the $10,000 award, which went to the best Super Crew in each region. All regional entries were submitted for the national award; the Eagan Fire Department was chosen as the national winner. As national winners, the Eagan Fire Department won a brand new F150 Super Crew XLT 4x4. Eagan resident Richard E. Thill entered the Super Crew story into the contest. Thill, a 25=year resident of Eagan, said he was shocked by the devasta- tion and plight of fellow resi- dents following the heavy rains and flooding that hit Eagan last year. However, he said he was encouraged by the volunteer efforts of the community, partic- ularly by the Eagan Fire Department. According to Thill, he fol- lowed the action closely in the neighborhood and on the news noting the events taking place as Eagan was declared a disaster area. Events cited by Thill in his Super Crew story included the assistance given in the recovery of a body that had been swept into a culvert, the rescue made of a disabled woman trapped in her car in chest -deep waters and the assistance given to flooded residents along, Cliff Road when a dike at Schultz Lake broke, inundating the road and threat- ening residents. Thill said that when he heard the contest announcement on the radio, he immediately thought of the Eagan firefighters who went "above and beyond," tirelessly performing for hours on end, and nominated them for this contest. Thill said that he was thrilled that the story he submitted was so successful in winning the two honors, and that it deservedly goes to the hard-working men and women of the Eagan Fire Department who have con- tributed so much to their com- munity. cujtlele(teA1 Del- 3 - zoa Eagan firefighter needs help in fight of a lifetime Benefit Tined up for equipment manager battling cancer GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Roy Prudencio recalls with excitement a grueling night when he responded to four consecutive fire calls. In retrospect, that chal- lenge seems minor compared to the battle he's waging now. In April, Prudencio, a volunteer with the Eagan Fire Department, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing exhaustion after a fire call. Soon after, he was diag- nosed with liver cancer. The diagnosis confirmed Prudencio's worst fears. He visited a doctor because one of his eyes became yellow and jaundiced in March. The doctor told him to see a specialist, but he would have to wait until May. "I wish my physician would have told me to go to the ER," he said. Prudencio, 49, started chemotherapy treatment Monday, Aug. 24. If the treatment is success- ful, he's hoping to have the tumor removed in a couple of months. "Then hopefully I'll be better," he said. Prudencio has been with the fire department since 2000 and became the equipment manager soon after he began. He took great pride in that job, often spending 20 to 30 hours a week working for the department. He says he's thankful to his wife Carol for putting up with all the time away from home. "It's a big task," said Lt. Dan Benson, Prudencio's supervisor. "He took it seriously. He made sure each of our 100-plus firefighters. FIREFIGHTER: TO PAGE 12 GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Eagan Fire Department volunteer Roy Prudencio, 49, has been diagnosed with liver cancer. To help out with Prudencio's medical expenses, the fire department has organized two fundraisers in September. pq- 3 - - oo9 12 Apple Valley, Rosemount & Eagan Sun -Current —Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 — www.mnSun.com Firefighter FROM PAGE 1 had the best equipment. It wasn't unusu- al to see him at the Fire Administration Building on a Sunday" To help out with Prudencio's medical expenses, the fire department has organ- izedtwo fundraisers in September. "I have good firefighters," said Prudencio. "I never knew I had so many friends." The first is a picnic 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Central Park Pavilion, 1501 Central Parkway. The other is a formal dinner and silent auction 4-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Royal Cliff event center, 2280 Cliff Road. Dinner costs $25 per person and will include live music and a cash bar. "We'd all go crazy if we couldn't help him," said Benson. "We're hoping we can help him in some way" "Sun -Current Today" with Grant Boelter, Katie Mintz & Joseph Palmersheim Visit mnsun.com every weekday for a webcast from our team of experts new paper$ In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Prudencio had professional experi= ' ence working with vendors, as he did with U.S. Federal Credit Union in Eagan before his illness. During his tenure as equipment manager, he picked out new brown gear for the firefighters, which was considerably less hot than the black they once used. He also picked out the lightweight fiberglass helmets firefight- ers currently wear If you visit Prudencio's home, you know he's passionate about firefighting. There's the firetruck garden decoration, the plastic hydrant in the living room - not to mention a whole room full of fire memorabilia. But it wasn't until he was 30 and liv- ing in Pleasant Hills, Iowa that he got the bug to become a firefighter. His father had to be rushed to the hos- pital by ambulance, where he later died of a heart attack. But Prudencio saw how valiantly the medical personnel fought to save his father and figured a way to honor him could be to volunteer to save lives in his community. "Ever since my dad paced away, I decided that I'd do something for the community," he said. After a. short break from firefighting when he lived in Des Moines, which doesn't use volunteers, Prudencio decid- ed it was time to get back at it. When he and his wife moved to the Twin Cities, he planned to find a community with a volunteer department. "It's the adrenaline," he said. "It's like a call that gets you going and your going to something. I just like to go non-stop. If there's a call at 5 a.m., I'm going." Not being able to answer the call is difficult for Prudencio as he works toward recovery. "I miss it right now," he said. "I turn my pager on just to listen to my tone." Prudencio said that frequent lunches with Fire Chief Mike Scott have kept him in good spirits and he remains hopeful that he'll eventually make it back. His goal is to become a full-time firefighter. He also has a whole fire department rooting for him. "We're hoping someday he'll be back," said Benson. For those unable to make the benefit events, donations can be mailed to Eagan Fire Department, Benefit for Roy, 3795• Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122. For more information, call 651-675-5900. Fireplace blamed for burning down home Holiday season brings increase in home fines, Eagan Fire Department says by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS • A fireplace in need of repair is being blamed for a fire that destroyed an Eagan home Nov. 21. The Eagan Fire Depart- ment was called to the home at 1461 Kingswood Road about 10:30 a.m. Arriving firefighters saw flames com- ing through the roof. The five -alarm fire re- quired all six Eagan fire sta- tions and Apple Valley to respond and took two hours to extinguish. No one was home at the time of the fire, and there were no injuries. Officials say the blaze was likely caused by a fire- place that had fallen into disrepair after -years of use. According to the Fire De- partment, the homedwellers had a fire going in the fire- place the night before. The next morning, the hom- eowner closed the flue and left for work. The house was built in 1991, and the cement in the fireplace andchimney had begun to break down and flake off, Fire Chief Mike Scott said. Submitted photo The home at 1461 Kingswood Road is cons dered a total loss after a five -alarm fire Nov. 21. "If that material breaks down, now the fire is getting to the wood behind the wall of your fireplace," he said. The fire had likely been smoldering for hours, he said. The holiday season tends to bring wi in fire activ "Octobe and Decem highest mo In 2007, responded November alone. Cold wOather means furnaces get',turned on and h it an increase ty, Scott said. , November er are our three ths," he said. the department o 144 calls in nd December fireplaces get used, and the holidays bring an abun- dance of candles, Christmas tree lights and cooking, all of which carry a risk of fire, Scott said. Last year one of the city's worst home fires happened right before Christmas and was caused by a candle that See Fire, 8A 1 Fire/from 1A got knocked over next to a Christmas tree. At the time of the fire, the homeowner was exer- cising in her basement with her headphones on. She was alerted to the fire by her new black Labrador puppy. That home was also a to- tal loss. Scott recommends tak- ing some common-sense precautions this time of year to prevent fires, such as never leaving candles unat- tended and getting fireplac- es cleaned and inspected ev- ery year. If you're deep-frying a turkey, never do it inside a garage or on a wooden deck, Scott said, but rather on a cement driveway away from the house. He also recommends using LED lights to deco- rate trees and homes. Not only do they save energy, but "you can leave them on for days and they don't get hot," he said. As the season progresses and the snow begins to pile up, Scott also recommends that homeowners "adopt" a fire hydrant near their home and keep it clear of snow. That way it will be clearly visible to firefighters should they need to access it for a fire. There are nearly 5,000 hydrants in Eagan, and it's almost impossible for the Fire Department to know where each one is located when they are buried by snow, Scott said. "It's amazing how quick- ly those disappear after the plows have been through," he said. For more information on fire -prevention tips or adopting a hydrant, visit www.cityofeagan.com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Fire in Minnesota River bottoms in Eagan consumes about 200 acres GRANT BOELTER • SUN NEWSPAPERS Communities around the state are fighting flooding on their rivers, but a fire was what needed to be fought in the river area of Eagan. A fire in the Minnesota River bottoms required 72 firefighters from Eagan, Burnsville, Apple Valley and Mendota Heights to spend the afternoon of Monday, March 30, extinguishing the blaze. The fire was contained to about 200 acres south of Interstate 494. Fires in the river bottoms aren't uncommon, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott, as they tend to happen every two or three years. This time it happened a little earlier than usual though, as most occur during the drier summer months. "We usually have a significant fire every two to three years," said Scott. "This is pretty early." Firefighters were able to contain the blaze within about two hours after arriv- ing on the scene shortly after 4 p.m. Scott said the fire was likely caused FIRE: TO PAGE 23 W W W.4CLOSEDHOMESMN.COM Invest Now. Save Huge Tn t ie uture 651-4BURNET 'u ric ik± q-19/2.c6 See our insert in today's paper Call Sedgwick _Service Experts Today -Al 952.86 , . 