The Roundabout

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_{Newsletter Editor: Pat Mack}

Table of Contents

• Woodbury Weather via National Weather Service

• School Board Members Approve Pay Increase

• Charcoal Grill Cause of Woodbury Fire

• Police Adding Fire Suppression Units to Squads

• Senator’s Court Hearing Set for Aug. 30

• Candidates File for Local School Boards

• Bash for Brains ‘Whiteout Party’ Planned

• Woodbury Days Revives Firefighter Water Fight

• Indoor Play Park Approved

• Free Mattress, Box Spring Collection Underway

• City Council Candidate Overview Amendments

• Update on Woodbury News Net

Woodbury Weather via National Weather Service

School Board Members Approve Pay Increase

Board members in the South Washington County School District voted last Thursday to increase their pay.

Board Member Pat Driscoll made a motion to increase their compensation from the $5,700 to $10,000 annually, a 75 percent increase. The motion was seconded by board member Melinda Dols. Five of the six board members present approved the pay increase. Board Member Simi Patnaik voted no. Board member Eric Tessmer was not at the meeting.

The district serves parts of seven cities, including Woodbury. The sixth largest district in the state had an enrollment of 19,500 students in October 2023, according to the Minnesota Department of Education.

Charcoal Grill Cause of Woodbury Fire

An investigation report indicates a charcoal grill caused a fire that damaged two homes in Woodbury. The Aug. 4 fire damaged a home at 3819 Jamestown Curve as well as the house next door. During a conversation with homeowners, they said “they had a charcoal grill lit and in the beginning stages of ignition in their driveway/garage apron area,” the report states. “A passerby rang their doorbell a while later to alert them that their house was on fire.”

Police Adding Fire Suppression Units to Squads

The city has received the donation of 22 fire suppression units to be added to Woodbury police squad cars. American Legion Post 501, Newport Masonic Lodge, Woodbury Lion’s Club, and Heppner’s Auto Repair donated the units, which cost $900 each. The units can reduce loss in a fire emergency and enhance first responder safety.

Senator’s Court Hearing Set for Aug. 30

State Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, is scheduled to make her next court appearance Aug. 30 in her felony burglary case. The Minnesota Star Tribune reports court filings reveal she has entered a not-guilty plea. Prosecutors have agreed to drop a charge that she stole a laptop, and her attorney has dropped several motions he had filed. Mitchell was arrested in April after allegedly breaking into her stepmother’s house in Detroit Lakes. Mitchell, a first-term lawmaker, has called the incident a misunderstanding.

Candidates File for Local School Boards

Two of Woodbury’s three school districts will hold fall school board elections. The four-year terms will begin January 2025. All candidates were invited to provide background information and their reasons for running and/or priorities.

ISD #622: North St. Paul-Oakdale-Maplewood School District
Four Open Seats

Six candidates are running, including incumbents Nancy Livingston, Char Nitardy, and Kita Yang. Julia Martens is not running for re-election.

MIRIAM JANECHEK, PhD: Current: homemaker. Past: Education Technology Implementation Consultant; MN Department of Education, Communications and Public Engagement; College Instructor, English Literature

Your priorities/why you are running: I'm running for school board to support aligning our district's practices with child development science, such as prioritizing extended recess, longer lunch periods, and fostering independence, ensuring students develop into capable, confident citizens. 

NANCY LIVINGSTON (incumbent): Director, ISD #622 School Board. Retired. Past positions: Minnesota Senate Staff Member, Century College Administrator, Pioneer Press Reporter

Your priorities/why you are running: Academic achievement, school safety, partnering with families, supporting students, staff and teachers, spending tax dollars wisely.

JUSTIN MIDDAUGH: CEO of a small Maplewood contracting corporation, specializing in residential exterior and interior remodeling and building

Your priorities/why you are running: We are failing our children. 2012 to 2023 reading and math proficiency has dropped. Tartan High School for example has 18% proficiency in math. Unacceptable. I want to fix that with better grades and accountability.

