February 24, 2023
New Day, New Opportunity in Vadnais Heights and State Government
It’s a new day in Vadnais Heights in 2023 with a new mayor, two new city council members, and two new city residents in the state legislature.
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March 13, 2022
City Struggles to Address Equity
At its July 20, 2022, meeting, the Vadnais Heights city council heard from proponents of creating a human rights commission. Council member Eric Goebel requested a workshop discussion on a commission, and Council member Steve Rogers supported the motion. A workshop discussion is the first step in placing an item on the council agenda.
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September 30, 2021
Lack of Progress by City on Equity and Inclusion Disappointing
For the past 16 months, throughout the country, governmental units, schools and colleges, businesses, and individuals have been reckoning increasingly with issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and racism.
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January 6, 2021
My Rhyme Rock Star Aunt Calls for Trump to Go
My amazing Aunt Ida, rhyme rock star, writes poems/rhymes and colorful children’s books (“My Amazing Aunt: Poet/Author, Rhyme Rock Star,” March 17, 2020). Her themes have been children, the environment, and fun and fantasy.
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December 31, 2020
My City Should Focus on Inclusion and Equity
For the past 31 years, my family and I have lived in Vadnais Heights, a suburb of almost 14,000 people located north of St. Paul. We have appreciated many aspects of the community including timely snow removal, parks-and-recreation opportunities for young children, fire protection, well-kept streets, economic development, and relationships with two outstanding school districts.
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June 9, 2020
Stimulus Checks to the Deceased: What Would You Do?
About noon on May 4, I opened my mailbox and was surprised to find an envelope with a check for $1,200 from the United States Treasury to my mother, care of me, first name misspelled. It was particularly surprising because my mother passed away March 31, 2018, more than two years ago. Next to her name were the letters “DECD.” At the bottom left of the check were the words “Economic Impact Payment, President Donald J. Trump.”
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July 7, 2018
Pushy Door-to-Door Vacuum Cleaner Salespeople Are Like Partisan Politicians: They Lack the Art Of Persuasion
I have never invited a door-to-door salesperson into my house to demonstrate vacuum cleaners. In fact, my wife is the expert family consumer and user of vacuum cleaners, and she doesn’t entertain door-to-door vacuum-cleaner hawkers. Nevertheless, I was appalled to read the April 17 Star Tribune story “Vacuum sales take pushy to new level: door-to-door tactics by company frighten, anger residents in several cities.”
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September 6, 2017
Glen Taylor’s Win-Win Approach Can Help Resolve Conflicts and Restore Confidence in Government
It’s not surprising that public trust in government remains near historic lows. Only 20 percent of Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right, according to the Pew Research Center
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May 7, 2017
It Is Not Okay to Drop Your Dog’s Poop in My Garbage Can
With the arrival of spring, people are emerging from their domiciles and winter hibernation to enjoy the pleasant weather, biking or walking, often accompanied by their dog—or dogs. I am seeing more people with not only one but often two or three dogs. The number of dogs licensed by the city of Vadnais Heights has decreased the past eight years; however, I swear that the pet population is surging despite dog demographic data from the city indicating otherwise.
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