First responders are life savers

To the editor:

A special thank you to the 911 operator, two Savage police officers, four EMTs with Allina Ambulance Service, the staffs at St. Francis and Methodist Heart Center hospitals – who’se dedicated services saved my husband’s life on May 26. We can’t say thank you enough!

Ardyce and Harold Ullman

Savage

Say ‘no’ to roundabout

To the editor:

I work in Edina. Last Thursday I was making a Target run and traveled on 70th Street between France Avenue and York Avenue. There are three roundabouts on 70th Street. Ahead of me a car came to a quick stop as we approached the first roundabout. Instead of continuing round to the right to get into the Galleria parking lot on the left, the driver drove left, the opposite direction, into the parking lot, causing oncoming traffic to stop quickly, in turn causing a minor rear-end collision of two cars.

I remember at that moment hoping that there would be no roundabout put in at County 16 and Lynn Avenue. But, when the Scott County Engineers first brought up the idea of the roundabout and had the "informational meeting" last February, I knew what the public thought would not matter one iota, and that the roundabout was destined.

It reminds me of the time we wanted to bring a community swimming pool to Savage and asked the voters for a tax levy to build the pool. The voters answered yes and taxes were raised, but what happened? No community pool for us. Instead the city brought in Life Time Fitness. So much for our tax money being used for the good of the community, when many of us can't afford membership at Life Time.

Yes, fatal and serious crashes will probably be avoided with a roundabout, but the accident rate will increase at least tenfold. Those accidents won't show up in the police report as they will be minor enough not to get the police involved, but will be a headache enough for drivers to call their insurance company, take time off work to drop their vehicles off to get repaired, get a rental, and then deal with higher insurance premiums.

Take a day and stand along 70th Street in Edina and watch the comedy of the drivers trying to negotiate their way down that street. Watch the minor collisions as they happen. Then think of the amount of traffic on County 16 and Lynn going at a faster rate trying to maneuver the roundabout. Those of us living in the area may get the hang of it, but first timers will find it tough. I also fear with the amount of traffic there will be difficulty getting in and out of it, and in the winter it will become much worse as snow piles on the road and against the median and no driving lines are visible.

I am making a plea for the city and county to reconsider and install left hand turn lights instead. I also make a plea for everyone who drives that road every day to call the city and say “no” to the roundabout.

Tori Eide

Savage

Ben Kanninen will be missed

To the editor:

Independent School District 191 has been fortunate to have Ben Kanninen at the helm for the past 10 years. From his first days in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage District, Ben has displayed all the hallmarks of an exemplary superintendent.

He is a visionary thinker, helping us to create a remarkable community school building housing a unique, challenging junior-college like program for our seniors in high school, a senior citizen center, adult basic education facilities, an early childhood special education program, pre-school childcare, community education and a community clinic that meets the needs of students with no health insurance.

He has also renewed our long-range plan and made it a document that guides the work we do.He is a creative problem solver, instituting an enterprise approach to funding our athletic programs that insulates them from the ups and downs of public school financing.He is a team builder, who allows those around him the opportunity to contribute in meaningful ways by giving them the tools and the encouragement they need to take responsible risks without fear of retribution.

He is a community leader, who works hard to establish partnerships with the cities we serve, businesses, social service agencies, parents and community members. The new Burnsville Community Television facility being housed at BHS is one of those win-win partnerships. The partnership with Community Action Council to provide family support workers in our schools is another example.

He is an advocate for public education frequently being asked to testify before the legislature on educational issues and funding issues, serving on task forces and presenting to his peers.

But most of all, Dr. Kanninen is a passionate advocate for every child we serve. He has protected core programming and found ways to facilitate new programming to engage and enrich our students even in the midst of financial uncertainty. Project Lead the Way pre-engineering courses, the pre-Advanced Placement programs for underperforming eighth- and ninth-grade students of color, increased opportunities for AP and College in the Schools courses at both the junior highs and high school, the universal and now sliding scale full-day, every-day kindergarten program and the movement to magnet schools and programs to help promote integration and provide unique learning opportunities for our students are among the things he has championed.

Ben was recognized for all these qualities when he was selected Minnesota State Superintendent of the Year for 2005.On behalf of the Board of Education of ISD 191, but more importantly, on behalf of our students, we wish Dr. Kanninen well as he enters retirement. We will miss this man of grace, intelligence, humanity, humility and integrity. But, we will always remember his passion for education as we strive to reach higher and do better every day.

Vicki R. Roy

Chairwoman

ISD 191 Board of Education 

What has Buesgens done this session?

To the editor:

Charlie Rike, in last week’s letters to the editor, asks why Savage voters would “elect someone” named Rep. Mark Buesgens?Well, Mr. Rike in answer to your question, let’s take a look at some of what our representative did for us just this year, 2008:1. He referred to DFLers and Republicans who supported the transportation funding veto override as “thieves.”2. His was a plaintiff in a costly lawsuit against the state of Minnesota for his and his colleagues’ pay.3. He wrote in March, 2008: “With all the important issues facing our state … symbolic resolutions on issues we have no control over are a waste of the taxpayers' time.” He then offered a “symbolic” amendment demanding an expensive legislative roll call. He voted against his amendment cited by the Journal of the House Wednesday, April 16, 2008: “The question was taken on the Buesgens amendment and the roll was called. There were 0 yeas and 130 nays.”4. He introduced five bills – no hearings; none passed.Thank you, Mr. Rike for asking.

Tom Rees

New Market Township