Middaugh’s website | Facebook page

CHARLOTTE (CHAR) NITARDY, PhD (incumbent): Clerk, ISD #622 School Board; Parent of three ISD #622 graduates; Administrator and Faculty, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Your priorities/why you are running: I am a 30-year resident of Woodbury (in ISD #622). I have a PhD in Education, teaching about children’s development. Priorities include academic achievement; school safety; supporting teachers, students, and families; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Nitardy’s Facebook page

KATIE SWOR: Environmental Engineer. Board Member: Environmental Initiative (Treasurer), Friends of the OVAL, and American Bandy Association

Your priorities/why you are running: I'm running to ensure all students get opportunities to thrive, to find passions that ignite their sense of purpose and community, and to contribute to a changing and growing society.

Swor’s Facebook page

KITA YANG (incumbent): Board Chair, ISD #622 School Board, ISD 622 parent, close to 20-year resident of Maplewood. Lead Practice Officer (HR Director), Minnesota Alliance with Youth 

Your priorities/why you are running: Academic achievement and school safety, as a parent and community member, especially as a school board member. Additionally supporting students, staff, and teachers and partnering with our administration in ensuring effective strategies are in place.

Yang’s Facebook page

ISD #834: Stillwater Area Schools
Three Open Seats

Three candidates are running, including incumbent Katie Hockert. Beverly Petrie and Annie Porbeni are not seeking re-election.

SARAH GRCEVICH: Privacy Officer at Gravie, Inc., ISD #834 Parent, Elementary School Literacy Volunteer (Stillwater Rotary VESL program) 

Your priorities/why you are running: I’m running for school board to support our district’s continued success. My longstanding interest in education and experience volunteering have deepened my appreciation for our schools, and I want to contribute positively to their future. 

Grevich’s website

KATIE HOCKERT (incumbent): Director, Stillwater Area School Board, ISD #834 Parent, Project Management, Secondary History Teacher (Madison, WI), and AVID Tutor

Your priorities/why you are running: We have accomplished so much in four years, from reestablishing stability to bringing in new talent and investing in our schools and students. I’m running to continue this work and ensure the success of our new initiatives. 

Hockert’s website | Facebook page

ROBERT PARKER: Transportation Consultant, Investor, and Afton-Lakeland Elementary PTA (Treasurer); Past positions: McKinsey & Co (Engagement Manager), GE Capital/Element (Director Strategic Consulting), Clinical Care Options (Manager); U of M Carlson School of Management: BSB, MBA

Your priorities/why you are running: Serve the needs of all students; Listen, learn, and seek to understand; Define then improve key performance metrics (e.g. test scores); Strive for robust discussion with respectful tension; Drive data-informed decisions and fiscal responsibility.

Parker’s website | Facebook page

Bash for Brains ‘Whiteout Party’ Planned

^{By Lyndsay Zadnik}

The end of summer is quickly approaching, but before bidding the season farewell, there is one final can’t-miss event to attend, the Bash for Brains fundraising party on September 7.

This year’s theme is a “whiteout party” in honor of the white flower symbol that signifies the first Alzheimer’s survivor. The event will be held at 7568 Glen Alcove in Woodbury in the idyllic backyard of Leah Huxtable, one of the founders who started the philanthropic endeavor over 11 years ago. Bash attendees will enjoy food, drinks, live entertainment, and a silent auction, with the option of upgrading to VIP status for additional perks.

Huxtable, along with her sister and fellow co-founder, Eva Thompson, share a deeply personal connection to their mission, which fuels their desire to find a cure for Alzheimer's and support families of those who suffer from the disease. When their mother, Lucy, was diagnosed in 2011, Huxtable and her siblings sprang into action.

“Our mom was diagnosed at just 60. She was this exuberant lady with so much left to do and we couldn’t do anything for her. There was no treatment. We just felt helpless. We started fundraising in earnest. We asked, “What do we do well? We like to throw parties!’ ” Huxtable said.

And so it began, a seed was planted and it continued to grow year after year. So far, 11 Bash for Brains parties have raised a total of $750,000. The group hopes to surpass $1 million after this year’s bash.

The group’s new tagline for 2024 is “serving the now, saving the future.” The “future” portion is working toward a cure by donating half of the money raised to the Alzheimer's Association. The siblings are focusing on the “now” by funneling the rest of the funds back into the community via grants to families dealing with an Alzheimer's diagnosis.

“Since so much of the support for the event comes from people in Woodbury we wanted to partner with the Woodbury Community Foundation to disperse funds back into the community,” Huxtable said.