0163 www.SedgwickHeating.com visit our website for great offers Fire FROM PAGE 1 by sparks flying from a train passing through the Canadian -Pacific Railroad tracks that run through the bottoms. Scott said "99 percent" of fires occur- ring in the river bottoms are caused by sparks coming off the trains. "When you come to Eagan [from St. Paul] there's an incline," said Scott, which causes the trains to accelerate and sparks to fly. Although rains came the next day, Scott said the tall grass in the area was dry the day the fires started. Firefighters found three separate grass fires. "It doesn't take much to get started when it's so dry," said Scott. With high winds and the proximity of the area to major highways and the air- port, it was appropriate to get as many resources there as possible to fight the fires, Scott said. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wild Service also helped fight the fire. Scott said while the fires in the river bottoms don't often pose a threat to structures, the smoke produced could shut down the Minneapolis -St. Paul air- port or nearby highways. "We thought if we could try to attack it a little quicker, we could prevent it from getting up in the wind," he said. A fire in the river bottoms presents unique challenges, as it's an area that's not accessible to motor vehicles. Firefighters also must travel together in the swampy terrain. "We actually had one firefighter sink up to his shoulders," said Scott, who was then pulled out by other firefighters. "It's kind of a scary area." Scott said the city usually weighs whether to seek reimbursement from the train company based on the size of the fire. For a larger fire, two years ago, that required 12 hours to fight, the train com- pany reimbursed the city. Scott said it was unlikely that the city would ask for reimbursement for this fire. The city has spoken with the train com- pany about the most recent fire in an attempt to avoid future incidents, Scott said. SUBMITTED PHOTO A fire in the Minnesota River bottoms March 30 burned about 200 acres south of Interstate 494. Doing their part Eagan workers pitching in to help Katrina victims BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers News of Hurricane Katrina may have dimmed from the lime- light, but that doesn't mean there isn't a lot of work left to accom- plish. And, Eagan is pitching in to do its part. Eagan INSIDE Firefight- ers Lee Son- II Eagan schools derup and join city to help Doug Selby Mississippi city returned PAGE 20A earlier this month from Mobile, Ala., where they worked as volun- teer disaster assistance employ- ees for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The pair was assigned out of Atlanta and helped people in Bayou La Betre find temporary housing in travel trailers near their devastated homes. "It's given me a whole new per- spective of what people are going through that you just don't get from TV," said Sonderup. "They are going to need help for quite a while and people should know that donations still need to be made." Bayou La Betre is on the south- west side of Mobile Bay. Katrina destroyed two-thirds of the homes in the fishing village of 2,300 peo- ple, Sonderup said. He recalled one woman, who along with her husband, son, daughter and grandchild, had been living in two small tents for three weeks after their mobile home had been struck first by tornadoes after the storm and then by fire. HELPING: To Page 20A Helping From Page 1A "These are resilient people who are so grateful for the help they are receiving," he said. But Sonderup and Selby aren't the only Eagan workers helping out far from home. Two other Eagan firefighters left earlier this month as part of a 12-person contingent en route to Cameron Parish, La. The crews from Eagan, Stillwater, Forest Lake and New Brighton were re- quested under the Emergency Manage- ment Assistance Compact to help with firefighting duties. "I am very excited to go and have the opportunity to make a difference clown there," said Andy Fossum, 34, a para- medic and 10-year Eagan volunteer fire- fighter. Fossum and Jason Bessermin, a five- year Eagan volunteer firefighter, will be supplementing fire departments. The two will stay in tents for 14 days while in Louisiana. Eagan Police Officer Jenni Ruby is also on loan for three weeks as a Federal Emergency Management Agency public information officer. Her job is to coordi- nate the media requests, including han- dling the story of New Orleans resident John Padgett. For more than a month following Hur- ricane Katrina, Padgett's wife thought he might have died in the storm. She was evacuated to Houston, but Padgett re- mained in New Orleans and had to be res- cued by boat and helicopter before being sent to North Carolina. It was only earli- er this month that the two were reunited. Ruby, who normally handles press in- quiries for Eagan Police, responded to a FEMA call for public information offi- cers. S he was initially sent to a decommis- sioned military base, Fort McClellan, 70 miles north of Birmingham, Ala., where 185 evacuees from Louisiana are housed in dorm -like accommodations. Ruby had a bunk just like the evacuees, but then it was back to handle the expected press calls over Padgett's case. "I'm not in a disaster area, but in cities helping those victims recover," said Ruby. "It's a pretty incredible expe- rience. Mr. Padgett apparently hitch- hiked all the way from North Carolina to try to find his family. When he was brought to the Birmingham Disaster Re- covery Center a team of firefighters used every contact they had to locate his wife who it turns out was evacuated to Hous- ton. The story is heartwarming and I'm so grateful to be apart of it." In addition, Eagan has two police offi- cers assigned to a Dakota County law en- forcement team of 23 officers that has been assembled, but not activated yet, for (Above) A house along Scenic Drive in Pass Christian, Miss., is just one Submitted of many tP t was left ruined by Hurricane Katrina. Some Eagan schools and the city of Eagan are joining to help the schools of the Gulf Coast community. (Below) The scene in front of the City Hall in Pass Christian, Miss. Hurricane Katrina not only damaged City Hall and many houses in the city, but also destroyed three of the four schools in the city's school district. disaster relief. The Dakota County Incident Manage- ment Team has also been asked to stand by for possible deployment to the Gulf Coast region. Eagan Fire Department and Police Department command per- sonnel participate with the IMT to pro- vide incident management services to communities dealing with disasters. There is no timeline for deployment. Ruby's travel and living expenses are being paid for by FEMA. FEMA will also reimburse the city for the costs associat- ed with the firefighter deployments. "The reason mutual assistance is so important is that we know from experi- ence that weather or other disasters can quickly overwhelm local resources," Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen said. "Assisting other communities during a crisis is important not only in terms of the help we can provide, but also in terms of the valuable experience our personnel can gain that will benefit our city in times of need." Submitted photos Part of a boat sits in this home's kitchen in Bayou La Batre, Ala. Police, fire volunteers answer Katrina's call by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS Eagan Firefighters Doug Sel- . by and Lee Sonderup said that what most surprised them about the victims of Hurricane Katrina was their "amazing attitude." "We found very few people that didn't compare themselves to people who had it worse," Selby said. "The average person that Lee and I talked to was very upbeat, very positive, very will- ing to rebuild and wanted to get on with life." Selby and Sonderup spent three weeks as FEMA volunteers in a small Alabama shrimping village shortly after Katrina hit. Before the hurricane, Bayou La Batre's claim to fame was as the home of the fictional charac- "Sometimes we were just a shoulder to cry on for people who had nothing left but their front steps." — Doug Selby EAGAN FIREFIGHTER ter Bubba in' the movie "Forrest Gump." Now the town of 2,500 peo- ple is slowly rebuilding its devas- tated infrastructure and economic mainstay, shrimping. Although Selby and Sond- erup have a combined 31 years of firefighting experience, they Submitted photos Eagan firefighters Doug Selby (left) and Lee Sonderup help put up walls for a man who lost his home. Selby and Sonderup came across the man, who had triple bypass surgery the week before Katrina hit, trying to build a new house by himself. were not in Aabama to put out flames. FEMA was l looking to expe- dite help to im acted areas in the wake of Katrin Selby said, and wanted to use fi fighters because they didn't want to struggle with background checks. "We were there for more the community relations, helping get people out of their homes and into temporary shelters," he said. "FEMA had thousands of trail- ers, and our major goal was to get people out of their mold -infested, collapsed homes and tents that they had been living in for sev- eral weeks and into these nicer, one- and two -bedroom temporary See Katrina, SA i Katrina/from 1A trailers." Selby and Sonderup used their experience evaluating structures to check homes for habitability. Salt water caused many homes to be covered in black mold, Selby said. "We saw families of six and seven living in tents with tem- porary air conditioners hooked up to the side of the tent and no toilet facilities," he said. "A lot of people had shrimp ships in their backyard?' The two men had been there less than a week when Hurricane Rita hit. "Another tidal surge came through the town and some of the trailers we had set up were wiped out," Selby said. "We helped build some homes, we helped put some walls up. Sometimes we were just a shoulder to cry on for people who had nothing left but their front steps." "It's given me a whole new perspective of what people are going through that you just don't get from TV," Sonderup said. "It was quite an experience to see it all and a good experience to help people." Selby and Sonderup both said they were grateful for the oppor- tunity to assist, and it's an experi- ence they will someday tell their grandchildren about. "It was very gratifying. I think we both went away feeling very good about being able to serve and being able to actually deal with people one on one and help them through their difficulties," Selby said. It also gave the men a new ap- preciation for what they had wait- ing for them at home. "It does make me very thank- ful," Selby said. "You come home, give your wife a hug, and say, 'Boy, we've got it pretty good here.' It does make you take notice of what's important in life — family and loved ones." Selby and Sonderup are just two of several Eagan first re- sponders who volunteered after the hurricane. Eagan Police Officer Jennifer Ruby is expected to return this week after two weeks in Ala- bama as a FEMA public infor- mation officer, where she helped get information out to the public through the media about FEMA programs, registration and hous- ing. "I'm not in a disaster area, but in cities helping those victims re- cover," she said. Ruby has been traveling to different areas of Alabama help- ing people find the resources they need, often staying side -by -side with those displaced by Katrina in the temporary shelters. "It's been a great learning experience. I just really appreci- ate the opportunity to work with FEMA," she said. "They are a great organization that provides a lot of really good resources and help to people who are truly in need" Two other Eagan firefighters, Andy Fossum and Jason Besser- min, left for Cameron Parish, La., on Oct. 3 to provide relief for lo- cal firefighters. They will live in tents for 14 days (they have already reported an abundance of alligators) and fight fires as needed. "It's the right thing to do to go down there and protect the city while their (firefighting) person- nel have some time to deal with their own personal tragedy;' Bessermin said. In addition, two Eagan police officers are currently on standby for deployment to the Gulf Coast as part of a Dakota County law enforcement team. Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen said that mutual assis- tance is important because disas.- ters can quickly overwhelm local resources. "Assisting other communities during a crisis is important not only in terms of the help we can provide, but also in terms of the valuable experience our person- nel can gain that will benefit our city in times of need" Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek @ ecm-inc. com. Because the news never stops ISWeek Is. k)e www.thisweek-online. corn Fire destroys Eagan gas station Fuel, propane tanks not affected by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS A late -night fire completely gutted a gas station in Eagan's Cedar Grove area Tuesday. The Eagan Fire Department was dispatched around midnight after a police officer patrolling the area spotted flames coming from the Shell Gas Station, lo- cated at 3830 Highway 13, said Eagan Pnlira Officer Jennifer It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is unknown and remains under investigation. The fire was contained to the building and did not spread to the station's fuel tanks. The tanks contain an emergency shutoff valve for just these types of situations, said Eagan Fire Chief Bob Kriha. Firefighters were also able to relocate several cylinders of propane that were stored next to the building before they were See Fire, 5A Photo by Rick Orndorf A late -night fire destroyed the Shell Gas Station in Eagan's Cedar Grove area. The building, which sustained $900,000 in damage and is considered a total Toss, is on a site that the city has been planning to redevelop. Fire/from 1A exposed to the flames. The business suffered an estimated $900,000 in damage and is considered a total loss. The station is located on a site that is slated for redevelop- ment as part of the revitalization of the Cedar Grove area, said Eagan Director of Development Jon Hohenstein. "It was expected that that would be one of the buildings to be acquired," Hohenstein said. The city does not yet have a formal agreement with the station's owner, but future con- versations will likely be about "acquisition rather than recon- struction," he said. The Eagan Police and Fire departments are investigating the cause of the fire with the as- sistance of the State Fire Mar- shal's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. www.mnSun.com PUBLIC SAFETY Fire destroys Eagan gas station Sept. 6 Investigators are looking into the cause of an early morning fire that de- stroyed an Eagan gas station in the Cedar Grove area Sept. 6. An Eagan Police officer on routine pa- trol spotted the blaze at the Shell gas sta- tion, 3830 Highway 13, shortly after mid- night Sept. 6, according to the Eagan Po- lice Department. About 45 firefighters from all the city's five fire stations responded to the fire and fought it for about two hours until it was under control, said Eagan Police Officer Jennifer Ruby. Firefighters remained at the scene past 5 a.m. to ensure the fire was out and wouldn't flare back up. Because the gas station closed at 11 p.m. Sept. 5, there was no one in the sta- tion when the fire started, police said. After firefighters left the scene, work- ers spent the day boarding up the struc- ture and securing it Sept. 6. The building is considered con- demned and unsafe because of the fire damage, Ruby said. The Eagan Police and Fire depart- ments with the assistance of the Min- nesota State Fire Marshal's Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) are investigating the cause of the fire. Ruby said it is common procedure for the ATF to assist in investigations of fires at commercial buildings. Neither arson nor a lightning strike has been ruled out as a potential cause for the fire, Ruby said. The night of the fire numerous thunderstorms rolled through the metro area. No one was injured in the fire but in- vestigators said the building was a total loss with damages estimated at $900,000, Ruby said. Local! organizati ns aid hurricane vi�tims Cis also exploring wa to ', sist affected communities by Erin obnson THISWEEK N WSPAPERS In the wake o Hurricane Ka- trina, people acrss the country are asking how ey can help. Two Eagan or:anizations are giving people a c ance to get in- volved in relief e ` orts, whether through donationor volunteer work. Feed My S . ing Children (FMSC), a nonp ofit, non -de- nominational Ch stian organi- zation with a faci ity in Eagan, is seeking volun ers to help package nutritiou meals for those in need. FMSC sends millions of meals each year to tarving chil- dren in countries I' e Haiti, Bo- livia, Cambodia an Liberia. But the devastation caused by Hurricane Katri>}a prompted the organization reach out a little closer to ho e. FMSC has Iready sent 142,560 meals to ew Orleans, one of the areas ardent hit by the storm. Local volunte s packaged the meals, which ' ere sent to feeding stations ing estab- lished on the Gu Coast by Operation Blessin , a partner of FMSC, and dis 'buted by a coalition of relief w rkers. "The meals we originally intended for orphan ges in Cen- tral America as p of ongo- ing feeding programs there, but when we saw the devastation from Katrina we nee ed to react quickly," said Mark Crea, Feed My Starving. Childr n's execu- tive director. See Relief, 5A Relief/from 1A The shipment was sent from the Eagan facility Monday, Aug. 29 and diverted to New Orleans by Friday, he said. "This first week of emergen- cy stabilization is a crucial time for the people struggling to find food and water," he said. "Our highly nutritious food is por- table and easily prepared. It'll give hungry people what they need right now, and give other relief organizations time to set up relief efforts." Since 1994, FMSC has pack- aged 35 million nutritious meals for distribution worldwide. The organization relies on volunteers to put together and package the meals, which are sent to on -site relief workers for distribution: Each meal costs only 17 cents, and 94 percent of dona- tions go directly to the food pro- gram. Because meals were diverted to the victims of the hurricane, a replacement shipment from the organization's emergency sup- ply will be sent to Central Amer- ican soon, Crea said. Volunteers are needed to pack meals to re- plenish the emergency supply. For more information or to volunteer or donate, visit www. fmsc .org. Eagan -based Cheerful Giv- ers is also reaching out to hur- ricane victims. Toys may not be the first thing people think of in terms of relief efforts, but they can mean the world to children who have lost everything, said Cheerful Givers founder Karen Kitchel. "There are so many people living in shelters, living in churches," she said. "In many cases, they lost everything they owned. They don't have any- thing to call their own." Cheerful Givers is a non- profit organization that provides toy -filled birthday gift bags for children living in poverty in Minnesota. -They are now look- ing to provide "care bags" for displaced children in Louisiana ages 3 to 12 years old. The bags will include toys, a stuffed animal, a book, puzzles and games, she said. The bags will not only pro- vide children with entertain- ment, but more importantly, they can provide security as children move between temporary shel- ters. "They need that message that they are important," Kitchel said. "Hopefully that will help them get through the really dif- ficult times they're going to face." To donate or volunteer, visit www.cheerfulgivers.org. The city of Eagan is also looking at ways to contribute to the relief effort. The City Coun- cil is exploring options such as deploying police officers and organizing a volunteer commit- tee to help aid specific commu- nities. Meanwhile, the city has posted links to state and federal agency communications about relief activities on its Web site, www.cityofeagan.com. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. 