PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY WHEN YOU ARE AT THE CAPITOL

By Rachel Eggert

After hearing news about State Senator Mike Jungbauer being hit by car when he was out for his daily jog on Capitol Complex this morning, I wanted to remind people PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY when you are looking for parking spot or just drive through the complex.

This time of the year Legislators, staff, media and whoever walk on Capitol complex outside instead of indoor tunnel due to better weather and not too cold.

PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY! It is for safety of Legislators, Lobbyists, Employees, and whoever are on the complex. When you are driving around, please think of Senator Jungbauer as a reminder to drive safe!

ST. PAUL DFL CITY CONVENTION IS ON APRIL 9 AND AGENDA

Saint Paul Democratic Farmer Labor Party City Convention have been set up for Saturday April 9, 2011 at Washington Technology Magnet School (formerly Arlington High School).

Here are agenda:

Registration: 8:00 AM

Call to Order at 9:00 AM

Presentation of Colors

Pledge of Allegiance

Reading of Affirmative Action Statement

Presentation of Treasurer’s Report

Election of Ward Delegation Chairs

Constitution and Resolution Committees’ First Reports

Credentials Committee Preliminary Report

Rules Committee Report

Adoption of Agenda

Adoption of Rules

Election of Permanent Convention Co-Chairs

Nominations Committee Report; Election of Public Official Directors

School Board Nominations

School Board Question and Answer Period

Endorsement Ballot for School Board

Constitution and Resolutions Committees’ Second Reports

Other Business

Adjournment

If any questions, contact St. Paul DFL chairperson Darren Tobolt at darrentobolt@yahoo.com

Links to documents:

Proposed rules

Agenda


Source: St. Paul DFL website

Information on Special Election for Senate District 66 in Minnesota

Special Primary Election will be held on Tuesday March 29th for Former State Senator Ellen Anderson's vacant senate seat. Anderson was appointed to Public Ulities Commission and Governor Mark Dayton have decided to call on Special Election to fill her seat. Senate District 66 represent Como Park, North End, Rice Street, Phalen, part of Eastside, and Falcon Heights.

List of candidates who have filed with Secretary of State Mark Ritchie:

Date Filed Name Party
3/11/2011 John Lesch DFL
3/11/2011 Greg Copeland Republican
3/14/2011 Mary Jo McGuire DFL
3/15/2011 Steven Marchese DFL

Complete list from Ramsey County where you could contact any candidates or their campaigns by clicking HERE

There will be Meet and Greet event at Hamline University on Monday evening where you could have a chance to get to know candidates and ask questions before you go vote on Tuesday. Here is link to Facebook page with details: Click here for information

If Rep. John Lesch win senate seat then another special election will be called on quickly to fill his vacant House seat.

Don't know where your polling place is? Click here to get infomation on where to vote

Map of Senate District 66

Don't attempt this when you are going to Legislative Session

A man jump 23 feet from gallery in Romania because he was so angry at parliament for cutting health insurance for his son who have autism. If anyone attenpt this at my work, they will be charged with some crime and be banned from Minnesota State Capitol for some time just like jumper jump into field at Target Field will be charged and banned for one year. You also could find more pictures by going to Huffington Post article by clicking here.

I notice there are no Ushers or Page or Sergant at Arms or Security in gallery.. How do they control fans at Romanian Parliament and wonder what are they going to do after this incident?

Rach's Letter to Star Tribune Editor

STAR TRIBUNE

12/18/2010


I use Metro Transit on a regular basis due to being legally blind. It is the only mode of transportation I have.

Because I wait for the bus at shelters or stops, I'm aware that the city, businesses and even Metro Transit have done little to clear the huge messes of snow left by plows on sidewalks and corner curbs.

I've had to walk on and wait for buses on the sides of the streets instead of on the sidewalk.

Officials need to think about the safety of bus riders and wheelchair users who need to use sidewalks to safely take the bus.

If you live near bus shelters, please shovel the bus stops and corner curbs that have not been cleared by the city or Metro Transit. Bus riders would appreciate your help.

RACHEL EGGERT, ST. PAUL

Rach's Letter to Pioneer Press Editor: Clearing snow for bus riders

Clearing snow for bus riders

Pioneer Press

12/16/2010

I am a bus rider and I use Metro Transit on a regular basis because of legal blindness; it's the only mode of transportation I have. I wait for the bus at bus shelters or stops. The city, businesses and even Metro Transit haven't cleared snow after the snowplows, leaving a huge mess on sidewalks and corner curbs. I had to walk and wait for buses on the side of the street, instead of the sidewalk.

They need to think about safety for bus riders, the elderly and disabled, even wheelchair riders, who need to use the bus and need to use the sidewalk.

If you live near bus shelters, please shovel bus stops and corner curbs. Bus riders would appreciate your help.