The Woodbury Community Foundation acts as the event’s fiscal sponsor and allows the group to operate under its partner fund umbrella. The group also partners with Family Means, another local nonprofit organization. Family Means finds in-home caregivers who need a break and connects them with a grant from the Bash party group for respite care.

Not only are the siblings fighting for this cause in honor of their mother’s legacy and support of local families, but they are ultimately in a battle for their own health, and their children’s futures. Huxtable says, “There were four girls, and only one of my mom's siblings does not have the disease, so it's highly prevalent in our family. That's another reason, you know…we're trying to fight for our own brains now.”

Community members interested in attending this year’s Bash for Brains can find more info at bashforbrains.com. General admission tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased online. For those who are unable to attend, but would like to contribute, the event has honorary luminary candles available for sale, and the event is looking for sponsors.

Woodbury Days Revives Water Fight

^{By Manali Shah}

Revived after a couple of decades, the Firefighters’ Challenge at the Woodbury Days, last Saturday, was thoroughly enjoyed by spectators. On a bright sunny and humid 90-plus degree afternoon, the firefighters too seemed to be enjoying playing with water.

The Challenge was simple. Strung in the middle of a wire was an empty barrel, an old-style keg weighing 15 lbs. Two opposing teams of three firefighters each, sprayed jets of water to move the barrel to the other side.

Each round lasted sixty seconds. Cadets and alumni alike were part of the teams, and they worked hard to win. It was visible in the way they strained to move the barrel to the opposite side.

There were nine teams in all with four from Woodbury, including the team from the Woodbury Firefighters Alumni Association. Two teams were from Lake Elmo, two more from St. Paul Park and one team from Newport. Spectators lustily cheered each round.

The three winners were: First place: Lake Elmo Fire | Second place: Woodbury Fire | Third place: Woodbury Alumni Fire.

“The idea of a water fight or firefighter challenge is a bit of a traditional event in the fire service. I was lucky enough to participate in one previously, 15 years ago, and I loved everything about it. When I started putting this event together, it had a very nostalgic vibe to it because the number of these events have dwindled significantly in recent years. The concept always seemed like a great way to showcase our equipment and apparatus, our hose handling/management skills, pay homage to the history of our department by engaging the Alumni association,” said Benjamin Quayle firefighter/EMT with Woodbury Public Safety.

Woodbury Days staple events like the bingo tent attracted big crowds. Sponsored by Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café in Woodbury, the owners got a chance to call out bingo.

The food tent was popular as usual, with Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks and Fresh India among the many new eateries this year. There was something happening at the bandshell all weekend long including cultural dances and local performers. The beer tent was very popular late Saturday evening especially after the spectacular fireworks sponsored by the City of Woodbury, this year. The new parade route was embraced by all with the special pomp, excitement and vigor the parade always generates.

All in all, another wonderful weekend of family fun!

Indoor Play Park Approved

The Woodbury City Council Wednesday approved a Good Times Park that will be located at 7805 Hudson Road. Good Times, which operates an indoor facility in Eagan, bills itself as the largest, privately owned indoor park in the state. The new park will include a playground, indoor field, obstacle course, picnic area, and two party rooms. The business offers daily, monthly and annual passes and will be open seven days a week. The owners hope to open the park in December.

Free Mattress, Box Spring Collection Underway

Woodbury residents can place mattresses, box springs, and crib mattresses on their curb to be recycled. The free collection continues through Sept. 19. Residents must schedule a curbside pickup through the Second Chance Recycling Curbside Collection website. The City of Woodbury partners with Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy and Second Chance Recycling.

City Council Candidate Overview Amendments

We wanted to amend a few items in the City Council Candidate Overview published last week.

Candidate Kim Wilson has an updated website: Wilson’s website.

Candidate Dave Hoelzel felt we edited his priorities too much, so we are republishing his response giving him as many words as other candidates.

Priorities for City: Public Safety: With public safety as the top concern, I will advocate for a reasonable expansion of the public safety campus | Water implementation: City must complete financing the PFAS mitigation project with other governmental entities. | Infrastructure: Demand on city assets grow with our city. The five-year, Capital improvement Plan needs a refresh. | Strategic Management: Focus will start on the 2050 Comprehensive Plan with the Metropolitan Council.

Update on Woodbury News Net

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