1 EG THISWEEK September 17, 2005 3A City will hire full-time fire chief • by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS The city of Eagan will soon begin the process of hiring its first full-time fire chief. The City Council voiced its support of the move at a work session on Monday. "It's been a long, long time in the making," said Mayor Pat Geagan. The city has considered changing the job of fire chief from part-time volunteer to full-time paid position for years, but a Fire Department committee appointed two years ago recently drafted a job de- scription and salary require- ment for consideration in the 2006 city budget: "I think the scope of respon- sibility has grown dramatically since (the department) started 40 years ago," said firefighter Dirk Bjornson, who co-chaired the committee. "I think the Kriha, a development su- hours that the chief is required pervisor for Manley Land to sut in on a volunteer basis Development, said his boss is are huge." very understanding about time agan has one of the state's takeh away for fire department lar:est volunteer fire depart- matters, "but that may not be me ts, with a staff of 98 volun- the case with other volunteer tee . who respond to about 900 chiefs," he said. "Our time has calla year. come for a full-time chief." t needs more time, it needs mor said nee an a men curr a 19 eran. T muc head chief minis writi the d supervision," Bjornson "It's a big job that really s somebody full time." full-time chief would be set not only to the depart - but to the city itself, said nt Fire Chief Bob Kriha, ear Fire Department vet- e department would have more input in department eetings, and a full-time ould concentrate on ad- rative duties like grant and future needs for ent, he said. The council requested that the new chief's job description be changed to reflect an em- phasiS on management experi- ence. The revised job description will come back to the council for review in about two weeks. There are no plans to change the rest of the volunteer depart- ment, officials said. Erin 4ohnson is at eagan.. thiswe k@ecm-inc.com. Old fire ,truck gets new life truck, `Jenny,' is restored to her former glory City's first fire by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS She was in decent shape for a 60-plus-year-old truck, but Jenny, Eagan's first fire truck, had lost much of her luster — and some of her original parts — over the years. Now she boasts a shiny new coat of red paint, spar- kling brass trim, and fully functional equipment after a seven -month makeover funded solely by donations. Bringing Jenny back to life was an important goal for a group of retired Eagan firefighters, including some founding members of the department, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. "Their biggest thing was they really wanted to see Jenny restored while they were still around," he said. "We wantec to do it right because this will probably be the last time in any of our lifetimes this will get done." Jenny, a 1942 Chevro- let pumper, was originally used as an Army fire truck at the Gopher Ordinance Works in Rosemount during World War II. The Eagan Fire Department purchased the truck in 1963 for about $500. Equipped with just a hose, ladders and some fire extinguishers, Jenny did not have a radio system, flash- ing lights, heat, or for that matter, room for firefight- ers, who would hold on to the side of the truck on the way to calls. But she did help extin- guish any a blaze in her day, an ' the firefighters who relied . n her still speak of her fon ly, saying she served the city well. Jenn was retired more than 3 years ago. She is now us-d in parades and city ev ts, and she makes an ap • :3 ranee each year at the Milinesota State Fire Conference. The department began fundraising in 2006 for the project, which was esti- mated to cos $40,000. But Superior Service Center in Eagan, which did the body work and painting on the truck, gave the department some big discounts, bring- ing the total amount to around $21,00i Submitted photo Left: Eagan township officials (from left: Town Board Chairman Art Rahn and committee members Maynard Ohmn and Wally Potter) get the keys to Eagan's first fire truck, a 1942 Chevrolet pumper. Below: Fire Chief Mike Scott gets the keys to the newly restored truck from Superior Service Center owner Dan Sjolseth. Photo by Erin Johnson Superior owner Dan Sjolseth has been very gen- erous, Scott said. "He's not charging us all that he should be charging us, plus he's letting us pay as we get enough money," he said. "These guys have do- nated a ton of time." Superior has been work- ing on the truck since May. See Jenny, 14A Jenny/from 1A As many as 10 workers each took on different sections of the truck, doing their best to restore rather than replace. "Almost all of it is still original," said body shop supervisor Tony Hoffman. "The body panels, the doors, the fenders, everything is original on the truck." There were some missing pieces, however, including some that had been missing since the city purchased the truck originally. Brackets, fire extinguish- ers, and other parts had to be researched and located. "It was kind of a treasure hunt to find all this stuff," Scott said. Replacement items were found either on eBay or tak- en from Jenny's sister truck on the UMore property in Rosemount. "Most of the stuff we found was from that exact truck or that era," said body shop technician Mark Kath. Other local businesses also helped make the resto- ration possible. Flint Hills donated a fire hose, Bode- ker Fixtures donated all the brass finishing, Marks Tow- ing donated transportation of the truck, and Lockheed Martin contributed $1,000 to the effort. A shiny new Jenny will soon have a place of honor in a showroom at the new fire station, which is cur- rently under construction on the corner of Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands. She will share space with a vintage Eagan squad car behind a glass ga- rage door for easy viewing. As a nod to the new "green" fire station, Jenny was sprayed with a low VOC, water -based paint, Sjolseth said. "It's easier on the envi- ronment," he said. Sjolseth said he and his crew enjoyed working on the fire truck for the past seven months, a first for all of them. "It was a very fun project to do. It was a big project," he said. "It's very rewarding to be able to do this for the city and the community. It's nice to be able to give back this way." The department still needs to raise about $5,000 for the project. Donations to the restoration effort are tax deductible and can be made to the Eagan Fire De- partment. For more infor- mation, call (651) 675-5900. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecrn-inc.com. CA 41. 5�' o wyOacn==0 [nD S G Cr E ^ c cn' S !?f • .-ray O �'.r.r0'Q a�' o�sa�R y 'tin O O co n� la 5Oro „,.,... a y E. A n co N v, a �' � D - b �` pi: -. �SA � o �'5 to A 0. 0 i 5' aoa - =y°° c% " 0 crcQUaxa.—y ; o.v v�,�zao cCD .r, p,?$r.hn AO 6VN:pO nD 0.r,co o r' w o ,d • :mo= E. as rn ioc.CD on' 5--0. c. �mp�cnocoa5 acmf9g�� A CJ arc �,d z 7'cro g 0 c `3 o"� A w° 0~ o m F E. o C AI • O o o o c.o"ccoo 0 6c• - o ,y �i ow .. -: ., <-arc • to o o CrCi CD N. et (,,, . .. . .., ,.... ._ .... *t G7 a' '4D z ° 5 g a'Aoo 9D 0 _ nR gam_ ?3 �C7P . c.,c 0 0 O Z-1 * '...ck, .13 n,, 0 q 5a;;=Ew6L)1.rz;= zt: n .e, p,-;-.D.5.csiag:gNs2pci:g s. PD P; B- cr, < 2 rt. 5' ,r41 0., ca, (IQ ,... Q. C) .-1 .. cr ,-.) '''' ....0 :11 05nw°;*gnt c° Il• '.T.amRioCR ao'sn"i o aOn. pq n � a Oillt C . FD °''" cp,a. c�§ O CDa= Fire/from 1A his job was considered part time, it was often anything but, usu- ally requiring anywhere from 30 to 40 hours a week. The department has con- sidered the idea of a full-time chief since at least 1990, but a Fire Department committee just recently drafted a job descrip- tion and salary requirement for consideration in the 2006 city budget. "The time demands and ad- ministrative duties expected of a department this size simply became more than one could reasonably expect of volunteer chiefs with regular full-time jobs;' said Eagan City Admin- istrator Tom Hedges. "There are responsibilities for new na- tional standards of firefighting, hazardous materials standards, management team duties, and a whole host of things that make the fire chief's job a full-time obligation" More than 30 applicants were reviewed for the position. Scott was selected from a field of three finalists, including Lt. Judy Smith-Thill, a volunteer Eagan fire training officer and deputy chief of the Maple Grove Fire Department, and George Sheets, former Kalamazoo dep- uty chief. "We looked nationwide and we found our best candidate was right inside the organiza- tion," said Mayor Pat Geagan. Scott will begin his new po- sition on March 20. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ ecm-inc. com. TWIN CITIES FIREFIGHTERS BY DAY ... PHOTOS BY CRAIG BORCK, PIONEER PRESS /ter putting out a practice fire Wednesday at the Joint Training Center in Burnsville, Eagan volunteer fire department recruits Lisa Karel and Kari Wray emove their air bottles for recharging. Suburban volunteer fire departments are recruiting and training stay-at-home moms and dads to fill vacancies. ... moms, dads, home -office workers, too. They're the newest recruits of suburban fire departments, where dayside on -call pools are shrinking. BY MEGGEN LINDSAY Pioneer Press Eagan firefighter apprentice Kari Wray smoothed out fellow trainee Mike Dunn's uniform before grabbing a fire hose and facing her first structural blaze. "You can tell I'm a mom," she said with a laugh. Wray was one of 16 recruits from Hastings, Eagan and Inver Grove Heights who spent a sunny morning last week practicing how to extinguish fires. The stay-at-home mother, one of six women at the four-hour training session, represents a shift in the type of firefight- ers that suburban volunteer departments have set their sights on. "We're going after parents who may be home during the day and people who have home offices," Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott said. "We're trying to think out of the box when we recruit." So are others. Fire departments across Minnesota — most of which depend on paid, on -call firefighters to staff their stations — are struggling to combat a significant drop in people available during the day. As residents deal with increasingly FIREFIGHTER RECRUITS, 7B Eagan firefighter recruit Karel puts on her gear as she gets ready to put out a practice fire. Karel works at night as a pediatric nurse, freeing her to be on -call during the day. Firefighter recruits (continued) busy schedules and family obli- gations, fire departments fear they are fighting a losing battle for people's time. While staffing levels remain relatively stable at night, afternoon resources are spread far too thin, chiefs inter- viewed agreed. Departments are ramping up recruitment efforts and looking at hiring full- time personnel to fill the gaps. "To be honest, I am very con- cerned about our daytime response. If we had a major event, what would happen?" Vadnais Heights Fire Chief Ed Leier asked. "The biggest challenge for any volunteer department right now is finding daytime responders." Leier and other chiefs are quick to point out that neighbor- ing stations and even night responders would respond in a serious emergency, however. And just 5 percent of all fire calls nationwide require more than five firefighters, Woodbury Fire Chief Mike Richardson said. "Last year, Less than 50 of our calls really warranted having a huge contingency of people going out," he said. FILLING A VOID Wray, 43, decided to join Eagan's department with friend and neighbor Lisa Karel, 40, who works nights as a pedi- atric nurse. The two women have school -aged children so they didn't need to worry about baby sitters, they said. And they had heard the station nearest their homes was woefully short- staffed. "My kids think it's great," Karel said. "They know when Mom's pager goes off I have to run." She and Wray, along with the rest of the recruits, were nervous as they prepared for their first "live burn" Wednesday morning. They stood outside at a training center in Burnsville, a jointly owned site with two concrete buildings in which to set fires. Trainers set indoor fires in one building, replete with win- dows and old furniture inside to PHOTOS BY CRAIG BORCK, PIONEER PRESS Eagan fire Capt. Al Taylor, right, shows recruit Kari Wray how to adjust water flow through