Rachel Eggert, St. Paul

Update from my previous blog on vent of snow removal situation

Earlier I wrote how pissed off I was about snow not being removed from bus stop on previous blog entry. Finally I got e-mail response from my councilman which was good.

Here are e-mail replies between me and my councilman:

Hi XXXX,
Sorry I didn't reply asap, was at retirement party for Speaker Kelliher at Target Field and thanks for gettting back to me sooner.

To answer your question, XXXX and XXXX- bus stops are at three corners. also two more stops on XXXX and XXXX.

If Downtown is in your ward, I also would like to see bus stops that have high volume of traffic to be shoveled also.

How long do you think work would get done?

See you on thursday at your kick off party. Thanks again for getting back to me.

Rach


Coumcilman's response after I wrote email earlier.

--- On Tue, 12/14/10, XXXX XXXXXX wrote:


From: XXXX XXXXXXX
Subject: Re: Snow removal at bus stops & shelters, sidewalk are not cleared very well- safety concern
To: "XXXXXXXX" , senatoreggert@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 7:39 PM


Thank you Rachel

I know that Mayor Coleman and I agree that safe streets, walks and
intersections are of highest priority in our Minnesota winter. Rest
assured that bus stops and crosswalks will be cleaned. The heavy
snowfall has us a little behind but our hardworking employees are
working extra shifts to do the job for you.

Are there any particular bus stops or intersections we should place on a
priority list? Email back and we'll get on them.

Thanks again for contacting us

XXXX

My vent of snow plowing & letter to my Councilman and Mayor

I had to write e-mail to my Councilman and Mayor because I was not too happy with how the Public works Department does it works even Metro Transit for not clearing snow off at bus stops and shelters. Here is my vent:


Dear Mayor Coleman and Councilmember XXXXXX,

I have been living in XXXX and XXXX area in XXX Ward since September. I do like living in St. Paul but I would like to vent out about how public works department does its job.

I am very disappointed in City of St. Paul and Metro Transit for not clearing snow off bus stops even sidewalks are very narrow. Businesses was not very helpful when it comes to clear snow off at bus stops & shelters. Streets are plowed but what about bus stops & shelter and sidewalks that have too much snow?

I am bus rider myself and I use bus on regular basis. I can’t go out that much because of bus stops are not being clear of snow. I had to walk on street because snow are STILL on low rise corner curbs even wait for buses on side of the street.

It is not too safe to wait for buses on street INSTEAD of sidewalk when there are big pile of snow. Last time we had snowstorm, I had hard time getting on and off buses due to bad balance and I am legally blind; I complained to city, they did nothing! What about people who use wheelchairs who use bus, how can they get on and off bus even where would they wait for buses if bus shelters & stops are not clear of snow? It is dangerous for them as well.

My point is that I am speaking out for bus riders and disability community. They use bus frequently like I do on regular basis and it is only mode of transportation I have since I can’t drive regular cars due to legally blindness.

Again, I am trying to get my point across for bus riders and disabled people including my own safety.

Thank you for your time to read e-mail and hope to hear from you soon


Sincerely,

Rachel Eggert

(address not published)

MSHSL SCHEDULE MODIFICATIONS FOR ELECTION DAY, TUES., NOV. 2

In order to comply with state election law so that no high school soccer is being played between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 2, several slight schedule modifications have been put in place.

Three third-place games are scheduled at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with two semifinal games scheduled for noon and 2 p.m. In all cases, there will only be 20 minutes from final horn of the previous game until the next game begins.

For the three third-place games only there will be several additional modifications:

1) Warm-ups will begin immediately after the previous game ends. Warm-ups will take place while awards are presented. The next game will start 20 minutes after the previous game ends, so games may begin prior to scheduled start times.

2) Only starting players will be introduced

3) Halftimes will be shortened to five (5) minutes.

4) No overtime will be played. Both teams will share third place.

In the event that the final game of the day (scheduled for 4 p.m.) begins after 4:15, actual playing time may be adjusted to ensure a conclusion of the game by 6 p.m.

Dill recovers from kidney transplant

State Rep. Dave Dill of Crane Lake received a new kidney Tuesday at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

By: News Tribune Staff, Duluth News Tribune

State Rep. Dave Dill of Crane Lake received a new kidney Tuesday at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

According to Dill’s family, the procedure went as scheduled and he is up and walking and feeling well. He could be released from the hospital as early as Saturday, House DFL spokesperson Sandy Connolly said.

“Rep. Dill extends his appreciation for all the love and prayers of support he has received, and is looking forward to a full recovery,” Connolly said.

Dill, 55, has battled diabetes and kidney problems for many years. He underwent gastric bypass surgery two years ago and lost more than 150 pounds, resolving his diabetes issues. But the previous damage to his kidneys was not repairable, and his kidney function has slowly deteriorated to the level that a transplant was necessary.

Dill is running for his fifth consecutive term in the House. He faces a challenge in the Nov. 2 general election from Republican Jim Tuomala of Babbitt.