Hello Everyone. Here is the second edition of the McLaughlin Report,
Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin's e-mail newsletter. Thanks.
Becky Boland
Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin
612-348-3204
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Hennepin County Commissioner
Peter McLaughlin
E-News Update for June 6th, 2001
1. Welcome
2. Hennepin County Veteran Memorial Garden Dedication
3. Arbor Day Tree Planting on the Greenway
4. Eco-Yard Demonstration on June 9th
5. Minnesota Steelworkers get Show of Support
6. South Country Health Alliance Kickoff
1. Welcome
Welcome to the second edition of the McLaughlin Report! I hope that
you've been able to get outside despite the spring like weather. I
have been lucky enough to spend time out in the district on my bicycle
lately and have seen many of you as I go by.
You may notice in this edition that there are not any graphics. We
did not add any this time, because of the problems we experienced with
the last update. We do, however, have wonderful pictures of all of
the events that we mention, so please feel free to contact one of my
staff at the numbers listed below for copies if you would like them.
As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions that you
may have. You may simply hit "reply" to this e-mail, or contact us at
the location listed below. Thanks again!
2. Hennepin County Veteran's Memorial Garden Dedicated at Minneapolis
Armory
On May 24th, we dedicated the first Veterans Memorial Garden in
Hennepin County. Working with Minneapolis Armory owner Doug Hoskin,
Hennepin County created a permanent garden to commemorate the
thousands of men and women from this area who served in the armed
forces. Members of the Honor Guard for that day were Captain Dan
Thyr, Quentin De Nio, Carlyle Christianson, Glenn Jenneke, Vern From,
and Mel Leiman. Also, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans
and Veterans of Foreign Affairs donated the plaques at the base of the
flag pole honoring each of the branches of the Armed Services.
At the dedication Commissioner McLaughlin remarked, "We stand here
today on the shoulder of men and women, family and friends, who
suffered and died in service to our freedom and our country. As we
drive or walk by this memorial, I hope we can all think about and
honor the men and women who have served our country and continue to
serve today."
The Armory is located on the corner of 6th Street and 5th Avenue, in
downtown Minneapolis, a block from the Government Center. Please feel
free to take the time to stop by and reflect on the proud history of
the men and women who have served in defense of our nation and our
liberty. You may also look at pictures from the dedication at:
http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/pa/Specialprojects/vets_armory/armorydedication.htm
3. Successful Tree Planting on the Midtown Greenway!
As you read in the last issue of the McLaughlin Report, on April 28th
we, along with Midtown Community Works, Tree Trust, and dozens of
community and business volunteers planted trees along the Midtown
Greenway. Hundreds of people turned out to help make Hennepin County
a "greener" place to live. Almost 300 hundred trees, hundreds of
perennials and dozens of shrubs were planted in the first of what is
planned as a series of "greenings" along the length of the Greenway as
it is developed. In addition to that, we were able to see the
progress that the Greenway has made, and all of the people that are
enjoying the efforts that have been made. The Greenway is certainly
becoming a popular place for the community to enjoy.
4. Eco-Yard Grand Opening --- Saturday, June 9th
Eco-Yard, located at the Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer
Station in Brooklyn Park, is having their grand opening on Saturday,
June 9th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Events will include seminars on a variety of sustainable gardening
topics, guided tours of the Eco-Yard Demonstration site, a plant
clinic with Master Gardeners, children's activities including planting
a wildflower to take home, an Environmental Educational Fair, and
giveaways, including a number of free backyard home compost bins.
The Recycling Center is located at 8100 Jefferson Highway, in Brooklyn
Park. {From 94W, take 169 N, or exit number 29B. From 169N, take the
CR-130/77th Ave N/Brooklyn Blvd exit. Take a left onto CR-130. Take
a right onto Jefferson Highway; 8100 is located on the left side. For
more information, please contact our office for a flyer, or call Angie
Timmons at 612-348-2477. You may also access the website at
www.co.Hennepin.mn.us/environmental/household/ecoyard.html.
5. County Board Supports Minnesota Steelworkers
This past month, the Hennepin County Board gave a show of support to
the Minnesota steelworkers by voting six to one to pass a resolution
in support of United States House Bill 808, the Steel Revitalization
Act of 2001and urge the Minnesota Congressional Delegation to support
the bill. The Steel Industry plays a vital role in Hennepin County,
for both employees and material.
Commissioner McLaughlin, who authored the resolution, was very pleased
with the vote, commenting that "Hennepin County, the State of
Minnesota and the whole country needs to realize the vital role that
the steel industry plays in keeping our country a safe place to live,
and the United States vital in the steel industry. Hennepin County
and the entire state of Minnesota have a vital interest in fair steel
trade because of the jobs on the mining jobs on Iron Range and with
various suppliers in the metro area and throughout Minnesota. Kevin
Fahey, whom helped write the resolution and represents the
steelworkers, has been quoted as saying "America cannot allow this
vital and vibrant industry to die. More than 21,000 jobs statewide
rely on Minnesota's Iron Mining Industry."
For more information on what you can do to help gain passage of the
Steel Revitalization Act of 2001, please call our office or the Kevin
Fahey, our contact for the Steelworkers at 218-749-4613.
6. South Country Health Alliance
After almost five years of negotiations, several legislative struggles
and a gubernatorial veto, the South Country Health Alliance became the
first county-based purchasing group in Minnesota. Comprised of nine
counties (Brown, Dodge, Freeborn, Goodhue, Kanabec, Sibley, Steele,
Waseca and Wabasha), the Alliance will provide a consumer focused,
community based health care system for Medical Assistance Medicaid in
the participating counties.
The Alliance is designed to improve the social and health outcomes of
its members by coordinating social service, public health and medical
services. It will do so with a managed care system that is responsive
to the needs of local members, providers and communities.
Commissioner McLaughlin, who led the negotiating team representing
counties during the legislative battle, commented, "Protecting the
needs of rural patients and maintaining the viability of the rural
health care networks were essential. I'm happy to have assisted these
nine counties in their bold efforts to achieve these important goals.
I fully expect others to follow this strategy in the future."
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Thank you for taking the time to read my update. I would like to keep you
informed without flooding your mailbox, so look about once a month for
updates with the highlights of what is happening.
As always, you may reach me at 612-348-7884. If I am not available, please
talk to any of my great staff: Becky Boland, Dorothy Rucker, Lisa Vecoli,
and Zafeer Baber. We will do whatever we can to assist you or answer your
questions.
You may also access my website at http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/wdist4.html
and the Hennepin County website at http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us/.
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