the nozzle of a fire hose during training Wednesday. BY THE NUMBERS all -career fire departments in Minnesota 42 combination departments have career and paid on -call firefighters 738 departments have paid on - call or volunteer firefighters Source: 2004, Mir+nesota Fire Service News II mimic a real houe. Crews of four took turns battlir>Ig the blaze. "They say it all comes together for us here. I hope so," Karel said as she checked her oxygen tank. Fifteen minutes later, she and the others inn her training crew exited the l uildings, faces flushed and dren hed in sweat. "It was grea It was awe- some," said DavidKocemba, 31. "It really was a Controlled way for us to learn. It wasn't as scary Recruit Lisa Karel tours the soot -coated fire training facility before donning hler gear and putting out a fire in the building. as I thought." Kocemba has one toddler, and he and his wife are expect- ing their second child this fall. As an analyst at Best Buy's cor- porate office, he is able to set his own hours and largely work from home. "I heard about the need for firefighters at the city's fair," he said. "I thought it would be a good way to impact the commu- nity in a positive way, as cheesy as that sounds." Finding others like Kocemba is tricky, fire officials said. "We're competing for peo- ple's free time," Maple Grove Fire Chief Scott Anderson said. "Families often have dual careers and so many activities now. They have to make time for us, and in this modern day that's hard to do. And it's getting hard- er and harder." Anderson has been known to search for recruits during his lunch hour. I look for women, and really anybody who is out jogging or SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2006 P 7B "We're competing for people's free time. Families often have dual careers and so many activities now. They have to make time for us, and in this modern day that's hard to do." Scott Anderson, Maple Grove fire chief walking their dog," he said. "It's not for lack of trying that we can't get people." In Vadnais Heights, the Fire Department recently completed an intensive, three-month push to bring in recruits. Of the 25 people who signed up, just 15 are going through with the training. "And of course, only one out of all of them can respond in the day," Leier said. SOLUTIONS VARY 'When then Karel and Wray V �/ become state -certified in June, they will bring the num- ber of day firefighters to five at the Dodd Road station in east- ern Eagan. That will be enough to "officially" have a crew large enough to drive a fire truck to a scene. With just three on -call fire- fighters there now and two at the Pilot Knob station, fire trucks have had to go to fires with just two people on board. "They make up a full crew once they get to the scene," Scott said. Eagan firefighters receive $10 per call, are vested in a pen- sion plan after five years of service and are eligible for those benefits after 20 years. Compensation plans are sim- ilar in other municipalities. Of Eagan's 109 volunteer fire- fighters, 24 are listed as day responders, although some of them really are available only during part of the day because of work shifts. State law allows the city to have as many as 150 firefighters. In Woodbury, 15 of the city's 70-person volunteer force are on call during the day. The city is transitioning to a fire depart- ment that uses a mix of full- time, part-time and volunteer firefighters. There already are two full-time firefighters. "We are one of the busier departments that doesn't yet have 24-hour, seven -days -a - week coverage from full-time people," Richardson said. In the next two years, Wood- bury plans to hire five more full- time firefighters and an addition- al 12 police officers who will be cross -trained as fire responders. Eagan also is looking at other ways to beef up the department, Scott said. He's intrigued by Golden Valley's "corporate call" partnership with local business- es. Some companies there allow their employees to be on call during the day, even if they don't live in the city. Other departments, like Ply- mouth and Maple Grove, employ a duty crew program during the week, in which fire- fighters work and train on shifts that they schedule in advance for themselves, rather than using the on -call system. "Elected officials and taxpay- ers must realize that although we are as highly trained as any- body there full time, it's not fea- sible to rely only on volunteers for much longer," Vadnais Heights' Leier said. Meggen Lindsay can be reached at mlindsay@pioneerpress.com. Bringing Retired Ea to re by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS She wasn't fancy, but she got the job done. Jenny, as the city's first fire truck is affectionately called, didn't have a radio system, flashing lights or heat. "You froze your gluteus off," said retired firefighter Mac Carrol. "And if you wanted air, you would have to crank the wind- shield open," said retired Ea- gan firefighter Lenny Perron. Jenny didn't even have enough room for firefighters, who often would grab on to the back or the sides of the truck on the way to a call. "It was like the Keystone Kops, guys hanging off all over her," said retired Eagan Fire Chief Bob Childers. "We had to grab a couple that were kind of slipping off," Carrol said. Equipped with just a hose, ladders and some fire extin- an firefighters seek donations tore city's first fire truck Photo In Erin Johnson R tired Eagan firefighters who relied on Jenny, the city's first fire tr ck, to get them to emergency calls hope to see her restored to he original condition. Top row, from left: Maynard Kiang, Bob Gi es, Lenny Perron. Bottom row, from Left: Clarence Hanson, M : c Carrol, Bob Childers. gu shers, Jenny nonetheless most 30 years ago. The Eagan heii.ed firefighters put out Firefighter Retirees group is m. y a blaze in her day. seek ng donations to help re- enny has fallen into disre- store her to her former glory. pat since she was retired al- See .fenny, 13A Jenny/from 1 A "She took care of Eagan resi- dents until the late 1970s, and now is time for all of us to take care of her," Childers said. Jenny, a 1942 Chevrolet pumper, was originally used as an army fire truck at the Gopher Ordinance Works in Rosemount during WWII. The Eagan Fire Department purchased the truck in 1963 for about $500. The cost to restore the truck is estimated at $40,000, which includes new chrome on the bumpers, complete painting of the interior and exterior, up- holstery work, electrical work, and the mounting of nozzles and other equipment. "Our hope is to raise funds over the summer and work on it after the first of the year," said current Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. Jenny is still used in parades and city events and she makes an appearance each year at the Minnesota State Fire Confer- ence. The goal, the group said, is to restore the look and feel of the original truck as an impor- tant visual reminder of the fire department's earliest days. "It's our history," said re- tired Fire Chief Ted Ringberg. Charter members of the Eagan Fire Department admit there is no comparison be- tween Jenny and the fire trucks of today, which cost around $300,000 unequipped. "It's like going from a bi- cycle to a Rolls Royce," Perron said. "Technology has been a big change," Childers said. "The trucks come with their own built-in computers now that can troubleshoot problems." Even though they occasion- ally had to push her down the road just to get her started, Jenny still holds a special place in their hearts. "(Jenny) is a good symbol for our fire department," said retired firefighter Maynard Kiang. The group hopes to even- tually build a permanent dis- play area so the truck can be enjoyed year round by Eagan residents. Donations to the restora- tion effort are tax deductible. Those who contribute more than $1,000 will have their names featured on a plaque. Donations can be sent to the Eagan Fire Department, Unit 1 Restoration Fund, 3795 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN, 55122. Checks sould be made out to the city of Eagan. For more information, call (651) 675-5900. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Rescuing Rover The Eagan Fire Department learns life-saving techniques for pets by Erin Johnson lems that people have in a THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS fire. I've been to a lot of fires They already know how to where we've come across dogs, rescue humans in the event of cats and birds that are having rouble breathing bccausc But last week, Eagan fire- the smoke," he said. fighters learned life-saving And it's not just fires that techniques for the furrier pets need rescuing from. members of a family: pets. Scott said the department Members of the Eagan Fire recently responded to an 8- Department took a course month -old yellow lab who got called Basic Animal Rescue stuck on an icy pond while Training, or B.A.R.T., a pro- chasing ducks. An Eagan fire - gram of the Minnesota Veteri- fighter put on a wet suit and nary Medical Association. rescued the dog. B.A.R.T. is a free course "We want to do everything offered to Minnesota fire de- we can to save all lives, includ- partments that teaches first ing pet lives," he said. "I've responders bow to save pets' lives in an emergency. to dogs, and it's nice to be able Eagan firefighters often en- to take that to the next level." Photo blErin Johnson counter pets in emergency sit- Eagan Firefighter Judy Eagan firefighters last week took an animal rescue course that uations, said Eagan Fire Chief Thill said that several fire - features a canine version of the CPR dummy used to practice Michael Scott. fighters approached her after resuscitation techniques. "Pets have the same prob- See Pets, 7A Pets/from lA hearing about B.A.R.T. and asked if Eagan could partici- pate. "In a fire, people can lose everything in their house. If you save their pets or try to save their pets, that means the world to them," she said. B.A.R.T. was established in 2004 in honor of its namesake, Bart, a German Shorthaired Pointer owned by a New Brighton firefighter. Bart died from smoke inhalation during a house fire. Even though fire- fighters managed to get him out of the house, they were not able to resuscitate him. Dr. Janet Olson, a vet- erinarian whose husband is a New Brighton firefighter, founded B.A.R.T. after real- izing that first responders had no training on how to handle animal rescue situations. Made up of volunteer vet- erinarians and veterinary as- sistants, B.A.R.T. began by training a couple of fire de- partments, and demand for the program quickly grew. The course is designed to provide the necessary training and equipment to help fire- fighters feel prepared and con- fident in animal rescue situa- tions. Training sessions cover pet handling and restraint, pa- tient assessment, first aid and CPR. During their training ses- sion, Eagan firefighters got to work with live dogs and a cat to practice such techniques as proper pet handling, look- ing for injuries and finding a pet's pulse. A canine version of a CPR dummy was also on hand to practice compressions and using an oxygen mask. Eagan Firefighter and Fire Inspector Chris Grubb said he particularly appreciates the comprehensive training. "I think it's great. A lot of us have pets like a lot of citi- zens, and what's important to them is important to us," he said. Grubb once tried to rescue a dog that was pulled from a house fire and had stopped breathing. Having seen a simi- lar situation on TV, Grubb attempted to give the dog "mouth -to -snout" resuscita- tion. "Unfortunately the dog didn't make it, but I gave it an effort. I appreciate learning more now about what steps to take," he said. "I'd feel bad if my pet passed away in a fire, so anything we can do to help our citizens I think is great." The Eagan Fire Depart- ment purchased two emer- gency pet kits with money do- nated by the Eagan Pet Clinic. Each kit costs about $500 and includes such items as oxy- gen masks, cat -restraint bags, stethoscopes, dog treats and cat food. The department would ide- ally like to have three more kits, one for each fire station, and is seeking donations to- wards their purchase. For more information or to donate, call the Eagan Fire Department at (651) 675-5900. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. 3reathing lessons Photo by Rftk Orrulm 1 Capt. Rick McLay of the E : gan Fire Department gives Devon 1 yberg, 6, an equipment demonstra- tion during an open house a Fire Station No. 5 for Fire Prevention Week. This year's theme was "Prevent Cooking Fires — atch What You Heat." i 2A December 10, 2010 THISWEEK Four Help keep fi e hydrants clear this winter Hydrants buried in sn • ' are difficult to find, causing delays w en fighting fires, authorities say by Erin Johnson e firefighters have a spe- THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS cial a .p identifying the loca- With several inches of tion . f each one, that can be snow already piled up along very time-consuming, Scott city curbs, the Eagan Fire De- said. partment is once again asking F. crews have spent up residents to "adopt" the hy- to 15 minutes trying to locate drant nearest them and keep and . ig out a hydrant before it clear of snow this winter. they ould begin dousing a Hydrants buried under hou = fire, he said. mounds of snow are difficult K--ping hydrants clear to locate when firefighters after :. ch snowfall will allow need them most and when firefi t ters to quickly locate time is of the essence, said the h ' rant in the first and Fire Chief Mike Scott. most critical moments of "A fire can double in size fightin a fire. every minute," hsaid. "Keep- Res dents who adopt a mg the fire hydr ants closest to hydran are asked to clear a your homes and businesses three-ft of area around the hy- cleared for the winter allows drant a d to the street. firefighters to concentrate on Co •ercial and industri- their firefighting duties, ver- al sites should clear multiple sus spending valuable minutes nearby ydrants as more than trying to locate a fire hydrant one oft, n is needed for those and then dig it out of the types o fires, Scott said. snow" Shov ling out hydrants There are more than 4,000 earlier ' the season makes it hydrants in the city of Eagan. easier t. keep them clear as Submitted photos The Eagan Fire Department is asking residents to "adopt" their nearest fire hydrant and keep it clear of snow during the winter to avoid delays in fighting fires. winter goes on, he said. For more information, contact the Eagan Fire De- partment at (651) 675-5900. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. Old fire truck gets new life City's first fire truck, `Jenny,' is restored to her former glory by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS She was in decent shape for a 60-plus-year-old truck, but Jenny, Eagan's first fire truck, had lost much of her luster - and some of her original parts - over the years. ~"-.. Now she boasts a shiny new coat of red paint, spar- kling brass trim, and fully functional equipment after a seven -month makeover funded solely by donations. Bringing Jenny back to life was an important goal for a group of retired Eagan firefighters, including some founding members of the department, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. "Their biggest thing was they really wanted to see Jenny restored while they were still around," he said. "We wanted to do it right because this will probably be the last time in any of our lifetimes this will get done." Jenny, a 1942 Chevro- let pumper, was originally used as an Army fire truck at the Gopher Ordinance Works in Rosemount during World War II. The Eagan Fire Department purchased the truck in 1963 for about $500. Equipped with just a hose, ladders and some fire extinguishers, Jenny did not have a radio system, flash- ing lights, heat, or for that matter, room for firefight- ers, who would hold on to the side of the truck on the way to calls. ut she did help extin- guis many a blaze in her day, and the firefighters who relie s on her still speak of her 1 • ndly, saying she served the 'ity well. J:nny was retired more than 30 years ago. She is now used in parades and city vents, and she makes an a ipearance each year at the Minnesota State Fire VVt). Conferen • . The d partment began fundraisin: in 2006 for the project, hich was esti- mated to ost $40,000. But Superior ' ervice Center in Eagan, which did the body work and painting on the truck, gave the department some big discounts, bring- ing the total amount to around $24000. Submitted photo Left: Eagan township officials (from left: Town Board Chairman Art Rahn and committee members Maynard Ohmn and Wally Potter) get the keys to Eagan's first fire truck, a 1942 Chevrolet pumper. Below: Fire Chief Mike Scott gets the keys to the newly restored truck from Superior Service Center owner Dan Sjolseth. Photo by Erin Johnson Superior owner Dan Sjolseth has been very gen- erous, Scott said. "He's not charging us all that he should be charging us, plus he's letting us pay as we get enough money," he said. "These guys have do- nated a ton of time." Superior has been work- ing on the truck since May. See Jenny, 14A Jenny/from 1A As many as 10 workers each took on different sections of the truck, doing their best to restore rather than replace. "Almost all of it is still original," said body shop supervisor Tony Hoffman. "The body panels, the doors, the fenders, everything is original on the truck." There were some missing pieces, however, including some that had been missing since the city purchased the truck originally. Brackets, fire extinguish- ers, and other parts had to be researched and located. "It was kind of a treasure hunt to find all this stuff," Scott said. Replacement items were found either on eBay or tak- en from Jenny's sister truck on the UMore property in Rosemount. "Most of the stuff we found was from that exact truck or that era," said body shop technician Mark Kath. Other local businesses also helped make the resto- ration possible. Flint Hills donated a fire hose, Bode- ker Fixtures donated all the brass finishing, Marks Tow- ing donated transportation of the truck, and Lockheed Martin contributed $1,000 to the effort. A shiny new Jenny will soon have a place of honor in a showroom at the new fire station, which is cur- rently under construction on the corner of Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands. She will share space with a vintage Eagan squad car behind a glass ga- rage door for easy viewing. As a nod to the new "green" fire station, Jenny was sprayed with a low VOC, water -based paint, Sjolseth said. "It's easier on the envi- ronment," he said. Sjolseth said he and his crew enjoyed working on the fire truck for the past seven months, a first for all of them. "It was a very fun project to do. It was a big project," he said. "It's very rewarding to be able to do this for the city and the community. It's nice to be able to give back this way." The department still needs to raise about $5,000 for the project. Donations to the restoration effort are tax deductible and can be made to the Eagan Fire De- partment. For more infor- mation, call (651) 675-5900. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com. In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Eagan officials put a green coat of paint on fire hydrants in recognition of the city's effort to build an energy -efficient fire station at Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands. (Photo by Mike Shaughnessy • Sun Newspapers) Fire Safety FROM PAGE 1 open in April 2011, is expectied to reduce response times in the city's busiest fire district. Station 2, which the new facility will replace, is in an industrial area on Lone Oak Road and can be diffic t for volun- teer firefighters to reach an emer- gency. "Our volunteers have to go through an average of six stop lights to get to the existing station," said Eagan fire chief Mike Scott, who added that response times from Station 2 could be cut by almost half when the new building opens. "We had firefighters based at other stations who were able to get to calls in that area faster than the firefighters who are based at Station 2," Eagan mayor Mike Maguire said last week as FIRE SAFETY: TO NEXT PAGE Eagan officials: Fire station will be functional, efficient BY MIKE SHAUGHNESSY SUN NEWSPAPERS When it's completed early next year, Eagan's new fire safety center will be the first of its kind in terms of energy conserva- tion. It will be the first fire department building in the country to receive "Green Globes" interna- tional energy efficiency certification. City officials are quick to point out that's not the only reason the building is going up at the corner of Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands. The new center, scheduled to FIRE SAFETY: TO PAGE 18 In the Community, With the Community, For the Community FROM PREVIOUS PAGE progress on the new station was shown off to reporters. The new building will be 38,000 square feet and cost $6.3 million. It will be the home of Station 2 and Eagan fire administration, which now are housed in two separate buildings. "It's going to be half the energy cost [of the existing two buildings], and it's a bit larger," Scott said. The new facility on the northeast cor- ner of the former Carriage Hills Golf Course will have an outdoor fire train- ing tower, indoor training space, an Eagan Police field office and sleeping rooms for on -call firefighters. Eagan has the state's second-largest volunteer fire department. Allowing it to fight fires more efficiently is para- mount, but if the city can reduce energy use at the same time, so much the better, Maguire said. Geothermal heating and cooling, a solar reflective roof, low -maintenance landscaping, rain gardens and catch basins for storm water runoff are among the energy -conscious features. Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. designed the building and Bossardt Construction is overseeing construction. "If we're going to ask people and businesses to be sensitive to the environ- ment, as a city we have to walk the walk," Maguire said. "This is an oppor- tunity for us to make good on our goal of reducing energy use." Eagan is a candidate to receive almost $2 million in federal funding for the project, and city officials said they are optimistic their request will be approved. Some of the federal money would be used to purchase the nation's first hybrid emergency response vehicle. Other money for the project will be raised by selling the existing Station 2 and fire administration building, as well as through a general obligation property tax levy. In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Eagan officials put a green coat of paint on fire hydrants in recognition of the city's effort to build an energy -efficient fire station at Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands. (Photo by Mike Shaughnessy • Sun Newspapers) Fire Safety FROM PAGE 1 open in April 2011, is expected to reduce response times in the city's busiest fire district. Station 2, which the new facility will replace, is in an industrial area on Lone Oak Road and can be difficult for volun- teer firefighters to reach in an emer- gency. "Our volunteers have to go through an average of six stop lights to get to the existing station," said Eagan fire chief Mike Scott, who added that response times from Station 2 could be cut by almost half when the new building opens. "We had firefighters based at other stations who were able to get to calls in that area faster than the firefighters who are based at Station 2," Eagan mayor Mike Maguire said last week as FIRE SAFETY: TO NEXT PAGE Eagan officials: Fire station will be functional, efficient BY MIKE SHAUGHNESSY SUN NEWSPAPERS When it's completed early next year, Eagan's new fire safety center will be the first of its kind in terms of energy conserva- tion. It will be the first fire department building in the country to receive "Green Globes" interna- tional energy efficiency certification. City officials are quick to point out that's not the only reason the building is going up at the corner of Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands. The new center, scheduled to FIRE SAFETY: TO PAGE 18 in the Community, IVith the Community for the Community FROM PREVIOUS PAGE progress on the new station was shown off to reporters. The new building will be 38,000 square feet and cost $6.3 million. It will be the home of Station 2 and Eagan fire administration, which now are housed in two separate buildings. "It's going to be half the energy cost [of the existing two buildings], and it's a bit larger," Scott said. The new facility on the northeast cor- ner of the former Carriage Hills Golf Course will have an outdoor fire train- ing tower, indoor training space, an Eagan Police field office and sleeping rooms for on -call firefighters. Eagan has the state's second-largest volunteer fire department. Allowing it to fight fires more efficiently is para- mount, but if the city can reduce energy use at the same time, so much the better, Maguire said. Geothermal heating and cooling, a solar reflective roof, low-mainitenance landscaping, rain gardens and catch basins for storm water runoff are among the energy -conscious features. Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. designed the building and Bossardt Construction is overseeing construction. "If we're going to ask people and businesses to be sensitive to the environ- ment; as a city we have to walk the walk," Maguire said. "This is an oppor- tunity for us to make good on our goal of reducing energy use." Eagan is a candidate to receive almost $2 million in federal funding for the project, and city officials said they are optimistic their request will be approved. 'Some of the federal money would be used to purchase the nation's first hybrid emergency response vehicle. Other money for the project will be raised by selling the existing Station 2 and fire administration building, as well as through a general obligation property tax levy. New fire station Facility will be first in by Erin Johnson TH1SWEEK NEWSPAPERS City officials are seeing green — not red — over Eagan's planned new fire station, which will be the first in the nation to receive "Green Globes" cer- tification for energy efficiency. According to the city, Green Globes is an internationally recog- nized certification process aimed at reducing a building's overall environ- mental impact. Construction is already under way on the facility, located on four acres of the former Carriage Hills golf course property, at the corner of Yan- nation to kee Doodle Road Road and Wesc Woodlands. The $6.3 million building is sla for completion next April and include numerous environment friendly features, which officials hi lighted at a groundbreaking cerem July 15. The "much -needed" fire safety c ter will do more than improve fire sponse times in the busiest area of city, Mayor Mike Maguire said. "It helps carry out one of the council's goals to foster a broad-b Photo by Erin Johnso Eagan City Council members Gary Hansen, Cyndee Fields, Paul Bakken and Mayor Mike ' Maguire help paint some fire (hydrants green at a groundbreaking cetemony for the city's new fire station, whic boasts numero environmenta friendly futures, boasts bevy of green features receive `Gruen Globes' certification and comprehensive commitment to environmental sustainabilitY and en- ergy efficiency," he said. Green features include geother- mal energy for heating and cooling; a solar -reflective roof to project light and minimize heat effects; natural in- door lighting and LED outdoor light- ing; and low -impact landscaping, rain gardens and catch basins to minimize n- storm runoff. re- Even some of the wood used to he build the facility is recycled — the city is using ash trees that needed to be ity removed to prevent infestation by the ed See Station, 16A tt d i11 ly h- Statioplfrom lA an industrial park on Lone being able to cut response Oak Road, and the Fire Ad- times nearly in half com- emerald ash borer. ministration Building, lo- pared to Fire Station Two. The city has applied for cated on the corner of Pilot That station is hard to federal funds to help pur- Knob and Wescott roads. reach and far from where chase the nation's first hy- Money from the sale of most volunteer firefighters brid emergency response those two buildings will also live, he said. vehicle, a truck that would help fund the project, Fire ofnt "Fromwe a k safety f ety stand - help refill firefighters' air Chief Mike Scott said. p tanks and store drinking The new space will house doubles in size every min - water and other supplies. fire administration opera- ute, and that this is our busi- The money would also tions and a new police field est district," he said. "With go toward purchasing two office, an outdoor training this improvement we will hybrid. pickup trucks, as tower and indoor training have, citywide, one of the well as a fire engine with spaces that adapt to become best fire response times for an idle -reduction feature to can enter,ency oerations a volunteer and six do pm rooms the country." in help save fuel. The 38,000-square-foot for on -call firefighters. facility will replace the While he's pleased about Erin Johnson is at eagan. current Fire Station Two, all the green features, Scott thisweek@ecm-inc.co which sits in the middle of said he's most excited about Eagan: Fullblazesongoinggreen ft • The city's new Fire Safety Center, scheduled to open next April, is tiLe first such facility to be nationally 1. ` certified for "Green Globes" energy efficiency. By JOY POWELL+ jpowet�startribune.com Eagan officials are celebrating their use of energy -saving fea- tures in a fire safety complex under construction — and their project has already garnered prestigious national recognition. The complex, built on the city's northeast side, boasts many environmentally friendly features, from geothermal heating and cooling, to natural indoor lighting, to wooden planking made from at -risk trees that were cut down last spring to prevent an invasion of emerald ash borers. The campus at Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands will have a white, solar -reflective roof and, if local officials se- cure federal funding, the nation's first hybrid emergency re- sponse vehicle. Beyond that, there's a big plus forresidentsihe new station will improve public safety in Eagan by reducing the number of minutes that it will take the firefighters to get from their homes to the station and on to emergencies, City Administrator Tom Hedges and other officials said. Green continues on AA4 ► �tE JOY POWELL • Star Tribune Greg Franzen, left, of the construction management firm Bossardt Corp., and Fire Lt. Bill Knoll painted a hydrant green in a show of support for Eagan's new Fire Safety Center, which will feature many environmentally friendly elements. ciency certification. It will replace two exist- ing stations: Station No. 2 on Lone Oak Circle and the fire administration building near City Hall. Eagan will sell those buildings to pay for the proj- ect and also use property taxes and, Likely, $2 million in antici- pated federal funding, said Fire Chief Michael Scott. Scott said he's most pleased with finding a way to nearly halve response times from the current Station 2, from 12 min- utes to 6.5 or 7 minutes. That station on Lone Oak Circle accounts for nearly half of the city's fire and rescue calls, yet has the longest re- sponse times in the city. Vol- unteer firefighters must travel through six stoplights to get to the station in an industrial area before they can get their trucks and equipment and head to calls, Scott said. The new station is within 1.5 miles of the homes of 17 volun- teer firefighters, he said. "From a safety standpoint, we know that a fire doubles in size every minute, and that this is our busiest district," Scott said. To build, Eagan bought four acres of the old Carriage Hills Golf Course for $450,000. Joy Powell • 952-882-9017 JOY POWELL . Star Tribune Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire says the new Fire Safety Center will "improve fire response times and training in the busiest dis- trict of the city." Eagan: Full blazes on going green 44 GREEN FROM AA1 It will do that through not only a central location, near housing developments, but al- so by providing free housing for six firefighters who will live at the station. That's an expansion of an experiment launched on the city's south side three years ago to recruit and retain firefight- ers. The city has three such dorms on the south side. "The much -needed fire safe- ty center will not only improve fire response times and train- ing in the