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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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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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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