busiest district of the city," Mayor Mike Maguire said, "but it helps carry out one of the City Council's goals." That objective, he said, is to foster a commitment not only to energy efficiency but also to environmental sustainability. The $6.3 million project will also provide an outdoor fire training tower, offices for fire administration and an Eagan police field station, and stor- age space for crime evidence. It also will provide six drive - through bays for fire rigs. Hedges said the long -need- ed center will not only improve public safety but will also be a "showpiece" for Eagan's com- mitment to sustainable ener- gy alternatives. The project in- cludes 63 geothermal wells that will tap into the earth's stable temperatures to heat and cool the new campus. The facility, scheduled to open next April, will be the first U.S. fire safety facili- ty to receive the internation- al "Green Globes" energy effi- Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott examines a piece of lumber processed from a downed Eagan tree that will be used in the city's new public safety center. After the trees were harvested, they were processed by a mill in Mankato and will be used for paneling, flooring and beam I materials in the new building. (Photo by Joseph Palmersheim • Sun Newspapers) Recycled trees to turn over new leaf Downed trees to be used in Eagan safety center BY JOSEPH PALMERSHEIM • SUN NEWSPAPERS The trees at Caponi Art Park, according to program coordinator Heather Westerlund, "are like chil- dren." But when one of them had to come down earlier this year, there weren't any tears shed. The tree was dead, but the materials it created during its long life were head- ed towards another purpose. Parts of a new public safety project in Eagan will feature deep roots in the city itself — roots, it turns out, that might still be in the soil. A Mankato mill is processing trees harvested from several sites in Eagan in order to be re -used in several areas of the city's new Public Safety Center. The center is currently under con- struction and will open sometime next spring on part of the former Carriage Hills Golf Course grounds. When that happens, part of the facility will be dedicated to the history of the city's emergency responders, and Eagan's first fire truck and an early police car will be on display. "As we started talking about the building, we wanted to look at green Eagan TREES: TO PAGE 7 See ad inside RIDE THE BUS TO THE FAIR! my $5 Round Trip M FOR MORE INFORMATION 952-882-7500 • WWW.MVTA.COM ` Established in 1915 SUSSEL BUILD) Homes • Additions • Garages • E• SHXrRrOQA4RAT 654 Transfe In the Community, With the Community, For the Community Trees FROM PAGE 1 features," said Fire Chief Mike Scott. "We'd looked at LEED, but it is really expensive. We decided to look at Green Globes instead, and we'll be the first to do that in the country" A 60-year-old oak tree had to be taken down to allow for the desired site of the new public safety center. Scott asked the city forester to see if the tree could be har- vested, and it was eventually cut down was sent to Mankato for processing. "We only had a few from the side that were able to be reused - a couple of oaks and ash," Scott said. "It kept mushroom- ing, and Gregg Hove, our city forester, let me know that he had to take down 97 ash trees as part of the emerald ash borer. He felt it was a shame for nothing to happen to them. As that expanded, we found a red oak that needed to come down on the Art Park site." "You wouldn't have been able to wrap your arms around it," Westerlund replied when asked about how big the red oak was. "It would have taken a cou- ple people. They took it down this February. It had been dead for some time, so it was without leaves, and it was ready to come down and be useful some- where else." The wood will be used in the garage housing the two vintage vehicles. Scott said there are plans for a wooden floor and beams to make the room look like a vintage township garage. There was so much wood, he said, that other wood will be used in the lobby of the new fire station. The wood won't be used just on the building that houses part of Eagan's history - it will contribute to the rebuilding of part of the city's public safety heritage. "We're actually having the fire truck restored at Superior Collision," Scott said. "Some of the wood from the oak tree will be used to restore the wood bed." In a somewhat ironic twist, the truck (and the building that houses it) will be standing near the exact spot the oak tree had spent 60 years before being cut down. The former U.S. Army fire truck served at the UMore Park until the city of Eagan bought the 1942 Chevrolet in 1963. It is being slowly pieced together at Superior after a major restoration. Body shop manager Tony Hoffman estimated the project had an additional two months of work until completion. "We started about three months ago, and it's been a pretty extensive project," Hoffman said. "It's in pretty nice condi- www.minnlocal.com -Thursday, Aug. 19, 201( tion, but we're taking it to the next level. For a 60-plus-year-old truck, it was in good shape. Eagan wants it to look like it did then. There was some Army green on the fenders, and some Army numbers on the hood. It's got tons of layers of paint on it, and a ton of wax. It was cool to see that the firefighters took such pride in it." Hoffman estimated that the wood bed- ding will be replaced next month. "It's a really cool idea," he said. "It's the first time we've done something like this." TREES: TO NEXT PAGE R 9.466 ATTENTION MINNESOTA SENIOR HOMEOWNERS Are you aware of a new Minnesota law permitting your heirs to avoid probate on real estate owned by you at your death? Please call FFP Legal Services, LLC for details at 952-854-9678 Eagan /3/..20/0 City building new firehouse, going `green' intheprocess Center will be first Green Globes -certified facility in U.S. By Jessica Fleming jfleming@pioneerpress.com When it comes to putting out fires, the city of Eagan is see- ing green. Its 38,000-square-foot Fire Safety Center, currently under construction, will be the first Green Globes -certified fire safety facility in the nation, city officials say. Green Globes is a certification for energy - efficient buildings. "A city council goal is for the private sector to be energy - efficient and environmentally sensitive," Mayor Mike Maguire said, and the fire sta- tion will set an example. The $6.3 million building will open in April at Yankee Doodle Road and Wescott Woodlands on land that is part of the for- mer Carriage Hills golf course. Energy -efficient features include a white solar -reflective roof, geothermal heating and cooling, low -impact plant land- scaping and interior wood planking made from recycled trees — those cleared from the building site and ash tr down elsewhere in the city to GREEN FIREHOUSE, 4B > PIONEER PRESS: RICHARO MARSHALL To match the "green," energy -efficient theme of Eagan's new Fire Safety Center, scheduled to open in April, officials and construction workers paint a nearby fire hydrant last week. CONTINUED FROM 1B > Green firehouse prevent infestation by emerald ash bor- ers. In addition, the center, which will replace the Fire Station 2 on Lone Oak Road, will decrease response times, Fire Chief Michael Scott said. "This is our busiest area," Scott said "Station 2 is at a little over 12 minutes now. We're hoping to cut that to under seven minutes." The new station is within 1'/2 miles of 17 on -call firefighters, Scott said. Thirty fire- fighters are assigned to the station. "This will get them on the road and in a sirened vehicle more quickly," he said. Having six dorm rooms for on -call fire- fighters also will help response times. The dorms are an expansion of an experiment the department began in 2008 to attract and retain younger firefig;,ters. Three dorms in the department's fire adminis- tration building at Pilot Knob and Wescott roads will be replaced by six in the new center. "The pilot program worked out very well, and we're continuing that," Scott said. The administration building and Fire Station 2 will be sold after construction is complete. Fire administratipn also will be housed at the new center. CONTINUED FROM 113 > Pre -op fall began Feb. 12 when he suffered a stroke. He was admitted to the downtown St. Paul hospital and underwent several surgeries, including one to remove part of his skull. On March 8, the day of the fall, he was scheduled to have a lumbar drain insert- ed. Hospital workers reported that he "rolled off" the table and was treated for "acute significant bleeding" before they sent him for an immediate CT scan, PIONEER PRESS: RICHARD MARSHALL "They call me the green chief," says Eagan Fire Chief Michael Scott, speaking last week about the city's new environmentally friendly Eagan fire station, now under construction. It will replace the existing fire administration building and Station 2 and include indoor/outdoor training features and extra storage space far police and fire evidence. There will be six drive -through bays for fire rigs, indoor/outdoor training features and extra storage space for police and fire evidence. The evidence room at the Eagan Police Department is overflowing, Scott said. The 4-acre center will be funded by the sale of the other two buildings and prop- erty taxes. The department is also waiting to learn whether it received a $2 million federal grant to pay for part of the center according to a hospital report released by DeVries' attorney. He then went to the intensive care unit. He fell on the side of his head where part of the skull had been removed, the lawsuit says. He had been scheduled to move to HealthEast's Bethesda Hospital in St. Paul for rehabilitation three days after the sur- gery, but that never happened. "It's terrible on his family, thinking he's going to go home and then find out that ... he fell off the operating table," Hajek said Thursday. "You can imagine the roller coaster the family's been on." He said hospital staff told the family and, possibly, the nation's first hybrid emergency response vehicle. Scott beamed last week at the construc- tion site, recalling that when his father joined the police force in the 1970s, Station 2 was just being planned. "Now, one of my first tasks as fire chief was to close and rebuild Station 2," he said. Jessica Fleming can be reached at 651-228-5435. DeVries had been secured by Velcro straps. DeVries died April 13 after he was taken off life support. He is survived by two sons, Darren DeVries of Ogilvie, Minn., and Shawn DeVries of Shoreview, and four grandchil- dren, Hajek said. Before his death, he was well-known in the Chevy Best Car Club. He wrote a column for the club's newslet- ter under his moniker, Malibu Max, and his fellow Chevy aficionados "packed the funeral home parking lot" with their antique cars for his service, Hajek said. Emily Gurnon can be reached at 651-228-5522.